Fresh, Fragrant Lavender

I have just received a delivery of the most fragrant, fresh lavender - harvested this month. The farm had an amazing crop this year after all the rain and the lavender is plump and bountiful. It's a distinctive and engagingly scented modern lavender with a captivating perfume. I am packaging it into 100gm packs.
The little Lavender Puffs pictured are from my kit range and will have some of the new lavender in each pack. They're made of  lavender/grey dupion silk embellished with silk velvet puffs, beads and French  crinkle ribbon leaves.These little puffs make beautiful gifts and Mothers day is not too far away.

More Progress

At last the centre block is finished and I've started designing and cutting out the shapes for the smaller blocks. Pictured is the block for the top centre. It's just pinned in place at the moment as I'm still trying out the colours to see how it looks.

Hare - Block of the Month

The flower on the left is still waiting for leaves and maybe a vine and the hare needs more definition so the centre piece is almost finished. I've been a bit slow making stitch decisions as its a bit like crazy patchwork - you'll have an idea but its not until you've actually worked each piece that you're sure its going to be OK. The stitching is quite fast and if I wasn't designing as I go, it would have been finished by now. Its really fun to do and the wool is very forgiving in the way it takes the thread.

Crazy Patchwork Passion.

I thought I would share with you some of my favourite trims, ribbons and threads.
Mokuba trims are of such quality and are so beautiful to use, they are impossible to pass over for cheaper varieties and of course there is nothing as elegant as the French ribbons and braids. I love to work on crazy patchwork just to have an excuse to use little snips.
Along with the trims, ribbons, silk fabrics and bead embellishments are the Au Ver A Soie perlee threads. They have such gorgeous antique colours and they slide through the fabric like butter. They come on little wooden reels and you'll be hooked once you try them.

Exotic Flower Trim

I've just finished the black felted wool pouch and its now available as a kit. It's called Carnivale Flower Pouch after the vibrant Colour Streams felt, organza and thread used. I'm ready to make up the pastel version but my machine is sending me little electrical tingles so I better take notice and get it serviced!

They have been fun, easy and a great pleasure to make. You can see how much I love the different textures. The flowers could be used as a brooch too. They began life as an inspiration from the trims on my Forest Rose bag and they just grew. They are quite dramatic. Hope you like them as much as I do!

New Applique Quilt

I'm really excited about doing this Block of the Month as I can use all the fabrics, hand dyed silk velvets, felts, felted wool, beads and lots of wonderful textured threads that I love. I think it will be similar to working with crazy patchwork but with a more earthy feel.
The background has been pieced using the foundation method as I didn't want it to be too formal and the colour selection is neutral, combining some of the French General fabrics. My friend Jen Pezaro has helped with the piecing.

The hills are felted wool and wool felt and will be embellished with some of the threads and trims I have chosen.
Next I have to design the flowers which will grow on either side of the hare. I think they will include some silk velvet, ribbon, trims and beads to add a touch of zing. Maybe some silk chenille berries would be a good idea. It will be fun to play.
Keep watching my progress.

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.