Sunshine = Happiness = Photo Shoot Day!

Recently I was asked just how many photo shoots do I do? (Because I always seem to be buying flowers for them). Well, I had a bit of a count today for the next few issues of Vignette magazine. It seems that for Vignette issue 11 I did 15 shoots (plus step by steps when stitching etc) and here I am today on my 12th photo shoot for Vignette 13!

I started adding up just how many photos I take (after the shocking deletes!) and there's between 600-1000 for each issue. Okay, I admit it, if I don't think a particular shot is right or good enough I just keep re-doing. The question I ask myself is,"If I was sitting with a champange in the bath reading this does this photo being me joy?/does it tell a story?/is the story positive?/if I'm in the sewing room does it really assist in making the project?...etc...."

So these photos above did not make the cut for Vignette 13. I still love the colors, the light, the simple sunshine in the early morning. This one below I kinda played with because it was a 'reject'. I think I improved it:

Feel free to paste and send and use as screensaver - whatever you like. I want everyone to be reminded as often as possible to live with a creative heart!

Leanne Beasley xxx

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

 

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

Sunday Sunshine...

I always wake up happy on a Sunday. It's my favourite day. Look at my kitchen table this morning, I mean really, how could you see this much sunshine and not be happy!?!

Maybe your Sunday sees you having some sewing time (I hope so for you). It seems plenty of you out there are making or going to make the 'Sweet Scraps Table Runner' featured in the latest issue of Vignette; maybe that's what you're up to today:

I had a ball stitching up this long skinny runner using the scraps from my 'Vignette In Stitches' Quilt:

Some Spring blossom on the runner completes the picture:

Anyway, enough chatting for now, hope you are enjoying Issue 8 of Vignette as much as I loved putting it all together for you!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Applique Threads...

I received a lovely email today from Linda and her friend Robyn. They are "about to endeavour and begin the Vignette mystery quilt". Keen to use the same applique threads as me they were chasing some details. I thought that I should share this with all of you because it was such a good question:

I have used the Matilda's Own range of silk thread. There are many colours that you can select from and you can even purchase the entire range in a lovely box (this was my 40th present to myself!). For the Vignette In Stitches Mystery Quilt I used the following:

15 red, 129 bright pink,101 pale pink, 62 red/pink, 9 soft green, 122 lime green, white, 140 orange (and 27 orange when I lost 140!).

I hope this helps those of you wishing to invest in some lovely quality silk threads. They really are fantastic to applique with and a roll of each lasts a LONG time:

And before you ask the next question, the needles I love to use for applique and stitchery and just about everything are the Jeana Kimball's Foxglove Cottage Embroidery/Redwork size 9:

 

Enjoy every minute of your stitching!

Leanne Beasley xxx

Let's Meet on Saturday...

It's the 1st of March and Vignette Issue 6 is offically out! If you already have your copy I really hope that you are enjoying every page, if you don't have a copy yet check your local patchwork store (available worldwide) or your favourite online store:

Issue 6 is packed full of projects to keep you stitching and articles to enjoy reading. One of my favourite projects is one you can tackle in a day - A French Linen Quilt:

Something (just a little bit) bigger is the Vignette In Stitches Quilt! This issue we undertake Blocks 10 & 11. Lots of you are enjoying the pleasures of a big project and I'm so excited each time I see what you're up to:

I had so much fun (and took so many photos!) for this issue that I will be expanding on the arctiles right here on the blog for you over the next little while, like the story on Ballarat Patchwork:

In the meantime I am looking forward to meeting lots of you this coming Saturday:

This is an opportunity to see many of my original samples that you may not have seen before, including the projects from each issue of Vignette. If you are still thinking about making the Vignette in Stitches Quilt this would be the perfect time to come along and see my version thus far (I do have to keep the remaining blocks a little bit secret). Gail B's has made up extra packs with the exact fabrics that I have used, as well as having them on the bolt. This is your opportunity to get a few simple tips from me about stitchery as well. I will be demonstrating using the beautiful screen printed hanky linen kits now available with some of my projects:

 

The above photo is a close up of The Sewing Roll that's part of the 'A Few of My Favorite Things' collection (more projects coming soon!):

This is a perfect project to use up some of your scraps from the Vignette In Stitches Quilt too!

Hope to see you Saturday if you're a local girl,

Leanne Beasley xxx

Gail B now has a blog too! http://www.patchworkwithgailb.blogspot.com.au/ so have a look there too on a regular basis as they stock just about everything a fabric loving girl could wish for!