As much as I would like it to, my world is not slowing down. Merryn is walking now and turned one just this week. I have no idea where the last 12 months went. She is a curious girl and loves to watch the magpies scratching and singing in the garden. Bryson is growing in so many ways. He loves fishing, whether it’s in the pond or the middle of the loungeroom!

I’ve managed some sewing but the only thing I finished was Oliver’s Quilt. Oliver was born yesterday and I finished his quilt last night. There’s nothing like a deadline to get something finished. (Oliver’s Quilt is available in a kit set out below.) His nursery is a jungle theme so when the Jolly Jungle fabric arrived it was perfect! In a couple of days we’ll meet Oliver but he and his Mum need to rest up a bit first.

My quilting group celebrated its 21^st birthday last month. What a milestone! We still have a founding member or two in the group. There was lots of catching up with quilters from across the state, stitching and eating cake.

New

The batiks have been listed. There are fat quarter packs and sampler packs as well as yardage. The sampler packs contain 6.5” strips, perfect for creating blocks to show off the colour of the fabrics. Our patterns Bali Delight    and Star Bright these strips. We have also started  a new fabric club for those who want to build up a collection of these beautiful fabrics.

Two Jungle quilts have hit the website. Jungle Crazy is a Bev Darby pattern. This single bed quilt is bright and cheery. Toucans, butterflies, leopards and other jungle creatures can be found amongst the crazy log cabins. is available as a kit or pattern only. You will find this pattern a delight to use with scope for use with any feature fabric of your choosing.

Jolly Jungle is a cot quilt made for Oliver . It features a central jungle panel border by prints from the same range. The jungle characters are bright and friendly and would make any child jolly.

In focus

We have reformatted our free patterns. You can now download them in .pdf format. The newest pattern is called Positive Negative Puzzle. Mum and I made a pair of these. One was white scrappy geese against scrappy blues and the other was scrappy blues against white. The both looked so different even though they had come from the same pattern.

  Treat

Free shipping on orders over $130.00 until the end of June. Use freeship1 at checkout or mention this email.

       

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The focus for April was definitely the Australasian Quilt Convention. It was a big decision for me whether to attend as a delegate, which I have enjoyed immensely in previous years, or as an exhibitor. Obviously I decided to attend as an exhibitor. It was a steep learning curve, we took far too much stock and brought a lot home. I met up with many of you who receive the emails. It is nice to put faces to names and to realise that the newsletters are appreciated. Hello to those new subscribers who have joined us recently.

There was a lot on offer at AQC. The market place was the biggest it has been in the years that I have attended. There were also some varied quilts in the exhibition. Some serious time and effort  has been put into some of those quilts. I find myself appreciating quilts on so many different levels. Some I admire the time that has obviously been spent in both the design and construction. For some others they are really not to my taste but wow for the quilting/piecing. And for those that used 1,000’s of tiny hexagons, how did they keep track of them during the construction phase?

Patchwork and quilting offers so many options. Piecing, by hand or machine, appliqué achieved with so many techniques, quilting by hand or machine with so many threads to choose from. There really is something for everyone. What is your favourite?

New

We have some new batiks and some new fabrics that we used to prepare kits for AQC. Most of them will appear on the website in the next few weeks. I simply ran out of time to keep the website updated.

Katie Friesen has given me permission to print her books here.   The Australian Version of Ode to Morris includes a pattern for a one block wall hanging. Katie made one and sent it out for AQC in place of her quilt. Her book Template Free Appliqué gives some great instructions for a simple method of appliqué.

Rainbow Stars  and Circle of Life  are now available as full kits. These were a hit at AQC and are in limited supply. We have done all of the colour sorting for you so that you can achieve the colour shift that Jacqueline has in her quilts.  We also have some new patterns from Jacqueline de Jonge to load on the website. For those who attended AQC and missed their copy of Rainbow stars or Circle of Life if you wish to order one please do so by the end of the week so that I can order one from Holland for you.

