Gum Valley Patchwork

'deepblue' on a dark and rainy night

On a spur of the moment decision, Russell and I headed to Warrnambool last night to see 'deepblue' perform at the Entertainment Centre.

 
As described in the pamplet....'deepblue looks like an orchestra, acts like a band and feels like a live movie'.

 
It was a fantastic show and if you ever get the chance to see these very talented young performers do it!

Linda  :)

Time for a Shop update

Well the weather is certainly on the improve......it would want to be after all of the rain and cold......I was starting to think that we had somehow skipped Spring and Summer and Autumn and had headed straight back into Winter! With classes well underway and Christmas fast approaching, I thought that I’d let you all know what’s happening in the last part of 2010......boy it’s scary to think we have almost finished another year.

I have been waiting ‘patiently’ for the arrival of some new fabric ranges:

The first is ‘Maison de Garance’ by French General. This was due for delivery in October but is still on the boat and due to arrive in Australia on Friday. But by the time it clears customs, quarantine and is then ‘bolted’ it won’t arrive at the shop until about the 9^th November. I have had to defer one of the ‘Red Brick’ Quilt classes (Tuesday 9^th to the new date of 29^th November), and I had thought that I planned it so well!

The second range is ‘Sweet Broderie’ by Rosalie Quinlan. This beautiful bright range will be in the shop around the 14^th November.

I am also expecting about 10 fabrics from Deb Strain’s new range ‘Java’. As the name suggests it is coffee themed fabric. If you like the placemats that I sometimes use in the tearooms....then you will like this fabric too.

Finally, (and I’m not sure where I am going to squeeze this range in) ‘Wild Rose’ by Blackbird Designs will also arrive in November. I’m sure that this range will be popular.......and that will be helped along by the fact that it is the fabric for Homespun Magazine’s new Block of the Month for 2011. The first block will appear in the March edition of Homespun and will run thru til December. I’m not sure how much fabric is required but I will make some enquiries for those of you who would like to secure their stash.

On Monday I ordered two more ranges of fabric........one due for delivery in Jan/Feb 2011 and the other July (yes that is July) 2011. I will probably forget what I’ve ordered by then!

The full range of Cosmo stranded embroidery threads should arrive very soon. The DMC conversion chart is in the shop ready if you need to find a substitute colour.

The pattern box is being added to regularly with the latest additions including Melly’s new pattern line “Sew Little” which is aimed at babies and littlies. And don’t forget to check out my sample of Gail Pan’s lovely ‘Sommerhill House’ Quilt when you are next in the shop (or check it out on my blog).

New Glasshouse candles and diffusers are all out and ready for smelling. I have kept the prices down at $32.50. There are about 14 candle fragrances and 3 in the diffusers (tester in the shop is Verbena and Basil which is very nice). These make ideal Christmas gifts too.

Just a few dates to mark on your calendars:

Shop will be closed on Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th November.

Christmas Sale is on Wednesday 1^st December 6pm – 9pm; then Thursday 2^nd thru to Sunday 5^th December 11am – 4pm. There will be 20% off all stock (including those lovely candles & diffusers) but excludes vouchers.....you can certainly use gift vouchers you just can’t buy them.

Then the shop will be closed again on Friday 10^th December, and opening at 12noon on Saturday 11^th December.

If this is all too much to remember, don’t worry I will remind you all closer to the dates.

Linda   :)

PS. Don’t forget if you would like to come along to the next Scrapbooking get together it’s on this Friday night 7pm – 9.30pm at the Shop. I’m sure Sally and the girls would love to see some new faces there.

Clean undies please

The weather has improved dramatically since the weekend arctic freeze we had. So today I decided it was time to get out in the garden and do some 'weeding' with my best friend Roundup! I started at home and soon got rid of 40 litres and then it was off to the shop to continue my work. 60 litres later my face is sunburnt .....that caught me off guard.......my shoulder is killing me......a little too much in the back back spray unit I think.......note to self: don't do that much in one day again! But what about the 'Clean undies' well that is what I almost needed after nearly stepping on one of these fellows who happened to be sunbaking when I accidently sprayed him with roundup!

