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A New Blog 28 Apr 2019 9:58 PM (5 years ago)

Hop on over to MY NEW BLOG! I have decided to give Wix Blog a try. I like that it works seamlessly with my Wix website and shop.

I love your comments and I hope to see you there!

New Website & a Special Offer! 1 Nov 2018 1:20 AM (6 years ago)

This weekend I created a new website and I am excited to share it with you! You may have noticed that I have been refreshing my visual identity recently, especially if you follow me on Facebook.

I have been using my blog as my main site for 10 years and thought it was well past time for a change. I heard about wix.com last week and decided to try it out. It was easy to use and with the drag & drop features, I was able to make it exactly how I had envisioned. Stay tuned for changes to my blog too.

Please visit my new website by clicking the image below and let me know what you think. Do you have any suggestions on how it could be improved? Join my mailing list to receive updates & special offers as well as 10% off your next pattern purchase.

Happy Autumn! 7 Oct 2018 3:02 PM (6 years ago)

Happy Autumn & Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians. Cozy up in your comfy chair with your favourite quilt, a cup of tea, and a piece of pumpkin pie while raindrops tap on the windows.

I baked pumpkin pies yesterday. Pumpkin is my favourite pie but I rarely get to enjoy them. Guess what I ate for breakfast today?!

These ones are made with almond milk! For the crust, I used 3-2-1 Pie Crust; measuring by cups, omitting the salt & sugar and using Vegan Becel as the fat. You can find the pie filling recipe at the bottom of this post.

I love Autumn! I love the colours and the smell, and the cooler weather. I love the sound of leaves crunching as I walk. I love leaves in general... all year long but mostly in Autumn when the colors burn to a warm flame! I will be making a pattern for this little Autumn Trivet introducing the technique of cut-away appliqué.

This beautiful wool felt bird has been standing guard over my little egg basket of twine for more than 8 years! I cherish my bird & oak leaf, as well as my pear & felted acorns. Check out all of Lisa’s wool creations at Lil Fish Studios!

I am looking forward to using this stash of wool that I have been coveting for years. Perhaps the leaves will inspire me? I updated the look of my SHOP recently. Pop on over to check it out... there is still time to sew some Pumpkin Coasters!

I hope you are all enjoying this time of year as much as I am. Stay warm & cozy, and join me for tea, pie & crafting!

{PUMPKIN PIE}
makes 1 large deep dish pie or 2 regular shallow pies

3 cups pumpkin
3 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp mace
3/4 cup almond milk

(This recipe uses more pumpkin & spices, and less sugar than most.)

Whisk together and pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake 425F for 15 min & 350F for 45 min or until filling is firm. Thin pies will be ready sooner. Serve with coconut whipped cream!

I use 3-2-1 pie crust recipe made with Vegan Becel. It’s a soft dough that doesn’t shrink. Add flour to make cut-outs. Bake cut-outs until lightly browned and place on pie once filling has firmed.

A Magic Jar of Tea 4 Oct 2018 12:25 PM (6 years ago)

Last week I made this mugrug as a practice patchwork block to get me back into the swing of things.

I was inspired by the colours of my Japanese jelly beans. I dove into my scrap baskets and embroidery floss to find matching greens & pinks. Inspiration soon struck, and a little teacup needed to be added! I decided to make a log cabin centered around this cute bunny fabric I found.

I spent a day or two trying to decide how to quilt it. I knew I wanted steam but steam everywhere would have looked a bit strange. I decided to turn it into a drawing a free-motion quilt a background image around the teacup appliqué. Not trusting my rusty free-motion skills, I drew the images on thin tracing paper first, pinned it in place, and quilted right through the paper. It was easy to follow the lines, I could see clearly, and I wasn't distracted by busy fabrics.

I love details...

I try to add a little bit of ribbon, buttons or embroidery to everything I make. I usually add embroidery after quilting rather than before. I started with the steam and just kept going and going but I had to force myself to stop before I went overboard! I added a touch of this lovely Tea Time ribbon that my friend Anna made.

My friend Sonia left the above comment on my instagram. Depending on the light, the jar and all other quilting disappears and reappears making this a truly magic Jar of Tea!

Where did it go?!

My blog posts tend to be a bit behind. To keep up to date with what I am working on, follow me on instagram and facebook.

