Red Brolly

Book Reviews | Christmas Gift ideas for crafters

*Disclaimer- I do not receive any payments, copies of free books nor am I asked to write reviews by anyone.

The views and opinions presented are entirely my own, and are just because I wanted to.I  receive nothing for them.*

I just love a good craft book. You know, a really, really good craft book where you flick through it and instantly you want to run home and make all of the projects in it. Not just one or two projects, but most of the projects shown. How many times have you bought a book just because you've liked one project?

I have found 2 great craft books which have been released just recently. I have to tell you both of theese books have lots of inspirational ideas which are original, creative and beautifully presented. These would make fantastic gifts for anyone who loves to hand make gifts and enjoys spending time crafting.

"The Belle and Boo book of Craft" by Mandy Sutcliffe is just divine. Even if you are not a crafter, you need to buy this book just for the photos and illustrations alone. This book is full of 25 enchanting and charming projects for children. Make a wash line tent, or a cosy pirate bean bag or even an explorer's satchel for your little adventurer.

If anyone is familiar with Mandy Sutcliffe's illustrations, you will be familiar with her 2 characters, Belle, and her faithful friend- her cuddly toy bunny, Boo. Together these two go on sweet, whimsical adventures exploring nature, spending their days in a world of imagination and play. Belle and Boo are joined by additional characters in this book, and Mandy's illustrations feature heavily throughout.

Full of simple sewing projects, embroidery ideas, papercraft patterns and fun things to make for children and easy decor ideas for your little one's room.

"The Belle and Boo book of Craft" is delightful, charming and just lovely to look through.

The second book is a book which I just fell in love with. I think I've book marked just about every project in it.

"Gifts from the Garden" by Debora Robertson is just FULL of ideas for homegrown presents. Packed with inspirational projects- 100 of them- using plants from your garden, as well as gardening tips, pretty packaging ideas, creative ideas and beautiful photos. This book would make a perfect gift for someone who loves to be creative and craft things. Learn how to make tisanes, body scrubs, bath fizzes, soaps and candles.

Along the way pick up gardening tips on how to care for your lavender plants, grow strawberries, gather hints for growing herbs and learn how to grow fruit trees.

Use your tomatoes in chutney, your geraniums in biscuits, your roses in a milk bath, fennel for a simple face mask, the herbs from your window box in a tisane and your blackberries in a gin.

A wonderful collection of projects using plants and produce- all grown in your backyard. I really just enjoy reading through this book as I learn a little something each time I do. Plenty of thrifty gift ideas which are homemade, original and made by you.

Red Brolly Christmas shopping. Shop Now.

   

Sew and Tell | Interview with Liz from Teddlywinks

Today I'd like you to meet the wonderful and talented  Liz from Teddlywinks. A lovely lady with a HUGE passion for bears. If you love all things about these soft and cute (??) animals, then you are going to love reading a little bit more about Liz. Teddlywinks has lots of stitcheries, sewing patterns, wall hangings and quilt designs...all around bears. She has a sweet blog which documents the adventures of her soft bears as they travel around Australia visiting quilt shows and sewing groups. Let's get to know Liz a little bit more....

Tell us a little bit about Teddlywinks?

"Teddlywinks evolved when my husband, David, was retrenched from his job. I was a primary teacher at the time, but I needed a change of direction. I yearned to follow a creative path – I take a great deal of delight in hand crafting an item, taking lovely fabrics and turning them into something beautiful. So we made the decision – we reversed roles and David stopped looking for a job and became a house husband – he cooked, cleaned, washed and shopped, and more importantly set up the paperwork side of the business. I kept working to keep food on the table, designing and stitching at the same time!!! He still helps me with all the housework and cooking!"

Look at her work area! Lots of drawers for storage of fabric, lots of work benches...lucky lady! For Liz it's been a long time coming having a work area like this...
 

Do you have a favourite place to stitch?
I like to sit at night in front of the fire, listening to music or watching a favourite TV program, and do all my hand stitching. If I’m not stitching, I’m drawing or reading! All the other parts of designing and making are done during the day. I try to keep the weekends free, and get out into the garden, but it doesn’t always work out that way!!! Teddlywinks is a good excuse to indulge my passion – there is a reason to keep on designing and producing. I can’t imagine my life without the creative side to it. I love seeing the end result, and others’ reactions."

Grandma and me" quilt by Teddywinks.

Who taught you to sew/quilt?
"I had a background that is familiar to many ladies of my era who sew – my grandmother and mother who were both talented stitchers and taught me from an early age. My grandmother taught me, when I was 10, the English piecing method of quilting to make a quilt with a hexagonal design for my doll’s bed."

Here's Liz's very first sewing machine! How many of us can say we still have ours? What a beauty.

"I made my first item of clothing, a lawn and broderie anglais half-slip, also at the age of 10, when at Montrose State  School (as it was called back then) – I had to model it at an open night! Since then,  I have made many items of clothing for myself and my family. Craft was more of a necessity. Where we live now was once country – we had to “make do” with the shopping available – so a lot of our clothing, manchester, etc was handmade. Fabrics and knitting yarns were re-cycled – I remember wearing a skirt made out of old gingham curtains! I have always loved to draw and paint and have been sewing from a very early age. "

"Sew busy bears" by Teddlywinks.

