The Last Piece: October 2013

At Quilt Market in Spring of this year I was wandering the aisles as you do - looking for things that jump out and things that catch your eye!

At the end of a row I came upon the most gorgeous and huge embroidered skunk that just stopped me in my tracks!

It was of course the Skunk Floor Pillow from Sew & Stitch, the first book from embroidery designer Alyssa Thomas of Penguin and Fish.

I was aware of Alyssa already through her Etsy store of the same name, where she has for some time been selling her lovely patterns, kits and plushies. I'd been toying with the idea of doing some of her embroideries for my little niece, when I realised she was putting out a book!

Which I promptly pre-ordered on Book Depository and forgot about, as you do.

Imagine my delight when the book arrived in my mailbox! Not many of you will know that before I was a quilter (way back in the dark ages), I was an OBSESSIVE embroiderer. Cross stitch, crewel, stumpwork, you name it. In fact, I had a nice little business selling embroidered baby clothes and wraps. So there you go, trivia. But I digress.

The book. It really is just lovely. Not only are the patterns available on an iron-on transer sheet for ease of instant embroidery, but there are very clear and well explained instructions for those non and beginner embroiderers out there.

The projects range from lovely things to make for yourself like the Feather Tablet Case:

to things you will be itching to stitch for the little people in your life - I know I can't wait for a spare few moments to make Hope a Racing Sack for when she is a little bigger. How cute is this!

And so if your taste runs to the whimsical as mine does, you will love this fun and approachable guide to big stitches and enjoyable stitching. Check it out!

PLUS! I have one copy of Sew & Stitch to give away to a lucky lucky reader... to enter you can leave your name and your favourite animal in a comment on this post, comments close Wednesday October 23, 5pm Australian EST at the end of the blog tour. Enjoy :)

The blog tour continues...

Tuesday, Oct. 8 - Mr. X Stitch http://www.mrxstitch.com/

Wednesday, Oct. 9 - Pellon http://blog.pellonprojects.com/

Thursday, Oct. 10 - While She Naps http://www.whileshenaps.typepad.com/

Friday, Oct. 11 - The Last Piece http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/

Saturday, Oct. 12 - Feeling Stitchy http://www.feelingstitchy.com/

Sunday, Oct. 13 - No stop today

Monday, Oct. 14 - Wild Olive http://wildolive.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, Oct. 15 - Bad Ass Quilters Society http://www.badassquilterssociety.com/

Wednesday, Oct. 16 - Spoonflower http://blog.spoonflower.com/

Thursday, Oct. 17 - Sew Mama Sew http://sewmamasew.com/

Friday, Oct. 18 - Skunkboy http://www.skunkboyblog.com/

Saturday, Oct. 19 - Meet Me at Mikes http://meetmeatmikes.com/

Sunday, Oct. 20 - No stop today

Monday, Oct. 21 - Quilt Dad http://www.quiltdad.com/

Tuesday, Oct. 22 - Follow the White Bunny http://blog.followthewhitebunny.com/

Wednesday, Oct. 23 - Sarah Jane Studios http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/

And you can find more Alyssa here:

Receive a FREE PATTERN PDF download here:

http://eepurl.com/jpBDD

Website - http://penguinandfish.com
Facebook - http://facebook.com/penguinandfish

Blog - http://penguinandfish.blogspot.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/penguinandfish
Etsy - http://penguinandfish.etsy.com
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/penguinandfish

Well my new Spotlight range, Millefiori is in store on the bolt, and flat fats and bundles will be arriving shortly! I'm thrilled with the response we've had so far and thank you all for the lovely messages you've sent about it.

The Myster Quilt program is on again - the patterns are available through Spotlight's Facebook page or from their website under Projects. If you are making the quilt be sure to join the Millefiori Facebook page to get updates or to share your work.

Make sure and read the intro page before you start, and remember if you can't find the applique gear I am selling it at my website. This link will also show you each print seperately.

The same as last time - the fabric is ONLY available in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, from Spotlight stores. If you are overseas and would like to purchase some fabric, you will have to do it from me directly - send me an email or a Facebook message. I only have a VERY limited amount to sell and it is nearly gone. I am doing kits for the Mystery Quilt and FQ bundles. I am not allowed to sell the fabric to anyone in countries where there is a Spotlight store - if you don't have a store near you you can use Spotlight's Shop at Home feature on their website, and they will fix you right up!

I hope everyone has fun with the program, and I can't wait to see your progress!