Teddlywinks

Santa Seen in Mount Evelyn

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:03:00 +0000

Hey kids! Look who I saw!! Every year, Santa finds the time to visit on the back of the local fire truck - giving all the children (and grown-ups who like lollies) a few sweets, and probably checking to see who's been naughty or nice, and possibly checking for manners as well!
Wonder who's looking after Rudolph?
Liz
P.S.
Q. What nationality is Father Christmas?
A. North Polish (of course!)
(Oh alright - I can hear the groans from here!)

How to make Applique Easier

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:41:00 +0000

Easy steps to help with applique when combined with embroidery.

1. With a pencil, trace the pattern pieces onto the paper side of the vliesofix (fusible webbing).
2. Roughly cut out the pieces, about 1/4" outside the drawn line.
3. Place these vliesofix pattern pieces rough side down (glue side), onto the back of your chosen fabrics.
4. Using a hot, dry iron, fuse the vliesofix to the back of the material.
5. Carefully cut out each piece.
6. Place an applique mat, or a piece of bakers paper, over the diagram. You will be able to see the design through the mat. Arrange the pieces on this and when you are happy with the arrangement, iron the pieces directly onto the applique mat. If there are several small, tricky pieces, try touching them with the tip of the iron so that other pieces can be slotted under or around them without the whole design descending into an untidy heap! You will also be able to work out which pieces can be ironed onto the mat first, before adding other parts. For instance, for the teddy below, I would iron his right foot and right arm (left side facing him) down first as these are tucked under his body and overalls.
7. When cool, peel off the mat.
8. At this stage, I like to trace any details onto the design. For instance, the bear's eyes and mouth, and any creases in their clothes, etc. Place the teddy (or whatever) on the pattern diagram, place over a light box and use a fine tipped brown Zig Millennium marker (acid free and permanent, it will not stain or bleed into your fabric).
9. Place the pattern diagram sheet on your ironing board, the applique background fabric over this, and then position the applique on top. If the background fabric is a pale colour, you should be able to see the drawing through it, to assist with placement. Iron in place.
10. To trace the embroidery designs around the applique, place the pattern diagram on a light box, and the applique over this, then trace the designs.11. Iron a piece of embroidery stabilizer on the back, and begin your hand stitching! Preferably in front of the telly with a good movie, or with a group of stitching friends!
Hope this helps!
Happy Christmas!
Liz

Just a few photos

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:40:00 +0000

The "Leaning Tower of Post". Saw it this morning - it must be a sign! This is where we intend to build the workroom - the garden is giving us a "hurry up" message!
David fixed it. Well ...... he pulled it out and put it in the woodshed. Can't wait to see what happens next. Will the garden start to fall apart?
Anyway, he'd rather play with the parrots!
Every Christmas I hang baubles from the little bit of lattice over the little bit of garden in the little bit of corner near the little bit of lounge.
Our Christmas tree can just be seen through the window.
A very dear (dear as in close, not expensive ..... although she does have expensive taste in wine and jewellery .....) friend who shall remain nameless (no need to give her too much exposure - it goes to her head) gave me these beautiful lillies.
Thank you D.N.F. (Dear Nameless Friend)!
Happy Christmas!
Liz

Festive Greetings

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:47:00 +0000

Happy Christmas Everyone!!!!!!!! I hope you don't suffer from too much Christmas cheer!!!!
Liz

A Little Bit Extra Award

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:23:00 +0000

I was excited to be the recipient of a very special customer service award, presented on Wednesday evening by the young people from The Youth Enterprise Shed. The Mount Evelyn traders were all invited to Morrison Cafe for drinks and "nibblies", and awards were given out to local businesses who "gave a bit more" from the perspective of the youth in the area. It was a beautiful evening and we all enjoyed sitting and nattering on the deck, with a wine or three, overlooking the township and Dandenong ranges beyond. Below is the cafe, on the right.
My congratulations and thanks go to Tim and his fantastic team - for the organisation and atmosphere created to make a lovely evening. It has spurred me on to attend the Traders' Association meetings!
I would like to show you photos of the old railway station - it has been converted into the library and Morrison Cafe. The Warburton Trail, which follows the old railway line, is an extremely popular path for walkers, bikes and horses, and extends from Lilydale to Warburton.
This is the original station.
Above is the cafe and library - converted from the old station buildings.
I think it's a pity that the old steam trains are not running any more - what a fantastic trail it would be if the trains could run side-by-side with the pathway!
I remember back in the sixties watching the last train go through. We sat on the bank of one of the cuttings and waving like mad to all the passengers. Of course, I was VERY young then!!!!
The above photo is looking along the trail, where the trains ran. You can see the Mount Evelyn Community Link building (an information centre). The cafe and library are on the right behind the trees. This is the way I walk to the bank, post office, etc when I have "Teddly" things to do.
Liz

