Monday, June 3, 2019

Free pattern and the garden in winter...


We spent all weekend working in the garden, a garden which has entered winter and for the first time we're observing those seasonal changes which these cooler months bring.

Compared to those who live in more temperate climates our tropical winter temperatures are quite mild, most days around 24 to 26 C (around 77 F), but we did drop down to 14 C (57 F) overnight recently when a cool blast of antarctic air moved right up here to remind us what a beautiful thing a cold change can be.  Apparently we're in for more cool nights this week which means soup will be on the menu and fresh bread must be baked because hearty soups with thick slices of bread warm my husband's heart as well as his tummy. 

This month the free pattern I've decided to share with you celebrates all seasons...



I  stitched it onto a cream tonal quilting fabric using a few of the Cosmo Seasons variegated threads, but you could just as easily use any variegated floss. 

The pattern will be available as a gift download until July 1st.


Since the floods in January and early February a lot has changed in the garden. There were trees and plants which simply were unable to cope with the endless monsoon rains, rising water and weeks of waterlogged roots, so Mr E has gradually cut them down, dug out roots and worked at replenishing the health of our soil.

Right in the midst of the monsoon that huge asparagus looking plant outside our bedroom window
 began to topple and was ready to fall on the power lines. 

(photo taken before the monsoon)



It measured 20 feet high at the time and was still growing. In the pouring rain with water up past his knees my dear husband wrestled it down away from the power lines and over a period of an hour brought it up roots and all. 

We left the affected garden beds bare for a while and spent time drawing up plans as to what we really wanted in the front yard and a timeline for getting it done.

For ages out front it has looked like a sad muddy construction site, but very slowly we're making changes which will one day pay off with a beautiful front yard.

All the crackerdust in front of the house beside the carport is gone now and a load of good rich soil was delivered. We chose to plant one of my favourite trees, the pink trumpet flower tree or Tabebuia Palmeri across the front for privacy, shade and beauty. In winter this is covered in a million gorgeous flowers which leave a pink carpet across the ground underneath.

(the area between the tree and the front of the house will become raised garden beds)





We've also planted fragrant vines such as Jasmine and Hibbertia in front of the brown wooden noise barrier which also acts as privacy screen for our bedroom.

Behind the brown noise barrier there's another Tabebuia planted but this one has white flowers. We're still deciding what else to plant across the back of the barrier but I want pretty colours as this will be the view from our open bedroom window.




Both the Tabebuia trees have grown about two feet in the past six weeks so they are obviously happy in the soil.

Where that giant asparagus plant once was is now clear and after rejuvenating the soil Mr E planted two Syzygium shrubs there which will also add to privacy around that window.




Just beside the Syzygiums our huge desert rose survived the monsoon and was flush with leaves for ages but now that winter has arrived the leaves fall away and soon it will be covered in pink blooms. Desert Roses can only do one thing at a time - bloom in flower or have leaves.




Two huge variegated hibiscus lost the fight after the floods, becoming so diseased from top to root that we removed them and let the soil sit for a bit. This weekend a Melaleuca tree (Tea Tree) was added in their place which grows to around 4 metres - not too high for the power lines but a nice height for privacy.





You'll notice throughout that Mr E has replaced and updated all the pipes which carry flood waters from the pumps in our yard to the storm drain in the kerb. Being that we have a wet season in the tropics it was important to do what was needed to protect the house from another deluge like this year's monsoon and floods.

Further down that side of the house we've planted more Syzygiums between the Bottle Brush and Grevilleas. These Syzygiums grow taller than the ones outside our bedroom because we want both shade and privacy along that side of the house as next door is 2-storey and can look right in. Nobody wants their neighbours peering down into their bathroom, study and sewing room, right?






Back out front...at the entrance to the house there was an overgrown narrow garden full of kalanchoe and a pretty lily type flower but they hung over the walkway and constantly needed trimming. We decided to dig them up and replant in the back garden (they're doing well) and lay stones in the garden bed as a base to pots of lavender and rosemary which need good drainage and can be moved to higher ground should we get flooding rains again.




We've got two pots so far and next weekend head to Bunnings for another couple of lavender and rosemary plants.  That window is the dining/living room and my little corner office set-up so those fragrances will be beautiful wafting in each day and in the evenings!




