Block 8 "trust"...and wedding things.

We are officially two-thirds of the way through the 12 week Shabby Roses Churn Dash Stitchalong today!

Block 8 is close to my heart because it represents the very foundation of a good marriage...

I used our wedding rings in the block photo, but as I never take mine off it took a great deal of moisturiser to shift it from my finger!

And you know, I was mighty pleased about that...my wedding ring knows exactly where it lives and it does not like to be removed...

This little block would be lovely stitched onto a wedding gift...

You can download it HERE in the shop for just $2.

I love celebrating a wedding with a stitched reminder of the day!

A few years ago I decided to design a cover for our wedding album and used some beautiful 1930's inspired fabrics. One of the Australian craft magazines was keen to publish the pattern so I sent it away 'on loan' until that issue of the magazine was published - anticipating that when it arrived back to me I could complete my plan to fill it with photos of our wedding day in 1991.

But someone at the magazine office miss-placed it, and almost four years later it still has not been found. 

Here's the two good photos of it from when I made it in January 2011...

 I may re-make it one day, but without those lovely fabrics I haven't yet found the inclination.

I should mention that I have sent hundreds of projects off to the same magazine publisher since 2009 and this is the only one that never came home. One every other occasion they have been excellent in returning projects.

In 2012 I decided to make a small wedding celebration hanger for Mr E and I...

..and this week I've been stitching a brand new wedding memory design for one of my daughters as a Christmas gift!

It's funny, but even as I write this blog post I'm remembering more wedding designs I have created!

Like the "circles of trust" block from THIS quilt...

 ...and of course, a design that inspired this week's Churn Dash Stitchalong design, the original 'trust' block from the 2009 version of my very first Shabby Roses Quilt!

I auctioned off this quilt to raise funds for the Queensland State Flood Appeal in 2011, and Pam in the USA blew me away with her winning bid of $500. I was thrilled to know it was going to such a lovely home!

Later that year I decided to remake the quilt using Tilda fabrics and a fresh block layout.

"Shabby Roses Quilt" version 2...

Thanks for joining me on a little trip down wedding memory lane.

I think I just may need to design a book of celebratory designs very soon...

Hugs

Encore for "Circles of Life"...

Remember my 12 block quilt, "Circles of Life" from 2010-11?

I still receive emails asking how the pattern can be purchased...because it is a very pretty quilt, isn't it?

 

Well, if you've been wanting to make my "Circles of Life" 12 block quilt...

...you can!

From today you can download the PDF pattern instantly from my shop HERE for $9.95 USD.

There are 6 large blocks...
*circles of life
* circle of friendship
* sewing circle
* prayer circle
* circles of trust
* full circle

...and 6 mini blocks with tea pots, buttons and hearts.

The pattern includes detailed stitchery instructions and applique templates, full size pattern sheets, photos, material requirements, and step by step quilt assembly instructions.

The finished quilt measures 46 x 58 inches.

 

And it's really, really lovely. 

Don't you just love instant downloads?!

See you Monday with blocks 3 & 4 of Shabby Roses Home!

hugs

Jenny

xx

You can vote if you like it!

I haven't entered a quilt of mine in a contest before, but my sweet friend Nancy Jo encouraged me to enter a stitchery quilt in this week's competition over at The Quilting Gallery.

I entered my "Circles of Life" quilt. Do you remember this one?

 

 Here are some of the blocks....

 

 

 

 You can vote for your favourite stitchery quilt HERE.

Now, before you do, can I ask one thing please?

As much as the girl in me would like to win, I'm pretty sure every other entrant feels the same way. 

SO, please vote from your heart. Vote for the quilt that you really like the best (even if it's not mine).

You have no idea how much you'll be encouraging them, or me.

The pattern for this quilt is still available HERE in my shop, and until the winner of this contest is announced I will have the pattern price reduced from $12.95 to just $8.95!

This morning Mr E and I are off to the Farmers Market. This is the first one in the north of our state and it's right here in our own suburb, so I am thrilled. 

Have a blessed weekend!!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Giveaway Winners, and my new Shabby Bag design!

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway! I wish I could give you all a prize, but I know you'll join me in congratulating the four lucky winners...

~Australian Winners~

A $50 voucher from Patchworks Plus to -

Ozstitcher (please email me with your address, as I have no way of contacting you)

"The Bag Making Bible" by Lisa Lam to -

Peg from "Happy In Quilting"

~International Winners~

A $50 voucher from Fat Quarter Shop to -

PattyC

"The Bag Making Bible" by Lisa Lam to -

 Sue from Cyprus (please email me with your address, as I have no way of contacting you)

Congratulations Ladies!!

~~~~~

Today I finished the final design for Issue 5 of Elefantz HOME magazine.

"The Shabby Rose Bag"

Applique and stitchery in pastel pinks, blues and greens...

The pretty ruffle on the pocket adds another feminine touch...

  

The perfect size for carrying about...

  

A special treat for self, or perhaps a gift?

 

I can't wait to take it shopping! 

Hope you like it too. 

