what a lovely day we all had on Saturday at
We stitched of course,
we chatted and laughed
We ate and drank good coffee
and girls, did you shop?
The day was made extra special by my friend JO
she worked her craft to add those extra touches and helped you all in the store between stitching..
so thanks Lynette and thanks girls – shall we do it again next year?
hugs – I will show you my project very soon…
Helen
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and yes, I do mean that literally..
Thread those needles, knot those threads and join in the program…
This has been a long time coming but I have finally finished designing, making, pattern writing, recording and editing the Get Knotted program.
This is a 12 month program that you will do with your local store or an online store in your own home.
Each month you get to watch me (sorry) teach you a stitch, just as if you were in class with me – practise it on a little sampler, and then make a sweet little project to perfect it.
You even get a copy of my brand new little stitch book for easy reference. It has a spiral binding so you can open it to the page you need and follow step by step as you learn the new stitch.
I have tried to include every little hint and tip throughout the videos to help you along the way. Each project pattern includes iron on transfers and plenty of diagrams and instructions to get you through every step. And they are printed in full colour. Month one even includes the self covered button set to make a simple but cute rotary cutter or glasses case.
You need to find a store near you to sign up to the program with – they will hold a class each month where you will watch the DVD lesson, practise and learn together and then begin your project. They will also be supplying fabric kits for your projects in a coordinating fabric range for the duration. I used my Life is Beautiful fabrics – some stores stock this range and may use the same.
Of course if there is not a store near you listed as yet you have two options – tell your local store about it and ask them to run it! OR do it with an online store. They will send you your kit and pattern each month and you will be able to download the DVD to watch on your computer or DVD player. So no-one has to miss out!
The following stores have already signed up to run the program.
Sew Bright Alpine Quilting VIC
Willow Grove Quilting VIC
Anne's Glory Box NSW
Korner Craft Sewing Centre SA
Molly Dooks QLD
Country Bliss NT08 8953 6866
Country Quilt Co QLD
Pretty Country Things SA [email protected]
Online only : Quilt Fabric Delights
I will add any further store to the website for you as they come in.
I know so many of you have been watching and waiting as I stitched this program… well its finally ready.
Contact a store now and signup, they are shipping today to a store near you!
hugs from me today
Helen
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Over the weekend I took my sun starved self up to the Beautiful Bright in Victoria for their Spring Festival.
I was teaching along with Leanne Beasley, Rosalie Quinlan and Rhonda Shallcross to a wonderful group of ladies from far and wide…
there were the Narrandarah girls..
Nicole and Kim from Melbourne My long time Facebook friend Rose from Frankston and a new Facebook friend Andreia from Wagga Wagga.
We made hexies, embroidered, stitched and sashiko’ed our way through the day.
a visit to Angela’s shop – Sew Bright Alpine Quilting around the corner was a must do…. but alas she sold out of Life Is Beautiful fabrics – never fear she hopes to get some more in..
Her Tilda display was to die for however… The girls made great progress on their Gran’s sewing box…. This pattern is now available here or in your local store..it comes complete with the 50 precut hexies to make your project.
Some of them are just planning to make their top into a doiley or appliqué it onto a large bag…
On Sunday before driving back down the highway to catch my flight home I had the morning to bask in the sunshine and visit some magnificent gardens…. just beautiful, I shall share some photos tomorrow
hugs for today and thanks for a great day Bright…
Helen
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….with swirling vines of luscious berries in between irresistible rows of addictive hexagons this quilt cannot be resisted.
I have to thank Vickie Collier for being so inspired and naming her for me…
I really really enjoyed making this quilt – every aspect of it – the designing, the can’t put down hexies, the glue stick appliqué, the embroidery and even the quilting! Whilst it may look quite difficult its not really that hard…
I needed to design something to test a new product that has evolved over this year from many of your comments and requests and some fantastic chats and brainstorms whilst at market in May. It wasn't something I’d planned long term or even considered until many of my students asked for it and I could see, yes this would be great! I’d been using, teaching and talking up the product for several years so it made perfect sense.
