Where have the weeks gone! It is hard to believe that it is Easter already. Christmas doesn’t seem so long ago.
We have had a busy term with the repainting of our classroom areas, the resumption of classes, workshops with Maree Talbot and the everyday busyness of the shop. Next week Trish Burr will be visiting the shop from South Africa and will conduct a series of workshops. We are delighted to welcome Trish to Brisbane as well as to welcome a number of students who have travelled from New Zealand, Perth, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and far north Queensland to attend these workshops. Trish Burr will be giving a slide show presentation on Colour for Embroidery on Wednesday from 9.30am until approx 11.00am. The presentation includes topics such as how colour enhances our embroidery, what brings our embroidery to life, choosing colours for our embroidery and which colours look good together and why. Founded on the author’s personal experience with colour through trial and error over the years, the information in this presentation is based on Trish’s new book Colour Confidence for Embroidery released in late 2011. Although based on long and short stitch the principles could be applied to any form of counted or surface embroidery. Please contact the shop if you would like to attend this presentation. Cost is $20.00.
On the 14th April, Debbie and I will be flying to Adelaide to attend Beating Around the Bush – a needlework convention held every 2 years. While at the Convention Debbie and I will be attending a beginner class in Japanese Embroidery with margaret Lee. This is a form of embroidery neither of us has tried before and we are therefore eagerly looking forward to it. I will let you know how we go in my next blog.
On Wednesday 18th April there is to be a Market Day at BATB and we will have a stall. We have spent the last couple of days choosing the stock to take – a very difficult job as there is so much to choose from and only limited ability to get it to Adelaide. Be sure to come and visit us at our stall if you are at the event.
Latest products in stock include a large range of Evertite Stretcher bars – a new product for us but one which I am sure will be very popular. With this system of stretcher bars, there is no need to keep moving the tacks to tighten or loosen your work – simply adjust the bars with the T-Tool (sold separately).
We also have slate frames, ratchet frames, Stitch master frames, E Z frames and stretcher bars.
With winter on its way, we have wool blanketing in stock in a variety of colours as well as cashmere blanketing. Get it now while there is a large choice of colours!
The book “Home Sweet Home” by Carolyn Pearce has been extremely popular with many ladies embarking on this project to stitch. We have all the requirements you need for the work box and accessories – just give us a call or email us with the items you need and we can prepare them for you.

Victoria Sampler has released a new pattern – Pansy Pincushions. I made the small pin cushion the other night and it is just gorgeous! It is a quick and easy project and makes a perfect gift. Ideal for Mothers’ Day.
We also have just received Just Nan’s Pinball tins – ooh are they cute! Another ideal gift.
Next month Margaret Light will be visiting the shop to conduct a Deerfield workshop as well as teaching her Violet hussif design. These are gorgeous projects – don’t miss out. Jenny McWhinney will be visiting to teach her Camel rug and also her Birdsong Blanket. These blankets are amazing and certainly worth considering as a workshop to do.
Have a safe and happy Easter and until next time, happy Stitching!

A very belated welcome to another year of stitching. Already it is off to a busy start with February nearly over. Where has the time gone???
We have been very busy at the shop since reopening. We had some minor renovations carried out in our first week of reopening, giving our classroom areas a much needed makeover. Once completed, classes recommenced and we were thrilled to welcome back all our existing ladies and to welcome a number of new ladies. With so many different projects being worked on in classes, one can’t help but be inspired!
We have been receiving loads of new stock this year to tempt you with. Earlier in the week we received a large shipment of Crewel Kits from the UK. With so many to choose from it is hard to decide. be sure to have a look.

These images are just a few of the kits we have available.
Yesterday we unpacked a large selection of kits from Trish Burr of South Africa. Using long and short stitch, these projects are amazing. The instructions are very comprehensive and many of the designs are suitable for all levels of embroiderers.



We have noticed that there has been an increased interest in cross stitch charts this year. We have recevied more Mirabilia charts into stock as well as other cross stitch charts and kits with more due to arrive in the next week or so. We will keep you posted on these.
Our usual supplies of threads, wools and other embroidery essentials are continuously being topped up.
be sure to have a look at our website or if you are in or around the Brisbane area, come in.

Unfortunately my techno-savy computer skills failed me on the recent tour to Hong Kong and China and I was unable to update my blog as hoped. Sorry! So although we have now all returned I will give you a brief summary of some of the activities we engaged in while on the tour.

Our first activity was a class on Chinese knots where we all made christmas tree decorations using several traditional knots and Chinese braid. Although some of us took a little longer to master this craft (I am not sure if I have too many or too few fingers) we all completed our decorations in the class and were thrilled with the results.

We visited the Stanley markets (always a popular shopping playground), enjoyed High Tea in the Madarin Oriental, and visited the Textile and beading precincts of Hong Kong where we lost ourselves in little shops and alleyways.

We travelled by coach to Shenzhen for the day where many bargains (and bargaining skills) were found.We enjoyed a lesson in pearl stringing and were all able to parade our skills in the necklaces we wore home.

We flew from Hong Kong to Shanghai where we took a bus to the province of Suzhou. There we enjoyed seval days of classes in traditional Chinese embroidery. The tutors we had were all very patient and their skills amazing. The project we all worked on was larger than expected and it will take many more hours of embroidery time to complete – a UFO to work on next year! 

