Ideas for New Block of the Month Quilt

Over the past few weeks my mind has been tossing around some ideas for a new block of the month quilt design. I've decided on two major projects for this year, one of which will be based on Noah's Ark.
The story of Noah and the animals arriving "two by two" has always intrigued me.
I've had heaps of fun researching this theme and have found some wonderful pictures for inspiration.
Here are some of my favourites.

Photo supplied by richdecorstore.com

 

photo supplied by 1stdibs Furniture

                                        Photo supplied by Inspirationline
 I love the two old trees on either side of this picture and will be including them in my quilt design.

                                                   Photo supplied by Wikipedia

There are more photos on one of my Pinterest boards just in case you are a Noah's Ark fan as well.
Including an amazing birthday cake.

I have started to sketch

I am also eagerly waiting on some fabrics to arrive so that I can begin.

Hopefully they will be here by the end of the week.

More to come soon!

Warmly Lenna

Playing with technology

I've decided that it is time to improve my skills and embrace some of this amazing technology that is available to us. In particular I have been playing with some photo applications for my new Android phone.

Whilst a tad frustrating to begin with, I am hoping that this frustration is the small price I have to pay to do things better and quicker. Surely this will mean less time on the computer and more time with needle and thread in hand. Well that is the plan for 2012 anyway.

So in keeping with this plan I have put together a few images of my new pattern collection which will be released for sale on the Stitching Cow website over the next few weeks. They will be available as both paper patterns and also as e-patterns (electronic patterns that can be downloaded instantly).

Unfortunately I only had a few photos on my phone to play with but you will get the idea of what this great little application can do.

I still need to work out how to send photos to my blog directly without losing picture quality. At present the program seems to shrink the photo so that it is too small. Perhaps I need a lesson with my teenage son. Anyway I will keep persevering and hopefully you will be able to see and enjoy my progress throughout the year.

Warmly Lenna

Wholesale Trade Fair

At the end of last year, Little Green Cottage had its first display stand at Melbourne's Wholesale and Trade Fair. This is an opportunity for designers and fabric distributors to showcase their new items.

There was a lost of frantic activity during the lead up and out of "the dust" emerged ten new designs which will be launched in 2012.

I am very pleased to report that the event proved very successful and it was wonderful meeting patchwork and quilting retailers from all over Australia.I thought I would share with you some pics of the event .
Here are two of out display areas.

 

  Christmas in Italy was also on display and generated a lot of buzz.

Stay tuned, the new designs will be released within the next few weeks

Warmly Lenna

Australian Homespun 2012 Diary

 If you are still trying to get organized for 2012, perhaps you need a lovely diary such as this year's Homespun Quilting Diary. I'm very proud to announce that one of my projects has been included and features in December.

Here is a picture of my In the Round wool felt Christmas decorations.

The pattern for these ornaments is still available

on the Stitching Cow website click here for homemade Christmas decorations

I was also pleased to see that a quote from one of my favourite Christmas books/ movies has been included.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Homespun magazine are currently offering a special promotion with this diary. Check out how you can get your free copy here.

Making peach jam

This weekend I was on watering duty for a dear friend who is holidaying with family. This involved checking the chooks and watering the orchard and large vege patch.
In exchange I received a glorious bounty of eggs, strawberries and peaches.

The smell in the kitchen was divine and I felt just like Martha B Rabbit in the book  "The  Fairies Cook" as I made jam. This was one of  Miss 18s favourite books when she was little. Now, just like Martha, I have my pantry stocked for winter.

 

The recipe included cinnamon and mixed spice, which I have to admit concerned me a little. But I went with it and I am pleased to say the jam is yummy! I tried to find the recipe today so that I could link to it but do you think I can find it again. It was online one minute and seems to be now gone!!!

All I need to do is add some labels, which will be a good job for Miss 12 who is trying to get out of cleaning up here bedroom. Then into the pantry they go.

I am on watering duty again on Wednesday, hope the zucchinis are big enough to pick!
Until next time.
Warmly Lenna

Sounds like a plan

It's so refreshing to think of a new year as a clean slate. I've cleaned off my big dry erase board in my studio and I'm ready to start filling it up with hopes and dreams for the year ahead.

via blog.betzwhite.com

Just came across this and thought it a wonderful idea. Instead of pondering what I could have...should have done in 2010, why not just wipe the slate clean and look forward with excitement to 2012. No more beating myself up about unfinished projects, unwritten articles or my lack of blogging.
There's no point is there?

Hopes and dreams for 2012 is much more delicious, thanks Liz!