New Zealand Quilt

I don't make very many quilts now, but I had to make one for my sister-in-law who turned 60 this month. The theme is beautiful New Zealand with our gorgeous plants and birds. I made applique blocks by various designers including Jacqui Karl, Amiee's Homestead Quilts, The Cloth Shop and myself. This is what I gifted her over the weekend

I fused the pieces to the backgrounds, and then quilted and appliqued all in one pass of free-motion stitching. Here's each block closer up. Each has special meaning and I can't pick a favourite.

Pohutukawa = NZ's Christmas tree and a favourite of Sandy's

Clouds

Pikorua = a powerful symbol for loyalty, friendship and love, signifying the strength and beauty of enduring friendships

Mountains to the sea 

Kowhai = NZ's national flower 

Sheep = they are now living on a lifestyle block

Kapiti Island = view from their previous home 

Piwakawaka = Fantail, my favourite NZ bird 

Cats = she has 2 

Harakeke = NZ flax  

Every stitch made with love. And a handmade card of course. 

Fun Free Stuff for January

Happy New Year or New Year's Eve to those in the northern hemisphere! I said I wouldn't be posting here again until mid-month, but I just wanted to share some awesome inspiration which will be useful for me to find all in one place. These are all cool things for you to explore this year. Some are January-focused but could easily be done later. 

Caylee Grey of Get Messy has a Release & Return workbook. This was shared through her newsletter so make sure you do that too - sign up at the bottom of this page. 

Focusing on your creativity, reflect on 2023, release that which no longer serves you, and return to your true self as you prepare for 2024. Make a plan for bringing things into your life that your heart wants. This was in my pre-Christmas December review post but I didn't manage to do this in December. Thought I might print and take it on holiday with me.

In the past I've also done Susannah Conway's "Unravel your year" and "Find your word" offerings. Grab the link to get these sent to your email HERE. 

Rae Missigman has released a new stencil line and her tutorials on how to make these gorgeous tags might get you creative for an afternoon. 

See her video on YouTube and stills from that on the Stencil Girl Blog. I'm not buying new stencils, but I will be trying her techniques out on tags. Even if you're not into the floral work, I recommend watching her video for ideas of how to use the gelli plate. She is a wonderful teacher.

Erin Bishop of E B Mixed Media has released a class that is called Fabulous Florals. Free for a limited time HERE (no ideas when the limited time ends). Make beautiful floral fodder and stash for future projects. 

You might also like to check her demos out on Youtube and I am always inspired by her Instagram account.

Also shared previously but useful to have gathered in this post : Junk Journal January. This is a collaboration and hosted by megjournals in collaboration with Get Messy (from above)

This is the same concept as when I did Junk Journal July last year. Each day throughout the month, watch a new video from 30 different creators on YouTube. Some fabulous artists to watch. 

Thousands of artists also participate in The 100 Day project every year. 

It's happening again in 2024 - starts Feb 18, and Roben-Marie has shared her intentions and a free workbook and tracker for 2024 HERE - her 8th year of doing this!

It always seems a bit overwhelming to me, but you could maybe try working on a small substrate like a tag or mini-journal - you could start with the Junk Journal January prompts. I've also seen people complete this as a weekly challenge - be fun to make a master sheet on the weekend and then use that for the week ahead...So many possibilities.

Note to self : You can do ANYTHING, but you can't do EVERYTHING!

Wishing you a happy and creative year ahead. 

Pre-Christmas December review

It's getting closer to Christmas and I have a lot going on so thought I would publish an earlier review of my month so far and then I'm having a month off posting here. You may find me with some sneaky posts on my Instagram and Facebook Artist's page if I am excited to get something finished! But no promises.

December always means 3 birthdays in a row for my Mum, Mother-in-law and Aunty.

I love how the floral fodder I made in November combines with these card bases.

I've started my December Daily-ish journal. I started with the idea of combining 2 free offerings of Care December with Kasia Avery and Art Journal Advent 2023 with Raspberry Blue Sky and Tamara Kreativstudio. You can still join I believe and they are not completely orientated around the season so could be useful to use at other times. These were my initial gatherings

I started "late" and have only completed 10 prompts (and there are 19 out so far) but there is no behind. It's really about having prompts there to respond to when the mood takes me.

Paper cut out of Kererū (wood pigeon) by Ellen Giggenbach

I haven't stitched any of my pages inside a cover so I can add more if I wish and they are easily removable to stitch elements on too. And if I don't finish this in December, I can just continue on into January with this additional inspiration : 

This is the same concept as when I did Junk Journal July last year. Sign up HERE. Each day throughout the month, watch a new video from 30 different creators on YouTube. I'm not back at work until the end of the month so hopefully I can fit this in but I have a large list of things I want to do this holidays!

Although I've moved schools this year, I still have student library helpers so I made another batch of bookmarks for a thank you. See my previous years' efforts here. Started with a rather messy base of stencils, sprays and paint. Often at this point I think I should have used less colours!

But then when they are cut up, top corners rounded, edged with black ink, and lovely fibre tassles added, they look quite different and the children loved them.

And to finish, I'm sure Caylee Grey of Get Messy won't mind if I share her Release & Return workbook. 

Focusing on your creativity, reflect on 2023, release that which no longer serves you, and return to your true self as you prepare for 2024. Make a plan for bringing things into your life that your heart wants.

Wishing you a season of love and creativity. Talk to you again in January.