TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR

Christmas Bee Round Up

WIP Wednesday was super productive not only did I manage to complete two Bee blocks, but I also got some work done on a secret project for a special little monkey! Smug smile and own back pats coming up!!

First up is the completed Triple Star block that I made for Gemma, she had very specific color choices and color placements as these blocks are intended for a particular place in her house. Although some of the pieces are really small the block itself comes together really nicely and the finished product looks really good.

Next up is my absolute favorite.....Cordelia's Garden, this time in a modern Christmas theme!! 

Kona snow was the requested background color, I got mine from the fabulous Plush Addict, if you haven't checked them out you really should, they have a fantastic range of just about everything and their service is really fast. Most of the work for this block is in making the half triangle squares, after that it is just a case of sewing all the squares together.

I just love this block so much, I know I say it a lot but I really really do, no matter what the colors or patterns of the fabric are it just looks great!

I also had a new challenge this month in the form of Ziggy Stardust, Kona white and a jewel color of my choice were the requirements for this one.

Again with this block there are a number of little pieces that make the start of it quite fiddley but they do result in such a cute little star that is the focal point for this block.

I am really happy with this little star, it is my first attempt at this block and I managed to match the points and the seams up rather well. After putting the star together the rest of block comes together in minutes as all the other pieces are larger and just various sized rectangles. 

I loved making all these blocks, I mean come on who doesn't like twinkling stars?!

Happy Quilting

Kerry xx

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS....

Feeling Festive

Good grief there are only 64 days until Christmas, I am not at all prepared, I haven't even written my list for Santa! I have however been very busy making a special treat for my special little monkey, that looks a little like this

An advent calender that comes in the form of a kit from the wonderful Stitch Witch, they are just gorgeous and really simple to put together.

It all comes very neatly printed on one piece of fabric, which gets cut up into various sections and then attached as needed. To start with I cut out all the pockets, ironed flat the edges and top stitched the pocket top to create a neat edge. 

 The remaining edges of all pockets get turned in and finger pressed in place, pinned in the correct order and edge stitched down. It is quite a simple process with fast results - my favorite thing!! On occasion the pockets could be a wee bit fiddley but not unmanageable in any way.

Then comes the super fun bit of making up the sandwich and quilting it in your favorite style, finish by binding it in whichever method best suits you and add on hanging tabs as required.

A whirlwind post on how to put together a quilted advent calender for one little monster!! More Christmassyness to follow......

Happy Quilting
Kerry xx

AROUND THE WORLD BLOG HOP.....

The Makings of An Autumn Triple Star!!

I have been tagged in the Around the Blog World by my fellow Bee member Pam, over on Sewing Wilde all the way from Western New York. If you haven't yet seen Pam's blog make sure you check it out, she has some wonderful tutorials on there and many inspirational projects to keep you entertained over these horrid cold evenings!!

As I didn't get any responses back from the people around the world I asked if I could tag, I am going to have to bully my quilting bestie Kerry Q into it, since I know she has some fab projects on the go right now....she's going to kill me, so this will probably be my last post!!

Ok, here we go

1. What are you working on?

I have a few projects on the go right now, as I always do because so many things catch my eye that I simply can not focus on one project at a time, from start to finish. I have three baby quilts on the go and another one that needs starting, a really cute advent calendar (dear Lord it's almost that time again), an idea for a macho man quilt and a multitude of Bee Blocks.

This month is the turn of the lovely Gemma, who is currently suffering from baby brain, to be Queen Bee. She chose the Triple Star as her block and sent out a fab array of reds, beiges and browns for us to use.

Once I had cut down the fabrics to the sizes and shapes that were needed, each beige square had to be sewn to a red or brown square depending on where in the star it was going, thus forming a multitude of half square triangles....

The squares then need to be trimmed down and sewn together in order to build up each section, eventually forming the points of the stars.

2. How does my work differ from others?

It is entirely made up of fabrics, colors and patterns that I like, even if I am making it for someone else!?! I have to say I am not very good at following a pattern, I do tend to start at the bit I like the most, even if it is in the middle or in fact the end of the instructions. And try as I might I simply can not move away from turquoise! So you will know it is my work because without fail there will be some turquoise in there somewhere....even if it is pink and girly!

3. Why do I do what I do?

To stop myself from going completely mad, to hide away from the rest of life which isn't always very nice! I just love to be creative and make things, I have a real disease when it comes to fabric, so really quilting is just a disguise. I enjoy the challenges quilting presents, although I don't always come off the better for it!

4. How does my creative process work?

It's very simple really, I find something that makes me go "ooooooooooooo" and I go from there, it could be a pattern or design, a color palette, a piece of fabric or collection of fabrics or a person or occasion. I think the most important thing is to be inspired by what you are doing, to have something constantly on your mind that you just can't wait to carry on with or develop further.

Usually my process starts with finding "that" fabric.....you know the one!

Happy Quilting

Kerry xx

KNIT ONE, PURL ONE

Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful......

Goodness hasn't it suddenly got so cold??!! Well it has down here in Surrey, I am currently sporting 3 pairs of socks and tights under my jeggings! So it seemed a perfect time to inform you all of the lovely creations I have added to my Etsy store for you to buy, all hand made by the very talented and wonderfully lovely Margaret Dickenson.

There are a wide variety of garments available for both boys and girls of varying ages and sizes. There is something to suit every occasion, many of the garments have wonderfully intricate details knitted into the design itself.

I'm sure you will agree they are just lovely, stop on by the shop and see if anything tickles you for a special little someone.

Happy Crafting

Kerry xx

BACK IN BUSINESS........

Quilt Bee Round Up!!

It's been an age since I have managed to get on here and write a post, life just seems to have exploded and taken over everything. I haven't been near my poor machine in weeks, I am fairly sure it has forgotten what I look like and I think I've actually been having with drawl symptoms!! 

I haven't been completely idol, see what you think.....

First up was Trellis Crossroads in black and grey with a Kona White background. The cutting instructions were really simply to follow and it actually comes together fairly quickly, which appeals to me immensely!

The trouble I had was cutting the blocks down to size! They had to be lined up on a funny angle in my opinion and I did have to redo a few of them!! But I got there in the end!

Making another appearance is the Quilt Bee favorite Stacked Windmills, in 50 Shades of Grey and a pink middle. This is still the most common block I have been asked to make in both of the Quilt Bees I am in.

Next up is Cordelia's Garden, this one has been my favorite from the very beginning, so much so that it is the block I have chosen for my month of being Queen in both of my Quilt Bees!! This one however was made for some other lucky lady....

Finally we have a Triple Star, which as it turns out is exactly what it says on the tin....

Some of these pieces were so teeny weeny, having been cut down to and inch or so, it was quite a fiddle to get that center star all lined up, but well worth the extra effort.

As the outer stars were added on it got bigger and bigger, I have to say it wasn't a block I was very taken with when I first looked through the book, but having now made it, I may just have to make a few more!!

That is a round up of all I have been up to, I look forward to sharing with you the many, many, many, far to many things I have on the go at the moment.

Happy Quilting
Kerry xx