Wool

The weather is starting to cool down here. Autumn has finally arrived I think and  look what has arrived.

Last week in the mail I received these beautiful skeins of wool. Each skein is different as they are blended from the ends of the runs, so the colour possibilities are endless. They are wool blended with alpaca and llama, so the finished product has a soft finish. I wish you could feel how soft they feel. I knew I had to stitch something from this shipment for myself and as the Laura
Folk Fair is on this weekend it had to be quick. So what do I knit? A scarf! I know it isn't very exciting but it is quick and people can see how the colours blend. So I chose my favourite colourway, that is the hardest part of the whole process as I love them all. Also I have been wanting to try bamboo knitting needles for a long time but it has been a while since I have knitted anything so I finally got to test them too. The scarf is coming along and the needles are a breeze to use and the wool is easy to handle and knits up beautifully.

If I get enough interest in this product I will ordered a larger batch and upload them on to our shop so let me know what you think and if you are going to the Laura Folk Fair in Laura, South Australia stop in at stall #86 for a close up and check out my sample. I hope I can finish in time, if not you may find me working on it at the fair.

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

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

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
 

Did someone say owls?

Welcome.  I just thought I would share what has arrived this week at www.cynthiasark.com.au Even though I have been sick all week I managed a few things this week like ordering more new batik fabrics from my regular supplier  (due in April 2014) and some from a new supplier from their current stock so I look forward to sharing them with you when they arrive.
Back to this week we have receive a top up shipment from Sally at The Rivendale Collection so Esme Owl, Hiccups and Hoot Together are now back in stock plus 1 new table runner pattern named Dottie. They are $12.00 each and available at www.cynthiasark.com.au

Dottie

Esme Owl

Hiccups

                                                                Hoot Together
Plus a special thank you to Sally Giblin (The Rivendale Collection) for these wonderful photos.


The only other item to arrive this week was the 2014 Quilters Diary. Full of wonderful quilts for us to enjoy over the upcoming year.  They are only $17.50 but there is limited stock so be early.

 

 

I Nearly forgot to tell everyone for the next week we are have a pattern clearance sale, a lot of patterns up to 50% off so don't forget to have a look in the Patchwork Pattern section.              

 

              Until next time 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!