Natalie Ross in Stitches

New path.......New journey!

As many of you would be aware that my life has gone through some enormous changes. I have been slam dunked with challenges that make a nuclear fallout seem like a birthday party!!

Its been a long road....roughly 2 years......but I have risen to the top and survived to now be a stronger, wiser and much more happy and liberated woman.

I can say with pure confidence that I am happy with where I am and how my life is being transformed. I have a happy, peaceful and harmonious home that I share with my beautiful son. I have also completed a course in nursing in the aged care sector which is something that I have always wanted to pursue. This has also been a catalyst in helping with my own healing and truly discovering who I really am.

Its a great feeling to come out the other side of something so painful with clarity that shows you that there is a better life waiting and perhaps the life behind me was never really right for me. It teaches you to love yourself more, respect yourself more and embrace all the wonderful things that I know I deserve.......

With all endings there are new beginnings and so I have arrived at a place where it is now time to close the doors on my pattern business "Natalie Ross in Stitches". 

Trading will cease as of this friday the 7th March 2014. Orders that have come in this week will be filled.

I am getting my designing mojo back slowly and do have some ideas brewing in my head.......a different path.......ready made items of my designs but in a different form. So you can still enjoy my creations. And even though my patterns will no longer be published, my designs are still covered by copyright so I ask that this be respected.

I would like to take this moment to express how incredibly grateful I am to all my wonderful customers online and bricks n mortar as well as all the beautiful ladies who supported them as well as myself in purchasing my patterns, attending my workshops over the years.

You all played an integral part of the success of my business and showcasing my designs that I am so passionate about.  I sincerely hope that my creativity brought as much joy to you as it has for me.

To my customers that have samples on loan, please feel free to have them with you so they can still promote any stock you have. I havent been able to email out to you this info as I am having crazy problems with my computer. So I apologise that you are being notified via my blog. I will also put a notice on my facebook wall.

So to each and every one of you, I send my ladybird love and appreciation for your devotion and know that I havent hung up my scissors,....just changed pin cushions ;) 

Together always in stitches

Hugs to you all

Natalie xoxoxoxoxo :)

"I am happy again"

 

 

A few more goodies!!

Hi Ladies,

Goodie time.......! Congrats to all the mad stitchers out there who purchased the lovely fabrics I had up for sale. All have been sold except the "Woodland Bloom" Jelly roll. It's still available and very very lovely in the flesh!

I am going through some things that I think is time to move on and that's some samples. I will be putting some goodies up for sale over the next few weeks some new some loved so keep checking in :)

I haven't checked my fabric stash as yet so for now just a few samples if anyone is interested!!

Firstly I have a table runner called "Flowers in Flight" this is the original that I made for a mag project so all is lovingly stitched by me....infact all my samples are made by me...funny that hey!! lol

So any takers?? :)

Flowers in flight - measures 1.3 metres in length......$45.00 + postage

Combined blanket stitch applique and stitchery.

Next I have "Angel belongings" this set is a bag & pillow set. It is adorned with vintage doilies and a redwork stitchery angel. It reads "This bag/pillow belongs to an Angel" The pillow insert comes with the pillow. It's not very heavy so postage won't be much. I will take the pillow out of its case and roll the pillow insert up for smaller packaging.

Set $50.00 + postage

Fruit Salad bag - $30.00 + postage

Mixed pieceing and needleturned applique heart and bluebird. This is a sweet bag perfect for all occasions.

 

That's all for now!! happy shopping and I shall be back soon.......

Together in stitches

Natalie :)

Fabric update!

Hi Ladies,

I just thought I would give you all a fabric update. Listed below is what has been SOLD

Rose Parade - Sarah F

Meterage - Jackie

California Girl - Mhairi

Joy - Simplicity (jelly roll only)

Hushabye & California Girl - Tracey Bullen.

I haven't responded to some of you ladies as yet as I have just checked my emails and wanted to quickly get this out there. I did have 2 California Girl jelly rolls so the two ladies that I have listed above, you have both secured these.

Just Woodland Bloom left but I will be adding more bits and pieces soon.

Thanks Ladies - Enjoy!

See you all soon

Natalie xx

Let's brighten things up!!

Hi everyone......

I just want to say thankyou all so much for your supportive comments and for some of you, you have shared my experience in your own lives and that means so much to me xxx. I have my ups and downs and taking each day as it comes but still challenges are presenting themselves........YUK! Enough said so I can stay focused on brightening my day.

I was going through my yummy stitching stuff the other day and realised that I have some delicious fabrics there that I know I won't use so I have decided to have a little garage sale :)

I think the best way to do this will be 1st email to me listing what you would like to purchase will secure the item. They really are so pretty and in mint condition of course!!

All these listed fabrics are MODA and unfortunately I can only post within Australia so prices are also in Australian Dollars.

