Adelaide Craft and Quilt Show

As the Melbourne Cup runs.... and a very quiet shop... thought I would just let you know, I will be at the Adelaide Craft and Quilt Show as usual .. same spot. ..E14
Hope to see you all there!
Good day to pack up everything!!!

PS This BOM pattern by Bunny Hill Designs 'Le Jardin', has just arrived. Anne used 'Rouenneries' but of course any delicious fabrics would do.

Rouenneries Has Arrived!

Its here!
'Rouenneries' by French General fabrics have arrived. We have so many to choose from, with accessories to match. eg. sewing bag, notebook, needle book, scissor roll and Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, Charm Packs and Fat Quarter Bundles of the full range. You'll be spoilt for choice!

Civil War story quilts

As promised, here are the quilts, the 'Civil War Girls' made on our mini break. This is Sara's original design deplicting the whole Civil War. The flag, colours (north and south), Mississippi River flowing through the fields, slavery, the bloodshed and the Underground railway. I hope this is right (Sara). You all get the gist of it all anyhow. A lovely quilt.
This is Vicki's version.

And Kathleen's.

And Anne's. Border still to come, as is Rhonda's.

Perhaps this is another good class idea. Lots of quick rotary cutting techniques involved never lone the story factor.

Lots of storms and bad weather bringing lots of rain here in the Hills and S.A. over the last day or two. Flooding, storm damage and broad-acre crop losses have been reported. For a change the Hills weren't too badly off, Adelaide having more rain than us!

Yesterday on my day off, I actually had a few hours of sewing. With the weather like it was, I was only too happy to stay indoors. Can't believe it, I started the quilt for the shop's 15 years of business, '15 stars for 15 years'. I'll take some pics and show you and @ night I'm working on the 'Pies and Tarts'! Will show you some of them too soon. Don't know what's gotten into me!!

cheers til next time, Jane ***

CWG retreat

After work on Saturday, I headed off to Victor Harbor for our first CWG retreat. The 'Civil War Girls' had a project designed by Sara to work on, while I HAD to catch up and finish projects. Below is my Layer Cake quilt, using 'Gypsy Rose' fabrics. A little sample to 'show off' the 'Wiscasset' range.

The CWG will have a show n tell on Friday, so I will have some quilt pics to show you.

Next Year, we are planning to have an exhibition of reproduction quilts. So keep a look out!

Here is Anne, (alias TT) looking like she's working!

This is my 'work in progress'.

Thanks go to Stuart too, who unselfishly hopped on his Harley and had to deliver some dumb persons bag, which she forgot and left behind... I know it was a hardship for him but very much appreciated by her!

And here we are set for home, sadly. They all have huge smiles but that is all show.. a facade.. we didn't really want to go home... yet anyhow.

What a great bunch. I feel I have such close buddies, it was just what I needed and we'll certainly do this again. hey Sare?

Rhonda, Anne, Vicki, Kath and Sara.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Happy Birthday Sarah! This is my baby girl - 20 yesterday! Where has the time gone.
A dear little red haired baby, my smallest, arrived on the due date on a sunny day. I'll never forget DD1 meeting her for the first time (she had a cold and hadn't been able to visit for a day) and as I put the baby in her arms... her little face just lit up and it was love-at-first-sight, she doted on her little sister. They have always got on well. All three do get along well now but of course we've had some moments!
Sarah began the year in the U.S.A. for 2 months. Since returning she had put everything into getting a job and working hard and her mission is saving for a house.

Sarah and Olivia and I went to BTS Cafe (or Better Than Sex) for afternoon tea yesterday. That was Sair's request. As you may have gathered, we love cupcakes and especially the cafes they come from! This one is amazing! An absolute gorgeous store in the city (Adelaide), selling the best cupcakes! A must see here.

Then we came home - that's was all we did! Dinner with all the family and Sarah's bff, Kimberly.

Another era has passed. No teenagers @ home. Congratulations my darling. Wishing you a lifetime of dreams coming true.

'French General' Giftware has arrived.

Just arrived ! 'French General' giftware, all using the 'Rouenneries' fabrics. Gorgeous Sewing Bag, Sewing book, Scissor roll, and Notebook. We have the 'Rouenneries' Honey buns in stock now and waiting for more Jelly Rolls, Fat 1/4 bundles and Layer Cakes. I suppose you think, us Quilt Shop owners sit all day and sew. How wrong are you! How I wish. This is what I've been doing a lot of lately... cutting kits for Quiltaid. This is just a few!

And there.. more to mail out. This is just one kit! We do lots of kit cutting, folding and packing.

Fun hey! Actually I don't mind small doses of kit cutting. eg a new one is fun! Once a few are done it can then be tedious. Oh the hardships!

Now I've said how I don't get time to sew...much. I have had a bit of a spurt on lately. Im doing some 'Pies and Tarts' to show you our Block of the Month. We have two alternatives, clear and crisp colours or other. (which is just not as clear!) I wouldn't go as far as muddy but not as white.

