charmed

I am living in a little bubble of bliss having my karratha girl danielle and her husband nick staying since christmas time.  We all are awaiting the arrival of their first child (due officially on Wednesday), so a sweeter time could not be had.

I admit I am not being awfully productive as I am savouring every single experience and moment I can while in their company as they do live so far away.

I have though been quietly stitching away in the background and a very pleasant and relaxing project it is proving to be. 

In last months 'better homes and gardens' a prints charming bird cushion embroidery project was featured, available from our website.  Many, many girls will have now have received their panel and will be into the stitching process.

I thought I might show my working of the panel section by section as I progress over time, and add a few pics I have of alternate workings for a little stitching inspiration and help for some of our less experienced stitchers.

this is the version shown in Better Homes and Gardens on a white background.

detail and whole panel of other versions

now pics of the progress I am making.

I am working on a linen background alternative the prints charming girls have made with different coloured threads to those in the magazine

to begin with I fill in stitched the neck ornamentation with an uneven satin stitch, using all six strands of my thread, and rows of different colours.

I then made three rows of stitching in different colours around these sections.  The first two being back stitch and the third row running stitch, all using three strands of thread.

Next I added a somewhat wonky yellow 'spine' with an open satin stitch and full six strand thread thickness.  This was so hard to keep even, but with the addition of more stitching it will blend and not be as noticeable.

curlicues worked in a large chain stitch and again six strands are next

and now I am adding lazy daisy flowers with a french knot to centre, backstitch and running stitch shadow stitching and free-form satin stitch and lazy daisy stitch to add a flourish.

the stitching continues...

Gypsy Caravan

Image from here 

Oh to live this carefree life in a gypsy caravan, if only for a day.

Many of you may remember Amy Butler's very first line of fabric - Gypsy Caravan (a firm favourite for both Deb & me).  Well,  fresh off the press is that she is doing a complete rerelease of this beautiful line  & excited we are!   So, in a few months (possibly as early as April),  you too will be able to entwine a little of the gypsy life into yours.

Simply Crochet

This is the latest creation from Heather, one of our Crochet teachers in the Balmain store.  It is totally gorgeous.  It will form the basis to Heather's beginner crochet classes starting soon.  There are still some spaces if you are keen to learn.  Give the shop a call on 9555 9909.

Seen....here, here & here

We've been gracing the insides of some magazines lately, which is exciting for us, so I thought I'd share the images.  Above is the fabulous hand printed bird panel, by the talented duo Prints Charming, in the February issue of Better Homes & Gardens.  Available in kit form in both stores and online. Also available in natural linen.

The March issue of Better Homes & Gardens is out now and we are selling kits of this quick to piece quilt by Prints Charming using their latest range of fabrics,   Daisy Chain.   The quilt is in the Balmain store if you would like to see it in all it's glory! 

Also featured in the magazine is our quick baby quilt -  "My First Quilt",  using 61/2" Liberty squares & an assortment of other fabrics.  Our Liberty packs here and here are perfect for this quilt.

Also in the quilting feature of Better Homes and Gardens is Sarah Fielke's quilt "Strawberry Kisses".  If you would like to make this quilt, or any of Sarah's other designs, we still have spaces available in Sarah's class on Fridays in Balmain.  Give the Balmain store a call to discuss dates with us.

 Down Under Quilts is freshly out too with a great feature article dedicated to Liberty of London fabrics.

The lovely Siobhan Rogers has her beautiful quilt "Lovely Liberty" featured.  I remember when   Siobhan came into the Balmain store to select all these beautiful Liberty fabrics & returned not too long after with the finished quilt.  Such a delight to now see it n DUQ.

We've had a few enquires regarding kits for "Lovely Liberty", if you too are interested, feel free to send us an email.