Down Grapevine Lane

On My Bookshelf: Tendre Crochet

Back in October, one night well past midnight, I was surfing on Instagram, jumping from feed to feed, looking for some crochet inspiration (as you do in the wee hours). I came across a picture of a crochet pear which stopped me in my tracks. The text under the picture was in Portuguese and there was no reference to a pattern from what I could tell. So I spent the next hour or so googling to find the designer of this sweet crochet pear. My search finally led me to this wonderful French crochet book: Tendre Crochet.

The author of the book is Sandrine Deveze, otherwise known as Tournicote...à cloche-pied. I quickly realised the book was in French, and my knowledge of the language is about as advanced as my knowledge of Swahili, but I didn't care! Surely crochet terms are universal and there is always Google Translate... Finding the book wasn't easy though - Amazon and Bookdepository didn't have it (still don't when I am writing this), but I found a copy on Ebay from a seller in the UK.

It arrived just in time for my birthday in November, and I have been making things from it ever since. I have been delaying blogging about it as I wanted to make every.single.thing.in.it (it's THAT kinda book). But with some impending deadlines and quilt-alongs coming up I have to reluctantly put it back on the shelf - for now.

I started with a pear... or three.

Then I made more. LOTS more.

In the book this pear is called Pirum Parum as Sandrine was inspired by the Pirum Parum illustration by Elisabeth Dunker.

The book is full of lots of other charming designs. This is Josephine, a sweet rabbit. With a bonnet, of course (don't all cute rabbits wear one? They should!)

And this one is called Framboise. These are the names of these creatures in the book, not names I have invented. So very wonderfully French! My son and I couldn't quite agree whether Framboise is supposed to be a puppy or a lamb. He is cute, whatever he is.

And every pear needs a house of course. With Liberty of London flags.

I really wanted to make a Gudule too but ran out of time. Check out my friend Xanthe's version on her blog Wife-made - she is totally hooked on this book as well! Loving the colours she picked.

If you were intrigued by the title of this post and thought it sounds like it should be from a series, that's because it is. This year I am aiming to stitch projects from many - if not all - the sewing titles on my bookshelf. Here's a small selection, there are quite a few more and more pre-ordered and on their way. I'm itching to get started!

Did I mention I am totally in love with my new sewing machine? I especially LOVE the 1/4" foot. How did I ever survive without one?! Currently I am working on an alphabet quilt-along (more on that tomorrow) and a patchwork project featuring these cottage florals by Sevenberry and Lecien (can't tell you more right now as it's a present!). I am also very much in love with some low volume additions to my stash - 'Maker' and 'Hello Bear' fabrics by Art Gallery Fabrics.

Until tomorrow,

Miss Cupcake & Mr Coffee | Homespun giveaway

I hooked this cute duo a few weeks ago, finally got a chance to show you. Is there anything happier in the world than a smiling cupcake and coffee cup?

The pattern is by Pepika on Etsy and can be purchased here. Easy to follow, quick to put together, and double the cuteness!

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Did you get a chance to grab your free digital copy of Homespun magazine which I posted about on Sunday? If you love the magazine, I have more great news for you. The wonderful folks at Homespun have generously agreed to offer a year's subscription to one of my fans! To enter the competition pop over to my Instagram feed and follow the instructions there. Entry is open WORLDWIDE! Competition closes at noon, Friday 13 March, winner will be picked randomly and announced the same day. Good luck!

'Dwell' Mini Quilt in Milk, Sugar and Flower

Is there anyone out there who hasn't discovered Penny Rose Fabrics' new line Milk, Sugar and Flower, designed by Elea Lutz? If you haven't yet seen it you are in for a treat. I was one of the first lucky people in Australia to get my mitts on a fat quarter bundle of this gorgeous line and made this mini quilt rightaway.

Those following me on social media would have seen a picture of this mini the day before I went on holidays. It was really gloomy that day so the photos I took then weren't quite good enough for the blog. Finally today I managed to get that most elusive combination of events as far as my blog photography goes: good sunlight in the house AND no kids at home. It seems blogging gods often bless me with one, but not the other (other bloggers and photographers with young kids reading this - I am imagining you all nodding with empathy right at this moment).

It's almost impossible not to make something super-sweet from this line (those kittens and bunnies - seriously can they be any cuter?). I did squeal a little when I realised they were just the right size for the doorways of the mini quilt pattern 'Dwell' by Thimbleblossoms. I had to give them homes!

This mini is going on the big blank wall in my sewing room - it's going to look a bit lonely there hanging on its own so I will need to make more minis to keep it company.

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As you know I am a regular contributor to Homespun magazine - Australia's leading sewing and craft title, which is also gathering a big following worldwide. They have generously given me permission to offer my readers a free digital copy of the magazine, so you can check it out for yourself! Just follow this link, and in the 'Name of Event Attended' field put 'Down Grapevine Lane'. Those not in Australia - you can just select any state from the pull down list, doesn't matter which one. A link to your free copy will be sent to you by email. Enjoy!

Holiday in Tasmania | Alexander Turns 4

We have just come back home from a ten day family holiday in Tasmania. So many beautiful sights, great times with friends, so much fun! But, boy, do I need a holiday now!

We stayed in Sheffield, a town near the magnificent Mount Roland. Sheffield is famous for its murals and close to the Cradle Mountain national park, where my husband Nic was taking part in a bicycle challenge in honour and memory of our friend Nic Easton who died of leukemia on 1 January 2014. We were very lucky when we went to visit the park with the kids, clear blue skies and wonderful views from Dove Lake towards Cradle Mountain in the background (a rarity, apparently). The kids had a splash at the lake shore, and got themselves thoroughly drenched in the process.

Wacky road signs! We saw lots of platypus and tasmanian devils during our week of driving around Tassie, sadly none of them were alive.

Tasmazia & The Village of Lower Crackpot was another major highlight. A huge maze complex with 8 large mazes, and a wonderful model village built to 1/5th scale. The kids went nuts! And we had a few heart attack moments when we lost them briefly in the mazes.

This was our very first proper 'family' holiday since having kids. We live in a beautiful wine town in South Australia, with so much to see and to do, and the beach only five minutes away. It is a popular tourist destination, so living here is a bit like being on a permanent holiday (we have only been here for four years, so we are still exploring). So being our first proper holiday with the kids our Tassie trip was stressful, but they were real troopers and well behaved for the most part. And both slept for long stretches during the 8 hour drive to Melbourne and back (where the Tasmania ferry departs from). Thank goodness for that.

And the best part of coming back home, other than creature comforts? It's coming back to a CRATE full of happy mail waiting for me at the post office. Here is a selection of some of the fabrics that arrived last week - some old favourites and new discoveries! Oh and the best delivery of all - my new sewing machine (Janome Horizon Memorycraft 7700). Seriously, utterly, incredible machine. It's like getting behind the steering wheel of a brand new Mercedes when all I have ever driven is an old Mini (my entry level Janome). I am just stunned by its functionality and speed!

Gorgeous Liberty Betsy lawn - that grey one on top is my all time favourite Liberty print. They are from Ava & Neve who are a Brisbane based Liberty stockist with a great range, and who I am partnering with for an amazing project featuring these prints. More to come.