* Daisy-Do* BOM - block 1!

Thank you for all your wonderful messages of support and encouragement, and all your prayers!

We are plum tuckered out from all the house-hunting already, but we have one particular house we'd be happy to move into...we're just waiting for a call back to say we can see inside. Keep praying. :-)

~~~~~

Here it is, block 1 of my new free BOM, ~Daisy-Do~...

You can download the pattern HERE

Please leave a comment with a link to your blog as you stitch the blocks - I can't wait to see what fabrics and threads you'll use! The focus of this BOM is embellishments, and letting the buttons, beads, and threads bring *life* to the simple designs. Be as creative as you like with it - maybe you have notions you've been saving to use some day? Why not let this be the day. :-)

I'll share block 2 on August 1st. Perhaps you'll make a few of these by then in all different colours? The finished size of the wallhanging will be 11 x 34 inches. It's a long one, perfect for those wall spaces that need something narrow. 

NEWS! Blossom passed her Learner Driver test today!!! \o/\o/ 

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

News of a move - please pray?

School holidays are just a few days old and already we are finding ourselves on the go from dawn to dusk again. The plan for 'time out' and rest has been turned on its head because...

we have two weeks to move house!

The school is relocating the house we're living in, but we were told this would not be for another four months, however we have been informed today that we really need to be gone within the next two weeks.

I am going to ask you to pray for us - pray we can find *the* right house to rent in our little town, that it is shady, cool, clean, big enough, and that we can afford it. 

{{{thank you}}}

During our quiet moments Blossom and I have done some stitching. Blossom is playing around with bullion stitch and her practice pieces are GORGEOUS...

I, on the other hand, have been stitching a set of new designs - this particular one will be a gift for a friend 'far, far, away' in Europe...

Regarding my new BOM, ~Daisy-Do~, I am going to upload the first month's block in the next 24 hours. Originally I'd planned on July 1st, but as we will be packing and moving soon I'll share it early to free my time for house-hunting. 

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

~ Little Bird ~ a free stitchery design for you!

Have you been making items for Judith's Early Bird Christmas Crafting? 

So far for June I have made only 4 items to put in my Christmas gifts box - not very productive I know,  but I am working at looking after this trigger finger so I stitch slower than usual. 

However, last night I sketched a cute little design for some mini gifts, and I thought I would share it with you. I even used some of my Tilda fabrics, Tilda threads, and Tilda ribbon!

Both stitcheries are identical but I have used them for different purposes, and added some embellishments.

The stitchery is called ~Little Bird~, and my first mini project was a Scissor Keeper adorned with a large Swarovski crystal...

...and the second mini project was a key fob, with some Tilda ribbon and small seed pearl beads in the corners.

I also fussy cut more Tilda fabric for the backs...

You can download the ~Little Bird~ stitchery design HERE.

I think it would be cute as a redwork, too.

What will you make with your ~Little Bird~?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

If your husband likes motorbikes...

...and has a quirky sense of humour, you can send him over to visit my hubby's blog. He's only just started it. I wondered if he'd ever join the blogging world, thought probably not, and then he did. ;-)

You'll find him HERE.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

~Daisy-Do~ my new BOM for July-August-September-October!

I won't spoil the fun by showing you any blocks before July 1st, but I will share some sneak peeks...

...and I can tell you what supplies you'll need.

One fat quarter of print fabric of your choice (I chose some Amy Butler)

1 skein pansy coloured variegated thread (I used Cottage Garden's *Pansy*)

1 skein variegated browns thread (I chose Cottage Garden's *Blackwood*)

1/3 yard (1/3 metre) white homespun or white quilter's muslin

1/3 yard (1/3 metre) backing fabric

1 small jar red/brown glass seed beads

4,  3/4" diameter mother-of-pearl buttons

2, 5/8" diameter mother-of-pearl buttons

26, 1/2" diameter mother-of-pearl buttons

...you will also need wadding, Vliesofix (for applique), and Whisperweft to back the stitched blocks.

When I had finished it, this was all that was left of my Amy Butler fat quarter. Amazing!

If you'd like to spread the word about my new FREE BOM, you can pop this button on your blog sidebar linking back to me.

Daisy-Do is a 4 month completely free BOM, starting July 1st. It's sweet, and you may want to make a few for Christmas gifts. 

Hugs

Jenny

PS: For stockists of Cottage Garden Threads see the sidebar of Pam's blog HERE.

The end of a term!

Today marked the end of Term 2 for our school year and now we begin a 4-week mid year break. It also heralded the end of Blossom's only year at school, and her return to home education - although we're not sure yet what direction that will take. For now we'll just relax and enjoy the holidays!

The last two days saw the entire school involved in the Sports Carnival and Blossom made sure she competed in a number of events to support her team, Chad, before she left. She ran the 200, 800, and 1500 metre races, and the Principal even thanked her for her efforts over the loudspeaker. We're so proud of her! She is leaving the school well thought of by the staff, and has even been asked to return next term as a teacher's aide for grade 8/9 maths classes a few times a week.

Now, while I'm declaring my pride in Blossom, I can also share that same pride in our 17yo son who completed his Certificate 3 in IT Studies yesterday!! \o/ This was quite an accomplishment at just 17, but he has worked very hard to do it - it took him just 8 months to complete a 2 year course. Well done, Slicer!!

