Saffrons Blog

We had many an adventure, the time away has helped me to feel alive and refreshed.

A section of the Cape to Cape walk. 

Figs growing on the tree outside our Bed and Breakfast. 

Figs picked and eaten.

Huge stingrays let us run our fingers down their satin backs, returning again and again tickling my toes.

This one was nearly 3 meters wide with eyes the size of an orange. 

 The stingrays were such a highlight for me. Next up for me is to go diving with them.

This is the Bed and breakfast we stayed in. If you are heading down to Margaret River I  thoroughly recommend it as it is just perfect. Email the host Yvette and she will get back to you.

Benji - The Margaret River Guide commented on 31-Jan-2012 06:58 PM

They are huge sting rays, must have been Hamelin Bay. Thanks for sharing your Margaret River Bed and Breakfast with us, this is one of a handful of stunning places to stay, I have just met with Jo and James from llewellins guest house and Jane and Keith
from Rosewood Guest House, both very nice but very different. Something for everyone in Margaret River.

Here is the second quilt I have made with Magical Lands in red. It is a half square quilt. I am a tad obsessed with triangles at the moment.

The thing with half square triangles is that there really is an infinite way to put them together into a quilt, don't you think?

I played for hours shuffling the squares around on my design wall until I decided I better start sewing the rows together or I would go slowly mad.I kept the darker fabrics to the outer diagonals and the softer tones to the centre.

The Magical Lands in red are so delicate in this quilt compared to the last quilt I made. It's nice to see how it comes together. It's sure to make me a better designer.

This is the first quilt I made which is a lot bolder than the half squares quilt.

 What do you prefer, squares or triangles? (sounds a bit like a question from Sesame Street...)

deb commented on 07-Jan-2012 10:20 AM

Triangles!

Tara commented on 10-Jan-2012 09:51 PM

I like the squares. I love colours.

Jacinta Lovriha commented on 04-Feb-2012 10:34 PM

Squares all the way :)

Teaching my daughter to crochet brought back memories of my Nana and my mum and slip stitching balls of wool until I had the right tension to make something.

My first crotchet project was a cardigan for my little sister to wear to school, she begged me to finish it after I stopped. I had no idea how to shape the arm holes. Or I might have got bored. It was in soft brown wool with leather plated buttons. Sigh. 

For a very active kid my daughter surprisingly has the knack and patience. Though the pull of the iPad is stronger than the hook...

What hand making skills are you teaching the youngens?

Christmas was all about togetherness.

 

 

Christmas has flown by and I am only finding myself today. We celebrated an amazing day with my family, the best turkey ever (thanks Jamie) and my Mum's world's best trifle. Ah yes, there were also freshly shucked oysters, hand-made chocolate biscuits, honey glazed ham, Champagne, oooh it was all so yummy.

A first for me was the hand made ginger-bread house which Sequoia won in a raffle. It was made by Michele, a Mum at school, it delighted us all. I nabbed the Jaffas. I am a sucker for orange and chocolate. :)

How did you celebrate your Christmas this year?

Here is a sweet little story written and narrated by my 6 year old daughter and animated by my husband Patrick using my illustrations.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and feel free to share with your friends!

Diane commented on 23-Dec-2011 03:05 PM

Sooooo cute! I see you are not the only talented one in your house! Your daughter's narrative was great & your husband's animation knocked my socks off! Best wishes to all of you for the holidays.

Karen commented on 23-Dec-2011 03:30 PM

Truly gorgeous!

daphny commented on 24-Dec-2011 05:38 AM

sequioa dat is prachtig! liefs oma

Saffron Craig commented on 28-Dec-2011 12:39 PM

Thanks for the wonderful Christmas Present Patrick. We love it.

Mum commented on 11-Jan-2012 02:22 PM

Oh that is sensational Sequoia Patrick and Saffron

This Christmas I allowed myself the entire month to hand-make all my Christmas presents and it's going quite nicely.

I am enjoying it, which is the best part. I am loving the process of making and doing and wrapping and putting them all under the tree. In the past the whole Christmas shop experience has been so crazy and I find myself being overwhelmed with getting a car park, wrestling with the crowds let alone finding what I had in mind.

This year it has been so much more enjoyable for me.

Since my family doesn't read my blog I think I am fairly safe to share with you the gifts I have made. And if you're reading this Mum, stop now and don't tell my brother or sister.

If you feel inspired it's not too late to order some Magical fabrics in time for Christmas.

I hand-made quite a few of these oven mitts and sent them to friends in Switzerland. I guess they could use them to shovel some snow as well, hehe.

I enjoyed designing and making this Hobo shoulder bag. Mixing the natural linen with the Imaginary Flowers. The leather handle really finishes it off I think. Inside it has loads of small pockets for keys, iPhone, lipstick and treats. Sorry, forgot to take a pic.

I also made a few pot holders which take no time at all. And you can be as creative as you like. Bamboo batting is used in all the projects except for the bag.

 Are you enjoying getting ready for Christmas? How are your Christmas preparations going?

Susan commented on 22-Dec-2011 05:51 PM

Beautiful! I love the fabric you picked out.

Yesterday the school year finished. She is soon to be a first grader. My little one will be with me 24/7 until February.

Sequoia had a truly remarkable teacher this year. So many parents commenting she is the best teacher they have ever met. All the parents chipped in together to buy her a beautiful bracelet from Tiffany's, as beautiful as she is.

I wanted to show her a bit of extra love so I made her a half square patchwork cushion from my newly arrived Magical Lands fabrics, my own small way of saying thanks for making it a terrific year for us all. My daughter thrived under her care, allowing my her to be who she is and encourage her to grow. I only wish she would be her teacher next year.

Susy Trower commented on 18-Dec-2011 03:34 AM

Love, love, love! Can't wait to get my hands on Magical Lands when it arrives in the U.S.!!! Thank you so much for the Christmas Card pattern.

I might be a bit late for this one. I have had it ready for a while and then forgot to post it. As you do. The Magical Lands took up all my time, making quilts and other project I will be showing you over the next week. 

But here it is, my 2011 Christmas Card design which you can download and print for free to make some last minute cards.

If you don't have a printer you can print it out through any photo booth.

Once it is printed simply glue onto a card and it will look like this one. So please enjoy. It's from me to you.

I wish you all very Merry Christmas. Kisses to all of those who bought my fabric this year. It means the world to me.

More Wordless Wednesdays here. 

The Magical Lands in pink have arrived. Yippee. You can order your bundle here.

 

To show how beautiful this new range is I've made two quilts already.

I took the pictures at the really exciting Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. Easter Island has always held a fascination for me so I was thrilled to photograph it in front of these impressive sculptures. I loved making this quilt.

Big squares of fabrics, happy, bright and bold together. Isn't that the best quilt to have a summer picnic on?

This picture is taken along the coastal walk, where the cliffs are just so magnificent. And I had the magic quilt fairies help me holding it up...

Here's a detail of the quilt, showing its bright colours and detailed print.

The lavender sky in the Magical Lands just adds that touch of mystery to it.
The graphic Tree Pods are a real statement in any project. They balance the smaller, more detailed Squiggly Flowers and soft Dandelion Kisses.
The Snowy Woods design in red is now called Cherry Woods, as it reminds me of Cherry Blossoms whirling through the Spring breeze.

You can purchase the 50cm bundle through my online shop right here. And of course all the individual fabrics in 50cm increments.

I wonder what you think of the quilt? I am so excited to see what you all make with the fabrics.

embracingitall commented on 13-Dec-2011 12:11 PM

What a gorgeous quilt. It looks at home at the beach! Jacinta