** Christmas Freebie No. 7 **

It's Monday *again*!
These weeks leading up to Christmas are flashing by faster than Rudolph's team of Reindeer across a Christmas Eve sky!
(Did you know the plural of reindeer is still reindeer, no 's' on the end? Just some trivia to share with your coffee...)

Have you got your Christmas List all written up, the festive fare planned for the big day, and the decorations out of storage and dusted ready to hang?
We haven't!
Gum Tree Designer headquarters is a mess of fabric, thread, coffee, chocolate, and *simply gawjus* (to quote our lovely Joy!) projects being made from the Monday Christmas Freebies! We can't make enough of these beautiful designs, and we're pretty sure you feel that way too.

It was nice of us to offer these gifts in October and November don't you think? It means you have most of December to keep stitching...unless we have something else planned for December to keep you busy???
Sorry, we really are very naughty to tease you so.

This Monday's Christmas Freebie is the sweetest hanging ornament, "Red Robin Kisses" from our bright and bubbly Vikki Stewart of Sew Useful Designs.

We all gushed over the icy blue colours, the cute red robins, and the special touches that Vikki so effortlessly adds to her designs. Every Gum Tree Designer's tree will be adorned with "Red Robin Kisses" this Christmas!

You can download the pattern for "Red Robin Kisses" HERE

Be sure and visit Vikki's blog today and thank her for this gift! Just click on her blog button below and you'll be able to see what other goodies she may have in store for all her followers!

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Don't forget to have a look through our Among The Gum Trees Flickr group!
We encourage you to upload photos of your completed Gum Tree Designer Christmas Freebies because we love to see what clever stitchers you are and how you have made our designs your very own.

Now, off you go and play with "Red Robin Kisses"...you have 7 days to complete your mission, oops, we mean project, before Christmas Freebie Number 8 is shared!

happy stitching days,
from us,
your Gum Tree Designers
xxx

Have you joined our Flickr Group yet?

A few of our followers have asked about sharing photos of their completed Gum Tree Designers projects, so we thought we'd best remind everyone that it is so easy to join the Flickr Group we set up for this purpose!

Add photos of your finished Christmas freebies to our Flickr Group, and share your talents with the rest of us! While you're there have a look at all the other photos that have been uploaded!

We're really enjoying the photo album of pretty Christmas projects - what a talented bunch of stitchers you all are!

hugs from us,
your Gum Tree Designers!
xxx

** Christmas Freebie No. 6 **

Well, we don't know about you, but we Gum Tree Designers are plumb tuckered out!
All these gorgeous Christmas projects being shared every week have kept our already busy fingers working overtime - we love each other's freebies so much that we're making them too!

And you know what's nice about this weeks freebie? It's quick, it's bright, and you get to rest with it after it's sewn! It will be a blessing to your body as you make the remaining freebies over the rest of November! :-)

Our darlin' Dawn has created this beautiful 'Merry Delights' cushion, with your sweet selves in mind. Always the caring heart and knowing just how hard you all have been working with your Christmas gift making, she wanted to encourage you to stitch it up for yourself, pop it behind your back, and let that sweet softness take some strain from your body while you sip on a festive mug of eggnog or maybe some rich, comforting cocoa. Go on, spoil yourself this week. You deserve it!

You can download Dawn's Merry Delights Cushion HERE

Make sure you go visit Dawn (just click on her button below) and give her a big thankyou!

Later today on her blog she will have the cushion made up in different fabrics, just in case you're looking for a lovely non-Christmas gift.
Told you she was a sweetheart, didn't we?!
~~~~~

**News at hand!**
Are you wondering what the Gum Tree Designers have in store for you during December?
"You'll love it!" is all we can say. :-)

Christmas Cheer to all,
from us,
Your Gum Tree Designers
xxx

** Christmas Freebie No. 5 **

It's Monday Morning again...and that means another FREE Christmas design for you to download from one of our Gum Tree Designers!!

How are you going with your freebies so far? Which ones have you made? We've tried to give you a varied range of free projects so that you can make things for all the special people in your life, your swap partners, and of course - yourself!

Maybe you have a friend who is following us and making the freebies too? Why not have a private Christmas swap with her and swap one of our projects? Over the course of the 9 Monday Christmas Freebies we will be sharing items that suit the young and the old, some items that could be given to men or women. It's hard making things for men, though, don't you think?

Today's Monday freebie might just help you out with that 'difficult' person you need a gift for.
Our Jenny of Elefantz, has designed this gorgeous, LARGE, penny pocket - only, she calls it a Jenny-Pocket because it sure fits more than a penny!

It's 18 inches long, and 13 inches across, so big enough to fill with a gift or two...or three. You can choose any sort of fabrics when you make it - innocent prints for a child, bolder prints for a male, romantic prints for a sweet friend...or like Jenny you could use traditional Christmas greens and reds for just about anyone.

Make sure you go visit Jenny at her blog and say 'thank you' for this Monday's freebie! She has lots of other lovely things to look at while you're there!
You can download her Festive Jenny-Pocket HERE.

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Some breaking news from some Gum Tree Designers -
* Cheryl has a giveaway on her blog right now, and one lucky winner will be able to receive their very own copy of Creating Country Threads which features her Primrose and Passion cushion patterns. I think a lot of overseas bloggers would love to win this one! Hurry over as the draw closes on November 4th!
* Judith has a little guessing competition...hmm...it has to do with bunnies. Make sure you visit as she has a little giveaway involved!

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Remember to visit our Monday Freebies Flickr group to see what many of you talented ladies have made so far - and why not upload a photo of your own!

happy stitching days,
from us,
Your Gum Tree Designers
xxx

November Newsletter from the Gum Tree Designers!

Happy November to all our lovely followers!

Have you been enjoying the free Monday downloads of our Christmas designs? How many have you made so far? Did you notice that Joy has shared an extra two free Christmas designs on her blog? No, then you'd best go visit. :-)
On Monday we share the 5th of our nine designs, and we know you're going to love it! With Christmas tending to squeeze the purse strings more than any other time of the year we're sure that receiving these designs as a gift from all of us to all of you is appreciated.
Your lovely comments are so welcome, thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
~~~~~
This month a few of us have projects published in various magazines - Judith has a number of gorgeous goodies in Handmade (see her blog for more photos)...

