Natalie Ross in Stitches

All good things!

I have been notified that we have another new blogger in the house. The gorgeous Bronwyn Hayes from Red Brolly has her own blog. Bronwyn and I had heaps of laughs at the AQM together and went on a made photo session as well. Bronwyn has some very flattering pics of me to christen her new blog with, Thanks Bronwyn :-) I'm pleased you showed the good side of my profile....LOL! Is there one???????? hmmmmmmm.....LOL!

Welcome to blogland! Here's me and Bronwyn at the end of ther show, not looking too shabby I must say...........oh there is that thing called Photoshop...but not giving away any secrets though. hehehehehehehehehe

 

Be sure to pop on over and say gidday to Bronwyn 

While I am on the subject of the AQM I picked up some goodies as you do. Now the very talented Pam from Cottage Garden Threads has produced her own range of embroidery threads. They are just scrumdiddlyumptious. Pam gave me some from her range to work with and I have a very special project planned for these that I will be working on over the Chrissy break.

 

Aren't they beautiful. They are hand dyed, 100% cotton and 100% Australian and that's worth celebrating. I can't wait to start stitching with them. Good on ya Pam! well done and all the best with your new product. If you would like to add these to your stash or in your next stitching project you can purchase them from Quilt Fabric Delights. Sarah has ordered the range.

The yummy fabrics that I will using with these threads with is called "Hunky Dory" from Moda. It is due out early next year and it is edible...................

 

 

Fancy wrapping yourself up in these delights?????? me first.....LOL! Or perhaps you may fancy having something like this hanging over your shoulder...........yes I have finished my latest design and I have called it "Summer Surprise"

 

I have used a combination of stitches in this design using the Cosmo embroidery threads from Lecien. They are so lovely to stitch with and the colours are so vivid. These were given to me at the AQM as well so I thought I would try them out. The colours were perfect for this design.

 

Off to do the most interesting and fun part of the pattern process........NOT! that would be writing the pattern. On goes the air conditioner as we are feeling a little hot hot hot here at the moment with mid 30 degree heat everyday but that is not me complaining, remember I am a beach bunny not a snow queen so bring it on. :-)

So until next time stitchers

Simply barefoot in Stitches!

          Natalie  :-)

 

 

Deliciousness!!!!

We have a new blogger that has joined the melting pot! I have spoken about Amanda a number of times. You may remember or more like how could anyone forget the gorgeous "Lucy" and her very special Ladybird 1st birthday party.

Well Amanda now has her own blog and complete with more pics from Lucy's big day as well. Amanda has lots to share so scoot on over and say gidday! She has put the kettle on and has yummy things waiting. http://lovelyobsessions.webs.com/ What a delicious name!!

And while we are on the ladybird theme, one of my students went on holidays a couple of weeks ago and bought back a little gift for me. This is just tooooooooo cute AND very appropriate, don't you think??

 

It's two in one here. A lover of Ladybirds & I think I am a bit nuts at times, or have gone completely nuts...............8-} Thanks Anne-maree :-) they are "delicious"

And for more deliciousness & I am blowing my own trumpet here. LOL! I have nearly completed my latest design and I am just lovin' myself sick!! LOL!!!!!!!

Here is a sneaky peeky.........................

 

I am not too far off completion. I didn't think I would have the creative energy to be back sewing after a mammoth month & year but you know, when you have an itch you just have to scratch it!

I am using the delicious "Flower Sugar" fabrics from Lecien. They have a modern twist to them.

Now for more deliciousness. Sarah from Quilt Fabric Delights will be hosting her annual "Inspired Stitches" retreat in April of next year. It will be on the weekend of Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th. You can book in for just one day or be a die hard and go for both. I will be teaching there along with Sonya from Giggle Buttons & Natalie Lymer from Cinderberry Stitches.

Seats are filling fast so go on over to Sarah's Website for all the info. There is accommodation available and the feedback from last year was that it was one mega fantastic weekend. So go on, treat yourself! Have that weekend away with your gal pals that you have always been talking about.

