Hugs from Helen

A gathering of Stitchers

Last Sunday was our memorable annual Autumn Gathering -  a little earlier than usual because of a very busy couple of months ahead - but the sun shone and we thought of everything but the impending change of season.

The lovely Marg Low was our guest tutor this year. I have always loved her work - small and oh so cute little projects using combinations of painted wooden buttons, felt applique and cotton applique and I knew that our group of ladies would also love her.

 

Jo as normal with the help of Judy and myself came up with a beautiful setting with lots of goodies and treats to make the day extra special for all.

This year however she kept them in supsense until we said they could open them - with an official opening recorded live on Instagram... did you see us?

 

Tess came through yet again with sugary treats

 

and so much yummy food for all

 

Lot's of lovely stitching of course - and a few finishes even...


Visitors from all across Australia from Perth to Melbourne to many new and old local friends..

We were in two minds as to whether to continue our gathering events... everything has its time and we were wondering if maybe we were ready for a change.. however of course everyone pleaded for another - so our Christmas gathering dates have been locked in for Sunday 24th November - lock it in ladies

or to be sure, you can book and pay your deposit now to hold your spot..

 

I look forward to seeing lots of finished projects on Instagram ladies....  

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

They stitched with Helen & Nat

we head yet another wonderful day of stitching and sharing on Sunday here in Hobart.

As always my wonderful friend Jo added all of the special touches, this time aided by Judy – another one of my wonderful team who keep me on track..

the room looked amazing, in fact many said they felt like they were walking into a wedding!

One day I think Jo will be an event organiser or decorator…http://www.thebirdhouse.com.au/http://www.thebirdhouse.com.au/

Natalie Bird of The Birdhouse had travelled down from Brisbane to share her project on the day (and sorry I don’t have a pic of the gorgeous little needlebook she designed for the day – but Im sure someone will share it)

 

My project was this useful little project bag. It is perfect for storing your project for stitching on the go – in fact I think I need to make about ten of these…. I went a complete blank on a name for this so it is called ‘Vicky Victoria’ – meaning nothing at all, it just came to me..It has a little clear vinyl window so you can see which project you are grabbing to take to stitching group today. I included some gluestick applique (and I even pre printed all the shapes onto the Applique paper for the girls so they could get right into learning and appliqueing) And I used one of my favourite lace zippers so no insertion required

of course there was plenty of stimulation, inspiration and retail therapy available…

a little instruction and charity work to be done..and as always, we put a lot of love into yummy treats to keep the energy levels going.. Thanks once again to my three very clever girls for catering..We finished the day with lots of show n tell – Dee and Diane are always gold star finishers – they had many more to show…

a huge thanks to all who travelled from near and far to share the day, to Jo, judy, Linda, Molly, Tess and Tilly for working hard to make it happen and of course to Nat – it was lovely to chat and catchup for a few days

our next day was announced and details and bookings can be found on our website here.

hugs for today
Helen

PS: we have a few spare kits for Vicky Victoria available on the website also.

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

Travelling teacher……

I’ve had a busy couple of weeks, but it has been wonderful to feel some sun on my shoulders and meet and stitch with some lovely ladies from around the country..

First it was up to the lovely Sunshine coast for Sew, Stitch, Sea

with Lynette Anderson

at the Marcoola Ramada resort…

A room full of excited ladies busting at the seams to get in the door…

We each setup shop – mine from a suitcase, Lynette's from her store just across the street (oh and what a delight her little store is – you have to visit!)

Each of us had a new project – they did both turn out to be little bags (we should have talked) but they were very different and both were very well received. I can only show peeks as Im using this project for a couple more days yet and my ladies love a surprise…

a few days home and then it was back on a plane to Victoria and a lovely drive to Port Campbell- wow what a beautiful place-  how have I This time it was for Linda of Gum Valley Patchwork Stitch in Spring. This time I was teaching with Gail Pan.

now Linda does these days well, that’s why they book out in 2 hours – two days full of stitching women…

Its all her special touches..

everyone got a spcial hand made bag using my fabric which was special to see… 132 of them! Linda do you sleep?

with handmade flower vases on each table and lots of other goodies in their bags.

The venue was amazing

who wouldn’t be happy stitching with this view?

Linda luckily had managed to secure both my new fabric range Fancywork Box and Gails new range of fabric just in time in an advance shipment for the occasion…and she made it all look so pretty

The ladies received two projects each from Gail & I so had plenty of choice… some progress above – and the finished mug rugs – which were sitting safely on my ironing board at home to be packed – woops!

It was so lovely to revisit with old friends and meet up with those who have been ‘stalking’ (sorry Miriam, online friends) for many years… she made me a little cupcake – how lucky am I?

 

On my quick drive back to the airport I had to take a little detour to see where Gum Valley Patchwork normally lives… how cute is this?  so many memories of my childhood in the country not that far away….

and now its home and back to work!!!! no travels for a few weeks for me now…. but plenty to keep me busy

hugs for today – and watch this space for the new mug rug patterns coming in the next week or so….

