Cinderberry Stitches

Introducing Woodland

All about a girl.

Girl had a dream to design fabric.

Girl sat drawing with pencil & paper until things where just right, the drawings, the colors, the design, the style.

...at times - Girl had no idea what she was doing.

Girl brought a portfolio and filled it with artwork for three different fabric lines.

Girl booked a ticket to the USA to talk to the right people.

Girl flew to the USA and wondered if anyone would take her seriously.

Girl went to the one place at Market that felt like home.

Girl arrived at Lecien.

And that was just the beginning.

 

Welcome to Woodland

 

The image above is the cover page from my portfolio, it's the very first thing you see when you open the black cover - then there are pages of drawings and color story, I should share that one day.

I love everything about Woodland - the bold color & playful nature are just me all over.

"Imagine visiting a woodland village with inquisitive fairies, a little garden path leads you to a tiny toadstool village with friendly neighbors.  A gathering of girls, birds and lady bugs will become your good friends throughout the journey."  This was my Woodland inspiration...

There are six designs in the line offered in seven colorways (or 32 bolts)

Toadstool Spots

Woodland Fairies

Woodland Village

Woodland Path

Woodland Gathering

Woodland Neighbors

It's Woodland by (that girl) Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches for Lecien, Japan. It will debut at Houston Quilt Market *Crikey* did you know that is only 5 weeks away?

I need to go and sew.

 

xo

Natalie

 

Slow down and smell the fabric.

I guess you realise I have been chained to the sewing machine this past week,  I could think of worse places to be. Day's roll into one and before you know it a week has flown past, somedays I can't even remember what day it is.  If you told me today was Friday I would believe you, I am quite serious.

Time never went this fast when I was a kid. 

I need to slow down and smell the fabric flowers.

It is true, I have been at the sewing machine more this week than in the last three months combined although you will not hear me complain,  I know I am lucky.  I am sewing with the fabric I designed, and loving it more than you could ever believe. 

This week in the studio I pinned my selvage to the inspiration board - my computer free version of pinterest.  In fact, I urge you to begin one yourself, why should your computer have all the fun and pretties tucked away in a file?

Get them out, look at them everyday - they will inspire & make you happy.

So there it is, selvage stuck. Sharing space with love notes, and things I can't possibly put away in a drawer. I also LOVE that my 9 year old niece adores her Derwents as much as I do (we sat together last night to smell the newly opened tin and inhale all that imagination waiting to be found).  I promised her I would stick her art in my studio, this is where it will stay.

"Hello, Selvage & love notes?"

I know, all you really want to see is THE fabric and the next few posts will be devoted to Woodland, promise. 

Yes, you will see more of this...

and this....

most definately this in my future....

Now I hope you can understand my absence.

By now you know I have been 'preoccupied' with a lot of cotton lovey-ness but I believe it is time for some competition house keeping. Thank you for waiting for me to get my act together - it is hard to tip-tap on the laptop when Woodland is calling my name....I hope you understand.

The two winners -

Meg Howie:  Hi Nat, I love your new design plus your new pattern setting. I'm going to make 2 for my girls for their DSI's - what a great present idea. I'm also going to make one for me - enlarging to put my Ipad2 into. Welldone again. I Look forward to your posts. xx (date: 05/09 4.13pm)

Helen Summers: Just love the new design, have a dear friend and I could make her a case for her Kindle which she takes everywhere,also one for my grandaughter for her small sketch book and pencils. (date: 06/09 6.44pm)

Thanks so much Helen and Meg, I will send you both an email and have the patterns sent to you.  I loved reading all the comments and ideas for how you would use your flip case, it makes me want to whip a few more up in varying sizes!

Promise to share more next time.

Promise.

Natalie xo

 

Woodland is in the house!!!

Yes, it is true.

It has been a week packed full of so many different emotions, let me take you back to the beginning of the week.  Monday I was sitting at home knowing it was going to be a big day and hoping the UPS tracking system was correct, the vision you see is me sitting on the couch stitching away and watching out the window for any van, truck, car or horse & cart that might pull up out the front.

