Merry Christmas

Do you have old gold scissors that no longer snip your threads? Why not hang them on your Christmas tree or make a wreath of sewing tools.
I hope you and your families have a joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
Thank you for all your support this year and look forward to hearing from you in 2011.
Laraine

Inspirations for 2011

A parcel from Weeks Dye Works arrived today with the most beautiful hand dyed felted wool fabrics in gorgeous colours. I had a hard time selecting the ones I wanted and I sure there will be more colours to come.
I'll be spending the New Year working with them and some of my special threads and beads. I hope it will become my first Block of the Month design with wonderful applique and embroidery. Something for everyone!

Timeless Gifts.

I've gathered all the special keepsakes we have that will last forever as timeless treasures. You will bring lots of joy to your daughters, mothers, grandmothers and friends alike with these expressive and thoughtful stitching gifts.
I am happy to gift wrap and send parcels on to your family so just fill in the posting address and place a note in the comments box with your special message. This service is Free and available all year round.
Have a wonderful and safe Festive Season and a happy New Year. Thank you for your support in 2010.
Merry Christmas,

Laraine

Christmas is fast upon us but there is still time to make a special Santa, stocking or ornament and to begin a tradition of making a beautiful addition to your decorations each year.

My Woodland Santa is dressed in a coat of natural felted wool, hand dyed in a parchment colour and embroidered with berries and leaves in silk chenille. It is very satisfying to work with the pure textures of wool and silk combined. The wool background is very easy to stitch into with the chenille and the berries look good enough to pick.

Garden Magic Toowoomba

Gorgeous flowers photographed in the gardens in

Toowoomba a week ago, just before the heavy rain.
We took some time out to explore the nooks and crannies
of the tablelands, staying at Rudd's Pub in Nobby then
home through Warwick.

Silent Night

This is my latest little creation. I love the cone shape and when you combine it with Christams decorating it just sings. The flowers are freeform cotton, silk organza, lace and silk velvet - all of my favourite textures. Diamentes at the centre of each flower makes them sparkle. The cone itself is made of silk fabric printed with the old carol Silent Night and embellished with sequins.

I haven't been able to stitch very much lately as the nerve endings in my fingers have been affected by the Chemo therapy so I've enjoyed just looking through all the threads and vintage buttons in the shop's stash instead. My brain is turning over crazily with new ideas for next year when I hope my fingers will be better and can keep up the pace.

I couldn't resist playing with some of my favourite things, most of which I use in my crazy patchwork. On the plate is Mokuba pink ruffle ribbon and a selection of Au Ver A Soie silk threads, gorgeous vintage German glass buttons and pearls.

Why not visit my Buttons and Treasure pages and select some of the rare buttons for your stash. They are hard to find in such mint vintage condition.

Silky Winter Warmers

I love my old maniquin. It has been decoupaged with old lace patterns that I collected and it stands in my office amongst the ribbon stands. It gives the office a lovely French flair and is ideal for displaying my scarves.

The cool weather is just around the corner so why not wrap up in one of my scarf designs. Made from silk velvet with felt and silk velvet flowers, they are luxurious and soft to wear. There are 4 colours available.

Stitch Me!

My daughters grew this amazing orchid in Brisbane and it flowered this month. I thought I would share these photos with you as an inspiration for embroidery. I think it lends itself to stumpwork. Try long and short stitch with creative needlelace stitches over the top.
I'd love to see what you can do with it!

French Inspired Home

No longer do we have to spend hours looking for vintage fabrics at boot sales and flea markets because The French General has produced a rustic range of beautiful fabrics reminiscent of 19th. Century farmhouses. The large striped fabrics have a 10% linen content which gives an antique feel. I love to cross stitch or embroider monograms and mix them in with the linen stripes and florals for that traditional look. The monograms are great on bags, purses and household items of all kinds. Check out the cross stitch and embroidery linens and also the little Sajou Alphabet Books.The old style reels pictured are in limited supply and each one is wound with 3 to 5mtrs. of ribbon. They were specially selected to match the fabrics so add a little tag or strip of braid to you project and you'll have the perfect French style.

Add Pizzaz to you Embroidery

I've had the most marvelous time finding vintage glass and crystal buttons from Germany - some are clear glass and others have a mirrored back to add sparkle. There's also sew on mirror backed crowns and fancy mother of pearl vintage French feather and shell sequins to inspire.

Imagine a bag or special book cover decorated with the Akoya buttons with English style decals of Roses and Lilies. The shell effect shines through the decal to give a wonderful lustre.

Combine all these gorgeous ellements with our subtle and sublime silk ribbons for a great lift to you heart and creativity.