Natalie Ross in Stitches

I am still here!! I think.....

I do not know where the past 2 weeks of the school holidays have gone but they have flown by and I don't feel like I have achieved a lot. I have been nursing a sick child for most of it and that always takes time away from other things and hubby is on night shift and suffering with a bad cold as well (Bear with a sore head) but with school back this week my nursing skills have been at their best so as Jack can return and I can have some much needed "ME" time. 8-) Hmmm not sure what to do with hubby though!!

I have managed to sneak in a bit of stitching time on a project that I making for "Tinkers Cart". I can't show you the whole project.....you know how it goes.....but a sneak peek most definitely. I have been invited up to Townsville to teach at Tinkers Cart in September for a "Sun, Sand and Santa" Christmas workshop. If you live in and around the area or fancy a flight somewhere warm come and join in on some fun, food, laughter and stitching for the day. Brenda from Brenda Ryan Embroidery designs will also be teaching as well. Pop on over to Tinkers Cart blog for more info.

I know it's not much to look at. If I show anymore I would give it away. So what a great excuse to book in for the day!  

As you know Janelle and myself were asked to design a Christmas project each for Kerry at The Cottage on the Hill. Kerry is running a online Christmas in July workshop. Kerry has made up the most gorgeous kits of both projects and it kicks off very soon. I know numbers are limited so best be quick so you don't miss out! It will be a lot of fun and your Christmas gift making will be well and truly underway.

My "Mr Jolly Jingles" Santa is a really fun project. Very simple construction and easy peasy stitching of his clothes. If you've never tried making a Santa, well know is the time. They are great fun and very addictive. Janelle's project is simply gorgeous!

I'm off now to squeeze in some more stitching and try and locate some sanity. I know I put it somewhere!! Until next time

Loopy "in Stitches"

Natalie %-)

Christmas in July Workshop!

Yes it is July already and so it is the time for Christmas in July festivities! Every year Janelle and myself head up to see Kerry at "The Cottage on the Hill" at Nundle to teach a workshop. This year Kerry has decided to host an online Christmas workshop so that everyone can be apart of the fun. This means that no matter where you live on our glorious big planet, you can come!

So out came the pen and paper followed by needle and thread to design something scrummy for you all to make. I have designed a Santa called "Mr Jolly Jingles". Here is just a small taste of him. You can also get full details of the designs for the day by clicking the link at the top right hand side of my blog. And pop on over to Janelle's blog to see her yummy scrummy Christmas design also. Janelle has other special things going on at the moment as well. 8-)

This is a fantastic opportunity to join in on some Christmas fun in the comfort of your home. You will be supplied with full kits for both designs and given access to a secure site for online tuition. There will be full step by step pictures to guide you through each project and I know Kerry has some extra special things for all as well. So just click on the album I have provided for more viewing and the "Details link" for Kerry so you can get all the information on how to sign up for our fabulous day of stitching online! We look forward to seeing you all there in Cyberspace with needles in hand! 8-) So until next time.......

let's be JOLLY! "In Stitches"

Natalie 8-)

Heartfelt Christmas Part 2

As promised I have the rest of my "Heartfelt Christmas Counting Book" to show you.

 It is slightly out of focus, so I just realised. Whoops!! So we have 6 Christmas puddings. The kids can feel the pudding as it is tactile with soft fluffy felt and the cherry on top is a pom pom! On the other page is of course 7 Christmas stockings. Again with some added braids that feel different to touch, OH! and I wonder what is hiding under one of them??

A Christmas mouse on the hunt for pudding crumbs.......then we have

8 Reindeer. One of them must be in diguise because I know he has a RED nose! I wonder which one is Rudolph?

9 Christmas lights all crinkly to touch and sparkly to look at! The use of bells and buttons would have been great with a concept like this but I did not use them for one reason. Little ones like to pull and chew on things and bells and buttons aren't very popular when they are stuck in the throat or stuffed in an ear, so they were not considered. But it is just as much fun to find a peek a boo or feel a different texture etc: 8-)

And last but not least,10 presents. Now who doesn't love getting presents at Chrissy time. The teddy bear pops out of the present and on the other page there is an envelope in the present with a little card. You can stitch a childs name on it and as it is passed down the family, new cards can be placed in the envelope. As you can see this book belongs to Jack xx. There is a back page that I will show you but this is the last interactive page of the book.

There is just a bit of final polishing to do to the instructions and pattern sheet and the pattern will then be available. It is a great time of the year to get started on this project and it will be ready in time for the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews! Remember all hand stitched, no machines required so you can sit and stitch and take it anywhere. I will let you know when the pattern is ready.

