Vignette Issue 11

I have so much for you in Vignette Issue 11 I cannot wait to share it with you all. One of my favourite projects is the 'Summer Gypsy' Quilt. Not only is there full instruction to complete the quilt but I cover, in detail, my most used embroidery stitches.

As above, there are French Knots and as below, a few of my own invented stitches that I often get asked about:

Such as Back Stitch filled in with Back Stitch. This is a favourite of mine and I use it in a lot of my patterns. I love to recommend this one for the girls that don't enjoy Satin Stitch!

I also cover my Double Back Stitch, Satin Stitch, Normal Back Stitch plus a few other hints and tips on stitchery.

This is one of my all time favourite quilts and I hope you enjoy the three blocks of stitchery featured in the quilt (as pictured above). It's bright and happy and has a story to go with the quilt. As the Hawaiian Quilters say, "A quilt cannot help but tell the stitcher's story."

Back soon,

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Tuesday's Tip...In The Studio

A little tip on Tuesday for those of you working on 'Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt' in Vignette magazine.

There is one of these little flowers in each block (The photos here were in block 3). Start by doing the petals (Cosmo 504 - Dark Pink) in a Tiny Back Stitch. The smaller your stitches the better 'shape' your flower will be. Remember, for the perfect Back Stitch simply ensure that your needle goes back into the hole of the last stitch. If you miss a thread or two simply go back and 'fill it in'!

To complete the centre of the little flower outline the circle in Back Stitch first (Cosmo 630A - Very Light Green) and then cover in Satin Stitch. Begin your Satin Stitch in the centre of the circle, stitching right to left, and work from the centre to the top and then from the centre down. The Back Stitch will act like a little 'wall' and make it easy to get a nice straight Satin Stitch.

Enjoy your stitching!

Live with a creative heart,

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Tuesday's Tip...In The Studio

A little tip on Tuesday for those of you working on 'Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt' in Vignette magazine.

There is one of these little flowers in each block (The photos here were in block 3). Start by doing the petals (Cosmo 504 - Dark Pink) in a Tiny Back Stitch. The smaller your stitches the better 'shape' your flower will be. Remember, for the perfect Back Stitch simply ensure that your needle goes back into the hole of the last stitch. If you miss a thread or two simply go back and 'fill it in'!

To complete the centre of the little flower outline the circle in Back Stitch first and then cover in Satin Stitch. Begin your Satin Stitch in the centre of the circle and work from the centre to the top and then from the centre down. The Back Stitch will act like a little 'wall' and make it easy to get a nice straight Satin Stitch.

Enjoy your stitching!

Live with a creative heart,

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Aloha!

I promised I'd let you in on a little more about the beautiful Island of Oahu in Hawaii on this post and the Experience Hawaii Trip in August (click on the button right for more information), so here goes:

Hawaii is the perfect place to slow down long enough to find a frangipani between your toes! A land where there is colour everywhere:

The perfect cocktail at every stop (see you for dinner at 7pm on our first night - here at Duke's!):

And the longest of longest 'Happy Hours':

Accommodation in the very centre of Waikiki at the beautiful Sheraton Waikiki! Walking distance to just about everything:

And Ocean View rooms:

Beautiful hula dancers on the beach:

Men who throw frangipanis and orchids upon you:

And the most magnificent sunsets:

Aloha! Hawaii is a magical place full of more than even these things. I haven't even mentioned the shopping, the stitching, the shopping, the delicious food, the shopping, the view of Waikiki Beach from our stitching classroom where you can stitch on the balcony in the sunshine of Honolulu, the shopping, the ...

Until next time,

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

 

 

 

Quilting Hawaiian Style!

Sunshine and Stitching - that's Hawaii for me! For those of you that have Vignette Issue 10 you may have read the article on 'Quilting in Hawaii' (pages 12 and 13). I have had some lovely feedback on the article and quite a few "I didn't know you were taking a group of ladies to Hawaii in August" comments. Apologies for not letting you know more, sometimes I find it difficult to know if I am keeping everyone up to date or starting to repeat myself too often!

So here's a little more information on 'Experience Hawaii 2013'. (For the nitty gritty details click on the 'Events' link to the left or directly on the button on the right). Above is the Hawaiian Quilt that I started on my last visit to Hawaii in January. Each of you joining the trip will receive Hawaiian Quilting kits and heaps of lessons! The ultimate lesson will be with the Poakalani Quilt Group in Honolulu - this is something you will remember for a lifetime:

You will also receive one of the books written by Poakalani along with your kits. The book details everything you'll cover in class and more. This will be a great work tool and keepsake as well! We will also be visiting the Iolani Palace where you will have the opportunity to see 'The Queen's Quilt'. For those of you who have read 'The Aloha Quilt' you will be thrilled to see this:

So inspiring:

There is an incredible story behind this quilt and the reminder of how our quilts cannot help but reflect our lives.

Aunty Doris from Poakalani is a wealth of knowledge and hopefully we will get to see some of her quilting which is amazing!

Of course I will be taking you to my favourite quilt store in Hawaii as well (save your pocket money and buy an extra suitcase!).

More on Hawaii next time. Aloha,

Leanne Beasley xxx