Hugs from Helen

Market tag thingamajig–free project

Very soon I am off to market again, this time in Minneapolis –

are you coming?

If so you might like to make one of these thingamajigs!  I have made it to hold the little plastic tag holders they give us each year (lets hope they haven't changed the size) – so you can just slip it right inside the front pocket.

But also, I always need to carry around business cards – and I am ALWAYS losing my phone, so I have included an inside pocket with a spring clip closure so it won’t fall out when I bend down (which happens often), with plenty of room to collect others cards, brochures and more..

Then of course there are the pins! this year a group of us are participating in a great booth pin hop – yes like a treasure hunt..

So where do you put your pins? onto the nice wide strap of course.. can you collect them all?

Of course if you are not coming to market – these name tag thingys are very common at all shows both retail and trade – so you will surely need one one day…

 

So here we go….

You will need:

one skinny quarter fabric (10”/25cm x wof)

a bit of heavy fusible interfacing &

a bit of lighter weight fusible interfacing

one 15cm 6” spring clip bag closure (optional)

Cutting:

a.Cut one @ 1 1/4” x 6 1/4”

b.Cut one @ 2” x 6 1/4”

c.Cut two @ 6 1/2” x 5 3/4”

d.Cut two @ 6 1/2” x 5 3/4” (lining)

e.Cut two @ 3” x 3 1/2”

f.Cut 4 @ 2 1/2” x 6 1/8” (tabs)

g.Cut 1 @ 4” x 28” (neck strap) (join strips if necessary)

 

Fuse fairly heavy fusible interfacing to the wrong side of a, b and both e pieces.

Fold e pieces in half wrong sides together and press.

Place a and b right sides together with both of your folded e pieces with the side raw edges even. Stitch across long edges using a 1/4” seam allowance.

Press outwards.

Press a 1/4” seam over on the edge of the larger (2”) pieceFold over again until the fold meets the stitching line. PinEdgestitch top and bottom edge of the folded strip. Edgestitch just the top of the bottom strip.Fuse a lightweight fusible interfacing to the two ‘c’ pieces of fabric. Place your ‘unit’ onto the right side of one piece with the bottom raw edges even. Stitch to baste around outside edges (just a small 1/8” in from the edges). Stitch a row of stitching through both layers about 1/2” from the bottom edge.Place right sides together with your other (interfaced) ‘c’ piece. Stitch around outside edges using a 1/4” seam. Clip the corners, turn through and press out those seams well.

Neck strap – pin holderFold the ‘g’ piece in half along the length and press to crease the centre line.

Open and fold both edges in to meet the centre fold. Press.Fold in half again and press.Edgestitch down both sides.

 

Spring clip tabs – note if you don’t want to include a spring clip just skip this step and you’ll have an open top pouch/bag

Place two piece ‘f’ right sides together and stitch down both short ends.

Turn right side out and press out seams well.Fold in half and press.Place one right sides together with top raw edges even on the front of your thingamajig. PinOn the back side first position your neckstrap then the tab over the top with raw edges even and pin. Roll up the neckstrap and pin it out of the way of the edges.Make lining by sewing the two ‘d’ pieces right sides together using a 1/4” seam and leaving a 2” opening in one side. Clip corners, but leave wrong side out.Place lining bag over the top of your thingamajig. Line up the side seams and top raw edges and pin well.Place over your machine arm (it fits over mine, if it doesn't you’ll have to manoeuvre it around) Stitch around the complete top edge removing the pins as you go.Pull the inner bag to the outside through the opening in the lining Press out the seams well and then slip stitch that opening closed. (and yes if you know me you’ll know mine isn't done - do as I say, not as I do)

.Insert the spring clip through the top tabs. Put the little dooverlackie (metal pin) in the other end and use pliers to bend over the little metal flappy bits to hold..

Another version – every girl needs a spare, or maybe one for each day..

And you are ready for market – when you register and get your name tag – take one of the plastic holders and pop it straight in..

Then come and find me to collect your limited edition pin!

hope to meet you there..I’ll have lots of goodies to show you…

hugs

Helen

AQC and back again

wow, what a whirlwind few weeks…

First my fabric arrived – well half of it….. but I was still in AQC Prep mode so not much could be done with it….

then it was off and away up the road, onto the boat and into the big smoke!

