My shabby kinda world...

As I shared HERE, my first love in design is stitchery, and I have finally gotten around to doing something I've wanted to try for over a year.

Remember my lovely Shabby Roses quilt design with those twelve large stitched and appliqued blocks?

I designed and stitched it first in 2009...

  ...and then I remade it in 2011, with brighter fabrics, and a different block layout. 

The finished quilt is 50" x 51".

WELL...I have often wondered how it all the blocks would look, scaled right down, as a stitchery?

Last week I played around for a few nights, re-drawing each block to around 2" in size. Then I placed them in borders and drew up a tiny scale quilt layout to house them.

I think this has been the most nerve-wracking of all my Elefantz designs! The blocks are too small for any applique, so how to bring them to life with pastel threads alone?? But I love a challenge.

This week I've spent my evenings watching favourite episodes of Agatha Christie's "Poirot", drinking Twinings 'Prince of Wales' tea (in the new cup that Blossom bought me), and stitching my dream...

It's looking beautiful...

The entire stitchery is 9.5" x 14" - like I said, tiny little blocks...

So far just backstitch and satin stitch...

But later on there will be chain stitch in the borders.

The Shabby Roses Stitchery will be my first paper pattern release in January 2013.

What do you think so far?

*****

In my previous post I asked what you thought this new Elefantz HOME design was, and the very observant Vicki got it right!

It's a bunting!

A birthday bunting in fact!

 

The pattern for the Birthday Bunting will be in the final issue of my magazine, due for publishing on November 30th.

Also in Issue 18 will be the Shabby Angels mini quilt, No Place Like Home cushion, and Cal's Cow Pyjama Bag (still being made)....

 

 

I'm not accepting new subscriptions anymore as this will be the last Elefantz HOME issue published, but the magazine WILL be available as a single purchase for non-subscribers on November 30th.

I think the four designs in this issue are some of my very best, and all of them have a sentimental attachment.

*****

I'm so excited about life after I close the magazine and say goodbye to its monthly deadlines.

You see, a new adventure awaits...

Are you wanting a new adventure too?

Returning to my roots...

Hindsight is one of those things I wish I could capture in a pretty scented sachet and give as gifts to everyone who touches my life for the better.

Lately, for me personally, hindsight has opened my eyes to who I am and what naturally inspires me, and it's also allowed me to step forward by reclaiming my past. 

Mmm...that's quite a lot to chew over isn't it?

Let me explain.

When I began hand stitching in 2005, I wanted to make everything I saw. My attention was captured by the technique and ability to make something wonderful with my own two hands! I really didn't give a thought to what my preferred style was; the need within me was to learn and make 'any' patchwork or stitchery, just so long as I learned new skills and had something to show at the end.

By 2009 the confidence I'd gained over the previous few years now extended to sketching my own designs, and over the following year a natural delight in all things shabby, pretty, and roses bloomed in my creative heart.

I'm blessed to say that I can 'almost' make a design from any directive. My editors here in Australia at Express Publications regularly ask me for a particular project, and though it may twist and turn my creative cells for a day or two, generally I can come up with the goods - even if it's not my style or colour scheme. I am blessed to be able to do that. Really blessed, as that is me working for my bread and butter!

But, I think by doing that on a consistent basis, I have somehow lost my way with what previously came naturally to my fingers when a pencil and sketchbook were on my lap.

My God given bestie, Fee, has been a confidante; a mentor at times; both little sis and big sis depending on who needs the shoulder; and the one who has recently been encouraging and pushing me back to my designing roots. She has heard the wearying tones of my thoughts, and in love for me, spoken up.

Issue 15 of Elefantz HOME is me coming back to the designer I was and who I am and who I want to always be.

Pretty, shabby, roses, wordy, stitchy, Jenny.

Project 1 ~ Smile

I had a torn vintage handkerchief, but the fabric was so fine and luxurious to touch, that I used the good half as my stitchery background for this 'Smile' cushion. The soft floral background fabric was a gift from Fee , and the mother of pearl button a gift from another lovely friend, Jeanette, in a swap a couple of years ago.

 

 

Project 2 ~ Family in a Hoop

The actual stitchery is one I drew years ago, and originally it was much larger, and had no applique. This time around I've appliqued the word, and a border. The 6" hoop has been wrapped with organza ribbon. So pretty...

 

 

Project 3 ~ Family & Friends

This gorgeous design is bordered and bound with 60 year old lace. I collect old laces and love using them in my projects. There is an abundance of seed beads, colonial knots, applique and chain stitch in this wall hanging. It's time consuming to make, but ooooohhh, the final result is sublime!

 

 

 

(I will be selling a limited number of kits to make "Family & Friends", complete with the 60 year old lace, all beads, fabrics and threads! I'll let you know when they are ready to purchase.)

Bonus Project ~ Block 2, Mary, from A Christmas Story Quilt

Over 9 months I am sharing one block from this favourite quilt of mine in each issue. Last month was Angel.

 

I have also decided that even if you are not a subscriber to Elefantz HOME, I should make each issue available as a single $4 AUD purchase during the current issue month for those who would like to simply purchase an individual issue. Ok?