Do you have a favourite project that you've made?
"I have four favourite quilts that I’ve designed:
“Green Farm Village” is a quilt inspired by the Welsh countryside where my Mum grew up.
I made “Grandpa’s Little Treasures” and “Grandma and Me” from my memories of happy times spent with my brothers and grandparents.“Sew Busy Bears” is all about my love of sewing!"

"Grandpa and me" quilt by Teddlywinks.

What do you love about your craft?
"Talented Quilters everywhere! I have become more aware of the time, effort, love, care and pride taken by stitchers, from modest quilts through to the more elaborate and detailed designs alike. I am appreciating that it’s not the size of the stitch that is important, but the fact that it is that person’s personal creation – they have put their heart and soul into it – therefore I believe it to be beautiful.
I am also continually amazed by the friendliness and generosity of those in quilting communities who share, support and care for their members. Many of these groups work tirelessly to support their favourite charities."

Teddlywinks quilt design "Green Farm Village."

Best sewing/quilting advice you've received?
"If you have difficulties with colour choices, stick to the fabrics in a particular range. Look for the little coloured dots along the selvedge – they indicate the dye shades used, and this is a good guide to help with the choice of complimentary fabrics.

Do you have a some advice to share with us?

"Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Rules are meant to be broken – go with your instincts. If you like it, then do it! Remember, it’s your quilt! Be proud of your achievements."



I can’t do without...
"My grandchildren Sean, Josh and Archie, and another due in July. A girl, I hope!" Also my John James Gold’nGlide appliqué needles! I was getting carpal tunnel symptoms in my right wrist – these needles have been a life saver! Paper, a good pencil, rubber and a sharpener – to sketch out any ideas that come along. I do all the design drawings by hand – I prefer to use paper and pencil – then a good quality fine tipped permanent marker to trace the final design, using my light box, another very much appreciated piece of equipment!"

What are you working on at the moment?
"A stitchery quilt using Lynette Anderson’s newest fabric range, “Candy Cane Angels”. I’m calling the quilt “Woodland Christmas” because it has lots of little animals – a moose, rabbits, squirrel, raccoons, hedgehog, owls, snail, fox, and of course, bears! "

Liz is also an extremely generous lady. She is continually fund-raising to donate to "Free the Bears." An organisation which is working to save the plight of Cambodia's sun bears.

"We are very conscious of the plight of the world’s wildlife, and to do “our little bit”, we sponsor a sun bear, Bobo, who lives in a sanctuary in Phnom Tamao, Cambodia. These bears have been saved from appalling conditions and horrific abuse. The Free the Bears Fund Inc. uses 100% of all donations to help the bears.

If you would like to find out more information about this worth cause or make a donation you can go to...

Free the Bears




And a last note from Liz... "The cheeky faces of my bears are inspired by people watching – it’s a great way to find that perfect expression!"

I'd like to say a huge thank yo to Liz for taking the time to share a small piece of her wonderful life with us. Remeber if you'd like to find out more about Liz you can go to her blog, or to purchase any of her patterns you can go to her website.

Next Post I'll be sharing with you new fabric packs and embroidery threads for "Le Jardin" Quilt.

 

 

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Sew and Tell:: Interview with Kez from CheraBella Buttons

Oh Gosh....long time no blog! So much is happening behind the scenes which I can't just reveal yet, but it's going to be fantastic when I can! Busy, busy, busy.....

Anyway let's get to today's post. I'd love for you to get to know Kez from CheraBella Buttons. Cherabella Buttons make gorgeous handmade, handpainted buttons machine washable buttons. You can use Kez's buttons for quilts and stitcheries, embroidery patterns, bags and scrap booking. So let's get to know her a little better, I whipped up some in-depth questions and Kez very kindly agreed to take the time to answer them for us.

Where is CheraBella Buttons located? 

We only have an online store as we travel around Australia attending all the Craft and Quilt shows. Dan and myself travel to all these shows and love catching up with our club members and customers to say hi and see how they are all doing. (Note: Kez and Dan are currently at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair)

Tell us a bit about CheraBella Buttons?  I run a retreat every year in March. I teach at the retreats and also we have a guest designer every 2nd year which is Bronwyn Hayes.

I don't have heaps of time for Facebook and blogs with our buttons as they are handmade and handpainted. We ship our buttons all over the world.

When it comes to our buttons nothing takes 5 min's. Some buttons can take 40 min's to paint.

Who taught you to sew/quilt? I am self taught. I remember when my son Craig was around 1 year old I was reading a magazine at the doctors and I saw a quilt made just with squares. I thought, "I can do that," so off I went got the fabric and made my first quilt. I have now been quilting for over 30 years.

Why did you start sewing? I have always made my own clothes and also my children's when they were young. I made my first dress when I was 12 on an old hand turn Singer that my Dad bought for me.

