Time for a new start...

Blueberry Park's days are numbered. Thank you all so much for being with me on this chapter of my journey. It is time for things to move on...to find out more about the new chapter of my journey go here.

xox

Blueberry Park Makes 5...

October 2014 makes from Instagram with the tag #blueberryparkmakes...

What a wonderful bunch of makes in the group.

 It was so difficult to choose my favourite 4 since, as usual, there are so many original makes that you guys are all doing. Really it blows my mind to see.

Please do check out the group to see all the awesome talent, but in the meantime October's Top 4 belong to...clockwise from top left...

@greenandbell The start of a mini for Rebecca's #igminiswap...boy this is going to be incredible...

@fleathem I am loving seeing my quilt patterns made up as well as seeing my fabrics in all your work and am loving Fi's fab Hourglass quilt come together...

@alittlegoodness A little bit goes a long long way and if you have ever wondered what on earth you can do with the itty bitty scrap packs I sell then seeing Leslie's oh so cute hair elastics should inspire you! Just gorgeous.

@polkadotlane Kelly took on the task of creating my Pixelated quilt from Love Patchwork and Quilting and I just love her version...don't tell but I think I prefer it to mine ;-)

Please please please keep making and posting to #blueberryparkmakes ...you are all so inspiring and I can't get enough of your makes!

Karen x

Blueberry Park Makes 4...

September Instagram's #blueberryparkmakes

Wow that came around quickly! It seems like everyone has rediscovered creative time with the kids going back to school n all!

It has been another month of wonderful makes ~ man you lot are so creative!

As ever I can only choose 4 so September's favourite 4 Instagram pics with the hashtag blueberryparkmakes are as follows...

clockwise from top left...

@themessynest ~ Cuter than cute row of pips on Jen's apple block...check out Jen's other apple blocks with Blueberry park centres...

@theochiltree ~ the most stunning log cabin block EVER...and check out Nikki's feed to see what she did with this block...it's awesome!

@sewist53 ~ the ever creative Sue's coffee jug jacket...love it!

@littlecreatable ~ a paper piecing masterpiece by Brie is just too astounding for words. I can't even imagine how incredible this is in person.

Thanks as ever to all of you for lighting up my world with your amazing creations...I can't get enough of them!

Lucky Number 13...

A new issue of Love Patchwork and Quilting landing on the doormat is always a treat and Issue Thirteen,, out now was right up there.

From first glance the pretty blue cover, with Lynne's stunning Medallion Quilt, along with Manda's gorgeous lampshade, oh and my deer cushion!, didn't fail to entice.

This is yet another stunningly put together Issue. Jen's styling brings projects to life in a way, as a contributor, you just can only imagine.

Lucky Number 13 for me though as I have not one, but 2 projects in this issue and, with both of them, Jen captured such a cool freshness that almost made me not recognise them as my own!

The first project was one I had a great deal of fun making, partly because I just love Carolyn Friedlander's fabrics and this quilt was inspired by a swap we did with each other with our respective fabrics.

The second project was a pair of vintage and linen cushions made with some vintage fabrics my dear friend Cathi had sent me. The reverse applique deer took me out of my comfort zone, but I am so pleased it did...I absolutely love the finished effect. Don't you find that is often the case? Push yourself out of the norm and something rather spectacular happens...if you haven't thrown the fabrics away in frustration and given up first!

If you want to see more of these projects, or some of the other great ones in the mag go here to get a copy before it sells out. You really won't want to miss out on this one.

Blueberry Park Makes 3...

So you have all been super busy over the summer and August's IG #blueberryparkmakes was full of gorgeous creations.

It was honestly so difficult to pick, but rules are rules soI could only pick 4...

clockwise from top left we have...

@greenandbell ~ Rebecca's scrappy improv quilt is an absolute delight...so much beautiful piecing for the eye to gaze over.

@nohatsquilts ~ Sarah is the queen of miniature piecing and I just love these pants!

@lisasew ~ lisa came to one of my first screen printed workshops and designed and printed up the central panel for her sewing machine cover...love it!

@isobel_hill ~ Isobel's drawstring bag is a win on every level...cute bag...gorgeous colours and hexies...ticks all round!

Thank you everyone for making and tagging your pics. I just love seeing your makes. Go check more about these and others in the group and keep making with my fabrics!

x

Book Signing Evenings...

So the book is out...a lot of you have already kindly bought it...and I hope you love it!

I am very excited to say that I have been invited to a couple of fabulous shops for Book Signing Evenings and would love to see you at one of them if you are able to.

The first is at my favourite local design shop, Chirpy, here in Leeds, next Wednesday evening, 27 August, 7-9pm.

The second is at a favourite London fabric store, The Village Haberdashery, on Monday 8 September, 7-9pm.

Come to either - come to both! - I will have books to sign for you as well as demonstrating one of the techniques in the book. You will also have an opportunity to have a little print yourself! 

