Leanne's House

Coming Soon...

Could it be possible? Mother Nature is planning Spring?

 
It sure doesn't feel like it with frosty Winter mornings and fog all day today. Perfect weather for stitching though!

Leanne Beasley xxx

P.S. 37 days until Spring here!

Stitching Stitching Stitching...

Like many of you out there, I have been enjoying myself with lots of stitching on my Vignette In Stitches Quilt:

 
I am really enjoying late nights full of stitching. There's something nice about being up late working away when everyone else is tucked up sleeping and you have the house to yourself (and the t.v.!) and your stitching:

 
I have received quite a few emails regarding piecing your blocks together and then tracing the stitchery on (as per how I have written the pattern in Vignette) or if it's okay to trace first and then piece and stitch, or trace and stitch and then piece. Let me say that any which way that suits you, and you are comfortable with, is completely okay.

In the above photo you can see I have pieced a few of the small pieces of fabric and then, using the seam (on the right in the photo) and the 1/4" seam lines on the paper as a guide, traced on the stitchery design. I also do this on most small pieces:

 
Then, once I have these all done and the block totally pieced together, I trace on the long floral border. The reason for this is so that I can be really accurate with my tracing. Of course I use a permanent pen for tracing, which leaves me no room for error or adjustment. If you use an erasable pen (of whatever description) you can be a lot more flexible.

 
The reason that I advise against tracing and stitching before cutting and piecing, is only for accuracy of where the stitchery ends up. So if you are really confident I think it's okay to do the stitchery and then piece, but personally, I'm never that confident. What can happen is this:

 
Something like the butterfly wing (top right) gets caught up in the seam. Now don't worry if this does happen because I can assure you that with as much stitchery as is in this quilt no-one will ever notice something like this but you!

I hope this helps answer a few questions out there; and please remember that you can always use any technique you like that you enjoy, my patterns are a guide and a starting point for your own creations!

Enjoy!

Leanne Beasley xxx

I'm Back!!!

Woo Hoo! After HUGE problems with my computer last week (virus!) and Melly helping me restore everything (what would I do without her?) I still couldn't manage a post. Well, after spending hours and hours trying to work out what I'd done, a five minute email to Typepad solved all my problems. They responded so quickly and I am now back on deck!!!:

 
A 'real' post will follow shortly!!!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Kind of Distracted....

I have a big notice board in my studio divided into days of the week. Sunday night I plan my week ahead and then attempt to stick to each day's plan. Today I got distracted. Good distracted. Playing with designs for our Vietnam trip! I find with design you just have to put everything else aside when the inspiration hits!

 
And for those of you who asked if I could do a travel journal with you, let me just say, "Look what arrived."

 

I hope those of you booked in are just as excited as I am about our upcoming trip. It's going to be great to have so much time to work on our projects and have lots of time together to stitch and cut and paste and do whichever projects you select to do. We will be working at whatever pace you like, so if you want to achieve lots of projects you can , or if you simply want to sit by the pool and do a few stitches you can.

 
So get your passports ready as we have been very busy inventing those cocktails and mockatils for you! There's been things flying around our kitchens like vodka, ginger, fresh lemongrass, lime juice, mint, etc.... We have some great combinations so if any of you have ideas for names for our inventions that would be appreciated!

 

We still have a couple of twin share and single rooms left so if you would like to join us in October, or for further details, simply click on the button on the right hand column for all the information. You will find pricing and all other booking details on the last few pages of the itinerary. There is still time to do the payment plan if you like.

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Urban Stitches

Melly, Rosalie and I are so pleased to be able to finally announce the details of our new look retreat, run in partnership with Under The Mulberry Tree for Spring 2011!

We have listened to your feedback and decided to make this year's retreat so much more accessible for those of you that are traveling from country VIC, interstate and overseas.  The Novotel is perfectly located close to the train station in Glen Waverley, with great value accommodation packages and is located right on the doorstep of great dining, entertainment and shopping.

