Stitching with Rosalie...

Most Australian stitchers, and many International ones as well, will know of Rosalie Quinlan, and her delightful designs. She is an incredibly talented designer, and also, a local to our area here, along with her sister Melanie Dekker (of Melly and Me,) and friend Leanne Beasley (of Leannes House.)

Rosalie Quinlan, and her gorgeous stitching.

I've always been a huge fan of the work of these talented ladies, and often admired their creativity. It's quite fun to work where I do, as regularly the three of them shop at our store. We tend to forget that they are rather famous in the sewing world, till a customer demands an autograph!

So my boss, Gail, treated all her staff to a (late!) Christmas break up - a stitching day exclusively with Rosalie Quinlan. Yep, we had her all to ourselves!

A busy table, and lots of talking!

Rosalie had bought along with her a gorgeous little stitched bag pattern for us all, and Gail had put together some fabric kits for the day. Of course, lollies and chocolate and scones were ever present as well, and a wonderful day was had by all.

As to actually finishing the project, well, lets just say - my stitching hasn't progressed much further, just yet!

 And for local girls, Leanne Beasley will be in store at Patchwork with Gail B, this saturday, the 3rd of March doing some demonstrating. Starting at 10am - I'll see you there!

A Melody Miller Staff Challenge

Ok, so a new range of fabric came into work a week or so back, "Ruby Star Rising," by Melody Miller.
Gail thought this would be a great opportunity to have a staff challenge. Our aim was to create a simple item using one fat quarter from the range.

I was the last to hear of this challenge, so sadly the gorgeous typewriter fabric had already been chosen. Even the funky green old clocks had been taken. So I spent some time trying to decide which fabric to choose, and what to actually make with it.

Eventually I decided upon this one, and pot holders instantly came to mind. I had seen a photo a while back of similar pot holders with a slit in the back for your hands. So, this was my result. SUPER quick and easy to make. I took them to work forgetting to take a photo, so I've snatched the one from Gails blog. I'll have to remember to take a shot of the back though, next time I'm in.

*cough* ignore the slightly wonky look on the right one. It's a humility pot holder, ok? *cough*

Fancy playing with some Melody Miller yourself? Gail is having a giveaway on her blog - so check it out! 

Flea Market Fancy

*sigh*

The new Denyse Schmidt "Flea Market Fancy" came into work the other day.

It is lovely. Just lovely.
So I got a fat quarter of all the bolts we had.
And now it's just sitting on my kitchen table, looking pretty.
I love this vintage style. Love the colours.
And now the fun begins of deciding what to do with it. But for now - I think I'll just admire it for a bit longer.

Have a look at Gails blog to see a little story about me and said Fancy fabrics.

And, I'm now on Pinterest, so check it out if you'd like. I'm finding it a wee bit addictive.

From,
a rather tired farmers wife, who struggles when the routine is shaken up!

A farmers wife

My hubby came home at 6:30am this morning. No, he wasn't out all night with mates. He was working hard and long hours in a tractor.
Yep, the grapes have changed colours, and it's the start of harvest here in the Yarra Valley. So for the next few weeks I am going to have to get used to sleeping alone! I don't think I like this idea at all!

Simon is now tucked up in bed, trying to catch up on sleep. And I'm trying to be quite so as not to wake him.

Of course, I don't need to remind most ladies, it is Valentines Day today. I hope you share this day with your loved ones and enjoy celebrating the love we have.
When my husband wakes up, he will find a little chocolate and a card, and some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Of course, he will also be greeted with a huge hug and a smacking great kiss!

This will be our first Valentines Day as a married couple, and for us, it's not about presents or fancy dinners. It's just about the two of us. And God. Celebrating the union we have together, and the love we share for each other.

Every day with my husband is a wonderful gift from God. I am so proud of my Mr Green and how hard he works for us. He loves and adores me, and I feel so greatly blessed by him and his kindness. And you know, it's the little things that add up. He always stacks and unloads the dishwasher. He opens the car door for me. He tidies the house and benches without asking. He folds his clothes. He puts the cereal box back in the cupboard if I have accidentally left it out. He knows how to use a vacuum cleaner, and he has no problems with washing a load of clothes. And he is always there to make me laugh, and always ready with a big hug, a smiling face or a handful of tissues when I need it most.

