Ella and Skysie Designs

Pastimes Online...boutique for quilters

Hi Everyone, I'm Valerie from www.PastimesOnline.ca ...a boutique for Quilters.  Thanks to Ella and Skysie for inviting me to post on their blog to show off our newest block of the month; Sewing Machines. Yes, by Ella and Skysie.

This special block of the month comes complete with the cutest little history on each machine and our setting is slightly different in washed out, Serenity fabrics along with gorgeous dupioni silk. If you've never worked with dupioni silk before, why not give it a try?

 

If you choose to join our block of the months, you're in for a real treat as we include everything you need to get started, all cottons, all silks, all fuse, all pins, needles, patterns, step by step tutorials each month, AND Weeks Dye Works hand-dye floss to get you started! We also offer prizes each month if your block is finished on time!!

We offer finishing kits at the end!

Sneak-peak: Month 1, Mueller 15

Sneak-Peak: Month 2, La Favourite

Sneak-Peak: Month 3, Magician

Sneak-Peak: first 3 months, I'm in LOVE...

These just stitch up so quickly and fun using mostly the backstitch with the cutest little french knot and possibly a stem stitch if you like ;) Also, the BEST part is they come with iron-on transfers so no tracing!

Thanks so much for your time and if you feel so inclined, stop by and check out my blog: Val's Quilting and leave me a comment with YOUR blog link enclosed and that you found me here :)

We also have a quarterly NewsLetter, The Times bringing you blog highlights, tips and tricks, guests, new goodies and sew much more!

Until next time, stay happy and creative,

Killer heels at AQM

A beautiful version of killer heels by 'Seriously Crazy' 0428 787 623 the mobile bus quilt shop. Marg brought her finished sample to show me at the Melbourne aqm trade show and it attracted quite a bit of attention for its bling.

The bus will be traveling around Victoria and NSW for the summer months so contact them to visit your quilting group. They have a wonderful range of patterns and fabrics.
Marg sewed and glued Sparkling diamanté, jeweled hair clips, odd ear rings, gold and silver buttons. Wow she had fun. So now I have to raid the odds and ends box and go blinging.

French mannequin

Finished this gorgeous red and black appliqué and stitchery quilt in time for the Brisbane retail quilt show. Fifisfabricology has the fabric kits complete with the red Eiffel tower fabric which I strategically fussy cut for a long ball gown.
12 dresses and 4 different mannequins.
So much fun and quick, lets you be a designer and place some bling on the mannequins. Eg necklaces, belts, frills, lace to suit the personality of the quilt recipient.
Now on to the must have handbags for the annual trade show in Melbourne at the end of November.

Black cat misses black dog

Thankyou for all those heartfelt messages about Bruno the black dog. It meant so much.
Our little stray black cat also misses the great clumsy giant. A bad photo I know but here she is sleeping outside his space, something she never did before.

Apparently black animals are not as popular to adopt and there is a society created to encourage this in animal refuges. And they are difficult to photograph.



Talking of black, I found this wonderful polka dot teacup at IGA for $3 probably a soupmug. I have my extra large never ending teacup that I always wished for.
Next freebie is a teacup standby for this space.

Bruno

Had a tough couple of weeks hoping that our big lovable boy would survive a stroke, but finally had to say goodbye. Here he is in his favourite spot riding in the old landcruiser.

Latest pom gift

Including a kaffe fasset fabric tea related brooch with pom and bom mailouts.
Most Quilters know and cherish his wild fabrics, these are a limited edition run and no two are alike.
Great to keep or give to a friend.

The fabrics came from here and the brooch maker. Just a little reward for those patient embroiders.

So watch for the mailman. Back to packing the presents.

Danish BOM

This gorgeous Danish Quilting shop is offering my Vintage Miniature Sewing Machines as a Block of the month from the beginning of June. An ideal way to spend the European summer months.

Isn't the shop front cute.

Tone on tone browns and beiges.

 http://www.stjernestoffer.dk/

Bear Rose Garden by Tocoda Pierotti in W.A.

Bear Rose Garden by 12 year old Tocoda Pierotti from Western Australia. A beautiful stitched version of Bear Rose Garden by a very clever and hardworking young embroiderer. Imagine what she will be doing in her twenties, international teaching and more. Next on her to do list is my Farmyard Animals and the Beary Rosy quilts, these are easy peasy compared to her first.

Keep up the good work and keep us posted with your progress.

April/May Freebie

Back into the stitching again with a sweet little singing blackbird reminiscent of those vintage storybook illustrations. Great little gift idea for both the young or old at heart. I would like to do a quilt themed with more singing birds and cages. hmmm

Only available with orders from Ella & Skysie Designs. POM & BOM subscribers will receive it around mid-May.

Blackbirds and cleanups

The day after Brisbane Craft Expo had a massive garden cleanup. 3 trips with garden scraps another 3 with old beds and monitors etc since my son has turned the promised sewing studio into a gym. One day the lounge and dining room will return to it's original purpose.

I listen with envy to the wonderful stories about purpose built sewing retreat rooms that many of my fellow stitcheries have.



April freebie "blackbird". I know it was supposed to be for March but I had many requests the Bear . So now nobody has missed out.