Rustic Bunnies – A Pencil Portrait of two of my fabric creations

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Art, Artist and crafter, Artistic moment, Arty, Black and white art, Bunny portraits, Caren Taylor Art, Carens canvas and craft My ETSY shop, Crafty creations, Creative crafting, Creative on canvas, Fun with fabric, Mounted artwork, Original Artworks, Original pencil art, Original pencil sketches, Pencil illustrations, Rustic Bunny Pencil Drawing, Unique Cute Quirky GIFT IDEAS

‘Rustic bunnies’
(Copyright Caren Taylor 2015 – All rights reserved)                 A little pencil sketch of my hand-crafted fabric bunny creations 🙂
To view their own post from a little while ago, see the link below;
https://carentaylor.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/its-bunny-time-rustic-bunnies-handmade-original-and-unique-decorative-soft-animals/

A cute couple captured on cotton canvas! 🙂

Unique Quirky and Original Artwork and Crafts now available in my Etsy Store

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/carenscanvasandcraft

MOUNTED AND READY FOR SHIPPING 😀
‘Rustic bunnies’
(Copyright Caren Taylor 2015 – All rights reserved)

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Spotty pin-wheel lap quilt

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Artist and crafter, Arty, Carens canvas and craft My ETSY shop, Colourful cotton fabric creations, Cotton fabric, Crafty creations, Creative crafting, Fun with fabric, Hand quilted throw, Patchwork lap quilt, Patchwork quilted cushion, Pin-wheel quilted patchwork, Spotty cotton print fabrics, Turquoise fabric

Spotty pin-wheel lap quilt and coordinating cushion cover
Left with several small pieces of spotty colourful cotton fabrics from previous projects and a meter and a bit of a lovely turquoise cotton print, which never seems to match anything I ever make… impulse buy – like you do ;-)!  I decided to combine them all together…after all, on their own they seemed useless, so nothing to lose?! From the four spotty fabrics and a piece of white cotton fabric (which has the same print as the turquoise) I determined I had enough to cut out five 4 x 4 inch squares of each colour and twenty white ones. Once I had all my squares, I then cut diagonally to give four triangles from each square, having done this to all 40 squares I then set about sewing them back together including one of each of the four coloured triangles and four white triangles to form a pin-wheel square, which once ironed to flatten all the overlapping seams was trimmed back to a neat 4.5 x 4.5 inch square and surrounded by a narrow 1.25  inch border of white. Loosing the seam allowance sewing on the borders I was left with 20 x 6.5 inch bordered pin-wheel squares. Carefully measuring for long borders of the turquoise which I wanted to surround the panel, I found I had enough left to cut 20 x (6.5 x 6.5 inch) squares of the turquoise too – so I played around with different combinations until I decided to on the straightforward panel above and proceeded to sew the squares together, then surrounded with the turquoise 3.25 inch wide long lengths I had put aside at the beginning. Once all that was done I marked out the diamond grid for quilting, used a 100% cotton wadding as the middle layer and a plain white cotton for the reverse, then hand quilted over the entire panel 🙂  Once the excess oversized wadding and backing were trimmed I found a darker turquoise marble printed cotton fabric which tied in perfectly as the binding. If by now you have counted the squares on the lap quilt, you’ll have noticed I didn’t use all of my 20 pin-wheel squares for the design…so, having a couple left over I decided to make them into a coordinating cushion/pillow cover!

…which also used up the small remaining spotty fabrics. The same diamond grid was drawn over the piece, though this time I used a soft springy synthetic wadding for
quilting and finished with a simple envelope opening on the back of the 17 x 17 inch (430 x 430 mm) cushion/pillow cover

Hand quilted spotty pin-wheel lap quilt 44 inches x 34 inches (1120 mm x 865 mm) Both the throw/quilt and the cushion/pillow cover are now available in my Etsy store 
I’m really happy with the end result as the little leftovers and the lonesome turquoise fabrics compliment each other in such a simple pretty way 😀

Having been MIA for a little while (spending a lovely time with our daughter and her partner as they plan their wedding) I have eventually got around to doing a little post on a couple of creations I finished before we left – a pretty throw/quilt and coordinating cushion/pillow cover 🙂

