Cinderberry Stitches

In the studio

Back to work this week after a few lazy weeks, that's if you can call what I do work.....most of the time it's crazy fun, playing with fabric and sketches, needles & thread, sewing machine and drawing paper. 

Sometimes I procrastinate. 'Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.' - (Quote: Robert Benchley)

Nevertheless this would be the best method of motivation. 

A stack of fat quarters, crisp, fresh, waiting for me.  They smell good.  They look even better & I am not dreaming.

It's the fabric range from Robyn Pandolf called Beach House and I am using it in a special project to be launched in 2010.  Hopefully I will be able to share a little more of the secret with you soon, which means I will need to do some pattern writing over the coming weeks to be ready for the deadline. 

Actually, I might even be early this time....a good start to the year don't you think?

Til then,

Natalie xo

Clean slate

Happy New Year to you!

Welcome to 2010, we had a quiet celebration here, just the three of us watching a wild storm brewing outside, looking back at the last 12 months and wondering what this new year might bring us. 

I always love the start of the year, a clean slate, a new calendar and a new diary.  Nothing on the pages (but hope & expectation) feels like a weight has been lifted of your shoulders don't you think?  I have to be honest though, I always buy a diary and use it for about a week then forget I have it.  At least I am organised for the first week of the year, let's not worry about the other 51 weeks just yet.  I'm a one day at a time kinda girl.

I still can't believe how fast 2009 went so here is a recap, in pictures

January I received a collection of fabrics to design a block for Homespun's "Breast of Friends" block of the month.

In February I shared the first few images of the Tail Feathers block of the month

I was 'collecting' these scraps writing up my book list in March and just being Mum

Pattern writing was big in April as Tail Feathers was almost ready, along with a little bit of dress making and celebrating my 30 something Birthday.

In May I was celebrating the release of Tail Feathers and making loads of these 100% fat free eye candy yo-yo's

June.....there was this little project ready to go for Quilt Aid 2009

In July I found and lost my angry eyes....plus I love this pic, it makes me laugh

August...remember the Sweet & Spotty needle case? Have you made yours yet?  August was the free download month for Stitcher's Angels (link on the right of the screen if you would like to print and make your own!)

In September I was in a sewing frenzy, playing with the shrinky stuff and tickling these toes.

October came and went fast. I showed you the little needlecase from "The Paris Collection" there was a special fairy party for the little munchkin and I was going pinwheel mad.....

While November was full of stitching and getting ready for market, 2 new patterns, some relaxation and (bunnyville) a sneek peek and what's to come in 2010

Then there was December with decorations, carrots a these sweet girls....

I wonder what adventures and inspiration will come in the next twelve months?

Til then,

Natalie xo

Dear Santa xo

I love Christmas eve.  There is something special about this night (apart from the late night visit from Santa) - maybe it's the Christmas carols and movies on television.  If you would like to track Santas movements here is the place to go.

Anyway, I think the photos say it all.

We just got these ready for tonight and will place them by the tree with a glass of milk for Santa.  When I was little it was beer, but I have been told numerous times by my Niece that Santa is not allowed to drink & fly.  Milk appears to be the safer option.

Santa will also need to use his magic key tonight as we don't have a chimney.

Mostly though, I would like to thank you all your support, emails and comments over the last year.  I wish you and your's a very special Christmas shared with friends or family, may 2010 bring you everything you have dreamed of and be filled with inspiration and a little bit of fabric here and there.

I will have a glass of wine for you tomorrow and a few chocolates too.

Take care and enjoy

Natalie xo

Christmas wonder

Here are a few more pictures of the angels decorating our tree, the collection is called 'Tweleve days of Christmas' - so there are drummers....

a partridge in a pear tree

and not to forget the maid milking - they make me smile each year I unwrap them

 

But the best part of Christmas is getting together with family & friends, eating way too many chocolates,  laughing til our sides hurt and watching little ones eyes light up at the wonder of it all.

