Cow Paddocks Patchwork

Lots of Interesting Bits

A new product in stock is the Mary Ellen's Best Press CLEAR STARCH ALTERNATIVE - as Seen in many Quilting DVD's of late. This product can be purchased in non-scented or scented - (We have the non-scented at this point). I am going to test it tonight but I have heard VERY good things about it - it is clear and so leaves no residue on fabric or irons - doesn't flake even on dark fabrics, no clogging, acid free, relaxes stubborn wrinkles, makes cloths soil-resistant plus many more wonderful claims.

It comes in a 473ml trigger pack = which means you get much more than in your standard aerosol and is $14 per bottle.!

And now here is one of those products born from necessity - this is an ergonomic rotary cutter - to the extreme. It is designed for people who have trouble using the traditional rotary cutters and plus it comes with a small name place so it can be personalised. This design gives a great cut without the pressure sometimes required with a standard rotary cutter and so is much easier to use for those people suffering arthritis or lack the strength to cut at times. $35 EACH.

 

New Pin Cushions

Well after much searching for "decent sized" pin cushions - we have found some - and what better in that they are made by a country lady with REAL Australian Merino Wool - they are a great size, hold lots of pins and are beautiful and soft and good for your pins too!

They are just $12 each and I can guarantee that I wouldn't sit down to make them for that - here is a pic of a few. Let me know if you would like any - they make FANTASTIC GIFTS - and have that unique country appeal!

 

Accuquilt Cutters

Well after much excitement at the WHK  Craft in the Country Day here at "Toomba" we have been overwhelmed for the interest and keeness to purchase these fantastic machines. As mentioned in a blog a while ago I have been investigating these for a while but wanted to see them "in the flesh" just to see if they were as good as they said! And my verdict was of course YES!!!

They now have the Go Cutter and the Go Baby which now allows the option of those who have the occassional use and the larger Go for those who would use it more often! The only difference being is basically the Go Baby cuts smaller dies - eg only up to around 5 1/4" is the largest in width but it is still able to cut the full lenth 2 1/2" jelly rolls (x 2) by your number of layers!

To give you some guide the Go Cutter is worth around $499 and th Baby $239 but if you are interested we are more than happy to do up a quote for you specific to your needs. They come with a wide range of dies which start at around $37 and your mats for $21 and the dies last quite a long time as it is the mat that requires replacing first.

The Go Cutter also comes with one die and one cutting mat to get you started for FREE!

The range of dies is increasing all the time and it truly reduces your cutting time up to 90%. Not only does it save you time but it helps those with hand problems such as arthritis or those who struggle with a rotary cutter PLUS it is great for the kids to use as it is just so easy and SAFE!

 

This is the Go Baby! the Go looks nearly the same but is just larger.

Some of the dies include traditional block pieces such as squares, triangles, rectangles, half squares etc plus of course there are strips from 1" upwards, jelly roll strip sizes, applique motifs such as baby bear shapes, flowers, stems & leaves, Ricky Tims Arabesque designs, circles, hearts, stars plus much more.

So if you would like further info or pricing just contact me and we will send you everything you need!

Thankyou again for your ongoing support of our business - we do greatly appreciate it!

We will be in Roma on the 29th (Friday) if anyone would like anything dropped off -

Keep Stitchin!

 

 

More new Bits

 

This is one of the latest additions to Clover's flower makers like the yo yo etc. This is the Kanzashi Flower in the large size and I just Loooove it - so thankyou Di one of our Clover Club ladies for whipping this up the other day out of scraps!

 

 

The fantastic Sewline products have been around for a while now but they have added to their products - they now feature the glue pen as recomended by Sue Daley of Patchwork with Busy Fingers which is great for many uses but particuarly good for paper piecing, the aqua eraser which has like a fountain pen workings with a nib for removing marks in a gentle more accurate way, the original ceramic pencil with a multitide of coloured leads but the trio which has black, white ceramic and a tracer all in one. Plus of course they now have

AIR ERASABLE pens - which disappear after a couple of days and the full length eraser! Everything you could need! For further information on the products and instructions go to the link below!

http://www.sewline-product.com/

 

Another gorgeous Moda Range - Pom Pom De PAris - and just look at the divine border stripe!!!