In focus

Chocolate Coated on Facebook  allows people to load their own photos or make comments. We’d love to see your work.   Become a friend and keep updated on what we’re doing and tell us what you’re doing, we love to hear from you. Perhaps you can let other know about events that you or a group are hosting.

Treat

Moda have this great page on their website. It has charts for converting measurements, bed sizes, ideas for cutting charm squares and heaps more. Have a look for yourselves. 

     

Oh how time flies. Bryson turns 3 this week. We had an enjoyable day taking him to a miniature train park with some family. His train cake was well received, although he though the icing and M&Ms decorating it were better. He was lucky to get lots of cars for his birthday and when the parents-in-law visit he can have another mini party.

Then we had Easter. I hope Easter Bunny found your house. He left a trail of solid eggs here from one end of the house to the other. Then a little boy left a trail of foil! Bryson has always been an early riser. He must have eaten 3 or 4 before he came in to tell us that he’d found them and offered some to share. Most special was the hot cross buns because Merryn could eat those too (she did have a little chocolate rabbit that Daddy helped her with).

Birthdays and special occasions are interesting with a young family. It has meant discovering traditions different to your own. Some are so ingrained that you never really thought that there was a different way of doing it. Some traditions you adopt, others meld together and become new ones. Do you have traditions unique to your family?

New

We have a few new fabrics just arrived. Bejeweled is a pretty range reminiscent of Christmas decorations. The wavy lines appear in three colourways. If fresh green and black is your style the new Hoffman batiks are sure to win your heart . By request fat quarter packs of the 8 different fabrics are available. These will make a great start to a fresh quilt from high quality fabric.

Bev has a new pattern for us. Her Tulip Medallion quilt is a rectangular medallion quilt featuring piecing and appliqué. Make one in vibrant red and green as Bev has done or go for a blue and white feel.

Coming soon

I have received notice that the most recent delivery of batiks from Indonesia has landed in Melbourne. In the next few weeks will be unpacking and preparing them. Unfortunately this delivery will result in a price rise so if you have been eyeing off the fabrics then now is the time to place your order.

The Australian Quilt Convention is our next stop.  April 29 – May 2 at the Royal Exhibition Building. If you’re going to be there then please come and see us for a special discount voucher. The team at Expertise who coordinate the event thave advised of some Easter specials. If you were thinking of going ,then log on to their website. I can recommend the event, it has been well coordinated the years that I have been.

Katie Friesen has agreed to allow publishing of a couple of her books in Australia. This will make supply easier and has resulted in an addition to her book Ode to Morris. In celebration of Katie’s books being published Katie made a wall hanging and has sent it over. The instructions for the wall hanging will appear in the Australian version of the publication. It is currently being printed and we will have copies on deck at AQC. You can pre-order your s now by return email.

Treat

This Poppy Quilt from Michael Miller Fabrics caught my eye I hope you like it too.

Members only

Visit our stand at AQC for a special discount voucher for newsletter members only.

Photos left to right: Tulip Medallion Quilt, Ode to Morris Quilt

The year is fast disappearing.   I am sure that time moves faster now than when I was a child. I have heard an interesting theory on why time seems to move quicker as we age. For a 3 year old, a year is a third of their life. For a 30 year old a year is a thirtieth. Therefore, as we age a year becomes a smaller percentage of our life. The other theory is that we now try to pack so much into our lives that there is always something that we never achieve. What ever the reason, I seem to run out of week and then month before I know it. I am certainly not getting as much sewing done as I like but then I don’t think I know a quilter who does.

The kids and I had a trip to Melbourne this month. We stopped in at a couple of my suppliers. Most exciting was stopping in at Always Quilting. Jenny Scott accepted delivery of a quilt for quilting to adorn the backdrop at our ACQ stand (29 & 30 April & 1 & 2 May 2010). Jenny is my Aurifil thread  supplier and this was the first time we had dropped in for a visit. Bryson had marvellous fun rearranging the threads, I hope I got them all back in place before we left.   I will be having a range of Aurifil threads on the stand at AQC. I also picked up some samples of some new thread boxes. I have acquired a new love, threads. Lots of people have fabric stashes but don’t forget that a thread stash is also important. I’m not quite sure what it is about variegated threads but I find that I gravitate towards them. Aurifil have a range of single colour variegations which is great for a subtle quilting on a tone on tone fabric. Or use them on a plain to liven it up a little.

