Free Vintage Pattern for you

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Just a very quick post to say "sorry" for being so late with the results of the Lovely Mouse Kit Giveaway.  The winner (chosen as always by random selection) is number four - who is .... Susan of the Krafty Cupcake!  Well done Susan and thank you to everyone else for entering - I wish I had a kit for everyone. 

But everyone can share the pattern at the top of this post... A little while ago I acquired an old chocolate box stuffed with what turned out to be 60 years worth of transfers, ranging from 1904 to the late 1960s/early 70s.  Most I have seen before, but the one at the top of the post is new to me - it is dated 1918 and reminds me of Kate Greenaway's designs.  I hope you like it - and it's free - just click on the link under the image to download.

Must dash now - in the middle of putting the final touches to this month's magazine - it's going to be a bumper issue and will include the Diamond Jubilee part work for subscribers.  It's out on Thursday so you still have time to subscribe and receive issue 13 straight away  before it disappears into the back catalogue.  Click here to learn more and subscribe using the button at the top of the right hand sidebar.

Some things never change

"My leisure really brings me pleasure"....

... says Mrs East.  "And I've something to show for it afterwards."  Well this is true - one of the pleasures - for me anyway - of stitching is that I have something to show for all my efforts.  Mind you, if I held my needle & hoop like Mrs East then I think I would also have a headache, squint and stiff joints after stitching!  Or maybe I just do it wrong?!?  But seriously, I do enjoy the work of earlier generations of stitchers and so March's Bustle & Sew Magazine includes an article on repurposing vintage linens - with some inspirational ideas from current-day bloggers too.  

China Cats Applique

My China Cats applique is finished too, and all made up into a cushion cover, and will also be included in March's magazine - together with lots more too. And for subscribers only - my Rosie & Bear Diamond Jubilee Quilt part work begins in March as well.  So much excitement, lots going on - how wish I could be calm and unruffled - with a perfect manicure - just like Mrs East at the top of this post!

Love is - Part One: A Free Giveaway to Enter

Valentine's Day is of course all about romance.  But loving doesn't have to stop when you flip the calendar to February 15th.  And to help spread the love I'm offering a "Lovely Mouse" kit as a giveaway prize.  I don't usually offer kits, but I'm thrilled to announce that I've got together with Annie the Felt Fairy to offer a selection of Bustle & Sew softie kits.  

As our first offering, Annie has put together a really nice kit for the "Lovely Mice" containing all those fiddly bits that you never seem to have to hand when you're setting out to make a softie.  So there's wire for the flower stalk, strong thread for their whiskers and even string for their cute little tails. Each kit contains the ingredients for one mouse.  It's never been easier to show someone you love them!

I've listed the Lovely Mice Kits for sale in my Etsy Shop, but blog readers can have the chance to win one for free simply by leaving a comment below.  The draw will close at 12 midnight GMT on Friday 17 February after which the winner will be chosen by random selection.  And, just for fun (my favourite bit!) please tell us your favourite colour  (you can get some ideas from Annie's colour chart page).  Good luck everyone!

Exciting news for Magazine subscribers!

Before I tell you the exciting news - I would just like to thank everyone who told me their own shaggy dog stories - it appears that Ben is not alone in behaving badly when he thinks he's being ignored!  I would also like to mention that he had in fact been for a very nice walk earlier in the day - had been given a lovely chew that morning and, as always, had received lots of fuss and petting. So there was absolutely no justification for his behaviour!! But yes, I do still love him and he was forgiven very quickly (though I still haven't found that pompom!).

Moving swiftly on ... I am so enjoying completing the final bits of hand quilting on my Rosie & Bear calendar quilt - as I stitch I am imagining the little fingers of grandchildren and great-grandchildren yet to be tugging the quilt around them and enjoying the different pictures. Commemorative quilts are also tradtional heirloom pieces - and so I am creating a new set of quilt blocks in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  

This year Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for an amazing 60 years - longer than I've been alive! And what a changing world she has seen since ascending to the throne in 1952. But one tradition that hasn't changed is that of making commemorative quilts - and I thought a Rosie & Bear quilt would be a wonderful way of celebrating this special year. The quilt will be made up of 12 blocks - the two centre blocks will show Rosie & Bear with the Royal Arms (that's the image above) and details of the Queen's titles and dates. The remaining 10 blocks will each depict a Commonwealth Country, with a special bonus design depicting the USA - to reflect the special relationship that has flourished between Britain and the US during the Queen's reign.

