Cinderberry Stitches

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

Renovate = Revive

I missed my first deadline this week, so here I am up late pattern writing (or blog writing for brain relief)...if I sit still long enough I might even fall asleep at the computer, good thing I don't often sit still. 

Why? one little word will explain, renovate.

ren·o·vat·ed, ren·o·vat·ing, ren·o·vates

1. To restore to an earlier condition, as by repairing or remodeling.

2. To impart new vigor to; revive.

We have been renovating our bathroom, don't get me wrong - it looks great, but I am looking forward to getting our house back together again and having a long soak in the bath = bliss

So when your head is busy and you need to slow down it helps to look at things from a different angle. 

 

Suddenly you see things you might not have noticed first time.

It really is the best way to revive.

Til then,

Natalie xo

ps.  for those guessing the new Cinderberry creature has 2 ears and a twitching nose, that should make it easy.

Pattern love

Thank you for all the new pattern 'love' over the last few days, I decided to post pictures of all nine blocks and will be adding a new album over the next few days with close up images to inspire you more.

My photo shoot for the covers went well so the patterns are now all ready to go.  If you have pre-ordered a copy for your store they will arrive shortly.  For those looking to get their hands on a copy and start stitching before Christmas please ask your local store if they can place an order for you.  Of course, if there are stores kitting up patterns with fabric please let email me so I can pass on the details,  I would love to hear from you.

 

These last few days I have been stitching a new magazine project for one of next years issues and working with COSMO threads.  They are exception quality so if you see them in your local stores please try them, they are divine.

It is funny how the most recent project I am working on becomes my next 'new favorite'  I hope to share some snippets shortly and yes there is a new creature to add to the Cinderberry collection...do you have any ideas what it could be???

Til then,

Natalie x

What's new??

Here I am, back home again after a wonderful weekend spent at AQM, my voice is just holding in there from talking and laughing so much.  It is always great to catch up with old and new friends, talk to store owners I have only 'spoken' with via email and have a look at what new products are due to be released, along with wonderful opportunities and inspiration for future designs.

The best part is now the weekend is over I can show you my two newest patterns.  The first is called Raspberry Cream which I shared little pictures of in the last post, I was so excited to be able to feature Rosalie Quinlan's new fabric called Grandmother's Flower Garden from Lecien.  Pink, red and cream is the perfect mix for my Christmas this year.

And yes, if you look closely Rudolf does have knobbly knees....but such a sweet face.  And I am sure you will see more owls in future designs as I have fallen for those little guys too.

 

The second design is called "Sublime Season" I was still sewing the binding on the quilt the night before market but I guess that just adds to the excitement.....

Sublime Season has been designed using Brenda Riddle's gorgeous fabric range called Celebration also from Lecien.  The quilt features nine stitchery panels based around a verse in the Christmas carol "Twelve Days of Christmas"

There are..."Four Calling Birds"

....."Three French Hens"

...."Two Turtle Doves"

....and a "Partridge in a Pear Tree" 

The pattern will be available as a large single pattern (not a block of the month) and it will be packaged with iron on transfers, and yes there are another four blocks that make up the quilt so it looks like I will have to feature them in a 2nd post if you would like to see a better close up image.

Now all that is left is for me to take a better image for the covers and the patterns will be shipped out to the stores who placed orders at market.

Til then,

Natalie x

ps. next time...I can share market booth pictures

Raspberry Cream

Thank you for all the bag love on the previous posting, I'm glad you love her as much as I do! 

After many emails I have finally added a new translate tool on my blog. At the click of a button you can read Cinderberry Stitches in a number of different languages.  Not being fluent in a second language I can't be sure it translates clearly but it sure looks good anyway.

I have been playing with gorgeous fabrics from Lecien these last few weeks and getting a few more new designs ready for this weekends trade show.  With such gorgeous fabric to select from the hardest part is what to make first and which fabric combinations.

This is a photo of the bookshelf in my studio - the collection of fabric on the left is from Brenda Riddle's first line called "Celebration" - it's very romantic and fresh, yes I have nibbled away at them already and they are delicious!

The second range (on the right of the shelf) is from Rosalie Quinlan's first line called Grandmother's Garden, it is true candy for the eyes.

So what have I been making this week that has me thinking about raspberry cream & Christmas? Well, I think the antler's give him away.....but surely there is more?

