Cinderberry Stitches

The foxy winners

Thanks for the foxy loving everyone.

Yes I think they will be added to the card series at some stage soon so I will keep you posted on the progress!

The names of the three lucky winners are: Terrry Hayden, Ellyn & Marsha - check your inbox tonight girls and there will be a message from me.  I can't wait for you to get your hands on them!

I mentioned in the last post about the new 'visual colour guide' packaged with this pattern series and here is a glimpse below taken with Instagram last week.  Basically the design is colour coded to make it very simple for you to see which colour thread goes where.

This is something I have been hoping to introduce to my patterns and I am so pleased with the results - hope you love the idea too.

It's Friday night here so time for me to put my feet up enjoy for a while.  Planning on re-designing my studio space this week, so a trip to Ikea is on the cards - give me strength.

Natalie x

Winners & my book crush

Wow - I have received so many emails and messages in the last week!

You have all completely knocked my socks off, to say you are excited about the iron on transfers & changes would be an understatement.....I thought my inbox was going to pop this week. So with my quick calculations I have come to the conclusion.

(No tracing lines and going cross eyed at the light box = more time sewing for everyone)

These last few months have been tedious for me, transferring, re-formatting designs and spending way too many hours in front of the computer getting things 'just right' zapping my energy & creative time.

Was it worth it?  ABSOLUTELY Yes.

Will you love them? ABSOLUTELY Yes.

So now the tedious part (insert yawn) is over it feels amazing to be back drawing and sewing again.  I missed it, the imagination, stories in my mind, creating, scribbles on blank paper, bits of fabric thrown around the studio, pins in my fingers, taking photos....every part of the process.

Because creating makes me happy, it is who I am.

I even brought a new sketch book to celebrate

Inside the cover it tells me to use the book as 'a year long record of sketches, because every daily drawing is worthy of remembrance' and that is true but, between the two of us.....I'm loving that the edges of the book are orange against the fresh white crisp pages.

Don't laugh.

I'm serious book crushing here.

One Sketch a Day, what's not to love.

Time to announce the six lucky people who win a pattern each (from the previous post) it was amazing and so much fun to read where you all are visiting me from. Cinderberry love really is worldwide.

If your name appears below and there is an email in your inbox from me you are a lucky winner indeed....congratulations to

Elisa from Michigan, USA

Sharon from Highfields, Queensland

Bari Jo from Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hildy from Munich, Germany

Paula from North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Jules from Newcastle, New South Wales

 

Oh and for the other 259 peeps, don't feel left out. This is for you -  Download One Wee Home your very own mini pattern.

Print it. Stitch it. Love it.

Back again soon with more sneak peeks at what I am currently stitching.... it feels like I am alive again and I love it.

till then,

Natalie x

New pattern covers & grande giveaway

I was busy playing in the studio this afternoon when I looked up and saw this little owl watching my every move, it's nice to know he is keeping a look out, is quiet and does not require feeding.  The perfect pet.

I mentioned in the last post about the much anticipated changes to Cinderberry Stitches, both patterns and distribution, so now it's about time I revealed my new look pattern covers so you know what to look for in your local patchwork store.

I love the new look and hope you do too, it's stamped with my signature drawings and the colours I love....what's not to like about that?

The front.....and the back....

(pictured below: Hedgehog Happy Hour / Snowballs / Woodland Village)

the packaging....the iron on transfers.

Nothing more to say but hooray!!

Oh....except it is about time I shared the pattern love around - don't you think?

So if you feel the pattern love and would like to take the chance to win your very own 'hot off the press' Cinderberry Stitches pattern please leave a comment on this post.  I would love to hear what your favorite embroidery stitch is or where in the world you are visiting me from.

I will draw a handful of names at random next week (Thursday 9th Feb 2012) - so please enter and shout out to your friends that Cinderberry has an awesome new look.

3 x Hedgehog Happy Hour patterns

3 x Hedgehog Happy-ness patterns

up for grabs

= 6 very happy people :)

 

Till then,

Natalie x

I'm making daisy chains

Pattern writing or making daisy chains with my girl?

