tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30147214173559924292012-02-15T14:24:13.690ZCatch up on all the latest news at The Crafty QuilterJoannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.comBlogger891100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-79852566147972656692012-01-21T17:37:00.001Z2012-01-21T17:37:11.972Z

I’ve just listed some retired quilt tops for sale on eBay. These are quilts I have made to display fabrics or kits that have now all gone so the poor quilt tops are now redundant and being a hand quilter I don’t usually have the time to quilt these samples before the fabrics sell out…………          They are all on auction style listings so grab yourself a bargain! I have also listed a floral

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-38629900021814157512012-01-18T21:18:00.001Z2012-01-18T21:18:43.151Z

Last Sunday saw the manic start to the first shows of the year that is the sale at Farnham Maltings. It often feels like a school reunion as the traders get together for the first time since the autumn and we all do our catching up before the doors open………….because once the doors open, its CUT CUT CUT until the afternoon! Its a win win situation for everyone; customers get great fabrics at great

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-19404953212725949112012-01-12T16:53:00.001Z2012-01-12T16:53:01.216Z

There are just under two days left of the online sale. Lots of lovely fabrics still available for you to grab yourself a bargain. I had made myself a makeshift cutting table in the conservatory and have kept the sale fabrics at the house as it was easier to do the cutting at home. I have often had one helper with me sitting on the corner  of the table…….but today I had both of them!

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-85289143894827113362011-12-24T19:51:00.001Z2011-12-24T19:51:54.938Z

And of course I have saved the best till last……….Patternista, the new collection designed by Paula Nadelstern for Benartex. Paula’s latest collection features another of her wonderful full width panel prints and super yummy co-ordinates I’ve been busy playing with these fabrics so keep a look out for some new kits in the new year Merry Christmas everyone! Joanna x

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-69152364986251423882011-12-24T13:26:00.001Z2011-12-24T13:26:18.427Z

Something a little different today; a subtle delicate collection from South Sea Imports called Serenade. The collection features a floral panel that can be used as one piece or cut up within a quilt. Together with some pretty co-ordinates.   Look out for part two of today’s uploads this evening……….

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-82891714832189291472011-12-23T20:50:00.001Z2011-12-23T20:50:36.438Z

Today’s new fabrics are from the Kimono collection from Makower Tomorrow’s fabrics are something a little different……….

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-73079901373857854962011-12-22T19:39:00.001Z2011-12-22T19:39:15.808Z

Just a little collection today……………of cute little froggies from Makower. The main print is a label print with some equally cute frog co-ordinates. Check back tomorrow for another new collection!

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-85459857929730892002011-12-21T20:24:00.001Z2011-12-21T20:24:14.870Z

Just a small collection uploaded today and for the next couple of days. Today’s collection is Sentiments from Makower featuring a cute centre panel which would make a great cot quilt together with some useful co-ordinates. I have also uploaded  a free pattern, my Centre Panel quilt design, that can be adapted to use this and many of the other full width panel prints that I sell. Here’s

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-27318881659729024562011-12-20T19:14:00.001Z2011-12-20T19:14:23.183Z

Well there will be come Christmas Eve! I’ve been a bit remiss in uploading the newest fabrics in the last month or so and in this season of goodwill I ought to put that right. And so over the next five days there will be a new collection of fabrics uploaded to the website every day. Today’s collection is the wonderful Patina Handpaints from Robert Kaufman. Many of you may have seen

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-3584033960434335862011-09-25T18:05:00.001+01:002011-09-25T18:05:24.798+01:00

It has been a busy few weeks since the Festival of Quilts ended in mid August and there have been so many fabric deliveries not only just before the FoQ but also since then……….its going to take me a while to get all the fabrics up onto the website ! New collections in stock include: Jewels of India La Scala Radiance an Oriental collection from Makower In the meantime I have moved

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-2428760124133363912011-08-11T22:44:00.001+01:002011-08-11T22:44:57.881+01:00

Arriving at the NEC, all you have is your space. This is the scene after I have unloaded everything from the van. Even though I know roughly where I want to put everything, it still takes several hours to put the stand together until it looks like this! I’m really pleased how it all went together this year and I managed to get all the new quilt kits out on display. Day One

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-82129779389902435602011-08-10T07:45:00.001+01:002011-08-10T07:45:51.778+01:00

So! It is finally here….well almost! The last couple of days have been making sure everything is ready for the show. The cutting of fabrics is done, threads topped up. Leaflets and patterns printed. On Monday I picked up the van. It’s a little bit bigger than the car I usually drive and of course has a much higher driving position. Its going to be interesting when I adjust back to

