"Leanika" by Dena Designs

So I was trawling the internet instead of doing something productive, and discovered this fabric range that I had to show you.  Designed for Free Spirit Fabrics by Dena Designs, the range is called "Leanika".  It is so whimsical and pretty, and appeals to the bird lover in me - love the bird motif!!

Aren't the colours fresh and pretty?!

I am a big fan of these design motifs

I saved my favourite till last - love love love it!!  Now, if I only I had the money, time and pattern . . .

If you would like to see more of this range, or other Free Spirit Fabrics, click here

Millie's Quilt

When I first discovered Millie was sick with the likelihood of not getting better, I decided to make a quilt in her honour.  Originally I hoped to bury it with her in the hopes that she would give me enough time to make it, but that was not to happen.  I think it will be nice to have a quilt that resembles her comfort to me - a constant reminder of her at home.

This quilt has been quite a different construction.  Rather than working from a pattern and labouring over colour and pattern selection, I walked into the craft store and kind of "felt" my way through the range of materials.

Quite different to my usual choices; I was guided by the idea of creating a rainbow of colours, full of brightness and warmth.

I cut the material into five and half inch squares and experimented with different layouts to find the one I liked the most.  Eventually the quilt materialised . . .

This is a snapshot of the quilt top.  I wanted to create a randomness to the pattern with loads of colour.  I decided to do some larger feature blocks of the material I loved the most.

Even the backing became experimental.  Instead of buying a length of material I decided to use up the material scraps and sew them together in strips.  Very economical! I have bought purple material to sew on each side of the panel, and will be attempting machine quilting for the first time!!

At this stage I am still not sure how the quilt will finish, and as with most things at the moment, I feel numb when I look at it.  But I hope in time it will give me happiness, just like Millie did.

Jelly Girl

Here is a quilt I made, that is in the process of being hand quilted. I say "process" but the reality is she has been curled up in a bag for quite a while getting crushed!

The pattern I used is called "Jelly Girl" by Fig Tree Quilts, and the Jelly Roll used is Moda "Spring Magic" by April Cornell.  Never thought I was a floral fanatic, but it is starting to become obvious in the quilts I make. The border I chose is by Lakehouse Dry Goods "Doll Dresses Pearl Rose Trellis".

I bought the backing (shown here on far left) at a separate stage, orginally destined for another quilt.  It surprised me to discover later that it is also a Lakehouse Dry Goods fabric, called "Ticking Stripe Petal".  Now all those creases really should shame me into pulling this quilt out of its hiding place to finish it, don't you think?

I decided to hand quilt using a Perle 8 in a variegated pinks/orange/yellow.  It is really nice to work with. Hopefully I can show you the finished product in the near future!! :)

Japanese Linen Fabric

Thought I would show you some lovely materials.
The first I cannot even take ownership for; I bought it on behalf of my Mum the other day, she saw it in a local patchwork shop and couldn't live without it.

I know it is a cotton/linen blend, and I am sure through surfing the internet that it is a Japanese Fabric, but surprisingly it does not have a printed selvedge with the company name and colours on it.  Strange?! If anyone can tell me where it comes from, I would love to know.

But this is the part I love the most - it is double sided! Fantastic! Being a slightly heavier weight, imagine the possibilities for sewing with a reversible fabric. . .

The material below I did purchase myself on Etsy.

I too have an interest in natural and printed linen, and thought even a fat quarter of this could make up something pretty.  I know it is a also a linen/cotton blend and printed in Japan but its origins I am not sure of either.

Japan really has it worked out for beautiful materials, don't they?!

Treasure Chest

While searching through my boxes of materials for Georgia's letter cushions, I pulled out these beautiful fabrics.

Love Love Love them!

On a family outing day last year I plunged into a patchwork shop while my husband had the children's attention and had a good look around.  I stumbled upon this pack of charm squares by Moda Fabrics and thought they were absolutely beautiful. So two packs later of "Whisper" by Sentimental Studios (can never have enough), I stashed them away for the day when inspiration hits.

The best of a beautiful bunch

I was particularly taken with this charm square, it is such a lovely watercolour print.  It's funny how sometimes fabric finds you, and sits there waiting for a purpose - the pattern to match it perfectly.  Other times it is the pattern that grabs you and you begin a quest for the right material!

Some more inspiration came from The Fat Quarter Shop through the mail one day.  I just love how the bright cheery colours jump out and smile!

I purchased a Moda Honey Bun version of "Swanky" by Chez Moi, thinking the cute little floral and spotty prints would suit it perfectly.  I am thinking of a miniature log cabin, combined with squares of contrasting colour.  Can't wait to try these out, but have committed to finishing my current projects first!!

Nature's Chorus

Hi!
Thought I would show you a quilt I made VERY early on.  It was the second attempt at patchwork and the first time outside of a class.  I was bitten by the bug and having first learned patchwork with a jelly roll, couldn't resist trying one again.  Moda Fabrics really have lovely ranges in the jelly rolls; showcasing so many fabrics that aren't always possible to buy individually.
The Moda Jelly Roll I used is "Nature's Chorus" as the title suggests, by April Cornell.

Now this quilt could very easily be titled "Shabby Chic" as it is a little rough around the edges, but she is one of my favourites.  I learnt SO much sewing without a pattern and experimenting as I went. And as so many of you crafters would know, just the experience of working with beautiful materials and colours is uplifting and exciting.

I machine sewed the quilt but opted to have it professionally quilted by a very lovely lady.  The pattern is a continuous line of feathers, which I think suits her perfectly!

At the end of the day, I learnt that taking skills from a class and sitting down on your own to use them and break a few of them can be as much a learning experience as being taught by a teacher.  I will no doubt be attending another class around the corner, but venturing outside the square with what I learn afterwards too.

Oliver's Rocket

Here is a quilt I made for a friend's one year old boy.  It is called "Oliver's Rocket" which the mum wanted to be the central theme (Oliver's nickname IS Rocket!)

I borrowed much of the idea from one of my favourite books; "Material Obsession" written by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke; and much of the fabric is from the Prints Charming range.  What beautiful material to work with!!  The actual rocket panel is screen printed by Prints Charming and I was aiming to follow the funky look with bright colours and patterns.

I hand quilted this one which was lots of fun, as the red stars have swirling patterns around them, and backed it with a beautiful bubble print that Oliver's mum particularly liked.

It was sad parting with it, but I know it went to a good home