Leanne's House

Christmas Gathering 2013...

When it was said 'Save The Date' in last month's Leanne's House newsletter I had no idea how crazy you girls would get!

First of all, just have to say, thrilled that you are so excited about the 'Christmas Gathering 2013'. (Because there might be just a little bit of excitement here too!). Have had so many emails that this blog entry is about trying to answer some of the FAQs (and maybe giving away a few hints because I am sooooo bad at keeping secrets!). Okay, really, I confess, my email intray needs a little help and hopefully if I answer a few questions here you will not need to email me (just for the next few days anyway)!

I have to give away a secret: I am (yippeeeeee!) sooooo excited that this bundle of 5" squares arrived today (see photo above)! Each and every one of you who joins us at the very first Christmas Gathering will be receiving one of these with my project. Anyway, back to the questions:

Q1. "What is a Christmas Gathering"? (Most FAQ)

A1. This is the end of the year and time to celebrate you. Before the 'real' Christmas Day is upon us this is a day about one thing - YOU! It's a day for you to actually celebrate Christmas and get a little gift from under our Christmas tree just for you. A little indulgent? - we hope so!!! Join us on your own or bring your quilting group to celebrate the end of the year. Not your traditional stitching retreat - expect something a little different (can't give away all the secrets just yet!)

Q2."How do you do all that photo thing with the words and bits?" (thanks for the question Christina)

A2. (Let me 'fill in' here with how the logo photo shoot went). "Stitchery is okay but what about a bit of Christmas Pine?"

"We Need something more....thread???"

Q3. Is the food going to be Christmas food at the Christmas Gathering?"

A3. Yes! Yes! Yes! Not only a traditional Christmas lunch (that you do not have to cook but simply enjoy!!!!) there will be bon bons and all the Christmas trimmings too!

"Wrong angle and needs something else...needle???"

Q4. Can I come for one day or two and where is it?

A4. This is a one day event (just like Christmas) so book in either on Saturday November 9th or Sunday November 10th. The event will be held at the Novotel Glen Waverley, Victoria.

"There's the needle, much better."

"Now for the words and bits and some cropping."

Q5. Who are the Designers at the 'Christmas Gathering'? (Question from Sue, Irene, Kate, Chris and so on!)

A5. The best until last....joining me will be Gail Pan of 'Gail Pan Designs'.!!! Yippeeee!!! Just wait until you see what we have in store for you!!!!! If you think I love Christmas, well Gail is the Christmas expert!!! She has more instore for you that will make you just want Christmas 365 days of the year!

Back with more soon,

Leanne Beasley xxx

P.S.

Q6/7. When can I book? I do not want to miss out. Can this be our end of year Christmas for our friendship quilting group?

A6/7. We will be taking bookings next week......stay tuned......Perfect event for your friendship quilting group 'end of year celebration'.

 

Are You Stitching Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt?

Vignette magazine Issue 10 is out and already I have seen lots of images of what you have been stitching on the net! Very exciting:

I can't believe that in just a few days some of you have already pieced the first block and are working on the applique and the stitchery:

Hope each of you also enjoy the free postcard included with Issue 10 - Mini Pincushion No. 1. As well as having a lot of fun creating the pincushion, I have also been loving how practical it is too:

While you are stitching your new quilt why not munch on some Chocolate Caramel Nougat Slice from the recipe on page 8. Yummy:

Back soon with more,

Leanne Beasley xxx

P.S. Looking for a kit for Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt? Try Cookies and Cream or Quilt Fabric Delights or Stitches from the Bush  - here.

 

Chutney and News...

The winner of the Vignette Chutney Competition (see last post) was Joyce from Queensland. To those of you that entered, thank you all so very very much for all the time and effort you put into your entries. I have to say it was REALLY difficult selecting a winner; I did think about a 'chutney issue' but, well, you know. So yesterday was the day for final test kitchen photography and here is my version of Joyce's recipe:

Joyce's recipe is from her Grandma Irene who will get to meet in Issue 11 of Vignette magazine as well as enjoying the recipe. It's a stunning and unique Australian recipe that you will love. Congratulations to Joyce!

