Hugs from Helen

Quiltmakers 100 blocks tour…

I am very excited to once again have a block in the ever popular Quiltmakers’ 100 blocks magazine Volume 5.. This magazine is available now – but I don’t have my copy yet!!

I submitted this block a looong time ago – actually a couple of days late for the previous issue so it was nice to be reminded on it once again. It uses a simple wedge technique, some scrappy fabric choices and of course I had to include some Gluestick appliqué and a bit of simple hand embroidery. It would look great in any range of scrappy fabrics with just the background fabric bringing it all together.

As I am about to fly out to Kansas City to market to launch my debut fabric range with Red Rooster I really wanted to show you how my block would look in my new ‘Life is Beautiful’ fabrics. There are 20 fabrics in this range (plus two panels) which make for a wonderful array of useable prints perfect for scrappy style projects.

Join these together with alternate backgrounds to make a stunning quilt – I have shown just four blocks for a sweet table topper, add more for a lap quilt or bed quilt.

yes this is a blog tour! so of course there is a giveaway – leave a comment for one random winner and Quiltmaker will send you a free copy of the magazine..

AND, if you link my blog in your blogroll and on your blog I will draw a winner for a pack of Life is Beautiful fabric to make my version of the block above – you must leave a comment with the link to your blog so I can go  visit..and choose the lucky winner.

have fun hopping…. so much inspiration to be had in this magazine.

hugs for today

Helen

A Mug Rug from Helen of Hugs ‘n Kisses

Just to keep me on my toes today was my day for a guest post over at Sew We Quilt. The theme this month was Kitchen Goodies so I very quickly in my jetlagged state have managed to share with you all a tute for this little mug rug. Please pop over to Sew We Quilt to take a peek! Here is where you can download the pattern. Download Sweetnsimplecoasterdesignsheetlettersize

be back soon with some more pics of our European adventure….after I get a tad more sleep and through another few hundred emails.

hugs for today,

Helen

PS, if its not up there yet its because I am in a time zone somewhere in the world that I have not yet acclimatised to…but please check back I am sure it will be there shortly..

Comfort and Joy

update: For your convenience you can download the pattern sheet here. Download Banner of Joy template pagesx2letter

Tis the season of Comfort and Joy and the time for me to give back to all of my blogging friends around the world.

Pop on over to Sew We Quilt for a free Christmas Pattern and tutorial on the Gluestick method of Appliqué I love to use..

Hugs and joy to you all….

Helen

kids teaching kids to stitch

today was Miss Tilly’s turn to be the craft teacher at school. She had to come up with a good quality project that she could teach to other students in her class (age 6-7 yrs). Her project was approved but would need some parent help so Diana (our new exchangee from Spain on her first day in Australia after 3 days of flying) and I went into class to thread needles and assist.

Five girls jumped up to join the class and we had one hour to do it…

and these were the great results…

If you’d like a copy of the design email me and I’ll email it back. You just need to print it onto cardstock and use a large chenille needle punch the holes for them first – then to stitch the wool through the holes. They learnt the backstitch very easily and then navigated the straight stitches around the flowers – lastly they attached the buttons (a skill every teenager needs to learn) and drew their leaves (and more if they wished).

Simple, but achievable and effective don’t you think.

hugs and happy stitching for the weekend

Helen

PS : I havent forgotten the giveaway – I will draw the winners of the dragonfly and faux appliqué books over the weekend…

Free Hugs ‘n Kisses pattern

Check out my guest blog post at We Love French knots today -

I feel very honoured in such good and enthusiastic company – sharing with new and experienced embroiderers and stitchers around the world…

This will get you in the mood for our fantastic Quiltaid 2011 project starting soon…

hugs for today

Helen

Colourque Tutorial and free pattern

woops, time has gotten away from me and I forgot to let you know that the Tutorial and pattern for the little Colourque peek I showed on Facebook is now up at The Wantobe a Quilter blog

Pop on over now to http://www.sewwequilt.com/  to see and download it – there are heaps of great prizes up for grabs also!

in fact the prize is the most gorgeous fabrics from Shabby Fabrics – just my style – I want!

Oh – and hello and welcome to all of you who are popping over here to say thanks – Its sew nice to meet you all

hugs

Helen

Wantobe a Quilter?

or are already a quilter – there’s always something new to learn…

just an advance warning as I work on a secret project for a guest blog post next week at http://www.sewwequilt.com/

What is this you ask? well you NEED to know – the Amazing Madame Samm – she must be amazing as she has had donated the most amazing range of prizes worth thousands of dollars from the best known in the industry – all in the name of spreading the passion of all things quilting and stitching to Wantobe quilters  and its ALL FREE.

 

 

It has been going for some time now – actually from the 1st August and runs for 3 months with 5 guest posts each week (which means 5 lots of prizes, 5 tutorials or free patterns or just inspirational things)

I think I am going to introduce Colourque to all of these new quilters so watch this space next week – as you can see it all too right here.

Right now I have to finish the project and prepare my post…. so its off to work I go… and you should go and check it out – yes right now!  lots of great stuff there.

hugs, Helen

Stitching Round the block Part 3

MY apologies – if you have already downloaded this weeks pattern note the correction at the bottom- thanks for picking me up- I really shouldn't do this whilst trying to finish patterns for market I guess…

 

are you keeping up? not to worry if you are not, the posts will stay…

okay, round three – again if not using my design keep this border to 2” finished (2 1/2” unfinished)

 

cut two strips 7 1/2” x 2 1/2” –(again, you may wish to cut larger and trim back after)  attach to both sides and press outwards.