Now just before I go I know how much you love giveaways and there are 2 running at the moment so you have to fly on over to Janelle's blog as she is giving away a full set of her new BOM "Little Bluebirds" and also while your zoomin' around swing by "Angels Come to Play" blog. Shelley is having a giveaway on some patterns also. Just go to the post titled "Thanks to everyone" So lots of goodies to be won, so get your skates on....until next time

sharing a touch of christmas "In Stitches"

Natalie 8-)

Giveaway winner!

Well what a fantastic response to my giveaway! Thank you ladies for all of your wonderful comments. I tried really hard to reply to as many as I could but they were coming in thick and fast. I did enjoy reading every single one of them and it was great to hear all about what you all love to do 8-)  I have once again called upon the trusty random number generator and it came up with comment number 17. So a HUGE congratulations to..........................

There is only one NANCY who left a comment so if you could email me your snail mail address I shall give your "Fairy Meadow" BOM pattern pack to Postman Pat immediately. A huge thank you to all the ladies for being a part of my giveaway and popping in to see me here at my blog. 

Now that we are in July....dare I say! Everyone is getting in the spirit of Christmas in July. I am currently working on a Christmas project for Kerry at Cottage on the Hill. Kerry will tell you all about it real soon so I am under oath on this at the moment but why not pop on over to Kerry's blog and say hello!

And while we are on Christmas I am putting together a pattern for a design I made ohhhh about 4 years ago for one of the magazines. I never put it out as a pattern but have had lots of interest everytime I take it to a workshop. Here are a few pics of "A Heartfelt Christmas" counting book. It is specifically designed for the little ones.

This is the front cover. It is an interactive felt Christmas book. Lots of things to move and find with things to touch that have different textures.

1 Santa........PEEK A BOO!

The whole book is made out of felt and there is no machine sewing required. Just blanket stitching making it a great project to take anywhere. Working with felt is wonderful as it doesn't fray and blanket stitches beautifully 8-))

2 Peace Doves & 3 Angels

Mmmmmm those Doves sure have soft fluffy wings, and I wonder what is hiding behind the wings of those Angels?

What are you hiding under your hat Mr Snowman? And I can't wait to ding those bells......This is just half of my Christmas counting book. I shall leave the other half to show you in my next post. I have to tell you that I had heaps of fun designing and making this book. And Jack, even at 13 still loves flicking through it!

So I shall leave it there for now ladies. So until next time........

Keep those creative fingers moving "In Stitches"

Natalie

Something for me and something for you!

I finally got around to taking a pic of my delicious bundle that I purchased for myself from the trade show. I haven't been putting too much thought into what I will do with them just yet as I have been putting my head around getiing 3 other projects designed. And speaking of designs I have a christmas treat I will share with you in a couple of days. Something for the kiddies to enjoy in the silly season! But back to my purchase. It is a range of fabric called "Charisma" by Chez moi. They are the same designers of the "Posh" range that I made Fairy Meadow out of.....check them out......YUMMO!

I haven't even had a chance to open them up yet but they still look gorgeous all bundled up!

and just one more pic because....well just because! LOL   The colours...oooohhhhhhh the colours.....

So now that I have satisfied my need for eye candy, it's onto something for YOU! To celebrate the release of "FAIRY MEADOW" my new BOM I am having a GIVEAWAY I have one full set of patterns to giveaway. All you need to do is leave a comment. It can be about anything really but I am curious......what is your favourite thing to make? Is it making quilts, bags, dolls, stitcheries or christmas things for example and what is it about making that particular item that you like so much. I will run the giveaway for 1 week. The winner will be announced next Wednesday night so good luck everyone 8-))

OH! and just for an update I realised that I never gave a final update on what happened to Cranberry my resident Brush Turkey. Well last episode was when he brought the girlfriend home, much to my dislike. Hmmmm sounding just like the mother-in-law.......anyway, they hung around for a couple of days and after being nearly attacked by the girlfriend and me madly chasing her around the yard with a very big rake in my hand I think she got the hint and left and boys being boys Cranberry followed the girl and off into the sunset they went. 

Well small world.One of my students came to class just 2 weeks ago and told me that her mother has 2 turkeys roaming in the backyard. I asked what they looked like and she said one is slightly larger and has a big full tail and the other has this ratty looking tail. Well you won't believe it but it's them. Cranberry has a ratty tail. Her mother lives quite a way down the road from me and what are the odds of that. Apparently last I heard they were happily digging away in the yard........I think it's safe to say they are making room for the kids! All the best Cranberry and good luck Judy's mum!! 8-))

Till next time........

life's a bundle of colour "In Stitches"

Natalie  8-)

Many hands make light work!