Here are quick photos of the first two Commonwealth country blocks - India and Mozambique. You can purchase the Coat of Arms block in my Etsy shop, but the other blocks will not be available to purchase separately. I am issuing them as a special free partwork supplement to the Bustle & Sew Magazine for magazine subscribers only. The March Issue (out on 23 February) will contain the first three blocks and with a further two blocks issued each month until August when the final block, together with instructions for creating your heirloom quilt - a family piece to treasure forever.

But remember, I am only offering these blocks as a free supplement for magazine subscribers at present - they won't be available anywhere else. Magazine subscribers receive at least 3 original Bustle & Sew designs plus vintage patterns, features and articles in each issue, and now will also receive their free Diamond Jubilee Quilt Blocks - all for just $5.50 per month with no minimum subscription period.  To learn more CLICK HERE, and you can subscribe using the button at the top of the right hand sidebar.

Hmmm ... big bad BEN!!

I was very much hoping to be able to tell you today that I had finished my Rosie & Bear Calendar Quilt.  I sat down yesterday with cup of tea and audio book and soon became totally absorbed, both by my sewing and the rather exciting murder mystery plot I was listening to.  But ... while I was happily occupied .. someone was feeling rather bored and neglected and was plotting his revenge. 

After about an hour I decided to head downstairs to put the kettle on for more tea.  I was going to give Ben a doggie choc for being such a good quiet boy.  But he did not receive his doggie choc. This was because I was totally horrified by the sight that met me as I descended the stairs.  Ben had clearly decided that his beautifully made bed - a waterproof (for those swimming days) mattress topped by two freshly washed  old woollen blankets - no longer met his requirements.  The blankets had been pulled off the bed, and tossed around the hall where his bed is and now looked rumpled and scrumpled and decidedly grubby again.

That in itself was not so bad.  BUT ... Rosie gave him a lovely grey teddy with a squeaker and red Santa hat for Christmas.  That teddy had died while I was sewing.  It appeared as though there had been a snowstorm in the hall - fluffy filling was EVERYWHERE, whilst a few rags of grey fur and a sad tattered hat lurked in the corner.  I have not yet discovered the pom pom off the top of the bear's Santa hat and can only assume it has been EATEN.  By the time I had finished telling Ben off (he didn't care) and had cleared up I didn't feel like sewing any more, so my quilt is not quite finished.

But I have finished revising and updating my Circus Lion machine applique tutorial.  I've been using this really effective and fun technique a lot lately, one of the patterns for this month's magazine, the China Cats   cushion cover, incorporates machine applique.  So I've added additional hints and tips as well as additional pictures to the pattern-based tutorial.  I'll be sending it out to my free newsletter readers at the weekend, so if you'd like it and you're not a subscriber, then please do sign up to my free newsletter and it will be heading towards your in-box very soon.  

Busy afternoon ahead....

A very quick snap ... as I sat down to finish binding my Rosie & Bear Calendar Quilt (helped by Charlie the patchwork elephant!).  Not a brilliant photo, but good enough I think that you can see how it's coming together.  Lots of cups of tea required to help me finish it off - and some peace and quiet please Ben!  

If you'd like to pre-register your interest in the Rosie & Bear Calendar Quilt Pattern which will of course include the designs for all 12 blocks, then please CLICK HERE (no obligation to purchase) and I'll let you know when it's released.

Queen for Sixty Years

Today is the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne following the death of her father, King George VI in 1952.  This new Rosie & Bear design celebrates this special day and is the first in a new series of quilt blocks, to be released over the next 8 - 10 weeks, commemorating her Diamond Jubilee - both as Monarch of the British and Commonwealth Realms and Head of the Commonwealth of Nations. There will also be a special "extra" block to celebrate the Special Relationship between the UK and   USA during this period as well.  

In this first block, Rosie and Bear are both on their very best behaviour (see how straight Bear is sitting - and Rosie has clearly been told to put her hands behind her back and not touch anything!).  But knowing the naughty pair, I'm sure this good behaviour won't last as they take a trip around some of the Commonwealth countries and visit the USA in future blocks.

This pattern will  be included in the March Issue of the Bustle & Sew Magazine - out in just over 2 weeks, but I have exceptionally decided to list it before the magazine is published in honour of Accession Day today.  If you'd like to purchase it then you'll find it in my Etsy Shop.  

Back soon with more news of the Rosie & Bear Calendar Quilt too - Ani and her long arm quilting machine have worked wonders - can't believe how beautiful she's made it look - now all I have to do is bind it.