Christmas 2014 Embroidered Ornament Tutorial

Hi everyone:

If you're looking for a quick Christmas gift this year, you'll love this idea! It's simple and fast and so easy to personalize. 

Christmas 2014 Ornament

While I hand embroidered a snowflake to my ornament, you could certainly choose to use the recipient's initial, a word, such as Joy or Peace, or even "Christmas 2014". If you do want to stitch a snowflake, just download my FREE Snowflake Brrr design and use the smaller snowflake design in it.

If you still have some time after making the Christmas ornament, you might want to tackle the Snowflake Brrr design and create a pillow or wall hanging with it. I know you'll have time to create that project too!

Snowflake Brrr design by Chatterbox Quilts

But let's not get ahead of ourselves: let's learn how to make the Christmas 2014 ornament first!

You'll need:

• Two pieces of fabric - one for the front and one for the back. I used squares that were about 8" each.
• A piece of ribbon or rickrack about 6" long for the hanger. I chose a piece of coordinating rickrack.
• A piece of heavy fusible web, just slightly smaller than the fabric pieces.
• A CD, bowl or jar lid - something to trace the circle that will be the finished size of your ornament. I used a CD and found it was perfect for the size I wanted.

Trace the circle onto the right side of one of the fabric pieces. I used a Frixion pen so I could easily remove the traced line later. 

After tracing the circle, I embroidered the snowflake inside the circle, centering the design in the circle.

Snowflake embroidered inside the circle

After I finished tracing the design, I layered the fabric pieces together and cut out along the traced circle with pinking shears. I also cut out a circle from the fusible web with regular scissors, making sure this circle was just a bit smaller than the fabric ones.

Finally, a use for my pinking shears!

Front and back fabrics all cut pinked out

Layer the ornament as follows: back fabric, wrong side up; ribbon or rickrack, folded in half with raw edges in; fusible web; top embroidered fabric. Fuse the ornament together, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Layered up and ready to be fused

Hang your ornament and enjoy! (You did make one for yourself, didn't you?)

All finished and hanging in my house already

If you have additional time, consider adding some embellishments to the ornament. A running stitch or maybe even some beading all around the edge would be lovely (why didn't I think of that when I did this ornament?!). There are lots of ways to jazz up this little decoration. 

I had fun creating this ornament and it only took an hour to whip up.

I hope you'll try stitching your own embroidered Christmas ornament and would love to see your creations.

Happy quilting!

Free Patterns - and Recipes too!

Hi everyone:

Who doesn't like free patterns? You know that I love the Craftsy classes, but did you also know that you can find many wonderful FREE patterns from independent designers on their site as well? Well, you can! Let me tell you how you can access these patterns and recipes yourself.

When you register on Craftsy you'll be able to access FREE patterns for sewing, quilting, knitting and embroidery. You'll also have access to FREE cake decorating classes. All of these patterns and recipes are FREE with registration. I'm just so excited about the FREE part! 

Take a look at the FREE designs and recipes available to you upon registration:

Free Embroidery Patterns at Craftsy!

Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!

Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy

Free Quilting Patterns at Craftsy

Free Cake Decorating Recipes at Craftsy!

I've already downloaded many FREE quilt patterns and purchased several as well. I haven't yet investigated the cake decorating recipes, but will definitely have to do this as they sound yummy. 

The best part about the FREE patterns and recipes (aside from the fact that they're free) is that new ones are continually being added to the Craftsy website, so you'll have to keep checking to see what additional ones you can add to your collection.

Happy FREE shopping!

Free patterns for Valentine's Day

Hi everyone:


It's February already and according to Wiarton Willie we can expect an early spring - yay! Except for a cold snap a couple of weeks ago, we've had a surprisingly mild winter here in Calgary, so I expect that we'll be seeing some more snow and cold temperatures before spring actually arrives. 

With February comes Valentine's Day, which is fast approaching (doesn't it seem like we just celebrated New Year's?). To reflect this upcoming romantic holiday I've changed the background of my blog to something more appropriate - and also because I love the colour red. 

While I'm not working on a Valentine's Day project myself, I do have several free patterns available which are perfect for this holiday. 


You can find the tutorial for Vintage Hearts under the AccuQuilt GO! Fun tab on my blog or on my Youtube channel. It's an AccuQuilt GO! friendly pattern so you'll be able to make it very quickly. 

Vintage Hearts
FREE pattern from Chatterbox Quilts

Vintage Hearts detail

If you don't have enough time to make a wall hanging, you might have time for a small pincushion or shelf sitter. Again, the AccuQuilt GO! cutter comes to the rescue. You can find instructions on making these little projects here. While I used recycled fabric to make mine, you can choose any type of fabric that you have available - preferably in a red or pink shade.

Pincushions using AccuQuilt GO! cutter dies

If you enjoy hand embroidery, I also have a FREE heart-shaped pincushion or shelf sitter pattern available. The Flourishing Heart pattern can be found here.

Flourishing Heart pincushion or shelf sitter
FREE pattern from Chatterbox Quilts

I didn't realize that I had so many heart-related patterns! I hope that one of these will be exactly what you need if you're looking for that perfect Valentine's Day project.

Where is Chatterbox Quilts?

