I sell a lot of replacement blades for the 45mm Olfa rotary cutter. They are great blades but you do wear them out or accidentally go over a pin and nick them, so they do need replacing. Usually they are NZ$12.80 but I now have them at a special price of only NZ$10 each.
Be in quick
Dianne
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Inkjet Printables
I love using my inkjet printer to print onto fabric - I sell Inkjet Cotton, Silk and Organza to print on. The cotton and silk are the most popular as they can be used in quilts. Print your own photos directly onto the cotton, silk or organza and then you can stitch, embellish and embroider on them. The only thing you have to think about is how to place them in your printer, some have to go in upside down and others face the way you see them. Check before printing so you don't print on the back - but if you do all you need to do is turn the sheet over and reprint it on the correct side.
Now I have a new sheet to print on from Fredrix - Inkjet printable Canvas. Approximately A4 size sheets that you can load into your printer and print on. The canvas has been treated but you can also spray with a UV finish if wanted once printed. Why not come in and check these out?
Dianne
Now I have a new sheet to print on from Fredrix - Inkjet printable Canvas. Approximately A4 size sheets that you can load into your printer and print on. The canvas has been treated but you can also spray with a UV finish if wanted once printed. Why not come in and check these out?
Dianne
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
New William Morris Fabrics
The latest William Morris Fabrics designed by Michelle Hill for In the Beginning have arrived in store. They are gorgeous, bright and lovely designs. NZ$27.60 per metre
Here is the beautiful border fabric
Then we have 2 allover patterns
Here is the beautiful border fabric
and then there are the blenders - these three are medium light - cream, pink & light green
Monday, January 30, 2012
Gloria Loughman Class
Yay, I have Gloria Loughman coming to teach a class in July 2012. A fabulous teacher who has wonderful quilts, why not come along and learn how you could make something similar.
Light Up Your Landscape
Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th July 9:30am - 4pm NZ$150 (2 day class)
Fusing small squares, rectangles or diamonds onto fabric, students will build up a landscape background that is dramatic and visually appealing. Design principles including perpsective and focal point will be outlined and a variety of colour schemes will be displayed and discussed. Participants will then design their own wall hanging working from a photo, picture or sketch. Fusing, invisible machine applique, free motion stitching and quilting techniques will be included. This workshop is suitable for new and experience quilters alike.
Bookings are filling fast. Be in quick.
Dianne
Light Up Your Landscape
Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th July 9:30am - 4pm NZ$150 (2 day class)
Fusing small squares, rectangles or diamonds onto fabric, students will build up a landscape background that is dramatic and visually appealing. Design principles including perpsective and focal point will be outlined and a variety of colour schemes will be displayed and discussed. Participants will then design their own wall hanging working from a photo, picture or sketch. Fusing, invisible machine applique, free motion stitching and quilting techniques will be included. This workshop is suitable for new and experience quilters alike.
Dianne
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Craft Classes Feb - Apl 2012
The craft classes I am offering for the first term of 2012 are as follows -
Quilt As You Go Technique Blocks
3 Wednesdays 15 Feb, 14 Mar & 11 Apl 7-9pm NZ$40
These blocks are made using a wide variety of techniques - hand and machine, pieced and appliqued, embellished and embroidered. They can be made in a variety of sizes - I chose to make them 4" finished but you can choose 6", 8" 10" etc. Depends how many you want to make and how big you want to make your quilt. They are addictive as you are doing so many variations it is fun. Once you have stitched the piece you quilt it ready to sew them all together. It does look best in monochromatic (similar colour scheme) eg creams, reds etc or try cream and brown or maybe black and white with an occassional touch of colour. You will make from 2-4 blocks per night depending on the complexity of design. Here are a few blocks I have made in cream/tan/brown tones. With this method the seams are joined on the front and left to go raggedy.