The backyard also had plant losses in the monsoon floods but most survived unscathed, apart from another variegated hibiscus and one of the guava trees near the pool which have now been removed.




We'd only just planted a passionfruit vine a week before the monsoon and it was hit and miss as to whether we could keep it going afterwards. Not liking wet feet the passionfruit dwindled fast and looked like we'd have to buy another and start over but with love and care and patience it made a return and is now growing crazy over the structure hubby put up.




There's not much colour in the garden anymore apart from the ever beautiful pink bougainvillea and the occasional hibiscus (the non-variegated hibiscus trees are thriving still), a pink kalanchoe which blooms in winter and my tomato and zucchinis which are fruiting.










Our two cherry tomato plants are thriving, having grown to over 6 feet tall and loaded with fruit. Between them is one 'ring in' plant which sprouted up from the organic soil we bought in late March. Looks like they will be full size tomatoes on that plant but we'll wait and see...








All the herbs are doing well apart from the mint, but the basil is all over the yard in various places, parsley in two pots, chives, oregano, thyme...all coming along beautifully.








I lost three young frangipani in the monsoon but with lots of care the fourth has struggled on and is now growing happily by the laundry door until we decide where in the garden to plant it.
The sad rosemary beside it was another plant which looked doomed but again, careful tending has kept it alive and there's still hope it will pick up again in spring.




Hope you didn't mind the photo wander around some of our gardens. I've got more but they can wait for another day.


GIVEAWAY

As it's the first Monday of the month I have a giveaway for you.

Last Friday I launched my new Block of the Month, Phyllis May's Kitchen and the feedback since then has been overwhelmingly wonderful - thank you!



 So I thought this month I'd bundle up a couple of fat quarters from the Tilda Apple Butter fabric I used in this BOM, three threads from the pattern and a nice big piece of the cream hanky linen I used for the embroidery and applique block backgrounds.
I'll also throw in a free BOM subscription which runs for eight months.

(If you've already joined the BOM I will refund your first month and the rest will be free)



GIVEAWAY CLOSED
The winner was Bezaz


SOON...

I was going to post the recipe to those Cinnamon Scrolls I made Blossom for her birthday but today's post is already long enough so I'll share that later this week in my next post.

Dear friends, thanks for reading along with this rather lengthy post. As I write it's as though we're chatting over chocolate brownies and frothy cappuccinos in my living room and wouldn't it be precious if we could do that for real?
Perhaps I should consider a meet up somewhere for anyone local where we could all chat face to face and bring our stitching along as well. Perhaps at the Tea Rooms on Hervey's Range? Do you live local to Townsville? Would you be interested in something like that?

Righto, I have bread to bake and patterns to write so indeed it is time to sign off.
May our dear Lord BLESS your week, fill your days with laughter and joy, and carry you over the unexpected puddles of life in His strong arms.

Love and hugs


102 comments:

Julie said...

What a lovely post Jenny & a lovely wander around your Yard. Both of you have been busy for sure. I am amazed that tomatoes are growing in your yard at this time of year. Thank you for the chance to enter your beautiful Giveaway. My first thought when I saw those fabrics & threads was a needlecase with maybe a matching pincushion. Just gorgeous! Yes please I would love to come along to your little stitchery meet up .... just a shame theres a flipping great big Ocean in the way!! Have a lovely week my friend Xxx

Tracy said...

You garden is truly beautiful.. I don't have a garden where I live so I make the most of wandering the park for my quite time. I would make a sewing caddy for my scissors etc as no matter what project I do I seem to spend more time looking for 'poet's things than I do stitching.. I'm desperate !!

Mareesky54 said...

I loved reading about all your plants and the improvements Mr E is making to your precious home, Jenny. It will be many months before we can return to our home in Idalia and we cannot wait for the opportunity to once again enjoy the simple pleasures of living in a much loved home. As for what I would make with the fabric and threads, it would be hard to choose. I have so many of your lovely patterns and they all speak to me. Perhaps I would remake ‘Make Time to Mend’ on which all I had to do was sew on a button but which I lost in the flood. Or perhaps ‘Enjoy The Little Things’, or ‘Find Joy in the Ordinary’. Both of these mean so much more post the flood event and the loss of our home. On another note, Jenny, I want to thank you for blogging in December about the Sweet Pea blanket by Lucy of Attic24. That inspired me to start teaching myself to crochet in January, just before the flood, and in this new normal of ours, living in a tiny one bedroom apartment, it has been a lifesaver. It is so therapeutic and I am loving every moment of my crochet journey. I have almost finished Lucy’s Summer Harmony blanket and am very pleased with what I have achieved so far. So thank you for the inspiration. And yes, it would be lovely to meet up some time. Maree xxx

Susan said...

