Cinderberry Stitches

Floss bunnies

I guess by now you would know I am a lover of threads also known as floss - but these last few weeks Brenda from Little Acorns has posted me some gorgeous Cosmo threads to try out which has lead me into a new 'hunter and gathering' phase.

I can't believe I haven't even had a chance to try them out yet - I know, it's not like me to have something so yummy look at me for so long.

On my to-do list for this week is to have a play with them, after all - they can't be eye candy forever can they?

After saying that I want you to know I have not lost my love for these...

or these

or these...

But once I start stitching and creating, floss bunnies begin appearing around the house and studio - actually they multiply overnight and occasionally attach to my leg.

Surely I am not alone so I am wondering if you have floss bunnies too?

Till then
Natalie X

Bluebird of Hope

Helping the world, one quilt at a time - welcome to Quilt Aid 2009.
Quilt Aid is a project where 12 designers and 12 shops have joined together to bring you a wonderful choice of quilts to make with the added benefit of supporting a charity.

As designers we were given a gorgeous pack of fabrics from XLN and asked to design a block with the theme 'Bluebird of Hope' - at the time Quilt Aid details arrived I was stitching blocks for Tail Feathers and had lots of bird sketches scattered around the studio.

My block is called 'Blossom Delight' and is available online at The Quilter Angel

Each of the 12 stores chosen have designed their own finishing kits so there are 12 different variations for you to select from - you can view all 12 quilts at the Quilt Aid Finishing Kit Gallery.  For more details on how the program works or how to purchase your 12 quilt blocks just visit Quilt Aid 2009 web site for all the details.

I am looking forward to seeing Quilt Aid blocks popping up around the world so if you are joining in and stitching your own Bluebird of Hope quilt please let me know.

Till then,

Natalie X

MIA or not?

I am not sure where the last two weeks have gone but I blinked and it's almost the end of June?? I have some serious catching up to do with blog posts with so many things I need to tell you about......

Well, I have not entirely been MIA and it appears June is filled with so many new things and not all stitching.  Graphic Designer, Anthea has created the most gorgeous new logo for Cinderberry Stitches which now features under the new banner.  Then there are the new pattern covers which have arrived at Creative Abundance and are set to hit the stores any day!

This is what they will look like -

 

I love the new look

With new pattern covers there was the redesign of all the pattern images, the new business cards, the new blog banner & twitter button then there was.....phew, I am officially newed out.

Honestly it just keeps going from one thing to the next and to think it all started with a little pattern cover reprint. And here was wondering where the last few weeks had gone, I guess it all makes sense now.

I still need to tweak a few more things with the blog so you may see some other small changes in the coming weeks but right now I am all tweaked out.  What I really need now is some really good stitching therapy.

In the form of Quilt Aid 2009
Here is some eye candy to get you thinking

I really need to devote an entire post to this incredible project, so this is just a peek for today. The next posting will explain Quilt Aid in more detail with but if you would like to know more between now and then this is the place to be.

Hope you are liking the new look Cinderberries, tonight is my favorite night of the week...take away - I never said I was a good cook did I?

Will have more candy for you next time
Till then
Natalie x

A Mothers Pockets

Day two and a new pattern to release... we all know a Mother's pockets are filled with love....along with, tissues, chocolate, small change, Panadol and a lipstick.  The inspiration behind this design was from a childhood memory of a Family trip to America, Disneyland in fact (though you would probably have never guessed)

This is "A Mothers Pocket"

From sweet twins hanging from a baby sling

To a babe in every pocket (I think the one second from the left has my smile)

A Mother Pockets are always filled with Love

And this Mum has a wonderful hair do to match her gorgeous designer dress, ballet shoes & striped long stockings - hey, this Mum's got style and pizazz...

Mother Pockets pattern has now been added to the Cinderberry range, and like Creature Comforts on the previous post both will be available with the option of iron on transfers = more time stitching!

So after looking a little longer at this Mum's hair, it appears there is something familiar about the style....yes, that's it! I think we are both having a bad hair day today, but at least mine is not sprouting vines and leaves - not yet anyway!

Hope you love Mothers Pockets - bad hair day or not

Til then

Natalie x

 

Creature Comforts

Well the studio has been buzzing this week as I have finally had a chance to complete pattern writing (or re-writing as such).  So now it is time to share with 2 designs over the next 2 days...

Some of you might remember Creature Comforts made a debut appearance at The Stitchery retreat over in New Zealand last year the pattern is now being added to the Cinderberry Stitches range.

So here is....Creature Comforts

I thought it was about time I designed a stitchery combining a collection of my whimsical creatures so here you will find little bees and sweet flowers

A tiny & friendly brown field mouse (he does appear rather camera shy)

 

 A mother wren and her wrenlets (I know it's not a word but lets just be creative)

And the sweetest butterfly fluttering around a family of lady birds

I hope you like this whimsical land of Creature Comforts

Tomorrow I will share the next new pattern ready for release and then I think it is time to have some more fun with a new competition.

Til then, enjoy your Creature Comforts

Natalie X

A new blog button

Jiggity jig - Tail Feathers patterns have been making their way around the globe! I have received my own set of patterns this week and Scarlette's prize is flying over to USA, it is always wonderful to see the finished product after months of work.