Anyhow, they are really fun to do and Im so enjoying making them. Will show you when I have a few together.

I'm off for a day or two of retreating! Going to Sara's house @ Victor Harbor with the Civil War Girls (girls who are addicted to Civil War type quilts and making them here in the shed, in class).

Should be a nice time and I can get some more Pies made!

Check out my newsletter/class list on my website.

I've finally got it done. Its packed with info. Classes are filling already.

Til next time, I'll show you some of my 'retreat' work.!!?? (it might end up, just a lot of eating and drinking!) cheers Jane

A good rain, brings in customers!

Well, while the Power and the Crows are playing, (it can get quiet here-believe it or not!) this post, I thought I would show you some new products in store or coming to the 'apple shed'. This little bag is 'The Fat Quarter bag' pattern by Melly and Me. We have made the sample (thanks Lyn) in the 'Andalucia' fabrics. (btw my ears pricked up the other day, when I heard Hamish and Andy were driving through Andalusia, Alabama- see, we do learn things as quilters!!) Just had news of the release of Gail Pan's first book 'Baskets in Bloom'. It will be here next week for $32.00. Well done, Gail! She would be so excited.

One of our new block-of-the-month's is 'Pies and Tarts' Size: approx. 70" square $35.00 for 10 months Each month for 10 months you will receive enough fabric to make 10 pie blocks and small pie fillers. The first month you will receive "Playing with Paper " Pack 12 (Includes: instructions, perspex templates and papers for month 1) along with your first lot of fabrics.The remaining months you will receive fabric and pre - cut papers.

Well it hasn't been quiet at all, its taken me forever to do this today. Not complaining.

Been madly cutting kits this week, in between writing my newsletter/class list. (out next week).

Quiltaid has me on my toes. Needing more kits still. Which is wonderful. The response has been terrific. More strippy retro kits have been done and a newey, 'Window Boxes'. A very large quilt (76 x 100") in blues, greens and cream flowers. A pretty bed quilt. We have a made sample.

Here is Rosalie Quinlan's new book. This much awaited book and new fabric range is due Sept/Oct. Our Aussie designers, do us proud!

Seeing the radio has just played, 'Choir Girl'. I thought I would add 'him' too. We went to see Jimmy Barnes a week or so ago, yeh I know, again... He just gets better with age! Its so good, he's everywhere at the moment, releasing a new album... radio, TV, on tour. Can't get enough.

Lots of rain here in Woodside as well as Lenswood (home). The highest rainfall in the state. We have just had more thunder bringing more rain today. We would be over 100 mm now this month. Bring it on! I like it when it rains, not only is it good for our apples, cherries, paddocks, rivers etc. it is great for business. In the quilting business rain seems to attract customers to a quilt shop, with the need to shop and sew!

Jimmy and I say, 'See ya'.

Off home now for some 'cheap wine' and put the feet up! Jane ***

The Quilted Crow shop visit

The Crow Girls!

When you visit Hobart next, you must drop by and see The Quilted Crow. The shop is fabulous. And Leonie and Deidre are delightful. We had a delicious lunch with Helen and I hung around for the rest of the day with them. We had a great day.

Got to say, I have never been greeted with a great sign before. It stopped me in my tracks! So special!

Its so nice having great mates in the industry doing the same stuff. Thanks guys! You'll have to visit me next time. Enjoy Houston and see you in Melbourne.

We even took corny pictures of ourselves!

Tasmania continued

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tasmania

Our time in Tassie has sadly come to an end. It is certainly lovely having time to do... nothing. DH had the cherry industry conference while I pleased myself on my days activities! We did do alot of eating and drinking... and socialising with good friends - that is partly why I go! Looking around being another reason! This trip I did alot of walking too.. the exercise didn't seem to help counteract all the eating though.
The beautiful harbour of Hobart welcomes the traveller with tranquility, as the boats rock gently in their marina. Snow capped Mt. Wellington dwarfs the city but seems to be quietly keeping an eye on things.


I particularly love Battery Point and Salamanca Market. Tasmania being on of the oldest states of Australia has wonderful old architecture, so a wander around the old buildings for me, is heaven. A stop now and again for a cappucino is a must for the weary walker who is sooo out of condition.

Winners are....

The lucky winners of the Christmas in the Hills, fat quarter bundles are:
Sue SA , pink needles and jstick.
Please send me your address and I will send asap.
Thank you for your lovely comments everyone.

Road trip thro the centre of Tasmania- its not that far!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Christmas in the Hills part 1

Christmas in the Hills was a special time of indulgence. The ladies enjoyed the gathering, with lovely stitching and friendship. Lots of goodies to eat, to buy, enjoy or win! My dear Sarah DD3, has been busy making pinwheels for the goodie bags for ages. (one of Rosalie's patterns in her 'Gift' book) All three girls did a wonderful job, helping me out with preparations while Sara ran the shop so well, leaving me to be able to 'swan' around and enjoy and chat to everyone!

