A little sprinkling of Christmas Sparkle - Cowslip Workshops Xmas Bonanza

Well Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a jaunt down to Cornwall for Cowslip Workshop's annual Christmas Bonanza, now would it.  This year I stayed again with the lovely Lisa at Goodmansleigh Farm and rented White Park for a week.  This way I could have family to stay, sew to my hearts content and also explore the local area a bit more.  I don't know how I did it, but the weather was great and showed off the delights of Bude Beach, Tintagel and Boscastle at their best.

Not a bad view from the kitchen!

However, I digress, back to the sewing.  A couple of years ago, I started my Reindeer Quilt at Cowslip.  I finally finished it towards the end of 2014. 

 

At the Christmas Bonanza, I wanted to make a cushion which would complement it, yet also have a go at the Free Machine Quilting technique, of which owner Jo, is a great teacher.  This was my final offering, which I am really chuffed with.

I also made this cute Christmas Robin, mounted on a log, with sewn holly leaves, fresh moss and twigs.

I can,t bare to put my Stuffed Star Christmas Tree away for Christmas, which is now adorned with little silver bells and so it sits proudly in my office/sewing room.

I got asked to make some stuffed Christmas Bells for a couple of my gardening clients and got a bit carried away.  Five later - they looked great bagged up in a simple cookie bag and ribbon.  The Christmas napkins were gifts for family, with the embroidery templates copied by eye from the lovely 'Stitch it for Christmas' Book by Lynette Anderson.

Last year saw a bit of a crafty lull for me, so my New Years resolution?  More knitting, sewing and baking.  Bring it on!

Happy Sewing!

Wonky Log Cabin Xmas Lap Quilt - Cowslip Workshops

One of my favourite crafty places to visit is Cowslip Workshops in Launceston, Cornwall run by Jo Colwill.  For the last few years I've been lucky enough to attend their 2 day Christmas Bonanza workshops, where there is stacks of inspiring projects to get stuck into.  This was the display from 2 years ago.

This is Ruddy, one of my creations.  I can't bare to put him away after the festivities, so he holds court in my spare bedroom!



2 years ago, I started on my Wonky Log Cabin Xmas Quilt.  Rather than creating squares around a central starting point with rectangular strips, with the Wonky Log Cabin you make your first square with the strips of fabric.  Then, using a cutting square you cut on an angle in a downhill direction.  The second round of strips is cut in a uphill direction and the third downhill again and so on depending how many rounds you do.  I did 3 rounds.  It gives a more unusual effect.



It was meant to be turned into a much larger quilt with many more Xmas tree squares, but at the Christmas Bonanza last year, I took inspiration from some of Jo's quilts and turned it into a little lap quilt/wall-hanging.

I still used the main ideas from the larger quilt design including the leaping Reindeer with Rudolph leading the pack.

The Reindeer were hand stitched with silver thread around the outer edges, whilst my snowflakes were stitched on the sewing machine, with special silver machine thread.

After adding the wadding and lovely soft red backing fabric, I decided to hand stitch around certain parts of the quilt with embroidery thread, starting in the centre to hold everything together. 

The quilt was finished by folding the backing fabric over and machine stitching it down.

I cant wait to display it this Xmas and who knows what I'll create at this years Christmas Bonanza.  There is talk of Reindeer draught excluders and Robin doorstops!  How exciting!

Happy Sewing!

Pie Crust Cushions from Jo Colwill's Book 'Cushions & Quilts'

I have been itching to use some lovely linen fabric in my stash, but just had to decide on the right project.  As I only had a fat quarter each of the floral and pink hare fabric, I knew it had to be a cushion.

Last November I had the delight of being back at Cowslip Workshops in Launceston, Cornwall for their annual Xmas Bonanza Weekend. One of the many options to try out was a Pie Crust Cushion, designed by owner Jo. Using some lovely red heart and flower fabric from the shop along with some I already had, I created a fabulous applique heart cushion. But more of that later.

This gave me the idea for my Hare cushion.  Using the larger brown hare fabric piece, I then cut out the pink hare fabric to create a wide border.

The final size came to 11 inches square.  I cut out the back fabric and then added a piece of wadding and plain fabric to each to create a quilt sandwich.  This helps bulk out the cushion and makes the Pie Crust effect when you hand stitch later.

A side gusset has to be added to the top panel first and then the bottom panel leaving enough space to get your cushion pad in.  Stuff the cover with the pad and hand sew the open seam with a slip stitch.

The Pie Crust effect is created by hand sewing up and down on the top and bottom of the cushion, using a cotton Perle thread.  I used Anchor Cotton Perle No 5 in Colour 968 Pink.

Here's the original Heart cushion I made, which gave me the idea for the Hare cushion.

This was using a 12 inch square, but both were stuffed with a 14 inch cushion pad for bulk.

And as its Chelsea Flower Show this week, I thought a garden shot might show them off nicely!



Happy Sewing!

Summer Daisy Quilt - Cowslip Workshops

Back in June last year, my Mum and I spent a lovely weekend on an Applique workshop down at our favourite Cowslip Workshops in Cornwall.  Mum learnt needle-turn applique (a technique I had learnt here before with my Little House Quilt), whilst I had a go at making a double bed quilt.  Here I learnt rough edge applique, using a double layer of fabric to create more depth on the daisies.

During the first evening we had fun trying to decide where to put each daisy square to create maximum impact.

The quilt was made in 2 halves.  A 2 column panel and a 3 column panel were made and I then used the 'quilt as you go' technique to sew them together.

Trying to machine quilt a 25 daisy panel double quilt would have been near on impossible!  This way, once you have created your daisy columns, you baste the front, wadding and backing together, then start free machine quilting the 3 layers together to secure.

