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.

 

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 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

Let's Have a Look at What Has Arrived This Week!

This week we have received two new Riley Blake Fabric ranges. First there is Twice as Nice by The Quilted Fish.

The second one is Snips & Snails Collection by Doodlebug Designs.

Two totally different ranges but both gorgeous fabric ranges.   You can purchase these fabrics at www.cynthiasark.com.au at $21.00 a metre. Minimum cut is 20cm. For our new customers the  fabric on the web shop is in 10cm increments and priced that way. So if you want 40cm you put in 4 in the quantity box and you will receive a 40cm piece of fabric.

 

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 #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

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

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

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

Welcome to the New Cynthia's Ark Blog

Welcome. This is the new and improve blog. After last year half hearted attempt to create a blog that failed. I havemake the decision to start from scratch and share with everyone my new designs and some of the old ones already released to bring everyone up to speed and them we can carry on on our exciting journey in to the needle crafts. Plus we have some patterns, kits and products from other talented designers to share we you. To see more about us visit www.cynthiasark.com.au
This design features beautifully batik fabrics. If you love bright and bold design, this easy to made kit is for you. It only have 3 fabrics in it. Finished Size 36x48".  It is available in pattern and kit form.



This bright colourful small design features some of our batiks. This simple pattern will come together easily and quickly.  A good weekend project.  This is a fat quarter friendly project.  Finished size 31 x 31" (79 x 79 cm).  It is available in pattern and kit form.


 This design was our third design features our batiks.  This simple pattern will come together easily and quickly.  A good weekend project.  This is another fat quarter friendly project.  Finished size 33 x 38" (84 x 97 cm).  It is available in pattern and kit form.