Coloured Linen

I am one very happy girl!!!!

I have in my hot little hand, wait for it..... coloured linen!!!!

I have wanted and dreamed of using coloured linen for so long now, I have never been able to find it in Australia.

Here it is, like looking at all your favourite gelati flavours all at once and not being able to choose.

Well I did choose some for this visit anyway, My three favourite colours at the moment, Persimmon, Chartreuse and Aqua and a few other varieties of these and of course PINK!!

Where I hear you ask, if you live in Melbourne you are in luck, The shop is called The Fabric Store it is in Brunswick Street Fitzroy, there is also a store in Surry Hills in Sydney.

I will be using these in many of my up and coming designs so look out for them.

Linen is the most gorgeous fabric to use and for those of you who have worked with it before know what I mean.

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Forget-Me-Nots and Lilies

Quite a while ago now my Mum gave me this beautiful tapestry.

After my Grandfather passed away my Mother had the awful task of packing up his home, and while going through some old boxes she found the tapestry tucked away and forgotten..... almost, Mum very generously gave it to me.

It is the work of my Great Grandmothers hands, and i am so honored to have it. She has created a beautiful spray of Forget-Me- Nots and Lilies.

The most beautiful part about it is she had left the needle still with its thread in her work, like she had just put it down and would pick it up again later, sadly no.

I would like to make something from it, so it doesn't get left packed away in my linen cupboard, it is quite large, I could have it framed or make a pillow/cushion, not sure.

Will post again when it is done.

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Needle Turn Applique

It was my great privilege to spend a day stitching with Vikki from Sew Useful Designs and Gail from Gail Pan Designs this week.

Gail was sharing her great needle turn applique skills with Vikki and I.

It was really fun, I have always wanted to learn the skill and hope to include it in my designs in the future.

This was my effort for the day, a little birdy! not much I know, but there was much chat and a homemade cookie or two, so....

I will keep practicing, I just love the neat result, thankyou Gail and Vikki for a lovely day.

Make sure you check out these two lovely ladies blogs, they are both very talented designers.

Blessings

Simone

Very Useful Things

I decided that my first designs for 2011 would be useful to the little people in our lives.

If your little darlings are anything like mine, they are usually off somewhere with you, going here and there, picking up other little people or Daddy, having trips out and about.

My girls always like to bring their treasures in the car with them, something to read, draw with or cuddle. This desire to tote all their favourite things inspired me to design

'A Load To Tote' a carry all open out bag in the shape of a case, with places for pencils, note books, ruler etc

My second design 'Precious Pennies' is a cute little purse with an extra long strap to keep hands free, room for a few pennies, tiny little friends etc

Both are available now, so ask at your favourite patchwork shop

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Welcome Back!

Hello again and Happy New Year.

It has been way too long since I made a post and am happy to be back.

I hope you all had a truly scrumptious Christmas and made many loved ones feel special with hand made gifts!

We usually have a very quiet Christmas Day which is always welcome, the lead up is always crazy busy.

It was our first Christmas without my darling Grandmother who passed away in Feb 2010 she was 94, so a time of remembering and reflecting for us this year.

I usually bake quite a bit at Christmas time and made some gorgeous Lemon Curd again his year, and thought I would share the recipe with you all.

there is simply nothing better on hot toast!

Lemon Curd

Juice of 2 lemons

2 eggs, lightly whisked

3/4 cup caster sugar

125g (4oz) unsalted butter, chopped

1 teaspoon cornflour

Place all ingredients in small saucepan. Stir with a whisk over low heat until the mixture thickens, without allowing it to boil.

Remove from heat, pour into sterilised jars and seal.

Keep in the fridge

It will keep in the fridge for 1 month after opening.

Until next time, when hopefully I will have some new things to show, planning a tree theme this year and I will be working with Anni Downs gorgeous Felted Wool, plus heaps more!

Blessings

Simone