Heres Rosalie Quinlan addressing her group of followers!

One lucky lady, Sandi even won a bundle of Rosie's new fabric range. Take a look, its gorgeous. We will have the range, as soon as possible. Possibly around end of year, once its released. Why not pre-order a fat quarter bundle now!

Finally a big thank you to all the ladies and I do hope you enjoyed your Christmas in July.

Seeing I was supposed to have a give-away last post - being my 50th. AND because I haven't posted for sooo long... I have been rather hectic.... I will have my first giveaway NOW!!!

Leave a comment on... 'what I wish for this Christmas' .....and I will randomly pick a winner.

Prizes are: Bundles of Fat quarters of Christmas fabrics. How about 3 winners.

Seeing I'm in Tasmania now- on holiday, I will draw the winners , Tuesday 11 August.

Jane *

Xmas in the Hills part 2

Well the shop is set-up some of the lovely food by Sarina

with everyone very busy...relaxing. Some lovely stitching and chatting. Good food, meeting new friends and generally having a good day.

One of the prizes. Very lucky Nell won this delightful bundle! Vicki and Rhonda (in background)are planning an attack in the carpark for it, I think.

Jane *

Melly and Me's book has arrived!

Have received our first delivery of Melly's first book 'Kaleidoscope'. Well done, Mel. Loads of photos with wonderful patterns . If you have little ones, this book is a must, even if you don't there are some quilt designs and bags as well of lots of inspiration!
Sometimes customers are after the exact fabric from the book and/or patterns. While the fire is hot, I thought I would let you know, the more 'unusual' fabrics we have which Mel has used in some of her projects.
1. 'Robo pack' -numbers fabric.
2. The fun 'Fiesta' bag, we have the funky main fabric of sewing notions. (I might need one of those!)
3. The traffic fabric on 'Melvin's' overalls also.
Now I guess you just need the book, just order one from our website www.patchworkapple.com.
Had to use Mel's photo, hope that is okay, my camera has gone to China for a holiday.
Today I have ordered a new range, 'Whimsy'. This is not delivered for a few months yet but thought I would whet the appetite.... Seeing my camera is having a good time without me in China. I'm borrowing other's pictures for this blog!

Look out for my next blog, it will be my 50th! Seeing I've turned 50 too (in March), maybe I will celebrate with a giveaway. No I don't think there will be 50 prizes - maybe something worth 50c !!!!! LOL I will give it some thought, until then.

The pressure has eased...

Well the 'deadline' has been met and I can reveal the quilt. This is our Quiltaid 2009 quilt, which will be launched in June @ the Quilt Show in Sydney. Part proceeds go to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. 12 Aussie designers have designed blocks and 12 Aussie shops will have a block kit for you to purchase. The finishing kits are available too. If you like the way we completed our quilt, you purchase the kit from us. We have framed each block with a folded mini border, the sashings have a stitchery leaf and berry design, completing the quilt with a scallop outer border. Our block kit is by Rosalie Quinlan (bottom left corner) Go to here for ALL the info.
I have been actually sewing in my 'new' (I left and now come back) sewing room. Its lovely, my 'stuff' around me, with the radio/cd's on or the TV. I even found a board for my design board (I used to use the pool table board/cover but its really too heavy.) It does make a difference when you can see the project you're working on, easily. I leave things there and bit by bit, it grows. Photo isn't fantastic..ever tried to take a picture of a room? Well its a space for me at least. Now I just need the time to use it..

This little quilt has been finished. 'Sweet Dreams' is a Nine patch block with yo-yos in the spacer blocks.. using a honey bun roll. My photos aren't great in colour. I used the 'Sweet' range by Moda. It is young, fresh and retro.

Bookings are now coming in for our 'Christmas in the Hills' gathering with Rosalie Quinlan and Leanne Beasley in July. Don't leave it too long to decide. You will be in for a treat - this will be Special. Here is Leanne's sneak peek of one of her projects. We are so looking forward to this weekend. Both girls will have 2 projects for you with a Xmas theme. Starter kits included in cost.

Back on the home front, my DH is off to China on Monday for cherry business with apple harvest over and on Wednesday we have a visitor from France, staying for 5 weeks. She will be working for us (even with DH away...)...Good timing on his behalf! Our workmen apparently will be in charge. Thats a worry too!! Still lots of work to do, even with the harvest finished for the year. These cold, mild days are excellent for outdoor jobs which need to be done before rains (hopefully) in July. By the way, the only way you 'consumers' get good cherries is due to cold days. So we really need the winter chill.

On that note, I better get back to some more sewing using a 'Gypsy Rose' layer cake. This is so much fun! Photos of that next time.

cheers Jane *

PS Nice to see Kris and her family this afternoon, enjoying the beautiful day as well as their gelatos from bakery next door. Always good to see them.