Vicki Tucek has a gorgeous cake wrapper and matching coasters in the current issue of Patchwork & Stitching...

Cheryl has a set of the sweetest cushions in Creating Country Threads, and you can read more about our beloved Gum Nut sister in the Designer Profile!...

...and before the month is out Jenny will have her funky/retro peg apron in the upcoming issue of Patchwork & Stitching.

As the months go by you will see more and more of our projects in a variety of Australian magazines - we'll let you know which ones in our monthly Gum Tree Designers newsletter so you can look for them!
Right now Vikki, Fiona, Dawn and Paula are all working on their first-time-published designs - we assure you next year you will see just how talented these ladies are, but we think you know that already?! :-)
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Vicki and Jenny are hosting the "Very Quick Christmas Fabric, Buttons and Trim" Swap at the moment, and if you'd like to be a apart of it you have until November 6th to sign up. There's no stitching involved, just post off 2 Christmas fat quarters, 2 Christmas buttons or baubles, and a metre (yard) of ribbon or trim! Visit either of their blogs for more information.
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Next year the Gum Tree Designers will be offering you much more than free designs. We've been cranking up the internet download with a constant flurry of emails between ourselves planning what we can share with you in 2010. One of our ideas is to offer tutorials and we'd love to know what things YOU would like us to teach you? If you're like some of us Gum Nutters you may find a photographic tutorial the best way of learning a new technique, rather than reading instructions from a book or magazine and becoming confused by it all. A lot of the time it is simply lack of clear teaching that holds us back from trying something new. Have a think about what you'd like to learn and then leave us a comment about it - you ladies are important to us and we'd love to help you if we can!
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December will be upon us soon, and that will mean the last of the Christmas Freebies will have been shared with you, but don't be sad about that - we have something *very* interesting planned for you in the Yuletide month! No, no hints...not yet anyway. Let's just say that our darling Joy has a hand in it.......sorry, we did say no hints, but that one just popped out. Now we've got you guessing, have we???

Remember that you can upload photos of the Christmas Freebies you've been making at our Flickr group - please do, as we LOVE to see your handiwork!!

Happy Days Stitching
from us,
Your Gum Tree Designers!
XXX

** Christmas Freebie No. 4 **

Where has October gone?!!
Oh, of course, you've all been busy sewing the Gum Tree Designer's Christmas Freebies!

You must be way ahead in your Christmas gift-giving by now, but don't pack up your machine, or those fabric and threads just yet - we've still got SIX more designs to share before December's page rolls over on your calendar!

Little elves have whispered in our ears that there will be many Gum Trees projects, lavishly wrapped in satin ribbons and festive paper, nestled under Christmas trees all over the world by December 24th. Hmmmm, wonder if you've considered leaving out an extra one for Santa - we're sure he'd appreciate a change from all those glasses of milk and plates of cookies he usually receives (and to be honest, when we visited him in September it was noted by Mrs Claus that he could lose a few pounds...).

We shan't hold you here chatting any longer, we know what it's like when you're waiting for something exciting to be handed over...your tummy tickles and your eyes widen like saucers, the heart beats that wee bit faster - ooops, we're chatting again, aren't we! LOL!! We just love to catch up with you each Monday!

Without further nattering, may we show you the Gum Tree Designers Christmas Freebie for week 4!

** Vicki's 'Delectable December Doorstopper"! **

Isn't this de-lightful, de-sweet, de-pretty, and de-useful!!?
Vicki's such a clever Gum Nut to design this gift!! After Christmas you could even use the pattern to make another in seasonal fabrics! Why not make one for every season of the year and give them as Christmas gifts?

You can download Vicki's design HERE.
Make sure you drop by Vicki's blog and thank her for this Christmas present.