It was similar to watching grass grow.....I kept stitching - what else is a girl to do?

About 3.40 a white van stopped and reversed up the driveway, this is it!  I believe I asked my friends to hold me up incase I faint.  Remember to breathe Natalie.

The reason for the excitement was this little box, FULL of fabric - not any kind of fabric.

It was mine.

My Woodland has arrived.

Clearly no one wanted that box to pop open until it reached the destination. I paused for a moment and snapped a picture to remember what it looked like, squealed, danced and rang Mum & Isabelle so we could all squeal together.  The box wasn't even open at that stage, funny if it was just filled with cardboard.

So in the excitement of the moment I rememered to breathe and ripped open the box and there is was, the fabric I designed.  I was lost for words for a couple of seconds.

My Woodland.

It was worth the wait, I ADORE!!

I have spent the last day or so with Woodland - starring at the selvage, fondling and playing, folding, cutting and beginning to create something special for Lecien (and you) from all this goodness and occasionally feeling a little overwelmed by the moment.

Wow, that's me there on the edge.

One of my favorite little ones in the collection.....I have not seen the scrap basket looking this sweet, how can I not take a photo?

And right now, this is what is waiting for me in the studio. Lots of squares, lots of sewing.

For now this is your little taste of Woodland, of things to come - me designing beautiful fabric so you can play with it too.  When I get the green light I will share the line in full and explain how it all came to be, the story behind Woodland.

Lecien & I = Perfect match.

I have some sewing to do now,

Natalie xo

 

PS. Promise to draw a winner in the morning for the Mush-roomie Flip patterns, I have not forgotten - just been side tracked ogling fabric, forgive me - please?

 

Words and freckles

 

Powerful words to remember, and so very true.  I found them while pinning yesterday and thought I would share them with you, just a little weekend inspiration that sure makes you think.

It's my short and sweet Sunday inspriation - don't you think the gorgeous color combination in these freckles would make a great fabric combination, the bonus is they taste good too. 

Finally some 'edible' eye candy on my blog.

Natalie x

 

 

 

 

Transferring designs on felt?

One thing I have often wondered in the past is how to transfer stitching and embroidery designs to felt or those difficult fabrics that are too heavy to see through with a light box.  Now I wonder no more after finding the Sulky Transfer Pen, so I thought I would share the details with you.

You will need a Sulky Iron-On Transfer Pen, felt, paper and a little imagination.

Draw your design onto plain paper, the design will be reversed when printed on the fabric so just keep this in mind.

Place the drawing onto your felt (right side down) and press lightly.  Lift the edge of the paper to check the transfer and you are done.  Told you it was quick and simple.

The nib of the pen is quite thick so you have to be light handed when drawing if you like fine lines to stitch over but it does open up quite a lots of options for design and fabric choice. 

If you are wondering, this is the pen I used when making my army of toadstools - it was a blessing, making cutting dozens of pattern pieces a breeze.

And don't forget the kids! I think when Isabelle is a little older I will have her draw a special picture with the pen that can be transferred and stitched over to make into her own personal masterpiece for her bedroom, or even teacher gifts.....

Till then,

Natalie x

 

Is that (so) sew (dear) deer?

It was wonderful to hear this week that the first parcels have been delivered to those ladies who have joined the Stitchery of the Month Club @ Under the Mulberry Tree.

Hmmm..Stitchery of the Month Club?  Let me tell you more....

You will receive "six stitcheries over six months from some of Australia's top designers" - including Leanne's House, Rosalie Quinlan Designs, Melly & Me, Janelle Wind Collection, Holly Woolfe and (me) Cinderberry Stitches.  The club is beginning this month so you still have time to participate and join in the fun.

Sew Deer as my design has now been posted out I can share it with you - the pattern project is exclusive to Under the Mulberry Tree and will be added to the Cinderberry Stitches line next month. 

Little fawn is wondering what all the fuss is about....

