Marg Low Designs

other things made this year

Sometimes it feels like it is all work and no play. I love the times I can make things knowing I will not have to write a set of instructions. Instructions are a constraint on my creative nature. Before doing anything I stop and consider if I can explain it in words or maybe a diagram. 

That's why I had so much fun taking part in the Indigo Postcard challenge last August. As part of the Indigo Quilt Exhibition we were issued the challenge to design a postcard with an Indigo theme. The timing was perfect as new blue fabric had arrived and the opportunity 'to have a play' was too good to miss.

I started the scene first, got stuck when I couldn't choose between raw edge and needle turn applique and made the flower pot instead. Had a lovely afternoon, pottering around with fabrics, threads, buttons and deciding what to do. I realised I could combine different applique techniques and went back and finished the scene. Sometimes all you need is a break from what your working on.

 

 

 

I mentioned in the last post how much I love using these metal frames. The trickiest thing about this purse was choosing which bird to fussy cut for the front,

 

 

and which one for the back.

 

That's the stuff for me!

 

Here is something of what I have planned for you next year.

These are the first two projects from my Happiness is..... club

 

 

I'm still working out the details and will post about it early in the new year  - which means next week!

 

Have a Happy New Year!

 

being christmas eve

Being Christmas Eve you'd expect this post to be all about Christmas, but it's not. To be honest I'm still in wedding mode, maybe tomorrow it will feel like Christmas!

As soon as the wedding was announced I knew I'd be making the bride something with this fabric. It's difficult to see bundled like this, but it is left over pieces of fabric from my mum's wedding dress, and has been stored like this for almost 60 years. So it is very very special!

Over the years I have thought about what I'd make with it; when I loved making dolls, it was going to be a doll but lately I'm hooked on making purses with the metal frames.

 

 

The purses.

 

 

 

The pearls belonged to my Nana and the the ribbon was a wedding anniversary gift from my husband many years ago. The bridesmaid purses were made from fabric which belonged to a great Aunt. 

I guess you can tell I hate throwing anything out!

 

The fabrics were too special to cut into without first checking the fit and shape. I used the first fabric to hand, which just happened to be red.

It needed something extra, so this week, I've been cutting out leaves and flowers, arranging and rearranging them until I think I'll go with this.

 

It's not appliqued down and yes, it's going to be tricky to sew them without catching the lining.

You and I both know it would be easier and quicker to start from scratch. 

I feel like I have failed the Christmas Challenge  - no decoration this week, but if I manage to finish this tonight in between, making salads, another batch of salted caramel fudge and wrapping gifts I will call my challenge a success.

 

You may remember I started my yo-yo quilt last year. Not a great deal of progress to report! Lucky the deadline is December 2019. Making the yo-yos is fun, stitching them together not so much. Rather than make all the yo-yos, then sew them together, they're being sewn into blocks as I go. So far I have four blocks - only twenty-one to go!

 

The wedding was perfect, and the bride and groom could not have looked happier.

 

Have a wonderful and safe Christmas.

 

Marg

8 sleeps to christmas, 2 sleeps to the wedding

Can you believe it, only eight more sleeps to Christmas and two sleeps to the wedding. This post is going to be very rushed as I'm yet to finish the bride's bag and the bags for the bridesmaids are still just an idea! There's a wedding rehearsal this afternoon and nieces to meet at the airport.

 

I needed something quick to decorate and tie to the goodies bags at my Christmas Stitch-in last August and this was the idea I came up with. The instructions will be sent via my newsletter. If you haven't already signed up for it, and you'd like to 'know how' email me and I promise to send it out later next week.

I'm taking the next few days off to enjoy the wedding.

 

two more weeks

Only two more weeks to Christmas and in between now and then we have a wedding. My daughter is getting married Saturday week. It's all very exciting and I'm sure you understand when I say I'm not thinking much about Christmas right now! As soon as this post is finished I'll be starting the purses for the bride and bridesmaids.

I'm determined to keep going with the Christmas challenge. With only two more to go, I'd be disappointed to fail this close to the end. Posting each week has certainly helped and choosing to make achievable, quick items has been a big plus.

Sticking with the quick and easy this week’s decoration is a tag. Now I love tags; they are so versatile, tie them to gifts, hang on the tree or a cupboard handle. They are my standby gift!

 

 

You may remember I made quite a few of these two years ago.

 

There is a pattern and you'll find it here - Christmas Tag.

 

it's december

Once again I picked something really quick to make this week. I had plans to make something entirely different but when the clock struck 9pm last night and I was just getting started I knew it had to be simple!

It's been awhile since I made a Red Robin; it was a chance to use one of my favourite new red fabrics.

It's a challenge making something a bit different each week.