To my Mr Green, you are amazing. I'd be lost without you. And I love you.

Happy Love Day everyone!

Owls.

I'm becoming a bit obsessed with owls. They keep popping up everywhere, and my hands just keep making more of them.

I'm thoroughly enjoying creating these little guys and girls, and seeing them hanging on the wall.

They are just too darn cute!

I have them listed on my new Etsy shop, and so far, they are quite popular. Customized owls with children's names will be available soon too.

But for now, I'm filling orders. And playing with fabric. These fabrics are being tested for a client who requested a bright and happy bunting, and to be sent to South Africa. We have some Kaffe Fassett and Amy Butler fabrics in here, and of course, a Rosalie Quinlan piece from Sweet Broderie.

What do we think?

Something new...

I felt it was time for a facelift. My blog was in great need of something new and uplifting, so a few tweaks later, and ta-da! I like my new look, and I think it suits me and my blog much better than my previous look.

It's also with great excitement that I can launch my new direction for Missy Mack - my etsy shop! There is a blog button on the right of your screen which will take you to my new shop. It's in early stages still, but Missy Mack is now focussing on handcrafted and bespoke items for sale. I am fortunate enough to be having the opportunity to sell some of my wares through Crumbz here in Healesville, and thought I would do the same online. I really enjoy making items for other people to treasure and enjoy, particularly bespoke and custom quilts.

At the moment I have beautiful bunting, with some bunting featuring the ever popular and gorgeous Owl creatures. This is a new little design I've been working on, and I just love the owls. I have already had some orders, so am hoping they will be popular.  I also have cushions and little purses for sale. In time, many more items will be added, including bags, home wares and decor items, softies and quilts.

I also have a shop at big cartel, which has a few items on it so far. Click here to shop!

My shop will also (hopefully soon!) hold a range of other items, including my own patterns, fabric covered buttons, and even some fabric and bits and pieces from my stash.

Missy Mack is also now on Facebook, so if you are already a member, please head on over and join our page. I'd love to see you there!

In a few weeks I will be attending a stitching day with the lovely Rosalie Quinlan. Rosie is designing something for us Patchwork with Gail B girls as a part of our slightly late christmas break up. Can't wait!

Here are few of my recent purchases - just some things I couldn't pass up!

A bit of teaching...

I'm settling myself slowly into the thought that this will be a year of change. I've never been a fan of change, but I'm actually finding myself looking forward to new things. 

I'm in the process of developing and planning a new direction for Missy Mack, which I'm hoping will be up and running shortly. 

Till then, I am now able to share a new change. I have had the pleasure of being asked to teach sewing at the beautiful home and kitchen wares shop, Crumbz, here in Healesville. With a bit of nervous anticipation, I'm keen to teach something that is a great passion and hobby of mine. The lovely Kay from Crumbz, is offering a number of craft courses, covering sewing, crochet, felting and knitting, so there will be something for all tastes. 

We will be starting off at the end of February with a gorgeous and simple patchwork cushion. Red is not a colour I normally gravitate to, but I love this cushion. Gosh, I could easily become a red fan if all red looked like this. I greatly enjoyed making this cushion, and he now sits quite comfortably on my rocking chair. Pity the red doesn't match my colour scheme!

I will also be teaching a very basic "Learn to Sew" class. Which is for those who maybe have a sewing machine, but really aren't sure where and how to start. In this class we will be making a very simple and very cute purse. The purse is ideal for holding makeup, sewing knick knacks, and probably a variety or other possibilities! 

To make sure this purse was suitable for a beginner, I tried it out on one. My husband! Having little use of a sewing machine, he was a star pupil and together we whipped up the little purse on the right. The result? A nifty purse, and one very proud husband!

We are also planning some other classes, including a patchwork quilt, a tote bag, and many other projects for further in the year. Talk about exciting!

To see the full class list, just send me an email and I'll be happy to forward it to you.