My husband was quite shocked to find me sitting in the recliner in the family room in the afternoon happily stitching. I normally reserve that luxury for the evening in front of the tele and do the planning, cutting and machining during the day. My excuse is that now that autumn is here, the sun comes into my sewing room in the afternoon and the weather has been too hot for comfort ... and, truth is, some of the designs were turning out so sweetly, that I just couldn't keep away from them!
The first one to get out onto fabric was a little country-style stitchery which was quickly snaffled up by an editor who had an opening for just such a design.
Can you imagine how much fun I had with this one?
Another magazine was looking for a vintage-style stitchery. I couldn't get out of my head the thoughts of roses, swirls and vintage lace:
I like to think that I have fairly good 'resistability'. I can walk into a fabric shop, go Oooh and Aaah down all the aisles and not buy a thing ... well, maybe only a little bit. However, if there's some Japanese fabric there, I'm a goner! There's something about the opulence, the gold, the richness of the colours, the oriental design, that I find totally irresistable. I've had some gorgeous fabric sitting in the cupboard screaming out "Make me", but I didn't have the fabric I needed to accompany it. On our recent babysitting trip to another city, I finally found the fabric I needed. I had JUST enough fabric to make the bed runner and cushion I had planned:
Only the Japanese can design fabric like that!
Now, the only problem is, that I broke my rule - twice. I started another design before I had written up the pattern for the previous one! Two patterns to write up - not something to look forward to with excitement!
As I explained earlier, it is Autumn in Australia - not that we get a proper autumn here in the subtropics. There are no leaves turning gold, no drop in temperature, and thankfully for me, none of the dread that I used to face when we lived in a much cooler climate, that winter was on its way. You can see that I am totally a summer person. In spite of that, it is nice to pretend, so a few months ago I made a little wall-hanging about Autumn.
It is in Vol 12, No 12 issue of Patchwork & Stitching magazine:
And as if there weren't enough photos in this post already, these are to show you why I love wrens so much. These two species are the ones found in our local area:
Red-backed Fairywren
Variegated Fairy-wren.
Gorgeous, aren't they?
And don't forget my Lilac Love Workshop starting on Tuesday over at http://patchworkposse.com/
Now I had better go and write up those patterns AND prepare the next block in the Thoughts in Thread quilt so it is ready for you next week.
Happy stitching!
Val
16 comments:
All I can say is Gorgeous, gorgeous and gorgeous. I also love the Fairy Wrens down our way we get the Superb Fairy Wren.
Lovely designs, Val. And those wrens are sooooo gorgeous, especially the blue one - I had no idea wrens that pretty existed.
I very much enjoyed your newsy blog and all the wonderful things that you make!
I'm already in love with the house and chicken stitchery. Can't wait to see the whole project.
Beautiful pieces and beautiful birds, they would make some nice art pieces.
Debbie
So many delightful designs, you are so clever
Love, love, love the country style stitchery at the top!!! The little red wren was interesting to see - we get the little blue ones here, but they've been wearing their gumboots the last few days LOL What were you doing with all your peaches? I've just frozen some today and making peach crumble to have after dinner tonight.
Hi Val, you must be very self disciplined to always write the pattern before you start another project. Maybe I should try that too. I try not to start a new project until I have finished the one I am working on but the pattern writing never seems to get done until it can't be put off any longer ie, the magazine editor is tapping her toe saying 'where is it?'. Making is so much more fun than writing. Vicki
WOW I love what you did!
Beautiful designs Val! The first one is my favorite! Love the colors and the sweet charm!
xx
Love the country style hanging. I'm very excited as I am signed up for your class and can't wait for it to start on Tuesday. Thank you
Val, you make me wish I lived in Australia JUST so I could get those magazines - I love all of those patterns so much! I keep looking at them and can't pick a favorite, they're stunning. You are amazing!
Oooh Val, you are on a roll!
Woohoo, such variety and lovely stitcheries.
Love the dear little wrens too... they are my favourites!
Oh my! All those things are absolutely gorgeous! You have been rather busy.
Hi Val, your little house with the chook is so gorgeous! Could you let us know what magazine it's going to be in. Would love to do that one myself. Thank you & God bless,Irish Angel/ catherine.
Your designs are so pretty and I too love little wrens. Congrats on having another lovely design published and if I was an editor I would be snavvelling up your designs too. Hugs Vicki x
Would you believe it? I just bought that issue of P & S a few weeks ago, and tagged your wren pattern to do in the near future!
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