Jack and Jill Wall Hanging in Creating Country Threads Magazine

Yesterday afternoon on my way to do the school pick up, I noticed this month's issue of Creating Country Threads peeking out of my mailbox. I was even more excited than usual because my Jack and Jill wall hanging features on page 20.

Here it is nestled amongst the wisteria.

This project has been specially designed to compliment my Nursery Rhyme quilt which would make a wonderful set for any child or grandchild.
Here is a close up of Jack and Jill.

And the exciting news is that I have taken all the hard work out of finding the fabrics for you.
I have a limited number of fabric kits available for this wall hanging. They include the exact fabrics I used and can be posted straight to your door. Priced at $48.50, they will not last long and as a special offer postage is free within Australia, so be quick.

To secure one of these fabric kits simply click on the tab below.

Call in to your  local newsagents and pick up a copy of Creating Country Threads. It's the applique yearbook.  Hope you enjoy my Jack and Jill wall hanging.

Warmly Lenna

New Designs for Wholesale Trade Fair in Melbourne

The countdown is now on! I have only a few weeks before launching a new collection of patterns at the Wholesale Trade Fair in Melbourne.

This will be the first time that Little Green Cottage has made an appearance at the Trade Fair and to be honest I am feeling a tad nervous. Janice (my new helping angel) will be attending as well. We have both been super busy sorting out our display for the stand. There's still lots to do, including a few more projects to make, but we are gradually crossing off our "to do list".

I thought I would show you a glimpse of the new collection. It has a Japanese flavor to it and of course there is lots of embroidery and applique. I can't reveal too much at this stage but here is a peek!

I have designed a series of projects to compliment my block of the month quilt pattern Christmas in Italy (which will be on display at the Trade Fair). I'll post a few pics of those next week. In the meantime you may like to grab my free Christmas in Italy block that is currently being offered as part of a Christmas challenge with Quilting Gallery. Check it out by clicking here.
Until next week, happy stitching!
Warmly Lenna

Camping Trip Bay of Fires Tasmania

Recently the family and I traveled to the East Coast of Tasmania to a very special place called the Bay of Fires. Truth is hubby and the kids journed there last year and I stayed at home and sewed all weekend. They had such a  remarkable time that they convinced me that I had to come this year, ever though it meant no shower for 3 days, and sleeping on the ground in a tent.

Hubby was very excited when we pulled up and discovered that the campsite they stayed in last year was free. He motioned to a small walking track amongst the tress and instructed that we start hauling our gear in that direction. As the trees cleared I was lost for words. This is what I saw.

Hubby must have heard my gasp and proudly exclaimed "See I told you so".

This was the most beautiful camp site that I had ever seen, and we had the place to ourselves.
Here is out campsite taken from the opposite direction.You can just see our tents nestled amongst the trees.

 The kids were able to paddle in the lagoon and walking along the beach was pure bliss.

The Bay of Fires is most famous for its stunning white beaches and rocks which are covered in a natural Lichen.You will soon see what I mean when you look at the photos.

 Here are the kids scrambling over the rocks and if you look very carefully one of them is standing on the large rock in the distance.They are just a small speck!

 Here is Miss Eleven on a rock being King of the World!.

But the photo that says it all was captured by Tony (the Dad of the family that came with us). After returning from a day of bush walking and discovered waterfalls we were greeted with this stunning sunset which lasted about 10 minutes. Isn't it amazing!

Hope you have enjoyed seeing a bit of Tasmania, it is an amazing place to live and I feel very grateful.
Until next time.
Warmly Lenna

New Christmas in Italy Quilt Video Presentation

Customize a free scrapbook design

My Doll is in Creating Country Threads Magazine

How exciting, my doll Miss Daisy is in this month's issue of Creating Country Threads magazine. You can see her on the front cover, top left.
It is the magazine's 10th birthday so they have lots of wonderful projects for you to enjoy.

Miss Daisy is lots of fun to make. She has cute little brown shoes and her dress is decorated with mauve daises made from wool felt and then appliqued in place with simple embroidery. So check out your local newsagent and grab your copy.

Congratulations Creating Country Threads magazine on your 10th birthday
Warmly Lenna

A Faithful Friend Stitch a Long Quilt for Homespun Magazine

The last remaining blocks of my free block of the month quilt pattern, A Faithful Friend, are now ready to download and enjoy. Here are blocks 16, 17, 18 and 19.

