Cracker Snaps

As Christmas approaches us so quickly, now is the time to make your own christmas crackers. You will have far better gifts etc in them if you make them yourself rather than buy them ready made. I have been so disappointed with bought ones.
Cracker snaps come in packets of 10 for NZ$3 or buy 5 or more packets and get a 10% discount.
They are so easy to make - you do need to use a light weight paper tho as it is easier to 'snap' apart. The beautiful heavy papers are much harder to pull apart so if you want to use these the lightly score them across the wrong side middle before using so they do come apart and you don't sit there pulling with nothing happening.
You can use any cardboard type roll for the centre - this could be from a toilet roll or you can cut the rolls from paper towels/cling wrap etc in half to whatever length you want and use them. Make your own roll from cardboard if you need something a little bigger. Your paper covering has to be at least the length of your roll twice and enough to easily wrap around them.
How to make a Christmas Cracker
Lay the paper right side down on the table and place a cracker snap across the middle of the long side and then place your roll over this. Now place 2 more of the same rolls with a 1-2" gap on either side from the centre roll. (- - -) Place a strip of double sided sellotape along the edge of the paper and roll up, pressing carefully along this edge to seal. The 2 extra rolls help keep the shape nicely. Now tie one end between the 2 rolls using string, ribbon, etc and tie tightly. This will help the cracker snap stay in there, remove the extra roll and your end stays looking very professional. Pop whatever goodies you want in from the open end and then tie this between the 2 rolls and your cracker will look great without the ends all squashed up. Remove the remaining extra roll. Now decorate the top of the cracker if you want or just leave with your nice paper.
Have fun 'cracking' them and have a wonderful Christmas.
We are open between Christmas and New Year. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for statutory days. Call in and see us when you get time to want to make something.
Dianne

Advanced Dye class & New Fabrics

Oh dear... I did not realise it has been just over a month since I last posted something. I have just finished the sale month which went very well. Hopefully you got a bargain from our $12 per metre special fabrics and the 50% off ribbons, buttons and beads. Keep an eye out for our next specials.
I recently went over to the lovely ladies in Marton and taught an Advanced Dyeing Class. What fun we had creating all sorts of  techniques for dyed fabrics from dripping to sprinkling, tied resists to flour paste resist, tray deying and batik. They will have a lot of wonderful fabrics to show their fellow members at Show & Tell.

Here are some of my samples, sometimes it is hard to stop adding more fabric as they look gorgeous as you are making them you just want to keep making more.

I look forward to seeing some of their pieces.

Some new fabric that arrived in recently are these 2 from Susybee, one a panel for the wall or bed and the other a growth chart. Although this has inches marked along the side you can stitch a tape measure for metric measurments along the egde as well. Both are quite delightful fresh new designs. The panel is NZ$23.90 and the growth chart is only NZ$9.50. Oops sorry, forgot to turn it up the right way.

We will be open through out the Christmas Holiday period, closing only for the statutory days, the Thursday Sit & Sew-cial is on all through. Look forward to seeing you
Dianne

SALE time

I first started business in October 1984 with a bookshop/newsagency and then 3 years later I added the Handcraft Supplies in October 1987. So I have been in the handcraft supplies business for 24 years.
For the next month (the remainder of October and all of November) I am offering you the following Birthday specials -
*****a large selection of Patchwork Fabrics only NZ$12 per metre*****
this is at least 50% off the normal price of these fabrics
and there is ****20% off all the Non Sale Fabric****
All of our ****Buttons and Charms are 50% off*****
All ****Beads are 50% off and all Ribbons are 50% off****
*****Laces ore 75%****
Batting has 10% off and Books have 20% off
There will be many items at marked Special Prices as well.
Call in and check out these specials. Call me if you want to come outside normal business hours. I am happy to try and suit your hours if possible. Contact me for mail orders.
Be in quick, items will sell fast. Sale prices refer to items currently in store, anything ordered in specially will not attract these discounts.
Dianne

Black & White Fabrics

There are some lovely black and white fabrics around and I have quite a few of them in store. New ones just arrived in are -
these lovely butterfly fabrics - one is black on white and the other is white on black. Both are ideal to overdye or colour in if you want.

and this lovely allover pattern

All 4 fabrics are NZ$26 per metre. Check them out in store.
Dianne

Merchant at QuiltFest & New Fabrics

I have just had a lovely day at the QuiltFest put on by Town and Country Quilters in Levin. Lovely exhibition of quilts and 8 merchants, of which I was one. Thank you to all who visited and purchased items from my stand. It is really fun meeting everyone at these shows and seeing what you have been doing, especially when it is from one of my classes.
I have had a couple of new fabrics in which have been very popular. The Harvest range featured a couple of blogs ago has sold and, come in and sold out again. It is such a lovely rich fabric range.

