The Birdhouse.

.....especially if I have a comfy chair and some sewing to do as well.

  So, when I saw that Natalie Bird of the Birdhouse had two new books - totally dedicated to two of my favourite things- redwork and stitching- I had to grab a copy of each and avidly devour them from cover to cover!

 

             You can find Natalie at www.thebirdhouse.com.au

 

I was able to catch up with Natalie for a quick cup of tea and a chat last week.

  Nat's life is full of designing, drawing, creating and sewing- all focused  around fabric- so I had to ask:

 If you were a piece of fabric, Nat, what would you look like?

If I were a piece of fabric, I would be pale duck egg blue (my favourite colour), with tiny flying birds of course,and love hearts (because my heart is content when I'm sewing).

 

Here's the Natalie Bird fabric I designed- using Nat's little birds.

My favourite food is Thai food, definitely Green Chicken Curry. I have it almost every Friday night.

  I know Nat likes to read whenever she get the chance, so I wondered who her favourite character was.

If I were a character in a novel, I would be Bridget Jones. I see so much of myself in her!

  I think most of us have something in common with Bridget Jones!

My favourite TV programs are Downton Abbey,  So You Think You Can Dance, The Voice Australia and Mrs Brown’s Boys (not sure if I should admit to that!)

 

Thread and Ginger store.

  I know Nat recently closed her very successful bricks and mortar store "Thread and Ginger", so she could have more time to pursue the things she loved doing. So, now that the store has closed - does she have any travel plans?

If I could go anywhere in the world, without question, it would be France and Italy, for the food, the scenery, the antiques and the accents. I would love to take my husband, and my eldest daughter wants to visit Venice more than anything.

 

 Here are some examples of Nat's beautiful designs from her latest books- the ones she sews while watching "Downtown Abbey" or "Mrs. Brown's Boys" and eating green Thai curry!

 

Natalie's beautiful designs.

  Here's some more examples for you to drool over, from some of Nat's other projects (not in the new books).

 

Christmas Stitchery by Natalie Bird.

 

 

Natalie Bird's "Fairyland " book.

 

If you keep a green bough in your heart, the singing bird will come.

                   Let's have a quick peek at her latest book- "Red Home":

 

Natalie Bird's latest book.

 48 Gorgeous pages jam-packed with really lovely projects- the applique quilt on the front of the book, churn dash quilt, bag, pincushion,table centre, cushion and more.

  ..And here's Nat's latest Christmas book- at a  terrific size- so handy for slipping into a handbag and stitching wherever you go-

                                                          "Tis the Season".

 

  13 gorgeous redwork Christmas stitcheries to make into cushions, quilts bags- whatever you can think of.

If you start stitching now- you can cover the walls of your home with redwork stitcheries for a wonderful extra Christmassy look!

 

"Tis the Season" by Natalie Bird.

Natalie has very kindly donated one of each of her two new books for this fabulous competition.

I've added 15 fat quarters to each of the books-in the colours Natalie has used in her new books.

 

15 gorgeous French General fabrics to win.

 

Two French General bundles of fabrics to win.

                                            Two prizes-

1.Nat's "Tis the Season" with one fat quarter bundle of 15 fabulous French General fabrics and

2. Nat's "Red Home" with one fat quarter bundle of 15 fabulous French General fabrics.

   All you have to do is leave a comment below.

 

 

                                                     Best of luck to you all!

Comments

[Says Betsy]

Omg, thank you so much for the chance. I love all your designs.

[Says Helen B]

Oh gosh, thank heaps for the wonderful opportunity. I just adore of these patterns.

