Janet's Blog 
Here is what is new with me and my website.
 I look forward to hearing your comments please email me at janet@jmddesigns.co.nz 
 

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Newsletter for Blog Updates To be notified of what is new in my website and blog join my mailing list. Also once a month at random I will be giving two free designs (your choose) at random to two of those signed up. Latest winners are:  jobwilliamson@   and  mcpfitz@ Email me winners to claim your prize

If the winners email me to claim their prize. janet@jmddesigns.co.nz
with the other half of your email address I have you listed with.
Tell me which design you would like emailed to you in PDF format.
Quilting Designs: http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/quilting/index.htm
Needlework Designs: http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/needlework/index.htm

 

June16th 2013  Knitted and Crocheted Owl Hat  - Free Pattern

As you will know from looking here Owls are my favourite bird. So with the arrival of a Great Niece I had to knit an Owl hat for her.  The overall hat is knitted in a rectangle and sewn down each long side. No increasing or decreasing !! If you can not crochet then you could make the face and wings from poplar fleece. I have seen features made from felt but I don't think these would wash well. You can see the tutorial on how to make the hat click here

May 18th 2013  Felt Dove

This dove I made for my Mother for Mothers Day this year. It is 4 inches (10cm) tall. Overall it is made out of felt. But on the wings I hand stitched onto cotton fabric the design and then fused it onto the felt wing. Overall all stitching was done with Marlitt Rayon thread. I like the sheen of the rayon thread on the flatness of the felt surface. Beads were sewn on with silver metallic thread and silver stars were hand stitched on in metallic thread.

Jan 20th 2013  Coming Soon
Join my newsletter above to later find out what I did to the top of this foot stool I recovered. I will be giving a freebie with this tutorial Also each month this year I will be showing a new free tutorial or giving a free quilting or needlework design

Jan 18th 2013  Butterscotch  Kitchen
New Designs Butterscotch  Kitchen Pot stands or wall hangings	These cupcake and coffee cup designs can be hung on the wall or leave the beading off and use as pot stands or mug rugs for your table. Only 1 basic needlework stitch is used and 3 shades of Golden Butterscotch thread.... or what colour suits your decor. PLUS you get another two free designs to match, Click on the photo to view.

Jan 17th 2013  Snowy Owl
My Owl on a mat.	Angie from Lovie Dew Stitchery in Manitoba, Canada has been playing with one of my Hardanger Designs she purchased. She has made a great job for stitching and stuffing him. I love seeing him in the snow. Click on the owl to the right to see her tutorial on how she padded him. You can see more details about my Snowy Owl pattern by clicking here	Angie's owl padded.

Dec 7th 2012 Free Christmas Tutorial Revisited
For those of you new to my blog, here are some free tutorials from last Christmas	Christmas Banner With No-Sew Applique featuring Cottage - Tree  - Peace Wording. Redwork Christmas Cottage Christmas wall hanging featuring a hand stitched cottage.

Nov 28th 2012 English Paper Piecing 3D Hexagon Design with Hand Quilting I fell in love with this 3D Hexagon shape. I used 3 of the 3D hexagon blocks that I appliqued onto the front of a bag. I have shown the step by step process I used plus given free templates and designs. UPDATED WITH THE BEADING

Nov 27th 2012 Raspberry Ripple *NEW* Bag and Pincushion A must for ever person that sews; either for themselves or to give as a gift. The tote bag is lined and the front has an easily hand stitched inserted panel. The matching pincushion has a row of beads around its edge. An easy hand stitching project for children or learners. Only 1 basic needlework stitch is used and 3 shades of raspberry pink. Click here too see more details

Nov 20th 2012 Welcome to Middle Earth
Sorry I have no Middle Earth or Hobbit designs or patterns to offer you.
I hope you enjoy viewing the Hobbit movie; and enjoy the scenery that I enjoy living in among here in New Zealand. I live about a 60 minute drive from the Hobbit Village itself.

Oct 17th 2012 What A Weekend



I tutored a workshop on Schwalm Needlework in Nelson this October for the
Nelson Embroidery Guild for their "What A Weekend" Retreat. I had a great time and was impressed with what my students (pictured above) produced over the two days. Did you spot my typo in the photo? I put 1012 instead of 2012... but I know someone was stitching Schwalm back then, but my students were far to young to be stitching it in 1012. :)

Wow it is the 10th of September already...... my life has been super busy the last 3 months but I am happy to say that I have 5 new designs you will love. The style is Schwalm Needlework which was originally from Germany a few centuries ago. My designs are focused around elements found traditionally from the 14th to 18th century.
 
Click on the photos to see more details about buying as individual designs.
       

July 30th 2012
I have decided to restructure the way that I present my books for you to buy. I am finding more that people prefer to purchase and have their designs emailed to them. So I am in the process of turning my books from a 'printed on paper' format; to an ebook that is in a PDF file format that is emailed to you and you print out the parts of the book (or all of it) that you want.

