Merry Christmas

I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a lovely safe and happy festive season with your family and friends.
I am looking forward to a nice holiday with my family. We are off to the beach for 10 days! Bring on the sun sand and cocktails!
The store will be open over the Christmas / New Year period. We are closed on all the public holidays and will be open with reduced hours from 10 am -2pm Tues - Fri and 9am - 1pm Sat.
Normal hours will resume on the 18th January 2011,
Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2011!
Happy Stitching,
Liisa

Great Aussie Shop Hop

You cn see that I have added a new badge to the blog and it means that we have signed up to take part in this wonderful shop hop. There will be more details to come!
The sale is going really well but there are still plenty of bargains to be had. Drop by and check them out!
Cheers,
Liisa 

Christmas SALE starts Wednesday!

Well I have just walked in the door! I have been at the shop all day organising all the sale fabrics for tomorrow. We are having a monster clearance sale to make way for loads of new stock.There will be hundreds of bolts at 50% off the regular price. There is 20% off all our other fabrics and 15% off books and notions. Christmas Fabrics are now 25% off too. TUESDAY is Customer Club only day where the SALE discounts will only apply for those who are members of the customer club. This is our special treat for our club members.
The Sale will continue until Saturday.
Happy  Christmas Sewing....
Liisa xoxo

Advent Angels BOM by Rosalie Quinlan

Karen Rohjan has finished her  Advent Angels BOM, it looks amazing and her stitcheries are lovely. I thought you may want a look at it, so that you can see our fabric choices.... Tricia from Cut from the Same Cloth quilted it so beautifully. Well at least Karen has her Advent quilt ready to go THIS year! LOL I hope to have mine done for next year!

A huge well done to Karen and thanks for letting us put it on the blog! Merry Christmas!
Happy sewing,
Liisa xoxo
(2 posts in one day!  Whoo hoo)

Bliss fabrics

I am currently piecing a quilt from the Bliss fabric range and Boris just wanted to help!

Tim, just back from Schoolies, was helping me layout the blocks and Boris decided to join in the fun. He was just waiting for the right moment to mess them all up! It is his favourite trick! I usually put him in the bedroom while this process is happening but Tim was going to 'mind him'. Hmmm

I have the blocks laid out now just to piece them and add a border or two......

Back to my Sewing,

Cheers,

Liisa xoxo

Toytime Circus BOM

We are happy to announce that we will run this great 8 part Block of the Month program starting in January 2011.  It will be $30/month. If you want the pattern alone it is $9.90/month. Postage and handling is charged at Australia Post rates. Below are the blocks we have put together (minus the odd missing eye!) to date, I will post the centre block when it is put together. We love it! Our colours are similar yet different!

We hope you like it as much as we do!
Cheers,
Liisa xoxo

What a Hoot Fabric

This is the third pattern in my K.I.S.S. quilts range(Keeping it Sew Simple) and it is cot sized. Lorraine pieced it using the cute 'What a Hoot' fabric range. We do have a few kits available.
Well... I am one slightly anxious Mother this week with my youngest son away at Schoolies on the Gold Coast. We delivered him to his hotel safe and sound and the traffic wasn't that bad. The rest is up to him now.... I have to trust him to make the right decisions when the time comes and hope that he can hear that little voice (OK that nagging voice) in his head guiding him in the right direction. I will sleep easier next week!
I am off to the machine to get some sewing done..... distraction is a marvelous thing.
Happy Sewing,
Liisa xoxo

Gorgeous Little Bags

Sue Keating from 'zucchinigirl' was in the store last week and purchased this yummy fabric and quickly turned it into something too cute for words! She has it for sale on  www.madeit.com.au/zucchinigirl  Sue has other cute stuff there as well.
I spent the evening making a string of bunting using some doilies I picked up at the fleamarket on Sunday morning. It is sooo pretty, though it was hard cutting all the doilies in half! I think I may add some buttons to it now. When I have finished I will post a pic.
I also found a lovely crochet throw in a teal colour, perfect for No 2 Sons room! Not bad for just $1 and not a hole to be found. I hope that one day my darling family don't sell off all my hand made 'heirlooms' for just a dollar at the fleamarket. I would come back and haunt them!
Happy Sewing
Love Liisa xoxo

