Hugs from Helen

And a Happy Christmas to all

Can we believe it – only 5 sleeps til the big man comes…. eeeek, where did that year go?

I of course have had a huge year…. trips to Bright, Salt Lake City, Houston, Victoria x 3, NSW x 3, SA for AMQF – and too many others to mention – whilst also opening a quilt store, a

café and lastly a learning centre – The Shed!

mmmm what was I thinking…….

Meanwhile, two fabric lines, a new book, several Magazine commissions and many new patterns…. but that keeps my creative juices flowing and the dopamine levels high….

I couldn’t have done this without so many special people in my life and I want to take this minute to publicly thank them…so please bear with me as I do…

Firstly – Jo!

Jo stepped in for me at an emergency moment and I bet she had no idea where her offer would take her.. So much for just folding a few patterns, a few bits of fabric and getting lots of inspiration to stitch – she now runs me, my business, runs the wholesale backend, the retail shop, the ‘shed’, the cutters, the folders, the café staff – and yes she even makes coffees. .. all with a smile and never a fluster… how could I be so lucky……

Judy is the most kind, caring genuine lady you’d ever meet and I'm so glad she asked for something to do. She cuts all of our kits and just jumps in where something is needed. She keeps me looking forward, on track and organised for the future so there are no last minute surprises.

Kat, is our Kona solids coordinator and has been our ‘Saturday girl’ this year. She is an extraordinary quilter and designer and has taken on our first batch of classes this year teaching her amazing skill set with great results from her students. Kat won’t be continuing in the shop Saturdays next year but will be teaching many more amazing classes to very lucky students, focusing on her designing and teaching – you need to follow her on FB to keep up with her amazing work. We are lucky to call her our teacher.

Abby and Lauren have begun the café journey with me. With various experiences in hospitality they have gotten us started, pout up with my lack of coffee knowledge and together we are learning daily to bring a café with quality, friendly service, a great atmosphere of support and community… and I’m told they make a great coffee!

And of course I cannot forget my family. Rohan has taken on café responsibilities – yes he can make a mean coffee and woo the ladies and has even made a few quilt shop sales.. he is my barista backup.

Tess has been my backup baker when she can fit it in between uni studies and work, Molly has been living away working her grad year for nursing and Miss Matilda, well she’s my little right hand.. again I thank them all for their support holding the fort while I am away visiting with all of you – my last people to thank – those of you who stitch my designs, make my quilts, join in with me to inspire, create and give to make a difference to yourselves and others.. You are the reason I do this…

so, this is a big Christmas thanks….

next year is not looking any less busy but I’ll cover that in the new year.

I wish you all a wonderful Festive season, may you make good memories, have quality time with those you love or just be at peace…

and see you all in 2017!

 

Oh – we will be closing for a short break between Saturday 24th December, reopening on Tuesday 3rd January.. that's Quarter Inch and Hugs ‘n Kisses. Feel free to place online orders still and they will be processed in order on our return.

hugs from

Helen

New Projects for Christmas or not!

You saw our wonderful gathering photos but I did forget to show you the new projects we made.

 

The Hexie gogo teeny table topper

This cute little runner could be for Christmas if you used Christmas fabrics – we just used my new Coonawarra Reds with my favourite Essex Putty linen background and a Cosmo Seasons #5006 variegated red thread.

With button embellishments and our wonderful iron on leave in EPP hexie papers this came together quickly and easily.. yes you could still get it done for a Secret Santa gift!

There may also be a few kits left including everything you need for $20 plus the pattern.

 

the Christmas Dilly Bag

This again used my Coonawarra Red fabrics, Essex linen in sand colour and some Basically Hugs fabrics. But scrappy anything of course will look great.

The pattern comes with an iron on transfer for the little stitcheries which you stitch all at once before fusing the included precut iron on hexies to the bag and making up this cut hexie dillybag..

big enough to fill with all those Christmas goodies…

a few kits left for this one also at only $20 plus pattern.

Gather Ye Blessings:

This one didn’t end up being a Gathering project (I made a few spares whilst deciding) but it was finished in time..

The pattern includes applique paper, precut EPP iron ons for the diamonds, squares and circles and of course all instructions.

with a little EPP, a little gluestick applique and a little stitchery it can be personalised for you.

 

We have the metal stands as pictured or we have cute little wall hangers with a Christmas star in the 12” width for only $10 each.

These are not on the website and as I'm madly working on new websites they may not get there on the current one…

but if you’re keen you can just phone or email Jo on 03 62001304

til next time

hugs from Helen

Stitching with me for Christmas

What a lovely lovely day yesterday stitching with so many friends for Christmas

We had the lovely Rose visiting from Melbourne along with Ann-Maree and Nicky

Jenny from Woollongong (who just happened to be touring the state) plus our many tassie friends in stitching.

