Melly & me

8 sleeps...

The countdown continues for Quilt Market with only 8 sleep to go!  

I cant tell you how excited I am to meet any of you who are going to be there.  It has been 18 months since my last Quilt Market and I cannot wait to be a part of that exciting buzz once again.  If you are going along, please make sure you come see me at booth 1429 or at sample spree to say g'day! 

I have been packing the patterns to ship off to myself today which includes the new look "The Fat Quarters Bag"  I just felt a need to give this pattern a facelift with a cute new sample and photo, hope you like the new version.

I also finally made up a little something extra to go with my Sew Little "Rubber Ducky" quilt.  This cute little matching rattle is so sweet in its simplicity, I just love it.

And here is the pattern photo of the set. 

In other "non sample sewing" news, I also wanted to let you know about a couple of up-coming classes I will be holding in Ferntree Gully.  Please see the following for further info. There will be sure to be more classes in term 3, so keep an eye out!!

Ok, back to work now for me... I will try to pop in again before I head off, but make sure you follow "Melly & me" on Facebook for updates from the Show. YAY!!!

Melly.

Samples, samples and more samples!

Only 2 more weeks until I head off to Kansas City!! Half of my brain is in major excitement mode and the other half is obsessing over a to-do list that seems to keep growing daily. One job ticked off and two more added seems to be the motto.

I know that sometime in the next two weeks I will get to the point where I have to say "I have done all I can do" and cut myself some slack, but for now I am still sticking to my grand dreams of making a trillion new samples and then starting on some decorative items for the booth. I seem to love setting myself unrealistic goals!

I have already managed to make a number of new friends who I will be taking with me to immigrate to the US.  I love seeing the collection grow - they make me so very happy!... A few playful "Scotty McSpottys"

Two delightful new "Dawns" (Oh how I adore them!!!)

And a few cheeky "Little Ninjas".

This is the last week I have put aside for sample making, so I had better go and quickly reattach myself to that sewing machine!!  

I think a new Tally & Tripp is next on the list, off I go to pick the fabrics (seriously the BEST part!)...

Melly

Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of you

Over the past week I have been in major quilt making mode, trying to find a cute way to display my new "Toy Tales" fabric collection for Quilt Market, using only the small strike off pieces I was lucky enough to get.

I decided to make a cot/lap sized quilt for the little ones and here is the result.... This is the girl version using the more girlie based half of "Toy Tales"

And then I also whipped up a Boy version using the remaining strike off pieces..

Needless to say I was singing the "Rubber Duckie" song the entire time I worked!  Oh how I love Rubber Duckies!  

I think I will still make another little something to go along with the quilt before I give it a name and write up the patterns, but for now there is relief that one more thing is ready for Kansas City!!

Melly.

One month...

One month left to go before I will be madly setting up my booth at Quilt Market in Kansas City...  

One month left to go to make a gazillion new samples...  

One month left to go to figure out how to decorate my booth, what to send, what to bring...

One month left to go to create something to display out of my gorgeous new "Toy Tales" fabric strike-offs! Actually this one is already progressing well and boy am I enjoying myself.  Here is a decent sneak peek at the cute baby quilt I am putting together, Its all just so exciting!! 

And one month left to go for any keen Aussie designers out there to put in a submission of interest to join myself and the rest of the desiger team at Creative Abundance.  Check out this advert asking for submissions!!

One month......

Melly 

Cards...

Amongst all of the madness, which is set to be the pace for April, I thought I had better quickly pop in to let you know about a couple of new Melly & me Creative Cards.

After request from a couple of clever and wonderful customers, I have now adapted the following two designs to be available as new Creative Cards.  They are just perfect for this new format so I was a little excited to get such great ideas! Thanks girls!!

The first one is the pattern for my cute fabric lanterns, and the second is for my little Kokeshi Dollies which also featured in the "Kaleidoscope" book.

Great small projects that are perfect for a fun afternoon of crafting!

Melly

Happy Mail Day!

Ok, as I am typing this post I am kind of a little bit excited!! Maybe "little bit" is an understatement, maybe MAJORLY excited is more like it. Because today I got some super happy mail, the sort of mail that makes my heart beat a little faster and involves a lot of anticipation and breath holding in the opening.

But I suppose I had better explain as I have only just realised that I have not yet told you anything at all about my new fabric collection that is being released in 2012!  I don't know how I contained all of that excitement to myself, but somehow I managed to be a good girl and keep the secret until I was given the nod to share it with you all.  Well I am sooooo glad to let you know that this moment has arrived and I can finally share "Toy Tales" with you! (You may want to click on the image below to see it in a larger format - designs not to scale) I just love this new fabric collection to bits which features Finnegan and Mabelle from "Sewn Toy Tales" as well as Tripp the turtle and my sweet Love Birds.  There is definitely something here for both the boys and girls and I hope you find it just as fun as I do!  

