Red Brolly

Lovely stitching...a Red Brolly swap

I really love looking through my flickr photos and my facebook page at what people create using my patterns, you can imagine my excitement when I came across a Red Brolly swap with an online stitching group of lovely ladies called "Friends in Stitching!" They have stitched and shared some wonderful creations and I thought that I would show them off to everyone.

There were lots of gorgeous stitching to choose from and I've just selected a few, but everyone was very creative. Please forgive me if I accidently get the name of the stitcher incorrect....

Here's my Angel Apron stitched by Teresa from All Things Vintage.

The funny thing is, is that Teresa stitched it for her swap partner and hoped to make one for herself, but, unfortunately she ran out of time. You can imagine her delight when she received this package in the post from her swap partner, Peg from Happy in Quilting.

The very same apron, but the stitched version! Lucky her!

Not part of the swap, but I just wanted to share Peg's other Angel apron and teatowel that she made...

Back to more swapping...

Vicky stitched a Teana purse for her partner, and she received the Sewing Carryall and pincushion in return, all made by Jenny M.

Fiona, received this bag which was adapted from my Easter Googy Egg bag pattern and this lovely stitched coaster...(note how neat that binding has been stitched!). I know Fiona would've been delighted as she loves purple!

There was also a....

which were made by Leanne, and the cookbook was put together by Dawnie from Itching for Stitching. Wasn't that a great idea? I tried to get a larger photo so you could see it a bit better, unfortunately, I couldn't make it happen.

As I said, I wish that I could've shown you everyone's, but there was just so many to choose from, but a big congratulations to all the "Friends in Stitching."

Whilst we're in the sharing mood, I thought that I would show you a finished version of my Fairy Garden Quilt, made by Meg. It's just stunning in my favourite colour-red.

Here's a finished Bunny pincushion by Fiona R.

I also have to show you these great bags which have been finished. The first is the Nowra Bag by Sissel,

Look at the colouring! The second is by "Time to" which was posted in my flickr group...

And a cushion by Fiona Y.R

 

Bravo to all! Thank you for sharing with us and allowing us to see your projects.

There's one more which I'd like to share...a gorgeous version of my Catalicious Quilt by MariaRe. You can see more of it in my Flickr group, but she really has done a fabulous job and has created a real treasured quilt.

-Bronwyn...

Itching to do some stitching? Here's an idea...

Hello my lovely stitching friends. Just been thinking of lots of ideas that we can do with our stitching. Here's an idea that I've been thinking of...maybe for your next gathering? Or perhaps for a special gift for someone?

Take these....

And do this...

Stitch lots of different messages? Personalise it with someone's name? So what do you think?

Would love to know.

 

Happy weekending!

 

Home Sweet Home Recipe :: Blueberry Crumb Cake

Here's a delicious Home Sweet Home recipe...yummy Blueberry Crumb cake...the Red Brolly way!

A simple and very scrumptious coffee cake overloaded with piles of blueberries bursting through. Lovely to take to morning tea and share over a cup of tea and a chat. Nothing fancy, but very delicious. There are several varieties around, but this is the one that I love and make it my way.

How to make...

Cream sugar and flour together in a mixer. 

Add egg and vanilla. Mix together until combined.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt and add to the butter mixture.

Mix together until just combined.

Slowly pour in the milk.

Grease a baking tray and spread batter out into tray. 

In a separate bowl, mix blueberries with the sugar. Sprinkle bluberries over the batter. Press them into the batter a little bit. They should make a thick layer.

Put aside for the moment.

To make the crumble topping.  In a bowl put the butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and coconut.

Use your fingers and rub the butter until you get something that resembles lumpy breadcrumbs.

Keep going...not quite there yet!

Great! Now sprinkle the crumble mixture over the top of the blueberries.

Ready for the oven. Bake the cake in the oven for around 45 mins at 180 degrees Celcius.

Whilst your waiting...

When it's looking golden brown and smelling delicious...you know you're there!

Serve warm and fresh from the oven, with some lovely freshly whipped cream!

