Cinderberry Stitches

Road trip and lemon tart

Time for a retreat recap....

On Friday Gail, Melly and I went on a road trip to country Victoria for the Quilters Harvest retreat in Warracknabeal.  We had a lovely evening and ate some of the most delicious food (thank you Shirley & Del) it was nice to sit back on Friday night and just relax a little and laugh with the girls.

The retreat was held on Saturday and we me some of the most lovely ladies, all very keen to begin their projects and sit back while I showed them a few of my stitching tips and tricks.  Actually I was so busy chatting and answering questions I didn't even have a moment to snap photos like I have done in previous retreat weekends.

That was until our lunch break arrived.

On our road trip, Gail had told us all about the lemon tart the girls had served at a previous Quilters Harvest retreat so I knew she would be happy when she saw this...

Yum!

 

The ladies not only had had a wonderful day but also the opportunity to see our original stitched samples...actually mine are still packed in the suitcase where I left them on Saturday night.  That's a job for tomorrow morning!

 

(Image source: The Quilters Harvest)

Melly, Me & Gail...gosh these two girls made me laugh

Thanks again to Del, Shirley and all the lovely ladies for making a trip to the country one to remember - I especially loved driving through the beautiful sea of (yellow) canola fields, oh and the lemon tart.

Till then,

Natalie x

Woodland loving & USA

I have had a little chat to the Woodland faeries and a few have decided to pop their heads in to say hello, I love these girls they are elfin, cheeky and fun loving - not a bad place to be. 

The floss I am using is from Cosmo six strand embroidery thread- they feel like silk and are gorgeous to work with and so vibrant against the white hanky linen fabric.

Again - there is a little raspberry and blueberry here and there, even more of the 'musk stick' pink that I love so and more than a few dandelions.  These are worked with Cosmo Seasons thread (variegated). 

Variegated thread always adds a little oomph! to any design.  I love that the color just happens, it makes the stitching unique & a tad different.

Then there is a little more of my woodland couture, the kind I love - spearmint blossom hems with just a hint of raspberry.  Sounds like some kind of dessert doesn't it?

Where can you see Woodland Faeries? I hear you ask......well, that's a good question.

They will make their debut in the USA - at Houston Quilt Market.

Oh....and I am GOING too.

That would explain why I am just a tad busy getting a few things organized to take but can't wait to fly out, land in America (the home of Quilting) and meet some truly wonderful people - now that makes me smile!

I think October will be a very busy month because this comes first -

A little retreat project peek....

So now it is time for me to start getting organised and pack samples for this weekends day retreat at the Quilters Harvest in Warraknabeal.  I am looking forward to meeting some lovely ladies and taking time out to chat, laugh, relax and show you my work and stitching tips personally. 

So think of me tomorrow when Melly, Gail and I are on our little road trip possibly eating cupcakes in the back of Gail's car and certainly laughing and talking the entire way.  Sounds like FUN.

Till then,

Natalie x

 

 

Button Love

It's about time I got back my blogging mojo and showed you what has been keeping me from chatting lately,  although you can find me from time to time hanging out over here or around the corner here.

What been happening? here is a glimpse of the studio lately....

I have gone a little button crazy this week and I hope you love these little tweeters.  These little buttons are 19mm or 3/4 inches wide, although the macro lens makes them appear super sized, they really are petite. 

My thought is how much smaller can I make them? Because I heart miniature things and the possibility of the impossible.

I can also see them on little outfits for kids but that is just the tip of the endless button.

Lot's of new button design possibilities are floating in my head and they have got me thinking in different directions lately.  But, this is exactly how my inspiration grows from one project to the next so I love these moments.

I can even imagine a new "Button it up" pattern range - if you love them enough that is.

please....tell me you do!

 

I guess you are wondering what the buttons are stitched on....the top two photos are from part of a new design called "Tweet Serenade" it's a circular needle case.  I would love to show you more but Tweet Serenade is just a small part of three new designs I have been stitching for the next retreat in Victoria.

I believe there are some places still available so if you would like to spend the day with Melly, Gail and I at the Quilter's Harvest (October 2) in Warraknabeel, pencil the date on your to do list and call the girls at the Quilters Harvest to book you place.

The little tweeter's below are from another new design that is still under wraps, I can tell you she is part of a new bag that has fast become my next new love.

Have you got button love?

Till then,

Natalie x

Flying triangle scraps

I have been writing and photographing images for technique tutorials these last few days and here are a few of my favorite pictures.

The tutorials are featured in the Christmas in July program with Quilt Fabric Delights - there are still a few weeks to go if you have been thinking of signing up, it is not too late.