I have finally surfaced! While I have been just a little bit ill this past week and a half, cough cough sniff sniff! I have had some wonderful friends come to my rescue to help me get all my orders out from the trade show. Without them I do not know what I would have done. So a HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE thank you girls for helping me. You saved me! As this is all I have been doing since my last post this one will be a little short. I haven't even had time to take a pic of my delicious little treat I bought myself at the show. I shall put that on the "To Do" list for tomorrow. I do have 4 projects lined up that I must get started with and I am itchin' to get stitchin'.

Just to back track a bit, in my last 2 posts about my adventure to the trade show and all the wonderful people that I got to meet I forgot to mention that I had the pleasure of meeting Helen Stubbings from

 Hugs 'n' Kisses. "HI Helen!"  Helen came over to see me which was really nice. I have always followed her work and she creates amazing designs, so be sure to pop on over to Helen's blog and say gidday!

 Now I should also mention before I forget that as you know "Fairy Meadow"   is complete. 

Cutting folder typed, patterns printed packed and are out to the shops, and I am pretty pleased about that. So I can smell a "Giveaway" coming on. I shall let you all know more about that in my next post. So keep checking!! So until next time........

On the mend "In Stitches"

Natalie 8-))                                                      

                                                                                           

Massive weekend Part 2

Well the list continues for the wonderfully creative and friendly people I met at the trade show on the weekend. I had the pleasure of meeting Sue Daley from Patchwork with busy fingers. Sue is one talented lady and a little ray of sunshine. Here's me and Sue at my stand when she popped on over for a visit.

Sue creates the most amazing quilts using templates and put a variety of fabrics into her work. The vastly different fabrics come together to create masterpieces. Make sure you check out Sue's blog and her website to see what her busy fingers have been doing. 

Some more gorgeous people that I met were beautiful couple Liz and David. They are from Teddlywinks. Liz received a certificate for Best service given for a pattern/book agent representative in Victoria. Congratulations Liz. Here's Liz and David celebrating!!

Liz creates stunning designs with her bears. So be sure to check out Liz's blog. And pop on over to her website as well. Thanks for making my weekend so much fun!

Now I have to give HUGE...HUGS & KISSES to my sister Mel for without her amazing help I don't know where I would have been. So THANKYOU Mel. Here's Mel looking very camera shy as I twisted her arm to give me a photo.

I guess I should show a pic of the both of us, but I was sleeping standing up at the time. LOL but it's the only pic I have. 8-)

Now did I make any purchases? you must be asking. Well yes I did. I shall take a pic and post with the next post but with all the fabric stands under one roof, there were a couple that stood out to me. The styling was yummy yummy! I unfortunately didn't get a chance to take a photo until we all started packing up but I took one anyway. This is "Patchways" also known as A day in the country.

They had begun pulling it apart but you get the general idea. To see it in the flesh was so inspiring and colourful and I just love the way they had the 3 coloured chairs lined up with our favourite treat on them.

Well that was my massive weekend. I will show you my little purchase with my next post so until then....

New friends, new places..."In Stitches"

Natalie 8-)

Massive weekend Part one

With the massive weekend that I have just had I am going to have to tell you all about it in parts otherwise it will be a war and peace novel! LOL My weekend at the Sydney Trade Show was an extravaganza of fun. I met soooooooooooo many wonderful people there and I have made some beautiful friends for life!! My sister melanie came along to support me and what a fantastic job she did. Mel loves to craft in all areas so I knew she would have a ball being surrounded by fabrics and braids and ribbons and threads and all the goodies we fill our cupboards with.

We arrived on Friday night to set up after checking in to our 4 1/2 star hotel.......have to do it in style you know!! We toddled on in and were shown to my stall. There it stood with my name on it "Natalie Ross in Stitches" we had a little giggle like two little school girls, sounds silly doesn't it but I was so excited about the whole thing. So we started madly unpacking and dressing up the stall. I am kicking myself that I didn't take a before shot but "HELLO" I did take an after shot!

 

 

and of course a side shot. The light was not at its best seeing it was late in the evening but I have others to show you.

Here's Mel ready for action!!

There's all my goodies just waiting for lots of visitors to come and see them! We arrived the next day all geared up for an exciting first day and started our day off brilliantly by meeting our closest neigbours who were directly behind us. Now these ladies were absolute party "ANGELS"! we had the time of our lifes with them. And we couldn't of wished for nicer neighbours. So thank you to Jo and kate from Annabella Moonthreads. make sure you go and visit their blog. Their designs are just amazing and Kate is also from That Raggedy One so check that out as well. They also had a ring in with them, yes Lisa I am talking about you. LOL We had so much fun so check out lisa's blog, Megelles . She makes the most incredible bears.

  Here's Kate and Jo talking serious design talk!

Here's me and Lisa. Sorry the pic is a bit out of focus. I don't know who took this pic. Everyone was snap happy with everybody's cameras. I will have to track them down! 8-) Sorry about my cheesy grin also. Lock jaw had set in!