Helen

A stitching Affair 2015

They came……

they oohed…..

they eeeeeked……

they ahhhed…..

they stitched….

they chatted….

they learnt…..

they persisted….

they made a mess……

they laughed….

they achieved…..

they kept on keeping on…..

they played……

and they vowed to return next year….

hugs to all

Helen

Stitching with Lynette and myself..

what a lovely day many women had in Hobart yesterday.

After a fantastic gathering two years ago Lynette returned to town for a wonderful day of stitching in Hobart.

Jo as always worked her magic with the little touches and made the room look welcoming…..

and then managed to sit and enjoy the day with friends…

Lynette had lots to demonstrate and share with the girls..

a full room of lovely women all inspired to stitch…and chat, and eat and learn

The food of course was very important

and ably served by Molly, Tess and Lara in the kitchen – thanks girls

Linda was a lifesaver in the ‘shop’ and Belinda helping out Lynette – lots of retail therapy was had by all.

thanks to one and all for making it such as special day…

We did take deposits for our Christmas gathering  - I will add the details to the website so you can register now and not miss out.

hugs for today

Helen

Stitch with me in Penola

Next week I head of on my first teaching adventure of the year..

Actually it combines a trip to home – (my home town and parents) as I didn't make it over the holiday season, but whilst there I offered to run some classes… who will I see from my childhood? It may feel a little strange to me, I'm sure this is not where they expected me to end up in life… me neither…

Anyway, I know a lot of you are wanting to see more of what we will be making so here goes….

 

Date:  Wed 18th - Sat 21st February 2015

Venue:the Habit Patch Church St Penola

Time: 10am - 4pm

Wednesday: Colourque & EPP Hexies

Workshop includes Morning tea, pattern notes.

Project: Belconnen Beauty - a small wallhanging or larger quilt centre panel. You will learn step by step the art of Colourque (coloured pencils on fabric to give an applique effect) plus our great iron on English paper pieced hexies.

Thursday: Applique the Hugs ‘n Kisses way (hand or machine)  Morning tea  and pattern notes included.

Birds of a Feather - small wallhanging or quilt panel using my simple gluestick applique technique. This project is more suited to the hand method with smaller pieces for this class. I will demonstrate the machine method during the day so you can choose your preferred method at home and for future projects.

Friday: English Paper Piecing and embroidery workshop Morning tea  and class notes included

Edelweiss Quilt - this quilt uses both the iron on English Paper pieced hexies and embroidery stitches. We will be making one circle of hexies on the day and one embroidery panel learning and perfecting several stitches.  You may purchase the full pattern pack for $40 (enough hexies and transfers to make the complete quilt)

or

just the class pack - enough hexies for one circle and one transfer will be included in your class.

 

Saturday: ’A gathering of stitchers’: two patterns and one kit included, hand work. Share, learn, inspire and stitch. $90. Morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea inc

Now a lot of you have expressed interest in coming but I need you to book! I will be packing Tuesday so I need to know how many kits/patterns to pack!  Contact Karen on 08 8737 3101 or Lori on 03 62787507 to book or email.

We will be sending out requirement lists by email this week or kits can be ordered from Karen.

 

hope to see you there

hugs for today

Helen

Happy new year!

can you believe it is nearly the end of January!!! please no….

Did you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year?

I spent a wonderful 9 day break Cruising to the South Pacific with my family – some well needed rest, two books and some stitching achieved.

Then it was maintenance week around home, some long awaited and required cleanups, fixups and freshen ups here…

Back to work, came with a nasty cold – 11 days now and counting, down and out, in bed, or not, coughing and dribbling…..  my payback for having a fully healthy year in 2014 I’m told…

But I can still stitch and am well into my list for the year.

So, thought I’d remind you of a few upcoming dates – yes I may be coming nearby to you and would love to stitch with you.

My First trip is to Bright VIC

I’ve JUST finished the project for this one, its being tested now, would you like a little peek?

From Bright I drive to my hometown of Penola South Australia where I will be doing three days of workshops – one on one technique instruction with small classes – one to not miss!

Then we’ll finish with a Gathering on the Saturday-  started this project today!!! so no peeks yet.. but our class projects are:

Colourque and hexies

Hexies and embroidery

and my gluestick applique technique

then back here to Hobart for a day with Lynette Anderson – this one is almost sold out so be quick to book.

 

For my US friends, I’d really like to see some friendly faces to enjoy this with me…..

This is filling fast but its not too late to join in… it will be a first for me – I am so excited both to be teaching on a cruise and secondly to Alaska!!!! wow…

now that’s enough for me to think about for now so I am sure it is for you also…

I know I am a slack blogger nowadays and don’t find the time to write lovely long blog posts for you all – so please follow me on Instagram (where you see every post) or like me on Facebook (where they decide what you see – so comment or like often and you won’t miss out)  for daily peeks and tidbits of my stitching world.

hugs and happy new year to all

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