Shabby Roses Beauty revealed...

I know that it's normal for me to be excited when I complete a new Shabby Roses quilt, but I think my newest one has caught my heart more than any other.

Here is the final block in Shabby Roses Beauty - 'Ladybug Dance'...

 She has lovely long lashes...

...daises covering her wings...

...and a pleated skirt that swirls around her little feet when she dances.

Do you like her?

'Ladybug Dance' is the final block in Shabby Roses Beauty, and together with 'Butterfly Blush', 'Owlish Dreams', and 'Avian Beauty', she brings the verse inside the large centre block to life...

And now, the big reveal of the fully pieced quilt top...

Seriously, I *love* this quilt, and am very proud of it!

If someone asked me to show an example of who I am as a designer, I'd show them Shabby Roses Beauty.

Its every inch *me*.

Now to sandwich, quilt and bind it - the final fun part!

I think you know what I'll be doing for the rest of the week?

hugs

Jenny

xx

Putting the 'Beauty' blocks together, and sewing with friends...

I pieced a quilt yesterday...

Today the quilt top is complete, and waiting to be quilted...

...and I *love* it! I think you will too.

Drop by tomorrow to see the final block of Shabby Roses "Beauty" plus the completed Shabby Roses "Beauty" quilt top!

Here's a little peek of Block 5 as a tease...

On Monday I met up with Heather and Michelle for a sewing day. Heather hosted us at her beautiful home, putting on a 'high tea' spread that was mouth-watering!

Scones, pecan tarts, choc-caramel slice, and sandwiches...

...all served with freshly brewed coffee and tea. 

It's lovely to be spoiled!

hugs

Jenny

xx

Just a little peek...

Today I'm going to finish stitching the fifth and final block of Shabby Roses 'Beauty' so that over the weekend I can piece the blocks together ready for quilting.

I'm so excited! I think this has become my new favourite Shabby Roses design...

If you'd like to see the first four blocks they are on the Shabby Roses Beauty page HERE.

Can you guess what pretty creature is featured on this fifth block?

hugs

Jenny

xx

a saturday afternoon's delight...

Woke this morning with a cracker of a migraine.

Thus heralded a day of sweet rest with Mr E.

I sat quietly and stitched block 4 of 'Beauty'.

Delicate, an afternoon's delight...

 

 

'Beauty' will be lovely when it's finished.

Are you stitching it?

First three blocks are here.

My new Sunday habit is to not turn on my computer, so I am hopeful for another peaceful day tomorrow.

Be blessed and take time to rest yourself, my friends.

hugs

Jenny

xx

Tea Cake, show and tell, and the new free BOM...

A couple of weeks ago I shared some wonderful ideas and projects I'd found online, and one of them was Stacey of Bakercourt's  'Irish Tea Cake'. It was on my 'must make very soon' menu plan, but with Mr E away a lot the last few weeks, and then he came down this week with another head cold, it just didn't get made.

Until today.

I followed Stacey's instructions (actually, it's her Granny's recipe so that makes it extra special for me, cause you know how much I loved my Nana) and soaked the fruit overnight in cold tea and brown sugar. I used Twinings Prince of Wales tea because it's Blossom's favourite at the moment.

This morning I added the two other ingredients - flour and egg...

...poured it in my new loaf pan...

...and baked it!

Now to let it cool, and then slice some for our afternoon tea. Can't wait!

If you missed the recipe last time, you can visit Stacey HERE.

Hang around for a bit because it's the sweetest blog. Makes me want to go visit so she can spoil me with her culinary delights. Shame there's a jolly large Pond between us.

The new issue of Elefantz HOME was emailed out about 12 hours ago. If you're a subscriber and missed it, let me know. 

If you're not, but would like a copy, it's up in the Shop today as an instant download!

Go HERE to purchase it.

Block 3 of Shabby Roses "Beauty" is also in the shop HERE as single purchase instant download.

 

A few very clever ladies have finished some of my free Elefantz projects, so let's have some Show & Tell!

 Carmen in Alaska's "Shabby Roses Monogram Sampler"....

Edith's 'Vase Wrapper' embellishes her gorgeous roses...

Silvia made 20 of my 'autumn' blocks in a friendship swap...

Janice used three of the Wonky Houses blocks in a wedding gift for young friends...

...and Gunn has finished the first two blocks of Shabby Roses "Beauty"!

Ladies, you're amazing. Thank you for making my designs your very own!