Thank you so much for the free Seasons pattern. That is just perfect for anywhere in the world, and to hang anywhere in the house. I do like the fabric in the giveaway, and I would have to make a Jenny design - perhaps a bird, because I love your birds so much - small enough to hang on my wall at the top of the stairs. It needs shaking up, because the same things have hung there for quite some time now! I loved the roam around your gardening spots. It looks like you are growing your own jungle. That rosemary will come back! Mine froze this winter and still came back and is flourishing outside. The mint (which I don't remember being in the pot where it is now) has done the funniest thing. It is growing all around the edge of the big pot, none in the middle, and it's all single stalks going straight up! I'm going to cut them soon and see if they will branch out. I've never seen mint doing that!

Joanne said...

Hi Jenny,
Your garden looks lovely! There are quite a few plant names I will be looking up! Thanks for the garden tour! There has been a lot of activity there in such a short time! Not quite a year? or has time gone faster that I thought?
30 C here yesterday! now back to 20 C.
I would use the lovely fabrics and threads with the patterns from the Rewind Stitchery Club of course!
Wishing you lots of gardening pleasure!
hugs,
Joanne

Nadine said...

I love your beautiful work , both craft and gardens . I would like to create a special project on memory of my mother in law , she had some lovely dollies and hankies that would so good with your fabrics
Nadine
Nadinetafe@hotmail.com

Kay said...

Thank you for a lovely giveaway. The Tilda fabrics are so pretty, she make such lovely designs which are also fabulous quality. I would probably use them to make some book mark. I haven't tried Cosmos threads, they ar not something I have seen in England. It would be wonderful to have a meet up over cake, if I were nearer I would certainly love to do that. x

Jenny of Elefantz said...

It's been a little over 8 months now. This is our first winter in the house. :-)

Outback Crafter - Debra said...

Oh Jenny. How lovely to wander through your garden. Anything that lives in our garden survives totally on its own. I'm not a gardener at all.

Those fabrics are so happy. I'm not sure what I'd make but no doubt one of your patterns would speak to me.

Thanks for sharing with us again.
Debra

dixigirl said...

Lovely to see the transformation a garden can have under loving hands. Please continue to share.

dixigirl said...

Would love to make some pretty kitchen towels from your give-a-way.

Wendy Duwe said...

Thank you for all the pictures you have taken the time to upload. I think I would use that fabric to make a stitched book with my favourite bible verses in and promises. I'd embroider yellow roses on the cover and then use the fabric to frame each page. Even if I don't win, this project is still one that I want to do. Love and hugs and take care.

e said...

I love your seasons design and had it stitched last year. It always makes me smile. With the tilda fabric, i would stitch one of your adorable houses. Thank you for sharing your garden. It is beautiful.

Little Quiltsong said...

Thank you for the lovely tour of your garden - so wonderful to see. Thank you also for the free pattern - love how it showcases the seasons. I would pick one of your much earlier patterns for the lovely giveaway, should I win - love how you use fabric and embroidery for your designs. Enjoy the cooler weather you are experiencing - soup and thick slices of homemade bread sound delicious :)!

Donna P. said...

It's wonderful to see that you and dh are thriving in your new home, as well as the plants around your home. I don't have a green thumb at all which is why my plants consist of cacti and succuents. Plus we will be full timers in an rv in 2 weeks!
What would I do with the prize? Make small things so our RV has a homey feel to it. Plus homemade gifts!

Wendy said...

I love your garden tour. I would love to meet up and have tea one day, but as I'm way over in Alabama, USA, we might have to wait till heaven for a catch-up :). Because of your blog I began to learn simple stitching. I am working on one your free pieces right now, the door with the house number and welcome sign. I not sure which Phyllis May block I would work on if I won, but I love all the fabrics and colors you used. So so pretty. Wendy-clarksrfun (at) gmail (dot) com

Sharon said...