Naturally this brings us to Issue 10 that I know you are all just dying to get your hands on! Well finally, after so much anticipation I have been promised that it will arrive here on Monday - yes MONDAY!!!!!!

Please allow time for your store to get it out to you and just enjoy the anticpation of a lovely new issue. Stay tuned right here for more on what's in issue 10. I hope it was worth the wait.

Back soon,

Leanne Beasley xxx

Do You Have A Spectacular Chutney Recipe???

It's Easter. Am I thinking about Easter Eggs? No, I'm thinking about Tomato Chutney. Why? Well I'm not having an Easter Break as such but working on Issue 11 of Vignette (10 is at the printer and I am busting for it to arrive and you will know the minute it arrives here!!). Soooooo why am I thinking about chutney? Because in Issue 11 I have a zucchini slice recipe (perfect for when the girls come over for a Sew-In) but, well, every zucchini slice needs a tomato chutney:

It seems all my old recipes are just not quite right. Then I thought of you. Do you have a tomato chutney recipe? If you do and would love to see it in Vignette Issue 11 then be part of this give away. Email me the following to be in it:

1. Your most favourite original tomato chutney recipe that you are willing to have published in Vignette magazine.

2. The story of your tomato chutney recipe (about 25-100 words). For example: it's a family recipe and we make it every year..., this was my Mum's recipe and it was always served at Easter with..., etc.

3. A photo of yourself if you would like that published.

4. Your story (25-100 words) if you would like that published. For example: I'm a Quilter from Quilt Creek in Western Australia. I love spending my spare time in the vegetable patch....,etc.

The winner will receive a years subscription to Vignette magazine (issues 10, 11, 12 & 13) for themselves and five friends. Of course you'll want to do a little bit of showing off being published and everything so I will throw in five extra copies of Issue 11 so you can share the love of your very special tomato chutney recipe.

All entries need to be received by Friday 12th April 2013.

Off you go now and grab out that recipe folder!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Vignette Issue 10...

...Will be here soon(ish):

If you are on the e-newsletter list you will already have received a note from us letting you know. If you didn't get an e-newsletter, well, really, why not sign up now! Head to the top right hand side of the blog and, well, just be part of it!

Can't wait to share this issue with you!!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

I Get The Message...

Okay girls (and a few guys too from my emails!) I am hearing you: Life will not be the same unless you get a postcard with the Mini Pincushion No.1 on it.

If you are not visiting me at an event this year then you can get your first (and following) postcards from your favourite patchwork store.

Each time a store places an order they receive a postcard for each product. We have had orders today from Coffs Harbour to Washington so they are now shipping and heading out to you - no matter where you are in the world!

Enjoy!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

The First Free Project on a Postcard...

So most of you out there have been reading my blog for awhile now. You know me. You know I can't just stop at one. I make something and I want to make more. And so the Mini Pincushion Collection began...

I needed just a small pincushion to throw into my sewing tin when I went stitching with my sewing circle friends. I whipped up this little pincushion (and it is little) about 3" finished! Of course then I started thinking how nice it would be to have one for each of my sewing tins which lead to "Wouldn't it be nice to share these with everyone!" So here it is: Mini Pincushion No.1:

I simply used scraps of fabric and threads to whip it up:

I used scraps of threads left over from my Pretty Stitches Doily Collection Pattern:

Here are the thread numbers if you don't have the pattern:

Why not make up a little kit for yourself or for a good friend:

How do you get your first free postcard? Come and see me at The Monbulk Community Quilt Show this Saturday from 9:30am, hosted by Mrs. Martin's Quilt Shop. It is at the corner of Main Street and Moores Road in Monbulk, Victoria (look for the fire truck out the front). It's $5 entry and the whole day is to support the local CFA - my favourite charity!

Hope to see you there,

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

 

Tilda Fabric...