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-40197852424452801242011-07-27T18:05:00.001+01:002011-07-27T18:05:00.834+01:00

Just quick update to show you what I have been up to the last couple of days. I have had quite a few deliveries in the last week and lots of inspiration has struck! So I have been busy trying to create quick quilt samples to take to the Festival of Quilts in a couple of weeks to inspire you! The quilt I have just finished is REALLY quick to make and uses the Patina Handpaints that were

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-7075432391241946012011-07-22T17:32:00.001+01:002011-07-22T17:32:34.167+01:00

I’ve had a couple of small fabric deliveries this week and hopefully there are more to come so that I have plenty of new fabrics to take to the Festival of Quilts next month. There are some wonderful new Patina Handpaints from Robert Kaufman, this is just one of them. These will look great just quilted, but I also have an idea for one of my quick quilts with them……. Yesterday the

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-64948507902396764062011-07-02T17:56:00.001+01:002011-07-02T17:56:16.815+01:00

I’ve managed to get some of the fabrics from recent deliveries on the website this afternoon……….whilst watching the Wimbledon finals of course! First of all we have Imperial Collection 7 from Robert Kaufman which features a lovely floral full width print together with a variety of co-ordinates If you have bought kits from previous Imperial Collections that I have stocked, then you know what a

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-10029966376209078612011-07-02T10:41:00.001+01:002011-07-02T10:41:46.953+01:00

A quick pic of the Lakeside Cottage fabrics designed by Ro Gregg for Nortcott Fabrics. So pretty don’t you think? The main fabric is a panel with appliqué design blocks. The red and off-white floral prints match the fabrics in the panel. The yellow print is a tonal floral and the green print a tonal leaf print. Find them on the website soon………

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-10921319905569143142011-06-27T13:53:00.001+01:002011-06-27T13:53:40.206+01:00

I had a fun day yesterday choosing new fabrics from Robert Kaufman at my supplier’s open day……….along with the yummy cakes on offer ;o) Already on order are fabrics from Jewels of India collection together with wonderful cotton silk co-ordinate called Radiance. Hopefully these fabrics will be in stock soon! So…..what did I find to order yesterday? The first collection is some wonderful

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-79364452257274527272011-06-19T11:13:00.001+01:002011-06-19T11:13:07.262+01:00

It was only possible for me to be at the show at Sandown for one day this year as my son had a camping weekend with Cubs which needed him being picked up at 10am on  Sunday morning. So far the show has been very good and busy. I think originally it suffered from the appearance of the Festival of Quilts in August but it has suddenly found its way again, which of course is excellent for quilters

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-23786724713665435222011-06-16T16:58:00.001+01:002011-06-16T16:58:34.534+01:00

Its no use! I have to do it! I’ve been feeling twitchy for days and need to get it out of my system! Yep I need to crack this baby open and have a play and make the quilt pattern I found online the other day. Its going to make a great class………. Sometimes you just gotta do what ya gotta do!

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-73922220843215398502011-06-15T17:35:00.001+01:002011-06-15T17:35:58.061+01:00

Its been a funny couple of days since my son came back from his School Journey residential break in Devon; a combination of having been busy while he was away and not sleeping well has meant I had very little energy to get on with things today This year’s block of the month programme has just started. Starstruck was designed by Terri Straats from Sweet Treasures and uses quick machine piecing

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-57923966141635885632011-06-12T17:54:00.001+01:002011-06-12T17:54:49.213+01:00

This collection is now on the website featuring a tree panel which runs across the full width of the fabric together with some coordinating fabrics. I have also finally got some shade cards for the King Tut threads in stock. These cards are made with the actual threads and are sold at cost. There are three cards in total one with the original 50 colours, the second with the newer 50 shades

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-12748039890105915462011-06-11T08:55:00.001+01:002011-06-11T08:55:53.085+01:00

That would appear to be the question. Having been woken by one of the cats at 5.30am I find I have a bit of extra time on my hands today. Many of you are friends on facebook or like my page on there…………some of you are both! Is that being keen or stalking? lol. I find I usually post things to facebook as its quicker and more immediate and you can see more clearly any feedback and reaction but

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-77068977321778791682011-04-02T13:03:00.001+01:002011-04-02T13:03:15.128+01:00

Where DOES time go? I had plenty of it 10 days ago…….I was going to announce this new thing on 1 April, and what’s the date today? Yep its the 2nd and I haven’t finished what I was going to tell you about yet.! Let me see if I can at least take a photograph over the weekend…………. Don’t anyone hold their breath though ok?

