Hello Spring Tulip & Tote Bag

I'm so excited to be part of the Paper Pieced Pattern a Day Garden Party Blog Hop!!!!

It doesn't quite feel like Spring in Seattle until the tulip bulbs I planted in the fall bloom in April.

My block is a tulip in a pot which for me epitomizes the beginning of Spring.

If you haven't seen the other Garden Party themed blocks you should really check it out HERE.

They are fabulous!

Jennifer of Sewhooked is hosting and has some fabulous give-aways, too. 

[Fabrics:  Background Text: Lakehouse Annie's farm stand,  Green leaves a stem: Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy,  Blue Stripe: DS Quilts for fabric traditions,  Blue floral: DS Quilts for fabric traditions, Blue Text : Kumiko Fujita]

The block is 4 1/2" wide and the instructions include measurements for making a 10" block.  You could also use two blocks to create a 10" or 12" block.  The pattern can be found HERE.

With Spring in the air, one cannot have too many cute shopping totes!!

I decided to use this block to adorn a fun shopping tote.  Warning - It is a big one : )

A whopping 15 3/4" x 18 3/4"!!

If you want a smaller bag, just trim off the bottom and you can keep all the other measurements the same.  Make sure your quilt block fits the smaller size of the tote and you can see it below the flap.

I added pom pom trim and a border around the block to coordinate.

I love the ruffle top elastic pocket.  It is super duper, easy peasy and has a nice clean finish.

I also added one to the inside lining.

You can find the tote bag tutorial HERE.

If you decide to make my "Hello Spring" block or tote bag, I would love to see your version on my Charise Creates Flickr group HERE.

And don't forget to check out the Garden Party Flickr group HERE!

xo Charise

Busy Thursday!

I've been so remiss at blogging this month!!  I have been working on some projects, though!

I finished Megan's block for Cocorico Bee.  Her theme was county fair and I had a heck of a time coming up with an idea.  My original thought was a ferris wheel but the "Quilt Show" felt like the right direction to go.

I used stamps to make the Quilts banner.  The mini quilts on top are Farmer's wife blocks shrunk down to 4".  The quilt on the table is a cheater print from Lakehouse.

I've missed making Farmer's Wife blocks!  Hopefully I'll find time soon to make some more!

Here is a photo of my Patchwork 318 Bee Blocks together.  I just love them.  I'm thinking they each need a separate project to set them apart! Leila made the one on the top left, Kerry the top right, and Ayumi made the bottom block! 
Baskets was the theme and they are all just divine!

Enjoy your day! 

Table Top Swap

This afternoon while the kiddos are at school,  I decided to work on napkins for my partner in the Table Top Swap.  The incredibly talented Amy organized this lovely swap and after doing the Potholder Pass I had to do this one too. 

One down and three more to go!!  

Enjoy your Day!! 

Spring is in the air

In preparation for the Spring Garden Party - Block a Day Blog Hop, I've been working on some spring themed blocks.

My butterfly pattern  is available - in my Etsy shop!!

 It is a 6" block and the pattern also includes a template for an 8" block.
They would be adorable as potholders! 

Using both blocks, with one on the front and one on the back, I made this little zip bag.  I'm working on a tutorial for the bag and it will be available soon!

 

Four butterfly blocks would make a really lovely 12" quilt block.

Jennifer is hosting the Garden Party Blog Hop.  During the month of April a new pattern will be available for you each day of the month.  You can check out the details here.

Just like the butterfly block, My garden party block will be made into a little something to coordinate with the butterfly bag - complete with a tutorial!

Have a lovely weekend!

Basic Grey Winners!

Thanks everyone for playing:

The Winners are:

Nicke - Sweet Starlet

Sarah - Hello Zig Zag

Jeanne E - Churn Dash

Dolores - Promenade

Kylie - Sunday Brunch

Look for an email from me : ) I'll be asking for your address (and tele # if you are int'l) so Basic Grey can send the pattern to you!! 

Congratulations everyone!!!

Basic Grey Pattern Give Away

I'm so excited to host a give-away that is sponsored by Basic Grey.  They are giving away five beautiful new quilt patterns that coordinate with their Hello Luscious fabric collection from Moda.

Hello Zig Zag Quilt

Happy Churn Dash Quilt

Sunday Basket Brunch Quilt

Sweet Starlet Quilt

Promenade Quilt

Basic Grey is also offering a free pattern for the Star Fall pillow.

