Thankyou for all of the lovely emails and wishes and thoughts on the passing of dear Gran. She is in a better place now Stitching in Heaven…. it was a lovely time spent with family and friends and a fitting farewell for her.
Watch this space now for announcements regarding The Stitchers’ Angel swap for 2009!
It will be a quick signup period so subscribe to the feed or add me to your bloglines so you don’t miss out.
hugs today
Helen
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My lovely friends Noni and D of The Quilted Crow have started a new blog on Typepad… Noni is really getting into it now we just have to get Deirdre writing and hooked! Go say hi, maybe you can help convince D?
They dye and felt the most wonderful range of felted wools in Australia – they are to die for. I am privileged to be a guest tutor at their Autumn Gathering in May again with Natalie Ross and am busy designing their projects now. I shall show you some peeps when I get that far!
If you are a lover of reproduction quilts, wool designs or primitive designs you will love their ‘stuff’. Deidre just released this wonderful Hopkin’s Quilt. I have not done much with reproduction style fabrics but am really coming around to them? Actually there is not too much I don't like when it comes to fabrics.
we also have a couple more Stitcher’s Angels who have been stood up. Have a look here if you are in a position to spoil them.
hugs, Helen
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I have received so many lovely stories from Angels and the wonderful friendships they have formed from our swap I thought I’d share with you. I hope for most of you this was your experience also.
‘Hugs to Helen,
Helen, I just wanted to take the time to thank you soooooo much for organising the Angel swap last year, I was fortunate enough to have been given 2 great people in the swap, one my Angel and one whom I was Angel for. The Friendships that have developed from this are so precious, in fact the person who I was Angel for has a family crisis to deal with, it developed during the time of the swap and they have a battle ahead of them. I have met up with this person and some of her lovely family and have decided that she will need an Angel all year so have decided to send her a surprise each week, some weeks it’s a skein of pretty variegated DMC and other weeks it’s a swatch of fabric and other times l’ll make something. This friendship would not have developed without you having put us in touch in the first place so THANKS a MILLION’
Then some others from truly exceptional angels like this one -
I’’ve finished my mission of “Rescue Angel”.
In these days Kris Meares, Michelle McConachie and Val Dickinson have received my goods (I hope for them that receiving my package was a little pleasure in these bad days. I know that Michelle and Val live in the outskirts of Melbourne, very closed to the fires).
Monday the package for Cara Bonner left for the final destination, and this morning I’ve sent the package for Angeline Van Wijlen (in a couple of days they will be delivered).
Kris has already put the photos of my gifts on her website (http://tagalongteddies.blogspot.com) , while Michelle and Val do not own a blog, neither me, then I send you photos of all the work done (Sorry, I have tried to put on the photos in the Angel Flickr Group, but I couldn’t manage it).
I now hope that no more angels are without a gift for them.
Now that I've over and done with my " impossible mission " (or almost), I can finally have fun with your Summer Mystery Quilt.
BUT, we do still have two very sad angels whose halo’s were intact but they haven't received anything back. So if you had a wonderful experience and have something you could share to help then Monika and Nicole, Vickie and Jane would love to feel loved also..
http://richesstitches.blogspot.com/
http://www.midohioknitter.blogspot.com/
monika in norway http://monikasliv.blogspot.com/
Nicole Rennier [email protected]
now a couple of peeks I promised!
my QuiltAid block – remember it was a drawing only on Friday.
and my appliqué quilt – just borders to stitch on, then quilt.
enough for today.
hugs, Helen – oh and thanks so much for all of my birthday wishes…
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Another Angel swapper to add to the list of those with missing angels...
Maria Harrits - Maria now has a new angel, thankyou you beautiful stitchers out there...
thankyou to all of you who have so generously contacted others who missed out. I know you have made their day.
hugs
Helen
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Check out Jane's armchair caddy here and also see how Jane has wasted an hour of my time this morning! But it made me laugh and we all need a good laugh sometimes...
must get back to work now though...
okay, so I cannot get it to work in my post so shall do it a different way.. watch for the next post...go try it, its fun
hugs, Helen
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It is with regret that I have to write this post. I am getting more and more emails alerting me to the fact that Swappers have not heard from their Angels or received anything. I know there are many valid reasons why this may be so but as I have said before a quick email is all it takes to let me or your secret partner know.
So, I want anyone who has not yet received from their partner to email me in the next two days. I know many of you have but I need a refreshed list so I can finalise this and get you all a goody bag before Christmas. I will also do a bulk email to all participants from my database in the hope we catch everyone here.
Sorry to have to be harsh but all Angel swappers joined this swap in good faith and committed to the rules and obligations of the swap before I let you join in. Again I know there are many and varied valid reasons and some not so valid for defaulting but think how you would feel if you did not receive anything after doing your part perfectly. Please keep this commitment in mind when joining swaps and if you think you may not be able to follow through, choose not to join, just read along and enjoy the fun instead.
Once I have my refreshed list I shall contact all fallen angels and possibly list them here if I cannot get a response. I shall also be keeping a list of defaulters for next years swap and for other swap mamas.
On another slant please keep in mind Christmas mail is clogging up the system and one parcel just took 6 weeks from Australia to Holland.... so if you have sent your goodies but haven't heard from your partner or seen that they have received them on their blog also email me so I can keep a track of them.
frustrated swap mama hugs, Helen
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the postie has been busily visiting my home this week with lots of lovely thoughtful surprises..... Christmas hasn't even arrived yet but I am getting all of these gorgeous goodies... As I have said many times before, the stitching community is one of a kind.
Although totally unexpected Tomi sent me all of these from the USA - missing from picture - chocolates - sorry they're gone.
This little box is just to die for....
From Jantine in the Netherlands came this gorgeous scissor fob
I will never forget who made this especially for me..