Hi everyone:


I was recently reflecting on how many fellow quilters and fabric enthusiasts I've met through my blog and my Facebook page. I've enjoyed making new friends on-line and appreciate the support that you've given me. I've also found that it's a great way to keep in touch with existing friends across the country. 


It occurred to me that while some of you may know where I am on-line, there are probably others who aren't aware of all the places Chatterbox Quilts is on the web. So I thought I'd bring you up to date. Are you ready? Here goes:


You're already following my blog, so you know I'm here.

Manga Kitty appliqué template by Jamie Hirst for Chatterbox Quilts

Did you know that I have a personal Facebook page, as well as a Chatterbox Quilts fan page? I try to keep my fan page for quilt related items.


I'm on Twitter as CBQuilts, if you like to tweet.

I have a Youtube channel, although there is only one video there - yet!

Learn how to make Vintage Hearts from my Youtube video

I also have an Etsy store, where you can find both my epatterns and my paper patterns. I also have appliqué templates, embroidery patterns and stuffie patterns there. 

Frog face appliqué template available at my Etsy store

I have a website where you can find out more about me as well as listen to some of my earlier podcasts. 

Hoot appliqué template available at my Etsy store

If you're a quilt shop owner, you should know that you an order my patterns wholesale from The Pattern Peddlers. 

You do know that I have some free projects available, don't you? You can find them on my blog and on my website.

FREE Flourishing Hearts pattern - available on my blog

Whew! I think that's it - at least for now. 


I hope that you find something entertaining, interesting or educational wherever you find me on-line:)

Free AccuQuilt Patterns

Hi everyone:


Here's a great way to start off your week-end! How would you like to receive 22 free patterns? Who wouldn't! It's easy and here's how:


Just click on the AccuQuilt icon that you'll find on the right side of my blog. You'll be taken to a screen where you can register an account with AccuQuilt and then you'll have access to 22 free patterns. See, I told you it was easy! 

Thanks so much to AccuQuilt for providing these patterns to my blog followers. 


If you hurry, you may even complete a project or two this week-end.


Have fun and get GO-ing!

More Free Patterns

Hi everyone:


I realized today that I had forgotten to add a few more FREE patterns to my new blog tab. So... I added them in! You may also notice that I've added another new tab (yes, I'm going tab crazy!) with photos of some of my quilting and other sewing-type projects. 

Snow Cool
Fusible web appliqué and hand embroidery

I always think that everyone knows my patterns and other projects that I've actually completed (remember, I have lots of WIP's), but then realized that this isn't necessarily so. Now you'll be able to see a few of my completed projects. 

Flourishing Hearts
Hand embroidery

I'd show you my WIP's, but I don't think that there is enough space on the blog to show you them all!


Blog pages updated, now back to some actual quilting!

Look at what's new!

Hi everyone:

Well, it's a snowy day - again - in Calgary, so what's a girl to do but work on her computer. I was going to do some sewing, but decided to work on my blog first. 


I've been wanting to add some tabs across the top of my blog to allow my readers to access more information and I've finally figured out how to do it. Yup, I'm a bit of a slow learner sometimes!

I'm pleased that everything seems to be working okay and hope that you'll let me know if you encounter any problems. Now you can see my free patterns and tutorials, as well as previous posts relating to Accuquilt items. 


I hope to be adding more tabs and information in the future. 


What type of static (ie. items that don't change) information do you like to see on a craft blog?

More Hearts for you!

Hi everyone:



You'll remember that I promised you another heart inspired project and here it is! I've recently been investigating a site called issuu. It's a great place to where you can publish information, such as magazines and catalogues, as well as patterns. There are lots of interesting items to browse through on this website, including a few of my own patterns. I've just uploaded another one while still in the Valentine's mood.

For those of you who do hand embroidery - or those who would like to try out this handcraft - I've published a little heart stuffed ornament for you to enjoy. Just click on this link and you'll see my most recent pattern, Flourishing Heart. I've done it up in two colourways so you can see what it would look like in bright colours, as well as more traditional ones. 


If you're needing some help with basic embroidery stitches, you can check out my website for photos of how to do these.






I hope you like this little pinlow (pincushion/pillow) and make a few for yourself or to give as gifts. 

And to all a good night - and a FREE pattern!

Hi everyone:

I'm sure that some of you are fast asleep with visions of quilt projects stitching in your heads, but I know that others are still awake putting last minute touches on presents and stockings. I'm heading off to bed soon, but wanted to send this Christmas gift your way. 


I appreciate all your support and comments over this past year and wanted to give you a little present as a token of my thanks. I have truly enjoyed reading your comments and getting to know you all better. 


Attached you'll find "Snow Cool", a quick little fusible web appliqué project. A little something to work on after the Christmas excitement is over.


I hope you have a great Christmas and all the best in 2011!

Free Pattern

It's a Hoot!

Now that I have your attention, let me introduce you to "It's a Hoot!" I just uploaded this free mini quilt pattern to my website that I designed for the Quilters' Connection June 2010 newsletter. It's quick and fun and would make a great gift. 


Check out the Tips and Techniques on my website for other ideas as to how you can use this pattern.


I'd love to see your It's a Hoot! mini quilt.