Wednesday, December 23, 2020

More new stock

 My order from Australia has finally arrived after 1 month delay. So we now have in stock the Rotating Cutting Mats. A 30cm x 30cm Mat is $44.80 and the 45cm x 45cm is $97.00. These make life so easy as you don't have to turn your fabric, just the mat, and you don't have to run around the table to cut from the other side. 


Also in the box was a Birch Mini Crafting Iron which is not even as big as my hand, so portable and easy to use. $45.30

More stocks of the Magnetic Handbag Buttons arrived in as well. Small in nickel and antique brass  ($4.90) and large in antique brass ($5.20)
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.. We close at 5pm tonight (Christmas Eve) and have a 4 day break, then we reopen on Tuesday 29 December, Wednesday 30th & Thursday 31st December 10am - 5pm, then close for another 4 day weekend and reopen on Tuesday 5th January 2021.
Best wishes to one and all, thank you for an interesting 2020.

Monday, December 21, 2020

New stock in for Christmas

 Some new items have just arrived in from the US, but they have taken quite a long time to get here, unfortunately. Check out these wonderful Silicone Iron Rests from Gypsy Quilter, $14 each 10.5" x 5.5" in a colourful selection of lime green, purple and red. These are great because when you are doing a lot of ironing you can leave the iron face down on them without damaging your ironing board.

Another item in the parcel were Keychains for Quilters. These have 2 different images on them - Sewing Bee and Quilter. Only $12.50 each.

Frixion Pens are back in stock, black only $7.50 each for fine. These are great for use on fabric but really should only be used on very light colours (white & Cream) as when they are ironed to remove the black markings they do leave a faint white line (due to the gel pen component they use in the pen).
We also got more of the Inkjet printable fabric sheets in , so have plenty of those for you over the holidays. Only $4 per A4 sheet.
Wishing everyone a Lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year. We do hope you get some time for yourself to create, enjoy. Dianne





Friday, December 18, 2020

Club Member wins NZ Quilt Challenge

 Earlier this week club member Sheryl Meech was announced as the winner of the 2020 Brother NZ Quilt Challenge. Congratulations to Sheryl. Here is a photo of her quilt and being presented with her prize - a Brother PQ1500SL sewing machine, which she has had a play with and loves.



Maybe next year more of you might enter too. I know there were at least 3 entries from our region this year. We have a very good record of success from RCQ. 
Wishing you all the best for the Christmas season from the committee, Rose City Quilters.

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Brother NZ Quilt Challenge


Brother NZ Quilt Challenge 2020 winner



Today Christine from Brother NZ and I surprised Sheryl Meech in Levin with a visit to tell her she had won this years Brother NZ Quilt Challenge. She was very surprised and loved her prize which is a PQ1500SL, semi industrial sewing machine ideal for quilting and piecing.
 here are Sheryl (left) and Christine (right) being socially distanced.
Enjoy using the machine Sheryl, it is a beauty.
Congratulations and thank you to Brother for running this competition.
Dianne



 

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Cracker Snaps

 Are you thinking of making your own Christmas Crackers this year? If so we carry Cracker Snaps so you get the "bang" in your crackers. Still only $4 for a packet of 10 snaps, discount if you buy 5 or more packets. They are really easy to make and you get what you want inside, so you can theme the gift to your guests. 

New Pattern

 I designed a new pattern a couple of weeks ago that has proved very popular. I do have patterns or kits available.

It is about 15" x 27" and makes up very easily. Patterns are $12 and kits are $48, they contain everything you need to make it including batting, backing and binding.

Dianne

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Quilters Road Trip

 Quilters Road Trip, this weekend Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 October 10am - 3pm. Visit each of the 5 stores in the region - Village Books & Crafts, Amiee's Homestead Quilts, Fox's Cottage Quilts & Wool, Cherry Pie Bernina and Plume Art + Stitch. Each store will be offering specials/ or a sales table, plus each store will have quilts on display, lots of goodies and a couple of hidden letters that you need to look for. There are 2 sets of 2 letters hidden in each store, find them, write them down and then decipher what the words are. Complete the entry form and leave it at one of the stores. You are then in with a chance to win one of 5 gift baskets. Have a wonderful time travelling around on your Road Trip and Good Luck. 

