Marg Low Designs

the christmas beetle & a 2nd chance

I feel very fortunate to have my pick of lovely patchwork shops within easy driving distance so what could be better than that? A shop totally devoted to Christmas, that's what!

I knew Michelle had opened The Christmas Beetle but it took me a little while to venture inside  - sometimes it's best to avoid temptation. There were gorgeous decorations everywhere but I was focussed on looking for a new tree. Not to big and not too small.

This one was perfect  - the size and arrangement of branches was just what I was after, the base was sturdy making it ideal for displays (you don't want your tree toppling over on a customer) but not that attractive.

So what to do. Something to cover it up. With thoughts and ideas for a new tree skirt buzzing around in my head I remembered the one I started last year and tossed aside when it didn't work first time.

I thought I would give it a second chance, easier and quicker to see if it was fixable than design and make a new one from scratch. With so many segments there is no room for error, 100% accuracy was essential and I was just a fraction out. A fraction out on a segment here and there meant the skirt didn't sit flat. Feeling disappointed it was set aside. Every so often I would come across it in the work basket and there it sat, unloved  until today. With little care, I sewed a few seams a fraction wider and it looked a bit better. Deciding it would be 'good enough' I ironed a piece of pellon to the back which eased more fullness out of it. Then I cut out a back, made continuous binding and finished it!

I'm so glad I gave it a second chance. It took me ages to choose the fabrics, they're all favourites and it would have been such a waste of materials, time and effort to have 'binned' it.

Do you have something in the cupboard that deserves a second chance?

Sewjourn - Anam Cara Patchwork

Firstly, a big thank you to the Anam Cara girls, Rhonda, Debbie and Julie for organising such a fabulous day. The theme was 'Love is in the Air' and there are no surprises for guessing which song greeted everyone as they arrived. Yes it was Love Is In The Air by John Paul Young, one of my all time favourite songs from the 70's and later from the Baz Luhrmann film 'Strictly Ballroom'.

Many of the girls arrived early and were queued at the doors waiting for them to open at 10.00. 

Gail, Barb and I had been busy since 8.00 arranging our displays making them as eye-catching as possible. There was just enough time to take a few hurried pictures, and hurried they were as  only a couple are usable. 

My things.

 

 Barb's things.

 The colour theme for the Sewjourn was Red & White. Another favourite! The challenge when designing projects for a workshop is to make sure they can be started and finished, or close to, without a sewing machine.

I couldn't resist designing a new cushion (one of the many red and white cushions I plan to decorate the couch with one day) and a notepad cover, jewellery bag and scented heart - nice to make for yourself and perfect for gifts.

The goodies bag contained a kit for the scented heart.  

I was delighted to see Ros finished hers. I wasn't sure if this would be possible with all the added distractions of shopping, yummy foods, chatter and laughter.

The best thing about these workshops is everyone attending shares the same love for sewing and creating.

Here is  Elyte and her sewing buddies.

Many girls asked me if I was having a good day. How could I not, when they were so enthusiastic and friendly.

Thank you to everyone involved for such a great day.

Veronica Violet Stitcheries

There was some exciting news delivered to my letter box last Friday. Carolyn of Veronica Violet Stitcheries was opening a new store in Rutherglen. Yesterday was the grand opening.

 
Carolyn with one of her gorgeous quilts.

There were lots of tempting fabrics and bits and pieces to choose from. 

 
 
 
I can only guess at how hard Carolyn worked, including painting the walls, to have the shop ready for the opening but it was worth it. There is a lovely feel to the shop due solely to Carolyn's enthusiasm and creativeness.

It was lovely catching up with Carolyn again and I know the Friday Girls will have another day out some time soon.

Patchwork on Stonleigh

About 10 years ago I discovered a whole new genre of fabrics. Until then I'd only thought of fabrics in terms of dress and furnishing fabrics. Then one day I walked into Patchwork on Stonleigh and my passion for making things was re-ignited. There were so many beautiful fabrics to chose from and cordinate together. Pure bliss!  

It makes me wonder what I would be doing today if I hadn't walked into this shop. 

Today the shop closes its door for the last time.

Thank you Susan and Christine for stocking those beautiful fabrics and Jan for helping me choose which ones to buy!

trip buys

There were many tempting fabrics, felt and trims that could easily have found their way home with me from Stephs, but I managed to restrict it these buys.

The fabric and felt were made for each. They are perfect together and have already been combined in a simple project for Christmas.

 
 And I couldn't go past these ribbons. I asked myself how much do you need and decided metres!

After the trunkshow, last Thursday, Barb and I headed to Milton for a little retail therapy, coffee and cake. 

I'd already decided I would buy myself a little something. Nothing to do with sewing,something pretty perhaps, maybe white........ 

 Spools! Definitely not what I had in mind, but once I saw them I couldn't put them down. And then the dilemma began, how many to buy. One looked sad, two looked odd, so three it was.

a guessing competition

Thank you to all those who came to the trunk show at The Material Girls on Sunday. I had a great time meeting so many enthusiastic girls and came away quite inspired.

 
Here are Joy, Maria and Georgia after the show was finished.  

Of course you can't go into a fabric shop without buying at least one piece. 

One of these pieces is not for me, it's a gift, can you guess which one? If you guess correctly your name will go in the draw for my new soon to be released quilt pattern Grecian Times.

 
Simply post a comment including your guess by February 6. 
 
 

Jugiong Quilt and Craft Show

This coming weekend, 14 & 15 August, the Jugiong Quilt and Craft Show is on. I'll be there on the Saturday with my samples and things to tempt. Would love to see you there.

 
 A lovely bundle of fabric Kay and Sharon, from Avonleigh, gave me at the completion of the Christmas workshop a few weeks ago (doesn't time pass quickly).

I should have some pictures of the the 4th Red Club classes to show but I forgot my camera both times. But if you go here and here you can find some pictures of the Capital T the girls attending Club Rouge at The Patchwork Apple have made.

my trip - Jennifer Meek Giftware

This time last week I was at Jennifer Meek Giftware, Nhill, Victoria.

There were were lots of lovely things to look at.

I'm sure you know why I loved this display. I did resist, but gave into tempation with an entirely different red purchase.

A sample of the beautiful fabrics Jennifer stocks. And if these fabrics look familar, yes the girls at The Patchwork Apple used them for their journal covers.  
 

a first birthday

 Avonleigh celebrated its first birthday yesterday. There were lots of great specials and demonstrations to tempt.

Kay and Sharon set aside an area for a display of my samples.

I'm sure everyone who dropped by went home brimming with ideas and a shopping bag or two.

I've been working on the pattern for the first Red Club project, Stars & Pinwheels. I made the first quilt last year and decided to make another to check the pattern. 

This ones in my other favourite colour combination red, white and blue.

Patches of Heaven - 10th Birthday

Commencing this Friday, 30 November, Patches of Heaven in Temora is celebrating their 10th Birthday. To kick the celebrations off there will be a quilt display Friday, Saturday & Sunday. You'll be able to wander through the B&B accomodation and teaching room to view the quilts. Helen's told me there will be 'wickedly decadent dessert' available on Friday. And there will be SALE!

I made these today to help Helen celebrate. Love them in the pretties.  I wasn't sure what colour ribbon to use on the pink gift. I found a rather ugly striped print and fussy cut it. Just can't believe how good it looks. It's a GIrl Thing tag looks wonderful tied to the present.

I'll be there on Friday with my display. Would love to see you there.