Time to do some Sewing

 I think it is time to do some sewing. I spend most of Wednesday in the kitchen. I made the cake for my Hazelnut and Apricot Cake for Christmas Eve family dinner, Chocolate mousse, Cinnamon Scrolls, gingerbread men, stars and trees, and Spaghetti Bologne for our dinner. Thursday saw me filling and icing the cake and icing dozens of gingerbread. We enjoyed our Christmas Eve dinner with the family.

Christmas day I was back in the kitchen to do us a little Christmas dinner. A nice easy meal with left over Chocolate mousse for dessert. So with all that kitchen time there has been time to do too much else.  I did have a little time at the cutting table cutting out fabric for my Lakeshore Sunrise project. 

 Yes another Quiltworx pattern. This one is our January retreat project. I want this one to be partly done, so I have some samples of each section to show the ladies each step. I hope it's not going to be too hot for the retreat. If we do get the extreme heat while we are at Burra we will be fine to stay indoors in the air conditioning. It would be nice for the ladies to check out the town a little bit.

The weekend is here, the shop is closed until the 2nd January and I think it is time for me to have some time to myself at the sewing machine. We have dinner plans and we are doing the Roof climb at Adelaide Oval tonight. I can't wait to see the view from up there of the Oval and of Adelaide.  Hopefully I get some photos to share with everyone tomorrow.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Shutted Down!

 Here in South Australia we have been sent in to a 6 day lockdown due to a Covid -19 outbreak. We have been told to stay at home unless you have been deemed an essential worker. This means I have had to close the shop and cancelled this week's classes. Fingers crossed this will be enough to stop the spread. We have been lucky so far, though we lost classes earlier this year for a couple of months I could still open by appointment. Not this time, even my husband is off work, where last time his job was deemed essential. 

So we will see what happens. I have received 4 orders just in time, so I will have some orders to fill and new stock to find a home for in the shop. I can asuure you I will not be sitting around. I have 4 Quiltworx projects to tackle at different stages,  So sewing will be high on my To Do List.

I have arranged a Project Uninterrupted Zoom session for the Project Uninterrupted group. At least we can get together and sew to help us stay connected. 

This is the first project I am working on, my Clockworx project.

This is where I am at, sewing the block parts together.

I nearly got all the blocks together before dinner. Four blocks left to do but I had to stop to cook dinner.

These are all the blocks I have completed. Hopefully after some shop stuff Friday morning I will be back on this project. Though I will miss the Friday girls in the classroom. 

Until Next Time

Keep Calm and Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot 2020 #1

With things still under lock down, you think I should have plenty of time to do some sewing. Not much happening around here. I am seeing lot of others sewing, which is great.

Though there has been much sewing happening I have been working hard behind the scenes. New workshops along with re working the workshop calendar as here in South Australia we are going to take the first steps towards reopen the state. I want to be ready.

Also we have been busy arranging a new batch of finished charity quilts to go to people who need them. This batch of 9 has been add to another batch of 6 and will be heading over to Kangaroo Island like our last batch of 26.

You can see one of my labels peaking out, so I snapped a shot of it so you can see what I put on it, plus it will remind me what I need to put on any future charity quilts.

These charity quilts have been made by the Cynthia's Ark Project Uninterrupted sewing group. The ladies of the group did what they could, some made blocks, some sewed the blocks into quilt tops, others quilted them, some helped out with supplies and then there was binding to finish them off.
They all did a fantastic job.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Can I have some time out please?

I need some time out for some sewing. I hope there will be a block of free time for sewing some but at the moment it doesn't look too promising. No time for the rest of this week at least. I am going to have to make do with hand stitching in the meantime. In among all this busy time I have been working on 2 projects. The first one is a shop sample of Sue Daley's Travel Companion which I have English paper pieced the feature panel, appliqued on to the background fabric so now it is ready for the quilting step which is done by hand but I am wondering about machine quilting the background. You know that mean I have come to a stop on this one for the moment.

The second project is my Pemberley quilt which has been put aside as I had enough of the needle turn applique. I need to do some EPP demo at the Salisbury fair this last weekend so I decide to skip to the chubby dresden border and start on that. That way I will see some progress on that project.

The only thing is I now need to work out a little demo/ project using chubby dresdens for a group of ladies who are planning a visit to the shop and want a little more than shopping. So I will have to select some fabric and work something out while I stitch more half flowers for my Pemberley quilt.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

PS May next time I will be posting around a session on the machine. Fingers Crossed.

