New Website and Blog

 I have been busy working behind the scenes. There is a new website happening and I am putting everything on the website including the blog. You will still be able to access my Blogger blog for information but all the new blog post will be on the website. You can find it here.

I only hoping anything in the one place will make it easier to find everything, So pop over and check out the new look and tell me what you think. You will find the shop, the blog, Class/workshop program, and there will be a helpful tips section coming soon. Just a few other things I need to learn to get that sorted.

It has been a big learning curve and there is still more to go.

Until Next Time over at the new blog

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

My Stitching Snapshot #13

 I am still struggled to stay on top of things. Though it's seem the world is struggling, so I am not alone in this daily struggle of life. I have had some blissful moments at the machine, though nowhere near long enough. I had big hopes of get my Glacier Star quilt to top stage before the end of July. It did not happen, bur the centre is all together. That counts for something, There was progress, but not quite enough of it.

I had to lay out what I had completed to work out what needed to be done next and make sure I had stuffed anything.

Busy at the machine.

The centre is completed, which is fantastic. There is still plenty of work to go.

I will keep working on it, at least it is all cut. I just need some more sewing time. Simple as that.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

It's quiet around here

 It has been a little while since I have posted here. So you may think not a lot is happening. In reality it is the opposite, so much is happening that I haven't had time to write any post. Something had to be dropped while other stuff needed to be done. I wish I could keep up with everything, but it is just not possible. 

The biggest project happening at the moment is the upgrade to the website. A whole new look, new features, easy to use for all I hope and a lot more features for the future. Basically it will be a new home for Cynthia's Ark.

Plus there should be room for us to grow with the new site. Another big learning curve for me.

Along with that going on in the background we are have Christmas in July through the whole month with some in store specials and workshop program. Sorry to my online followers with the website out of action theses specials are in store only, but I am happy to take phone orders within Australia. If you see something over the month and can't get to the shop, don't hesitate to call me and place an order. The big special for July is all Christmas fabric is 20% off including the new arrivals. This special runs for the whole month of July.

On top of the fabric special each week we will have another special running to tempt you even more to visit the shop in person. This week we have a favourite of mine. I love running it and I probably should run it more often. It is the Panel Special.  Buy 3 panels for the price of 2. Select 3 panels and the cheapest panel is free.   We have a good variety of panels. As you can see the panel section is full and I still have more to hang that have arrived recently. Our variety of Australian themed panels have  double recently with map panels,  more animals and landscape views being added to current panel stock.

Don't forget our panel competition too. That is running until November. Purchase one of the specially marked panel pack, make a quilt following the rules and submit your finished project by November to go into the draw to win a Cynthia's Ark gift voucher. There is 3 vouchers to winner.

 Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Missed it by that much

It's been a while since I had some sewing time. It has been busy with the Sewing Stitching & Handicraft Show, teaching and running the shop. 

So today I got a little session in with the ladies  for Friday Project Uninterrupted.  I have finished hand stitching the binding down on my 3 yard quilt and some new hand stitching will be needed. So I thought I would stitch on the binding on the one I finished quilting in April.

Now I have done this step many times over the years, so sometimes I get lazy and guess how many strips I need to bind a project. Today was one of those days and I missed it by this much.

As you can see it looks like I cut a bit off, which is exactly what I did. I cut a piece off for the label, as I  couldn't find a piece in the scrap box suitable.

So in the end I had to cut another strip to make up the shortfall to complete it. 

So now I have some more hand stitching for the evenings. Then I will be able to cross another project off my list.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

One Monthly Goal- April's Goal Completed

 April was a blur. It started off busy and continued through the month, leaving me short on time to do much myself. I set myself  to finish quilting this quilt. You can see my goal setting post here.  It is two days in to the new month and I am only posted it now.

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Now the month is coming to a close I can tell you I have finished the quilting all the way to the outside borders. I didn't get to binding it, but that is ok as I didn't think I would get there. The main aim was to finish quilting it, That job was done.

Some pictures of the back to show you the quilting in more details.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

3 Yard Quilt Books

 I have some new books in stock, they are from Donna Robertson of Fabric Cafe and they are part of an ongoing series of books featuring 3 yards of fabric. That makes a lap quilt and one of the cool things about these books is she includes have to make these quilts in to larger quilts.

Since I have the books I had to make a stack of bundles to go with them.

There is eight patterns in each book  and most pattern can be achieved in a day to quilt top level. They are also easily adjusted to larger versions. 

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

One Monthly Goal- April's Goal

Now some would say March was a bust by not completing my goal. I am taking a different view on that, with the fact I did complete half of the blocks I set myself. Progress counts, and the job is now half the size it was at the beginning of March. That other half can wait for another time, though I may slip them in if time permits.

This month I think I want to do some quilting, after running a rulerwork workshop in March I want to do some more. I have this quilt to be quilted. I did start the quilting a couple of weeks ago but the aim is to finish the quilting. Binding would be a bonus but not likely with my load for April.

 I have linked my post to Elm Street Quilts goal setting post, so pop over and check out what everyone is working on.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching 

Cynthia

Cynthia's Ark Panel Quilt Competition

Panels make great quick quilts but sometimes you get stuck on how to use a panel. At Cynthia’s Ark we always have a great range of panels for these quick quilts for any occasion.  I often make a panel quilt up to show off how to use a panel but this year I am going challenge you to create a panel quilt from the panel packs I have put together.

Purchase a panel pack of your choice from the Competition range and create a quilt from it. Here are rules you need to follow to participate and yes there will be some prizes to win at the end.

1.       You must use some of each fabric in the pack.

2.       You can add up to 4 more fabrics

3.       You can only use the panel packs included in this competition.

4.        Finished size is up to you but to enter, it has to be completed. Quilt tops will not count.

5.       This competition is open to all skill levels.

6.       Competition starts the 1^st April 2021.

7.       All entries have to be submitted by email to Cynthia’s Ark or bring it in to the store to be photographed by the 1^st November 2021.For email In the Subject line put CA Panel Competition

8.       You must be an Australian resident to be eligible to enter.

9.       One entry per kit.

10.   Panel packs can be purchased in store or online. They are marked on the website and are on special.

11.   Once you submit your quilt, note I will be sharing pictures of the entries on my social media accounts.

12.   Winners will be selected at random on the 12^th November 2021 in store.

Prizes

1^St Price $50 Cynthia’s Ark Gift Voucher

2^nd Prise $25 Cynthia’s Ark Gift Voucher

3^rd Prize $10 Cynthia’s Ark Gift Voucher

The main aim of this project is to get creative and have some fun.

These are the packs I have put together so far and each kit comes with the competition instructions included. 

Cynthia’s Ark 7 Wasleys  Rd Mallala South Australia 5502                                                                     Website: www.cynthiasark.com.au Email: cyn@cynthiasark.com.au 

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Panel Time at Cynthia's Ark

I love how easy a panel quilt can come together. They make great quick presents for all sorts of occasions. I have made my share of them over the years.  You can keep them simple or you can go to town on them and create an elaborate creation. Though sometimes a panel can stump you an it takes a bit longer to work out how you can use it.

These two quilts features 2 panels each, the centre panel and then I have cut a second block panel up and added it to the top and bottom of the centre panel with extra borders to create a single bed size  quilt.

This is the current panel quilt that I am quilting. Very effective. It will look like a pieced quilt once I am done. All I have added is the last two borders. The quilting of each section will create\the pieced effect.

Now I know you are wondering why I am sharing these panel quilts. I have a challenge for anyone who wants to join in featuring panels. Come back on the 31st March to find out more.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

My Stitching Snapshot #11

 Sewing time has been lean in the last couple of weeks. Though there has been some quilting time. On Sunday I ran a Rulerwork workshop which means I had my machine set up for demostrating. You know what that means! I had some time do some extra work on my projects.

