Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Outside the comfort zone and something fun!

Today is my stitching friend Michelle's birthday, and while you're reading this our little sewing group is heading into town to catch up for a bit of celebrating. 
We manage to balance food, laughter and stitching pretty well in public places! All we need is a table, chairs and each other. 

My gift for Michelle was inspired by a set of Friendship blocks designed by another friend, Fiona Ransley (Designs by Fee). She has been releasing one sweet block each month this year to make a large quilt, and I chose one of those blocks as the centre of this wall hanging for Michelle...


I think you can tell that the fabric colours are not my usual choice, and that's why I titled this blog post "out of my comfort zone". 
The block, however, was an easy decision. Isn't it lovely?


The key to giving a gift that will be appreciated is to focus on the essence of the recipient's own style and favoured colour scheme as the foundation of what you choose to make. Allow the fabrics and threads to flow from that into your project.

The fabrics I have used in Michelle's gift are from Lynette Anderson's "Quilter's Garden" collection. The prints represent Michelle's love of quilting, home and dogs, in colours that I know she favours...



If you're interested in replicating this project here are the fabrics and Anchor thread colours I used...


Fee's 'Friendship Quilt' information is HERE.
Lynette Anderson's blog is HERE.





And now to the 'something fun' I also mentioned in the title of this blog post!



Every day next week  I'll be taking you on a fun Christmas journey to make my free "Christmas Hostess Table Topper"!

Why not gather a group of friends together for a week of sewing and you can have a secret swap of your completed Table Toppers before Christmas?!

In Friday's blog post you'll receive the list of materials and threads required to make this sweetie, but for now, I have a birthday stitching day to run off to...

Enjoy your day!



17 comments:

Baa. xxx said...

Have a great day celebrating Michelle's birthday. Her present looks so pretty. The table topper sew along sounds fun!

Jacqueline said...

You are always right on in your generousity to others.

Christine M said...

The hanging you have made for Michelle is just beautiful, Jenny. I'm sure she will love it. Can't wait to find out more about your stitchalong. It sounds like fun. Have a great day with the girls! xxx

Cindy said...

Very pretty gift! I recognized that fabric. She makes cute stuff:)

Createology said...

Your gift is perfect...with your labor of love and stitching in her favorite themes and colors. Thinking of the recipient is what makes a gift special. Creative Gift Bliss...

Lida said...

Nice gift and love the Xmas idea! Hugs
Lida

Thoeria said...

Beautiful gift Jenny....she will definitely treasure it! Looking forward to seeing your table topper tutorial - will it be pitched at beginer or more advanced?

Anonymous said...

hi jenny ,i love your birthday gift its gorgeous and the table topper stitch a long sounds awesome i will watch from afar as i will be on holidays till the end of Oct.xx

Annerose said...

Wunderschön und ganz toller Stoff.
Liebe Grüße annerose

cucki said...

I love it too
Happy October xx

Patricia said...

The friendship block is pretty, know Michele will love it.
Looking forward to your tutorials

Patricia C

Allie said...

Beautiful gift sweetie and I'm so looking forward to your stitch-a-long!

Farm Quilter said...

Beautiful, thoughtful, caring gift for a treasured friend - perfect!! I'll be watching the quiltalong as I do a marathon of sewing quilt backings! Have so much fun with your friends today!!!

JoanneS said...

How beautiful !! You have a lucky friend ! I'll be back Oct 6th :)

Tammy said...

What a beautiful gift. Enjoy your stitching day with friends. Your gifts are allways so beautiful.

Pinnylea Creations said...

Looking forward to Monday :)

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Jenny, my pressie's were wonderful I will treasure them. They are just perfect.

Love Ya girlfriend Michelle xx