It is Competition Time!

 We have 2 x 2014 Quilter's Diaries to give away. All you have to do, is in the comments box below tell us What crafting event you are looking forward to attending this year? We will draw 2 random winners after the competition closes at 4pm (ACDST) Monday 27th January 2014.

                      Prizes kindly donated by Cynthia's Ark www.cynthiasark.com.au
                                                      
                                                        Until next time keep stitching
                                                                    Cynthia

Wishes Quilt Along 2014 January Block #1

Wishes Quilt Along 2014 is a block of the month quilt run by the Fat Quarter Shop. You can find it on their blog and it comes with instructions and tutorial. You can also purchase a kit from the Fat Quarter Shop if you want to make it the same as their quilt or choose your own. I have chosen fabrics from my stash and I only had to purchase the background, sashing and border fabric for the top. I will get the backing later. Stash busting already this early in the year. Way to go. Tick that off my list. It will allow me to refresh the stash later when I see something that takes my fancy. These are the fabrics I have chosen.

                                                   
                                                Here is the first block completed.

 

 

So I look forward to tackling February block. You can still join in just follow this link http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com.au/p/wishes-quilt-along.html to catch up.

 

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

Building Blocks Quilt- 2014 Free Motion Quilt Along #2

This week we had our first free motion lesson with Leah Day. The challenge was to quilt Wiggly U shapes on our first four patch block. With plenty of tips off I went. As the pictures below shows I had some problems. Firstly I was having trouble seeing where I was quilting and secondly getting started once I stopped, when I got going it went a little bit smoother and stitches were more even.  You can't see the quilting very well on the front but on the back you can plainly see my troubles. At least by the time I got to the last quarter I can see some improvement and the free motion stitching in the ditch was much easier than I thought it was going to be. This is the first block so I can only hope to improve as we make our way through the lessons.

The block before quilting.

 

The back of my first block.

                                                        The front of my first block.

You can see how other quilters are going via this link. http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/fmq-project-link-up_17.html

  

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

Unfinished Projects Update #1

If you read my 2014- What is on my to do list post last week you will know there was some unfinished projects at the top of the list. My batik log cabin quilt was at block stage still. The quilt layout was worked out and only 4 blocks left to make. I can say they are done. Now it time to sew the blocks into row then the rows together. As this is a hand piecing project, it is a sit in front of the television job. I have got the first 2 rows sewn together so far and I will do the rest in the evenings when I am free. Here is a sneak peak at the layout.

 

You can find a good variety of batik fabrics for sale in our shop at www.cynthiasark.com.au

 

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

Celtic Solstice # 4

This week it was back to my day job so there was less sewing time. I did manage to make more sub blocks and put together 8 more of block #1. So now I have 22 of block #1 completed and 12 of block #2 completed. So 34 blocks completed and only 15 more to go. I thought I would lay out half the quilt to see how things were shaping up.

                                                    I can't wait to see it completed.

 I will keep everyone updated with my progress.

 

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

2014 What is on my To Do List.

With a new year most of us reflect on what we did in the last year and what we want to achieve in the next year. After my 2013 review my list starts with 6 projects.

1. My Pies & Tarts Quilt I am half way through hand quilting this one.
2. My Batik Hexagon Quilt top ready for quilting and binding.
3. My Batik Log Cabin Quilt I am nearly finished the blocks (4 blocks to go)
4. My Farmers Wife Sampler quilt -only have 30 blocks to go then sashing and borders.
5. Bonnie Hunters Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt the final layout was only released on 1st January 2014 I have 24 blocks completed.
6. My Double Wedding Ring quilt I started at the end of October at a workshop. 3 rings completed only.
New things to tackle this year, there are plenty of new things I want to try but there is only 365 days to work with.
7. Building Blocks Quilt. 2014 Free Motion Quilt Along created by Leah Day. This one is going to allow me to tackle 2 things on my list, improve my free motion quilting and have a go at the Quilt as you go technique.
8.A new Cynthia's Ark design featuring our Mystery Batik Sampler Pack. All designed just have to sew, write the pattern and kit it.
9.A new Cynthia's Ark design featuring hexagons using the Inklingo technique or EPP.
10.Quiltmaker magazine Black Tie Affair using Riley Blake Evening Blooms (in stock at www.cynthiasark.com.au)
10. Pat Sloan's Globtrotting  BOM for freequiltpatterns.info (One block a month)
11. Fat Quarter Shop Wishes Quilt Along BOM (One block a month)
12. A Dahlia Quilt I have a pattern.


I will share my adventures tackling this list. As I write this I know there are other projects that haven't made this list  and I'm sure there will be projects that will be started that weren't on the radar at the start of this year. I'm sure there will be a number of baby quilts to be made for sale that will be fitted in.
                               Until next time keep stitching
                                          Cynthia



Celtic Solstice #3

Wow! What a big reveal on New Years Day. I wasn't expecting it so it was a nice surprise to see how all the blocks we have been making go together. We have been having lots of fun making up blocks trying to guess how they go together. I did have some good sewing sessions this week and finished clue #3 and got a good start on Clue #5 before the big reveal. It was good to have some of all the blocks completed so I was ready.

A sample of each clue.

With the release of the final blocks I was ready to sew a few up to see what they looked like.

 

I pieced the two blocks and I am very happy how they went together. Now I have 12 of each block made and I am ready to make some more sub blocks so I can complete all 49 blocks. I can't believe I am nearly halfway.

 

To view other Celtic Solstice  mystery quilts in progress click this link  http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/mystery-monday-link-up-part-6.html

 and I will keep everyone updated with my progress.