When I first visited Norway to teach I was introduced to the wonderful world of Tilda. Immediately I fell in love with all products Tilda and (needless to say) had great difficulty closing my suitcase on the way home! So you can imagine how incredibly happy I was when I discovered that Tilda fabric was heading all the way Down Under! My brand new Block of the Month quilt is inspired by Tilda fabric and my love of all things quilting and embroidery.

Here's the fabrics used in 'Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt':

Note: All fabrics are strips. There is not very much left over fabric so you may wish to purchase more if you feel like you need room for error.

Above: Row One: 4" strip, 4" strip / Row Two: 2 1/2" strip, 2 1/2" strip, 2 1/2" strip / Row Three: 4" strip, 4" strip, 4" strip.

Above: Row One: 2 1/2" strip, 3 1/2" strip, 2 1/2" strip, 4" strip / Row Two: 9" strip.

Above: Top to bottom: 3" strip (sashing), 3" strip, 6 1/2" strip, 9 1/2" strip.

Above: Left to Right: 2 1/2" strip, 6 1/2" strip, 6 1/2" strip, and raspberry 6" strip for quilt PLUS 10" strip for binding.

Above: These are Lecien Basics fabrics: The green 6 1/2" strip and the pink 10" strip.

For the backing I would recommend purchasing the most delicious Tilda that you cannot live without, 1m (1 yard) will do the trick!

Live with a creative heart,

Leanne Beasley xxx

P.S. If you'd like a sneak peek of the quilt come and visit me this Saturday at the Monbulk Quilt Show in Monbulk, Victoria. Would love to share it with you and catch up for a chat!

So Much Going On...

Really happy to finally start the Photoshop class I had been wanting to do. So excited after class that I could hardly sleep so I did this:

Wait until next term when I do 'In Design and Photoshop!' - there will be no stopping me!! LOL

Yes, the above is another sneak peek of 'Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt'. This is also part of Block one (one of my favourite little mini blocks!)

Yesterday saw me out at the flower farm for fantastic flowers for more photography this weekend. Can you believe it? all this for $24! picked that morning!:

Also, someone asked me about the scissors that I had in a photo (sorry, can't remember who) recently, needing more info on how to get them. They are not available here in Australia (yet) but are my all time favourite scissors; really strong and very sharp and have the best point for embroidery and applique on them. They also have big handles so are easy to use. I have a few different sizes. They are a from China and have two beautiful storks on them:

 

Also girls, we are hoping to have Vignette Issue 10 ready very soon, stay tuned and I will keep you updated here and also via personal email newsletter. If you haven't signed up for the newsletter you can by subscribing (see top left hand side of the blog and follow the easy instructions). There is a newsletter for stores and one for those of you who just enjoy my designs.

The short version of the story is that our printer unfortunately went into receivership and now is no longer in existence. A very sad story not just for me but the fifty plus people who worked there. Most of them have been fortunate enough to find other jobs but not all of them yet. My huge challenge has been to find another printer who can do the type of printing I need at the price I need at the quality level I need in the timeframe I need!

Anyway enough of that, Vignette is coming and it just gives you a little more time to buy your fabrics and threads. More about the fabric next blog post...

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

 

Threads Threads Threads....

A few Cosmo thread numbers might help:

475 - the most delicious dark grey

474 - the most delicious light grey

502 - think candy

504 - think this kinda candy:

241A - okay I love this raspberry red and I know I use it all the time - can't you see why?

374 - a light peacock

375 - a darker peacock

630A - very light green

117 - summer grass green

632 - oh! it must be autumn and the grass is a little greener

Then, I realised life is so much sweeter with a little variegation. So I added in some Cosmo Seasons Threads:

8008 - a whole bunch of candy

8055 - a flock of peacocks

8021 - lying in the summer grass with a glass of white wine and a picnic.

Sneak peek of one of the mini blocks in Block One (where there is now a whole bunch of candy):

You will need lots of these...

Leanne Beasley xxx