Leanne's House

Vignette at Foothills Fabric and Threads...

Each time a new issue of Vignette comes out we have a gathering at 'Foothills Fabric and Threads'. It's a great chance for the ladies to visit the shop, pick up the latest issue, see what's new in store, enjoy some stitching stories and show and tell, and to enjoy each other's company for the day:

Christine is the hexagon queen (her hubby is the hexagon king for fussy cutting). She spent lots of time whipping up some amazing hexagon flowers for her version of 'The Hexagon Quilt' (issue 2 & 3 of Vignette). We all oooohhheed and aaaahhhhed over her magoos:

 

There were some amazing versions of the 'Vignette in Stitches' quilt that are being made. I adore this colourway by Dee:

 
And this one by Di. You may notice that Di has altered the border, replacing the Shoo Fly blocks in my version with strips of delicious fabrics instead. This is such a bright and happy version with inspiring fabrics and embroidery threads too:

 
There was an 'eat and keep stitching break' for lunch! Sandra (one of the store owners) made the Chicken Soup from the issue and it was delicious!:

 
We also got to have a peek at Sandra's version of my 'Down In The Garden' Block of the Month quilt:

 
Sandra decided not to put in the words that I had in the centre of the quilt, but to hand quilt instead, cross hatching. I love it:

 
There was lots of show and tell, including Karen's - 'Precious Things', one of my patterns:

 
We just had a great day together but, as usual, it seemed to go too quickly:

 
Can't wait for next time!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

 

Urban Stitches Melbourne...

I am so excited to be able to announce something new and exciting from Leanne's House, Rosalie Quinlan Designs, and Melly and Me, and Under The Mulberry Tree: Urban Stitches Melbourne!!!!!:

 
Urban Stitches Melbourne will be held on Saturday the 17th of Septmeber 2011 and on Sunday the 18th of September, at The Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley. Each day is an individual retreat in itself, or for those of you travelling (or simply wanting to spoil yourself) you may like to come for two days:

 
The Novotel have put together some fantastic accommodation packages. You can choose from a one night package OR a two night package, at a very special price, if you require accommodation (or if you require some girly indulgence!):

 
We have carefully selected this venue (after months of looking!!!!) for a number of reasons, including the possiblities for you. It is easily accessible from the airport if you wish to fly in, it is located right amongst one of best shopping and entertainment areas, and it is also in walking distance from the train station. So you could stay for the weekend and have a day of stitching and indulgence as well as enjoying the cinemas, restaurants, and great shopping, all in walking distance!

 
We have also been able to keep our pricing at last year's prices for you. To attend one day will be $180.00 over 3 installents, or $170.00 if you pay in full on booking. This price is for the retreat only (including all our usual goodies: fully kitted projects, tea and coffee on arrival, morning and afternoon teas, a delicious gourmet lunch in the restaurant which will be closed to the public, and all tution) and we will be notifying you of accommodation packages available when you register:

 
Bookings will open on the 1st of July 2011 at 9am through 'Under The Mulberry Tree'. The reason we are doing it this way is so that everyone is given a fair opportunity with bookings. If you are not on the mailing list (or not sure if you are) please register your details by emailing info@underthemulberrytree.com . Simply give your name, email address, and snail mail address. We are attempting to contact most of you via email, as this is so instant, and means less of a chance of missing out on a spot. If your only way of being contacted is via snail mail please state so.

Erica, Rosie, Melly and I, are just so excited about this event and hope to see you there.

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Would You Like Pepper With Your Sushi Roll?...

Firstly, THANKYOU!!! Thimbleanna for letting me in on the 'kittens EAT thread' tip. Read it and at once went and removed the BIG needle with perle cotton from the arm of my couch where I have been hand quilting! Thanks to all of you for your good wishes for our little cat, 'Pepper':

 

I am so thrilled that so many of you out there are taking part in the 'Hexagon Quilt' in Vignette (issues 2 and 3). To those of you asking about using Rosie's 'Sweet Broderie' range of fabric I have a really nice solution, the sushi roll:

 

There are only a very limited number of these available and you can get yours from your local patchwork store if they have them in stock, or at www.underthemulberrytree.com . Allow a few days delivery as extra rolls have just become available (because so many of you wanted them!):

 
With a 7cm (almost 3") wide cut they are super useful, but particularly good for hexagons!

Back soon,

Leanne Beasley

P.S. I have so much to blog but am struggling to keep up at the moment, so PLEASE bear with me!! (You will be pleased when you see Issue 4 of Vignette that I have been working so hard)!

 

A New Family Member...

Okay. I admit it. I'm weak. I buckled. Perhaps you know the pressure, it goes something like, "Pllleeeassse Mummy. I'll look after it. Look how cute she is." :

 
Well I too was smitten until this:

 
Things are going to have to change around here. I forgot just how active (and curious) a kitten is. Lucky this was the end of my project and I'd finished with these threads!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Winners! (and Heading to Cairns and Townsville!!!)...

Hi everyone! Thanks to each and every one of you who left a comment for the giveaway, I really appreciate all the lovely things that you had to say, and especially hearing how much you have all been enjoying Vignette.