Thanks so much for the wander around your yard and garden. It is nice to know that you have made such progress after the extreme flooding you had earlier this year - but I know you have worked very hard to reach this point.
The fabrics etc you are giving away I would be tempted to use for the Phyllis May project. I think the memory book you made is so sweet and I love you sharing your dear ones with us.
It would be lovely to visit Australia some day; I'm in central Indiana USA. My sis and bro-in-law actually flew in to the Townsville area this past Feb-Mar when they made a long-planned trek to your territory. They enjoyed a lot of sights in 3 weeks time ! It was fun to read about the places they were visiting...
Thanks again for all that you share with us Jenny ! Looking forward to finding some stitching time for the new project ! Sharon

SusieK said...

I think it would make a lovely tea towel accent or possibly a potholder to match the kitchen memory book. Love what you have done in your garden!!

Anonymous said...

Truly enjoyed the garden tour...you have such a variety of plants & all so different than what would grow here in my garden. Since I'm not likely to ever have the chance to make the long trip to Australia, it was a great for you to provide this armchair tour. The work you & your husband have put in to the garden since the monsoon is unbelievable! If I were to win, some of the fabrics would surely go into the Phyllis May's Kitchen BOM. Leftovers would be certainly go into the many charity quilts I work on each year. - D I've already signed up for the BOM so will be making the stitchery projects whether I win or not. - Diane from Minnesota

Su said...

It's fascinating how we perceive warmth and cold, it's a beautiful, warm, sunny day here and our high is...16c!!! And for others even that temperature would be considered tropical.

Rita Lynn said...

I like hearing about and seeing your garden. The tall asparagus like plant looks like our century plant here in the deserts of Arizona. They bloom rarely.
I would enjoy using the giveaway for your Phyllis May BOM. Thank you for your kind giveaway.

Remembrances said...

It is wonderful to see your garden after the horrible flooding you experienced. I am glad that some of your plants weathered the flood - God does have a way of making things beautiful, even in the eye of the storm. I would make some items for gifts from those lovely fabrics, using some of your stitchery patterns. I would, of course, keep one item for my home! ;-) Karin

Tammy said...

Wow what a beautiful yard/ garden you have around your home. I love all the greenery and colors and how they contrast with the white walls of the house and stone and mulching.....You and Mr. E surely have green thumbs along with your talented fingers....I don't blame you I would want a lot more privacy as well.....You are blessed to have a husband who wants to help you in the yard/ gardens. My husband cares for none of it and will only do the obligatory lawn mowing anymore. I have tried and tried to entice him to garden with me over the years. What a beautiful and special giveaway.....I know what I would do with the fabrics use them on the Phyllis May's Kitchen BOM stitch along of course.....These are such beautiful Fabrics and threads.... How exciting for the winner...And how exciting for you and your garden as it slowly evolves into the paradise you are creating with it.... I am so excited to get started with Phyllis May's Kitchen.. Hugs and love to you and your family.

Beverly said...

Really loved catching up on your garden after the monsoon. I find it so interesting seeing what you plant as being in the Northern Hemisphere it's all different to us. We are just planting up for summer. The rambling rose bought by Mum some 60 years ago from Woolworths for about 3 shillings is in full bloom, it moved from London with us 51 years ago.
I am not sure what I would make but it would be used to make something to link my kitchen and conservatory which share a window.

Pat said...

I love seeing your garden transformations - really lovely even though it's a work in progress. It will, undoubtedly, become more beautiful as time goes by. Those tilda fabrics would look pretty in a zipper pouch or appliqued onto a tea towel. Best wishes to you!

Gayle said...

I would use them for your Phyllis May BOM of course!!! They are so pretty and I'm waiting to start!!

curlypow said...

Beautiful work on your garden and on Phyllis May. So many ways to use the fabric, but I think for Tilda's Cat quilt - I already have some American Jane in mind for Phyllis May. I so much enjoy reading your posts.

OhioLori said...

I always feel like we have had a in person visit when I read your Posts... I wish I lived close enough to meet up! what a love;ly to meet at a Tea Room & stitch have a real visit! Mmmmm… such fun! Thank you for chance to win your give-a-way too..I think I would make a pillow for my BFF..and embroider a little Friend poem on it :)

LCP said...

