Happy New Year

Just wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Lets have lots of stitching fun this year. I am working on a couple interesting projects that you will be able to join in on.

 

Enjoy yourselves

Cynthia

 

PS It is the last day of our big sale at www.cynthiasark.com.au there is still plenty of bargains available. So pop over and get yourself some bargains.

 

Celtic Solstice #2

What a busy week it has been with Christmas Day in the middle. But I have managed some sewing on the Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt. I was a bit behind if you saw last weeks post. I have put in some extra time on this project to catch up, but I was naughty and I skipped Clue 3 the half square triangles and pin wheels when I saw Clue 4 the four patch blocks, I couldn't help myself  it is one of my favourites.

I did manage to get back to Clue 2 and whip up a stack more of the chevron blocks .

So that brings me back to Clue 3 the one I skipped and I have started on the half square triangles.

 

With Clue 5 being released last Friday I do feel like I have caught up a lot in the last week. I was hoping for 2-3 full days of sewing over the Christmas break but it hasn't worked out. I might have to revise that back to 1-2 days of sewing and maybe not full days.

 

To view other Celtic Solstice  mystery quilts in progress click this link  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-5.html

 and I will keep everyone updated with my progress.

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

 Our sale at www.cynthiasark.com.au is on until the 1st January 2014 and there is still plenty of bargains available.

 

End of the Year Sale.

It is sale time at Cynthia's Ark. We have a range of products on special until the 1st January 2014. Visit www.cynthiasark.com.au to grab a few bargains.
 Fabric specials start at $5 a metre. Minimum cut is only 50cm.
Charm Square packs start at $7.00. Normally $14 +
Fabric bundles start at $25.00  Normally $32-$40 +
Plus there is more on offer.

Noteworthy Charm Square pack

Sasha gift boxed bundle.

Pink Spring Batik Fabric

Batik Christmas fabric

Butterflies fabric

Some of the products on special.

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

Merry Christmas

Just wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Blissful New Year. Enjoy your celebrations and stay safe.   

                                                          Until next time  Cynthia

Celtic Solstice Clue #1

I am a little behind in Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt. As clue #4 was just released and I'm only starting clue #2. Hopefully with some time off over Christmas I might be able to catch up. Here is some pictures of where I am up to.

 These are my stacks of blocks from Clue #1. I am using the Inklingo method to piece this quilt and I hand pieced these blocks.

 

The first block from clue #2 is done and it measure up to the right size. It is one of the many great advantages in using Inklingo, with the stitching line printed on the fabric it is hard to go wrong. I think I better repress this one I might need a refresher on pressing look at this close up.  So let hope I can sew a few of these up quickly.

To view other Celtic Solstice  mystery quilts in progress click this link  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up_4572.html
 and I will keep everyone updated with my progress.

Visit www.cynthiasark.com.au for a range of specials on offer until the 31st December 2013. Don't forget our Hot Deal of the Day you just never know what you might find on super special for just 24 hours.
                               Until next time Keep Stitching
                                         Cynthia

Christmas Presents ready to go

I have finished all the handmade presents, most of them have been wrapped, posted or giving. So I thought I would share a few pictures of the completed projects as I shared some earlier pictures.

A selection of my Christmas cards I made this year. It has been a couple of years since I made my own as I am lucky to have a card making friend (Mandy) who has looked after me with some cards.

This is what was created from the hexagons I cut out. Christmas pin cushions. You can never have too many.

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

 

 

 

New Projects Started

Today I spent the day preparing fabrics for 2 new projects. Both projects are going to be sewn using the Inklingo method of printing onto fabric using an inkjet printer.   You cut out the shapes with your rotary cutter or scissors and then you sew them together by machine or by hand. (Your Choice)

Project 1 is a new design by me using hexagons and the Sweetness range of fabrics in stock at www.cynthiasark.com.au but will work with any range that has a border stripe in it.

                                       Fabric printed with hexagons ready for cutting and sewing.

