This is how a good part of my day was spent today. Painting buttons to go with some of my pre-printed stitchery designs. Before... and after.... (much later in the day!) I do love it when I'm finished, I must admit! Continue reading

So the new BOM, Bluebird Lane, is coming along okay. I would always like to stitch faster of course, as I'm excited to see each block come to life. Here's another three blocks... Carrots for Sale, and Alphabet Sampler 1 & 2. The next block I'm working on is Little Country Church... so stay tuned for more pics soon! Continue reading

Over the last month, I've been working on the first couple of blocks for a new Block-of-the-Month quilt, Bluebird Lane. I love how these blocks are coming together, and the fabrics I've chosen, from Blackbird Designs new range, 'Autumn Lily', Windham Fabrics, 'Jefferson County' and others. I will keep posting block pics, as I work through them. If you would like to register your interest, in perhaps doing the Block-of-the-Month, you can do so by emailing me at: [email protected] There is no obligation. When the quilt is finished, and the BOM program ready to go, I will send you a... Continue reading

I had a bundle of the lovely Anni Downs 'Button Tree Lane' fabric, which I decided would be perfect to make something out of, with my new stitchery... Today was a beautiful sun-shiny day here in sun-shiny Brisbane, so... decided this is to be my 'Sunshiny Day' Bag. I am busy writing instructions today, so I hope the new pattern will be available in stores very soon. Continue reading

Hi Robyn, In the U.S., Calico Creations, Mount Vernon WA, has the Mouse Pincushion pattern: 360 336 3241, [email protected] Continue reading

This is a new stitchery, ready to be made into something. I think I might use it on a bag.... Hmmm, I have some pretty fabrics here waiting to be made into something beautiful. Another recent project, my Mouse Pincushion, was so much fun to make. Lots of different techniques, which I love. It has a little needlebook on one side panel, and a scissor keep on another, so you can keep all your stitching essentials in the one spot. I will be teaching this pincushion at Hobbysew Belconnen, Canberra, at the end of May, and later in the year,... Continue reading

I love getting out into the garden, pottering around, throwing the ball for our poodle, Roxy, watching the chickens scratch around, planting new flowers. Spring is a fantastic time of year in the garden. We have Willy Wagtails in the front garden and a nest of Blue-faced Honeyeaters in the back yard. To celebrate this glorious time of year, I am busily working on a new flip-book of stitcheries, with a garden theme featuring some of my favourite garden critters... here's a little preview of what's coming... The new book will be a small, flip-book, in the same style as... Continue reading

When they retired a couple of years ago, my Mum & Dad bought a caravan and joined the throngs of Grey Nomads, heading off all over Australia, seeking fun and adventure! When they're off for months, travelling and having a great time, I miss them. So I was inspired to make this cushion. Featuring needleturn applique and paper-pieced hexagons, there's lots of fun hand-work in this design. I used Anni Down's "Love to Garden" range for most of the cushion. It's nice and long and would be great on a bed, lounge or actually in a caravan! The pattern is... Continue reading

Okay, sorry about that... I couldn't help myself. This new tablerunner design, featuring a cute kitty in a basket, is called Sweet Pea Tablerunner. It is available now. I've also finished the pink & brown quilt I have been working on. This pattern is called, Gracie's Garden. Yes, those are hubby's toes... Two new stitchery designs, which come with the pre-printed calico and the hand-painted button... My Heart Sings, and Secret of Love. And finally, this cute little pincushion, Ma Bunny... also available now! Thanks to everyone who popped in to our stand at the Craft & Quilt Fair in... Continue reading

I've been doing heaps of needleturn applique work lately. Here's a couple of nearly-finished needleturn projects I've been working on. This will be a tablerunner... I've also been working on a large applique quilt in pretty browns and pinks... I love these long Redwork, Christmas stitcheries... This is a new one, Santa's Workshop, which I've just finished. The screenprinting elves have been busy, and this pre-printed design is available in stores now. Continue reading