After unloading in the rain on my own this is how I started!

finally, exhausted about 7 hours later we were sort of done and ready for the opening crowds

Couldn't have done it without my two wonderful helpers Tess and Jess…

We had full houses for all of our Make & take classes and my daily presentation

I caught up with so many stitching friends and customers – it was certainly a full on few days – not to mention my very quick look at the amazing quilts… from the State’s best, to Modern Quilt Guild, to the AQC Challenge ‘True Blue’, individual quilt artist exhibits and Lucy Carol’s The Gallipoli Quilt project.. to name a few.

And who could forget the wonderful Best of Australia quilt won by my friend Linda…. over 23,000 1/4” hexies made up this original design and it was a well deserved win!

so, you may be able to see many many new things in these photos that I just haven't had time to show you or get onto the website…. in 3 days I leave yet again, this time for Seattle for my cruise to Alaska

and then market…

 

So the new patterns and goodies I’m afraid are  going to have to wait until my return at the end of May… please follow along on my travels on Instagram or Facebook… I have a few more posts scheduled to come, will be back in a few weeks…

hugs for today..

Helen

Stitch with me in Penola

Next week I head of on my first teaching adventure of the year..

Actually it combines a trip to home – (my home town and parents) as I didn't make it over the holiday season, but whilst there I offered to run some classes… who will I see from my childhood? It may feel a little strange to me, I'm sure this is not where they expected me to end up in life… me neither…

Anyway, I know a lot of you are wanting to see more of what we will be making so here goes….

 

Date:  Wed 18th - Sat 21st February 2015

Venue:the Habit Patch Church St Penola

Time: 10am - 4pm

Wednesday: Colourque & EPP Hexies

Workshop includes Morning tea, pattern notes.

Project: Belconnen Beauty - a small wallhanging or larger quilt centre panel. You will learn step by step the art of Colourque (coloured pencils on fabric to give an applique effect) plus our great iron on English paper pieced hexies.

Thursday: Applique the Hugs ‘n Kisses way (hand or machine)  Morning tea  and pattern notes included.

Birds of a Feather - small wallhanging or quilt panel using my simple gluestick applique technique. This project is more suited to the hand method with smaller pieces for this class. I will demonstrate the machine method during the day so you can choose your preferred method at home and for future projects.

Friday: English Paper Piecing and embroidery workshop Morning tea  and class notes included

Edelweiss Quilt - this quilt uses both the iron on English Paper pieced hexies and embroidery stitches. We will be making one circle of hexies on the day and one embroidery panel learning and perfecting several stitches.  You may purchase the full pattern pack for $40 (enough hexies and transfers to make the complete quilt)

or

just the class pack - enough hexies for one circle and one transfer will be included in your class.

 

Saturday: ’A gathering of stitchers’: two patterns and one kit included, hand work. Share, learn, inspire and stitch. $90. Morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea inc

Now a lot of you have expressed interest in coming but I need you to book! I will be packing Tuesday so I need to know how many kits/patterns to pack!  Contact Karen on 08 8737 3101 or Lori on 03 62787507 to book or email.

We will be sending out requirement lists by email this week or kits can be ordered from Karen.

 

hope to see you there

hugs for today

Helen

Happy new year!

can you believe it is nearly the end of January!!! please no….

Did you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year?

I spent a wonderful 9 day break Cruising to the South Pacific with my family – some well needed rest, two books and some stitching achieved.

Then it was maintenance week around home, some long awaited and required cleanups, fixups and freshen ups here…

Back to work, came with a nasty cold – 11 days now and counting, down and out, in bed, or not, coughing and dribbling…..  my payback for having a fully healthy year in 2014 I’m told…

But I can still stitch and am well into my list for the year.

So, thought I’d remind you of a few upcoming dates – yes I may be coming nearby to you and would love to stitch with you.

My First trip is to Bright VIC

I’ve JUST finished the project for this one, its being tested now, would you like a little peek?

From Bright I drive to my hometown of Penola South Australia where I will be doing three days of workshops – one on one technique instruction with small classes – one to not miss!

