Miss Jessie celebrated her 7th birthday in style with her three very best friends last Sunday. This year she had a baking party ... for four hours they measured, weighed, stirred, rolled, baked & giggled while preparing all of the food for the party!
It was a great party theme and they really enjoyed the novelty of baking then eating all of the yummy treats. I made each of the kids apron to keep from the gorgeous cup cake fabric I showed last post. We also put together a little bag of baking tools as favours and they each took home some samples of the treats they made.
Happy Birthday yet again my dear sweet Jessie!
It has been an eventful couple of weeks which sort of explains my absence ...
My very first workshop came and went and I enjoyed every minute of it ... mind you I couldn't have chosen a better place or group of women to begin this whole teaching adventure with! The day before the first class I designed a new pillow .... Love Grows Free ...
I intended it to be a gift for the students in the class ... but as I was putting it together it dawned upon me that it would be an excellent project to use for practicing raw edge applique & the free motion stitching detail that I use in most of my designs ... so that's what we did on the first day. On the second day the some girls came prepared to get stuck into their Sweet Little Garden pillow ... and others decided to further perfect their newly found skills finishing off their practice project ...
These hands and this project belong to Christine who is now the proud owner of a Bernina 440 from Kates Sewing Centre. Enjoy your holiday Christine!
Debbie put together a lovely version of the practice project on the first day and then wrestled with her sewing machine that went a little feral on the second day ... I hope you have tamed that savage beast Debbie and enjoy your weekend of sewing bliss!!!
Esther focused on the practice project and was sewing up a storm without her stitch regulator in no time! Don't forget to wear your gloves Esther!!!
Kirsty picked it all up quickly ... and managed to even make a start on her Sweet Little Garden pillow!
Jane, a lover of all things blue, also picked up the technique quickly and managed to work on both projects ... don't the blue and green look a treat!!
Last but not least was Anita ... who is also in the middle of putting together Rainbow Lollipops ... make sure you take a peek it is looking fabulous!
Thank you guys for making this new experience a good one! I was lovely getting to know you all! You can see some more photos of the classes here. Next Saturday I'm off to Ballarat Patchwork for a one day class .... brace yourselves girls I intend to work you hard!
Tomorrow (correction today ... it was tomorrow when I started writing this!!) I am spending the afternoon at the North of the Yarra Quilters Guild meeting ... well to be more accurate I am going to be their guest speaker .... I am not quite sure what I am going to be talking about just yet but I'm sure I will think of something. Gorgeous blogless Debbie (featured on the guilds home page) who roped me into this suggested that I should tell a few funny stories ... my husband thought that I should tell that one about the Rabbi, the Catholic Priest & the Buddhist Monk .... but I don't reckon that's quite what Debbie had in mind! If you are a local and would like to come along I would love to see you there! The group gathers from 10am and the meeting starts at around 1pm. I will be talking from around 1.30pm until about 1.35pm ... no only kidding!
A month ago Marie form Moon Daisy emailed me a picture of her version of the Flower Garden pillow... isn't it lovely?!!!
... I feel embarrassed that it has taken me this long to share it with you all ... it has made me realise, though, that I really need to bite the bullet and start up a Don't Look Now Flickr Group ...this will be my job for next week ....
But until then you really need to take a look at Quilts & Threads ... Marie has managed to finish Meg's Garden ... already!!! It looks fantastic Marie ... thank you so much for sharing!
Last week my new edition of Homespun arrived in my letter box ....
Love Birds has managed to find it's way onto the cover!
... and I even have a Melly and Me moment with a half page Patchwork Angel ad featuring my patterns!
Penny still has a collection of my things on show in her Sunshine Coast store if you are holidaying in the sun and are hankering for a bit of fabric shopping!
You may remember me mentioning the Silver Thimble when they began stocking my patterns ... a couple of weeks ago they had a Stitch the Don't Look Now way afternoon .... I wish I could have been there, looks like it wood have been a lot of fun!
I have had several more retailers start stocking my patterns over the past couple of weeks ...
Cow Paddocks is another Queensland store that sounds quite amazing ... it is owned by Julie Latcham. The shop is located on their Beef Cattle property off the Warrego Highway. She runs classes & has a coffee shop on site! She also offers a roaming service to those truly rural women. Julie specialises in mail orders!