~~~~~

My "Circles of Life" BOM has been very popular in the magazine, and just the other day I received photos from Catherine in France who had finished the first three blocks. They are beautiful!

If you've been stitching your blocks I'd love to see a photo or two when you finish!

~~~~

Jeanette made my Shabby Roses Quilt and sent me a photo of it finished, quilted and bound. Gorgeous!

In my remake of the "Shabby Roses Quilt" I have completed 9 of the 12 blocks. It seems funny stitching it all over again, and especially in such different colours to my original. For the first few remade blocks I almost changed my mind and scrapped them, BUT, as I get closer to finishing I have begun to love the new colours.

This is my original quilt...

The new fabrics are from Tilda, and much brighter than the soft pastels of version 1.

I have made one other change to the quilt. The original "Believe" block was this one...

This is the new "Believe" block...

Which one do you like best?

~~~~~

Mr E comes home on Sunday so I think I'll get my fingers working tomorrow and finish writing the magazine so I can spend all his time back home with him. 

I hope your weekend is a wonderful one!

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Newsletter news and a good peek at 'Circles of Life'...

It's a sunny but cold Monday morning here, and though a public holiday for almost everyone else, we staff at the school must still work. The boarding school still teaches on public holidays, and we have longer lessons each school day of the year. This is to allow the boarding students to have longer term breaks at home - a wonderful idea as the kids certainly get homesick for family, pets, their own rooms, and familiar surroundings. Our next term break is only 17 days away and the kids can't wait. It's a 3 week holiday for them this time, and right now they're all planning what the winter break will hold.

Mr E and I have a biking holiday booked at Mt Surprise, a place we've never been, but are looking forward to visiting. It's a Christmas in July trip with the Ulysses Bike Club and we all have to bring a $10 gift to exchange. Fun times ahead! :-)

~~~~~

Have you noticed something new on the right hand side of my blog? Later this week I am going to share my very first Elefantz newsletter!

The newsletter is FREE and all you need do is sign up with your email address and it will be delivered to your inbox as soon as I send it! There are some things about technology I don't like, but there are some wonderful things too. This personal delivery from me to you of a newsletter is one of the positives. :-)

In my free newsletter I will be sharing sneak peeks of what I have coming up in my soon to be published Elefantz HOME Magazine, as well as other surprises including occasional giveaways and free designs, plus news of special offers.

Sign up today!! You won't be dissapointed, and be assured I will never share your email address so this newsletter sign up is safe. :-) Over there...top right hand of the blog page. Just pop in your email address. First newsletter will arrive at the end of this week.

~~~~~

Only weeks away from my first issue!!

Elefantz HOME magazine is my way of helping you lovely budget-conscious friends to receive at least three new home-based designs each month at a fraction of full cost.

My heart is home-based, my joy comes from my family, and I have a desire to help others embrace their home and family through their love of craft, cooking, and design.

I also appreciate that we all have had to tighten our belts these last couple of years and the strain is beginning to show for many of us. Elefantz HOME will share sewing techniques, a question & answer column, occasional guest designers, articles about making your house a home, at least THREE new designs every month, and so much more!

The subscription cost is $4 AU per month, (about $4.05 USD at the moment) and the magazine link will be emailed to you on the 29th of every month so you can download at your leisure. You can subscribe right now by using this Paypal button below.

The first issue will be published on June 29th, and will continue month by month. You can unsubscribe any time you like if you are not happy with the magazine (but I think you'll love it!)

To whet your appetite for Elefantz HOME, I am going to show you one of the designs that will be shared each month in the magazine.

~Circles of Life~ is my brand new quilt design, featuring 6 main appliqued and embroidered blocks, and 6 smaller blocks, all pieced in a simple setting. The focus of the quilt design is on the blocks themselves, with the piecing allowing them to shine. :-)

 

 

 

 

 

It's the favourite of all my original designs, and the one that most reflects the things that matter most in my own 'Circle of Life'. Even if you choose not to make the quilt, each block can stand alone in a special project of your choosing. 

Over the next 7 months (June - Dec) in my Elefantz HOME online magazine you will receive one main block, or a set of smaller blocks plus quilt assembly instructions per month. 

~~~~~

You will also receive at least another two new designs each month in the magazine! A minimum of $12 pattern value for $4 per month! \o/ 

(I will be sharing the blocks for sale individually through Etsy for those who are not going to subscribe, but each monthly block and each new design featured in the magazine will be $4 each purchased that way)

Here is a sneak peek of one of the other new designs for the 1st issue published June 29th...

Gorgeous, and one of a series I have named, "Affirmations".

I will add a subscribe button for the magazine to my sidebar today, and if you have signed up for my free Elefantz newsletter you will find a subscription link in there as well.

~~~~~

Hope I didn't floor you with so much information today! LOL!!

Just remember, my Elefantz Newsletter is free and the first one will be emailed on Friday this week.

Elefantz HOME online magazine is $4 per month, and the 1st issue will be published on June 29th. To receive three new designs per month (a saving of 66% on my regular pattern prices), you will need to subscribe using the Paypal button above, or on my sidebar. 

Now...off to work.

Have a glorious day!!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx