Saffrons Blog

I'm a fabric designer, mum and creative crafty person. A blog about fabrics, projects, ideas and things that inspire me.

Star cushion

Saffron Craig - Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Cutting up cushions this week made me think of stars and the Chinese year of the rabbit. I was wondering what has gotten into me this year; all I want to do is travel. I got the travel bug for sure. I have already been to WA for a week, total paradise there, then down the NSW South Coast and I am already thinking where we can go next. I lay in bed for an hour last night imagining all the places I could visit. Then it dawned on me that last time it was the year of the rabbit I enjoyed 9 months of travel hopping through Europe with my then boyfriend now husband.

Well, today I should have been making the compulsory library bag as my little one who loves loves loves books will not be allowed to remove books form the library with out one! Says note! NO way was I buying the horrible plastic one with the school logo. She gotta have something funky. So while I contemplate that I will sew up my little star.

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2 comments

Rachael commented on 15-Feb-2011 07:24 PM

Make a wish upon a star(cushion)and maybe you'll travel afar to Magical Lands. That cushion is going to be so cute!

Sue commented on 16-Feb-2011 09:06 AM

Sweet.

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You know you really should add some glitter.

Saffron Craig - Sunday, February 13, 2011

For my niece's fifth birthday I stretched a piece of Magical Lands fabric over a canvas to decorate her bedroom.

I eavesdropped on my five year old's conversation with the birthday girl—"You will have to imagine the fairies. I am sure they would like to live there and there and there (pointing at the canvas). Though I think Mummy really should have added some glitter."

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6 comments

Bec commented on 13-Feb-2011 09:23 PM

Ahhh so so cute!! Got to love little girls xx

Sharon commented on 13-Feb-2011 10:24 PM

I have just discovered your website - through Kate Conklin's project in the latest Homespun and have added you to my favourites on my first visit!! So gorgeous and original and have signed up for your newsletter along with my wishlist!! Very exciting!!

Leah Clark-Vial commented on 14-Feb-2011 11:01 AM

When in doubt, ALWAYS add glitter! But seriously, I love how pretty this fabric and yet so Australian (typically our landscape doesn't really do 'pretty'.)

Kylie commented on 14-Feb-2011 01:36 PM

Priceless, It looks great glitterless and all.

Marni Franks commented on 14-Feb-2011 04:27 PM

The glitter factor!

Rachael commented on 15-Feb-2011 07:17 PM

That is so sweet! You can never have too much glitter!

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Magical Lands for a magical gift

Saffron Craig - Friday, February 11, 2011

It has taken me a while to blog about the funds raised for the Queensland floods, for which the crafting community standing under the "pink umbrella" raised a whopping $99,089. How cool is that.

Elizabeth generously donated $500.00 for the Owl Nesting Quilt I auctioned for the cause, thanks Elizabeth! This is a picture of her store where it will soon live. I have been waiting for her to email me with her address and just learned she, being the lovely person that she is, had to help her daughter out and only arrived back at her shop a day or so ago. It's underway now!

We also raised $220.00 through our face book page with selling scrap packs on the shop now tab. So in total I managed to steer $720 towards the Flood Relief. Big thanks to everyone who contributed.

Ah yes, the magical gift.
Toni Coward from Make it Perfect and her sister Carli did a fab job getting this happening and asking people to join in to raise money for the flood auctions. All that book work, spread sheets and the 500 plus emails - jeez louise.

Amelia thought they deserved a special gift so she emailed me asking for Toni's favorite fabrics and in the too-ing and fro-ing my Magical Lands arrived. Yay, perfect. We both thought Toni might like them so I posted her the very first pieces for her and her sister Kate Conklin to play with; and play they did.

So as a thank-you gift for Toni and Carli they made these two absolutely wonderful cushions from the new Magical Lands fabric. How nice is that?

Saffron Craig Magical Lands cushion detail

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3 comments

Carli commented on 11-Feb-2011 03:09 PM

They are magical indeed, what a wonderful new range Saffron. Thank you!

