Saffrons Blog

Bloggers quilt festival - Red Tree Pods quilt

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:17:00 GMT

Hello to all the new quilters coming to my blog for the first time as part of the Quilters Festival. I am a fabric designer based in Sydney, Australia and for all of those who are readers of my blog thanks for popping by (big special hug for reading my blog—it means so much to me).

I find the Bloggers Quilt Festival such a fun event as I am reading through blogs linked to Amy’s Creative side. Some people are showing their favourite quilts and others their latest. This quilt falls into the baby quilt or wall hanging quilt category.

I thought I would show you one of my new quilts I designed just recently using my latest range of fabrics called Magical Lands.

While designing the Tree Pods, one of my favourite fabrics, I had a wonderful feeling of being a child and running over a hill, up and down and up and down. So I wanted to make the pods look like small hills in this wee quilt, trying to capture that lovely feeling of spontaneity and freedom, at least in an artist's way.

The quilt pattern is similar to the last two quilts I have made with similarly proportioned blocks creating the quilt's pattern and rhythm with the small red blocks. For all those people who just love red this is for you. As well as the Tree Pods I used the Dandelion Kisses and the Squiggly Flowers.

I hand-stitched it with lovely cream pearle thread so the quilt feels soft and snugly. This particular quilt is already sold. I had a friend pop by as I was showing it to her and she tucked it under her arm claiming it. My lucky day! Nice to see some reward for a quilt I loved making.

Here is another quilt I made using a similar design pattern using my Imaginary Flowers.

Thanks again for popping over. Big thanks to Amy. Where are you coming from? Please leave a link so I can visit you..

NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize goes to John Bokor

Wed, 16 May 2012 02:25:00 GMT

Our good friend John Bokor won the prestigious NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize.

We are all very excited about it. This is the third time his work has been hung so we are all so elated that he won.

This is the winning painting titled "Quiet Street, Bull" and John will be giving an artist talk this Sunday at Parliament House.

Free Mother's Day card

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Download this free Mother's Day card, I wish you all a fantastic day on Sunday!

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My Mum's Birthday - shopping and a special lunch

Mon, 07 May 2012 06:28:00 GMT

I took my mum out for the entire day on her birthday, just the two of us. Birthdays have a tendency to stretch over a week in our house, as I so love to celebrate life.

We started out with breakfast in the French cafe down the street.

Then to Mosman for a spot of shopping and to Von Troska to buy Mum some wonderful new clothes. Digitally printed silks and cottons featured highly as we are print crazy. She came out so pleased and wore her favourite one straight away.

Lunch was at the awesome Ormeggio at the Spit. We ate three courses with accomplishing beverages—French champagnes and wines, my shout. We had a ball and both smiled all day.

Katrina's entrée consisted of New Zealand king salmon crudo, salmon caviar, squid ink mayonnaise,
crispy mandarin and dried sea lettuce. It was the highlight of the meal.

My entrée was a linguine with mussels, parsley purée, young garlic and chilli. While Mum had slow cooked Melanda Park free range pork shoulder, warm pork terrine, radish, fried kale, plum sauce. I would like this as a main next time.

Dessert was "egg on the nest" – mango purée, coconut mousse, milk chocolate and vanilla fairy floss. WOW.

The view of the gorgeous yacht club in soft autumn light.

I can't remember ever having such a pleasant dining experience and was not surprised to read the restaurant has a hat.

In the late afternoon with full bellies we cuddled up with a cup of tea and watched Limitless until Dad came home from work and whisked her off to yet another restaurant where she ate another three courses.

Awesome day. So grateful for my awesome Mum..

Sunday Sounds - Slip Away by Kathryn Calder

Sat, 05 May 2012 22:43:00 GMT

Such a sweet song and animation. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday. It's beautiful in Sydney.

More about Kathryn Calder here.

Friday Finds - You Sew Girl

Thu, 03 May 2012 02:20:00 GMT

Today I am talking to Nikki, one of the most extraordinary crafters I know. She is so busy! I always look forward to chatting with her when we run into each other at shows. What a dynamo of energy radiating positivity. Alas she is a Melbourne lass and I don't see her enough. I was thinking yesterday if only I could sit down with her for a chat so I emailed her my musings and she replied.

Nikki, do you believe in Magic?

Not of the wave-your-magic-wand variety, but I think that optimism can triumph over reality, and that's a bit magical when it happens. I also believe that the good we put out in the world comes back to us, and it often saves us when there's no other safety net... as if by magic.

Whats your favourite colour for winter 2012?

N: I'm loving anything near RED at the moment. From raspberry to tomato... It's all looking pretty edible right now.

What is your favourite thing that you make/sew?

