Cinderberry Stitches

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

There was a girl called....

Once upon a time, there was a girl called Isabelle.

Time to share part two of the latest Australian Homespun kids issue, and this time it is all about the girls - dolls, dress ups, smiles, cuddles, tears, giggles and flowers.  I also didn't have to travel far from home for the inspiration.  Can you believe my baby will be two in a little over a week?

So come into my studio and let me show you a little closer...would you like a cuppa?

If you look - you will find the sweetest caterpillar on the handle of Isabelle's vintage pram, he is awfully friendly and tiny - nothing like that Hungry Caterpillar I have read so much about lately.

Although my favorite part of the design is this.  The parasol - appliqued and stitched with a little fringing around the edge. 

Oh, and the sweet little baby peeping back at you from the pram is Isabelle - of course the pattern in the magazine comes complete with the alphabet and numbers so you can personalize your design and make a gorgeous keepsake for a little wee one too.

What's next? there is not a little girl I know of who doesn't have a favorite dolly - one that's well loved, well worn and perfect to hold hands with.  The very first 'best friends forever.'

Again the applique has been blanket stitched in the same fashion as the Xavier design.  But I have to tell you a little about the fabric and threads.

The boy and girl designs feature fabrics from Moda Whimsy range and Mill House Inn (both designed by Joanna at Fig Tree & Co.) and they are both 1 1/2 inch strip friendly so perfect for left over strips from your fabric stash or Moda sweet rolls.

The threads I have used are from the Cosmo stranded cotton range....the gorgeous variegated thread is called 'Clivea' from Cottage Garden Threads (another one of my thread loves).

So now all you have to do is race out and pick up your copy!

 

Till then,

Natalie xo

Once Upon a Time...

It's arrived!

The Homespun Kids issue arrived in my mail box this week and I have been eagerly waiting to share two new designs.  Yes, you read right - this issue features two Cinderberry Stitches patterns.

I have been working on many 'secret' projects this year and finally I can show you a little more of what I have been stitching. Today it's all about the boys.... 

Once Upon a Time for boys is a stitched, appliqued and pieced design stretched over canvas that can be easily hung in the nursery or placed on a book self or small easel. 

You will find Xavier in a little sailing boat among the waves...

with four yellow ducklings to guide the way, and the boat's bow is a perfect place to stitch your child's name and birth date.  If you have followed my blog for a little while you would know I have given many of my 'Cinderberry folk' names of people from my Family.

Xavier is a sweetie (thanks Sez xo)

 

Even his scarf is blowing in the breeze, but I do love his stripe sweater sleeves & hat.

What I really enjoyed when working on this design was combining the blanket stitch applique with stitchery, I have always loved blanket stitching because it adds a little more texture to the finished piece even a bit more definition - of course you could still adapt the design for needle turn if you like.

The magazine should be in stores now so keep an eye out for the issue, it is packed full of great projects especially for kids and the little ones in our lives.  Back to show the the little girl design very soon!

Till then,

Natalie xo

Handmade and Homegrown

It's here!

Look what arrived in the post this week - the lastest issue of Homespun (Go Green issue) Vol 11. No.5 & you guessed right, that's me on the cover.  Can you guess which is my design?

Hmmm...need a closer picture I hear? 

Here she is, Miss Homegrown 2010 with her basket and boxes of fresh picked carrots, pears and apples ready to sell at the local farmers market.  It appears the twitching nosed rabbit is eyeing off Miss Homegrown's carrots and I dare say there a few will be nibbled on before she arrives.

This sample has been stitched using Whimsy by Figtree Quilts for Moda (borders and binding) and Celebration by Brenda Riddle for Lecien (stitchery background).  The design was stitched with COSMO threads and COSMO marble threads.

But what is that nestled in Miss Homegrown's beret?

These are her handmade essentials, pins, cotton reels, jelly rolls and pattern books.

That's why she is smiling so much.

Afterall, I would too if I had a turquoise sewing machine & skinny legs.

I guess you had no idea what this little rabbit was looking at when I showed you a sneek peek all those months ago!

 

I am so excited to finally be able to introduce her to you & I hope she makes you smile! 

Till then,

Natalie x

Magazine deadline

Last post I mentioned a magazine deadline I was working on to design a project inspired by Tail Feathers and I am so excited right now I could almost burst....Why? I love it.  It is so hard not to just blab and pop a picture up for you all to see, but that would be very, very naughty.

For now you will just have to settle with another little peek but I guess it is better to see a little bit than nothing at all, right?

 

You will just have to believe me when I tell you it really is YummY

The next few days I will be pattern writing and drawing before taking some last minute photos of the newest sweetie - and fingers crossed it looks like I will make the deadline with a little time to spare (big huge smile!)