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-3255928728216092442011-03-20T17:11:00.001Z2011-03-20T17:11:30.500Z

A little seed is growing in my head A tiny idea for something new Place– here on my blog Time – tbc Date – 1 April (its no joke)

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-50426605346485408322011-03-17T16:31:00.001Z2011-03-17T16:31:55.492Z

The April issue of Patchwork & Quilting has just come out and I have some fabrics and a project featured in the magazine. The fabrics that are featured on their Retail Therapy pages are from the Strawberries & Cherries collection from Sevenberry of Japan. These fabrics are lovely and summery. I have made a tablecloth in the blue colourway which will be available as a kit shortly. The

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-87819848465359347182011-01-21T20:45:00.001Z2011-01-21T20:45:35.272Z

What’s a cuddle fabric I hear you ask? Cuddle is the latest thing from Robert Kaufman and is a super soft knit fabric.   Yes! It really is this soft and cuddly, as modelled by young TK. The fabric is 60” wide and comes in a wide selection of colours and prints as well as pre-cut packs called Cuddle Cubes. There are quite a few patterns on the manufacturers website (www.shannonfabrics.com)

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-37837200379615914112010-10-12T11:44:00.001+01:002010-10-12T11:44:27.682+01:00

I have been beavering away uploading new fabrics to the website New Collections you can now view and order include: Hard Hats from Avlyn. Its not often you find a great collection for boys but this has to be one and I have made a fun single bed size quilt which uses all the fabrics I have from the collection. The fabrics are £9.60 a metre and the kit is costs £37.95 and is very quick and easy

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-80437085571775575872010-09-14T14:09:00.001+01:002010-09-14T14:09:56.566+01:00

I can’t believe it has been sooo long since I posted a blog entry, maybe because so much has happened since I went to Quilt Market back in May! My world has been turned upside down since then as my partner Steve and I have gone our separate ways. Its not easy coping when you have had your heart broken for the first time and I’m not sure it was any easier that I am 42! Life does go on though and

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-52714901479668658922010-05-22T21:45:00.001+01:002010-05-22T21:45:01.956+01:00

Been a busy couple of days walking all the booths. Yesterday was looking for fabric and today was spotting new block of the month programmes. I have a couple of great new BOMs coming in  a few months when I will then need to buckle down and make samples of them. There is a pieced star one and an circular appliqué one. As for fabrics, I have ordered a wonderful collection called Grandeur from

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-39535494641528822602010-05-20T12:08:00.001+01:002010-05-20T12:08:57.283+01:00

Well here I am in Minneapolis at the Spring Quilt Market, THE trade show for the quilting industry. I can’t believe it has been soooo long since I posted anything! Life has been rather hectic in the last couple of months both with the business and personally. I flew in from London yesterday direct to Minneapolis. I was hoping to post some pictures while I was here but not only is my camera

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-71014173218140416252010-03-19T14:50:00.001Z2010-03-19T14:50:28.189Z

Wow is all I can say about Chilford last weekend! Very busy, especially the first couple of days. I showcased the Nuance quilt for the first time and luckily took the fabric bolts with me as it inspired a lot of you! It is such a simple quilt with various borders surrounding the centre Kaleidoscope panel and is single bed-sized. Kits are available for £34.95 and can be made in the rust colours

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-15307663869905706232010-03-04T10:52:00.001Z2010-03-04T10:52:53.767Z

Its busy busy busy at the moment; what with the quilt show in Edinburgh last weekend and in 10 days time it is the show at Chilford Halls near Cambridge. The fabrics from the oriental collection, Twelve Moons, has sold really well at the shows this year and yesterday I had a delivery of some new fabrics that are going to prove to be just as popular. The Disney Dreams collection designed by

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-39577435067709279222010-01-25T14:09:00.001Z2010-01-25T14:09:09.288Z

The new Oriental fabrics from Robert Kaufman arrived last week. Called Twelve Moons the collection features 6 panel prints, two designs in 3 colourways. One design features a fish centre panel and the other a swirl pattern. Then there are various co-ordinating prints. As soon as I get the chance I will be making a quilt using fabrics from the collection. Other fabrics delivered last week

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-71543294145109384502010-01-02T07:50:00.001Z2010-01-02T07:50:50.097Z

The fabric sale has just started on the website with many fabrics at £4.00 a metre. The fabrics are also available in the shop in Barton le Clay along with many other bargains. The sale will continue until Saturday 16th January when it will then move to the One Day Fabric Sale at The Maltings in Farnham on Sunday 17 January and then Nantwich on Sunday 24 January. Oh and Happy New Year!