So included in this new pattern are:
six sheets of our new Hugs ‘n Kisses appliqué paper – as used in my gluestick appliqué technique
– AND
enough precut hexies to make the quilt – now these hexies are not cut from card, or paper or acrylic or template plastic or any other product on the market. NO, they are cut from my appliqué paper…. so simple, why didn't I think of it earlier?
you just iron/fuse them to the back of your fabric, cut out roughly – you don't even need to be accurate – you can freehand cut them with your rotary cutter or just with scissors whilst watching the TV at night.
Then you just fold over the seam allowances and glue on the template with the mighty Sewline Glue pen… Then just sew together as you normally would but here’s the catch – you don't have to pull out those papers.. Just make up your project (in this case by appliquéing the hexie strips to the background). They stay lovely and stable whilst piecing and quilting and then you just wash the quilt – and its gone! yes it just dissolves into soft fibres which stay in the quilt and you wont even know it was there…
I’m no expert on hexies as much as I love stitching them but this was so simple and accurate…I’m sure you are going to love them. Of course if you like to reuse your papers then this isn't for you – stick with the papers or your own method.
So Rasberry Ripple will be sold as a Pattern Kit – it includes of course extensive instructions and diagrams on all the techniques and methods used, full sized design sheets, fabric and colour guides, quilting ideas, hanging sleeve and binding instructions, embroidery stitches AND
Appliqué paper for needleturn appliqué
Pre-cut Hexagons from appliqué paper
Enough to make one quilt..
I think you are going to love this… well I certainly hope you do
and if you follow me on Facebook you would have seen me playing with Papa hexies and baby hexies also – the next project in the works!!!
so anymore requests? ask and you just may receive :)
hugs for today
Helen
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We all know what it is like to have a Best Friend or BFF as my daughters now commonly call them! In fact my BFF from school days is coming to visit me in three days time for a girly weekend and catchup. We may only see each other once every couple of years but that childhood friendship lasts a lifetime and is something to be treasured. I am sure we will eat lots, laugh lots, cry much and talk incessantly for two full days…about every aspect of our lives, our families, our thoughts, dreams and worries. That’s what they are there for…
I have three days to also get some stitching ready to take – cos I can talk and stitch at the same time!
To celebrate my weekend of indulgence I thought it was time to introduce my little collectible family of Best Friends. Through our life we have many friends with many personalities.. There are the popular girls, the brains, the caring souls, the sporty ones and the shy types…they all make an impact and all have something to contribute to our ‘growth’ and how we turn out as a person..
So in honour of all of my life’s friendships here are 14 new patterns for you to collect… can you find yourself? or your BFF?
I have included two variations in each pattern – you can embroider them – with a few different embroidery stitches – (I have included complete stitch diagrams to help).. OR you can colour them – using the Colourque method and then just backstitch the outlines. Of course you could also choose to just backstitch and not colour – but colouring is fun! Instructions and colours for both versions are included in each pattern along with that trusty iron on transfer which of course will save you time and transfer 3-4 times.
You can see all of the different designs on my website but here are a couple of peeks for you…
A front cover showing the embroidered version
Rain or shine, you will find Alex outdoors. She is practical and very knowledgeable about the weather. (Don’t ask her about it.) She has a great sense of adventure and is always up for a little exploring, even when she should probably be in class.
And a colourque’d version (back cover)
Marie is very grown up and when she is older she plans to be a famous ballet dancer. She practices almost every day and practically lives in her dance clothes. This does make her very good a tying bows, though, and she is always helping others with the ribbons in their hair.
What to do with your besties?
Besties can be simply hooped and displayed as a single or a group on a wall OR collect 12 and make them into a simple quilt. There is a free downloadable quilt pattern available and the link is in each pattern so you can download and print it or just read it from your computer.Remember there is the tutorial on hooping your embroidery a couple of posts back on this blog. The designs suit a 6” hoop.
If you’d like to stitch these as a BOM Kate at Buttontree Quilts is preparing to run this as a program, give her a call.