Til then,

Natalie x

Christmas decorating

Would you like to join me for a cuppa? It's nice to slow down and get away from the last minute Christmas rush in the city isn't it? - and how could I not use the little tea set I showed you all those months ago, perfect color for the silly season.

Our tree is up and the house is decorated - it is tradition for our family to put the tree and decorations up on the 1st of December, even if it means I stay up until midnight adding the final touches - I love it, and wouldn't have it any other way.

This year we have a cashmere pine tree and the only requirement I have is the tree must be taller than I am. It almost touches the ceiling.

It's plastic.

I miss the smell of a real tree.

We brought it a few years back now after the last 'real tree' we brought into the home was filled with golden orb spiders, clearly a decoration I can do without!  Maybe next year we will try a real tree again and spray it before bringing inside.  Afterall, a fresh pine tree is the smell of Christmas that I remember as a child.

Here are a few of my most special decorations & ornaments I have scattered around

 

My favorite Heartwood Creek collection

 

and angels playing the berry flute by Christmas 'moonlight' (aka. tree lights)

 

I wonder.

Do you have your tree up yet?

Til then,

Natalie xo

Me & My Shadow

I hear the little garden fairy came to visit a few days ago - well here she is again, with her friends...actually, it's her shadow.  These are pictures of an exclusive pattern made especially for the girls in the 'Stitchery Club' run by Under the Mulberry Tree.

The good news is the pattern will be available to purchase early in the new year so be on the look out for "Me & My Shadow"

It's a needle case....

And a folded zipper pouch (to keep all your things in)

here is the set together...

I will let you know when the pattern is available in early 2010 - seems so far away but I am sure it will come around fast with Christmas just around the corner.  Have you started your shopping yet?

Til then,

Natalie x

The little garden fairy

*Shhh!*...hi there everyone, I'm just the little garden fairy and I thought I would pop my head in and say hello.  I wore my special red shoes just for you.

oh, and my stripe stockings. It is awfully nice to streach my legs finally, and take the crinkles out of my dress.  My home has been a bit squishly of late...

But I am so excited to say hello.

*whispering* I hope we can chat again soon so you can meet my other friends.

Bye for now

Little Garden Fairy

xoxoxoxoxo

The evening off

It is not very often I get the chance to make something just for me, to sew and create without taking notes and drafting patterns.  So I decided to take the evening off from designing and make the bag I mentioned in the last post.

The bag lining is fabric from Rosie's Grandmothers Flower Garden range from Lecien - the two together make a sweet combination.

 

I am sure it will get some use this summer and hopefully a smaller bag means I might be able to find my car keys & mobile phone when I need them.  Possibly or possibly not!

Have a great night

Til then,

Natalie x

Something dreamy

Do you like beautiful books?  I do. This one had me at Hello Sew!.....

 

Possibly for the pictures

 

and most definately for what was on the inside (everything you need to make the Cath Kidston bag on the cover)

 

It is not often I get a chance to sew something without taking notes and something dreamy just for me.

I have been enjoying the last few days of rest and relaxation after chasing deadlines for the last few months, the sketch book has been out in the evenings and it is amazing how the imagination creeps back again once the mind begins to slow.

I've also been in denial that Christmas is only 4 weeks away, up until today.  So off we went to town to get one of those delicious photos with Santa and munchkin, I was hoping for one of those beautiful photos with her looking wishfully into Santa's eyes with little rosie cheeks.

Ok, sometimes things don't go as planned and the image may fit better in this archive...poor Santa, I hope he doesn't get a complex.

Til then,

Natalie x

ps.  Happy Thanksgiving Day!

pps.  If you are interested in Cath Kidston's book Sew! click here

Bunnyville

Two ears and a twitching nose? If you guessed bunny, then you are right.  Here is a peep at a new design being released next year - this is only the teeny tiny corner of the project so there will still be a surprise in store for you when the magazine is released. 

Some things are worth waiting for.

Til then,

Natalie x