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

Let we Forget

I had this post ready to go as I drove up the highway (see below) but obviously it did not go!!!  so an update- as I waited at the airport to board I watched the Canberra service on the large screens. We were boarding and I really wanted to wait for the Last Post - I stood to attention in the middle of the crowded airport, had my minutes silence, sang the Anthem and then was last to board - I didnt delay the plane but it was important to me - no-one else even seemed to know what day it was.. I guess flights and people in a hurry to get somewhere cannot stop for a minutes silence in respect for our fallen.... but I was pleased I still managed to..

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I post this as I drive up the highway and miss my first Anzac Day parade. I am proud to say my Husband is marching and my three girls are all attending in my place….

This day 23 years ago I stood on a silent eerie beach at dawn and my life changed. I still cannot imagine how they did it, or why, but my respect will remain for our soldiers- both then and now, always.

We will remember them…

hugs for today

Helen

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

mad hatters tea party….

and so she is nine…   ….  happy birthday my sweet baby…..

hugs for today

Mum….

Expensive Tim Tams….

Most of you would know that MissM is currently in the UK working and living in a school near Bath for the year…. several requests have been made for a package from home….. First on the list was Tim Tams – followed by several other items of food… last on the list was a sewing kit – this made me happy… I think she has found she has time in her room at nights and no television to waste away the hours…

So today I quickly made up a couple of simple toiletry type bags with some fabric I had been collecting for her…

This smaller pouch used the last of some British themed fabric I managed to snaffle from our local Spottie… and in it I have put the eye cream and paw paw that was requested

I used fusible pellon for the stabiliser and because the method I used meant a double layer of this – it was a tad too thick for my liking…

So with the next one I made it a little bigger and had to hunt out some normal fusible interfacing. (I would have preferred a nice woven interfacing like weaveline or stafflex but didn't have any on hand) – this was better although its a little stiff… but I am sure it will soften with use.. and some patriotic aussie fabric..

I have filled this one with all the essentials to stitch – a hoop, some thread, some foldup scissors, stitchery needles and a little needlebook..    Of course she will need something to stitch so I transferred some Aussie animal designs from my Truly Aussie quilt onto fabric and stabilized it all ready to stitch… maybe with the kids..

To fill up the box – the requested food items… and the postage cost - $84!!!!  hope she enjoys those Tim Tams…

on its way Molly - hugs for today

Helen

Thursday’s thought

 

Many of you may know that in the past couple of weeks I have had to cut the heart strings with my first daughter MissM. (as she headed to the UK to explore the world and herself)

I am blessed with three lovely daughters who have thus far had healthy and happy lives… This is the hardest thing as a mother that I have had to do as yet  (and yes I appreciate that this is because we have been blessed with good health and good luck.)

I have to believe I have done the best job I could as a mother in training – I know I was not perfect and I know that I have made mistakes – but as any mother would, I have done my best..and I am rewarded with three very special mother/daughter relationships.

I have tried to instil in my girls to always see the positive in others and in their own situation and that giving in life will bring love and respect to themselves and to others.

It was with many tears that I read a submission on Christmas Day that MissM had written about her mother…it meant so much to me, not that she had entered me into a competition but that she had taken the time to put onto paper what our relationship meant to her..

I do not expect to get any further in the ‘competition’, in fact I would be embarrassed if I did as there are many mothers out there who do so much more than I would ever be able to do….but I will continue to do what I can to help others, to give and to love my girls…

hugs and a bit of soppiness today as I miss my girl….

Helen

footnote: I applaud Barnardos for recognising special mums across Australia for the exceptional things that they do…and I admire all of those special mums and aspire to be as generous as them..and in no way are my comments above meant to be negative to the competition…

Happy New year

Welcome to 2013….. I know its already 21 days in but I am back at work today….. I hope your Christmas season was all that you hoped for and much stitching was achieved. I’ll be back this week with lots of things to show and tell for the year ahead…

hugs for today

Helen

Hugs & Christmas Kisses to you all

Thankyou for supporting Hugs ‘n Kisses in 2012. May you
have a Blessed and stitchy Christmas.

I thankyou one and all, blog friends around the world. I have had the pleasure of stitching with so many of you in person this year and many others on Facebook and here on the blog. You make my stitching life worthwhile.. It is a pleasure to share with you, inspire and be inspired, make and watch your making, share and be shared with.

Lets make 2013 even better.

I now leave you with these wishes as I take a short break to spend some time with my family before it  moves to an new era – with my first born leaving the nest for parts unknown… to explore the beauty and wonder of the wider world.

All my best wishes for a safe, happy and wonderful Season full of memories made and moments cherished..

and may Santa fill your sack with stitching goodies

hugs for 2012

Helen

emergency – missing santa sack!

oh dear we have searched high and low – in the ceiling and under the house with the spiders – but Tillys santa sack cannot be found….

Did we lend it to you?

Or maybe it is just buried in here somewhere??

back to the search, only 3 more sleeps til the big man visits…it must be found…

hugs

Helen

things that bring me joy

just because…..

My little dancing princess…always dancing….

hugs today and every day from mummy