Marg Low Designs

new chrissie designs giveaway

  Have you started on your Christmas gifts yet?  

I have great plans to finish everything by mid December but usually find myself just getting started.  (Just one of the reasons why so many of my projects are simple and quick; designed by need!)

To help you avoid that last minute rush I'm giving you the chance to win a copy of one of my new patterns, Simple Pleasures, Tied with Love, Stitched Blessings and Tree of Love.

To enter the draw simply post a comment by the end of July and hopefully a pattern will soon be on its way to you.

Homespun giveaway

I have to say that I feel like I've been chasing my tail ever since I got back from Adelaide. There are so many things I need to tell you about.

The giveaway Barb and I have in this months issue of Homespun is just one of them.

The pack includes the patterns A Celebration and Christmas Charm and 5 Theodora Cleave buttons or tags (NB the buttons and tags may vary from those pictured here.) For details on how to enter, please see Homespun's Hope Chest in The Christmas Issue Vol 10 No. 7.

a winner and 21st update...

Finally, I can start to relax. I now feel like the quilt will be finished, labelled and wrapped before the  big day. Hope I just haven't jinxed myself!  I picked the quilt up today and sewed the binding on straight away, now I just have to sew it down. I can only work on it when Bec's not home so it has taken a bit of juggling. I'm sure it's still a secret and would love to keep it that way.  I did go with the original border fabric and I'm glad I did. It's taken on a different appearance now it's cut and joined. Funny (interesting) how this happens. Guess that's one of the reasons why I love playing with fabrics so much - it never ceases to surprise or please.

Casey is the lucky winner of the Greeting Card giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered. It's inspiring to read all your lovely comments. The pattern is on sale, simply contact me or ask for it at your local patchwork shop.

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.

 

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.

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] .

announcing the winners

  Lyn, Nada and Linda have won themselves a copy of the pattern 'A Celebration'.  Please email me with your address and I'll pop a copy in the mail.

Thank you to everyone who entered. It seems some of us are more organised than others, but we all share the same pleasure in creating for ourself and others.

I haven't made a doll quilt in ages. One of my goals this year was to make a doll quilt everyone one or two months and it just hasn't happened!

I couldn't help but notice the pattern the quilting lines formed in the centre of the background block. So yesterday I pulled out some scraps and had a little play with colours and shapes. Lots of fun and very rewarding. 

I've been struggling a little with ideas for the red quilt I want/need/have to make before Christmas and this has provided the inspiration.

christmas pattern giveaway

There was a lovely surprise waiting for me yesterday in my letter box.

A parcel from Jenny saying thank you for being a part of her Stitchery Retreat last month.

Jenny asked me for something Christmassy. This wasn't too much of a stretch as I'm nearly always thinking Christmas. And since I'm usually making things at the last minute they need to be 'simple and quick'.

 Stitched tags, strung together like a bunting, hung on a tree (Jenny did this) or tied to a gift. And because I have a 'thing' for gift pillows, I couldn't resist decorating a little stitched pillow with one. Finally, a Merry Christmas sign to hang at the front of the bunting (this would also make a cute pillow).

But Christmas is still a long way off.......... isn't it? Last Monday I spotted a Santa at Holbrook holding the number '59'. This can't be right was my immediate reaction quickly followed by........yes it is! 

If you're anything like me and enjoy making gifts but tend to leave them to the last minute (I hope not) this is the perfect pattern. I have 3 patterns to giveaway. To enter the draw simply leave a comment by next Friday 7 November.

announcing the winner

And the winner of the Aunt Ivy's Sewing Basket pattern is...

Dawn, who wrote "I too have a dear Aunt whom I used to sit and sew and watch her create many things....." .

Congratulations Dawn. Please email me with your address and I'll pop the pattern in the post to you.

Thank you to everyone who commented. Like me, I know many of you will have bits and pieces tucked away in the cupboard, their value measured simply by the fact they once belonged to someone special.