Red Brolly

Photographing your craft :: Creating a "blurry" background

2013-05-23T02:56:00+10:00

Have you been following my tips for taking great craft photos for the amateur? Remember, these are simple tips and tricks for the lil' ole crafter who needs to take some professional looking photos, for whatever reason that may be. If you'd like to read past posts, you can read them here. Today, we'll be looking at creating a "blurry" background. Yes, before I get a rush of emails from professional photographers...I know all about using the aperture and depth of field etc, BUT, remember these tips are for your everyday amateur photographer. If you'd like more professional photography tips...

Life:: If teacups could talk- Tea Etiquette 101

2013-05-22T05:33:00+10:00

Are you taking part in this year's Biggest Morning tea? The offical date is this Thursday and it's a fun way to raise funds for cancer research. I thought that if you're heading off to a morning tea, or even hosting one, you may like some etiquette tips for drinking tea. So welcome to your masterclass-Tea Etiquette 101....a basic introduction to drinking tea the "proper" way. When talking tea drinking, no one does it better than the English, and you know what a huge Downton Abbey fan I am. Traditionally tea would be served in the afternoon, at 4 o'clock,...

Le Jardin Quilt.

2013-05-18T17:57:59+10:00

This is a photo of me looking out the window of my office through the clematis that's happily enjoying the sunshine.You can just see me if you look through the hole in the clematis to where the window is. See- I'm waving! Behind the venetian blinds. Sadly the garden doesn't look like that at the moment- the clematis has gone into hiding for the winter. But luckily there's the Girls Own Stitching Club with it's embroidered flower samplers to keep the spring memories happening. I've been madly sewing the first sampler we did into a block and written the instructions,...

Make:: DIY Felt Hydrangeas

2013-05-14T06:03:49+10:00

Feel like making something crafty? I was discussing the other day on facebok how lovely hydrangeas are. I think my favourites are the pretty vanilla cream ones with tinges of pinks on the tips, though I do like those green tinged ones too. My mother has them growing along her driveway, and when in ful bloom they look so pretty. So today's craft project is how to make some pretty felt hydrangeas. I made mine into wall art, but you could make a cushion covered in hydrangeas, or a brooch, a hair clip or bag button. felt- one larger piece...

Life:: Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-12T05:00:00+10:00

To all the Mother's....Happy Mother's Day. Hope you all have a lovely day. I have a special day organised and hope you do too. S.J.V.H has decorated her sideboard as a tribute to her Mother- in her Mother's favourite colours none the less! Purple and Yellow! I leave you with her gorgeous sideboard, but see you tomorrow for more stitching. See the photo on the sideboard?...that's her mother. She may look a little familiar to you. She was the little Pears soap girl and appeared on all their soap boxes of the time. S.J.V.H also has a french connection, whilst...

The Wise woman of stitching :: Lucy Boston quilt

2013-05-10T06:51:19+10:00

Remember yesterday I told you I was going to show you some of the Wise Woman's quilt she is currently working on? It's going to be amazing when she's finished. Cynthia is working on a Lucy Boston -Patchwork of the crosses quilt...all English paper piecing...lots of fussy cutting! Lucy Boston was a famous English author, most famous for her " Green Knowe" children's series. She was born in England in 1892, and over her long life time, she designed and made over 20 amazing patchwork quilts. Her house, near Cambridge, was built in the 1130's and is the oldest continuously...

News :: Nantes "Pour L'Amour du Fil".

2013-05-09T07:48:04+10:00

Bonjour- tous mes amis en France! Since we've been talking about all things French on the blog I thought that I would bring you some lovely eye-candy photos and inspiration from the latest quilt show in Nantes, France- "Pour l'amour du fil" (For the Love of Thread). It's held at the end of April each year and has just celebrated it's 5th year. One of the most exciting and intruiging things for me at the show was the 150th year celebration of the "Dear Jane" quilt. It's the first time the "Dear Jane" quilt has left it's home in the...

The Girls Own Stitching Club and Homespun Magazine Winners.

2013-05-08T17:15:29+10:00

For the Girls Own Stitching Club prize: the A-Z of Embroidery Stitches: I absolutely loved everyone's entries! It's been a most enjoyable read going through all those entries- it's given the judges a really good laugh. For some of those entries- I'm dying to know what happened next! It's a bit like reading a good novel. Here are the Judges picks: SJVH- has chosen Paula McElrath,(macandpeeg@yahoo.com) because she would've loved to have had an invite to a Royal Wedding herself- (and has a special collection of hats- just in case an invitation arrives unexpectedly in the mail) and really enjoyed...

Eat:: French Vanilla Custard Tartlets

2013-05-06T10:02:24+10:00

Go to any pattisserie in France and you'll be bombarded with a window full of amazing cakes, flans, croissants, danishes, and fruit tarts. They look so delicious you just can't simply stop at one. You just have to sit in the cafe window, sip on some coffee, nibble on one of these little delicacies and watch the French street life pass you by. I decided to make mine without the traditional fruit on the top, but it would be very easy for you to just add some raspberries or blueberries on top of the custard. These traditional French tarts look...

The Last Rose of Summer

2013-05-05T12:20:39+10:00

Here's a peek at the prizes! This is the NEW LOOK Homespun Magazine! Isn't it Gorgeous? And I have FIVE copies to give away- courtesy of Homespun Magazine! Anyone can enter- I will post anywhere in the world. Here's some peeks inside. . . A gorgeous embroidered cushion designed by the fabulous Charlotte Lyons of international fame. A rather cute Pinafore for a four to six year old girl. And of course the next block in my "It's Time for Christmas Quilt" (which goes fabulously well with with the "Wish Quilt" - or a feature by itself). There is also...