Melly & me

Rainy day...

Today has been a rainy day, and we need the rain so desperately here in dry old Melbourne!  But why is it that the rain always comes when I have outdoor plans??  This morning I completed my second new design, got everything organised to go out and take the photos and then have spent the rest of the day waiting for the rain to stop.  I finally decided to get on with something else, and the photos will just have to wait, I cannot change the weather with my will - as much as I might like to!

The reason for my impatience is that I was so excited to complete the 2nd design and I always feel anxious to do the official photos straight away as I know that either myself or one of my kiddies are sure to spill a drink on it, draw on it, accidentally cut it (and yes all of these things have happened before!!). It always feels like tempting fate, just having it laying around, but I am sure I can keep it in one piece until tomorrow.  Here is a sneak peek to keep you guessing again!

 

One of the things that I have always wanted to do, since this blog began, is to have instructions/tutorials with tips and tricks about sewing our designs.  We often get the same questions asked, such as "Is there a trick to turning Mrs Perkins' horns?" etc.  We have thought about doing podcasts, we have thought of all sorts of things but there never seems to be the time or energy to do it all.  This morning I was thinking (after answering that question yet again) and decided that the time was right, but instead of being too fancy, or making it something too big to chew, how about a tip a week?  A mini tutorial each week (where possible!) showing a simple trick or tip that make make your creating a little easier?  How about......

 

Starting next week I would love to start sharing some little tricks with you.  Some of you may know them all already, but I hope that there will be some great "light-bulb" moments and sighs of relief when you see how simple things can be.  Please feel free to comment or email with any tips of tricks you would really like to learn and we will see where this all goes. 

Im looking forward to it!  I am also looking forward to the long weekend - Yay!

Melly

I know I'm a tease...

In about two and a half weeks we are due to be exhibiting at the Australian Quilt Market, which is Melbourne's quilting industry trade fair.  Every year it has been so close to returning from Houston that I have not been able to design, write and release any new patterns in time.  This year Houston was 3 weeks earlier that usual which gave me a bit of a chance to get stuck into some new designs.  I am hoping to have three or four new patterns that will be seen there for the first time.

Yesterday I finally completed pattern 1!  I did have to do a couple of drafts on this one and then also had to make a boy version to satisfy the demands of a great web friend (you know I'm only teasing Maree!).  I am now so pleased with this new design and cant wait to show it off in a few weeks time.

The weather was perfect today to head to the park with Boo and do some photography, which I am going to be nasty and not show you!!  But I can always keep you guessing with a sneak peek...

 

Any guesses??  That is the girl version and this following peek is the boy version.... I know I am giving nothing away here!

 

If you can guess what they are, you are a very clever cookie!!  

I already have pattern 2 all sketched and ready to begin tomorrow, so hopefully I will be back to tease you a little more in a couple of days!  SORRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY (not really, I do enjoy it a little!!)

Melly.

Freshening up!

Today I have spent much of my afternoon modifying all of our pattern templates to suit our "new look" Melly & me covers!  It was so much fun to print off that first cover on our new paper and then see how the photos look on top!  Too cute, if I do say so myself!  I think this new cover with our new logo is a much better representation of our design style and I am glad to say that as of tomorrow all patterns that require re-printed will go onto the new covers - Hooray!  I thought you might like a little look see...

 

I also have spent some of this week making hard decisions about a few of the offers in Houston.... Decisions are made now and it is time to look to the future and new projects.  I have an exciting new adventure to look forward to, but for now will have to keep you in suspense!!!

Kelly was also lovely enough to let me use some of her photos from Quilt Market so I thought you might like to see a few close ups of the booth.  These are much better photos than any I took, so thank you so much Kelly!
 

A close up of my cute lanterns, hanging from the front pole with Rosie's gorgeous suffolk puff string!

 

Leon lazily basking in all of the admiration from passers by...

 

And a few of his friends hanging about in the corner!!  Go check our Kelly's blog for more stunning eye candy from Market!

Tonight my job is to finish writing the pattern for my "Stitchery of the Month" project for Under the Mulberry Tree, so any of you who are part of this club can expect to see my project in the post within the next couple of weeks!  And then to get stuck into some new designs to release at the Australian Quilt Market next month.

Dreaming of that holiday at the beach in January....

Melly

Home sweet home.

Last Friday, after too many hours of travel, we came home from Houston to our beautiful families.  It has taken me the weekend to get over my jet lag and post-show exhaustion and today it is back to my normal life and routine.  We always have such an amazing time, but boy, isn't it lovely to come home?!  

