New Pattern... Blast Off

Send your little boys off into space with this cool quilt and matching softie!  Blast Off is the perfect size to fit on a cot size bed and the simple modern piecing and raw edge applique not only looks fantastic, it is easy to do! 

The quilt measures 38 1/2" x 44 1/2" (98cm x 113cm) so is the perfect size for a cot.

The matching rocket softie is approx 9" x 8" and is perfect for little ones to let their imaginations run wild with. 

I have fussy cut the windows to feature the sweet little robot and used a combination of ribbon and ric rac for the tags.  These rockets have been a huge hit with my little girl :).  She has been racing around the house counting down (or rather up) 1...2...3 blast off and then zoom zooming them into space racing around the room.  

I hope you like this pattern as much as I do.

Fabrics: Rocket Age by October Afternoon for Riley Blake Designs.

Quilted: Sarah Fraser of Patchworks Plus

If you would like to purchase this or any other Clares Place pattern contact your local quilt store and ask them to get one (or more) in for you.  If you are interested in stocking Clares Place

Whale Tale is available for wholesale through Creative Abundance , Millhouse Collections or Checker distributors in the US

Pattern Release: Gridlock & Giveaway

Giveaway now closed:  Winner selected randomly by my eldest:

Anonymous said...

The quilt is beautiful Clare!

Leeah

Please contact me Leeah  with your postal address so I can get the pattern to you asap!  (I will redraw a new winner if the prize is not claimed)

 I am SUPER excited to announce the release of my latest pattern called Gridlock.

'Gridlock was inspired by a beautiful window. After playing around with ideas, the design evolved and Gridlock was created. Gridlock comes in two different sizes.  The small size is suitable as a baby quilt or large table topper. The large size is perfect for a single (twin) bed. Choosing masculine or gender-neutral fabrics ensures the quilt is versatile enough for everyone!'

 What is most exciting for me is that it was shown on the Riley Blake booth at Houston Quilt Market and also here in Melbourne (beyond excited).

This pattern is my new favourite but it didn't come without it's challenges.  You see Gridlock and I have a love/hate relationship- keeping it real here.  I Love the design but hate how long it has taken me to write the pattern (all part of being a pattern designer really).  You see I had the pattern completely written and did a test with some scrap fabrics and decided the construction could be simplified so rewrote the whole pattern (diagrams and all).  Did another test and found yet more things that could make the pattern easier to follow and the quilt easier to put together.   Finally I had written the pattern to a point where I was prepared to cut into the beautiful 'Enchant' fabrics (no one wants to waist beautiful fabric!).  Now I am so very happy with how the quilt is constructed and absolutely love the final design - just not the time it took to get to my end result. 

I love how these Willow fabrics give the quilt a completely different feel.

 A HUGE thanks to my mum who was beyond awesome in helping me to capture these photos of Gridlock.

If you would like to win a copy of this pattern just leave a comment on this post by the 12th December.  Be sure you leave a email as a way to contact you should you be the winner.  

Fabrics:  Enchant designed by Natalie Lymer - Cinderberry Stitches for Riley Blake Designs.

Willow for Riley Blake Designs.

Quilted: Sarah Fraser of Patchworks Plus

If you would like to purchase this or any other Clares Place pattern contact your local quilt store and ask them to get one (or more) in for you.  If you are interested in stocking Clares Place patterns in your store please contact my distributor Creative Abundance.

Website: www.creativeabundance.com.au

Email: nel@creativeabundance.com.au

Also if you would like a kit of this pattern get your local quilt store to contact Mill House Collections (The Australian Riley Blake Distributor) and order one in for you as they will be kitting it with the exact same fabrics I used :)

Which one do I choose?

I have just spent the day taking photos of a current pattern in the works called Gridlock (final editing in the process).  I have a slight dilemma.  Which photo do I use? 

 this one (1)?

 or change the placement of the 'Gridlock' blocks to the bottom (2)?

How about in an archway (3)?

Again changing up the second image (4)

 or on a tree(5)? 

  and just to make things really complicated...

Do I just use a single image?

  (A)

 (B)

 Any suggestions would really help!  In the mean time I will ask all the family ;p
Okay back to editing the pattern.

Enchant

It never rains it pours and lately we have had heaps of rain which is fantastic sewing weather but not so good for taking photos.  I have a new pattern to release called 'Quick Sticks' but due to all the rain the quilts have not yet been photographed for the cover and will have to wait a little longer for the rain to go (I am hoping that Saturday will be my day!).

What I can show you in the meantime is this beautiful fabric called Enchant by Natalie of Cinderberry Stitches for Riley Blake Designs. 

  

I was fortunate enough to get pre-release fabric by the lovely Sue Daley at Millhouse Collections.

I must say I LOVE this fabric line.  I mean look at those sweet hedgehogs and foxes!. 

 

I am almost done.  Just have to add some outer borders and it is off to Sarah my quilter.  