Ingredients

For the cake:-

100 grams butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups plain flour (all-purpose)

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup milk

 

Filling:-

2 tabs sugar

2 cups blueberries

 

Crumble:-

100 grams butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup plain flour

1/4 cup coconut

 

Method

1.Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celcius

2. Sift flour, cinnamon & baking powder and set aside.

3. Cream butter and sugar together in a mixer.

4. Add egg and vanilla. Mix

5. Add flour mixture alternating with milk. Mix after each addition.

6. Spread mixture into prepared cake tin.

7. In a separate bowl, mix blueberries and sugar. Spread over the top of the cake batter. Make a thick layer and press some into the batter.

8. To make the topping, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and rub butter into flour mixture using your fingers, until a lumpy breadcrum texture is reached.

9. Sprinkle over the top of the blueberries.

10. Bake in the oven for 45-50 mins, until golden brown.

11. Serve warm with some freshly whipped cream and a cup of coffee.

Lovely!

 

-Bronwyn...

           

A little blue? Need some help with fabric selection?

Are you thinking about making "The Blueberry Girls" quilt?

Do you need a little help with selecting fabric?

Would you like to know what material I've used to make the quilt?

I thought that I might share with you the fabric range I used, and the colour swatches to give you some ideas to work with.

When making "The Blueberry Girls" quilt I used the latest fabric range from Blackbird designs- "Blueberry Crumb Cake-" A fantastic range of blue and brown hues. In the quilt I've also used a splash of red as an accent, using a red check material. 

So, here's all the fabric that I used. Lovely isn't it?

Hope this helps when you're selecting fabric. Leave a comment if you need some ideas for fabric selection.

Happy stitching!

-Bronwyn...

           

A new Quilt :: Meet "The Blueberry Girls!"

I've been hiding these lovely ladies...but now it's time for me to show you my brand new quilt design. I love these ladies...meet "The Blueberry Girls."

The finished quilt measures 38 1/2" by 38 1/2" with lots of lovely applique, patchwork and stitching. If you are heading to Melbourne this weekend for the AQC , it will be on display for you to see.

"The Blueberry Girls" Quilt pattern is available for wholesale purchase and should be arriving in your local quilt shop soon. If you can't find it, just ask the owner of the shop.

This is such exciting news that I can finally show you my "Blueberry Girls," and I have lots of lovely mini Blueberry projects coming your way to go with the quilt.

Looking forward to seeing your stitching.

Bronwyn...

 

 

 

           

Mmmm......The Blueberry Girls....

 

 

I Can Smell Something Berry Delicious.......

                                                                     The New...

 

        The new quilt will be at the AQC in Melbourne this week!

From Wednesday until Sunday -if you'd like to go and have a look.

  A limited number of patterns for the Blueberry Girls Quilt will be                                   for sale at the stand.

  Other Red Brolly patterns will be available at the Convention.

 

              Another piece of the new pattern tomorrow!

 

       

{ D.I.Y Tutorial } Laverne, Another Easter Chicken- Free pattern & instructions

Meet Laverne the Easter Chook!

 

Still looking for some Easter craft to do? Meet Laverne. She's a very patient, motherly chicken, always watching over her eggs and waiting for them to hatch. Laverne likes to fuss, and loves a good cluck with the other chickens at the water pot.

Here's the instructions and pattern.

 

Here's what you'll need to make her:-

- Fabric- one fat quarter should be enough

-felt for the beak, comb and wattle

-polyester fiber stuffing

-thread or a bead for the eye

-scissors, pins

-fabric marker

- the pattern. Which you can download a pdf pattern here... page 1....  page 2

 

Instructions

1. Cut out the pattern pieces as instructed on the pattern. Use a fabric marker to mark the placement spots onto the pieces.

2. Take one body piece, and right side up, place the beak piece and the wattle piece on the front end of the body, in the positions marked. Make sure they face inwards, to the back end of the chicken.