Well today I was surprisingly lucky enough to get my strike offs which I did not expect for months yet!! The fabric collection will be ready for delivery to shops in October so I did not hold any hope that I would hold physical fabric until well after it's release at Spring Market in Kansas City this May.  But today the strike offs arrived and I am so excited that they are big enough for me to at least make a gorgeous quilt in time for Market.

I will be sure to come back later to show you the fabric strike offs as well as my progress working with them..... oh my goodness, the thought of working with them is filling me with all kinds of anticipation and excitement.  I simply cannot wait.

But while I fabric fondle and dream of what to create with my new treasures, I had better let you know the winners of my giveaway!  Thank you so much for all of the new pattern love, I always adore reading all of your comments and kind words. The winners are Carina Seth, Debbie Barclay, Jule and I am also adding a facebook winner due to some Typepad comment problems who is Michelle Martin.  Please email me with your postal addresses and your choice of "Scotty McSpotty" or "Birdie Backpack" pattern.

Ok, now to get back to my strike offs...

Melly loves Scotty...

Oh my goodness, I have been wanting to make this fella for such a long time!
"Scotty McSpotty" is such a cute, fun, playful and cuddly puppy....  I mean, come one; who doesn’t love a Scotty Dog!?  

But I have to admit that I have an even softer spot in my heart for this little fella.  Scotty McSpotty was inspired by the love of my life, my fiancé and best friend who I gave the nickname “Scotty Dog” when our relationship first began.

So I dedicate this new design to my Scotty.... I know this toy will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope he will in your’s too!

And there is also another new design ready and raring to go, Yay!.... I have finally gotten into the bag making zone again and have come up with a great new Backpack design, using the "Prints Charming" heavy weight fabrics that I have had so much fun with.  

I have been wanting to design a backpack for a while now, especially after our trip to Vietnam where I kept saying to myself how much I needed a backpack that was fun and cute, but also was big enough to fit my camera, water bottle, wallet and sunscreen with plenty of room left over for shopping!

The backpack has adjustable shoulder straps A secured zipper closure at the top to give plenty of room, strength and security

As well as a zippered pocket at the front for those "need to get to quickly" items.  I had so much fun fussy cutting the bird print for the front pocket!  

This bag is also big enough to be made up as a "one of a kind" school bag for any special littleuns in your life.  So here is "Birdie Backpack"

These two patterns are written up and ready to go, so please leave a comment if you would like to go into the draw for my new pattern release giveaway!  I will be back to draw the winners next week after a little getaway....

May the floss be with you,

Melly

Thinking of joining us?.....

Have you been thinking about joining us for a week of complete indulgence, a week in paradise?...

A week of discovering a new and exciting destination with a group of fun like-minded people?...

A week where you will be spoiled with a goody pack brimming with multiple fully kitted new designs from Rosalie Quinlan, Leanne Beasley and myself? A week where you will have multiple opportunities to stitch and have one on one tuition - even if you have never taken a stitch before.

A week full of great food, friendship, fun and of course the odd cocktail or two!

Well if you have been thinking of it then there is still opportunity to be a part of the excitement of "Imagine.. Mauritius" in 2012 please click here to see the newly updated itinerary and talk to our Travel Agent escort, Annette, or feel free to email me with any queries.  Travel can be quoted and organised from any corner of the globe!

And if you havent been thinking of it..... maybe you should.  It will truly be a trip to remember, I for one want to pack my bags already!!

Happy Stitches

Just a quick "hidey ho" to share something new with you all!  

This fun new design was a part of the 2011 Project of the Month with Country Hart and is now ready to be released as a pattern...

Happy Stitches is a stitching organiser which is perfect for carrying around in your project bag!  You will always have the ability to sketch, take notes or journal while having your needles and other notions all at hand.
The sketch pad pocket is also the perfect size to carry your patterns in while taking your projects mobile.

The front of the organiser has a cute "toadstool stacking doll" stitchery design, and of course the iron-on transfer is enclosed with the pattern to make everything so much simpler!

I have also been busy working on a couple of new designs that I will return to share with you once the patterns are written and ready to go.  Here is a little peek on one of them - simply ADORING these Prints Charming heavy weights!!

Motivation to spare?

I am wondering if anybody has some motivation to lend me?

My life just keeps getting consumed with thoughts of...(image source)

and...(image source)

and especially... (image source)

Goodness the dresses and colour scheme seem to be consuming so much of my brain power, but I am hoping that the decision on that will be made this week or next, which might release enough of my brain power to be able to focus on sewing again!

In the meantime however I am excited to have released a fourth Creative Card which is a stitchery that was part of "Imagine Vietnam" in 2011.  This is "Lemonade" and you might remember this for a recent post, for those that were asking how to get it!

So instead of getting a set of 3 Creative Cards, the winners of my giveaway will actually get a set of 4 cards, yay!  Thank you so much to all of you for your gorgeous comments and feedback.  The winners of the Cards giveaway are:  Kay Guascoine, Michelle Holden and Yana. Please email me with your postal addresses girls and I will post them out to you asap!

Now back to wedding daydreaming.....

Melly