Charming Hexie Bag
I used some of our laser cut 1" hexagons for this project and as luck would have it we managed to get some cut for you from Stonehouse Garden my new fabric collection which is not due to be in stores until August/Sept.
They look so pretty stitched together, this bag only uses a few from the pack which contains x 100 laser cut 1" hexies, leaving you plenty for another project.
Anderson's Farm, the story so far....
with each block the story unfolds...
I am enjoying all the lovely emails and photos that you are sending me, thank you.
Emma is kindly helping me with some emergency technical help in
between looking after baby Eva who is already 4 and a half months old has drawn up the quilt layout for us.
Month 5 should be at participating stores by now and we at Little Quilt Store started mailing out month 5 blocks today so watch your mailbox :)
I feel very honoured to be a designer for one block in The Splendid Sampler sew along, a wonderful fun project that my friends Jane Davidson (Brisbane) and Pat Sloane (USA) have created and that women around the world are participating in.
The Splendid Sampler blocks are 6" finished and lots of wonderful people in the quilting industry have designed a block. The blocks are being released twice a week, there will be 100+ block patterns in all to collect and make. To learn more follow this link the The Splendid Sampler Website.
I cant show you the block I have designed yet but here are some finished blocks from other designers that have been made using my fabrics. I am working using blues/creams from any and all of my fabric collections - I can't believe I have created so many blue prints. This sweet block below has not two squares from the same fabric!
Sorry about the colouring of this photo, its raining today and my studio isn't well lit (I know I need to get better lights!). There are a couple of early blocks that I havent got done yet as I was a late starter and a couple of 'bonus' blocks that are on the 'to do' pile! I am so pleased with how its looking.
Today it was 'sit and stitch' day in the store when you can come and have a cup of tea, stitch a while and enjoy the company of liked minded people. A couple of other ladies are making 'The Splendid Sampler' too so we got to do some show and tell. Donna is doing hers in pinks/burgundy's/greys from my fabric collections, its looking gorgeous as you can see in the picture below.
Valerie is working with some reproduction prints, looking fabulous.
There are so may different techniques to try, some simple and some challenging...are you making a Splendid Sampler?? We are hoping to have Jane come to the store for a 'Sew Splendid Day' later this year - I hope you can join us and bring your blocks for 'show and tell'?
If you like having fun on Facebook, there is a lovely group you can join, here is the link.
bye for now
Stitch The day Away was held on the 13th March here on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. The goodie bags liked so enticing when they were packed and ready.....each one containing one of the new mini craft cases ready for decorating, two starter kits one from my guest Karen Styles and one from me, a lovely charm pack of 'My Hearts At Home' fabrics and a little jar of fun.!
The room is ready to receive its guests... looking from this end of the room you can see down to Karen's little pop up shop.
The excited participants for the day were lined up outside waiting for the doors to open - so the fun can begin!
Donna and my Mum were waiting to welcome everyone at the door, to check in the swap needle cases and handout the name tags.
Here I am with my guest Karen Styles from Somerset Patchwork, Karen designs quilts and sells patterns and also is kept busy designing fabric for Marcus Fabrics, USA. We were about to welcome everyone and unveil the projects for the day so the stitching can begin but paused for this quick photo...
This happy table of stitchers got a lot of talking done and a bit stitching done, new friends were made - a fun day was had by all :)
We held a needlecase swap (I love swaps) - I provided the stitchery drawing and the participants made a needlecase, there was a wonderful variety of needlecase all of which I could happily have brought home with me :) just gorgeous.
One of the students was using the 'My Hearts At Home' fabrics to hand piece her 6 pointed stars for Karen's project, so very pretty. Good to see that she was using my favourite purple scissors!
Ivanka (my Saturday girl) who was running my pop up store got to meet Karen for the first time.
Here is 'Hideaway Cottage' a workshop only project (not available as a pattern until later in the year) my project for the day, originally designed for new mini craft case but just for fun we made the little bag using the same fabric kits thats needed for the mini craft case, we all love the little bag and apparently my Mum has first rights on owning it 'one day', she loves the little squirrel - I added one of the new acorn zip toggles to the craft case this morning and love how it finishes the project off so nicely.
Karen project which is made using Karens' signature reproduction prints could either be done using the pre-cut papers she included in the kit or by hand piecing, many ladies chose to have a go at the hand piecing and were amazed at how quickly the project came together.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the day, it was so nice to catch up with friends and to meet make some new ones. I havent set the dates for March next year as I am waiting for the venue to tell me days they have available!!
However I have set some dates for 'Stitch The Day Away' in the UK
Here is a Download Booking Form 2016-email which contains the information sheet and a booking form. If your have any questions please do not hesitate to email and ask.
Many of you will be soon receiving your month two pattern and button - we shipped them to the registered stores last week.
Here by popular request is the quilt layout for Anderson's Farm and the placement for month 1 - please note that this sketch is not to scale!!