I really hope you can come!

Blueberry Park Makes 2...

Apologies for the rather late posting of my favourite makes during July as posted on Instagram...school holidays, vacations, out of routine goings on all contributed.

The good news is you won't have to wait long to see August's!

There are so many inspiring pieces made with my fabrics ~ it is overwhelming to see all your makes ~ but I have to narrow it down to 4 so here, clockwise from left, are my 4 favourite makes during July...

@annikaihallonhuset ~ what an awesome Modern Medallion quilt...check out Annika's IG feed to see the finished item

@adrianneonthewindyside ~ a gorgeous block from Adrianne's Block a Day July

@frankieandray ~ what can I say? Jo's mix of linens, Liberties and Blueberry Park fabrics in her quilts are stunning every time

@sandycass156 ~ I am constantly staggered by Sandra's use of fabrics to make stunning mini quilts...again check out the finished piece of Sandra's timeline.

Want to be in with a chance of being featured as my Top 4 of the Month? Simply remember to tag your IG pics with #blueberryparkmakes

x

Screen Printing Workshop...the FQR way...

 What a weekend!

I am still coming down from the high and not sure I actually ever will.

There is so much to say about Fat Quarterly Retreat 2014...so many people to thank ~ first up Brioni, Lynne and Tacha ~ so many wonderful people I met ~ too many to mention right now ~ so many friends I remet and met for the first time ~ again too many to mention right now ~ and of course all the fantastic people I met in my classes...

There will be another blogpost about Retreat ~ sorry! ~ but first up has to be a photo montage of the 20 wonderful, enthusiastic, crazy, talented, ladies ever.

Wow it was crazy in the most incredible way ever! Grab a coffee, sit back, and slowly scroll through and get a glimpse of the most wonderful time we had.

x

Giveaway winners...

Thank you all for entering my giveaway and thank you all for your such kind comments about my Hourglass Quilt. I absolutely loved making it and thrilled at how it came out and for it to get the feedback it has makes it even more special.

Anyway enough about me...you want to know if you won the giveaway...

First number that the Random Generator pulled out was...

19...Rachel, that's you! 

Just let me know your shipping address and one copy of the mag along with the scraps is on its way to you!

Next number out of the random generator was...

56...Helen! 

I have your address so the other copy will be on its way to you!!

Thanks again for entering and watch out as there are more giveaways coming very soon...

Giveaway...

Issue 10 of Love Patchwork & Quilting is probably the best issue ever...full of all sorts of gorgeous summery projects.

To be honest Issue 11 is probably going to be the best ever...and then Issue 12...13...let's face it this mag just gets better and better!

And lucky for you lot, I have 2 free copies to giveaway!

All you need to do is be a follower of my blog, leave a comment, whatever you would like to say...maybe your favourite project to date...maybe what you would like to see in future issues...oh and please make sure you have an email address I can get you on if you win.

For the first lucky name pulled out of the virtual hat there will also be a scrap pack of Cloud 9 Fabrics' divine Grey Abbey by Elizabeth Olwen that I made the front cover Hourglass quilt with...not quite enough to make the quilt with I'm afraid...but certainly enough to make something splendid.

And because I want to spread the word of how wonderful this mag is the giveaway is open to everyone, wherever you may be. I will draw a winner sometime Sunday evening GMT.

Good luck!

The long journey to happiness...

I love it when lovely customers ask for something a little out of the ordinary.

A week or so ago Adrianne, in New Zealand, approached me with a very unusual request.

She loved my prints ~ thank you Adrianne ~ but didn't love Kona cottons and how would I feel about printing on some Freespirit designer solids that she was planning on ordering from Westwood Acre Fabric?

Personally I will print on anything so that was fine by me.

And so began the long distance travel of a Pretty Potent Bundle from the US to me here in the UK.

It arrived on a sunshiny day yesterday and I set to print up as requested.

And now the said bundle has continued its journey down under. Talk about a small world and our amazing community.

I have to say, having never before seen Freespirit designer solids, I can see why Adrianne is so smitten with them and I think the next order will include some for me!

Quilt Now...

I am assuming, like me, you are eagerly awaiting the anticipated new magazine by our lovely Katy K...

I am assuming like me you have jumped at the offer of getting your first 3 issues for just £5...

No? You haven't??

Well what are you waiting for??...do it right now...you only have until July 6! Follow this link to sign up and then like me you will be one happy bunny when the first issue lands on your doormat later this month.

What are you still doing here?? Go!! go!! GO!!!

Cover Girl...Take 2...

I had the biggest shock this week when the quilt I had designed from the gorgeous Grey Abbey collection...the beautiful Cloud 9 fabric by talented designer Elizabeth Olwen...was given front cover status on this month's Love Patchwork & Quilting.

This fabric was an absolute delight to work with. Firstly it is Cloud 9 fabric, which in case you don't know is a beautiful organic cotton with the loveliest feel. 