Do you have a favourite stitch? Daisy Stitch and French Knots. I love to make French braid Quilts.

Here's a photo of one of her quilts which Kez has made.

Do you have a favourite place to stitch? 

I have a craft room. I tend to stitch on my deck as I have the most beautiful trees and birds singing as my backdrop. At night I stitch with one my of favourite DVD's in the player. I love Pride and Prejudice and Lost in Austen. I love anything done by Jane Austen.

What do you love about your craft? I love how I cut pieces of different coloured fabric's sew them together and they become a quilt. I have made many many quilts which have been donated or given as gifts.

So Kez, what had been the best sewing/quilting advice you've received?

I have always been a person that does her own thing  but I have several quilt designers that I have followed for years. Bronwyn Hayes and Natalie Bird.  I adore Kids Quilts and all their design for children. I have also thought that we should support our Australian designers so I don't tend to follow anyone not from my own country.

I remember when I first meet Brownyn Hayes I was so excited. I have followed her work for many many years. I have all her books and every pattern Red Brolly has sold.

My favourite quilt is Gingham Girls. I have also made many bags over the years. Now that I own and run a business my sewing time is taken up with samples and new designs. We are very lucky to have a dear friend, called JH who is a great stitcher. JH does all my samples when they are Red Brolly as JH is also a Bronwyn Hayes fan...

Here's a lovely photo from one of Kez's stitching retreat weekends.

Thanks Kez for taking the time to share with us...you didn't need to say "Red Brolly"....shucks! Don't forget that Kez and Dan are in Sydney this weekend at the Quilt and Craft show, if you're going make sure you pop to their stand and say "Hi."

If you can't get to the show and are after some lovely porcelain buttons then check out the CheraBella Buttons website. She also designs quilt and emroidery patterns, so check it out. Kez will also be my invited Guest curator on one of my Pinterest boards for the next week, so look out for some of her inspiration.

Sew and Tell:: Nicola Foreman

Hi Everyone....Today on the blog, I bring you another exciting interview with one of you lovely sewers and quilters. Please grab a cuppa and nestle in for a read as I introduce you to a fabulous quilter- Nicola Foreman. Nicola is a very busy quilter. Her blog- Nicola Foreman Quilts- is just brimming with lots of gorgeous stitched projects and quilts. There were so many to choose from I had lots of difficulties narrowing it down to  a select few for the interview. You'll have to go and check out her blog to see all the wonderful things she's made.

Let's start shall we?...

One of Nicola's quilts made using a Laer cake from Moda

 

So Nicola, would you like to share with everyone where you live?
"I live in a village called Rendlesham, in the Suffolk countryside, not far from the coast. I’m 5 minutes walk away from fields and Rendlesham forest, which is perfect for walking our dog, Jasper, a black Labrador."

A baby Girl's quilt stitched by Nicola

 

How did you learn your sewig and quilting skills?
"My mother’s aunt taught me to sew as a little girl – mostly embroidered chair back covers – then as a teenager I decided that it wasn’t really cool any more, and although I did dressmaking at school, didn’t really do a lot of sewing (apart from making my bridesmaid dresses and my two daughters christening gowns) until I moved to Rendlesham a few years ago, then I found a wonderful quilt shop about 5 miles away called Quilters Haven - (and now my youngest daughter is working there in her gap year). I have been on lots of classes there and learn so much – it was very exciting a couple of years ago when Lynette Anderson taught there for two days and I was lucky enough to go to both days."

 

Here's Nicola, who was lucky enough to snap a photo with my friend Lynette at her local quilt shop.

 

"Spin City"

 Why did you start sewing?
"When I first found Quilters Haven I saw a fabulous wall hanging – I just had to have it! I enrolled on a beginner’s course and the rest as they say is history! I find it so relaxing and it is wonderful to give someone a gift that you have created yourself. I have made some wonderful friends along the way!"

Pin Wheel Puffs made using a jelly roll.

Do you have a favourite place to stitch?

 "I love sitting in my conservatory to hand stitch, especially on a sunny day, overlooking my garden. For machine stitching I have to use the dining room – oh I dream about having a sewing room all to myself – maybe one day!!" (I think that dream is one shared by many of us!)

A peg bag, taken in the beautiful garden Nicola was telling us about.

Another beautifully stitched quilt...and, again, you can see some of Nicola's lovely English garden.

Have you a favourite stitch that you just love to do?

"Back stitch – simple but I love it!"

"Geese in a snow storm" quilt by Nicola- Look at that piecing together- so neat!

If you could, and I know that there are so many to choose from, but do you have a favourite project that you've made?
"Each quilt I make is always my favourite – until the next one! The last one I made was a pattern called Ruth’s Quilt by Leanne Beasley and was made with a medley of Fig tree Quilt fabrics. It’s got lots of stitchery on it, which I love, and the colours are gorgeous – peach and pink and cream – I normally prefer bright colours but this quilt is lovely!!"

 

What are you working on at the moment?