SALE! 14 Sep 2018 2:18 PM (6 years ago)

Pumpkin Coasters digital pattern booklet is on sale in my SHOP until Monday. Get yours this weekend & quilt a crop of coaster for Halloween!

Don't forget to enter the code PUMPKINPATCH25 at checkout to receive 25% off.

A Mind of its Own 13 Sep 2018 10:40 PM (6 years ago)

Dear Blog,

        I know I haven't posted in a while. Thank you for the reminder yesterday. It seems that you can't wait for me any longer and have decided to post all by yourself. I would be thrilled but I doubt our subscribers wish to read a re-post from August 2015. As much as I appreciate the extra help, please allow me to do the posting from now on. I promise to visit you more often! I have not forgotten about you.

The longest creativity slump of my life has finally come to an end. This Summer I played a lot in the garden, baked, went about the normal routine of keeping house & having friends over tea. However, when I opened my sketchbook or sat in front of my sewing machine my mind drew a blank.

n  o  t  h  i  n  g  .  .  .

Last month, the simple act of sewing some plaid elbow patches to my teenager's newly thrifted hoodie was enough to tug those creative strings. I decided to take a photo and share it on instagram even though it wasn't a very exciting project, and was motivated not only by the number of people who liked the elbow patches but by my creative friends who had missed me.

I spent the last couple weeks dabbling with some fusible web appliqué, sketching a few new ideas to add to my giant heap-o-designs, and learning more about instagram. I even had to ask my teenager about hashtags & stories!

I will be posting new stuff as well as a bunch of half-written ancient drafts still sitting in my posts section. I post more frequently on facebook & instagram. Search for patchworkpottery.

Teacher Gifts 22 Jun 2017 3:03 PM (7 years ago)

It's that time of year again. School is out for summer break in a week! I finally finished all the Pencil MugRugs for Claire's teachers plus one more for my sample bins. I hope Claire's teachers like them. You can find the pattern in my SHOP.

See more pictures and read more about Pencil MugRugs HERE.

Kitty Potholder pattern 7 May 2017 3:21 PM (7 years ago)

Kitty Potholder digital pattern booklet is now available in my SHOP.

Kitty Potholder pattern adds a simple fusible web appliqué and varying strip widths to an otherwise traditional log cabin block to create a playful modern design. Makes a 10-1/2" square potholder or a 10" square block.

Small projects are perfect for practicing your free-motion quilting. Use an overall design or practice a different one in each section.

Make a potholder or two, or create an entire quilt using this block. This is a fantastic way to use up all those fabric scraps. Perfect for all those cat lovers out there! Read more about Kitty Potholders in this post.

Download this digital PDF pattern, print it out, assemble it into a little pattern booklet, and have fun sewing! PatchworkPottery patterns include metric conversion chart, stitches & terms section, illustrated step-by-step instructions, and full size templates.

Buy a digital pattern and start sewing today!

Chocolate Bunny 21 Apr 2017 9:59 PM (7 years ago)

Chocolate Bunny digital pattern booklet is finally available in my SHOP. My Easter patterns didn't quite make it in time for Easter this year. The good news is that they will be early for next year!

Sometimes it's difficult to create what's in your imagination and these Easter patterns though simple proved to be challenging. My Easter Egg PotHolder/Pincher design although pretty was lacking in function. It ended up being way too small but I decided that it was too cute to chuck and I finished the binding anyway.

So I moved on to my Chocolate Bunny design which took a total of 8 prototypes before I got the shape right. I was thrilled with how it turned out! Then I came down with a nasty sinus/head cold and couldn't work on the illustrations.

Chocolate Bunny is a simple pattern suited to crafters of any skill level! This scrappy bunny is a perfect way to use up your fabric scraps and leftover ribbon. Based on the shape of a traditional solid chocolate bunny, it would make the perfect Easter gift and would last for more than just a day!

Download this digital PDF pattern, print it out, assemble it into a little pattern booklet, and have fun sewing! PatchworkPottery patterns include metric conversion chart, stitches & terms section, illustrated step-by-step instructions, and full size templates.

Hope you all had a Happy Easter filled with chocolate!

Pencil MugRug 6 Feb 2017 10:32 PM (8 years ago)

Looking for the perfect gift to give to your teacher? Pencil MugRug pattern is now available in my SHOP just in time for Valentine's Day and very early for the end of school year.