I choose the daisy chains every time.

There is nothing better on a sweet Spring day.

It makes me want to dance like this.....

Congratulations to Sandra Timmons who left this message -

"I just love happy dance. I could be dancing my little heart out when I have the copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 4 in my possession. I just want to make so many of these blocks. Thanks for a chance to win such a wonderful magazine."

I will have Quiltmaker send you a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volumn 4 so you can in fact dance your heart out - and stitch away!

Till then,

Natalie x

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

 

My pencil shrunk

It is amazing when you release the pressure, relax and chill a little what happens.  Drawings spill out and sketches become abundant - even though I want to race off into the studio and begin stitching I know the best thing is to just sit with pencil and paper in the evenings and draw, each sketch brings another idea and before long I am surrounded by artwork. 

In a week my HB pencil has shrunk to almost half it's size.

Here are some rough drafts I have been playing with - sketching onto baking paper when I need to reverse images quickly or repeat an image across more than one design.   These are the very first stages of something new, a new collection, new creatures, new ideas hot off the pencil.

It's a hard choice but this is the moment in design I love the most, when it's just me, my pencil and imagination.....and then I pick up the needle and that's a whole other story.

Now you know what I have been doing this week - no sewing, just a lot of great ground work and enough sketches to keep me busy for quite a while.

Ok - so back to the last competition post and the two winners of signed Cotton Floss books.  You are all awesome x 336 times for taking the time to enter the draw and leaving a comment - more than thrilled to hear you are excited about the book release and love the designs.

So two random names...

Congratulations

Ancret Shipton - "Oh oh, am I too late to get my name in the draw????? I meant to do this ages ago, I'm blaming baby brain :-) I would LOVE a copy of your gorgeous book!" x

and

Kelly Rachel - "Oh Natalie! A book...signed??? I'd have died and gone to heaven! I just adore your work. And the colder weather makes me want to stitch...some of your projects would be perfect to work on!"

Ancret and Kelly - let me know your details and a special signed copy will be on it's way in the next post. 

If you are looking to buy a copy please ask for 'Cotton Floss' at your local quilt store (I would love to see the book in your home town) you can also check out the Cinderberry Stitches stockist page for the latest information.

Quick - go get your 'Cotton Floss' on

Till then,

Natalie x

It's arrived and in stores NOW!

The good news? Cotton Floss is in the house and shipped to stores around the globe.

I am hearing people love it and can't work out which design to stitch first....LOVE it!  When my copies arrived last week I sat there for a few moments just looking at the envelope - then I reached for the camera.

When eighteen months of work all comes down to one express parcel, you need to take a photo.

So in one surreal, excited and quiet frankly incredibly scary moment,

I ripped open the bag & there they were. 

My books.

My paper baby was born.

Cotton Floss has now been shipped to stores (who have placed orders) and I am just beginning to get feedback from those who have their copies and don't want to let them go.

I can see a field of Toadstool pin rests beginning to grow around the world.

Not to mention owls dotted here and there.

With Cotton Floss arriving in stores it's time I shared with you all twelve projects fetaured in the book, there are still a few more designs I have not managed to show you yet.

Row 1 (L to R) The Hidden Garden canvas art / Little Red Cap needle holder / Little Red Cap thread holder / Little Red Cap zip pouch Row 2 (L to R) Market Folk carry bag / Toadstool pin rest / Market Folk journal cover / Owlish Dreams bag (library bag, toy sack or pj bag) Row 3 (L to R) Stella and Henry owl softies / The Big bag / The Family Tree wall hanging / Market Folk mini quilt.

Got to love the little elfin girls that pop up here and there.

So would you like to get your hands on a signed copy, directly from me?  To celebrate the arrival and release of Cotton Floss in stores I have two signed books to giveaway, all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post to join in the fun.

Two signed books = Two very happy winners

Names will be drawn at random on the 25th May 2011

Till then,

Natalie x

Feel free to leave a comment but the competition is now closed - winners announced here

The great escape

Last months Shenanygans Shenizzygans.