Secondly the collection by Elizabeth is one of those collections that works so beautifully as a whole and doesn't need much more than the simplest of piecing to let the fabrics do the talking.

I really enjoyed every single second of working on this quilt and seeing LP&Q's stunning styling on it makes me feel very very proud.

This is yet another winning issue and is full of the most gorgeous projects. I think my favourite, if you were to pin me down to state one,  of which I will certainly be making, are the gorgeous boho pompom cushions by Jo Avery.

If you have your issue already I am sure you are enjoying it and if you haven't just yet, don't worry you are in for a real treat.

Blueberry Park Makes 1...

One of the great pleasures I get from designing and printing fabric is seeing all the wonderful items that you all make with them.

Here are a bunch of amazing things that have popped up on Instagram this week. I just love the way everyone is so creative and has an individual take on what they create and to see my fabrics popping up in all sorts of different projects makes me oh so happy and proud.
You can see more of these great pieces and their talented owners on Instagram, clockwise from top left...

Rebecca
Nina
Sandra 
Britt 

I have decided this is going to be a monthly feature on my blog...I will be posting my favourite makes with Blueberry Park fabrics at the end of each month. If you would like to be featured and show what you have created, all you need to do is post your pics on Instagram with the tag #blueberryparkmakes or if you don't do Instagram then you can post them on my Flickr group page too...also called Blueberry Park Makes. 

I can't wait to see what you all are getting up to....it is so inspiring!

Summer Workshop Take l...

It has been too long since I did a workshop at home. Other work commitments, kid commitments, life, the universe, everything was in the way, but I had arranged 2 for this summer and the first of which was yesterday reminded me just how much I love doing them.

I had the best group of ladies here yesterday. First of all there was my Bee buddy Di. It was fantastic to meet Di and despite her insistence that she couldn't draw she produced a fab leaf design (bottom right) that she was quite rightly proud of.

Two lovely ladies came from down the road in Doncaster. I had met Rebecca when we had both exhibited at BCTF and she brought along her friend Tina. The final lady that made up the foursome was Maya, all the way from Copenhagen! I was beyond flattered that Maya and her hubby planned a little Yorkshire mini break around my workshop...praise indeed! Maya and I had been chatting over IG and it was just wonderful to have her here in my home at a workshop.

The day was just perfect...enthusiastic and talented ladies...beautiful weather so we could lunch on the deck...just the perfect way to spend a day. I think they all went away feeling like they had had a good successful time and I'm watching keenly to see how their screen printing progresses after the workshop and the fact that they all went home with a copy of my book!

a surreal day...

Yesterday was a surreal day indeed...

a day I had been anticipating for some time...

the day I finally got to hold my book in my hands!

Just saying that is crazy enough!

It really is the most out there experience ever of having worked hard on something, having it hibernate away for several months while it gets compiled by some clever folk, only to be returned in the unrecognisable format of a book...with my name on the cover! 

Looking at this photo now and I still can't relate to that over excited lady holding her book. It must be someone else!

At the moment I have one invaluable copy but I will be getting my delivery towards the end of the month and you will be able to purchase a signed copy directly from me. I will have more details about that soon. If you would like to be kept up to date with how you can order one from me just leave a comment here with an email address that I can contact you on.

Screen Printing at Home is also available for pre order on Amazon here in the UK or here in the US. Do check out the UK one to have a closer look inside the book.

Yesterday on IG and Facebook was just crazyyyyy! Thank you all for your overwhelming support. I can't tell you how grateful I am...and I just hope those that buy the book are as enthusiastic when you have it! 

I can not wait to see all the screen printing frenzy that is going to be going on with you all very soon!!

charm{ed}...

You know this strange old internet based world of ours and all the friends we meet on the way but only communicate through the screens and keyboard in front of us? Well, I'm very excited to be meeting one of my cyber friends at the weekend. 

I have been following Nancy on Instagram for a while now, having fallen in love with her quilting style and she was following me back, having been quite smitten with my fabrics. One of those online friendships developed. You know the type...I live in UK...Nancy lives in USA...never the twain shall meet...

but no! Nancy is over in the UK at the mo on holiday and is planning a stop over at mine on Saturday to pick up some fabrics she has ordered! I can't wait! Nancy has such a fantastic eye for colour (she put together the charm pack above and below) and I can't wait to meet her!

Building the charm packs for Nancy whilst chatting over IG was such a pleasure...seeing the colour mixes she was after was pure delight. I am very excited to hand them over to her and can't wait to see what magic she produces with them.

I really do get a kick of our cyber world and all the friends we make on the way. And if we actually get to meet in the flesh...well that's a real added bonus.

The yellows above and a blue-substituted-for-purple pack below are more charm packs that have been custom built for more cyber buddies that who knows maybe I will meet one day too. 

One thing I have learnt is never say never and keep those friendships blossoming for the day that it actually happens. x