N: I enjoy making anything that I make for the joy of creativity rather than out of necessity. I love working through new designs and seeing my ideas develop. Right now, I'm a bit obsessed with the possibilities of pattern-free clothing, and can't wait until I can sink my teeth into really playing with it. I have a lot of other projects on the go right now, so I'm not getting much free sewing time.

What is your best selling product?
N:. Without a doubt, we sell more units of my A-Line Skirt pattern than any other pattern in the range - I think because it's a flattering cut and the reviews have been very good. It's very much about the HOW-to as well as the result, and teaches a few new tricks. In terms of longevity, my Large Tote pattern was the first pattern I made when I began teaching in 2003, and it still sells very well.

What is/are your favourite blogs?
N: Oh.... too many. Lately, I'm so time-poor, I don't have time to read much for the sake of inspiration or eye-candy, so I'm mostly just following the blogs of real-life friends... most of whom I've met through blogging.

Where do you find your inspiration?
N: EVERYWHERE. I'm one of those people who notices details (I often find it hard to watch television news because I'm distracted by the garment details on the newsreader and I forget to listen to the news). I also love history and historical costume. I soak ideas up and file them away on a backburner somewhere in my mind. Because I'm always juggling the demands of business and family, and design is such a small part of my work schedule, ideas tend
to marinate for a while before I have time to develop them. In a sense this is a blessing - I think it helps the distillation process and the synthesis of many ideas into one design.

Who is your favourite bag designer?
N: I don't really have a favourite designer.... I'm more interested in individual designs and excellent craftsmanship. I don't pay an awful lot of attention to the fashion industry anymore - I notice the bags that people carry on the street.

What are you looking forward to?
N: I'm looking forward to a sewing retreat in two weeks time and I can't wait to start playing with that pattern-free clothing I've been dreaming about. A bunch of us go to Sewjourn (www.sewjourn.net.au) a couple of timesa year and simply SEW all weekend. It's completely restorative on just about every level, with great company, serene surroundings and the freedom to sew up all the things I don't have time to do in everyday life. As soon as I leave after each stay, I start looking forward to the next time.

Here are a few pictures from the Sew Girl Sew Blog.

I am loving this pattern.

Nikkis patterns are stocked all around the world.

You can find Nikki'' "tour dates" for classes here I am keen to learn from such a talent.

Thanks ever so much for your time Nikki so much room for thought.

Here are some samples that Nikki has sewn with my fabric designs. All the fabric can be found here.

If you have something you would like to share on Friday Finds please drop me a line.

Press

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:07:00 GMT

My daughter and I were photographed in the pouring rain at the Lego forest in the city.

Then the picture made page two.

Owl softies in 5 new colours

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:26:00 GMT

We have a print small run of our favourite Owl Sofies for you to enjoy. There are only 20 of each colour available. They are digitally printed in lovely colours such as candy pink, apple green, storm grey, twilight blue and tomato red.

You can purchase all five for $49.50 or individually for $12.00 each.

Perhaps the pink is your favourite? I'll be it will be popular as it is the first time our owl comes in pink. My girl calls her Hootabelle and she is very much loved. She seems to have such attitude.

My personal favourite is the grey with the lime green spotty wings. Very vogue.

For the boys theres' a midnight blue but maybe green is your colour?

Then of course there's the red, which coordinates with the Owl fabric range.

Easy to make

To make up the owl simply cut it out and sew it together, by hand or machine. Then trim the seams and turn inside out and stuff. Its a good start to sewing with the young ones.

You can watch a video here.

Hoot hoot, which one do you like?

Winner of Silver Nutmeg & a Golden Pear Designs

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:19:00 GMT

Congratulations to Jane Green who is the lucky winner of the Silver Nutmeg & a Golden Pear Designs. Jane we will send you an email shortly.

Thanks to everyone who entered. Unfortunately there can only be one winner.

Please pop over to visit Silver Nutmeg & a Golden Pear Designs.

If you are in Tasmania please pop by to see them at the Salamanca markets in Hobart.

Courtney is happy to take custom orders.

The ABCD Soirée - goodness all round

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:14:00 GMT

The ABCD soiree is hosted by the wonderful Steph and Lisa.

They arrived early to decorate the venue for the seasonal ABCD meetup.

How do I round up three hours of catch up into a brief blog post? Well, we ate cake and chatted, caught up on our lives and shared stories. It went by in a flash and memories linger.

This cake was incredible! Alison Lawson Cakes, to be remembered.

The room looked like this:

The tables looked like that:

Our pictures were snapped by Anni From Milk and Honey.

The goodie bags for 28 people was full of food and handmade goodness. Everyone who came made 27 for each of the bags. I thought I should share a few.

Grrl + Dog please have a look at her work.

Free Range Living an emporium of beautifully handcrafted Australian hand made and eco friendly gifts, fashion and home wares. Love my clip.

Such a wonderful illustration by the talented Andrea Smith.