Thank you for the chance to win. I enjoy reading your posts. I live in Anchorage, Alaska and I marvel at how your weather is so different than ours. My inlaws lived in the Florida Keys and their gardens were much more like yours. I think I would do a little stitchery for my daughter who is getting married in October. I usually quilt and lately have been doing embroidery and cross stitch.....seems more portable for this time in my life. Thanks again and have a lovely day.

Dorothy Matheson said...

I very much enjoyed your garden. Garden is a passion of mine. Semi tropical here where I am but we do get down into the 20's so I have two green houses. 90's right now day time so hot.
My tomatoes are covered with small ones and I have lots of tropical flowers.
I make quilts so would use the fabric as part of a guilt and enjoy it very much.
Dorothy

Barbara-Kay said...

The "giant asparagus" plant is a Century Plant, (agave Americana), https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&q=century+plant+bloom&chips=q:century+plant+bloom,g_1:variegated:9k2FQamOsjU%3D&usg=AI4_-kSEfmpTYbICw4Mx_nqPBw-9dK4lCA&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwje4-eE-83iAhUNnq0KHVujB2YQ4lYINCgF&biw=1536&bih=701&dpr=1.25#imgrc=_xhg0wdUcF3pwM:
People knew it bloomed seldom, and folklore said every 100 years.

Holly Nielson said...

Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win. I would use the fabric to do the Stitchery Club for September 2016. It was called Picking Flowers and I think it would be perfect for the applique and also incorporated into the designs to make a mini quilt.

Karen said...

Those fabrics would be lovely to make some pillows.

wendy said...

Thank you so much for another beautiful design! Loved the pic trip through your yard. I would use the fabric and floss for one of your delightful embroidery designs. Thanks Jenny, for all you do and for your uplifting messages. I always look forward to them!

Ann said...

If I won I would make the new BOM you have. Can't wait to see all the blocks you come up with. I love your work and almost all of it. Thanks for all you do. Rebecca Ann in Alabama

Alison Ryan said...

Dear Jenny I would so love to meet up with you, if I am ever lucky enough to come to Australia I will let you know and we can have a catch up and chat about stitching. I would love to win your giveaway and would make a beautiful quilt block with one of your embroideries in the centre. Sending you love and prayers from the UK xxx

Heather said...

Hi Jenny and thanks for a lovely read and look around your garden. I'm not z patient gardener and want everything to grow overnight !
If I was lucky enough to win your giveaway I would use the fabric to start Phyllis May's Garden ..it it really beautiful ..your granny would be so proud of you.
Thanks for sharing and chance to win
Best wishes

Heather said...

Sorry Jenny I meant Phyllis May's Kitchen..thinking too much about your garden 😊🍅🍅

Cindy A. said...

Your post was by no means too long. Loved seeing all your plants, flowers, and herbs! Sadly, I don't need a monsoon to kill plants as I have a black thumb when it comes to growing things. As for the lovely fabric in your giveaway, I'd use it in making the Phyllis May's kitchen pages. I have two daughters and am thinking about making a book for each of them, even though the oldest doesn't have her own place at the moment. Wish I lived in your area as I'd love to have tea and sew with you and others. If y'all get together, you'll definitely need to take lots of photos to share.

Magda said...

Hello Jenny

What a glorious garden it will be once everything starts growing bigger. I would love to win this giveaway and knew straightaway when I saw the material and colours that I would want to make the joy in the ordinary pattern. I think that would be simply wonderful and so in my colours!!

Joyce said...

Thank you for the lovely pattern. I so enjoyed seeing all of your pretty plants. I love gardening and puttering about my yard.

I would use the fabrics for a table topper pattern I recently downloaded from favequilts.com. It is called tea and biscuits and is so adorable. I’d use the threads to add a bit of embroidery embellishments.

Cathy B. said...

Such sweet fabrics! I have a new great-niece and would love to make her a little sundress. You've done some darling things for Blossom's girls that I can use for inspiration!
basaran.family (at) rogers (dot) com

BJK said...

Hi, Miss Jenny!

These fabrics and threads are so happy! I would make some dish towels and framed stitchery pictures. Thank you so much! (Bkatz40721@msn.com)

TerriSue said...

Dear Jenny, I would use the gifts for making quilts. I have two that I am getting ready to do. One for my 3 year old granddaughter and one for the new baby who is due at any time right now. I am also wanting to do the Phyllis May's Kitchen book. It reminds me of my Mother so much and I would like to make it up for the grandchildren to have and look at. She taught me everything I know about cooking and sewing. Thank you for the chance.