 
He flattened out in an angry manner......he went one way and I went the other. For the rest of the day I was looking around wondering if he was coming back. Tiger snakes often stick to the one area......yay......NOT! 

Linda  :/

PS. This is not my photo.....I was not that quick or dumb!

Waiting patiently for a 'sweet' delivery.

Since opening the shop 3 1/2 years ago I have learnt that you must be patient especially when it comes to the delivery of new fabric ranges. I am trying very hard but the anticipation of the next sweet delivery is starting become unbearable! I am waiting for Rosalie Quinlan's new range of fabric called 'Sweet Broderie'.

 
Don't they look just gorgeous! Lenora is also waiting ....check out her blog to catch a sneak of her new project using 'Sweet Broderie'.

Also soon to be on the delivery truck is the complete range of Cosmo stranded threads. I will let you all know when the 'sweet' deliveries arrive!

Linda   :)

'Sommerhill House'

Back in August Gail Pan released a new pattern – ‘Sommerhill House’. As soon as I saw it I knew I just had to make it…..and I knew exactly what range I was going to use. Well it has sat half done pinned on the wall for a few weeks now and yesterday I finally finished it. So here is my version of ‘Sommerhill House’ made from the recently released ‘Luna Notte’ range by 3 Sisters.

 
I have only finished the top and I know that I won’t get it quilted for a while but it does look nice doesn’t it? I will be kitting some up in the next week so they will be available soon.

Linda   :)

Kits are priced at $90 each plus P&H

New Boots

Every girl loves new boots............even though winter is over they are still an essential part of my wardrobe. My old ones were getting a bit worn and I think there was a hole beginning to appear. So yesterday I got these......

 
Yes new rubber boots! Russell bought them for me.......who said men can't shop for footwear! A perfect fit - mens size 6.

Linda :)  

What have I done!

Not sure how I did it but I have managed to set up a Facebook page.......was just mucking about yesterday to see how it all worked and next thing I knew I was signed up! I really don't have time.....and boy can you waste time on it......I think it's 'worse' than blogging. So even though I have got a few friends already, I don't plan on spending a lot of time on it. Blogging will be my first priority. That doesn't mean you can't sign up as my friend......it just means the news might be a bit infrequent.....at least for the time being.

Linda   :)

A wander around the garden.

The garden has become very bedraggled over the last few months……..having had to compete against cows and calves; wet and wild weather; and now thousands of hexagons and a looming deadline, it has taken a ‘back seat’........if the truth be known it's more like 'shoved in the boot'! There are so many jobs to do…...(too many to list but it does include finishing pruning the roses)……but at least I can get back on the lawn mower now that the ground has dried out. I have managed to mow it 3 times in the last 10 tens and is starting to look a bit tidier.

 There are a few flowers in the garden which include:

Pretty Kiss me quick – the annual one which seem to pop up everywhere.

 
Cinerarias which also self set from last year.

 
Pretty white Dutch Iris. These are under the Weeping Flowering Cherry, but it’s not out yet.

 
Mixed Bluebells and Pink Heuchera

 
The Ornamental Pears have blossomed for the first time since I planted them 3 years ago.

 
The plum trees are also in full blossom......which will hopefully convert into lots of plums......yum!

 
And I also have lots and lots of these....

 
Capeweed! 

Linda  :)

Oh what beauties.

About 10 months ago I was contacted by John about the Oakland Car Rally calling into the shop for a look around on their way around the district. Well today was that day and the weather was absolutely perfect....……glorious sunshine that we haven’t experienced for months and only a slight breeze. I was that busy talking with the ladies that I forgot to give Russell the camera. But I did manage to rush out just before they all drove off and snapped these photos.

 
 
 
The men were extremely passionate about their ‘beauties’ and were keen to tell Russell all about them. They were just beautiful!

Linda   :)