Sewing with Felt

I may be completely biased, but I think I have the best local Library ever!  They have such a great range of books and if they don't have something I might be after, they are very open to taking suggestions of book titles to purchase - and most times they buy them in for the library.  I know it isn't quite the same as having books handy at home on your bookshelf, but it is the next best thing.

Today I called in to pick up my latest reserved book and all I can say is - I absolutely love it!!!

This is one of those books where I can honestly say I love the majority of the projects in it, if not all.  Not something I can say about a lot of craft books.  Often when you buy a book  there may be only one or two main projects you really like and would seriously consider making.  Well if you like working with felt - I highly recommend this book to you - you will find heaps of things to make!  The best part is that the projects are suited to all skill levels - from beginner sewers to the more advanced.

My favourite thing in this book is the large pink flower shown in the centre of the cover.  It is made with a pin attached to the back so that you can pin it to something.  Wouldn't it look great as an embelishment added to a bag, or even an item of clothing - lots of possibilities!!

I do enjoy working with felt and have even taught craft classes on making felt items.  Some of my favourite have been the felt pancake stacks, cupcakes & tarts.  Here are a few to show you.

Another day I will show you some of the other things I love to make using felt.

School Quilt

My 14 year old has undertaken quite a huge task as part of her Home Economics Assignment at school and decided she would like to make a lap size quilt.  I must say she has made some lovely things in Home Ec over the last year, once she was allowed to be more creative and choose her own projects to make.  I was a little apprehensive at how she would go with piecing a quilt by herself though, but she has done such a great job! 

This quilt was made using Moda's Blush range of fabrics and took 2 of the Moda pre-cut Charm Packs with a little extra fabric for the border.  Although it looks a little difficult, the pattern is actually quite simple and made from a simple 9 block square.  I just love the colours in this quilt!!

While she had to do all the work herself, she was allowed to enlist mum's help for the actual quilting, so I have spent the last day or two stippling it for her in my spare time.

Now all she has left to do is the binding and then she has a beautiful quilt to use and enjoy - and I'm so proud of her achievement!!  I hope her teacher is equally impressed!

Handmade Cards

I love being creative - so taking time out of my day to work on any type of craft is something I always enjoy. 

Having always been an avid lover of stationery, it will come as no surprise that I enjoy stamping and papercrafts - including scrapbooking and cardmaking.  In recent years I seem to have concentrated mostly on cards though, simply because they are quicker and easier to do (at least for me) and with time constraints always an issue, I just find them something I can pick up and work on relatively easily and have a finished product by the time I am ready to pack things away.  They bring a sense of satisfaction which fulfills some of my creative energy.  I still enjoy my longer projects too, but tend to keep these more to the fabrics crafts.

Here are a few of my latest cards.  I think they actually look better in real life, the pictures don't do them justice.  But at least it gives you an idea.

I love some of the popular owl designs which are around at the moment.  This cute little owl stamp is one I purchased through Kaszazz.  I coloured him in metallic colours and was quite pleased with the end result.

Bears are always a favourite, so cute and can be adaptable for so many occasions when it comes to using them in card making designs.

We have had a couple of birthday parties to attend this week for little girls, so a few more cute cards were added to my growing collection.  Pink is my favourite colour, so I always enjoy making cards for little girls where I can incorporate lots of pink!!

As well as making items for our own personal use, I have an etsy store also where I sell some of my handmade craft items.  You can find it here RaspberrySwirls.

Riley Blake Fabrics

This week has been rather exciting with lots of parcels of fabric arriving.  They leave me oohing and aahing and I honestly can't decide which one I like best - nor can I decide what I'd like to create with any of my new fabrics.  So instead, I just look at them all and dream. 

Ever since I first discovered Riley Blake fabrics, I have completely fallen in love with so many wonderful new designs - these new fabrics have truly broadened my horizons in the world of fabric.  Originating with country styles and colours, I slowly emerged to something different with the shabby chic style and soft colourings, but now I've completely fallen in love with the bright, freshness of colour which so many of the Riley Blake fabric designers seem to provide. 

These fabrics are just a few of my newest arrivals from the Fly A Kite and Farm Fresh series.

Now I'm off to do a little quilting, I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend afternoon!!

Elm Creek Quilts

If you share my love of quilting, you may well have discovered the Elm Creek Quilts Series of books written by Jennifer Chiaverini.  I was so exciteed to find a fictional series which incorporates both my love of reading and of quilting.  I have totally enjoyed reading these books and found it so interesting to read books which incorporate a lot of American history right through to modern day, intertwined with fictional characters and based around the whole concept of quilting.  If only the Elm Creek Quilt Camp wasn't a fictional place.  It sounds to be the idealisc haven for any quilter. 
I have just finished reading The Wedding Quilt and to date that means I have read all 18 books in the series.  Imagine my excitement today when I received an email advising the release of Jennifer's newest book, #19 in the series, Sonoma Rose.  I can't wait for it to reach local bookstores!!  If you have never read this series before, I highly recommend them.  They are great to read whether you are into quilting or not.  

A New Beginning

For so long I've been an avid blog reader of so many talented, inspiring, everyday people but never been quite brave enough to start one of my own.  Well today is the day I am taking the plunge . . . adding a huge dose of courage to my lack of confidence . . . and giving it a go!  I am excited to see where this new journey will lead me!!