Vignette 11 Is Coming Soon...

Oh I know - where is it??? It's coming - I promise!!! As soon as I have it here in my hot little hands I will let everyone know - at once! Here are a few little sneak peeks from one of my favourite issues yet. There's Block Two of Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt:

Block Two would look great just framed on it's own. I am completely addicted to butterflies (as you know) but am even more inspired by them after recent events both in my own garden and also after visiting Queen Lili'ukolani's quilt at the Iolani Palace in Hawaii. That quilt has inspired me beyond belief, but more about that soon:

There's plenty to keep you busy in this block:

There's a bit of applique for you once again:

Maybe you'd like to try a different quilt too? Next blog post I'll tell you about The Summer Gypsy Quilt...

Until then,

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt - Hints and Tips...

Hope you are all enjoying 'Mrs. Beasley's Sampler Quilt', Block 1, in Vignette Issue 10. Actually, I hope you're enjoying the entire magazine! There are so many photos that I take that never make it into the magazine, hints that just can't be squeezed in and tips I wanted to share but ran out of pages. Here's a few of these bits for you.

In the below photo I just wanted to show you how I appliqued on the pink flower, then traced on the stitchery (in case my applique wasn't just right) then went back and appliqued the centre:

The Running Stitch around the centre of the flower I simply did by eye but you can trace on the stitch if you prefer:

In many places on this quilt, such as in Mini Block 4 shown below, it is best to complete your applique and then trace on the stitchery that meets with the applique.

Ensure that you have accurate 1/4" seam allowances on your sewing machine. I know that I'm always going on about this but because this design has lots of small seams, being accurate will make a big difference:

I hope that working in Mini Blocks makes your sewing easier:

A close up of Mini Block 2 to help with your stitchery and applique. I always like to put a few 'anchoring stitches' at the inward point of an applique heart, just to prevent fraying later on:

And maybe inbetween stitching take a break and whip up The Chocolate Caramel Nougat Slice on page 8!

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

Stitching Day...

Love love love a day where there's lots of stitching!

Moved out from my studio (too many other distractions in there!) into the living room. A day on the couch catching up on 'girl t.v.' and working on Block 4 of 'Mrs. Beasley's Sampler'.

'Mrs. Beasley's Sampler' is the next BOTM quilt in Vignette magazine. Block 1 will be appearing in Vignette Issue 10 due out in March.

Here's a sneak peek of when I was working on Block 1:

 

In the next few days I will post photos of the exact fabrics and threads that I have used right here on the blog incase you need to get purchasing. I have had a lot of fun using 10 different colors of Cosmo stranded embroidery cottons and three divine Cosmo Seasons varigated threads!

Hope you can join the next adventure in Vignette!

Now back to the couch...

Leanne Beasley xxx