 

And another that is sure to be a favourite - Summer Breeze from Moda - now we are to have precuts with this - they are just missing in action at the moment! So fresh and you can't beat blue and white for freshness!

So there you have it lots and lots coming in all the time plus of course your usual bits that we use day to day. Don't forget we now stock 3 different fusible webs to suit everyone's needs!

Stay tuned for more! 

 

Design Ideas

OK ladies now if you scroll back through some of the posts from this week and have a look at some of the fabrics you will see that some of them are included in the following little "Catalogue" thankyou to Di for this fantastic little gadget she has put together. Now I don't have in stock all of the ranges but I do have a few plus some more on order. I just thought it may give you some ideas or if there is a particular range you are chasing then I may still be able to get it!

 

Ok I will have to work on it - I can't seem to get it to happen but if you go to this link hopefully you will see it for now!

http://www.dimill.typepad.com/di_mill/page/2/

and scroll down to the 2 different catalogues flipping!

I mentioned the other day to Debra when she was using the Accuquilt cutter and some of the gorgeous Lakehouse Black Pearlescent Fabric from the shop about this great idea on the same blog as above. I am really annoyed now that I can't seem to copy and paste it onto here so will have to practice up on my IT skills!

Anyway Debra cut out these gorgeous shapes in the black and was putting it on a white damask table cloth. Soooooooo when you go across to the link you will see a gorgeous black & white table setting with a touch of silver - just gorgeous!!

 

 

Ok I worked it out on these 2 but still can't get the catalogue just yet! If anyone looks at the link and can tell me how I can transfer the flipping catalogue thingy across please do tell!!

 

In the meantime today I am helping a lady quilt a "quilt" (yes a little jibberish), that was in the floods that was an unfinished project - sooooooo we are finishing it and returning it to the lovely owner - AND She doesn't even know we have it!!!! Will be a huge and hopefully lovely surprise!!!

Must go have lots of interesting bits arriving - which HOPEFULLY I will share pics with you including

New woven/fabric crochet projects - bags, mats etc which will be a new class !!!

New bag patterns

New skirt patterns

New Fons & Porter diamond, half square and flying geese rulers

New "hard purse" kits

plus more gorgeous Robert Kaufman co-ordinates!

 

 

 

 

 

Vignette Issue 2 - coming soon

Hi again,

yes the next issue of "Vignette" will be instore in around 3 weeks so if there is anyone wanting one please email or ring me to secure your copy as I am only ordering pre-orders plus an additional one or 2 for the shop. Sooooooo to make sure you don't miss out let me know if you would like one!!!!

Here is what it will look like and will include blocks 2 & 3 of the BOM!!!

 

 

Accuquilt

Now with all the fuss lately about the accuquilt cutter popping up here and there, Kathy Adams & I had a little chat nearly 12 months ago when Kathy had hers just arrive and I was still contemplating the idea - and I must admit I have still be contemplating, contemplating etc So the other day I asked Kathy whether she was going to sell the machines  and while she loves her shop version she mentioned to me that she is not distributing the cutters themselves........ and that her quilting business is their main concentration - hence this little "push" for me to think well maybe I should - and so in the pipeline at the moment is my organising Accuquilt Cutters and accessories to be available through Cow Paddocks Patchwork!!!! Now I have been given authorized dealership of them and so pretty soon with all things going well - fingers crossed - I should have some in stock!!!

So stay tuned as there is the large version which Kathy has -  which is used by many shops but also used by many "addicted" quilters, the Go version which is a very useable size and loved by all and the Go Baby which is smaller in size but still has everything you love in the others!

 

For those of you who have not seen an accuquilt - it is a bit like the old printers that you turned the handle and the paper went through the rollers. BUT with this you sit LAYERS of fabric on a "die" a shape that you wishe to use eg square put a protective piece of special plastic on top and push it through the roller winding it and when it comes out up to 8 layers of fabric are cut accurately and quickly - ready to sew! It is great for cutting multiple shapes, strips, for those that suffer from arthritis and the like PLUS it is sooooo/sewwwwww quick!!!

Big Big step but hopefully the cutter will impress you all as much as it did myself!

Therefore I will have one in store for demos and there will be classes etc to follow!!! I will keep you posted on this exciting new product as soon as more info comes to hand!

Vignette!!!

