Marg Low Designs

Christmas Break

A couple of weeks ago I thought I was on schedule (even gave myself a high five) to stitch and sew all the things I wanted to before Christmas. I guess you won't be surprised to read the schedule is out the window.

It's hard to change years of habit!

I truly hope you're more organised, your gifts are made, wrapped and under the tree.

 

 

Christmas Holiday Break

19 December to 11 January

Last orders posted Friday 18 December.

Orders may still be placed online. However please note,
they will not be processed until 11 January.

 

I'll be back in the New Year with the details for

Sew Some Joy - Christmas club

Wishing you a safe & happy holiday!

 

my christmas stitching

I've been wanting to make a small shelf runner for so long now I don't remember when I first had the idea. I made a start a week ago and finished it on the weekend. It's my kind of project, firstly it required minimal thinking, it’s the weekend who wants to think! Secondly it was a chance to play with some of my favourite fabric scraps and thirdly make yo-yos with my trusty Clover Yo-yo maker. I admit a moment of worry when I couldn’t locate it and thought my plans would have to be abandoned, but it was just where you’d expect to find it, in a tin with yo-yos. Locating the right tin was the problem. 

 

And here it is finished.

It's so nice to have finally got around to making it. 

If you're thinking my yo-yos look perfect it's because I use a Clover yo-yo maker.

Without it they'd be all different sizes!

 

This was not the only project I ticked off. The Gift Tags are finished. 

I must confess when I wrote about them in my last post I half expected they'd still be a work in progress come Christmas Eve.  I'm so pleased and yes relieved they're ticked off and it's not even December.

 

It felt a little weird stitching one for myself but thought, why should I miss out?

 

  The pattern for the tag shown below has been released as a PDF pattern.

This means you won't have to wait for the post and can start stitching it this weekend.

Just click on the link below.

 

Festive Stitching - Gift Tag PDF Pattern

Price $6.50

 

Have a lovely weekend!

 

some christmas stitching

Last year, I made a spur of moment decision to do away with store bought bon bons and instead make re-usable bags and fill them with Christmas treats. It was an easy decision to make because more often than not I'd forget to buy them.  Some years I've managed to cover up this oversight; rummaging around in the cupboard Christmas morning and finding just enough left over from previous years. 

It was fun and so nice to do something different and the bags looked lovely hanging off the chairs. I ran out of time to make name tags and so this is what I've been stitching this week. Three down and two more to go!

 

 

The bags were kept simple.

 

And it's easy to add more when you need too!

 

This year I plan to spread the job of filling the bags around, so everyone contributes; it would be nice not to know the punchline to the jokes!

 

where has the time gone!

There I was relaxing with snapshots of flowers in my garden in the last post and then....... I really don't know where the days went.

The final Great Australian Craft Show #7 , Christmas Spectacular was on last week. I still have some fabulous kits on sale and other specials.

 

Selected Theodora Cleave button kits are on sale until the end of this month.

The kits are sold here.

The gorgeous buttons are designed and hand painted by Barb Smith (Theodora Cleave). Check out all Barb's buttons on her website here.

 

You'll find more specials here, like this cute Christmas stitchery pattern, A Celebration.

 

Small tags to stitch for Christmas.

String them together, hang individually on a tree, tie them to a gift or attach them to the stitched gift pillow.

Perfect for that last minute gift or bit of Christmas decorating.

Pattern $13 including postage.

 

 

the colours of spring

These photos were taken a few days ago, when the sun was shining and thoughts were turning to warmer days ahead, before the arctic blast sent me back indoors. Even the dog is reluctant to leave the warmth of the heating vent.

 

 

 

 

Now I can spend the weekend stitching!

 

A Little Something - Gift Pouch

I love giving and receiving Christmas decorations; they create memories for the both the maker & receiver. A dear friend hangs, stands and drapes every decoration I've made for her in the past 20 years or more. I admit to feeling a tad embarrassed when I visit at Christmas and see it all on show especially some of my earliest creations!

A Little Something was designed ten years ago and I found the Gift Pouch when I was going through my samples. It is still a gorgeous design and I was delighted to find the fabrics have not dated!

There's a pocket for a personal message or little gift.

I've released the Gift Pouch as a PDF (digital/downloadable) Pattern.

No need to wait for the postie.

