Monday 29 February 2016

Photo Fun!


I love taking photos in my parents' garden!

Mum & Dad's garden

Mum & Dad's Garden Mum & Dad's Garden

And the outakes.......


Jude xo

Wednesday 24 February 2016

Hoooked Zpagetti!

Today I get to tell you about something totally cool!

This is Hoooked Zpagetti (not a spelling mistake!).  This stuff is made from ....... T-shirts! How cool is that!

And if you're wondering what on earth can you knit or crochet with it, just take a look at this for inspiration!

Hoooked Zpagetti Yarn - Fabric Yard
Source - Pinterest
And there's more!


This is Hoooked Ribbon, made from .............. recycled yarn!!  Super duper cool!

If you love recycling as much as me, and also enjoy crochet and knitting, then check out all the wonderful Hoooked Yarns over at Fabric Yard!

And to tempt you even further, Fabric Yard are having a Spring Sale


You've got until 1st March to bag yourself a bargain!  And remember, only £1 shipping on all UK orders.

Happy Shopping!

Jude xo

Sunday 21 February 2016

Hedgehogs!

The theme this month in the Siblings Together Bee 2 is Hedgehogs!

Hedgehogs for Ann/Siblings Together Bee 2
My blocks
These cute little fellas are the brain child of Melly and Me!


This is the original pattern by Melly and Me, which you can purchase here.

(As you can see, in Siblings Together we are going for a more 'brights and scrappy' look with our blocks!)

I know some people adore hedgehogs, so get ready for some cuteness overload!


Meet Hollie!  Isn't she a cutie (and also made and designed by Melly and Me)!  

To make your very own Hollie the Hedgehog go here to get the Melly and Me pattern. 

Now if you know me well, you may know that I haven't always had such positive encounters with said 'hogs'!  Suffice to say, several early morning experiences involving my dog, a large mixing bowl, and airborne hogs into the local school grounds will just about cover it!  'Nuff said! 

(No hedgehogs were injured in said relocation - I know because THEY KEPT COMING BACK INTO MY GARDEN!)

And breathe!

Jude xo

Wednesday 17 February 2016

My Favourite Bag!

Also in Popular Patchwork (March issue) is one of my most favourite bags!

Qayg bag for Popular Patchwork Mar16

It's my favourite bag because the 'quilt as you go' technique is one of my favourite quilting techniques and I get to continue my love affair with scraps!

QAYG Shopping Bag class sample

I love the texture QAYG creates, and it's perfect for projects where you need a little more structure.

QAYG Mosaic

My pattern will show you how to 'quilt as you go' and also how to insert a recessed zipper, perfect for keeping all your fabric purchases essentials secure!


Hmmm, all this talk about QAYG makes me want to make something else using this fun technique! It's not like I don't have plenty of scraps to choose from after all!

Do you have a favourite quilting technique?

Jude xo

Monday 15 February 2016

Spring Greens!

It was a beautiful Spring day here in Belfast.

The perfect day to show you my Spring Greens quilt.

Spring Geese Quilt for Popular Patchwork Mar16

I've used different sized 'geese' in Sandi Henderson's 'Secret Garden' fabrics.

This was a lot of fun to make!

Spring Geese Quilt for Popular Patchwork Mar16

My mind starting thinking about our migratory Brent Geese (who occupy Strangford Lough during our winter months), which inspired me to quilt arcs across the geese. My thinking here was to give some 'movement' to the geese!  Do you think it works?

Spring Greens Quilt (back)
More Sandi Henderson in the back.
The quilt finishes up at 67" x 72" and if you fancy making your own version, you can find the pattern in the March edition of Popular Patchwork.

Spring Geese Quilt Popular Patchwork Mar16

Our Brent geese will fly away again in April!  So glad I've got my own resident geese, all year round!


Jude xo

Saturday 13 February 2016

Spring Walk!

Spring Walk

This is Spring Walk by Sarah Betz/Little Cube. Aren't they gorgeous!  I particularly love the cute umbrellas and swans!

I'll be working on these this weekend for a magazine commission.

There was plenty of the wet stuff about today, but isn't it lovely to see spring winning out!

Spring Drops


And walking of a different kind happened yesterday!

I took my family to Gaol!!


We have long been wanting to visit the historic and Victorian Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast.

An informative and engaging tour, and well worth a visit.  

But don't worry, they let you out again!!

Have a great weekend!

Jude xo

Tuesday 9 February 2016

Back to it!

On Saturday I returned to Bee Blessed, after a 7 month break!


It was wonderful sewing with old and new friends again, and seeing all the wonderful in-progress quilts.

This month we are working on reverse churn dash blocks, to compliment last month's churn dashes.

I got these 3 made, and there's a lovely collection of others growing too.

Reverse Churn Dash blocks for Bee Blessed

We would love it if you could make us a block or two. You can find the tutorial here, and check out more wonderful pics of donated quilts and blocks on the Bee Blessed blog.

Jude xo

Saturday 6 February 2016

Cushion Love!

Continuing the 'Love' theme this month, here are the 2 cushions I submitted for publication:

Quilt Now (Feb issue):

My DP Heart Cushion in Feb16 Quilt Now

Similar to my 'Drunken Hearts' quilt, this cushion is made using drunken path units to form the curved tops of the heart (Katy the editor named it 'Dunk Your Heart' because it reminded her of Jammie Dodger biscuits!).

I chose the sweetest red Lecien 30's Fabric Collection with Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Flax for the background.

DP Heart Cushion in Feb16 Quilt Now

Frumble sell a wonderful range of pom pom trim and I couldn't resist going for giant red pom poms to finish off this round cushion.

Sewing World (Feb issue):

Chenille Heart Cushion Feb16 Sewing World

This is my Chenille Heart Cushion, with a positive and negative front and back.

Chenille

Chenille is a 'layering and slashing' technique, creating raw edges which turn fluffy when washed. It's a wonderfully tactile finish, perfect for a snuggly cushion don't you think!

Chenille class sample

So if you are looking for a valentines gift idea for that someone special, grab yourself one of these magazines and get cracking!  You've still got time!

Jude xo

Tuesday 2 February 2016

Feeling the Love!

February is the month of Luuuurrrrrvvvv! (so I'm told!)

So I submitted a few 'heart related' projects to magazines!

Drunken Hearts Quilt - Sewing World Feb16

This is my 'Drunken Hearts' quilt in British Patchwork & Quilting (Feb), so called because I used 'drunkards path' units to make the heart blocks. 


I have to say I 'fell in love' with this quilt as I was making it, and can't wait to get it back from the magazine. 

I used Art Gallery's 'Bijou' and 'Dreaming in French' for the hearts and Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Black for the background.

My sweet Trudi did a beautiful job quilting this for me on her long arm machine (you can just about see the hearts quilting pattern).


Tune in again for another 'Luuuuurrrrrvvvvv' installment!

Jude xo

Monday 1 February 2016

Leaping Into February!

How wonderful to leave January!

Storm 'Henry' decided to usher in February here, very kindly sending the contents of my recycling bin up and down the length of my street!!

On a happier note, it's nice to see at a glance my makes & bee blocks for January.

Jan16 Roundup

Technically, not everything here was made in January, but if they are published in January then I've decided to include them! The usual clues are in there for future reveals.

Bee Blocks Jan16
L-R: Brit Bee; Siblings Together Bee 2; Bee Blessed
It was a good month for bee blocks too.

So what will February bring?  2 family birthdays, a trip to prison (!!), guests and lots more running and sewing!

Another regular month then!!

Stay safe!

Jude xo