Vignette Magazine

This lovely new magazine by Leanne Beasley  is now available in store. Lots of loveliness to look at, sew, make and eat too!
We will have some of Rosalie Quinlan's fabrics arriving soon. I'll let you know when they get here...
Michelle and I spent a lovely afternoon at the Finders Keepers Markets at the Old Museum building. So much gorgeousness in one place, it has my descriptive vocabulary going into overdrive not mention the creative juices really flowing! I picked up Frankie Magazine's 'Sweet Treats' Book and I am off to make some Yummy Toffees right now.... hmmmm where are the hundreds and thousands?
Have a great weekend,
Liisa xoxo

Romantic and Gorgeous!

These pretty Robyn Pandolph prints have just arrived, hmmm what to make next......

I have been busy updating some of our Christmas samples to some of the yummy new ranges we have this year. I have updated the Christmas Tree skirt with Moda's '12 days of Christmas' and the Tipsy Triangle runner with
 Robert Kaufman's 'Sparkle all the Way'. I really love this range and have made the latest GIFT club project from it too! It is a cute little basket for bread rolls or anything really, you could make them in lots of different sizes too.


 Be Sew Happy
Liisa xoxo

Sew much to do and sew little time!

I feel like I have been sewing up a storm and we have had enough of them in town over the past few weeks! I have finished our latest strip club Daisy Chains it is in yummy spring colours, and also in a Black and white and red version. I made a scrappy binding and it looks good enough to eat!
I guess it is the warmer weather, and the fact that I love these colours but I also made our latest GIFT club project up in similar colours, we have made the armchair caddy before but I really love this re vamped version in 'Nicey Jane' fabrics by Heather Bailey.

 

I have pieced a New Christmas quilt, which is available from http://www.quiltsoup.com/
It is called Hip Holidays and the pattern is a free download. We have a small number of kits available too.
I love their fabrics too.... hmmmmm must be why I own a fabric shop! I am addicted to fabric!
Well back to the machine to finish off my new Christmas Tree Skirt...
Happy Sewing
Liisa xoxo

Latest Newsletter

Our latest newsletter is now out. We have lots of Christmas project classes on offer along with some techniques to expand your knowledge.
 We are offering the Kaleidoscope class again this term as it was so popular last term.
I have been busy piecing our next strip club project and making up a sample of 'Star Power'  in a fun bright Lakehouse Fabrics range.The kits will be available shortly...
I can't believe how close Christmas is yet again, my youngest son is finishing school this year and only has about 6 weeks left to go. I feel like the year has gone way too fast for my liking....
Cheers,
Liisa xoxo

Have a look at this!

Minh, who just finished the beginner course last term, has done an amazing job of her kaleidoscope quilt this term, there were lots of challenging points to match and she has done a great job. Well done!
I will post some of the others too when they come to visit us :)
Gift Club this month is a practical Market style of bag. No wadding just fabrics so that you can roll it up and carry it in your bag to take shopping.

I was able to use a gorgeous wooden button I had been saving for 'that' special project, I put a yoyo in the middle of it as well and I love it.
We have had some very beautiful new fabrics arrive last week, Under the Australian Sun by Aussie Leesa Chandler. They are very popular and we have already re-ordered them, we still have lots available at the moment.The fabrics feature native Australian blooms with Waratahs and other pretty flowers they come in several colourways and have gold highlights. The best Aussie range to be released in some time.....
I hope to get them up this week on our website.
Happy Sewing,
Liisa xoxo

Spring is almost here!

