Umbrella Prints 2014

My pack of Umbrella Prints Trimmings was blue/aqua this year so basically I just drooled on the little packet of trimmings for quite some time before I actually had the nerve to cut into them!   In a few days, be sure to look at the 2014 board on Pinterest to see how creative people can be with just a few pieces!  And then REPIN and COMMENT on mine, of course!!!  The picture with the most repins/comments is one of the winners!!! CLICK HERE to see my picture over on Pinterest!

What did I make with this pack of trimmings?  A [soft sculpture] dragonfly of course!  And two brooches, a jam jar pincushion using my own tutorial and a needlebook!  I still have a few small scraps left over so I will make a few more brooches (another day).

The wings have wire in them so I can bend them to be more forward or flat.  Eventually I will prop him up on the edge of the bookcase.  I am @amyscraftyshenanigans on Instagram so do go have a look at the two brooches I made - I posted them separately.  Here they are together:

Here is a picture of the jam jar pincushion and needlebook with a little 'postage stamp' style Umbrella Print flower pinned to the pincushion.  I had to add green in somewhere!

Happy sewing!

Linking to Whoop Whoop! and Finish it Friday

Heal's (furnishing) fabric

Heal's is re-launching their own-brand of  fabrics.  I was lucky to get a sample of two of these home-dec/upholstery weight fabrics to be creative with.  The graphic print with peacocks is by Malika Favre (called Peacock Flower) and the coral print is by Zandra Rhodes (called Top Brass 2).

I pulled some Kona cotton solids to frame squares of Peacock Flower and I made a table runner.  I like mixing home-dec weight with quilting cotton - it gives an additional texture!  On this occasion, I interfaced the squares as I figure this runner will be washed quite a lot and I wanted to make sure they held up to my robust washing machine!

 

I used an Aurifil variegated thread for my quilting - a sort of swooped-straight-line-curved-semi-cross-hatch kind of quilting!! And on the back - some Ikea Nummers of course!

With the Top Brass 2 fabric, I made a zippy pouch.  Once again, I used some Kona cotton fabric to crate a contrasting bottom.  I also added two rows of fun stitches to 'quilt' the bag and a piece of ribbon as a tag to add some finishing touches.  

The sunshine made my photos look really wild!  Sorry!

Here is a link to a YouTube video about the re-launch.  Thank you Heal's for letting me play with these fabrics! 

Happy Monday everyone!

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Citrus Triangle large quilt category

Finally I am able to properly reveal my Citrus Triangle Quilt and I am entering it in to the Blogger's Quilt Festival over at Amy's Creative Side.  Be sure to pop over and see all the other entries - it truly is a feast for the eyes!

As part of the Triangle Quilt Along with The Sassy Quilter, I managed to complete make my 'Citrus Triangle' quilt within the time frame of the quilt-along, despite starting a tiny bit late!  For my quilt, I pulled a stack of greens, greys and low volume whites to make my equilateral triangles with.  I am on a fabric fast so I used what I had in my stash.  I LOVE how it turned out!!  I am a green-fabric-kind-of-person -- can you tell!!?

For the binding, I went with what I had in the house (grey with white dots) but decided to add just a touch of the teal as you can see in the picture above and just below.  I am so glad I did because it would have been a rather green/grey/white quilt other wise!!  I used some chevrons to back it with.  Again, this is what I had in my stash.

This outdoor photo (below) does not do this quilt justice as it was rather sunny when I took the photo so my greens are looking a little pale here.  However, I include this picture because it shows the circular quilting that I did on the quilt.  I love the effect and can't wait to wash it to see how it crinkles up!

Here is the initial pull of fabric inspiration for my quilt.  Some of these didn't make the final quilt and I did add a few more to make my quilt bigger.  Such a yummy stack of fabric. 

 
QUILT STATS:
Size: 53.5 x 74 inches
Pattern: 5" equilateral triangles
Thread: pieced with Aurifil Mako 50  #2021 and quilted with Aurifil Mako 40 (green spool) thread #2882
Wadding: 80/20

Linking this finish to Q2 FAL with the Littlest Thistle.
Check out my original goal post HERE.