Of course because I have made many many many friends over the years here on Facebook which I consider to all be my BFF’s in the stitching world so I have to offer you a chance to get your very own Bestie pattern..
So leave a comment here and tell me about your BFF friend and what she means to you, then choose which Bestie best fits her personality and if chosen, I’ll send you one… I’ll send out one free pattern for every ten comments so spread the word…
I’ll be back to choose after my weekend of indulgence (my husband has booked it as my birthday present and as yet I do not know where we are going – so I’ll tell you all about it next week)
hugs and hug your best friend today
Helen
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Today feels like the right day to show you a few new little goodies that I have finished over the past few very busy months. Some of you will have seen these in real life in my travels and others may have seen peeks on Facebook. Some were for classes and others just because I wanted to :)
I seem to be doing a lot of ‘hoop art’ lately – just a simple design to stitch and then display in an embroidery hoop.
This little treasure was for a class I taught to shop owners at Market in Kansas city. A lot of new little embroidery stitches here, simple but effective and using just the Cottage Garden Thread - #1007 Hugs ‘n Kisses red thread.Of course me being me I had to experiment with it and also made it into this VERY large pincushion…. which is actually really sweet.
But, just hooped is a very quick yet impressive gift for the right person..It is just a little pattern but does include the iron on transfer (I know, you love them!) and the instructions for the pincushion.
This next little project I just love… The name – well I put trio into the online Thesaurus and it came up with Dalliance – mmmm we won’t go there…
This little set includes a bit of everything for you. I designed it for some classes in Pierre in May and they also chose to change one panel to Colourque so they got to try three different techniques.
So there is a needlebook which has been appliquéd – a simple triangular shape for something different with a home made tassel on top.. then a pincushion with this stitched verse on one side…
the same appliqué design on another (or you could colourque) and a little pocket for your scissors on the third side.
The scissors snap on with a magnetic snap on their little scissor keep… which is embroidered also..
and another little tassel on top!
the final little pattern I’m showing today is this very useful pattern folder with just the most suitable verse on it..
It uses some simple stitchery, some basic piecing an a little glue stick appliqué along the bottom there. It is held closed with some home made cording and two self covered buttons.
It opens to reveal lots of pockets and spaces for bits and bobs. Purchase plastic file sleeves from your stationary store and tie to the inside to hold your pattern sheets as you work on your project.
Ask your local store now if they have them in stock yet or check here for instant gratification..
now my fingers are itching to stitch…. think I'm off to finalise another little bit of goodness to stitch tonight..
hugs to one and all
Helen
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Yes it is good to be home – which is very sweet just now… but today I’m introducing you officially to the new Block of the Month
This quilt was a delight to stitch – as I travelled throughout Europe thinking of home… it is full of vintage inspired embroideries – memories of my Grandma’s fancywork box and feelgood themes and sayings of a warm, cosy and welcoming home… I used my favourite Presencia Finca Perle #16 threads and there are thread packs available made up just for this project. 7 x 10gram balls.
Now, you may be looking at this quilt thinking arrgggh I can’t sew all of those curved seams….. never fear… you know me… it has to be easy… there is not a single curved seam. It is all put together easily in a day using my Gluestick appliqué method and Appliqué paper. It can be assembled by machine (or by hand if you are a purist). We even have the option of an extra template set so that you can cut all the pieces using a rotary cutter. (note: there are templates in the pattern so you can trace and cut all by hand with scissors if you prefer)
If you like to do your own quilting we have included simple ideas and templates for quilting on your domestic machine.
I have used several fancywork/embroidery stitches in this project but all instructions and stitch guides are included in the pattern – or of course available as step by step instructions on the Hugs ‘n Kisses App or Blog. The Quilt measures 68” square when finished and can be made over ten months. That's one stitched panel to complete per week and then a month to finish it all off! - quite achievable…
My version uses my Life is Beautiful Fabric range and there are several stores who are preparing to run this as a full fabric BOM program. Those that I am aware of so far are:
Gum Valley Patchwork – Victoria
Iddy Biddy Cottage Quilting – QLD
Esmes Patchwork – TAS
Please contact them to ask about their programs or check with your local store – they can order the patterns in for you or if you have a group of friends – why not arrange to stitch it together at the store each month.