Just click on the link below.

A Little Something - Gift Pouch PDF Pattern

Once your payment is processed an email will be delivered to your inbox with a link to download the pattern.

 

I remade the sample this week.

 

I combined Aurifil Cotton Mako 12 wt thread and DMC stranded embroidery thread to stitch the new sample.

Why both?

The fine decorative detail on the trees and gifts is is worked with a single strand of DMC thread.

I could have just used DMC, as I did when I made the original sample, but I love stitching with the Aurifil Cotton Mako 12wt thread!

 

Aurifil Cotton Mako 12wt Thread

 

Happy Gift Making!

 

Special Delivery

Some nights all I want is a simple quick project to work on. One I can prep before tea and finish stitching before 9pm. By that time the eyes are drooping and I'm ready to call it a night.

I kept it simple, fusible applique, minimal stitching and finished with the Trolley button by Barb Smith.

 

There is something about this button I just love.

 

Yesterday I prepared kits.

The kit includes the pattern, materials, threads, button, ribbon, iron-on-pellon, cardboard and a piece of heat n bond.

Special Delivery Kit is $17 plus $3.00 P&H.

I can post the kit overseas, but please note postage starts at AUD$15.00 for New Zealand, AUD$25.00 for UK and AUD$21.00 for USA.

 

The stitch I use to sew the pieces together is called Glove Stitch.

It gives a lovely decorative finish to the edge. It's easier and quicker than trying to ladder or slip stitch the pieces together.

I use it all the time.

Once you commit it to memory you'll be looking for projects to use it on.

Click on the link below to download the instructions.

Download Marg Low Designs Glove Stitch

 

Letter to Santa

I'm so excited, today it's my turn to reveal the block I designed for Love & Hugs for Christmas.

Totally inspired by the little wrens living in my garden, I imagine them decorating for Christmas and posting a Letter to Santa.

 

 

Download Letter to Santa Free Block

OR

Download Letter to Santa - Instructions

The instructions include the block, tips, thread colours and stitching guide.

 

I love making Christmas decorations for gifts.

I've joked, if the recipient isn't to thrilled by the gift they only need to have it out over Christmas.

I couldn't resist stitching another and popping it in a hoop.  A really quick and simple gift that I wanted to share with you.

Download Letter to Santa - Decoration

 

I hope you enjoy your free Letter to Santa Block and Letter to Santa - Decoration.

 

 

Now I guess you're wondering what I made with my block.

Who doesn't love unwrapping a gift!

 

And when it's opened.

 

 

A free standing card.

The pattern is called, A Christmas Gift for You

Sold as a PDF Pattern for $13.50. No waiting for the postie.

A Christmas Gift for You PDF Pattern

 

Kits are available.

Kits include the fabrics, iron-on-pellon, light weight fusible interfacing, cardboard, ribbon & button.

Kits $16. Free postage Australia only.

A Christmas Gift for You - Materials Kit

 

Happy Christmas Stitching!

 

slow christmas decorating

Last year I had the luxury of a little slow Christmas decorating. It's when I wander around the house with a decoration in hand trialing it here or there until I'm happy. Sometimes if the right spot proves elusive it's returned to the box and I think 'next year'. 

So there I was walking around with the heart stocking in hand when I decided to hang it from the door knob of the spare bedroom. Why I've never tried it in that spot before is a mystery to me and it wouldn't have happened if I'd been rushing.  The stocking went from looking nice to gorgeous with the addition of a piece of Christmas greenery I happened to buy a couple of weeks earlier for no other reason than I liked it.  Just thinking about this happy coincidence still makes me smile!

 

 

I loved the fabrics when I made the samples in 2006 and still love them today.

 

However I couldn't stop thinking about remaking a set in more traditional colors and picked out these fabrics.

 

 

Please don't ask me to pick a favorite. I love both sets.

 

 

The pattern is called Vintage Christmas Stockings and is sold here.

A kit for the red/white & green stockings is sold here.

The fabrics in the original sample are long gone, after all they were made 14 years ago.

love & hugs for christmas

Starting this Wednesday 1 July.

One block a week, twelve blocks in total. 

Lots of fun and a whole a week to stitch your block before the next one is released.

 

To find out more go to Love & Hugs from Australia Stitch-a-Long, Announcements.