The winners are: Michelle (briarose70), Irene Ekeberg, Shannon (shannonbrown277), Jo Griffiths, Trudy, Sewgirly, Leisa, Doreen B, Asa Holmer, and Darlene Staley. I have emailed each of your personally requesting your snail mail to put your copy of Issue 3 of Vignette in the post box:

 
For those of you that have asked about the front cover (yes, there are HUNDREDS of photos and frantic moments over the front cover) I will answer some of your questions here:

 
The bird's nest on the cover was found in my garden and it was old and disused and on the ground. It was actually under the hydrangeas and had tiny bits of hydrangeas woven into it. The eggs ARE NOT real. They are wonderful copies and are on sale at Bed Bath and Table (they also come in pale yellow and pink!). The feathers are cockatoo feathers also found in my garden.

 
The perfectly lucious red dahlias are from my garden, and are my pride and joy. They are 'Bishop of LLandaff' Dahlias. Somehow I get them to flower from about December to March and I adore them. They have a dark, almost black foliage, and strike a stunning display from my kitchen window.

But, most excitingly, I am about to head to two of my favourite places in my beautiful Australia to come and meet with many of you:

 

This coming weekend I am travelling to Cairns, to teach at the retreat at the lovely Novotel Oasis in Cairns, for Kate and Alison from Buttontree Quilts and Colleen from Sewing Essentials. It will be a one day retreat and there are still just a few places left so click on the underlined link for more details if you'd like to join us. I hope that if you are coming along you will have some photo tips for me while visiting beautiful Far North Queensland (as I have a two day photo shoot to do too!!!)

 
The two photos above are from Townsville where I was fortunate enough to teach last June (note to self: still reading that book on the deck chair - need to do more reading). I will be returning to Townsville, along with Rosalie Quinlan and Melanie Hurlston during the last weekend in July, so stay tuned for more details.

Off to do some washing (and find that book I was reading....)

Leanne Beasley xxxx

P.S. We still have some places left for our Vietnam trip in late October so if you'd like to join us click on the button top right for a full itinerary. Many of you have asked if you can bring a non sewing friend - yes you can, and a discount applies.

P.P.S. For those of you waiting for details of our Immerse retreat - we haven't been able to secure any of the dates we need for this year so we are looking at different venues and will keep you up to date.

 

Vignette Giveaway!

It's here! Vignette, Issue 3 has arrived at my Distributors, Creative Abundance, and is now being shipped out to your wonderful local patchwork store as you read. It was very exciting being in the office yesterday seeing them all being picked and packed and heading off to the stores:

 
I hope that you really enjoy the projects in this issue, and have as much fun reading and creating as I did putting it all together for you. There's big and small projects to keep you busy (or just enjoy looking at the photos and having a read!) like this little pincushion:

 
This issue is 'The Comfort Issue' and that's exactly what I am feeling in need of right now. The weather here at my little house has been freezing and we've already had snow before the Winter has even begun! Usually my models take a trip visiting shops and shows but this one, The Comfort Quilt, is on my bed right now:

 
Chicken Soup is on the menu this issue and it couldn't be more perfect timing! Really soothing for the family to come home to the cooking smells of chicken soup simmering on the stovetop on a bleak and cold evening:

 

And to inspire you I have 10 copies of Vignette to giveaway. Simply leave a comment below and I will draw out ten lucky people on Monday the 30th of May (just before Winter officially starts!). Entries are open worldwide.

Until then,

Leanne Beasley xxx

Issue 3...

Arriving from the printers this week:

 
I am so excited to share Issue three with you and I hope you enjoy it very much.

Back soon,

Leanne Beasley xxx

P.S. To those of you have have emailed asking, "Where are you? Are you okay?", yes I am. I took a short break away with hubby on a work trip for him, to beautiful Singapore and Indonesia. I will be sure to share some of my photos over the next while with you. Thanks to all of you who missed me!

 

Vignette...

Issue 3 is not far away! My work is all done now (well, just proof reading to do!). It's the Comfort Issue and I hope you will enjoy reading it as much I have enjoyed putting it all together. Stayed tuned for the 1st of June when it hits your local patchwork store:

 
If you are a Patchwork Store Owner there are 'Retailer's Lists' for each of the projects, as well as recommended products. So, please contact my Distributor, Creative Abundance, for a copy of the Retailer's Lists' if you would like to pre-order products for kitting, so they can email the lists to you. If you are a Store Owner and going to kit, please leave a comment below so that interested ladies can contact you:

 
And if you are a Retail Store and would like to leave a comment below to let ladies know that you are stocking Vignette, anywhere in the world, please do!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Almost Done...

This morning has found me putting the finishing photo shoot touches on Issue Three of Vignette:

 
I fell in love with this little 'Easter Bird' at 'Bed, Bath & Table' (they still have a few left at Knox City, Wantirna store if you want one). He originally had pink spot fabric for his wings but I just had to take those off and replace them with my favourite fabric scrap from the 'Vignette In Stitches Quilt'.

 
Can't wait to show you more, it seems I get more excited with each issue and more inspired as I see what you are all creating from the magazine. Which reminds me, you must go over and peek at the blog that's been started up for The Hexagon Quilt (Issue 2 and 3)- that will inspire you!

 
Hope you find some time to squeeze in some holiday stitching this long weekend...

Leanne Beasley xxx

P.S. For those of you that might be thinking of booking into the Vietnam retreat (see button on the above right hand side) and want to come with a friend who's not a sewer but might like to learn, that's fine. We have ladies booked in that are beginners. This is a perfect time for them to try some handsewing with us with plenty of time to sit and learn in a really relaxing environment.

 

Hoppy Easter...

Hope you have a wonderful Easter. Look who was in my sewing box this morning!:

 

Enjoy the break,

Leanne Beasley xxx