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-73938964738774526242009-12-23T13:39:00.001Z2009-12-23T13:39:23.347Z

Well Christmas is nearly here and it has certainly felt very seasonal this year with all the snow and frost this past week. The shop is open until 4pm tomorrow on Christmas Eve for anyone wishing to venture out for any last minute quilting supplies to last them over the holiday period. I have been busy quilting in the shop while it has been cold, which has been lovely! The shop is closed on

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-55422076508199498082009-12-07T22:11:00.001Z2009-12-07T22:11:36.031Z

The first few fabrics from this new collection from Sevenberry fabrics in Japan have been so well received that I have stocked some more designs from the collection. I now have a tiny polka dot, pinstripe, gingham check as well as a pretty floral co-ordinate. The fabrics are up on the website and are priced at £9.60  a metre       The Dinosaur panel print from I Dig Dinos is due back in

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-69482718747420949942009-11-26T11:09:00.001Z2009-11-26T11:09:58.139Z

Where to start? I managed to get up to date and upload nearly all the fabrics that have arrived in stock in the last month on the website yesterday. Firstly there is a collection called Ceylon from Hoffman. This is an antique style collection and some of the prints look like old-style crewelwork embroideries. Next there is a fantastic dinosaur collection from Timeless Treasures called I

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-16455434483418896022009-11-24T22:17:00.001Z2009-11-24T22:17:33.378Z

I have just uploaded a new smaller Christmas stocking panel and kit to the website. It is from the Grandma’s Gingerbread collection. Also back in stock is the gingerbread man toss fabric….I sold out of it before as the farm shop in the complex finished the first bolt to make a tablecloth for all the yummy Christmas food they now have in stock. Also new on the site are some titanium machine

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-90414533771282376202009-10-16T10:35:00.001+01:002009-10-16T10:35:20.517+01:00

Christmas has come early to the The Olde Watermill. These lovely festive garlands were put up today. So everything is looking quite Christmassy in the shop as I have my advent calendars in stock now too. I have three advent calendars for sale, available as panels, kits or completed calendars.   As well as an Christmas stocking and a toy sack

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-23997788413256232302009-10-06T21:40:00.001+01:002009-10-06T21:40:42.952+01:00

This is the quilt I made with the fabrics from the Imperial Collection from Robert Kaufman. Its finished size is 54” by 73. As I said in the previous posting, I have two colourways of the fabrics in stock but the kits sold so well at the Scottish Quilt Championships last week that I had to go and pick up more fabrics last week and I decided to stock the third colourway in the collection; the

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-78977780136111888202009-09-10T15:07:00.001+01:002009-09-10T15:07:31.984+01:00

I have now uploaded the remaining fabrics that were delivered last month before the Festival of Quilts. Firstly, there is a great Japanese collection from Robert Kaufman, The Imperial Collection. This features a fantastic full fabric width print with some great co-ordinates. I have made one of my wall hanging quilts using this full width fabric and will upload a picture of this shortly, but in

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-73894225293974464592009-09-09T10:45:00.001+01:002009-09-09T10:45:50.265+01:00

I have just uploaded some of the new fabrics that were delivered last month. Firstly, as this year’s Quiltette Challenge has just ended the fabrics are now available to buy separately. The fabrics were from the Island Sanctuary collection from Robert Kaufman. The challenge has resulted in some wonderful entries as usual and they will be judged shortly. The second collection new on the site

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-43305307940239087422009-09-03T19:57:00.001+01:002009-09-03T19:57:47.032+01:00

I have just taken delivery of Ferret’s new book, Ferreting Around – A Contemporary Sampler Quilt. I’m trying to have a quick read in between serving customers and it is very good. There are 96 pages with colour pictures and diagrams and excellent instructions. I think it will prove to be a great book for new quilters anxious to learn many of the techniques in quilting. The price is £15.99

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-78689139588525993012009-08-31T22:21:00.001+01:002009-08-31T22:21:32.972+01:00

Its been a busy few days. The flooring finally arrived Friday lunchtime and I was at last able to start putting the fabrics on the shelves at 2pm that afternoon. Steve had put the slatwall on the walls that morning and everything was starting to take shape. We finished at 8pm that night…all of us very tired and hungry. Thomas had been very patient, bless him. Anyway this is how the shop now

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-70088317368944123062009-08-27T21:54:00.001+01:002009-08-27T21:54:22.076+01:00

We didn’t seem to achieve much today but Steve did manage to put my new cutting table and counter together. As you can see we needed more flooring and it was supposed to be delivered today but never came so an afternoon was wasted while we waited for it. Most frustrating. Tomorrow will be more productive…..it has to be !