*sigh*

But I guess among these three deer is simply the safest place to be.

Sew Deer will be the first in a series of patterns that will be available in kit format - which  means the design is pre-printed onto beautiful linen and packaged with all the COSMO embroidery threads you require to complete the project.

That should get you stitching even quicker than ever before!

and the little buttons, they are handmade too...

Here is a closer image for you - I really like the added element to this design.  You could even write your own letters for the buttons to spell any words you like....think - children's names, Christmas themes, welcome signs, the list is limitless.

Sew deer, I promise the Stitchery Club will be awesome and be sure to let me know when you recieve yours in the mail, ok!

Till then,

Natalie x

PS....do you like my regular posts now, or are you sick of me yet? :)

In the pursuit of (fabric) happiness

For me there is nothing more inspiring than fabric.

To be honest fabric could sit folded in my studio and around my home forever and even in it's uncut glory it still makes me feel awesome, like little works of art dotted here and there.  But I guess it is not made to just sit and look at - cutting into fabric the first time is like letting the artist out - create what you feel and enjoy every moment of the process. 

Honestly, if you adore the fabric you will swoon over the finished product for sure - no questions asked.  Last week I recieved a box of happiness which had me swooning as soon as I lifted the lid and for good reason, it was the next release of Flower Sugar by Lecien and I can see it playing very nicely with Woodland....oh happy day! 

So this is what sits stacked beside me, a pile of happiness and quite possibly what the word 'swoon' looks like in pixels.

That there is one awesome pile of cotton candy hey?

My pursuit of (fabric) happiness is almost complete.

Till then,

Natalie xo

 

Toadstool Utopia

I'm not sure if there is a toadstool utopia, but if there was it might just look like this.

First they would bunch together and have a little chat to each other in a squishy mushroom kind of way.  No pushing or shoving, there is plently of room for everyone in this packing box.

Upon arrival they  might line up one by one and compare spots...

Then decide which one among themselves would be the best at public speaking....

Then crowd each other again and talk their caps off.

Actually, the box of toadstool houses is sitting beside me while I work and occasionally I open the lid and smile to myself.  I spent most of last week stitching these little homes and they will be travelling with me to Fall Quilt Market (Houston) in October and become part of my vignette display at the Lecien booth for the release of Woodland.

I made them in bulk (just over 20 I think?) - hand stitching the doors and windows one night, caps the next, then spots, stems etc....you get the picture.  It was my personal toadstool production line or sweat shop and quite fun at the time.   From the moment I designed the pattern for Cotton Floss I was wanted to see an entire village and so, here are the cutie patooties.

I am thinking my toadstool utopia will make a fun display and play nicely with my Woodland fabric line, now I am just quietly wondering how many more I can make and squeeze into my case between now and then......yeah, call me crazy girl.

Till then,

Natalie xo

PS. The toadstool house pattern can be found in my book - Cotton Floss, make one, or two dozen - I promise they are so much fun and quick to make!

Post disclosure - no toadstools were harmed during this photoshoot :)

 

Introducing... Mush-roomie Flip

Thank you for the comments on the last post, I sure am happy to hear I am not the only one who has a writer's block moment and that you enjoy even my mundane moments.

Today I would like to show you my newest pattern.

Mush-roomie Flip

The pattern and details are on their way to my distributor and will be ready to head out to stores within a few days.

Can you belive the design was actually on my drawing board while I was working on projects for Cotton Floss, I had scribbled a note on scrap paper and pinned it to my inspiration board in the studio. From memory the note said something about glasses case or Nintendo DSi holder, it sat pinned there for some months while I worked on other ideas just waiting for the right moment.

Mush-roomie Flip features a little lady bug taking shelter beside a flower stem, she is the perfect size to squeeze through the toadstool house door...I would love to see the treasures inside her home.

So now your glasses can travel in style and the case can make you smile each time you open your bag.  You can choose fabrics to match your personality and have a different color for each day of the week - especially Sewday.

In my opinion, everyday should be Sewday.

