Australian Quilt Market

I can't tell you how absolutely exhausted I was after two whole days at the Melbourne AQM!

last Friday afternoon there I was setting up my part of the Creative Abundance stand, I can't tell you what amazingly talented company I was in! truly inspirational

I was so happy to meet so many lovely people who love my designs, always a relief!

and a real treat to meet a few people who's work I have admired for many years.

I was even given a few treats to have a play with, Anni Downs from Hatched and Patched gave me three bundles of her gorgeous felted wool to try, I am in love with the colours and the wool is so soft. I can't wait to start sketching and playing with ideas.

It was also a pleasure to meet Pam from Cottage Garden Threads who gave me two gorgeous skeins of her variegated threads to try.

All together a great show, already starting to plan for next year!

I still have one more design to write up before the end of the year so better get back to it.

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Now is always the best time!

I have an exciting event coming up on my calendar, the Melbourne AQM.

I have been frantically trying to get my catalogue updated with all my yummy new things.

It will be my first Melbourne AQM, so I am looking forward to meeting so many of the lovely people who stock my designs. So if you are planning to be there come over to the Creative Abundance booth and say hi!

I have two new designs coming up, the first Piccalily Dogwood Dahlia I am very pleased to be releasing this design, I wore the Dahlia brooch to the gathering at The Quilted Crow recently and had so many ladies asking me when it was to be released, so I got my skates on when I got home....and here it is, I have also designed a gorgeous Arum Lily brooch to accompany it.

So if you were with us in Tassie last weekend here it is!

The second is called Digging For Apples a very cute little one dressed up in her favourite apple costume, peeking through, and a gorgeous apple motif door hanger.

Hope you like them!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

The Quilted Crow

I had the privilege last weekend to be in my home town of Hobart, my hosts were the lovely Deirdre and Leonie from The Quilted Crow.

I had a wonderful time showing off some of my designs and meeting the lovely ladies who frequent The Quilted Crow, we all had such a great day of stitching. It was also lovely to meet Sue Daley of Patchwork with Busy Fingers, a truly inspiring quilt designer.

For those of you who don't already know, Deirdre and Leonie have recently moved their shop into an absolutely gorgeous old church.

It happens to be the very same old church I used to catch the bus right out the front of when I went home from school each day! small world, so it was very familiar being at their shop.

I was asked to design two new things for the day,

Tumbleweed

Hickory Hearts

I have now officially released them, so they will be hitting the shops very soon. Something yummy to get everyone in the Christmassy mood!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Habadash

I recently made the trip to Castlemaine approx 1 1/2 hours drive North West of Melbourne. I have been there many times but never to Habadash.

A superb little store dedicated to all kinds of vintage haberdashery.

I found so many things I would have loved to bring home, here are the things that made it .

I love the green flower buttons and the buckle will probably have a new life as a brooch.

If you find yourself in Castlemaine be sure to drop in, it is a treat.

Until Next Time

Blessings

Simone

The Latest Thing!

What a thrill it is tho show you my two new designs,

Pipkin Drop

is my next design to make decorating for Christmas a joy.

Two gorgeous hanging linen pendants adorned with felt florets and clover, again I have used one of my favourite Christmas colour combos Peacock Blue and Red with a tiny white pin spot.

With the smaller pendant in splendid Pear and Persimmon!

Singing In The Apple Tree

three pin on decorations or brooches made from gorgeous felt

pin them on a scarf, bag, jacket, cushion ...... or leave off the pin add ribbon and hang them on your Christmas Tree!

check your local shops for both of these new designs

until next time

Blessings

Simone

Old Lost Treasures

I must show you what I found today.

Just down the road from my house is a funky, quirky little shop, it is dedicated to all things vintage and is the home of many old lost treasures!

I have purchased a few odds and ends there over the past few years and these little gems are my latest finds.

I just love the shape of these retro Bessemer cups (mugs) one in my new favourite colour Chartreuse Green and the other in a gorgeous Aqua,
don't they just sing, standing there together!

Of course this is only the beginning, I now hope for my little set to grow, just imagine the colour possibilities, Persimmon, Cherry, Buttermilk, Baby Doll Pink. who knows, that's part of the fun!

