Willowberry Designs ~ Alpaca Softies

Patiently waiting...

 
for our little great nephews numbers 3 & 4 to come into this world...  little twins, baby boys... 7 weeks early and arriving at a most inconvenient time for their Mum and Dad :)  but sometimes that's what babies do!

Looks like today will be the most important and special day of our year so far :)

UPDATE... and while I've been typing this, our little men have arrived!  Jakob and Jhye, teeny little miracles... babies are well, Mummy is well... not sure about the Daddy though!  He might need a sedative :)  and then there's the big brother and two big sisters!  These little guys will be surrounded by love... xxxxx

Jakob = 2010g and Jhye = 1740g... teeny little bundles  -  (thanks :) Perri..)

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I've also been busy tidying my stuff... man, do I have loooaaaads of stuff!  The funny little man thinks that just because he's been culling his stuff, I should cull my stuff - before we move.  Before we move to a slightly smaller home.  Before I find that my stuff just won't fit anymore... Don't worry flm, it will fit...

In my 'tidying up', I found a few bits n pieces that need finishing.  I also found my gene of completion for a couple of days... before losing it again and starting a whole new project.  It's what we do... :)

vikki's sweet 'a house in the country' - it was published in Creating Country Threads last year... and I found exactly the right button to finish off my version - a little decorator pillow

seeya, I'm off to send big hugs to the little 'slightly bigger than it was' family

Cheryl xx

Hexagons... are you ready?

Here we go...

another in this year's 'every once in a while' moments of doings for the new abode

(there's a recipe journal under way too, it's looking tres chic)

Placemats

made from my stash of French General goodness.  I only made two of these, one for me and one for the funny little man

Simple.. and not too fancy :)

Coasters... to match

Want to make some?

Dig out your hexie stash and put together 2 flowers for each placemat and two flowers for each coaster.  Each flower consists of one hexie centre and six hexie petals.  Add another hexie 'leaf' to each side of one of the placemat flowers.  My flowers are made using 1" hexie papers

How do you make your hexies?  I like to cut my fabric 1/4" larger all round, turn the fabric over the paper template and only take one stitch through the template, with the knot on the right side of each piece

When I remove the paper - after joining all the shapes - I only have to cut one little knot...

... gently ease the papers out... and the remaining stitches keep everything where it should be... it also reduces the needle damage to the papers which means they last longer.  Gotta love that :)

sshhhh, I also iron the papers before I put them away, ready for the next time.  Don't tell anyone that though... it's all to do with the type A personality I carry... it's my dark passenger :)

To make a placemat the same as mine, cut a piece of base fabric about 20" x 12".  These are larger than regular sized placemats as they have room for a 'coaster' flower as well as a 'plate' flower.  Position the coaster flower on the top right hand side and needle turn it to the base fabric.  Position the plate flower just left of centre and needle turn it to the base fabric

If you wish, add a row of chain stitch all around the outer edge of each appliqued flower, using two strands of embroidery thread

Layer the placemat, batting and backing, baste with pins or basting spray and quilt as you wish

I quilted a 1/4" around each appliqued shape and then added a double frame, crossing at each corner.  Keep it simple...

Bind it ... I used a single fold binding on these placemats.  Although it may wear faster with laundering etc, I like the fine finish.  I cut my binding strips at 1 1/4" wide and joined them with a 45degree seam.  Talking about bindings... I'm a new convert to binding quilts with bias cut binding.  Stronger and less wear and tear on one line of warp or weft thread.  In the long run it takes a bit more fabric but I think it's worth it...

Back to the doings...

Matching coasters... take two of your prepared hexie flowers, papers removed.  Trace around one onto a piece of bag batting - it's a thin, dense batting.  Cut the shape out approx 1/16" smaller than the drawn line.  Spray one side with basting spray and lay on the wrong side of a finished hexie flower

Spray the top and add another finished hexie flower, aligning it with the one underneath

Using a matching thread, sew all the way around the edge with a ladder stitch

Done!  Now, go make a coffee and put it to good use :)

I love the process of making these coasters... probably because it's all hand work, no machine sewing in sight

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We had a big day today and tonight we're all full of tired...

Selected the internal paint colours, bought all the light fittings, paid for the floorcoverings (kept thinking about the great big bags full of goodness I'd have if we spent that much money at a patchwork store), found the perfect flooring for the new quilt room - tres excitement - and bought the goods and chattels to make the drapes for one room... only 12 other rooms to go!  Even though curtain making is BORING, it creates a feeling of 'I'm clever' when they all work out...