Pencil MugRug is a basic paper-piecing pattern and is a great way to use your fabric scraps. Create your teacher’s name by simply tracing the letters from the font sheet provided.

The teacher's name is free-motion quilted by machine but could also be hand-embroidered using a backstitch. Hand-embroidered details & rounded corners add to this pattern's charm.

My daughter has four teachers this year and would like to give them each a special gift at the end of the year. "Mrs. Appleby" isn't actually one of Claire's teachers. It is just a name I made up for my sample. I still have another sample to make plus two more for her other teachers but I don't mind because these are super fun to make!

Download this digital PDF pattern, print it out, assemble it into a little pattern booklet, and have fun sewing! PatchworkPottery patterns include metric conversion chart, stitches & terms section, illustrated step-by-step instructions, and full size templates.

I love how the dark brown one almost looks like a chalkboard!

Kitty Potholders 16 Jan 2017 11:52 AM (8 years ago)

I love little projects! In our busy lives, there's always time to quilt something small. I also love log cabin quilt blocks. I have never designed anything using this simple block until now... enter the Kitty!

I wanted a quick & easy project that would use up some of my fabric scraps, that I could sew multiples and not get tired of it, that I could practice some free-motion quilting and not feel pressured, and that my family would love. My family members seemed to have one thing in common... they all love their cats!

I used fusible web for the cat and nose appliques, and the block is quilted entirely by machine... even the cat's face.

My favourite was the black cat for which I used a warm black plaid wool. Yummy!

The white cat was for my Mom. Unlike the others, I used an overall free-motion quilting design on this one.

The beige cat was for my brother. I had fun practicing different free-motion quilting designs in each section.

And the orange cat was for my daughter who loves our large orange Maine Coon. His whiskers swoop up at the ends and he is always purring... very loudly! She is an illustrator and has been working on her Copic marker collection which is why I chose the colour chart fabric for the back. That and it matched perfectly!

Everyone loved their kitty Potholders, and on Facebook they received lots of comments and pattern requests so keep your eyes open for this this one :o)

*I forgot to mention that my label tutorial can be found HERE.

Merry Christmas! 22 Dec 2016 10:58 PM (8 years ago)

Christmas snuck up on me like it does every year. I still managed to make a few quilted things in addition to the usual Christmas baking extravaganza!

I quilted a sweet modern vintage Chevy table runner designed by Cynthia Frenette. It looked super cute hanging from my mantel and is all wrapped up now waiting for its special delivery.

I free-motion quilted a loopy line between wavy double lines. I wanted it to look like cool winter wind. It was a lovely unexpected surprise that it looks like tire tracks in the snow! There are two designs in "Merry and Bright". I choose the table runner. If you would like to make your own, you can find the pattern here.

I've wanted to make a mini muffin tin advent calendar for a few years and finally did it! No more expensive store-bought calendars filled with cheap chocolates for my daughter!

She has really enjoyed it so far and is sad that there are only two days left to open. I had lots of fun scrapbooking the magnetic sheets. I even made a pipe cleaner wreath and a sled out of mini popsicle sticks!

I also made four Log Cabin Kitty potholders. I will share more photos of them in the next post. My Kitty Potholders have received a lot of comments on my facebook page so there will probably be a pattern to come!

A huge thank you to all my fans and followers. Your comments are truly appreciated. They keep me motivated and even give me great new ideas.

It snowed a couple weeks ago and another big dump this week added to it. There was three times as much snow as in the photo! A warm snap and lots of rain in the last two days has melted quite a bit of it but we are expecting more next week. I enjoy snow. It is magical and quiet. That is until it's a slushy muddy slippery mess...

I have been struggling with the squirrels eating all the birds' food. The little rascals chewed through my clothesline to get to the suet cage, and even managed to pry off the binder clips holding it shut before dragging the entire suet away. In honour of these cute rats with fluffy tails I baked gingerbread squirrels so I can bite their heads off!

Wishing you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & a happy NEW YEAR!

TeaTime Trivets 20 Nov 2016 10:56 PM (8 years ago)

I'm on a roll with my third pattern this month! TeaTime Trivets is now available in my SHOP!

TeaTime Trivets contains two different designs in one pattern!