 ~~~~~

My heart is also bursting with delight at the girls in my Home Ec sewing class who have finished their quilts!!

Here is Charlene's - a present for her nephew....

 ...and Hannah's chenille quilt that is so soft she wraps it around her every chance she gets!

Taylor made a very pretty applique quilt, and used button tying to secure the layers...

Kayla's nephew was born just hours before I took this photo of the quilt she has almost finished making for him. It's lovely soft flannel, and all the letters have been appliqued on...

And Alison has made herself a cover for her saddle-cloth using applique and stitchery!

Well done girls!!! I have enjoyed being a part of your classes this term more than you know! :-)

~~~~~

I've finished the new BOM that I will be sharing with you from July 1st, and tomorrow I'll share some photos as well as tell you what materials you'll need to make it. I hope you like it as much as I do!

 ~~~~~

My finger has taken a turn for the worst again. The only relief for me is to stay off the keyboard...and that's not easy. Never mind, I'm being good most of the time, so perhaps slow and steady will see a recovery in time?

 ~~~~~

The June Denim Challenge?! How are you going? Have you been checking the bloggers listed on my sidebar who have signed up for the challenge?

Look at Linda's slippers!!!

...and Stephanie's table runner....

...and Teresa's lunch bag!

Aren't they all so clever!! I am very inspired....must get back to my denim. I'm thinking of making THIS clutch using denim and perhaps some lace. 

What are you making today?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Clear out SALE!!!

I am going to phase out a lot of my old designs and begin sharing a whole new range in the coming months. This means an overhaul of my Etsy Shop, a new online shopping venue to preview, and a few new creative business directions to dabble in. All that change will be quite exciting, but first I need to wipe the slate clean and start FRESH!

That means I need to clear the 'shelves' in my Etsy Shop!

From today I have reduced all my current Etsy Shop patterns by 40-60% - once they are sold, most of them will not be replaced. (My three quilt patterns will return later this year, but the current stock of them has been drastically reduced right now to clear the 'shelves'!)

Go HERE to grab those patterns you've been putting off purchasing, before they disappear for good. They are as 'cheap as chips' to quote a favourite Aussie saying. :-)

Once they are gone, they are gone!!

Hugs

Jenny

My daughter the actress....

The last few weeks Blossom has been spending many (late) nights and her weekends in practice for the school's annual Play. She had a main part in the first of two major productions held this weekend, a duologue where she played a reporter in a thriller 'It's In The Blood'.

We were seated at the back of the grassed area in front of the stage so the photos aren't the best, but you can identify Blossom by the green jacket she is wearing.

It was the first *real* chilly night this winter, and the students here at the school arrived with their blankets and doonas in tow...

She was wonderful! We're so proud of you, sweetheart!