Of course the quilt will look wonderful in any scrappy colourway or using any coordinating range of fabric.. It needs 20 different fabrics plus the background stitchery fabric. One of the 20 is also chosen for the border and binding.
This BOM pattern comes as one very large pattern booklet. It has full sized lightbox B&W drawings of every design, full colour photos of every design, step by step instructions for embroidery, transferring, gluestick appliqué, construction and quilting. It also includes our wonderful iron on transfers and full size templates for cutting. I do try to give you absolutely everything you’d need, no matter what skill level you are, to complete this project and be in love with it still at the end!
You will also need – a glue pen (and refills), Hugs ‘n Kisses appliqué paper (Floriani Stitch ‘n wash fusible), Monopoly thread, Hugs ‘n Kisses Stitchery needles (Crewel #7), 6” embroidery hoop, Stabiliser, batting and backing fabric.
I do hope you love this one as much as I do right now…it was so comforting to make and I think has a warm and calming feel to it.. it was certainly therapeutic to stitch for me.
To my wonderful store owner friends, please ask about a free shop kit and sample pattern if you’d like to run it and let us all know if you are.
okay…. so I guess this is what you are waiting for….
yes, a giveaway…. Share this post on your Facebook or blog page and leave a comment here with your favourite feelgood saying about your ‘home’
We have three full pattern sets to giveaway…you have a week to share and enter…
hugs for today, happy stitching
Helen
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First stop – Pierre South Dakota – but to get there it took four plane flights with each plane getting progressively smaller. thankfully I am a good flyer as the last plane was a little fourteen seater and we sat with the pilots! Huge winds blew up as we flew in and it was exciting to say the least trying to line up with the runway lights…the pilots earnt their round of applause once we were safely down..
I was met by the most perfect host and a long time blog and facebook friend Joan.
along with her lovely husband and very spoilt but deservedly so rescue puppy.
Never before have been so ‘in lights’! Holly, the owner of The Quilt Locker in Pierre had outdone herself.
Notepads
water bottles
and a lovely welcome
We had a great Trunk show on the Friday night followed by a wonderful gathering all day on Saturday. It was so nice to revisit with friends who had attended a gathering at Brandon South Dakota two years before…
They were working on my new pattern Dalliance but we included a Colourque’d version for them also..
Thankyou so much Holly and Joan for organising the visit and making it so special for one and all.
Thankyou Joan for introducing me to Chocolate wine
and Zesto….
after just a short visit it was back onto this for the next instalment in my journey..
hugs for today
Helen
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Two new patterns to show you today – especially for all of our Stitched Sunday fans… These two patterns will challenge your embroidery stitches just a little – yes a little move on from backstitch, they include some satin stitch, detached chain, pistil stitch, knots and stem stitch….
The ‘Broidery Bag – this bag has simple quilting to make it nice and sturdy, embroidered pockets on both sides and two easy to grab handles. It is designed to store all of your stitching goodies. Below is a coordinating needlebook and I have plans for more accessories to match throughout next year..
This floral embroidery sits on the back pocket (the side you cannot see above) Four of these strips are stitched with satin stitch, detached chain, pistil stitch and backstitch.. It is a lot of stitching – of course you could leave it out and just insert another fabric strip – but it really does look pretty don't you think – and worth the effort..
The main flower motif on the front pocket will give you lots of practise on those new stiches you have learnt.
it is finished with a zipper – but will work just as well without one if you really do not like to do zips… I promise I do talk you through it though…
Accompanying the ‘Broidery Bag is the Needle Nookie!
I made myself a Needle book similar to this years ago when I was learning about needles. It was perfect for me to store my needle card and remember what they were! There are eight pockets which will fit a standard pack of needles (and yes the new Hugs ‘n Kisses needles will also fit).
You slip the complete pack in the pocket but when using one you slip it into the woollen strip on the pocket for safe storage – like a pincushion – BUT the name is written right there – many people once they take a needle out of the packet can never tell again what type of needle it was – now you will always know…
The Needle book folds up nicely to store in your “broidery bag.
