Christmas Project in Homespun Magazine

If you are looking for some last minute Christmas projects to make, check out Homespun magazine.I'm excited to say that I have a featured project.

I designed these cute little Christmas boxes to match my Christmas in Italy quilt. As always Homespun magazine has done a wonderful job photographing them.

Hope you like them.

Noah's Ark Quilt by Little Green Cottage

Months in the planning and sewing, my new Noah's Ark quilt is now ready to enjoy.

Take a few moments to watch this special video presentation I have put together for you.
Enjoy!



Head on over to the Stitching Cow website for all the details about how you can retell the story of Noah and the animals stitch by stitch. Click here for information about my Noah's Ark Quilt

Little Green Cottage at Melbourne Wholesale Quilt Market

Wow the last few months have flown by and I have to confess that my blogging has taken a back seat. Much has been happening behind the scenes at Little Green Cottage. One of the biggest being our attendance at the Melbourne wholesale Quilt market.
There we were excited to launch lots of new designs, including my new Noah's Ark block of the month quilt.

Here I am with my helping angel Janice.

Things are in full swing now filling orders and getting patterns out to shops. And just to make things a bit more stressful my Miss 12 reminds me each day how many days until Christmas!!!!

Project for Little Green Cottage Workshop in Tasmania

Over the last few days I have been busy creating a new project for a workshop planned for The Fabric Parcel in Wynyard, Tasmania. The Appliqued Sewing Box was designed with some beautiful fabrics and Cottage Garden embroidery threads that Mandy had in stock. Aren't the colours lovely?

The full day workshop will be held on Friday 28 September, 2012 and I will be covering needle turn applique, hand embroidery techniques and fabric box construction. There will also be a half day beginners class on Saturday 29th for those that would like to learn how to make a patchwork Christmas stocking embellished with some simple Redwork embroidery.

I'm looking forward to a trip up North and hope that I all the Tassie readers are able to drop by the shop to say Hi!

For more information about this workshop contact Mandy at The Fabric Parcel

The Ark is about to Embark

All the animals are aboard and the Ark is about to set sail.

Noah and his wife are just rounding up the last of the animals.

The storm clouds are gathering.

Pattern and kit details available next week so stay tuned!

New Homespun Magazine Design

Last week I was busy sewing a new design for Homespun Magazine. The lovely Catherine from Homespun requested a design that would compliment my Christmas in Italy quilt. So of course the design needed to include little hand appliqued cottages nestled amongst the snow.

I was lucky enough to have some off cuts of the same fabric range I used for this quilt, so this new project compliments the quilt beautifully. Although I cannot give too much away I can show you a sneak peek of the project which will appear in the 2012 November issue of Homespun Magazine.

A cute little project that is quick and easy to sew up just before Christmas.

Look out for this Christmas project and lots of others in the November issue of Homespun Magazine.

New Christmas Projects

Over the last few weeks I have been busy designing some new Christmas projects. I know it is only April, but we Australians love celebrating Christmas in July. It gives us a chance to enjoy a roast dinner without melting in a pool of sweat. Australian sewers also embrace the chance to begin their Christmas sewing projects, hoping that this will alleviate the rush that tends to come with the lead up to Christmas. Well that's the plan anyway.

So while my new Noah's ark project is being finalized and the pattern tested, I have been thinking about all things festive and thought I would share with you some of my new creations. I have been playing with some beautiful hand dyed wool felt and these little birds are part of a set of three.Our family dog Jacko has also been admiring them so I am being careful to hang them well out of doggy reach!

I also couldn't resist the temptation to make a cute winter cabin. There is also a felted Christmas tree to complete the set which is still under construction. It is decorated with miniature brass bells and a timber star. Trouble is I haven't found the perfect star to go on top yet, so left it out of the picture. It looks very quaint here amongst the little white blossoms.

Whilst looking for some Christmas fabrics in my stash I uncovered a bolt of Prairie cloth which has formed the basis of these hand embroidered Christmas stockings. The texture and lovely cream colour works well with some Redwork detailing. I bought this spotty ribbon some time ago which was also put to good use

And here is something for the tree, I've made a set of five cathedral window decorations, three of my favourites are shown.. These were so much fun to make and the good news is that they are quick end easy.

The patterns for all these projects will be available soon.

I have one more Christmas project on the drawing board which I hope to share with you next week. So I had better get off the computer and back to my sewing studio. Chat with you again soon, but before you go leave a comment and let me know which project you like the best.

Noah's Ark Project Continues

When I began to research Noah and his wife for my Noah's Ark project, a few characteristics became very clear. From looking at pictures I was reminded of the fact that Noah and his wife were simple, humble folk.So dressing them as such was important. It was also very clear that Noah was to have a flowing white beard and a Staff.

Image source

Image source

image source

 

So I went to work and here is what I came up with.

 

  I found some hand spun natural wool in my drawer which I used for their hair and Noah's beard.

I also had some hand dyed wool felt in coordinating greens which worked well for their robes which I decorated with some simple embroidery.

Here they are on the Ark

The animals are almost ready to embark.

The excitement is building. Say tuned!

PS I am currently finalizing the pattern for this project which will be made up of a set of three patterns. I also plan to have some starter kits available which will take all the had work out of finding the materials for this project. More to come soon.

Noah's Ark Project Continues

Hooray the giraffes have finally been found, 

grazing amongst the leaves. 

They are now heading towards the Ark.

Noah has been extremely busy building the Ark, 

and of course his lovely wife has been by his side 

every step of the way. 

They are extremely shy but I have convinced them to make an 

appearance very soon. 

Things are getting exciting now because the 

gangplank has been lowered.

Noah was very pleased to find a suitable felt material for the 

roof which has been hand dyed. 

Looks a bit like thatch.

His wife convinced him to add some decoration along the edge of the 

roof as a finishing touch.

 He reluctantly agreed.

 

More to come soon.

Warmly Lenna

PS Yes hubby was right about the shape of the Ark, it looks much better don't you think?

My Miss 12 was very concerned about how the animals would enter the Ark until I informed her that the front of the roof flaps back so that the animals can all jump inside. She was delighted by this and thought that all the animals would have heaps of fun doing this. She was also relieved to hear that the animals would all be safe and sound inside when the storm clouds brewed.

Noah's Ark Project Continues

Good news the Ark has been erected and appears to be water tight. Bad news I cannot take a good photo of it today because it is too cloudy.

Instead I thought I would share these Noah's Ark jokes with you.
They put a smile on my face so I hope they can do the same for you.
The first is how I am feeling at the moment trying to get this project finished. I have a gang plank to build and two Giraffes in pieces ready to be sewn together.

Image source

And these also made me chuckle.

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Image source

Back to work I go!

Noah's Ark Project Continues

Good news everyone, Zebra has found true love and can now get on the Ark.

Noah has also been busy laying the planks and fashioning the window panes.

 The Ark is almost ready to erect.

The animals are getting very excited.

But where is Noah and his lovely wife?

Coming soon!

 

Noah's Ark Project Continues

This week, progress on my 3D Noah's Ark project has been somewhat slower. The Giraffes have not been found, and the Zebras seem to be very shy. Although I am pleased to report that a cardboard template for the Ark has emerged. I have to admit that this is the first time that I have been very grateful to Master 15 for his serious cereal consumption. It has left me with a pile of cereal boxes to work with. Teenage boys and  cereal seem to go hand in hand. Each week I have a replenished supply of cardboard to work with.

On inspection, Hubby the handy man and builder type member of the family, is not happy with the Ark shape. He has convinced me (reluctantly) that the Ark should be the same shape at the front and back. At the moment mine is square across the back, a bit like a fishing trawler. Before I go back to the drawing board, what do you think?

Here is a photo of my Ark. If you look in the background you will notice a very shy Zebra.

Later, I managed to persuade him to come out and say hi.

Here he is, unfortunately on his own. Although after this week I hope to have  a mate for him. 

He cannot get one the Ark otherwise.

Off to find the Giraffes now... and to rebuild the Ark.

more to share with you next week.

Warmly Lenna

More felt animals for Noah's Ark project

Thought I would let the animals do all the talking this week.

More to come soon, I am busy rounding up the zebras and giraffes 

and of course there is the building of an Ark!
Warmly Lenna

Felt Noah's Ark Animals

In keeping with my Noah's Ark theme for this year, I have been sewing some mini animals from felt. My plan is to make a 3D Ark from fabric and felt with Noah, his wife and of course the animals. I thought this would make a lovely accompaniment to my new quilt. So far I have two camels and an elephant.

I thought it best to begin with the animals and work my way up to Noah and his ark. Truth is I don't really know how I am going to construct the Ark, I just have it in my head at this stage and roughly sketched on a piece of paper. Hoping hubby will come to the rescue when I build my prototype with a few handy suggestions.

Had to race down to the Lyre Bird for some more wool felt this morning. (For all Tassie readers, the Lyre Bird has relocated to the very top end of Liverpool Street, it is now on the corner of Liverpool and Mole Street)

Now that I have some more felt, next on the list is a companion for the elephant and two fat, little, pink pigs.
I have then cut out ready to sew together.

Hope to have them finished with a few other animals by next week so that I can share them with you as well.

I am sooooo enjoying this project. Back to sewing I go!

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.