by Helen on February 10, 2013
A week or two ago Townie Husband told me he thought that everyone who read my blog and looked at my photos must think that Devon is all blue skies and sunshine. This certainly isn’t the case. But I don’t think mud and grey skies make very cheerful photos so I don’t normally take my camera outside on grey days (even though I would have plenty of opportunities). I thought that maybe I should show some gritty (or muddy) reality though – so when I went outside this morning to photograph my little knitted rabbits I turned around and took a picture of our garden …..
Yes, my two naughty newfies have turned the bottom end of our lawn into a mudslide! This morning Daisy dashed outside, skidded and landed on her nose in the mud! She thought this was great fun and promptly hurled herself into it again! But I know who has caused most of the problem….
With his big flubbery paws chasing his baby sister round and round the garden! She’s just out of shot in this photo and I think they were both about to pounce on that sadly bedraggled toy you can see in the foreground. Sadly for them, I am a bit of a spoilsport and have closed the gate at the bottom of the steps to give the ground time to dry out a little. And now for the little knitted bunnies – a family of four …
Hand knitted by me from Debi Birkin’s lovely pattern. But I have given this batch little cotton frocks – all apart from Blossom who was late home from her ballet class and had her photo taken wearing her pretty tutu! They’re all now seeking adoption by kind new owners, and you can find them listed in my Etsy shop. Just CLICK HERE to visit.
by Helen on November 7, 2012
…. I am so enjoying reading all your wonderful suggestions for my little Christmas fabric reindeer pattern’s name. I laughed until I (nearly) cried over “No Idea!” (assuming he was named before his eyes were added – groan), was very attracted to the idea of “Bertie Bustle”, loved the suggestions incorporating “Buttons” and all the other amazingly creative ideas too. Thank you so much to everyone who has left a comment. Then when I reached the end I realised I had forgotten to say that the draw would close on Friday night, so if you’re reading this and haven’t entered yet – there’s still time to do so.
And the Christmas fun continues with a set of new designs from my friend Jacqui of SewFlapdoodle. She’s created five Christmassy images that I’m busy turning into a Christmas garland – here’s a sneak peek at work in progress:
Snowballing bunnies ….
and … 
Two little reindeer.
I’ve nearly completed all the applique and am just assembling the flags using the stitch’n'flip technique. I’ll be listing the SewFlapdoodle Christmas Garland pattern at the weekend, and will also be sending a free Christmassy SewFlapdoodle design to all my newsletter readers and e-zine subscribers.
I only assembled two flags this morning though – I was rudely interrupted by an extremely impatient dog (sure you can guess his name!) who was very anxious to head to the beach. So, before he could swish his tail and send all my fabric flying to the floor in a confused mess, I packed him into the car and we set off for Blackpool Sands.
We haven’t been there since last March as dogs are banned from this beach in the summer months. But in the winter it’s a great place to take your canine companion – especially as the Venus Beach Cafe remains open all year long. It was a bit grey and chilly, but Ben had great fun re-acquainting himself with one of his favourite places to swim – a lovely stream that runs through the shingle down to the sea.
Luckily there wasn’t any smelly seaweed on this beach for him to roll in – I don’t know if I mentioned – but after his bad behaviour in rolling at Lannacombe, Donna (his grooming lady) shampooed him twice – firstly in Apple and Avocado, and then in Rosemary and Mint, after which she rubbed him all over with Lavender fur-shine. And it’s hard to believe I know, but even after all that we could still detect a whiff of seaweed in his fur. Bad dog!
My Calendar Bunnies extended pattern book is finished! It contains the original pattern for each month (original and reversed to suit your preferred method of transfer), full stitching instructions, DMC floss colours, instructions for piecing the quilt top and even two little bunny templates so you can include your own bunnies in your stippling if you wish. It has 56 pages, with lots of photos to help you stitch your bunnies and the finished quilt would make a beautiful gift for a lucky child, or simply to keep for yourself (mine looks lovely on the sofa in the kitchen).
The Calendar Bunnies Pattern Book is now listed on the quilting page of this site. And to celebrate its launch I’m having a giveaway and special offer. The special offer is easy - just enter the code BUNNYBOOK at checkout and you will receive an enormous 50% off any single order placed until midnight Sunday 13 May 2012 (BST).
Now the giveaway …. you’ll see in the photo above that I have stitched my bunnies onto vintage linen panels. These were cut from 100 year old European mangle cloths, made from wonderful quality pure linen which is absolutely fantastic to work with.
The giveaway prize is 12 panels of this vintage linen, which I will pre-print for you with the bunny pictures all ready to stitch, together with a downloadable copy of the Bunnies Calendar Quilt Pattern Book.
And if you’re the winner and have already purchased your Calendar Bunnies Book using your 50% discount code: BUNNYBOOK then don’t worry, I’ll simply refund the purchase price.
You can enter the giveaway by leaving a comment below – and just for fun please say which bunny you like best and why. The giveaway closes at the same time your discount code expires – midnight on Sunday 13 May 2012 British Summer Time and the winner will be chosen by random selection. I am happy to post the linen anywhere in the world.
Good luck everyone!
Or (alternative title) I have been really busy! My Calendar Bunnies quilt is all finished, the stippling and binding too, so I have been taking photos – both of the bunnies and extra ones of my Rosie & Bear quilt for my very nearly finished book….
Would you like to see them? I’m so excited and simply have to show them to you! Here they are …
First the little bunnies .. with all those extra rabbits leaping around in the stippling .. I don’t know if you can make out the extra ones in this photo. I am planning to have the pattern for this quilt, with stitching and floss guide for the bunnies, available by the end of the week. And then Rosie & Bear ….
Just a few more images for my nearly finished book – it’s been a bit delayed but will definitely be published by the end of May. And now both quilts together ….
Not sure I’ve quite got the hang of artistically draping quilts yet, but at least there are no big muddy pawprints on them! That is because my canine assistant was forbidden to come into the garden and ”help” me. Signal for mega-sulk which only ended when a couple of doggie-chocs were offered! Back later this week with news about the release of both patterns. Watch this space!