I am also working on some new variations on current patterns and quilts to offer.   Keep your eyes out for some new options to make your quilting journey easier.

New

The Star Bright Quilt is now ready.  This quilt has been made using the Indonesian Batiks exclusive to Chocolate Coated from a pattern of Bev Darby’s. The blue/black background makes the stars simply glow. It is easy to piece using the enclosed templates or with a set of Marti Michell templates which we can source for you.

Cute birds in delicate shades of pink, yellow and purple can be found on the new fabrics from Moda. The Eden range  would delight a young girl or would be a nice feature in a nursery. Available in yardage or fabric packs, there is also a suitable border print.

Some samples have arrived from Aurifil.  There are thread collections on offer, which whilst not in stock will be ordered in for you. These boxes are fantastic. The Basics Collection  is fantastic for piecing. You’ll find a thread for just about any project in this box of 12. The Pat Sloan Collection is also basics for appliqué and quilting. Looking at the box and my range of backing fabrics, most quilting projects would be covered. I have introduced a new method of purchase for you. You can purchase your thread box in one transaction or spread it over 3 months. The threads work out quite a bit cheaper for you by purchasing the collections and by spreading the payment I hope to make it easier for everybody to take advantage of the savings.

Coming soon

We have been working on some more downloadable patterns.  This format has proved popular so we will increase the range for you.

I have had a partial delivery of fabrics arrive for a quilt that I’m sure that you will love. The rest of the range should arrive in a few weeks so that I can piece a sample for you. It is a Batik look Asian inspired quilt. It will be easy to piece but dramatic. If you want a sneek peek visit the Robert Kaufman website and look at the Twelve Moons range.

I am also preparing another order of our Batiks for delivery in about 6 weeks. They’ve proved popular so I will be increasing the range. I am also formulating some pre-cuts in these fabrics.

Treat

Most of the time your treat is a quilt. This month this Bow Tote caught my eye when I was catching up on the Robert Kaufman website.   Happy stitching this functional quilting project.

Members only

Use the code prepack at checkout to receive a discount of 10% off any fat quarter pack. We have arange to suit many tastes. Purchase one for yourself or a friend, they make great gifts.   

 Images left to right: The Star Bright Quilt, Pat Sloan Collection Thread box , Eden Fat Quarter Pack

   

Talking point

I’d like to share a quilting story with you. It is an experience that I feel has helped me grow.

A few years ago I started a quilt for my nephew for his transition to a big bed. I think I was trying to complete it for his 2^nd birthday. He turns 5 in July this year. I then decided that as he was to have twin beds that I would make 2. It wasn’t going as well as I hoped so it got put away.

Then his brother arrived so I thought that I would make it one for each of them and put them up on the design wall. I ran out of fabric and one I couldn’t get any more of. I tried to source some but only half heartedly. The pieces stayed up on the design wall. Bryson used to delight in the plane and the fire truck. I just felt frustrated.

In the approach to Christmas last year I decided that I needed to clear it from the design wall so that other quilts could use it. I had been laying out quilts on the floor. I bought another fabric that was a similar yellow and had stars instead of dots. I unpicked a few seams and just got on with it. The week before Christmas I quilted both quilts. On the way to the in-laws for Christmas I got one bound and the other I finished on the return trip. Apparently the quilts look great on the boys beds but now their pillows don’t match! Luckily I have some fabric leftover. My design wall is clear as is a part of my head that was feeling blocked by them.

I learnt that while putting a project away can help, procrastination can go a little too far. When I finally got the pieces together again I realised that there wasn’t as much to do to finish them as I had feared. Seeing them finally finished was a great weight lifted. I think I used more energy avoiding the project than it took me to finish them.