Quilt Aid 2010

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 06:05:00 +0000

As promised! Over the holiday break I am being creative with a gorgeous bundle of Robyn Pandolph "Beach House" fabrics. They are for my block for the new Quilt Aid on-line Block of the Month, to be released next year.
If you loved this year's Bluebird of Hope quilt, just wait and see what's in store - "Faith, Hope and Love - The Greatest Gift".
Here is the selection of DMC threads supplied - beautiful!
I have a few ideas already, and I'm breaking with the Teddlywinks tradition - not a teddy in sight!
Liz

Early Morning Wake Up Call

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Six o'clock this morning - woke up to the roar of gas burners - yes - hot air balloons over the house! We get quite a few when the weather conditions are right - there are spectacular views over the Yarra Valley, and they usually go to one of the wineries for breakfast after the flight.
Took this photo, went inside to jump back into bed for a while (after years of getting up really, really early, my body clock feels that seven o'clock is a respectable "get-up" time!, and David announced "There's more!" So - out of bed, grab camera, go outside, more photos!
I was telling you about the cockatoos in my last blog - here is the mess the cockies have left - when the plums start to rot and ferment it smells like a brewery under the tree!
Here are some of them having a fine feast!The little fellow with the branch in his beak thought he was so lucky, until some of the others wanted a bit and began to chase him!
Next time I will tell you all about the new Quilt Aid charity quilt - I have some gorgeous fabrics to show!
Liz

Ming and a very wet galah

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:29:00 +0000

Let me introduce you to my Mum's old panda, Ming. Ming was born in 1923 or 4, so he's a wise, well-travelled and experienced little fellow! His overalls were knitted in the 1950's, and there's no way he'll be seen without them because he has been much loved, and there is very little fur left to keep him warm!
Speaking of keeping warm, I managed to sneak a snap of a very wet galah during the lovely, lovely rain we had last week! He had his mate with him, but something spooked them before I could take any more photos. A flurry of wet wings and they were gone!
Bye for now!
Liz
P.S. The cockies are wreaking havoc in the back yard - stripping the plum trees of all the fruit! They eat the stones and drop the rest, leaving bits of plum all over the grass! They are comical to watch, hanging upside down from branches that barely hold their weight, occasionally losing their grip and then there is a mad flutter of feathers. The two plum trees have been my jam-making source - but for the last three years the cockies have won and we haven't been able to save any fruit!

Green Farm Village

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:44:00 +0000

This is my new Block of the Month which was inspired by the Welsh countryside just outside Cardiff where my Mum grew up. She lived, as a child, in a house called “The Lodge”, which was situated next to a cemetery where my Grandpa was employed. The road leading to the house was Green Farm Lane, which David and I have visited recently. Development has taken place, with modern homes built in Green Farm Lane, although the original home is still there.
Mum and Dad were married in the parish church of St. Georges, a beautiful little old building consecrated around 1236. The church and surrounding graveyard are still in a “country-ish” area. We were excited to find that photos we took did not differ much to wedding photos taken in 1946!
Fabrics in the photograph are from the Lecien "Antique Rose" range. The quilt is available as a Block of the Month program from participating patchwork & quilting shops. The Patchwork Tea House is currently taking orders (PO box 530, Warburton, Victoria 3799.
Ph: 03 59662400)
Quilt size: 1.52m X 1.78m (not 1.52m X 178m as I put in a newsletter!!! Whoops!!!)
I have become quite fond of a product called Glad Press N' Seal. It is perfect for tracing designs for quilting on your domestic machine. Draw or trace the design on the "non-sticky" side, then press with your hands (not the iron) onto the fabric. Then you can either machine or hand-quilt to your heart's content. It won't shift! When completed, simply tear away the Press N' Seal, making sure it is completely removed before ironing.
It is also great for hand embroidery. It is available in some Coles and IGA supermarkets, and also Costco if there is one near you.
Bye for now!
Liz