Then out of the blue from 'not a stitchers angel' but a seasoned swap mama who has been sharing her experience and advice
Chooky Blue - note that the link is to a particular post she wrote which some of our angels with fallen halos may like to read.
She found these lovely serviettes and thought of me. Isn't that so nice... in the background are some of her lovely cards. She takes the best photos, another skill I envy her for...
Next came this
from Diana, I did already have a copy but she thought I may like one for family, so this ones going to gran - thanks Diana.... This was quite exciting for me as I have not done a project for Down Under Quilts before and I have always loved the quality and projects in it so although I still haven't done a project, it wont be far away now and it was lovely to get a whole NINE pages. This is a great mag to learn new techniques from...
For overseas friends did you know you can sign up for this magazine free online now..? click the pic below.. I think its for a limited time and there is a choice of magazines also.
okay, a long post I know but I did say I have been getting lots of things in the mail..... I am so spoilt.
save the best for last....
From Jhoanna of One Red Robin - how did she know my biggest vice was chocolate.... mmmm maybe its because I advertise the fact..... note that they are not all gone and I have had them more than 24 hours now! being strong.....
We launched her range of got to have softie patterns recently at market and they are so popular.... we wish her luck as she goes off to Hong Kong for a very exciting exhibition of her work.
I was going to get tuff here and write to all the naughty angels but I am wimping out as this post is long enough and I shall try again tomorrow...
so hugs to all my wonderful and generous and thoughtful friends who made my week.
Helen
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Well with so much happening here and only two days until we leave for market I thought would take a quick minute to update you with some exciting news on the book... For those who have been following, and those who have been emailing to ask..... the ink is drying!!! yay... after two years it has been printed and the first copies will be winging their way to me in a couple of weeks.
an update on the process....
over the past two weeks Andi (the new editor who is fantastic at communicating and making things happen) has been emailing me proofs to check and make corrections - all to save time with international shipping - what did we do without the internet?
After two lots of proofs and changes which were very quickly made without question off it went. I now have a crude hard copy as well, just need a cover and I can show you, but we may as well wait for the real thing. I am not really sure about the title still - they chose 'Faux Applique' and as the technique is not applique at all but Colourque I wonder if people will not understand what is inside, but I am sure they know better than me.
wow, I just googled it and many many pages came up for preorders already... but you can see it on the publishers site here or on mine here.
For Aussie friends I am taking preorders at this stage until it arrives. I am also unsure of the final price - obviously much more than a few weeks ago with the dramatic drop in our dollar.
So for now a few sneak peeks from the proofs (I think I am allowed)
This has been a long and interesting process that I thought long and hard about, but as a wise designer told me yesterday, we wont know if we don't try it.... so I am going to be open to all offers, opportunities and ideas....
Lastly a few Angel housekeeping things... unfortunately we still have quite a few broken halo's out there. PLEASE, if you signed up for this commitment follow through. As I said in a previous post we all know sometimes life gets in the way for very good reasons, so if you have not been able to send your goodies yet, just let your partner know and they will understand. For those who have asked, I have been giving out secret angel details so expect to be contacted. To Maria who emailed today - sorry I cannot reply to you, it keeps getting blocked as spam?
and finally, another generous angel has offered a free tutorial on her blog for a wonderful tape measure cover to add to your collection. Find it and say thanks to Sandrine here.
As I finish up to head to market, I have heaps of new things to show you but it may have to wait until next week. I am looking forward to chatting with many designer and store owner friends, being inspired by Ms Butler, sipping cocktails with a favourite Aussie Magazine family, eating lots of tassie fudge (*well its supposed to be for visitors but I will have to taste it to see its okay!) and coming home exhausted late Sunday night..
hugs, Helen
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If you haven't yet sent your Angel goodies for whatever reason now is the time to email your partner (the one you are sending to) and let them know that life got in the way and you are running a little behind schedule. Communication is the key here, we have a LOT of angels getting worried that they have been forgotten... PLEASE, PLEASE let them know they are not. If you have not heard before Friday let me know and I WILL give you their details to contact them to ask why not.... this is only fair, we all have to live up to our end of the bargain....
again, if they are in the mail or about to be, let them know
hugs, Helen
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It was not easy so well done to the seven people who got most if not all of the clues and came close with their answers.
They were:
AN ANGEL WAS SENT FROM ABOVE TO PROVIDE FRIENDSHIP LAUGHTER AND LOVE.Deb from Australia
Angels are miracles send from above to provide us with Friendship and Love…. Laila from Norway
angels are miracles sent from above to provide us with friendship laughter and love Nancy from Norway
Angels are miracles sent from above to provide us with friendship laughter and love
Hanne from Norway
An angel from above
To provide us with laughter, friendship and love
Annette Scott
An angel from above to provide us with friendship, laughter and love Larissa
An angel with miracles sent from above,
To provide us friendship, laughter and love.
---or---
Miracles sent from an angel above,
To provide us with friendship, laughter and love
Kathy
Now if you were clever and also doing the Nice People Nice Things quilt you would have found the verse on your Angel block!
Because you all tried so hard I cannot just choose 5 of you and leave two out. So.... I am going to send you ALL something but it will be by email so watch your inbox...
I hope you enjoyed treasure hunting and got to know your generous angel designers better by visiting their blogs. Don't stop now just because we are finished, they are all wonderful ladies and designers..
one last thing - Natalie of Cinderberry Stitches has announced the arrival of the most beautiful little girl
Isabelle Ruby
Born 12.15pm
Weighing 3315gm / 7lb 5oz
Go say hi and congratulations, I am sure we are going to see lots of pretty baby designs coming out of Natalie's studio once she gets used to being a new mummy....hugs to you from all of us Natalie.
hugs, Helen
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