Di Mill

Tuesday Trackdown

This is what I've been loving out there in blogland and on the web over the last week:

 

1. Can't wait to get my hands on this book - You Sew Girl by Nicole Mallalieu. I love Nicole's designs so this book is sure to be a winner.

 

2. This bag by Jan DiCintio of Daisy Janie.

 

image by Daisy Janie via Jolly Jabber

 

3. I adore this beautiful block that Carrie (and friends) from A Passion for Applique made and turned into a quilt. Follow this link to see what book the block came from.

 
 

 

4. How cute are these cushions? Follow this link for a tutorial.

 

 

5. This dress by Patty Young is so sweet.  Patchwork fabric is just perfect for having an individual look and style for your child.

 

image by Patty Young seen here

 

6. I really like the simplicity of this quilt and how it's pattern and colour palette really stand out. There is a free tutorial at Fresh Lemon Quilts (via Quiltstory)

 

Take care...Di

 

 

Cloth Doll Book

There's still time to make a gorgeous cloth doll for Valentine's Day as seen over on the C&T Publishing blog:  This doll is from the Emily Ann Companion Doll pattern out of Make Cloth Dolls and is made in the soft tones of smokey pastels using vintage linen remnants.

 
Using the book "Make Cloth Dolls" by Theresa Cato, Sue Astroth shows how you can change the style of a doll from what is shown in the book, to something that suits you or the recipient. To see an image of what the original doll looks like click here. (page down to page 2).

  

To see more images and read Sue's story of how she went about making the doll, click here

This book is available through Australian Patchwork Stores and distributed throughout Australia through Ascot Lane.

Books I'm loving

One of the perks of my job is that I constantly get samples of quilting & craft books to show clients. I'm a huge book lover anyway, so to be able to enjoy the new releases on topics that I love...is great. These are some of the new releases that I am really enjoying:

Visual Coloring by Joen Wolfrom - C&T pub. I love this book - Joen shows you how to take a beautiful photo and take the colours in that photo to make an amazing quilt. There are many different examples throughout the pages and Joen's instructions/information are easy to understand - well worth purchasing this book....just beautiful!

The quilt above "North Wind: Flora in the Furrows, made by Lois E. Denten.

A New Twist on Strips 'n Curves by Louisa L. Smith - C&T pub. Start with basic strip piecing, add easy and gently curved edges, and prepare to be amazed! An inspiring book full of fresh ideas.

Modern Primitive Quilts - redefining Country Style by Laurie Simpson (That Patchwork Place Pub.) In this book you will find the essence of country, but with a refreshing twist for modern living. I've shown my favourite project in the book below:

I love the quilt on your right as it is, but I think I'm going to really freshen it up by using the latest range from Lakehouse - La Belle Rose. It will take on a more pink/green colour pallette but that's what my 17 year old wants!  By the way - Holly - owner of Lakehouse Drygoods has her own blog.

Finally - there are 2 Japanese books, Meshwork & Meshworks with Fabrics,that will now be available in Australia that focus on the art of Fabric Weaving using the Clover Bias Makers and fusible tape. They are completely written in Japanese but if you are an experienced sewer or enjoy a bit of a challenge, they are full of fun and interesting projects.

All of the above books are dist. in Australia through Ascot Lane and will be available in Quilt Stores - just ask them if you are interested.

Exclusively You and Bed of Roses Update

I finally had a weekend where I could do some sewing. I really enjoyed making the bag from the Exlusively You products. I only took a couple of hours. The pattern I used from the book Easy Fabric Purses, acutally used a placemat. I just used 2 rectangles of fabric the same length and some fusible pelon - sewed right sides together and turned and then topstitched a quarter of an inch all around the sides. From then on I followed the pattern. I was really pleased how with how it turned out and took it off to the movies that night. I saw this movie and I have to say, it was hillarious! I wasn't too sure about it as it hadn't received great reviews, but I haven't laughed that much in a movie for ages. I think it's a good sign when you get in the lift to go down to the car park and everyone is still laughing! The rest of the weekend was spent working on the Bed of Roses Quilt. The blocks are quite heavily pieced so I had to take my time to achieve acuracy ....so far ....so good.

(the photo of the bag is not great...my camera just doesn't like that early morning light and changes the colours slightly). If you would like to see some more bag ideas using these products click here.  Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs has plenty of extra info relating to her book Bold Bags, which I'm sure you'll find interesting. Well I better go - there's work to be done, money to be made, school lunches to pack, sleepy children to wake, uniforms to be ironed (yea I know, I should have done that last night), and beds to be made! Enjoy your day.