There is nothing better than a great escape, except finding a toy you forgot you had.

I love these kind of days.

 

So to celebrate the release of Sail Away plus Girls & Dolls it is time for a giveaway - here are the two newest designs to be added to the collection, you can read more about them and view close up snap shots here and here.

Two lucky readers will have to chance to win both patterns.

To join in the fun just leave a comment on this blog post.  Two people will be picked at random on the 18th March  21st March 2011 so let's have a little fun and a giggle along the way.

I am looking forward to hearing what kind of days you love the most or who you would love to stitch the designs for.

Till then,

Natalie

 

PS: New to blogging and not sure how to comment to enter the draw? Just click the 'comment' link below this post to access (word verification is no longer required, yeah!)

Thank you - comments on this post are now closed, you will find the winners names here.

Winners & the virtue of patience

Gosh, maybe I will have to work on the idea of sending a second original Flat Nat around the blog world because so many would love a visit one day.  

I especially love the idea of sending your Flat Nat's off with a travel journal to record her journey, how much fun would that be to read on her return? It is an idea many of you have emailed me about and I think it is fabulous. 

Flat Natty Fabulous actually.

To the two random winners because if I had to pick two myself I simply couldn't.

Sandra Port Coquitlam B.C.....Hi, I have been following your blog since your baby was born and have purchased a lot of your stitcheries from Quiltopia in Maple Ridge B.C. I just love them and now can pick your designs out from the rest. Keep designing

and

May Britt....I love Flat Nat and would love to give her a journey through the Norwegian country. She could come with me to different sewing parties and quiltshops, and I guess she could write "home" and tell about her experiences :)

Congratulations to you both an email will be in your inbox shortly so I can get your postal address.  Thank you to every one who took a moment out of their day to pop a comment on the post so we can all have some fun.

I'm Flat-tered.

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This week in the studio.....

I have been playing around with a few ideas this week and having a little fun with different elements to my designs.

Lately I have been stitching a lot of things I can't show you fully *sigh* and to be truthful patience has never really been my thing.

It is making me crazy actually.  

I have even started talking in short sentences.

Well, you'll have to trust me - some wise person said once that good things come to those who wait - it must be true.  He was talking to me, right?

So this is what is ruffling me lately (in a good way).

Then I started making a few little bag tags, and couldn't stop at one.  It's not surprising, I often get carried away in the creative moment.

On the crafting front, I also brought a holder for art paper at Ikea.  I said at the time it was for Isabelle - that was a fib.  I really wanted it for myself.

I have to tell you my funny story about my Ikea visit, it goes like this...

I was so excited I had actually made it to Melbourne and found the store.  I had 40mins spare to shop to my Ikea loving heart out.  Not a long time in Ikea, I tell you. (it could take that long to find the exit).

Truth is, I was so lolly shop ikea excited I was there, that I forgot to remember where I parked my car.

*crickets*

I got all hot and bothered, there were almost tears.

About 10 minutes later I realised there was more than one exit to the car park.

I had an ikea moment.

Ten minutes can feel like an eternity.

Till then

Natalie x

So long, farewell xo

Yesterday I packed Flat Nat for her #1 International journey to the USA, she will be living with Happy Zombie and seeing the sights meeting people and hanging out on the shelf just being flat. 

Her new home will be Monica's studio.

I am a little envious. 

Her studio IS amazing.

I have to say, closing the packing box and taking the original Flat Nat to the local mail center was kind of like sending my child off to boarding school.

I made sure she packed a few of her favorite things for the journey so she won't get homesick, and Monica could have a little taste of Australia.

Hmmm....I wonder what that will be?

Now, Flat Nat did whisper one word to me as I closed the box and said goodbye.

It sounded something like....."Competition"

So...especially for Flat Nat I have two patterns sitting by my side waiting for a new home. 

Could it be you?

To take part just leave a message on this post between now and next Wednesday the 11th August 2010 to be in the draw, two names will be chosen at random which means a Flat Nat pattern could be making it's way to your home.

***Competition is now closed and winners names have been drawn here***

Let's have some fun!

Till then,

Natalie x