Natalie Bird

What's on my table?

Last week was the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair. I had a great time, manning our stand (Thread & Ginger) with my good friend Sonia, and my lovely mum, who both gave up their time to come in and help out.

As usual, the tempting displays all around me, meant that I came home with lots of new goodies to play with...

I have been sitting at the family table (where I work), surrounded by some of these new treasures, and things I'm working on at the moment.

Right across from my stand at the show, was the very inspiring Jane Davenport, who is a very talented artist. I came home with some new 'paint dabbers' which I've been playing with, for background colouring (great texture effects), and some pencils, which are so nice to use. They're really soft like crayons, and can be turned into watercolour. The picture of the angels is a new stitchery I've started on... not sure what it will turn into yet.

New fabrics! Etchings, from 3 Sisters. The blue is so pretty.

This is also a new pre-printed stitchery, which will be available soon. It is a follow-on to previous Christmas pre-printeds, Making Spirits Bright, Christmas Angels, Jolly Santa and Deck the Halls. I'd better get this one finished soon.

Yes, that's right... More hexagons! Stretched, long ones this time. I can't help it, I'm totally addicted. Not sure what these will be turned into.

I've been working on a combined wool/fabric applique quilt also. Here's a sneak peak at a few of the blocks.

That's me in a nutshell (it really does feel like that sometimes).

Happy Stitching!

Sewing Angels

I imagine angels do sew. I have always thought of angels as more life-like than 'spirits'. I think that's because I have met many beautiful 'real people', who have blessed my life, whom I think of as Angels. One of my favourite sayings is 'Angels are not so very few, because in my life I have you'. Sorry, I don't know who wrote it, but it is a lovely expression.

I've just finished two angel-themed projects recently. One is a sewing project tote, Angel Project Tote, which has pockets and scissor-keep inside, to hold all your sewing supplies for your project-in-progress.

The other is a lap-size, or wall quilt, featuring four sewing angels; love to sew, love buttons, love quilting, and love fabric. The quilt also features a grandmother's garden border (still got to have some hexagons in every project!), the quilt is called Sewing Angels.

Here's another new design, Fabric Baskets. These are great for displaying a collection of old spools, or to use as a thread/scrap catcher when you're sewing. Both basket designs are in the one pattern.

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who came to visit us at the Craft & Quilt Expo in Darling Harbour recently. It was so nice to meet so many on-line friends in the flesh. Happy Stitching!

Saltbox Farm

Well, I have had a great time, stitching my new Block-of-the-Month, Saltbox Farm, and it is finally finished! There is a bit of stitchery, needleturn applique and interesting pieced and appliqued blocks. I love the colours.

It is only a wallhanging or lap quilt size, finished, it measures 33"x41", so it should be quite achievable. There will be 6 patterns, featuring a row each month (the largest row, split in two), and the border and finishing instructions in the final month pattern.

I just love this new cushion/pillow, called Prairie Flower Pillow, which is made entirely from the gorgeous Four Ewe's wools, but for the triangle embellishments which can be scraps of your favourite fabrics. It's very tactile, and looks great sitting on an old chair. No-one's allowed to actually sit on mine though!

The weather is absolutely glorious here today, and we are looking like having perfect weather over the Easter break. Brisbane is having a reprieve from the rain, which is lovely. Happy Easter!

Tiny Hexagons

I have used paper-pieced hexagons in a few recent projects, and I must say, I am still enjoying working with them. Some tiny ones have arrived yesterday in the post, and EEK! they sure are tiny! Not the smallest ones available mind you, but pretty close. These ones are 3/8" along one edge.

Luckily I have pretty tiny hands, but I'm feeling a bit like I'm all fingers and thumbs still. Anyway, I'm sure the finished effect will be well worth it.

We are having a wet weekend, here in Brisbane, so it's the perfect excuse to snuggle down with a hot cuppa and get stuck into a bit of stitching. In fact, it's even turned a little chilly, so I had to dig through to the bottom of the shoe pile, and find my slippers with the hole in the big toe (regulates my temperature)! The kids have dragged doonas and quilts off the beds and plonked in front of the TV. Even Roxy, our very naughty poodle is snuggling down.

I haven't completed any new projects for a few weeks, as I've been working on something a bit bigger. A new block-of-the-month, which I'm probably about half way through stitching.

Here's a few of the critters in some of the applique blocks.

and of course, some birdies...

Lovin the Wool

I'm absolutely loving the beautiful woven wools from Four Ewes. The colours are gorgeous, and I love the hand-dyed look of them.

I've just finished making these cute little drawstring totes, using some of my favourite colours. The first one I made, was for my friend Yvonne, for her 50th birthday, but I loved it so much, I had to make a couple more.

I'm intending on using mine, for carrying sewing bits and pieces, thread, measuring tape, embroidery scissors etc. The pattern will be available soon. It's called BerryBranch Wool Tote.

Four Ewes wool is available from The Home Patch, Bathurst, or your local patchwork shop. I've just order a whole stash of new colours for my shop, Thread & Ginger, too.

I have also been spending a fair amount of time working on a special project for Homespun Magazine, to appear later in the year. I can't give away too much, but here's a little sneaky peak of one of the characters... sorry it's a bit blurry.

Keep Smiling, Natalie.

Rounding out the year

We are nearly at the end of 2010, and thoughts turn to loved ones, Christmas preparations and holidays. Our final trade event for the year, was last weekend in Melbourne, the AQM (Australian Quilt Market).