What would be the treasure you have found that gives you the biggest thrill, you were in the right place at the right time and snapped it up and took it home?

love to hear about it!!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Hedgerow Pears

I am very excited to be releasing my first Christmas project for this year.

I am having a bit of a love affair with pears at the moment, apart from being yummy, their fragrance and many varying colours are really gorgeous. You know you have a good one when you have to sit in the bath just to eat it!!

Hedgerow Pears are linen and fabric pears, they mark each guests place at the table with an adorable little name tag that swings from the pear's stalk.

or you can just line them up on the table as your centre piece or hang them around purely to decorate.

They are quite versatile really!!

Keep a look out in your favourite store for them.

I hope they inspire you,

Blessings

Simone

Chocolate Spoons

It is our Lily's 11th birthday on Friday, she will be having some friends come over Saturday night for a very grown up party!

I have seen other people make these adorable little treats and have been waiting for an excuse to make a batch myself.

It is rather a bleak day here in Melbourne today, so the photo is a little dark, but these are so delightful I think they shine through anyway.

Yummy!

Blessings

Simone

Jumbleberry Santas

I am very excited to show you my latest offering, my Jumbleberry Santas are in the latest issue of Homespun Magazine.

It is their Christmas in July issue, I love to think about Christmas when it is cold and grey, which it is here in Melbourne at the moment!

These little guys are traveling around at present, but I can't wait to have them back to adorn my mantle piece when the christmassy season really comes around!

I hope you like them!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Look inside we are now done!!!

Well I have finished!!!

May I introduce the last two components, the grocery bag and the pear.

All of these lovely groceries fit safe and snug in one of the six pockets or neatly into the bag itself.

I will be delivering everything to Creative Abundance very soon, so look out for To Market To Market in your local patchwork or stitchery shop, and make your little one very happy!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Look inside and take a peek! no 2

Recently I let you have a little peek at a couple of components of my new project, To Market ! To Market !

Well here are the next two items for the grocery bag!

Three very yummy carrots

and of course a fresh crispy lettuce

Only two pieces to go and we will be ready!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Animal Crackers

My latest project is inspired by my little one.

My Louisa went with her prep class to a little stall at school, there were all sorts of goodies for them to buy with points they had earned.

She came home with the only thing that caught her eye, a wee little lion toy. He is so little and cute.

It has not left her side since that day and I even found him in my bed the other night.

Animal Crackers are three little mascot pals ready to hang, made from 100% wool hand dyed felt.

I delivered them to Creative Abundance this morning so they should be in the shops very soon.

until next time

blessings

simone

Recipe: Plump Cherries and Bakelite Beauty!!!

A little sharing time,

I have a very small collection of vintage belt buckles some are made from my favourite of favourites Bakelite.

This gorgeous green gem sat at the very tip top of the very small pile, and I have often grieved for its lonely unused state.

When these glorious plump cherry beads arrived in the mail I just knew they would sing along side my buckle.

...so here it is, I thread the beads onto some divine super wide black and cream pin stripe gross grain ribbon. I must say I am in love with the result,

I can't wait to wear it

Until next time

Enjoy what you create!

Blessings

Simone

Ooh Yummy!

We are off to a wee party and I need to bring something to entice the guests!

I decided to make Chocolate Mousse, I absolutely love it's velvety smooth texture and scrummy chocolatety goodness.

There will be quite a few guests with room to a minimum, so finger food is the go.

I found these adorable bite sized fluted moulds at The Reject Shop (cheap, cheap, cheap) aren't they just so cute!

The best thing is they are silicone so I can use them again.

The candy flowers come from a wonderful little shop called West's Cakes. They make by hand many different candy flowers in lots of yummy colours.

I am sure they will be a hit, lets hope they last until the party!! Save one for me!!

until next time

Blessings

Simone

Look inside and take a peek !

I have been busy of late, so I thought a little peek wouldn't hurt.

My new project is called 'To Market To Market' a little bag with outer pockets, (well that is the plan, it might change along the way.)

