Wednesday 16 July 2014

And the winner is ...


No 10... Heidi from Red Letter Quilts! Congratulations! Your $25 gift certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop should be arriving in your inbox soon.

Many thanks to all the participants (32, whoohoo!), small was clearly an inspiring theme - and it may have helped that we extended the deadline as well. Also a special thanks to all of those who make a dedicated post and project just for le challenge - and of course encourage their readers to link up to le challenge too! We do it every month, and we know how time-consuming it is. 

So now on to ERA, there is plenty of time, 2 months - or alternatively you may go on holiday and end up making something last minute - like myself... Actually I have an idea already, and it may involve using some fabric I have been itching to cut! What are you thinking? Will it be about the fabric, the style - maybe some vintage pattern? I am really looking forward to see all your interpretations. 




Tuesday 15 July 2014

Next up...


Some of you might remember last year we had an extended challenge over the summer, with no link in August, which gave you two months to work on a project or just take a little break! Well we're doing it again so this theme's link party will be in September.

Oh you want to know the theme?

Of course...

The theme is ERA

e•ra (ˈɪər ə, ˈɛr ə) 

n., pl. e•ras.
1. a period of time marked by distinctive character, events, etc.
2. the period of time to which anything belongs or is to be assigned.
3. a system of chronologic notation reckoned from a given date.
4. a point of time from which succeeding years are numbered, as at the beginning of a system of 
chronology.
5. a date or an event forming the beginning of any distinctive period.
6. a major division of geologic time composed of a number of periods.


It's one of those interesting ones, there might be obvious ideas or you might want to ruminate on it. If you find it tough fear not, we will be providing inspiration as usual!

Join us on 15th September with your finished projects and a random chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop.



Monday 14 July 2014

Le Challenge #14 - Small


'Small' is an easy theme and yet there are so many ways to interpret it!

Here's what we came up with...

We found out something exciting last week at Made in Home


And Lucy made a buggy bag at Charm About You

We've decided to leave the link open a few hours longer each month (until 8pm GMT on the 16th) so you've a little extra time and can help spread the word about le challenge.

Check back tomorrow to find out the new theme and if you are new to Le Challenge find more information here.

For a chance to win a $25 Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate make sure you link up your finished projects and please remember to include the button or a link to Le Challenge in your blog post or Flickr description.



Share what you've made...




Saturday 5 July 2014

More inspiration from Kelly at Jelli Quilts

Today we have the super talented Kelly from Jeli Quilts sharing some SMALL inspiration with us and showing some of her gorgeous makes!


I love the theme of this months Le Challenge, and so was so happy to be asked to guest post about it and hopefully give a little inspiration.  There are so many directions you could take with the theme 'small', but for me two in particular stand out. Small makes - I love them!  Perfect for when you need that quick sewing fix, which for me is half way through a quilt or in avoidance of hand sewing the binding.  Bags, pouches, coasters, cushions - they all fit that small make bill and generally take only a couple of hours to whip up.

Here are a few of my favourite small makes made over the last couple of years:



Top left  - Log cabin pouch (Oh Fransson prefect zip bags pattern - http://www.ohfransson.bigcartel.com/product/perfect-zip-bags-pdf-sewing-pattern)
Top right - Netbook cases - (modified version of the Ipad cover tutorial by One Shabby Chickhttp://oneshabbychick.typepad.com/one_shabby_chick/2011/01/an-ipad-cover-tutorial.html)
Bottom left - Michelle patterns Strap clutch (http://www.michellepatterns.com/product/strap-clutch-pdf-sewing-pattern)
Bottom right - Ipad mini case -  pattern by Schoolhouse Patterns (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/119876841/eclutch-sewing-pattern-sleeve-case-with?ref=shop_home_feat_3)


The other direction is to literally go 'small' and make tiny blocks.  When I look at certain types of quilt blocks (mainly geese, I admit!), the first thing I want to do is scale them down to ridiculous size and see if I can still make them. There is just something so ridiculously cool about a teeny tiny quilt block, well to me anyway ;-)



They are perfect blocks to turn into pincushions, mug rugs, pouches and tote bags!


Top left - Mouthy Stitches tote - Tiny circle of wonky stars (tutorial by http://zonnah.com/2010/07/20/wonky-star-ring-tutorial/)
Top right - Tiny geese pincushions  -  Goosed Up pattern (http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/goosed-up--paper-pieced-block/89918)
Middle right - Ipad case with mini dresden circle
Bottom right - Super teeny pincushion - Juicy Goosey pattern (http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/juicy-goosey-paper-pieced-block/101226)

Hopefully that has given you some inspiration for this months challenge, I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.


Thank you so much Kelly! I know that's inspired me to get sewing and finish my small project :)

Create something based on the theme 'small' using any type of craft and come and link up your finished project (with a blog post or Flickr picture) on the 15th July for a random chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop!


Tuesday 1 July 2014

Small {fabric inspiration}


There are so many ways to interpret this month's theme SMALL that I doubt you need any help with ideas for your projects but just in case here are a few. Let's start with the obvious...

You could use fabric with small prints:

like these cute apples or small dots


Or fabric created for children and babies (because they are small!):



You might want to make something small:



Or have small parts make up a whole:



It could be fun to add embellishments to your make:

some small lights or use some glue dots to add small details


You might only need a small amount of materials:



And of course good things come in small packages!



Are you overwhelmed with small ideas?! Have you started working on your SMALL project?

Remember to come back and link up your finished project on the 15th and we'll have more SMALL inspiration soon!