This one is at the top of my list to finish and yes I got started on it Sunday afternoon,  

Thursday afternoon saw me back quilting a bit more on Sunday's project.  

Friday had me back doing more Rulerwork for a workshop sample and a secret project using Tilda's Gardenlife range which will be released in May 

On Saturday I was back to my Quiltworx Glacier Star quilt completing my centre blocks.

It has been an interesting week of sewing and very nice to have some quiling time.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

My Stitching Snapshot #10

 Here is what I was stitching this week.

Sunday I had a good session at the machine and got through part one of three on this section and started on two.

Monday I was out and about so not a lot of time for stitching but did get the binding sewn on to my lastest project. Now for the hand stitching.

Tuesday I got one block for my American Honey completed only five more to go.

Wednesday was a busy day, no sewing during the day, so after dinner I decided to set the machine  up and get a couple of hours in. I got as far as turning the lights on and putting the machine on the table and the power went out. That stuffed my plan up and the power wasn't due to return to 1 am. No sewing.

Thursday was looking promising the plan was an afternoon of sewing. I did get to the machine for a couple of hours and got all the TPR marked and the vein added to finish off this group of my Coral Reef.

Friday saw me do some secret Tilda sewing. No picture today for you but next week I can start to share what is going on. After the Tilda  sewing I did do some more work on my Glacier Star.

Saturday saw me doing preparing some applique pieces for my Coral Reef quilt.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Show your Stripe Blog Hop Winner

 On my day of the Show your Stripe Blog Hop I had a giveaway for a beautiful striped fabric bundle.

                                            This was the bundle of beautiful stripes.

All you had to do was leave me a suggestion on how to finish my quilt. A border or not?

The winner was Kathy S who suggested a red border and let the quilting sing in the border.  I have sent Kathy an email on how to collected her prize.  

Thank you to everyone visited my blog and left me a comment to entered.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Dust off a Quilt Book Blog Hop

When Bea asked about Dust off a Quilt Book Blog Hop this year I couldn't say no. I loved this one last year and was really excited to participated again.  Thanks to Bea for doing this one again. Here is the schedule. We are up to day 3 on this blog hop.

MONDAY 3/1

Words and Stitches

 Samelia’s Mum

High Road Quilter

TUESDAY 3/2

  Karin’s Crazy World

Lemon Tree Snippets

 Anjaquilts

WEDNESDAY 3/3

Beaquilter

   Cynthia’s Creating Ark   (You are Here)

  A Quilting Readers Garden

THURSDAY 3/4

Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Quilting Patchwork Applique

 The Darling Dogwood

 Creatin’ in the Sticks

FRIDAY 3/5

Beaquilter

Quilting at the farm

 Kathleen McMusing

Looking through my quilt books I found this one. It even had the receipt in it from when I purchased it, back in 2013 for $10 in the USA. So really it hasn't been in my collection all that long.

Though it was published in 1999.

Looking through the book I found a few  quilts I would like to make but I knew I had to keep it simply. The harder ones will have to wait.

I found this one, a simply four patch in reproduction fabrics with some wide sashing. My plan was to dig into my reproduction scraps for this one. 

 The instructions in this book are all old school instructions.  No rotary cutting instructions just templates making instructions and lots of square cutting. 

I got stuck in to making the four patch blocks and once I laid the blocks out into rows  so I could audition fabric for the sashing I decided to make the quilt longer than wider.

More four patch blocks to make before sashing the rows together.

Sashing and first border on. I did reduce the sashing width too.

By the time I got to the borders I was running out of time. So I got the last border the night before my day on the blog hop.

Quilting it will have to wait for another time but I am very happy with it.

I did try and be random when I pieced the four patch blocks. I hope you enjoyed stopping by and please check out what everyone else hs done for this blog hop.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia