New Block of the Month Pattern Block One

For the last few weeks I have been busy sewing the first blocks for my new block of the month pattern. I am trying to be a lot more disciplined with my pattern writing and have made a new rule for myself. I am only allowed to sew up 3 blocks at a time and then I must write the patterns to correspond. As you can imagine the sewing is much more fun and in previous years I have made the mistake of sewing the entire quilt before typing a single pattern. Very naughty.
I just get carried away with the creating.
Although I take down notes I find that I struggle to remember everything which makes the whole pattern writing task very tedious. So please help me to stay on track.
This week I am proud to report that 2 1/2 blocks are complete and two pattens are written, so far so good!
As promised I am excited to introduce to you my first block based on one of my favourite nursery rhymes Humpty Dumpty.
I had fun researching for this block and thought I would share with you some of the wonderful images I came across.



































As you can see lots of Humpty Dumptys in all shapes and sizes.
Here is a glimpse of my very own Humpty Dumpty complete with checked pants and purple buckled shoes.
















He sits happily on his brick wall amongst the flowers completely unaware that at any time he could fall!


















Here he is peeking out.




And here is the full block.














As you can see I have used a combination of needle turn applique and hand embroidery. My two favourite techniques.
However last week a few keen Redworkers contacted me and inquired as to whether I could release this pattern as a Redwork project as well. Is this something that would appeal to you?
Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Would you like to see my Nursery Rhyme quilt in a Redwork version as well?
I would also be keen to know what you think about Block One Humpty Dumpty.

Stay tuned because next week I plan to bring you block two.
Anyone want to guess what nursery rhyme I have based it on?
Chat with you again soon.
Warmly Lenna

PS I have just released two new patterns on the Stitching Cow website, click here to take a peek.
They are currently featured on the home page

My Block of the Month Pattern Research

Here are some of the lovely nursery rhyme illustrations that have inspired my new block of the month pattern. They are all taken from this book.
Hope you enjoy them!




The inside cover





























































Just wonderful aren't they?

The good news is that block one of my new block of the month pattern is complete, I'll share it with you in my next post.
I thought it might be interesting to post each block as I am working on it and feature the nursery rhyme it is based on as well.
So stay tuned for Humpty Dumpty coming soon!

Warmly Lenna

Nursery Rhymn Quilt Ideas

For the past couple of weeks my mind has been a swirl with ideas for my new block of the month quilt which will be based on nursery rhymes. I've had heaps of fun looking through favourite nursery rhyme books trying to decide which ones to include. There are so many to choose from and I have fond memories of singing them to my children. My  Miss Eight (almost nine) is very excited by my new design sketches and has eagerly made her suggestions as to which ones to include.

I discovered this image on Flikr today which took me back many years to my childhood. I wonder if Mum still has this album lying around somewhere. I used to play it often.
Does anyone else recognize it?

Lucky Find

A few weekends ago my sewing friends and I attended a new arts/craft market in Hobart. We were delighted to discover lots of hand crafted goodies including exquisite cards and stationery, designer children's clothing, fabric bags, quirky softies and jewellery.

The work of one designer particularly caught my eye and I found it very hard to drag myself away from her stall. I finally decided on this necklace and matching clips. Seeing as my family are always having a go at me about being late, I felt the Alice in Wonderland rabbit and I could co exist very happily.















Hope you like them too.
Warmly Lenna

Please Help - Redwork Patterns or Nursery Rhyme Quilt?

I have a quilt design dilemma. My sketch journal is over flowing with two new quilt designs. The first is a nursery rhyme quilt that has been floating around in my mind for a whole year. It was such a relief to get it out onto paper. The second is a design for series of Redwork patterns that can be combined into a quilt. It came to mind a few weeks ago. So now my dilemma is which to start on first. I have been looking at both designs for over a week now but find myself paralysed with in decision. Perhaps you could help me.

Which quilt would you like to see complete first.


The nursery Rhyme quilt will combine needle turn applique and hand embroidery. I had heaps of fun trying to decide which rhymes to include, there are so many that I love. Here is a sneak peek at two of the blocks.































There are twelve blocks in total.
The redwork patterns are based on the song "let me tell you about the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees" and look something like this:
























































So what do you think, will it be the Redwork patterns that I start on or the Nursery Rhyme Quilt?

All about the Kids and Tomatoes

I've been sitting at the keyboard wondering what to write about this week. Was there anything that I had done worthy of writing about? Where had the week vanished to?...then it struck me.
Last week was all about the kids and tomatoes so that's what I should write about.

Once in a while I take time out from Magazine deadlines and future pattern designs to make some things for the kids. My son has had a quilt in the making for 2 years now. Well it's almost finished it's just the hand quilting to go. Sadly over summer it had been shoved in a corner and neglected. When we redecorated his room this year in preparation for high school the fact that his bed was missing his quilt glared me in the face. In an attempt to make myself feel better I rushed to retrieve his quilt from the corner and placed it on his bed, masking tape and all. I then decided that some new matching cushions were needed and planned those for next weekend. Here's the quilt in question.



















It has a panel of appliquéd buildings at the top and some crows.














Three cushion covers emerged very
quickly Sunday afternoon. I had no pattern and I didn't even sketch them on paper first. Very unlike me, but surprisingly I found the whole process very liberating.

Here they are:















As I placed them on his bed I felt very pleased with myself and my Son's smile touched my heart.

I had crocheted the girls a scarf each last weekend so this was his little treat.
On scarf inspection for this post I visited number one daughter's bedroom (it is a mess!!!) but she has her scarf hanging with her favourite grey coat which is a great sign that she really likes it. I think Mum has done well.




















Here is the other one for my youngest daughter.



















And I am excited to say that out tomatoes are finally coming in so we spent some time in the Autumn sun visiting the veg patch . I'm hoping to have enough to make some relish this year. Although they look so good in the bowl that I almost don't want to cook them.


















And finally Hubby was traveling up North this week with work so I sent him on a quest for fabrics to make daughter number one a bag for her birthday. He came back with this linen and some Amy Butler fabric which will be perfect. Yikes hope she doesn't see this post!


















To think I was struggling to find something to share with you.
This week was about the kids and the tomatoes but that's OK!

Until next time!
Warmly Lenna

Little Green Cottage Workshop in Hobart

Feel like a day of sewing, painting, good food and laughs ?Then you are invited to join me. Little Green Cottage in conjunction with the Needlewoman are coming together for a day of fun!
This week I have been planning a workshop in conjunction with Delia of the Needlewoman. Delia had a divine shop on Liverpool Street, right in the heart of Hobart. It is brimming with beautiful fabrics and has an ideal area upstairs for sewing gatherings.
Some of my block of the month quilt patterns are currently on show in Delia's shop, one of which is in the front window. This quilt in particular seems to have intrigued many interested sewers who are eager to learn how I colourwash fabric. So all will be revealed in an upcoming workshop planned for 5th May.
The focus of the workshop will be on creating one of the panels taken from my Kiss of the Sun block of the month quilt shown below.




Here is the panel before I worked the hand embroidered garden.




The day will be a hands on approach so that you can sample this technique for yourself.

Here is another sample of this technique from the same block of the month quilt project.

















Hand embroidery stitches used throughout this quilt will also be demonstrated and I will be sharing all my little tips and secrets. Delia has a scrumptious luncheon organized and of course there will be some yummy morning and afternoon tea as well.

This is a special event that you won't want to miss.

If you would like to join me you can contact me via this blog site and I will be happy to forward all the details to you. Email me at littlegreencottage@intas.net.au

I'm sooooo looking forward to this workshop and hope you can join me.
Warmly Lenna