Saffrons Blog

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• We have finished my Fairy Quilt kit pattern. By that I mean typed up super-easy instructions how to cut and piece it. We even included the stitching diagrams so you can quilt it without any thought at all. Phew!
• We decided to call the quilt Fun with Fairies. A simple quilt to make, it's made up mostly of squares sewn together and a bit of appliqué, the Fairy fabrics work together like a treat and makes me feel so happy. From an idea to a drawing to a fabric now made into a piece for life. You can click here to buy it.
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• I think it is a happy and fun quilt that has already been in every part of the house and garden. Perfect as a wall hanging, my quilt has been on my wall for a good few weeks now. Then on Sequoia's bed and she even snuggled under it on her favourite seat to take a nap. Then her dollies and puppies got to sleep on it and under it. Sigh, I could talk all day about her.
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• Ah a dream actualized—one more off my list for 2010.

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The Fairy Hearts Quilt Kit is now available. Designed and sewn by Kate Conklin I think it is just lovely. Pretty, girly and soft too. We have happily added it to our shop where it is available in two sizes or as a down-loadable PDF. How much fun!

Have a look here.

I have a hunch that this one will be so much fun to make that even if you don’t know who it is going to be for just now, the quilt will manifest its owner by itself with all the love it conjures.

The Fairy Hearts pattern uses quick and easy strip piecing to create the Nine Patch blocks; and machine raw edge appliqué for the hearts. It includes 10 pages of full colour photos and diagrams.

All those hearts are reminding me of Valentines day. Where there is an abundance of love in the world. Thanks Kate for this terrific quilt, you can read more about Kate here.

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I now understand why there is a "pinch and punch" for the first day of the month! It's a form of reality check. I am a bit amazed that it's already February and that it's the first day of term One for our daughter to be back at pre-school. The days of doing as we pleased, the endless Summer is now is to be replaced by routine, and watching the clock.

This is the Fairy Quilt I have been playing with. It's all hand stitched in lovely curvy lines. I think I can call it completed. I will finish drawing up the pattern soon and turn it into a PDF so you can make one too. It should be a fun one to make. With all the girls around me needing quilts I might have to make two more.


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I woke up with a head for figures and putting them into spread sheets. Finishing them off in the evening. I am grateful that the majority of my time is spent creating, not book keeping!

We caught the ferry to the city to watch the live acts. The harbour was alive with shouts of “Aussie Aussie Aussie“ and us on the ferry replying with “Oi Oi Oi.” Well at least I did - a lot of people were a bit miffed.

We wove up Macquarie Street through all these fantastic vintage cars on display—and the most adorable little caravans—to see the Koala Brothers and Bananas in Pajamas in Hyde Park. I was hard pressed to find one that I liked the best but a line of 60’s Minis had me very excited.

I do love Australia Day. I love how patriotic people are and so friendly and enthusiastic. I also loved getting soaked in the fountain as I am not too keen on being too hot.

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There are three baby girls in my life at the moment, my cousin Alexa had a darling last week, the other two are growing wrapped in the perfection of a womb, one due in two weeks. There is nothing that gets me quilting faster that the birth of a baby. I feel an inspiration from that new life force which is unparalleled. The Fairies have been played with, paper pieced, appliqued and blocked into bassinet sized quilts. Then even in the heat I am dangling them off the side of my arm chair to stitch them together. I am quilting to the Australian Open, which is a bit dangerous as it is hard to take my eyes off the telly it is so exciting. I almost sliced a hole in the precious quilt while cutting a thread--eekh. Quandary: who do I go for Hewitt or Federer?

Oh and I wrote a guest blog for Oz Material Girls if you feel like a read.


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After watching the 7.30 report yesterday I've been wondering how contribute to the aid efforts for Haiti. And here's a great way to donate money, buy a crafty item from the Craftshop Etsy shop. All proceeds are donated to the Medicine sans frontiers / Doctors without borders.

Tell your friends!


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The Sydney Festival has captured my adventurous spirit and taken me to many places over the last week, plays, music, art. I have been out most nights and there is still so much more to see and do. A highlight was the play The Arrival, so poetic and inventive. I have never seen such a great production.

While at home I am finishing the 5th illustration for my children's book. The story I had written last year was shelved until recently. A book-gift about modern illustration encouraged me to make a start on evolving my own Illustration style. I have since rewritten my original draft into prose. Using drawings to capture the essence of these words is so much fun, the process has created many colourful conversations. I am really captivated with being able to illustrate this book. I thought I could share a detail of a drawing I have done for its first page, to show you the style I am developing. I am sure it will find its way into my textile designs as well.


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I have been writing my lists of things I want to accomplish this year. Writing them down means I can read them every night in bed and visualize big bright dreams before I sleep. Crazy how I can expand those dreams at night, an active imagination. It's an exciting list and if it all comes to fruition in 2010 then I will be really excited for sure. I will be making baby steps each day towards them. Faith, courage and positivity will be required.
I am starting by promising myself I will not look at the keyboard too often when I type.

On the crafty side of things I have an applique quilt in the making using my Fairy fabrics, it's half way there. But I am waiting for the big picture to float into my head so I can make the final blocks. This one is a challenge.




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This pattern by Kate Conklin is quick and easy to make. It really showcases our Fields Range fabrics in a beautiful throw size quilt. Finished quilt size: 125cm x 162cm (49” x 64”). 
We are really pleased to be selling it in our shop as a downloadable PDF pattern as well as a quilt kit for $49.50. Click here to have a look.


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