Marg Low Designs

some stitching

This my favourite time of the year for stitching in front of the TV - the tennis is on. I can listen to it and stitch away and if I miss something there's always the replay.

 

I saw the frame months ago and just had to have it for the colour!

It's been out on display waiting for me to stitch something to pop inside. Some might think it's a tad strange to have an empty frame displayed, but I needed the visual prompt to make certain it wasn’t forgotten. Some things need to be where I can see them.

 

You've seen this decoration before, but this is the one I made for my daughter's wedding. It was so hectic in the lead up, that I only took the photo the other day. (Yes, I had to borrow it back!)

The Kissing Bird button is designed and hand painted by Barb of Theodora Cleave.

I loved making this special one!

The pattern, Sweet Heart Birdies with the Kissing Bird button can be purchased here. It looks lovely on red too, something nice for Valentines Day.

I used my favourite Aurifil cotton Mako Ne12 threads for both.

 

 

decoration no. 5

Forget the red thread, this is now my favourite colour!

Cotton Mako Ne 12 thread Colour 2850, from Aurifil.

It's the colour I had to use for this weeks decoration.

 

A little pillow from the pattern Tied with Love

 

Now I want to make a bundle of these little pillows using these fabrics.

I can picture a basket of them on my hall table with a red and white quilt hanging behind them for Christmas.

I'm very keen to do this and need to prep the other tags straight away, before I'm distracted by other things and move onto the next project.  

The pattern and fabrics are available from my online store.

Tied with Love

Tied with Love fabrics

 

where's my needle

More often it's not 'Where's my needle' rather 'What have I done with my needle' because no matter how careful I think I'm being I somehow manage to misplace it. It's never far away, it's just hiding underneath a piece of fabric, amongst the threads or tucked safely in the fabric I'm stitching on. (Mmm, yes the last one is a tad embarassing.) Having just finished a largish project and 'misplaced' the applique needle numerous times I thought I'd make myself a needle-rest; someplace to pop my needle if I was called away.

Now I just have to remember to use it!

 

March is the birthday month

March is the busiest month,when it comes to friend's birthdays. There are three, all in the same week. With a little planning it shouldn't be a problem, but for some reason I don't get moving on the presents until a few days before I need them.

What I like to do is chose a project at the start of the year and then make it for every birthday. It didn't work out that way last year and not everyone received a travel light bag. So I dithered over making the bags for those who didn't have one and doing something totally new.

In the end I made the bags as I love coordinating the fabrics and felt and using the Aurifil wool thread.

You'll find the pattern for Stitch in Spring - Travel Kit here.

It would be simpler to buy a gift card but I get a buzz out of making a different one for them each year.

If you follow me on facebook, you will have seen Jan's orange gift tag.

 

it's not red

Do you remember the fabric I wanted to use for this years journal cover and didn't? I thought it may end up as one of those fabrics you absolutely love but never find the right project for.

Needing something to do at Friday Girls sewing last week, I hastily traced a stitchery and grabbed my Aurifil threads. All I was thinking about was having something to do. I'd given no thought to the fabrics I might use or what I'd make. 

 It was a lovely surprise when I realised it worked with that fabric.

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2014 journal cover

some stitching too

It was too dull today to take pics of the red & white blocks I've made this week, but there's a nice pile happening. I've been super organised selecting blocks and fabrics during the day and then cutting and sewing them at night.

There's been time for a little stitching over the last few weeks. I do love stitching with cream on red. I think it always looks stunning and has the added bonus  -  I don't need to think about which colour will go where!

  And there was a birthday present for Sue-Anne that needed making.

The Country Garden thread pouch. This year I decided to make all the Friday Girls the same thing. It's a lovely quick project you can start and finish it in a night.

This is Helen's. They were stitched using the Aurifil Cotton Mako 12 thread. It's a beautiful thread to use and you don't have to separate strands! I do like things that make life simpler.

You will find the threads and pattern here.

 

no secret

It's no secret my favourite projects are quick and achievable ones. I look longingly at the divine applique quilts Jan and Sue-Anne make but with no desire to start one myself. Before starting anything, I like to know the odds are good for finishing it!

I love a project you can cut out after dinner, stitch that night and if need be, put the finishing touches on the next day.

 

Some of the things I've been working on for the AQC and From Me to You Club.

Meanwhile, I'm very lucky to have friends who make those gorgeous applique quilts so I can ooh and aah over the fabrics and dream that maybe one day.......