Feel like getting crafty? Look at these fabulous table centrepieces! Recently I was asked to come up with a submision for a centrepiece for Good Housekeeping. The premise was that it had to be original, a table centrepiece, outdoors and preferably "spring" looking. Tough...considering that we're in the middle of winter and it was overcast and raining when I tried to take the photos! Anyway, I've submitted the idea....let's see how we go! Pretty sure I've covered all the criteria. These centrepieces look great with different sized hats all assembled together in the centre. You can use old hats or... Continue reading

Oh Gosh....long time no blog! So much is happening behind the scenes which I can't just reveal yet, but it's going to be fantastic when I can! Busy, busy, busy..... Anyway let's get to today's post. I'd love for you to get to know Kez from CheraBella Buttons. Cherabella Buttons make gorgeous handmade, handpainted buttons machine washable buttons. You can use Kez's buttons for quilts and stitcheries, embroidery patterns, bags and scrap booking. So let's get to know her a little better, I whipped up some in-depth questions and Kez very kindly agreed to take the time to answer them... Continue reading

Here's a pretty and simple idea to recycle and pimp your old wooden spoons. It's very easy, I promise...and actually quite quick too- if you don't include the paint drying time ;-) If you don't want to make your own decorative tape, you can easily buy some of the pre-made fabric tape or even use washi tape. Materials needed:- - pretty scraps of fabric - paint and paint brush - thin double sided sticky tape (I use some from 3M) - plain wooden spoons...or other wooden kitchen utensils - mod podge - scissors How to make:- 1. Paint your wooden... Continue reading

There's been a little secret that you and I have known about for quite some time now. A little revival. A secret that all of us stitchers share. Shared when we've read a blog post about sewing, shared when we've made a quilt, shared when we've posted a photo of our craft and shared over a cuppa with our friends. Embroidered tablerunner from Better Homes and Gardens The little secret that you and I have always known is that embroidery is trendy! Did you read that? Embroidery has been highlighted as one of the design trends to watch out for... Continue reading

Do you make a lot of sweet treats? Not sure how to package them? Here's a quick and simple little sewing project for you. These sweet little bags don't just have to have cookies packaged inside, you could put some of my fudgy rocky road, or perhaps some button biscuits or some other delicious home-baked goodie that's your signature treat. Here's what you'll need:- 1 x fabric 13" long by 4" wide for the base 1 x netting 13" long by 9" wide for the top half of bag 2 x ribbon 9" long 1 x wide ric rac 13"... Continue reading

Feel like doing some cooking this weekend? Feel a bit inspired about my last post about the versatility of your common lemon? These biscuits are soft and gooey in the middle, and are drizzled with a zingy lemon glaze. Yum! I could almost eat the whole batch myself. They're best straight out of the oven, and fill the kitchen wafts of a lovely lemony scent. Winter is the time for citrus fruits and if you're anywhere in the southern hemisphere, like I am, we are about to head into winter this weekend. A perfect time to use up some of... Continue reading

Here it is- Block Two of the Girls Own Stitching Club "Le Jardin" Quilt. The focus for this Block is Blanket Stitch. And here's how it's done. Thread your needles,grab a piece of practise fabric- and here we go... Don't forget to use both hands when stitching- one hand holds the needle- and the other guides the thread. I've drawn two lines lightly on the fabric- which makes it easier to keep the stitches even. To start- we'll be fastening the thread - using only the same two holes... The thread is now fastened in the fabric- without a knot.... Continue reading

Don't you just love the combination of poka dots and gingham? Polka dots and gingham are a trend at Red Brolly headquarters that we've been noticing so I thought I would assemble a few of my favourite polka dot and gingham loves. Hope you love them too. Like this post? Please share it around. Follow my blog with Bloglovin Continue reading

I was busy looking through a large kitchenware website the other day and came across some pretty polka dot plates. They were way too expensive for what I wanted and thought that they looked simple enough that I could make my own. So I bought some ceramic glass paints and went to my local thrift store and bought a serving plate for $2.50! I then proceeded to make my own polka dot plates. The one I saw online was $49 each...mine was made for under $10! A clean ceramic plate/cup/mug/bowl etc Ceramic paints (I used some by Martha Stewart) Cotton... Continue reading