"I’m stitching a table runner, it’s a mixture of quilting and stitchery. It’s a Norwegian pattern by the designer AnnAKa. My love of her patterns has taken me to Norway and I have been lucky enough to do a couple of courses with her too"

One of Nicola's Table runner's by AnnAKa

 What do you love about your craft?
"I love being able to make individual gifts that are unique – I can buy a tote bag and see lots of women with the same one – but I can make one and know that no-one else has got one quite like it!"

A bag made by Nicola

 

A cushion made from a photograph for her Niece's wedding.

 Since you've been sewing what would've been the best piece of sewing advice you've received?
"Use the right needle and thread for the job – then you can’t really go wrong, whether I’m machine stitching or hand stitching."

Look at that stitching!

 

Do you have a favourite motto that you live by that you would like to share with everyone?

I like that one :-)

Thanks Nicola for taking the time to share with us your stitching world. These interviews are one of my favourite things to do on the blog. Please, go and have a look at Nicola's blog...there's lots of lovely quilts and sewing projects to look at. Nicola's blog was a "present" from her sister, who thought that she needed to have a blog to share all her wonderful sewing projects!

If you would like to be part of the "Sew and Tell" interviews on the blog, they are open to anyone, please email me and I'll get you started...

bronwyn@red-brolly.com.au

On another topic, I'll be starting Christmas projects and ideas on the blog this week. Lot's of lovely little projects to make and give as gifts, ideas for decorating your home  and tree and gorgeous gift wrapping ideas. Plus, some exciting news from Red Brolly HQ, but more about that in about 2 week's time. Please make sure that you have "liked" my Red Brolly facebook page.

Don't forget to share with me your progress with "The Wish" quilt!

Sew and Tell:: Michelle Ridgway from Rag-tag stitchin'

Time for another wonderful Sew and Tell interview with a fabulous stitcher and designer. Meet....drum roll please....

Michelle is the designer behind Rag-tag Stitchin'. Have you heard of her? She's so lovely and has been very accomodating by letting us come into her world and have a little peek. You're about to find out a whole lot more about this fabulous woman.

"So Michelle, where do you live?"

"I live in Queensland with my husband of 40 years in a southern outer suburb of Brisbane. My suburb adjoins a beautiful State Forest which is a Koala Protection Habitat with gorgeous tall Tallow wood trees making up a large part of the forest. I am fortunate that my home is about a 5min walk from one on the enviromental parks that link to the Forest and is a favourite place of mine. Living close by enables me to have lovely walks through the bush even though I am only a 20 minute drive  from the centre of Brisbane City. I have lived here for about 35 years and raised my 2 children here. They are now grown and married and I am a besotted Nanna to 2 delightful little Grandsons."

You can see how gorgeous the area Michelle lives from the photo. It looks very peaceful doesn't it?

Would you like to see some of Michelle's designs?

"Angel of the Teaparty quilt"

 
"Tea and cakes" quilt design

Rag-tag stitchin sewing bag

"Tell us a little more about yourself..."

"I first began designing and from this Rag-tag Stitchin’ was created. After retiring from full time employment 4 1/2 years ago I have been able to devote myself to full time designing which is something I had been wishing to do for ages.

I began my blog http://michelleridgwaydesigns1.blogspot.com about 18 months ago to showcase and sell my Rag-tag Stitchin’ patterns and connect and interact with my customers. I have to admit to being a very reluctant blogger not being at all techno savvy. What I discovered which really surprised me was the wonderful community of fellow stitchers I found out there in blogland. I have found them to be so encouraging, supportive and generous and so proud of the Aussie designers. I have come to love blogging. I also recently joined Pinterest."

"Who taught you to sew/quilt?"
"Both my Grandmother and Mother were accomplished needlewomen and my Grandmother created beautiful crochet. My Grandmother started me embroidering linen Fancywork pieces as an antedote to a less than enthusiastic sewing teacher at school and I found I loved it and she was such a wonderful gentle and encouraging instructor. When I completed a piece she would then crochet and edge around it for me."

"Why did you start sewing?"

"I learnt to cross stitch and really loved it but didn’t really even know how to use a sewing machine. My Mother and I went to a local Quilt groups annual show and it was there that I saw for the first time needleturn Applique quilt and said to my Mum I really would love a quilt like that. So not having any notion at all what was involved I signed up for a “Baltimore Style” quilt class. After I got over my first terrors and with the assistance of a very patient teacher I successfully completed my first block – a basket of flowers. Although it took me a further 6 years, hours of hand quilting and a lot of lessons learnt I eventually finished the quilt. It is still a favourite. After that as they say I was well and truly hooked."

Would you like to see a snap shot of this quilt? Well, it was 6 years in the making! I think she deserves a round of applause for persistence. Pretty fantastic for a first quilt!

"Do you have a favourite place to stitch?"
"I have taken ownership of my Daughter’s old bedroom as a sewing room and I am ashamed to admit is usually in some kind of disarray being a bit of a messy creator but my favourite place to draw, stitch and quilt is my favourite brown recliner chair. I am definitely a “curl up in my chair” type of girl for creating and reading."