Once again Jo outdid herself by making it all pretty, with some assistance from her two lovely nieces who were visiting.

They made over 60 of these wonderful Christmas stars (if you’d like to make your own the link to the tute is here http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/5-pointed-origami-star.html )

Tess baked and baked all the special (low fat) goodies, whilst my wonderful friend Dana supplied the lunch cooking..

Molly, Tess and Ash worked like troopers to feed the masses quite perfectly

and Judy jumped in continually to lend a helping hand..

a huge thanks to them all

We had two projects to stitch on the day which I know some of you have seen peeks of before – now they are available for purchase!!! and we have a few kits leftover also.

First it was Taffy Apple – this is a companion project to the Temora Traveller bag and the Two Fruits tin we’ve done previously. With the same matching redwork embroidery using my favourite #1007 CGT Hugs ‘n Kisses red perle thread and clamshells from my EPP Iron on range.

With the lovely trademark lace zipper (no inserting of zip, just sew it on top!) it has little pockets inside and is just a perfect size to store a days worth of stitching supplies.

The second project – and with still time to make for Christmas is:

Merry Berry Christmas. This was my project to ensure all  the ladies perfected appliqued circles –and they got the 1” precut circles in their pattern to make sure they did get them perfect!!!

With a little bit of bias work, some gluestick applique and a touch of running stitch embroidery many were well on the way to getting this one done in time for the Festive season.

A lovely day of stitching, learning, sharing, laughing and good old fashioned friendship was had by all….

We did announce our next gathering on the day – I haven't gotten it onto the website as yet but we are over half full already and I expect it to sell out quickly, so if you don’t want to miss out, call Jo at the shop asap to book your spot. 03 62001304

The Patterns and kits (while stocks last) are available now if you missed out on stitching with us, you too can celebrate by stitching them.

hugs for today

Helen

show and tell

I just love this use of iron on hexies that Sue has used for her sister’s secret santa gift….

She has used the 1” iron on EPP hexies in a colourwash layout and then appliqued over the top. Suze is going to blog more about it here.

http://suzeblack-bearsmum.blogspot.com.au/

 

the second is made by Ellen in Norway. She contacted me after her dog ate the template pages for the pattern!!!! does your dog do this?  Anyway, we sorted her and saved the dog and she did complete her Ten Christmas Wishes tree skirt for Christmas…

She had already completed the Twas The Night BOM quilt and this was to compliment.

I would love to know how many of these quilts were displayed around the world over Christmas – can you send me photos girls..?

If you haven’t made this one now would be a good time to start it for 2015 Christmas.. It is 7 months, but that would give you time to quilt and hang…

Actually, I have some leftover little Christmas designs from our 12 days sale – if you want to order the Twas the night pattern, I shall pop one in for you as a bonus…

hugs and happy planning for 2015….. what is on your list to stitch?

Helen

Hugs ‘n Kisses Christmas Break

I would like to sincerely thank all of our customers, supporters and friends in the industry for a wonderful, sometimes challenging, but always interesting year.

I thankyou for your loyalty, your support, your passion and your friendship. Being able to design and stitch knowing you are all there with me and we are enjoying the same passion keeps me going.

At times in this industry things can be very challenging – I know it all looks lovely, friendly and what more could a girl ask for – working in her passion… I often think about giving up and joining the circus when things happen that make me sad or upset but your friendship and inspiration reminds me of my reason for doing this. I do my best to do what I do with ethics, grace and honesty, for the best of everyone. My inspiration will never fade even if my energy does.

I encourage you to put all of your energy into positive things – make a difference, be nice, be caring and use your passion for the good of all. There is too much negativity in our world this week- we can change that through stitching if only in our little place in the world.

We may have many changes afoot in 2015 as we continue to learn together, listen to your feedback, make planned or unplanned changes in direction and keep making lovely things.

Our office will be closed from close of business tomorrow (18th Dec) reopening on Monday 12th January. Orders can be placed online during this period and will be processed in order on our return. If you need it urgently please note in the comments.

We look forward to 2015 with renewed energy and vigour and all things positive.

I send wishes that your Festive season is full of happy family memories and wonderful times shared.

Now go forth and eat pudding, chocolate or anything that gives you great pleasure – worry about the calories in the new year!

see you then.

hugs for today

Helen

Last minute Gift list ideas

Have you spent the last month thinking about everyone else’s Christmas gifts but your own? Do you get asked what you’d like and can never think of anything… why not ask for a special treat just for you and your stitching friends…

If you are in the Bright area, or anywhere in Victoria you could spend a lovely day with Rosalie and myself at the lovely Ringer Reef Winery. Email Ang to book.

OR

if that doesn't suit how about a girly trip to the wonderful Southeast region of South Australia for a few days of indulging ‘me time’ in Penola. Email Lori or Karen to book.

Or for those in Tassie then this is your first chance for the year to share a wonderful day with us. Email Lori to book.