Big Bright and Bold Reversible Colourful Patchwork Tote

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Art, Artist and crafter, Big Bright Bold Beach Bag, Colourful art and craft creations, Concentric Squares Bag design, Crafty creations, Creative crafting, Fabric offcuts, Fun with fabric, Hand quilted designer tote bags, Hand quilted Tote, Original Unique patchwork creations, Patchwork hand quilted totes, Shoulder bag

Have some offcuts from a previous projects..???…I seem to have this issue quite a lot 😉 So, a quick shuffle around with a few colourful little cotton squares and some long strips resulted in a super tote/bag! Large enough for a beach tote bag, a casual overnight tote or just a trip to the shops, a beautiful bright accessory for all occasions !! 🙂

And…there’s more!!! A handmade colourful quilted tote with TWO different Looks! A reversible alternative pattern design on the other side!

If you want a slightly less colourful day…this tote/bag has that too 🙂

And…a triple internal multi-pocket! Well it would have been a shame to leave out that last other little matching fabric square !! 😉

Right….now I’ve got that little pile of offcuts sorted..phew… I have chance to get back to my newest fabric collage creation!! 🙂

Lovingly Handmade Novelty Tote Bag Creations!

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Appliquéd duck design tote bag, Applique, Artist, Artist and crafter, Carens canvas and craft My ETSY shop, Cotton patchwork bags, Crafty creations, Creative crafty designs, Cute original creations, Dallying ducks day out tote, Designer patchwork bags, Fun imaginative craft creations, Fun quirky creations, Fun with fabric, Handmade and designed items, Handmade tote bags, Imaginative unique designs, Original, Patchwork landscape scene, Quilted by hand, Quirky, Unique, Unique creations, Unique tote designs

…why not?? If they are popular as framed collages…again, why not make them a mobile piece of art too!? Fun, eye catching, colourful creations, bound to bring attention and definitely a talking point…..and, as always, uniquely one of a kind! Taking patchwork to another level of quirkiness 🙂

New Tote designs for 2015!! Quirky, ever so cute and designed to bring a bit of fun to every day 🙂 whether a crafter, a cleric or a chorister if you’ve no inhibitions, this could be for you! Unique and never to be repeated…I just love to recreate my original ideas into a new context! Practical, pretty, and, in this case, pink! A rich, raspberry coloured cotton fabric lovingly hand crafted into a useful tote bag…imagination has no bounds!!! ;-D

A useful multi-pocket inside with the benefit of a zip fastener to secure valuable items

A colour coordinated internal multi-pocket

A simple, but effective hand quilted diamond pattern over the entirety of the raspberry coloured fabric and to finish off, a magnetic clasp topped with a chunky black button!

In these hard times….mine, is to add a little fun to the world!

Happy Easter to each and ALL! 🙂

‘Knitting Sheep in Boots’ My Handmade and Designed Patchwork, Quilted and Appliquéd Tote Bag

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Artist and crafter, Carens canvas and craft My ETSY shop, Crafty creations, Creative crafting, Fun crafty creations, Fun with fabric, Gossiping sheep, Hand quilted patchwork and applique, Handmade fabric bags, Handmade patchwork totes, Imaginative cute designs, Knitting Sheep in Boots creation, Novelty designer hand-crafted creations, Original, Patchwork landscape, Quirky cute creations, Sheep dip, Sheep in boots, Sheep in Boots patchwork tote bag, Unique, Unique patchwork designs

”…..Have you heard the Gossip Doris….?? ”
”I’M on the fence about IT Betty !!”

”…..Have you heard the Gossip Doris….?? ”
”I’M on the fence about IT Betty…..!!”                                                                     Here we go again….with another unique Tote Bag – this time with ‘Knitting Sheep in Boots’ 🙂  …….I’m starting to think, maybe….I need therapy, to move on from my little sheep creations – BUT, on the upside I found another use for some more little coloured wooden flower buttons!! 🙂

If you are looking to ”GO GREEN” …then, this is most definitely a bag for you 😉
The front of this little handy tote has a central patchwork landscape panel with hand appliquéd ‘gossiping sheep’ – both whiling their time away, knitting from the little lamb in the sheep dip – It would seem…..It’s purple season in the sheep fashion world 😉
The addition of some coordinating, little painted wooden buttons, finishes off the cute countryside scene perfectly !

