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Just arrived in store is the new pattern by Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches.
The Paris Collection includes the lovely bag and a needlecase. If you look closely, you can see the cute little label that Natalie has added to the needlecase. Makes it look like a 'real' wallet doesn't it?
The pattern is available on my website.
Until next time
Lyn
PS Have finished and lodged my tax return! Yeah!
I have finished the stitchery on the first of the small quilts for my new design, Christmas Fun.
I really enjoyed stitching the designs and especially like the way they look stitched in DMC 115. Today I will get it ready for quilting and for the binding I'll use the lovely spotty fabric. I've been tossing up what to do for quilting but am leaning towards simple in the ditch. I had thought about buttons for the centre squares but am not sure about that now because I'm going to use it as a table throw. I might wait until it's finished before making a final decision.
The one underneath is the second small quilt but will do some applique in the border. I made it a little bit bigger as well. It's taken me longer than planned to make this design - life got in the way. I want to make another Christmas one as well so had better get a move on.
Tax Time..
Today I plan to finish my tax return. I started it 2 months ago but needed to find some more information so put it on the top of my filing cabinet and there it has sat gathering dust - literally (remember the dust storms? - my filing cabinet is next to a window that was open). So today I am determined to finish it.
Until next time
Lyn
A few weeks ago I was visiting Tangled Yarns and couldn't resist buying this lovely red yarn.
It's an 8ply alpaca and is so soft! I bought a pattern on Ravelry for a short sleeve jumper called Sage Remedy. The original pattern is actually made in a heavier ply but I'm going to substitute it for this one. I have never actually done anything like that before - I've substituted yarns before but always of the same ply - so I had to rely on my knitting group for some advice. I knit my tension square in my chosen yarn and then calculated how many stitches I would need to get the required garment size. Turns out that to make a medium sized jumper, I am knitting an extra large one! Very confusing. Anyway, I started knitting on the weekend and so far it looks very nice. I've already finished the back and am now casting on for the front. (I'll show you when I feel confident that the thing will actually fit me!)
Try something new...
I've mentioned before how I really enjoy reading Quilters Home magazine. In the latest issue the editorial challenges you to try something new (in quilting that is). Mark says that if you were to take out all of your projects, you would probably find that they have a lot of things in common - maybe colour pallette, technique (eg applique or pieced blocks) or even size. He then suggests that to spice things up a bit, try something new - even just once. You never know where it will take you.
I've been thinking about this ever since I read the article and think that he's on to something. One area for me that needs a bit of a change is in the choice of blocks when making quilts. I tend to use really simple blocks because that's what I feel confident with but from now on I'm going to try to use different blocks in my projects. That's why I chose to use the log cabin block in my new design Christmas Fun. I know it's only simple but for me it's different. I also think that if I start using other blocks my confidence will grow. What about you, what 'new' thing are you going to try?
Until next time
Lyn
Lots of new patterns arrived in store yesterday. From Leanne Beasley-
Butterfly Bouquet. I love this one. It includes the handy bag and the framed stitchery.
It looks so happy and colourful doesn't it?
I like the way she's made the bag in vertical strips.
This one is my favourite - Butterflies and Blossom - also from Leanne. The pattern includes the three doileys. Aren't the colours beautiful? They would look lovely on any surface and make a beautiful gift.
The other new one from Leanne is Tis the Season - an apron, tablecloth and napkins embellished with stitchery.
See it on my website.
Gail Pan....
There's a whole lot of new patterns from Gail.
This is my favourite - Roly Poly Santas. It's a small quilt and bag pattern. Gail always makes such nice stitchery projects doesn't she? and they are always so achievable.
Other new patterns from Gail include Sweet Home Pockets Bag and Pretty Hexagon Baskets.
You can see them on my website.
This pattern from Gail I really liked when I saw it on her blog. It's called Laila's Garden and I think Gail made it to take to Norway with her. I just love it.
All of the new patterns are available on my website.
Until next time
Lyn
Over the last couple of days I've been making progress on my Christmas Fun design.
I'm adding a row of stitchery designs around the log cabin blocks. I'm stitching in DMC 115 which I think is a nice 'Christmas' thread.
I had some log cabin blocks left so yesterday I had a brain wave and decided to make another similar little quilt but with applique on the border. I madly sewed it together and now am ready to add the applique border. I think they both will look really nice.
Product or Process...
The other day I was looking for something to read with my morning tea and I grabbed the book Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off (The Yarn Harlot's Guide to Knitting) off the shelf. I've read this book before - a couple of years ago - when I first rediscovered knitting but now that I'm a 'real' knitter I really appreciate the book a lot more.