Blueberries is located in Wyong on the New South Wales coast they now have a little Don't look Now on their shelves! After lurking around their site for a bit I am convinced that they have a very beautiful looking shop ... which I am going to get to visit next year because I am going to be holding some weekend workshops there!!!! YAY!!!! The dates are still to be confirmed but if you would like to come along please give Jackie a ring or send her an email to let her know you are interested.
Patchwork House in Hawthorn have new stock of all of my patterns too if you live locally ... they are also stocking Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 if you are searching for it.
... there are some more to list ... but I will wait until next week to mention them as the patterns have a long journey ahead of them before they reach their final destination.
I am offering a free copy of How Does Your Garden Grow to the first person who contacts me after buying one of my patterns from any of these three stores ... you will need proof of purchase.
Last but not least the winners from my last posts giveaway ...
First up we have the lovely Linda form All Stitched Up who left the 17th comment ... I love stopping by and seeing the lovely things that Linda is dabbling in!
Blogless Carrie L who left the 31st comment ...
Blogless Anne who left the 70th comment ...
Kim from All things Mum who left the 74th comment ... have fun at the show next week I wish I could be there!!!
Blogless Louise who left the 106th comment ....
Blogless Beate Teale who left the 185th comment ...
Peta from Milly Molly Mandy Loves to Quilt who left the 193rd comment ... gorgeous banner Peta!
Congrats guys I will send each of you a How Does Your Garden Grow pattern next week.
There will will be 8 patterns up for grabs this post! This giveaway runs until I publish my next post. Just in case you are new here and haven't a clue about this giveaway ... you can find the details here ...
Thanks for hanging in if you managed to make it all the way through this post ... which I had the pleasure of writing TWICE ... thanks to our crappy wireless router!!!
Enjoy your weekend guys!
Kellie
Kellie, the party looked like a blast! The aprons are adorable, I am sure the girls loved them. I am so excited for a Don't look now Flickr group! I cannot wait to see what everyone is creating with your patterns! Keep up the wonderful work!
Posted by: Lynn T | August 15, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Everything you make is so beautiful! I wish I lived close enough to come to one of your classes!!!1
Posted by: Tamara | August 15, 2009 at 12:37 PM
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this entry! Maybe this will be my lucky entry? I love the magazine article from your pictures, hope I can get a copy here in the States soon... Love all of your patterns... just beautiful!
Posted by: Danielle | August 15, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Kellie, I loved reading your latest blog - your workshop looked fantastic - please come to sunny QLD to do one soon!!! I was really excited to see your pattern in Homespun too - well done :o) Loved Jessica's party theme - will keep that one in mind for my own girls.
Posted by: Karen H | August 15, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Fabulous as always and what lucky girls both young and old!!! Might have to follow up with the Blueberries workshops, have now moved away from that area but it would be worth the trip... Keep up the great work, I'm just finishing a few older projects off so I can get stuck into some of yours....
Posted by: Pennie | August 15, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Love your work.....cute children
Posted by: Mary | August 15, 2009 at 03:25 PM
What a great idea for a birthday party. The girls certainly looked like they had a great time. Those aprons are sooo cute!
I love the Love Birds pattern!
Posted by: Miriam | August 15, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Sounds like you've been really busy. Glad the workshop went sooo well.
Posted by: Sharon L F | August 15, 2009 at 03:59 PM
I just discovered your blog & beautiful work last week :) I've done a lot of sewing in my time, but never any patchwork or quilting. But you've inspired me - so much so that I ventured into Hettie's Patch yesterday and bought your Pretty 'n Pink pattern and some gorgeous bright fabrics. I can't wait to get started!!!
Posted by: jasmine | August 15, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Your girls was having a perfect birthdayparty. And those cute aprons you had made them.
Love your patterns and would love to have one of them.
Posted by: abyquilt | August 15, 2009 at 05:03 PM
How Wonderful for 7yr olds to have a Baking Party...they look Gorgeous in their pretty aprons...what a clever Mum...
Love the class pics they are all fabulous...do like the Blue & Green....
thanks for sharing
cheers
Posted by: Maree | August 15, 2009 at 05:15 PM
I love our work and one day will do a course when I'm in the right state, geographically that is.
Posted by: marg | August 15, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Beaufitul patterns Kellie! I have the new Homespun ready to relax with & be inspired - great to hear you will be doing some workshops in NSW!