I'm off to finish my project, hope you are all enjoying something delicious!

see ya soon

deliciously "In Stitches"

Natalie :-)
 

Back from AQM

I am back and have nearly recovered from a mega fun weekend. It's always such good value. :-)

 

Here is my display. Now that I am with Creative Abundance we each get our display space and it was so nice to be amongst all the girls. It was also nice to be able to dash off and powder my nose when nature called. If you know what I mean.

We all had a blast of a time and catching up with friends and collegues is always special. There is shopping to be done of course and I picked up a nice bundle of fabric for my next jumbo project for the new year. I haven't taken a pic yet so I will save that for my next post.

I met some adorable ladies, one of who I had so much in common with. "Hi Annie" :-) and spun some nice yarns with my existing customers as well. That's always great too as I only get to see them once a year. I have to say out of all the trade shows I have attended this one was particularly busy. It has taken me 2 full days to recover and the travel down and back is always a mammoth one for me with all the transport involved.

I am happy to report that my suitcase DID behave itself. Going down it didn't complain but coming home it had to carry all my samples so a quiet whinge it did do but we survived! LOL That one is for Clare!! I had a quiet word in its ear Clare. LOL!

The legs got a good workout as well so the scales were in my favour when I hopped on them yesterday morning and weighed myself. I won't give anymore details than that ladies & gents. LOL!

I can now show you my 2 latest designs that I released at the show. The first is a nice big bag just for that weekend away or maybe just to load all your precious craft supplies into. Your choice! It is called "Isabella's Weekend Away" and I used Rosie's new fabric "Grandmothers Flower Garden" that she so kindly sent me. Check it out.

 

Or perhaps by the look of Isabella the bag should be used for a wild weekend. 8-)

 

What's with the stocking situation Isabella? Please explain!!!!!!

My other design is something for the kiddies. This pattern is called "The little School house"

It is a backpack and a lunch bag set. I have used the "Birdie" fabric once again for this project. I just love the colours and couldn't stop at just one design.

 

I drew inspiration for this little set from my Blossom Creek BOM. The residents are looking pretty pleased with themselves as well.

 
 

These two patterns are available now. I can feel a giveaway coming on............... back to chill out for just a tad longer before starting on a couple of quickie designs before the year is out.

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

Have a weekend away in Stitches

Natalie  :-)

 
 

Scrumdiddlyumptious!

I received an email from the lovely Emma at Ballarat Patchwork a short time ago and have been meaning to share it but silly me kept forgetting.

How could this be? How could I have forgotten this............busy I know but no excuses.....Slap on my wrist that's for sure.

Ballarat Patchwork has made my "Blossom Creek" BOM and WOW it looks gorgeous.

 

I love the fabrics that they have used. Still lovely and bright but warm at the same time. Thanks Emma, it looks spectacular!

Now if you are interested in stitching your very own "Blossom Creek", Ballarat Patchwork isn't running it as a BOM but is selling the packs. Details are:

You can get a set of the 5 patterns for only $65.00 AUD

You can also get a fabric pack of the fabrics they have used for only $95.00 AUD this doesn't include the white but you will get all the other fabrics to make the quilt top.

Sounds like a true bargain to me! If I had time I would certainly be making another one out of these scrumdiddlyumptious fabrics for myself 8-)

Ballarat Patchwork details are: email: info@ballaratpatchwork.com.au
web: www.ballaratpatchwork.com.au  
blog: http://ballaratpatchwork.com.au/scrapbag/

I shall be back Monday evening to share all the gossip and pics taken at the Australian Quilt Market this weekend. I am in the car, then on a train, then a plane, then a bus, then walkabout tomorrow as I make my way to Melbourne.

Just me and my suitcase :-)

See you next week

Together in Stitches

       Natalie

 

The lucky winners are......................

I am all set and fully organised for the Trade Show for this coming weekend. Can't wait!!

I get a weekend away down in Melbourne, get to party with friends I haven't seen for a while and catch up with friends from the industry that I see like once a year! YAY

All my new designs are complete and all my samples have been posted on down ahead of me, ready and waiting. I am now in the go a bit slower mode for a little while this week after going like a steam train for so long. Yesterday (sunday) was spent all day in PJ's watching DVD's sprawled on the lounge.