A perfect little novelty bag, especially as the lambing season is only weeks away – It’s sure to put a Spring in Your Step with all its cute colourful quirkiness !! Oh…But I couldn’t leave it there….. A little design for the reverse, and of course, another for my inside multi-pocket 😀

Another captured moment of the little pair- framed within a patchwork hand quilted panel!

My triple internal multi-pocket design (One with a zip fastening for extra security)
As ever, I think the inside is just as important as the outside – so…why not have a little sheep in there too???! 😉

A SUPER CUTE Unique Novelty bag, perfect for all manner of occasions – Or, Just for fun!! Looking for something completely unique, and lovingly handmade ?….maybe, for a knitter/wool crafter’s gift – what better to hold their little projects safe and sound whilst out and about?!… than a lovely quality cotton handmade ”knitting sheep tote” https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/227700377/unique-patchwork-tote-free-shipping-cute?ref=shop_home_active_1

…I might just resort to a self healing therapy!!!….I do have another little sheep project itching to get underway, now this one is finished….maybe, that will cure me ??? 😉

Fabric collages

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Artist and crafter, Crafty creations, Creative crafting, Fabric art, Fabric collages, Fabric creation, Felt applique, Fun with fabric, Handmade fabric gifts, Knittin Octopus collage, Original, Patchwork and applique, Peter rabbit, unique gift ideas

Careful what you say you like !!!!!! As it was my father-in-law’s birthday a couple of days ago, I had no idea what to get him as a gift ? At 70+ what do you want/need I thought??? Having asked the question… ‘Is there something special you would like?’ and getting ‘nothing really…’ as the response! I decided to go with one of the many made up things I had, a little fabric collage that he had really taken a shine to when I made it Not something I would have thought was up his street…but, he really took a fancy to it for some reason…? So, after buying a little frame and a bottle of JD’s I seemed to make my father-in-law very happy…..probably more to do with the JD’s, though the little framed collage did take centre stage on the coffee table too!

With Christmas looming…..I can’t seem to concentrate on any preparations at all until all the birthdays and other celebrations are over!

A few weeks ago, our family had the good news of learning that our Nephew and his Wife are expecting their first child 🙂 ….Only, it turns out to be not one but two…twins!!! Awesome 🙂 I already knew that their theme for their baby was to be Peter Rabbit and have intentions in the next couple of months to make a little pram/cot quilt to go along with this, though as everyone was knitting little bootees and the like as congratulation gifts, I decided to make a little fabric collage instead. Sarah, was thrilled with the framed result…I hope she will be as pleased when I make the little quilts-not that she knows my intentions yet?!? Maybe, I should move the creations forward as there needs to be two now ;-)!

 

 

Super cute quilt. Designed hand crafted Patchwork and Appliqué Bunny quilt

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Adorable bunny quilt, Appliquéd super soft bunnies, Art, Artist and crafter, Artistic moment, Arty, Carens canvas and craft My ETSY shop, Cotton fabric quilt, Crafting from scraps, Crafty creations, Creating my own patterns and designs, Creative crafting, Cute colourful cotton creations, Designded and lovingly handmase items, Floral cotton prints, Fun with fabric, Hand quilted designer patchwork, Lap quilt, One of a kind creations, Original, Patchwork and applique quilt, Patchwork bed topper, Patchwork throw, Quilting creations, Unique

My newest design 🙂  an adorable Bunny quilt 61 x 46 inches of colourful fun perfect to snuggle under with
six SUPER soft little bunnies! Why bunnies you ask ??? – well, it could have been any number of different animals which I had drawn out as the pattern, but ever wanting to use fabric down to the last scrap if possible, I had some offcuts of super soft cotton wadding left over from my previous quilt and determined they would make the perfect fabric for fuzzy bunnies! After making templates for all the individual applique pieces I set about making each and everyone double thickness, then turned them inside out before blanket stitching them to the colourful panel I had made for each one…This way they can NEVER fray and will ensure they look just as good many, many, many years down the line! The same method was done for the bunny dresses and bows, which not only protects the fabric but also gives a lovely raised profile to the finished quilt

Bunny lap quilt panel close ups

Bunny sleeping panel

Bunny lap quilt label

Unique !!!!! hand-crafted Bunny Rabbit Quilt 61 x 46 inches now available
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/carenscanvasandcraft

My only dilemma now I have completed this one….is….I now have more offcuts… ;-/ Hmmm…. wonder what I can make with those ??? 😉

‘Flying Goosey’ Quilt Number 2 – proving a point to myself…that I’m not getting slow in my old age (Not that old really) !!!