I'm thinking of painting the new quilt studio all white... maybe with one lemon wall.  I need to keep it to as blank a canvas as possible.  The new floor will look like whitewashed oak... perfect

If you have any ideas, suggestions or you'd just like to share what works in your creative space, I'd love to hear it :)

seeya

Cheryl x

Lady bugs and chocolate cake

Today is our Bloss's birthday... and we get to enjoy her company and spoil her all day :)

After a loooong flight home, a quick stopover in Sydney, the drive up to Toowoomba and a good night's sleep she's now settled in front of the tele for the day, watching movies... with the occasional theo cuddle :)

FLM is making a buffet of spicy Indian foods for dinner tonight, he's good like that.. the velvety chocolate cake is doing it's thing in the oven

and Theo is snoozing right beside me as I type.  Moo will be home for the evening and we'll enjoy a slide show of holiday snaps.  I can't think of a better way to spend the evening... oh wait, yes I can... if waterboy and our country girl were here too..

Theo has a new shirt...

I know... cat's don't wear shirts... but it's seriously cute

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On Monday I posted a special parcel to a new little friend I'd love to meet one day...

You can read some of Emma's story here

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Ladybug Ladybug fly away home...

another installment in my new design.. fat little bugs, climbing beanstalks...

More to come

AND patterns are still on sale over at Etsy

seeya... working on hexies this arvo...

Cheryl xx

ps... yesterday while waiting for our car to be serviced, the funny little man and I spent an hour or so at the Japanese gardens in Toowoomba... so serene and so far removed from the sadness in Japan..

our thoughts are with our Japanese friends...

All good in the world of Bloss

After a sleepless night, we had an update from bloss this morning.  She and her friends are all fine, their room is on the 12th floor, there's been no damage to the area they're staying in and they kept themselves busy with chocolate, bagels and chips!  I think it gave them a few anxious hours though, with sirens and warnings but I guess it's always best to prepare for danger rather than trying to deal with it as it happens.  Our girl will be home again on Tuesday night, can't wait to give her a big hug!

thank you for the messages and wishes, let's keep those special wishes going for the souls in Japan and other affected areas.  Lots of long and anxious days ahead for these people, my thoughts are with them all

Cheryl xx

Update on Bloss

Lots of emails asking about Blossie in Hawaii... we just heard from her and they've been told to stay put in their hotel room, fill the bath with water and wait it out.  The warning sirens are sounding ~ fingers crossed the danger will pass without damage.  I think it will be a sleepless night for us all...

I'll update again in the morning

Just quiltin'.....

Things are a bit slow and comfortable round here... doin' a little quilting, doin' a little stitching, doin' a little messing around with the ninja kitten and watching the new house grow from the ground up

Quilts

Working on a BIG custom job for Janine.. lots of feathery loveliness.  It's been on and off the machine a few times ~ separate blocks and borders ~ and that allows me to squeeze in a couple of quick jobs

I've also quilted a few lovelies for Marion's (have a browse through her blog for info) Quilt drive for the flood affected locals...

 

A couple more to do yet.  There's something special about quilters and patchworkers... they always give unconditionally in times of need.  I'm sure some really lovely friendships are forming within the walls of Marion's workroom at the shop

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And a few quilts for Clare... this is the first.  A simple layer cake quilt -

for a boy... How do we make this lovely fresh quilt look more like a boys quilt?  Use a simple edge to edge 'boy' quilting design... and blue quilting cotton :)

Quilts for Beris (log cabin) and Lori (baby quilt) will be delivered tomorrow afternoon ~ I'll show photos when these girls have seen their quilts

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Funny little man is making noises in his workshop ~ I think there might be a new dovecote happening but I daren't ask... there were three attempts last week!  He will persist until he's happy with the job.  And he has a new tool to play with ~ a router ~ can anyone tell me what sort of dangers are associated with using a router???  It's ok, we have '000' on speed dial...  Anyone who knows the FLM will understand...

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Blossie is having a fantastic time in Hawaii... I took this photo of the three girls as they left Brissie airport

(don't you just love her big 'LUCK' bag??  Early birthday giftie from us, we bought it from here)

They're just loving every minute and she keeps us up to date with emails and regular posts on facebook.  Today she met a few dolphins... can't wait to see photos of that!  She'll be home on Tues night next week then our little visitor ~ aka ninja attack cat ~ will go home with his mummy.  We'll miss him, he's such a spirited little guy with some quirky 'non cat' habits and he's sooooo cuddly.  He's curled up on my lap as I type...  and this is his fave place to hide ~ a busted old torn paper bag.  funny little thing :)

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More snippety pips of the doings ~ I'm really loving making this cute set... can't wait to finish it and start writing the pattern!

It's already had the nod of approval from the sewing gals

Well, I think we're up to date... FLM is making his world famous chicken madras curry for dinner tonight, complete with his world famous garlic naans and his world famous fluffy rice.  That's if the dovecote passes his exacting standards.  If not, it might be beans on toast... :)

Seeya

Cheryl xx

ps... we have windows, the electrician has been and the plumbers are there today... internal linings and bricks next week.  Man, these guys don't mess around!  We've done some serious buyings of seriously gorgeous light fittings... more than a little on the yum side

Two things...