Natureluvr57 said...

I hope the drain pipes help. All that water had to be horrible. Love the Phyllis May's Kitchen book. I've been looking at table runners to make and that fabric looks perfect. Did the birds that came to breakfast fair well? I don't remember you mentioning them. May has been very rainy for us in the Midwest USA. Last year at this time we were sweltering and it never let up except twice and it wasn't even for days. Weather is really whacky all over. Take care and God Bless.

Erica said...

I live in an apartment with no garden in the middle of the old town. I really miss being able to walk into a pretty garden, so reading all about yours is a pleasure. I love flowers so with those fabrics I would definitely creat a beautiful indoor garden! Thank you for yoyr generosity. God bless

Nanna Chel said...

Jenny, your garden will look lovely when everything is blooming. It is freezing here as it is snowing near Stanthorpe so I haven't been out in the garden much today. There is weeding to be done as usual and I probably should move some plants as it will be frosty tomorrow I think. Enjoy the cooler nights up there.

Annieaquilts said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Annieaquilts said...

These lovely fabrics are so reminiscent of the dresses my mother wore in the 49s and 50s. Sadly she has now passed away and I am planning to make a memory book in her honour and these fabrics would be perfect. Your new BOM honouring your grandmother has given me much inspiration.Many thanks.

coleen h. said...

THAT was just so enjoyable!!! thanks for sharing, jenny (and thank mr. e., too please). i think perhaps i might do a "handkerchief" valance...hmmmm. God bless you.

JudiH said...

I really enjoyed the tour through your garden and was glad to see many of the plants survived. If I was lucky enough to win your lovely bundle I would use it on the Phyllis May's Kitchen memory book.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your generosity, Jenny. I love those fabrics, even though they are not ones I would normally look at! I love how you have used them in your Phyllis May and would use them towards that :) thomosexcavations (at) bigpond (dot) com

Carol said...

Thank you for the stroll through your gardens. I love plants and gardening too. Thank you also for the Seasons project. You're such a talented designer.

Lin said...

Such devastation Jenny but amazing how much has survived. At least it has given you the opportunity to replan your garden as you would like it although I am sure you would have prefeed not to do it like this. Love your giveaway fabrics Jenny. Although I don't have the time for all of the BOM I would love to make just one of your designs into a mini quilt wall hanging. xx

Kim said...

What a nice garden tour! Thanks for letting us enjoy the progress you're making. Thank you also for the free pattern. I love, love, love it!

Anonymous said...

The Phyllis May's kitchen book is beautiful. I've joined the BOM and I would use the fabric from the give-a-way to make the book!:)
Thanks for the chance to win, Jenny!
~Sue M.

Bronwyn said...

I think this fabric and design would make a great cover for the recipe folder I would make for my daughters to hold the recipes they always ring up and ask me for

Christine M said...

Hi Jenny. It was lovely having a stroll through your garden. It is going to be lovely when all the plants take hold. Thank you for the lovely giveaway. If I was lucky enough to win, I'm not sure what I would make with those lovely fabrics. I have decided to make my Phyllis May's Kitchen as a quilt using the left over 1930's fabrics from my double wedding ring quilt. I think they will look wonderful. Hugs, Christine xx

Kristen said...

I wish I was close enough for a meet up-but I don’t think I could afford the airfare! Ha ha!! I am in Seattle, WA. Of course, I would use that bundle in our Phyllis May Block o the Month that I am just dying to begin! Thanks for the conversation Jenny, Kristen

Angie in SoCal said...

I'd make the Phyllis May blocks if I won that generous giveaway. Thanks for the chance. BTW - enjoyed your photos and the tour through your garden.

Deb said...

Such a lovely post the tour of your garden was a breath of fresh air for me today as I'm in the midst of moving and will have a new garden to work in soon. Living in Florida the weather here is semi tropical with winter temps dropping some nights into the 30's but now we are in the high heat and hurricane season which can wreck havoc to both garden and home. I lost many plants just during our rainy season. Your Give Away is generous and I think I would either make the Phyllis May blocks or use it on today's Seasons pattern to hang in my new home. Thank you for the chance and a wonderful post. Keep warm.

cerato said...

