Monsterz Quilt

Hello all,

I think I must have mentioned that I have a few finished quilts which I haven't actually shared with you yet (sorry). So here is one I have finsihed a few weeks ago before we left for Germany.

It's a lovely baby quilt (38" square) using organic fabrics from the Monsterz line by Cloud9. I love these fabrics, you've got to see them, there are lots of little creatures and cute worms on them. And once again I used some fluffy fleece in baby pink on the back.

I won't be able to make any new quilts for a while as my sewing machine is not working and I will have to buy a new one (I wnated a new one for some time so this is a sign I suppose that I should get one). I am hoping to see some at the Festival of Quilts and then make my decision but I won|t be able to afford one for some time I think.


Oh well, maybe I should concentrate on organising my sewing room for now. The flat could use a proper clean and tidy too.

Nadine xx

Frau Tulpe in Berlin

We just got back from our trip to Germany. Check out my loot from Frau Tulpe in Berlin, probably my new favorite fabric shop.

Unfortjnately, we only had hand luggage and I could only buy a little fabric. Can you see the black and white Dachshund fabric? It's adorable. But I might just order some online now, especially all the Asian fabrics are very hard to find in the UK.

Now I just need a new sewing machine as my old one broke just before we left. Any suggestions?

Love, Nadine


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Stash Storage 2

Hope Valley and Dolce

Remember this post and my little stash storage conundrum?

I was so unhappy with the way my stash is stored and kept jealously looking at other quilters' stash storage. But at the same time I just can't get myself to take my collections apart and sort by color although I probably really should. Well, what I decided to do, at least for now, is fold the fabrics so I can actually see all of them when opening the drawers rather than just piling them on top of each other.

And the result is this:

Woodland Tails and Backyard Baby

Chevrons and some Patty Young

Patty Young Andalucia

... and Lush

... and Sanctuary (and some Tina Givens Haven's Edge)

... and Flora and Fauna

Joel Dewberry, Heather Ross and Sandi Henderson

Pat Bravo and some Far Far Away

 the Laura Gunn drawer

my beloved Echo drawer

Amy Butler

lots of kiddies fabrics

FMF and Loulouthi

the Layer Cake drawer (some Central Park, Sweetwater, Summersville and newest additions are Simply Color, Juggling Summer and Cuzco, can't wait to work with those)

stripes and some solid pieces

Laurie Wisbrun and some Far Far Away

Timber

Echino and some more FFA

Kaffe Fassett

 and last but not least some random pieces and blenders, mainly stripes or dots for some reason.

With this new way of arranging my fabrics I will hopefully be more tempted to actually use them all and won't forget what I have as I can see every bit of fabric when I open the drawers. I know sorting by color would probably be better and make it easier for me to break out of the habit of using whole collections rather than mixing them. But this is at least a first step.

What do you think?

Lots of love and enjoy your summer (we are away in Germany until the end of the month, and I will make sure I pop over to Frau Tulpe in Berlin. yay)

Nadine xx

Another Book LOVE

Remember how I said to you I never post about books but had to make an exception for Quilting Modern, which is one of my absolute favorite quilting books?
 
Well, I have to make another exception because I am totally in love with Elisabeth Hartmann's new book Modern Patchwork.



I have admired her quilts for ages, actually, I think discovering her blog got me back into quilting and has also given me a more modern direction away from Kaffe Fasset and to a fresher and simpler style using more solids and greys and whites for sashing.

This is probably my favorite:



The quilts in this book are divine and I love how she gives these mini alternative quilts in different color schemes based on the larger designs.

You know, I normally try to stay away from recreating another quilter's designs, unless they are standard patterns of course that are based on classic designs or traditional quilts. But with these 2 books, Quilting Modern and Modern Patchwork, and possibly also Tula Pink's gorgeous book, I think I will have to break my word and actually try these patterns. I might have to modify them slightly to make them more my own and feel less guilty for copying someone else's design. But oh I can't wait.

Lots of love,
Nadine

PS: Once again I have to apologize for the bad quality images. My camera won't let me take any clear and sharp pics and I can't sharpen them properly in PS. I really need a decent camera but can't afford the reallye xpensive SLRs. But I do have a birthday coming up so maybe then. Fingers crossed.

Some Xmas goodies

Hello all,

I am so proud of myself, I started early on my christmas items and have already finsihed some, yay. No last minute scrambling trying to get thigns ready only to realise it's too late to even ship them abroad if someone bought them after all. Nothing like that will happen this year.

I have already finished 3 advent calendars and one is going to a Children's Charity http://www.sharingcolourandcomfort.webs.com/.

And here are the 2 reversible advent calendars I have added to the shop:

 and number 2:

I have also finished a snuggly little Winter baby quilt with gorgeous funky Christmas fabrics and red velvet on the back. I used poly wadding this time for it's soft fluff and lightness.




I will work on some more Christmas stockings too, I have 3 more in the shop at the moment, but will make some new ones. So watch this space.

Ho ho ho, I hope you like my new Christmas goodies, all available in the shop and currently part of the Christmas in July SALE until 15 July.

Lots of love,
Nadine

Christmas in July SALE

Ho ho ho, hello all my craftmonkeys,

Santa's coming ... soonish ... and that is reason enough to celebrate Christmas in July with a little SALE in the quilt shop  and the art shop.

Everything is 10% off in my the Quilt shop on Etsy and the Art shop, yes that includes the quilts and Christmas items and the artwork, including originals and prints too.

I am hoping to list more advent calendars and quilts so watch this space.

and go stock up on Christmas pressies.

... but don't overdo it on the Lebkuchen, in this sort of weather your tummy won't thank you for it.

Lots of love,

Nadine

PS: The SALE will close on the 15th of July as we are leaving for Germany on the 17th.