Again we have some interesting and challenging embroidery on the needlebook for some stitching therapy.
Both patterns have iron on transfers, stitch guides and diagrams and step by step instructions.Don't forget if you need to refer back to the Stitched Sunday tutorials you always can, or download the Hugs ‘n Kisses app which has the links right there for you for each stitch.
These projects have been made using fabric from one Fat Quarter pack (Puttin on the Ritz by Bunnyhill for Moda) – I have more left to make more projects in this range. I would suggest choosing a favourite Fat Quarter pack and putting it aside to make your complete set by the end of next year as I add to the collection.
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I know that many of you struggle with what needle to use for your stitching and appliqué.. It is probably the most often question I am asked… so to make it simple for you we sourced and tested and now have available Hugs ‘n Kisses needle packs -
Stitchery needles – for your stitchery and simple embroidery projects - these are size 7 Crewel needles suited to 1-3 strands of thread or a Perle 12-16 thread which I love to use,
and,
Appliqué needles – for needleturn or Gluestick appliqué. – These are nice and strong, with a very sharp point, not too short to handle but not too long to bend and they have a LARGE eye for easier threading than most appliqué needles.
These two needles are pretty much what I use for 90% of my stitching…
Your local stores who came to Quilt Market may have all of these products available now – if not you can always ask them to get them in for you or visit the links above.
So, time for a giveaway – an extra Christmas Pressie to put under the tree just for you.
Reply with a comment on your new favourite embroidery stitch from the Stitched Sunday Tutorials… and we will draw one lucky winner on Friday for a full set – yes that's two patterns and two needlepacks..
hugs for today,
Helen
PS: A huge thankyou to Ausbelle who tested these patterns for me. Check out her colours! – it looks great in the brighter fabrics too…
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Many of you will know that I (and many other Aussie Designers) have been preparing madly for the Australian Quilt Market this weekend in Melbourne. This one of two trade shows held each year for the quilting and patchwork stores across Australia and New Zealand to come and say hi, see all that is new and order what they ‘have to have’. It is always a huge weekend, catching up with so many new and old friends, designers, store owners, peers and customers.
So as most of you won’t be there to say hello to us I thought I’d give you a sneak peek of all things new that Hugs ‘n Kisses will be showing so you can get your local store owner to come and see them in the flesh… and so you don’t feel you are missing out!
I have been very busy quietly working over the past few months on lots of new things for you all – many you have seen peeks of on Facebook, some you may not have… so here are all my new market releases…
Notes of Love – this a new version of this Block of the Month – you can get the single designs as Little Love Notes or the complete set with instructions to make this lovely quilt… nothing too difficult in there but great stitching therapy each night in your hoop.
This quilt is named Matilda May – it uses just fat quarters in four colourways and includes a touch of appliqué and stitchery in the simple repeated flower blocks. I used the Bunnyhill ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ range of fabrics by Moda.
You have already seen the next few:
A Heartfelt Wish
Grans’ Christmas Table Grans Christmas Pud
and the Festivity stockings
This little set was the last I finished and is named Girly Stuff
It has two different bag designs with some various options for details plus 5 stitchery designs – for every bit of stuff a girl needs
If you partook in the Country Hart My Sewing Room club you would already have seen the Needle Nookie… this handy needlebook holds all of your needle cards in little pockets so you never forget what type of needle you are using..
There is the Stitchery/embroidery needle - size 7 crewel needles perfect for the Presencia Perle #12- 16 threads or up to 3 strands of a stranded thread,
and the
Appliqué needle – a fine needle with a sharp point BUT a large eye which is easier to thread than little quilting or milliner needles. They are also nice and strong and I use them for all needlturn and gluestick appliqué as well as stitching down my bindings.
well that’s it for now,,,, had more planned but simply ran out of time to finish them so they will be next years projects ….
If you are coming to AQM please stop by and get some needle sample gifts and have a chat, if not, well I will just see you right here….on the blog…
hugs
Helen
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