Hello 2018

Happy new year everyone! I hope 2018 brings you good health and happiness, and everything you ever wished for. I've had a lovely Christmas break with the family and am still in holiday mode this week, truth be told. We are doing a major spring clean at the moment - decluttering the house and garage, sorting out the kids' rooms, and a big tidy up in my sewing room. We still had unopened boxes since we moved house in April! We did a major cull amongst the kids' toys and clothes (they outgrow both so fast) and have thrown out heaps of junk and filled several boxes with clothes and toys to donate. I really think clutter and mess in one's living space is a reflection of one's state of mind so it feels incredibly cleansing and therapeutic to get rid of it all.


I was especially shocked to see how much space is taken up in my sewing room by all my UFOs so I'm going to make it a mission this year to finish them. Starting with this cot quilt and cushion set I made for a dear friend's new baby - I started it in our old house when my friend was still pregnant (*blush*). The house move got in the way, (and then, you know, life), but I'm so happy that it's finally finished and being enjoyed by an adorable little lady.


The lovely fabric I used is Lauren Nash's first collection for Riley Blake Designs, called 'Bunnies & Cream'. I adore the soft pastel colours - and the bunnies & strawberries are so stinkin' cute. It's still available in stores if you wanted to get your hands on some. It's perfect for fussy cutting and hexies!


The sweet doll and bunny in the photos are alas not hand-made (mentioning as I have used them before in blog posts and always get questions about them and requests for a pattern). They are from British retailer Mamas & Papas from a few years back - the rag doll is called 'Famiglia' and the bunny is from their 'Millie & Boris' collection.  You may get lucky if you search for them on ebay.


I gave myself some time off our decluttering mission yesterday to start a tote for another special little lady - I am winging this one without a pattern and kinda still suck at bag making so I hope it comes out OK! Here's the panel I made with some precious fabric scraps which if all goes according to plan, will turn into a pocket at the front of the tote. I love some of these fabrics so much I decided to hand quilt the panel so I could savour the pretty designs. Seriously, I love fabric so much, I think I may need help! Anyone else in the same boat?


See you very soon I hope, with pictures of the finished tote. If I don't ruin it!

*** EDIT: The pattern for the Bunnies & Cream quilt is now available in my Etsy shop ***

14 comments:

  1. Glenise2 January 2018 at 10:46

    That is just so adorable. Love it.

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  2. Kay2 January 2018 at 18:14

    So pretty. I love the feeling when I eventually go back and finish a wip. x

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  3. eleni_s2 January 2018 at 20:41

    Happy new year to you and your family withgood health, happiness and love! These pastels are so adorable, would love to use them in a baby quilt too! Thank you for sharing, hope you have an amazing year! Greetings from Crete, Greece!

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  4. rush3 January 2018 at 07:09

    Happy New Year from North Carolina!

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  5. Rosemary B❤️3 January 2018 at 11:35

    Happy New Year Sedef. I know exactly how you feel. I do get passionate about fabric, and patterns, and I admit I do indeed have a complete and fully devoted love for fabric.... good fabric, pretty fabric, and mostly beautiful fabric. Does that make sense?
    5 years ago, I was just a burnt out figure skater. I loved ice skating and ice dancing. Even now, I see my skates in my closet, or watch others skate and my heart tugs with happiness and wishing I was 15 years younger.
    Enjoy your passions with no guilt.
    I am impressed with your purging and clean up. I need to do that. Right now I am too busy with my 94 year old daddy and two grand daughters.
    Later, right?

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  6. pandchintz3 January 2018 at 18:58

    Such a gorgeous cot quilt and cushion - the fabric is so adorable. All the best for your tote - looking good so far!

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  7. Judy4 January 2018 at 02:05

    Did you hand applique or machine stitch the hexagons on the white fabric? I love the white fabric showing through. Thanks. I'd like to try it.

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    Replies
    1. Sedef @ Down Grapevine Lane4 January 2018 at 09:12

      I marked a grid on the white fabric first, then pinned a hexie in the middle of each section and sewed it on by machine - there are enough stitch lines across each hexie to secure it in place. They aren't appliqued all the way around :)

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  8. Maria8 January 2018 at 11:13

    Can you direct me to a pattern for the quilt. Love the look and have a baby just in mind.

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    Replies
    1. Sedef @ Down Grapevine Lane14 January 2018 at 09:05

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Maria14 January 2018 at 11:31

      Thank you! Your quilts are always so beautiful.

      Delete
  9. Carol14 January 2018 at 03:22

    I too am interested in the quilt pattern. just beautiful.

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  10. Unknown17 February 2018 at 23:47

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

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