New Cake and Sweet Patterns from May Blossom

You simply must add these delightful sweet and cake patterns to your collection! They are brand new from Simone Gooding of May Blossom.

The perfect gift idea for little girls who love hosting tea parties!







Yummy Swiss Roll












Rich Chocolate Cake












My favourite Raspberry Cheesecake










Wrapped Sweets













The cake plate need never be empty in your kitchen with these delicious sweet treats. And the best part is there is not a calorie in sight!
Click here to find out more information about these yummy cake patterns.

Hope you enjoy them.
Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Patchwork Books

Need some new patchwork books for inspiration?

Last birthday I was lucky to receive a Moda jelly roll as a gift. You can imagine my excitement. I adored the range, the colours were beautiful and for a while I just sat it on my craft cupboard and admired it.

Just in case you think I am referring to a cake I have included a picture of a fabric jelly roll for you here, not the roll in question, but a lovely Moda jelly roll all the same.

Then one day my Miss 8 decided to have a closer look and pulled out one of the fabrics. I couldn't be annoyed with her, I had been tempted myself to inspect the fabric designs closer.

For those of you familiar with jelly rolls you will know that there is no way this can be fixed. My only solution is to find a quilt project that is worthy of my roll. And so the quest begins!

Thankfully my search has uncovered some fabulous patchwork books, which happen to be on sale at the moment. Yippeee!
I though I would share them with you. A sewing girl can never have too many beautiful books at her fingertips, especially when there is a sale on. I'm sure you understand how it is.

Here are some of my finds. Click on the graphic for more information about each book.









































And I also found these two patchwork books which caught my eye.
















































Now my only problem is that I have one jelly roll and about 5 quilts that I want to make. Guess I will just have to buy more fabric!
Hope you find these patchwork books of interest too.
Happy patchworking!
Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Embroidery Patterns on Flickr

Check out these wonderful embroidery patterns on Flickr. I just love looking at photos on Flickr. I could spend hours just swooning over the hundreds of images on display. If you haven't ever taken a look,then I highly recommend it. You will discover a whole new world.
Until today it had never occurred to me that there were embroidery patterns like these to look at. Some of them are copyrighted while others have been taken from coloring in books and don't seem to be labeled with any copyright. I'm assuming they could be copied for personal use.
I couldn't resist sharing a few of them with you.



If you're passionate about hand embroidery, like I am,
I'm sure you're always on the look out for inspirational hand embroidery patterns.
So have fun!
Warmly Lenna
http://www.stitchingcow.com

Discover Beetle Bots a Felt Craft Project

A cute little felt craft project is only minutes away.

While walking through the garden my daughter made a discovery...

It started with some little voices, although the language was unknown.

Then as she approached further there was a scurry and a rustle of leaves.

But she caught a glimpse of something truly wonderful.

It was a trio of Beetle Bots

They proved to be very friendly Beetle folk and agreed to come inside to have their pictures taken.






















They all had different expressions.

And they were each dressed in their own unique clothing as if they were going to a party in the garden.
























Then they scurried outside and disappeared amongst the flowers where I expect they are more at home.

If you would like to create your very own trio of Beetle Bots then click here to find out more about this very cute felt craft project.

Until next time happy crafting!
Warmly Lenna

PS For more felt craft projects visit www.stitchingcow.com

Sneak Peek at a New Block of the Month Design by Little Green Cottage

For the past few week I have been busy designing a new block of the month pattern based on children's nursery rhymes. I have had this quilt design spinning around in my head for a year now so it was about time that it bubbled on out. I have to admit that I am really enjoying the process and have decided to post each block design a I complete it. You can join me and watch this quilt take shape by visiting my Little Green Cottage Blog
I have combined needle turn applique and hand embroidery in this quilt which you can see from looking at the graphics below.























































This new block of the month pattern by Little Green Cottage will be launched in September (if all goes to plan) and will be available as a complete set of patterns or as a monthly pattern program in paper pattern and e-format. I'm looking forward to sharing this new pattern design with you and hope you can join me on the Little Green Cottage blog as I reveal each block as the quilt progresses.
Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think so far, I'd love to hear from you.

Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Country Style Cushion Pattern from Little Green Cottage

Looking for a quick and easy cushion pattern?
When Country Threads magazine commissioned me to design a project for them at the end of last year a cushion pattern with some hand embroidery and appliqué came to mind. I had recently returned from a trip up North in Tasmania and the images of stately sandstone home, which are scattered across the countryside in Tasmania, were still vividly in my mind. Hence they became my inspiration and a new cushion pattern came to fruition. I have called it "House on the Hill"
Here is a photo of the cushion for you.

























I loved creating the trees the most which are simple yo yos hand appliquéd above embroidered branches.




















I chose to use the needle turn appliqué technique for the sandstone mansion, although this could easily be adapted to another technique such as fusible web applique.























And there are some pretty little mauve daisies scattered across the hill.






















This cushion pattern would look equally good in soft pastel colours.
Click here if you would like more information about how you could start sewing this cushion pattern design today.

Until next time happy stitching!
Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Love Apples? Fruit Sewing Pattern to Enjoy

Have you ever tried making fruit from fabric?

I have a new fruit sewing pattern to share with you based on the humble apple.

Last week I noticed a bag hanging over my back fence. This is always a delightful surprise because my thoughtful neighbour often shares extra seasonal produce she has available. Thankfully the back fence is in full view of our living room so we notice quite quickly.



















These are not my apples but you get the idea!

Once spotted the children scurried down to find some gorgeous red apples. Normally fruit does not last long in our household due to children with healthy appetites so I was excited at the thought of surplus apples and what I could cook with them. Apple pie with warm homemade custard immediately came to mind. It became the perfect dessert to finish off a wonderful Mothers day meal hubby and the kids had prepared for me. Aren't I lucky?

With apples on the mind it was no surprise that a new pattern by May Blossom featured them this month. Fruit sewing patterns are difficult to find so I was thrilled when Simone sent this gorgeous pattern through to me.




















This project would be heaps of fun to sew and is the perfect home decorating idea.
The exciting news is that this fruit sewing pattern is currently available for download on the Stitching Cow website, so don't delay in securing you copy today. Do you have some favourite off cuts of red fabric? They would be ideal for this pattern.
I just love the special little buttons Simone has chosen to embellish the basket with too.
Click here if you would like to find out more about this pattern.

Speaking of fruit I'm reminded of a cute little felt project my clever daughter designed some time ago featuring a slice of watermelon. I must get busy with some serious pattern writing.
Until next time happy fruit sewing!
Warmly Lenna