Bygone Days - Fripperies from the past
3rd Thursday of the month for 10 months NZ$120 paid in advance or NZ$15 per night 7-9pm
16/2, 15/3, 19/4, 17/5, 21/6, 19/7, 16/8, 20/9, 18/10, 15/11
I have been looking at fabric items from Victorian and Regency times - and have these 'fripperies" for you to make. A reticule which could be used as a small purse or a jewellery or makeup bag when travelling; a covered lace coathanger to display and hold your clothes; a shoe bag for travelling; perfumed sachets for drawers and wardrobes; a beautiful hanging bag for lingerie etc. I have used sheers and organza along with silk,satin & rayon fabrics to create a light and lacy look for these but they also could be made in traditional patchwork style cottons. I can supply a kit for each night if required for a small fee, please discuss that with me to see what type of fabrics you would like.
I will also run this like a Block of the Month and send out instructions and kits if required once a month. Please contact me for more information on this.
This first photo shows the Hanging Lingerie bag with an appliqued rose silhouette, the lace covered, embellished coathanger and the reticule which has little pockets inside for carrying/storing items.
This photo shows the shoe bag (or it can be used for lingerie when travelling) and the small sachets or gift bags which can be made in a variety of sizes. These have all been made in cream and brown tonings.
Patchwork Savvy Technique Class #2
3rd Tuesday monthly for 10 months 7-9pm
21/2, 20/3, 17/4, 18/5, 19/6, 17/7, 21/8, 18/9, 16/10, 20/11
I ran this class in 2011 and many of the students asked for me to continue. In this class you will learn a variety of patchwork techniques which are shortcuts, crafty ways to sew something which you may not know about. There are traditional ways to sew some things for which Dianne then finds a new easier method. Dianne will teach all new techniques this year. Shown here are some of the samples from 2011.
This quilt was made using a really easy strip piecing method
And this one used a nifty technique to cut the 5 small half square triangles and the one large from 2 squares of fabric.
Doddle Quilting
Thursday 23 February 7-9pm NZ$15 7-9pm
Do you like machine quilting but haven't had time to try it, or want to see if you can create different patterns. Why not try this short class to get you into doodle quilting. Inspired by Zen Quilting and doodling you can quilt almost anything you can draw, using your needle as your pen. Here is a small sample to try -
Introduction to Thread Painting
Tuesday 6th March 7-9pm NZ$15
Dianne will take you through the basics of how to use your sewing machine to thread paint. You can start by stitching over a preprinted fabric design as I have done with this sample and add detail with your stitching. Thread painting can add depth and texture to your work.
Advanced Fabric Dyeing
Sunday 11 March 9:30am - 4pm NZ$45 plus Dianne can supply a dye kit for NZ$30 if you do not have dyes
Dianne has created a class to teach you more advanced dyeing techniques - you'll learn resists - stitched and clamped as well as flour paste- batik (wax resist), drip and drizzle dyeing, ice dyeing, using a thickener to enable you to paint with dyes. It is best if you know the basics of fabric dyeing but this can be done by a novice. Here are some samples
These are batik dyed above. The next picture below is using flour paste as a resist.
Fabric Gift Envelopes
Thursday 29th March 7-9pm NZ$15
I have made some lovely little fabric gift envelopes. You can pop vouchers or tickets into them, keep them in your purse for cards etc, any flat item will stay in here beautifully although I sold one the other day to a gentleman to hold his glasses and they fitted fine. They can be made from one piece of fabric or pieced fabrics therefore being ideal for scraps. Quick and easy to make, you can choose a variety of sizes.
If you wish to book in for any of these classes or make any enquiries please phone or email Dianne or call in and see her. Dianne
Quilt As You Go Technique Blocks
3 Wednesdays 15 Feb, 14 Mar & 11 Apl 7-9pm NZ$40
These blocks are made using a wide variety of techniques - hand and machine, pieced and appliqued, embellished and embroidered. They can be made in a variety of sizes - I chose to make them 4" finished but you can choose 6", 8" 10" etc. Depends how many you want to make and how big you want to make your quilt. They are addictive as you are doing so many variations it is fun. Once you have stitched the piece you quilt it ready to sew them all together. It does look best in monochromatic (similar colour scheme) eg creams, reds etc or try cream and brown or maybe black and white with an occassional touch of colour. You will make from 2-4 blocks per night depending on the complexity of design. Here are a few blocks I have made in cream/tan/brown tones. With this method the seams are joined on the front and left to go raggedy.
