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.

 

 

 

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)

NEW STITCHERY PATTERNS, AT LAST

Wow, so much going on at the farm right now ... need to sit down, take a breath and enjoy a cuppa and a chat.

I'm just about to do a final sketch of a giveaway I have planned for next week, for all my facebook and blog friends, but thought I would stop by here for a chance to update you on life at Wildcraft Farm.

My darling Jessica has jumped into the High School life very well, so glad her school had homework in the primary years, she already has a great "work ethic" with getting the work done early (so not like her Mother, who used to leave her projects until the night before!!!).  Poor thing had a massive project to do over the school holidays, spent most of the 3 weeks on the computer doing research.

Farmer Rowe has been madly supplying everyone with foliage from our farm for Mother's Day, so I hope everyone who got a bunch of flowers can appreciate the "greenery" around the main flowers .... florists love it because a dozen roses look very small on their own, but add some foliage and they can add $50 to the price (pity the grower doesn't get that money!).

And I have been quite busy getting the new range of designs printed and ready for distribution.  If you follow me on facebook just about all the photos are there to view in their separate photo albums.  I had to abandon loading to the blog as Typepad wouldn't let me upload the photos, I'll have another try today.

Here are 2 new designs .... from "The Quilt Card Collection", the large size greeting card with the full size pattern and instructions inside.  The completed stitchery is around 50cm x 38cm (20"x15").  I worked it in DMC Red 221 - I love to collect ivory/cream tone on tone fabrics, they make a great canvas for my stitcheries.

FRIENDSHIPS ARE SEWN ....

 

I think this had about 6 different versions before I came up with the final layout idea, and possibly a dozen more drawings to get to this final design.  I looked around my collection of old stitching tools to get inspiration - I don't use any mechanical/computer help when drawing, everything is with my favourite hb pencil and eraser ... once the final version is ready I'm often amazed at how thick my file is with paper scraps, I hate to throw them away, they have a story to tell too!

If you would like to know where you can get hold of this Quilt Card, feel free to contact me and I'll try to find a store for you.  When I first started out 10 years ago, word of mouth became my greatest method of getting new stores to stock my designs, shop keepers would ring me saying that a lady had just brought in a Kit In A Card she has been given, how can they stock them too? - so if you have a favourite store you think might like this style of product, let me know!

The other new Quilt Card is A WISE OLD OWL ...

 

This project finishes around 30cm x 38cm (12" x 15"), before the borders are added.

There is a funny story about how this card was designed.  I had many, many requests from stores for an owl greeting card, but I waited as I thought there were a lot of owls around and I didn't want to be influenced by another designers work (I'm all about originality).

So last winter I gathered up some very old childhood books, a favourite pair of Owl PJs, my much loved box of 72 Derwent pencils and a bundle of white paper - I gave these to my daughter Jessica and our friend Tirian (both 11 at the time) and asked them to give me a couple of different versions using the pictures as a guide.  We then took different parts of each girl's designs and together they made their final drawing, then it was my turn to draw the final version of the design you see here.  The poem is something fun that has been retold to me MANY times  during my childhood, the product of being a chatterbox I'm afraid!

I hope you like it :)

My cuppa is finished, so I'm off to finalise this new giveaway drawing .... Talk to you soon,

Janet xxx

PS - Is it cold where you are?  I have the wood heater pumping out at full speed, but I think I need to put on another jumper .... brrrr, but perfect stitching weather!

Sewing Around The Farm ... Would You Like To Share A Free Stitchery Pattern?

Life Is Pretty Damn Good!

These last few days have been a real awakening to me, and as so many of my lovely blogland friends have been a great support with their kindness, friendship and readiness with an occasional shoulder to cry on ... well, I just thought I should share a couple of great things.

The past 2 years (wow, it's actually been nearly that long), I have been on a bit of a time out, needing to take stock of some issues that have nothing to do with my work, so I really closed down inside, which is definitely not the usual me.

This was the main reason my blog posting has been irregular.  The reasons are not really my stories to tell ... but I am pleased I can tell you that we seem to have got through them.  I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that "you will get through this" and "one day, these times will be a distant memory".

So anyway, this morning I was given the task of taking the horses rugs off.  Farmer Rowe took Jessica to school and it wasn't long before the sun came out.  Even after all this amazing rain, when the sun comes out the poor girls can really cook under those big heavy rugs.

I took my camera outside, and went looking for Bubs (our Thoroughbred), found her nibbling the lovely spring grass amongst the magnolia trees ...

 

So while I wrestled with the heavy rugs, I discovered that some friends had been let out from their rather waterlogged home and were coming for a "sticky beak" ...

 

 

One at a time, they came pecking around my feet ...

 

Of course all 7 wouldn't pose together for me!!!  Then I noticed how many buttercups we have on the property, apparently dangerous for horses (I'm pretty sure they know not to eat them), and then a flood of memories came back to me ...

 

When I was little, my Mum used to put the buttercup under my chin, apparently if it gave my chin a yellow glow, it meant I loved butter.  But as I am terribly ticklish, especially around my neck, it usually ended up with me doubled over in giggles ... happy days.

And then I looked up to my parents kitchen window, and there were the two of them smiling and waving, about to have their breakfasts (thanks to the chooks).  My eyes started burning and I had to hold back the tears, because I can't believe it is about 2 months now, we didn't think Mum would still be here.  But her hair is already growing back, her doctors are amazed at her progress and they have even given her the go-ahead to start some driving again.  I really wish I could have jumped back two months ago to tell myself about this morning.

While Mum and Dad ate their scrumptious eggs, we were catching up on some family news as we have recently tracked down some extended family in the UK.  And then I was able to share some other pretty amazing news about Jessica, again I wish I could jump back 2 years ago and tell myself about this chat.

Yesterday she told me about her day at school, just another ordinary day, or so it would seem to an outsider.  But for us we are so glad of the friends she now has, the kindness that they show her, the friendships that they all now take for granted, the girls (and boys) who will stick up for her when someone is out of line and for her amazing Teacher who is constantly encouraging friendships amongst her class.  I tear up whenever I hear these wonderful new stories, and slowly they are pushing away the past ones.

I also wanted to share, because I know that I'm not the only one who has gone through hard times, but if it helps anyone to know that there are good times coming around the corner, well maybe it might offer a little encouragement.

So ........ as these chooks started me on this little morning adventure down memory lane, and as things are looking brighter (not just the glowing sun outside), I think they should spread a little more joy.

Would anyone like the pattern for this ...

 

It was inspired by our chooks, and was in a previous issue of Australian Country Threads, it works like a bracelet, the pin cushion has extra re-enforcement so you won't get stabbed with the pins ...

 
Mmmmm a few freckles showing there .... anyway, I love my pin cushion bracelet, and I plan on designing a few more like it, in different colours.  It's very quick to make too.

So this is my very small way of giving back to those wonderful friends, so many I have never met (yet), thanks for your support ... and to those who are going through "stuff", just know that as hard as it may seem, something is around the corner, and somehow you will have a sunny day again too.

For now, because I can't get on to my dear friend Darlene to show me how to upload properly, send me a comment and I'll send you the pattern via email ... maybe you could tell me about a sunny day you have had ... hey, lets just work those positive, uplifting stories!!!!

What ever your day brings you, I'm hoping you have a little sunshine - Janet xox

PS - I have been trying to track down some blog friends from a few years ago, so if I have accidently sent you a message in your inbox a few times .... sorry, I'm better with a pen and paper than a mouse and technical stuff.  Thanks to a computer meltdown a while ago, so many of my contacts are gone forever, so I would love it if you could share with your friends about this post.  Big Hugz x