Toni Coward commented on 11-Feb-2011 04:42 PM

Thank YOU Saffron for your hard work and effort!
And for producing the most amazing fabric ever - all the time :)

Rachael commented on 11-Feb-2011 09:38 PM

What stunning pillows and great photo of them on the park bench. Well done on raising so much money for the Queensland flood fund!!

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Goodie my Magical Lands fabrics are here

Saffron Craig - Wednesday, February 09, 2011

My Magical Lands fabrics have just arrived! We had 4 meters from the bolts flown in 2 weeks ago, which I have been playing with, cutting up and sewing and they are gorgeous.

Yesterday we added the fabrics to our online shop. We also have 50cm bundles and one meter bundles for you to enjoy.

They are delicious with colours such as raspberry, Sky blue, Ming green and milky green. I am full of ideas and looking forward to photographing them and am ooh so keen to do some more sewing. My living room needs a new make over. So a few cushions are on the cutting table. By the way, I'm thinking of adding cushions to our shop.

What will you make with them?

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6 comments

Rachael commented on 09-Feb-2011 08:18 PM

I just love Magical Lands!!! The colours are sublime! First thing to make is a quilt! Then I might attempt a skirt out of Tree Pods. and now that I've seen the photo of the skirt in Snowy Woods, I might be tempted by that too.

Joan commented on 10-Feb-2011 10:33 AM

These are just wonderful and I love that you reprinted the Ginkgo Blossoms to match. I'd like to style an entire room with these fabrics!

Eglantine commented on 10-Feb-2011 10:51 AM

They remind me of happiness and of Sally Morgan's paintings and the dessert. Just lovely. I will buy a cushion from you.

Toni Coward commented on 10-Feb-2011 07:54 PM

GORGEOUS!
What to make with them....I LOVE the green ginko :)
x

Colette Darling commented on 11-Feb-2011 01:18 AM

This is the most FANTASTIC fabric collection ever! Can't wait to order a stack of the Magical Lands and make a quilt of it!

Live a Colorful Life commented on 11-Feb-2011 09:23 AM

I believe I will make whatever Kate Conklin is making! :)

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What is on my desk top.

Saffron Craig - Monday, February 07, 2011

Today I am starting the day with a cup of Earl Grey tea. I want to shout yippie I got time, I can breathe. I covered my 2011 planner with my new Magic Trees fabric—more on that later this week—and added my first to do list. Mmmhmm I know it is already February. I am going to crack on with it.

This is what my desk top holds this morning:
A pin cushion from the wonderful Sewing on the Edge where you can get them from.
Magical Lands post card which I pop into all the new orders (if you want one gotta order some fabric ;).
A envelope full of sparkles, beads and sequins for my two year old nephew Okie who's into treasures.
Threads.
iMac.

What is on your desktop right now?

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5 comments

Kirstin Bokor commented on 07-Feb-2011 11:34 AM

I am ashamed - my desktop is so messy that I have my laptop on the dining table. On my desk are:
3 months worth of filing, an art deco lamp, CDS, blank Cds, telephone, glass paper weights (I just ran in to see what else was there and yay I finally found the bag for dirty cloth nappies - what was it doing there?), a vase, LOTS of pens in a vintage milk jug, and my map of Paris filing envelopes (that were supposed to make me a very tidy person). Oh and my PC - which we can't get to, to use. ha.

Kelli Hynes commented on 07-Feb-2011 01:50 PM

Half full intray, half full outtray, stapler, stamps, coke zero and assorted officy stuff. OOh I do have a softie of a little house I made out of a softie book, he is gorgeous and has a big smile :)

elsa hart commented on 08-Feb-2011 02:56 AM

your desk top looks really lovely. If I had to take a photo of my desk top right now, it wouldn't look near as nice as yours. I'm always straightening it up, but it always looks like it does.

Rani Fisher commented on 08-Feb-2011 06:58 PM

Oooh today my desk is an action location! I just finished making my first quilt (with Saffron Craig fabrics of course) so there is thread, pins, sewing machine etc. Hidden under the scraps of fabric is a pile of bills to pay, a calendar, pen and notepad. There is also a dragon carrot from our garden that I need to photograph for my husband's blog next to our laptop and camera needed to complete the task.