When life gives you lemons...you can make more than lemonade! Are you someone who loves the tartiness of lemons? Do you realise how versatile this humble, yellow fruit is? Not only is your fruit bowl staple useful for culinary purposes but it can also be used for medicinal purposes, for cleaning and there's even scientific evidence that this common fruit can reduce the risk of cancer and heart attacks. We can use the whole fruit and its leaves of this common household staple ingredient. We can use the rind, the zest and the juice in a variety of foods and... Continue reading

Welcome to Thursday! Yes, you read that right, thursday. Just when you thought you had reached the weekend, I'm taking you back to Thursday! Last week I decided that I was going to be a bit more consistent and have regular days for regular topics. I decided that Thursday was going to be the day for all things embroidery and needlework. So this post was originally intended for Thursday...2 days ago. I'm off to a great start aren't? Just so you know in the future...Thursday will be the regular day for you to check in if you are after embroidery... Continue reading

Have you been following my tips for taking great craft photos for the amateur? Remember, these are simple tips and tricks for the lil' ole crafter who needs to take some professional looking photos, for whatever reason that may be. If you'd like to read past posts, you can read them here. Today, we'll be looking at creating a "blurry" background. Yes, before I get a rush of emails from professional photographers...I know all about using the aperture and depth of field etc, BUT, remember these tips are for your everyday amateur photographer. If you'd like more professional photography tips... Continue reading

Are you taking part in this year's Biggest Morning tea? The offical date is this Thursday and it's a fun way to raise funds for cancer research. I thought that if you're heading off to a morning tea, or even hosting one, you may like some etiquette tips for drinking tea. So welcome to your masterclass-Tea Etiquette 101....a basic introduction to drinking tea the "proper" way. When talking tea drinking, no one does it better than the English, and you know what a huge Downton Abbey fan I am. Traditionally tea would be served in the afternoon, at 4 o'clock,... Continue reading

This is a photo of me looking out the window of my office through the clematis that's happily enjoying the sunshine.You can just see me if you look through the hole in the clematis to where the window is. See- I'm waving! Behind the venetian blinds. Sadly the garden doesn't look like that at the moment- the clematis has gone into hiding for the winter. But luckily there's the Girls Own Stitching Club with it's embroidered flower samplers to keep the spring memories happening. I've been madly sewing the first sampler we did into a block and written the instructions,... Continue reading

Feel like making something crafty? I was discussing the other day on facebok how lovely hydrangeas are. I think my favourites are the pretty vanilla cream ones with tinges of pinks on the tips, though I do like those green tinged ones too. My mother has them growing along her driveway, and when in ful bloom they look so pretty. So today's craft project is how to make some pretty felt hydrangeas. I made mine into wall art, but you could make a cushion covered in hydrangeas, or a brooch, a hair clip or bag button. felt- one larger piece... Continue reading

To all the Mother's....Happy Mother's Day. Hope you all have a lovely day. I have a special day organised and hope you do too. S.J.V.H has decorated her sideboard as a tribute to her Mother- in her Mother's favourite colours none the less! Purple and Yellow! I leave you with her gorgeous sideboard, but see you tomorrow for more stitching. See the photo on the sideboard?...that's her mother. She may look a little familiar to you. She was the little Pears soap girl and appeared on all their soap boxes of the time. S.J.V.H also has a french connection, whilst... Continue reading

Remember yesterday I told you I was going to show you some of the Wise Woman's quilt she is currently working on? It's going to be amazing when she's finished. Cynthia is working on a Lucy Boston -Patchwork of the crosses quilt...all English paper piecing...lots of fussy cutting! Lucy Boston was a famous English author, most famous for her " Green Knowe" children's series. She was born in England in 1892, and over her long life time, she designed and made over 20 amazing patchwork quilts. Her house, near Cambridge, was built in the 1130's and is the oldest continuously... Continue reading

