Winter Solstice

Once again we have reached the best time of the year.  Today is the shortest day and longest night. Tomorrow our days start to become longer by a few minutes each day.  

As I say good bye to another winter, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!  

Christmas Tree Sampler Workshop

I have spent some time this autumn working on a Christmas tree sampler cushion.

I am going to do a tutorial 'Block of the Month'.  Starting in January 2018.  There are eight blocks in this sampler. 

I have used a Moda charm pack for some of pieced blocks, plus a white on white fabric for the appliqué blocks and fat quarters for the borders.

There is a Facebook group called Daisychain Quilter.  If you need any help with the blocks, why not join the group.  

Back from my blogging break!

It has been a long time since I blogged regularly.  Does anyone still visit my blog and read it?

Life has been busy this year.   I have spent time on Instagram and Etsy.  

So it is time to dust off the blog and start afresh.

Post Card Blocks

I call this my postcard block but I am sure it has another name.

Recipe

A) Two 2 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch White on White/Cream on Cream

B) One  4 /12 x 8 1/2 Bright/Kids print

Sew the White on White to either side of the Bright/Kids print.

It should be a 8 1/2 inch block.

Make at least twelve to give you a small size quilt.

I added a 2 1/2 border in the same colour.

Notice how if the thinner strips are a different colour it can change the appearance of the finished quilt.

Disappearing Four Patch

I first posted this on my sister blog and then again here in April 2104.  I am reposting again today to make it easier for my students to find this blog post.

Recipe 

You will need the following to make one block:

A)  One 5 x 5 inch blue plain/tone on tone.

B)  One 5 x 5 inch red plain/tone on tone.

C)  Two 5 x 5 inch white on white.

 Sew together as above to form a four patch block.  Press the seams open.

Cut 1 1/2 inches from the centre seam.  With each cut turn the board not the fabric, this will help to keep the fabric from moving.  Do not be tempted to move the pieces after each cut.  Once you have cut four times then check to make sure you have cut properly.

 Leave the four corners and centre blocks and turn the four outer middle blocks to form a new nine patch block.

 Once you are happy with the new block sew the block back together.  Pay extra attention to matching all the seams.

Next time you could vary the width of the cut from the centre seams.  It will give a different feel to the block.
Well done.

Etsy Discount

wwww.etsy.com/uk/shop/DaisychainQuilter

10% discount code: SUMMER

Happy Mothering Sunday

Happy Mothering Sunday.

My Etsy shop discount code for one week only: MOTHERSDAY

www.etsy.com/shop/DaisychainQuilter

My Word for the Year.

My word for 2017 is 'Balance".

Do you get the feeling I am still a work in progress quilter?

I am reposting the post that I wrote in 2014 as this is how I am feeling today.

I am in need of organising my life, family, work and clutter house/sewing studio. The important thing is to discipline myself to set aside the time each week to each activity that helps me declutter my life.  I love to make lists and cross things off that list as I achieve or complete an activity.  

Any baggage that is weighing me down needs to place in the bin as it is stopping my soul from creating new work.

Make do and use what I have! No unnecessary spending and selling what I do not use or need anymore. It is no use trying to keep things I do not want or use, it is just plain waste.
I have taken bits and pieces from each 'Word for the Year' blog posts to remind myself that this is an on going progess/activity.  

            My word for 2010 was 'Clutter' or rather de-clutter.
            My word for 2011 was 'Frugal'..
            My word for 2013 was Peace.

            My Word for 2014 was 'Opportunity'

Now I am reposting 2013 post.

Peacefully work forwards a quiet family and quilting life.
Be at peace by reducing my commitments and saying no to any new ones.  
Be peaceful about my huge number of UFOs.  It is not going to harm me or anyone else if they remain unfinished.  Just enjoy working on the UFOs when time allows.
Be at peace about my very large fabric stash. Be at peace about using every piece of special fabric in my stash. Just use the special fabric to help turn it into a beautiful item.
Be peaceful when life throws me some curved balls.  A peaceful soul can deal with curved balls.

Now reposting 2010 post for my word for the year.

My word for this year is 'Clutter'. I have clutter in all areas of my life. I need to declutter my clutter! 


The Sewing Room 
The Daisychain Studio
My commitments 
My House
My Possessions

And any other baggage weighing down on my creative soul so I can focus on producing a new portfolio of work. There are many things I would very much like to achieve but time, space and inspiration are passing me by too quickly. I am going to try and set aside three fifteen minute sessions a day to play. It is not important whether the time is spent drafting and designing my new pattern range or catching up with sewing projects. The important thing is to discipline myself to set aside the time.
Ready steady go...

            My word for 2010 was 'Clutter' or rather de-clutter.
            My word for 2011 was 'Frugal'..
            My word for 2013 was Peace.
            My Word for 2014 was 'Opportunity'