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Applique, Applique hearts, Art, Artist and crafter, Artistic, Artistic moments, Arty, Bed topper, Black red cream patchwork, Carens canvas and craft My ETSY shop, Cotton fabrics, Cotton wadding for a traditional feel, Crafty creations, Creative crafting, Creative patchwork and applique, Elegantly designed patchwork quilts, Fun creations, Fun with fabric, Hand quilting, Lap quil, Lovingly handmade patchwork and crafts, Modern patchwork, Original, Original art, Patchwork, Patchwork and applique, Patchwork and quilting, Patchwork quilts, Patchwork throw, Printed cotton materials, Quality handmade items, Quirky, Something from nothing, Stylish quilt, Stylish quilt designs, Traditional quilts with new design, Unique, Unique creations, Warm and cosy quilts

In well under two weeks I have a result! From the humble beginnings of four cotton fabrics which I selected – to a finished little beauty! Lovingly hand crafted and hand quilted with ever so many stitches it could never, ever, EVER fall apart 🙂

My newest creation! Flying Geese and appliquéd hearts lap quilt number 2 actually finished yesterday, but my camera broke down – and here’s me thinking it’s the quilt design that is jinxed !!!  Maybe it’s just me…..!

My four chosen cotton print fabrics….after lots of hunting through mountains of materials at the fabric shop I eventually chose these four to go together. Tasteful, Simple, Rich, Stylish and Elegant! As soon as I had them in my arms all together, I could already see how the new quilt would look in my mind’s eye! The only thing delaying me from starting, was some good old fashioned hand washing of the fabrics to rid them of any excess dyes! No sooner dry and ironed…..let chopping, piecing and quilting begin 😉

I always think it is a good idea to make another ‘Goosey” quilt until I reach 5/31 geese border strips…then I sigh my way through the next 26….knowing, it WILL be worth all the effort – at the same time trying not to think of all the hand quilting to come ;-/ !!!!

A little hand sewn label, to let generations hence, (should it EVER become an Heirloom piece 😉 ) know who and where it was made! A little touch I probably should have already been adding to my lovingly hand-crafted quilts…better late than never though ! As a seller on Etsy I have become aware of just how many vintage quilts there are, and, it’s important to new makers like myself, and a must, to let people/buyers know that they are NEWLY made rather than vintage…..though, I hope and feel my own designs show a contemporary style anyway! As much as I love patch working I do feel sometimes people just add too much (colour/mix of fabric designs/ confusion etc,etc (this is my opinion only-others may feel differently and we should all have our say, I think), I do like some structure to what I design and make, though others may too have other tastes, which is of course absolutely fine too! Whilst I realise in the olden days, Patchwork items were made out of what was available and maybe in short supply, it is now a luxury to go and buy new fabrics to create such items today. Though it is my belief that by buying only small quantities of each fabric I am still forcing myself to create something out of very little – even if it is all new material!

I look out proudly at my latest achievement as it gently blows in the wind after its final wash before going off to my Etsy shop! I do hope it can eventually make someone happy…..and of course warm and cosy! 🙂 I certainly sewed many, many hours during its creation (on average, I reckon I work for 2 pence per hour including material costs!!!!! Minimum wage would make it only available to the Billionaires of the world – I’m not sure they shop on Etsy?!?) and incorporated lots of sweet dreams into it too! – they are include free of course!!!  😉

Cute crafty creations for Christmas!

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Appliquéd felt penguin, Art, Arty, Carens canvas and craft My ETSY shop, Christmas decoration, Christmas stockings, Crafty creations, Creative crafting, Cute Christmas creations, Designs from my own ideas, Fun with fabric, Hand quilted stockings, Handmade fun designs, Novelty stocking, Original crafted items, Unique quirky creations

Cute Christmas Creations
Mrs. Penguin on her stylish stocking!