Roberta Easton commented on 09-Feb-2011 07:44 AM

You have definately inspired me to tidy my work space. I don't even have room for a cup of tea.

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Paper cut outs.

Saffron Craig - Monday, February 07, 2011

While I was tiding up my dresser today I remembered these. My friend Sam bought a book full of these as a gift for my daughter from The Tate Modern gift shop in London. It brought back memories of us wandering around in dark rooms full of Rothko's, bright bold Henri Matisse's, eating in Italian restaurants with Sam and made me long to go shoe shopping.

My husband cut out each cardboard shape, methodically gluing them together last winter in front of the heater. I have searched everywhere for more but none are quite as charming as these.

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Summer holidays and starting school

Saffron Craig - Saturday, February 05, 2011

Summer was so amazing for us, we visited Margaret River in WA and the South Coast of NSW. We swam, went bush walking, just going with the flow each day. Sigh...just lovely.

My little one started school this week. I had to come to terms with her growing up and no longer being around me twentyfourseven. I must admit it has made me sad all week. No matter which way I look at it we both have to adjust to the change. You know, letting go, still not the easiest thing for me to do.

The first day of school, what a momentous occasion in a mother's life. My little one chose the clothes for me to wear on the big day. She even chose my knickers. Then she said "Mum you can choose mine now!" I held up her dress and silently we looked at each other then at the dress, the uniform she will be wearing every day. That made me sad too. Tried not to show it. Not much creativity there, but I know it is practical. I met some of the 135 mums who have Kindergarten children and felt... tried not to show it. Quite a few of us wore big dark sunglasses to hide those feelings.

On the upside I have lots more time now and my list of things to do is long. So there is the plus of having my brain all to myself. However, I will have to step back and watch my little one, see how she changes with the pressures of school. Be positive, start enjoying it I say to myself. This new stage is to be embraced.

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6 comments

Ros commented on 05-Feb-2011 10:51 AM

Bless her. I hope she has a fabulous year in kindy. I was involved with our new kindies starting, one child cried. The parents? A whole other story.

Toni Coward commented on 05-Feb-2011 01:25 PM

SO beautiful Saffron. She looks just adorable.
And super cute that you chose each others clothes.
Hope you adjust quickly
xxx

Frockfarie commented on 05-Feb-2011 07:18 PM

Oh I still remember that first day. She looked just like your little one, brand new dress, bag and hat. It goes so quickly, my daughter just started class 3. Hope she had a good first day.

Bec commented on 05-Feb-2011 11:24 PM

Hi Saffron, I remember when Tan went, Trav had to take him every morning for 2 weeks... While I would pack him up with a smile on my face and once he was out the door... I cried and cried!! It is really difficult handing your precious baby over for someone else to influence/ teach. Holidays are the best part of kids at school!! And sooooo much sewing to do... What's next on your to do list?? Hope to catch up soon, when's the next craft show we canto to?? Xxx cute pic BTW!! Xxx

Sequana commented on 06-Feb-2011 01:45 AM

You know, the only time I remember actually crying was when my first son went off to college. When they were little and started school, there were always a couple more still home. (I have four)

Seeing that pic up there makes me sad too. My gosh, talk about no creativity...:(

Kirstin Bokor commented on 07-Feb-2011 11:41 AM

Creativity is born from the imagination - Sequoia will continue to develop her own imagination to take her flights of fancy with her where ever she goes. She is such a special little girl, she is just as likely to come up with her usual mad capped ideas in a boring school uniform as in anything else. At least in a uniform neither of you will care abut the state of it.

How exciting to see the little-big girl she's growing into. It seems like only yesterday when I came to the hospital and held your few hours old baby - bunny- girl. And you know what? she captivates my heart as much now as then. You are a great mum - and you must let yourself be proud - you have raised this gorgeous and brave child who is ready for this next adventure. What an excellent job!

