At this time of year there is a thought that creeps into all our minds...its a whisper that contains excitement as well as dread...ah yes, the seal has been broken and we have started to turn our minds to the big event...Christmas! Before that we have a lot going. For starters, my number one son Oscar turns 21 on Sunday!!! I can hardly believe it when I look back. The 21st party is a big custom here. He has been attending them nearly every Saturday night all year which has been an unending schedule of theme parties for him to attend. His chosen theme is Fiesta.
The banner is in progress. The fabric for the tables is chosen...the food is decided upon. Half the battle is won. That's what I think but somehow I have this ability to ignore how much work is ahead of me and I know I'll be swearing before the week is out. I have enlisted Izzy, neighborhood femme fatal in the kitchen to make 100 cup cakes! And, John and I ventured over to the new COSTCO for a bit of bargain hunting. Best find, bags of Mexican Cheese! oh and a bucket of candy for the pinyatta.
Our Gai thought up this one and we all agree it is a great idea! You know what you want (we all do!) but getting that message across is sometimes difficult. To avoid getting that new vacuum for Christmas simply pop in, email or call us and tell us what you would like. Then tell you gift giver to contact us and we'll sort it out!!! How fun is that???? I had better start one... Here are a couple of hot items in the shop:
These ribbons are luxurious and add a nice touch of detail to cusions, quilt borders, skirts or packages. Best given as a gift so you don't have to choose yourself.
These are the hottest thing going at the moment. Hexagons with Holey Peepers. The acrylic window allows for fussy cutting the designs to create new repeats that delight. The hexagons can be matched up with triangles and diamonds. Not into a big quilt...they make great cushions and we have the inserts as well.
Another new fun item are these clips. They are great for holding the fabric onto the papers for basting. If not the basting type, try the glue sticks. They are revolutionary! Gluing the papers means even a manic in a hurry person like me enjoys hexagons...
Use the template to trace around where you want the pattern to repeat and then cut it out either with scissors or a rotary. Then let the fun begin. Patterns start to appear in no time.
The glue goes around the outside edge of the paper and then the fabric just folds over and sticks. Too good and perfect for a summer project.
Recently Quilters Companion re-issued the Pre-Cuts issue and we have had several calls for the Fairlawn kit. Thing is we only had three pieces from the original range BUT we did have a new range, one of my favourites at the moment called Misaki by Melissa White. How gorgeous is this kit? The stronger colours are for the smaller triangles in the pattern and the beautiful feauture prints are for the solid sashing strips.
This was another version with slightly softer fabrics but equally effective. Custom made kits orders are always welcome! Making up kits for people is my FAVOURITE thing to do so if you love me you'll ask me to make you a kit...just like with the bargain bundles they can be contemporary, classic or pretty.
This is the ruler that goes with that kit...can I say that and not sing "this goes with that at Susan's!" I find these days that it sits near my mat at home as the 2 1/2" strip is very handy and once you try the triangles they become addicting. Just finished a quilt with the quarter square version of this ruler that was equally as fun.
OR what about a set of classes. Join our happy new beginners classes, workshops or new to the schedule Create Workshops coming next year! Patchwork, the gift that keeps on giving. wish I had more time....k
Start chanting...swap day...swap day...swap DAY...coming soon!
kathy, thanks for such a creative blog. I just love reading the snippets of advice, seeing the fabric combinations, endering comments about your boys, I have three boys as well but only have reached the 16th birthday so far, still in halloween mode, making a swamp zombie outfit this year and have three other monsters coming over, as they know our street full of older people have good treats. But we must have a new out fit as one lady noticed same costume two years in a row! Your blog is my favourite blog, as it makes me think in directions i wouldnt have thought with pattern and colour. Thanks also for the photos of Year 12 Visual Arts HSC art works, I resigned as an art teacher after I had my children, though have reapplied again for full-time, so enjoyed these images - they were outstanding and a credit to teachers, students and parents. Best wishes to you and your creative staff, Catherine.
Posted by: Catherine | Thursday, 27 October 2011 at 10:45 AM
such eye candy. my wish list includes getting my butt to AU...LOL....sigh.
Posted by: Victoria | Friday, 28 October 2011 at 11:23 PM
Beautiful fabrics and ribbons - and your picture from a later post with all the hands waving from behind the fabric stacks made me laugh!
Posted by: ButtonMad | Wednesday, 09 November 2011 at 01:28 AM