X-stitch for Xmas: New Book!

Hi everyone, how are you all? Getting excited about quilt market? As I'm not going to market this time, I've been keeping myself busy on some secret squirrel Christmas sewing, and getting into the spirit of Christmas in a pretty big way. And then the cutest Xmas cross-stitch book arrived from Amazon UK. I mean, seriously, just when I was saying my plate is so full I can't possibly take on anything else before 2017, this incredible book arrives and I find myself dreaming about it non-stop (bet you know the feeling?). So yes, I had to take a little break from my work to treat myself to a few dreamy hours to make a small project. Cross-stitching's where my love of crafts first started when I was 10, and it relaxes me like nothing else ever can.

This book is the latest title by French cross-stitch designer Veronique Enginger, and if you are a cross-stitch fan, it's an absolute must-have for your library. If you don't cross-stitch, well, this book may be just the motivation you need to give it a go! So many cute designs. It was pretty hard to choose one amongst them but I settled on the cute elves wrapping up gifts. It certainly won't be the last thing I stitch though - scroll down to see more designs from the book and you will see why.

I simply had to share this book with you all as I think it's such a great title and one can never have too much festive inspiration! Happy stitching!

Field of Flowers Tablerunner

It's my turn today on the Penny Rose Fabrics blog, where I am sharing a tutorial to make this sweet English Paper Pieced applique table runner!

I used Hope Chest 2 for this table runner - I love the bright colours and pretty prints of this fabric range by Penny Rose Designs. For the fussy cutters amongst us - the toadstool print that I used for my flowers' centres is an absolute must-have! The pink bias stripes that I used for the binding is from my own debut collection, Sweet Orchard for Riley Blake Designs.

When I started this project, I was intending to make something completely different (a journal cover), but I changed my mind after making the EPP flowers as I thought they would look great laid out together like this, as if in a field.

If you would like to make one too, head over to the Penny Rose blog where there is a full tutorial with step-by-step photos. Happy sewing!

Candy Cane Cushion

Are we all getting into the Christmas spirit yet? I am enjoying seeing lots of Christmas crafts popping up on my Instagram feed, and getting a plan of action ready for my Christmas makes. Those of you following me on Instagram would have seen me sewing along to the Lori Holt Cozy Christmas QAL. I also have an advent calendar in planning stages - stay tuned... In the mean time, here's a Christmas cushion that I made that is featured in this month's issue of Love Patchwork & Quilting!

This issue is the magazine's annual 'festive' issue which is out in the UK and digital newsstands now (coming to US stores in a few weeks' time).

The candy canes on my cushion are interfaced applique (which can be hand or machine sewn onto the background), finished off with a velvet bow. The red pompoms around the perimeter add a cute festive touch!

And here's the picture of my cushion as featured in the magazine (photo credit: Love Patchwork & Quilting). I love love love the way they have styled it!

Thanks for visiting, and happy Christmas crafting! Only 73 days to go!

Tilda sewing kit house

Have you guys seen this season's new Tilda fabric ranges, Memory Lane and Cabbage Rose? As a Riley Blake designer I pretty much exclusively sew with Riley Blake fabrics these days, but I had to make an exception for these! So much floral pretty!

Today is my stop on the Tilda showcase, for which I made a house-shaped sewing case. The pattern for this is in the book 'Tilda's Toy Box', and I heard it's now also available as a kit (with different Tilda fabrics).

This sewing kit has been on the road recently going around Australia on the Tilda trunk show. I've been enjoying photos of it popping up on Instagram! So a few of you have seen it already - I am told it got lots of 'oohs' and 'aahs' at the trunk shows which is always lovely to hear.

Now, I'll be honest about this pattern. I am a pretty experienced hand-sewist, but I found parts of this pattern a bit of a struggle. All the lovely detail means lots of small pieces that need manipulating, sometimes gluing, and sewing in place by hand. So if you want to have a go at making this, expect to put in some effort and perhaps some trial and error. Still, I am so pleased with it and I think it's worth all the effort, don't you think?

Thank you to the Australian distributor, Two Green Zebras, for sending me a lovely bundle of these pretty fabrics to play with! And thank you so much for visiting - if you would like to see more creations by some very talented Australian designers check out the hashtag #tildashowcase on Instagram!

Wistful WInds Blog Tour

Welcome to my stop on the Wistful Winds blog tour, showcasing the gorgeous new collection by Shari Butler of Doohikey Designs for Riley Blake!

I had the great pleasure of meeting Shari at the spring quilt market in Salt Lake City - her booth for Wistful Winds was right nextdoor to mine for Sweet Orchard. I fell in love with the cheerful colours of her collection then, and when she asked me to join her blog tour I knew I had to make this pinwheel cushion, which is one of the designs from my new book, Quilt Petite. My favourite part about this cushion has to be the little selvedge cloud detail! I love Riley Blake selvedges, they are always so sweet, so why not incorporate them in projects? Don't you agree?

And Alice immediately claimed it, of course. Lucky she has a queen size bed as her cushion collection is getting pretty big!

Would you like more Wistful Winds inspiration? Here's the full schedule for the tour - see what all these other makers are creating with Shari's fabric!

October 3rd:
Amy Sinibaldi – www.nanaCompany.typepad.com
Kristyne Czepuryk – www.prettybyhand.com

October 4th:
Amanda Niederhauser – www.jedicraftgirl.com
Amy Smart – www.diaryofaquilter.com

October 5th:
Meagan Taylor/Kristi Jones – www.meagsandme.com
Christine Cook – www.stitchingrevival.com

October 6th:
Elea Lutz – www.elealutzdesign.com
Jodie Carleton – www.vintagericrac.blogspot.com

October 7th:
Sedef Imer – www.downgrapevinelane.com
Jina Barney – jinabarneydesignz.com

October 10th:
Elizabeth Evans – www.simplesimonandco.com
Kimberly Bourne – www.mainstreetmarketdesigns.com

October 11th:
Jemima Flendt – www.tiedwitharibbon.com
Nadra Ridgeway – www.ellisandhiggs.com
Amy Chappel – www.amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com

October 12th:
Katie Skoog – www.thesimplelifecompany.com
Amber Johnson – www.alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com
Gwen Sager - www.tillalili.blogspot.com

October 13th:
Angie Wilson – www.gnomeangel.com
Clare Horsman – www.claresplaceblog.blogspot.com
Deanna Wall – www.stitchesquilting.com

October 14th:
Melissa Mortenson – polkadotchair.com
Jessica Stewart – www.izzyandivydesigns.com
Shari Butler – www.doohikeydesigns.com/blog/