There is a new childrens fabric featuring building and construction which had a beautiful border and a book panel, which can also be used as squares for a quilt. Bright and cheerful colours and a lovely little story that goes with it. Here is the border print NZ$27.50 per metre. I have sold out of the book panel at present.
Then there is Phat Cat Jazz fabrics -
A fabric which features musical cats - this fabric has 10 different cat blocks in a panel which is NZ$17.30 (or is sold by the metre NZ$27.50pm). There are several fabrics which go with this panel range.

This is the hot pink background with music over it.

This one has multi coloured dots allover and is great to mix as a border.

And this one is lime green with little paw prints allover.

Here is the quilt I made using the free pattern that came with the fabric, although I did alter their centre strip and put my own version through the centre and along the sides.

Check out these fabrics and much more in store.
Dianne

Class List for 4th Term 2011

Here are the craft classes left for the rest of this term.
Painted Wholecloth Miniature Quilts - Thursday 20th October 7pm - 9pm $15

Following a recent US magazine article about using fabric felt pens to create designs on quilts Dianne has made this miniature quilt which you too can replicate or create your own design. It is made using one piece of fabric and a fabric felt pen in black (although you can use any colour you like). Once you have coloured the design you can then quilt it to suit.

LEAVES Thursday 27th October 7pm - 9pm $15
Dianne will teach you how to create a variety of leaves using mixed media (fabric, felt, sheers, yarns, Lutradur, Tyvek etc). These leaves can then be used in quilts, scrapbooking,dolls, embroidery, jewellery etc. Some are hand or machine stitched and some are made using a heat gun or a soldering iron.Come in to see Dianne's samples.

STRIP PIECED QUILT Saturday 29th October 1:30pm - 4:30pm $20

This lovely quilt has been made using strips which are sewn together then cross-cut and then re-sewn together to form a pattern. By using just 3 fabrics you can create something really lovely and it is easy to sew. I had a gorgeous border fabric which I had to use for this project but if you don't have a border that suits you can join a couple of fabrics together to create a similar effect.

TAKE ONE BLOCK QUILT - Sunday 30th October 9:30am - 4pm $45

Dianne has had fun designing and teaching this scrap quilt. The block consists of 5 small half square triangles and one large half square triangle. She has designed at least 40 ways to sew the block and then there are at least 40 ways to layout the blocks...ohh the choices!! Dianne will show you 5 ways of sewing these half square triangles together, you'l learn a variety of different methods then you have to choose how to put the block together. All previous students have created some wonderful designs - why don't you join in and have fun too?
Give Dianne a call, email or drop into the studio and see the samples and join in.
Dianne

More yummy fabrics

There are some lovely fabrics arriving in store. One came in and was sold out within 2 days of arriving so I didn't even get to photograph it. I tried to get more but they had sold out, hopefully they will try and get more and then I will order some in again.
These 2 lovely black and silver fabrics from RJR Fabrics are from the Hana Yume range NZ$26.10 per metre.Both are gorgeous and so different to what we usually get in. Most fabrics have gold metallic but the
silver metallic is beautiful.

Then there is this rather beautiful large print poppy, in the most rich red, green and black. The poppies are about handprint size. NZ$26.90 per metre

Another lovely range out is Camelot by Jason Yenter. As well as a book (NZ$21.00) featuring a selection of quilts there are the fabrics (NZ$26.80 per metre) -

And then this gorgeous rich range called Harvest from P & B Fabrics NZ$26.50 per metre

The one above is a main print and the one below is a tonal fabric.

And this is the most gorgeous border print, about 10" wide for the 2 repeat and repeats 4 times across the width. I only needed to buy my longest length and I could cut out the 4 borders I require from this strip.

I just felt in love with the rich colours in this print and had to make something from it. I combined an easy block made from strip pieces from my Quilt Techniques Savvy class with the wide border print and made this beautiful quilt. Unfortunately the photo does not do it justice, it is better in real life.