Project Uninterrupted

Project Uninterrupted starts on the 2nd January 2016 in store. On the first Saturday of the month except for April we are going to meet to work on a sewing project of your own choice. We never have enough time to work uninterrupted on our projects so I  have set a date and time to help you reach the final goal of completing some of your projects in 2016.
Project Uninterrupted is our Stitch and Chat sessions and will be on the first Saturday of each month except for April between 10am - 2pm.
There is no teacher so you need to know roughly what you are doing but I am sure between the group we will be able to help each other out if anyone gets stuck or need some input into a project.
The cost is $10 per session with tea, coffee and water included. You just need to bring your own lunch. We do have a take away shop next door if you need to purchase your lunch or what something else to drink.
Booking are essential as there is limited places for these sessions.  So phone me on 08 8527 2120 to book. Book early to guarantee your place.
Project Uninterrupted will be held at 7 Wasleys Rd Mallala South Australia 5502.

I have been working on this for a little while and thinking how we can involve our online followers who live too far away to attend these workshops and future workshops. So I was thinking of starting a Project Uninterrupted Facebook Group so our online customers and supporters can join in and share their current projects no matter where in the world they live and we can encourage each other in finishing projects, starting new ones, learning new things and so much more. What do you think? Are you interested in being part of a group like this? Share your thoughts and any ideas you have with me on this now so we can set the group up to suit our needs. What would you like to see in a group?

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under The Pressure Foot #14

Hi everyone. It is time to share what I have been sewing this week. I must admit I wish I had more to share with you. There has been lots of computer work done this week with the November Bulletin being created and uploaded under the Bulletin tab, posts on the various Cynthia's Ark clubs we have on offer on a number of our social media accounts, work on next year's workshops program and of course designing some new quilt designs.
In among all this I did cut the fabric for the first Stash Bash quilt.

 The Stash Bash is an event planned for next year like our Fully Stacked weekend. It will be a sewing party. In the end this is all the sewing I did about 10 minutes worth. It is a shame I didn't have more time at the machine as there is lots of these little units to make for this quilt. Plus there is 2-3 more quilts to make for this event. So I am going to be busy.

 Hopefully I will find a little more time this week but I won't hold my breath as I know there is more fabric arriving and I want to continue working on my design that uses the Harrington range since I have some fabric early.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot #7

I had some sewing time on Monday afternoon, which made my day. There is a number of projects that need my attention but no I decided to start a new one. Lucky it was only an hour and bit of work to complete the project from start to finish. I am glad I did it. At least if I don't complete anything else this month I have completed a lion friend for Larry, Piper the penguin which I must share with everyone Pete the penguin is half finished but I have misplaced his beak. I may just have to make a new one just so I can finish him.

Back to the project on hand. Early in June I watched a Riley Blake tutorial on making a Portable Design Wall/ Block holder using the Riley Blake Laminated fabrics. I have some on hand and thought this would be a great project to make and work with the laminated fabric for the first time. Here is the link to the tutorial if you are interested. My friend Maureen made one when we were on retreat at the end of June so I had seen the basics. I was a little worried how the laminated fabric would run through the machine but there was no need to worry. I was very pleased how well it sewed up on my Pfaff machine.  In the ended I was very pleased with the results I just need to remember to start at the opposite end of the project when sewing the binding on as my final join was almost on top of elastic for the closing mechanism. Now I just need to find those flower buttons I have.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot #6

Welcome to the next instalment of Under the Pressure Foot. I am happy to say this week there has been something under the pressure foot. I have been making another lion from the Funky Friends Factory Larry the Lion pattern( pattern and kits are available Here.) I know I have a sample already but I did not sew it and I have been asked to run a workshop on him and for me to do that, I am more confident doing that if I have made the item first. Plus I want to see what he would look like in Penny Rose Civil War Miniatures fabrics and then if he turns out I will add that version to the kit list.
Larry is not a beginner's project but with some basic knowledge he is not too hard to make. There was a few tight spots to sew together and a couple thick spots where you need to go slow so you catch the head mane and ears, but I got there with a couple of puckers unfortunately. As long I don't end up with any holes because I slip off a seam. Now ready for stuffing.

I inserted the eyes I think next time I will measure and mark the spots before inserting the eyes and then I just had to finish his face off.  Do you like him made from the range? I know I do.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

A Friend for Oliver and Larry.

It is time to make Oliver and Larry some friends. We can't have an ark with only two animals. Also it give me the chance to do some pattern testing. I like to make a project or two from the patterns I stock. It help me help the customers make their choices when they are buy patterns and it give me confidence in selling the patterns. If I can follow the pattern and the project turns out like it is suppose to, I am happy to stock the designers patterns.
Now I have 2 more Melly & Me in my sights, I want to try Dee Dee the dolphin and Piper & Pete the penguin's. I made Oliver (Melly & Me pattern) in a workshop with Melanie and was blown away that I was able to make him with some help. So now I wanted to do these guys by myself. The ultimate test for me. I prepared the fabrics for both projects before I went away on retreat, so I could make them while I was away.
I started with Dee Dee the dolphin first. I used fabric from Tula Pink's Elizabeth range and I will put together some kits using these fabrics and make them available at  www.cynthiasark.com.au shortly. This project took me a couple of hours to make on Saturday night. She was easy to put together, the hardest part was stitching neatly around the eyes for me. Which really wasn't that hard.