Today I decided to treat myself to a little fun, at one of my favourite places, the Paddington Antique Centre in Brisbane... This is a gorgeous old theatre, which now houses antique stalls of all sorts of amazing treasures. I usually find great furniture pieces and props for my books here. An old eye chart, and I love the Union Jack suitcase. Aren't these old hatstands beautiful? So decorative, I wouldn't want to put a hat on top of them. If only these 1970's platform shoes were in my size, I would have brought them home. These were hand-made and... Continue reading

I'm very excited to be going back to the U.S. in May. The lovely ladies from Buggy Barn, Pam and Janet, have invited me to come run a workshop, as part of their 'Going Down Under' weekend. Here's the project I have designed for the workshop, a sweet little wool bag and key fob, with punch needle. If you'd like to join us for the workshop, just visit the Buggy Barn webpage for details: http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=182626543261826&Store_id=425&page_id=23&Item_ID=4006 Continue reading

My very first book, FairyLand, has been out-of-print for a while, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to up-date it a little, before reprinting again. I have added a brand new project, a cot-size, butterfly quilt. Here's a sneak peak... The new, improved FairyLand book, should be available in stores in February. Some more recent projects, in stores now, include, Flaxton Fields Pocket Tote... a small tote featuring a cute stitchery. Little Critter Purses... 2 designs in the one pattern – little zippered coin purses. and, Love & Friendship Sewing Set, a zippered case, large enough to... Continue reading

Bronwyn Hayes has done a Feature Story on me, on her blog: http://www.red-brolly.com She's offering a couple of great giveaways featuring two of my latest books, Red Home and Tis the Season, and you just have to see the pretty fabric she designed to represent me- based on my idea of what sort of fabric I would be, if I were a piece of fabric! Bronwyn is an incredibly talented lady and one of the nicest people you could meet. Thanks Bronwyn! Continue reading

I have been a very busy beaver, getting my latest book ready to release in June. The book, Red Home, is just about at the printers... Here is a quick sneak peak to whet your appetite. The book is full of RED projects... quilts, bag, redwork stitchery, pincushion... Stay tuned! Continue reading

I have been busy designing and sewing a couple of new things... 2 new pre-printed stitcheries, with cute buttons by Theodora Cleave, and a little star/applique project which can be a table runner or a wallhanging. This is the new stitchery, Hearts Return... and a new one for Christmas too, with the cutest little reindeer button... Simple Joys. I have used a diamond (or 6-point star) paper for this tablerunner/wallhanging, and there are 3 cute little applique/stitchery designs in the centre of the stars. This pattern is called Starry Eyed. These should be available in stores in the next week... Continue reading

This is a new Block of the Month, LOVE. It is made up of 9 pre-printed stitcheries about, you guessed it!, LOVE. It's probably a bit hard to see the stitcheries clearly, so here's some of my favourites, up close: If you are interested in which shops are running the BOM, just email me: [email protected] and I can give you a list. I have a couple of new things coming (slowly)... a small wallhanging/tablerunner with stitchery & applique and paper-pieced stars, and two new pre-printed stitcheries with buttons from Theodora Cleave. I hope to finish all three by the end... Continue reading

For the last few years, I have had two businesses to run... my design business, The Birdhouse, and a shop, Thread & Ginger. I also have 3 beautiful daughters who are teenagers, and about-to-be-teenagers (and a fairly low-maintenance husband). Like everyone else these days it seems, we set so many goals for ourselves and our children, that we are running ourselves ragged. So at the end of last year, my shop partner & friend, Caryn and I, made the decision that our lives needed to be a bit simpler... a bit less busy and stressful, and closed our beloved shop.... Continue reading

Last week was the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair. I had a great time, manning our stand (Thread & Ginger) with my good friend Sonia, and my lovely mum, who both gave up their time to come in and help out. As usual, the tempting displays all around me, meant that I came home with lots of new goodies to play with... I have been sitting at the family table (where I work), surrounded by some of these new treasures, and things I'm working on at the moment. Right across from my stand at the show, was the very inspiring... Continue reading