"Do you have a favourite stitch/sewing technique?"

"I love hand stitching, particularly needleturn applique, embroidery, stitcheries, working with felt and hand quilting. I adore redwork and always have a piece of redwork stitchery on the go even if I am working on another project. The fact that red is a favourite colour might have something to do with it. I also love combining applique, stitchery and embroidery."

Here's some of her stunning redwork that Michelle is talking about.

 "So Michelle, are you working on anything at the moment?"

"As I usually have several things on the go at once I usually have several projects in various stages of completion. I have just finished a pretty stitchery quilt called “My Country Garden” and it is in muted pretty country hues. I am also working on two Christmas Stitchery quilts. One features a cute little Christmas mouse."

"What has been your favourite project that you've made?"

It would be a quilt I created called “Christmas Bakeshop”. I loved every moment of it from the drawings, planning and stitiching right through to the last stitches on the binding. I think this quilt celebrated my love of All Things Christmas and my affection for Gingerbread Folk. It began because I have always loved the fancy striped awning on some of the speciality stores and so I decided to create my very own store with a striped canopy and what better than a Christmas Bakeshop. It is a combination of redwork stitchery and applique and is assembled with another favourite scrappy blocks.

And here it is!!

"What is your favourite project to stitch?"
"It would have to be Christmas projects (I am a Christmasaholic) and as a handmade bear collector I also love to draw and stitch bears."

 

"What do you love about your craft?"
"My craft enables me to express myself creatively like nothing else does. I love being able to take an idea, draw it and then see it come to life with thread and fabric. I am very proud to be a needlewoman and create with my hands like many other women who came before me. Stitching has also given me very dear lifelong friends."
 

"Do you have a favourite quote/motto/ piece of advice you live by?"
"Well I have a couple the first is from Judy Garland – “Be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else” or as my Nanna used to say “To thine own self be true” the other which I think is very personal to me is “You are never to old to realise your dreams”

"Over the years what has been the best sewing/quilting advice you've received?"

"Use paper masking tape to give you nice neat, even straight lines when quilting when hand quilting lines."

I think this is a wonderful sewing tip and one I certainly hadn't heard of. Have you?

"Finally Michelle, is there a piece of fabric which would describe your personality?"

"I think it would have to be Butterscotch and Roses by Fig Tree Quilts. I think it has vintage feel with a modern twist and the boldness of the red in the blooms takes you a little by surprise......being a woman “of a certain age” I like to think I take people by surprise sometimes too. LOL!"

I like that fabric range too Michelle!

Michelle will be my special invited guest pinner on Pinterest this week, so if you're on Pinterest, leave her a comment or "like" her pins and give her a bit of encouragement. Also, if you've enjoyed her interview, leave her a lovely comment or go on over to her blog and read a little bit more.

Finally, I would just like to say a HUGE thank you to Michelle for taking the time to do this interview and share her sewing life with all of us. Thanks Michelle!

If you'd like to be a featured quilter, I'd be happy to hear from you, email me and I'll give you the details. It's open to anyone, you don't have to be a designer, just someone who loves to sew.

 

Sew and Tell:: Deb Davison from Frog Cottage Designs

Today I bring a fantastic interview with a fellow Australian designer-Deb Davison from Frog Cottage Designs. A super talented, generous lady, who's a quilt designer, foster mum, crafter, opal miner (yes, you read that right!!), shop owner...and as you're about to see...a FABULOUS quilter! She found quilting and had never looked back.

All the gorgeous eye candy below is Deb's lovely work. I really hope you enjoy reading more about Deb and enjoy getting to know her as much as I did.

Me: "Where do you live?

Deb: "The family located to Australia's oldest surviving gold mining town, Sofala, to a property on 120 acres surrounded by bushland. That was 9 years ago and I haven’t looked back. We have two dams and the Turon River borders 2kms of the property. We have chickens, alpacas, a goat, a pig, two dogs and two cats…..and five kids. I moved here from Sydney and just love it!!

Me: " Tell us a bit about your background."

Deb: "I grew up with a love of craft from an early age. I have fond memories of sitting by my Grandmothers side crocheting. My mum helped feed my craft addiction by allowing me to purchase bags of wool so I could crochet to my hearts content. Thanks to my upbringing I've always had some sort of craft in my life. I was heavily into folk art until I moved to the country in 2002. I worked as the Customer Service Manager for Faulding Distribution for close to 20 years, then upon the birth of my last child I decided a need for a change in lifestyle. In 2007 I decided to be a foster mum and received three long term kids ( sibling group), as well as my daughter, now 9, and son, now 18,  as well as the occasional kids for respite. My days are full and challenging."

Me: "Who taught you to sew/quilt and why did you start quilting?"

Deb: "After moving to the country I discovered Anni Downs store "The Home Patch", I spent many an hour exploring the store; it's here that my addiction started to patchwork and fabric. I'm completely self taught and have never attended a patchwork lesson, instead I religiously watch "Simply Quilts" with Alex Anderson on Austar as well as experimenting and reading every book within reach."

