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

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

 

 

 

Barossa Craft Fair & Market

On Saturday 23rd November we were trading at the Barossa Craft Fair & Market in Tanunda. This is a yearly event in November. The event is organised by the Barossa Outside School Hours Care Services Inc. The weather was cool with a few showers. A nice change from last years heat. We had a good day trading. It is always good to catch up with some of our online customers in person and meet new ones. Here are some photos I took. The lighting isn't very good in the hall so the pictures aren't the best.

That was our last event for this year, but visit www.cynthiasark.com.au and check out our event listing for future events. I know there is already 3 events in the pipeline for us next year.

 

Until next time keep stitching.

Cynthia

November #3 -What have I been up to?.

After receiving the last shipment of batik fabrics I was inspired to create something new. I have created the pattern and picked my fabrics and although I haven't used any of the new fabrics in my newest creation, I have been able to included a batik mystery sampler pack. 

These are the fabrics I have picked. Two contrasting fabrics and a Batik Mystery Sampler pack(4 inch squares).

I will share more pictures when I start sewing.

 

Sunday started out early, I took the morning off. My husband and I took the boat up to Blanchetown and we went for a cruise up the River Murray to road test the repairs he had done. It was a beautiful morning for boating and being out on the water. On our return to Blanchetown we stopped long enough for a bite to eat before heading home.

 

So after lunch it was time to start preparation for the Barossa Craft Fair and Market. I needed to sort the fabric boxes out, tidy them up and restock them with all the new fabrics as we have not done a fair since the June long weekend. Then stock needs to be packed ready for Friday for loading. There is always so much to do before a fair.

A couple of the fabric boxes are ready to go, but there is still 3 more to finish. Fabric is cut, it just needs to be folded and packed.  Barossa Craft Fair & Market is on Saturday 23rd November 9.30am-3.30pm at the Tanunda Show Hall, Tanunda. The fair has over 50 stalls, Card/Scrapbook workshops, belly dancing demonstrations, light lunches, Devonshire teas and more.  It is a great place to get some of your Christmas shopping done and treat yourself to a day out.

 

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

 

PS I only have 45 more 6 inch batik log cabin blocks to go before I can start sewing the quilt top together.

 



November! What have I been up to?

November is here. So the festive season is just around the corner. Have you started your preparation for it? I have managed to plan some Christmas inspired projects. I have chosen star ornaments, Christmas themed pin cushions and my 3am brain storm this morning was some quilted Christmas cards. I will share some pictures once I have picked out some fabric and start sewing.
In the meantime let me share with everyone my table runner I am putting together as a shop sample featuring The Rivendale Collection Dottie Table runner pattern which is available at www.cynthiasark.com.au

As you can see it's not quite finished yet. If I get some time later today I will try to finish it. I don't do a lot of applique but this project isn't too hard so I jump in with my chosen colour selection (Nature's Basket Charm square pack by Blackbird Design) and some blue and brown fabric for the borders from my stash.  (Blueberry Crumbcake - Blackbird Design).  I will share the finished table runner later this week and you will be able to see it up close and in person if you attend the Barossa Craft Fair & Market 23rd November at the Tanunda Showground 9.30am-3.30pm. It is one of our favourite events of the year with over 50 stalls, food, entertainment and more on offer.  If you are interesting in coming email your postal address and I will post out  a leaflet with all the details plus a special Cynthia's Ark voucher to use on the day. email sales@cynthiasark.com.au

Speaking of craft fairs I am not trading at the Craft & Quilt Fair this year. I am giving it a miss this year after trading the last 2 years due to finance cost of the event and  I had lots of complaints after last year event from my customers not being able to get to my stall as I was sandwich between 2 larger stalls. So I am going to do some more research and see if I can find a solution to some of my problems. We do enjoy meeting our customers in person at these events and letting the customers see what we have, new products, and everyone favourite the specials we like to share. So stay tuned for the research results. I know if I keep my eyes open a solution will present itself.

Lastly to finish up today post don't forget to buy the November Homespun magazine this month to see what special offer we have running for all Homespun readers.

Until next time keep stitching
Cynthia

What do you prefer a fat quarter or a strip off the bolt?

Do you still buy fat quarters?  I was doing a fabric stash tidy up only because I was looking for a certain piece of fabric and noticed over the last couple of years I have tended to buy a strip off the bolt rather than buy fat quarters. So this got me thinking what is everyone else doing.

Fat quarters are just easy you just pick the ones you like and buy them. You don't have to put too much thought in to it.
When you buy off the bolt this brings up a number of questions you have to process.
Do I have a project in mind? Is it just for my stash? How much should I buy? How much is that going to cost? and the list goes on.
Thinking of the projects I have been piecing over the last year, strip piecing has played a big roll in my need to purchase off the bolt. I didn't realise I was doing it most of the time. I would go into a quilt shop and just purchase 30cm off the bolt unless I needed more for a project. (Yes I still shop at other quilt shops because I can't stock every fabric range out there in my shop.) Looking at what I have used. If there was any left over fabric it has found it way into my Farmer Wife Sampler project.

30cm piece off the bolt.

Fat Quarter

What do you prefer I would love to know?
Leave us a comment and the most interesting comment will receive a fabric bundle in their preference. This will help me decide if I should stock more fat quarter options or stick to the 30cm strip bundles.
Until next time keep stitching
Cynthia
 

Have you seen our Lucky Draw Strip packs?

