New Shop in May

Its April! Yes I know, its April. Im not open ...not until May now. Sorry (Nell) but unfortunately we've had hold ups and in a couple weeks I will be off to AQC in Melbourne, then there is Easter.... So I will be open for business @ my new location in May. Tiers Road, Lenswood.

Only 6km from the old shop.

Along the Woodside to Lenswood road, (Tiers Road) travel 6 km, passing Bonython Road on your right, we are the next house on the left. Once open I will have a sign out the front. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9.30am to 6pm

We have added a new room/studio to the side of the house, especially for the shop. Very special.

A bit of 'fiddling' still to go, never lone the transfer of goods!! Looking good though. I hope you will all be happy and come visit.

Remember I am still online http://www.patchworkapple.com/ so if there is anything you need, just have a look there and email me or call 0408 088 678.

Having a lovely break, doing all sorts of things I haven't done in years. Now off for a long walk.

See ya soon, Jane***

Happy 1st. Birthday Jemima Sophie

Happy 1st. Birthday little girl. Jemima's birthday party was on Sunday. She loved her cake Mummy made as well as helping Nanny whip cream!

Love and kisses, Nanny Jane xxx

Farewell to Woodside

I have only 3 days to go, here @ Woodside in The Apple Shed.
The move from Lenswood to Woodside in 2005 was huge for little ol' me. Honestly, I didn't think I would continue when Annette (my business partner) passed away back in 2000. Years passed and I was still surviving with alot of friends help. Moving meant having permanent help eg. Sara and Jessica and later Vicki..it meant more customers, sure but with that it meant longer hours and a whole lot more 'bookwork' (thanks Dianne) and alot more other issues.
But the journey has been fabulous. The new customers I have met, the hustle and bustle of 'the street' has all been invigorating.
The last few weeks (of the sale) has been what I would have liked all the time. A constant flow of people but unfortunately its not like that in reality, as any shop owner would know. That is not why I am moving back home...its just time...
Here is what my new 'shop' looks like! I will be trading from here every Wednesday as from April...I hope. Tiers Road, Lenswood. 6km from Woodside. Not far!
I will be attending the major Quilt Fairs around Australia, beginning in Melbourne for the AQC.
AND I will be getting in new 'stuff'.. don't worry about that.
I'm just scaling down...

Finally a big thank you especially to Sara for all your enthusiasm, inspiration, help and friendship over the last 7-8 years. Without you, I would have closed back then... The best of luck and good health to you and Lester in your retirement and travel.
To Vicki, who seemed to have flew in and flew out again but will certainly be apart of my life..even though we are now miles apart. Thank you for your humour, tireless help and friendship. I'll see you next @ AQC. (Vicki will be helping me @ the shows).
And to Jessica, my eldest daughter who always, when possible, helped me out.. with fabric as payment....gee I think you owe me some more work!!!
While Im going, I will thank the rest of the family, Kym, Olivia, Sarah and Shayne. There was always someone who helped when available and of course, put up with me...
And finally to all my loyal and regular customers who would pop in and buy, do a class or two or just say hi! A shop is not a shop without you. Thank you,
See you @ Lenswood, Jane

Gidday Quilters Great Aussie Shop Hop

The Gidday Great Aussie Shop Hop has begun. Click here to the website for all the info.

The Vickster comes to Woodside

Vicki is arriving today for a few days! She will be here @ the Apple shed today and tomorrow, so why not pop in and say hello!

We do have new arrivals....

'La Petite Ecole' fabrics, fat 1/4 bundles, jelly rolls. New range by the French General.

'Sherbert Pips' and 'Pom Pom de Paris' pre-cuts. We will be getting the whole range of both of these gorgeous fabrics.

'More William Morris Applique' Book by Michele Hill is here too.

Sorry these neweys are NOT @ sale reductions but Moda pre-cuts have been reduced to $47.50 for Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes.

If you are interested in these items and in store- just ask. Otherwise they can be ordered online.

BUT we still have our SALE on. 30% off across the board....everything in store; patterns, books, threads etc.

Plus many fabrics on the bolt a huge 50% off . Plus an ever changing $10 mt. fabric clearance.

Panels are HALF PRICE too.

See you soon

Jane

More Tomatoes!!

Today was the day to take down the Tree. Usually I do it before New Years but this year was different. I'm not fussed about 'stuff' like I used to be.. so I think I'll just leave it a bit longer..besides I think it looks pretty.
In actual fact I was too busy today. First thing this morning I just finished getting The Patchwork Apple all 'sorted' for my last SALE ever...starting tomorrow. I just got home and there were unexpected visitors from Germany. Lovely family who came to see our cherries. So that was my day. Relaxing at least with a pub lunch as well. I was planning to clean windows too....no not really!