This pattern utilizes raw edge appliqué using paper-backed fusible web, and is an easy project for those last minute gifts. For use as a trivet, potholder or mug rug!

Download this digital PDF pattern, print it out, assemble it into a little pattern booklet, and have fun sewing! PatchworkPottery patterns include metric conversion chart, stitches & terms section, illustrated step-by-step instructions, and full size templates.

Tea-for-One MugRug 19 Nov 2016 12:23 PM (8 years ago)

Tea-for-One MugRug pattern is now available in my SHOP!

Tea-for-One MugRug is an easy applique pattern and a cute project for those last minute gifts. The hand-embroidered details & rounded corners enhance the homemade feeling. It is the perfect way to display that precious fabric scrap you've been hoarding!

This pattern utilizes raw edge appliqué using paper-backed fusible web. However, this pattern is still suitable for use with your favourite appliqué technique. Use heat repellent batting to make a sweet kitchen trivet.

Lantern Coasters 12 Nov 2016 11:28 PM (8 years ago)

The Lantern Coasters pattern is now available in my SHOP!

This paper-piecing pattern is a great way to use up all your fabric scraps. Make one lantern coaster or a string of five!

I have rated Lantern Coaters 4 out of 5 buttons due to the fact that this is a paper-piecing pattern. If you have paper-pieced before then this pattern will be easy for you.

If this is your first time, step-by-step instructions show my paper-piecing technique. If you have any questions along the way, please contact me and I will be happy to help you.

For the glowing lantern effect, make sure you have three different tonal groups graduating from the lightest at the centre and working out to the darkest section. The template clearly shows the three sections.

Download this digital PDF pattern, print it out, assemble it into a little pattern booklet, and have fun sewing! PatchworkPottery patterns include metric conversion chart, stitches & terms section, illustrated step-by-step instructions, and full size templates.

Colours & Spice 7 Nov 2016 10:37 AM (8 years ago)

The beautiful part of Autumn is almost over. The crisp colourful beauty of the falling leaves replaced by colourless shivers as the world begins its slumber.

There is nothing I love more than the scent of warm cinnamon & nutmeg rising from the oven... except for collecting leaves!

I find leaves inspiring... the colours & markings on each one is unique. They inspire me to sew & to paint. By the time the last leaf falls, every window ledge and table in my home is adorned with nature's treasures.

Which one shall I paint today?

I picked our first persimmon this week. It was crunchy & sweet. Percy has been entertained by chickadees taking baths and squirrel acrobats walking sunflower tight ropes. Our cat's full name is actually Percy Persimmon named after the orange fruit... although in hindsight we should have named him Percy Pumpkin because he weighs twenty pounds!

It's time to bake some more pumpkin pie! Last month's was super delicious. I make it with coconut milk and it's truly luscious. Honestly, I think that pumpkin pie should be enjoyed all year round!

Scrappy Green Mug Rug 26 Oct 2016 7:05 AM (8 years ago)

Because we need a mug rug that matches EACH & EVERY mug in the house, right?

Hollyhocks 30 Sep 2016 5:42 PM (8 years ago)

I made this Hollyhock quilt for a mini quilt swap. My partner liked yo-yos and the colour orange so hollyhocks immediately popped to mind!

I started off making the yo-yos because I just love making yo-yos! I needed to make various sizes for the blossoms which would transition to small green buttons for the buds at the top of the ribbon stems.

The background was simple shapes pieced together to create a window. Some free-motion quilting created the shutters and bricks in the wall. I was surprised at how effective the quilting turned out.

On top of the background I added in order...
ribbon stems,
leaves,
yo-yo flowers
& buttons.
And completed it all with a patchy binding.

My partner was very happy! Now I think I need to make one for myself ;o)

Pattern Shop News! 19 Sep 2016 6:24 PM (8 years ago)

It's here! My new owl ornament is now available in my SHOP.

Owl on a Stick is suited to crafters of any skill level. They are easy to stuff and close with the same gathered-tail design as my Bird Ornaments. These owl ornaments are a perfect way to use up your fabric scraps and odd buttons.

And the scrappy look means that the variations are endless. So have fun making a parliament of owls! They are a great decoration for all year round... not just for the holidays. This is for all those owl lovers out there :o)

All PatchworkPottery digital pattern booklets include metric conversion chart, stitches & terms section, illustrated step-by-step instructions, and full size templates. These patterns are instant downloads so if you do not receive an e-mail with the link to your pattern immediately, please check your junk mail folder. Please subscribe to my blog via e-mail if you would like to receive shop & pattern updates.

