Getting closer to releasing a new pattern



Today I've been working on the finishing touches to my next Paper Quilt Creations greeting card pattern - the Empress Jacket GC208. Please let me know if you would like to create it as an A4 picture size instead. I will be happy to create it in the larger size for you. I’m now up in the studio creating the pattern in many different papers and following the pattern process just to make sure that it is all set to go.

I had forgotten just how long it takes me to write out the instructions clearly - AND, how very difficult it is to pick up my own spelling mistakes or missed words. I had also forgotten just how dreadful I am at it. Why is that? I certainly didn't get the proof reading gen. Thank goodness for spell check. But even that doesn’t get me out of a few nasty mistakes.

I have also been designing the pattern and instructions in a new format so that I can send the pattern to you as a PDF file. (“About jolly well time too” you may say - after I mentioned I was going to do it quite some time ago now). I hope that it will make it so much easier for everyone and cut down on the ever increasing postage costs.

I am going to try very hard to give you the option to create every design in either 1 inch or ¾ inch squares. The new die cut plates are working incredibly well and make creating a Paper Quilt easier than ever before. Because they are flat and light weight they are inexpensive to post as well. Please email me if you would like a quote for postage to anywhere. But, if you do not have the die cut plates, it is very easy to cut out 1 inch squares with a craft knife and ruler, slide ruler or guillotine.

This new design isn’t too far away from taking a place on a shelf in the online shop. I’ll keep you posted.

Happy Valentine's Day

Sparkle Heart is a very popular pattern using ¾ " squares.  But let’s think outside the just square technique to create this pattern using a different technique called random scrap. It’s easy and fun and is a great way to use up squares left over from other Paper Quilting projects.

And – it makes a lovely Valentine’s Day card.

You will need your Sparkle Heart pattern piece and a Sparkle Heart working template (created from your Master template). The squares can be 1" or ¾ - or just free hand cut squares or even scraps. Apply glue stick to the surface of the working template and randomly attach your squares and scraps until the outline of the heart is no longer visible. Trace around the heart pattern piece using the guidelines for placement. Now randomly sew (using any colour thread you wish), using a straight stitch all over the squares. Try not to go outside the traced line so that the stitch lines will not be cut into when you cut out the heart shape. Cut out the heart on the traced line and attach the heart it to the layering paper. Zigzag stitch around the heart shape. Embellish if you wish.

For this design I have used 1 inch squares in a random variety of different papers including Anna Griffin, Basic Grey, Rossi, Kartos, swiss dot card stock, Graphic 45 and Japanese. The layering paper is Canson Mi-teintes  in brown. The thread is gold Mettler  2108.

10 years old

10 years old.

Well it has just dawned on me this afternoon that I began my experiments with Paper Quilting 10 years ago. Almost exactly in fact. And what an incredible 10 years it has been.

When I think of those 10 years it is with gratitude and not a small amount of amazement.

There have been countless experiments.  Thousands of paper designs used from all over the world. Meters and meters of double sided tape and tubes and tubes of glue stick. Quite a few thousand crystals applied.   Many patterns designed and created.  Many classes, workshops and demo’s held.  Many 1000’s of kilometres on the road and in the air. But most importantly many people to thank for making this an incredible ten years. I couldn't have done it without the encouragement and support of a great many people.

I’ve been a bit quiet on the Paper Quilting front over the last (well quite a few actually) months. But on Friday last week I all of a sudden realised that I couldn’t just let it all fade away. Maybe the break was all that I needed. So I’m off and jogging (slowly at first) again. Let's see what this year will bring.

Watch this space.


Empress Jacket
A pattern for this design will be available soon.
Created using Rossi papers, solid colour card stock, Swarovski Crystals, metal charm
and 3/4 inch square die cut tool.