A New Look

Hello!

I am so very excited to finally show you what Dan and I have been so busily working on for the past few weeks.

A seed of an idea for a fresh new Logo and new look for my pattern covers has been in my mind for a long time and after many hours of drawing, planning and a few heated moments :) we are finally ready to reveal all.

This is my first design for 2014... 'Rabbit's Garden' an adorable felt book, it comes complete with a bunny to hop from page to page, removable carrots, apples, lemons and hens!

We have also been busy setting up an online shop so you can purchase all May Blossom designs old and new now directly from me. Many of my designs have been uploaded and many more will be added in the next week or so... keep checking in to see what's new.

I am also delighted to offer many of my drawings as cards... finally my little creatures can come to life on paper!! :)... these will be added in the next little while also.

My online store can be accessed via my new look website www.mayblossom.com.au  or my Facebook page

Hope you like the fresh new look :)



Blessings

Simone  xx

Urban Stitches 2013 !!

Planning is underway!!! Yes March next year is the month to mark down in your diaries.

I am very excited to announce that I will be joining the very talented Rosalie Quinlan of Rosalie Quinlan Designs, Melanie Dekker from Melly and Me and Jodie Carlton of Ric Rac at Urban Stitches 2013!!!

What is "Urban Stitches" you may ask... well imagine 2 days of sewing bliss all in the lovely surroundings of the Novotel in Glen Waverley here in Melbourne 16th and 17th March or for all the lovely people of Sydney, we will be there too at the Novotel Darling Harbour on the 23rd and 24th of March

In 2013 you will recieive fully kitted designs and tuition from Rosalie Quinlan of "Rosalie Quinlan Designs", Melanie Dekker of "Melly and Me", Jodie Carleton of "Ric Rac" and me Simone Gooding of "May Blossom"... too much fun!

Now make sure you get your bookings in early to avoid disappointment as this year's Urban Stitches sold out in a matter of only a few weeks.  If you click on the "Urban Stitches 2013" link on the right side bar you will be taken to the information flyer and registration form.  Or why not register immediately to secure your spot?! You can do this immediately at the"Under the Mulberry Tree" website here.

We truly hope you can join us in 2013... it is going to be wonderful xxx

Until next time

Blessings

Simone xx  

LOVE Ballarat!

Had an absolutely glorious day with Jodie Carleton yesterday in Ballarat! Thank you Jodie for your generosity and warm welcome... we HAVE to do it again soon xx... Ballarat put on the best Winter weather possible..Thankyou xx... We Spent some time at Ballarat Patchwork .. have a look at all these yummy things to add to my stash.. 

I am going to use the gorgeous plastic covered fabric (not sure of the official name for it) to cover the seats of 4 gorgeous vintage chairs I recently purchased.. more on those later :)
While there we saw the amazing Natalie Lymer weaving her magic xx and then on to The Crafty Squirrel a shop I have been longing to visit.. can you believe how enchanting these little pins are! they are so simple and just stunning.. 

lovely to meet you Morgan!... 


On the way home I stopped off in Ballan to visit the lovely ladies at Mill Rose Quilting and added more to my stash!!!.. 

Wow their shop is simply stunning and so light... wonderful for stitching.LOVE Ballarat xx


Until next time


Blessings 


Simone

Little Robin Red Vest

I have had this little guy in mind for quite some time now... I am absolutely and completely in love with Robins.
I would just love to see one in his own little world...flitting and hopping about in the snow, red breast blazing... I would be captivated!

One of the most amazing and wondrous things about them, is their eggs are the most beautiful blue...my favourite colour!!

Well to say the least it is a love affair!
So here is my little tribute to this incredible bird..'Little Robin Red Vest' made from linen and fabric with the most precious little felt vest to keep him warm on those snowy days...

Pattern available soon from my lovely distributors Creative Abundance...ask for him by name at your favourite quilting and stitchery store.

I think he will adorn my Christmas table this year!!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone x

Creative Cards

It is with much excitement that I show you all these new designs... three in all (at the moment anyway).

Creative Abundance the company who distribute all my patterns asked all it's designers if they were interested in putting together a design or two that would be small enough to go inside a greeting card!

I just jumped at the chance... all my designs tend to be on the diminutive side anyway so I was keen to be involved.

So here they are... Snorkel, Percy and Mr Mushie.. all complete with instructions, requirements and patterns pieces inside....Wow!

Be sure to check at your favourite quilting and stitchery store for all the 'Creative Cards'

Until next time

Blessings

Simone x

It has been a while!

It has been such a long while since I was here... almost exactly one year!

Well there is a really good reason... about this time last year I found out I was expecting a baby! An absolute bomb shell. This little darling would be our 4th and although very welcome it did come with a shock.

It also came with lots of very sick days!! which is why I basically shut up shop for the rest of the year and just focused on our family.

Well on 12th december 2011 we welcomed our son Alfie Daniel Gooding into the world, what an absolute joy he is... 4 months on we are really loving having him in our lives.

So here I am back in business and have released quite a few new things this year already... have a little look below... having a baby can be quite inspiring!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone xx

Time for a little more...

Well it is time to reveal a little more, not too much mind you!

I have to keep a little for the final reveal, but am very excited to show you all another two teaser photos.

I hope to have a few more in the not too distant future, but this will have to be it.... for now!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

Something exciting is going to happen!!

Just a quick little visit today, I would like to share a little taste of grand things to come.

No I can say no more, other than it will be very exciting, and beautiful!!

Here is the first little teaser to get the ball rolling, there will be more tid bits over the next few weeks and months, so come back and visit me again soon.

Needless to say, I am so excited I am spinning!!!!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

5 & Dime

This is my latest offering, a little bag to tote all your possessions.

I have used one of the gorgeous pieces of coloured linen I mentioned to you in a previous post, looks yummy with the very 50's red floral fabric.

It is called 5 & Dime, delivering it today to Creative Abundance, so hit the shops and request it, quite useful for an Autumn stroll!!

Until next time

Blessings

Simone

April Showers

I would like to show you all my latest offering....

Coming into the colder months I thought a scarf for the Autumn weather was in order, I am a bit of a scarf lover myself.

Made from gorgeous linen and cotton fabrics and complimented by a gorgeous olive green velvet rose corsage.

As a little companion to this ensemble, I have designed a little clutch purse with a persimmon velvet clover.

I have also used two of my favourite vintage buttons to complete the picture.

Hope you like April Showers, Creative Abundance has it in their hot little hands so look out for it soon.

Until Next Time

Blessings

Simone

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

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