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

 

 

 

2013 In Review

Before I can make up my to do list for 2014  What did I achieve in 2013.  In 2013 I wanted to finish some on going projects and there was some new projects to tackle. The list wasn't long but the unfinished projects was at 9. I needed to get this part down of the list down, 5 just needed quilting and binding.  A red, blue and cream quilt that half the blocks were completed but I decided the quilt was too big and put it to one side.  A pile of log cabin blocks that I had foundation pieced just sitting there. My first Inklingo project The Secret Garden quilt and the pink star quilt which I had the fabrics and created the pattern but had not started.
So where did I end up by the 31st December 2013. I started with 5 quilts that only needed quilting and binding 3 got done on the machine but I am still hand quilting my Pies & Tarts quilt and a hexagon quilt that  I haven't touched.
 Next was my first Inklingo quilt. This one was a new technique that I wanted to try that I started.  I was hand piecing this one as I needed a portable project while we were on holiday. This was completed, all hand pieced, machine quilted and including binding.

 

The red, blue and cream one I managed to resize some of the blocks as the ones I had completed were in 3 different sizes and created a new layout.  So this one gets added  to my 2014 To complete List with the other 2.

Next was the Pink Star quilt, I had to get this one done as it was for someone else and I was dragging my feet. Why I don't know but I tackled it and got it completed and delivered it before Christmas.

 

Finally my log cabin blocks, I made more blocks and after trying many different layouts.  I made my decision and started to sew 4 single blocks together into 1 so now I have a pile of larger blocks.

The size of the quilt has been set at 42 blocks (6 across and 7 down) and I only have 4 large blocks to complete before I can start sewing the rows together. It won't take long to finish.

 

 

Plus there was a number of baby quilts made for sale, 4 new baby quilt kits created and samples completed during the year, so there is 3 projects that make the 2014 To Complete List with my Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt, my Farmers Wife sampler and my Double Wedding Ring quilt I only started in October. So that is a total of 6 projects on this list to complete in 2014.

Now I need to work out what goes on my What I want to Try in 2014 list.

Until Next time keep stitching

Cynthia

 

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.

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

Christmas Gift Ideas.

What are you making for Christmas? I started my projects a few weeks ago. Once I found some suitable Christmas fabrics, some Christmas ornaments and sewing presents for my friends and then I had to make some cards to go with the hand made presents.

Hexagons cut ready to be sewn into Christmas gifts.

Cards are nearly finished just need to be sealed in and a few Merry Christmas stickers from Blue Edge Crafts.

 A close up so you can see where I stitched using a multi coloured metallic thread.

 

 These are easy to make and there is still some of this fabric (Christmas Ornaments) available in our web shop www.cynthiasark.com.au

What else to make?  I would love to make a tree skirt for a full size tree but with our cats it would be a recipe for disaster. I can see them climbing the tree and knock it over, breaking the ornaments or using them for cat toys. I think that would be too stressful to handle. I do have a ceramic tree with lights that I made so that might be the way to go and make a mini tree skirt.
I love to bake so I'm thinking of having a go at making gingerbread trees and stars with icing for a change as I normally do a cake of some sort. This way I can make them a few days in advance instead of the night before Christmas. I hope they will last til Christmas day.
Who knows what else might take my fancy? We still have a few weeks to go to Christmas so there is time to come up with some more interesting projects.

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 #2- What I have been up to?

This week I have been out attending a couple of events. The first was the 21st Adelaide Knife Show. Yes a knife show. A friend of our was trading there for the first time so we went to show our support in the craft he has chosen to learn. I was pleasantly surprised I didn't know what to expect. So I was surprised that I found it very interesting. We met some very talented people and learned more about this craft. Many hours of work had gone into the  handcrafting most of the knives we viewed. Each so different from the last one, from the shape of the blades to the handles. Each one a master piece in it own right. I suppose this craft just like quilting and other crafts came about for the need to have every day items to survive. I'm glad to see there is still some people out there that want to learn these crafts it would be a shame to lose this craft. We have already lost some much knowledge over the generations.

The other event I visited was the Craft & Quilt Fair on Thursday with some  good friends and we had a ball. It is so different just being a visitor than trading.  It gave me a good chance to look around and see what other talented crafters are doing. Something you don't get much of chance to do when you are trading. I was looking for some projects to improve my skills and knowledge, for new gadgets and tools to make all our lives easier. There is so much I want to try and master I don't know where I am going to find the time but I will try.  I will share my adventures as they happen good or bad. SA Festival of Quilts was a delight to visit, so much inspiration on display. So many talented quilters sharing their work with us. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to enter one of my quilts.

A new shipment of batik fabrics arrived on Monday so I have loaded them on the shop www.cynthiasark.com.au They will be $21.00 a metre but until Monday they are on special for $16.00 a metre as part of our We are Not at the Craft & Quilt Fair sale. With patterns discounted and a range of fabrics on sale from $5.00 a metre what else could you want.  The new batiks are featured on the home page so they are easy to find.
  The new batiks fabrics.


Berry Jam

Blue Spotty Circles

Garden Mess

  
              Jungle Tides

  
                           Sky Tides                                    Green
 
                        River Pond                              Star Flower
 
       Water and Earth                                              Jungle Screams

  

Finally I did get a little sewing done this week and I finished Dottie,  my version of The Rivendale Collection Dottie Table runner.  I hand quilted this one. Good practise.

 

Until next time keep stitching

 

Cynthia