Bonjour- tous mes amis en France! Since we've been talking about all things French on the blog I thought that I would bring you some lovely eye-candy photos and inspiration from the latest quilt show in Nantes, France- "Pour l'amour du fil" (For the Love of Thread). It's held at the end of April each year and has just celebrated it's 5th year. One of the most exciting and intruiging things for me at the show was the 150th year celebration of the "Dear Jane" quilt. It's the first time the "Dear Jane" quilt has left it's home in the... Continue reading

For the Girls Own Stitching Club prize: the A-Z of Embroidery Stitches: I absolutely loved everyone's entries! It's been a most enjoyable read going through all those entries- it's given the judges a really good laugh. For some of those entries- I'm dying to know what happened next! It's a bit like reading a good novel. Here are the Judges picks: SJVH- has chosen Paula McElrath,(macandpeeg@yahoo.com) because she would've loved to have had an invite to a Royal Wedding herself- (and has a special collection of hats- just in case an invitation arrives unexpectedly in the mail) and really enjoyed... Continue reading

Go to any pattisserie in France and you'll be bombarded with a window full of amazing cakes, flans, croissants, danishes, and fruit tarts. They look so delicious you just can't simply stop at one. You just have to sit in the cafe window, sip on some coffee, nibble on one of these little delicacies and watch the French street life pass you by. I decided to make mine without the traditional fruit on the top, but it would be very easy for you to just add some raspberries or blueberries on top of the custard. These traditional French tarts look... Continue reading

Here's a peek at the prizes! This is the NEW LOOK Homespun Magazine! Isn't it Gorgeous? And I have FIVE copies to give away- courtesy of Homespun Magazine! Anyone can enter- I will post anywhere in the world. Here's some peeks inside. . . A gorgeous embroidered cushion designed by the fabulous Charlotte Lyons of international fame. A rather cute Pinafore for a four to six year old girl. And of course the next block in my "It's Time for Christmas Quilt" (which goes fabulously well with with the "Wish Quilt" - or a feature by itself). There is also... Continue reading

I've finally managed to get the photos of my trip to Melbourne and the Australian Quilt Convention up- so you can all join in. I love going to Melbourne- with it's cosmopolitan atmosphere and great shopping.It's only about an hour by plane from Canberra. So it's always a really pleasant trip. Melbourne's alleyways are filled with all sorts of cafes and shops. And the shoe shops! Are brilliant. So many! It was raining when we arrived in Melbourne- and sadly my favourite pair of shoes had a hole in the bottom. (Wet feet). So I Had to buy some new... Continue reading

A great D.I.Y paper project for you to make in a pretty vintage French theme. These paper feathers have lots of uses. I made mine into a feather bouquet, but they can be made into a bunting, gift tags, or you may even remember that I used some to decorate an old tin can in a previous post on upcycling. You will also need... -sharp scissors -thin florist wire (if you are making a bouquet) - sticky tape -wire cutters -old paint brush- to spread the glue - Your Red Brolly Feather template (pdf version) or click and save the... Continue reading

Today the Wise woman attempts to answer some of your questions which were asked by you. She's pondered, she's thought, she's given careful consideration.....I'll now hand it over to the Wise Woman. "Hi there everyone. Thank you for your warm welcome. So many questions! I've been overwhelmed! There were so many questions, I could only choose a few of my favourites to answer. The first one is from Maria who asks..." Good question Maria. As you mentioned stretching every so often when sewing helps to relieve the tension in our shoulders and neck. Often it is the area called "trapezius... Continue reading

Here it is! The first Girls Own Stitching Club Competition. Everyone can enter. There are Five Very useful prizes. Let's have a Peek Inside this book. Here is a book full of absolutely stunning photos of all the basic stitches you should know -with step-by-step photos on how to do them. There's also "how to's" on variations of the stitches. This is the book I use constantly as a reference. And there's one of these Gorgeous Embroidered Flowers books to be won. For anyone who ever wanted to know how to embroider all sorts of flowers. And a quick Peek... Continue reading