We also visited a silk factory which was a real highlight. Observing the process from beginning to end was fascinating and some of us even assisted in the stretching of a piece of silk being used in the making of a silk doona.

We returned to Shanghai, a city I have never visited before, but one which I thoroughly enjoyed and would like to return to. A combination of old and new, it was a fascinating city and although we had time for only a small glimpse of it, we all enjoyed what we saw. After several days of stitching we all indulged in massages which were just what we all needed! We visited the Textile Museum of Shanghai and some of us enjoyed a tour of the city on an open deck bus.

Upon our return to Hong Kong we visited several local residents who are textile collectors and were privileged to view parts of their collections. The embroidery on some of the robes we saw was breathtaking – the detail, colours and stitching!

We also enjoyed some of the sights of Hong Kong – The Peak, the Wet markets, the Western markets, Man Mo Temple, Cat Street markets, Hollywood Road to name a few. We indulged in some fabulous food and after 12 days away came home with heavier bags, lighter purses and richer for the experiences we all enjoyed.

The Allthreads Challenge closed last week and the names of all ladies who sent us entries were popped into a bag and the winner drawn out. The winner was Shirley Luttrell of St Ives in NSW. Congratulations Shirley! You have won a voucher for $100.00.

We were thrilled by the entries that we received in our Challenge. They were all very original and very different. Congratulations and well done to everyone who took part – I hope that you enjoyed stitching the Challenge as much as we have enjoyed admiring your finished pieces.

This was the first time we have done anything like this and we certainly enjoyed running the Challenge. A big thank you to Gumnut Yarns who donated the silk threads that we were able to put in the goody bag. As well as the red and white Stars silks, the bags contained some pearl beads, linen fabric, a button and some filling. From these bits and bobs the ladies created their needle accessories.

We hope to offer a different Challenge next year.

With only a few days left to enter our Challenge, we are hoping for some last minute entries.
The latest entry is from Sarah Lark, who has designed, with a French touch, a Thimble Pocket with the words ‘dè á coudre’ meaning thimble, monogrammed on the pocket.

Another gorgeous entry!

The Allthreads Challenge closes on the 1st November so if you have not yet submitted your entry, hurry and do so now. All entries will go into a draw for a prize of a Gift Voucher to the value of $100.00. The entries are not judged – it is a draw.You just have to be in it to win it!

The latest entry has come from Agnes Sciberras of the ACT who has stitched a pin cushion and called it “Memories of Paris” – how true! What a beautiful pin cushion – far too nice to stick pins into.

We have been really thrilled by the entries into our Challenge. Many of the ladies who have entered have commented that it has taken them out of their comfort zones by having to create, rather than follow a pattern. Hence the name “Challenge”. It is however all the more rewarding to complete the design knowing it is all yours. It also gives us an appreciation of the efforts that designers go to in creating unique pieces.

Issue 72 of Inspirations has now been published and we are expecting our copies any day. In this edition you will find a very cute blanket from Jan Kerton – Monkey Business, a Deerfield design by Deborah Love, silk embroidery by Helen Stevens, a monogrammed sewing organiser by Julie Grau, a Christmas Sampler by Susan O’Connor and more. As well as the magazine we have the supplies for projects in the magazine including the kits for Jan’s blanket.

Also new to the shop this week are a number of new designs from Mill Hill including Christmas Trees, Tiny Treasure Diamonds, Christmas ornaments and the Magi Trilogy. Be quick – these kits will not last!

If you are looking to make a Christmas stocking this year, we have the full range of Shepherd’s Bush Stocking charts as well as a full range of charm packs. With the Aust dollar so well matched, the price of these charts has not been better. The latest stocking – Thomas’ Stocking- is also now in stock.

We have also been able to obtain supplies of Bead Gravy sets, which we have been out of for a while, and are back to having the full range in stock.

While our sale is on, come in and get your supplies!

A reminder that our Spring Sale in on this week. All stock is reduced by a massive 20%!
Sale is available online and instore for all products on hand. It doesn’t apply to preordered items or backorders and there will be no rainchecks.
Sale finishes at lunchtime on Saturday so hurry in and don’t miss out.

The latest entries into the Allthreads Challenge demonstrate the diversity of needlework accessories.
Louise Thorsen has made a very pretty biscornu pin cushion using the given materials.

                                      

Shirley Luttrell addded some doctor’s flannel and made a needlecase and little pin cushion.

     

Shirley has advised that the stitches used in construction and design were:
Running stitch, Whipped Chain, Blanket stitch, Hem stitch, Stem stitch, Spaced Coral stitch, Backstitch; plus twisted cord.

Thank you so much ladies for taking part in the Challenge. We are certainly enjoying seeing the entries come in.

This week we have received a couple more entries into the Allthreads Challenge. Margie Booth has made a ‘Porte-aiguilles’, or needlecase. 

She has  embroidered all of the words in French to add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’! It is gorgeous and very French! 

                                                                         

We also received an entry from Glenda Strachan called Knot Garden.

We are thrilled to have these entries in the Allthreads Challenge. The Challenge is open for entry until the 1st November so keep them coming girls! Remember it is not a competition – all entries go into a draw and a name is pulled out. It is just a bit of fun at the end of which you have a useable sewing accessory and not just “a bag of bits”. By posting the photos on the blog, hopefully we will inspire other embroiderers to have a go at creating their own needlework accessories.