WILLOW VALLEY STORE

Christmas in July....

Here is my Noel Sampler that I completed stitching and colouring today. I am pleased with the way the Christmas tree finally turned out - it gave me a few days of hassle during the design phase - why is it so hard to draw a Christmas tree? Noel Sampler reminds me of an old Christmas card....xo Cath

7/7/08 - Wow - Thanks for the great support everyone. I am still trying to get a really good pic of this one - its proving a tad tricky - just can't capture the colours quite right...I'II try again tomorrow. ;-)

A few have asked why I chose the date 1945. Well to be honest I just chose it out of the blue and thought the numbers looked nice together. I looked up what significant event happened in 1945 and guess what I found... that was the year that World War 2 ended. I reckon 1945 would have been a pretty special Christmas all over the world...

Annie Mae's Kitchen

I have to share this one with you....this is Julz version of Annie Mae's Kitchen. Julz made it for her friend's birthday - and apparently she really loved it. Isn't Julz a great friend to have!!!!

Julz its gorgeous - so cottagey - just perfect! THANKS for sharing it with us.

There are currently 3 patterns in my Annie Mae range.

Annie Mae's Kitchen , Annie Mae's Laundry and Annie Mae's Porch. They are all iron-on transfers and each one retails for $14.30 AUD  inc GST. (Outside Australia = GST free less 10% -  $13.00 AUD).

My retail stockists are listed just to your right. Happy stitching!

xo Cath

Mail out and pattern release!

Thankyou again to everyone who responded to my most recent 20 FREE IRON ON TRANSFERS #5 offer!!!

Now I know the lucky 20 are super keen to get their goodies - so the news is - they went in todays post - in envelopes as "cheerful and yet brownish pear coloured" as I could find. .... their journey to you has started. Hmm...thought I had better use a thumbnail pic here - they are a bit LOUD aren't they!! They will stand out well against the nasty white ones with window faces. I have also included the DMC colour chart and the optional Derwent Watercolour Pencil guide too - so if you want to complete the sampler just as I did - you can. You also have individualized custom iron on transfer sheets - with your names/dates/initials - all in several fonts and sizes. You can cut them apart and use them to personalize all sorts of projects - not just the sampler. ....and remember each transfer is re-usable at least 3 times....I hope you enjoy them girls xo. Congratulations and thank you for joining in on the fun.

 

The full pattern (as picured above) for Poire Sampler is completed and also in the mail....heading to Kim at Honeysuckle Cottage, Lyn at Moore Patchwork and Quilting and Karen at Mrs Martins Quilt Shop . If you would like to purchase one you will find them there this week. The pattern is in my POSTCARD format which means it is a cutsey booklet jammed packed full of info. The best part I think is the Iron-On Transfer sheet that is attached to the booklet via perforation - this means you can easily remove it - the booklet stays intact - and their are no staple holes in the transfer. I was very pleased with myself when I worked that one out...neat!

The RRP for Poire Sampler is $12.10 AUD inc GST. Orders outside Australia are free of our 10% GST - making it just $11 AUD.

Next on the agenda is Noel Sampler - because its now officially July and therefore almost Christmas - hooray - I just LOVE Christmas in July!!!!

xo Catherine

GIFT.... by Rosalie Quinlan

Yesterday was the launch of Rosie's first book - very suitably named GIFT.

The launch was held at Glenharrow in Belgrave. Its winter....and while it was cold and bleak outside.... inside the rustic barn was a cosy and delicious atmosphere...open fires...lots of scrummy food and beveridges...like-minded people united through that wonderful thread called Creativity....

  

Rosie is donating money towards breast cancer research with some of the proceeds from the sale of GIFT....and she has also made an "everyone wants to own it" delectable quilt - that is being raffled to raise money for important clinical trials at Maroondah Hospital. Isn't she an inspiration??

Make sure you purchase a copy of GIFT - you will love it! 

Here is Rosie and her sister Melly.

