Nursery Rhyme Fun

Not long to go now before my Redwork Nursery Rhyme Quilt is finished and ready for launch.
I am in the process of hand quilting the star blocks in the corners and then attaching the binding.

In keeping with the Nursery Rhyme theme I cam across a blog post by Salley Mavor of Wee Folk Studio. Salley is one of my favourite craft designers and I just had to share it with you.

















Salley has just completed a project starring the Black Hen from Hickety Pickety. Her creativity and work is simply amazing.

Go there now and check it.
Pocketful of Borders - My Black Hen

Back to my quilting!
Warmly Lenna

Redwork Nursery Rhyme Quilt in Progress

This week I have been working on the Redwork version of my Nursery Rhyme Quilt.

After launching my appliqued nursery rhyme quilt last year I had requests for a Redwork version, which at the time I thought was a wonderful idea. Truth is, although the idea was a good one I was not enthused about reworking the design. It kind of felt like remaking the same quilt, hence my lack of enthusiasm. It is always so much fun creating a new design for the first time. Reworking a design never seems to have the same excitement. If you have ever had to make the same pattern twice you will know what I mean.

So after weeks of no action, I decided to enlist the help of a wonderful sewing fairy who completed the embroidered blocks for me. I was thrilled with them when they arrived at my doorstep, although I felt I needed to add a few more details to the designs before I was completely happy with them. Reworking the original applique design to a Redwork design involved more work than I expected.

I even found some new fabrics that I felt were ideal for this Redwork project. You would think that this would have given me the motivation I needed but unfortunately the completed blocks remained in my cupboard, as did the bolts of fabric.

But this week, after ordering even more fabrics for a new project in the planning with Homespun magazine, I just had to take action. As hubby keeps reminding me bolts of fabric just can't keep coming in, eventually some has to go out. His logic not mine but I know he has a point.

When I laid the blocks out I felt that I needed to make even more changes, and so I totally new quilt layout started to take shape.

Here are some more photos of the quilt in progress.

I am pleased to report that the quilt is now together and this week I will be hand quilting it. So stay tuned I will have a photo of my Redwork Nursery Rhyme Quilt by next week.

Until then happy quilting!
Warmly Lenna

Homespun Magazine Felt Christmas Decorations

Have you checked out this month's issue of Homespun Magazine?

It's fabulous and I am thrilled to be apart of it. I have a sweet little collection of felt Christmas decorations to share with you, they're perfect for the tree.

Readers in Australia will know all about Christmas in July, although international readers may be scratching their heads and wondering what all the Christmas fuss is about.

You see July is chilly here in Australia so it is a perfect opportunity to cook up the traditional Christmas foods without breaking out in a hot sweat. It's our opportunity to experience the festive season all over again, and crafters embrace the chance to start on their Christmas sewing.

That's why each year I look forward to Homespun Magazine's Christmas in July issue and this year it has exceeded all my expectations. Projects include a Christmas quilt, Santa sack, a cute trio of felt Santas, and an amazing wall hanging. There's even a Christmas card holder and of course my little collection of felt Christmas decorations. I love it all!

Here's a peek at my felt project for you.

And a close up of my little Robin

These felt Christmas decorations can be whipped up in a weekend, so grab a copy of Homespun Magazine and start stitching. Hope you enjoy making them as much as I did.

Warmly Lenna

A Day Trip with Hubby for Patchwork Fabrics

Last week I went on a day trip with Hubby to a regional field day on a quest for patchwork fabric. I don't usually tag along with Hubby as he goes about his work but last week was different because he lured me away from my sewing machine and computer with the promise of patchwork fabric and gardening stalls. He knew that I would find such a combination irresistible.

Many of you may be unfamiliar with field days. They are usually of an agricultural nature and are held outdoors in the middle of a paddock. There are rows and rows of tents and stall holders offering everything from tractors through to hardware. Anything really that a farmer may find of interest.

Thankfully the woman folk are not left out and there is a section full of craft, jewellery and home ware type stalls. As promised there were  a few patchwork fabric stalls and I could not resist coming home with some bits and pieces for the stash.  I came across this cute little cupcake display of gorgeous little patchwork fabrics.