Have a relaxing weekend, everyone. Mr E and I will be enjoying the V8 Supercars racing from our armchairs while I do some stitching on the new *free* Elefantz BOM for later in July.

Got your interest did I?

hugs

Jenny

xx

Block 3 of BEAUTY...

Most of you guessed that my sneak peek the other day was an owl. Well done!

The final stitches were embroidered on Monday night, so Block 3 of Shabby Roses ~Beauty~ is complete.

...Owlish Dreams...

 

 

This block will be in the next issue of Elefantz HOME e-zine, published on July 5th. 

The first two blocks are in the last two issues, or available as a single purchase HERE in my shop.

These three are looking gorgeous so far...

There are five feature blocks in all, and some simply pieced patchwork blocks too.

Last night I finished sewing down the binding on the two table runners I made yesterday. I love them! 

Making something 'just for fun' can be slightly addictive, so I was naughty and gave myself another day off work today to finally make Kerryanne's gorgeous Pincushion Angel!

I'm about half way through at the moment...

Do you like the pretty Tilda fabrics I'm using?

They have been in my stash for years and I thought they would be perfect for this project...

Another hour later today and I should have the cutest pincushion angel in the world. Pictures to follow tomorrow...

But first, I have some vacuuming, washing, and mopping to do.

Somehow I haven't found the knack of taking a day off household duties, yet.

Bother.

Enjoy your Wednesday,

hugs

Jenny

xx

My Pop and his wonky world; a free block...

In early 2009 I sketched a cute little house and proceeded to stitch it simply. 

I called it my 'wonky' house because it reminded me of my Pop, the step-grandfather who along with my Nana, raised me as his own child. He was as blood kin to me, loving me with a pure and fierce protectiveness. 

 ~ Eric John Matchett ~

Pop passed away in early 1985, unable to push on any longer after Nana's passing a couple of years earlier,  and I still miss his gentle and assuring presence in my life - especially when something triggers a memory of him.

Recently a number of emails have come through requesting that old Wonky Houses pattern again, and so I have been taken back in my mind to this dear man and his declaration that anything a bit 'out of kelter' was quite simply, a "wonky". 

My Wonky House design from back in 2009 was directly inspired by this wonderful man, and grew to be four different 'wonky' houses that I displayed in a simple pieced wall hanging.

As an answer to those email requests, and in tribute once again to my Pop, I'm going to share a block a week for the next few Fridays. Perhaps if you never made this 'way back when', you might like to stitch it now?

Block 1 

Download it free HERE in my shop. 

(I don't own the original any more, because my daughter Kezzie ran away with it a few years back and will never part with it. I'm so glad. Pop loved that little girl to pieces, too!)

If you've been after some of the white hanky linen I sell in my shop, more was listed this morning. It sells out very fast, so if you miss out don't worry, I'll be re-ordering more today...

 Hanky Linen can be purchased HERE.

It's Friday and I am home alone, which is nice after such a busy week. I have a floor to mop, parcels to post, washing to do, and some general household catch-up chores before I sit down to stitch more of Block 3 from my Shabby Roses 'Beauty' BOM....

This block will be in the "Sweet Dreams" issue of Elefantz HOME e-zine, or as single PDF purchase in my shop, on July 5th. 

Can you guess what it is?

God bless you and hold you close,

hugs,

Jenny

xx

 

"A Season By Hand"...

Do you read Jennie and Clara's blog, CLOVER & VIOLET?

They are a gorgeous mother and daughter team whom I love!

At the moment they are running "A Season by Hand" with wonderful tutorials and patterns shared by a whole list of their blogging friends!

There are also prizes to giveaway, and 'joy oh joy', I am one of their sponsors with a giveaway bundle of 8 Elefantz patterns, which includes block 1 of my new Daisy Days BOM! 

Visit THIS blog post from Clover & Violet for all the wonderful details!

Are you stitching my latest Shabby Roses quilt, BEAUTY?

A block each month is available inside Elefantz HOMEe-zine, but you can also purchase them month by month in my shop as an instant PDF download.

The block for May was the largest centre block...

...and the block this month is the top left corner block...

Both blocks can be found HERE.

This weekend I'm playing with a pillow which will feature in the July issue of my e-zine. My first "Sweet Dreams" issue...

Loving the green pindots.

Enjoy your weekend. Smile, stitch, dream...

Hugs

Jenny

xx