Berry Birdy

Love is definitely a funny thing. The dictionary describes it as an intense feeling of deep affection. Wikipedia explains love as ‘encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states.’ However we try to explain it or understand it, love is very exciting, complicated and even painful.  I have spent a good portion of my life dedicated to those I love, by comitting my time, energy, and efforts while creating lasting and meaninful relationships. I have collected these lasting memories that are being stored on the shelves of my life. James M. Barrie said it perfectly; “God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” I still remember my first love...Ah! The sweetness of young love! We were in Grade 1, and on Valentine’s Day he presented me with the most wonderful handmade gift, a stuffed heart. It was made of flannel and had white lace around the outer edges. It looked like it was something he made, with hot glue holding it together, although I am sure he ...

Use it or loose it by Lesley Chaisson of Berry Birdy Designs I read a story of a quilter who had bought and saved many precious quilting fabrics for years. Her stash was impressive and quilting skills admired. Upon her untimely passing however, her quilting fabrics were given away and sold off (of course for a portion of the cost of them!). There was no one in the family who had interest or  desire to continue on with her most beloved hobby. Why do I share this with you? First, let me tell you about my daughter. A few years ago she bagan sharing her  fabric collection with me by presenting me with various pieces of 2 1/2” squares. She would cut them up for her projects and her fabric packs on Etsy, and then give some to me. The little square piles ended up in baskets, on shelves in my sewing room, and carefully stacked neatly in drawers, until I eventually decided they needed a better home. Once these darling pieces started piling up, I realized that when I started a new proje...

 Petite Patch Pumpkin Potholder Try to say that one 3 times faster and faster! This darling potholder is so fun to have in your kitchen and could also be made into a mug rug or even a small wall hanging with your Autumn decor.  Perfect for using up your tiny scraps, it can be a little tricky sewing with such tiny pieces. I do recommend  using a small tool such as a tiny pair of scissors or a stiletto to help you with guiding them into the sewing machine.  Please share your creations with me on IG and tag me @Berry_Birdy! Smiles and happy sewing! Open the PDF version here; https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m4_DPTAOzfT5fAWeUrefkcPZ9pQ5gCCK/view?usp=sharing Check out more of my patterns at www.etsy.com/shop/berrybirdy

 Ahhh Sleep!! One of the most wonderful things in the world....except how many nights do we spend tossing and turning only to get up multiple times for babies, the dog barking, the windows are open and it starts to rain... Sleep is a precious thing to everyone and most of us don't get enough of it. Here is my answer. Introducing the new EYE PAD. No monthly payment plans, no special case for it to go in, no apps or downloads, just a simple pattern and you are in dreamland!  Materials Needed; 9" X 4" piece of front fabric or letters that are sewn together with a  border to create a 9" X 4" piece for the front 9" X 4" piece of thin batting 9" X 4" piece of fussy fabric 1 1/8" bias strip for binding 18" long Matching thread 1/2" wide elastic (enough to wrap around the back of the head from eye to eye Steps; Trace the Eye Pad template onto the front fabric.  Layer the front, batting and backing fabric. Sew along the traced line. Cut...

 Hunny Bunny Ready for Spring, tulips, sunshine? I think we all are welcoming it with open arms this year especially! If you'd like to add something sweet to your Easter decor, or basket, this little bunny stitches up super fast, and you can use scraps, an old quilt, linens, or any fabric for this darling creation. Grab some buttons from your stash and let's get sewing! For more darling creations, check out my Instagram at @Berry_Birdy

It's May again, which means the Micro Mini Sew-A-Long is in full swing!  It runs May 1st - 31st which gives you plenty of time to whip up a super small adorable creation! This is the 3rd year of the sew-a-long and already there have been some amazing little quilts made. If you would like to take part in the Sew-A-Long (aka SAL), simply follow me on Instagram at Berry_Birdy for updates, and #microminisal to see who is participating and their tiny, cute little entries to win some fabulous prizes! What's a Micro Mini? It's a teeny, tiny little mini quilt that is 8" or smaller. (The first year it was 6" and I decided that 8" may be better for those who are trying out tiny sewing for the first time :)). How do I participate? Follow Berry_Birdy on IG and use #microminisal when posting your amazing small creations on Instagram so everyone can see, and you will have the chance to win some cool prizes! You can use whatever sewing or quilting technique you wis...

With the Spring season approaching I decided I would share this sweet little egg that I made last year to use up some pretty scraps I had laying around... I crocheted the flower using embroidery floss because I had it in the peach color that matched so well.  You can make one too by using the simple paper-pieced pattern below. Simply print it off on 8 1/2" X 11" paper (the egg should be 8" tall). Start at the bottom, and work your way to the top.  Layer with batting and backing and sew around the outer edge to keep the layers together, do this slowly to prevent the fabrics from stretching. You may also wish you quilt it in the seams. Cut the binding on the bias (at an angle) and carefully sew it on the outer edge without letting it stretch as you sew. Add crochet flower and button or other embellishments. Click the link to download the egg pattern, or drag the image to your desktop and print :) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E7QleKO5lec7NLTVwfcTKkXrteRYanMY/...