Have you ever wondered the following? Do you stab with your needle or weave it and how small are your stitches?  if you have pop over to the Sewing - FAQ's page for some more details!

Till then
Natalie x

Collect and Gather

As I sit this morning to write you this note, I wonder - where did the first half of January go?  Brad is now back at work after a wonderful Christmas break so that sees me back in the studio, in between nappy changes, feeding, nappy changes and playtime, I love it.

So time for a look around my place...this is the bookcase that rests in my studio, the place where my books, fabrics, threads and buttons brighten the room - The things I 'collect & gather' inspire me more when I can see them so they rarely hide in the cupboard.  It appears I may have similar traits to a Bowerbird "spending hours carefully sorting and arranging a collection, with each object in a specific place"...so, are you one too?

I guess if I had to choose 3 thing's I love in this picture they would be a collection of Kath Kidston catalogues (to drool over), vintage reels and gorgeous flower buttons. 

But most of all I love how the morning sun plays with the fabric colors, it's the first thing you see.

There is something about creating that relaxes my mind  - I do most of my hand stitching in the evening after dinner, snuggled up in my bean bag with a cup of tea, it is the best way to unwind after a busy day.

These last few weeks I have been working on my next big project, I will keep it under my wing for just a little longer but that doesn't stop me from showing you a little more stitching progress, I am really enjoying watching this new story unfold.

I have also recently received emails from the following stores who are just around the corner and over the hill... 
Creative Edge Quilting and Sewing from North Vancouver, Canada
The Log Cabin from Germany
Magdaleentje from Holland

Each store now stocks a range of the Cinderberry Stitches patterns which is so exciting.  Maureen in Canada will be offering the Truly Scrumptious block of the month using Peace on Earth fabric from Moda which will be simply stunning! If you are interested in signing up early you are welcome to email Maureen for further details at creativedge@telus.net and let her know I sent you!

Next time I have some great news about a new project being offered by Homespun magazine in support of National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Till then
Natalie X

A perfect stalling tactic?

It's Sunday afternoon and I should be writing patterns for a magazine deadline, however I couldn't resist showing you some of the new things going on this week. (of course - yes I also know it is also known as "the perfect stalling tactic")

I have just added a new photo album to the blog from last weekends Christmas in July retreat so you can all take a peek at what we got up to, Gail has more photos on her site too.

if you have been lucky enough to pick up your latest copy of Australian Homespun Vol.9 No.7 you will find this project to stitch in time for Christmas - It's in the weekend workshop section, quick and simple to make & perfect for gift giving.

The range of fabrics come from Moda "Swell"

And if you would like a little more of a close up view this is where the finished project sits while I write to you (with Twelve Red Robins in the background) and a messy work space, I did manage to clear a little space to snap away.

Like I said....a little space, between a new design on the drawing board and the iron.  It is not possible for me to be neat and creative at the same time and normally in a 'stitching frenzy' you would have trouble finding the surface of the table....so the the best invention in my studio you ask? - a door to close at the end of the day, for what can't be seen is not really there, right?

Oh yeh, here is the sneek peek (below) I showed you all those months ago, I guess it had you thinking at the time.

This issue also features Emma and Lisa from Buttonberry have you seen their gorgeous site?  If you are overseas and wanting to get your hands on a copy of this months issue and your local store doesn't stock Australian Homespun you may like to visit these places

USA: www.craftmags.com

UK: www.auscraft.co.uk

NZ: www.needlecraft.co.nz

Now I really need to get stuck into pattern writing and finish my deadlines (& stop the stalling tactic) the quicker I do that the sooner a new design can be created....hmmm I wonder what is on the drawing board next?

Till then, Natalie x

Mother's Pockets

Are you searching for a new project to start in time for Mother's Day (this year or next)?  Homespun Vol.9 No.4 'Girl's Club' has just hit the stands with a new Cinderberry project.

I had so much fun taking these close up photos I went a little over board so, with that in mind this post is choc-a-block full of images but I don't think you will mind seeing what I see....after all, it's easier to show you them all rather than choose one over another.

This is Mother's pockets...

Now, I wasn't going to let her get away without show off her Knobbly Knees....

If you are lucky to pick yourself up a copy of Homespun you can get started on this project straight away, but rest assured it will be released as part of the Cinderberry Stitches range shortly if you miss out.

Inside the issue you will also find other great projects from Tilda, One Red Robin, Amanda Brooke, Janelle Wind just to name a few.  So now I am off to put my feet up with a cup of tea as I devour the pages.

ahhhhh...bliss
X