Designers Quarters Magazine

I want to introduce you to a great magazine. "Designers Quarters" is a magazine that is published quarterly and showcases fabric ranges and their designers. If you are interested in articles about how a designer came to produce certain designs or what their inspiration was...this is the magazine for you. There is normally at least 10 quilt patterns included in each issue and in this latest issue - 9 designers have been profiled. Designers Quarters is available at Independent Patchwork & Quilting Stores. The magazine is distributed in Australia through Ascot Lane and your local store should be able to bring it in for you....just ask them! I am quite impressed that the fabric ranges within the magazine are current or soon to be delivered. It's nice to see something in a magazine and actually be able to buy it!

Below are some of the quilts that have been featured in this issue of Designers Quarters.

"Ramblin Irish Chain" by Marti Michell for Maywood Studio - fabric "Ramlin' Rose"

 

Prismatic Beauty - quilt designed by Patti Carey of Northcott. Fabric designed by Beverlyann Stillwell for Lyndhurst Studio.

Zippy Jungle designed by Stephanie Sims for Clothworks

Cactus Pots. Quilt designed by Wendy Slotboom. Fabric designed by Marsha McCloskey for In The Beginning Fabrics.

Winging It designed by Robbi Joy Eklow (Cover Photo)

This has just been a few of the designs in the magazine. The articles are quite interesting and give the reader an insight into the mind of a designer. The magazine is distributed in Aust. through Ascot Lane. Many of the fabric ranges above are dist. in Aust. through Lloyd Curzon Textiles.

Book Cover Art

There has been a trend lately of covering books or portfolios with fabric covers. Craft Apple has a great tutorial for a children's drawing case here and she has also designed her own fabric covered portfolio here. These are lovely projects to make for gifts. If you need a bit of help or looking for some more ideas or inspiration with this type of item - C & T have a new book out called "Fast, Fun & Easy Book Cover Art. There are some lovely ideas in this book. The instructions are easy to follow and they are perfect projects for beginner quilters or if you are learning how to Machine Quilt. Not to mention what great gifts they make. (This book is distributed in Australia through Ascot Lane)

I quickly made one yesterday using flannel. It was a great medium to use as it is for a baby gift and the feel of the flannel is so cosy and warm. You don't have to only use flannel for warm winter quilts! I didn't do the satin stitch around the edge but used bias tape instead. This is only because of my sewing machine being very basic and not having the best satin stitch in the world. This book uses Fast2Fuse (also distributed by Ascot Lane in Australia)in all it's projects. This product is fantastic as it's fusible on both sides.The project was quick and easy and I really enjoyed making it and can't wait to make myself a journal cover. (I think I know what certain people will be getting for Christmas Pressies this year!)

I thought I would spend the remainder of this post promoting some of the very talented women out there in blogland. Some have free patterns (please use these as they were intended) - others are purely for inspiration.

All buttoned Up has a tutorial for Fabric Boxes

Hello my name is Heather has a delightful tutorial for bittie booties

You just have to check out the cutest little hedgehog pin cushion at Turkey Feathers. The pattern is available at Urban Debris

Wise Craft has a cute flower pin tutorial and Bunny Tales has a Valentine Needle Book that is so sweet.

Leanne's House has been posting about "Journals" lately. They are quite inspirational. You can see them here and here and here.

And have a look at what Sarah from Material Obsession did with some antique orphan quilt blocks that she had had.

Have a great Sunday!

Sell Sell Sell....Buy Buy Buy

I have received many emails recently telling me how lucky I am and what a great job I have. As a quilter...it is a fabulous job. My typical work day is spent in Patchwork & Quilting stores. Who could ask for a better job? New fabric arrives all the time - beautiful fabric that I can stroke and touch and then there's the books! Did I tell you that I love books?? Well to be able to sell patchwork & Quilting books is pretty dam good...believe me. Of course I have to read them from cover to cover - that's what you have to do to be a good sales rep..right? And I have to use the Clover products so that I can demonstrate them...that's also what you have to do when you are a sales rep. So - where is all of this going??? Well sometimes it has it's disadvantages. I am always seeing yummy fabric that I just have to buy and that's what happened today. I saw this gorgeous fabric that I just had to have and because I didn't know what I was going to do with it....I bought 3 metres!!! Now I don't know what happened but this little voice just kept saying ..."Di, you don't want to work out what you are going to do...and not have enough fabric...go on...buy more".

So here it is:

I told you it was gorgeous!

Now this isn't one of my fabrics that I sell - I think it's a Kaffe Fassett -paisley jungle - but I just had to share it with you. (not being a very good sales rep). I am thinking kaleidescope!

   I would love to have the time to make one of these quilts out of this book: "One Block Wonders" by Maxine Rosenthal (ddistributed in Australia by Ascot Lane). They are amazing, use only one fabric and one block but you would think that the quilts have been made out of numerous fabrics. Unfortunately, if I am going to be honest with myself,I don't think this will ever happen anytime soon.

I do really like the pattern that's on the right though. It's by HD Designs and it's a variation on a Kaliedescope using 4 patches. I think this pattern will fit with my schedule a little better.