Blogger's Quilt Festival - NYB Mini Quilt entry

Time to enter the Blogger's Quilt Festival!  I have only entered a couple of times before so this is pretty exciting!  There are already so many amazing quilts linked up and so much inspiration I can hardly contain myself!! Thank you to Amy's Creative Side for hosting this on-line festival!

I have decided to submit my DSTT New York Beauty in to the MINI QUILT category.

My original blog post about it is HERE.  You see, Dear Stella and Timeless Treasures held a "Modern Traditional" mini competition with Katy Jones (Monkey Do) and Julie Herman (Jaybird Quilts) so I entered this beauty (pun intended!!) into the competition.  And won.  Crazy awesome world!

Each side is 20 inches as shown by the tape measure in the picture below.  You can just see the straight-line quilting in invisible thread here too.

I enjoyed making this mini quilt and used some fan fabrics!  I posted a few sneak-peak pics on Instagram as I was making it and those ants were quite a hit but some people thought they were a bit creepy!  I love those ants!  Here it is before I quilted it and put the binding on:

QUILT STATS:
Size: 20" x 20" = 80 inches total perimeter
Thread: Aurifil and invisible thread
Fabrics: Dear Stella and Timeless Treasures
Pattern: New York Beauty blocks

Modern She Made - Hexie Swap

You already know that I LOVE SWAPS!  I signed up for the Modern She Made Hexie Swap and was sent my partner.  After a bit of stalking, I decided that I would make her the Sew Together Bag.  I started this bag at the very beginning of March and got to about 90% complete.  Then it sat and sat and I realised I really disliked the print fabrics I picked.  So, out came my handy clover seam ripper and I took it back to just the pocket section.  And now here is what it looks like - COMPLETED!!

I love this fabric - so happy and colourful and I am so lucky that it coordinated with the pocket section I made originally!  I did a tiny bit of hand quilting on some of the diamond shapes and love how those diamonds actually make hexies.

The pattern makes a really clever three-zipped-pocket pouch with storage sections in between and opens wide but boy did I struggle with the instructions.  Thankfully The Quilt Barn did a sew-along earlier in the year so there were visuals for me to turn to!  [I am a visual learner]

Kona fabrics are the best - all of those solids sure come in handy when making bags!  I went with a dark blue (not sure the shade) that I had on hand that matched the navy on the outer fabric so it tied it all together.  I love it when a plan (ahem) comes together!  'Sew Together'... hahahaa

This label sums it up:

Here is the whole parcel that I sent.  I had fun gathering teas, a rainbowy notebook (my partner loves rainbows), chocolate, scraps, zippers and a tea towel with hexies on it and a hexagon shaped potholder.

And here is the pot holder and coordinating tea towel. The colour is a little off here - the purples and oranges look electric but they aren't that bright in person. 

I sure hope that my partner likes everything because I had a lot of fun sewing for her. 

GOOD NEWS:  this is one of my 2nd Quarter FAL goals and I can now cross it off my list!

Linking to ALYOF May

 

Linking to TGIFF over at My Quilt Infatuation and with Finish it Friday. 

GIVEAWAY Handmade item and tutorial link

Hello and welcome to my [HANDMADE] giveaway.  I am also having a [SUPPLIES] giveaway so do check that out as well!

Today I am giving away a Weighted Mouse Pincushion.  The winner can pick which one of these little guys they would like!

And guess what - you can make your own mouse using my tutorial.  Click on The Daily Stitch to see how to make one!

This is an easy-peasy giveaway to enter -- just tell me which mouse you would like to win!  Followers get a second entry.  I will ship worldwide - yay!  The winner will be chosen by a random draw on the 19th May and I will notify the winner by email so be sure I have a way to contact you!

Though I normally try to respond to comments left on my blog, I won't be responding to replies on this occasion but thank you for entering in advance!  Good luck and happy blog-hopping!  Be sure to check out all the other blogs linked up for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day - Supplies

I love Giveaway Day Week with Sew Mama Sew!  I always have so much fun finding new blogs to follow and people to meet!!  Be sure to check out all of the giveaways that are linked up!  This is my [SUPPLIES] giveaway - please feel free to also enter my [HANDMADE] giveaway of a totally cute Weighted Mouse Pincushion.

