Liberty Girls Decor

Instagram is a wonderland for mums that love buying handmade. I'm a mum that makes handmade dolls, and therefore loves and appreciates the work involved in creating unique pieces. This picture is a perfect example. I absolutely love this Liberty 'Betsy' print, and when I discovered this pastel colourway (via Ava and Neve) - I went on a bit of a spending spree. My first job was to make Isla a custom gold-accent Bunny Doll, wearing that silky soft Liberty fabric. I asked Kira from Blooms Butterflies Doll Studio to make that stunning Liberty Doll Face Purse, customised in the same fabric with matching hair bows instead of flowers. And I asked Felicity at Little Boys Blue to make me a custom Liberty 'Love' Banner. I desperately want to make Isla a new quilt... buuuut I only just made her the Unicornia Quilt (sigh... gone are the days when I can make whatever I want without argument ;P).

Also shown on this gorgeous shelf (from Pretty In Pine), is two sweet Pom Pom Princesses from Love Aria Rose. The sleep eyes banner is from Bek Halliday, and the Gold Paper Flower is from Mae-Saye Designs.

For more pics and direct links to products, follow me on Instagram via @rhapsodyandthread or @rhapsodyland

xxTabatha

My Liberty Hoop Christmas Tree Featured In Homespun Magazine

What a thrill! When I was contacted by Homespun Magazine - gosh it was months and months ago - about my Liberty Hoop Christmas Tree, I was over the moon. It was so long ago that I had forgotten that my work would be in the July issue. Even when I was reminded a few weeks ago, I was excited... BUT when mum surprised me with a copy of the magazine today, I was scrutinising every page looking for a tiny thumbnail image. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I opened page 91 to see a FULL PAGE FEATURE!!! My mouth literally fell open, I couldn't believe it. Then the jumping began. I still can't believe it.

This Hoop Christmas Tree was my Christmas craft project for 2013. I had only just discovered Liberty Art Fabrics that year and I wanted to make something special with my new stash. And back then, I loved embroidery and hated sewing! I didn't even own a sewing machine (pfff). So I got creative! Anyone can make this.

If you're interested in seeing close-up images, here's a link HERE.

I'm going out tomorrow and buying a whole pile of this magazine!

Thank you thank you Homespun Magazine, 

for loving my favourite Christmas craft project as much as I do xxTabatha

Isla's Unicornia Quilt {Progress} || Pattern by Claire Turpin Designs

I couldn't resist this Unicornia quilt pattern by Claire Turpin Designs, and I'm so glad I didn't. It was so fun to make, and I loved choosing the Liberty prints for each unicorn. I especially loved creating the rainbows.

I feel like I must note though, for those interested in making this quilt, as perfect as I think it is, Isla's quilt is not exactly like the original. I feel like it's important to mention that - especially if you're using my pictures as a reference. Think of mine more as inspiration and follow Claire's pattern better than I did (giggle)!

Most importantly, despite the minor differences, Isla is thrilled. She couldn't wait to line up her unicorn friends in front of it and have a picture with ALL of her new unicorns. I think it's possible that I was glowing with pride.

Now for the borders, quilting and binding!!

XxT

 

Isla's Unicornia Quilt {Progress} || Pattern by Claire Turpin Designs

Sewing the blocks together today was a tiny bit stressful as I made a couple of mistakes when cutting (whoops). And I had forgotten to add a butterfly - see the last picture?! Isn't she pretty?

But easily fixed and overall the blocks look amazing! I love how the colours compliment each other so perfectly.

This pattern is Claire Turpin Designs > Unicornia Quilt.

Liberty fabrics are from Materialise Your Life and The Strawberry Thief.

Remaining fabrics are from Carols Of Midland.

Now to join the blocks!!!

My Desk - It's Time For A Change

I think it's important to freshen up your workspace regularly.

For the last few months, I've been working on Liberty Log Cabin Cushions, and my desk (and floor) have become covered in Liberty of all shapes and sizes. Not that I'm complaining, because how beautiful is this mess!?!

Liberty fabric stash

 

I completed six and wanted to finish them completely before moving on to more.

So I organised my scraps into colours in these simple pots from IKEA Perth.

 

Liberty fabric stash

Liberty fabric stash

 

I totally flipped my desk around to face the wall (and tv). Mostly so that the light from the window shines on my desk. I hate working in the dark and it's more of a problem in the winter months. It's also very difficult to take clear pictures. So fingers crossed this move works. Oh and I'm thrilled to be able to utilise the wall to display all my favourite things.