So that being said "Happy Shopping Ladies" and I shall see you all soon. Thankyou and have a wonderful day xx

CALIFORNIA GIRL Jelly Roll ..........$30.00 + postage

ROSE PARADE Jelly Roll ...... $30.00 + postage

WOODLAND BLOOM Jelly Roll .......... $30.00 + postage

HUSHABYE Jelly Roll .......$30.00 + postage

 SIMPLICITY Jelly Roll ..........$30.00 (There is meterage below from this range)

SIMPLICITY...... 1 metre each of 3 different prints (sold as one set) $20.00 + postage

I am Titanium..........!!

It's been 10 months since my last post and I have thought long and hard as to whether or not I was going to write this post today. I have decided on a yes but in saying that you will probably find this post a little cryptic, a touch mysterious and perhaps draw from it what you will.

The reason........ I want the feeling that comes with letting go, off loading (to a degree) shedding some skin through writing, so to speak. :) So please bare with me my friends!

On this day 12 months ago I received a phone call from a despicable human being that changed my life forever. It sent me into a tail spin from which I immediately headed underground. It was like being cut off at the knees, picked up from your ankles and dropped on your head and when you get up, when you eventually drag yourself back up onto your feet you have no idea which way is up.

Life still moves forward, the sun still rises and sets, the moon still throws a beam but you stand still...numb.....confused.....hurt......trying to somehow remove a pain from within, stick it in a bottle and toss it in the ocean. But you cannot. You don't know how to get it out of you. It haunts you. It takes your soul. It breaks you. And none of it was your doing. A despicable human being had somehow been created on this earth, found you in their so called journey of whatever and tried to destroy you.

Heavy I know, but so so true. All the qualities of ourselves that we have aquired and learned along the way on our journey like confidence, self esteem, security etc just disappear.....poooooffff......just like that to the arrival of hate, fear, mourning. The list goes on............!

Where do you go? Who do you turn too? Friends.....very very special friends who very slowly but surely gently pull you to the surface and keep doing that everytime you sink until one day you just manage to stay there, just bobbing. You may be wearing floaties but that's ok, you're still at the surface..

Then it all slowly starts to become clear as to why this has happened. There has to be a reason, a message in it. Life simply could not be so cruel. You find strength, you realise what truly special friends you have and new ones are also sent to your rescue. I have learned so much about myself. I was also perhaps in what seemed a cruel joke, chosen to be the one to show this despicable human being that you cannot just take what does not belong to you. That you cannot manipulate, hurt and just tread on people. Perhaps it was me chosen to show this person their ugliness and one can only feel sorry for them. Will they change?? I hope so, so they do not taint anothers' life with such pain and suffering.

This is what I thought was happening to me BUT I have prospered, I have conquered, I have protected, and I have shined!!

I have Integrity...I have faith in myself.....I have courage and strength... I have honesty and dignity. "I am Titanium" This exceeded "The Despicable" and I am proud of myself for surviving.

This is deep I know...but I really did want to get it out there by writing it down and sharing. Not on facebook but on my blog as I know that there are many of you that have always supported my creations and you are all truly wonderful souls and I felt that you would understand, even if I am not making perfect sense.

This is a move forward for me and with that, I let go of the past. Being underground was the reason for my absence and therefore a lack of stitching. I haven't decided what I am going to do in that department as yet. I will, for now, just enjoy spending sometime back on my feet but my current designs are still available for purchase.

I will pop back and blog, just not sure when.........

I would like to thankyou for your time and understanding as you sat quietly and listened to what I had to say. It does feel good and a tad empowering. I am allowing myself to open my heart again and to let it out and let it go is a kind of forgiveness I guess, for myself anyway. That's got to be a good thing hey??

I wish everyone a loving and happy journey and may your struggles (if you have any) soon become triumphs!!

Re-stitched in life!!

Natalie XXX

Sample Sale!!!

I have been on the go slow for the start of 2012 .... just incase you hadn't noticed.....LOL!! So with all things new for a new year it's out with the old and in with the new. Everytime I go down to my sewing cabin I am hit with the enormous amount of samples that I have and have decided that some just need to move on. So yes...I am having a sample sale........!

This is what I have for sale people!! OH and Typepad is not letting me upload pics so please just click on the links provided and it will take you to view the item. I shall try again later to upload the photos.

Slumber Party quilt set and bag. All designed and hand made by me with the finest 100% cotton patchwork fabrics...of course!! This quilt measures 145cm square and all the applique is hand blanket stitched as is the bag which measures at 49.5 cm square. I have used the "Birdie" fabric range by Moda.

The set is on sale for $350.00 + postage

Slumber Party

Then I have one of my Block of the month samples called "The Flower Pot People". Each of the 5 stitcheries have been lovingly stitched by me with a combination of Cottage Garden Threads, Cosmo and DMC. This quilt has been professionally quilted and I have used "Hunky Dory" fabric range by Moda. It measures in at 135cm square and would look adorable as a bed topper or wall art.