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-71694187906741352009-08-26T22:11:00.001+01:002009-08-26T22:11:13.890+01:00

Steve set off early this morning to start laying the flooring and what a fantastic job he has done so far. He even had time to put some of the shelving up! I have put a couple of the entries for this year’s Quiltette Challenge in the front windows and they look wonderful hanging there, makes it look like a quilt shop already! More pics tomorrow…….

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-73220413716490253092009-08-26T10:27:00.001+01:002009-08-26T10:27:12.486+01:00

We now have 3 days to turn this empty space into a fantastic quilt shop!             Steve started work first thing this morning laying the flooring and Thomas came home a day early to help out. He is busy sorting out all the thread cabinets for me before helping me colour code all the bolts of fabric. The shop front sign was done on Monday so its all official now! I’ll post

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-67591373149253007932009-08-16T19:10:00.001+01:002009-08-16T19:10:15.063+01:00

As well as being able to follow me on twitter and receive short updates, I now have a facebook page for you to keep up to date with all the goings on in the shop. You need to be a member of facebook but once you are there you can search for Crafty Quilter and become a friend. I’ve been busy getting ready for the Festival of Quilts next week and will have lots of new fabrics for you all to see.

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-31175879776292175152009-08-08T16:07:00.007+01:002009-08-08T16:40:41.908+01:00

Here are a some pics of the shop for you all to see. They are "before" shots as I don't get access to start converting it to a quilt shop until the week before it opens. Its currently being used as a pottern painting studio.This is the front of the shop. It has a lovely little bay window. I'm just waiting to meet the sign writer so I can get the shop name done above the shop front.The rest of the

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-468163642100834422009-07-14T21:58:00.003+01:002009-07-14T22:06:53.542+01:00

And my exciting news?.............. I'm opening at shop! Its at a wonderful venue halfway between Luton and Bedford just off the A6. The Olde Watermill is a converted watermill that also has a Dickensian shopping village, garden centre and restaurant and is a great place for a day out. There's free parking too so its ideal for quilters! The shop will open on Saturday 29th August and is open 7

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-81243265649355821672009-07-14T09:40:00.002+01:002009-07-14T09:42:32.558+01:00

I'm soooo excited.......big news is on the horizon.......Watch this space for more details

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-56052325879539014472009-06-30T13:55:00.005+01:002009-06-30T14:27:56.148+01:00

I have just uploaded the fabrics I picked up from Robert Kaufman yesterday at their Open House. Steve and I have a great day picking fabrics off the shelves, had some nice food and managed to avoid getting stuck on the M25.I picked up some great background landscape prints like this treescape print which are available at £9.60 a metre.Steve was allowed to pick some fabrics of his own ;-) so there

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-61016353779399604602009-06-02T11:04:00.003+01:002009-06-02T11:10:34.330+01:00

The Willow fabrics by McKenna Ryan are now up on the website. These lovely gentle fabrics are so useful as they are multi-toned which means you can create different colour results by using different parts of the fabrics. They are priced at £11.50 a metre and will also be featured in the new products section of the next issue of Fabrications magazine. I will be working on uploading the new King

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-68918697780067184422009-05-29T11:18:00.004+01:002009-05-29T11:22:03.584+01:00

I've just signed up to twitter so if you want to follow me and receive short news updates on whats new at The Crafty Quilter then visit http://www.twitter.com/crafty_quilter Ok back to photographing the Willow fabrics!

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-86158378638876994572009-05-25T11:08:00.003+01:002009-05-25T11:28:27.172+01:00

Its been quite a hectic few weeks......what with getting ready for Quilts UK in Malvern, working at the show itself and then babysitting my nephews for a week......it will be nice to get down to some home-based work for a bit! I am hoping to catch up all on the website stuff that needs to be uploaded:the Willow collection from McKenna Ryan has been selling well at the last couple of shows. The

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-78174447124494054552009-04-30T13:26:00.004+01:002009-04-30T13:31:07.446+01:00

I am excited to let you know that I have just taken delivery of 21 new King Tut colours, in addition to the four new colours that were released about 18 months ago. This is a picture of the colours which as you can see are quite muted but fill a lot of gaps in the existing range.I'm not sure if I will have time to get them up on the website before Quilts UK in Malvern in 10 days time......but