 

I hung a massive hoop with gorgeous new Liberty 'Oxford' print.

Underneath I hung my first and fave Liberty Bow Garland in 'John' print.

The circus print is one I pinched from a kids puzzle box. I just love anything circus.

I folded and piled up my Liberty all neat and tidy. Should be interesting to see how long it stays like that.

I added my two favourite prints by Tall Blank Wall - both mounts framed in Liberty 'Strawberry Thief' and 'Garden Wonderland'. More frames available here in my Etsy shop.

 

The 'Love' Banner is from Captain Co. Tasmania.

The Felt Ball Garland is from Little Rosie and Me.

I just love handmade.

 

The cleanest my desk will ever look from this day forward

Rhapsody and Thread

 

Now it's time to finish these Liberty Log Cabin Cushions.

 

Liberty Log Cabin Cushion Fronts

Liberty Picture Frame

Liberty 'Garden Wonderland' Picture Mount (Rhapsody and Thread) surrounding First Think Print (Tall Blank Wall)

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the very talented Claire at Tall Blank Wall.

Her prints are both inspiring and stylish.

 

This is one I bought myself, to have on my desk as a reminder to believe in myself. And I couldn't resist framing it in this gorgeously bright and fun Liberty Art Fabric print 'Garden Wonderland'.

 

I asked Isla to repeat after me: "You must always believe in your yourself".

 

My hope is that she never forgets xx

 

Operation: Spoil Mum For Mothers Day

 

This is a look back at all the treats I made mum for Mothers Day.

 

Of course Liberty was involved, with gusto!! I even tracked down coffee mugs from Kitchenware Direct because they have the most beautiful Strawberry Thief print on it. I know it's a William Morris print, but it's also a Liberty Art Fabric print - and one of our favourites. See below.

 

 

I also wanted to make something new for mum for Mothers Day. She has seen the picture mounts and the cushions that I make. And she loves Betsy print - so I made her a cushion in pink Betsy print. I also made her a Liberty Picture Mount in teal Betsy. I'll show you below.

 

But I wanted to make something different, something she didn't already have. So I searched fabric basket tutorials and came across this sweet little Gathered Basket pattern on A Spoonful Of Sugar Designs. The pattern was fun and easy to follow. I made this sample below for myself first to check the size and simplicity of the pattern. I chose Liberty print Gallymoggers in pink for the outside, and Garden Wonderland for the inside. I chose them because they match the candy stripe ribbon that I've been saving for yeeeeeears!

 

 

So perfect, I just had to make more! So I decided on two large and one small. I picked Betsy prints for the insides and coordinating colours/prints for the outsides.

 

 

Voila!

 

 

 

Then I was hooked! I had to go bigger! So I searched for "buckets" and came across this great Fabric Buckets Tutorial on Apartment Apothecary. Mum and I actually worked on these together. She created this Liberty Strawberry Thief bucket (not sure of the details for the overhang fabric) and I made one out of my treasured Liberty Marina Seaflower print with Liberty Ciara fabric overhang. The tutorial was easy to follow and didn't take long at all. I think it took longer to decide on which Liberty prints to use! LOL

 

 

Here's a shot of the Betsy Liberty Picture Mount I made mum, to frame this beautiful watercolour print I found on Etsy via TeaDesigns1. The quote from movie The Help have always, and will always, be meaningful.

 

 

So a happy Liberty-filled Mothers Day bundle for mum!

 

My Mothers Day gift for mum 2015

 

And an extra-special Mothers Day bundle for me. Enough Liberty to make me want to squeal. But even more magical is that little glass bottle of sand that my baby girl made at school. What a beautiful surprise it was to pick her up at school and see the look of excitement on her face. That was the best gift I received this year.

 

My mothers day bundle 2015

 

Beauty Is In The Frame

'Betsy' Liberty Art Fabric Picture Mount

Covered in beautifully bright Liberty Art Fabric, these A4 picture mounts are perfect for surrounding your pictures with vibrant colour. Try a black and white print, or something colour-coordinated like the combo above. The print was a freebie to all Tickle The Imagination magazine newsletter subscribers last month. Matches that beautiful Betsy print perfectly.

 

Buy your own here in my Etsy store. Only AU$30.00 plus postage.

 

Custom orders welcome if you'd like a particular print or want to match a colour scheme.

See below for available mounts.