You can download it here!

Please leave a comment requesting your favorite pattern and your second pattern choice.  If you'd like a second chance to win, please become a follower and leave a comment saying you are.

I will pick winners on Sunday 9:00 p.m. PST.

Thanks for playing and Good Luck!!

Grocery Store

As soon as Ayumi picked her theme  Grocery Store for her month in the Ringo Pie Bee,  I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to make.

I love Bonne Maman Jam jars and have a problem putting them into the recycling bin - I have a stash in my basement.   My husband thinks I'm a bit crazy. 

I'm pretty sure Martha Stewart has a tutorial of how you can make an outdoor candelabra with jars : )  At least that is what I tell my husband!

 I can't help myself - I just love the gingham lids and the pretty labels.

 One of my first paper piecing blocks was this one here which looks just like a Bonne Maman jar : )

I think a "Pantry" block is in my future.  These items are inspiring me right now.

What inspires you these days?

Crown of Thorns Pattern

I love vintage patterns! As I delve deeper into the quilting world, many modern patterns are inspired by or derived from vintage ones.  I found this Alice Brooks Pattern "Crown of Thorns" and immediately fell in love with it!  I modified the pattern to remove a "V" intersection at the center  of the block.

I have a free link to the pattern here.

Here is another version I made.  I love how Springy this one looks.

If you are going to make the pattern, stitch your pieces together  on the left and right and then your middle strip separately like this:

I highly recommend paper piecing this pattern!

If you make this block, please join my Charise Creates Flickr Group and add your version of this block.  I'd love to see your version!!!!

I've also listed this pillow in my Etsy shop : )

Have a lovely weekend!

Work In Progress Wednesday - The Tova

The pattern is printed and the fabric picked!!!

Join Kerry's Tova Sew Along Here!!

Design Studio - Sew Out Loud Quilt Along - Block 5

I'm so excited to share the blocks I created for the Sew Out Loud Quilt Along.

You can find the first pattern here - "Design Studio."
I am currently re-vamping the pattern.  Stay tuned for an update on availability : )

I've been an apparel designer for over 20 years and love fashion.

 I also haven't had a dedicated sewing room for quite some time now, so this block is inspired by the studio of my dreams!!  I thought this would be a fun block especially since you get to design the dress on the mannequin.

The fabrics I used in this block are listed from top to bottom, Left to Right.

1) Unknown Japanese Fabric

2) Moda Etchings

3) Suzuko Koseki Notions from Blije Olifantje

4) Blueberry Crumb Cake from Blackbird Designs from the Fat Quarter Shop 

5) Suzuko Koseki Checkered Blocks from Blije Olifantje

6) Robert Kaufman Pimatex Basics

7) Yuwa Sweet Pastries from Blije Olifantje

8) Moda Basics dot from the Fat Quarter Shop

9) Makower So Tonal (I originally got this from FQ shop, but they are sold out)

10) Folk Heart by Rosalie Quinlan from the Fat Quarter Shop

11) Sweet Shop by Michele D'Amore from the Fat Quarter Shop

12) Moda Sunkissed by Sweetwater

I would consider this block intermediate level as it has fairly small pieces. 

The piecing method is template freezer paper pieced.

All pattern pieces should be printed on freezer paper or traced onto freezer paper, dull side.

Your pieces will then be ironed to the Right Side of your fabric.

Kerry has a great tutorial here.

This block requires a few Y seams and you can find my tutorial for Y seams here.

The "custom-made Dressmaker" sign is from a Japanese fabric I've had in my stash for quite some time.

You can also use stamps to create your own custom sign. 

I've included in the pattern, on the last page, a few different options for signs you can print yourself.

They can be printed on to Sew-In Fabric sheets you can find at your local quilt shop.  I found mine at JoAnn's.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions and heat set your fabric.

I used this method to create the Lait and Cafe labels in the block here:

The second block you can find here -  "Vintage Sewing Machine and Notions." 
I am currently re-vamping the pattern.  Stay tuned for an update on availability : )

You can find the pattern HERE!

Fabrics used for this block are listed from top to bottom, Left to Right:

1) Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy

2) Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy

3) Sweet Shop by Michele D'Amore from the Fat Quarter Shop

4) Robert Kaufman Pimatex Basics

5) Suzuko Koseki Vintage Sewing from Blije Olifantje

6) Kumiko Fujita print from Ayumills

7) Suzuko Koseki Vintage Notions from Blije Olifantje 

Fat Quarter Shop generously donated fabric to the designers for this Quilt Along!