I couldn't tell you the last time I have done that and god it felt GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!

I did have to get up just for the occasional visit to the powder room and as I was passing by my room something caught my eye. There was someone else in the house that had the same idea as me. So I quickly grabbed my camera before he was sprung. Check out this sneaky guy!

 

This is Gus and he decided that if I was having a veg day then so was he. The pic is out of focus because I had to take it so quickly before he knew he was BUSTED! It's a hard life being a dog. He is such a banana head.....LOL!

Now before I announce the winners I have another sneak peak of another design that is waiting to be released at the Trade Show. Can't give too much away but all will be revealed after next weekend.

 

I have used Rosalie Quinlan's new range of fabric "Grandmothers Flower Garden". They are so pretty and I am so pleased with my new design.

So onto the winners of my "Christmas Jingles" toy bags pattern.

 

I have turned to the random number generator to pick 3 numbers. So thank you to all that have been a part of my giveaway. thanks for all the wonderful comments about Lucy's Party. I am sure Amanda is very proud of her creativity and her gorgeous little girl!

Good luck everyone, here we go! Spin the barrell.....spin....spin......spin

The 1st winner is.....Congratulations to Debbie www.dreamingofsewing.blogspot.com

and the crowd goes wild.........yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

The 2nd winner is.....Congratulations to Nannamary

The crowd is out of control.....................YaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaY WOOHOO!

The 3rd winners is........Congratulations to May Britt

Security...security......the crowd has gone beserk! Can someone pull these 3 gals out of the mosh pit please. LOL.............Sorry, getting a bit carried away. 

Congrats girls. Thanks to all guys and gals.

Postman Pat need your address so he can, you know....get on his bike for deliveries.

If you could email me with your details that would great so I can send them out before I head down to Melbourne this Friday.

Hope the rest of your week is spectacular.

Until next time......

 Just chillin' in Stitches

           Natalie

 

Lucy's big day & a giveaway!

I have received some lovely pics from Amanda (Lucy's Mum) of Lucy's big day. Her 1st Birthday party.

As mentioned in my last post Amanda adores Ladybirds and has just completed my "Ladybirds on Patrol" quilt for little Lucy for her birthday. She also threw a big party for her with a Ladybird theme. Here's a few pics of the day!

We have to start with the Birthday Girl! Can you see the little button on Lucy's sweater?? A little ladybird......awwwwwwwwwwe so cute!! And isn't Lucy just so adorable!! 8-)

 

And by the looks of things the party had a major invasion of ladybirds! They look so delicious.

 

And the best part of the celebration is.....of course........THE BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!!! 8-) YAY...

 

It's all just too yummy for words. I want some...hang on....need some of that cake! LOL Amanda tells me that everyone had to come dressed in red and black. I LOVE IT!!

I told her that if I lived closer that I was going to crash the party. Perfect opportunity for me to wear MY ladybird outfit! LOL

Hope your day was spectacular Lucy! x and thanks for sharing Amanda x

As you have probably read on other blogs we have an AQM - Australian Quilt Market (trade show) coming up in 2 weeks and we are all madly stitching up some new designs. I have a sneeky peeky of one of mine to share. Thought you might like to get your thinking caps on!

 

I have used the gorgeous fabrics "Birdie" by Me & my sister for Moda. This is the same range I used in Slumber Party. The very bubbly Robyen from Country Pickin's at the Corner was generous enough to give them to me. Thanks Robyen, hope you like what I have done!

Now I have a giveaway for you all. With Christmas not that far away I thought it would be nice to run a giveaway of my "Christmas Jingles" toy bags pattern. I have 3 to share. Are you all madly stitching away for Christmas?? Have you started or even completed your Chrissy shopping?? Was that a NO to both questions??.........Oh I have a YES! Well I am with you in that department as well, so maybe stitching one of my toy bags may inspire you to get with your chrissy shopping hey!!

 

Just leave a comment on this post to be apart of the giveaway. I share call upon the random number generator in a week to see who the 3 lucky winners are.

Until next time........

Get your jingles into gear in Stitches

       Natalie  :-)

 

Giveaway winners!

