Marg Low Designs

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.

 

doll's sampler

There were so many things I should have been doing this weekend but instead I opened this bundle of fabric (purchased sometime in the last 12 months) and started planning or rather making blocks for a little quilt to hang as a pair for this one.

Not quite sure what to make, ideas have formed and then been discarded until I decided to make a sampler of sorts. I've wanted to make another sampler for ages. My first quilt was a sampler. I love it because it's my first but have never been truly happy with it.  I chose all the fabrics from the one range and while there is definitely nothing wrong with this, I prefer mixing fabrics. For me, it adds more interest. Such a good thing to learn early on.

Only the top's finished but I couldn't wait to see how it looked hanging on the wall. I'm still deciding whether to put a border on it or bind it like it is. Too much bigger and it won't fit and no idea how I'll hand quilt it (what do you suggest Jan?).

I simply started by making a couple of blocks and it went from there.

Now I love this block. Someday I have to (will) make lots for a big quilt. I'll use the one background fabric but incorporate different reds and blues....... Such a shame the weekend's almost over and it's back to work tomorrow.

so wish this was mine

I so wish this was mine, but it's Sue-Annes. A gorgeous tablerunner. The Friday girls have been making and swapping hexagons for a couple of years now. There were big plans. (I think we may have all been guilty of at least one of these at some time or another.) They were each going to make a quilt. I think they've all decide to make tablerunners. So much better to have a project finished and be able to use and enjoy it.

Here are Jan's hexagons. This picture was taken about 18 months ago. A lot more have been sewn together since then.

Imagine the fun going through this tin and looking at all the fabrics.

a first.....

I've been without a computer for the last few days and while I'm glad it appears to be working again I have to say it was nice being without it. Almost like being on holiday.

Last week I made this needlecase. I couldn't wait to get home with the fabric and try it with these lovely felts. This has to be my favourite fabric right at this very moment! I know, only last week it was the blue with the large red roses. OK, so I'm a bit (lot) fickle when it comes to fabric!

And  a peek inside. Yes, it is the same as the one I made for Brownyn's birthday, just different fabrics and trims.

I think one of the reasons why I love small and quick projects is it provides the perfect reason (excuse) for buying new fabrics. 

I've just realised, two fabric purchases in two weeks and two finished projects, this last bit has to be a first!

my easter break.......

A little bit of sewing, some gardening, a movie, sunshine and some much needed rain - how perfect is that?

After the scorching summer we've just experienced it's difficult to find anything to photograph. I find myself rejoicing in even the simplest of plants and flowers.  The lush new growth on the succulent and the divine perfume of the mock orange and rose remind me of why I love to garden.

And my little bit of sewing. It rained Saturday afternoon so I had the perfect excuse to make this. It's the only largish bag I seem to make. It's simple and quick (3 hours tops) and just right for showcasing a gorgeous print like this one. 

Now if you would like to make this bag the pattern is on special at AUD$10.00 (including P&H for local and overseas orders), but only for this month. Simply email me [email protected] with your order.

I do hope your Easter break has been as enjoyable as mine.

the dilemma.....

  My plans for Easter have hit a snag. There I was ready to spend all Easter in the garden. Very enthused I went to the nursery today for cow manure and some rosemary plants ready to make an early start tomorrow. I was right on track until I stopped off at the patchwork shop. How could I resist! The dilemma, do I sew or garden? I do so hope it rains, because I need an excuse to stay indoors.

Enjoy your Easter break!

Homespun project

Here is my project in the current issue of Homespun Vol 10 No. 4. Thank you to www.completecraft.com.au for the photo.

A close up of the fabulous machine quilting by Susan Campbell of Rowdy Flat Quilting.

The quilt was inspired by the row by row challenge I took part in with Murray River Quilters last year. Each row was representd by a letter S, H, T, P, C, L, and F. Can you guess what mine were? Some are obvious H for Hexagon, P for Pinwheel and T for Triangles; others less so, F for Flowers, S for Stripes and C for Circles while the letter L proved the trickiest, Light and dark or Log cabin with variation, I'll let you decide which one you prefer. And yes it is a bit of a stretch of the imagination. 

I am really pleased that I did take time to be part of this challenge. It made me think about fabrics, patterns and blocks in different ways. Challenges are very good at dragging you outside your usual comfort zone and trying something a little different. So try one!

progress......

I'm way ahead of schedule on these nine patch blocks. The plan was to make two per day and I've made 40+. They are sooooo easy to sew. No thinking required - my kinda of sewing!

I guess anything I sewed after working on the challenge would be a breeze. The maths didn't quite work out resulting in a little unpicking and some trimming here and there to make it all fit. Had to laugh. There I was thinking it was almost finished and congratulating myself on how well it was all going together.....

  Speaking of finishing things, Belinda made this lovely journal cover in class yesterday. The first thing she can remember finishing in a class in ages.

The little bag with its cute birdie buttons was just about completed in the Easter class a few weeks ago.

I can imagine carrying my camera around in this bag.

  
 Amanda's journal cover. Doesn't it look fantastic in these Kaffe Fassett fabrics? Amanda designed and drew the stitchery freehand.

Both girls covered their work diaries, so come tomorrow morning they'll have a lovely reminder of what they achieved on the weekend.

quilts to be making.....

  Last night I finally made a start on the 21st Birthday quilt. I have been thinking about this project for at least the last 6 months. The dilemma has been 'what fabrics and colours to use'. Yes I do feel a bit embarassed not knowing what my daughters favourite colour is (used to be purple) but tastes do change. Plus some of the fabrics she's picked out, the few times she's visited a patchwork shop, have surprised me.

So I'm taking a bit of a gamble. When she said she liked this Judy Rothermel Sturbridge Village fabric, she spotted in my stash, I hope she meant she really really did like it! It has to be one of my favourite pieces of fabric - guess that's why I bought enough for a border.  

The birthday is not until the end of May so I suppose I have plenty of time......

Jan has made a lovely nine patch quilt, sorry I didn't have my camera so you will just have to trust me on this. It's so gorgeous I want to make one for myself.

 Of course I don't have the same fabrics as Jan but think these fabrics from Patchwork on Stonleigh's Fabric club will be perfect. I've been think about doing something with these fabrics for ages and it's so nice to finally have a project for them. I'd like to set myself a target of 2 blocks per day......I know, doesn't sound like very many, but the birthday quilt is the priority.

And then there is the Murray River Quilters challenge to think about. 20 inch square quilt with 20 fabrics to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Due 9 May. The fabrics are chosen, the design done.....now I just have to find the time.