And this (below) is about all I did during my break... besides getting food prepared it seems. Sorry but I think that is the biggest hassle, every day (especially when one is home) and one's husband is home for lunch...is the preparation or rather the thinking-of-what-to-prepare for each meal....
Anyhow I did get some tomato sauce made!!! It took awhile.... in between doctor visits, suppositories given :/ (to the poorly-not me), flat tyres, water troubles in the garden, cherries to pick etc. etc. but I managed to make 5kg. -8 bottles. I know, big deal! It was a big deal for me, haven't made sauce for years. Jessica has already taken a bottle home and we had pasties for dinner last night, just to enjoy the sauce!! After all that the very next day, our Italian friend returned with more tomatoes!!
Sarah and I are obsessed with tomatoes on toast...just the smell starts you off then the taste. Delicious especially with the Lobethal Bakery's Tuscan loaf!! I can't keep this up...

Happy New Year.. a new year a new beginning!

Happy New Year to you all!

Had a very quiet one. Kym has been sick with a Kidney stone attack. Ambo. ride to hospital and a visit to Dr., all around New Years. Hes back on deck today at last. Right in the middle of cherry harvest too. Meanwhile I've enjoyed long walks and catching up on some DVDs and lots of visits from Jemima during my break..back to work Tuesday and I'll miss her. It won't be for long...

I am closing the Woodside store by end of Feb. Moving back home and will be on Line as well as doing a few Quilt Fairs around the country for the year. Thats the immediate plan anyhow.

Our Sale begins Tuesday 4th. with 30% off absolutely everything with some items even 50% off.

Store opens @ 9.30am until 5pm.- Tuesday to Saturday SALE will run until sold out.

Hope to see you some time. Jane *

This is quite fitting for my 101 st. post, I reckon!!!

Jessica and Shaynes Wedding Day

The Daylily Garden has a touch of my quilts on haybales, perfecting the setting. This is my old family home, so it makes it all very special. The girls grew up here as much as I did, played on the lawn, had picnics in the fairy garden. Mum would have morning/afternoon teas throughout the garden, in different little vignettes depending on the time of year and the weather. Heres the pile, ready to go. Jemima having a bit of no nappy time beforehand.

continued next post....

P.S. This is extra special, celebrating my 100th post!!!!!

Jessica and Shaynes Wedding Day -continued

The beautiful Daylily Garden was decorated with haybales covered in my quilts. Having a drink break while setting up @ the venue.

Here's Aunty Dianne with Jemima.

Easel with Table setting plan on entry.

Guest book on the gift table.

continued next post

Jessica and Shaynes Wedding Day

Beautiful Sundowner apples with cardboard leaves for place settings, surround the vine twigs. Very significant for an apple grower's daughter and the groom who works on the vineyard!

The venue was perfect for the 'feel' we wanted. Party lights and lanterns helped create the atmosphere.

This is Kelly. Our tireless hairdresser and friend. Kelly did all of our hair so well and Olivia did all of the makeup to make us beautiful...it took awhile!!!

The day was just perfect. The girls and boys all looked wonderful. Jessica had planned her wedding beautifully and all went smoothly. I guess that is all we want on our wedding day. Here are all my girls, all looking so beautiful. Jessica and Jemima, Olivia and Sarah.

Here are all the family.

Bride and Groom, baby and Father and Mother of the Bride.

Here's Jemima underneath all the wrapping from all the lovely presents. She was in heaven!

Wedding Bells are in the Air!

Sunday we had Jessica and Shayne's wedding rehearsal. Just an excuse for a Barbie, I reckon! The wedding party and... tag-a-longs or should I say... all important parties(!) hit our place for lunch then (us girls walked and the guys drove) to the Daylily Garden. The garden it perfect, thanks to Kaye and Trevor's hard work.

All systems are go this week. Jessica has been really busy and I'll say the rest of us will be this week! 'Its a Hoot' makes a great young persons quilt. 1 Layer Cake is required for this quilt.

This pic. is @ the top. Sorry my pics. flew everywhere!!

'French General's' next range has arrived, 'Maison de Garance'. Rich chocolates with the traditional reds. Love the linens. We have chocolate- would love to do a stitchery with this with putty coloured thread.

Also love the 'squares of french icons' in burgundy on the putty coloured linen. I'm going to make a pin cushion from ...@ least one.


Here's our little girl ready for bed... just learnt to clap hands!

Its always about the fabric!

'The Adelaide Collection' has arrived. We have the full range by Adelaide's own Michele Hill which has been inspired by William Morris. Michele's new book is due to arrive next month. So many fabrics have come in lately..too many to show (bore) you.. I'll just mention a few by name. This one (below) is 'Punctuation' by American Jane. We have some 'Pure' by Sweetwater.. blue and brown. Also 'Bliss', 'Lizzie', 'Happy', Christmas prints inc. panel for Tree skirt. 'Little Pink Stars'.. these are gorgeous repros.