I am attending AQC this year as an exhibitor. It was a big decision for me as I usually go as a delegate and really enjoy myself. If you haven’t been before I can truly recommend it. Classes and tickets can be booked online.

New

Animal Noises Quilt is a new kit and pattern available. It is a delightful child’s quilt. The quilt is easy to piece and uses 16 different animal fabrics. The perfect size for a nap, for in the car or pram, it is available in blues or pinks. The pattern is also available in print or download format.

New fabrics include some fantastic blenders from Moda. The Boutique range offers some pink and green hues which would be useful in just about any project.

Animal Alphabet has also arrived. This range offers some bright coordinates that also work with the Dinosaur Uproar range. Any childs quilt would brighten up with the strips for a binding borders.

For fans of Laurel Burch her Dancing Horses range is bound to impress. Once again vibrant colours feature in these fabrics. The range includes a border print and coordinates as well as horse prints in different sizes.

Some more Jacqueline de Jong patterns  have arrived. If you were waiting on your copy of Pretty Purple or Pink Delight they’re back in stock

Coming soon

The Star Bright Quilt has just come off the sewing machine. It is an adaptation of Bev Darby’s Blue and Green Star Delight pattern . The quilt uses our exclusive range of batiks. It is called Star Bright because Bev’s stars simply glow against a dark background. There is a preview photo posted on our Facebook page. We’ll attend to the required pattern rewrite and then the kit will be available.

In focus

In the approach to Valentine’s day what better quilt to focus on than Dorothy Clark’s Blue Hearts quilt.    It is a gorgeous quilt that features Celtic knot work hearts, Dresden fans and log cabin blocks. While it may look a little intimidating at first, completed in units, it is achievable by hand or machine. Make yours a Blue Hearts quilt or simply change the colour to suit your own decor. It is available as a pattern, kit or starter kit.

Treat

Members only

Spend more than $50.00 this month and get free postage on your order. Simply enter   freeship at checkout or mention this during phone order.

     

Talking point:

Thank you to all who have shopped with Chocolate Coated this year. It has been a tough year for many. I would like to reward you for your loyalty and will have a New Years draw, more information follows below.

Westalee Rulers have some new rulers in the range. Designed to suit jelly roll strips the stash buster rulers are great to bust your stash or scrap box also.

Express Publication, producers of AP&Q, Patchwork and Stitching etc have launched a new website that is packed with information. It has a market place and a forum as well as links to blogs etc. www.craftlovers.com

Coming soon:

In Focus:

This month we look at 2 quilts made from the same range of fabrics. Dorothy Clark’s Chelsea Market Quilt has been a popular kit, there are a few still available. Unfortunately when we kit it we are left with partial panels. Not wanting to waste beautiful roses we then put together Merryn’s Roses from a Bev Darby pattern. The roses dance in a crazy log cabin design. It uses a freer form of construction and is a simple yet effective pattern.

Treat:

The new Laurel Burch range Dancing Horses is so nice that this month’s treat is the pattern that accompanies this range.

Members only:

This months members special price relates to a selection of patterns for cloth dolls from Hugs ‘n Kisses.  These patterns are normally $11.00 but for you they are now $10.00.

Loyalty draw. I’ve decided to reward all my customers for 2009. On New Years Eve Bryson will draw an order from the preceding 12 months and the lucky winner will receive a prize. Nutex Fabrics (www.nutex.co.nz), specialists in New Zealand and Australian fabrics, have supplied a 2010 calendar panel, to this I have added 4 coordinating fat quarters. If you haven’t already made a purchase this year you have until 31^st December 2009 to be added to the draw.

         

Whilst I haven’t finished the landscape from Gloria Loughman’s class I realise that I look at colour and composition differently than I used to. While I haven’t been practising the skills from Deborah Louie’s quilting class they were invaluable when I finally sat down and quilted my Grandmother’s quilt in the ditch on my domestic machine. (I usually use the longarm on the frame)

I still haven’t finished any of the class samples but I am comfortable with it now. They’ll get done. I am sure that the quilt that I started with Jan Preston 3 or 4 years ago will look different when I finally finish it. Maybe it will be smaller.