Wow! We had a great weekend at the Samford Quilt show, it was really busy. It was lovely to see so many people there, as well as lots of beautiful quilts.
 We had part of our Down in the Garden Block of the Month on display and it was getting lots of interest. Perfect for some Spring stitching I think :) We have several kits still available. Our fabrics are almost the same as the original by Leanne Beasley. Certainly all the main feature fabrics are the same. Rosalie Quinlan's Grandmother's Garden range is just so yummy and it is used in this quilt.
We have lots of other Springtime floral fabrics in the shop, no surprise there as they are my favourites.
We have a little Spring time surprise for you when you shop in store or on the website, if you spend over $10 you will receive a small gift from us during the whole month of September.....
Happy Spring time Sewing,
Love Liisa xoxo 

More new books arrive

I have had a great weekend! Mark had been away for 10 days in NZ for work and when he returned we went to the Brisbane Ekka, the first time in our marriage we have gone without the kids, they were 'over it Mum'! We wandered the foodie stalls and tasted the wines and cheeses and just plain dawdled about. It was great! We checked at the fashion parade and wandered down sideshow alley.... We stuck out heads into the show bag pavilion but did a quick reverse, so much rubbish in there! I was keen to stay for the fireworks but the temperature was dropping fast and it was pretty windy too so I opted for the leisurely trip home on the train.
We then went out for brunch to Emporium on Sunday morning and it was very civilized! We stopped for some retail therapy on the way to the airport at DFO and then Mark left for Perth! It was a busy few days and i did not get any sewing done at all, but sometimes life is like that! Though today I am busy stitching my Advent Angels BOM sample, We are having a stall at the Samford Quilters Quilt show which is on the last weekend in August and I am trying to finish the top at least by then...
New stock of the Hootie Hoo Family pattern has arrived for those of you waiting on it.
Sorry, there are no pics today as I am having trouble uploading them today! Silly blogger won't play nice!

Well I hope you all have a great week,
Cheers,
Liisa

New Jelly Roll Book has arrived!

Just a quick post to let you know the new Jelly Roll Book 'Two from One Jelly Roll Quilts has now arrived. It is a lovely book and has lots of ideas for lap sized quilts.
Some other wonderful news is that Michelle won first prize in her category for her amazing 'Aunt Millies Garden' quilt, at the Brisbane Exhibition. Well done Michelle! If you are going to the Ekka drop in and have a look a the quilts, hers is the large Appliqued one with Red background and all those amazing flowers, it was a Piece of Cake design.
Cheers,
Liisa xoxo

Curvy Cushion

I have had a very busy month and I can not believe that I did not actually post during the last month, so sorry! Well, I am another year older now, and the partying has wound up for another year! I have several friends who share my Birthday month and it feels like we eat cake every day, it's a hard life, VBG.

I have just finished this month's GIFT club project and it is sure to make somebody your love very comfy!

 I have used Heather Bailey's range of fabrics called 'Nicey Jane' it is one of my favourites. It utilisies some free form curved piecing and would suit any sort of fabrics, in fact I have also another made from bold Batik fabrics too and I think it looks great.

All our current block of the month projects have their next installment ready for mail out or collection. I plan to put up actual block pictures of our samples onto the website later this week.Keep a look out for them.
I have finished the Kaleidoscope quilt and Tricia kindly quilted it for me. This term's class if full but we will offer it again next term.
I hope that this lovely weather has you all stitching away, I am trying to finish the advent angels BOM sample in my spare time, but there are so many new fabrics arriving that my  thoughts keep wandering off to new projects.... Until next time...
Happy Sewing,
Liisa xoxo

Kaleidoscopes

I have had a great weekend playing with Kaleidoscope blocks. I just love making them up and being surprised by how they turn out! Now just to decide on a layout! I have used a large print from the Oz range of fabrics, it is amazing how the blocks look nothing like the original fabric...
Now don't forget there are two more sale days left! Sale will finish at close of trade on Wednesday.
Cheers,
Liisa xoxo

Pre Stocktake Sale!