 

 In other news: 

• Hubby and his work partner bought an office that needed renovating so I have been choosing colours etc. and painting every chance I get - my mum has been awesome babysitting!  I will show some photos later.
• I have also badly hurt my back by doing of all things - sneezing!  Yay me.  :( 
• My littlest princess turns 2 tomorrow and I have nothing planned :s  Awesome mum hey?!  ( I have at least got her pressie)

See what I mean - it never rains it pours :)   

My Little Star - Creative Card (Mini Pattern)

I am back with another new pattern release.  This time my 2nd Creative Card (mini pattern).  

Introducing:  'My Little Star'

"‘My Little Star’ is a fantastic light blanket perfect for babies ‘tummy time’.  With soft Minky backing and quickly stitched detail this blanket could be sewn in a day making it perfect to make as a gift for a baby shower."

This blanket is perfect for so many reasons - it is just the right size (not to big, not to small) making it perfect for baby tummy time, time in the pram or even for mums to use to conceal feeding time.  It is also great for when bubba gets a little more mobile as is able to tote it around with them.  

The simple piecing and stitchery adds enough detail and interest without being overly difficult to sew.  Using Minky to back it with makes it super soft and perfect for snuggling under.

I hope you like 'My Little Star' as much as I go!

  A huge thanks to Toni who allowed me to take photos of her sweet little Harvey for the cover.  He was so good the whole time - not a single tear!  

Fabrics:  Super Star designed by Zoe Pearn - My Minds Eye for Riley Blake Designs.
To get the same fabrics I used to make this quilt head on over here .

If you would like to purchase this or any other Clares Place pattern contact your local quilt store and ask them to get one (or more) in for you.  If you are interested in stocking Clares Place patterns in your store please contact my distributor Creative Abundance.

Website: www.creativeabundance.com.au

Email: nel@creativeabundance.com.au

 

'Snug as a Bug'

Have you seen the new fabric out by Melly from Melly & Me designd for Riley Blake Designs?  It is just gorgeous!

 

 The lovely Melly sent me this beautiful 'Snug as a Bug' fat quarter bundle to play with.

The colours are so pretty and the designs... well see for yourself!  needless to say I have found myself looking for excuses just to sew with this beautiful fabric.

Lucky for me the pattern I am working on at the moment is a cot quilt with 6 layouts (yes that's right SIX).  I am so excited about this pattern and Melly's fabrics help to make it even more awesome :).
   

Carnival... A new pattern + giveaway

Sorry for not posting sooner - we had a crazy busy weekend (I should expect that this time of the year) and today my eldest has a nasty itchy rash all over her arms and a little on her legs which the doctor says is from the grass :s poor thing.

So anyway today I am super excited to share to share my other pattern that I released at the quilt market.  This was one of the patterns that I had sketched out into my books waiting for the perfect fabric (and time) to make the quilt and write the pattern - for me the latter takes so much longer than the making of the quilt (or maybe it is because that is the not so fun part)!

When designing this quilt I really wanted to incorporate elements that would keep little hands busy and little bodies still if but for a short while.

I particularly wanted to make a modern quilt that would be a reasonably quick sew for a new arrival and something for a boy (although it can be made in girl fabrics too!).  When Choosing the fabric I couldn't go past the Pieces of Hope fabric by Riley Blake Designs.  Did you know that it was designed to raise awareness for Autism and a significant portion of the sales of this fabric line is donated to Autism Speaks.  If you are after some it can be purchased from here in Australia.

Let your little one explore and enjoy this fantastic cot quilt, featuring tabs that can be fastened with 1 ½” buttons, Velcro or left plain.  This feature is sure to keep little fingers busy and become a favourite to boot!  If using fabric covered buttons you can further transform this quilt by fussy cutting your chosen fabric!   The fun pinwheels and easy piecing makes this quilt a pleasure to sew and the sensory elements are sure to make it a hit with the little ones in your life!
 

This quilt has been well traveled even making its way to Houston on the Riley Blake booth (wow right?!)  Check out Jina's blog (she is super sweet) to get a fantastic tour of the Riley Blake booth.

And my wonderful mum tested the pattern, making it up in some of our older Riley Blake fabrics from their All Star and All Star 2 collections (these fabric lines have been so popular they have made a third called Super Star available here).

 I love the Aqua and red.  She used some cute Riley Blake Matte buttons which are a perfect match!

 
Both Carnival quilts were quilted by the lovely Sarah Fraser of Patchworks Plus (she did an awesome job as always!)

Now who would like to win a copy of the 'Carnival' quilt pattern?!  Leave a comment on this post to be in the draw to win your very own copy of 'Carnival'.  The giveaway is open to everyone and the winner will be drawn in a weeks time.  Just be sure to leave your email so I have a way of contacting you!

If you would like to purchase a Clares Place pattern contact your local quilt store and ask them to get one (or more) in for you.  If you are interested in stocking Clares Place patterns in your store please contact my distributor Creative Abundance

Website: www.creativeabundance.com.au
Email: nel@creativeabundance.com.au