It may have been a long time between posts but this news was worth the wait! Lisa Tilse of the red thread, in collaboration with the fabulous creative minds at the zoo and Robert Kaufman Fabrics has created an absolutely superb fabric collection called Hello Tokyo. The range features Lisa's quirkydesign style with an oriental twist, cute Kokeshi dolls in bright punchy colours and fabulous modern takes on traditional Japanese motifs, need I say more. But the good news doesn't stop there, this adorable range comes complete with a stunning array of accompaniments in the form of buttons, motifs and ribbons!

The fabric collection is made up of 14 stunning printsfeaturing some beautiful prints, versatile co-ordinates, a striking tile pattern as well an adorable appliqué panel featuring Kokeshi dolls ( Kokeshi heights approximately 11.5inches high). As always from Robert Kaufman thefabric is 100% cotton and 112cm wide, and of the best quality.

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One of the best parts of my job is seeing all the absolutely beautiful things our customers create. In the words of Keats himself "A thingof beauty is a joy forever", and this is no exception. Feast your eyes on this beautiful little dress created by Flossy Bloss (who is in cahoots with TheFabric Pixie), we were very excited to acquire one of these beautiful dressesfor display at the upcoming Melbourne AQM.

This dress uses the Tilda fabric "Rosalie" in the pink colourway and embellished with just a hint of lace. You can view other Flossy Bloss products on our 2GZ Pinterest page or visit the Flossy Bloss"made by" shop (www.madeit.com.au/flossybloss)

 

Until next time

FOX

On a recent trip into the office (the joys of working remotely is that going to the office is still fun, and not part of the everyday drudgery) I happened to spy a 3 of the cutest little Robert Kaufman roll ups onthe show room display. Now being a person of the PIB persuasion (persons inblack) you think my taste in fabrics would run along similar lines, well if youthough that you are dead wrong, my house colour pallet is something of a 70's throw back and was affectionately nicknamed by a friend the liquorish allsorts house. But I digress.... The beautiful fabrics to have captured my undivided attention were from Laurie Wisbrun's Perfectly Perched range (yes I still have a hugedesigner crush on Laurie). After a few strategically placed hints about howwonderful it would be to have a project on the blog the Meerkat kindly sent me on my way with my choice of fabrics MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA (I restrained myself to only two... the third would have just been greedy!).

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Nowfor some of your the name "The Red Thread" will be ringing more than a few bells. Designer Lisa Tilse has made quite a reputation for herself and her product over the past few years. Beginning in 2009 with her "ok, let's sew" product line of Sweetie Petites and building from there, each product range carrying her unique and wonderfully quirky signature. But enough about the past... we at 2GZ are proud to be welcoming Lisa (and her fabulous designs) into our fold and launching the newest innovation from The Red Thread.

Lisa's latest innovation is her "Craft Keepers" range, wonderfully trendy and multi purpose wooden spools or "keepers". These beautiful quirky designs have been profile cut and laser etched to create these six beautiful designs.(Sorry about the desk shot)

 

(From left to right - M204 Owl, M201 Japan Girl, M203 Fox, M200 Girl, M202 Girl Heart, M205 Dog)

This little foxy has stolen the owl for her latest bookmark, and I did hear a murmur around the office of a certain meerkat wanting to make a necklace out of one. Theyare also fabulous for more "traditional" uses in your home craft box from keeping your stranded cotton neatly organised (and oh so chic), to presentingall of your beautiful ribbons (the ones you promised yourself you would use,but you haven't found the right project just yet.)

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As much as it might be hard to believe after a while a lotof fabrics tend to illicit the same responses from you, lots of "ohhpurdy" but nothing that really grabs you, nothing that practically leapsinto your arms and screams "pick me! pick me!", but today somethingcrossed this little foxy designers desk that made me squeeeel in delight (muchto the amusement of the young master). The latest fabric range to have meseeing stars is no other than Robert Kaufman's "spot on", now I knowwhat you are thinking... it's just dots right? Well yes I guess it is, but theyare truly spectacular fabrics (this is where I must confess to loving allthings vintage-esk, polka dot or cartoon mushroom related).

 

Now there is nothing better than polka dots and spots, theygo with everything (and yes I do mean everything, I am not adverse to mixingplaids, stipes, checks and dots into the one a. fashion look or b.sewing project). But there is a way to go one further, cut them into fatquarters, order them into yummy yummy colour...

Now a few weeks ago we brought you the beautifully designed Inspired by Leesa Chandlers butterfly motifs, now I am proud to bring you "Passage to India" also designed by our very talented Leesa Chandler. The Passage to India range was designed for Robert Kaufman as part of the Culture Club, a wonderful invention that takes your on a journey around the world visiting various cultures through fabric design. When I saw this range I couldn't help but fall in love with its rich colours and textures, the deep earthy tones of the spice colour way that almost make you feel as if you are being transported to another, older world full of mystery and culture. The regal purple and blues of the Jewel colour way look as if they were inspired by an old Bollywood movie and you are being swept away with the love story.. and as always with Robert Kaufman, just enough gold to set off each design perfectly.

 

Another beautiful thing about...

By now I am sure you are familiar with the vast majority of the Tilda product range, you may have also seen some of our beautiful advertisements in your favourite craft or quilting magazines. But for those of you whom aren't as well acquainted with our Tilda products allow me to introduce to your Tilda's fabulous doll kits.

These beautiful doll kits are available in a wide range of fabrics and styles, there is nearly a doll kit to co-ordinate with every fabric range. From wonderfully bright and fresh summer blues to warm wintery tones, and don't worry about Christmas, Tilda has that more than covered with a beautiful selection of Santa's, Mrs Clause and Angels. But the wonderful thing about these doll kits ( apart from the stunning design and use of embellishment ) is that everything is included... well nearly everything, the only thing missing is the wadding (generally you will require between 150 - 200g). These kits contain the cotton...

Call me silly but I have just noticed a little trend with our blog posts... they are mainly about fabrics. Yes, true that they are a huge portion of our business but, I would hate for you all to think this Zebra only had a few tricks up its sleeve! So for those of your who cannot live on fabrics alone here is something new to feast your eyes on, they are beautiful, intricate and with just enough gold.... do I have your attention now? Introducing our beautiful range of butterfly motifs from our new "inspired by Leesa Chandler" range, and as they are inspired by Leesa you know how utterly beautiful they will be (it was a struggle to keep these out of reach of the young masters, and my mother's fingers, a  love of all things shiny must be genetic). These motifs were designed to work in concert with her beautiful Under the Australian Sun 2 fabric range, which anyone familiar with the fabric range can tell you draws inspiration from the native flora and fauna of this great south land we live in. ...

I am sorry that this took so long but between Kansas City trade show and Sydney's own AQM (pictures coming I promise!) we have been one flat out herd! But here, after much, much waiting are the new 28 Kona cotton colours from our dear Robert Kaufman folks. Such a feast for the eyes!

 

 

Until next time

FOX

Now i know that i promised to bring you the swatches for the new Kona colours.... but in true foxy style i got distracted by the next pretty shiny thing that crossed my desk. (Things need to be pretty and or shiny to get noticed on this mountainously heaped thing i call a desk!) All that aside, today i bring you BRRR designed by Laurie Wisbrun for Robert Kaufman.