So tell me what you think - what type of quilt could I make using this fabric?? Any suggestions would be welcome.

That was my day ....sell sell selling fabric....and buy buy buying fabric.

...The Book Arrives!

No - not my book - but how special for me to be in Adelaide with my dear friend Pam Holland, when the printed copy of her first book, "The 1776 Book - Heartache, Heritage and Happiness" arrived! It was sooooo exciting. It was my last day in the Adelaide Hills and we had just set up everything, ready to start filming....when the Australian Air Express Van backed into the driveway. As you can imagine...the filming took a break, while we helped the delivery man carry the two boxes inside and then we just looked at each other...and laughed. This book has been a long time coming and I feel so fortunate to have been there to share this special moment with Pam. Below is a photo diary from the box, to opening the box, seeing the book for the first time, and the first "book signing" (yes - it's mine).

I didn't arrive home until about 10.30pm last night and as I climbed into bed, I held the book in my hands and gently opened the first page. The paper felt as smooth as silk. I ran my fingers over the pages, the beautiful pages that I had longed to see. I had seen the manuscript in Houston, but this was different, so so different. Now it was a work of art. All of Pam's photos, which I had seen previously, now appeared on pages with their corresponding tales. It was as though I was looking at them for the first time - now they were where they belonged, nestled amongst familiar stories as well as narrative that was new to my eyes. This book will be my constant companion each night over the next week as I embark on the journey that Pam has already traveled and is now sharing with us. It's a journey of how she first saw a photo of this amazing quilt...found the original quilt hanging in a museum in Bautzen, Germany and then spent thousands of hours recreating it.

The book is published by Breckling Press and distributed throughout Australia by Ascot Lane.

Saturday Mail

I always know that Christmas is just around the corner when Australia Post begins it's Saturday morning deliveries. Today was one of those days...and I knew from the shape of the box....it was books! (I love books). Ascot Lane had sent only two, but lovely books. One by Jodie Davis - on a journey through Cotton Country - and the new book by Kumiko Sudo "Kake-Jiku". Her books are delightful - beautifully illustrated and full of unique designs. Both books are published by Breckling Press.  Below are some images:

One of my favourite books by Kumiko Sudo is a sweet little journal "Flower Days" that quilters, fibre artists or crafty souls can use to write their reflections or inspirations. It's the perfect gift for a special friend.

sweet words

New Books

We have some great books arriving soon through Ascot Lane

The Border Workshop by Janet Kime and published by That Patchwork Place is a book that will allow you to sew perfect borders for your quilts. The book includes step-by-step instructions for 27 border designs.

This book would be great is you want to make a quilt like this (make sure you click on product views and details to see the full quilt on the bed). Use to Border Workshop book to design your own quilt. To make a quilt like that - Shadow Play by Maywood Studio or plains would be the perfect fabric to use. If you are not aware of Shadow Play then you are missing out!! It is the most beautiful "tonal" print around. It feels so gorgeous that I could spend ages just stroking it! It somehow has a soft suede look and feel. I just love it!!!

Some of my favourite borders are the "Eeek Mice", "Speed Pieced Braid", "Vertical Hearts" and "Shaded Squares".

Great for beginners or advanced quilters.

Another book that is arriving soon is by Possibilities. It's called P.S. I Love You Four and is the fourth book in the popular P.S. I Love You series. It contains 13 quilt projects and twenty-one unique small projects include crib sheet, pleated crib skirt, bumper pads, diaper bag, changing mat, nursing pillow cover, customized onesies, sling, blankets, bibs, hats, and more! I can't wait for this book to arrive - I have the perfect baby in mind!

Below are some photos I took at Quilt Market of projects out of the book.

What baby wouldn't want this quilt? Our range of Island Batiks would be perfect for this quilt. The new range is arriving in March 07 and they are just divine!

Wonderful ideas to celebrate baby's first year.

Have you ever thought of using Asian fabrics for a baby? Doesn't it look fantastic? The fabric used in the main panel of the quilt is a Kona Bay Fabric. Kona Bay produces the most stunning Asian inspired designs. (if you go to the site, make sure you page down and visit the New Collections that will be arriving in Australia early next year).

The 1776 Quilt: Heartache, Heritage and Happiness by Pam Holland and published by Breckling Press will be arriving in Australia early January. Pam tells the amazing story of how she found a quilt that had been made by Sorbian soldiers on the battlefield as Prussian troops marched into Bohemiare. She decided to replicate the quilt using faster methods of machine applique. This unique book recounts the story of the original quilt and describes Pam Holland's personal odyssey from despair to celebration, as her remake of 1776 sweeps "Best in Show" at quilt shows across the United States. The book provides six complete patterns inspired by the 1776, as well as directions for re-creating the original quilt.

I was fortunate to see a Mock Up of this book in Houston. It is truely an inspiring story. To order your copy in Australia - contact your local quilt store.