The Janelle Wind Collection

Apron Strings...

This year has been a HUGE year of stitching for me, but I am sure that by reading my blog you might wonder what I have actually been stitching. Well wonder no longer. I am finally able to share a few more of the projects that I have stitched throughout this year with you. I am SO excited.

Rewind back to May, when I felt like all I was was doing was a whole lot of stitching! One of the stitched projects I worked on was for Homespun magazine. I had to package and send away my project without being able to show you. So imagine my excitement when this morning I picked up a familiar brown package from the Post Office, and inside was the newest issue of Homespun magazine Vol 12.11 - The Food Glorious Food Issue. AND I was even more excited to see that I am a cover girl - yay!!

Over on the right hand side of the cover, you can see part of my project called 'Apron Strings'. I was given the brief to design an apron with a food theme - so by looking at my apron, you might wonder 'what is food themed about your apron?'. Well keep reading and I will explain all...

Here is a photo of me wearing my 'Apron Strings' apron, just before I sent it away, way back in May.

Yes, this looks different to the one on the cover, but I can assure you they are both photos of the same apron.

Here is another photo of my apron, showing the apple pockets on the sides. Every apron needs a pocket I think - and mine has two!

My apron features some of my favourite fabrics, two gorgeous big pleats at the front, and a cute green check fabric finishes it all off perfectly.

AND my apron is fully reversible. So here is a photo of the reverse side of my 'Apron Strings' apron - as seen on the cover of Homespun Magazine.

The reverse side features more of the cute green gingham fabric, teamed with a touch of printed fabrics and finished off with a crisp red and white polka dot.

So there you have my 'Apron Strings' apron - which is really two aprons in one. I love that it is reversible, giving you lots of different options when wearing it. Here is my apron in the pages of Homespun too.

I didn't stop there either. I have also given full instructions to make another apron, this one without the bib part and made with Christmas in mind. Sadly I didn't get to take any photos before I sent it away, so here are some quick snapshots of my Christmas version of 'Apron Strings' in Homespun magazine (being modelled by the Homespun model, not me).

And again, this apron is reversible too. The reverse side features a crisp white teamed with the red and white polka dot. I think it is a lovely, fresh apron to wear at Christmas time.

I am SO very thrilled to finally be able to show you my two 'Apron Strings' aprons. I really love them and I hope you do too.

I have a BRAND NEW pattern to reveal to you too - more of my stitching from this year, so pop back tomorrow for my 'What I wore Wednesday' post and the NEW pattern reveal. xx Janelle

Etzcetera Magazine - Issue 2 out now...

In case you missed it, Issue 2 of the lovely new magazine Etzcetera is available now.

It is full to the brim of gorgeous inspiration from so many talented people. You can read all about Mixed Media Artist Kate Mason and even learn how she creates her amazing art canvases, Tamar Bostock shows how to style using blackboards, Mardi Winen shares her talents by showing how to make 2 gorgeous library bags and there are some great book revieves from Editor/Art Director Kim Archer as well as other avid readers, and so much more. If you haven't already subscribed or purchased your copy, then I can highly recommend that you do - click here for details...

I am also excited to share part two of my 'Sew Lovely' series. In Issue Two, I share my hints and tips for choosing and combining fabrics as well as rotary cutting basics.

If you are new to patchwork or wanting to brush up on your skills, then Etzcetera is the magazine for you. I start at the very beginning and show all t he steps needed to rotary cut your fabrics ready to begin this and any patchwork project. As well as lots of step by step photos, I hav also made an 11 minute movie where I demonstrate how to rotary cut, both right and left handed too!

I have designed a gorgeous simple but effective tablerunner exclusively for Etzcetera magazine as well and in Issue Two I walk you through the cutting all the pieces ready to construct and finish your runner over the next few Issues of Etzcetera.

I just LOVE the Etzcetera runner and proudly use it in my home. So if you are keen to try patchwork, come join me in Etzcetera magazine for all the steps you will need to begin to make gorgeous patchwork pieces of your own too...

I hope you will join me in this very special patchwork class through Etzcetera magazine... x Janelle

Etzcetera...