OK I'll admit - I've been keeping a little secret - I have in stock the gorgeous new lifestyle Mag by Leanne Beasley ?Vignette"!! - and I've had it for about 6 weeks and I haven't told anyone but V. Ok I'm sorry but I'm becoming a little cynical about many mags of late and so I had to give myself time to ponder as to whether I would stock it - it wasn't that I didn't love it straight away - I soooo did. But would everyone else? So I sent one to V to have her opinion and while I was secretly impressed I was waiting for her input too.

So here it is - now my opinion was intially mixed - I looooved the look, the photography the freshness, the lack of same 'ole advertising but it is $17.95 for the issue. But I can go back and back to this mag and feel inspired and creative and it includes so much that inspires me.

Not just patterns for both stitchery addicts, but sewers, quilters and useful makeable recipes, gorgeous photography, articles on new products, plus in this issue a piece on a B&B with quilts!

Not too mention the absolutely gorgeous mystery BOM by Leanne herself!!! (There are 3 projects in all in this issue)

So now that I have weighed up the pros and cons, talked to V, the useful patterns, costs, inspiration, the want to keep picking it up - YES I/WE TRULY LOVE IT! It's different!!!! And it comes out only a few times a year and the  next issue is out soon. SO if you would like a copy of this current issue to see what it's all about - drop me a line and I will get one to you. Then if you get hooked (as I am) you can ask me to keep you the next issues for you too! V also really likes it and it can be the sort of book to leave on the coffee table and someone who isn't right into stitcheries or the like will still flick through it and enjoy it. If you go to Leanne's gorgeous blog there are also excerpts of the book so you can have a better look also www.leanneshouse.typepad.com

 

 

More new thimbles and other goodies!

OK now having done a few stitcheries I loooove the little black leather thimble that is very soft that I have shown here prior for around $11. Very thin and comfortable with a little tiny round metal bit in the top - and room for finger nails - not they I ever have that problem! Now I must admit until now Clover hasn't had a thimble I could any where near fall in love with but now........ we'll see.

So here they are! They are more expensive then the others we stock but they are good and of course with thimbles it is all a personal preference thing.

Plus the most gorgeous book for your library, or a great gift! This is by Jinny Beyer and has I think all the blocks possible. It is about 1 1/2" thick and is a great reference tool.

Of course a book of this calibre is not cheap but for such quality! $80 and would of course be a great gift for the serious quilter!

Ok now these are the plain patchwork fabrics we are stocking in white, cream and black. No they are not homespun but top quality plain fabrics. You can tell by the frayed selvedge (as per the Quilter's Companion's editorial a couple of months ago) that quality plain patchwork fabrics can be checked by this different selvedge. They are selling for $13.30/metre are are lovely.

  
 
 

Sue Daley and her busy fingers!

Patchwork with Busy Fingers owner/designer Sue Daley was the tutor for a wonderful weekend at cowbelles patchwork recently. I had a wonderful weekend being the "participant" and Sue and her friend Gail made the workshop a wonderful experience. Cathy and her kitchen girls of Kym & Lorraine always outdo themselves with yummy goodies that we feast upon for the weekend too!

I must say that I have been to quite a few tutors and this was one of the most enjoyable workshops I have participated in. My "perfectionism" was catered for as I was not pushed too hard and then not able to achieve the standard I wished, but at the same time we were able to get the technique down pat and have a really enjoyable time. AND I have hand pieced!!!!!! See you now all know she must be really really good as I enjoyed it and I think I will do more!!!! AND I think I may even paper piece a quilt!!!!! Yes me the machine girl - it was truly great for the soul and relaxing!!!

So now of course I am stocking some of Sue's amazing range of patterns with -wait for it!  pre-cut papers - now that has to be a good thing!!!! plus her own hand needles, applique glue for use when needle turn is used and her gorgeous book!!!!!

Stay tuned here there is definately more to come in this line!

So here is the pic of my circle - mine was a little different to the class rules though as I did use a jelly roll and of course did put some order into my "Randomn" colourscheme! Plus the gorgeous patterns. I will try and show some more detailed pics of her beautiful quilts soon.

These come with pattern, all pre-cut papers and templates if required and start from $34!

Also is her gorgeous book A Road Less Travelled for $34

And here is my work in progress! Using the Aster Manor range.

And if you duck over to Cath's blog - link above you will see what all the other girls did with their colours!