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.

This afternoon we received another entry into the Allthreads Challenge. This entry from Rebecca Jacobs is beautiful. Congratulations and well done!
   
Although everyone started with the same bag of goodies, each entry is so different. Keep them coming girls!!

As has been mentioned in previous posts on our blog, at the Koala Convention held in July this year, we issued the Allthreads Challenge, giving to participants of the convention, a small bag containing a piece of linen, red and white Gumnut Stars threads, some polyfil, a red/white button and some pearls. From this we issued the Challenge to design and stitch a needlework accessory. Entries are due in by the 1st November with all entries going into a draw for a shop voucher of $100.00. To date we have only received a small handful of entries, however this week we were thrilled to receive some new entries into the draw. Photos of these entries from Miriam Perkins (on the left) and Debbie Muir (on the right)are attached. Well done and thank you!

If you have stitched your Challenge, please send us a photo. If you haven’t started stitching, you still have time!