Marg Low Designs

and the winners are.....

Congratulations to the following winners

Yvonne Cain - Christmas Treats , Laila - Springtime Blooms and Julie, who could identify with my struggle through the door - Class Carry Bag.

I will email you for your postal address.

Thank you to everyone who entered and all your lovely comments. It's nice to know my blog does get read!

I've been on the receiving end of some gorgeous gifts of late.

Brownyn brought this oh so sweet button basket back from Vietnam for me.  I'm not sure how she could bear to part with it.

These beautiful fabrics are a thank you from Jenny for taking part, albeit at a distance, for her stitchery weekend.

And this gorgeous pear was just one of the lovely gifts Christine gave me for teaching with her at Mamre House this year.

I feel very spoilt!

new patterns to giveaway

Springtime Blooms. This is one of the projects from Mamre House. (And yes it was my project for Jenny's stitching weekend in New Zealand.)  As well as the framed stitchery, the pattern includes a Chatelaine (mobile phone or gift pouch) and scented sachet.

Barb's 'Be Inspired' button was perfect for the 'Beautiful Blue Birdies' theme.

Class Carry Bag. I first made this bag about four years out of need. One day I found myself struggling to a quilt class with a basket, bag, sewing machine and cutting mat tucked under my arm. You can imagine trying to sqeeze through the doorways, past other students without bumping into anyone or dropping anything. How wonderful if everything, apart from the sewing machine, could fit in one bag. Since then I've made a rotary cutter case and ruler cover (6.5 x12inches) to match.

 Christmas Treats. What I like most about these bags is you don't need to wrap the presents. Pop them inside, pull the drawstring closed and instant wrapping. Slip a gift card in the stitched pocket and it's ready for giving. The tags are designed for those of us who leave things to the last minute but still want to give a handmade gift.

I have one copy of each pattern to giveaway (no choosing). Simply post a comment no later than Sunday 8 November to enter the draw. 

announcing the winners

And the winners of the Christmas pattern giveaway are:

Beverly (posted July 26 at 12.11 pm) - Simple Pleasures

Sue (posted July 25 at 5.03pm) - Stitched Blessings

Julz at Simple Stitches - Tree of Love

Lee-Ann (posted July 25 at 3.16pm) - Tied with Love

Congratulations! Please email me your addresses and I'll pop the patterns in the post.

Very little sewing has been happening at my place these past two weeks. Hopefully I'll find the time to rectify this later today.

This was a must do - Nicole's birthday present. Can you guess what her favourite colour is?

I've had lots of fun making the needle & thread roll for the Friday Girl's birthdays. You might think I would be over it by now, but no I'm still enjoying playing with the different fabric and colour combinations.

This is Michelle's hexagon quilt. Machine pieced using fabrics from Patchwork on Stonleighs fabric club.

This is what I plan to do this afternoon, make myself a hexagon quilt. First I have to decide what size to make the hexagons and quilt (only an afternoon - perhaps I'd better aim for a tablerunner or cushion), then which fabrics to use. Will I make it scrappy out of my fabric club fabrics or maybe red and white?? I just know I need to make a decision quickly, otherwise the afternoon will be gone and I'll have nothing to show for it.

new chrissie designs giveaway

  Have you started on your Christmas gifts yet?  

I have great plans to finish everything by mid December but usually find myself just getting started.  (Just one of the reasons why so many of my projects are simple and quick; designed by need!)

To help you avoid that last minute rush I'm giving you the chance to win a copy of one of my new patterns, Simple Pleasures, Tied with Love, Stitched Blessings and Tree of Love.

To enter the draw simply post a comment by the end of July and hopefully a pattern will soon be on its way to you.

Homespun giveaway

I have to say that I feel like I've been chasing my tail ever since I got back from Adelaide. There are so many things I need to tell you about.

The giveaway Barb and I have in this months issue of Homespun is just one of them.

The pack includes the patterns A Celebration and Christmas Charm and 5 Theodora Cleave buttons or tags (NB the buttons and tags may vary from those pictured here.) For details on how to enter, please see Homespun's Hope Chest in The Christmas Issue Vol 10 No. 7.

a winner and 21st update...