Magic Lights

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:39:00 +0000

I found a couple of old photos that I thought you might like! This is the cottage My grandparents lived in when they moved here from Wales just after the second World War. It took a lot of TLC to get it half decent! That's my Grandma you can just see on the verandah. And check out the clothesline on the right! Below is an hilarious photo of Grandpa and my Dad!
Back to the AQM at Jeff's Shed. I don't know who was in charge of lighting, but the spotlights provided for each booth were woeful. Very difficult to adjust, and did nothing to enhance the displays!
However, it was a very different story in the "Ladies". The lights in there were so flattering! Every woman who went in there emerged feeling really good about themselves! I'd like one of those magic lights floating over my head all the time!
Liz

McKenna Ryan

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:09:00 +0000

A display of McKenna's beautiful work at Warburton Golf Club.
Tuesday at the Golf Club - here is McKenna talking to a room full of extremely interested ladies! She had everyone enthralled with her talk, accompanied by a slide show and a display of her quilts.
Annemarie and I were perched on stepladders as the quilts were passed to us one by one - neither of us is very tall - so the ladders were necessary!!! Of course, there was a slight problem. Annemarie and I couldn't see the front of the quilts! So what did we do? Turn them around, naturally! So we could examine the front, and the audience were treated to a view of the back, one of which had little penguins all over it!

Here are some more of her stunning quilts.
Some of the ladies were treated to a demonstration of her applique techniques. All in all, a wonderful day!
Thank you so much, McKenna!
Liz

New Designs

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:12:00 +0000

New designs! Three of them! Now you'll be busy deciding which one to do first! Above is my new 10 month BOM, Green Farm Village. It was inspired by the Welsh countryside where my Mum grew up. The house was called "The Lodge", the road was Green Farm Lane, and the little old parish church (circa 1236), St. Georges, was where Mum and Dad were married just after the second World War. It's made with Lecien's Antique Rose fabrics. The quilt, not the church!
This one (above) is Teddy Bears A-Plenty, with a little poem composed by Himself. He's very good at making up little rhyming thingies! There are ten teddy designs, each one made twice in different colours.
Next is Woolly Bears, a cute cuddly rug for snuggling. Made with Maywood Studio "Woollies" flannels.
All details are on my website. Pleeeese order lots because I desperately need a workroom!!!!!!!!! My creative genius is being stifled because of lack of space!!!! (My friend Bron is going to give me "the look" for that comment. Matter of fact, so is Sue! And Julie. And the other Julie. And Helen. And Jill. And Lynn. And the other, other Julie.)

I've had a busy but wonderful day, today! Went to Warburton Golf Club (again!) to listen to McKenna Ryan talk about her life, her quilts, and her business "Pine Needles". What an inspiring lady! And a lovely person as well! I'll post some photos next time.
Coffee and chocolate calling because I'm worth it!!!! (More "looks" coming!)
Liz

More Quilt-In and the AQM

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:15:00 +0000

Here's Nikki "talking under wet concrete" as she said, and does so well! In the nicest possible way! She had the girls in stitches!
Marilyn wandered around chatting to everyone.
Some photos of Nikki's display, and of the crowd who attended!

Lovely views (although not too clear in the photos) into the gardens and the greens.
Nikki and I being very silly with the camera!
On the weekend we attended the AQM - a trade only show for patchwork and quilting - this was our stand. An extremely busy couple of days! News of the new designs coming soon!
We're soooooo tired!!!!!!
Nighty night!
Liz
zzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

Quilt In

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:41:00 +0000

A day not to be missed! The Quilt In at Warburton Golf Club, a beautiful venue with a spectacular outlook over the gardens and course. The day went something like this.
A lovely drive (and gossip) with my friend Bron.
Arrive at Warbie, greet friends.
See Nikki (from Nikki Tervo Designs) and have chin-wag.
Check in "show and tell" (my new quilt, but more about that later!)
Find table and have cuppa and more gossip.
Lucky door prize draw - lots of prizes but no luck for us!
More gossip. And a bit of stitching.
First part of "Show and Tell" - lots of very talented ladies bought their achievements along for this session. And there were some lovely stories behind the making of many of the quilts!
More gossip. And a bit more stitching.
Nikki "strutted her stuff" - gave a wonderful and inspiring talk - she has had a few "ups and downs" over the last couple of years but appears to have emerged a stronger person despite everything. AND is looking gorgeous!!!
More gossip. And a bit more stitching. Although Sally, at our table, firmly put down her work and refused to do any more - just wanted to chat! But that's alright!
Time to look at a display Nikki's designs, and beautiful buttons.
More gossip. And a bit more stitching.
Next part of "Show and Tell".
Lunch.
More lucky door prizes, and again no luck for us!
More gossip. And a bit more stitching.
Final part of "Show and Tell".
Afternoon tea supplied by the Golf Club ladies - delicious!!!!!!
....... and so on .......
All in all, a day to remember. Thanks to Marilyn from The Patchwork Tea House who is the little power pack behind this annual event.
Here I am with Marilyn, Nikki and Annemarie.
Me, Nikki and Bron.
More photos to come.
Liz
PS As I said, more about my new quilt next time ......... be patient!