Giveaway Winner 16 Sep 2016 12:38 PM (8 years ago)

And the winner of the Pattern Giveaway is...

Tina F. Andersen

Congratulations! Please reply to my Facebook message with the pattern you would like and your email address. The Owl pattern will be available next week if you would like to wait.

Thank you to everyone who entered. It was fun to see all the inspiring quilted crafts made using my patterns! If you want to show me what you made, please post your pics on my Facebook page any time.

Owl Ornaments! 13 Sep 2016 3:29 PM (8 years ago)

I'm currently working on a new owl ornament pattern requested by Kay who has made over 100 of my bird ornaments, and wanted another simple animal or bird ornament pattern to give as gifts.

It's tough to come up with something new when it has already been done so many different ways. I think I've made an owl that is my style... I was thinking about calling it "Owl on a Stick" but it will probably end up just being called "Owl Ornament". What do you think of my owl?

One morning, I collected some sticks in the park but a dog stole one right out of my hand! When I got home, I made a few more owls to test my pattern.

Sarah, my illustrator, is putting the finishing touches on the step-by-step illustrations for the pattern today which should be available in my SHOP by next week! I will let you know when it's ready both here on my blog and also on my Facebook page.

Today I'm starting Christmas early by making a green owl for a friend!

Which pattern would you like next?

PATTERN GIVEAWAY!! 9 Sep 2016 2:24 PM (8 years ago)

Hop on over to my Facebook Page for a free pattern Giveaway!!

Add an image of your PatchworkPottery creation in the comment section of my Giveaway post to be entered in the draw for a FREE PDF PATTERN of your choice! The Giveaway ends Thursday September 15, 2016. I will draw the name of the lucky winner on Friday!!

*If you would like your work added to my Pinterest Fan Board, include a link to your image outside of Facebook because Facebook doesn't allow pinning.

Teacup Coaster & an Owl 20 Aug 2016 11:35 AM (8 years ago)

I didn't really decide to sew a tiny coaster on the hottest day of the year in my attic studio... it just happened!

I needed something to put under my ice water to soak up the droplets dribbling down the sides of my jar. I have a bunch of mug rugs but I wanted something smaller this time, and I wanted to include a little teacup applique because (believe it or not) I don't have anything with a teacup!

I tried a few decorative stitches on my machine but only the last two flowers were aligned even though they came out perfectly on the scrap. A few years back I would have picked out every tiny stitch of that row and re-sewed it but I'm slowly challenging my perfectionism. Besides, the coaster is only for me... and it was way too hot up there to stay a moment longer than needed!

I'm currently working on a new owl ornament pattern requested by Kay who has made over 100 of my bird ornaments and wanted another simple animal or bird ornament pattern to give as gifts. It's tough to come up with something new when it has already been done so many different ways. I think I've made an owl that is my style... I was thinking about calling it "Owl on a Stick" but it will probably end up just being called "Owl Ornament".

What do you think of my owl?

It has been so hot the past few days. I have been meeting my friend Jana at the air-conditioned cafe down the street for some mindless colouring in the squelching hot afternoon heat!

The vegetables in my garden aren't complaining, neither are the plums or grapes. And when It's time to water the garden, half the water ends up on me!

Stacked China 19 Aug 2016 9:08 AM (8 years ago)

I made this stacked coins quilt for my friend Maya using blue & white to go with her living room decor. I think it looks like stacked China dishes. I quilted her favourite quote into the quilt...

I decided to go with linen for the long strips and binding because it set off the blue & white beautifully. I love linen. It looks good with everything! I free-motion quilted meandering lines and the words, and hand-embroidered a running stitch along the edges of the linen strips.

I found the perfect fabric for the back. It is a blue & white Asian style cotton print of birds on branches. I lost track of where I purchased it online. I used every last piece in the quilt. It wasn't quite large enough for the back after using some for the front so I added a large white border of text fabrics including a fabulous newspaper print.

Maya and her kids loved the quilt. Both of my cats thought that the quilt was extra comfortable too! Get off the quilt, Opal! I still need to embroider it...