~~~~~

Today Blossom also had to make time in the sewing room before heading back to the stage for the final night's performance. With only 3 days left before she leaves the school and returns to homeschooling she needed to complete her last assignment for Home Ec - a very zipped pencil case with an array of stitches.

It's her own design, lovely and bright!

~~~~~

This week Blossom and I received mail from Europe. Synnoeve was recently married (please stop by her blog HERE and see her beautiful photos!), but before her wedding she wanted to post off a belated 16th birthday gift to Blossom - a gorgeous clutch purse and some pretty pink Tilda threads...

Synnoeve is a wonderful sewer! She made me a gorgeous bag earlier this year when we had a little fabric swap. Remember THIS? In her parcel this week she also sent a gift for me - Tilda ribbons! I was so excited as I have been wanting some for ages, but she also added a pack of the sweetest Tilda peach mother-of-pearl buttons. We have almost 4 weeks of school holidays starting next Thursday so now I can really get to work on using my Tilda fabrics and making her lovely designs at last. :-)

Another package that arrived was from Lone, in Denmark. She sent me some very yummy Belgian chocolates, and three fat quarters of Christmas fabric...

I'm sure I will be inspired to make something lovely with Lone's fabrics while I indulge in the Guylian chocolates. :-) Thank you so much, Lone!

My final surprise parcel was a postcard - a sweet floral bouquet made by my darling friend Darcey in Canada...

As you can see, I have been very spoiled this month! 

~~~~~

Sewing for me has been slow, but I did finish this bag...

It's the perfect size for quick trips to town for fresh milk or a few skeins of thread. 

My other finish is the new free BOM I have designed for you all - it will start on July 1st. :-)

All the blocks are done, now I just need to sew it into it's final display....

Later this week I'll let you know what fabrics, threads and notions you'll need to choose so you can stitch along with us - the BOM will be spread over 4 months so you can have it finished before the busyness of Christmas begins. 

And last of all, I have spent a lot of time this weekend printing up a new range of patterns! It's time for a change, so I am phasing out my old designs....will share more about that later, though. 

Change is refreshing sometimes, don't you think? There will be many changes in the Elefantz household in the months ahead. What changes would you make in your life if you could?

Have a lovely week!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Our Sunday drive to Balfe's Creek....

We live in a remote area, but to the east it is only 90 minutes and we have hit the coast and a real town. 

To the west however, it is a different story. 

A couple of Sunday's ago we decided to drive out of town and head west until we reached the next town. The next town happened to be 60 klms away and we counted 3 houses and a pub. 

When we arrived there were cars and a motor bike parked outside the pub, but not a single person in sight...

 

It looked as though this cricketer had been waiting to get served for a loooong time...

Fortunately I brought along a thermos of coffee for Mr Elefantz and I, just in case...

It was lovely and quiet. We had left the teenagers at home so with just the two of us we soaked in the serenity. Mr Elefantz noticed the interesting power supply...

 

...and the dining room that may or may not be open one day.

We admired the quaint bbq area...

...and the comfortable chairs. 

But can you see that sign!? A free animal farm!? We had to explore further!

Indeed, around the back, and behind some rather spiky barbed wire we met some of the local wildlife.

A camel and a cow in peaceful harmony...

Sheep at rest...

Old Man Emu Ostrich strolled over to say hi....(great Aussie wildlife identifyer I am, eh!?) LOL!!

...and birds dug for worms in the dirt.

Just as we turned to head back to our car we noticed this...

Nope. Never saw 'em. Maybe they have left town too?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

PS: Finger feels a bit better. \o/\o/