De cluttering

This seems to be the buzz word at the moment. The side effect of going to the markets is buying so many cute vintage finds, falling in love with them and then putting them into my cupboards.
The only trouble with this is it comes a time where you feel so overwhelmed with stuff it stops any creativity.
So I have started de cluttering. It is easier than I thought, I am only keeping things that I use or put on show. The rest is going to the shop with bargain prices on them for someone else to love.
This is a process that will be happening every Tuesday from this week,(next is fabric again) so come Wednesday more will be appearing in the shop till i work right through my house.

Serendipity

I am definitely a person who if given lemons, makes lemonade. I realized after sewing my strips together ripping strips for this type of quilt is not the best idea. I ended up with a wave quilt!
Next time I will rotary cut. Anyway I pulled it apart and decided I would use the creative grid
60 degree ruler to make my quilt. So far so good. I will keep you updated.

Nathalie Lete in Melbourne

African Fabric

These gorgeous fabric pieces just arrived yesterday! They are block printed by hand, the colours are so vibrant but subtle. Bit of an oxymoron I know! You have to see them in person to understand me.
The same lovely couple I bought them off also import fabulous Elephant Grass baskets, they are at Scarlet Jones and every one is different, all hand woven and Fair trade.

Oliver + S patterns and other clothes

Auntie Cookie pattern made up by Kate from One Flew Over, thanks Kate
Christie from Pigeon Pair made up this PJ pattern from Oliver + S in AMH flannel.
Thanks Christie! so soft.

Oliver + S pattern made in Nani Iro double jersey, made by Sarah from Choccybangles. Thanks Sarah!

Liberty Strip Quilt

Quite a few years ago while in Perth I was inspired by Sophie formally of Calico and Ivy, who now owns a shop called Materialise.
Sophie made gorgeous stripped quilts using narrow strips of a multitude of different Liberty fabrics. Including a prize winning dress quilt.
It often takes me a while to get around to things but today I decided I needed to make one.
So far I have ripped up 20cm pieces into four and they are now ready for me to sew.
I am sure Sophie would rotary cut but I quite like the imperfectness for ripping, and I chose to do it all blue.

Applique

Applique is such fun. It has been quite some time since I have done any but this cute little 70's picture picked up at the market reminded me of how much I like it.

$5 FABRIC Spring clean!

The past two weeks have seen daily delivery's of gorgeous new fabrics at Patchwork on Central Park, my shelves are full to bursting, so I have been busy culling fabrics for my Spring Clear! I have been ruthless in putting out fabrics.
These including Amy Butler, Heather Bailey and Anna Marie Horner as well as a big selection of Japanese novelty fabrics.
Most of them are priced at $5 m, my aim is to clear them out, well below cost. The others are $10m. Come early for the best selection.
The minimums of these clearance fabrics are 1m min on $5 fabrics and 1/2m mins on $10 fabrics.
This is on Saturday 18th until Saturday 25th Sept ONLY.

Eclectic Mix

Eclectic is a word that really defines me, I am often asked how I pick fabric, the truth is I have no idea! It really comes down to just going "that one, that one", somehow it seems to work, luckily I have taste that most seem to like.
I finally finished the little Les Olivades baby quilt and as with everything I make it comes down to trial and error. I quilted it across the centre with no letters and then pulled it out, I felt it needed the word, but as always it is a purely personal thing.
I am in a collaboration of sorts with the talented illustrator Charlotte Lance, we will be putting out patterns in the next few months, stay tuned. somehow I got a pic of my cat instead of Charlotte's Jumping Sheep. (lost is found)
The other pic is detail of the 1940's dress that I got in Perth, the fabric is rayon. Luckily it is not from someone super skinny like most vintage dresses so fits me perfectly.

Home again

I feel like I have been away for ages, after taking mum home to Perth I stayed a couple of days in Lovely Perth and then spent an enjoyable day in Sydney on the way home to attend the Gift fair.
Perth has a very interesting vintage shop, Memory Lane in Beaufort St, anyone visiting Perth should make it a must see. It is the best one i have seen and I always get some great things there.
Even New old stock from the 1950's.
I will put some pics soon.
While I was away the shop filled up with even more fabric including Kokka fave's and the Heather Ross Far Far Away 2, as well as a mountain of gorgeous Yuwa floral fabrics.
We also now have the Oliver and S patterns that are $20 each.

Knitted Coat hangers

I love knitted coat hangers they are really good for jumpers and shiny clothing that slips off normal hangers. Mum has been keeping her hands busy making them with all different coloured wool.
Kate kindly gave her some lovely different shades of blue wool and they have been a great addition. Thanks Kate!