Nb. Whilst Grandma’s quilt hasn’t been photographed there is a great photo of Merryn helping us sew it. I have posted it on the blog.

New:

I was lucky enough to secure some book specials from the American Quilter’s Society. These books are at a one off price. Some of them retail for over $40.00 in places. You’ll need to be quick to get yours. There are 6 different titles for $28.95 or under. Make them Christmas presents or expand your own library.

Coming soon:

The blog will soon feature a quilt idea each week. I have so many ideas that I am running out of time to sew them all or write up the patterns. I thought the blog would be a great place to share them so that maybe someone else gets a chance to sew them. They will use Chocolate Coated fabrics or patterns. If you’re needing inspiration this will be the place to come.

In Focus:

Christmas is on it's way. Have you got all of your gift covered? We have a great range of kits and patterns for smaller items such as bags, table runners and wall hangings. Dorothy's bears feature on the Bear Family Wall Hanging and Teddy Bears Picnic Wall Hanging which would make great presents.

Treat:

*Members only:

An early Christmas present. With 10% off fabrics in November (not already discounted) you’ll be able to whip up some great Christmas presents. Share this with your sewing friends. All they need to do is register on the website and use the checkout code D1109

       

New:

We have added some resources to our links page. The Moda Bakeshop is a great place to find out what you can do with Jelly Rolls etc.

Coming soon:

I also have a couple of samples almost finished of current patterns in new fabric combinations. They’ll provide you with new kit options and sewing inspiration. If you love irises there is a new medallion quilt on the way. Bev is also working on a batik quilt.

In Focus:

The website has the ability to create a wishlist. This is a great idea in the lead up to Christmas. Let your family and friend’s know what you’d like for Christmas. You’ll receive just what you needed and they don’t have to run around everywhere to find you the perfect gift. Consider asking for a gift voucher from Chocolate Coated and make it even simpler for your gift giver or give one to a special friend.

Treat:

Ever wished you knew the maths or construction process behind quick pieced flying geese? Here is a link to our guide.

Members only:

          

New:

Coming soon:

The Classic Garden range  has arrived and will soon be loaded onto the website. Pretty pink and classic blue form the background for gardenias and hydrangeas on these fabrics. Panels, Border prints and several coordinates will have you planning your next quilt in no time.

In Focus:

Treat:

A pattern  that uses triangles to great effect to make a clever wall hanging. Alternatively use it as a centre piece of a quilt. I saw it as a waterfall. What do you make of it?

Members only:

         

Having a new person in the house has also sparked some new quilt ideas. Now I just need some sewing time. I am making Merryn a quilt using one of Bev’s patterns and some new fabrics. I will probably make it available as a kit when it is ready. I also now have an opportunity to really use the flower fairies fabrics. I remember having them on the wall when I was a child.

New:

I have 2 new clubs for you. The first is the kids club. Choose from two options: ten 6.5” squares each mailout $7.50 or two fat quarters $12.00 of childrens fabrics. Each mailout also comes with a free pattern for a kids quilt.   

As always some new fabrics have arrived which have been loaded over the past few weeks. I have a few more to get on for you including some new bargain fabrics so keep checking in.

Coming soon:

French Braid  and French Braid Obsession   by Jane Hardy Miller are arriving this week. I also have 2 kits so that you will have everything to get started on the spectacular quilts in her books. Jane’s arrangement of colour and use of French braids is really quite clever. The Tree skirt kit would make a lovely addition to your Christmas tree and was easy to piece. I enjoyed making the Dinomash  Quilt kit and have many other fabrics that would work as well in this cot quilt. For any of the quilts in the book I am happy to gather a collection of coordinated fabrics for your quilt.

In Focus:

A pattern for a notebook cover from Maywood studios. A great idea for keeping all your quilting ideas safe.