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-88612740870368937422009-03-04T13:57:00.005Z2009-03-04T14:09:10.815Z

After a busy couple of weeks I have now managed to upload these fabrics to the website. There are two colourways; coral and mauve.I have also made a couple of quick quilts using fabrics from the collection. The first makes use of the full fabric width design and is VERY quick and simple to make.The second quilt is the same pattern as the Spring Hill wall hanging. The large-scale hollyhock print

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-74288495389483690492009-02-11T17:12:00.004Z2009-02-11T17:18:32.533Z

This is a really heavenly new collection from Northcott and I'm really excited about it.......and its just arrived in stock! The main fabric is a full width pattern featuring tall hollyhocks. and there are some great co-ordinating fabrics too. I can't wait to create some quilt patterns for you to download.I should get the fabrics up on the website in a couple of weeks after I have been to

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-71460880274549752322009-01-16T16:17:00.003Z2009-01-16T16:30:12.097Z

Well I almost managed to get the remaining new fabrics uploaded before getting Thomas from school but they are up on the site now; some fun bug fabrics, a couple of useful stripes and the cutest panda panel strips. But oops...I got the price wrong on the Spring Hill wall hanging kit - it should have been £8.50 not £7.75 as I previously posted.Hopefully, the next delivery will include Willow

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-18526851921797399022009-01-16T13:51:00.002Z2009-01-16T13:57:06.103Z

Wow I am doing well.....I have just uploaded the free Spring Hill pattern that you can download and have also put the kits for sale in the online store. These are priced at £7.75. This project is a great simple quilt that is quick to make so if you know someone who is new to the world of quilting or want to make something at short notice for a friend then this is the quilt for you! Now, I might

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-12237715295999661412009-01-15T16:08:00.007Z2009-01-15T16:17:11.731Z

I have just uploaded the fabrics that arrived last week. They were from the Spring Hill collection from Robert Kaufman and feature a fantastic poppy print. The fabric here is from the vintage colourway. The other colours available are the traditional red poppyand the third colour way is called natural. There are three co-ordinating prints too. I have made a quick wall hanging in this natural

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-67260469498706129142009-01-12T14:32:00.002Z2009-01-12T14:40:02.507Z

I've just uploaded the swatch sheet for the fabrics that were delivered in October.....oops a few months late!.....so you can now download the fabric swatches from the Natures Palette collection and the Serendipity Butterflies collection both from Lyndhurst Studio. I had a delivery of new fabrics last week so will hopefully get those ready to up on the website very shortly (fingers crossed)

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-11073137770210592962009-01-02T17:04:00.002Z2009-01-02T17:11:29.402Z

Happy New Year! Ok, I know its the 2nd January. Im just taking a quick break from cutting fabric to let you know that my sale started online yesterday and will continue until Saturday 10 January. There are loads of fabrics for sale all at the fantastic price of £4.00 a metre which is more than 50% off in some cases. Postage is a flat rate of £2.25 per order. So if you are looking to increase the

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-40815675695607970762008-12-30T15:48:00.005Z2008-12-30T16:02:33.311Z

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas......and that you have finally finished the turkey! I've had the day to myself today so have managed to get loads done so far. Thomas is spending the week with his Dad as he has finally decided he wants to have some contact with him. And whilst I miss Thomas when he's not here, its great to be able to finally get down to some work on the website which

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-26718168558894885452008-11-27T11:59:00.005Z2008-11-27T12:11:26.547Z

I had the day all to myself on Saturday as Thomas went on a visit to the Science Musuem with his new Beaver Scouts pack and was out all day!! We both had a great day......!! I made this quilt using fabrics from the Le Spring Bouquet collection using one of the centre panels and the strip fabric and some of the tonal floral prints. I have just finished writing up the instructions on how to make it

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-3838057089601471762008-11-20T12:02:00.007Z2008-11-20T12:24:13.158Z

I have just uploaded the fabrics from the latest delivery. There are two collections both from Lyndhurst Studio which is a division of Northcott Monarch.The first collection is called Nature's Pallette and I have all six colours of these fantastic colour changing prints.The second collection is called Serendipity Butterfly which is a pastel colour range of butterfly strips and co-ordinating

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-83495144329083671872008-09-25T14:28:00.002+01:002008-09-25T14:44:46.085+01:00