Half square triangles + raspberry & cream fabric

Now it's time to get started on the pattern instructions and sketches for there is a deadline chasing my tail and lots to do.

Til then,

Natalie x

BAGuette

It's always a good day when you go to the mail box and find yourself on the cover of a magazine....well, not me exactly but one of my designs.

This is the cover of Australian Homespun - it's the red issue, and you guessed it - my project is the bag with the divine red handles.  You might remember when I showed you this sneek peek way back in April and I am pleased to say the magazine issue is now available so I can show you the rest of the photos!

The design is called "Baguette" - funny how I am in "French mode" at the moment, it is rather a nice place to be.

Here is a closer image of the stitchery designs

So the details in case you are wondering -

The handles are red leather ones.  If you would like to order them they are available from Studio Mio (53cm size) - I have fallen in love with my pair! 

Fabric range is from Patisserie by Fig Tree for Moda and the pattern is Honey Bun 1 1/2 inch 'strip friendly' (25 assorted strips). You will need extra fabric for the bag lining and the stitchery blocks.

oh yeh - the bag is big, perfect to take to the market and measures 4in x 17in x 19in

Which issue? Australian Homespun No.78 Vol.10 No.11 "The Red Issue"

hope you love it!

 

Back soon with more preparation and sneek peeks for AQM....lots going on here this week!

Til then

Natalie x

 

 

ps. love you Beans x

It's has been a gorgeous day here today, I love this time of year and all the smells of a warm day in springtime.  It has been so much fun this week keeping up with all your comments on your first stitching/sewing projects - I guess it makes it my turn to share....

I was very lucky my Nanny was a beautiful seamstress and often my dolly's outfits would also match my own....but my very early memories of stitching was with a knitting nancy, I think I then progressed to making Barbie clothes by wrapping strips of fabric around her waist and tucking it under her arms.

It appears though, even back in the 70's I had a passion for ironing bits of fabric, just because.

The most memorable attempt at sewing (for all the wrong reasons) was a pair of tracksuit pants in high school, around Year 7 I think...sadly I cut the legs in half by mistake and had the option of either sewing the bits back together or turning my track pants into very short shorts. I chose to make patchwork track pants which I never wore, and this is possibly when the patchwork seed was planted.  

It is a good thing never to give up at your first attempt.

Thank you to everyone for being part of the fun, I only wish I had enough patterns for you all. I have drawn three random lucky winners & will send you an email tonight for your postal address so if you see your details below....*SMILE* - there is a parcel coming your way soon!

Jane from Riches Stitches

Nicky from Lavender Green

Sam from Missy Mack

Tonight as I flip through old pictures from the 70's I came across this photo.  I wanted to share where the love of red shoes and striped stockings (from the Truly Scrumptious girls) comes from...yep, that's me on the left - thanks Mum for your great sense of style!

I only hope my Brother will still speak to me after this.   ps. love you Beans x

Till then

Natalie x

I wonder what's - Coming Soon?

The exciting news is 'The Paris Collection' samples have returned from New Zealand - they have travelled more than me in the last 12months, and without a passport!  How sweet they look as I grabbed them from the box.  And you should see the fabric Jenny sent back in the parcel...hmmm I will show you next time, they are divine.

If you have been waiting for the next competition, keep reading and I will tell you all about it.   But first of all I would like to share a few more things happening this week around our home and the studio.

I received an email last night from Catherine at Homespun magazine regarding the wonderful Breast of Friends quilt featured throughout Homespun issues this year.  The original quilt, stitched and signed by all the featured designers, is currently being raffled to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  If you would like to purchase a ticket to be in the draw to win this incredible quilt please pop over to the Homespun site to find all the information - wouldn't it be wonderful if you won!

Now it is only a few weeks until quilt market so I have been madly stitching new designs ready for release during the event, fingers crossed I can get the deadlines completed between now and then.

Here is a peek at what is coming soon xo

My plan tonight is to sink low into my beanbag and stitch some more new goodies, I guess if I don't hand stitch I will probably be asleep in 5 minutes but I have a cup of tea and a chocolate waiting.....with a little sugar fix I might stitch faster, or not.  I guess it depends how BIG the chocolate is, right?

Now back to the competition (thanks for being so patient!) would you like to win a copy of the new design called The Paris Collection that was featured on the previous post?  If you do just tell me what your first stitching/sewing project was and I will draw three random winners on Monday November 2nd.

Have a great night,

Till then

Natalie x