rickrack

I'm so proud and excited to be able to finally introduce the first, debut Flower Press yardage print - RickRack!!

(And no, it's not flowers. I know - I'm surprised too! But don't worry, the next one on the drawing board is definitely floral.)

RickRack was originally inspired by my dear friend Kate's skirt, denim with a border of rick rack, lace and other ribbons sewn around the bottom. I always admired the different trims together - I love rickrack, broderie, daisy laces and ribbons. There's something so retro but classic about them. They speak to me of the current crafty revival, of the recognition of all those past crafting skills, the care and love in hand sewn.



Rick Rack is initially screenprinted on a lovely midweight linen/cotton (55%/40%) fabric. Thanks to all the fantastic input you gave me I know that we all love natural fibres, in a midweight with great drape. This fabric is not too heavy and not too light, its just right. I'm hoping it will be good for quilting and craft projects, cushion covers and clothes.

I hope you love these colours as much as we do. My daughter and I are crazy for this turquoisy blue I've called Aqua and this Strawberry red is a classic.

Anyway, I only have these strikeoffs to start with but I'm going to be offering some extra special Pre-Order deals. I'm hoping to have fabric stock within a fortnight but until then I'm offering five Strawberry Fat Quarter packs for only US$10 each, a saving of 20% on the full price (email me if you'd prefer the Aqua).

I HAVE SELVEDGE!!!!!

OK, sorry for shouting but I picked up my yardage strikeoffs this afternoon! Yay, I've been waiting for this moment for so long. Here's a sneak peek, much more tomorrow as promised. For now real life calls and I have two small soccer players waiting to go to their game. Please come back tomorrow and see the design and the other colour I'm getting printed. There will be some pre-order deals for blog readers.

jesse's girls *

Yesterday I got this lovely parcel from my friend Jesse of jezzeblog and jezzeprints fame. Such a sweetie she was only meant to send me the zip purse but she's spoiled me and sent this quarter of blockprinted fabric as well. Thanks Jesse!

I love this new vintage ladies pattern, I think its got such a great retro graphic look. And the printing, as always, is exquisite. If you haven't been do check out Jesse's shop - her little zip purses and her brooches would make great Xmas presents.

* with apologies to Rick Springfield!

hello world

Wow, I've just been looking through my blog stats, I like to wander through there and have a look at who's reading. It always amazes me.
Stop and look around you - see those people reading next to you, they come from all over the world, literally. This list is from just the last eight days!

Turkey * Canada * Singapore * Argentina * Kazakhstan * Brazil * Ireland * Saudi Arabia * Portugal * Poland * India * El Salvador * Ukraine * South Africa * Greece * Netherlands * Malta * England * Pakistan * Australia * Germany * Spain * US * New Zealand * Korea * Mexico * The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia * Russian Federation * Indonesia * Vietnam * France * Scotland * Italy * Belgium * Israel * Hong Kong * Malaysia * Thailand * Estonia * Romania * Chile * Bolivia * Sri Lanka * Lithuania * Armenia * Honduras *

Thanks everyone for visiting Flower Press :-)
(p.s. I'd love it if you leave a comment if I haven't mentioned your country)

sculpture by the sea

I'm a bit late this year, Sculpture by the Sea for 2009 finishes on Sunday. Here are some pics from yesterday's trip around the cliffs. The huge straw sticking out of the sea near the start was really popular, the flow of people was stalled in quite a few places as people attempted to take trick photos of their friends sipping from it. I must look on Flickr to see if any were posted!
The green pea pod was amazing in motion, a sort of optical illusion as it turned upon itself. There were some fantastic coloured flags too, dancing on the coastal winds.
As ever the natural beauty of the Bondi to Tamarama cliff walk was a major star in the show. If you ever come to Sydney please promise me you'll walk this path. Here is the Bondi Icebergs sea pool illuminated by a ray of sunshine.

There was a controversy about this little lost boy appearing without a swimming costume, the artist was made to put some on him but went out the night before the opening and cut them off!
Have a great weekend everyone.

handmade holidays

Yay, so exciting! I've been dying to share this with you for ages.
My Tomato Filigree tea towel is featured today in the Handmade Holidays series on the SewMamaSew blog. Each day of November a new topic is showcased on this amazing site featuring fantastic tutorials, fabric designs, recipes, ideas and a 'buy it' idea.
And today the topic is Clean and Tidy and my tea towel has been chosen to help you do that in style :-)
Some of the other daily topics have been pamper, play (check out the campfire kit) and adorn.
I've been reading this every day and the ideas and projects have been really wonderful. This is such an inspiring series. Today for example they show you how to make soap and panettone and there is a giveaway for Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol. All you have to do is leave a comment.

garland

For a while now I've been putting aside envelopes, collecting the different security patterns which come across my desk. I love the different patterns you can find. But the envelopes have been sitting poked into a drawer out of sight.
I love paper garlands. I'm intrigued with the idea of sewing paper together, something I never would have thought of if I hadn't seen it online.
Somehow though these two thoughts came together in my busy brain and today I put a little time aside to make these flag garlands. They are so simple to make, I made up a template of triangles and cut into my collection. And then I just sewed them together.
I love the blue and white patterns and its a nice way to display them together, it recycles all those used envelopes, and I love the flutteriness and the slightly see-through quality of the garland. Even better, strung from one end near a window they are very mobile, quietly twirling and spinning around.
(p.s. for more beautiful envelope patterns look at this flickr set.)

little parcels

I've 'fessed my love of old buttons before. The other day I made the mistake of wandering through Ebay, with the result that two little parcels arrived in my letterbox today. One contained lots of big buttons which would be great on bags, and the other had these floral beauties - still on their original card. And they're boil proof, how lucky is that ;-) Have a great weekend.