...you need to know about

This giveaway is now closed

Vignette in Stitches giveaway

~photo from Perri's site~

and

the willowbetsy pattern sale

see my previous post....

flit around and find some fun today :)

I'm quilting

and fighting off the ninja cat

seeya

Cheryl xx

'Willowbetsy' March Specials...

 Hello... and Happy Weekend... A nice, cool, busy, happy Weekend

We were up early yesterday, down to Brissie with Bloss, farewell little Blossie... off to Hawaii for a 2 week vacation!!

She's going to have the bestest time with her besties... Kell and Flick... three gorgeous girls out for fun

So the teenage ninja furball ~ aka Theo, the 5 month old cuddly MONSTER who lies in wait behind doors and ATTACKS when you least expect it ~ will be sleeping over while his mumsy is away

He gives the best cuddles.. all floppy and snuggly.  Cute little guy... and Ratty, the Lord of the Household, totally HATES him.  Yes, it will be an interesting fortnight, keeping them in separate rooms... and we must remember to cuddle and fuss over the 'senior' pusska as well as the toddler... tricky...

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So, this is what's been happenin' in the other room...

New doings

This little project is toooo cute!  My newest pattern, so sweet, I'm sure you're going to love it just as much as I do...  It's currently in the testing laboratory (thanks Jude!),  I hope to have it ready for release in a very short while.. and there will be a giveaway when it's ready :)

My Etsy store has had a BIG makeover.  I spring cleaned the cupboards and loaded up a heap of new-to-etsy patterns, there's something for EVERYONE... and to kick start things I'm having a BIG MARCH sale!

Some newies to my store...

~ Let's Bake, Sunday Markets, Fleur's Boudoir Set, Primrose & Passion Pillows, Sophia Quilt, Cottage Garden Sewing Set and more! ~

Some are in pdf format, some are printed paper patterns...

Now here's the SPECIAL part!

For the WHOLE month of March...

(it's my birthday month and it's one of those birthdays that end in a 'zero'... and it's not '20' or '30' or '40' or '60' and that's all I'm sayin')

anyways... for the WHOLE month of March when you purchase 1 (one) pattern, you will receive 1 (one) bonus pdf e-Pattern of your choice! Add the details to your order or send me a message through etsy to let me know which pattern you'd like :)

If you have any questions, just send me an email

willowberryd at ymail dot com

Some of the lovelies in my willowbetsy store...

'Girlfriends Tote' (2007 and always a favourite ~ pdf e-Pattern)

There's a story 'behind' this one... 'a girlfriend is a sister you choose'... the four beautiful 'behinds' are, from the left, Shaz, Marion, myself and Deborah... designed for our girlie stitching retreat a few years ago.  AND, I have three gorgeous sisters... Nisey, Bevvy Shelley (remembering my chookies?) and myself so it goes without saying that 'a sister is a girlfriend by chance'

~ Both sentiments are included in the pattern ~

'White Christmas' (new ~ pdf e-Pattern tutorial)

 

'Let's Bake!' (new ~ pdf e-Pattern tutorial)

'My Vintage Heart' Pillow (new ~ printed pattern)

'Tulip Delight Pillow' (2010 ~ printed pattern)

 

'Sewing Companions' (2009 ~ printed pattern)

and of course, 'Rosebud'... getting a little squished here under the Lord of the Household

And LOTS more... Go check 'em out.... :)

WILLOWBERRYD on ETSY

seeya there

Cheryl xx

ps.. windows are on site and the sound proof insulation has been installed in the studio... happy dancing... Sunday today, might pop round and put all the windows in for the builders... don't think they'd mind... :)

 When I close my eyes my new play room looks like this

Rosebud

Remember 'Rosebud, the bluebird of elegant song' ??

One of my patterns, it's a simply gorgeous oversized pillow that sits deliciously across an equally delicious quilt

My 'Rosebud' pattern

and made by Shaz

Get out of the way Shaz!

Ahhh that's better :)

Gentle colouring, perfect stitching and sitting across a beautiful quilt.  I wonder who quilted that little gem??

'Rosebud' paper patterns have had a facelift and are once again available for purchase from Willowberryd at Etsy - but don't buy it just yet....

I'm adding new patterns overnight and the March '2 for 1' special starts in just under 24 hours

seeya soon

Cheryl xx

What's doin' today...

I'm updating my Etsy store with a whole heap of new-to-etsy patterns

AND

I'm having an Etsy special month for March...

Be back later on with all the goss-ip :)

seeya then

Cheryl xx

ps... we have a roof, and the windows should go in next week... tres happy