Members only:

       

It seems that even though there were some hot summer days that it was all packed into one month. We have the fire going most nights to keep the chill off. I hope this email finds you and your families well. There seems to be so many things going on worldwide that this is a time to look after our friends and families. Small things make a big difference. Do something today, make that phone call to a friend that you have been putting off or say hello to a stranger you pass in the street.

As usual we have had new fabrics arrive during the month. For those who like the brights Wishes and Dreams is a vibrant range that includes a couple of butterfly fabrics. The Bunny’s Day Out Panel arrived last month. This month the coordinating fabrics arrived. The fabrics are very cute and are featured in a free pattern sheet on the Wilmington Prints website. The Hill Country Springs Range from Moda is like a spring garden. It features a range of realistic blooms against different coloured backgrounds. Many of them would work well in a landscape type quilt.

A members only special

     

I hope you have had a nice break over the Christmas New Year period. We are well and truly into 2009 now. We had a rest over Christmas and caught up with family. Bryson is just old enough to have worked out presents. It was great to see the kids get into it this year. Whilst we didn’t catch the fish in the photo below while we were on holidays it was nice for my brother-in-law’s mate to be able to say that he caught a Tuna as big as a 2 year old!

Locally we have been experiencing bush fires. Two and half years ago it was in our backyard literally! This year we have had some smoke affects but otherwise we can just watch and hope that people are safe. It is maddening to think that someone, in all likelihood, has deliberately lit these fires. It brings out the best and worst in people and we have heard some terribly sad and also some terribly brave stories. My heart goes out to those who may be caught in the middle or even on the fringes of it. So far no loss of life, we can only hope that that aspect does not change.

On the Horizon

I have had a special request for some of Jacqueline de Jong’s pattern so I have ordered some more of her designs. They will arrive in about 2 weeks. If you like her work, keep your eye out for them. I have also ordered the next 2 patterns from Katie Friesen. I know that some of you are fans of her William Morris inspired appliqué. If you would like to be notified when any of these new items arrive drop me an email  and I will let you know when they land.

Bev Darby has more of her patterns featuring in AP&Q. She also has a profile in the April edition. For some of her patterns I will have kits available. Bev has been working with fabrics from Chocolate Coated to provide you with some special projects. Hopefully we will be able to unveil some soon.

I am attending the Australasian Quilt Convention in February/March I will be there for the 4 days, taking part in 2 classes Dijanne Cevaal: Playing with Tifaifai, Thursday 26^th Feb & Friday 27^th Feb and Kim Bradley: Feather Fantasy, Saturday 28th Feb & Sunday 1^st March. For those who have never been to AQC, it is well worth the visit for the exhibition and marketplace for more info www.aqc.com.au  is the place to go. If you see me down there say hello.

New

Some great fabrics arrived over Christmas. There is a panel that provides the fabric and instructions for you to complete a family tree wall hanging.  We have a geisha panel  that provide the basis for you to embellish. To compliment the geisha panel there are 2 coordinate panels  that have several fabrics within. These will help you decorate the geisha or would work well for those who make minatures or clothes for dolls or bears. For those who make landscapes or require textures printed on their fabrics the new fabrics sections offer several textures. There are also some great kids panels including one to make an Australian ABC cloth book.

From Dorothy

"There have been times in  my life when I've wanted to take my sewing machine to the tip.  And then after a rest I come back to my passion for textiles.  After I sold the business to Lara and retired, I felt that way about lots of things.  I just wanted to hibernate for a while.  Well, I did, and read lots of books, and started a Uni course in History.  I'm just loving the History, but now I need to take a term off.  Hibernation time is over.  It didn't help that I got sick and ended up in Hospital.  But all's well now."

"I have set a challenge with my little sewing group.  To start with, I suggested they gather a few things they want to work with, including 'something old, and something new'  I am using a linen tablecloth that I've had for 44 years, never used.  When I die it will probably go to the Op shop, so I might as well cut it up.  I still haven't decided on my something new, but I think I will use a fairly large piece of fabric which will work as a border.  Then everything else will have to work with that."