My plan for the Flip - I have decided to use mine to store my Nintendo DSi, it's well padded and sits nicely on my side table when I feel like playing Crosswords or Brain Training, I sure need to train that brain more often.

The fabric I have used in the design is Lecien Flower Sugar (yellow stripe) and Grandmothers Flower Garden (hexxie lining fabric + red & green stripe).  I love how the cord ties around the middle and makes the red flowers and toadstool pop.

Anyways, Mush-roomie Flip can easliy be whipped up and stitched quickly which makes it a great handmade gift and fill it with any number of things, I'm thinking.....

Block of chocolate

Note book and pencil

Gift voucher

Sewing essentials

Passport & travel documents

Keep an eye out for stock arriving at your local patchwork store, or ask if a copy can be ordered in for you - help spread the Cinderberry Stitches love if you can, your local store may not have seen the Cinderberry designs available.

This newest pattern to arrive in stores will come packaged with an iron on transfer so there is no need to trace and copy to design to fabric, just take your pattern home and iron onto the fabric.  This is wonderful if you struggle with getting your lines smooth and clean like the original, it often takes a few hours when designing to get my pencil lines exactly how I want them so I capture the design how I imagine it.  Transfers mean you stitch over my original drawing, you see and stitch what I see and stitch.

Something else new to the Cinderberry pattern line....Mush-roomie Flip is printed in full color and includes a wonderful Sew Visual Guide - diagrams of the stitches I use to create the embroidery, especailly helpful for those new to stitching and not knowing where to begin or what I mean by 'backstitch' and 'satin stitch'

I hope you love the new changes and ideas as much as I do!

This is the image you will see on the pattern covers....

How would you like to be one of the first to get your hands on a copy of Mush-roomie Flip?  Feel free to leave a comment on this blog post if you do and let me know what you would store inside your version, I am looking forward to hearing your creative suggestions!

Two lucky winners will get the chance to win a signed copy so let's have some fun (names drawn 12th Sept 2011)

Be sure to keep an eye out for the next blog post, my village of toadstool houses is becoming reality.

Till then,

Natalie

 

Airing the laundry

I know, mundane hey....me airing the laundry.

It was such a beautiful day here yesterday I popped Isabelle's craft table and chairs out side and spent the afternoon in the sunshine.  Paint, shaving cream, playdoh for her.  Hanging out clothes and taking in the fresh air for me.  Even the dog got in on the act and has one green handprint on her back, Isabelle thought it was hilarious. It was.

I have found it hard to blog lately and find myself sitting at the computer wanting to say a billion things but not knowing where to start.  So I just sit and look at the computer, get sidetracked and move on to something else without saying a word.

It drives me crazy, so here I am showing you the washing.  Boring, but oh so pretty and normal with the blue sky and sunshine.

I have decided to blog more often, not always about what is happening in the studio and what is in my hoop because in reality some days when you work from home with another little soul at your feet you might not step into the studio until the sun goes down and the stars appear.

So I guess you might see what we get up to as Mother and Daughter or even just everyday 'mundane' things that I take for granted.  The crafting, the painting, the smiles, the tears. the moment I found Isabelle with a Crayola marker texta and one of my samples from Cotton Floss.

Washing on the line. 

Running bare foot on the grass.

My everyday.

I have decide to leave the camera out on the bench so I look at it everyday and snap away when I feel the urge - rather than think to myself 'wow now that would make a great blog post'.

The next few weeks are going to be crazy mad here.  Crazy, mad and fun.  The moment my fabric lands on my door step, I am guessing there will be tears.  Happy tears.  Then I can finally show you what I have been dreaming about for more than twelve months and you can cry with me, or laugh out loud if you so desire.

So until next time I will leave you with a preview of what will feature in Monday's post.

New pattern.

Two words.

Mush-roomie Flip

And just like that I wrote a post and managed more than 140 characters.

Just wait until you see the fabric that is sitting beside me, and the box of toadstool houses...most definately blogworthy and just like that - my writers block may have faded.

xoxo

Natalie