Happy quilt

I almost forgot to post a blog about my Happy Quilt. The name of this patchwork quilt came about via sweet comments from friends on Instagram. I posted a photo of the quilt top a month ago

Inspiration for the design of the quilt came from Karen at Pieces of Contentment and Rita at Red Pepper Quilts. My quilt is lightweight with a flannelette fabric backing. Perfect for Autumn or Spring. 

I used 81 different prints of quilting fabric including some organic cottons. White cotton fabric in between. I quilted wavy lines to hold the quilt top and back together. My first time trying free motion quilting. It's far from perfect. I have a lot to learn. 

Enjoy the photos. . .

Happy Thursday!

It's almost the weekend

Hope you have a great weekend, Julia xx

Mother's Day gift

I wanted to make something special for my Mum for Mother's Day to show her how much I love her. There were lots of ideas, however, I decided to make a practical gift. In recent months my Mum has been colouring for relaxation. I made an elegant pencil case in Paperie (by Amy Sinibaldi)

The lace was a trim I had sewn on one of my dresses I no longer have 

I added some hand stitching to the front of the pouch

I love the sweet mushrooms!

I crocheted mint green perle cotton for a zipper pull

Ready for gifting to my Mum tomorrow

I hope you all have a wonderful, memorable Mother's Day

Julia xx

Patchwork mini quilt - Paperie

Yesterday, I was going to share my Patchwork Mini Quilt photos however my body was aching. My husband started weeding the garden and did some poisoning. I helped pull out weeds from two gardens. There were so many! Afterwards the pain kicked in and I was walking around like an old lady. So, I thought it was fitting that I have a nana nap. I feel much better today!

I wanted to use up some fabric scraps after making my first quilt - Paperie. I made a mini quilt and I found fabric in my stash { for binding } that matches perfectly with Eponine

I love hand stitching xx

I enjoyed selecting and adding cotton lace and buttons

Craft is good for the Soul

Have a beautiful day, Julia xx

My first quilt - Paperie

I have seen so many beautiful quilts via Instagram and blogs I follow. I have wanted to make a patchwork quilt for some time. Last year I ordered Amy Sinibaldi's Limited Edition fabric collection called Paperie. Inspired by Amy's love for classic books. With tips from my Mum and friends I began to make my first quilt!

Sewing pieces together. Pin basting with help from my Mum

Alternating fabrics for the binding

Adding tiny hand stitched details

Some of the hand stitching tells the story of our family. The picture below depicts the long journey for my husband and I to become parents and be blessed with 3 beautiful children

Once upon a time. . . we got married 21 years ago and wanted to have a family. We spent a ridiculous amount of money on fertility procedures, followed by a very long wait to adopt our 3 precious children who were in a far away land in South Korea. We travelled to The Land of Morning Calm on 3 separate occasions to bring each child home. Our dream came true and we lived. . . happily ever after. The End

A handmade label

I made a big label to incorporate all the exquisite fabrics of Amy's collection

I finished my Paperie quilt on Sunday March 6, 2016

I hope you enjoyed viewing the making process of my quilt 

and the little stories hand stitched with love

Wishing you all a very happy Easter

I am thankful for our Saviour, Jesus Christ

Travel safe on the roads and enjoy spending time with family and friends

Julia xx

I'm a Maker everyday bag

It has been a while since I last blogged. Life has been hectic and my blog was put to the side. I hope you and your family are well

I needed a new Everyday bag as my previous one had seen better days. Susan from Jumi Creations sent me a sweet piece of fabric with a little girl sitting on a wooden spool. The toadstools are cute! Last year I purchased some fabrics from the 'Maker' collection - Art Gallery Fabrics. Susan's piece of fabric was the perfect touch for my Everyday bag

The 'Maker' fabric has so many beautiful little details

Inside pieces of my bag. Cotton webbing with tape measure trim added to the bag strap. The patchwork pocket has 2 sections. One to hold my mobile. One to hold car keys, hand gel and pens

Front view

I did not use a pattern to make the bag. It was made free hand and a little bigger than my old bag. The basic shape was inspired by Anna Graham's 241 tote bag from Noodlehead

Back view

Hand stitching, adding a cotton 'handmade' patch and zakka details were inspired by Amy Sinibaldi from nanaCompany

Inside view

I love my new Everyday bag!

The 'Maker' fabrics are beautiful

I used Scrumptious (by Bonnie and Camille for Moda fabrics) hexies to cover the stitching of the bag strap to the bag and the frayed ends of the cotton webbing

I'm a Maker everyday bag is complete

Red ribbon to accentuate the red on the fabric from Susan

Back view

I used cotton lace trim to cover the stitching of the bag strap to the bag. This idea was inspired by Wynn from zakka Art. Tiny embellishments add beauty!

I finished this project just before school pick up yesterday. I threw my old bag in the bin and happily filled pockets and the main section with my everyday necessities. I love my new bag!! 

Left pocket - floral key fob wristlet by Asako from Piggledee. I use it everyday

Main section - green floral purse and simple zipper patchwork pouch (pattern from Sweetly Stitched Handmades book) both made by me

Have you created something out of necessity? Please share. I would like to hear about it

I hope you all have a great weekend, Julia xx