Cinderberry Stitches

Oh Deer... Imagine Gnats

Ask me what the best part of designing fabric is and I would answer simply.

There is no better moment than seeing a creation made with my fabrics, those designs that began as simple sketches in my home studio.

One morning this week while getting the little ones breakfast I checked my Instagram feed and found a message, a tag for @cinderberries on a delicious photo from the other side of the world, I'm not kidding - it made me happy for the rest of the day.

These photos are from the lovely Rachael at Imagine Gnats.

The fabric is 'Oh Deer' from my latest fabric range Folk Tale (one of my favorite prints and colorways from the collection). 

Oh Deer - I even see pearl bracelet lining, a perfect combination.

I totally love that a little girl will wear this one day and dream of dear, porcupines and tiny red capped 'shrooms, play in the park, go to a party, you get my drift.....

Love*Love* Love

Imagine Gnats has these Geranium dresses available to buy now....but wait till you see the little shirts below,  who am I kidding you have had a peek already haven't you?

I believe everyone needs a hedgehog tank.

Gorgeous! This one is made Folk Tale too, this time it's the hedgehog spot.

For more details about Imagine Gnat's you can find the fabulous blog here or online store and Facebook page......

Thanks for making my day Rachael x

Natalie

Feeling the love

Woodland - the ones that didn't make it.

It's time to show you the fabrics that never saw the light of day, it's not that I didn't want them to be in the final cut....trust me it was a hard decision and one that I lost sleep over.

I have thought hard about showing you fabrics from the collection that are NOT available and never will be, after all it's like waving a lolly in your face and telling you not to eat it....but it was part of the design journey & so I will share it with you.

I have mentioned before that once the Woodland collection was designed I needed to reduce the amount of fabrics in the line - I would have to select my favorites and loose a colorway but it was hard to pick and leave those aside that you still adore but quite simply did not have the room for......easy peasy! - not :)

The picture below is from the original strike offs - (strike off's? just think small fabric samples of all designs in all colorways)....also known as maximum eye candy.

These are the ones that didn't make it...

Yes, there was a tangerine colorway

and more fabric 'babes' that were left on the shelf....eeek!

So as much as I adore the ones that didn't make it,

I still love Woodland just the way it is.

 

Till then,

Natalie x

Original sketches for Woodland

I was looking through my folio over the weekend and found the original art concept & design for my Woodland fabric collection, so I guess it's about time I shared them with you...

Actually it is great fun for me to see the transition from sketch to final fabric so I hope you enjoy looking over them, the sketches are my original artwork designs & one of the first times they were ever created on paper - this is why I love drawing, there is nothing better for the imagination than pencil & paper.

Original sketch for 'Woodland Faeries' -

became....'Woodland Faeries' in fabric

Original sketch for the 'Forrest Path'

became 'Forrest Path' in fabric

Original sketch for 'Woodland Village'

Became 'Woodland Village' in fabric

Original sketch for 'Woodland Neighbours'

became the 'Woodland Neighbours' in fabric

See....everything has a beginning,

even the fabric.

 

Till then,

Natalie x

Find your happy place

Here is a sweet little corner in the studio, a place I walk past a dozen times in the day.  I have mentioned before how I love little displays around the house, especially in the place I work and create.

So this is a little happy place among my creative mess, with favorite issues of Mollie Makes, my artwork scattered about and three very gorgeous growing gifts sent from one of my friends. 

It's little things like this that make our house a home and the studio a special place to create.

Oh and the exciting news this week is my strike off's for the next fabric line 'Folk Tale' should be arriving from the mill in the next week or so (early August, I hope!) I can't wait to see the next new designs printed on fabric.....I see deer, hedgehog, birds, elfin girls & more.

Till then,

Natalie x

 

Designing a new studio space

I think we broke a new comment record on the blog....a billion thank you's for popping your name in the draw to win a bundle of 32 x Woodland fat quarters and a copy of Vignette magazine you have blown me away. I honestly can't wait to show you what is in store for my 2012 fabric collection....all in good time, I promise - and some things are indeed worth waiting for.

So who is the lucky person? Congratulations to Sarah Rothe (blog entry is below).....check your inbox Sarah for more details!

"Ooh thanks for the chance to win! I've never won a blog competition. Love your fabrics and vignette magazine. I am about half way through the vignette quilt!" 21st July 8.57pm

There have been a few changes in our studio space over the last month or so as we begin making room for the new addition to our Family. If you have been following my posts on Facebook you might remember that last month we had a delivery from Ikea, it was just two products or ummm..... 15 boxes.

That's a lot of boxes.

Thank goodness I wasn't in charge of building or reading the instructions, my role was planning and design (aka - making things look nice). If you are wondering which products they are pop over to the Ikea website and checkout the Besta combination unit and Bjursta table.  I love both of them, they suit the area perfectly.

My studio is not just used for sewing but also for drawing and design work, the table is large enough to set out my drawing designs, laptop, Wacom tablet all at once if required. Much better work space than previously.

I *love* the loads of natural light = pure bliss

Yes it is very clean here, but to keep it real I assure you it doesn't quite look the same today.  Mess in the studio equals creativity c'est la vie....such is life.

In the corner of the studio is my cutting table I have had for years, it's the place where all the sharp things are kept (away from the little fingers). The cabinet is designed at the perfect height for cutting without breaking your back - cutting mat I am using is 34" wide.

The blue table underneath was used as a prop in Cotton Floss and I picked it up at a place in town called the Mill Markets....you could get lost in that store for an entire day, I LOVE it. For now this is where my big graph pads and light box rest plus a few of my favorite 30's & 50's inspired 'picture books' a wonderful source of inspiration, both colour and style.

I need to make my studio space a place I love to be in an area that is workable and easy to get around and access.  Part of making the place just right for me is making sure I have the things I love on the shelves, not hidden away.  It also allows for happy gazing & day dreaming.

You will find bolts of my first fabric line 'Woodland' in the shelves.  One of my framed greeting cards 'Flutterby' and a few little toadstool houses from Cotton Floss.  I love that I can change the art work each time I have a new design or 'just because'.

The middle shelves are where you will find Flower Sugar, Lecien basics, old vintage buttons and a little piece of Paris.

Divine Twine, felt squares, perle thread and pre cuts I adore.  The drawers below are also full of fabric, folded in colour along with sewing gadgets, and stitching supplies. Samples are tucked away in the cupboards or scattered around the studio & home.

I am still playing with the space so I have no doubt it will change and morph in time...it's still a work in progress but right now it seems to be working just right.

Till then,

Natalie x

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