Registrations are now open for Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of September 2011, so please click on the "Urban Stitches" link in the right side bar for a copy of the flyer and registration form. Registrations can also be made online here to secure your spot immediately!

We hope you will join us for an amazing day of stitching, to two!!

Leanne

Vignette at Foothills Fabric and Threads...

Each time a new issue of Vignette comes out we have a gathering at 'Foothills Fabric and Threads'. It's a great chance for the ladies to visit the shop, pick up the latest issue, see what's new in store, enjoy some stitching stories and show and tell, and to enjoy each other's company for the day:

Christine is the hexagon queen (her hubby is the hexagon king for fussy cutting). She spent lots of time whipping up some amazing hexagon flowers for her version of 'The Hexagon Quilt' (issue 2 & 3 of Vignette). We all oooohhheed and aaaahhhhed over her magoos:

 

There were some amazing versions of the 'Vignette in Stitches' quilt that are being made. I adore this colourway by Dee:

 
And this one by Di. You may notice that Di has altered the border, replacing the Shoo Fly blocks in my version with strips of delicious fabrics instead. This is such a bright and happy version with inspiring fabrics and embroidery threads too:

 
There was an 'eat and keep stitching break' for lunch! Sandra (one of the store owners) made the Chicken Soup from the issue and it was delicious!:

 
We also got to have a peek at Sandra's version of my 'Down In The Garden' Block of the Month quilt:

 
Sandra decided not to put in the words that I had in the centre of the quilt, but to hand quilt instead, cross hatching. I love it:

 
There was lots of show and tell, including Karen's - 'Precious Things', one of my patterns:

 
We just had a great day together but, as usual, it seemed to go too quickly:

 
Can't wait for next time!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

 

Urban Stitches Melbourne...

I am so excited to be able to announce something new and exciting from Leanne's House, Rosalie Quinlan Designs, and Melly and Me, and Under The Mulberry Tree: Urban Stitches Melbourne!!!!!:

 
Urban Stitches Melbourne will be held on Saturday the 17th of Septmeber 2011 and on Sunday the 18th of September, at The Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley. Each day is an individual retreat in itself, or for those of you travelling (or simply wanting to spoil yourself) you may like to come for two days:

 
The Novotel have put together some fantastic accommodation packages. You can choose from a one night package OR a two night package, at a very special price, if you require accommodation (or if you require some girly indulgence!):

 
We have carefully selected this venue (after months of looking!!!!) for a number of reasons, including the possiblities for you. It is easily accessible from the airport if you wish to fly in, it is located right amongst one of best shopping and entertainment areas, and it is also in walking distance from the train station. So you could stay for the weekend and have a day of stitching and indulgence as well as enjoying the cinemas, restaurants, and great shopping, all in walking distance!

 
We have also been able to keep our pricing at last year's prices for you. To attend one day will be $180.00 over 3 installents, or $170.00 if you pay in full on booking. This price is for the retreat only (including all our usual goodies: fully kitted projects, tea and coffee on arrival, morning and afternoon teas, a delicious gourmet lunch in the restaurant which will be closed to the public, and all tution) and we will be notifying you of accommodation packages available when you register:

 
Bookings will open on the 1st of July 2011 at 9am through 'Under The Mulberry Tree'. The reason we are doing it this way is so that everyone is given a fair opportunity with bookings. If you are not on the mailing list (or not sure if you are) please register your details by emailing info@underthemulberrytree.com . Simply give your name, email address, and snail mail address. We are attempting to contact most of you via email, as this is so instant, and means less of a chance of missing out on a spot. If your only way of being contacted is via snail mail please state so.

Erica, Rosie, Melly and I, are just so excited about this event and hope to see you there.

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Would You Like Pepper With Your Sushi Roll?...