You can find Steph at MooBear Designs and OverIt. Such an inspiration. Love my bracelet, made by upcycling her Nana's vintage buttons.

Down That Little Lane. Yum.

So much to share. More food, more kindness and love. Thanks to all who I chatted with and shared goodness.

More details to be found on Bondville.

This is the ABCD Facebook link.

Lucky Quilt

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:33:00 GMT

This quilt is for Baby Lucky (my nickname). Since the parents found out she was a girl they have called her Lakshmi. She is due any day now, so I gave this to her mum for her baby shower, it is now draped over Lucky's very cute cot in anticipation.

The quilt is much nicer in real life than my pictures (sigh). Quilts are so challenging to photograph. I dream of having that one place in my studio set up for taking pictures. That perfect wall, that perfect space.

Using a similar quilt pattern to the quilt I showed last week, I decided I could work on the patterns that bit more by playing with the balance of colour and sizes of the blocks. Experimenting is fun for me. I am planing on working this pattern up to be a cot sized quilt. So double the size of this one, this baby quilt is a meter square or there abouts. I hand quilted it with white pearle thread so it feels soft and snuggly.

Fabrics that I have used are the Infinity Flowers range with some baby pink Kona and the lilac is from the Magical Lands.

I am watching Games of Thrones at the moment. Have you watched it? It is is so very exciting. Though I do close my eyes through the bits that are... and sometimes I even have to hum loudly to block out the noise.

How to make rainbow jelly cups

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:23:00 GMT

Rainbow Jelly cups are easy peasy to make.

Simply make your jelly. The trick is to use half the recommended water at boiling point, stir until all the jelly crystals are dissolved then add the rest of the water but this time use cold water. Safer for the kiddies to stir and it will cool down faster and therefore set pretty quickly.
Pour a centimeter into all the cups you have. I made 30 cups and used 10 boxes of jelly.
Then put the cups into the fridge for two hours. If you start a day in advance you can let the jelly set overnight.
Once the layer has set you can pour on the next jelly layer.
Repeat and put on the third layer.

It's nice to have a variation in colour. So pretty and for a colour fan like myslef, fun to make.

Friday Finds: Silver Nutmeg & a Golden Pear Designs offers a generous giveaway

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:52:00 GMT

Today I was chatting to Courtney Turner who is the creator of Silver Nutmeg & a Golden Pear Designs from Tasmania. Silver Nutmeg is a cottage business selling vintage inspired accessories, home wares, and children’s clothing and toys.

Courtney lives in Tassie and grew up in the Huon Valley (Southern Tasmania) helping out on the family farm growing and harvesting seasonal vegetables and produce. Courtney's mother taught her and her two sisters to sew from an early age, she still remembers with glee the pride she felt when she completed her first quilt (even though it was very croocked and nowhere near perfect). She says with a laugh!

She continues on with this tradition by encouraging her 3 busy children to sew and create. Her daughter Indy entered one of her quilts into the Craft Fair last year. And Martin her husband can often be seen running their stall at the amazing Salamanca markets in Hobart, which often brings a laugh from customers seeing a large man with tattoos selling children’s clothing.

Courtney says "I simply adore the freedom of making and creating and have a freestyle mindset with this process, apparently my polish grandmother worked with this same independent style. My Grandmother on mum's side of the family immigrated from Europe when she was young to escape the war. They were booked to leave on a ship to the USA but my mother was unwell so they missed that boat and caught the next one heading to Australia instead".

"I believe the ability to be able to make something with your hands and use your imagination to create is an important skill to have and one I have taught my own children". Hear hear.

You can find Courtney most weekends at the Salamanca Markets or online at her blog. She is currently developing an online store, in the mean time she is happy to take custom orders, so contact Courtney here.

Give Away

Courtney is kindly offering a generous give away of a unique Silver Nutmeg Designs little lady dress in Owls Nesting fabric – (in your particular size). With a cute pair of complementing hair accessories. To enter pop over and like her facebook page and leave your details in the below box.

The Winner will be chosen on the of 20th of April and contacted via email. Good luck oh and let your friends know please.

Visit the blog Silver Nutmeg and a Golden Pear Designs.

Like her Facebook page here.

Wordless Wednesday—an unhappy telly

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:07:00 GMT

Join Wordless Wednesday's at Plushka's by adding to her list.

To keep me company - illustrations by Schmooks

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:08:00 GMT

To keep me company I bought these two illustrations from Claire Cimbora, a Canberra-based illustrator, who designs under the label Schmooks.

I have rather happily and quickly stuck them to the wall right next to my shoulder, yes still in their cellophane wrappings while I ponder on how I will frame them. I do have a thing for most animals, elephants and pandas are right at the top though.

I love that Claire uses digital technology in her enchanting world of make-believe in which her characters come to life. Characters which now are enchanting me.