Tienes un jardín precioso Jenny!!. Con las telas que sorteas haría un libro para guardar las agujas y los hilos de costura.
Gracias!
Besos
Pilar

gill. h said...

Hi,just about to move to France for 3 months so would probably make a cushion front possibly using the seasons pattern as well. Colours would work really well in my new house, where I even have space for a sewing room. Can't wait to get started.
I wish I had your talent for gardening too, shame you can't package that for me to buy!
Thanks you for taking the time to share the photos they really are inspirational.

Unknown said...

Your giveaway is so lovely and the fabrics are beautiful. I would love to use the fabrics as borders for embroidered quilt blocks. I gifted your Lords Prayer quilt last year and would live to make another for myself!!

MarLane Dows said...

Hi Jenny, I enjoy all your post short or long so thanks. I would make a small quilt to hang in my sewing room. It would have a few hearts with my son's picture nested in them.

Diane said...

I love the bright colors of these fabric and threads! I would use them to create a quilted wall hanging for my kitchen that incorporates one of your beautiful embroidery designs.

Lee said...

You have such a nice yard and garden! I enjoyed your post and the pictures. I would use the lovely giveaway for the Phyllis May BOM if I won. My mother in law is Phyllis Marie and she is 90 - she is such a lovely person and dear to me. We love stitching together! Thank you!

Renea said...

Your garden is beautiful. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway. I would use the giveaway for the Phylis May BOM.

Michelle said...

The fabrics are so beautiful, and I love the names they put to fabric lines, Apple Butter sounds yummy. It seems like it should be a fabric for the kitchen like you did in your new BOM, but the colors are great for all sorts of projects. I'm not sure what I'd use it for, but it would be put to good use. Thanks for the giveaway.

Barbara Rogers said...

Thank you for sharing -- would make a zipper pouch and needlebook. Barbara Rogers (bmccoll7@aol.com)

RoseJ said...

I would make some simple 9 patches as a border around a sweet embroidery
rjoehnk5@aol.com

april dawn said...

Phyllis Mae is gorgeous. Your garden is awesome. I would make something with one of your embroidery projects. I've never had Tulsa fabrics so this would be a great treat.

Annette said...

Tour garden is looking good after the horror flooding. Our tomatoes were plentiful this year & have just made 6 jars of green tomatoes relish, it's now too cold in Melbourne for them to ripen. Take care!

OkieKat said...

I love Phyllis May's Kitchen!

~Laurie~ said...

Your world is so beautiful! I would love to surround your Seasons pattern with these beautiful fabrics! I think the stitchery would look awesome with these threads ❤️ Thanks so much for a sweet giveaway!
lauriebecker1@gmail.com

Denise8 said...

I love the fabrics! They'd be beautiful with the handkerchief fabric embroidered with a teapot and blossoms, and the lovely prints surrounding the stitchery.

Thank you for showing us a little of your world. Out of the monsoon comes a new beauty! I hope to see what develops.

Denise :) said...

Your landscaping is really coming along! It's really cool to see native plants and flowers from other continents (heck, even on my own continent, in different zones)! Your native flora is fascinating and exotic! I *adore* the Tilda Apple Butter prints...they're bold and beautiful and feminine. I'd probably do a fun little something for my girly granddaughters ... maybe little mug rugs for their tea cups! With a sweet little embroidery and their monogram (so they know whose is whose)! ♥ And thank you for the sweet Seasons stitchery! I am a big fan of all four seasons ... I will put this to good use! Blessings to you! :)

Carol said...

Once again an inside view of who you are! Love the garden and rest of the yard. I would use the fabrics in our up coming BOM! So looking forward to it. I've been wanting to know how to make a book like that and I jumped at the chance to learn. Thanks!

KingsailK said...

Hi Jenny ,thank you sovery much for your LOVELY post and around your garden.I am siiting in mine recovery after an arthroscopy and removal of debris.I am 9daya post op,and patience is not a forte of mine!!Today its 16c and not raining as in previous days.So I planted seedsof poppies and others.And saw my little frog leap out from my litle cracked pot!!😄I was delighted he is still there.I wpuldmake a folder type notebook for my stories and drawings if I were so fortunate to win.I love your blog ,its so peaceful.How are your feathered friends doing.XxMary Lou

eileen said...

Loved reading your garden post,very different plants. Would love to win the fabrics to mount some small embroidery blocks I have just finished. Thanks for the chance !!

tac73 said...