Me: "And how did you start designing quilt and patchwork patterns."

Deb: "Frog Cottage started in 2008 after a period of successfully selling handmade items on ebay. After realising that after a lot of hard work finishing products, I found I had nothing to show for it. Wanting to keep my quilts, wall hangings etc for myself, I decided to sell my patterns instead. I am passionate about my craft and those close to me understand my need to sew and relax. The pieces I'm most interested in designing and sewing are redwork and applique. As my time is restricted I am able to complete hand sewing easily with little kids around as its compact and portable. I use a lot of muted country tones and am moving more towards the reds creams and greys. I have just finished two new quilts (for boys) and have two more almost finished (for girls) for the range. Having two small grandsons I didn’t find a lot of boys quilts that I liked, so I decided to design my own; Alphabet train and Rockets and Robots."

Alphabet train by Frog Cottage Designs

Rockets and Robots by Frog Cottage Designs

Me: "Do you have a favourite place to stitch? Or if you're lucky a craft room/corner?"

Deb: "With 5 kids at home, three 5 and under, I do find limited sanctuary in my sewing room. It used to be the study and has floor to ceiling bookcase on two walls. My cutting table is on one wall and my computer desk is under the window. I do stitch most nights in my high back chair in the lounge room. My daylight floor lamp keeps me company most nights when everyone else has gone to bed. I'm up most nights till midnight hand sewing."

Deb's desktop

Me: "What's been your favourite project that you've made? Why? Are you working on at the moment?"

Deb: "I'm on the last row of the ‘Vignette Hexagon’ quilt and have used three jelly rolls to date. I added an additional side and bottom row to make a bigger quilt. This quilt is my favourite project as it’s the first time I've used English paper piecing. I have spent many many long hours cutting, basting and
handstitching each hexagon and find the whole process therapeutic. At the moment I'm working on a new quilt design...UFO's."

Deb's gorgeous hexi quilt. Don't you just love the colours!

Told you she was a patient lady!

 

Me: " What's been the best sewing/quilting advice you've received?"

Deb: "I think the best advice I have been given was from my Mum. She has always told me to ‘follow your heart’, she also said if you are going to do something make sure you do it right. I think of her every time I unpick uneven seams or stitches. My mum is really supportive and gave me the push to start Frog Cottage Designs. I wanted to start a business where I could work from home while I raised my young children. I was making my own cushions, table runners and wall hangings and selling them on ebay. Mum suggested I start my own pattern range and that way at least I would be able to keep the items I made; and so, Frog Cottage Designs was born. Thanks Mum!! She is still my greatest fan!!"

 

Me: " What's your favourite stitch/sewing technique?

Deb: "I love any type of handwork, buttonhole and needleturn applique, but lately I have an addiction English paper piecing!!

Me: " What do you love about your craft?"

Deb: "I find my craft is an escape for me. It’s where I can sit and sew and forget about the real world for a while. I can also share my passion of all things ‘quilty’ with my sewing friends, blogging friends, and customers. A lot of us are working on the same projects and it’s great to see all the different end results.Once a week I have a sewing day with a few girlfriends and we work on BOMs and stitchalongs together. Through patchwork I found the world of blogs and have a wonderful group of blogging friends. We recently met up again at the Sydney Quilt and Craft show and it was wonderful that many ladies travelled from afar. I drove for 4.5 hour both ways yet had a great day, socialising and buying lots of goodies."

Me: "Do you have a favourite quote/motto/ piece of advice you live by?

Deb: "My favourite quote is “Any day spent sewing is a good day”…I even included this quote in a needle case I made for Frog Cottage. Being a foster mum life can get really busy and change at a moment’s notice, so I find this motto appropriate for me."

Now I know you've been wondering...What about the opal mining? Where does the opal mining fit onto her hectic life? Deb was very lovely to include some photos of her recent trip to their opal mine which she just returned fossicking for opals few days ago...

Me: "Would you like to share a little bit about opal mining?"

Deb: "I have included a few pics of our Opal Mine in Grawin NSW, its located 70kms west of Lightning Ridge NSW. My hubby has been opal mining since 1994 and he has had this camp for the last six years. The mine is 47ft underground and I've included a pic of hubby using the rickshaw clearing rubble. The pic of the opal ( 32 carat) is one my hubby has ready to sell."

I really hope that you've enjoyed reading all about Deb and I would like to thank her for her time and all those gorgeous photos. If you'd like to see more of Deb's work here's all her info...

email: admin@frogcottagedesigns.com.au

blog: http://frogcottagedesigns.blogspot.com

website: www.frogcottagedesigns.com.au

facebook: facebook.com/frogcottagedesigns

...PLUS she'll be my "Guest Red Brolly" pinner on my Pinterest board for the entire week.

Thanks again Deb for giving us a sneaky peek into your stitching world.

If you'd like to take part in my "Sew and Tell :: Spotlight on a Quilter," just contact me. You can be anyone, you don't have to be a designer, just someone who loves quilting and crafting.

Tomorrow...Butterflies and ombre cake!