I will have Wendy from Wombat Crafts with her wonderful Mosaics on site displaying and selling her lovely pieces. Mosaic and patchwork go hand in hand don't they.

Love to see you this weekend. New stock just in - some wonderful landscape fabrics and some new fabric covered button style jewellery.

Dianne

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Quilt Show

 This weekend I am a merchant at the Wairarapa Quilters Quilt Show in Carterton at the Carterton Events Centre, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 18,19 &20th September 10am -4pm $5 entry fee. This is our only quilt show this year, as all others were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. There are 6 merchants on site and lots of quilts on display for you to enjoy and be inspired by. Look forward to seeing you there. We have lots of goodies on the stall to tempt you.

Dianne 

Monday, August 10, 2020

New books arrived in store

 I just opened a parcel and there are some books, Yay. Been waiting for a few of these for a while.

Check these out 

Red & White Quilts $50

14 quilts with timeless appeal in red & white fabrics. Amazing what you can do with 2 colours.


Simply Stunning Seamless Quilts $65.00
14 striking projects using easy-to-cut outline designs, fusible techniques and no piecing. Some beautiful quilts in this book.

Miniature Quilts $45.00
15 exquisite miniature quilts designed by Kumiko Frydl, all less than 24" square. Full colour diagrams and clear instructions. Some absolutely amazing quilts in this book, you have to check it out.

Rainbow Quilts $60.00
Scrap bag sensations. Organise your colourful fabric scraps into usable pieces to sew beginner friendly quilts with personality. Lots of lovely an very colourful quilts for you to use up those scraps. 

Rulerwork Quilting Idea Book $48.00
Stitch 59 designs using 6 basic quilting ruler shapes including straight lines, circles and squiggles. A basic introduction to rulerwork with tons of helpful information on using quilting rulers and ruler feet.

 


Thursday, August 6, 2020

Jill Maas Cloth Doll Class

 Jill Maas is coming once again to teach a cloth doll class for us 29/30 August. This 2 day class is $125 (+$10 pattern fee). You get to choose from 2 new dolls - Molly or Emma and her pig Pandora.


Gorgeous aren't they!

Do contact me if you are interested in joining in with this fun class.

Dianne

New stock in store

 Last week we received in some lovely new Janet Clare fabrics. Fresh colours in green, cream and a blue grey (or some may say grey blue) which look really good together. Simple blocks and patterns can use this style of fabric to best advantage. NZ$31.50 per metre.




Fabric Strip Club #26

 I find it hard to believe that I haven't posted since the middle of May. Oh dear, so sorry, so many things going on. It is time for the next Fabric Strip Club as well, that time goes by so fast. Number 24 was in July and for that I chose to play with Ombre fabrics as I love the effect they give. My photo is below.

Don't you love the shading from light to dark, some parts seem to glow because of this.

 I did #25 in July using William Morris Fabrics and it was very well received.

The pattern I created here reminded me of a village square or a knot garden. Done in the softer colours of William Morris it looks really good but can also be done in most other fabric styles and colours.

Patterns are available for only $8, although if you call and check us out on Fabric Strip Club day (2nd Saturday each month) then the patterns are only $6 each. Plus we offer you a discount on purchases that day and spot prizes. I also show you the techniques I use for that particular quilt design.

For the club on Saturday 8th August I have designed a new pattern and for this one I chose to use children's fabrics but once again, you can use any style of fabric you like. I think this would look great in black, tan, cream, with maybe rust in there as well.

Look forward to seeing you

Dianne

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Open Again

Hello to everyone, as of today we are allowed to reopen and have you instore but in limited numbers and requesting that you please stay 1m apart where possible. Hand sanitiser is available in store if required. We do ask that you please complete the contact tracing register as per guidelines, these details will be kept private and not used for any other purpose.
We'd love to see you in store and be able to assist you where possible. Seeing fabric in the "flesh" so to speak is the best way, photos never do colours as they really are.
Please call in, we are operating under normal hours (10am - 5pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am - 1pm on Saturday). We do appreciate everyone who purchased items from us over lockdown, paying in advance and waiting whilst Level 4 was in operation and then pre-ordering and collecting once in Level 3. Your support has been wonderful and we APPRECIATE you.
Dianne