So nice to get to see your garden and al the plans. Thank you for your embroidery projects. I would love to make a special table mat with these fabrics and floss.

Ann R said...

Thank you so much for sharing about all your plants. It is so interesting to learn about your seasons and what plants work best in your region. The fabrics you are offering are beautiful - thank you!

margil56 said...

Your plants are lovely--most of them will not do well here in the southern Midwest of the US, but you have such an eye for beauty in all things! If I won the giveaway I would make a lovely cross-body purse with embroideries on both sides. The hard part would be deciding on the right pattern, as I have several to choose from.

mommaloves7 said...

Thank you for the lovely seasons embroidery. your give-away fabrics are so pretty!

Gloria said...

Lovely post! Thank you for sharing your home and surroundings. Love the greenery around the house. What a blessing your new home is. May you have the best years of your lives here in prosperity and love. Thank you for your wonderful patterns and inspiration. Huggs, Gloria

Susan said...

I think I would make some book covers with the fabric and threads.

earth visitor said...

yhe fabric looks perfect for trimming embroidered dish towels - really brighten my kitchen and more as gifts

Maureenclare02@gmail.com said...

Such a generous giveaway Jenny, thank you. I visualise a fresh and pretty coffee table runner as those colours would look lovely with my denim coloured lounge. Having the hankie linen for an embroidery feature would be icing on the cake. Special hugs

sewbee831 said...

I love these fabrics as much as I love the story behind Phyllis May's Kitchen. I'm wanting to make two of these books, one for each of my daughters. I'm really needing some new kitchen attire (pot holders, mixer cover, bunting, etc) this line would be fabulous to do that with. I truly feel God lead me to you and Allie! Love you both!!
Kathy
aka sewbee831@yahoo.com

Linda said...

This fabric is so pretty. I love florals. I believe I would make a small table runner and if leftovers, an eyeglass case. Thank you for your giveaway and blog. I enjoy reading it.

apple blossom said...

I would make placemats with the fabric

judi said...

I would make some pretty throw pillows for my couch.

mtnlaurel said...

It is very nice to catch up on your latest news. The Phyllis May set reminds me of my mom who loves to be in the kitchen and in her impressive garden. Therefore, I would make a set of tea towels or simply framed appliqué pictures using the main cover pattern and the pie & flower vase pattern or the flower vase pattern, whichever ends up making the most sense. Even these bright happy colors are just right for her, along with the sentiments.

Sally H. said...

What a lovely post. I love the fabrics you chose for the Phyllis May Kitchen. I would love to make a pin cushion with an embroidered top and possibly a sewing machine cover for my Featherweight.

Judy1522 said...

I enjoyed every bit of this post. You are going to have such a beautiful yard when everything is blooming. I would use the fabrics in the Phyllis May Kitchen BOM.

Colleen C said...

Rebuilding your garden sounds like a great way to make your (not so) new (anymore) home truly yours. Even if it took the monsoons to make it happen.
I would make some of the Phyllis May blocks with the give away fabrics and turn them into needle books & pair them with pincushions using last year's sweet alphabet to give as presents to my craft group. I'm going over to register now in case I forget!

carol said...

I was thinking of square with a square blocks would look great.

bezaz said...

Love your garden, really lot of work there. I would like to make some summer wall hanging or Tilda doll. Thanks for giveaway.

tammyking43 said...

Jenny, you have such a beautiful yard! My son is stationed in Australia (US Marine) and he has told us how grateful he is for the cooler weather!
I would use the fabric for the appliqués in my memory book.

Unknown said...

Hi Jenny, thanks for your generosity. If I was lucky enough to win this I would make a cushion with a stitchery for my 7 year old granddaughter. I haven't seen her since February and have no hope of seeing her because of family circumstances, a marriage break up. I hope she would be allowed to keep a gift from me, just to know I'm still thinking of her.

Marian said...

Hi Jenny, thank you for this lovely giveaway. I would be stitching your new Seasons block, and then using more of the Tilda fabric to make sashings for a block I stitched when recovering from my major surgery in 2016 (Revive your Soul). I want to make a wall quilt of some of my favourites of your blocks, so having two co-ordinating fabrics will tie them all together.

karamino said...

You garden is beautiful..Thank you for this lovely giveaway Jenny;)