"The goal is to make a quilt of squares - mine will be probably 12", and put them together with a quilt as you go method as per my sampler quilts.  Each month one person in the group will set the topic for the next block.  I am setting the first month and it will be '9-patch'.  I have decided I want to make Crazy pieced blocks, and will use a little 9-patch as part of my block, but its just as legitimate to do a plain 9 patch block..  Then someone else gets to choose.   Suggestions are: a block, a technique, or a subject.  Can be for instance 'umbrellas', 'strippy', 'folded triangles'.  Don't know how we'll go as people have all kinds of levels of confidence and skills."

Happy sewing 

            

www.chocolate-coated.com

On the weekend I attended a bag workshop run by Annette Stevenson. We made a bag and cosmetic purse each. I learned some great skills but also something about myself, I prefer making quilts to bags. We all have our specialties and I think when we learn these we can work with them. 

Bev Darby is preparing her first block of the month.   Tulip Rhapsody will be starting in mid-late December. Bev's   Quilt features delightful tulips and is available in three colour variations. Rhapsody- pinks and purple on white, Delft – Blues on white and Jewel- brights on black.  The program will run over 9 months for $45.00 (post included within Australia)

with an optional 10th month for $60.00 (post included within Australia) for backing and wadding. Overseas subscribers will be postage as charged.

 

If you would like to reserve yours please send me an email or give me a ring.

Also in the new fabrics category you will find the Flower Fairies panels this afternoon. I also fell in love with the pretty peacock which is a new oriental print.  I have made it into a wall hanging I am happy to prepare a kit with some basic intructions if you would like one of your own.

 

 

October

October was a busy month but I managed to get some sewing in. Bryson loves to ‘help’, he has a fascination with the sewing machine and loves to push all the buttons. Sometimes he even feeds the fabric through for me. He loves the new fabrics and shuffles the bolts when they arrive. He seems to love colour just as I do. One of the new kits is made from fabric that he didn’t want to give back to the sales rep. I hope you like it as much as he does.

I am a member of Latrobe Valley Quilters. In mid October we had a teaching weekend. We are always well looked after at the weekends and get a great chance to sew. Gloria Loughman was my tutor. I spent 2 days creating an abstract quilt which will hang on the wall when I finish. Gloria is a great tutor, we always get lots out of her.

I’ve had reason of late to think about the quilts I make and why. It is a discussion point that has come up before. Few of the quilts I’ve made live at my house. Most are made for charity, friends and relatives. I believe that if it wasn’t for the range of reasons that I make my quilts that I wouldn’t have made the variety that I have. I have put together colour combinations and styles that I would never have done had they been for me. This has extended my skill level and my confidence. Why do you make the quilts you do?

  New look website

The new look site went live 2 weeks ago. It all went fairly smoothly.   Thanks to those who have given me feedback. It allows me to further develop the website for you, the shoppers. If you’ve got anything to add to the gallery or the tips please send them to me. Consider it a forum for you and your fellow stitchers.

The new website allows you to create a profile so that your address and even a wishlist are stored. You will need to set these up yourselves if you wish for one to be created.   I only have your email addresses stored in my database.

Of those who wish to continue to receive the newsletter if you could subscribe via the new site (the bottom right of every page has a box) or reply email ‘subscribe’. This will allow me to clean up the mailing list.

There are still a few things that haven’t been unpacked on the new site. If there is something that you are looking for please contact me.

  New

Aurifil threads are now available at Chocolate Coated. There is in excess of 130 colours in 4 different thread weights. I am in the process of getting them all on the website for you.

This time of year the suppliers are clearing out fabrics ready for the new ranges for 2009. I have purchased some for you and passed on the savings. There are some great fabrics for you to make a quilt at a reduced price.

Tristesse, my Mum, has a made a version of Bev Darby’s Chinese Lantern Quilt and donated it to the Dialysis Unit at Sale Hospital (Gippsland, Victoria). The unit is raffling the quilt to raise funds. For further particulars please follow the link. If you have a similar community/fundraising event send me the details so I can put them on the site for you.

Tyers Art Festival