Red Brolly :: Sew and Tell

It's been such a long time since I've done one of these. I feel very guilty that I've neglected it for so long as it's a part of the blog that I love doing.

So, I've brought back my "Sew and Tell" interviews. Each month I will be featuring a very special stitcher/quilter...one of you!

Each month one very generous and lovely stitcher/quilter will give us an insight into their sewing world, PLUS, because I think you are all so special and have fantastic ideas, you will be given exclusive access to my personal Pinterest account and will be a guest pinner for the week your interview is on my blog. For the week each gorgeous stitcher will post onto a special board which I have created especially for you, so you can share your likes with everyone. Sounds great doesn't it? I can't wait to see your pins.

 

Are you ready? Cuppa in hand?

I would like you to meet Charity, a very inspirational and generous crafter. Come and have a look into her sewing world, her accomplishments are amazing...

Where do you live?
"I spent many years moving from state to state. I've lived as far west as Hawaii and as far east as Virginia. When I finally gave up my "gypsy travels", I landed in Northern California where the Redwood Forrest meets the Pacific Ocean. I love it here and consider Humboldt County my home. The fact that this is Bigfoot Country makes it that much more appealing."

Do you have a blog/website/shop?

"I have been blogging for a few years. I'm not much of a writer so I usually just post pictures of my latest projects. It has definitely turned into an on-line diary without the "Dear Diary" part. I have began the process of opening an etsy store but have yet to fill the shelves with my creations.I love to sell my wares at the local festivals during the summer. When the season ends I plan on opening my on-line shop."

 

Have a look at Charity's blog...

 http://humboldtcherry.blogspot.com/

 

Who taught you to sew/quilt?

"One day while channel surfing I stopped on a PBS quilting show. It was love at first sight. So off to the local library I went. I checked out every book I could find on quilting and read each one like it was a novel. I picked a pattern I liked from one of the books and began to piece my first quilt. That was three years ago and I'm still moving ahead at full speed."

 Here's Charity's first quilt she made!

Why did you start sewing?
"I am a self-taught award winning designer, embroiderer and quilter. I started my love affair with sewing making festival attire and killer bags to keep all your stash in while rockin' out to your favorite band playing on stage. My designs have been sold up and down the east and west coast of the US and as far away as Germany."

 

Made in honor of her Grandmother

 

What are you working on at the moment?

"I joined my local quilters guild and immediately became the co-host for their show-n-tell segment. This year I became a liaison for the guild "Community Quilts" program. We prepare pre cut quilt kits and then volunteers from the guild sew them together. This past guild year we have made over 400 quilts. They are then donated to various organizations such as Red Cross, Veterans and Hospice programs." Wow!

                                                   Charity's pinwheel quilt.

Favourite project that you've made? Why?
"This summer I was honored to be included into an elite group of women to design a special portrait quilt. The unveiling of this piece will be in the fall. "

What do you love about your craft?
"I am also an embroidery addict. My love affair with needle and thread began when I was 17. I was given a 5x5 needlepoint to stitch. I finished it the first day. I had to learn more about this age old artwork so off to the library I went. I have been producing needlework for 29 years now. My work can often be seen at our local art galleries. Stitching is therapy for the soul. I am never as content as when I have needle and thread in hand."

Some of her wax tinted hand embroidery...

Do you have a piece of advice you live by?

"There are many great designers out there and so many books filling the shelves of your local library. Why not spend your next free Saturday researching a craft that has always interested you? If while reading up on the ins, outs and how to's this new craft makes your heart sing, it's the craft for you."

Best sewing/quilting advice you've received?

"I leave you with this small bit of wisdom; when you find your niche, embrace it. Jump in with both feet and see where it takes you. The world is waiting to celebrate your creativeness."

 

I would just like to thank Charity for taking the time to share with us her quilting and embroidery, if you'd like to see more, then please visit her blog or leave her a lovely supportive comment and look out for her pins on my Pinterest boards titled "Red Brolly Guest Pinners."

Bronwyn...

           

 

Sew and Tell:: {Heather Bailey}

Would you like some inspiration for your workspace?

Today, come and peek inside the studio of Heather Bailey...

Gorgeous isn't it? Here's soem things that she did that we can also do at home. See the glass jars on the top left shelf? Well, those are just ordinary jars, recycled, and then the lids have been painted red.

This cabinet was a flea market find which was bought for $150 and then revamped. What a great way to stash all our bits of fabric, and it doubles as a gorgeous display! Group all fabrics according to colour to make a wonderful and eye-catching arrangement.

 

A great way to store our ribbons...and they're easy on hand to grab quickly.

A vintage mirror which was originally gold and she repainted.

Drawers of buttons..again grouped according to colour.

A stunning chandelier hangs in the centre of her studio...

Hope you enjoyed this eye-candy as much as I did.

oh...and if any of you have an inspirational studio that you would like to share with us. I would love to hear from you.

 

 

Sew and tell

Time for another Sew and Tell. I just love doing these. This week is a very lovely and very patient lady (We did this interview with her quite awhile ago) by the name of Jeanette. Please come with me as we take a peek into her creative world....

