Fuchsia Sampler

My newest design is this art nouveau style sampler. Pardon the slightly crooked photo - it is actually straight on the fabric, I just took the photo on my ironing board.

The editor I do most of my work for says she is always lookign for samplers, so I have a pretty good feelign she'll include this in her next issue.

It's stitched on a plain white Belfast linen. The other thing that is not tht obvious in this photo is the little pale yellow stitches at the end of the flower stamens.

I adore fuchsias, but I always manage to kill them because I'm not consistent with watering. Maybe this spring I'll have another go.

But anyway, I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse of my newest design,
Jennidee

Dugga's Quilt

Last weekend my father in law turned 70. My mum (Sandra) and I got together to make him a quilt to mark the occaision. That's my mum on the left, then me, Dugga and Annalese (my daughter).

If you are wondering why he is called 'Dugga' ... when my son was a baby my father in law, Norman (Dugga) would go up to James ( my son) and go 'Dugga, dugga, dugga' like a plane coming in to attack and tickle him. Somehow James decided that this what what he was goign to say every time Norman came near. So he wasn't known as Grandad as we originally planned, but became known as Dugga.

The wording on the quilt refers to Dugga's origins. He is from Liverpool in England where the locals are known as Scousers. And the quilt is red and white squares to celebrate the colours of the Liverpool football team.

Each red square is actually a pinwheel block made of different red patterned material. Annalese sewed two of the pinwheel blocks and they are so good I lost track of which ones she had sewn. And the white material in between has little fleur de lis printed white on white.

On the back of the quilt I used polar fleece which is really soft and warm. It's only quilted in teh ditch of the square seams.

Dugga seemed to really like his quilt, though he said it could have done with pockets for his remotes!!!!

Now that Dugga's quilt is finished I had better hurry up and design some more cross stitches as my editor just informed me she used the last one I gave her in the next issue.

Free Fairy Chart For Followers in July

Hi Everyone,
as promised I have a free chart for everyone who came accross from the Crafty Princess blog.

This sweet little fairy is called Raven hair and I'm sure she would look nice on a card.And to reward my loyal followers, it's available to everyone who is following my in July. So if you know someone who would like a free fairy chart, why don't you suggest they follow my blog?
Of course this is a simulation, I havent' actually stitched her. If you do stitch her, send me a photo and I'll put it up on this here blog.

To claim the chart you only need to send me an email so that I have your address to send it to. It will come back to you as a PDF file which you can stitch from the screen or print out.

I will have a new free chart for followers next month. If you have a request you can add it in a comment and I'll consider it.

Thanks again for you support everyone,
XXX 000
Jennidee

On the cover

Forgive me for not sharing this with you before ... I've been so busy.
The above image shows my quilt "Nouveau Crazy" (the quilt hanging at the back with purple and blue checks around the border) on teh cover of Patchwork and Stitching Magazine. This magazine is the sister mag to Australian Patchwork and Quilting.

I'm hoping that I can contribute to both magazines more in the future.

The center of this quilt uses needle turn applique, which is pretty slow. So I've started using the quicker technique of iron on (fusable) backing applique. I'm currently desinging another quilt with this techniaue (in between getting some work done on items with dealines, including a piece for a wedding whgich is nearly finished and my father in law's 70th birthday quilt which we are presenting tomorrow ... I'll post photos).

Thanks to the new followers who came across from the Crafty Princess Blog. I'll be designing the give away chart in the next day or two.

Busy, busyt, busy.

The Future of Tapestry Moon

Hi there, and sorry for being away for such a long time. I've been sorting out some things which were important for me to continue as a desinger.

I have picked up some casual work at a local after hours child care place. It's only a few hours at the moment, but there is promise of more to come and it's just what I was after really. It means that I will have some regular money coming in to keep finances comfortable, but I'll still have plenty of time to design and create new projects.

The cross stitch magazine I design for is using my designs at a terrific rate, which means I stitch regularly to keep up ... exactly what I need. But it's not enough of an income. And as cross stitching doesn't require many skills, there is no room for teaching workshops in that area.

Luckily for me, one of my other interests is applique and patchwork. I'm gaining more success selling patterns to magazines and I hope very shortly to start producing patterns for sale in shops, online and to spark interest in workshops. An online shop will also be set up for my cross stitch patterns.

The bad news was that the magazine I was producing bead patterns for has folded. I will be winding up that part of my business as a result. So if you are a following me as a beader, I appologise. Beading will only be a rare hobby for me from now on.

The last two weeks has been school holidays here in NSW, Australia, which always means lots of disruptions for me running around with the kids and their busy social schedules. My husband has also been working from home to give hime a break from travel. It's lovely to have them all home, but it does also mean I have a LOT less computer time. And of course that means less time to update blogger, less time to search for inspiration and less time to use my designing programs. But hey! I started knitting a cardigan for myself, and designers have to have holidays and outside hobbies too right. :)

I have had a few patterns come out in magazines that I havent' shared with you yet, due to the reduced computer time. But that means great piccies next entry, so don't forget to come back and check in a few days.

Thanks for all your support,
Jennidee