Three Day Patchwork

I know the sweetest little bean and Its her 2nd Birthday this week so I wanted to make her a special crafty present, something practical as she lives in a yurt in the woods, and something she can treasure for years to come. I decided a patchwork quilt would be perfect, except I’ve never managed to finish any patchwork I’ve started, and I only had Three days…

I already had some strips of fabric cut so that was a head start, all but one are gorgeous vintage fabrics I’ve collected over the years. I cut them into different sized rectangles all with the same length (22cm) and varying widths.Then this is what I did:

1. Sew the rectangles together into a strip of suitable length, repeat this until you have 5 strips, iron the strips and sew them together

2. Choose a piece of backing fabric and lay the patchwork piece on top, with the right sides touching, pin and cut around it. (I appliqued an initial and some flowers onto the backing fabric first)

3.  Sew the two pieces together, as you would a pillowcase, going round all corners but leaving an opening at the bottom

4. Turn inside out, measure the right size piece wadding and put it inside. Pin around the edge to secure it in place and pin the opening flap together, turning it back on itself to create a neat edge

5. Sew all around the edge of the quilt, then sew down the lengths of the strips. Next across to create squares, and then diamonds.

Et Voila! easier than I thought, a manageable size for a first quilt and the perfect gift for a kiddo. Now I feel ready to tackle a larger one with proper edging techniques!

x x x

Lampshade Love

The other day I had an urge to learn how to make lampshades, it was a ping of inspiration from nowhere that made so much sense that I have no idea why I havent done it sooner! And I knew just who to call…

I met Ruth McAllister of Quincy Lampshades last year at the Lionheart Magazine Launch, her lampshades are bold, beautiful and modern and her successful business is an inspiration, she also teaches lampshade making in Bristol and Bath. I took along my Mairin Flora fabric and in three hours I had a gorgeous drum lampshade, Ruth is a wonderful teacher; generous and passionate about sharing the lampshade love. I enjoyed every minute and keep looking over at my finished beauty and smiling!

December:

December is here; Cold weather and wooly hats, I will turn 27, It will be my second Christmas as a wife, but best of all… it is the month I have launched my business. The tiny beginnings of something I hope will grow to be beautiful and successful, it feels wonderful to have big hopes, wonderful, scary and right.

I will be starting with 4 Christmas markets this month and then launching my online shop in January. The first market is this Saturday on the Christmas Steps in Bristol, this is perhaps why I’m feeling festive so early this year, Today I’m planning to venture into the back of our garden to find our tree from last year and adorn it once again with some lights.

Here are some seasonal inspirationals I love, to begin the festive month:

The cutest advent calendar from Snug

‘Fashionable Christmas’ cards from the V and A  including one of my favorite illustrators Georges Lepape

Pretty handmade owl decorations from Lula Handmade

‘Sailing home for Christmas’ card by Anna Searle

Christmas Lights dessert plates by West Elm

Dates for your diary

You will be able to find As Petals Fall at the following events:

3rd December – Christmas Steps Artisan Christmas Market, Bristol (11-4)

The Oh So charming Christmas Steps are holding another of their wonderful markets featuring lots of stalls of beautiful handmade goods, perfect for an alternative bit of christmas shopping avoiding the busy high street and a guaranteed dose of festive cheer with carols, mulled cider and twinkling lights. Perfect.

10th December – Yule Love It! Christmas shopping event at Tenderfoot Gifts, Brislington Bristol (10-5)

I absolutely cannot wait to get along to Tenderfoot gifts as it is a plethora of  beautiful arts and crafts stocking work from so many talented artists/ designers/ makers. Another perfect place to find individual christmas gifts, get inspiration and meet some lovely people.

11th December – Lionheart Magazine Launch party, 40 Alfred Place, Kingsdown, Bristol (1-10)

This event is very special, my wonderful  friend Helen has created the most beautiful printed magazine, The first issue is about bravery, and if ever there was a brave, strong lioness then it is Hels; if you need encouragement to follow your dream/ heart then read about her journey into print.

“Lionheart is a celebration of what can be achieved, emphasising that you and your friends are brilliant”  – Indeed.

This party will be a celebration of having a lion in your heart, and a physical embodiment of the magazine itself, there will be all things good: Craft, things to make and do, cake, music, wonderful people, joy…

pretty

Hope to see you there petals x

As leaves fall

Today was a beautiful crisp autumn day, my favourite sort of day. I love the colours of the changing leaves, the smell in the air and the light in the sky. It was perfect for a trip to the woods to take photo’s of some of my new cushions, I’ve combined my own screen printed fabrics with bits of material I’ve collected including Liberty prints and vintage fabrics;

Things to make and do:

I’ve been collecting lots of ideas and free tutorials for future projects via pinterest and I thought I’d share some of them with you as they are real beauties.

Doilie table runner – Tutorial from ashleyannphotography

Giant knitted owl – Tutorial from Purlbee

 

Doilie lampshade – Tutorial from Dos family

Crochet granny squares for a blanket – Tutorial from Deer little fawn

And in my dreams – Peabody sweater pattern from Ravelry

Owl love continued…

Here’s a peek at some felt owl badges I’ve made:

Craftathon

I’ve had a bit of a craftathon today; Firstly I finished my first square of a patchwork blanket I’m making as part of Twit Knit Club (A virtual knitting club on Twitter). This was the brain child of Scarlett Curtis aka Teen Granny, see details here. It’s such a great idea; seeing/ hearing everyone elses progress via twitter will hopefully spur me on to finish the blanket, it will also give me something to knit at my real life knit club. I’ve gone for a striped design:

I also finished my felt chihuahua as featured in Mollie Makes magazine and taken from Felties, a fabulous book (which I really want now). I think I’ll turn him into a badge.

Three things I love;

Melanie Porter

Knit the city’s Phonebox cosy

Some amazing yarn-bombing in Bristol captured by That Kate

Twit-Twooo

 

Picasso Owl

 Source

At Knitting club this week I decided to start the Owl cushion, however following a knitting pattern is not as easy as the grandma’s make it look. I am now on my fifth attempt, hopefully the perseverance will pay off in the form of Olive the owl, a partner for my friends lovingly created owl Olaf!

Knitting Club

 

Twit-Twooo

 

In the mean time I have developed a slight obsession for Owl things;

                                                                                 Night Owl cushion from Bouf.com

                                                                      Vintage knitted owl cushion, get the pattern Here

                                                                               I LOVE these three from Donna Wilson

 

                                                                            Glass owl’s from Retro Art Glass

                                                            A print I bought for my Husband by Lucie Sheridan

                                                        For all beautiful things Owl related; have a peek at My Owl Barn