Westalee Quilting Rulers

Have you seen the range of new adjustable quilting rulers designed & made in Australia by Westalee Design?

This innovative design was invented by Leonie West, who recently won The New Inventors' 2008 Peoples' Choice Award on ABC television.

It's a great win for quilters too! With 66.5% of the vote, hear them roar ... "I quilt & I vote!"

We have three rulers from the range in-store, including 24" straight , 18" straight & 6" half square triangle.

Christmas Tabbed Album

Look at the beautiful Christmas tabbed album made in Pam Cetinich's workshop over the past week.

The Christmas tabbed album was completed in the workshop over a couple of sittings. The result is terrific!

In recent weeks, our talented card-makers have also made Christmas tree advent calendars.

Look out for new workshops during December-January, including our kids' school holidays program by visiting www.threadneedle.com.au.

It's a Redwork Christmas

Christmas is drawing closer ...

I've started getting Christmas stock into the shop & we have Christmas-themed classes for adults & children during December.

One that I think will be a lot of fun, is "It's a Redwork Christmas". It will use Threadworx overdyed threads to really brighten things up. Take a look & hopefully you will agree.

This class with Fiona Curruthers will be on Saturday, 6 December so, hopefully, you can come and create it with us!

Australian Quilt Market

What a great weekend ...

On Saturday evening, I went to a presentation by Amy Butler. She is an inspired & passionate person who has definitely found her niche & really enjoys what she does. She says "Do what you love, love what you do". That's a good mantra for all of us!

On Sunday, I went to the Australian Quilt Market in Melbourne. I went shopping for new fabrics to stock in the the shop. I've selected fabrics from Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett & Prints Charming that should arrive early in the new year.

I chatted with Melanie Hurlston of "Melly and Me". I also obtained sample packs of new patterns by Toni Coward of "Make it Perfect" in Tasmania, who designs beautiful clothes for kids as well as quilts.

Bead Expo

I visited the Melbourne Bead Expo & Australian Quilt Market, both held in Melbourne last weekend.

At the Bead Expo, there were retailers & wholesalers from all around the country. In addition, the Bead Society of Victoria held their annual Bead Challenge exhibition. The exquisite beaded jewellery displayed was simply stunning.

There was a great selection of semi-precious stones available. Pandora style beads were a favourite as well as the fabulous hand-made glass beads that Pauline Delaney & Bergamin have to offer.

B'Julde, a Queensland-based company, was also there. I believe they have some of the best stones around.

"Bella" Handbag

I just received these photos from Heidi, a customer who has made the "Bella" handbag designed by Monica Poole of Moonshine Designs.

Fabulous work, Heidi ... the bag is gorgeous!

The Bella handbag has been made using fabrics from the "Flutterby" range by Moda. Other fabrics in the range can be seen on www.threadneedle.com.au.

The design has been so popular that I've had to re-order more patterns.

Ellie

What a lot has happened since the holidays!

Last Saturday, we participated in Kidzfest with a craft stall at Daylesford Town Hall as part of the children's art & book festival.

My kids enjoyed the festival, making puppets, viewing art work & listening to childrens' stories being read.

Recently, I made one of Rosalie Quinlan & Melanie Hurlston's "Melly & Me" toys. "Ellie" is her name. I adored making her little tunic & pants. She looks very cute!

I have nearly finalised classes leading into Christmas. Apologies for the delay - we've nearly caught up from the busy school holiday period.

School Holidays Craft Fun

We've had an exciting time during the September school holidays, with lots of classes being held. The kids have been extremely creative.

Projects have included a card & coaster, flower magnet & "scrunchie" (with beads), necklace using memory wire plus earrings & fabulous photo frames. We even had an extra t-shirt design class using Giotto Textile textas.

I'm starting to plan several classes for next quarter. Some classes will have a Christmas theme but others will have a simple focus on fun. Ideas include a handbag, quilt, Christmas block & cardmaking / scrapbooking activities.

I hope to see you there! Check our website for class updates soon (www.threadneedle.com.au).

Now the school holidays are nearly finished, I'll be taking a short break with my husband & two boys. We will be closed from Monday, 6 October & re-open on Saturday, 11 October.

Christmas Candle

Our regular card-making class, led by Pam Cetinich, has been making early preparations for Christmas.

Last week, the class made a Christmas candle & card in matching colours. What a fabulous gift!

The class meets on Thursday afternoons from 1.00-3.00 pm.

Check our class schedule on www.threadneedle.com.au for upcoming projects.

Art Attack Day

On Wednesday, 21 August it was Art Attack Day at Daylesford Primary School.

Being a mum and craft addict, I was happy to contribute with the other keen mums and dads. What a lot of fun was had with our group making Bead Bugs - of course, the main feature was a bead spider!

It was great to see the creativity of the kids (Grade 4 and up) shine as we had dragonflies, scorpions and all sorts appearing.

It's amazing what a bit of florist wire and a bag of mixed beads can create!

Welcome to my new blog!

Threadneedle Craft Daylesford is a craft & art supplies shop located in Daylesford, a picturesque town located in Victoria's spa country in Australia.

We stock a large range of craft & art supplies, including needlework, patchwork, beading, card making & art supplies.

We stock patterns & kits to create home decor & accessories, as well as a great selection of craft books, gift ideas for kids, craft classes & workshops.

In this blog, I will keep you up-to-date with news & photos from the shop as well as let you know about new products that may interest you.

I'll let you know about upcoming classes & workshops, & show you photos of craft projects completed by our customers.

You'll hear about events happening in Daylesford & its surrounds that I hope will entice you to visit our region.

Our website is nearly completed. You will soon be able to visit it at www.threadneedle.com.au.

Regards

Merrilyn