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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