I am VERY excited to share that while I was away in South Australia, my friend Kim Archer launched the very first issue of her brand new online magazine, Etzcetera.

I am so very proud of Kim, not only for creating a fantastic magazine but for following her heart and making her dreams a reality. Congratulations to Kim and her team for a wonderful magazine - one that I know is going to be extremely popular.

I am also excited to tell you that I have a regular feature running over quite a few issues called 'Sew Lovely'. Through this series of articles I am teaching patchwork from the very beginning, with Issue One teaching all about the tools I feel you need to begin patchwork. Issue Two will be all about selecting fabric and how to rotary cut - so if you are new to stitching or would just like to see how I teach patchwork, then head on over to the Etzcetera site and sign up. I will be teaching a simple patchwork project throughout these articles too. I am having so much fun!

There are over 70 pages of fantastic articles, how to's and more - I am sure you will love it as much as I do. A HUGE congratulations to Kim for a beautiful magazine. I am off now to  grab a cuppa and go back for another read... x Janelle

 

Some exciting news to share...

I am super excited to share some super exciting news with you. My lovely friend Kim Archer has revealed a big secret - that she is launching an online magazine. Having worked with Kim for many years, I know the high standard of her work and how super creative she is too. I know this magazine will be overflowing with inspiration. Here is what Kim has to say...

I would like to introduce to you all,

Etzcetera Magazine

....An online bi-monthly crafty lifestyle magazine.

Visit our website here. Sign up for our newsletter so you can keep up with our happenings as well as be one of the first to know when we have launched.

Tomorrow the media kit will be ready for potential advertisers and our Facebook page will be set up.

Ahhhh.

It's good to get the secret out there..

I hope you will help me spread the news.

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The first issue will be launched on July 1 and will be one not to miss. I hope you head on over to her new site to register to receive your copy in your inbox, I know I can't wait!!

Congratulations Kim, I can't wait to see all that you have to share with us... x Janelle

A little birdie told me...

Did you see the cover of the latest issue of Australian Homespun magazine? I am excited to share with you that I am a cover girl (he he). Not something I can say very often...

The theme for this issue was 'Girls Club' and the brief for my project was to design a wall quilt based on this theme. I got to thinking and decided I wanted to make something that I would love to receive and being that I love all things birds and birdcages, this seemed the perfect theme for me.

I chose lots of happy, bright fabrics - those that bring a smile to my face and got busy stitching. I wanted this birdcage to be extra special, because I wanted my bird to be free to come and go as he pleased - hence there is no door on my birdcage.

I loved making this project SO much that I have plans for a range of patterns to match. So as soon as I finish the deadline projects that are at the top of my to-do list, I will be busily stitching all things birds and birdcages. I can't wait...

Back soon with a sneak peek of my latest project and more details on what it is for as well. x Janelle

I can't believe it has been 10 years already...

If you haven't seen it already, then you must take a look at the latest issue of Australian Homespun magazine Vol 11.11. This very special issue celebrates the 10 year anniversary of Homespun magazine and is a special collectors edition. What a wonderful achievement for such a beautiful magazine! It is also a 10 year anniversary for me too. You see, my first ever project was printed in the 3rd issue of Homespun, 10 years ago.

As part of the celebrations, Homespun interviewed 7 designers who have been contributing since the beginning and I was so proud to be included in this group of designers. You can see here my first project - 'Daisy Summer', a stitching tote with attached needle book - and one of my most recent projects, my 'Little Tree Fabric Boxes'.
I am also very excited to share that I also have 4 brand new designs featured in this issue too. For this very special issue, I designed four decorative tea towels. Two Christmas themed called 'White Christmas' and 'Rosy Christmas' and two featuring flowers called 'Among the Flowers' and 'Springtime'.

Here are some photos that I took of my tea towels before sending them into the magazine. I am SO excited that I can finally share them with you because I was bursting to show you when I made them but had to keep the secret.

Here are the two Christmas themed tea towels - 'White Christmas' and 'Rosy Christmas'...

