Dear little cot quilt

Dear little cot quilt 

  This lovely quilt, so very simple in it's design has made up just how I  imagined, the gorgeous fabric is the star here.

  The soft pink and dandelion fabric from 'Dear Stella Design' is beautiful and I knew it would be just right for our granddaughters quilt.

Just a series of 5'' blocks (70) and a 5'', wide border at the top trimmed with a little cotton lace, very simple.

 I used one of Minki Kim's  Sew illustrated designs to add the little patch on the back, it just finishes it off.

Well 'Lola Grace' you are just a few days old and we are going to treasure getting to know you.

Happy sewing

Glenis

Bunny soft toy 'Bobby Bunny'

Meet Bobby Bunny

My all time favourite softy is a bunny with big ears and a sweet face..so here he is, Bobby Bunny.

I do like to design toys and I really did fall for this one, cute in natural linen or bejeweled in roses, either way delightful. His little jacket has foxes leaping over it, I thought that was fun...Bunny is definitely in charge.

The little roses are a sweet touch with Easter in mind and for a lot of you spring has sprung although not for us.

This little fellow was the inspiration for Bobby definitely more gender neutral, he is made from pure linen and I didn't add any batting to his ears so they hang down kind of floppy like.

Hopefully these bunnies inspire you to have ago and make one for the treasured little one in your life. My Patterns are just me telling you how to do this, all photos are taken as I make them.

Happy sewing 

Glenis

Colour Kitties, soft toys

Colour Kitties, my latest sewing pattern

I do love to make toys but it's the designing process that I love most, new ideas clamouring to be heard, made real, an idea that becomes touchable, shareable..that's what I love.

Do you remember the little Golden Book 'The Color Kittens' it was published in 1958, I read it to my children and grandchildren...we love it. Well my kittens don't look like the ones in book but it was the colours that inspired me, the little story is all about the colours of the world and how the kittens 'Hush' and 'Brush' made them.

Of a purple land

In a pale pink sea

Where apples fell

From a golden tree 

 Just one of the lovely verses in the book.

This pattern is reasonably simple, just using fabric and colour to create the fun look.

The little ruffle is just raw edged and cut on the bias, I thought it gave them theatrical look.

You can find my pattern here and I am hoping you might give it ago.

Glenis

Lamb Softies, toy lambs in pyjamas

Lamb's in pyjamas.. featured in February's Homespun Magazine

I was delighted to see these wee fellows in print at last, you know they had to jet their way to Sydney and back!!

I've used flannelette and cream fleece to make them, keeping them soft and cuddly, I always try to keep my patterns simple while still retaining the detail that I love. 

They even have their own hotties, and look I've added a little buttoned flap to the back of his pyjamas..fun ah!!

Just to let you know you can buy a digital copy of this magazine from Zinio, but there is nothing like holding the real thing in your hands.

I love this Homespun Magazine it's filled with amazing projects, such talented global craftswomen.

Well happy sewing everyone and don't forget all my other patterns are available here.

Glenis

Quliting for Baby

 Quilts with love

Babies are coming and I have been really busy with holidays and family...but still I have managed to finish three little quilts.

I have used the gorgeous 'Sleepy times animal pals' embroidery pattern from Nanacompany, all Amy's creations are inspirationally lovely. The pattern was originally designed for a dolls quilt but I scaled it up a little to make this dear bassinet quilt. 
My favourite fabric 'Milk,Sugar and Flower' from Elea Lutz is just so storybook sweet.

This bassinet quilt is very simple just machine appliqued 'Leaping Lambs' and diagonal quilting at about 1 1/2 '' apart.
I usually sew my binding onto the wrong side of the quilt then fold it to the front and machine sew.

This is the little cot quilt I made from the most gorgeous fabric, unfortunately none of my photos were that good...they don't do it justice.
The little yellow check is just the softess warm maizey colour and the wee grey mice dance all over the quilt.
 It is made from five inch squares with a top border of the mice fabric and trimmed with narrow cotton lace.
I just loved the mice fabric which I got from my lovely local store 'More Than Fabric'  and still have some left for some other project.
Well that's it so happy sewing

Glenis

Dresses and quilts, a sewing year in review

My favourite makes for  2016

 Kerah's quilt 
I have just finished this quilt for my little Granddaughter, she's five, in fact it's under the tree. I used a lovely pattern by Carina Gardner I found on Pinterest.

Granddaughter dresses, an array of makes over the year.

 I'm a detail person and love 'sewing small' it's my term for petite projects...my post about it here.

How come I am just finding out the joy of making Zipper pouches.

What sewer can ever have enough Pincushions, fun makes with a story behind it.

Crib quilts, mini's and wall hangings.

The highlights of my year have been a Blog hop, Nanacompany swap and my first feature in the Homespun magazine.
Books that have inspired me are 
'Sew Illustrated' by Minky Kim and Kristen Esser
'Sweetly stitched handmades' by Amy Sinibaldi
Gorgeous fabric from designers Sedef Imer and Elea Lutz and my favourite of all Instagram

Ali of Arabesque Scissors is doing a TGIFF thats 'Thank goodness its finish Friday' 2016 project roundup 
and
do check out Saylittlehen as well to join in the 2016 creative review.

Glenis

Kiwi Christmas.. setting the scene

A Kiwi Christmas, sunshine and tradition

I guess its quite different to enjoy a Southern hemisphere Christmas, we tend to do things differently here in NZ.  Its a lot less indoors and a lot more outdoors....putting most sewing aside to enjoy what summer has to offer.  Grandchildren have six weeks of school holidays and so swimming, BBQs, actually eating outside is what we love to do.  Hydrangeas and Agapanthus are flowering in the hot sun and the beach is calling.

Well I have had a lovely year sewing wise, I've bought gorgeous fabric, inspirational books and patterns, taught classes and delighted in every stitch. 

Happy Christmas and happy sewing

Glenis