Firstly, THANKYOU!!! Thimbleanna for letting me in on the 'kittens EAT thread' tip. Read it and at once went and removed the BIG needle with perle cotton from the arm of my couch where I have been hand quilting! Thanks to all of you for your good wishes for our little cat, 'Pepper':

 

I am so thrilled that so many of you out there are taking part in the 'Hexagon Quilt' in Vignette (issues 2 and 3). To those of you asking about using Rosie's 'Sweet Broderie' range of fabric I have a really nice solution, the sushi roll:

 

There are only a very limited number of these available and you can get yours from your local patchwork store if they have them in stock, or at www.underthemulberrytree.com . Allow a few days delivery as extra rolls have just become available (because so many of you wanted them!):

 
With a 7cm (almost 3") wide cut they are super useful, but particularly good for hexagons!

Back soon,

Leanne Beasley

P.S. I have so much to blog but am struggling to keep up at the moment, so PLEASE bear with me!! (You will be pleased when you see Issue 4 of Vignette that I have been working so hard)!

 

A New Family Member...

Okay. I admit it. I'm weak. I buckled. Perhaps you know the pressure, it goes something like, "Pllleeeassse Mummy. I'll look after it. Look how cute she is." :

 
Well I too was smitten until this:

 
Things are going to have to change around here. I forgot just how active (and curious) a kitten is. Lucky this was the end of my project and I'd finished with these threads!

Leanne Beasley xxx

 

Winners! (and Heading to Cairns and Townsville!!!)...

Hi everyone! Thanks to each and every one of you who left a comment for the giveaway, I really appreciate all the lovely things that you had to say, and especially hearing how much you have all been enjoying Vignette.

The winners are: Michelle (briarose70), Irene Ekeberg, Shannon (shannonbrown277), Jo Griffiths, Trudy, Sewgirly, Leisa, Doreen B, Asa Holmer, and Darlene Staley. I have emailed each of your personally requesting your snail mail to put your copy of Issue 3 of Vignette in the post box:

 
For those of you that have asked about the front cover (yes, there are HUNDREDS of photos and frantic moments over the front cover) I will answer some of your questions here:

 
The bird's nest on the cover was found in my garden and it was old and disused and on the ground. It was actually under the hydrangeas and had tiny bits of hydrangeas woven into it. The eggs ARE NOT real. They are wonderful copies and are on sale at Bed Bath and Table (they also come in pale yellow and pink!). The feathers are cockatoo feathers also found in my garden.

 
The perfectly lucious red dahlias are from my garden, and are my pride and joy. They are 'Bishop of LLandaff' Dahlias. Somehow I get them to flower from about December to March and I adore them. They have a dark, almost black foliage, and strike a stunning display from my kitchen window.

But, most excitingly, I am about to head to two of my favourite places in my beautiful Australia to come and meet with many of you:

 

This coming weekend I am travelling to Cairns, to teach at the retreat at the lovely Novotel Oasis in Cairns, for Kate and Alison from Buttontree Quilts and Colleen from Sewing Essentials. It will be a one day retreat and there are still just a few places left so click on the underlined link for more details if you'd like to join us. I hope that if you are coming along you will have some photo tips for me while visiting beautiful Far North Queensland (as I have a two day photo shoot to do too!!!)

 
The two photos above are from Townsville where I was fortunate enough to teach last June (note to self: still reading that book on the deck chair - need to do more reading). I will be returning to Townsville, along with Rosalie Quinlan and Melanie Hurlston during the last weekend in July, so stay tuned for more details.

Off to do some washing (and find that book I was reading....)

Leanne Beasley xxxx

P.S. We still have some places left for our Vietnam trip in late October so if you'd like to join us click on the button top right for a full itinerary. Many of you have asked if you can bring a non sewing friend - yes you can, and a discount applies.

P.P.S. For those of you waiting for details of our Immerse retreat - we haven't been able to secure any of the dates we need for this year so we are looking at different venues and will keep you up to date.