Are you wanting to see the quilt in the 'flesh' so to speak? 

If you are over in Adelaide pop in and visit Rosemary at Stitch in Time the quilt arrived in her store late last night and is now on display in the shop for you to have a real peek. 

But for those of you making your way to the Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair 10th - 14th June at the Sydney Exhibition Centre you will also get the chance to see the real thing at Stitch in Time's booth #D16.

After lot's of wondering how to do this, followed by scratching my head dreaming I knew what I was doing followed by a call for help (thanks Helen!)... I thought it might be fun to make a blog button for you all to use on your blogs or web sites if you are stitching Tail Feathers, waiting for the patterns to arrive or maybe just want a little birdie to brighten up you day...  If you would like at add the button the details are at the bottom of this post.

Why don't you?

I thought it was also about time I updated a few of the images in my photo albums - namely Vintage Garden and Sweet Peas Quilt.  I had a chance to take some better images of both of these quilt this week so be sure to take a peek again if you get a chance.

So what else is happening this week?
The release of two stitching patterns "A Mothers Pockets" and "Creature Comforts"
I will pop all the details on the next post so see you all soon!

Till then,
Natalie X

The code for the button is below, for typepad users - start a new typelist (note) and paste the code from the box below into the url section...then publish and move in the content screen.  For all other users just use the image above and link it to my site!

PS...ok, please don't ask me really hard tech questions because I probably have no idea what to do....lol

<a href="http://cinderberrystitches.typepad.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss194/cinderberry/Blogbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Cinderberry Stitches"></a>

New photo album

This week has flown past with a blink and now I have a chance to catch my breath for a minute or two!  I have just updated and added a new photo album showing you photos of each block in the Tail Feathers series plus detailed images of the stitching I have not had a chance to share with you.  There are also some great shots of the quilting you can't see in the full image.  Pop on over and have a peek!

Are you over in the UK? I have received emails this week from the girls over at Buttonberry in UK - they are ready to launch the Tail Feathers BOM which is very exciting if you are interested in signing up please let them know!  

I have been working on my new catalog this week (more Photoshop 'stuff') along with writing patterns for two new stitchery designs which I can share with you next week - fingers crossed! 

Til then,
Natalie x

Introducing...Tail Feathers!

It's done, finished, completed!

I guess know this is the blog post you have been waiting ever so patiently for.  I have sewn the last stitch of Tail Feathers become friendly with Photoshop and completed the pattern, images and shop kit - it's all ready to go and has arrive at Creative Abundance ready for pattern printing and release.

I am so excited that after so many peeks I can show you the complete quilt, here are some images from the photo shoot on Sunday 

This is 'Tail Feathers...a feathered journey'

And a picture of the complete quilt

It's funny to look back over the posts and read about the making of and the planning stages, wondering how it would all go together and bringing my sketches to 'life' in thread. 

If you have been following me on twitter this last week I mentioned wishing I was a Photoshop expert so I could prepare the flyer, shop kit images and pattern cover images without too much grief or too many late nights.  Well yes, there were a few late nights but I am very happy with the finished product. 

Sitting writing to you I think I should be doing my happy dance but really I am unwinding and putting my feet up wondering what I will create next.

Maybe I should pull out my sketchbook, I am sure there is something hidden in the white pages just waiting for me.

Till then, I hope you love it (she says, shaking her tail feathers)

Natalie X

Final few stitches

Tail Feathers is quilted (thanks to Mel) and back in my hands, now I am binding faster, faster, faster! so I can have the quilt ready for the photo shoot tomorrow.

So it sounds like I will be able to reveal the complete quilt - and send the patterns off to print this week...ahhh I can't wait, if you could only see my smile right now *big grin**

Here is part of the Shop Kit I have been working on for those stores interested in running Tail Feathers as a block of the month

I am sure I will be back soon with more photos but right now I'm back stitching binding and enjoying the final few stitches!

Till then,
Natalie X

Competition winner!

It's time to draw the winner for the Tail Feather's pattern prize pack, for those of you who accepted the challenge thank you so much for being a part of all the fun!

There are some cases where one idea has been suggested more than once, so the only way to choose a winner fairly is to pop all your names and corresponding ideas into a hat and choose one name at random - those who are following my tweets have two chances!

So after lot's of paper folding - the winner is....Scarlette Hobbs who came up with these gorgeous ideas on the 26th April -

Comment:

"Ahhh Spring" -
"Got Worms"
"My Nest is Best"
"Rock-a-bye-Birdie"
"Spring Love"
"Home Tweet Home"
"Rockin in the Tree Tops" or Twee Tops

That is a truly wonderful competition prize and i really like the double part.

Scarlette

With so many ideas to choose from I loved the name "My Nest is Best" and have chosen this as one of the final design sketches in the Tail Feather's quilt.  Congratulations Scarlette and as soon as Tail Feathers is released (expecting to release in mid May 09) a copy will be sent to you.

Now a post is not a post without of photo - and I have been busy creating while Tail Feathers is at the quilters.  It was my Birthday on Thursday so instead of cooking a cake I whipped up a few of these - so sweet and 100% fat free

I am sure I will find some more sweets treats for you all soon!

Enjoy the eye candy

Till then

Natalie X