Why not call in and see this quilt in all its glory. I have sold a couple of 'kits' for making this quilt already and ran out of the border fabric but have more arriving the end of September.
Dianne

A lot of things going on

I am always amazed at how fast the months disappear, but with sooo many things going on it is no surprise. The Shop Hop has just finished after being extended by a week because of the snow earlier in the month which held up some participants. It was a wonderful event and we had over 100 people calling in to collect their blocks. Many travelled together and made it a fun weekend out.
I had 26 people making my quilt and I was so surprised at how long it took to cut out and package these blocks. Thanks to my friends Alison and Wendy I got it done in time.
Then my local club Rose City Quilters had Mariya Waters to visit and be our guest speaker at club night. She was very interesting and her miniature quilts were exquisite. Those who attend her machine quilting class and decorative threads class all seemed to enjoy them and are now waiting for Mariya's next visit when she will be teaching her famous applique method using the Floriani Stitch n Wash Fusible, which I stock in store for only $6.10 per metre.
Now I have to find time to get my class list for this term done.
Dianne

Photos from Sue Wademan Class

The Sue Wademan class was very successful with 10 ladies participating. They created some wonderful pieces of fibre artwork
Here is a photo of Sue critiquing some of their pieces.

And here are a couple of the pieces created by the participants.

Many thanks to Sue for coming up to Palmerston North. Everyone enjoyed their class very much.
Dianne

Music and Other Fabrics

I have just received in store some lovely new music fabric. I always sell a lot of fabric that is music related so it is nice to have some new designs.
From a range called Perfect Pitch I have a border fabric NZ$25.50 per metre

And this panel is 60cm x 112cm NZ$15.30

Then there is Tea For Two - 2 bright and cheerful fabrics - a  teapot one and cups and saucers. NZ$22 per metre.Ideal for table runners, place mats, coasters, aprons, quilted wall hangings etc etc.

Some lovely new batik fabric have also arrived in. I do have a weakness for batiks, they are lovely to work with. This one is dark blue with lighter blue swirls on it NZ$25.80pm

and this one is a bright blue with orange flowers called Mardi Gras NZ$27.30pm

I love these next ones - this one is blue background with chocolate brown squares overprinted  NZ$25.80pm

and the next is brown background with the blue square overprinted NZ$25.80pm

Then blue background with a brown squiggle NZ$25.80

then this one is very much like a paint stripe, (and landscape) looks great in green NZ$22.30 per metre

and I do love the combination of chocolate brown with lime green circles in this batik

I will be at Rangitikei Country Quilters exhibition this weekend July 23rd & 24th at Rangitikei College in Marton. The shop will still be open on Saturday for you. Come for a drive and see the lovely quilts on exhibition and check out the merchant mall whilst you are there. Looking forward to seeing you

Dianne

Quilters Friend Shop Hop

The Quilters Friend Shop Hop is on from August 12 - 28th 2011. I have been busy making and quilting my shop hop quilt and finally I finished it this afternoon so see below.
The 6 shops involved are -
Village Books & Crafts - Palmerston North, Cherry Pie Bernina - Levin, Sawmillers Quiltery - Te Marua (Upper Hutt), Quilters Land - Masterton, Crafty Pea - Pahiatua and QuiltWorks in Waipukurau.
We have given you 3 weekends and 2 full weeks to visit each of these shops to participate. When you pay your $40 registration you choose what colourway quilt you would like to receive. My quilt is Batiks (lime, purple, turquoise and black background), Cherry Pie Bernina's is Bright Childrens; Sawmillers Quiltery's is 1930's; Quilter Lanes is Blue and White, Crafty Pear's is Country and Quiltworks' is Kaffe Fasset. You will soon be able to see all quilts on the website http://www.quiltersfriend.wordpress.com/ .
Here is my quilt "The Grape Harvest"

