Blog Archives - Nicola Foreman Quilts

Completed Projects 2018

31/12/2018

Well I can't believe that it's the end of the year again!! Wherever did the time go? It's been quite a year - another quilt was entered into the FOQ again, and many happy hours have been spent in my sewing studio creating gifts for friends and family. I've been on my annual quilting trip to Yorkshire with the fabulous Philippa Naylor, I've been on a quilting retreat to Norfolk with friends, AND I've taught a few classes at my local quilt shop, KIS Quilting Ltd. Oh and I've been on some amazing workshops with Alexander Waylett, who has certainly set my creative juices flowing! So here's a quick overview of all my completed projects from 2018. I've got another long list of exciting projects for the new year - some that need to be completed, and some new ones to make too - sew bring it on! I just need to give my sewing studio a good spring clean and tidy my cutting table ready for Here's wishing you all a very happy and creative 2019.

Final Make of the Year

30/12/2018

Here's my final make of 2018 - a cosmetic bag made using my favourite pattern "Anna's Sminkepung" by the Norwegian designer AnnAKa. Some gorgeous Lecien floral fabric from the Princess Rose collection has been teamed with some vintage lace trimming. This is going to be a birthday gift for a colleague - I hope she likes it!

Take 4 Festive Placemats

29/12/2018

When you're short on time, you need a super quick and easy pattern, and you can't get much simpler than "Take 4 Placemats" - this pattern uses 4 fat quarters to make these, and there are 5 different versions to try in the pattern. Another purchase from The Woolpatch in Long Melford, these were made using fabrics from the White Christmas Metallic collection by Zen Chic for Moda. I also used fabrics from the same collection for the backing and binding. These placemats have been quilted very simply using a Madeira metallic gold thread, to match the Mini Charm Mix table runner that I'd made using the same fabrics.

A Stocking-full of Treats

29/12/2018

My sister ericka eckles made me this stocking a few years ago and every year I get a stocking-full of treats from her. I hadn't had a chance to see her before Christmas, so after a busy morning shopping in Norwich, I was able to visit her yesterday. Lo and behold look at the goodies that she had waiting for me! There was a handful of Quality Street choccies too but I'd already scoffed them before I had a chance to get a picture...

...she'd knitted me these cosy bed socks (she's a fantastic knitter) that will keep my tootsies warm at night. Last but not least, she also gave me the loveliest vintage embroidery book too...

...this really does have the most beautiful illustrations. I shall spend many happy hours perusing the pages of this while I'm curled up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate.

White Christmas Metallic Table Runner

28/12/2018

I absolutely LOVE my latest table runner! These fabrics prove that you don't have to use traditional reds and greens for festive projects. This has a mix of black and white and greys, along with some metallic additions to give a very modern twist to the festivities. So I decided to use a very modern looking pattern, "Mini Charm Mix Table Runner" which is a free pdf download from The Fat Quarter Shop website...

...I don't normally use a metallic thread, but it was the perfect choice to go with these fabrics! These gorgeous fabric are from the White Christmas Metallic collection by Zen Chic for Moda, and was a charm pack that I'd bought a few weeks ago from The Woolpatch in Long Melford...

...I usually match my top and bobbin threads, but didn't want to use the metallic thread in the bobbin, so used a black Aurifil 50wt thread instead. One of my labels was stitched on the back, and a single fold binding was used - the binding fabric, along with the backing fabric, are also from the same fabric collection.

Secret Santa 2018

27/12/2018

This toiletry bag was made a couple of weeks ago, as my Secret Santa gift for a colleague. I used some gorgeous Lecien fabric for the main body of the bag, and used some Moda tone-on-tone green fabric for the binding and the prairie points. Vintage lace was used for the trimming along the lower edge of the binding. The pattern is Anna's Sminkepung by the Norwegian designer AnnAKa, and I've probably made over a 100 bags using this pattern over the past few years!

Red and Orange Journal Cover

26/12/2018

Now it's been received, I can share a picture of one of the handmade gifts I made for a very special friend. I haven't made many gifts for Christmas this year - only a few of my very special friends will get some "quiltystuff" from me, as one year I spent ages making a gift for someone, only for them to return it saying they didn't really want it and would never use it!...

...this quilted journal cover was made with a selection of red and orange batiks. It was quilted very simply using a variegated King Tut quilting thread. Finally I added some beads along the quilting lines for the front cover...

...I've added one of my labels inside (made by the hand, given from the heart). This is the perfect size for an A5 notebook, which can easily be replaced when the journal is filled with notes and scribbles!

Merry Christmas From Foreman Towers

25/12/2018

I've had a hectic morning at Foreman Towers, sashaying around the kitchen just like Nigella - the turkey is waiting to go in the oven, pigs in blankets are jostling for space on a roasting tray, and the veggies are all prepared. I might have a glass of something chilled and fizzy to help me through the remaining preparations for lunch, as I still need to bake a pavlova and my strawberry and chocolate trifle needs to be decorated. Merry Christmas everyone!

Festive Baking

24/12/2018

I had a busy morning in my kitchen on Sunday, baking sausage rolls for "Christmas nibbles" at work, and a batch for eating at home to keep Mr F happy. These aren't just ordinary sausage rolls, they're pork and apple sausage rollls and they really were absolutely delicious. My colleagues managed to devour them in no time at all!...

...and by popular request from my colleagues, I also made a dozen gin and tonic cup cakes, (more "Christmas nibbles" for work!) and I used some rather festive paper cases that I'd bought simply ages ago from Lakeland in the sale. This morning my kitchen smelled like a gin palace while I was preparing the icing! A slice of lime decorated each one. The icing wasn't as firm as it usually is, but my colleagues must've enjoyed them as I brought home an empty tin this evening!

Christmas Wreath

23/12/2018

The Christmas wreath is still looking good! We bought this a few years ago from the fabulous Christmas Market at Birmingham. We used to go there when our eldest daughter was at university in Birmingham, and we always had a super time staying with her for a weekend in the lead-up to Christmas. The wreath is looking particularly lovely this year placed on our festive red door!