I love these tiny 'flying' triangle scraps, they look as though they are flying in the breeze.

there are also steps to show you how to make these drops of goodness.

For those who have signed up I am planning to be in the live chat room again on Friday night 7.30pm (CST - Adelaide time) if you would like drop in and say hello or ask any designing questions, it's fast and lots of fun hope to 'see' you there.

Til then,

Natalie x

Inspired Stitches weekend

I have spent today unpacking and doing nothing sewing related after a weekend spent over in Adelaide with Sarah from Quilt Fabric Delights at the Inspired Stitches retreat, it was wonderful.

My plane flew in to Adelaide on Friday afternoon with suitcase and cabin bag overflowing with samples for display over the weekend, from memory the ratio of samples to clothes was 25:5 anyway, who needs clothes when you have quilts.

Here are a few pictures of the Cinderberry Stitches display & if you look hard you will see the two new designs (or 5 projects) made especially for the girls attending.

And a little more...

I will need to devote a whole blog post (or two) on the two new patterns so keep an eye out for "Just Darling" and "Gadget Bags" in the next few days.   Finally I can spill some of the beans I have been holding onto these last few months.  Yes, both pattern will be available to order from your favorite store this week.

Sarah has the most beautiful fabrics, bright, quirky, fun & now I know why Quilt Fabric Delights.

 

I love everything about these bias rolls and deep down I would love a few of them to store on my shelves in the studio.  No reason, just because.

And if I had more room in my case I am sure I would have squeezed these in among my samples.  Of course I didn't go home empty handed I managed to find some Modkids clothing patterns for Isabelle.  Now, I have never been one to sew clothes for myself but when you have such sweet designs (like this or this) for little girls it is hard to say never. 

Natalie Ross, Kim and I were roomies for the weekend and spent the evening laughing, talking and just being a little-lot goofy after hours.  Actually I know there is a goofy photo floating around of us so keep an eye out for it.

Now I have to say, this is the first retreat I have attended that the earth moved for me, seriously, it did. 

There was an earthquake in Adelaide on Friday night just as we were about to go to sleep, it was only small and I did actually wonder for a second if I had imagined the bed and curtains shaking and the earth growl...yep, the earth moved.

Here is a photos of the girls from Saturday

Thankyou Sarah & the QFD Family and everyone who attended the weekend, you have inspired me more that you can imagine.  As a designer who works in a home studio it is wonderful to see you enjoying and stitching the whimsical world I create. 

Till then,

Natalie x

Designing for Inspired Stitches

These past few days have seen me back in the studio working on special projects set to be released shortly for the up coming Inspired Stitches retreat at Quilt Fabric Delights.   I just have one little accessory in my mind for the collection before I begin pattern writing and thinking up a new pattern name for this latest creation.

It seems lately I have been showing lots of peeks and snippets but I guess it is a glimpse of what is to come in 2010....

It's all about color

curves

and BIG red beads

 
These are snippets for Inspired Stitches so I can't show you much more for the moment (eeek!) but as we get closer to the weekend in April I might be able to show you a smidgen more. 

If you are wondering what fabric I am stitching with in the picture above it's called Hanky Linen (this one is the white) it's just beautiful to use and works perfectly with the Flower Sugar range.  I am also using one inch bias tape for the first time and have found this to be yet another new love. Here I am quietly wondering why it has taken me so long to give it a try.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE trying new things and 'gadgets' - do you?

Now although I would love to stay up and sew I really need some sleep, night all.

Till then,

Natalie x

Winners & Girls Stitch In - Part Two

Wow - you girls sure love red,  I hope you all had fun popping your name in the hat.  Boy I need one huge hat this time around.

Remember back here when I said there was one lucky person?  Well, I changed my mind...there will be TWO winners.  Just because.  TWO patterns and TWO sets of handles.

Natalie from Eissua...and...Chookyblue....you are the lucky winners - congratulations!  There will be an email from me in your inbox this evening so I can package up your prize and pop it in the post.

So now it is time to have a look around Marion's store up in Highfields and these pictures could tell 100 stories - just imagine what you could create.

After Tail Feathers you know how much I love Joanna's fabric - this is the Mill House Inn collection (designed by Fig Tree Quilts),  I spent a little time in this corner of the store and came home with a little bit of fig tree goodness.

Sushi Rolls from Lecien in Grandmothers Flower Garden

 

COSMO & DMC bundles of thread

  

And the most delicious flannel fabric I have seen....ever.  Yep, on the other side of this stand there was Folksy Flannel from Anna Marie Horner.  I squished a FQ bundle into my suitcase, and almost sat on the lid of my case to close it (don't laugh, you would have too).

