Gum Valley Patchwork

So what would Spotlight do?

I have now owned my Patchwork Shop for 7 1/2 years, and during that time I have been able to gradually increase my stock of fabrics, patterns and notions. The shop is full and looks great. I pride myself in providing my customers with friendly and courtious service, and when I can't assist them with their shopping list I like to refer them to other Local Quilt Shops (LQS)......Nullawarre, Cobden, Terang, Warrnambool etc. I don't mind when people bring in patterns and fabrics from other LQS for matching / purchasing.......I know that there is no way that I can stock every fabric, pattern, book, notion available to please every customer......there is just so much available it would be impossible. I will help people out with patterns and sewing enquiries and assist in nutting out problems that they might have. However please do not bring precut kits in that you have purchased from Spotlight, complain about how it's not cut correctly and expect me to be able to fix it for you. And when you complain to Spotlight and they do nothing, please don't complain to me. I am sure that if you bought a kit from me and took it into Spotlight and asked for advice they would probably tell you to 'get lost'........but then again if you bought the kit from me it would be cut correctly in the first place......and if it wasn't I would replace it for you.

Don't forget to support your LQS otherwise you might have to rely on Spotlight for service and advice!

Linda    :)

'LuLu' by Chez Moi

is the newest addition to the expanding of range of fabrics at the shop.

I have made up some fat 1/4 bundles in these gorgeous tin buckets......16 fat quarters for $88.

I have Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, Charm Packs, as well as Fat Quarters available

It is such a lovely fresh range.....makes me feel like Spring isn't too far away.

Linda   :)

'Basically Hugs' by Helen Stubbings

has arrived a little ahead of schedule and caught me on the hop last week. I had to do a quick rearrange and it is now on the shelves and ready for your projects.

Check out these beautiful blues

and pretty pinks and greys.

$22 per metre.

Linda    :)

Fabric, fabric and more fabric........I think I will need to extend the shop!

There always seems to be new fabric arriving in the shop.....I guess that's because I keep ordering it! With quite a bit coming in over the next 6 months I thought that I would fill this post with fabric goodness.

I have it on good authority that 'LuLu' by Chez Moi will be arriving very soon. It is in the warehouse and ready for shipping. I have had a couple of ranges by Chez Moi in past years.....'Posh' and 'Swanky'.....which I loved. I'm sure this bright new range will please lots of you.

'Pine Fresh' is Sandy Gervais' new Christmas range and it is also due to arrive very soon. I really like Sandy's Christmas fabrics as they aren't too over the top Christmassy. I will post photos when it all arrives.

There is nothing quite like a good range of basics and that is why I have ordered Helen Stubbings' range called 'Basically Hugs'. Great fabrics in Helen's favourite colour palette.....blues, pinks, reds, creams and greys.......in gorgeous prints.......spots, stripes, tone on tone, daisies, hearts and textured burlap. It will arrive in August.......oh wait that's next month!!

It's no secret how much I love Minick & Simpson fabrics......'Wiscassett', 'Prairie Paisley II', 'Independence Trail' and 'Midwinter Reds'.....so when I saw the beautiful blues, tans & creams in 'Lexington' up close and personal in Pittsburgh, I just had to order it! And just between you and I, I think there will be another new one to add to the list once I get to download the latest Moda catalogue. 'Lexington' will be here in September (I think...)

 

 

 

 

 

'Softly Spoken' by Harriet Hargrave is a designer that is new to Gum Valley Patchwork and I thought that the softness would appeal to quite a few of my customers.

I even have a lovely pattern by Marg Low picked out for a shop sample when it arrives later in the year.

And the fabric orders continue.........In October, 'Persimmon' by Basic Grey will hit the shelves. Check out these fantastic colours.....
I have precuts in stock now.....Layer Cakes, Jelly Rolls & Charm Packs.

On Monday I ordered some gorgeous new flannels called 'Dino Pals'. I'm sure that these will be popular with anyone wanting to make a quilt for the littlies in their lives.

Check out that panel......a couple of borders and you would have a quick and easy quilt! Delivery is in October.......which is only 3 months away so not long to wait!

And how could I possibly resist this new one from Jason Yenter called 'Paradise'.......I love the combination of purple and green......and wow have a look at those prints!