[Says Annette, Jindi's Cottage]

I adore the fabric you designed using Nat's colours and birds...so pretty and sweet...wouldn't it be wonderful if it was a for really fabric...I've been seeing Red Home around blogland and it is on my wishlist as it looks as fabulous as 'Tis the Season and of course, what's not to love about French General fabrics! Thanks for the opportunity to enter and thanks also for sharing your gorgeous Wish Quilt, I found a Homespun in my collection recently with one part and wished I had the whole pattern and you have kindly granted my wish :)

[Says Denise Barrett]

I loved reading your blog and learning some more about Natalie. I just love your artwork that goes with it all. I have already bought both of Natalie's books but I would love to have the fabric bundles that go with these books. Should I be lucky enough to win I will give the books to my dear stitching friend and use the fabric to make a wonderful project out of Natalies new book Red Home. Thanks Bronwyn for such a lovely blog to read, I just love looking at your artwork.

[Says Robyn Brown]

WOW What a giveaway. I'm already loving Natalie's birds. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Says Bronwyn]

Another great Aussie designer, doing us proud. Well done Nat.How fitting to offer French General Fabric with one of Nats books, seeing how Nat would love to go to France. Thanks Bron for this great competition.

[Says Erin]

Wow I love the designs and fabrics you have motivated me to get out some stitchery and fabrics! Redwork here I go! I love Red!

[Says Debra Schefe]

Oh Bronwyn thank you for offering a lovely giveaway. count me in.

[Says mistea]

A red home would be perfect and while my current home does not do red easily there is always opportunity to splash some around.
Natalies patterns are gorgeous and stitching is fun.
Thanks for sharing.

[Says Gudrun Ryberg]

Such lovely designs and giveaways!Have to take a chans!
Redwork is my favorite stitching!
Hugs Gudrun

[Says Åsa Holmér]

I would very much like to start some Christmas stitching for the first Christmas in our new home! It is a 215 years old house in Sweden. Perfect for Redwork!

[Says Anita]

I would be vey glad to win this price and make some beautiful things for my friend. I love redwork.

[Says Tracee]

I agree red in fabric & stitchery is just special! Thanks for the opportunity to add to my red stash & stitchery books. Purrs to Brutus from me & my Brutus. Tracee xx

[Says Ramona Chester]

You Aussie women are so talented and generous! I love Natalie's designs and I am sure Brutus thinks she designed her cat after him! ;^)

[Says Kris Meares - Tag Along Teddies]

Hey Bronwyn! Nat's Red Home book is on my wishlist and I LOOOOOVE French General fabrics! I'm looking forward to catching up with Nat next month at Stitchers Dream Day Out at Quilters Angel where she's one of the guest designers ... Woo! Hoo! Love the fabric you designed for her too ... wonder what sort of fabric I would be ... probably something dotty! Tee! Hee! Hee! Enjoy your weekend - Bear Hugs! KRIS

[Says Annie]

Thanks so much for this contest. Love all of your stitchery, applique and quilting designs and now you've introduced me to Natalie, another super-talented designer! I'd love to work on some of these with that beautiful fabric as well.

[Says Jan Knight]

Left a comment on the next post but feel perhaps I should put one here too? Will anyway as I DO like Natalie's little birds! :) What a lovely giveaway from both of you! Many thanks.

[Says Lisa Pyke]

Nat Bird's designs are gorgeous and love the fabric bundles!

The fabric you designed using Nat's birds is just so pretty!

Lisa

[Says May Britt]

I love Natalie Birds pattern and this is a great giveaway. I cross my fingers that I win one of the prizes :)

[Says Lynn S]

How fun to have a fabric that represents your name! I've studied all the pictures--there are some great projects in the books. Love red and white!!!

[Says b.lines58@gmail.com]

Ohhh what a wonderful giveaway!! I love it all!

[Says Maggie]

Love the fabrics and patterns!

[Says NADINE]

WOW WOW, you always have such GREAT and generous giveaways, dear Bronwyn ! And I'll certainly try my luck for this one as I just LOVE Nathalie Bird's stitcheries, as well as birdies ;>)
Now, wishing luck to every participant... but stil crossing my fingers AND toes, that I could be the lucky winner !

XOXOXO
NADINE

[Says Marie]

What a wonderful giveaway, both the fabrics and the patterns!

[Says wendy]

What a wonderful giveaway, both prizes are just fabulous, thanks so much.