Click through to the Complete Craft webiste to download your copies today. Here's the link for you:
Download patterns here 

There is only one more pattern to go which will give you all the details for piecing the quilt together. Should be ready within the next few days. I also have some bundles for sale of the 21 fat quarters I used from the Breakfast at Tiffanys Range for this quilt. There are lots of fabrics included in this quilt design, so if you are feeling a bit daunted about choosing your own combination, click through to the Stitching Cow webiste to secure one of these bundles for yourselves. It will make things a lot easier for you.
Here's the link:
Click here for a Breakfast at Tiffanys fat quarter bundle for my free block of the month quilt pattern

Warmly Lenna

New project for Creating Country Threads Magazine

This week the needle and thread have been particularly busy making a new project for Creating Country Threads Magazine. The lovely Danielle requested a wall hanging to compliment my Nursery Rhyme quilt
and as always I was keen to accommodate.

There was one Nursery Rhyme that came to mind straight away. In fact an image of the design can to me one night before going to sleep, thankfully the next morning I could still recall it and sketched it roughly into my sketch book.

From a pile of fabrics, some shapes emerged.

Can you guess which one I decided to base my new design on?
Here's a few hints.

 And if you haven't guessed already this should give it away.

Keep your eyes out for my new project which will be published in Creating Country Threads Magazine Vol 12 No 9 on sale 23rd February 2012.
Warmly Lenna

Ready to enjoy new Christmas in Italy Quilt

Here it is, a full photo of my new Christmas in Italy Quilt. For weeks I have been sharing with you the inspiration for this quilt which came from spending last Christmas in Italy. Nestled amongst snow laden hills this little village is a delight to create.

This original, new quilt design incorporates needle turn applique and hand embroidery, although could easily be adapted to other applique techniques. It is made up of 10 patterns which will take you through making this quilt step by step.
I have put together a video presentation which showcases some of the detail included in this quilt. You can watch the video now by heading over to Stitching Cow, the video is included on the home page at the bottom of the page.

Click here to watch the video

There are lots of options for purchasing this pattern set, including a monthly e-pattern program and I also have some starter kits of the fabrics that I used in this quilt. For all the information including more photos of this quilt click through to the information page.

Just in time for Christmas, you too can enjoy creating your own little Italian village.

Click here for more information about my new Christmas in Italy quilt

Hope you like it.
Warmly Lenna

New Christmas in Italy Quilt 5

My trip to Italy was full of inspiration. Attention to detail and pattern was everywhere, even on the ground!
 So when coming up with some inspiration for the borders of my new Christmas in Italy quilt, I did not have to look very far.

Thankfully I had thought to point the camera down occasionally which I am sure must have amused the locals. This was a little tricky and I remember having to be very patient for just the right opportunity so that I did not get just an assortment of shoes. Although being in Italy, this would have probably made a very lovely photo...gosh they wear beautiful shoes!!!!

Here are some of the amazing geometric patterns I discovered:
These were taken in Vatican City.

These were in Milan, even the drain waste amazed me cigarette buts and all!

 Our Villa in Como Lake also had the most stunning tiled floors.

Including some geometric blocks in my quilt was a must. Here's what I came up with. I did intend to template piece these blocks by hand, but decided to practice my foundation piecing skills on the sewing machine instead. The blocks are only 4" square so foundation was a much better option.

Stay tuned for my next post when I will reveal the full quilt and a special video presentation to enjoy.
Not long to wait now!
Warmly Lenna

Block 13, 14 and 15 Faithful Friend Stitch a Long Quilt now ready

Here they are, the next three blocks of my free block of the month quilt pattern. 

It's time for some tea and cake!

This cake stand was modeled on one I bought at an antique shop years ago, I just love it and use it whenever I have a special cake to enjoy with friends.

To grad your free patterns simply head on over to the Complete Craft website by clicking the link here

I hope you have been enjoying the Stitch a Long program. Be sure to let your friends know about this free block of the month quilt pattern as well.
Warmly Lenna

New Christmas in Italy Quilt 4

Every Christmas quilt needs a Santa and my Christmas in Italy quilt was no exception. It seemed logical that he had to appear in the night sky above the little village I had just created, but this meant his whole team of Reindeer. This was going to be a challenge!

The style of the quilt was sophisticated, not at all comical, so having Santa and his Reindeer appear as if real was a must. And he had to be flying which meant a sled, and his Reindeer had to be flying as well so this meant movement.

No wonder I left this block until last!

I was not lucky enough to catch Santa on my camera whilst in Italy, so my inspiration had to come from elsewhere. After scanning through lots of pictures for ideas and after many sketches, my Santa block started to emerge.

I used a variegated, red embroidery thread and added some hand pieced stars for some extra festive fun.

Finally I was up to the borders and once again my inspiration turned to Italy.

Warmly Lenna

New Christmas in Italy Quilt 3

It seems that no Italian city or village is complete without a red brick bell tower. They are often the first structure to be spotted high up on the hills, or looming from the centre of town. Once again their architectural styles varied although I knew one had to appear in my Christmas in Italy quilt.

Here is what I came up with

Now there was only one thing left, and that would be Santa himself and his Reindeer!

See you next time warmly Lenna