This was a such a special and memorable afternoon...and I will always treasure my personalized signed copy of GIFT.

xo Catherine.

Poire Sampler....

Here is my completed IRON ON transfer Poire Sampler!

I have stitched it in both regular and variegated threads - some with1 strand - others with 2. I used backstich, satin stitch ,buttonhole, colonial knots....

and then added a touch of colour to the blossom, bees wings, pear and tree trunk with my Derwent Watercolour Pencils. These are lovely soft pencils that blend easily. You can build the colour up gradually and reduce it with an eraser too...much more forgiving than paint!

Today I have prepared the custom sheets for the MEGA transfer giveaway - that was so much fun - you girls are in for a surprise when you get the mail next week...I have given you all multiple custom options!!!! You are going to have heaps of fun customizing your samplers. You can easily use the custom sheet to personalize other projects too - I can see some real cute pincushions there.

Next on the agenda is to complete the pattern prep - and guess what? There are more coming - NOEL (a Christmas theme) and LAPIN (rabbits) and TULIPE (tulips) and BEBE (baby)..they are all in various stages....so stay tuned for more giveaways...

Julz has completed Monday is Washing Day in green and its fantastic ...Jane has sent in a pic of Pansies in a Teacup - both heading to Our Gallery real soon. We all love to see what you make so don't be shy - send the pics in for us all to enjoy!

xo Catherine.

Mega Iron on Transfer Winners

Ok here is the post you have been waiting for! Thanks again to everyone for visiting my blog and being such a colourful part of it. As I have said before - "It would be very boring here without YOU!"

The 20 people, as chosen by "random comment selector gadget", who will each receive my Poire Sampler PLUS the last 4 in the Fast 20's are.....

Simply beautiful Catherine! You are incredibly generous.

Posted by: Sarah | June 17, 2008 at 11:31 AM

This is great, I love the design. Keeping the fingers crossed. Ann-Maree

Posted by: Ann-Maree | June 17, 2008 at 11:46 AM

Catherine this your best.If i dont win can i purchase it please!!!!!!!!
Meg XXX

Posted by: Meg | June 17, 2008 at 11:51 AM

Wow, am I greedy to get in on this one, too? I love samplers and a personalized iron on would be amazing!! -Jeanette

Posted by: Jeanette | June 17, 2008 at 01:17 PM

Pick me please! I absolutely love this design and having just completed Aunt Mae's Kitchen and the peg bag i am keen for more!! Keep up the great designs.

Posted by: Julz | June 17, 2008 at 01:34 PM

Catherine you are THE BEST! Love the sampler and would be delighted to win, so by all means, count me in.

Posted by: Sandy | June 17, 2008 at 02:59 PM

Am I too late again? I hope not (I didn't even take time to count). ROTFL

Posted by: Kate | June 17, 2008 at 04:18 PM

Hi! Wow, what a beautiful pattern! Please put me in the draw...I absolutely need more fruits in my life ;o)
Thanks again for this wonderful giveaway,
greetings from Germany,
Julia

Posted by: Julia | June 17, 2008 at 05:22 PM

Hello Cathy, this design would have to be your best one yet. Happy stitching!!

Posted by: Bev C | June 17, 2008 at 07:08 PM

Oooohhh Cath!! You are spoiling us!!

Posted by: Rita | June 17, 2008 at 07:25 PM

I love samplers. You really outdid yourself this time. Love the transfers I received from you last week - they are adorable. Thank you for making this a random draw. Getting up in the middle of the night to check your blog is my next option!!!!

Posted by: Doreen Borck | June 18, 2008 at 12:31 AM

Count me in! They are wonderful!

Posted by: Lynne in Hawaii | June 18, 2008 at 05:39 AM

Hey Cath, I would like to go into the draw for the sitchery pattern.Thanks Jess.

Posted by: Jess | June 18, 2008 at 12:10 PM

Found your site through Sharon's blog. What a beautiful pattern! Please enter me in your giveaway :o)

Thank you!