If you have problems downloading the PDF file it could mean you need to visit ADOBE for a free update of the latest version of Adobe Reader.

Have you been to visit the Christmas Freebies Flickr group yet? How about uploading your own finished project photos - you never know who you'll inspire. We would love to see them!

Now run along and choose your fabric and threads...you have one week to complete your assignment before number 5 is shared! :-)

Happy Christmas Stitching,
from us,
your Gum Tree girls.
xxx

~~ Christmas Freebie No.3 ~~

My, these weeks are counting down quickly - already we are sharing the 3rd gorgeous free design!!

Isn't Cheryl's 'Greetings Tree' beautiful!?
It's all wrapped up, gifted to {{{you}}}.

We love the little bells on the ribbon hangers...that tinkle, tinkle as you hang it will remind you of sleigh bells not too far away.
You can download Cheryl's "Greeting Tree" HERE.
Go visit Cheryl after that's done, and thank her for the sweet wall-hanging design - plus, you can spend some time seeing what else she's been up to! Our Cheryl's a very busy machine quilter in her 'spare' time. ;-)

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A couple of ladies have had troubles downloading the designs, and it may be that you need to update your Adobe Reader program. This can be done at the Adobe website, and is free.

How are you going with stitching up the Christmas Freebies so far?
Remember to upload photos of your completed projects to our Flickr group so we can all share in your handiwork! We love to see what you talented ladies have stitched from our ideas. There are a few there already, but we're sure a lot more are waiting to be displayed. Perhaps you could do that right now while we're waiting...we'll make a cuppa and slice some cake, then settle down to see what you've made. :-)

There are still six more freebies to be shared by the end of November, so check back next Monday for number 4!

happy days stitching,
Your Gum Tree Designers
xxx

~~ Christmas Freebie No.2 ~~

It's week 2 of the Gum Tree Designers Christmas Freebies already - the time has flown by!
Before you know it Christmas will have arrived, but if you're keeping those fingers busy stitching all these gorgeous designs we're sharing every Monday through October and November, then you will have lots of handmade gifts to give!

Look what Joy from Joypatch has designed for you...

...the cutest Christmas placemat!! We think that mouse is adorable, and everyone loves redwork! ;-)

You can download the pattern HERE, then why not go visit Joy and thank her for this beautiful design...she's the most talented artist and quilt designer and we're sure you'll love her blog!
Don't forget to spread the word about our Christmas Freebies!!

Hugs
...from us, the Gum Tree Designers
xx

~~ Christmas Freebie No.1 ~~

It's here! The day has finally arrived - and you have been so patient! But we're sure you'll agree that it's been worth the wait!
May we present the first of nine Christmas designs being shared by the Gum Tree Designers every Monday over the months of October and November (just imagine it is tied with sparkly gift wrap and a huge red satin ribbon tied on top).
The project this week is from the wonderfully talented and beloved 'mumma' of our group, Judith Tetley of Creative Studio, and we know you'll love it as much as we do!

~ CHRISTMAS ROSE ~

It's gorgeous, don't you agree? And such a useful gift for one so pretty!! I think we all need to make at least TWO - one to give away, and one to keep for ourselves!

You can download the pattern HERE, and when you've done that you might like to visit our dear Judith and say ~thank you~

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So that we can all be inspired by your version of our Christmas Freebie designs we have set up an 'Among The Gum Trees Christmas Projects' Flickr Group where you can upload photos of your finished items - an online memory album for all of us to share together!

Don't forget to spread the word on your blogs! The more that share in these gifts from us over the next two months, the merrier we are!

Happy Days Stitching
from
~The Gum Tree Designers~

The festive dress, a tiny sneak peek, and Vikki's angel!

The new blog has introduced herself to you by now, so we thought she might like a new dress to celebrate the start of the nine weekly Christmas Design freebies! Doesn't she make you want to boil a Christmas Cake, steam a pudding, roll out the pastry for mince pies, dust the shortbread with icing sugar, and SEW!!?

Have you been preparing your pile of fabrics and threads? Do you have some Christmas-y buttons? Gold thread? Rice or sand? Cord? Tee hee...we've really got you guessing now, haven't we! Sorry, we love to build the excitement - and we're even more excited than you! Giving is part of the Gum Tree Designers Motto...actually it's number ONE on our Charter, and the most fun we have!

So, I suppose you'll be wanting *another* sneak peek???!! Ladies...you are just too cheeky (!)
But you have convinced us that one more tiny peek should be ok to share before the big day on Monday.

Next time we chat it will be to unveil Project 1.
(We think that's a wonderful reason to run on out and stock up on some sweeties - you'll need the energy hit to keep up with 9 projects in 9 weeks!)

Don't forget to spread the word on your blogs. We want as many as possible to take advantage of our free designs!

Ta ta for now,
Your Favourite Group of Nutters.
xxxx

PS: To fill in time between now and Monday pop on over to Vikki's blog because she has the SWEETEST angel stitchery for you to download free! I told you we love to give.... ;-)