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Photos of an interior with the Beetle Bugs fabrics

Saffron Craig - Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Part of the creative process for me once I have finished designing a range of fabrics is to photograph them. As it is fairly limitless what you can do with fabrics setting up a photo shoot is very creative and fun. For the Beetle Bugs I had an interior kid's room setting with donah cover, pillows and wall art in mind.

I am really lucky to be friends with a super stylish french lady called Eglantine who runs an interior design business and imports beautiful hand made items from around the world. The room in these pictures is her son Matisse's.

As I've confided in an earlier post Matisse provided the original inspiration in creating this range, his love for bugs and detail inspired me to start sketching bugs and snails. So it is lovely I was able to photograph my hand made pieces in his beautiful room.

And hopefully the photos will give you a few ideas how wonderful these fabrics work in a boy's room... The Beetle Bugs are available here.

If you are interested in Photography you might like photojojo as it has great tutorials. It certainly helped me take these pictures.

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4 comments

Sandy Norman commented on 02-Feb-2011 08:26 PM

Wow I just LOVE the lady bettles.... so cute. I love the colours.

Sandyn

Trina commented on 02-Feb-2011 08:37 PM

I am a so inspired by these pictures I have a five year old son and this is how I wish his room to look. I will be shopping soon!

Imogen Worden commented on 02-Feb-2011 10:11 PM

Your bishy bees are lovely!!!!!

Kelli Hynes commented on 02-Feb-2011 10:39 PM

OH SAFFRON, where were you 14 years ago? My little boy is 19 now, but I think I will try and sneak in some beetle bug fabric into his room :P There is always hope for a grandkiddie boy or girl!!

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The Quilts made by you.

Saffron Craig - Thursday, January 27, 2011

Then I must say the quilt people make with my fabrics is very humbling.

This came as a surprise to me I found these in Flikr. well this is one page.. I solemnly promise to spend more than five minutes a month on Flikr.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to support me.

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New Quilt Kit - Fairy Tree as seen in the Australian Quilters Companion

Saffron Craig - Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Fairy Tree quilt was inspired by a childhood of fairy tales—especially Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree—and was designed for my daughter. To my great excitement the quilt is featured in the current Australian Quilters Companion, Volume 10 Number 1, page102. This edition also has a few great giveaways, amongst them two of my fabric bundles. And if that's not enough it also features a lovely quilt by the talented Bec from Chasing Cottons. So, a few very good reasons to buy the magazine I think.

And big thanks to the editor Claire Mooney for all her support, it's a lovely feature and I'm very grateful that my work is shown in such a great publication.

It all started when I wanted to have a small paper piecing project that I could make in front of TV at night. It slowly grew into this single bed sized quilt for my daughter, who really loves it as there's lots to look at and I get to enjoy it as I walk past her room, which is pretty much every time I go anywhere in the house!

As I'm writing this though it is the roof of a cubby house taking up the entire lounge room, full of toy cars and my snoring husband. Cute.

Perhaps you remember I blogged about the process of making the Fairy Tree quilt a few months back. It was a real challenge to design it as it kept on growing and getting harder and harder, but I wouldn't change anything now. Knowing when to stop isn't always easy and like any artwork it can easily be overworked.

You can purchase the kit to make a replica of this quilt here.

The kit includes all the fabrics, the magazine featuring the pattern with full colour instructions and binding and is sold for $125.00. The backing is an additional $77.00. As I have almost sold out of the Fantastic Fairy range so there are only 10 kits available.

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4 comments

Kate Conklin commented on 20-Jan-2011 08:23 AM

Congratulations on a fantastic quilt in a great publication! I got my copy yesterday and was so thrilled to see your quilt in it as well as Becky's.

Kelli Hynes commented on 20-Jan-2011 02:47 PM

Well done sweetie, your Mum must be proud! I am going out now to see if I can find the magazine, I have made one of your quilts, look forward to the second.

Kirsten commented on 21-Jan-2011 08:11 AM

Beautiful quilt!! The Faraway Tree was one of my favourite books when I was young too:)

Amelia Sliedrecht commented on 25-Jan-2011 04:41 PM

Congratulations Saffron, it's a beautiful quilt! I got my copy yesterday :)