I realise that I missed some information out of the pattern in month one. Do a row of chain stitch on the roof edge on all the buildings...here is a picture of mine to give you an idea for where the stitching needs to go.
Here is a peek at 'Sydney The Cockerel' - month 2. If you look closely at the surface stitchery on his neck you can clearly see the subtle variation of colour that the hand dyed Valdani thread gives - very pretty.
Look at the beautiful embroidery my friend Yvonne has done using the Valdani threads on the daisies.
Please note: We are at our maximum production for the hand painted buttons now so if your interested dont delay in signing up as we wont be releasing the pattern/buttons until later in 2017. So, for those of you who haven't taken the plunge and signed up to do 'Anderson's Farm' yet but are considering it!! Here is the list of participating stores, some have sold out, some have a few places available - happy hunting.
Participating Stores:
Australia
Little Quilt Store - places available
Hobbysew Belconnen - places available
Loose Stitches - places available
Canada
From The Heart Quilt Shop
France
L'Atelier du Patchwork
Netherlands
Kwibbels - sold out
New Zealand
Katipatch - places available
The Country Yard - places available
Spain
Mi Casita de Patch
The Wool Collection - sold out
USA
Sew Graceful Quilting - places available
Village Quilts - places available
Mountain Creek Quilt Shop
UK
Coast and Country - places available
Cowslip Workshops - sold out
Cross Patch
Puddleducks - places available
Patchwork Chicks - places available
bye for now
When I was in Japan at the Tokyo Quilt show in 2015 I saw this gorgeous quilt and I have been dreaming of it ever since!
Then little while ago I selected some fat quarters for a project I was starting (still a work in progress)! - I really like the mixture of fabrics, they are from a cross section of my fabric collections and as you can see look great together.
Here is a better look at the prints....yummy
I have scraps from the project thats still in progress....actually quite a lot of scraps from the other project...so, I gathered together my tools - fabric glue pen, needle threader, threads and needles.
I am not sure how the Japanese quilter made her quilt but I am doing mine the English paper piecing method.
I am working with a lovely fat quarter pack of yarn dyes: a yarn dye fabric is a woven cotton fabric where the pattern is created within the weave rather than a print on the surface.
I am working with pre-cut papers, 1" hexagons and 1" six pointed stars (otherwise know as diamonds).
By putting two hexagons and 6 of the six pointed stars (diamonds) together you can make them into 2" hexagons, looking good don't you think!
When you join these newly created hexagons together, they turn into these sweet stars...
I am not sure how big or how long this quilt will take me to make but I am enjoying the process as I find English paper piecing is very very relaxing.
I have lots of yarn dye fabrics available by the yard/m - follow this link to view or as fat quarter bundles
I have lots of different pre-cut English paper shapes - follow this link to view
If your interested in a fat quarter or fat eighth bundle (24 prints) of the Lynette Anderson print fabrics similar to the ones I am working with or a bundle of yarn dyes, please email me, include your address so I can work out postage costs and then I can put a bundle together for you and will send you a Paypal invoice.
As you can see Hugo is sporting a snazzy bright new collar and very pleased he is with it, as he should be, he is the envy of every dog and dog owner we passed on our morning walk today!
We often walk on the beach and Hugo loves to take a swim, roll in the sand - you know regular doggie type things and so he needs two or three collars so he can always wear a dry one! I had fun buying these Kaffe Fasset fabrics which are lovely and vibrant and just what Hugo likes!
There are other special dog collar making items that you will need if you want to have a go at making your own dog collars. I buy my supplies from a company called Country Brook Design, here is the link to their website, I bought a pack of the hardware which makes ten collars - dog collar hardware kits. plus some of the black webbing for the backing and strength. They also sell lots of lovely printed ribbons to use but I prefer to use the lovely patchwork fabrics that are easily available from any quilt store..... I decide to make three collars and in fact once you have everything out and ready making three is as quick as making one.
There is a great tutorial on how to make a dog collar that comes in the pack with the hardware or there is a more in depth one (with pictures) on the Country Brook Designs website or here (this is my favourite and the one I first found and used a few years ago). I cut my fabrics a smidgen smaller than the width of the back webbing, I then pressed with wrong sides together and using a hot iron the edges into the centre and then placed the pressed fabric onto the black webbing...
Then with my trusty Bernina and a titanium coated topstitch 80/12 needle by Superior threads I stitched through the layers, I kept my stitches as close to the edge of the folded fabric as I could and pretty soon my dog collars were taking shape!
I love how these collars look and they really do make a nice statement as well and being very individual.
Let me know how you get on making your dog a new collar or two - actually I just found a nice pattern for a dog bandana so that might have to be my next experiment - first I need to get more fabrics :)
Are you joining me this year and stitching Anderson's Farm? My new mystery button club quilt for 2016.
I cant tell you much as its a mystery! I can tell you that it has a farm theme, the finished size is approx. 32" x 46" which is slightly larger than previous button club quilts.