Finally, I can start to relax. I now feel like the quilt will be finished, labelled and wrapped before the  big day. Hope I just haven't jinxed myself!  I picked the quilt up today and sewed the binding on straight away, now I just have to sew it down. I can only work on it when Bec's not home so it has taken a bit of juggling. I'm sure it's still a secret and would love to keep it that way.  I did go with the original border fabric and I'm glad I did. It's taken on a different appearance now it's cut and joined. Funny (interesting) how this happens. Guess that's one of the reasons why I love playing with fabrics so much - it never ceases to surprise or please.

Casey is the lucky winner of the Greeting Card giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered. It's inspiring to read all your lovely comments. The pattern is on sale, simply contact me or ask for it at your local patchwork shop.

Greeting Cards

Here is my new pattern. Cards with a little stitchery, a pocket on the inside for a handwritten note and decorated with Barb's buttons. These cards would suit just about any occassion. I stopped after making a Christmas, Birthday, Thank you, Baby, Dear Mum and With Love, but could easily have kept going with Easter, Friendship, Get Well.... lovely gift pouches or even cuter needlecases with the addition of a piece of felt. Just too many choices!

And isn't that the fabulous thing about stitching and patchwork there's always something new beckoning us to try.

I think that could be why it sometimes takes me so long to release a pattern as I'm constantly thinking what if I did this.....

I have a pattern and 3 buttons to giveaway. If you would like a chance to win simply post a comment by Friday May 8.

 

announcing the winner of the easter treats pattern

Thank you to everyone who entered the draw. Julie, with the comment "This is a pattern I would love to have. I am going to decorate for Easter this year........" is the winner. Julie, if you could please email me your address I'll pop the pattern and buttons in the post.

The pattern is available to purchase. Ask for it at your local patchwork store, check on-line or contact me directly. I have Pattern Packs (pattern and 3 buttons) for AUD25.00 plus P&H.

I've been getting lots of enquiries about the spring strips I used in the Homespun project.

This is a spring strip. I first saw them last year at the AQC in Melbourne. They come in a variety of sizes. They are available from Patchwork shops, Studio Mio (who'll be at the AQC this year) or me.

 I did manage to have a little play. Originally this design was worked as a stitchery. As soon as I finished it I wanted to make it in felt.  Well other things got in the way and now only four years later, I've finally got around to it. I did want to show you the stitched version, but after much searching I still haven't located it. I'm sure it will turn up, once I've stitched a new one.

new patterns and an Easter giveaway

It feels like the only thing I've been working on for ages now are my new patterns. I know this is not true but I've been very aware of the early February deadline I set myself for the Easter pattern and haven't been able to think about much else.

And yes, its done.  Printed and packaged and ready to go.

I've named it Easter Treats, since I think they look good enough to eat. If you need to avoid chocolate, like I should, then tempt yourself with these eggs. They're calorie free and, speaking for myself, will last a lot longer than chocolate.

 I have one pattern and 3 of Barb's beautiful buttons to giveaway. Simply leave a comment, no later than next Thursday 12 February, to enter in the draw.

  ' For You' combines my Gift Pouch and Gift Pillow patterns with a Heart stitched with 'For You'. The heart was made and the instructions written a few years ago and that's as far as it went. I must have been waiting for the perfect gift projects to accompany it.

And remember these? The Christmas decorations I just couldn't make enough of. 'Christmas Charms', the third pattern I've been working on, is available now.

Now I do feel a little silly mentioning Easter and Christmas in the one post. But if your like me and enjoy making gifts for Christmas, then its never too early to start!

If you have any difficulties  locating stockists for these patterns please email me margjlow@bigpond.net.au .

announcing the winners

  Lyn, Nada and Linda have won themselves a copy of the pattern 'A Celebration'.  Please email me with your address and I'll pop a copy in the mail.

Thank you to everyone who entered. It seems some of us are more organised than others, but we all share the same pleasure in creating for ourself and others.

I haven't made a doll quilt in ages. One of my goals this year was to make a doll quilt everyone one or two months and it just hasn't happened!

I couldn't help but notice the pattern the quilting lines formed in the centre of the background block. So yesterday I pulled out some scraps and had a little play with colours and shapes. Lots of fun and very rewarding. 

I've been struggling a little with ideas for the red quilt I want/need/have to make before Christmas and this has provided the inspiration.