In my usual fashion, I did not get as many photos as I may have liked.  I sometimes wonder why I even bring my camera as I get so caught up in the experience and forget to take snaps.  

 

Here is our booth that we called home for the 2009 Fall Quilt Market.  You can probably see it a little bigger if you click on the photo.  As usual, it is packed full of the samples that endured being stuffed into our suitcases and was put together with pins and hooks!  We set up in record time this year and felt like we finally knew what to do rather than getting so overwhelmed and mesmerised by the size of quilt market.

 

Here we are after set up was complete, only to realise we had to dismantle again for Rosie's Schoolhouse session and sample spree that night.  Sample spree was complete mayhem and it was our first time taking a table there.  There is so much excitement and frenzy and it was also a great opportunity to catch up with old and new friends.  Of course I did manage to do a little shopping before the doors opened. Mmmmmmm fabric!

 

During set up we also got the immense pleasure of getting to know Brenda Riddle, who would have to be one of the most beautiful people in the world!  Brenda, like Rosie, had her first fabric range being released at Quilt Market and It was such a pleasure to spend time with her.  She became our voice of sanity and reason during a lot of information overload and we so appreciate you Brenda!

 

The show was amazing and we were astounded by the level of interest this year.  It seams that our designs are becoming better known in the US, so a number of people were eager to make contact and grab some patterns for their stores.  This year we had our hubbys with us and we initially had such grand ideas of them sight seeing and helping out only as needed.  To all of our suprise, they got stuck at our booth almost the entire time as we were just so busy!  I think they loved being a part of it all and I think the male Aussie accents were a great asset to us!!  My hubby now knows what applique and stitchery is, LOL!!

One of the best parts of Quilt Market is getting to meet all of our blog and email buddies from the States as well as our customers and new friends.  I would love to mention everyone but I am sure you don't have the patience to read it all and I worry about missing someone!!  So I wont try to mention everyone but I want to show a couple of lovely gifts that we received.

 

This gorgeous felt leaf was part of a beautiful gift bag from Suzanne Kuhns that was full of maple candy, moose chockies and other symbolic treats from her home town.  It was such a lovely thought and boy did we enjoy those treats when an energy rush was needed!  Thanks Suzanne, it was such a delight to meet you!

 

It was so fabulous to get to meet the gorgeous Katie Trott again who spoiled us with a copy of the above book!  This book is so stunning and such eye candy, the talented Katie has a fabulous project on page 98. I think I bumped into Katie everywhere I went over the 3 days of the show and each time it was so lovely to be greeted by her sunny, welcoming smile!  You are such a gem Katie and thanks for all of your sweetness and for just being the beautiful person you are.

 

We did manage to leave our booth to see a few of the aisles and of course no trip to Houston would be complete without stocking up on some yummy vintage buttons!!  We also grabbed some stunning wool fabric pieces and were inspired by the amazing quilt show.

So all in all it was an amazing whirlwind!!  So many new people, products, fabrics, opportunities and experiences. I think it may take a few more days to process it all in the relative quiet of normal life.

Thank you to all of you who came to see us, we enjoyed meeting each and every one of you - we cant wait until our paths will cross again!  

Melly.

No more sleeps.

There are officially no more sleeps and later today we will start our Journey to Houston!!  Just a few more things to organise before we start the drive to the airport.  I had intended to have a photo to share, but unfortunately time has gotten away from me, so just a quick post to say "off we go"!!!

We will be back in about 9 sleeps and I hope to share with you some pictures and stories then!  To all those going to Houston - see you there!!

Hoping for smooth skies and quick on-time flights,

Melly

Red Noses

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose!  

 

It seemed very appropriate to sing this song while making these two Rudys while sneezing and sniffling with my own very red nose!  Yes, I have caught a lurgie before the trip but I suppose this can be seen as a lot better than getting it when we have to go.  I have not been able to let myself stop as there is still so much to get done, but I did sit about very quietly making these fellas.

Only 5 more sleeps to go and lots to achieve, but I think I may have finished the sample making now..... I think..... I know I still wanted to make some Bambinos but maybe I should just let it go...... will see if the need for distraction rears its head and then I may end up making them still.

For anyone who is heading to Quilt Market we will be at booth 1013 this year, and we would love for you to come by and say hello!  We will also be at sample spree with sample bundles of our patterns.

To anyone who is not heading to Quilt Market but wants to keep up with our journey then you can always follow us on Facebook as we will try to update that when and where possible.

I will try to do another post before we head off in the sky (oh dread!!!!) 

Wish these guys could take me on a nice comfy flying sleigh instead!

Melly