This quilt is on sale for $350.00 + postage

The Flower Pot People

Now every girl loves her handbags and here are some bags that I have available.

Fruit Salad is selling for $50.00 + postage and Beloved Blooms is selling for $65.00 + postage. Both bags are hand made by me and made from 100% cotton patchwork fabrics.

The last item I have for this listing is a sweet cushion and bag set called "For you with Love". With Mothers Day not too far away this would make the ideal gift for your mum.

For you, with love is selling for $85.00 + postage

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, please email me from the link at the top left hand side of my blog to let me know. First in best dressed!!

Good luck all :)

Together in stitches

Natalie :))

D.O.B.S

Somebody call D.O.B.S...."Department of Blog Services" and report me for the pure neglect that I have thrust upon my poor blog..............!! "HAPPY NEW YEAR" to everyone too by the way.....LOL....OH and belated MERRY CHRISTMAS xxxxxx Hope you all had a fantabulous one!

No need to go into why I have been so neglectful but let's just say I had "stuff" to attend to and also wanted and needed some very special & valuable family time :))

So just popping in for a short visit to touch base and to let you know that I am still alive 'n' kicking. Doing some clearing and de-cluttering here at home before embarking on a very creative year. Back soon to share my Christmas experience with you. I shall leave you with this......

A gorgeous chrissy gift from one of my dearest friend's, Manda aka Mrs Bug........2 of my favourite things in this world....Tea & Ladybirds!! Too cute for words. Thanks again Manda xxxxxx

Deeeeeeeelightful!

See you all soon

Smooth sailin' "In Stitches"

       

Back on track!!!!!!!

I am sooooo back on track it is riiiiiiiiiidiculous!!!! Life is WONDERFUL............. :))

So many things to update you all with but I will have to spread them out with a few posts. This post is all about the AQM..... the recent trade show I went to in Melbourne just a couple of weeks ago.

It was so much fun as always and I was neighbour to my choc eating partner in crime...Gail of course!!!! What did we consume in the chocolate department Gail???? way too much but Chocolate coated Raspberry licorice is THE best...to date!!

Can you tell Gail is high on Choc raspberry licorice???? I had to fight her for it.......!! LOL Thanks for the accomm Gail........... MWAH!

I was also blessed to have one of my dearest friends "Jenny" come along to help me out. Jen was there with us for the whole weekend and it was so much fun hanging out together. I don't get to see her often as she is in Victoria and I in NSW so it was precious. Love ya Jen MWAH!!!!!!!

Another highlight was popping in for a cuppa with my lovely "lovely" friend Amanda Begelhole.........can't believe we didn't get a piccie...UGG....but it was fabulous to see her again and take a sneak peek at little Lucy ladybug writing a tale of zzzzzzz's..........!! She is 3 and oh so sweet!!! MWAH...MWAH!

So what's new in the design/pattern department??? This is what I whipped up and released at the show............................!!

Do you have a Happy Garden???? if not then you need this!

This is my latest what I like to call "Picture Quilt" design called "Happy Happy Garden". Beautifully quilted once again by the fabulous Sharon French of "Morning Star Quilting" in a bubble design. You rock Sharon!!.....

I have used a fabric range called "Happy Moshi Yum Yum" by Lecien. I picked up a fat quarter bundle at the last Sydney Trade show and wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it but just knew I loved the colours and the subtle japanese print design in the fabrics.

Whilst fishing through a draw recently I came across a Japanese fabric calendar that was given to me after my Grandmother passed away many years ago. The year date is 1965...the year I was born and Japan was Nan's favourite country to visit. She went there a few times so that was inspiration for me to design this quilt..............! It is one of my faves. Measures in at 48" x 58" and the pattern is available now! Hope you like it..... :)

Some little treats are also available now. I have released a small pattern range and I have showed you some of these projects before but I have added one more and better photography...........there are 4 small projects to my new small pattern range and here they are.................... these little bunting pockets are perfect for the little goodies of Christmas. The kids will have a ball come Christmas morning digging around in the pockets for Christmas pickin's!

And if you're a lucky duck and Santa brings you an ipad...then you will definitely need one of these to keep it lookin' good!

And what about all those Christmas parties and BBQ's you will be attending all decked out in your party dress with Christmas cheer in hand???? Who needs a big ol' handbag hangin' off the shoulder hey??? Just a cute little one of these, to match the frock of course....is all you need!

And the year wouldn't be as special if you didn't have something to jot down all your favourite happenings into and perhaps stick the odd favourite pic into as well.

