Cinderberry Stitches

The Red Fox - stitching series

A little while ago I sat and sketched a little fox.

He was cheeky & knowing, with long curling whiskers and big eyes.

I knew right from the start he would be red.

His name? The Red Fox.

So a little sketch became my next new stitching series.

The Red Fox found friends, a few little hedgehogs, a lone squirrel and a precious little girl....he soon realised friends stick together and that sometimes he had to relax and take time out to close his eyes and dream.

Red Fox found that to dream is everything, the very thing that kept his world turning and his whiskers curling - his imagination.

So let me introduce the complete Red Fox series to you.

Three stitching designs, when hung together they make a dreamscape...

Design #1 - Dream with me

Design #2 Stick together

Design #3 Just relax

The patterns come with a full colour stitching guide and iron on transfers making it easier that ever to stitch and enjoy - I believe the Red Fox will capture your heart & soul if you allow him.

Dream with me - Red Fox.....

 

Stick together - Red Fox.....

 

Just relax - Red Fox....

 

The patterns are now available to order and will be heading to your favorite stores around the globe - take a peek at our fabulous stockists to find a store near you or pop over and find them available in the Cinderberry Stitches shop.

To celebrate the launch of The Red Fox - stitching series I have three pattern sets to giveaway on the 9th of May 2012.  All you have to do is tell me if you have fallen for the curly Red Fox whiskers like I have.

Feel free to share the pattern release news with your friends on Facebook & Twitter and remember these few things.......friends stick together, sometimes you need to relax and take time out to close your eyes and dream.

hmmm - maybe I need to think about adding the Red Fox to my greeting card line too?

Imagination is everything,

Natalie x

 

 

 

Crafting with kids

Truth be told I am a sucker when it comes to crafty things and kids.  I love being crafty with my daughter and we have an entire craft box full of fun things to keep little fingers busy during the day or even if only for just a few hours.

She loves it.  I love it. Perfect match.

This week I found the ultimate Mummy & Daughter crafty thing. Fancy being able to buy a best friend in a box, I would have LOVED this when I was a kid.  I was excited, Isabelle was thrilled & so this morning the two of us sat down for our first stitching craft time.

There were loads of sweet colors inside the box & Isabelle sorted out and matched the legs, arms, dress parts and chose her favorite hair color - bright red of course.

Yep - she was excited.

Cute stuff.

I loved the pink plastic saftey needles and the pre punched holes in the felt pieces - perfect for little fingers.  I will be honest, at 3 1/2yrs Isabelle managed a few stitches on the arm but found it much more fun to sit and watch Mummy while her new best friend was stitched together....you know I didn't mind one bit.

Less than 2 hours later....

'Pink' was complete and there was one very happy girl in the house.

I think Izzy & Pink will have fun together for at least the next few days - maybe weeks, and I might have to go and find a few more to store away in the craft box - she was loads of fun to make and less than $7 (from Aldi)....... a crafty bargain makes that makes me beyond happy.

Till then,

Natalie x

 

New pattern - Paper Dolls

I would like to introduce you to a new girl in the studio, she likes to play with paper dolls - the type you cut out with scrap paper & scissors.  She made her way to the studio a few weeks ago and this picture was taken when I was picking colors for her creation.

Her name is Pip "the paper doll girl"

I had my mind set on a combination Woodland grey, green and pink with a little splash of red gingham and the picture below was taken as I was selecting the fabrics.

I began stitching & piecing, making the design come alive with a little applique.

Pip's outfit is a three piece delight.  The sweet foxy beret, red jacket with collar and dress with little pin tucks and flowers scattered here and there.  Her pink Mary Jane shoes are inspired by my daughters love of her own - a pair that can take her dancing, crafting and playing. Those full length grey stripe stockings need no introduction and they suit Pip perfectly, indeed they were made for each other.

I adore my newest needle rest and a little pearl thread quilting...

Pip and her paper dolls is my newest design - the pattern includes detailed instructions to make the bag (yes it's pretty both front and back) plus the sweet needle rest (pictures below).

Oh & yes it comes with iron on transfers so you can stitch right over my drawn lines, that makes me happier than happy & more fun for you. 

The best news? Paper Dolls is available now!

Off you go and grab a copy, you will love Pip just like I do....

Till then,

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

Follow your dreams & sew outside of the square

It's so nice to take a step back, to sit and look at how far I have come and seek the direction I will now take.

To say the last twelve months have been awesome would be an understatement but there have been many other things among the awesomeness that have lead me to the place I am now.  The laughter, the tears, the fun times, the disappointment & sheer exhilaration the late nights and hard work...the margaritas in USA - when I look back on 2011 I understand why I feel the way I do....so many things accomplished in twelve short months.

And you thought playing with fabric was all cotton candy and ferris wheels.....right?

Sometimes it is.

2012 will be the year I chase more dreams.

Because I know I can,

and I know you want me to.

 

There is so much catching up I need to do and share with you, projects made, radio shows, magazine features. I need to get you up to date on all things Cinderberry....so let's back track a little and start where I last left you.

From memory I was madly preparing for Quilt Market and making sweet samples from Woodland.  To me, my fabric is my art - it's the drawings I sat up and sketched while the little one was sleeping, the inspiration coming from whatever went on in the house and my mind that day.

I wanted to make a project that required little or no sewing, it had to be quick and simple for anyone to put together but still look gob-smackingly-Woodland-gorgeous.

This is what I was thinking

- One canvas art board

- self cover buttons

- a ruler and black COSMO embroidery thread

- lot's of 1 1/2 inch woodland squares

- glue

You can probably guess the rest and whip one of these up for yourself - I have a huge rectangle canvas in the studio I have plans for next, this one here is just a little but still so perfect & exactly what I had imagined.

If you are wondering (and I know someone will be) just use a pencil and ruler and lightly draw a 1 1/2 inch grid over the canvas...glue fabric squares and sew on buttons.  Finish off by stitching over the grid pencil lines = done.

All up it took me about 2-3 hours...probably less if I didn't stop for that cup of tea.

I adore it.

My own personal art work of my artwork,

there is nothing better.

Be sure to let me know if you whip one up or if Woodland has arrived in your home, I look forward to sharing some more news and projects in the coming days as I slowly get myself back in the blogging hot seat.

May you have a wonderful 2012 and follow those dreams,

because you know I want you to.

Natalie xo

 

Christmas Wish 2011

I see the light

Time for a little illumination.

Of the Woodland kind.

To say my Daughter is excited about this lamp would be an understatement. 

It also has to be the most simple project I have made for sometime and I like simple, especially when running around getting last minute things ready for quilt market.

Hot pink lamp base & shade: Target $15

Fabric to recover shade: Woodland (neighbours print / pink)

Target also had the same lamp in blue which would match Woodland perfectly.  I am planning to pop back in a see if they still have some left on the shelf, my studio needs a new lamp now Isabelle has adopted this one.  Hmmmm.....would you like to see a blue version?

So glad I saw the light.

Till then,

Natalie x

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

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