Hi guys & gals, another busy week has just buzzed by. I started my week very organised, something that I am not usually. I did not break tradition as my organisation went out the window and all the things that were planned, well, they followed out the window. LOL!

We had to purchase a new computer yesterday so this has taken me completely off course from what I was meant to be doing. Which was............can't remember!! LOL

So.....as with all new computers comes the transferring of all the crap that we have stored in our precious computers. I am half way through and all was going smoothly until I tried and tried and tried to find "Outlook Express" which is what I use for my emails. WELL....it seems we have another corporation that likes to change things that aren't broken. Microsoft have decided that Outlook Express is no longer needed. This new computer has windows 7. The latest program. No Outlook....AAARRRGGGHHH!

I had to start using my internet providers email based program and I had to sit and manually....sorry did I say manually...yeah I think I did...yes manually send each indvidual email and each contact from my address book to myself in my new email program. I have just a few emails, yeah right! in my inbox not to mention address book. The only thing that I felt good about was the amount of emails I received. God I am popular. Oh that's right, they were from myself! hehehehehehe

I have to say that windows 7 is nice and simple and I now won't go blind with a 23 inch monitor to stare at. 8-) YAY.....

So enough of my waffling. You know our dear little quacker friends? Mother nature is not easy for us soft hearted animal lovers sometimes so I won't dwell on it too much but I have to share some pics and it will be obvious. The numbers have changed. 8-( But on the upside they are still visiting and last saturday they came for their morning tucker. One of the ducklings seemed very weak and Martha was about to leave when I noticed that the weak one was not going to keep up. I picked it up and Martha didn't seem to fussed about this, which was very strange. Maybe she knew he was in good hands. She waddled off with the rest of the tribe and this little tike spent the best part of the day with us. We have nicknamed him "Squirt"

 

Jack kept him snug and with a little bit of TLC, bread and water he was one happy camper. Time for a nap!

 

Two gorgeous boys!

 
Now we have a happy ending to this. Later that day Martha returned with the rest of the troops for their afternoon feast. We took Squirt outside and just placed him down with the others. Martha gave a quack and mother & son were back together. Squirt was well rested and full of beans again. Since then he has not tired one bit. They visit 4 times a day and he is not missing out when it's feed time. He clearly is a squirt. The others have grown quite a bit more than him but he keeps up.

The Awesome foursome!!!

 
Squirt is the one in the middle off to the right. Go little man!!!

Now for the winners of my "Wishful Thinking" pattern giveaway. Thankyou to you all for your wonderful comments. I love all the stories about your birthday cake creations and birthday party planning and I too had a little rubber Gumby toy Jess. Good to hear that there are some Gumby fans out there so I don't look like a dork!! LOL

 So the 3 winners are.......Janelle - www.janellesjoy.blogspot.com make sure you scoot on over to Janelle's blog and on the right hand side look for the link to Birthday cakes. They are ridiculously cool cakes! Amazing.......I want a birthday party and I want one now!! LOL  Congrats to you Janelle 8-)

Lyn Smith - lyn.robyn.smith  Congrats to you Lyn 8-)

Janice - www.jansjabber.blogspot.com Congrats to you Janice 8-)

Ladies could you please email me with your adresses and Postman Pat will put on his party clothes and be there a.s.a.p with your pattern. Thanks to all for being apart of my giveaway. I always love reading your comments 8-)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Until next time......

Hip Hip Hooray “In Stitches”

     Natalie

It's a Party & a Pattern giveaway!

I spent the whole day yesterday down in Sydney with my Mum, Jack and his friend Michael. It is the school holidays here at the moment and last week was raining most days and I was without my car. So I thought I had better put down needle and thread and do some holiday fun stuff, so off we went down to the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour. I hadn't been there for about 4 years.

We had a fab day, a little tired and sore legs from all the walking. Don't do much of that these days....hmmmmm...wonder why! 8-) But it was great. I have heaps of pics to show but I will save those for my next post as i have a few adorable things to share this time.

Firstly, I love the names coming in for my bag. Nighty Night is really cute, thanks Clare and no it's not terrible. LOL!! Now there is something else that partners this bag and the general idea for this design is a quilt to take to Nanna's house when staying over and a lovely big bag to put the quilt in along with all the essentials.

