Finally! the new garden

After many months of hard work our new pool and back garden were unveiled to our family and friends last Saturday afternoon.  A glorious summer day, a clear blue sky and a light breeze made this event one to remember.
My favourite colour being torquoise, of course the pool is torquoise, the funky retro garden chairs are torquoise, so the decor for the garden party had to be in the same tones.  I first saw these gorgeous pom poms on Steph's brilliant Bondville blog.  I had so much fun making the pom poms, and it was so contagious soon everybody was fluffing up tissue paper decorations.  I also found an excellent site where you can buy kits for making the pom pom decorations.  Ah Tissue and I also love reading Daneve's blog

Lanterns and pom poms

Some crazy pom poms as the pom pom makers were getting out of control with excitment

I think I made this one?

The potted flowers 

These fabulous baskets I purchased in Bali make wonderful table decorations

Two Tulip Chairs 

The very inviting torquoise pool

 Almost time for a refreshment

The pool was built by Metropolitan pools who did a brilliant job, I would definately recommend this company and true to their word they had the pool finished for a splash on Christmas Day.

The funky retro tulip chairs and sun lounges are from Domanye Outdoor Furniture.

Potted flowers are from my very creative friend Maria of Maria's Fresh Flowers.

Cushions are from Kas Australia

pyjama

Gap Sleep wear

Sizes: 12-18m, 18-24 m, 2 yr, 3 yr, 4yr, 5 yr

Price: RM 39.90/set

Trucks

Awesome Like Mom

Lady Bird

Heart Breaker

Beautiful Like Mom

GAP Long Sleeve Tee - READY STOCK

Baby Gap Long Sleeve Tee

Sizes: 18-24m, 2 yr, 3 yr, 4 yr, 5 yr , 6 yr

All priced at RM 39.90/pc

Shine Like a Star-

1 last piece left

Gap- Green

2 last pieces left

Gap - Black - SOLD OUT!

Gap Red - 1 last pc left, Size 6 year

Gap White Shoes

Gap Headphones

Smiles are free- 2 last pc left

Born to Explore

Be Nice to Nature - 1 last pc left

For the love of Torquoise

I love colour, but for me it is always the calming shades of torquoise that catch my eye and the more blogs I read I keep finding more and more people like minded.  I just just adore a five minute getaway reading House of Torquoise by Erin.  I feel as if I have been on a power vacation.

Out and about in Sydney this week I happened upon an absolute find.  This amazing torquoise vintage inspired, crochet cushion fit for the princess in our family, Miss Matilda.  It will be perfect in her nursery!

I found it at the Kaz outlet store at Alexandria in the inner west of Sydney

I just had to photograph this gorgeous cushion with a pair of my favourite Knickernoos from my Rowantree collection.  How this cushion reminds me of my Nan's house.

The Kaz children's collection!

Valentine's Day Inspiration from the Pages of SB

In preparation for Valentine's Day, we have perused some of our favorite springtime back issues of Sew Beautiful for some holiday-appropriate inspiration! All of these issues are still available in our web store, so click on the issue links provided in each description if you would like to purchase a copy. Of course, we know many of our readers faithfully hang on to their collection of SB magazines for years, so you may just find the perfect new project for a sweetheart in your life already hiding on your shelves.

Do you have any Valentine's or heart-themed sewing projects you'd like to share? Send us your pictures with a brief description to blog@sewbeautifulmag.com!

Above, "Hearts & Flowers" smocked dress by Linda Richards is from Sew Beautiful Issue #116. Article includes the adorable heart flower smocking plate.
Our "Sweet Valentine" dress by Linda Richards and Monica Estrada was a popular dress from SB Issue #104. While the article gives readers the smocking graph and instructions, the pattern is available for free on this issue's pullout centerfold in sizes 2-6.

Janet Gilbert created the blue dress above, "Little Heart of Mine," featured in SB Issue #118. The dress is made using our popular "Dainty Designs" pattern from the Sew Beautiful Vintage Collection, and the article instructions include both the smocking plate and instructions for adapting "Dainty Designs" for a smocked panel.

This sweet pink dress was created by designer Debbie Glenn and was featured in "Designer Details" in SB Issue #110. The pattern and smocking plate are from her book, Victorian Treasures: Nostalgic Needlework Projects, which can be ordered on her website.

This gorgeous cover gown entitled "Heart of Roses" is from our 20th anniversary celebration issue, SB #110, and was designed by Cheryl Davidson. The article features both the smocking and embroidery instructions and templates.

This super-cute reversible play top was designed by Diane Bradshaw and can be found in SB Issue #116, entitled "Two of Hearts." The heart templates are available on the pullout centerfold of this issue, and the article includes instructions for both the heart appliqué and dangling chain of hearts.

This heirloom slip article by Nancy McEvoy from SB Issue #104 is full of freebies. While the pullout centerfold includes the heart lace shaping template, you can still download the machine embroidery design (for free!) on our website. (The bear is also included.)

Last but not least, Hope Yoder's "Sweet Heart Jacket" from SB Issue #116 is based on the "Robin's Little Jacket" pattern from The Children's Corner. In the article, readers learn about twin needle quilting, lace shaping in the hoop, and embellishment techniques for ribbons, trims and raw-edge ruffles.

Think outside the box for inside the crib!

When we were expecting Rowan to come along I wanted to make him something very special that he could use, love, and keep forever.  I would make him a quilt.  A quilt made with love.  First an inspiration then a picture to work with and see how it goes along the way.

Think outside the box for inside the crib!

Peace, Love and a Funky Carnival

I found this carnival themed piece of vintage fabric and and put it together with a piece of American folk styled fabric, as you can see I just sewed panels of fabric together and added a mix match border 

The Carousel

Having had so much creative fun making the first quilt I just had to make another.  I had a thought about going to the fair and riding on the carousel.  Which horse will I choose, and waving to my mum each time I passed.  Hold that thought, don't put it on paper but sew it in a quilt for life.  

The Peaceful horse

Spotty

Stripey

A book for inspiration is "Quilts Baby" by Linda Kopp, published by Lark books.  Now that the festive season is over and the house is getting back to normal embark on a quilting project a beautiful and creative way to relax.

Baby Rowan James Sutherland

Rowan James Sutherland arrived at 5.59am on the 5th January in all his beauty.  3.52 kilos and 55 cm long.  The first time I saw his beautiful little face I could not hold back the tears.  My heart was overwhelmed with love.  What a proud moment for my family. I could not wait to hug my daughter and my son-in-law.  In fact, I was hugging everybody.  What a glorious morning waiting anxiously at the hospital with my husband Patrick, and other daughters, Lauren and Alexandra.

The first time I saw his face

I felt so proud I could not stop the smiles

Dressed and waiting for his visitors

Ready to go home in his  Bugaboo Pram, wearing his very French and gorgeous Jacardi outfit I bought him especially for his trip home.  He'll have plenty of time to wear Rowantree Designs

Matthew looks the very proud Dad.  

Ready to go Dad

Rowan's Nursery.  What a beautiful peaceful space Peta has created for her son!  I love the funky animal wall stickers from the Wall Sticker Company and the replica baby Eames chair we found at Matt Blatt. A must visit replica furniture wonderland, the show room is in Leichhardt in the inner west of Sydney.

And here is Rowan's groovy horsey quilt that I made especially for him.  These quilts are available by order at Rowantree Designs

Playing with his Aunt's Lauren and Alexandra

Sound asleep

Welcome Home Rowan James, your life will be blessed with Love