Di Mill

Story Patches

I saw this post over at Moda and I thought I would share it with you. I have a bit of a facination with QR codes so I was excited to see that they are being used in the Quilting industry.

 

They have arrived in the form of StoryPatches:

 

Which you can attatch to your quilt..

 

Through the QR code you can record a video of yourself discribing the quilt and why you made it, or you can record a voice message. Using a smart phone with a QR code scanner app, the receiver of the gift can scan the code and the video or voice recording will begin! How cool is that???

Pop over to the Moda blog to read more about it. My view is that you would still put your label on the back of the quilt and add the QR code as an extra bonus for the recipient.

 

Take care...Di

 

 

 

Favourite Apps

I have to admit, I'm a bit of an "App Head". Not sure if there is such a word as App Head, but the name insinuates that I love them. Some Apps I use constantly and other I only used every so often but most of them are used at some time or another.

One of my favourite Apps at the moment is SNAPSEED. It's a fantastic quick photo editing app that can bring your photos to life in a few seconds with the touch of your finger.  I am a huge lover and user of Photoshop, but this app is another option when I'm out and about and I want to post a photo on my blog or on Instagram or facebook and it needs a bit of tweeking.

 

image source

All of the following photos were taken on my iphone, and adjusted in Snapseed. Some photos only needed a small tweek where as others were quite dark and needed quite a bit of lightening.

 

This photo of my cute dog, I've used the "Brighten, Saturation, Contrast, Sharpen, crop and Drama.

 

 

Brighten, Saturation, Contrast, Blur & crop

 

 

Brighten, Saturation, contrast & sharpen

 

 

Brighten & Sharpen.

 

The Snapseed App is not free but only costs a few dollars and is well worth it. If you go to their website there are a lot of tutorials (learning) and a video to watch. Snapseed is very "user friendly" and quick and easy to use. I have downloaded a few photo editing apps but this one is my favourite.

Happy Snapseeding!

 

Take care....Di

 

 

 

 

I Love Vintage - Sydney

If you are in Sydney this weekend and you love vintage clothing, jewellery and textiles then don't miss this:

 

 

 

The Sydney Vintage Clothing, Jewellery & Textile show is on at the Canterbury Park Function Centre, Canterbury Racecourse, King Street, Canterbury. Go to the website for details. Lucky for me, I'm in Sydney today and it's on my list of "Must do's".

Take care....Di

Crepe Paper Peonies

Peonies are one of my favourite flowers. Sadly, living in a tropical state, they only come into the florists for a few weeks every year, and often they are not of a high standard or if they are...they are extremely expensive - usually about $7.50 per flower! Even though I rarely (very rarely) get to have fresh peonies in my home, I still adore them.

One of my favourite gift wrapping ideas is this:

 
image from "Presentations" by Carolyne Roehm

I would be overcome with sheer joy if I ever received a gift wrapped like that. I don't think I would care what was inside, just the joy of having fresh peonies entwined with ribbons would be enough.

You can imagine my excitement when I saw a tutorial for crepe paper peoniesover at Dear Lillie. I know they are not real - no where near real, but they are soooo cute and look adorable as a gift topper:

 

Jennifer takes you through the steps with clear photos and instructions, so you will be making these little gems in no time.

I am a Christmas gift wrapping maniac and I search all year for how I'm going to wrap my presents. When I saw this photo, I knew what this years gift wrapping theme was found!

 

 

I may have to ditch the peonies and lace for the guys but the girls will love them!

Go to Jennifer's Blog and have a look at all the different images she has posted, as well as the tutorial.

Enjoy your peonies....Di

  

Tuesday Track Down

Today I thought I would share with you some things I'm loving out there in Blogland.

How gorgeous are these? - Amy Bulter new pattern via Fabtalk

 

Stephanie over at Loft Creations has just finished her dresden plate quilt. Go to Stephanie's blog to see the whole quilt (I love dresdens).

 

Have you ever had a piece of clothing that you absolutely adore and fits you perfectly? Patchwork on Central Park have a great dressmaking service where you can have your favourite garment remade using fabric from their store. Click here to read more about it.

 

These pom pom bears from Sweet Paul are just the cutest!

 

More dresden plate love. Go to Comfort Stitching to read all about it.

 

 I love the hand quilting detail on this modern quilt that Little Miss Shabby has just finished.

 

So much inspiration...so much to do!

Take care...Di

Ezine for Valentine's Day

I thought you would like to see this ezine - 79 Ideas - the Valentine's Day Issue. It is very sweet, beautiful photography and some cute ideas.

 

 

  
 

Thanks to Decor8 for sharing this link.

Join in the Party!

Here's a bit of fun. Each day for the next 12 days, Holly of Lakehouse Drygoods has started a "Blog-able Feast".

                                              

Just go to Holly's Blog each day from September 14 through to September 26th, and she will direct you to the other members. There are 12 designers and 12 delicious Desserts. You'll get some yummy recipes and hints at new projects coming up that you will be able to make.

And speaking of Lakehouse, here's another gorgeous quilt made out of the La Belle Range of Fabrics. Sandy from the Silver Thimble in Barcaldine has sent this photo in. The quilt is made from the Forget me not pattern by Lynne Wilson (an extra border has been added) and it has been quilted by Geraldine of GMG Squared.

And I just have to show you these cute yo-yo bags using the Clover Yo-Yo maker from Sewing World:

Enjoy your weekend.....Di

Winner No. 2 is.....

Congratulations Bron. I hope you are going to enjoy your new addition to your fabric stash which will be heading your way early next week!   Enjoy!

Happy Valentines Day & Wednesday Giveaway 2

Happy Valentines Day!

          May you have warmth in your heart today

                    ....and peace in your home!

To celebrate Valentines Day, I  have another bundle of luscious fabric is ready for a new home. This fabric is also a Northcott range but in softer and prettier tones than the last one. If you think you would like this little package in your home - just leave a comment or email me. I'll draw the lucky winner on Friday Night. This little bundle can be sent anywhere in the world! There are 12 prints of varying sizes - mostly fat quarters with some 20cm strips.          GOOD   LUCK!

Wednesday Giveaway!

As you all know - my job has some great perks to it.....one of them being FABRIC! I was cleaning out my fabric stash on the weekend and I came across some fabric stories that I will probably not get to use anytime soon and they are from fabric ranges that have come and gone. So I thought I would give them away! So every week (until the surplus is depleted) I will be giving away a pack of fabric. I will send it anywhere..... all you have to do is leave a comment in this post or email me I will draw a winner on Saturday Feb. 10th.

This fabric pack is 11 designs and they are all 47cm strips (is that 1/2 yard?). In metric - that's just over 5 metres of fabric. It's a range from Northcott...just beautiful fabric to sew with. They are all folded, and tied and just waiting for a new home.

Good Luck!