Posted by: Leanne | August 15, 2009 at 05:25 PM
I'm supposed to be going to sleep!!! Now I just want to head for my sewing room! Your projects are always an inspiration.
Posted by: Maria | August 15, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Hello Kelly. It was lovely to meet you today at the North of the Yarra Quilters. And it was lovely to see your beautiful work up close. Thank you for sharing them with us. Regards, Christine
Posted by: Christine M | August 15, 2009 at 06:51 PM
I do love all of your work, Kellie. I going to look up Blueberries website regarding your workshop for next year.
How much fun to have a cooking party and then eat it. I should do that for my next birthday (which is next month!!!).
I brought Homespun just because you pattern was in it and I love it.
Thanks for another giveway.
Sandy N
Posted by: Sandy | August 15, 2009 at 07:47 PM
I'm planning to make my ex-family day care children an apron each for christmas (one boy and one girl) so I'll be looking out for your pattern.....quite pretty (and handsome)!!! Kids can never learn to cook too early, I say!!!! I can also truly relate to the crappy wireless router.....ours died this week too.....and they say that technology is supposed to make life easier....thank God I can still get to my blogs!!!!
Happy weekend
;o)
Wendy B
Posted by: wendy | August 15, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Can you please host my next birthday aprty? Yes, I will be turning the ripe old age of 29 BUT you do such a great job!
Another lovely design. Congratulations on being a covegirl :)
Abbe
Posted by: Abbe | August 15, 2009 at 09:44 PM
the party looks like a blast!
Posted by: Wendy | August 15, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I just found out about you this week! How could I ever have missed it. You make such lovely designs and I am madly in love with bright colours, so it is all my taste! What a great idea for a party. My youngest will be seven in December. Love your patterns and I hope that I can get my hands on the issue of Homespun.
Posted by: Gerda Hartman | August 15, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Love the heart/tree pillow!
Posted by: Wendy | August 16, 2009 at 12:00 AM
I've just been looking through your comments and can see that you now have fans from Russia and Shanghai -- wow .... soon there will be Kellie patterns in every corner of the globe :-) --- the new pattern is just great...
lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | August 16, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Glad your workshop went well, the love grows free pillow is lovely. Always look forward to reading your blog, the colours are always bright and cheerful, Thanks for brightening up my day/xxx
Posted by: Sarah Dunster-Ashworth | August 16, 2009 at 12:43 AM
You are fantastic! Both as a mum and as a designer! I love your work! The colours make everybody happy!!
Quilthugs, Carolina in Sweden
Posted by: Carolina H | August 16, 2009 at 03:34 AM
The cover of Homespun looks awesome with your lovely creation pictured. And I wish I would have had such a wonderful birthday party myself or for my daughter when she was that age. FUN!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | August 16, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Hi from Spain.Wow !! Cupcakes and patterns seem delicious.I love your work.
Posted by: Maribel | August 16, 2009 at 05:15 AM
Those aprons are gorgeous! Love the tree cushion! Glad we are not the only one with a crappy wireless router!!!
Posted by: The Chocolate Cat | August 16, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Your class looks amazing! Wish I could come take one from you!
Posted by: Loralynn | August 16, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Looks like Jessie had a lovely day. She seems to be takingher cupcake duties very seriously in that first photo! Hope the talk goes well.
Posted by: tracey petersen | August 16, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I wish we had you over here in NZ to teach a class or two, finally managed to try some machine quilting and it turned out not to bad, even had some friends suggest I give up my day job and just make photo quilts :)
Posted by: Larissa | August 16, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Love the aprons and can't wait for the tutorial to be available. I can see that a few of these may make it on to my too do list which is growing ever so long. Really must speak to someone about finding an extra couple of hours in each day and then I think I would be set. I was jumping with joy when my copy of the latest Homespun appeared in the letterbox late this week and can't wait to get that started as well.
Posted by: Ann-Maree K, Highfields | August 16, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Dear Kellie
I am so glad I found your blog!. Firstly, what a fabbo idea for a childs' party! My daughter Gracie can only have a few select friends around on her 'real' birthday (30th December), as usually everyone's away. What a delightful idea. I must try that this year.