Posted by: Colleen | June 19, 2008 at 02:34 AM

Thank you so much for this opportunity. This transfer is just beautiful. I love it!

Posted by: Mary Kastner | June 20, 2008 at 09:11 AM

Your designs are just beautiful. I would love to be in the draw.

Posted by: Cathy | June 20, 2008 at 03:36 PM

Hi Catherine, what a wonderful pattern. I like this one, too 8-).
Kind regards
Heike

Posted by: Heike | June 21, 2008 at 08:18 AM

This is my first post and i would love to win, it is a really pretty iron-on

Posted by: Debbie | June 22, 2008 at 09:11 AM

Fantastic!! Every time I've visited your blog I've been very late in the running. At least this gives me a fighting chance.....you are extremely generous and I would love to be counted in for this one. Thanks for the opportunity Catherine.

Posted by: queenmoonstone | June 22, 2008 at 05:45 PM

Please put me in the draw for the stitchery,such fun.

Posted by: casey | June 23, 2008 at 10:25 PM

Congratulations girls!!! This is what you need to do.

Contact me via email. Pass on your preferred details for iron-on transfer customization (this will be your name/initials and a date.) and include your mailing address so that I can post it all out to you. I am planning mail out day for early next week.

xoxo Cath 

P.S. The Poire Sampler will be available (hopefully - still got some stitchin' to do!!) late next week from Willow Valley Store stockists. I will add a pic to show you when its finished - I'm looking forward to that - because its coming up a treat!

Meet Aldona @ The Stitchery Patch!

Over the last few weeks Aldona and I have been exchanging emails. Aldona has just opened an online shop in Denmark Germany (thanks Julia!) called The Stitchery Patch. She has a good range of Willow Valley Store patterns plus some other Aussie favs too.

Well done Aldona your website looks great - hmm might help me to improve my foreign languages?? Fortunately for me, Aldona speaks English very well. What a wonderful treat, to see my designs displayed on a site so far from home in another language...wow neat!

Thanks Aldona! I wish you lots and lots of success with The Stitchery Patch as a great new European destination for us girls all around the world who just love to stitch and be creative. Hopefully we will meet one day - until then the emails are a delight.

xo Catherine

I'm home again!

P.S. WOW THANKS FOR THE INTEREST IN MY POIRE SAMPLER!!!!!!!!!!!!! Comments will close on this today 'sometime' and then we can find some mail out buddies to receive the goodies. As usual I will be posting out 20 - currently that gives you a one in six chance - pretty good odds huh? Then I need to finish my stitching and release it as pattern. I am real glad you like it! I am overwhelmed as I read your comments, stories , poetry, and memories - THANK YOU!!!!

So where have I been?? Our wonderful employer sent us on a conference to the Sunshine Coast! We stayed at the Hyatt Regency at Coolum - oh please pinch me! Its a 5 star luxury resort with beach frontage on 375 acres...."Do we really have to attend those lectures??" Can't we just stuff pillows into our beds and attach a note saying "Sick - don't disturb" while we go AWOL.

Our villas looked like this...there are hundreds of these on the site - set in a rainforest/bush setting and you can reach them by walking or chauffeured open jeep (much more fun). There are lots of  skippy lawn mowers - friendly enough to touch. They scare the heebie jeebies out of you, when you are staggering back to your villa late at night after a few drinks at The Village and they bound across your path at full pelt! In the morning we are woken by the sounds of Kookaburras laughing as if to say "Its going to be a great day and ha ha ha you girls have to go to lectures....."

This is where we enjoy breakfast. I am going to need serious coffee and gourmet food detox after this visit. Those cargo pants that needed a belt now don't. I swear I put on 4 kilos. The Sunshine Coast was so lush, fresh and green....and much warmer than Melbourne....

Our lectures would finish at 5.30pm and we would be looking out the windows at 5.00pm thinking "great its still light we can go to the beach after this"...only to find that by 5.30 its DARK! Not so great.