We always have such a great time catching up with everyone. We had lots of laughs with our neighbours in our aisle, Anni & Pete from Hatched & Patched, Marg Low from Marg Low Designs, Leanne, Di and Claire from the Homespun stand, and Sue and Jim Daley from Patchwork with Busy Fingers.

As well as my new flip book, Tis the Season, I managed to squeeze in a couple more new patterns to release, to round out the year. A needlebook, featuring stitchery, a pieced basket and needleturn applique – Sweet Birdie Needlebook.

I was very pleased to receive a parcel of fabric, for a fun project using the new fabric range from Melanie Hurlston of Melly & Me, 'Where the Wind Blows'. The fabric works really well with heaps of other brights, spots and retro fabrics.

I made a library bag and pencil case. The pattern is called Gemma Giraffe.

Now that all my engagements for the year are over and done with, I am really looking forward to a relaxing Christmas season. Making gingerbread with the kids, planning Christmas lunch dates with friends, trying out some new seafood recipes, are all on the agenda. I have also got a couple of projects on the go (surprise, surprise), when time allows... a tiny little wool sewing tote, using Four Ewes gorgeous wools, some more zippered purses and an applique quilt.

Enjoy the silly season ahead, and don't forget to make some time for yourself!

Christmas book Coming!

I have been working away like a mad woman getting the Christmas book projects ready, and finally... ta da, its off to the printers we go!

So, I thought you might like to see some of the completed projects which are in the book.

There's a bag, and a wallhanging (you can see a little in the corner).

A quilt of course. And some smaller projects, including this cute little cushion.

The book is called, Tis the Season. All things being well, it should be available in shops from Monday 22nd November.

Now that I've had a good dose of redwork, to keep me going for a while, I'm in the mood for some colour. So I'm off to find some gorgeous coloured threads and fabric... be back soon!

Hexagon Purse Winners

Thank you so much to everyone who sent in an idea for the hexagon purse. I had so many great ideas to choose from my head was spinning! As I couldn't choose just one, I decided to do 2 options. And here they are...

There were a few people with similar ideas, so, congratulations to Sandy N, May Britt, Sandy61Cookie, Wendy63, Amy (cherry_licious) and Jess (jellebes_chic06). Please email me your 'bricks n' mortar' postal address, so I can send you the pattern for the purse.

During the school holidays, we took the family up to Mount Tamborine for a week of rest and relaxation. The weather was dreary (good stitching weather) and cold (by Queensland standards), but we made the most of our time in a beautiful setting overlooking the valley below.

The view at sunrise and sunset was absolutely stunning.

Our good friends drove up from Bathurst to spend the week with us. The kids had a ball playing soccer, touch footy and throwing a frisbee, although not surprisingly, it was one of the menfolk who kicked the footy onto the roof (good one Pete!)

One day was dedicated to retail therapy, with bargain hunting at Harbour Town on the Gold Coast. All the kids were very excited to show off their favourite purchase of the day... New Converse shoes, in a rainbow of colours.

 

Finally, here is another (yes, you guessed it), Christmas design, which I just couldn't resist stitching up before we headed off on our holiday. They're little linen stockings with redwork stitchery. The pattern is called Mini Merry Stockings, and should be available in stores from next week.

More Christmas designs

Around this time every year, I find that Christmas designs are circling round in my head. I love Christmas, and especially redwork Christmas stitching.

I have a couple of new Christmas patterns which will be available very soon. These were my designs from the Stitcher's Dream Day Out. I have posted the stocking pic already, so here's a pic of the cushion also.

I thought I would give you a sneak peak at another Chrissy project I'm working on too. I have wanted to do another small flip book of stitcheries, similar to the All Creatures Great and Small book, for a while now, and a collection of Christmas stitcheries seemed the perfect idea. I hope this will be ready by November, all things going well.

Another cute little project which will be ready soon, is my little hexagon purse. I toted all my thread, needles and hexagon pieces for doing small demonstrations last weekend, in this little purse, and it was just the perfect size. I will add a little stitchery or maybe even a punch needle pic on the front.

I'd love to hear some suggestions from you as to what to design for the front of the purse?? My favourite idea will win a pattern for the purse.

 

Stitchers Dream Day Out

I had a great time in Highfields at the Stitcher's Dream Day Out, this past weekend. Myself, Anni Downs from Hatched and Patched, and Lynette Anderson of Lynette Anderson Designs, were invited as tutors, by Marion from The Quilter's Angel. Marion and Steph did a fabulous job once again, with everyone having a fabulous time.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so I don't have any pics to show you from the weekend, but I took some photos when I got home.

This is one of two, of my projects from the weekend. A stocking featuring Lynette's latest Christmas fabric range, Snowmen Make Me Smile.

The Quilter's Angel provided the fabric for both projects (I'll show you the other one in my next post). With both ranges proving to be quite different takes on the Christmas theme.

Two lovely ladies, Sanchia and Vanessa, made us these gorgeous little Christmas puds, as a special thank you for the weekend, which was just so nice of them. Aren't they just too cute? I haven't been able to bring myself to bite into one yet, but hubby has been circling them, so I'm sure we will be enjoying them soon!

 One final treat for the weekend, was visiting the Abbie Lane stores across the road from The Quilter's Angel. I just couldn't resist buying a couple of oh so sweet hand-made charms from Cathy Penton's store, Simple Things, Small Joys.

 

The lovely lady in the store very kindly did this one specially for me, as I really wanted a 'love' charm to tie around one of their little specimen jars. I love having flowers in the house. You can't help but smile when you walk past them.