But I mainly wanted to congratulate you on your beautiful quilt on the cover of Homespun. Normally I head more for the non traditional quilts, but the stunning colours against the white, and the complex beauty disguised as simplicity stopped me in my tracks. The deal was done. I purchased the magazine (which I normally don't as it's nice but too cutesy for me, especially the country dolls). As an added bonus, the Melly and Me pattern goes with your quilt so well. Testimony to your quilt though, I didn't even see the M&M lizard until I got the magazine home!
Thank you so much for the beautiful photography of your quilts adorning this blog. But man oh man you've scared me with how stunning your raw edged applique is. Yeesh! 8-o !!!!!
I look forward to dropping in to see what you've been up to from now on. I am also saving up for some of your patterns, as they are just so gorgeous. Even my son and husband want me to make a quilt with matching cushions.
Posted by: Annie Morris | August 16, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Congrats on your homespun front page! Love your aprons and am looking forward to making prettier, frillier ones than the ones I'm churning out as gifts : ) Thanks for your generosity and inspiration x
Posted by: Jo | August 16, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Yippeeee. What a wonderful birthday Jessie had. My preggy brain is still digesting what I have read. I am so loving the tree. Thanks for the pics from class. Wish I could have been there. Can't wait to get the pattern. My daughter is just going to love it when I make it up for her! Thankyou!!!!
Posted by: Kim | August 16, 2009 at 05:35 PM
How do you fit it all in?! Your quilts are just gorgeous, I will be keeping my eye out for the new Homespun.
Posted by: Peta | August 16, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Oh,your work is so inspiring. Everything looks so pretty like a party going on in every pattern. I like the colours you use and i would soon love to learn your style of creating! Your designs bring a smile to my face, they are beautiful :)
Posted by: Shell | August 16, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Looks like you have been one busy lady! You really do need a Flickr account to put your photos up and a group account too! I love flickr. Your class looks like it was a lot of fun for you and the students. I will have to see if I can find the Homespun magazine here in the states. Not as easy as you might think. Is there a volume or month on it so I can search more easily? Thanks for sharing all the fun stuff with us!!
Posted by: Mama Spark | August 17, 2009 at 03:03 AM
The class certainly looks like it was both fun and productive!
Posted by: nanann | August 17, 2009 at 05:46 AM
Beautiful colorful work. I love it!
Posted by: Martha | August 17, 2009 at 08:46 AM
I really really really love your work! Love those aprons - I have 2 little neices too who will just love them to bits!I also feel the need to go to one of your workshops, I need all the help I can get so if you are teaching anytime in south Qld, I will be there. It is wonderful that you are here to inspire us all, thanks
Posted by: chriss jasper | August 17, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Kellie, is there a particular range of fabric that you use to pick out all the beautiful pastel colours?
Posted by: Juni | August 17, 2009 at 09:54 AM
ok - i have to ask - why the gloves? i love your work, but i dont think i could pull it off.....
Posted by: Nicole | August 17, 2009 at 12:29 PM
The girls look like like they had a wonderful day and their aprons are adorable.
I love seeing all your designs and wish I was close enough to take a class with you.
The love tree is a great design for friends.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie St.Germain | August 17, 2009 at 01:25 PM
There is not a blog out there more colorful than yours. Your blogs are lengthy, which i love and you show much of the detail of the project at hand. Well done on your great designs and your attention to detail.
Posted by: Karen C | August 17, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Congrats on being a Cover Girl, yet again! The quilting is beautiful! Love the aprons. What a lucky bunch of girls to be able to participate in your class! Ditto all the positive praise of your work in the comments above. Sandy.
Posted by: Sandy Gray | August 17, 2009 at 04:24 PM
I just came back from my holidays and reading your blog makes me all itchy to get started again with one of your patterns I started with just before we went away. And I wouldn't mind winning another one, I just love them!
Posted by: Jantine Urban | August 17, 2009 at 06:38 PM
You've made so nice a tree-pillow! I love it! :)
Tatyana from Russia
Posted by: Tatyana | August 17, 2009 at 06:39 PM
What a great idea for a party. Your tree design is lovely.
Posted by: Leanne | August 17, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Oh, I do love your work. I'm just not brave enough...
Any plans to teach in Sydney?
Many happy returns to Jessie, it looks like she had a wonderful day. :)
Posted by: Kate quilts... | August 17, 2009 at 08:42 PM
cute aprons and the tree is stunning of course!!!
Posted by: Renee E | August 17, 2009 at 09:28 PM