Thank you so much FQ shop.  They have wonderful fabrics and an incredible selection!
You should also check out Ayumills  and Blije Olifantje for wonderful Japanese fabrics.


***Happy Sewing***

Y Seams Tutorial

In preparation for the block I will be unveiling on Monday for the Sew Out Loud Quilt along, I thought I would go ahead and post the tutorial for Y seams and give you a little sneak peek of my design!  You will need this skill to complete the block.  This tutorial is for using Y seams with a freezer paper pieced block.

1)  Iron your freezer paper template pieces to fabric, right side.  Make sure to add 1/4" seam allowance to your pattern piece.  I like to use my rotary cutter to make sure I have an accurate 1/4" seam allowance.

Your Y seam is a the intersection at the neck shoulder.  Leave your freezer paper piece on the fabric and stay stitch the seam 1/4" from the edge on your seam line.

2)  Mark the corners  1/4" in from the edge.  I like to do this with a pencil or water soluble marker.



3)  Clip into your Y seam up to the corner.  Remove both freezer paper templates for this step.

4) Line up your pieces matching the pencil mark and the intersection point that you clipped to.

5) Stitch from one edge to intersection point.  Leave your needle in the down position when you get to the intersection point.  Lift your presser foot, pivot your fabric matching edges and continue stitching to the other edge.

6) Iron your freezer paper templates back on to your block and continue with the rest of your block.

See you on Monday with a link to the pattern!!

Work in Progress Wednesday

I've been playing a bit today with a pattern I originally created for a Bee I belonged to.

I'm trying it as a scrappy version to go with some other scrappy blocks I've been working on.

It definitely has a Spring feel to it which is what I want right about now : )

I'll have a free pattern for this on my blog very soon.

I did this version a while ago and finally quilted it and made it into a pillow.

It always amazes me how different a pattern can look in different fabrics.

Happy Wednesday to you!

Chalet Pattern

I'm so happy to have completed this paper piecing pattern!!  It is now available in my Etsy Shop.

This design was inspired by Swiss Chalets and created for Cocorico Bee.

Krista asked for a ski theme and my first thought was skiing in the Alps!

The fabrics included in this block are:

Sky, Grey scallop snow on roof, Tree, Shutters  - Moda "Ruby"
Top of Chalet (yellow) - DS for fabric traditons
Bottom of Chalet (yellow)  and Bird in window - Moda "Getaway"
Architectural details (brown) - Suzuko Koseki notions print
Red detail on Chalet - Moda "Hello Betty" by Chloe's Closet
Ground - Michael Miller Antiquity "Old Script"
Pathway - Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow Herringbone
Little girl and cat in upstairs window - vintage feedsack

If you decide to create this block, I'd love to see it.  Please add it to my Charise Creates Projects Flickr Group : ) 

* Friday * Favorites *

To find out more info on these photos click here.

Happy Friday : )

Fresh Sewing Day - February

It is time again for Fresh Sewing Day.  I love that Lynn hosts this blog share.  It is so much fun to see what other sewists in blog land have been up to.

Here is mine for February with some January mixed in!  Lots of starts - hope to be finishes in March!

Pippi

Being a part of the Cocorico Bee has been a wonderful and challenging experience for me.  Every month one member chooses a theme and the hive consisting of eleven artisan quilters creates an original block for that member.  This month Muriel chose Pippi Longstocking. 

I've always loved Pippi but I'll admit that coming up with a design was a bit difficult.  So I visited my local library and found a few books to help with the process.  One had this amazing illustration and I sketched a version I thought I could reproduce in fabric.

This is my version in fabric. I decided to add Pippi's head even though she is known to sleep with hers under the covers  : )

My favorite part was making the mini quilt!

Happy creating to you!

Progress

I hope you are enjoying your Monday.  It is President's Day here in the USA which means some folks have a holiday.  My hubby has the week off so I hope to make some progress on my long list of sewing "to dos"!

A winner!!

I'm excited to announce that Krisa of Poppyprint won Leila's Leaf Pattern and a custom leaf necklace.

Krista said:

I just love the idea of the leaf as a pendant on a chain! What a great idea! Reds for me, I think (I should jazz up my mostly grey/black wardrobe). Thanks for the chance...saw your pic in the mod fabric fans flickr group.

Congratulations Krista!