Jelly Roll Quilt

I can't resist Jelly rolls, the colours all blend together so beautifully, I find it hard to choose just one.
I recently had a day with my oldest friend (not in age but in years of knowing each other) and she took me to her local patchwork shop where I was in a frenzy -  deciding what to leave behind, I wanted it all!
I had bought a jelly roll previously from a shop near my sister to make my granddaughter a small quilt but the shop was very tiny and didn't have a great choice of other fabrics.
I'm drawn to fabric shops wherever I go and have got to know where they all are, so I now manage to buy fabric when visiting most of my friends and family!
My 'old friend' Maureen is a patchwork expert and even holds patchwork classes so I was in good hands as she helped me choose fabrics to go with the jelly roll.
This is the Moda Jelly Roll opened and in the process of being cut up!

Maureen recommended a book called Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott which I bought on Amazon. Naturally I intend to make every quilt in the book but for starters I chose the Classic Sampler Quilt which I've been working on for a few weeks and have now pieced together all the squares and I'm working on the sashing. Hey listen to me, talking the talk!
I did make a mistake straight away with the first square and cut a  pair of triangles wrong as I turned the set square back to front so I moved on to the next square. Patchwork is just that, patches; so I was able to get around the problem with a bit of extra fabric left over at the end. There are several mistakes here and there but even I can't find them now. Maureen hasn't seen it yet though...........
Hopefully a photo of it next week.

Flower Garden Crochet Blanket

When my granddaughter was born I found a lovely pattern for a crochet blanket on a blog by Sharron called Annie's Place
Sharron wrote a pattern for the square and generously shares it on her blog. I found it easy to follow and fun to do.
I used 18 different colours which kept me interested, swapping them around and I didn't make two squares the same, finally joining and edging the blanket with white.

  I used Catania Cotton yarn that Sharron used and I wasn't disappointed, it works beautifully.

Batman Cape

'Grandma, please can you make me a Batman cape?'
How could I resist my angelic little grandson? Three year olds think Grandmas can make anything - after all, she makes Mummy dresses and alters the curtains, crochets blankets, toy rabbits and baby hats.
I assured him I would make one and the next week I spent time researching Batman; I hadn't taken much notice of his attire before.
I found plenty of pictures on-line and even a batman symbol which I managed to copy and cut out in yellow felt. Digging deep into my fabric stash I found some black cotton which I obviously bought knowing I'd need it one day. I cut a cape shape and finished it with batwings at the bottom, using my overlocker. (Yes, I have an over locker! I always wanted one and luckily I went to Lidl the week they had them in store).
Feeling very pleased with my efforts I made a face mask as well and was really excited as I set off the next week to visit my daughter and grandchildren.
My grandson wooped with joy when he saw it and after I'd dressed him up  he rushed around the house like a little mad thing with his cape flying out the back. I hugged my little Batman and asked him if he liked his outfit. 'Yes' he said, 'but I really wanted one for my toy Batman!'
Oh silly Grandma!!!

I'll try to get it right next time!

Patchwork Cushion - Dresden Plate

I'm a true miniaturist at heart and although I enjoy all kinds of crafts and often start new things, the pull of miniature making is strong and my other projects fall by the wayside.
I did however, finish this Dresden plate cushion which I made for a friend's birthday - and I finished it on time!

It was quick to do and I managed to make it before I lost interest, unlike the quilt I'm putting together for my granddaughter. I'm using a design from the book Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam and Nicky Lintott. I'm working on the Classic Sampler Quilt of 12 different squares, using a pretty Jelly Roll from Moda.
I'll post some photos of my progress next time.
It's Friday again, so enjoy your weekend,

Jazz up Your Jars!

I'm sure many of you will have seen great ways to decorate jars, there are lots of patterns available online and in magazines. I crocheted these last year for Halloween but they can be done with any colour for any occasion. The tea lights inside them really bring out the colours but they can be used as desk tidies to hold pencils or anything else.

A great way to recycle jars and use up small amounts of yarn.

Peg Bag

How often do you find just the right fabric for the job?
It doesn't happen to me normally but I was very fortunate to discover this cute printed cotton, perfect for my new peg bag!

I made it reversible by cutting everything twice, one in each fabric. The laundry can now be a little more fun, I hope!

A Carry Bag for my Tablet

I bought some lovely seaside fabric and decided to make a bag for my tablet. A bit 'belt and braces' as it has a case already but it's much easier to pick up and carry when my arms are full.......

It was a quick make and I loved using the happy summery fabric which makes me think of seaside holidays even when it's raining and not very warm!

Handy Patchwork Bag

With so many projects on-the-go at once I always ended up with carrier bags everywhere and I forget what is in which and it's not a good way to work.
Work bags are a quick and fun way to get into patchwork or try new designs using up the ever expanding stash.
I made this bag which is perfect for any project but would be great for knitting as it's wide enough to take long needles. You can make the bag any size or shape you like.

I had several small pieces of cotton fabric in greens and blues so I just mixed them up randomly with white. When the size was big enough I quilted it with some thin batting and white cotton backing, then simply folded it in half and sewed up the sides, adding some piping to neaten the edge, some handles and a button.
 I use a sewing machine but if you don't have one or you enjoy hand stitching you can still make this.
The idea for the design came from this pretty quilt below which I found on Craftsy and gives the details of how to piece together small rectangles into this stunning heart design without any difficult piecing.

Sort your stash and if you've never tried before, have a go! If you have no stash, small packs of cotton fabrics can be bought on line or at local fabric or hobby shops, if you are lucky to have one nearby. You can cut up old cotton shirts and dresses too!

Happy Bunnies!

A very big welcome to my new blog!
A blog full of all my random, handmade projects. I have so many interests and hobbies that involve making things, so I hope you'll find something to interest you and maybe, also inspire those who want to try creating something but have never tried.
I'll start with my rabbits. I couldn't get a pattern for a rabbit I liked so made my own. Sitting with a notebook and pen I wrote down everything, round by round and after a few changes here and there, I ended up with a basket of Happy Bunnies! Using the same pattern but different yarns and hooks, the rabbits came out all different sizes. The tiny ones are suitable for my dollshouse while the bigger ones can be dressed and given to children. I have stitched all the features, so no hazards for babies.

 This style of crochet is called amigurumi and is done in the round and not in rows.
It's a wet Bank Holiday Monday so grab a hook and yarn and stay dry indoors making something!