Project 2 is Bonnie Hunters Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt and I am using the Inklingo method but Bonnie has instructions on other methods of piecing this project. So it is up to you.

                  Fabric selection for the Bonnie Hunter Celtic Solstice Mystery quilt.

A close up of the triangles printed on fabric from Clue #1

                      Fabric all printed ready for cutting and sewing from Clue #1 and #2.

You can find more information on printing on fabric at www.inklingo.com  Linda has some great tutorials to get you started.

For Bonnie's mystery quilt go to www.quiltville.blogspot.com for more information or to join the fun.

All fabric featured in this post is available  for purchase at www.cynthiasark.com.au and don't forget our 12 days of Christmas promotion is running so it is a good time to make a purchase because every order receives a present.
                                         Until next time keep stitching
                                                     Cynthia

12 Days of Christmas starts today

Starting today our 12 days of Christmas promotion is on. Each day there will be a different gift on offer when you place an order at www.cynthiasark.com.au This is our easiest promotion, just place an order and you will receive a Christmas Gift in your order.  A early Christmas present from us to you. Every order will get a present until the 24th December. You are welcome to place as many orders as like. There is a number of specials across the shop, eg fabric bundles, patterns, threads, fabrics.
Don't forget to visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cynthias-Ark/292822084166540  for more special offers, tutorials, patterns, freebies.

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

What is everyone up to this weekend?

This weekend I am taking the chance to do some cooking. I have a few recipes to try and I thought  I would make a day of it.

 As we are not big Christmas cake or pudding fans. I am trying my hand at making a brioche with sultanas and a little mixed peel. (A little bit like the Italian cake) Something light and fruity.  Let say we are having a trial run as I am adjusting a recipe to achieve this cake.

It is really tasty with a little butter but I think it needs a little more fruit.

Next is the halloumi cheese experiment. I brought myself a cheese making kit a while ago and I have had a go at ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese and quark cheese so far.  This is the hardest cheese so far, I am working my way through the book. It turns out it is easier then I thought it was going to be. It isn't the prettiest looking block of cheese but at least it worked.

With the left over whey from the cheese I couldn't resist making a loaf of soda bread I substitute the whey for the buttermilk in the recipe. It works a treat.The rest of the whey gets diluted and go out to the garden to give the strawberries a feed. Don't like to see it go down the drain if I can use it elsewhere. Yummy it only take 5 minutes to mix and 30 minutes in the oven and you have fresh bread.

Finally I am making gingerbread biscuits as Christmas treats. I have stars, trees and gingerbread man cutters. So I am giving them a go as something different. We had one each just to test them. I am looking forward to decorating them.

Until next time
Cynthia

Christmas Presents at Cynthia's Ark

December is under way and everyone is busy preparing for Christmas. At www.cynthiasark.com.au we have put together some specials for you, just in time for Christmas. We have our pre-cut fabric bundles on special including our gift boxed packs and our latest arrivals. These are perfect for last minute gifts for friends and family or for yourself.

This is our Pink batik gift boxed pack.

This is our Sasha fabric range gift boxed pack.

Also we have 6 new variety packs of Rajmahal Threads  in stock. Rajmahal has chosen the threads and packed them beautifully with bow and gift card. Each pack contains 11 skeins of their beautiful silk threads. There is blue, green, gold, Autumn, Silhouettes and rouge(red) packs to choose from. They are on special until Christmas or sold out for $22.00.

                                                                        Left to right Gold, Green, Autumn, Silhouettes and Rouge(Red).

And the blue pack.

 

Don't forget there is A Quilters Diary 2014. This diary is a must for every quilter out there, with a new design each week of the year. A diary always makes a good Christmas present.

 

All these items are available at www.cynthiasark.com.au right now for purchase.

 

 We will be have our 12 days of Christmas promotion starting on the 13th December. So be ready for more Christmas fun. I have a couple new surprises planned this year. I have had 12 months since our first one to come up with some more fun for this years 12 days of Christmas promotion.

 

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia