Wildcraft Farm

FREE STITCHERY FEEDBACK ... so far

Okay ... WOW!!! So far I've had more than 1100 requests for the free stitchery pattern for this ...

Which is great fun here, as lots and lots of messages are being left in my inbox about how gorgeous you think it is.

A little bit of confusion, some think that it's a competition, but it's a true blue giveaway to all those who leave their email address.  So if you haven't requested your pattern yet, just check your email is attached (mainly talking about comments section on typepad, sometimes you can block your email address, and I have a few of those :(

Amongst all the emails there have been some lovely comments about other products in the Wildcraft Farm range, I know this ones a favourite

As some things go in and out of fashion, this has been a trailblazer in The Quilt Card Collection (the large size greeting card with the pattern inside) for a few years now, I think just about every store who stocks our products has had a great response, I've seen it pop up on flickr groups and highlighted on blogs ... love to see how you all interpret my designs.

Hope you get time for a cuppa break today ...... Janet xxx

(PS, as you start making up your Cup Sleeves, I would dearly love to see pics)

(PPS, promise to update you on life on Wildcraft Farm next week, it's Spring here and lots of changes going on - but tonight I'm off to a VERY SPECIAL night.  My friend Sue is hosting a "Girls Night In", will come back with fun stories and pics.  Lots of stores are joining in the fun idea, and I'm pleased to hear that this Kit In A Card is featuring heaps

and as a bonus I'm donating $1 from the sale of each card to the stores (that is, when they leave me to go to the stores), to The McGrath Foundation for Breast Cancer - lovely to hear many stores are piggy backing the idea.

 

 

 

Free Stitchery For Any Wildcraft Farm Follower

Hi Everyone .... as promised I have a giveaway, but with a difference.  I don't have just 3 patterns to give away, you don't have to stand on your head and take a pic for me (although that might be fun), it's something that I would love to share with everyone.

I actually designed it a few months ago, and it's been sitting half done in my stitching bag all this time, taunting me, pulling faces (I'm sure I didn't imagine it), and eventually screaming FINISH ME!!!!!

Work just got very busy, I've been very lucky to have had some very popular designs come out and the response has been so positive and welcoming that I thought it was time I give something back as a thank you.

So here it is ..... well actually here is one of them (WHAT, MORE??), I'm offering the final pattern in three styles.  All you have to do is email me via blog (or when you leave a comment I get a copy of your email address, so that's fine) or message me through my FACEBOOK page (just need to "like" first to do that).

You just need to advise which of the three designs you would like to have sent to you (via email) ..... but there is a catch .... I'm only offering this giveaway until Friday 28th October, 2011 (midnight Melbourne time).

A full colour page with everything you need to know (including pattern) will be forwarded to your inbox (sent out each evening from here).

You are more than welcome to share this offer with other fb or blog friends, in fact I'd love it, because later this week I have something very special to share with you, and as many people as possible who know about it will make a huge difference (not spilling the beans yet!!!).

Okay, best show you what I'm rabbitting on about ..... just imagine you are quietly sitting at home, at work (during break time) or at your local Internet Cafe - and then shock/horror/gasp someone interrupts you while you are reading your favourite stitching blogsite or facebook page!!!  Well now all you need to do is sit this beside your computer (while enjoying a yummy cuppa) and it should get the message across ....

This gorgeous CUP SLEEVE is easy to stitch and easy to make up, I've popped it on a large cup to show it will fit any cup size, including your favourite takeaways.

You have 3 options to choose from ...

I'm On A Facebook Break

I'm On A Blog Break

I'm On A Computer Break

So now you can show off your creativeness while embracing technology.  And I think you have plenty of time if you'd like to make up a few for Christmas gifts.

I really like the colour I have chosen for my sample (the blue thread reminds me of the facebook colour), and if you do too I've decided to offer a little kit so you will have everything on hand to get started (Linen, DMC threads, Red Felt, Blue/White Check Cotton, Buttons, Tie Band) - cost is just A$6.00 each for Australia orders and A$7.50 for Overseas orders ... including postage - all money from kits will go to our local Country Fire Authority (as we're about to enter Fire Season here, and we are in a high risk area).  You are not obliged to order a kit to obtain the pattern.

So please let me know which one you would like (ensure the email address you send request from is the same one you are happy to receive pattern on).

Wishing you a lovely day ...... Janet xxx

(PS - forgot to mention, as the sleeve is made up in felt, it also acts as a bit of an insulator, so your cuppa will stay warmer longer, and you'll have more time to enjoy your "break" before it gets cold).

 

Another New Stitchery ... For Charity

Well I promised you 3 new items this week, so here is the second.

Oh, but first I need to say an absolute huge HI to all the new visitors to my blog.  So lovely to meet you, I can see from all the traffic to loads of my old posts that you have been checking me out (LOL) - please feel free to come back and visit me here or at my facebook page, but the great thing about chatting in blogland is that I can talk a little longer here (have you already guessed that I talk a lot????).

I get inspired by many different things, and this little stitchery has had quite a life up to this point.  In fact if you browse back a few postings, she was instrumental in helping a lot of flood victims earlier this year.

Anyway, I'm skipping around here, back to her story.  My friend Dianne and I met when I was 18, she was 23.  She was a friend of my husbands and they were both in a community service group called Rotaract (if you've heard of Rotary, it is the 18-28 yr old version).  After I joined Rotaract we partied, we went camping, we laughed, we met our husbands to be, we became great friends .... we helped each other move into our new homes, we were eachother's shoulders to cry on when family passed away, she was my Matron Of Honour at my wedding .... but our history before that time was also so similar, we had both come from the UK in 1970 (me at 5, she at 10), we both stayed at the same location when we arrived in the country .... so I think you get the idea, we had a lot of history together.

Dianne had her babies early in her marriage (including a tragic loss of a baby at birth), while I waited 10 years to become a Mummy.  By then I had moved up to the same country town as her and she was amazing support during my pregnancy and with my new baby girl (Jessica and Dianne shared the same middle name "Grace").  And so life continued on ....

Until 5 years ago when I got the call that she had found a lump, 2 days later she had a full mastectomy.  I was on holiday, as soon as I got home I was on the phone to the Anti-Cancer Council to get all the information on support services for her and her family that I could, armed with a truck load of brochures, roses and chocolates I arrived at her door not knowing what to expect, but there she was with her welcoming smile, a hug for me, "was I okay?" and then we had our usual order of a cuppa "black sludge coffee" for Dianne and a "black tea with bag left in" for me.  And we sat at the table where we had shared so many laughs and tears and cuppas and just talked.

And that's what you do for friends, you can really open up over a cuppa.  So when I got the call a few weeks before last Christmas that things were not good I started to "doodle" this stitchery.  Dianne and I both loved red, so it was the only colour I knew I could stitch it in.  Half way through stitching, my friend of 27 years lost her amazingly brave and well fought battle.  And so all the history and stories that we shared over our cuppas are now just left with me, and I have to smile through the tears, because that's what she did, she wouldn't let you be sad for her.

I put the stitchery down for a while, and only picked it up again around the time of the catastrophic floods that started in Queensland in February.  So this little stitchery raised much needed funds with the amazing determination of The Country Quilt Co.  You can read my old blog postings about its story.

So I decided the time had come for this stitchery to do some good for the people who helped my friend over the past 5 years of her life.  So I have released "Cuppa With A Friend" as a Kit In A Card (The Greeting Card With The Kit Inside).

As you can see from the picture below, you get a greeting card, envelope, screenprinted stitchery on cream tone-on-tone cotton fabric, red DMC 221 thread, embroidery needle, iron-on pellon, instructions, spare traceable pattern and a zip lock storage bag.  I am donating A$1 from every card I sell, to a Breast Cancer Support organisation (I'll look up the link and post it later)and I am encouraging stores to do something similar.

 
It just happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, and I know many people are getting together and doing different projects and events.  This card will have a continuing lifespan, I will keep donating the money while the design sells.  A long time ago I did a similar thing with another design - I screeprinted 1000 pieces of white linen with a gorgeous stitchery that was then called "Kit In A Box".  I donated $4 from the sale to the Jane McGrath Foundation for breast care nurses.  So I am very proud to say that their donation from us eventually reached A$4,000.  I remember being at a trade show and another company there told me they only donated .10c from each metre of their breast cancer ribbon fabric, that I didn't need to donate so much.  And I told this MAN, the best bit about owning your own business is that I get to make the final decisions that make me feel good!

So I hope you make lots of decisions that make you (and others) feel good .... and I know if Dianne had any time spare from her amazing duties as chief organising officer of the Angels upstairs, she would be tickled "red" that I did this card in her honour.

Have an amazing day, Janet xxx

(PS - if you would like to know if your local store can stock these cards, show them this link and they can order them from me directly for you - all orders are now turned around within 48 hours).

Would You Like A Free Stitchery Project?

Just a quickie ... next week I am giving EVERYONE a free stitchery project (very unique design and rather yummy), just putting finishing touches to mine for photography.

More details to follow in a few days, only for my blogland and facebook friends - not for the "general public", so make sure you bookmark this page and/or "like" me at Facebook so you don't miss out.

Reason for the free stitchery project giveaway????  Who needs a reason?  I've been meaning to do this for awhile and have been soooooo busy, so I'm celebrating a great response to the new Quilt Card "All Hearts Come Home From Christmas" (see below), by spreading the love :0)

Have a lovely day, Janet xx

(ps, project is especially useful for those who like to consume warm/cool beverages!!!!)

Madly Stitching ... WOW, Where Has The Time Flown?

Okay, first of all I need to come clean ... this is the FOURTH attempt I have made in the past 24 hours to type to you in blogland.  We have had very bad weather up here in the Dandenong Ranges (actually I think it is across the whole State), and the power kept going off last night - was NOT a happy camper/stitcher!

So, it's been a while, but I've actually been fairly active in the social media chit-chat ... yes, I found facebook!!!  Never thought it would be for me, but I must admit I love the instant opportunity to upload a pic and talk to stitching ladies all over the world.

But 2 days ago I was scolded by a lovely friend/customer who advised me I need to get back where I chat best, where I can chatter away and not worry that I'm about to run out of letters.  So I have set up an area where I can use my laptop, not feel closed in with home life or work life, and here is where I promise to retire to and keep blogland up to date with what has been going on at Wildcraft Farm.

The first thing I should say is that I have been very, very busy stitching.  I have 3 new items about to hit the counters of your favorite Quilt Stores, so here is my chance to share a little about how the first one came to be ...

It is a new greeting card in The Quilt Card Collection, it's called "All Hearts Come Home For Christmas".  It's journey started when I went to a Quilt Show in Melbourne back in April, I saw the fabric displayed by The Patchwork Teahouse, and fell in love with its "non-traditional" Christmas colours, plus Farmer Rowe and I loved travelling throughout the Scandinavian countries a few years ago, and I thought I could make something to remember that time. 

 

So I placed an advanced order for the entire fat quarter collection (heaps and heaps of fabric!!!).  The more I stared at it the more I thought I could have a go at a small sampler quilt, include some stitching and applique and maybe turn it into a Quilt Card.  I contacted Lynette Anderson (the fabric designer) who I have known for years, originally as a customer when she owned a store in Queensland, and we keep in touch via email nowadays.  When I suggested I make a quilt card in her fabric she was very supportive, and even offered to send me some offcuts from her quilt (all she had left till her stock arrived) so I had a better idea of colours and style.

Then a little while later I got the exciting call that some (not all) of the fabric had arrived at The Patchwork Teahouse, the rest would be there in a week ..... exactly 1 day before we were to leave on a mini-break skiing.  So after spending the day madly cooking and packing and sorting and racing around like a chook, I took off to Warburton to collect my precious fabric.  I was so excited, even though it was beautifully wrapped, I had to rip it open and fondle the fabric all the way home :0)

When we finally got to our ski lodge (I decided not to ski this year), I would sit at a big table each day, with all my fabrics, threads, sketch pads, pencils, rulers all surrounding me .... made so many friends those 3 days, everyone wanted to come and fondle the fabrics (extra inspiration was all the snow outside).

Fastforward to the finished piece, I thought it needed an extra touch, so Lynette organised some of her wooden buttons that would compliment the fabric to be sent down before she flew off to Europe.