All these little cuties are available and at nice little price as well!! SO..... are you all running around like the mad hatter who has just realised that he has left the house without his trousers on???? LOL..........Just a little frantic due to symptoms of silly season?? It's not far away and I am yet to leave my bubble of Christmas denial...LOL! Somebody slap me!! hahahahaha..........I am one for leaving everything to the last minute so we shall see how I go with that. DOH!

See you all soon

Rudolph rules "in stitches"

     

Port Pirie experience!!

As I have just realised that there are only 20 days until the Australian Quilt Market in Melbourne, I have now gone into mega panic mode..........I am working on a new quilt and I have 2 maybe 4 new smaller designs to get finished and deperately waiting for the printer to complete a new pattern cover. SHEEEESH!!!!

So manic week one complete and ready to go forth and stitch into manic week number 2, I am here to tell you all about our fun fun fun weekend spent with the awesomely gaaaaaawwwwwwwgus gals from the Country Hart retreat at Port Pirie South Australia.

Gail and I had another fantabulous weekend away teaching together. I always wonder how we manage to still have a voice to say toodle loo to each other at the airport we talk so much!!  and hardly sleep.....LOL........ must be the chocolate that keeps us going......yeah...it's the chocolate...LOL!! cadbury's crunchie this time...........YIKES! :) BUT there was a very healthy brekkie I am pleased to report...wasn't there Gail??

Robyn hosted another fine weekend and it was great to catch up with all the regulars from last time as well as meet some lovely new ladies as well. As there is ALWAY a naughty table at retreats, here are the naughty ones from Port Pirie.

Not sure how Gail and I ended up in a pic with the naughty ones??? we not naughty......! And for those who catch up with us on Facebook you may know this bubble of fun.......Meet Claire. I did and she is gaaaawwwwwwgus too! xx

Now as far as piccies of my projects go, I actually haven't had much time to photograph them all styled up as you do but I do have some pics to show you what I designed for the ladies. I will be releasing them very soon. As soon as I get my smaller pattern cover as these will be released in a smaller format.

Firstly there is an ipad pouch that I have named "istitch". For all of you who have an ipad, here is a sweet, pretty pouch to safely keep your ipad in.

And also a cute set of bunting pockets that I have named "Christmas pickin's" Each bunting has a pocket so you can put some candy canes and little Christmas gifts in for the silly season.

Sorry about the bad shot. I will do another one this week. Each pocket has a little redwork stitchery design on it. The girls at the retreat had a ball stitching these.

Ah look, here's some of them now....LOL!!!! Nice position ladies!! Good view of the scrumminess behind you...hahahahaha!! Cheeky girls..... xx

 
Now all photos were courtesy of Gail and Granny Loz. Hope you don't mind girls. I couldn't fit my camera in so I had to rely on the girls and they came through with the goods. You will see more pics on Granny Loz's, Gail's and Nay's Place blogs.

Big higs and kisses to Julie for driving us back to the airport. First class all the way Jules! xx

Back soon with more to share!

A stitch in time...so they say! "In Stitches"

                  

A bit of this and a bit of that........

Man o man how time flies.................... I have been busy prepping some new designs for the up and coming AQM which is our trade show down in Melbourne. That's on next month, so in between organising Jack with appointments and schooling and teaching, the odd meltdown, oh and taking just a little bit of time off here and there due to "almost burned out & lost my mind" LOL........I am squeezing in a blog post to give you all a quick update.

I do have to say that with taking just a little bit of time off from sewing like a maniac as I do, that my shoulder and thumb have loved me for it. I only noticed the other day that my precious left frozen shoulder, that always hurts, wasn't hurting. YAY..YAY..YAY!

"Hmmm" I said to myself and self "I wonder why?"........oh DOH! no stitching. That'll do it. So it's been nice to rest my worn out bit's and pieces....hahahahaha! AND I am also off down to Country Hart with my trusty choccie lovin' travelling buddy Gail for our weekend of teaching fun with the groovy gals of Port Pirie S.A. Sooooooooooooooo looking forward to that. I have some very cute and scrummdiddlyumptious things for them to stitch. So I have another sneeky peeky and this one is for the "Brookies"...........LOLOLOL

Can you pick it girls????? hey?? hey??....hehehehehehe see you soon!!

Now with my absence I do have a design that I have released recently.......geeeze I have been slack haven't I. This is called "Christmas Candy" and we will be sitting down to that turkey roast before you can say.....humdiddlydiddlyhumdiddlyhum!!! :)

Check it out.................

The ever reliable shopping bag with a sweet little coin purse. Pattern available now!!

Now I haven't had a giveaway for ages so when I return from Port Pirie, I will have a showcase of goodies to share with you so I think we just may have to share the love a bit with some free patterns hey?? sounds like a plan doesn't it. Also I have some info I would like to share next time about this years Quilt Aid 2011. It is GOOOOORGEOUS!!

Until next time...........

Stay grooooovy "in stitches"