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,

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/

Queueing with MasterChef

The winner Adam Liaw and runner-up Callum Hann from MasterChef 2010 at Melbourne Airport.

Returning from the wonderful Quilt and Craft show at Jeffs' Shed in Melbourne and lining up for the security Airport check (whilst fussing through my handbag to make sure that no scissors had been dropped in by mistake and I had a self addressed envelope if there was).

These two gorgeous guys were beside me and willingly posed for a quick photo. I have never taken a celebrity photo before and they insisted that I be in it. Really sweet nice guys with big futures.

Talking of Airport security meetups, previous year I fell over some highly studded cowboy boots and nearly sat on Gene Simmons's lap from Kiss. I said I love your show and moved on. Realizing later that they were a lot of big hair people in leather around me, well I was concentrating on my handbag and goodies going through the machine, can't loose my sewing can I.


Whilst waiting for the plane managed to finish the new 'Bobbins alway full' yoohoo. Then promptly pulled out a new Cat stitchery that all the cat lovers have been waiting for.

Current Work

Busy stitching a new pre printed stitchery of a gorgeous old miniature sewing machine + quote. All black cast iron body and so ornate. Ideal gift for the sewing machine enthusiast.

Also 2 new POM's, a Christmas in July which will be August by the time you get it. Features black board fabric & redwork.

Then a crazy patch in pinks & greens that every quilting friend will want.

Off to Melb Jeff Shed this week.

Day off in Melbourne

I pass this wonderful Gothic Victorian Municipal Building on a daily basis, worthy of a fairytale illustration, don't you think.

Yes i had my Koko Black soy cappuccino and 2 little treats whilst stitching the new Quilt labels. I want to make little Pin Cushions and Needle cases from the mini Sewing Machines (blue label). Love this Rose Arcade.

Sewing Charms

Had fun making little sewing related charms as gift tags for friends. This one has a antique treadle sewing machine with the word "Sewing" on the back. Approx 1"square.

This miniature sewing machine has the simple word "Sew" on its other side. Its handmade so each one is different, not perfect like jewelry at Birkbecks or mass produced in China. Framed glass with an O ring at the top.

Similiar to ones featured in "Country Style" and "Romantic Homes". I have a limited number of charms with my pen and ink drawings of Sewing Machines for $22 plus postage. Email or ring me.

Thought you might like to know what I was up to, now back to having fun with scissors and solder.

Antique Sewing Machines BOM

 

Finally finished the new BOM "Antique Sewing Machines" 12 gorgeous standard sized Sewing Machines from the 1850's on. I enjoyed researching the history behind the inventors of each machine, their stories are similiar to the rise and fall of private enterprise today.

Many moved onto different fields such as bicycles, motor cars and specialized machinery making. By the 1890's only the big players survived, the machines themselves did not differ in appearance so much, and manufacturing moving overseas for cheaper labour.Sound familiar.

I loved the richly detailed rose or gold decals that emblelished the cast iron bodies, so suitable for stitching.

They are not the most valuable or ground breaking models in the history of sewing machines but certainly they are varied in their scuptural shapes and background history.  Yes I do own one of them, its the one with the wooden base. Please comment if you recognise one of your own.

Back to stitching the 3 Vintage Teapots on a linen teatowel.

Ella

Stitches & Craft Show - Rosehill 19-23 Aug

Sydney will be first to see the new "Cupcake Recipe Bookcover" and I have some of the wonderful fabric to accompany the pre printed stitchery and paper pattern.

For the Sewing Machine enthusiasts this gorgeous Mueller 25 Miniature makes a wonderful centrepiece for an old quote, again the Sydney is first place where this can be purchased or go online with the shopping cart.

Only available at the shows, the popular show bags with contents. These two soldout at the Melbourne show so be quick.

If you can make it to Rosehill, come and see us and we'll give you a free button sample

Happy Stitching

Ella

Red Theme

Capsciums were so cheap I bought 5kgs. Just love the colour, so its roasting, stir frying and crunchy in salads, but I think the family are over it for now. This is my “Little Betty”  retro toy sewing machine bought in a moment of weakness in an Antique Shop and my inspiration for the next POM (Present of the Month) for September. Plus I had this great fabric with Red and Grey Paisley  so it was all meant to happen.
Sneak preview of the stitchery.

Home from Perth

Just arrived home from the Perth Quilt and Craft show where we met so many lovely customers who were soooo pleased we came back. I taught the new “Quince Flower Cup Bag” paint a floral stitchery as many people have asked for more flowers in a cup stitcheries. Unfortunately someone stole the beautiful sample bag on the first afternoon of the show. Despite the fact that it was tied with knots onto the stand. So if anyone sights this completed bag with the same fabric, you’ll know where it came from.

The old one MIA..

..and the new one I am currently working on. 

Hired a little car and went West this time, exploring the Swan Valley, where the wonderful Antique shops at Guildford entertained us for hours.

3 Little Peter Pans at Georges in Guildford.

A wonderful 1886 Singer Handwinder. Loved this little beauty.

Mash Brewery. My dessert, the latest sewing (an absolutely gorgeous Shaw and Clark 1864) and his amber fluid. The Shaw and Clarke will feature in the 3^rd POM Present of the Month.

In next post I will tell you of my Monastery stay and lots more projects and of course the new freebee you get with online or BOM and POM orders, so stay tuned. Oops of course the last few days of the Thimbleina Mouse freebee, I made mine into a thimble bag whilst making a Carrot and Coriander soup (It was all that was in the fridge)

Happy Stitching

Ella