And a lovely range of Solids.

Lots of preparations here @ the Apple shed. Getting ready for the Adelaide Craft and Quilt Show next week. There's always that big question of what to take??

My DD1 gets married in 4 weeks, so there is that sort of preparations too. Thank goodness, she is a good organiser (and has the time) and doing it all. I'm struggling with a dress @ the moment. Thought it was going to be easy but really its not. There is that mauve 'Mother of the Bride' outfit I'm just not prepared to wear!!

Anyhow, I plod on.

cheers Jane *

Australian Machine Quilting Festival starts today.

Am packed and ready to go!
The inaugural Australian Machine Quilting Festival starts tonight 6pm - 9pm to the public. It is open all long weekend Sat. and Sun. 10am - 5pm and 10am -3pm on Monday.
Shops, quilt displays and classes. Just like regular quilt shows!!
Come and see us.
Endeavour College, Mawson Lakes. SA
Our 'Tried and True' quilt has been quilted beautifully by Sharon @ Patchwork on Parade

and will be on display. BOM or kits available.

What a wet day!

What a day of rain today! It has rained all day, hailed a bit and is bitterly cold. (I'm glad I'm inside!) Hasn't hailed much this year, yet. You can see it on my car as well as running down the drain. Today also brought the arrival of 'Luna Notte' by 3 Sisters for Moda. It is soft and muted and rather French!! I can picture the florals on old chateau's walls. Yummy.

We've had a quilt made in this range for awhile... Sara's design for a Layer Cake class as well as a pattern. So I was able to make an instant display.

Also in the same delivery were Fat Quarter Bundles, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes of 'A Morris Tapestry' by Barbara Brackman and 'La Petite Ecole' from French General.

So it was a great day for a change around and new fabric!
Keep warm and dry, Jane

I've Finished!

Here is my finished top, 'Civil War Journey' quilt. I absolutely love it! I loved making it and I love it even more now its together. Just need it quilted now. It is a wonderful pattern of 6" blocks and with Sara's help during the class we all have the quilts finished. And now on to the next....

This gorgeous fabric range, 'Maison de Garance' by French General is my love at present. I am making blocks for the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Quilt. Supposed to be 140 blocks of 6" blocks but we'll see about how many I'll make!!! Only 12 so far. (We do 6 blocks a fortnight.) So far they've been very easy, especially compared to the other quilt but I think from now on....it will get harder. I think it is for Anne's benefit, who is the newey in the class. I think we are protecting her.... or maybe misleading her!!

Going back to the delicious fabric. This is (was) a fat quarter bundle, we have Layers and Jellys in stock, with more arriving in October. There will also be a yummy chocolate linen. We had this class the other day, 'Scalloped Edge'. This is Kerrie's quilt by the end of the day! A great class using a large design as the centre of the quilt. The fabric Kerrie used is another French General range, 'Lumiere de Noel'. We'll do this class again. It was a beauty.

The new 'Civil War Legacy' quilt girls came this morning for their monthly fix. Their blocks are starting to look great. It was Kris and Jean's first day and already their blocks are really good. Yvonne, Loz and Deb have now had 2 days and are zooming! Loz is believed to be making 2 quilts....there's always one!

A quiet day for retail today...must be the election. People are out but not shopping...maybe its just that the sun is out at last after 5" of rain during the week!

Think I may drop by the DVD store on the way home, for something better on TV rather than election palaver.

Take care, Jane ***

New Beginners Class.

I'm back! I've been otherwise busy.. it seems.. and now finally I'm back to the blogging.
A couple weeks ago I attended our guild's Quilt Encounter (Quilt Camp) which is a week long retreat, with international, interstate and local tutors, teaching pretty cool classes. I was lucky to be attending as one of the 2 shops, which are invited. For me, it is a wonderful week of meeting quilters and friends and enjoying each others company. Hi to all those who attended.
I have also just published the latest newsletter. If you would to read it, check out my website and go to newsletter.

Since then I have decided to run this quilt (below) as a new Beginners Class. (so its not in the Newsletter) Beginning on Wednesday 18 August from 10am - 1pm, every fortnight until Xmas. It comes as a kit of fabrics and pattern, so there is no need to fuss with colours. Sewing machine is required too.
We have this new kit 'On Freedoms Wings' available. Using the new 'Lily and Will' fabrics by Bunnyhill Designs it makes these simple stitcheries and applique designs, sophisticated and trendy. Vicki has made this beautiful sample to hang in store.

Here is a close up of the pretty stitcheries.

And to finish today, here is a pic of my little cutie pie. Now 4 months old!!

I promise I will be back soon.

Jane ***