Yes, we are having a pre-stocktake sale this year. There are lots of specials and some of our layer cakes and jelly rolls are down to $30 each! 20% off all the fabrics in store and 15% off almost everything else.
Sale is on now til June 30th! Drop in and see us...
Cheers,
Liisa

K.I.S.S. Quilts

Just a quick post to show the first of my new K.I.S.S. quilt patterns, Keeping It Sew Simple! I have designed a rather versatile little cot quilt that is perfect for a feature fabric that you just do not want to cut up too much.

   

Of course it still needs to be quilted, but I am hoping to get it done on our second retreat this weekend!

We have about 30 ladies heading off to Highfields again this Friday! Woo Hoo!

More sewing time for me!

I have also cut some flannel boy versions of the 'Gelati Baby Quilt' and the fabrics are pictured below, the red flannel is the sashing!

Well back to the pattern writing....

Happy Stitching,

Liisa xoxo

Chenille has arrived

Our eagerly awaited chenille order has arrived and we have now finished cutting  lots of gorgeous flannel raggy kits. Perfect for snuggling under and quick to put together, you can make them up in a weekend! They make great gift quilts too. We have about 6 different colourways to choose from to suit everyone! Mention this blog and we will  give you a pair of great scissors for snipping the seams of your raggy quilt with each flannel raggy quilt kit you purchase this month!
Cheers,
Liisa xoxo

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I have been flat out since we came back from retreat and I have a few pics to show you of  few new shop samples...
First of all is Gelati Baby a colourful simple cot quilt, Made up in flannel so soft and yummy!

We have made up sits to suit a girl, and our boy version is full of cute little dinosaurs in greens and blues and red!
Now just to get it quilted....
I have also pieced a giant 100" monster for my King size bed at home, it is huge! Loads of Roses in pinks and greens, I can't wait to put it on my bed...ZZZZ





 

I have also just finished the June gift club project and it is a ruler/mat bag to carry all your 'Stuff'. The pattern will be available next week. It uses charm squares and our favourite bag batting...

I have almost finished another flannel quilt top in the woolies, but machine is smokin' it has been working so hard!

 Michelle has been stitching away on the BOM 'Down in the Garden', and Lorraine is finishing the binding on 'Lovebird Lane' it has come back from being quilted by Tricia and it looks divine! It should be hanging in store next week.
 Happy Stitching,
Liisa xoxo

Thankyou Ladies!

This lovely bouquet of flowers arrived for me on Tuesday. it was a gorgeous 'Thankyou'  from the ladies who attended the retreat. I felt very special and the flowers smell divine!

Speaking of flowers this gorgeous range of Flower Sugar florals from Lecien arrived this week, I will get them on the website by the weekend :)

Cheers,
Liisa

Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!

Well, we all had a great time on retreat! Lots of stitching and laughter and friendship and food and a drink or two! I managed to sew up two quilt tops and will have to get them quilted asap. We ran an aesthetically challenged (ugly) mug swap and Leona ended up with the prize Man Mug. Yes, she did drink her coffee out of this all weekend. BTW really nice PJ's Leona! 

Everyone arrived to a goody bag filled with treats, I can not tell you what was inside, as we have another group going on retreat next month so I do not want to spoil their surprise now do I?
The weather was cool but not freezing and the fire kept us warm at night.....
We did a little shopping at The Quilters Angel at Highfields and a couple of other local shops in Toowoomba, I am sure they were happy to see us.
Here are some of the girls stitching away. The light in the room was actually very good, but as a photographer I leave a lot to be desired!
A huge Thankyou to everyone who joined us in Highfields you made it a great weekend!

Happy Stitches,
Liisa xoxo

Only a few more sleeps til our May retreat!

There are 40 very excited ladies packing their bags as I blog, we are heading off to Highfields for a weekend of fun and friendship and some stitching. We have packed our aesthetically challenging, uniquely individual coffee mugs for a swap challenge, and our hats for Saturday night! A few bottles of bubbly and lots of projects to choose from in case we change our minds....
We are going to visit The Quilters Angel in Highfields, and catch up with the lovely Marion and Steph.