And here are the flower themed ones - 'Among the Flowers' and 'Springtime'...

I adored making these tea towels and just love the look of my applique flowers, so look for a reappearance of these in some new designs next year too. So if you are looking for some last minute Christmas gifts, then why not consider making one of these fun tea towels...

Did you see...

Australian Homespun magazine Vol 11 No. 7?

If you did, then you would have seen my second contribution to the 'Life is a Celebration' block of the month.

I was so excited to see my second block appear next to my dear friend Natalie Ross's block as well. If you are stitching along each month, I really hope you enjoy making my block, celebrating the joy that babies bring into our lives. Even though mine are growing up WAY faster than I would like, I still celebrate daily that I am able to be a Mum.

Here are a few closer shots of my block to help you with your stitching...

 

I look forward to sharing my third  block with you later in the year... xx Janelle

go green...

I am so very excited to be able to reveal another of my secret squirrel projects with you today - I am loving this week with SO much to share.

My project is featured in the latest 'Australian Homespun' magazine with the theme 'go green'. This issue (Vol 11, no 5) is filled with 12 environmentally conscious projects.  Here is the cover of the 'go green' issue - can you pick which project is mine?

If you picked the fabric box filled with yummy green apples, then you picked right.

For this issue of homespun, I designed and made a set of three fabric boxes called 'Little Tree Storage Boxes'. They range in size from 12 inches to 16 inches square. I have to confess that I have been BURSTING to share these with you as I just love them so much. Here are some close up photos for you...

 

The boxes are all very solid and strong, capable of housing so many different things. AND they nestle neatly inside each other too - another great storage saver idea as well. No more need for plastic boxes that are not good for the environment - and these are much prettier too!

If you would like to have some personalised fabric boxes for your home, then make sure you grab a copy of Homespun. There are so many great 'environmentally friendly' ideas in there - you will be itching to begin stitching.

 

And if you would like to have your chipboard and cardboard cut exactly to size, then contact Cath or Mel @ Paper & Stuff on 02 49773200. They will more than happy to help you. They cut all the chipboard and cardboard for my boxes and it made the job that much easier. Thanks Cath...

I have lots of ideas for other projects with a similar theme, so keep your eyes out for them over the coming months too. YAY, I am SO happy that I could FINALLY show these to you - I hope you like them as much as I do.

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Pop back tomorrow for ANOTHER reveal - this time a BRAND NEW pattern - yay!! Can't wait to show you that too. (Is this working to keep us all occupied while we wait for my book to be printed!)... See you tomorrow x Janelle

Life is a Celebration...

How are you going with your first blocks for the Homespun BOM, 'Life is a Celebration'? With this block of the month now well underway, I am enjoying imagining many of you sitting at home making my block. It really does bring me so much joy. I have had some lovely emails from some of you who have finished my block already - so please do email me if you would like to share your block. I would LOVE to see some photos of your finished blocks.

Last week I was interviewed for the Homespun blog and happily shared my thoughts and tips too. If you would like to read a little more about me and see my inverview, pop over here for a look see.

And as no post is complete without a photo, so here are some self portraits that my gorgeous girl took of herself the other day. I love that she loves photography too. Back soon xx

Remember this?

Do you remember this sneak peek from last year? It was from THIS blog post...

I am VERY excited to reveal my first block from the Homespun Block of the Month program that has launched this month in Australian Homespun magazine!! My copy arrived yesterday and I was super excited to see my block in print.

When choosing the themes for my blocks, I knew I had to include home because my home is the centre of my life. It is where I spend time with my precious family and it is also my place of work, therefore I spend many hours at home. Home is central to me and I was thrilled to celebrate my home on this block. Here is a close up of my block.

So are you joining in and making this beautiful quilt? I would LOVE to see your 'home' blocks when they are made too. 

I can't wait to see each block as it is revealed each month. Look out for my second block in Homespun Vol 11.7. This is going to be SO much fun...

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I will leave you with a new sneak peek - of my first pattern release for 2010 - I am almost finished the stitching AND the pattern, so not long to wait now. I am SO excited to show you too.  Back with more soon x Janelle