However, I thought it doesn't really need to be so much just for a visit to Nanna's but maybe just a quilt and bag that anyone can make for themselves or for someone special so that they can take it wherever they want. So I am still going to stick to the whole staying over at a friends house theme. So "Slumber Party" was suggested by my friend Janelle. Thanks pet xx. And I think that it is just right. Don't you think??

 
The quilt measures 1.5 metres square (60 inches squares) The bag is a generous 19 1/2 inches square so the jimmy jams (pyjama's), tooth brush and slippy's have plenty of room as well. Oh and the knickers!!!! A girl should not forget those..........8-)

Just the pattern to write now. I am hoping the pattern will be ready for release by early next week.

 
As mentioned in my last post I received 2 emails recently from Amanda and Bev. Bev was one of the winners of my last giveaway and she sent me a pic of her completed "Flutterby Stitches" armchair caddy. Thanks so much for sharing Bev. It looks so gorgeous. Here it is fully open.

 

Bev decided to add some of the butterflies to the back instead of pieceing it. That's a really nice personal touch. 8-)

 

And here it is all folded up after a stitching session. Ready for travel. Good on ya Bev. I hope you enjoyed every minute of making your armchair caddy. Thankyou 8-)
 
Now Amanda is a regular visit to my blog also and she is also a fanatical Ladybird lover like myself so if it has a ladybird on it then it's on her list. Amanda has a gorgeous little Ladybird of her own called "Lucy". And Lucy is turning 1 this weekend and Amanda has shared with me the details of the amazing birthday party that she had organised for her little girl. Firstly she has made my "Ladybirds on Patrol" quilt for her to enjoy throughout her life. It is just so beautiful Amanda. you should be so proud. Lucy will LOVE it.

 
There is also going to be Ladybird cupcakes, Ladybird Birthday cake, Ladybird shaped biscuits....everything Ladybirds!!! If I didn't live in another state, I would be the worlds biggest party crasher and rock on over dressed of course in my ladybird attire! LOL

Amanda added something really special to the back of the quilt for Lucy. A beautiful poem that she wrote herself............now before you read it remove your hand from the mouse and go and get the biggest box of tissues you can find and then proceed. 8-)

 
How many tissues did you go through???? sniff sniff sniff. Hang on I have to blow my nose.................................Ahhhh that's better. Isn't it precious. And to add to the sweetness check out these crackers.

They are just the most fantastic crackers I have ever seen. YUMMY!

Hopefully we will see more pics after the party is over. Now I am running a giveaway for my "Wishful Thinking" pattern. I have 3 patterns to giveaway so just leave a comment on this post to be in it to win it!!! You can just say gidday or maybe you have a yummy tale to tell about a birthday party theme.

Mine is when I made a "Gumby" cake for Jack for his 2nd birthday. It was about 1 metre (40 inches) long and looked excellent. I have a photo somewhere but that's before digital camera days. Do you remember Gumby? Is is an American claymation kids show and Gumby was green and had big eyes. He didn't really resemble anything that we know. Kind of weird and he had a friend named Pokey (a horse) and his Dad's name was Gumbo. I can't remember the other characters but Jack was obsessed with it.

 I shall announce the winners a week from today or there abouts. 8-)
  
 

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

Celebrate with Lucy “In Stitches”

 

     Natalie

The seven dwarfs

I know it's been a little while since my last post and I was a little shocked to arrive here on Typepad to find that they have changed it AGAIN! Why are they always changing things around. Must be to keep us on our toes. I have enough to keep me on my toes thankyou!! LOL

I have been busy stitching....as always......for the up and coming AQM next month in Melbourne and I have part B of a new pattern to share but before I do that I have to share something SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO gorgeous. Every year we are visited by our friendly feathered community. Remember last year we had the adorable Martha & Stewart come visit??? and they blessed us with a visit to show off their beautiful brood, well they have done it again.

We have had rain here everyday for the past week. Great timing as the school holidays started last week. Always makes it a little difficult to do things but nevermind indoor activities are usually a fave with my son. "video games" AH HA!!!!! He never tires of them...............