The best part was meeting up with Michelle who I met here in blogland last year. Michelle picked me up and drove me to Montville. Check out the view - we sat here on the balcony and soaked up the sun over coffee.

Then we browsed the shops.....Montville reminds me of The Dandenongs with a touch of Hahndorf...but in a tropical setting.

Look at all of these old wonderful sewing bits and bobs!

Michelle bought me this real gorgeous birdie that is ssooo me - check it out....B for Baynes and it has stamps on its mind too...just like me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drats....All too quickly it was time to go....

see ya Sunshine Coast - hope I get to come back again soon.......

xoxoxo For Michelle,Ralph and Keiran!!

Best wishes Cath.

BIG free iron-on transfer give away!!!

Firstly, a HUGE thank-you for all of the wonderful interest you have shown and the great emails and comments I am receiving from the recent four FAST 20 offers. I am thrilled you are enjoying your iron on transfers.

The feature design this time is a French Vintage style Sampler. The French word for Pear is Poire. Beurre Bosc are those wonderful brown pears perfect for baking. I have added a bee because pollination of the flower blossom is essential for the production of the fruit.

The design size of the sampler is approx 5" x 8"...so its quite a bit larger than the last 4 freebies.....iron it on and start stiching straight away. You can use a single colour thread redwork style, variegated threads, several regular DMC 's or even add some colour with Derwent water colour pencils (more about that later - I have some recent pics to show you for inspiration) so there's lots of options. The transfers are re usable about 3 times - so you can make a few and they could all look quite different. The choice of fabric that you choose to iron your design on to would also change the look dramatically. I have chosen a heavily tea-dyed cotton....and the next one I stitch may be a white washed pastel theme.

As a special customized treat I am going to include a seperate iron on mini sheet with your name/initials and a date you choose, as an iron-on too. You can use this as a practice piece or make it up into a real cute pincushion etc.  You could even add your personal details to the sampler!! Choose where you would like your details to appear. Carefully remove that section from the sampler transfer paper with scissors, before you transfer the design on to the fabric. Then you will have room to iron on your customized details from the other sheet. Neat huh? NOTE: Personalized details (names/dates) will be on a seperate sheet to the main design sheet.

I have 20 of these to give away. Register your interest via a comment and you are in the running for this unique opportunity.

Comments will remain open until the 24th June...and then 20 lucky recipients will be chosen randomly.

(Think of this offer as...hmmm lets see.... "SLOW 20"! )

Did you miss out on any (or ALL!) of the last transfers? Heres another chance - I am going to include all 4 of them into those 20 packets too.

xo Catherine

Zipper graduate!

Here is Nic's completed zipper pouch from the Zipper Phobic Class on Friday night. Hasn't she done a great job!!! Well done Nicole.

Look how those zipper teeth are hidden so beautifully in the seam. Neato! No top stitching and its all fully lined on the inside with not a raw seam to be seen anywhere.

The girls all easily completed their zippered pouches in the class and just had to hand stitch their bindings on at home. Now clever Nic has researched how to attach the binding start and finish on a 45 degree angle. (I usually do all my strip joins on 45 and the final one as a straight seam - cos I couldn't figure it out). So here is the link to Heather Bailey's gorgeous blog where she has a tutorial on binding (right hand column) - which I think is fantastic - great diagrams and descriptions. And there it is as plain as day - how to join the alpha and omega on 45. Bravo! This is Nicoles first go at doing this technique and she says the next one will be better - lets all give her a big pat on the back because this one looks pretty fab and this is a big close up!!! Lots and lots of praise to Heather for putting together such a great pdf. For those of you who are having trouble mitring your quilt corners this is a must see tutorial, because thats covered as well.

I am doing a happy dance today because I am off to the Sunshine Coast later this week for a work conference while Brian and the boys stay here in cold Melbourne (oh poor them) and I am meeting up with a blog buddy - wow thats gonna be fun! At the moment I'm counting down til 2.00 then we are back to just 2 bull calves ripping the lounge room up.

xo Cath