The hall at our venue is lovely and bright with loads of space. I am so looking forward to a whole weekend of sewing! Yipee! I will take some pics and let you know what everyone is up to.
I hope that you all have a great weekend too!
I am off to pack the goodie bags for the retreatees! Freddos -Check, Lollies - Check, Lots of other stuff - Check Check Check!
Cheers, Liisa

BOM's are ready to go

Just a quick note to let you know that the next installment of our Remember When and Down in the Garden BOM's are ready to go now. Advent Angels will be ready shortly too!
Some more gorgeous fabrics have arrived and we have our Jelly rolls of Martinique as well as some fabric bolts to match. Just when I thought I had a little bit of space on the shelves....
Happy stitching,
Liisa

Thanks so much!

First of all I want to thank everyone that came into the store during our clearance sale and helped us move lots of fabric! We have now created space for all the new stuff!

We have Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey,  Hunky Dory from Chez Moi, Simply Sweet from Quilt Soup and Marabella by Amy Hamberlin of Kati Cupcake Pattern Co to name a few! We also have lots of new flannels for the men in our lives and those who do not like flowers! We do have lots of floral flannels of course! There are some other yummy fabrics too and some new batiks. The shelves are overflowing once more!

We have a gorgeous new Flower Show quilt and have several kits available but be quick for this one as they have been selling really fast! This quilt was adapted from a pattern by The Quilt Company called Lindsay by Karen Montgomery. Yes it is large! Generous Queen size/King size.

We also have Michelle's version of Aunt Millie's Garden Quilt on display for a short time. If you joined this BOM and want to see how our kit looks finished, please drop in for a look. It is simply stunning! Well done Michelle!
But want to hear my most exciting news........
We now have EXTRA lighting at the shop! Woo Hoo, no more dark corners! It looks fantastic!
Well back to my stitching, Advent Angels BOM is calling me....
Happy Sewing,
Liisa

Clearance Sale

Woo Hoo I have finally found some time to fit in a clearance sale. We have some older stock we would love to move on so that we can put all the lovely new stock out on the shelves. So, there are some great bargains to be had. Over 300 bolts of fabric at a minimum of 40% off the marked price some down to less than $6/m.

We have some sale specials on patterns, kits and books too!
We do not have these on the website so you would need to pop in to the store.
Amy Butler fabrics are 30% off and these are listed on the website.
Sale starts today and finishes on Saturday 17th April.
Cheers,
Liisa xoxo

Yummy new threads!

Sorry it has been a few weeks since my last post.... I have been busy sewing new samples and tonnes of new stuff has arrived. Most of you would have received the new class list/newsletter by now. If not, just email me and I will send you a copy. I hope that you enjoy the music I have added to my blog, if not just hit the stop button on the ipod and it will turn off :)

These so scrummy new variegated threads from Cosmo have just arrived, we will probably use some in the Down in the Garden BOM. Click on the pic if you want a larger view!

I have just finished the new strip club project called 'Ric Rac Runner'. We have kits for the top without the optional border for $15 this includes the pattern sheet.There are several colourways. Sample shows colourway 1. 

 There is also an Amy Butler pinks version and a batik version in vivid oranges pinks and purples...

'Down in the Garden' block of the Month and 'Remember When' Block of the Month programmes are up and running.


Heather Bailey's new fabric range  'Nicey Jane' has arrived and I love it! Check it out on the website!

I hope you all had a break over the Easter long weekend and managed a little sewing. I am busy sewing Dresden plates for our China Plates quilt class next month.I am so loving them! I love the fabrics too, so it is just so much fun making up this project. I did have a quick chat to Martin the Bernina Guru about the best way to set up the machine to take monofilament thread, not a favourite of mine, but I wanted to give it a go with the new Superior Mono poly thread and see if it changes my mind.I'll let you know!
Cheers, Liisa
Well back to the machine!
PS This pic is off the pattern cover, but I have used many of the same fabrics... I love this fresh colourful quilt!