Stitching snow and my Spring garden

Following on from the glorious sunshine bestowed on us during the onset of Spring, Melbourne has put on a more traditional trend and commenced its Spring showers!

The garden has come to life in a mass of blossoms and new fresh green foliage.  I love the contrast between the deep pink Maples sat beside their lime-green brothers…

Plus I had the pleasure of meeting this little fellow… an adorable Rosella…

They are usually so shy and scare easy, so I was so glad to get a half decent photo.  This one was alone, so I hope it hadn’t lost his mate because they’re always in pairs, they mate for life.

With the weather feeling cooler I felt right at home stitching this cute design to be featured in the October issue of Elefantz Home magazine.  I was delighted when Jenny asked me if I’d like to pop on over to be her guest… because the e-zine is Jenny’s Christmas issue, and designing for the festive season is my all-time favourite thing to do.  This lovely lady knows me too well!

Are you already a subscriber?  If you aren’t already but would like to be, then head on over here to find out what Jenny offers in each of her issues… Trust me, when reading Jenny’s mag, it’s like having a cup of tea with an old friend, such is her easy-flowing and gentle style.  The subscription is fantastic value, but individual issues are also available through the Elefantz pattern store.

Brrr… okay, looking at this snow is making me feel chilly now.  In all honesty, it’s so cold in the house that my hands are like ice blocks!  Time to go and make a cup of tea I think and return to some machine quilting.  I’ve got my sewing machine set up on the dining room table and am determined not to remove it until my quilt top is complete.  We’ve been having TV dinners this past week!  I wonder how long that will last?!!

What are you up to this weekend?  Christmas crafting perhaps?  Pottering about in the garden?  Or resting up?  Whatever you decide on – I hope you have a good one!

Warm regards! 

Vikki xo 

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A sewing day, quilting, new fabs, Dad’s chair and a restoration project!

 

Some Tilda goodness arrived on my doorstep this week… I like to take in waifs and strays such as these!  I couldn’t resist the special that Wrapped in Fabric advertised on its Facebook page – I’ll give you the low-down after my update!

Let me introduce you to my friend, Alisha.  Isn’t she cute?  We got our ‘brothers’ together for a day of sewing this week and it was great fun.  Alisha is working on a ‘Round the world’ quilt using her Pam Kitty and Sugar Flower stash. 

Give us a smile, Alisha!?

She’s having a giggle!  I really must stop wearing that clown’s nose when I’m taking photographs!

I finally sandwiched and began quilting the ‘Christmas Fun’ (by Lynette Anderson) quilt-top I finished a while back (see this post).  it has been a practice piece for me in terms of needle-turn applique, so I thought I’d just ‘go for it’ with the free motion quilting, too.  Not perfect, but that’s what practice is all about (insert smiley face).

On the home-front, Mr SUDs and I have been very busy.  We inherited my mother and father-in-law’s house contents 18 months ago due to the loss of Dad and my MIL going in to care.  It has been a slow and long process sorting through things, finding new homes for furniture and de-cluttering our home.  It still continues but we have made great headway.  I’m hoping to be able to park my car back in the garage before the heat of summer sets in.

There is one piece of furniture that has always been dear to us, and that is ‘Dad’s chair’.  I had envisioned it beside our fireplace, and last weekend it became a reality.  The former cream armchair was banished, and after a couple of hours of lovingly cleaning and conditioning its leather, Dad’s chair sits in its rightful place.  I feel really close to him when I sit there.  And I smile to myself when the kids do, as I know Dad would just love it.

I want to make a new cushion for dad – one with a postal theme - as dad was a philately fanatic.  I’ve found the perfect pattern called ‘Vintage Postcard’ by Crabapple Hill Studio:

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I might have to wait until the summer school holidays to stitch this one as I’ve so many other items to make first – and I want to really take my time and sew this with love while I indulge in happy memories of Dad.  It’s a warm fuzzy feeling.  All good stuff!

Okay – now for a restoration project! 

I picked up this cute cabinet off EBay… it doesn’t need too much doing to it, a clean, a sand, a polish and a tiny bit of structural work.  To skill-up for the job I’ve been reading this e-book, written and published by my shabbilicious friend, Kerryanne English over at the Shabby Art Boutique.

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There are some great tips in this book together with Kerryanne’s own recipe for making the-very-popular chalk paint.  Thanks Kerry for a great book!  I’ll be sure to show you the finished cabinet in the next few weeks.

Wrapped in Fabric

A heads-up for you – online store, ‘Wrapped in Fabric’ is having a ‘Friday the 13th sale’ with up to 20% off fabrics; and the Tilda sale (from which I got my pretties) still continues at $15 (AUD) per meter!  Click here to go and check it out… you’ll probably see me there peering through the virtual windows because I’m restraining myself from purchasing anything else!

Till next time – have a great weekend peeps!  What are you up to? My daughter is having a ‘Grade 2 sleepover’ at her school tonight and I’m staying over with her, together with a few other mum’s and a large bunch of very excited eight-year-olds.  I’ve written tomorrow off already!!!!  Ha ha! 

Enjoy!  Vikki xo 

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Garden Love stitchery

It’s been a busy few weeks full of appointments and special birthdays to celebrate!  One of my dearest darling friends celebrated her 40th, then my two kids had their 8th and 16th birthdays respectively… within three days of each other.  It will be the only time in history that Rosie will be exactly half of her brother’s age… and literally half of his size as well!  I wish I could show you but Rosie has decided that she doesn’t want me to put photographs up on my blog, so I respect her wishes.  But gosh they’re cute!

Just this week the weather in Melbourne has turned a full 360 degrees and it’s mild and warm with the occasional peek of sunshine glimpsing through the clouds.  I’m getting out in the garden this afternoon to do a spot of weeding before Spring arrives in all its glory and everything shoots up like a rocket!

Which leads me nicely on to today’s subject of my garden themed stitchery that is featured in the current issue of Inspiring Country Threads (Vol 14 No 5).

I used a mini charm pack for this project, a range called Buttercup by Joanna Figeuroa, Fig Tree & Co. for Moda.  I love the soft muted tones, they make me feel relaxed and cheerful!

I’m off to mow my lawn!  I can’t start the mower myself so my DS is going to do the honours for me.  I really LOVE mowing grass.  I enjoy weeding too – but my back doesn’t quite agree with me – I have to keep telling it to shut up and be quiet!!!

Okay, so am I a wee bit crazy or do you talk to your bodies as well?!!! *&%#!

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… and the one I made!

 

For my swap partner I adapted my sewing machine cover design (you can read about it here), added some embroidery, ric-rac and buttons.

I hope my secret swap partner likes it!

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Pincushion swap!

Be Insightful…

… what a profound message and a very good one for a designer, too!

I took part in a pincushion swap hosted by the lovely Maree over at Ollie and May, and this is the new craft accessory my swap partner, Lyrebird & Lamb, made for me.  Isn’t it bright and cheerful?  I’m enjoying looking at it while I sew… it’s keeping me inspired!

I’ll show you the one I made next time… till then I hope you have a bright and insightful weekend!

Hugs! Vikki

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