And I also found this panel of patchwork fabric on a Japanese stall that I could not resist for Miss 9. She fancies herself as a dancer so you can see its appeal factor.

Here is the panel which I am hoping will be big enough to make a bag out of.

The garden stalls did not disappoint either and I discovered some beautiful white Lilly bulbs to plant this season and some lush tubs of parsley for the herb patch.
All in all I had  a fabulous day and I know that Hubby enjoyed having me along for the ride. Now I just have to put my new patchwork fabrics to good use.

Until next time.
Warmly Lenna

Josie's Cot Quilt

It's finally done, a clot quilt for my new Neice.

When my sister gave birth to a new little girl back in September I promised her a new cot quilt. After meeting and sharing a first cuddle, it was decided that the quilt was to be in reds and creams. Our next get together was to be in March so I new I had heaps of time?!!!

Well so I thought!

A week before I was to leave on my March holiday the rotary cutter came out and this new quilt started to take shape. My new Neice lives on  a farm, hence why I incorporated her home, a fence, some trees and  a bird. The bird was particularly special because it was drawn by my Miss 9 who was eager to contribute.

I'm pleased to say that the new cot quilt was very well received and my little Neice was promptly wrapped in it. I hope she could feel the love I carefully put into each stitch.

I thought perhaps that I should make this cot quilt into a pattern.
What do you think?

Warmly Lenna

Favourite Pin Cushion Pattern

Do you have a favourite pin cushion pattern?

I have a confession to make.

In January I forgot my friend's birthday. She never forgets my birthday so you can imagine how bad I felt. Trouble was her birthday fell in early January and since I was still in Christmas and holiday mode, I forget to update my new calendar for the year. The calendar has all the family and friend birthdays written clearly in black pen, and usually this sytsem works,that is with the exception of all birthdays that fall in early January.

My friend was away on holidays at the time which did soften my forgetfulness just  a little bit, but I still felt I had to make it up to her. Especially considering that she never forgets my birthday and always surprises me with something wonderful.

So when she admired one of my little pin cushions recently I knew I had to find some special fabric and some time to make one for her. My friend is a lover of Japanese fabrics so I searched my fabric cupboard high and low until I found the perfect Japanese fabric to suit.

The pin cushion she admired was luckily one of my favourite pin cushion patterns. I have made lots of them and they are scattered around my home so that I always have pins close and handy.

Here is a picture of it for you.

 

And I found an old button amongst my button collection that was perfect.

Making pin cushions is so much fun because they are quick and easy.

Although the pumpkin style pin cushion is my favourite I do like designing other styles that are fun and decorative as well. The skyes the limit really.

Here are a few of my other pin cushion designs.

 

Pin Cushion Polly is  a pin cushion doll I designed a few years ago.

Here's another novel pin cushion I designed (although I never got around to writing up the pattern for this one). He is rather cute isn't he!

You can find all these pin cushion patterns and more at Stitching Cow.

And here are a few other pin cushion patterns from flickr to inspire you as well.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

Hope you have found some inspiration for making your next pin cushion pattern.

Warmly Lenna

Warmly Lenna

Recipe for Making Basil Pesto

Summer in Tasmania this year has been particularly beautiful and I am proud to say that Hubby and I have managed to grow our own Basil. This is considered quite a feat amongst Tasmanians,  so I found out when we relocated here a few years ago.

Temperatures down here are not normally considered ideal for Basil growing so you can imagione out excitement when we were able to pick enough to make our own Pesto.

I think some of the secret has been growing it from seed and then placing it along the edge of a small garden bed enclosed with sandstone. Hubby has made two batches and I am sure we will have enough for another few jars before the summer ends.

Here's the recipe just in case you are partial to Basil pesto yourself:
 Blend the following ingredients in a food processor
2 cups fresh basil leaves
60g pine nuts
3 garlic cloves
salt and ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Then stir through the grated cheese.
100g freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Bottle and enjoy.
We use ours stirred through pasta as well as on the base of home made pizzas.Yummy.

Until next time.
Warmly Lenna