The entries for this year's challenge have just been judged and I have posted the results to the website There were six entries this year and joint winners were Annie Harris from Southampton and Herma de Ruiter from the Netherlands. I already have the fabric in stock for next year's challenge and will be uploading the fabrics to the website hopefully next month so you all have plenty of time to

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-6861781165494307492008-09-12T12:59:00.003+01:002008-09-12T13:09:11.384+01:00

I have just made the peacock feather prints that were used for this year's Quiltette Challenge available for sale by the metre on the website now that the closing date for the challenge has passed.The challenge quilts will be judged shortly and the results posted to the website as usual.As you can see from the fabric picture above I am now photographing the fabrics alongside a tape measure so you

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-17532945212821045872008-08-27T15:23:00.003+01:002008-08-27T15:25:57.769+01:00

Just a quicky as I am having to cope without an internet connection at the moment. I have just uploaded the Le Spring Bouquet collection to the website. This was the floral collection with the large centre panel I posted the other week.I'm working on a couple of quilts from this collection as I type so ttfn!

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-11970564415315101022008-08-13T22:04:00.005+01:002008-08-13T22:15:44.250+01:00

Well I've finally managed to get online in my hotel. I think because my room is at the end of a long corridor I'm too far away from the main hub and so my signal strength is very poor and I keep losing it so I'm typing this quickly while I can!!Today has been setting up day at the show. We drove through torrential rain to get here but it was dry when we arrived and we finished unloading just as

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-70978444698274134132008-08-12T17:12:00.016+01:002008-08-12T17:38:32.256+01:00

Well the cutting has been done and the van is packed and I'm all ready to go to the NEC in Birmingham for the Festival of Quilts which is probably now the biggest show in Europe. But as I will hopefully show you tomorrow there is still a lot of hard work to be done before the show opens on Thursday at 10am!I have just had a couple of small deliveries arrive just in time for the show; a new fabric

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-13957683514463807582008-05-14T12:59:00.002+01:002008-05-14T13:02:58.512+01:00

April's swatch sheet is now available for you to download.Quilts UK in Malvern is almost upon us. I will be there for all four days so do stop by and say hello if you're visiting the show!

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-92054930196431907862008-05-01T14:08:00.003+01:002008-05-01T14:14:21.569+01:00

I have just added some fantastic floral fabrics from the Flower Mart collection from Benartex to the site together with a great poinsettia panel and a shaded stripe fabric from Northcott Monarch.I am in the middle of making a quick quilt with this stripe fabric and hope to create something using the Flower Mart fabrics after that so watch this space....April's swatch sheet will be available for

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-34341693348507655782008-04-15T13:55:00.002+01:002008-04-15T14:01:13.837+01:00

No new products but I have been busy creating some new web pages on the site so that you can see the shade cards for the fantastic King Tut and Masterpiece threads.March's swatch sheet is available for download from the site now as is a FREE shopping bag pattern which can be made from 1/2m of fabric so you can do your bit and help save the environment the Crafty way

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-28796955883676085972008-03-13T09:30:00.002Z2008-03-13T09:44:26.885Z

This a a close up shot of a new quilt that will be on display at Chilford this weekend. For those of you not going to the show it will be available for download from the website next week so if you can't wait that long you will need to visit the show which is in the village of Linton south east of Cambridge. The quilt uses the wonderful Wave fabrics and is very quick and easy to make - I made it

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-92125498268466167682008-03-12T13:38:00.002Z2008-03-12T13:49:25.592Z

This is a very quick quilt I made the other week using the graded pebble fabrics I have in stock. You can download the instructions to make it here. I hope that link works! Kits to make the quilt are available from the website as are the instructions if that link isn't right!!A lot of the quick quilts I have designed recently are very linear but I think its quite an ffective way of using fabrics

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-91352022728991151952008-03-11T12:00:00.004Z2008-03-11T12:07:24.771Z

February's swatch sheet is now available for you to download.I have also put on the website some more pearl pastel fabrics from Hoffman. The pink pearl crackle which is one of the UK Hoffman Challenge fabrics sold out so quickly that I now have in stock a further 6 colours in this useful print.

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-54705846524059577762008-02-28T13:56:00.007Z2008-02-28T14:05:18.490Z

I have just uploaded the rest of the fabrics from the Hoffman delivery last week. There were two collections, a useful tonal print from the At Home in the Woods collection designed by McKenna Ryan and a feather print from the Gypsy Princess collection. These fabrics have a new pearl frosting to them. Visit the website to order

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-17399427401601124672008-02-25T14:26:00.004Z2008-02-25T14:37:34.001Z

I have now received the fabrics I will be using for this year's challenge. They are a wonderfully rich peacock feather print with co-ordinating bali print. There are four colourways to choose from: blue, lilac, pink and jade. Visit the website to take a look at the rules and also for ordering the packs. The closing date for entries is the end of August as usual.