What have I got for one lucky person?  I have a selection of blue scraps!  I love fabric scraps - and hope you do too!  There are lots of big pieces and a handful of small bits - all perfect for scrappy projects and paper piecing patterns.  225 grams/8 oz of fabric - yum!

To enter, please leave a comment telling me who your favourite online fabric store is. Followers can have a second entry!  This giveaway is open worldwide and one winner will be randomly drawn and emailed on 19th May.

Good luck and happy blog-hopping! 

April 2014 - in review

A little late with my Month in Review but here is my mosaic for April:

I sent some blocks for a Soy Amado quilt, finished some bee blocks, made a name badge and pattern tested the Girlfriend wallet for Little Mushroom Cap.  And YAY - I finished the Plaid Shaggy Quilt off my list of 2nd Quarter FAL and here is Jax helping to 'show it off':

My favourite make in April has to be my #DSTT Challenge mini quilt.  Yup - I won!  Here is the link to the post about the mini.

Happy sewing.  See you tomorrow with a GIVEAWAY! 

[Eventually] linking to:

ALYOF May goal

My April goal was not achieved so it has become my May goal.

I MUST get this project completed this month!

Wish me luck - again!!

Linking to:

 

Fabric Fast - April update

My fabric fast is going ok...ish.  In my original post, I listed these goals:

GOALS:

- To use the stash I already have (to make quilts and other things)
Update:  I have made a wallet, half an Alligator quilt, a Shaggy Edge plaid quilt, used a tonne of 5" charms to make the Cherry Charm quilt top, made a Triangle quilt top, used my scraps to make more pincushions and used several metres of backing fabric - all from stash.  Here is the Triangle top:

- Aim to finish UFOs and PHDs BEFORE starting something new
Update:  hmmm... this is debatable but I HAVE crossed several things off the list.  However - I may have added more to that (original) list which means the list is in no way no smaller than before!

- Stop buying the latest and greatest fabric and save money!!

Update:  In April I purchased some Kona Solids for which I have no purpose - YET!  Oh and a mini charm pack for my Scrap Vomit quilt.  Oh and some fabrics for the New York Beauty Dear Stella/Timeless Treasures Challenge.  See next point below to explain why!!

- Only buy what I need in order to complete specific projects/commissions
Update:  I purchased some Dear Stella Dots and some Timeless Treasures Rain and Sketch to complete my #DSTTChallenge so I am allowed that!  I am also allowed the mini charm pack for my Scrap Vomit quilt!

- De-stash the fabrics that I realise I am never going to use
Update:  I have de-stashed, swapped and given away, to-date in 2014, 27 fat quarters.  Yes, 27 fat quarters have left the building folks!

- Make a list of all projects that have been started and work through them!

Update:  I have made a HUGE list and keep adding to it.  Several things have been crossed off so I am a happy camper!

In summary: 

I have been using my stash.  I have used quite a bit of it, given some away, swapped a bit and sold a few pieces.  The amount of fabric that has come IN to the house is still LESS than what has gone out or been used = I am a *good girl!

Linking to:

*in my experience, an addict can always find a way to justify their actions.  Yes, I am an addict!

Modern Traditional #DSTTchallenge

Hello - I am finally sharing my Dear Stella / Timeless Treasures "Modern Traditional" mini quilt with you!

I adore this mini quilt.  Definitely one of my all-time favourites!  I love 'low volume', text and strong, saturated colours.  Throw in some paper piecing and a few curves and presto - my interpretation of the theme for a "Modern Traditional" mini quilt!  I followed the rules:  my mini is 20" square; I used no solids; and I used at least 2 prints from each company.  Oh how I love rules - they make you work harder I think and the creative results reflect that.

I did some straight(ish) line quilting using invisible thread on the front and Aurifil on the back.  I love the texture of dense quilting - and in this case INVISIBLE!  Hanging corners were added too. 

The New York Beauty blocks are from Ulas Quiltseite and are each 8" unfinished so I added a border to make the mini 20 inches square. In the picture below you can see some of the straight lines better in the bottom NYB block (pre-washing).

My new favourite go-to binding is now Timeless Treasures Sketch in White/Black.