Then we’ll finish with a Gathering on the Saturday-  started this project today!!! so no peeks yet.. but our class projects are:

Colourque and hexies

Hexies and embroidery

and my gluestick applique technique

then back here to Hobart for a day with Lynette Anderson – this one is almost sold out so be quick to book.

 

For my US friends, I’d really like to see some friendly faces to enjoy this with me…..

This is filling fast but its not too late to join in… it will be a first for me – I am so excited both to be teaching on a cruise and secondly to Alaska!!!! wow…

now that’s enough for me to think about for now so I am sure it is for you also…

I know I am a slack blogger nowadays and don’t find the time to write lovely long blog posts for you all – so please follow me on Instagram (where you see every post) or like me on Facebook (where they decide what you see – so comment or like often and you won’t miss out)  for daily peeks and tidbits of my stitching world.

hugs and happy new year to all

Helen

Last minute Gift list ideas

Have you spent the last month thinking about everyone else’s Christmas gifts but your own? Do you get asked what you’d like and can never think of anything… why not ask for a special treat just for you and your stitching friends…

If you are in the Bright area, or anywhere in Victoria you could spend a lovely day with Rosalie and myself at the lovely Ringer Reef Winery. Email Ang to book.

OR

if that doesn't suit how about a girly trip to the wonderful Southeast region of South Australia for a few days of indulging ‘me time’ in Penola. Email Lori or Karen to book.

Or for those in Tassie then this is your first chance for the year to share a wonderful day with us. Email Lori to book.

Hope to see you somewhere in the world in 2015…

hugs for today

Helen

cruising Alaska…..

are you thinking of cruising with me to Alaska next year?

Deb, the organiser has just informed us that places are selling fast on the ship…. so if it is something you are considering now is the time to contact her… in fact to help you make that decision she is offering special deals - Through November, World of Quilts Travel is having a special where you only have to pay a $100 deposit per person rather than the regular deposit of $600 and they are offering a $50 discount per quilter.

Deb says that many categories on the ship are already wait listed and I would not want you to be disappointed because the category you want is gone.   Please do not wait risk the opportunity to join our wonderful cruise in America's last frontier.  Please see the website at http://alaskaquiltcruise.com

you can see the projects I am teaching – along with Frieda Anderson and DANA WOODARD VERRENGIA  here.

http://worldofquiltstravel.com/2015Alaskaprojects.htm

-three very different designers, so there is so much opportunity to learn so many new techniques or relax and stitch something you are already familiar with.

I am so excited about this tour – and hope to meet many of you as we sip cocktails and stitch the day away….with perhaps the most spectacular views in the world..

 

hugs for today

Helen

Want to stitch with me in South Australia?

….next instalment in my upcoming travels..

are you going to the Australian Machine Quilting Festival? well if you’re not, then you should be!  We don’t get too many opportunities to learn, share and be inspired here in Australia like this.

They write ‘We are celebrating and educating quilters, patchworkers and stitchers of all disciplines!  There is something at Festival for everyone that uses a machine!’

They have some amazing teachers coming – including

Jenny Doan, Judy Madsen (oh wow I love her quilting), Jamie Wallen and our very own Pam Holland as the guest speaker and featured artist.

I feel honoured to be listed among the list of teachers – little old me from the bottom of the world…

anyhow, even if you don’t book my classes, come see the quilts and learn, learn, learn….

okay so my classes are:

 

Kindergarten colouring = grownup masterpiece with Helen Stubbings

Saturday 4th October 1-5pm

Colourque – coloured pencil appliqué – we will be making a mini version of the award winning Lace quilt.

 

Perfect Gluestick applique by machine with Helen Stubbings : Sunday 5th October 12.30 – 2.30

and we will be making this simple but delightful table runner from the Simply Appliqué book.

Iron, Glue, Stitch & Wash – Hexies done easy... with Helen Stubbings

Monday 6th October 8-10am

We will be making hexies by machine! – yes that’s right. With the new iron on leave in hexies we can do EPP hexies by machine. Make this simple table topper and learn the method – then go forth and make masterpieces!

hope to see some of you there, if not at my classes – then with me in some of the classes I am going to take! or at the dinner or the exhibition…. lets rub shoulders with the best of the best!

hugs for today

Helen

Want to stitch with me?

Thought I’d bring you up to date on a few teaching gigs happening in the not too distant future….

because if you are in the area (and even if you are not but like flying) then you may want to stitch with me! its always nice for me to have someone to stitch with :)

 

So first trip is in a couple of weeks to Temora NSW.

I will be teaching at SewAwesome – contact Sharon to book -

0412 455 451

We will be having a trunk show on Wednesday evening 17th September and a full day class on Thursday 18th learning the Temora Traveller sampler bag.

This is a project with a lot of punch! you will get to try so many techniques – gluestick appliqué, iron on English Paper piecing (hexies and clamshells) and many embroidery stitches..

 

Friday I travel to Canberra where we will be holding a trunk show evening at Hobbysew Belconnen, contact Terrie for details (02) 6253 0011

Saturday will be the ‘Belconnen Beauty’ class. This workshop will teach the simple but beautiful Colourque technique  - coloured pencil appliqué – and iron on hexies to make this simple wall hanging or table topper.

And Sunday the Temora Traveller sampler bag once again.

hope to meet you there!

hugs for today

Helen

home home again jiggety jig

Yes, home again after a wonderful three weeks in the USA with Jo.

Many of you may have followed our travels and misadventures on Facebook, but for the rest of you here’s a few pics to try and show you just how big & exciting Quilt market is.

This is how our booth looked when we first rolled out suitcases in..not much to work with

after two days of building, sticking, pinning, tweaking and finalising we managed to get it to look like this…My aim was to show off my two new fabric range patterns at this endBlock of the months and other favourites hung here on my special multiple quilt rack display (which I think I need to have patented – half of the traffic to my booth was stores and other vendors photographing the hanging idea) Emma and Paul?This was my redwork display – and a little display from One Day in May – which was well received

and on my outer wall were all of the projects from the new book Simply Applique…I also had to make quilts and displays for my two fabric ranges in the Red Rooster booth. Thanks to my lovely friend Twyla for making the Sunshine & Daisies quilt – this is my free pattern for the Primrose Sands fabric line and is available to you all here.

And to Emma for making gorgeous clothes – this little dress pictured along with a skirt and top I’ll show you later.. You should visit her FB page – she does beautiful work.

I was launching this bundle of gorgeousness!  and I am so excited to say that EVERYBODY else also loved it! I am so lucky to have been allowed a basics range that will be so useable and it looked just soooo pretty…To give you an idea this pic below shows about one eighth of the show floor. Yes 26 rows of overwhelming inspiration and stitchy goodness….

I've got sooo much more to show and tell you along with all the new patterns I managed to get done before I left…

but for now, just letting you know… these greeted me as I arrived home… yes the books are here!

so to keep the jetlag at bay I spent last night signing all of the preorders… not too late for a signed copy. Just order and leave a comment asking for it to be personally signed for you.

hugs for today…

Helen

up, up and away - again

As I cross the final points off my packing list, ready to fly out to International Quilt market in Pittsburgh tomorrow, I write to you with a few peeks until my return.  Yes, as always life has been mad preparing for market and not one but two fabric ranges to make wonderful things from… a few peeks below for you, they are ready to go but won’t be on the website until my return, sorry just out of time….. but on my return I promise lots of goodies, pics and possibly even a giveaway or two!!!!

       

If you’ve been following me on Instagram or Facebook you have probably already seen many of these in the works. I do have to thank Jo and Belle for helping me out along with my wonderful sister Tracey for quilting I think five quilts in a week for me – and even binding them!!! I couldn't do it without her..

This is going to be one of the Free patterns available to you for the Basically Hugs fabric range…

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now speaking of Jo – in about 15 hours she and I will be heading to the airport for another market for me – but the trip of a lifetime for Jo – I am so excited to have her coming with me… watch for pics of us in New York City, a girls road trip with Anni Downs, Amish Country PA, Pittsburgh, Amish country Ohio and more….

 

Oh and don’t forget I'm teaching at The Quilt Foundry in Maumee Ohio –if you happen to be close – do come on down…

hopefully we will return in one piece!

 

until my return, hugs

Helen