And so here it is .... "All Hearts Come Home For Christmas"

This is the most detailed Quilt Card instructions I have written, I wanted to make it easy whether the stitcher was a novice or experienced.  So inside this large size greeting card (imagine an A4 sheet of paper folded in half) is a large size envelope, detailed instructions, full size pattern (which can be enlarged to make a bigger quilt) all inside a zip lock bag.  Of course you could also stitch individual pieces and display separately.

So do you like it?  Lynette put a pic up last night on her blog, and I put one on facebook this morning - my email inbox is overwhelmed with enquiries on where they can be purchased.  As stock is only going out today, ask your favourite stockist to check out this page or our facebook page, and they can order in for you - that's probably the quickest way to get your hands on one.

I think I've overloaded you ... the 2 other projects are going to have to wait - have to go and deal with more emails.

Love being back with you, hope you are safe and well,

Much hugs of love,

Janet XXX

ps (bet you thought I'd forgotten my ps's ....... I know many stitcher's who send out my Quilt Cards and Kit In A Cards early so that the recipient can start some stitching before Christmas ... start spreading the cheer a little early)

JUST A QUICKIE

Forgot to mention in the post below .... if you were not a winner, then don't worry, there is another giveaway to EVERYONE who is a "liker" at Wildcraft Farm's FACEBOOK.  So click the "like" button on fb and there will be an instant giveaway next week. 

Toodles, Janet x

AND THE WINNER'S ARE ..... Stitchery Giveaways

Did you hear the screaming from your house?  The frustrating of NO INTERNET SERVICE for 3 whole days .... there were lots of harsh words aimed at my poor little laptop, not her fault, totally blame Telstra!

Farmer Rowe wanted to "look up" stuff he had to check out on ebay for the farm (mmmmm, me thinks my husband has issues with an ebay addiction), and the new high school student was not a happy girl when she couldn't do her homework research ... so no one was particularly interested in my competition winning announcement on the blog :( 

You would think this wonderful time on our own without technology would mean we had some family time together, unfortunately NOT.  Spent my first weekend with "better health", doing end of year financial paperwork (ugh, yukky poo stuff), and the odd scream at the laptop.

This is my 3rd attempt at writing this post, the internet keeps cutting out on me (more hair pulling), so my original long blog post is now going to be condensed, promise to be back tomorrow with the new news.

The winners of the Day 2 Sew Mama Sews Giveaway are ...

ERIN HUTCHINSON

KARI

These ladies have one a Kit In The Card from the "Verses" range, their choice.

 

And the Day 3 Giveaways Sew Mama Sew winners are ...

BETH (bdasecke)

JAN (littleredhen)

These ladies have won a Kit In The Card from the "Stitchery" range, their choice.

 
 

Did I mention that the kit for the "Sewing Machine" comes with an alphabet so you can make up your own "sign"?

Whether you have a nook, little space, garden bench, comfy chair, your own room, office ... what is your favourite sanctuary to sew, and why?  I would love to hear, either here or via an email.

I'm not pushing my luck with this computer any longer, so I'll sign off for now.

Be back tomorrow, love Janet x

GIVEAWAY OF STITCHERIES, DAY 3 (ish)

First of all, if you are visiting this site for the first time, check out the previous 2 postings for the giveaways, I'm announcing the winners of day one during this post, but the Day 2 giveaway is still running ... but don't forget to come back here and read about todays GIVEAWAY!!!

Sorry for the delay in announcing the first two winners, I think there is some saying about when all forces collide at the same time, that some magical or mystical thing will happen ..... well in my case I had:

Husband on final night of night shift

Day 14 of mystery illness, which has included extreme lethargy

My first day of feeling somewhat better, so the night before I stayed up till 2.30am to do some work

Spent half the day in the car driving to do errands I had missed out on, in between doctor appointments

And then finally my first proper dinner with the family in 2 weeks .......... so when Farmer Rowe left a little early and Jessica went off to bed, I settled on the couch with my laptop and then .... promptly fell asleep.

Woke up at 1.30am with the tv on, lights on, stiff knee from the laptop balancing and the dog licking my hand, she wanted to go out to the toilet.  So as I stumbled to bed, for the best nights sleep in 2 weeks, I thought you wouldn't mind an extra few hours!

Can I tell you that I have been BLOWN AWAY by the wonderful comments you have all left.  I'm particularly fascinated with everyone's collection stories, be prepared for me to follow up, I'd like to find out more.

First, the Day 1 Giveaway Winners of Hootie from The Kit In A Card Collection.  Jessica and I randomly picked out the following ladies this morning ...

Shelley C and Renee E.

I will contact you both via email today.

 

And now for todays Giveaway

 
This is one of four new designs in The Kit In A Card Collection "Sewer's Friend Series".  This one is the PIN CUSHION.  The kit inside the greeting card has cream tone-on-tone fabric already screenprinted, plenty of DMC 221 Red thread and a size 8 embroidery needle (oh and iron-on pellon too).  And as a bonus there is a project inside, explaining how to make this needle storage (and there is a pin cushion inside the lid) using a recycled CD gift box.

But choice is fun, so here is one of the other designs you can select from ...

 
This is the SCISSOR FRIEND, same deal with the greeting card and kit as above.  I love to store my favourite stork scissors inside.  The project featured free in the card is made entirely from felt, and a lovely project to make for yourself and maybe a friend.  If it was my birthday and someone gave me this card and the project already made up I'd be so excited and thrilled, but if I got the card with the kit inside to make up myself, I would store it away like a little bower bird, ready to enjoy on a rainy Sunday!

So if you would like the chance to win one of TWO Kit In A Cards I am giving away, all you have to do is tell me ...... What is your favourite sewing tool, and why?

I have a few, like I said, I love to stitch and snip with my stork gold scissors.  I LOVE LOVE my spring hoop, which never lets me down with the perfect tension for stitching (I have 2 different sizes).  And I also love my original sewing machine, Janome SD.  My Mum had one when I was young and I used to borrow it to make all my crafty/stitching projects, so when I got engaged to Farmer Rowe and I was preparing to leave my family home, our first Christmas he bought me the exact same machine.  Officially the machine is now Jessica's, but luckily she always gives me permission to use it .... really need to have lessons again on my new machine, but all the gadgets and fancy things just get me confused.  Oh, that reminds me of my other absolute favourite thing ... MY QUARTER INCH SEWING FOOT!  It has never led me astray, and helps Jessica with her "even" sewing seams.

So please share what you love, and I will be back on Saturday with the 2 winners, please tell me which design you would prefer, PIN CUSHION or SCISSORS.  And check back tomorrow for the winners of the Verses giveaway (not too late to enter if you haven't already).

Now that word has got out about the new designs, I have to go and fill some orders, if you have a favourite stitching store that you think might like to stock my new ranges, please let me know, or them, and I'd be happy to offer them an opening special offer.

Until tomorrow ... have a great Thursday, Janet x

(PS, actually all my samples are on a little holiday for a few days, you can find all my Quilt Cards and Kit In A Cards at 2 different events ...

The first is Piecemakers presents QUILTS PLUS EXHIBITION, May 26, 27, 28 at Ringwood Church of Christ, 13 Bedford Road, Ringwood.  Open 10am-5pm Thursday, 10am-8pm Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday.  There are displays of crafts, craft stalls and refreshments.  For any help call Pat on 9870 4414.  FOOTHILLS stand will feature all my new items.

And they are very busy ladies, as they also are going to be at a QUILTING EVENT at Rotary Club of Glen Waverley, Miller Crescent, Mount Waverley on Saturday and Sunday 9.30-4.30pm. 

GIVEAWAY, DAY 2 ... STITCHERIES

If you have not already visited my blog for Day 1 of my Giveaways for the Sew Mama Sews May Giveaway Mania, then check out the post prior to this one, then come back for today's giveaway offer.

Unfortunately there was a "glitch" in the system, and Wildcraft Farm didn't make the original list of giveaways for Sew Mama Sews, but happy to say we are on there now, so looking forward to meeting lots of new friends in blogland.

Yesterday I was delighted to introduce you to Hootie, and I'm overwhelmed by the emails and comments, I knew you would like him .... but there is so much love'n going around!!!

So today I thought I would showcase another range of Kit In A Cards that are just being released this month.

There are 3 different friendship/love verses, all have been in the stable of Wildcraft Farm products before (in different disguises) and it was because of their constant popularity that we've given them a fresh new look.