I would just like to say how wonderful it was to finally meet some of my loyal customers. After only chatting on the phone to them, some just for a short while and some for years it was really nice to put a face to the voice. Thank you ladies for your support. And also all the new customers that I met. I had so many terrific conversations with you all, it made my weekend so much fun! Thank you. I would just like to mention that one customer inparticular has just set up her blog on typepad. So race on over and see Shelley at Angels come to play and see what she is up to. I know that she is still in the setting up stages but Shelley will have lots of fun things going on there and lots of things on offers as well, so pop on over and say GIDDAY!

Now I have more wonderful people to tell you about but I don't want this to go on forever so to end Part One of this post I shall leave you with a pic of a stall that I thought was just yummy. It is a Michael Miller stand with all the beautiful bright retro fabric and they had some gorgeous kiddies clothes made up. I did the best I could in the pic taking department. I think I should have used my flash but nevermind. So here it is! I'll be back in a day or so with part two so stayed tuned!!

So until next time........

I wouldn't "trade" my weekend for anything "In Stitches"

Natalie  8-)

Bring on the bubbly!

I must confess that I finished my new BOM "Fairy Meadow" a few days ago but I have not had one spare minute to get on the computer and type a quick post. Well there is never a "Quick" post especially seeing that us typepad gals are still learning to navigate with the new features of composing a post. I am heading down to the Sydney Trade Show next weekend and I have been racing around like a chook without a head! "Apologies chook lovers"..........you know what I mean. So in between my classes I have been getting my catalogue organised for the printers, and whipping up some new samples of a few of my designs. I thought it would be nice to have a just a few of them in different colourways. So here is "Aggie" looking very fresh!

I also made another Isabella's day Out bag. The other colours I have in this bag range from pretty Yellow and Red to Pink paisley, which is on loan to me by my dear friend Janelle. Thanks Lou xx So I thought a stronger colourway would broaden the variety a bit.

And there's Angeline. My delightful little angel. She used to come with a little crochet hat & bag but with the demand of them it was a bit difficult to maintain supply. So I decided to give her a slightly new look. A new hat. She is so quick and easy to make. Angeline is the perfect weekend project if your looking to make a special gift for a friend.

So now for a glass of bubbly and saving the best for last. I am so pleased to have finished Fairy Meadow. I love the way it has all turned out. I am hoping to squeeze in a few hours this weekend to start pattern writing. Otherwise it will have to wait until after the Trade Show. Fairy Meadow will be an 8 month program due to the repeated flower blocks. It breaks down to 7 months of stitchery and applique and then the final month is borders and bindings, so this means you will have it finished in no time 8-}

 I thought I would throw in some appliqued hearts for a bit of extra love!  Now who wouldn't want meadow fairies dancing all over their bed?  or snuggled on their lap perhaps!

I decided to quilt it with the stitch in the ditch method. I thought about quilting it on my frame with a freehand quilt design but decided against it as the fabrics are so busy and far too yummy to be distracted with machine quilting.










So there is my fully completed "Fairy Meadow". The girls will be on full display next weekend which I am sooooooooooooo excited about. It is for the wholesale industry so there will be lots of new release fabrics on display and that in itself makes for an awesome adventure! So enjoy Fairy meadow and until next time....

I'm lovin' the bubbles up my nose... "In Stitches"

Natalie 8-}

P.S Please excuse the underline. My post gremlin just decided to put that in and I can't get rid of it. EEERRRGGHHH!
 

A Fairy gathering..........

3rd time lucky they say. I am not too sure what is happening with my computer but I have been trying to get a post on for the last 3 days. GGGRRRRRRR! Typepad has made a few changes to how we can present our posts now, so after finding my way through the new layout and typing away about what's been happening and loading pics on, my post decided to go walkabout on both occasions. AAAHHHHHH! Hair being pulled very hard from my head by ME!.......... So......now that I have calmed down I thought I would give you an update on "Fairy Meadow"

 I am as we speak nearly to the end of quilting it. So until that is finished and ready to be revealed I shall show you all the completed blocks.

Block 1 -  Miss Buttercup

Block 2 - Fairy Tulips

Block 3 - Miss Daisy

Block 4  Fairy Pansies 

Block 5  Miss  Pansy

Block 6  Fairy Pansies  (Different colour borders)

Block 7  Miss Blossom

Block 8 Fairy Tulips   (Different colour borders)

Block 9  Miss Tulip

 Well there you have all 9 blocks to "Fairy Meadow". I have put a little something extra onto the quilt after I put all the blocks together. But you will have to wait just a little longer until I have finished my quilting.....Well it looks like 3rd time lucky really works. My post has loaded successfully and that makes me a happy camper. Enjoy the rest of your weekend ladies so until next time.........

All smiles "In Stitches"

Natalie 8-))