Maybe Santa might bring you some as it due to arrive in December........ just in time for Christmas!

So that's it for now.........until I see the next gorgeous fabric range!

Linda    :)

 

Class List and Newsletter

I was going to send this out to everyone on my email database but unfortunately we have used all of our internet for the month and as a result Mail Chimp is sooooo slow to load that I gave up in disgust. So if you would like to catch up on the news and happenings at Gum Valley Patchwork, download the newsletter and have a read.......enjoy!

Download Newsletter 2014 #1

Linda    :)

'Wise Words' Block of the Month

You might have seen my sneaky peek of my new Wise Words Block of the Month a couple of days ago. Well I have finally finished the piecing of the top and have decided not to wait until it is quilted before releasing all of the details.

The quilt blocks have words of stitching wisdom......I'm not sure which is my favourite....this one.....

or maybe this one.....

no no.....definitely this one....

Now I did say that this new BOM comes with a twist.......and here it is......

Option One: The cost is just $5 per month....yes that is $5 per month..... but you must call in to the shop to collect your block in person anytime during the month. If you miss a month or have someone else collect it for you then the price for that block will be $10.

Option Two: Cost is $10 per month......still a great price compared to some other BOMs. You can have someone else collect your BOM for this price or have it mailed out to you at just $1.50 per month (within Australia) 

The price includes: pattern sheets, stitchery fabric & block fabric for the first 9 months, and then the sashings, border and finishing instructions in month 10. The finished size is 93cm x 93cm.

Price excludes: Embroidery thread, binding, backing & wadding, but I can include these requirements at a cost.

So if you are interested in participating in 'Wise Words' you can let me know or place your order online here. It kicks off in August so don't procrastinate too long or you might miss out! 

Linda    :)

PS. sorry for the slightly fussy hollywood style photos......usually my phone takes clear photos!

Just like Mechano

A fortnight ago we headed to Melbourne to help Emma and Ryan move into their new home. While we were in Melbourne Emma took us on our first ever visit to Ikea. Wow! I could certainly spend a lot of money in that place. I was trying to find a cabinet to use for storage in the classroom......somewhere where I can put all of my sewing notions and find them easily......well that's the plan! We came home with this little system all flat packed and Russell had fun putting it together for me.

Last week we went back to Melbourne to finish helping Emma with some jobs around the house.......and another visit to Ikea. We need some wardrobes for when we (eventually) move up to the shop. Flat pack seemed like the best option for the upstairs bedroom. Russell spent all day Sunday, while the weather was horrid, and had a great time putting them together.

I guess playing with mechano when he was a kid helped!

I think I need a linen press next!

Linda    :)

'Wise Words' BOM

I am working on a new Block of the Month (with a twist).

I am just working on the final block and then the border will go on......but there is a twist........details will be released soon.

Linda     :)

It's a quilt!

Out for dinner last night and I was talking to a male friend.....

Him: "So you did really well with your rug".

Me: "It's a quilt not a rug!"

Will they ever learn!

Linda    :)

Many thanks....

to family, friends, customers, and strangers for their texts, cards and messages of congratulations on my recent success at the Victorian Quilters Quilt Showcase in Melbourne. I still can't believe it has happened to me. There are a few extra special thanks I must talk about.....they are extended to

* the Victorian Quilters Inc. for running a very successful Quilt Showcase. The committee and members work very hard for many months to organise this fantastic event that showcases so many beautiful quilts. It is my aim that when I retire from farm work I will help out more with this event.

* Bernina Australia for the wonderful new sewing machine as my prize for 'Best in Show'. The sponsorship that they have provided over the years is fantastic and very much appreciated. I cannot wait to use my new Bernina.....but I will need some lessons first!

* the Australian Quilters Association Inc for providing the prize money for the Traditional Quilt, Professional class at Quilt Showcase, of which I won first place with 'Elenor Jean'. Without sponsorship from groups and businesses it would be impossible to conduct such a show.

* to Russell who has 'suffered' through the whole process again. After 'Prudence' he thought he was done......after 'Elenor Jean' he hopes he is done!

* and to my Mum........you are never too old for your mum to be proud of you.

Thank you everyone

Linda    :)