I'll set all that up for those who are interested later in the month. 

This coming issue also has a guest designer, my generous and talented friend, Dawn Hay from "As Sweet As Cinnamon". I'll share a peek of her design in another week or so. In the meantime please drop by her blog HERE and say hi.

So friends, I invite you to sit back and really enjoy Jenny being Jenny again. I know I am happily excited about what's ahead for Elefantz.

(Thanks Fee. xx)

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

PS: Tomorrow on my blog...what to do with doilies! \o/

Sunday once again...

It's been wonderful having Mr E home, but this morning it was time for him to head back to the mine again, so my single girl routine began...

I spent most of the day writing patterns for the next issue of Elefantz HOME, but also writing the pattern for this new cushion design, "Garden Gate Farm", which will feature in Creating Country Threads next autumn...

Most of the the threads I used were a gift from Carrie last year. 

Carrie had used them to stitch my "Shabby Roses" quilt blocks and thought I'd like to try them. They are made from bamboo and *beautiful* to stitch with! No tangles or knots - a stitcher's dream. Thank you, Carrie! If you'd like to see photos of Carrie's completed version of the "Shabby Roses quilt" you can visit HERE.

Both Blossom and Kezzie love the new cushion design so now I am not sure whose home it will be going to once it returns from the editor. Maybe they can draw straws??

~~~~~

Blossom came over for dinner with me tonight. A simple lemon and vegetable cous cous salad...

...and I grilled some herb and garlic chicken that I had marinated all afternoon. 

 I forgot to take a photo after the chicken was cooked, but the herbs were fresh from my garden and the finished dish was yummo!

I also baked a batch of banana muffins for her to take home and freeze. She microwaves them for quick breakfasts before she goes to work...

~~~~~

Tonight I am playing with a new design - more shabby roses of course!

 What are you stitching at the moment? 

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Ooops! It's been a while hasn't it....

Ooops! Days pass so quickly when Mr E is home that I think I just did a blog post and discover, no, it's been almost a week. I know you'll forgive me. Time with him at home is most precious to me. 

Yesterday he took the mine bus from Townsville for the first time. He was beginning his first rotation of four, 12 hour night shifts, and riding 500 klms home on a motor bike after coming off four days of night shifts just doesn't seem the smart thing to do.

We drove in at 5am, and after the bus left I had a coffee by the beach, then turned round and drove the 132 klms home....

Back home with the animals, I settled in for some sewing time. 

The final few of my remade "A Christmas Story" blocks are finished now. I am loving them made up from my Aviary scraps; so different to the original.

 

 

 

Also completed are the remade "Shabby Roses" blocks, and I've now begun piecing them with my Tilda stash....

I'm tweaking the quilt design as I go; it will be mostly the same layout as my original, just a wee bit different.

Also come to life from my sketch book is a new design for the next issue of Elefantz HOME. 

I'm doing this in two styles - one redwork, and one applique - but I'm still undecided on how I'll finish them. 

 ~~~~~

Slowly I'm working through this new stage of adult life; the part where your children have grown up and left home, and you find yourself with more time on your hands than ever before, especially when your husband works away 60% of the time. Fortunately, they call me on the phone (a lot) and even bring me gifts.

Blossom gave me a little stitchery to finish as a leaving home gift. She started it a few nights before she moved into her new house and there's not much more to do, but I kinda like it the way it is...unfinished. It reminds me of her life, still more to be lived and enjoyed...

(the Christmas baubles design was a free one shared a Christmas or two ago, but I can't remember where from, so can't give you a link)

Kezzie dropped by this morning just to say "I love you, Mum", and gave me these pretty flowers. I put them in the vase she gave me for my birthday ~ perfect.

 

Another gift arrived in the mail yesterday, but this was from the very sweet Mary who found something at the op-shop where she volunteers, and immediately thought it would be perfect for me! I think you'll agree....

I really do have a soft spot for anything with elephants. Thank you so much, Mary! :-)

~~~~~

Before I go and cook some dinner for myself, and feed Sophie and Bob-the-dog, (both are at my feet right now looking up at me with love-lorn and hungry eyes) I have a favour to ask of you.

A magazine I faithfully read was cancelled last year. It had wonderful homely, crafty, money-saving, healthy living ideas and articles, and the day it simply vanished from the newsagents display without any forewarning was the day I realised how much I truly enjoyed it. 

Since then I have scoured op-shops and garage sales to purchase all the copies I missed. There are always a few stacked by my sewing chair to flick through during a coffee break....

...and every time I am left feeling nourished as a woman, mother, wife, and homemaker. Can you see why I am missing it?

Well, it seems I am not the only one who is longing for it's return!

Fellow designer Amanda has started up a Facebook page to see if she can drum up enough of a following that the publishers take note and bring back our beloved Notebook: magazine!

You can read about Amanda's campaign HERE on her blog, or go straight to the Bring Back Notebook Magazine FB page and 'like' it.

Please?

Thank you. :-)

~~~~~

I will return tomorrow with a show and tell of project photos sent in by lovely bloggers, but right now I'd best go and feed the little ones so I can have my feet back. 

Hugs

Jenny

xxx