I have included an alphabet for you to stitch so that you can re-name your farm.
Anderson's Farm combines appliqué, embroidery and simple piecing....there is a little wool appliqué, I have used some existing buttons and have had fun designing some new ones....
I have used Valdani 6 strand hand dyed cotton threads throughout the project, for which I have put together a pack, if you follow the link you can also see the colour codes and names in case you already have them in your stash.
I have used fabrics from various collections of mine, its been such fun working with my fabrics for this project. Each of the participating stores has been given a swatch sheet and some have put together fabrics packs or you can buy a fabric bundle direct from us.
Participating Stores
Australia
Little Quilt Store
Hobbysew Belconnen
Loose Stitches
Canada
From The Heart Quilt Shop
France
L'Atelier du Patchwork
Germany
Quilt Shop Kaleidoscope
Netherlands
Kwibbels
New Zealand
Katipatch
The Country Yard
The Country Yard
Spain
Mi Casita de Patch
The Wool Collection
USA
Sew Graceful Quilting
Village Quilts
Mountain Creek Quilt Shop
UK
Coast and Country
Cowslip Workshops
Cross Patch
Puddleducks
Patchwork Chicks
We have created a sweet picture for you to use on your blog page if your joining the fun..
Here is the code for you to link the image to this page:
<a href="http://lynetteandersondesigns.typepad.com/lynette_anderson_designs/andersons-farm-button-club.html"> <img src="http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk69/lynetteorourke/im-stitching-andersons-farm_zpsm1ydv7xw.png"/></a>
How could I resist joining in the third annual American Patchwork and Quilting quilt-along. I really enjoyed last years nine patch quilt-long. Mine just needs the backing fabric to be organised and then its time to head to the long arm quilter.
The theme this year is the 'plus sign', this quilt-along is called 'It All Adds Up'.
There are two plus sign projects in APQ magazine and one in Quilts and More magazine and a gorgeous plus sign pillow pattern which is available online here.
If like me you don't live in the US and cant easily buy a hard copy of the magazine then just follow this link and buy yourself a digital copy. The bonus with digital copies is that you can get sewing straight away!
I am making the 'Easy Addition' quilt by Brenda M Ratcliff thats in the Quilts and More magazine which calls for 25 fat quarters plus background fabrics. I have pulled these fat quarters from my stash, choosing fabrics from an assortment of my RJR fabric collections - Highland, Winter Village, Time With Friends, Needles and Pins and Spiced Pumpkin, I love how they all work together to create such a nice palette.
I am going to use three different grey prints for my backgrounds as I prefer a more subtle contrast. Why am I using three different prints? Well for one I don't have enough of any one print to make the whole quilt and secondly I like a scrappy look to my quilts. The greys are all from different collections, 'Hearts and Flowers', Time With Friends and Bread and Butter.
I have been busy cutting and have little stacks of chopped up happiness ready to be stitched - roll on 5pm when I give myself permission to do my hobby sewing!
Follow this link to the APQ website to see who else is joining in the fun and to discover which project they are working on.
Remember to use the hashtag #apqquiltalong on Facebook and Instagram if you decide to join in the fun so we can all see your progress.
.....be back later to show you some more.
Some Sundays Vince and I pick up our granddaughter Elsie and we go out for breakfast together. One particular Sunday Elsie brought her favourite teddy bear, the barista at the cafe put these brilliant teddy face on Grandad Vince's coffee.....
I love sewing and its also my hobby as well as my job so in preparation for moving to a bigger bedroom I wanted to make a new quilt for Elsie - can you guess her favourite colour!!
I chose a gorgeous pattern called 'Little Elephant Quilt' by Red Brolly and had fun going shopping for these outrageous bright pink and blue fabrics.... my first few blocks went together very nicely...then we had Christmas and New Year and my sewing had to be put aside..
My treat at 5pm everyday is that I am allowed to work on my hobby project and so as each day passed another elephant and bird block was made... until there was enough. I had decided to make 12 blocks rather than the 9 the pattern suggested so that it would be bed size. Luckily the border design still fitted with my larger quilt size.
I was so excited when the package arrived back from the KoolKat Quilting - I asked for the all over heart and swirl pattern in pink thread and its perfect. The batting I choose to have is Matilda's Own a wool/poly blend which gives you the warmth of wool with the lightness of poly plus the finished quilt has a lovely soft handle.
I was very organised for this project and had cut the binding and put it safely aside to await the return of my quilt.
I love the heavy feel of a quilt on your lap as you stitch the binding on a bit by bit all the raw edges disappear. My trusty Bernina and a titanium needle stitched through this quilt like butter.
I hope that this weekend when we take Miss Elsie out for breakfast I will be able to surprise her with the Little Elephant Quilt.
This sentiment fits exactly how I feel about quilting, its the new hashtag for RJR Fabrics whom as you know I work with to create my fabric collections.
bye for now