TiramiSue

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:51:00 +0000

My friend Sue has done it! She has finally created a blog - well, it's in the early stages yet, but you can be sure that there will be lots of "ooohs" and aaahs" when you see what she is capable of!

http://tiramisue-suesblog.blogspot.com/

Keep an eye on TiramiSue - you won't be disappointed! (The pressure is now on, Sue!)
Here's my latest design - it will be on the website any day now. It's called "Teddy Bears A-Plenty". David is the poet. I had ten teddies, each made twice and here's what he came up with for the stitchery inner border.

"Teddy bears, teddy bears,
Teddy bears a-plenty.
If you count them carefully,
You'll see that there are twenty!"

I have also nearly finished "Woolly Bears", made with lovely soft Maywood Studio flannels. A really cute snuggle rug for kids. Here's a preview, all set out on the floor, ready to sew together. Simple construction, but effective! I'm nearly ready to add wadding and backing.
AQM next week - that 's the Australian Quilt Market - a trade show. I'm hoping to have Green Farm Village completed by then - it's a ten month block of the month. I'll post photos soon!
See you (and Julie & Julie) tomorrow morning Sue, for coffee and apple slice this time! No chocolate, but lots of cream!
Liz

Jo Jo

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:44:00 +0000

Our stand at Woodend - it's always an eye-catching display - we can put the quilts quite high up on the wall and visitors are treated to a great view as they enter the hall!
More pics of the show. You can see us at the end of the hall.
These were taken from the stage.

More pics of Woodend - the day was a bit cold and wet, but we had a heater vent under our table!
This photo shows Kerri presenting prizes to winners of various categories of the teddy bear competition. Kerri and her band of helpers deserve a huge "Warm Fuzzy" for their hard work in the production of the show. It has been going for four years now, and just gets better and better!
And Free the Bears, Animals Asia and World Wildlife Fund all benefit from the show!
Meet Jo Jo, my little Charlie Bear, who adopted me at the show. As I write this she's sitting on the bookshelf threatening to jump off.
News on a couple of new designs soon!
Liz

Where we stayed at Woodend

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:21:00 +0000

These were taken from Woodbury cottage, where we stayed at Woodend. We have already booked for next year - we love it there! The ducks were looking for crusts - they make a bee-line for the verandah when anyone is around!

Rascally rabbits everywhere! And lots of littlies scampering after mum!

Early morning frost ........ brrrrrrr!
What a lovely weekend!
Liz

Woodend Teddy Bear Show Part 1

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:41:00 +0000

Here is Pam, who came down for the day from Echuca with her hubby Alan ..... that's not Alan in the photo, that's David who belongs to me. I think Alan was hiding ....... or talking to Wayne. Wayne and Julie came to the show from Mooroolbark - we have all been friends for a number of years and like to get together whenever we can. We are looking forward to spending a weekend at Echuca early next year!
Anyway, the photo shows Pam's quilt, A Teddy Bear Christmas. It has been a very popular pattern - and Pam is justifiably proud of her work!
Julie is a legend! She adores Christmas and anything to do with the festive season. She bought a gorgeous miniature bear from Rainebears, all the way from New Zealand. It is a Christmas teddy, named Merri, with little lights that flash, and bells that tinkle. That's Merri in the top right hand corner of the photo below, of the Rainebears stand. More to come,
Liz