4. Place comb piece on top, as shown in the photo. Make sure you leave a little overlapping the edge of the body piece. See in the photo below how some is poking out?

5. Next, take your second body piece and place it on top, making sure right sides are facing.  Pin together, starting at the front where the spot is, and finishing at the tail end. See photo below.

6. Using your sewing machine, straight stitch along the top half of the chicken, allowing for a 1/4" seam allowance. Do not stitch all the way around. Only stitch from pin to pin as shown above.

7. Take your Gusset piece, and match the black spot on the front of the gusset with the black spot on the body piece. Pin. Use this placement as a guide and pin the gusset to one side of the body and then follow around, pinning as you go, onto the other side of the body.

8. Straight stitch all the way around, remembering to leave a small opening so you can turn it right side out.

9. Clip those curves!

10. Turn Laverne right side out. You can try and press the seams as much as possible at this point, if you like.

11. Stuff her! Oh, poor Laverne! You can decide if you want her plump and cuddly or a little on the slender side. I personally know how I'd rather my chook!

12. Once she has been stuffed, use a slip stitch or ladder stitch, and sew the hole together.

13. Now to make the wings. Put Laverne to the side for a moment. Take 2 pieces of the wings and place them together, right sides facing. Pin.

14. Sew all the way around, leaving a small opening to turn right side out. Clip the curves.

15. Turn wing right side out and repeat with other 2 pieces. Press.

16. Slip stitch wings onto Laverne, using the dashed lines as a guide.

All she needs now is a nest with some lovely googy eggs! Voila!

-Bronwyn...

 

           

Home Sweet Home ::Yummy and quick Easter egg cupcake nests

Now before I start this post I'm going to say, "Yes, I know how to cook," " You know I know how to cook," and "Yes, I know you know that I know how to cook," and  I've shown you lots of yummy recipies in the past, but.....

This one comes from the.."Quick the gals are coming over for an Easter stitch and morning tea and I've got to whip something Easter-y up in moments, what am I going to make" recipe book. You know the one? I'm sure you've read it a few times.

So, to make something Eastery for morning tea for your stitching BFF's, here's what you do...   

You will need (Can't believe I'm saying this)...

1 packet of Betty Crocker (or whatever cake mix you like) Strawberry Super Moist cake mix

1 can of Betty Crocker pink frosting

1 pkt Speckled chocolate candy Easter eggs

...all of which are available from your local supermarket.

I would naturally make this all from scratch if I had the time, but, remember the ladies will be knocking on your door any second!!!

So, follow the directions on the packet and make 12 cupcakes. When they are cooled, ice them using the frosting in the can. Take a few speckled eggs and place them carfeully on top...TA DA!

Morning tea! And trust me, they taste yummo!

The gals will devour them in seconds...now you just need to make some of my Easter teabags and envelopes and you'll have a fantastic morning tea.

-Bronwyn...


P.S  Those beautiful Butterfly Cupcake holders are from:

                          www.cherrytreecakes.com.au

 

               ..... as well as lots of other cupcake goodies!

 

 

           

{ D.I.Y Tutorial } Free Printable Easter Tea bags and wrappers

Would you like to make these for Easter morning? Or, maybe you have an Easter morning tea to go to? Here's the easy instructions and free templates for you to download. Have fun!

 

 

 

You will need:-

- Teabag template and wrapper- download pdf template- Red brolly easter teabags -this file has been compressed as it wouldn't let me upload one that hadn't been- you can download the compressed pdf file, or right click/click and drag the file below and hopefully that works :-) 

(print template onto A4 paper or card stock)

- glue

-scissors

- teabags

- pen

- sewing machine

1. Cut out templates

2. Remove label on teabag

3. Get 2 rabbit pawprints and glue the wrong side of one pawprint

4. Place  teabag string onto glue side of pawprint

5. Place matching 2nd pawprint on top of string, to make a sandwich. You may like to staple the string to add extra strength.

6. Finished. Now you need to maje the wrapper.

 

Finished! Make as many as you like!

Hope you had a great weekend.