Marg Low Designs

why fabric is so much better than chocolate

  Yesterday I went to the shop to buy one piece of fabric and came home with these. One piece became two, two became three.........well you know how it goes. Did I buy the piece I originally went for, NO! And do I have two metres of the pink check already, YES! Could I bring myself to cut into it even if the piece is so small I will probably never notice, NO! So much easier to buy a Fat 1/8. And now I must confess; I do have a little piece of this fabric somewhere in my stash, but the thought of coming home and searching for it when I could be stitching....... Lucky I love it! And how fortunate fabrics don't have a Use By Date! Just another reason why fabric is so much better than chocolate.

I was going to finish another project I have on the go but these cards are too tempting. Each time I finish one I think I might just try that button with this fabric and maybe I could write 'dear mum' on the inside.

And of course, how could I resist making a Christmas card. I do so love these buttons of Barb's.

How cute is the 'bunny in  a bag' tag.

They're simple and quick to make and I think that's one of the reasons why I'm finding it difficult to know when to stop. However today I'm going to continue writing the pattern and maybe later on I'll get the chance to do a little stitching.

Here is someone else who has trouble knowing when to stop. Julie has made not one but three of the little Bird of Happiness purses featured in Homespun. I have wondered if others find my projects as quick and achievable as I think they are, so it's great to see that Julie has made three in next to no time at all.  Beautiful work Julie!

new buttons, new ideas

Something I did find, when I was searching for the stitchery were these. Gift cards I designed for the April 2007 issue of Homespun.

This got me thinking about these lovely buttons of Barb (Theodora Cleave). They are so cute I can't pick a favourite, but there is something very special about the blue bird tag.

 So after some sketching, measuring, cutting and stitching here is the first one.

 

  And the second one.

 

Now I do have plans to make more, I really want and need to make more but the urge to see whether another project recently started, is going to work is very tempting.

Plus March is a very busy month for me, with three birthdays to make presents for. Now I knew this was happening, so why aren't I more prepared!

Kay, from Avonleigh, visited friends at Kinglake last Thursday and helped put a smile on some faces. How simple gifts can bring so much pleasure.

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.

Homespun - bird of happiness purse

I've put off writing about this for a few days now. Somehow it doesn't seem right that everything is as usual for me when others have suffered such devastating losses and continue to be under threat from the fires.

I do know there was a time when I just needed to do a little stitching. A bit of 'normal' when everything else had been turned upside down.

You'll find this project in the February issue of Homespun in the Bag Special.

The Bird of Happiness Purse. This incorporates all those things that are special to me. Birds, flowers and some stitching. It's small, as nearly all of my designs are.  Perfect to make for yourself or as a gift.

 And because I always find it difficult to stop at one, here it is in red.

The samples are on display at Avonleigh.

the fires

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me regarding the devastating bush fires in Victoria. I find it difficult to comprehend the enormity of the losses, how quickly they ocurred and the length of time it will take for those affected to recover, if ever, from this disaster. The fires are still burning, threatening lives and property. The firefighters and emergency services workers are true heros; how they manage to keep going...  The closest fire to me is at Beechworth about 50kms away. I feel very very fortunate that all I've experienced is smoke haze.

This looks much greener than it really is! Perhaps it's because I took it from inside the house on Sunday, as it was too hot to go outside. The weather man predicted a cool change but forgot to mention, it was going to peak at 40 deg first! Yesterday and today have been much more pleasant. I've lost count but I think we had 12 straight days over 35 deg with many of those 40+deg. I've never seen so many plants with their leaves badly scorched. Even the gum tree on the nature strip was not immune. You can imagine then, just how tinder dry the  bush is and with strong winds how quickly the fires spread and moved on Saturday and why they continue to burn.

 This was taken over a week ago . It's easy to forget about the birds when you're tucked inside with the airconditioner going.

Now I know I need to straighten up the bird bath. I did try and managed to tilt it in the opposite direction. Made me laugh. Sometimes we need to find something to laugh about.

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 [email protected] .