 

Please meet Jeanette.

Here's some important things you need to know about her. Firstly she's a Queenslander (but we won't hold that against her), she's a super crafty mum, who loves cats. Her main passion is embroidery, but, she loves to collect unusual plants and old china. Would you like to find out more? Should you visit Jeanette's blog? Absolutely! You can here.

Jeanette has just returned from a weekend stitching retreat to Mount Alford Lodge. Perhaps you were there too?

She is a very busy lady-participating in many, many various online stitching groups and craft swaps. She's also part of OPAM 2011 (One Project A Month) which many of you are also participating in, as well as being part of the "Vignette Hexagon Quilt" project- told you she was patient, didn't I?

Jeanette also finds the time to attend a patchwork group twice a month-where she gets together with a lovely group of stitching ladies to spend the morning sewing (cough, cough...I'm sure that there's more than stitching going on at these gatherings!).

Would you like to see some photos?

 

Can you see all those gorgeous books, magazines and patterns? Isn't she organised?

Jeanette has been creative and crafty all of her life and doesn't remember a time when she wasn't making something. Like a lot of us her mother  taught her to embroider, sew, knit & crochet when she was a tiny girl (Are you sensing a theme here?). Both her Mother and Grandmother always did some form of craftwork. She's also joined craft groups over the years to make friends with like-minded people  & to learn new crafts.

Jeanette first started doing patchwork 20 years ago when her first project she completed was hand pieced, 8 Dresden plate, table mats. She then didn't do any patchwork for awhile, then she tried, (and very successfully) made her first quilt.

Her absolute favourite craft medium would have to be embroidery but she also loves doing patchwork & quilting-especially when the two mediums combine! She particularly loves to hand piece as well as do needleturn & buttonhole applique.

Finally here's her favourite place to stitch....
Comfy, hey?

 

I'll just leave you with her favourite inspirational quote...

Thank you Jeanette for letting us into your creative space.

Sew and Tell..

Today I bring you another peek into the inspirational world of you lovely sewers and quilters. I absolutely love doing these posts. I love to see how you organise and create in your space.

Please come with me as we go for a visit to..... I would like to introduce the wonderful and inspirational Debbie, you may know her in the stitching circles, blogs and chat rooms as "Debbie St. Germain." She has been coming to my blog for a little while now and it's great to finally get to "meet" her.

  

 

Look what's near where she lives...

Gorgeous isn't it?

Now what should you know about the wonderful Debbie? Firstly, she lives in the beautiful Rhode Island in the States. Secondly,  she has her own blog, WoolenSails, which she's been running since 2008. And it's just lovely and whimsical and lots of inspirational photos from around where she lives. She also sells lots of wonderful e-patterns which you can buy from her blog.

Now to the sewing part...Would you like to see some of her work? What about where she creates? You should see how lucky Debbie is. Look at these...

Here's her...wait for it...sewing room!

 

She does admit that it's a work in progress. She has it  set up so she can move around freely on her office chair. She spends the day whizzing and spinning across the room, moving from space to project, to books and supplies.

The little basket you can see on her wall is her new scrap basket. She throws in all the small pieces that are cut off from her sewing. So, she can grab a piece from here if she needs something small for applique or if she is practicing on the machine, she can use a piece to try the stitches on.

Debbie has organised all her creative bits and pieces into drawers holding things such as scrap wools, scrap pieces, tools and other bits. But.it gets better, she also has another room  which is devoted to her other craft of wool hooking. Here, she also keeps all her magazines. We, unfortunately, we're not allowed into that room as Debbie admits that it's a little untidy.

Would you like to see some of her sewing?

Debbie belongs to and participates in lots of online crafting/quilting groups, some public, some by private invitiation. She also belongs to an ebay group called USAPRIM. It is a group of wonderful woman who create primitive goods, made in the USA. She also belongs to two primitive quilting groups, and several flicker groups, including Red Brolly. Debbie believes that groups are a great way to make new friends and to learn new techniques and styles.
This piece below is one of her favourite pieces.

It's her favourite because it was done as a challenge in her primitive quilt group.
Each participant was given partners and her partner sent her fat quarters, wool and an assortment of embellishments such as lace and buttons,  and, guess what the challenge was? She had to make them into a quilt!!!

By her own admission it was a challenge to create something with the lace and assortment of buttons and the chicken panel. I think it turned out pretty well, don't you?

She also loves folk art and creates a lot of quilts from pictures that she has seen. Here's another favourite of her's, which was created by flicking through old quilting books and using ideas she had seen.

Debbie, like a lot of us, learnt her skills from her mother and grandmother. Spending lots of American summers at her grandmother's house quilting and rug hooking.

Finally, it's time to say goodbye to Debbie. If you see her around in the crafting and quilting circles make sure you say hello and I would just like to thank Debbie for her time and letting us into her crafting world.

I'll just leave you with her favourite inspirational quote...

 

AND...almost forgot, you should go and check out her blog. Debbie is being very generous and is running  a little giveaway of one of her e-patterns.