Hope to see you somewhere in the world in 2015…

hugs for today

Helen

Some Christmas show ‘n tell

Just in time for Christmas Kjersti sent me some lovely pics of their Twas the night before Christmas BOM.

Kjersti and Ellen took my class in Alta (in the north of Norway) last year and this inspired them to continue with handwork and stitchery in their quilts.

They started the quilt in April and aimed to have it finished in the 7 months to be finished by the 1st Sunday of Advent.

I loved my teaching trip to Norway and met so many lovely ladies all hungry to learn. I do hope I can go back again one day and catch up with everyone.

until then, enjoy this show and tell….

I hope that maybe one of my projects may grace your home at Christmas this year…

Hugs for today

Helen

PS. I have been nominated for a competition to win a new website – as we have been in the planning stages of redoing both of my sites so they work together (wholesale and retail) and fix all the bugs that are currently there it would be really great if you could vote for me – you never know, maybe, just maybe they will choose me… it’s very simple, just click this link below and then click the ‘vote’ button. You can actually vote every day if you choose to but it is closing soon.

http://www.rescuemysite.com.au/nomination/hugsnkisses-net-patternpress-com-au//

A Christmas Gathering

what a lovely final day of work for me on Sunday…

50 lovely ladies joined us to stitch, chat, eat and laugh the day away – some time out from busy Christmas parties and preparations to enjoy the things we love.

A huge thanks to my huge girls, Tess who baked and cooked all week, Molly & Lara for helping on the day like true professionals.

My can’t do it without friend Jo again added her magic to the day helping me with all the ‘special bits’ which make the day perfect…

Her niece Maegan was also wonderful, helping stick bags for the week and then showcasing her retail brilliance working the shop for the day… I cannot thank them enough…

and what did they stitch?  lots…..

A little Christmas gift and kit from me -

Two fruits – a new companion pattern to the Temora Traveller bag featuring clamshells and redworkand Give Thanks – a sweet candle mat or Christmas table centre featuring redwork, iron on dresdens and a hexie border.

For those who attended, they got in first with our next announcement – but we have spaces left for our next Gathering in March.. check out the link here for details.

a lovely finish to a busy year for me… hope to see you all around the world sometime next year…

hugs for today

Helen

who is now busily working on your 12 Days of Christmas sale- if you are missing the emails, check your newsletter subscription now – we are up to Day 2.

Christmas Spirit

I have been told by my 9 year old that we have no Christmas Spirit this year. It has come up on us so quickly we haven't had time for any decorating, didn't make it to any Carols and are just keeping our heads above water trying to get away in a few days time for our family gathering interstate.. our tree is not coming out this year…… bah humbug – I am the Grinch this year!

But with MissM only two days away from home after a full year on the other side of the world this Christmas with family will be special anyway… Its not the decorations, its not the presents, its not even the food… its being together and enjoying what we are so lucky to have….

Others obviously do have spirit and below I share with you the

Bendigo Chorales version of my Nice People Nice  Things quilt which after asking permission over a year ago they have just raffled it raising funds for their choir.. Doesn't it look lovely?

 

 

okay, back to finishing my list or I will not make that plane Saturday… happy preparations girls and spare a little spirit for me

hugs

Helen

a little Christmas cheer

As promised I have lots to show you.. new patterns, new designs and new things that I have been too busy to write about…

As its only just over three weeks til Christmas I had better show you some Christmas goodness first…. You may still have time to stitch some of these for Christmas friends..or just send them as are for a stitchy friend… then of course, there is always next year…

On Sunday we will be starting our 12 days of Christmas sale – have you signed up for our Newsletter? Those that are know that we have LOTS of great specials in our 12 days sale each year, and the following new patterns may even be featured….

 

so, without further ado…

introducing: Hoppy Christmas to you

And Dinky-Di Aussie Christmas

These two simple stitcheries with an Aussie theme I think would be great for overseas expat friends..They are packaged as Tempters – so just an iron on transfer that you can use however you like.

I have made both and finished them into this wallhanging with the brand new Aussie hanger from Ackfeld – we have some on order!

If you have made the Twas the Night before Christmas quilt then I have made you another project to display with it.. this one is a simple table topper –simple to make up but there is quite a bit of embroidery – so maybe a project for next Christmas. I have included iron on transfers so you don’t have to trace all of the design by hand..

Finally this was my project for the Quilt Fabric Delights Christmas in July program… It has taken me awhile but it is now available to all of you.. You may just like to stitch the centre design and stretch it over a canvas… I just love the embroidered tree, it is one of my favourite designs..

A Delightful Christmas

     

Have you started your shopping?  I haven't even begun…. oh dear…. Miss Tilly even told me our home has no Christmas spirit last week…. oh dear oh dear… time for me to get into the flow of Christmas…

hugs for today

Helen