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.