Cut two strips 2 1/2” x 11 1/2” and attach to top and bottom – press outwards

Download and print the design sheets – cut and stick together then place onto your lightbox. Using the sewline pencil trace the design around all four sides.

Download Part3stithingroundtheblockdesignsheets

 

Place into your embroidery hoop and stitch all of your flowers as you did in the first block.. yes a bit more work this time, put in a big few stitching nights and you will be done..

once complete trim back to 15 10 1/2” square – if you have done something different – we’d love to see it!

happy stitching, hugs Helen

Stitching around the Block part 2

Have you received your centre block from one of your friends?

Okay now to the first border (as this is a medallion style mini quilt) – remember, you don't have to use my border design but do make your borders 1” wide finished (1 1/2” unfinished)

You need to cut: **

two strips 5 1/2” x 1 1/2”

two strips 1 1/2” x 7 1/2”

** you may wish to cut these larger – say 2 1/2” and trim back after stitching to make it easier to stitch in your hoop.

Attach the two shorter strips to both sides and press outwards.

Attach the two longer strips to top and bottom and press outwards.

Download the pattern sheet and trace the verse using your lightbox on the top and bottom borders. (tip: you may like to use your own verse here to suit your special friend)

Download Stitchingroundtheblockpttwoverse

Place into your hoop and stitch using a backstitch – I used just a single strand for this.

If you don't have any 1/2” hexagon precut papers from Sue download the hexie templates and print onto thicker paper or card. Cut out and using your Sewline Glue pen glue a hexie paper onto the back of your chosen fabrics leaving a small 1/4” seam allowance. Cut out each hexie (you need 16) and then glue the edges over the paper again using your glue pen. (of course you can do it the traditional way and tack them down)

Download Hexagonsblogprojecthalfinch

Using a matching thread and a small appliqué needle stitch 8 hexies together in a row – you are just stitching the one straight edge together. Make two rows.

*see note below for alternate ideas from Sue..the master of English paper piecing and hexies..

Glue a strip down each side border. The points of the hexies should sit on the seam allowance.

Appliqué into place using the matching thread and appliqué needle. Carefully make a small slit in the background fabric behind each hexie and remove the paper (nurses clamps are good for this)

Stitch little french knots in between each hexie as shown if you please…

Trim back your quilt to measure 7 1/2” square.

*Sue removes her papers before appliquéing down so you don't have to slit the background fabric and remove them after stitching. I like the papers still in there so that I don't lose my crisp seams and the straight row doesn't distort out of shape when appliquéing. Not so bad with flowers but I found with the single straight row they easily lost their shape. If you want to remove before stitching give the strip a good steam press first to set the creases and glue into position with either your glue pen or Roxanne’s glue baste it.

happy stitching,

Hugs, Helen

Stitching Around the Block – Part 1

Here we go….Please enjoy the next four weeks of stitching and sharing

- Requirements:

I have used 8 charm squares and two fat quarters.

The 2 fat quarters needed for this project, do they both need to be plain for stitching or I plain and I patterned??

I used a plain soft pink and a rose tone on tone soft pink – so both background fabrics for stitching on…

 

Threads to match

6-8” embroidery hoop

Crewel and appliqué needles

Sewline Glue pen

Sewline Ceramic pencil

lightbox

general sewing and quilting supplies

 

Rules:

there  really aren’t any rules! but,

you will make your first centre block and then post or deliver it onto your next friend

You will each make every round, but each one will be on a different friends quilt.

You may choose to forward your fabric with the centre block or let your friends choose and surprise you

You do not have to use the patterns I provide – but you do have to do a round of choice on every block – it will be easier to keep each border/round the same size as mine in case the next friend wants to use my round.

Put you own personal touch onto each round for each friend – this may be a special charm, design or block that says something about yourself, where you live or about your friend if you know them well. (eg, if your friend was a cat lover you could include a kitten hiding amongst the flowers)

You will get your quilt top back at the end to quilt and bind.

You may like to include a diary to travel with your quilt or include a card with each round you stitch for the final owner.

have fun, do your best work, make new friends and send me a finished photo in 4 weeks!

happy stitching, hugs, Helen

Instructions part one:

Cut a square of background stitchery fabric 8” x 8” (we will trim this back after stitching.)

Download the pattern sheet below and trace onto your background fabric using a lightbox and Sewline Ceramic pencil.

Download Block1stitchingaroundtheblock

Place into your embroidery hoop (you may like to attach a stabalizer to the back first such as pellon, weaveline etc.)

Choose threads to match your fabrics or you could do it in redwork…..

Stitches used include backstitch, french knots, straight stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch and satin stitch…

The butterfly has french knots on his tail, satin stitch body segments and the rest is backstitched.

These flowers have their centres stitched in chain stitch and the stems in stem stitch. The petals are backstitched.

I backstitched the petals and then straight stitched the lines inside them.

Once all stitching is complete you can trim your block back to 5 1/2” and then prepare for delivery to your next friend.