Until the ebooks are available you will find on the actual book pages
design collections with full instructions etc.

Whitework      Schwalm	Casalguidi       Blackwork	Mountmellick    Stumpwork

July 16th th 2012    Redwork Bag A bag about 40cm tall I made for my Aunty Olwyn for her 80th birthday. I hand stitched all the pictures and hand quilted the front of the bag.

 

July 16th 2012    Crochet Granny Square Rug I finished Crocheting a Granny Square knee rug which will now sit over the back of my 2 seater couch. I crocheted a scalloped edge around it all.... now to make some cushions to match/similar.

May 18th 2012    Crochet Fingerless gloves One of the Characters in the Play "Pet" I am Production Manager of needed some white gloves. So I crocheted her a pair. I did enough chains to go around the hand at across the knuckles. Crochet down to the length I wanted 13cm (5 inches). Then sewed up the side seam leaving a space for the thumb.

June 15th 2012   
Pyrography Burnt Wood Celtic Cross
Today I finally got around to editing photos of the Celtic Cross I made my sister for her Birthday last December. I cut the shape out of wood myself and then burnt the design onto the wood. The length of the cross is about 20cm (8 inches)

See more of my designs in wood you can purchase.

May 30th 2012 Free  Calendar
I have decided to no longer do my monthly free desktop calendar. I have so much on my own calendar I am running short of time these days.

	May 22nd 2012    Crochet Flowers I had fun last weekend playing with crocheting flowers. Left and right is what I came up with in the end. They are about 8cm (3 inches) wide. I used 8 ply wool. The purple flower I stitched French Knots in the centre. Though large beads would look great also. Here is a great tutorial so you can make some yourself at: Lolly Chops Bog
		I was part way through knitting a short scarf so I decided to add to black flowers to the lower front of each side. I edged the scarf and the bottom of the gloves with crocheted eyelash wool. The gloves are knitted in basket stitch. The scarf itself is knitted in plain garter stitch. Click here to see the pattern I used for the gloves.

May 18th 2012    Nathan's Teddy Bear Free Blackwork Project Left  I have put the Blackwork embroidery design into a picture frame. Right I have used quilting fabric and fur fabric to insert the needlework into a cushion. I named the project after Nathan from the Netherlands. I gave my Facebook readers a chance to name the Teddy and Marielle asked Teddy to be named after her well deserving son Nathan. The pattern and instructions are here free for you.

May 15th 2012    Knitted and Crochet Tea Cosy
I knitted my mother a tea cozy for Mother's Day this year. The top has loops of crochet chain and beads.
The mat it is sitting on is a Pulled Thread mat I made her last year.

To see information about Janet's book "Blackwork - A Cultural Celebration" click here

April 29th 2012    Fingerless Knitted Gloves It is that time again here in New Zealand where it is getting chilly. I love my fingerless gloves while stitching or typing to keep the back of my hands warm while allowing my fingers freedom to get on with things. I have already knitted two pairs this winter already (Red and Black) as gifts. The pattern is here free for you.

April 29th 2012 Apple Core Quilted Mat
Below is a mat I made using the English Paper Piecing method; using apple core template shapes. Each shape has been hand stitched together. Then padding and backing fabric was added and each applecore shape has been hand quilted. The edge has a hand made bias binding the same fabric as used for the backing. The whole project measures 31 x 23 cms  (12 x 9 inches).

   
Click to enlarge pictures. Resize the apple core template to the size you wish.

April 20th 2012 House of Creations This New Zealand website will delight those that do machine quilting. There are also some free quilting designs that the outlines could also be used for hand made needlework or quilting. http://www.houseofcreations.biz/

3rd March 2012 Susie-Jane's Bag

This bag I made for my cousin for Christmas. I used 2 different quilting fabric patterns on the outside walls of the bag. The lining is a plan brown colour which goes with the background of the patterned fabric. The pleated edge coming out from the top was a shot heavy organza. I attached small owl charms from beads around the bag opening. The bag is about 18cm (7 inches) wide at the base.

8th February 2012 Dresden Plate Cushions

In my new house there is a bay window in the lounge. I did not want to put furniture in the floor space so I made a pile of cushions. I now have my own "Crash Pad". The cushions are made from different types of textures, cotton, fur, silk, satin which add to the luxury of it all. I made patchwork cushions stitched around the "Dresden Plate" design layout.

I have made a tutorial here on how I made my Dresden Plate.
Below are close-ups of the cushions

     
Click to see the pillows larger

I used 4 different patterns of black and white fabric. I embellished the back with ric-rac, buttons and Chain stitch needlework. I changed the two smaller panels around for the back and front.
The bag measures 26 x 24 cm (10 x 9 1/2 inches)

4th November 2011
I have been playing with some Pyrography (Poker work) which is when you engrave a design onto the wood with a hot wire. This craft has been done on timber since the Middle Ages but they used a hot poker direct from the fire.