So great weather for ducks as they say. Check out the seven dwarfs..........They all need little hats don't they. Numbers 1 to 7!

 

The bakers have loved me this week as the bread supply has to be plenty while these little cherubs are visiting.

Mum and Dad are never far while they enjoy a little bathtime! I know the water looks disgusting doesn't it but it never stays clean for very long after they have cleaned their beaks in it......uurrrggghhh.

 

It's usually a feeding frenzy and Martha is so comfortable with us she let Jack hand feed her babes! 

 
Right at the front door and right at my feet. Does that make me Snow White?? LOL

They were so close to me that I just wanted to pick one up and have a cuddle. They are so soft and fluffy and when they are cheep, cheeping you have to hold yourself back. I don't think Martha would have been to happy so I left that one alone. Now just one more pick because I simply cannot help myself. This is one for a picture frame.

 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! are you all clucky now?????? For another pet that is!!!!

Now I have part B of the sneek peeks I have been showing lately. I have nearly finished part A. It came off my quilting frame just this afternoon so only the binding now. I would have had it finished earlier but my car decided to break down, how dare it. Only I am allowed to have a breakdown. So I had no transport to get to the quilt shop for backing and batting........No car for 4 days! YIKES........all ok now though. PHEW!!!!

So here is Part B of (still deciding on the name) design. It does have a temporary name, just haven't made up my mind yet. "A night at Nanna's House"...what do you think????

 

A lovely big bag to carry a lovely quilt, jimmy jams and all the things to take to Nanna's House for a night! Hmmmm.....

I kept the back of the bag simple. I have used the fabric range called "Birdie". It is out now and is a Moda fabric. I will be getting stuck into writing the pattern this week so it should be available A.S.A.P!!!!!!!

I received just today two separate emails from two lovely ladies who have made two of my designs and were sweet enough to send me some pics. I will be running a giveaway in a couple of days so I will share those with you then as this post is a little photo heavy. 

Meanwhile would love to hear what your thoughts are on my new pattern name.

Until next time........

Cute 'n' Fluffy “In Stitches”

 

     Natalie

  
 

Life is great with Ice-Cream

You know how Ice-cream always makes you feel good? Well Barry was a bit disgruntled yesterday as I was flat out trying to tie up loose ends and get things finished that I didn't get to share that much time with him. In true Lorikeet fashion he expressed his true disgust by screeching the house down and stamping his feet after he had realised that "HELLO" just wasn't working.

SO......I caved. I pushed all my work aside and let him out of the cage (of which he doesn't spend much time in I may add) put on my recorded epsiode of Australia Idol and thought that he may enjoy not only a boogie woogie but an ice-cream cone.

Now Lorikeets never ever like to dine alone so if you decide to have a munch on something and you have a Lori either they stay in the cage or be prepared to share! As a true blue bird lover and the much adored girlfriend to Barry I simply just had to share an ice-cream cone with my boy! Barry now has a new favourite on the menu. It seems the mash potato has been pushed to the side. LOL!

OH MAMA! who's your daddy!!!.................LOL! I didn't get much of the ice-cream and there's no point in us having one each as he just wants to eat with me. I caught the drips. Isn't he cool?

Today was a different story. Barry was content with his corn on the cob so I got to work with pattern writing. "Wishful Thinking" pattern is typed and in the post to my distributor, Creative Abundance. YAY! and by express post, big YAY! so the pattern will be available to go out to the shops by early next week. So if your have a Layer Cake and was wondering what you were going to do with it! Well this is perfect for it.

It's always feels good to fully complete a new design right down to the pattern writing so forward march with my latest design. I have a few more sneek peeks for you. You know I was thinking that I must have been a ladybird in a past life with unfinished business because I just cannot help myself. Check out this cutie!!

She looks so special in green!! I would say that she is in her camo's for the garden but the coloured spots give her away!

And just a little extra taste! Well it is just about dinner time here and Barry beckons so I must fly......pardon the pun!!!!  LOL.

Scream for Ice-cream when your not feeling so great.....It works 8-)

I scream you scream we all scream for Ice-cream

              “In Stitches”

               Natalie