Happy birthday to Plain Stitch

It was a typical winter's day on Thursday with lashings of rain and dull, grey skies.  However this was not a day to stay tucked up under the blankets - because I had been invited to a birthday party!   

Deb, from Plain Stitch, was celebrating her first anniversary since opening her workroom and shop in Wendover. 

You can't go to a party without a present so I made these pretty little cupcakes to help celebrate the day.  

There was certainly lots of fun and laughter at the party.  Just look at all the smiling faces. 

  

Congratulations Deb and Plain Stitch on a successful first year.  

Fleurologie quilt take 2

A rare sunny day this week was too good to miss.  It was the perfect excuse for me to take a stroll along the canal nearby and photograph my latest quilt. 

Bella Solid in off-white was used for the sashing between the blocks of colour cut from my last Fleurologie layer cake.  I just love the Fleurologie fabric collection.  It is bright, colourful and just so pretty.   This is the second quilt I have made using it. 

This one however is very different in style from my first Fleurologie quilt.  The white sashing makes this quilt more subdued whilst the hot pink binding (as seen earlier with the corner trimmer) provides a strong border to the quilt that frames it perfectly.  I spent ages checking various fabrics at Fabric HQ before deciding that this pink - Kona Solid in Bright Pink - was just right. 

The pattern, called Ruby, Pearl and Opal, is available free on the Moda Bake Shop website.  Although there are a number of small pieces in the pattern, it was an easy design to put together.  It would be a good one for beginners to try as there are no seams to match up (yay!)

I even broke out of my comfort zone and made the "equally snazzy pieced backing" which I agree does look rather lovely.

For the long arm quilting, I chose a design called Curlz.  I haven't used it before but certainly will again.  It gives a lovely overall texture to the quilt with just the right weight to it.

So there you have it; a beautiful quilt measuring  146cm x 177cm.  One that any girly girl would love.

Hoot, hoot hooray. What a fab day!

Last weekend I spent a morning with Sam of Stitched Up By Samantha.  Sam makes wonderful fabric art using free motion embroidery.  I've admired her stunning pictures since forever, but this time I got to find out how she does it and to have a go myself with some other like-minded ladies.

I've tried free motion embroidery at home before but never had much success.  It is so much better to have an expert on hand to help solve any tricky problems.  Sam is a very patient teacher and first took us through the process of setting up our sewing machines for free motion embroidery.  

If you've been sewing for a while, then the hardest part is probably getting to grips with the idea that you can draw, (yes, draw!) with your machine.  It didn't take long before we were all happily scribbling away on scraps of fabric. 

Then it was on to creating our own mini work of art.  I chose to make a cute little owl and this is how he turned out.  Not bad for a first attempt.

Now I just need to find a frame for my sleepy little fellow. 

I loved doing free motion embroidery.  It is such a lot of fun.  If you would like to try it yourself, Sam holds regular classes at Fabric HQ.  

Love at first bite

Red velvet cake is such a pretty cake.  The gorgeous crimson red colour is a lovely choice for many occasions - Christmas, ruby wedding celebrations, halloween and, of course, Valentine's day.

Cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of red cake crumbs is the traditional topping for red velvet cakes.  I'm not really a fan of cream cheese, so I piped roses in vanilla buttercream instead.   Much prettier and just as delicious.

These ones were the just desserts of the ladies at the Sewcial on Tuesday at Fabric HQ.  

Such a delightful way to end a great evening.