Tea Party

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:47:00 +0000

Yes, here we are at "Chookies"! Chookies is a friendship group that meets each month at The Patchwork Tea House at Warburton. It's a laugh a minute! Here I am with Bron (left) and Judy - two lovely friends of mine who are both working on Teddlywinks patterns. Bron is busy making "Sew Busy Bears" (can't wait to see it finished!), and Judy is proudly showing off her "Quilting Friends" bag - and rightly so! The bag was a project featured in the Spring issue of Australian Creating Country Threads and I am so thrilled that the girls have made it!
This one was made by Nessie, but she wouldn't be photographed! Both bags are in totally different colours to the one I made - and don't they look beautiful.
The photo below is of Teddy Bear Tea Party - made by Gurli. David and I met Gurli when we visited The Blanket Box a few weeks ago - the quilt was not quite completed, but I received an email from Gurli today with the photo - I love the green sashing, it compliments the teacup border beautifully.
Thanks girls, for sharing your achievements with us!
Liz
News and photos from the Woodend Teddy Bear Show, and Pam's quilt, coming soon!

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:01:00 +0000

More info about the Woodend Teddy Bear Show

Woodend Teddy Bear Show

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:42:00 +0000

We'll be there! Wouldn't miss it for the world!!!
Liz

No Room

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:00:00 +0000

My lounge. Aaaarrgh!!!
Note the sign David found for me!!!! How appropriate!
Liz

The Blanket Box

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:39:00 +0000

I have a "following" out there!!!!!! I met some ladies on Saturday who collect my patterns! Let me explain.
I spent the day at The Blanket Box, (shop 5/152 Bellarine Highway, Newcomb near Geelong). Zoe, the lovely lady who is the driving force behind this beautiful patchwork shop, asked me if I'd like to put on a display for a group of ladies who were doing the bus tour thingy.
So the day was spent like this.
Up at 5.45am .......... hmmmm ...... not used to this!
Left home at 7.15am ....... not used to this either!
Did the cross-country trip to the ring road, then picked up Princes Highway to Geelong ..... not used to this either!
Arrived at the shop just after 9.00am.
Set up the display in a fantastic room at the back of the shop where Zoe's classes take place. David came with me which was a blessing - he helped to hang the quilts.
Then cuppa time, just before the first of Zoe's regulars arrived.
From then on it was a steady stream of people until a pause at midday when we grabbed a bite to eat - thank goodness for Subway across the road!
Here's a photo of, from left to right, Betty, Gurli (both regular customers), Zoe and me. Taken by Himself, he was delighted that he hadn't cut off our heads!
Here are a couple of shots of the shop. I just adore Zoe's lovely timber counter! She had a great range of fabrics, and I was especially excited to see a collection of Maywood Studio's Woolies Flannels there. I have a design in mind for those.

Then the bus arrived, and 38 excited ladies descended upon us - they had a ball! I had some great feedback about our patterns, and some of them even admitted that they were avid collectors of Teddlywinks patterns! (Watch out, ABC TV's "Collectors" show!!!)
Thank you Zoe for inviting me for the day - we are hoping to do it again sometime.
Thank you to all the lovely friendly ladies who made the day so much fun.
I have come home tired, but mentally refreshed and eager to begin designing more delights to tempt you!
Liz
P.S. Gurli - remember to email me a photo of your quilt so I can post it on my blog - I'm sure everyone will love to see it!
P.P.S. Ladies - if you can, send me photos of any of my designs that you make up - I'd love to see them, and also let me know if I can put them on my blog for everyone to enjoy!

King Parrots

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:03:00 +0000

I couldn't resist taking photos of this pair of king parrots that arrived this morning for their breakfast!
This cheeky one was flitting around outside the house, following me and calling out every time I was spied through the window! From bedroom to lounge to kitchen!
This one is a little more timid, and although we can get close to them, is the more wary of the two and prefers to stay in the feeder.
Off to put patterns together!!
Liz

The Blanket Box

bears@teddlywinks.com.au (Teddlywinks) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:14:00 +0000

On Saturday 3rd. October, I will be visiting The Blanket Box, a lovely patchwork shop run by Zoe, at Newcomb, near Geelong, Victoria. If you are in the area, drop in - I will have quilts on display and a range of patterns for sale. I will be there from 10.30am. (Is this, what is called in the patchwork world, a "Trunk Show"???)
The address is: Shop 5, 152 Bellarine Highway, Newcomb, Victoria. Hope to see you there!
(Goodness! I'm going to have to get up in the dark! Geelong is on the other side of Melbourne!)
Now here is another little teaser for you!
Ta ta!
Liz