Monday, April 20, 2020

Lockdown Level 3 means we can operate online

Hello, I hope you are all surviving okay under our Lockdown. As the Government announced yesterday that we will move to Level 3 on Tuesday 28th April then we will be able to sell online and over the phone but unfortunately you cannot come into the shop. Since I don't really have anything but this blog and Facebook as my online I am happy to send photos of anything in particular that anyone is wanting more detail about. That would help you see what I am referring to and maybe you can choose from that.We operate from a studio at the back of our house so it is separate from the home and there is only my husband and me, we can leave items on the front porch for collection, or if local, we may be able to deliver to your door. If out of town then we can send by courier to you. Payment can be made by bank transfer or Paypal if you want to use a credit card. You can ring on (06)3555735 or you can email dianneandcolin@inspire.net.nz or direct message on Facebook and I will be happy to try to assist you.
Dianne

Monday, March 30, 2020

Quilting in Lockdown

We are just nearing the end of our first week in lockdown. I am lucky because I work from home, my business is run from a studio at the back of my house. It seems very strange not going out there Tuesday to Saturday as we are currently not allowed to open as we are a non-essential business and we want everyone to remain safe by staying away from each other. We are not able to do mail order as the couriers are required to serve essential services so that will have to wait until we are able once again to sell items. But there is no harm in checking out what has arrived in.....
The Thursday after closing down we had a shipment of Batik fabrics arrive in, which had been held up at customs for a few weeks. So sad that everyone cannot come in and see them but I will post pictures here for you to see them.
These first batiks are 112cm wide and are NZ$26.80 per metre. Beautiful aren't they!



These next 2 photos are for 275cm wide fabrics that are NZ$40.80 per metre. I love the stripe variations in these ones. They just make you want to do something with them.

There are some lovely patterns that come with these as well. it is amazing what you can do with striped fabric. Most of these patterns use only one of these striped fabrics to achieve the pattern



And then there are the striped fabric backgrounds that have silhouettes over them....


These all look wonderful using the fantastic stripes of these batiks. I will be cutting some background packs to go with these patterns soon. 
Dianne

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Lockdown in New Zealand

To all my customers stay safe and healthy. With the Government instituted Lockdown for 4 weeks being enforced from the next couple of days I am open Tuesday 24th March 10am - 5pm for you to purchase any last minute supplies, then we will close down the physical shop for 4 weeks as requested. BUT you can still purchase online from us - if there is something you require then phone, email, facebook or messenger us and we will try and get it to you. At this stage Post and Couriers are still operating - if this changes we will advise. Remember basics such as thread, needles and blades as well as fabric and batting.
If you need help with a sewing project then contact me by phone, email or facebook and I will endeavour to assist you - sort of like online class assistance.
Please stay positive during this experience, it is for all our safety. Just think of what you might achieve during this time - crafting/sewing/ cleaning - whatever you want to do I hope you achieve it. Do post online so we can all enjoy what you have been making, keep up your spirits.
Best wishes to all.
Dianne

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Fabric Strip Club

The latest Fabric Strip Club was last Saturday - I have been designing these strip quilts for 23 months now so it is a biggie next month - the 24th, 2 years of quilts, woohoo!
Here is January's quilt

This quilt uses Kaffe Fassett fabrics and is a braid style pattern

Here is February's quilt

This quilt was made using 20 grey background and 20 bright warm colours. Super easy to make and can be quilt-as-you-go if you want. So easy to sew each strip on quilting as you go so it is all done when you reach the end.
And here is the latest, March's quilt
This one uses 20 black on white and 20 white on black with an accent colour, I chose red which really pops with it. Fairly quick to make as well.
These quilt patterns are all available from my store or online. Contact me and I can send to you. They are only NZ$8 each so well priced.
The next event will be 11th April at 9am where I will unveil the 24th in my series. Yay, I've been doing this for almost 2 years now, and having fun creating these quilts.

Dianne

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Happy New Year Sale

Happy New Year to everyone, hope it will be a great year for you in this new decade.
As Stocktake time approaches I decided to have a sale in plenty of time. As of today (Wednesday 29th January) from 10am I have 20% off all patchwork fabrics and a large selection of $10, $12 & $15 per metre fabrics until Saturday 1st February at 1pm
A good time to stock up your fabrics at these prices.




The above photos are of the sales tables set up for the $10 per metre, $12 per metre and $15 per metre selections. 
Look forward to seeing you over the next few days 
Dianne