Inside you will find all the things you might buy while at the market, I have completed the first two items - Strawberry Heart Cookies and Lollypops.

This project is something I know my five year old Louisa would love to play with while making tea or setting up house for all her babies.

Looking forward to the end result, shall keep you posted along the way.

Blessings

Simone

Puppy Love!

Puppies! Puppies! Puppies!

Bundles of endless bouncy energy and tumbles full of lovely licky love!

I have a passion for children's literature and some of my favourites star these lovable loyal friends.

Harry the dirty dog by Gene Zion who never wants his bath and goes to such extreme measures to avoid one.

And who could ever forget Dogger by Shirley Hughes the beloved toy friend who Dave loses only to be reunited again thanks to his wonderful sister Bella.

And beautiful Clifford by Norman Bridwell the biggest of them all with his luscious red coat and gentle giant nature.

All an absolute treat and a must read (even if you don't have a little one to share them with)

My latest project has been inspired by these very huggable friends.

'Snug Puppy'

A lovely armful made from 100% wool felt (of course) with a cosy fabric pouch.

I have used the new Freebird fabric by MoMo for Moda for the pouch, the chocolatey blooms are just yummy.

I will be sending it off to Creative Abundance within the next week so it should hit the stores very soon.

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

this one is dedicated to any puppy's best friend, my Lily xx

Have a look at these!

It is so wonderful to encourage the creation of all things handmade.

I have recently added to my collection of brooches and I thought I would share them with you. I love the design of each and the thought that someone sat crafting away creating something from their own imagination.

I absolutely love them, each one quite different from the other.

The first one feeds my adoration of birds, isn't he a cute little fellow. www.botanicaltheatre.etsy.com

I thought the little girl in her foxy costume too gorgeous to pass up. www.craftyfolk.etsy.com

And this stunning vibrant red babushka with her beautiful floral centre a must have, she looks gorgeous on my little black cardy! www.pixelspluspaper.etsy.com

Happiness with a little pin on the back!

Blessings

simone

Pickle Mouse

I have been in love with Jill Barklem's Brambly Hedge mice for as long as I can remember.

Those enchanting stories take me to an ideal little community, simple living, loving family and friends.

They have been the inspiration for my latest project, a set of three twitchy nosed little mice.

They would be so cute in a babies room or I must admit I have them on my mantel piece and everyone who has come in has gone a bit gaga over them.

I hope they bring a smile to your face.

until next time

Blessings

Simone

Linen

I am completely in love with 100% Linen.

I have so many designs in mind for this gorgeous fabric, the wonderful bold colours of the felt shine against the contrast of linen's natural fibres.

A truely glorious match.

There is one tiny problem, I am having terrible trouble getting it in Australia!!

I thought I would appeal to you all, if anyone has any information on where I might purchase (retail or wholesale) 100% Linen within Australia, I would be most grateful.

In anticipation!!!! :)

Blessings

Simone

Creative Abundance

I am very excited to let you all know that Creative Abundance will from the 1st of April 2010 be the sole wholesale distributor of my designs.

No more piles of patterns on my kitchen table!!! very good news

This will bring about some changes to the way I personally retail my designs. My website will become a gallery for you all to view my range and I will no longer be selling my patterns through this site. My year with Stitching Cow has also come to an end. I have really enjoyed my time working with Lenna and I wish her all the best with her e-patterns.

So your favourite patchwork / embroidery shop, wherever it is in the world!, can now order May Blossom designs through Creative Abundance.

Exciting things to come!

Blessings

Simone

Something To Share

I think it is definitely time for something new!

There is nothing nicer than a quiet cuppa out on the deck listening to the birds. Partridge and Tea is a lovely appliqué tablecloth, with small felt bird tablecloth weights.

We all have little bits and pieces we need everyday. The Promise of Spring is a delightful fabric basket and small felt roses that will be a beautiful and useful addition to any home. It would be wonderful in the sewing room holding cotton reels, or your latest project, or in the kitchen full of napkins, or even next to your bed for your reading glasses and a few tissues for that teary novel.

Definitely time to get back into it!!

Enjoy all the things you create.

Until next time

Blessings

Simone