This was my first attempt at Free Machine Quilting.  Never one to start small and build up, I went straight into a double bed quilt.  My quilting technique leaves a lot to be desired and I certainly learnt about playing around with the machine tension.  Achieving a nice stitch on top and below the quilt took some practise.  But not bad for a first attempt I think!

For the 'Quilt as you Go' technique, after all the daisies are machine quilted together, you machine sew the 2 panel and 3 panel top layers together, then hand sew the wadding together, followed by the backing, to create a 25 panel quilt.  Add the top and bottom panels and complete by finishing off the edging.



I'm pretty pleased with it.  Now I just need to keep the cat off!

Details on the 'Quilt as you Go' technique and much more can be found in Jo Colwill's inspirational book 'Cushions & Quilts'.

Happy Sewing!





Raggy Jo's Summer House Picture Quilt

Way back in March of last year I went down to the lovely Cowslip Workshops, just outside Launceston in Cornwall, for an applique weekend.  The project in hand was a little picture quilt that could be used as a wall hanging and the technique was needle-turn applique.

As you can see I came back home with a good start on the quilt.

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, my little quilt sat unloved and not worked on for quite a while. 

Not so any more!  I've finally got around to finishing off the picture, adding the wadding and backing fabric and putting on a nice edge.  I'm really pleased with it and it will take pride of place on the wall in our spare room.

Last Sunday, my Mum and I took the train to Brighton and spent a lovely 4 hours at the Brighton Sewing Centre doing a Patchwork & Quilting workshop, run by the lovely Liz.  You had a choice of simple designs to try, which could be made into a cushion or enlarged into a quilt. 

We opted to have a go at a 'Disappearing Nine Patch Block'.  You take 9 equal squares and sew them together as shown at the bottom of the photo.  By then cleverly cutting this block into 4 pieces and re-sewing, you create a totally new pattern.

I've had the cupcake fabric for a while and couldn't quite make my mind up what to do with it.  Its going to make a fantastically bright lap / cot quilt that I plan to give away........ if I can bare to part with it!

Happy sewing!

Christmas Bonanza at Cowslip Workshops

Last weekend saw Mum and I drive down to Cornwall in some 'testing' weather conditions.  However, nothing would stop us reaching our destination, as we were going to the amazing Cowslip Workshops for their annual Christmas Bonanza Workshop.  I've done this fun weekend before, as well as another quilting workshop back in March and I can safely say........... I LOVE COWSLIP! 

Everything about it is enchanting, the farm location looking across to Launceston Castle, the homely Cafe serving delicious food and the amazingly generous tuition from tutor and owner Jo Colwill.  You just feel welcome and no-one wants to leave. 

Oh, and don't even get me started on the shop, which is a quilters paradise.  Its a very good job I don't live closer, else I don't think my credit card would survive!

Throughout the weekend I got to start on a new Xmas Quilt (I can't help myself!!!).  Here I learnt some new piecing skills and also how to make a 'wonky' log cabin design.................

........................ then I moved on to making 'Ruddy' the Reindeer.  He makes me laugh!

I have a Xmas wreath in the making, as well as a bundle of other patterns to play around with.  Should keep me occupied for a while.

Not only did we have fun at the workshop, we also have stayed at the lovely Goodmansleigh B&B, which was recommended by Cowslip.  Run by the delightful and attentive Lisa, you can expect immaculate rooms, super comfy beds, a delicious breakfast and lots of sewing chat.  Just 10 minutes from Cowslip and on the outskirts of Launceston, it provided the perfect location.  Even Dartmoor was just a short drive away.  We can't wait to return and are looking forward to seeing the new self-catering barn conversions which should open next year.

Oh, and did I mention we've booked in for next years Cowslip Bonanza weekend - yippee!

Roll on 2013 - Happy Crafting!

A magical weekend at Cowslip Workshops

Now, let it not be said that I don't like to take my sock knitting with me most places, just in case I get the chance to add a few rows.  Time is precious you know. 

As my poor Mum will confirm, I always get the socks out on train journeys, even removing footwear sometimes to check sizing.  I have been known to get them out at the Ballet (well, it was only in the interval, honest!) and made the most of long car journeys across France and Spain....... OH was driving honest.

So, en-route to Cornwall, I stopped off at the lovely Kingston Lacey for some late lunch and a stroll around the gardens to stretch the legs. 

And yes, I am afraid I sat looking at the countryside and knit a few rows!  I am addicted to socks

I was lucky enough to have stumbled upon the delightful Rezare Farmhouse B&B, whilst researching somewhere to stay.  With handmade quilts on the beds, a slice of homemade cake and a cuppa on arrival and a breakfast menu to die for, it really couldn't have been better suited for me.  Set in the beautiful hamlet of Rezare, it is perfect for visits to the stunning Tamar Valley.  I also got to pick Nanette's brains on a few baking tips.  Such as the delicious homemade shortbread biscuits in your room made just that little more crispy with the addition of rice flour to the mix.

The main reason for my trip down to Cornwall was to return to the amazing Cowslip Workshops, run by the very talented Jo Colwill,  on the outskirts of Launceston.  I came here about 18 months ago for their Christmas Bonanza weekend and came away full of ideas and with projects to finish and show-off.  So I was very unsubtle in suggesting a workshop here would be a perfect Christmas pressie for me.  This weekend was a hand applique workshop and again I came away with many new ideas and techniques to work on.  Jo is full of enthusiasm and just can't wait to offer tit-bits of incredibly useful info.  Plus the shop is to die for........ might have bought a few bits!

Good job I twisted Mum's arm to go back in November for another Bonanza weekend!

My spring garden quilt in the making......................  should keep me busy for a while!