New in stock Lucky Draw Strip Packs. We have created these interesting packs from the end of bolt pieces. Each pack contains 4 x 5 inch width of the fabric strips with no repeats in the pack.  These are a lucky dip product so it will be a surprise what you receive, but they are from our hand dyed batik fabric stock.
You can cut them up into 5 inch squares (32 x 5inch squares), just perfect for charm square patterns or you can cut them into 2 1/2 inch strips(8 x 2 1/2 inch strips), perfect for jelly roll patterns. You just need to work out how many squares or strips you need and then how many pack that works out to be and order what you need. These pack are now available at www.cynthiasark.com.au. at a super special price of $5.50 per pack. That is half price. We all love a bargain. There is limited stock so don't wait too long to order.

Packs wrapped ready for sale.

 

 

One of the packs before I wrapped it.

 

Keep stitching and I will stitch a few more log cabin blocks until next time we catch up.

Cynthia

Log Cabin Fever

Some of my log cabin blocks.

I have been bitten by the log cabin bug. I just can't help myself making more these blocks. Really how many blocks do I need? I haven't even worked out how big this quilt is going to be. I like a good lap quilt but I'm sure that won't make a dent into my 1 inch batik strip pile. The only pile that is decreasing is my blue pile because it is in every block.
Maybe I need to make more than 1 quilt. How about some green and red blocks that I can fashion into Christmas presents. Table runners, place mats, a tree skirt, an apron. Oh my god! When am I going to fit all that in. I might have to machine piece the Christmas ones or I might not make it.

To top all this off I am starting a new project next week. A project I have been wanting to tackle for a couple of years. A double wedding ring quilt. Kate at A Quilters Odyssey is having a workshop on the 26th October, so I booked myself in for it. It is always good to have some expert help on hand to bale me out if I get in to deep. (Not a strong swimmer you see. Ask some my friends. Lol!)         These are the fabrics I am considering.  Just not sure if I have it quite right yet.

Fabrics for my double wedding quilt.
 

I want to use similar colours to my lone star quilt that I made a few years ago. That was done in blues and greens. I may need to get a few opinions so I can refine my selection. Don't be shy.

Keep Stitching Cynthia.

 

What's new!

We received a parcel with Riley Blake Designs fabrics in it. So here they are. All available at www.cynthiasark.com.au at $21.00 a metre. They are featured on the home page under New Products in stock.

Evening Blooms

Zoofari

Just a  note on ordering fabric on the website to help anyone that needs it. All fabric is measured in 10cm increments and price that way. Let say you want 40cm of the Zoofari stripe you would type in 4 in the quantity box and you will receive a 40cm piece.  That is why the price is $2.10. That is for 10cm. It is the small grading this shop allow. Minimum cut is 20cm. You will find fat quarters in the fat quarter section.
Keep stitching
Cynthia

What's Happening at Cynthia's Ark!

We had a lovely group visit us on Thursday afternoon. So Wednesday afternoon was spent setting up the afternoon tea area and finishing off the last of fabric treats the ladies received. They got to browse through our current stock and clearance stock, see the new kids quilts up close, enjoy afternoon tea and hopefully they enjoy themselves as much as we enjoy their visit. A special thank you to Cathy for her help on Thursday. I really appreciated it.
Then Friday saw me sorting out a variety of bolts of fabrics for our weekend sale at www.cynthiasark.com.au That is only $5.00 a metre Sale! The floor is being finished and we have to clear the main room out shortly, so I thought it would be a good time for a sale. So you will find a variety fabrics on special for $5.00 a metre across the web shop. Some bolts don't have a lot left on them and some still have plenty. Just remember minimum cut for these fabric is 50cm. That isn't much really. It is great way to top up your stash, or if you need fabric for backing, or for your current project. To top Friday off  a shipment of fabric arrived.  I look forward to uploading the pictures here and on the  web shop shortly.
Keep Stitching (and I will continue with my log cabin batik scrap blocks)
Cynthia

See the floor, just concrete. Once it is done shop furniture will be next.

Some of the fabrics included in our That is only $5.00 a metre Sale!

Fabric Scraps! What to do with them?

Fabric Scraps! Do you keep all  your scraps of fabric or Do you give them away or Do you throw them out?  Everyone is different. I have been collecting my scraps for a while. You should see all my batik scraps. When I come to the end of a project I go through the left overs and anything smaller then 2 1/2 x 1 inch goes into the bin and the rest get sorted eventually. They then get sorted into different categories depending on the fabric. eg batik, reproduction, kids, modern, etc. Back in July I went on a quilting retreat with a great group of ladies courtesy of A Quilter's Odyssey. Over the weekend Sue share with us her scrap secrets, showing us what we could do with scraps and they should never put in the rubbish if you can do something else with it. Plus she showed us a number of completed projects she had done with scraps. 




Batik Scraps I have start to sort out.



My Scrap Box

This got me thinking about my growing pile of scraps. There was a box full that I hadn't sorted and what the hell am I going to do with them anyway.
My batik scraps I cut into 1 inch strips and colour sort them, but a new pile is forming. I have been making log cabin blocks with the strips(hand piecing) I start October  2010 while on holiday. It is an easy travel project.  Now I can see a layout developing from the pile of block I have completed. (I can thank Kate from A Quilters' Odyssey for my hand piecing addiction)

4 Pink log cabin blocks sewn together.



4 Farmers Wife Sampler blocks featuring scraps.

My reproduction scraps have found their way in to my Farmer's Wife Sampler quilt(still in progress, as I am hand piecing these blocks too.)
The rest I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them. Maybe I will have to try some scrappy quilts, though I'm not very good with the scrappy look. The last one I made didn't turn out too scrappy looking, though I used up some ofmy larger batik scraps.

Who knows I may dream something up.

I'm open to suggestions.

In the mean time Keep Stitching
Cynthia