After a small glitch in my crafting plans, I’m happily getting stuck back in!!! Of course I started with a little idea and off I went, ending up with not one but two super cute stockings

Mr Penguin stocking

Really I am so smitten with how cute these little penguins are I just had to make another !!!!! I’ll leave you with a close up of their sweet little faces….

”Good job I have a long nose, or it would be hard to breathe in this muffled scarf….!’

‘…..have I been telling lies ???? What do you mean ?’ 

My biggest challenge so far!!!

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Applique, Applique hearts, Art, Art and craft creations, Art and design creations, Artist, Artistic moment, Arty, Beige and cream fabrics, Broderie anglaise fabric flowers, Capturing a couple's memories onto fabric, Cotton patchwork fabrics, Crafting with buttons, Crafty creations, Creative crafting, Designer patchwork quilts, Embroidered Sharpei, Embroidered Shih tzu, Foundation piecing patchwork, Fun with fabric, Glastonbury, Great Hall Mains, Hand quilting, Handmade Patchwork and applique, Lap quilt, Matrimonial quilt gift, Memory quit, Original, Patchwork, Rome, Subtle coordinating colours, Trevi Fountain, Unique, Wedding gift

AND…HERE IT IS!!!! The GRAND unveiling of the commissioned designer handmade and hand quilted totally unique… Matrimonial/Memory patchwork large lap quilt made for two!!! 

Having been granted permission to do a post from A Lady who commissioned me, I can now, after the Happy Event of their marriage, of Nathan and Kim that is, show their designed and handmade gift as well as Wishing them a Long and Happy Life Together! 🙂

I was very recently approached by A Lady, who had heard of me, by word of mouth (always the best recommendation I feel !!!) to see if I could create something extra special as a Wedding Gift for her Son and future Daughter-in-law, Something,which they could treasure as well as being totally unique and relate only to them ?!? WOW – A challenge and a half…My sleeves were already rolled up! 🙂

During our  consultation session together, and having shown many examples of what My Lady thought she might like to have handmade for the excited couple, she finally did a ‘flip’ on her first thoughts, especially after seeing pictures of the two commissioned lap quilts I made for my friend Jackie, another WordPress Blogger with outstanding photography images, find Jackie at   http://iamlostinthot.wordpress.com/about/

”LOSTINTHOT” Personalised Designer Handmade and Hand Quilted Custom Order 36” x 48” ART Lap Quit.

Commissioned Elephant Lap Quilt. Handmade and hand-quilted with custom design applique elephants hearts and flowers.

So My Lady finally opted for a large lap quilt – big enough for two! YAY! What an opportunity for another creative moment  🙂 !

After My Lady’s decision was made, we talked through what the requirements for the quilt panels would be……..Here is my brief;

*A fabric panel of the Trevi Fountain, Rome (The spot of the proposal)….Gosh, thought processes are in motion! Then, some simple embroidery naming the  the venue and date of Engagement alongside…

*A fabric depiction of the Happy Couple enjoying Glastonbury 2014 in ‘Wellies’ and sun glasses!…A testy challenge!! Also, embroider  venue and date…

*An embroidered depiction of their two ‘babies’ a Shih tzu and a Sharpei with their names too….OMG I was getting a little worried…..;-/!!!

* A small vine of 3D fabric flowers running around the Wedding venue panel, Oh! And a couple of random 3D padded hearts…

*A fabric constructed panel of the ‘Great Hall at Mains’ a slightly wonky wooden beamed Tudor barn which was to be the Wedding venue….Plus ”Mr & Mrs…and the date… ””””’fainted!!!!!!!!!!””””’

After picking myself up….and a few good deep breaths. I felt I could attack this challenge!  I agreed it would be perfect as their totally unique Memory Quilt, all we had to do now was discuss a colour scheme ;-/…

to which, the conclusion was to be;

*Creams, whites (for the bride’s gown (no clues as to which the Bride would be wearing ,so let’s use both..)

*beige/ deeper creams (to match their living spaces and their décor)

*A pink flowery headband (as Kim wore at Glastonbury …Oh, and wellies and sunglasses too!)

*Grey (for the Groom and party’s suits)

now came the ultimate challenge……!