A Kit In A Card is a greeting card with a "kit" inside to make up the image on the front of the card.  So inside you will find white homespun already screenprinted with the verse, all the DMC threads needed to complete the entire image, an embroidery needle, iron-on pellon, full size pattern and instructions.  I finished my sample in a distressed off white frame and they look divine.

So today I am offering 2 lucky ladies (totally sexist, I know), the chance to win ...

 

Well I couldn't decide, so I'll let you choose your favourite.  So let me know in the comments below if you would like ...

A MOTHER'S LOVE IS LIKE A MELODY

 TRULY GREAT FRIENDS ARE HARD TO FIND, DIFFICULT TO LEAVE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET

MAY THE HINGES OF OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER GROW RUSTY

Winners will be announced on Thursday evening, and I promise to post anywhere in the world before the end of the month (oohhh that's only in a few days, where has the time gone?).

And just a reminder, over on facebook I am having a giveaway for ALL my "likers", so if you have not already done so, check out WILDCRAFT FARM facebook page, I'm just finalising my sample to photograph and then hope to be able to give lots away later in the week.

Come back again tomorrow for the 3rd day of Giveaways on the blog ... talk to you soon,

JANET xxx

PS, it's raining outside, my favourite kind of day to stitch!  But unfortunately the horses need floaties around their legs in their paddock :(

IT'S MAY GIVEAWAY DAY .... "Introducing Hootie The Owl"

 
I am very pleased to be able to do two new things today, first I am excited to participate in my first "Sew Mama Sew" giveaway, there are oodles of other stitching enthusiasts involved in this massive giveaway, I hope you enjoy your quick stay here at Wildcraft Farm, if you are a first time visitor, come back again for another look, when life is not too hectic!

 My other "first" is the chance to show off my new design from "The Kit In A Card Collection", I've called it HOOTIE THE OWL .... not very original, I'm sure, but I keep being told it's just toooooo cute, so here at Wildcraft Farm it's "stable" name is Cutie Hootie!

For those new to Kit In A Cards^TM, I invented them 10 years ago, they are a greeting card with a little stitching kit inside to make the item on the front (plus all instructions, envelopes etc.), they have always been very popular, but I took a year break and rejigged the design, layout and kit format - everyone still loves them as a unique gift to give or make and give with the card.

 
Owls have been in my life for some 27 years, not because of me, but because my husband's Mother is a collector.  Whenever we get stuck for a birthday, Christmas or Mother's Day gift, we know we can always rely on an Owl to come through.  It has meant some interesting and unique finds over the years ... and now with the more recent love of all things Owls, there are more "crafty" versions to choose from.  Lately I have found 2 friends who are a bit mad for all that is Owly, one is a 13 year old boy!

Inside the Kit In A Card^TM, is a screenprint of the finished owl, DMC thread, needle, an extra pattern, details etc to finish as you like, or as the crayon/pencil storage roll.  You can go to town with your favourite pencils or with crayons, all the details you need are in the instructions.

 
The new look Kit In A Cards^TM also come with a bonus project.  So all the details for this easy to make gorgeous roll are also included.

So this Monday 23 May I am giving 2 of these Kit In A Cards^TM away.  I'm happy to send anywhere in the world, and promise they will be posted to the 2 lucky winners before the end of this month.

To enter all you need to do is write in a comment below, start with the word HOOTIE (because if you come back on Tuesday and Wednesday, I'm having 2 more giveaways), and then tell me a little about what you like to collect, or someone in your family.

This Hootie giveaway is open until Wednesday 6pm Eastern (Australia), when my darling Jessica and I will hunt through all the entries and post the winners that night.

If you think you might like to purchase a Hootie The Owl some time in the future, either contact the businesses on the right side of this post, or ask your favourite quilt store to contact us on your behalf.

Enjoy the fun ... hope to see you back again tomorrow for another unique Wildcraft Farm item!

Janet x

(PS, I should probably confess what my favourite thing to collect is .... I have a terrible box fetish, unusual boxes, old boxes, basically any box .... I also love old sewing items, like old spools, old machines, dressmakers tools .... those 2 collections come to mind immediately!).

(PPS, by the way, everyone things are vast display of old meat grinders in our kitchen is my collection ... NOT!  It's my husbands, and he doesn't have 2 the same, but boy do they collect dust).