I hope you have enjoyed a little glimpse of The Quilters Angel, if you are ever in Highfields you must drop in and say hi to Marion, you will LOVE this place. 

Til then,

Natalie x

Girls Stitch In - Part One

Here I am back home again typing on the laptop and watching the rain fall outside, thinking how much fun I had over the weekend.  I can see there might be more than just one blog post about the fun I had at The Quilters Angel "Girls Stitch In" so I shall call this - Part One.

Friday afternoon I hopped on the plane from Melbourne to Brisbane, the flight itself was uneventful (just the way you hope them to be) at that stage I had no idea the weekend would be unforgetable, for all the right reasons.

After a little bus trip I arrived at the gorgeous 'Village Green' in Highfields

A silk lined marquee with twinkling chandeliers - from that moment I knew we would have fun - rain, hail or shine (oh yeh, and a little mud but more about that later).

 

The girls who attended had one of these boxed parcels waiting for them filled with fabric & other goodies and each stitching table had a 'to die for' bird cage centrepiece.  

Actually I carried one of these home as hand luggage.  Really, I did.

Anyway, back to the retreat....

There is one thing you have no control over when organising a special event - the weather. In particular rain, Forrest Gump kinda rain. "Little bitty stingin' rain... and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath. Shoot, it even rained at night..."

The best way I can explain this is the only way I know.

By photo's of my feet.

8.56 am

9.15 am

12.22 pm

We discovered the magic of mud.

Did it damped peoples spirit?  Absolutely not, we danced to live music, we laughed and talked, we ate the most beautiful food, drank pink bubbles and even managed to squeeze in some sewing.  We had a wonderful time, come mud and high water.

So there is just a glimpse of the fun we had at The Quilters Angel "Girls Stitch In" - Part One....more to show you in Part Two along with pictures of Marion's gorgeous store.

Till then,

Natalie x

NB:  Don't forget there is still time to pop your name in the draw for the latest competition.

 

Please come and join me

This is what I have been looking at this week.

To be truthful I have not stepped foot into the studio this week but have been madly typing and drawing up a new pattern.  Along with proof reading 1 - 6 times and cross checking measurements, cutting requirements and instructions.  Just a normal day really with too many cups of tea.

I am working again with fabrics from Rosalie Quinlan's Grandmothers Flower Garden by Lecien.  It makes me happy & brightens my day when stuck at the computer.  I love it.

If you love handbags, I added a few extra for you after this post.

So when will it be ready and what is it?

This is actually a glimpse of a retreat project for the "Girls Stitch In" at The Quilter's Angel, Highfields Queensland on the 6th & 7th of March, I hope you can come along and join us all in a wonderful weekend of stitching, chatting and laughing....all in The Village Green surrounded by specialty shops, good food, friends and wine - what more could a girl ask for?  If you can make it please come, it will be so much fun. (the pattern will be released in March after the retreat)

For those stitching lovers in South Australia I am also heading your way this year to visit Sarah at Quilt Fabric Delights "Inspired Stitches" on the 17th & 18th of April and will start some special projects in the next few weeks designed especially for the weekend.  You are welcome to join me and the girls, spend some time stitching and having fun.

Please contact Marion (QLD) or Sarah (SA) direct for bookings.  I look forward to seeing you in either Queensland or South Australia soon.

Till then,

Natalie xo

Christmas in the hills

Phew, two posts in one day...I told you I had lots to share!
This weekend Lesley and Sandra from Foothills Fabrics and Threads held their "Christmas in July" stitching retreat with Gail, Leesa and myself - it was so much fun catching up with new and (not so old) friends...lot's of fun, laughter and even (dare I say it) some stitching.  After two days I was itching to come home to stitch, sew and create again.

So here are a few treats for your eyes -
I just had to come home with a tin of Gutermann thread...

Hmmmm...I just LOVE that gorgeous snow flake bowl

And how can you look at fabric like this without taking some home?

But I guess you are all wondering if I can reveal the Red Robin projects? - well of course..

This is "Twelve Red Robins"

"Hold Christmas in your heart throughout the year"

Along with the sweetest Christmas gift bag called "Joy of Christmas" but, what's that beside it you ask? Just my spotty mug waiting to be filled with my favorite brew....I have become addicted to these little gift bags and have decided to make a few different versions - they really are quick to stitch together and make the perfect lil' gift.



Now it's time to cure my 'creative bug' and get back to the sewing machine to whip up some more bags - there are still heaps more photos to share from the weekend so I will be back soon with more bags and more photos!

Till then,
Natalie x