*was it, Pistachio, or mint, or jade green, or light sage, or… or…My Lady gave it so many descriptive terms ??? My lady wanted a colour match as close as possible to the ribbons on the invitations, which in turn matched the waistcoats of the Gentlemen party, to be the main accent colour in the quilt…

All nice choices! But, I was running on a very tight time scale, five weeks to a completion date and still awaiting a colour swatch before I could start, or, even buy any fabric… OMG… the perspiration was stating to bead as I awaited a colour sample, Could I get it done in the time frame? Would My Lady be happy ???  Now, I was really worried!  Had I taken on, for the first time, something I thought was more than I could chew….. ;-/ ?

At last, I got to see the colour of ‘green’ which was to symbolise the waistcoats and be the accent of the whole quilt, as fast as I could I was off to the fabric store, all I needed to do now was to find ”that green” beige/creams and greys that would go together….only a small extra challenge then. 😉

I picked my fabrics VERY carefully and used a perfect piece of fabric for the hearts which just by chance and good luck, was a deep grey with just a flecks of brown and cream on it but which also went extremely well with the ”green”, I hope you agree, the overall colour effect is quite subtle and coordinated ?!? I set about designing, and came up with a simple eight panel design surrounded by border strips of different sizes, in order to bring all the fabric colours together. My Lady had a specific order to which the panel pictures should be on the quilt, though with a gentle suggestion I sent out my first draft for the design and her approval, meaning her original choice of wanting four large panels had been developed and divided up into eight . A picture panel and smaller appliquéd heart panel alongside to include all the requirements and requests which My Lady wanted on the quilt 🙂

My suggestion was approved!!!YAY!!!  So, my  cogs of creativity were set in motion…

All the fabric applique shapes are turned back double fabric pieces, thought the Great Hall has been foundation pieced starting in the centre and working outward, incorporating some of the beams into the foundation and appliquéing the larger final ones. The hearts, dogs and Trevi Fountain have simple embroidery done in a ‘sketch style’ with little stitches here and there, apart from the Glastonbury panel, which has pieces so tiny, so I used a type of double sided adhesive before hand stitching the applique pieces in place! A simple cream cotton backing and unbleached soft 100% cotton wadding was used to give a traditional feel. Once sandwiched together, I hand quilted the whole panel.I added the stem stitched vine around the Great Hall panel and made some Broderie anglaise fabric flowers attaching them with a coordinating button to the quilt  Finally I added a binding of the same fabric as the inner panel borders and hand stitched it down.

What had I been worried about ?!? I still had two weeks until the deadline and it was finished 🙂 !!! But My Lady was still to see it…..

Having taken a couple of photos, just to show My Lady her commission was complete, I contacted her, with full intentions of taking more and clearer shots of the quilt hanging from the washing line. But, as it turned out the weather wasn’t allowing for this, after the glorious weather, it had decided to rain…a lot! Then, My Lady couldn’t contain herself, she didn’t want a preview over the internet she NEEDED to come and see it straight away !!!!!

My Lady arrived early the very next day!  I presented my designer quilt for her inspection…and stopped breathing simultaneously….

Her face was a picture, she was totally ”thrilled to bits”’  🙂 🙂 🙂 YAY! Then she told me, ‘…..it is so much nicer than anything I could have ever wished for! The colour combination Is perfect, (bear in mind, she hadn’t seen the fabrics I had chosen) I love the overall design….the quality is superb and in such a short time too…In fact I am speechless, it’s just wonderful…PERFECT!!!’ 

 As well as all My Lady’s lovely comments, I did get quite a few hugs too 🙂 So I think she liked it 😉

 

I breathed a huge sigh of relief, It was simply the best feeling in the World, to know I had accomplished all My Lady’s thoughts and dreams onto a fabric panel and made her so, very happy too!!! 🙂 Just hope the Happy Couple like it now!

 

A couple more pictures of the panels…

 

The Trevi Fountain

 

Lexi and Marley

 

Glastonbury 2014

The Great hall at Mains, Lancashire UK

3D  fabric flower vine

Broderie anglaise fabric flowers attached with a coordinating button to the quilt panel and a stem stitched curly vine

 

Appliqué fabric heart

Appliqué heart

Appliqué Heart