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