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-34695679743529669422008-02-21T13:35:00.002Z2008-02-21T13:46:24.265Z

The fabrics for the UK Hoffman Challenge are now in stock. The theme for this year's challenge is a Fusion of Fuschias and all four of the fabrics must be used. I have put together some bundles containing a half metre of the fuschia fabric and fat quarters of the remaining three fabrics. All four fabrics are also available by the metre. Visit the website for more details.

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-85172501641266723312008-02-18T11:40:00.002Z2008-02-18T11:51:22.009Z

These are four new king Tut colours which I now have in stock - apparently more are in the pipeline! The bottom two reels reflect current fabric trends in America; dusky pinks and browns and teal blues and browns.If you haven't tried this wonderful thread yet, where have you been the last few years?! The King Tut thread is a 40wt extra long staple cotton thread that can be used for hand and

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-87456560559376011052008-02-12T13:20:00.001Z2008-02-12T13:42:18.209Z

After my last posting I thought maybe you would like to see the little angel who will be taking over the business when I die.....This is Thomas doing his first show and tell and Quiltfest in Llangollen at the weekend. He has just made his first block, more of which below and this lady also had some 9 patch blocks with her for colour matching so they had fun showing each other their work.He made

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-90447332455533360752008-02-06T13:40:00.000Z2008-02-06T13:49:54.666Z

I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or be incredibly happy at something my six year old son, Thomas, said to me yesterday. In all seriousness he said that when I die he wants to be The Crafty Quilter because he can sew and is very arty. Is that sweet or not?!Saying that though, he has already helped out at the quilt shows a couple of times and is well known by all the other traders. He likes

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-63675801369284847702008-01-08T13:24:00.001Z2008-01-08T13:43:09.430Z

So one of my New Year resolutions is to try and post to the blog more regularly! At the moment I am in the middle of my web fabric sale. There are just a few days left to grab a bargain of fabric at £4 a metre, a saving of more than 50% in many cases!! So check out the website to see what great fabrics are still left.The quilt you can see here is an adaptation of a quilt you can see on Blank

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-27669509037076907662007-11-07T11:15:00.000Z2007-11-07T11:25:58.010Z

I made this quilt in a matter of hours from some new fabrics I picked up from Hoffman. The collection is called Naturescapes and I have just uploaded the pdf file for you to download the pattern for free. As usual kits are available to order through the website to make the quilt.Im just getting ready for the last quilt show of the year at Chilford Halls near Cambridge. It has been a busy few

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-42203993739170689502007-10-04T12:58:00.000+01:002007-10-04T13:29:52.509+01:00

I have just designed a new web page which features FREE patterns for you to download. The quilts use fabrics currently in stock and I have also put some kits together for you. The intructions are in .pdf format so you should have no trouble accessing them.New patterns will appear regularly as and when I take delivery of new fabrics. The quilts will usually be straight forward and suitable for

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-87234824378369297812007-09-13T16:03:00.000+01:002007-09-13T16:14:09.309+01:00

I have finally finished this year's block of the month quilt, Grannie's Butterflies. I say almost finished because I need to add some flowers for the butterflies but you can get the gist of what the quilt looks like from this picture. The full details of the block of the month programme can be found on the site at http://www.craftyquilter.co.uk/bom.htm where you can also sign up online through

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-61241254072395935412007-08-25T14:33:00.000+01:002007-08-25T14:43:02.566+01:00

I've tried to be busy since returning from the Festival of Quilts and have made this quilt using the wonderful Wave fabrics that I have in stock. It is another quick quilt to make in my Afternoon Tea quilt series. I am just writing the instructions to make it now but thought you would like a sneak preview of it. I am hoping to make the instructions available in a pdf format for you to download

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3014721417355992429.post-74428203889188582562007-08-21T14:59:00.000+01:002007-08-21T15:15:49.725+01:00

Welcome to my first blog post!!This is where you can now find out all the latest news, products and happenings at The Crafty Quilter. I run a web-based quilt shop in England and also travel to quilt shows around the UK and northern Europe. Ordering is very easy through my easy-to-use secure website. I have just returned from the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham which is probably the

Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819965343536485433noreply@blogger.com0