Well there you have it - my "Modern Traditional" mini quilt using Dear Stella and Timeless Treasures fabrics. 
#DSTTchallenge  @dearstellafab  @sewtimeless

Linking to crazy mom quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Pay it Forward confession

In 2013 I signed up for a couple of Pay It Forwards.  One of them was a Flickr Pay it Forward that we each promised to send a hand-made surprise sometime in 2013. 

Tonight I was having a little tidy-up and I found the list of names that I need to send a surprise to [and also the person that should have sent me something but didn't]!  I am such a bad person - I missed the 2013 deadline by almost 5 months.  Eeeek - I am so sorry!   

This was the image on Flickr:

So I am now busy sewing and will make and send some 'Pay it Forward hand-made surprises' to my lovely and very patient pals.  I hope what I send will make up for the extra long wait!  Also, I will need to get current snail mail addresses from Teri/craktpot, Adriana/PatchworkDailyDesire and Amelie/Amelie Whirlygiggles please. 

I hope to hear from you soon ladies - I am looking forward to sewing for you!

Amy x

Busy as a ...bunny

I have been as busy as a bunny these past few days.  Oh how I wish EVERY weekend was four days long!!!  All day Friday and most of Saturday I worked on this:

Today I ironed my Citrus triangle quilt and am working up the courage to baste it so I can quilt it....  I wonder if this quilt top will join the other five flimsy tops I have waiting for me to tackle?

And guess what?  I am now on Instagram.  My name is @amyscraftyshenanigans.  I have no clue what I am doing and since I have no phone to do it on it makes it rather hard to actually 'instagram' stuff!  So far I have used Mr Crafty Shenanigans' phone to take and post two pictures and the rest has been done using the computer.  I may be trading my Blackberry in for a Samsung sooooooooon :)

I've been pattern testing an alligator too!  So far so good.  However, I wish I had picked a darker 'dark' and a different 'light' but hey - you learn as you go right?  A full reveal will happen soon.  Here is a sneak peek:

And one last thing to show you - I completed the name badge for my (not secret) partner for the #NYlon 2014 Meet on 17th May.  I tried to stalk her the best I could....  this is what I came up with:

This name badge was SO MUCH FUN to make.  I just HAD to make a tiny swinging handbag to go with the lady in red.  Hope Joanne will like wearing it!

Just one more day to sew my heart out then it is back to work.  I have a couple of things I really want to work on tomorrow (bake a carrot cake and plant sweetcorn and beans in the garden) so fingers crossed I can cross a few things off the list.

Happy sewing.

De-stash time!

I am working as fast as I can to use what fabric I already have and turn it all into some 'fabulousness' but I have had an a-ha moment and have realised that I will NEVER be able to use it all.  Plus my tastes have changed!

Therefore I reckon it is time to have my first de-stash!  If you are interested in one or more of the things listed below, please leave a comment with your contact details and we can arrange payment and get it shipped off to you!  I am happy to ship overseas - just let me know where you are and I will calculate how much postage to add.

Joel Dewberry Bungalow fabrics x6 FQ's:  £19.00 (includes UK postage). 

Kaffe Fabrics:  £12.00 (includes UK postage).  Dimensions listed picture caption.

Kaffe Fassett fabrics: Shot cotton FQ, Black with purple dots FQ, Stripes half metre

Orange fabrics:  £9.00 (includes UK postage).  See fabric dimensions in picture caption.  SOLD

Top fabric is 32"x19", middle fabric is a FQ, leafy fabric is 44"x11"

Kathy Davis Enchantment fabric 38.5"x36":  £9.00 (includes UK postage). SOLD

 Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934:  £6.50 (includes UK postage).  Half metre with selvages.

Blue scraps #1:  £7.50 (includes UK postage)

Blue scraps #2:  £6.00 (includes UK postage).

Purple fabrics including Joel Dewberry:  £10.00 (includes UK postage)

Joel Dewberry Empire Weave FQ, middle fabric is 42"x16", bottom fabric is 43"x11"

Long piece of fabric:  £8.00 (includes UK postage)

62"x16"

_______________________________________________________

Well there you have it - my first attempt at a de-stash!  Contact me if you have any questions :) Have a happy Saturday folks!