Liberty Art Fabric Picture Mounts - Print names clockwise from top left: Pinky, Betsy, Mauvey, Gemma

Liberty Art Fabric Picture Mounts - Print names clockwise from top left: Betsy, Mauvey, John, Poppy & Honesty

Liberty Art Fabric Picture Mounts - Print names clockwise from top left: Strawberry Thief, Phoebe, Pepper, Charles

 

Liberty Backpack for Isla

So my baby girl, who is now three and not a baby anymore, started pre-kindy this year! Unbelievable. I'm still coming to grips with the realisation that she's growing up so fast, and spending most of two days a week with people I don't know. So I wanted a project to keep my mind distracted and I wanted to make something for her. I originally had thought I'd make her a library bag, but that's not the case now - for two reasons. Firstly, I now know that they don't visit the library at this age. And second, it's so beautiful that I'm not ready to let it out of the house!! So I've hung it in Isla's room to enjoy it and only bring it down when Isla wants to be a turtle and carry her unicorns around on her back.

 

So, I hunted for a pattern and remembered a really fun backpack pattern on The Purl Bee Blog a while back. Click here for link to pattern. I adapted the pattern in three ways. I personalised it with felt letters on the front. I swapped nylon chord for braided chord, and for this reason I had to double the height of the channel pieces and holes at the base to fit the bigger size of the braid.

 

Next, I dug out a piece of Liberty Lifestyle fabric, Bloomsbury Gardens Collection - print name Catherine (purchased years ago at Calico & Ivy). I chose this heavier weight fabric for strength and durability. Then, I found a matching spotted fabric for the lining (no idea where from as it's been around for ages). The bright pink felt is a rectangle that came with an unused Mollie Makes magazine project. And I got the gorgeous pink braid from Spotlight. I went looking for the nylon chord and came home with that instead. Happens a lot.

I vliesofixed the back of the felt and cut Isla's name out. I just hand-sketched the letters (backwards).

My favourite part is hand-stitching. I picked purple to provide a good contrast. My poor fingers and thumb were shredded from pushing and pulling through such stiff felt - but it was worth it. There's nothing more personal than hand-stitched letters, and the stiffer felt holds itself up really well. So I'm still happy with the choice of felt.

 

I didn't get any photos of the construction stage. The pattern was fantastic. So easy to follow and great big pictures helped me to work out what I had to do. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't as simple as Corinne's job, because I grabbed the braid instead of the chord. The braid was thicker - which meant that I had to remake larger channels and cut the holes at the base larger to squeeze the braid in. I also found that the braid doesnt slide as smoothly as a nylon braid would through the channels. But the backpack is still completely functional and looks fantastic!

 

Job well done xx For Isla Skye xx

 

For more pictures of Isla's backpack and her gorgeously bright Liberty-filled bedroom, pop over to my personal Instagram account @Rhapsodyland.

 

Green Tea And Sweet Beans Quilt by Marina Forgiarini || Pattern By Jen Kingwell

This quilt is stunning! Mum did an amazing job and it is so jam-packed with Liberty fabric that I want to frame it. The picture above is the finished quilt top. And below are pictures of the individual blocks.

The pattern is Green Tea And Sweet Beans - designed in Australia by Jen Kingwell of Amitie Fabrics in Melbourne.

The pattern book

Mum bought the pattern book whilst in Melbourne last year. And I have loved watching her piece together her version using... dun dundanah... scraps! You wouldn't think so to look at it, but this quilt has been created using Liberty of London and other fabric scrap pieces from many a past project.

Here is a look at the twenty-three different blocks used in the quilt.

Wedding Chain Block surrounded by Checkerboards

Propellar Blocks

Lozengers Blocks

Garden Paths Block

Pinwheels Blocks

Churn Dash Block

Drunkards Path Block

Poppie Block

Tulip Block

Hexagon Panel

Orange Peel Block

Orange Peel Block

Orange Peel Block

Day Lily Block

Baby Carriage Flowers Block

Igloos Block

Berry Basket Block

Square Daisy Block

Double Pinwheel Block

Double Drunkards Path Block

Flower Blocks

Flower Blocks

Flower Blocks

Appliqué Block 1

Appliqué Block 2 above Liberty of London filler strips

Appliqué Block 3 - Clam Shell

Appliqué Block 5

This is a few different perspectives showing the blocks sewn together.

Gorgeous isn't it? I can't wait to see it finished and quilted.... but that will probably be in... 2015/16! Mum plans to hand-quilt it. Yep. Hand-quilt. It's going to be a masterpiece!

#jenkingwell #greenteaandsweetbeans #libertyfabric #quilting #rhapsodyandthread