After paying your registration fee and choosing your quilt colourway you can collect a block pattern and enough fabric to make 2 blocks from each shop. At the end of your shop hop you will have enough fabric to make 12 blocks. Each shop has made their quilt up in their own layout and will offer a limited number of finishing kits with sashing, borders etc. I, and a few of the others, will offer you choices in your layouts. I had fun creating The Grape Harvest using these wonderful batiks in lime, purple and turquoise which I partnered with a black background. I decided to set them on point - this is really easy, it is basically a 4 x 4 layout with a black block in each of the corners so it merges into the background and then a large triangle of black fabric is added to each side. To fill this large black triangle I decided to applique grapes and vines. As I made this quilt over 10 days I did use raw edge applique but you can choose to do needleturn etc for your quilt. I like to applique and quilt at the same time so I stitch over my appliques through the batting and backing so I am only stitching once. I quilt using a domestic sewing machine and have had fun creating different patterns for each block. I decided that since the quilt was a sampler block I would quilt each block differently and you can choose what kind of quilting you want to do after seeing this. I quilted a leafy vine around all the blocks using a variegated green thread which makes the sashing appear to be a different fabric. I now have the quilt hanging in the shop so do call in if you can and see it and decide which colourway you would like for your shop hop experience. On registering you will receive a quilters friend 'passport' - if you spend a minimum of NZ$10 at each of the 6 shops you will receive a stamp on your passport. When you have all 6 stamps write your contact details and leave the passport at the last shop and we will enter you into the draw to win a Janome Sewing Machine. You will also receive a 10% discount at each shop on production of your quilters friend passport for the duration of the shop hop.
Although I have set hours I am happy to open up at any other time if you ring or email me. I will be around all 3 weekends so can open up later no problem. Check with each of the other shops as well as many of us are happy to open later to suit your travel arrangements.I look forward to seeing you.
Come in and register now. Get a group and travel together to each of the shops. Have fun and drive safely.
Dianne

Painting on Fabric

There was an article in Quilting Arts #50 by Judy Coates Perez who visited NZ in 2010. Rose City Quilters brought her out as our Tote & Gloat speaker last May. She was a lovely speaker and tutor and her works are amazing. The article was about using Daler Rowney FW Acrylic paints on fabric. As I can get hold of these paints I decided to check it out and ordered some in. Like Judy I loved these paints. They go on smoothly and can be watered down heaps for a lighter and softer effect. I played around on a piece of white fabric and made notes as I went. I used 2 shades of green, a yellow, a red, a blue and pearlescent white. I then washed the piece and had no colour loss from all of the colours, except the pearlescent white which washed straight out. So, thank you Judy for passing this info on. I would use the pearlescent white only if not washing or I would use a textile white as I used a black tectile paint for highlighting. My sample piece is here

I now have some of these paints in stock for NZ$12.50 each and can order more colours if required. They are a neat little bottle which has an eyedropper at the top.Why not have a play yourself. Even if you are not an artist you can trace designs and paint over them to great effect. Have fun, have a playday.

Dianne

Wonderful new fabrics

What a lovely day it was today, sunshine and a little warmth, 17 degress is not bad for winter.
Some lovely new fabrics have arrived in store. Check these out

This lovely deep dark green is from Jinny Beyer's palette range and is very useful NZ$26.50 per metre

These next fabrics are from UK manufacturers Fabric Freedom who produce some gorgeous fabrics. This range is A Red Rose. I have had this range before in the grey roses (I still have 3 of this range left in stock) and now I have it in this beautiful rich red colour. NZ$26.60 per metre. Check out their website for great ideas and quilt designs.

I currently have some of the large allover rose still in grey and some of the stem roses in grey plus a smaller allover red & grey rose fabric, all of which could be combined to make a gorgeous quilt, wall hanging, bags etc.
This new batik has lots of movement and has lovely paua shell colours  in soft greens and blues, although the picture I am seeing looks more blue. It really is a lovely soft shading. NZ$28.10 per metre

Call in and check them out or order by phone/fax/ email or post. Looking forward to seeing you.

Dianne

Sue Wademan Landscape Class

Hi everyone,
Just updating you with more details about our feature tutor for this year Sue Wademan. Sue has graciously consented to teach for me in August, I am lucky here as Sue isn't teaching much anymore and may be moving overseas so this is a fantastic opportunity to take a fabulous class.
Have you been wanting to try something a little different using textiles. This class explores the many ways you can manipulate fabrics - in particular sheers (silk organza, georgette, chiffon etc) and synthetic fabrics - to create an individual fabric colage landscape. You only need to see some of Sue's artworks to see what possibilities you would have to create very individual and stunning pieces of art using textiles.
Whilst students of all levels can attend a knowledge of free motion stitching is a help.
The class is a 2 day design focussed workshop to create wonderful landscapes using a variety of synthetic and sheer fabrics to manipulate and texture your finished piece. Sue will teach the 5 elements of design - line, shape, tone, texture and glorious colour. Sue will start you off with a sample piece to learn her 'linear collage' technique then you will move onto creating your individual landscape using those elements and many fabric manipulation techniques that Sue will share with you.
The class is designed to develop your intuitive use of a variety of textiles and to allow you to gain confidence in using fabric like paint.
Why not step out of your comfort zone and try a class with a difference from a very well qualified tutor who has taught overseas and at NZ national quilt symposia. There are limited spaces available so be in quick.
Contact Dianne now for your place in class.
Check out Sue's website for more examples of her wonderful art http://www.suewademan.com/
Dianne

