Bunnies

Last week-end, I have tried the bunny pattern from Jill's book "Storybook toys". (see previous post) It is a great pattern. Very easy to follow. This bunny is easier to sew than it seems.

 I have had a lot of fun making 2 for my sons. For Elliott (4 months old) I have selected a soft white fabric (from towel) with pastel cotton fabrics and I have embroidered his eyes closed. I though it would be sweeter for my baby to have his bunny gently sleeping. For Alfred (2 1/2 years old) I have found a funky orange large corduroy and associated it with a contrasting quilt fabric. I have used buttons for the eyes. In both I have inserted a small box filled with lentils. So those bunnies are soft toys and rattles too!

Alfred has proudly helped me stuffing the toys. I explained him that we have also put love in it. He is happy to know his bunny is filled with mom's love and he asks me about this every night before sleeping :-)

I can't wait trying Henry the Horse pattern from this book!

First doll ever...

Making doll has always been one of my bigest dream. Marionettes are particularly fascinating for me and I always thought that Gepetto had the best job of the world. Here is my first doll ever! I did not give her a name as the little girl who will receive it will choose herself her name. This little girl has had her birthday few days ago (3 years old) and I thought a simple cloth doll could be a nice start. I will probably sew a more sophisticated doll for her 5th or 6th birthday. For this one, that is 17" tall, I have been inspired by several dolls from Internet. I picked the shape of the leg here, the shape of the face there, etc. I am quite happy with the result as it is the first one, except for the stitches on the chin. I place a dart on the neck as i did not want the face to be too flat, but the dart was too high and I do not like how it "spoils" the face.

 I have included a print fabric in the body to make her underwear, as well as stripe fabric for the socks and black fabric for the shoes. I think I will let the feet nude for the next one, to allow her to be dressed with different sewn shoes. Next time, I will also use thick wool yarn for the hair. I particularly love the hair style of the dolls made by Jill Hamor. She is the author of one of the greatest book (if not the greatest!) about doll making. I have ordered her wonderful book "storybook toys" and received it just after I finished my first doll. I will definitely follow one of her pattern for my next project: a doll for ME! I will make a detail post of it so you can figure out what can be done with this book. 

I have also found several great projects in this book that I want to sew for my boys (a bunny, an cute horse, an elephant...and more). I think I will learn a lot making those toys. I'll share with you :-)
Oh, yes, I will also work on my patterns... I do not forget all the designs that some of you have asked. I just needed a doll break :-) And it was so magic!!! Just like in my dream!

BOM first block

Do you smell this wonderful pine forest scent?
Pine tree is the first block of my BOM, it comes from my Snow White Set, I have improved the design slightly for the BOM and it is the easiest block of the BOM. We will need this block twice for the quilt. This way, the beginners will have a good paper piecing training to start our BOM. This block can be made with one green fabric for a "plain" pine tree, or with scraps like I did above. I like this versatile design that can be part of many kinds of projects like Christmas, Camping, Woodland and many more!
The block is available in my shop here and there. Susbcription for the BOM are opened anytime in my shops too. And if you want to win a subscription, just have a look on my previous post, you could also win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 7!

Welcome Happy Quilters!

I am honored to have my block in the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 7! This brand new issue will be available beginning of may but you can win your copy during this Blog Tour. But first I would like to introduce my block...

            

Today, I show you my little house block that you can find in this issue. I like how house blocks can be done in many different colours. That remind me the sweet fishermen villages from North Europe, and also those we can see along our american coasts. But this house is not a floating house, neither build on the sand, it's just a cute little house, proudly standing on the top of a hill. This way, you can choose your favourite flower fabric for the ground. ( as I did in my quilt below, to add a folk touch).

This cute block can be used in many different projects like cushions, pot holder, doll quilt and more. I have made a little wall hanging to warm my home, duplicating the bottom of the block and adding a red ribbon in the border as shown below:

To enter in a drawing to win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 blocks issue or a subscription to my 2013 BOM, be sure to leave a comment on this post. Just visit my Craftsy shop and let me know what is your favourite block. The winners will be posted here on Saturday!

Enjoy the tour!

And the winner is....

SANDRA from Sandra's Craft Corner.

Congratulations!!!

Quilmaker's 100 blocks vol.7

In very few days, the 7th volume of Quiltmaker's 100 blocks will be released with a wonderful selection of blocks. I am very happy to be part of it. I can't tell you more about my block now, but I will  reveal it next week and be part of the 100 Blocks Blog Tour running between the 29th of April and 3rd of May. There will be daily giveaways, so make the tour and comeback for a chance to win a copy of this issue or a subscription to my BOM! See you soon!

     

Spring Fling Blog Hop... and Y seams!

I hope you all enjoy this beginning of Spring like I do, gardening with my little ones and following this joyful blog hop! Today is my turn and I propose you a paper piecing block.  Here is my Rockrose block:

You can download the pattern HERE and THERE. This block includes Y seams. This is an opportunity for those who believe Y seams are difficult to try it and see how easy it is! So if you are new to Y seams, do not worry, just follow those easy steps:

HOW TO SEW Y SEAMS:

Each seam must end without including the seam allowance. This allows you to pivot the pieces and attach them without creating a tuck. Mark small dots at the seam line corners on all pieces to be joined. (In a paper pieced block, you do not need to mark dots because you use the end/corners of paper). Use a pin to pin through the dot (or corner of paper) at each end before you sew. Start sewing right at that point (remove the pin first) and backstitch. When you come to the other end, stop right at the dot and backstitch again. Done!

I hope you will have fun sewing my block! And do not forget to check the other designer's blocks on the Fling Spring Blog Hop page!

BOM 2013

I wrote about it few weeks ago and here it is! The "Around my house" quilt BOM is now available, it is a 8 months BOM that will run from May to December. It features 4 of my best sellers blocks + 4 brand new blocks that I have designed for this occasion. Inspired by folk quilts, with a woodland and home sweet home taste, this quilt will warm any room: it brings happyness in a child bedroom, a peaceful and warm accent in a living room to make you feel like in a cabin in the wood!
This Block Of the Month is perfect for beginners: we will start with easy blocks and, month after month, we will explore more intricate blocks. A great way to become a paper piecing pro!
Subscription is $16 only, and it is available in my Craftsy shop here and in my Etsy shop there.
For those who are interested in a block but do not want to sew the whole quilt, each (new) block will be released every month and sold separately in my shops.
         .... I just can't wait to see my customers quilts!