I made this pincushion that has thimbles in each corner. One thimble has my initials and the one in the other corner has the year in it. Hopefully it will become a family heirloom. I made the pin cushion that has beads and top stitching that is adhered to the wooden background.

When looking for designs to stitch or use in various crafts just don't look at designs designated for that craft. So may designs from other crafts can be adapted as I have done below.  
On the left is my Scottish Thistle stitched in Padded Needlelace; the design is 15 x 16 cms (6 high x 6 ¼ wide inches)  in size.  On the right is a wooden teapot stand I made adapted from my Needlelace design; The plaque measurements are14cms (5 inches) square. Thickness 2 cms (3/4 inches).

Pyrography for Crafters
So after my friends telling me how cool they thought these above looked they said they were sure people around the world would love to own some also. So click the photos below to see Giant Thimbles etc I have made for sale.

I have given the peace symbol here for you to use in one of your projects Click on the peace design to enlarge. Then save to your computer and resize to what you wish for your bag.

4th October 2011  Peace Bag I have decided my 'ever day bag' was getting a bit scruffy so I have made this new bag. I found the multi colour peace fabric a couple of months ago and it was screaming at me to make a bag with it. The centre insert I hand stitched peace symbols with chain stitch and then hand quilted around them. At the sides of the centre inset I pleated some spotted fabric.

20th September  2011 Handwork ~ While You Wait Wee
WINNERS of a FREE DESIGN
(via my facebook page or Newsletter list)
The 5 people that won a design of their choose in my Needlework or Quilting range are:
Kathy Demarco  -  Susi Patuzi  -  Mona Cashman  -  oneshoe2many  -  astitch2998  

If the winners email me to claim their prize. janet@jmddesigns.co.nz
Tell me which design you would like emailed to you in PDF format.

Quilting Designs: http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/quilting/index.htm
Needlework Designs: http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/needlework/index.htm

 

 15th September  2011 New Individual Design


JMD1107   Medieval Hunter Gatherer Bags
The needlework designs above on the bags are based on Medieval woodcuts. Messenger style bags with a horse and deer hunting scene and one with a fishing boat. Two of the most basic Needlework stitches have been used so it is a great beginners needlework project. The messengerbag is of basic construction.
Easy step by step instructions you can achieve stunning results with.
Click on the photo above to see more details.

 1st September  2011 New Individual Design

JMD1106    Eat, Drink and Be Merry
I took a fancy to the medieval woodcut drawing and came up with the above design. There are 3 separate designs included. 2 of the most basic Needlework stitches have been used so it is a great beginners project. Easy step by step instructions you can achieve stunning results with.
Click on the photo above to see more details.

 

23rd August 2011 Knitting Project or Crochet Hook Holder Tutorial A holder for your knitting needles during a knitting project or storing crochet hooks.  I have given a free tutorial .

Click on the photo above to see the quilt made step by step.

16th August 2011 Hexagon quilt finished!!!!!!!!! Well my quilt is compete now and laying over my couch. It is wonderful to have it finished. For those new to seeing this quilt the whole front of the quilt is ALL hand stitched; hexagons, applique and quilting. The blocks for the backing are all joined by machine sewing. I have given a free tutorial of the block used on the back and their layout.

Click on the photo above to see the quilt block tutorial.

16th August 2011 Visitors to My Website

I just checked the statistics of my website and within 30 minutes these were the countries that viewed my website and many multiples of people from each country. Thanks for visiting everyone my little corner of the world.

India, Australia, Spain, United States, Sweden, New Zealand, England, United States (USA), Nepal, France, Thailand, Brazil, Netherlands, Japan, China, South Africa, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Italy, Norway, Spain, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Italy, France, Russia, Ireland, Singapore.
 

19th July 2011 Free Hardanger Design I have given the chart free for this Hardanger mat I designed and stitched. Click on the photo to see lots of close up photos and the chart.

 

14th July 2011 New Individual Design This flower arrangement of Daffodils, Irises and freesias is hand stitched using Padded Needlelace. (commonly used in Raised Elizabethan designs) Pockets of Needle Lace are stitched directly onto the fabric and then padded to produce raised stitched areas. Metallic thread and beads add texture and appeal to the design. Also I have put 2 extra free designs with it. Easy step by step instructions you can achieve stunning results with. Click on the photo to see more details and close up photos.

 

13th July 2011 New Individual Design I have taken the Wisdom of Spring design from the Casalguidi Needlework book I wrote and have released it as a individual design. Also I have put 3 extra free designs with it. Easy step by step instructions you can achieve stunning results with. Click on the photo to see more details.

 

6th July 2011 New Individual Design This is a modern Scottish Thistle design based on Padded Needlelace. (commonly used in Raised Elizabethan designs) Pockets of Needle Lace are stitched directly onto the fabric and then padded to produce raised stitched areas. Metallic thread add texture and appeal to the design. This design is 15 x 16 cms (6 high x 6 ¼ wide inches)  in size. Easy step by step instructions you can achieve stunning results with. Click on the photo to see more details and close up photos.