Craft Classes May - August 2011

Here is a list of the craft classes I will be running from May to August 2011

Tote Bag Sunday June 12th 9:30am - 2pm  #28
Dianne designed this fabric tote bag to carry all those things you need to 'tote' around. You can make it shorter than hers, it can be made from various fabrics. Make it for a child or yourself. Easy construction.
Has pockets at each end which can be zippered or open.

Accidental Landscapes Saturday 11 June 1:30pm - 4:30pm $25 + pattern $10
Karen Eckmeier has given me permission to teach her classes. This wonderfully easy method of layered topstitch means you can create a fabulous landscape in a short period of time. Choose from Beaches, Farms and Fields, Ski Slopes, Meadows & Mountains, Lakes and Coastlines. This one is beaches.

Fun With Citra-Solv & National Geographic pages Tuesday 14 June 2011 7-9pm $15 + $5 materials fee
Overseas they have Citra-Solv, in NZ we have D-Limonene, it is the main ingredient in Citra - Solv. What can you do with it - have fun, of course. Using old National Geographic magazine pages we apply the D-Limonene and wait for the magic to happen. The cirtus based solvent dissolves the inks in the magazine and makes them  create wonderful patterns. You can use the pages then for collage and creative mixed media work, card making and scrap booking. See the wonderful page below - doesn't it look stunning.

Why not come along and have fun playing with this to see what you can create.

Circle Quilt Sunday 19th June 2011 9:30 - 4pm NZ$45
Dianne will show you how to applique these circles by hand or machine and how to sew inset circles so quick and easy that you won't believe you didn't think of it before. Lots of varations on how to layout these blocks once you have sewn them as well.

Happy Villages Quilt Thursdays 16th & 23rd June 2011 7-9pm NZ$28
Dianne has Karen Eckmeier's permission to teach her classes. The Happy Villages is a fun class that uses squares that you cut and place to make these wonderful villages, complete with windows, doors and stairs - whether they be realistic or fantasy you'll have fun creating them

Harvest Quilt Sunday July 10th 2011 9:30-4pm  $40
Dianne designed this quilt using 2 1/2" strips and squares so you can use a Jelly Roll to make this. A single colour at the end of each strip makes it less scrappy but still very effective. The applique creates the harvest feel along with the autumn colours. You, of course, can use nay colour combination you like, could be brights, children, oriental etc. We can adapt the applique to suit your fabrics.

Collage Landscapes with Sue Wademan Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd August 2011
Sue Wademan is a well known contemporary fibre artist in New Zealand. She will be coming to Palmerston North early August to teach fabric collage landscapes - a design class with textiles. Enjoy the fun of leaving the raw edges out. Can be taken by beginners through to advanced, although having a knowledge of free motion stitching would be an advantage. This is a design focused workshop in which you will create a fabulous collage landscape from a variety of fabrics including lots of sheers (silk organza, georgette, chiffon etc). Wanting to try something different with fabric then this is the class for you!
It is a class designed to develop intuitive use of a variety of textiles.
You will learn 3 techniques of collage - lines, layering and scrunching, working on a sample piece to learn Sue's "linear collage' technique. Whilst making this sample you will learn about the 5 elements of design - line, shape, tone, texture and glorious colour.
On the second day you'll bring a landscape picture and learn how to interpret it in textiles, incorporating lots of sheers for layering and scrunching. You will be encouraged to work on your own individual landscape and to extend your creative processes with lots of help from the tutor. The 5 elements of design will once again be discussed relating it to your indicidual landscapes including many different fabric manipulation techniques to achieve your landscape design.
The goal for this class is for each student to gain confidence in "using fabric like paint" to create your own fabulous and individual landscape colage.

Limited spaces available, book in quick. I am very lucky to have Sue come to teach as she doesn't teach  much now and may be moving overseas. Contact me now regarding your place in this wonderful class!!
Contact me for any further information you require, to book in or call in and see the samples in the 'flesh' so to speak.
Dianne