There's one section where she talks about whether you're a 'process' knitter or a 'product' knitter. Basically a process knitter enjoys the knitting for the knitting's sake but a product knitter, although enoying the knitting, aims to produce something. I'm definitely a 'product' knitter. I only buy yarn when I have something in mind and like to finish what I'm working on before starting something new.
The same applies to quilting. I always like to finish what I start. I don't like to have too many things on the go at once and find it hard to concentrate on something new until I've finished what I'm working on. My favourite part of a project is the end when I have something to show for my work. (In contrast, a 'process' quilter would prefer the start of a project and would have lots of projects on the go.) What are you - product or process?
Until next time
Lyn
The new book by Lynette Anderson arrived in store today.
A Gathering of Crows has (of course) crow themed projects including a quilt (with applique crows); a journal cover (that's my favourite with stitchery and applique; a purse; a pencil case (handy); a really nice tote bag; a cushion; and some punch needle designs.
All of the projects are as nice as you would expect from Lynette.
The book is available on my website.
Until next time
Lyn
I'm still making progress on my Shetland Rug.
These are the latest blocks - numbers 19 and 20. It's amazing how different they look. I really like these colours and know that these blocks will really 'lift' some of the other blocks that I wasn't so fond of.
Next Door Saviour..
I was feeling really discouraged a couple of weeks ago and I saw this Max Lucado book on my bookshelf. I found it was just what I needed.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part is called No Person He Won't Touch and in each chapter Max Lucado examines a different Bible verse to show that Jesus loves everyone including shady people, grieving people, tormented people, and discouraged people (like me!).
The second part is called No Place He Won't Go to be with those he loves (everyone) - including wilderness places, stormy places and ordinary places.
I realised that I had been trying to change things on my own when I didn't have to. Jesus loves me and wants to help me. I can give my struggle to him and have the courage to try again with him beside me. Just like the cover of the book says - He's near enough to touch and strong enough to trust.
Until next time
Lyn
Two fun new patterns from Janelle Wind have just arrived in store.
This one is called R is for Robot. The quilt measures 54" x 76.5" and has some cute robot applique figures.
The pattern also includes a cushion with a robot stitchery.
Customers often comment that there is a shortage of patterns suitable for boys - well this one certainly fits the bill.
This is my favourite - Robots @ Play.
The pattern inlcudes a framed stitchery, a toy bag and a journal cover.
They would make such nice gifts wouldn't they? Janelle suggests that if you want ot make it for a girl, just substitute a heart for the 'heart beat' lines.
The new patterns are available on my website.
Until next time
Lyn
I had to take my car in for a service today so I thought I would take the opportunity to go to the movies. I have to confess that I was inspired by reading Plan Jane Creations blog where she took some 'me time' and went to the movies to see Julie and Julia. After reading that I thought 'what a good idea' and did the same! The movie was so good. Meryl Streep is larger than life as Julia Child and I found myself waiting for her to re-appear. She lights up the screen. The character, Julie, becomes really self-absorbed while writing her blog and it made me think "Am I like that?" So when I left the cinema I decided I wouldn't write my blog today just to prove I'm not like Julie but then...
I went to the post office to pick up my mail and there was this beautifully wrapped parcel waiting for me.
I struggled trying to recognise the address when the light bulb went off in my brain and I realised it was from my friend Caroline.
I couldn't wait to open it and inside I found a whole pile of treasures.
The card (the one that says The Girls) even had a delicious recipe in it.
(I've already eaten the lollies.)
See the little wallet that Caroline made for me?
When I opened it, I found it had little pockets holding my favourite teabags.Isn't that great? Caroline thought it might come in handy when I'm going to my knitting group.
I was overwhelmed by my surprise gift and it topped off a lovely day out.
I couldn't keep the joy to myself and just had to write my blog despite my earlier vow!
Until next time
Julie Lyn
This is my latest knitting project.
Not sure what it is?
Well it's related to this -
Operation Christmas Child. A project by Samaritans Purse. You get yourself a shoebox (I didn't have a shoebox so I used one of their boxes) and fill it with goodies for an underprivileged child for Christmas. The completed shoeboxes go all over the world, but for Australia, our boxes go to South-East Asian countries including Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia.
As you can see, that piece of knitting turned into this cute little teddy bear which will be just right for someone to cuddle.
I have chosen to do my box for a boy aged 10-14 years so today I bought 'stuff' that I think is suitable. Operation Christmas Child gives you a guideline as to what to put into the box and suggest that each box has - something to love (teddy); something to play with; something for personal hygiene; something to wear; something special; and some school supplies. Sounds like a lot, but you would be amazed at what that box will hold. When I put all my 'stuff' in the box there was some room left, so I'm going to get some more things tomorrow.
I think it's a really worthwhile project and if you would like more information, or would like to be involved just check out their website.
Until next time
Lyn