I Love This One

It probably doesn't get much girlier than this??? Oh well, I absolutely love this bag I made with the Rainbow Butterfly. I can't wait to get it back from the magazine so I can use it. It would look lovely teamed with a flowy summer dress.

 

I'm working on some gallery pages. So if you are relitavely new to this blog, you will be able to go to the gallery to see what projects I've made, rather than trawling through old entries. I'll le tyou knwo when they are published so you can have a look.

Jennidee

A quick update with good news

I've finished the stitching of the rainbow butterfly and I think it looks lovely. I'll make it into a bag and then post a photo for you.

But the best news is that I got an email this morning saying World of Cross Stitch would like to publish one of my designs in their April edition next year. I have the contracts and everything, unlike last time when it fell through (with a different editor). So I'm very pleased to finally get a break through there. And I'm sure that is the kick I need to get more cross stitch designs under way (I've been fiddling with textile art for an art show in November over the last day or two).

Just wanted to share that lovely news with you
Jennidee

Getting There

Firstly, welcome to the two new followers, thanks for joining.

In the photo above is my progress to date on the Rainbow Butterfly. The back stitching really makes it pop.

I've had a lot of distractions ... my brother and his family were visitng from Queensland and we did a few things with them, including visiting Jenolan Caves just the other side of the Blue Mountains where I live.

 

I might have gotten to go on the bush walk they took too, if I hadn't stuck a knitting needle about a half an inch into the top of my leg when we were getting ready to go ... ouch! Who knew knitting could be so dangerous? But it's pretty much healed now and i'm walking normally again.

See you next time.

 

Jennidee

Satin Roses

Work has been busy, busy, busy again ... 2 more weeks until it slows down (I hope).
But I've managed to get time to do this

Satin Roses is a pillow with orange applique roses at the centre. The applique is sewn down with a machine satin stitch (hence the name Satin Roses).
The briefing was for mint green and pale orange ... I certainly hope I have fulfilled that description.

That's my lounge in the background ... I really like the striped back on it. I was surprised when hubby agreed to it. :)

See you next time
Jennidee

Works In Progress

I've had a very busy weekend with my son's 16th birthday party, but I did a get a chance to work on some designs for up coming magazines.

The rose design will be applique and done in the fabrics you can see behind the blackline designs. They are teh colours requested by Patchwork and Stitching magazine, but it won't be published until 2013. It's not dues until mid October, but I like to get ahead on these things.

The butterfly is for a cross stitch ... finally!!! Of course I still have to colour it, but I'm thinking the magical swirl behind the butterfly will be a rainbow.

There are four more weeks until the school holidays, and after that my work load at the child care center should slow down with the return of one of their regular staff members. I'll be able to get more design work done. But the money has been so welcome. It's almost as if the universe knew our finances would be stretched the past few months and sent us a boon. So thankyou very much divine workings of the powers that be!

Today I need to finish the green quilt for my son. I would have had it done yesterday, but I ran out of the black mateial I'm using for the binding. Today is his actual birthday, so I'll get it done and give it to him tonight. I"ll post a picture of course!

Thanks again for reading
Jennidee

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

Bad News and Good News

The circus Pony was passed up by the first magazine I offered it to. She said it was lovely bit it wasn't the right fit for the mag.
At least I didn't spend time stitching it (God bless computer simulations).

My husband broke his tooth last night (just to add to financial pressure). It's quite unfair. He takes really good care of his teeth and nags us all to floss. But this one tooth has been giving him trouble for years. I feel so sorry for him ... he just got over a really NASTY case of sinusitis (he's not even completely better).

BUT

I saw a wonderful quote on a cross stitch yesterday that I may design into something.

Make today count.

I have some errands to run today, but when I get home I'll knuckle down and design something else that will hopefully hit the mark.

AND

I've just gotten word that my ever faithful, wonderful Australian editor will take the Pony (stitched with a girl's name and an alphabet ... I'll give it to my friend's daughter as a present).

So, no UK breakthrough yet.

I'm not working at Macdonalds though!

School Holidays

Firstly a big hello to all my new followers who have come to me through Leibster awards. Thanks for joining. I think that award is a fantastic idea. It's a good way to see more blogs. I'm always surprised that there isn't a way to search for blogs in a certain theme at blogger. We all seem to find one another by following blog trails. Luckily that's fun too.

It's school holidays here in NSW Australia for two weeks. This means I have to to fight for the computer more often than not. I'm typing this at 7:40am when no one else is up .... one of the few times I can be assured of getting any computer time.

Today I'm scrapbooking with a friend who is a high school teacher. So this is one of the few times we can get together all day to indulge in our shared hobby. I don't know if any of you scrapbook as well as beading or stitching, but it takes a lot of time and money and space. So you have to organise a get together when you have plenty of all those things. This particular friend bought me a voucher for my birthday recently and I spent it yesterday on new papers.

As for my beading and stitching; I've made good progress on Viva Las Vegas, even though the Easter break meant lots of distractions. I'm so far into it now that I'm starting to think about the next design. If anyone has any suggestions or preferences, speak now!!! LOL I'm thinking of a pretty witch for Halloween ... or maybe a sexy devil. There are so many ideas to choose from.

I'm still trying to get into the UK magazine market. No luck yet. I'm having to alter my design ideas as I can't compete with Joan Eliott's fairies and lovely ladies. She is in every magazine now. Now I'm trying different themes. The last effort was a beautiful flamingo. Next I think I'll try some flowers in an art nouveau style or some exotic animals like a Lima or a red panda. I try to keep the design in my style (with a bit of a fantasy flair) as that is what I like, and that is what I'd like to be known for. Now that I think about it, I think I remember suggesting to one of my internet friends that I might try a unicorn ... but Joan Elliot has just done one fo those too.

A few weeks ago I thought I'd do a lovely butterfly with a kind of art nouveau flair. And then I picked up the latest issue of Cross Stitching and saw it had a butterfly on the front with a lace border. That's a bit too close to waht I had in mind. Damn! Beaten to the punch again.

Never mind. I'll keep working at it, and doing my fantasy ladies for the Australian mag, who seem more than happy to have them.

I have a beaded piece coming out in this months edition of Beads to Inspire (Express Publications). It's a wired candle collar. I'll post a picture tomorrow.

If you've read this far, you are a wonderful friend and I thank you for your support.
Jennidee.

Much Better News

Well, after yesterdays shock I pulled myself out of my funk and got busy.
I offered my designs to five distrubutors and two have already gotten back to me with interest. So yes, everyone you were right. it wasn't the end of the world, and i'm sorry I over reacted. :)

Hopefully by the end of the week three of my designs will be available for purchase through these distributors (I'll tell you who they are once the deals go through).

And now I can show you the full finished designs!!!

'Shhh' was stitched on my hand dyed linen. I think I've already told you she is a despiction of my daughter pretending to be a fairy and saying 'Shh, dont' tell the gorwn ups'. The wings and mushroom were added by a talented photo manipulator who used this image on teh cover of his book and then gave me permission to turn it into a cross stitch design.

 The little Mermaid is stitched on 11 count cream aida and is also a depiction of my daughter ... this time as a mermaid. She was dressed up for her 'Pedlars Parade' event at school. I made her the costume (the tail was split at the bottom so she could walk).

As a special thankyou, I'd like to give everyone who has already commented on the last thread a free copy of the mermaid chart.
So Cucki, Miamina and Rhona, if you would like a copy, please send me an email with the title 'gift', jenni@exemail.com.au

I'll have the Butterly Princess ready to show you tomorrow.
Thanks again everyone, have a lovely stitchy and beady day.
Jenni