3rd Thursday of the month for 10 months NZ$120 paid in advance or NZ$15 per night 7-9pm
16/2, 15/3, 19/4, 17/5, 21/6, 19/7, 16/8, 20/9, 18/10, 15/11
I have been looking at fabric items from Victorian and Regency times - and have these 'fripperies" for you to make. A reticule which could be used as a small purse or a jewellery or makeup bag when travelling; a covered lace coathanger to display and hold your clothes; a shoe bag for travelling; perfumed sachets for drawers and wardrobes; a beautiful hanging bag for lingerie etc. I have used sheers and organza along with silk,satin & rayon fabrics to create a light and lacy look for these but they also could be made in traditional patchwork style cottons. I can supply a kit for each night if required for a small fee, please discuss that with me to see what type of fabrics you would like.
I will also run this like a Block of the Month and send out instructions and kits if required once a month. Please contact me for more information on this.
Patchwork Savvy Technique Class #2
3rd Tuesday monthly for 10 months 7-9pm
21/2, 20/3, 17/4, 18/5, 19/6, 17/7, 21/8, 18/9, 16/10, 20/11
I ran this class in 2011 and many of the students asked for me to continue. In this class you will learn a variety of patchwork techniques which are shortcuts, crafty ways to sew something which you may not know about. There are traditional ways to sew some things for which Dianne then finds a new easier method. Dianne will teach all new techniques this year. Shown here are some of the samples from 2011.
Doddle Quilting
Thursday 23 February 7-9pm NZ$15 7-9pm
Do you like machine quilting but haven't had time to try it, or want to see if you can create different patterns. Why not try this short class to get you into doodle quilting. Inspired by Zen Quilting and doodling you can quilt almost anything you can draw, using your needle as your pen. Here is a small sample to try -
Tuesday 6th March 7-9pm NZ$15
Dianne will take you through the basics of how to use your sewing machine to thread paint. You can start by stitching over a preprinted fabric design as I have done with this sample and add detail with your stitching. Thread painting can add depth and texture to your work.
Sunday 11 March 9:30am - 4pm NZ$45 plus Dianne can supply a dye kit for NZ$30 if you do not have dyes
Dianne has created a class to teach you more advanced dyeing techniques - you'll learn resists - stitched and clamped as well as flour paste- batik (wax resist), drip and drizzle dyeing, ice dyeing, using a thickener to enable you to paint with dyes. It is best if you know the basics of fabric dyeing but this can be done by a novice. Here are some samples
Fabric Gift Envelopes
Thursday 29th March 7-9pm NZ$15
I have made some lovely little fabric gift envelopes. You can pop vouchers or tickets into them, keep them in your purse for cards etc, any flat item will stay in here beautifully although I sold one the other day to a gentleman to hold his glasses and they fitted fine. They can be made from one piece of fabric or pieced fabrics therefore being ideal for scraps. Quick and easy to make, you can choose a variety of sizes.
Computer Failure
Happy New Year everyone.
My apologies for the long delay in posting but I had some off and on computer failure prior to Christmas and the computer finally gave up on - wait for it- Christmas Eve. What a time to do it as my repairers were away until the 9th January and then it took a while to find and then try and replace the faulty part. As my computer is fairly old it took a while. I am back in action now and preparing the post for the classes and what new fabrics have arrived in store. And a new computer is being worked on now.
Dianne
My apologies for the long delay in posting but I had some off and on computer failure prior to Christmas and the computer finally gave up on - wait for it- Christmas Eve. What a time to do it as my repairers were away until the 9th January and then it took a while to find and then try and replace the faulty part. As my computer is fairly old it took a while. I am back in action now and preparing the post for the classes and what new fabrics have arrived in store. And a new computer is being worked on now.
Dianne
Thursday, December 15, 2011
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
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
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