The pieces aren't too small, making it easy to cut out and handle when pinning the pieces together for sewing and the pattern was clear and easy to follow. 4 big ticks for this project.  Here she is completed.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

A Quilters Odyssey Retreat

The Sunset on Sunday night at Nunyara Belair, you wouldn't think turning 90 degrees to the right and you would see the City of Adelaide below you. I should of taken that my picture.

A Quilters Odyssey annual retreat was on over this last weekend. Beautiful clear weather, no rain in the forecast. All 23 of us packed our bags and head for Nunyara Conference Centre at Belair for a weekend of sewing, chatting, games, shopping and good food. Kate and Sue are behind this gathering and they have done a great job once again.

I always take too many project to work on. I didn't want to run out of sewing now, do I? This year's goal was to finish my Double Wedding Ring bed runner as it came with me on retreat last year and wasn't touch. So that was Saturday project, the top was completed and it is ready for quilting.

Also I tackled the remaining 8 large Ohio Star blocks that have been cut for months. Done now just have to sew the small ones which I cut just in case I got to them but that didn't happen.

Another lingering project was my Batik Half Square Triangle quilt, it just needed the 3 borders added to them.

This was Sunday job after we had the wonderful Michele Hill visit us and speak to us about her quilting journey. Very inspiring she was and her work is stunning to see close up. I may even have a go at one of her patterns in the future. It may be time to try machine applique for real. I brought her new book on the day so I will share which project I pick and how I go when it happens.

Sunday night gave me a chance to sew a Melly & Me project for the next fair. I need a few more samples and I do like to try the patterns I sell because it helps me advise my customers. So I made Dee Dee the dolphin and she was a breeze to make and you can get the pattern at www.cynthiasark.com.au with lots of other Melly & Me patterns including some I have made kits up for.

On Monday I had Piper & Pete the penguins to make up as I cut them out before the retreat, but I got about 3/4 quarters through making them and I needed to stuff them before I could finish them off and I didn't have enough stuffing with me. 

Lastly I finally finished April's Bitty Blocks. The lag of sewing over May and June is noticeable to me with me falling behind in some projects. I have May's blocks cut ready to go so we will see if we can catch up a little bit before the end of July or not.

No matter what, lots was achieved over the weekend by everyone with lots of fun thrown in. A great weekend was had and it was sad when we had to return home and most of us back to work. If only we had another day together but there is always next year.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Multi Purpose Pyramids

A little side project had me making a detour away from my plans. On my Facebook page I like to share free projects and ideas I find along with other stuff. So if you haven't seen or liked my page I recommend you pop over and have a look. You will find the link for this little project, Little pyramids.  I am think they would be good to hold down the table clothes at the Laura Folk Fair as it is an outdoor event. Then my friend Maureen suggested I use shell grit in them and I could double their usage as pin cushions when I don't need them for table cloth weights. I thought this was a brilliant idea. So on my way home on Friday I stopped into my favourite pet shop and picked up a bag. I'm glad they didn't ask any questions but I do wonder if I am going to get text message specials on fish stuff, like I do with the cat stuff I normally buy from them. We will see. No chance of having a fish tank in our house with our cats. It would be a recipe for disaster.

Here is the link to the project  if you want to make some. I recommend them, they are easy to make and I can see a number of uses for them. Table Cloth weights, Paperweights, Pattern weights, Pin cushions, decorative objects on a shelf displaying your favourite fabrics and I am sure they would be more uses for them. Just thought of another one Cat toy fill it with catnip.

With 2kg of shell grit I can make plenty more if I like. 4 table weights will only do 1 of my tables for the fair so I will need to make at least 4 more.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

My Journey into the World of Softies

Have you seen Sew Mama Sew blog recently? They are currently running Six Weeks of Love for Softies series with lots of interest softies with their designers. I have followed Sew Mama Sew blog for a while not sure how long but it was one of the early blogs I started following. Now if they have done this last year or even in January this year I may have given it a brief look but I'm not that interested in making softies. It is March 2015 and I view softies in a totally different light after making my first one Oliver Hoot at a Melly and Me workshop. See my cute little friend.

It was like I had a light bulb moment when the light turned on and I can make these softies and  I can bring the animals back to my business Cynthia's Ark. My machine sewing has been limited to piecing quilts, quilting and the occasionally mending job. I have never been a big machine sewer and never really giving sewing anything else much of a chance. I can tell you things have changed. So far there has been 2 free patterns included in the blog posts. I want to try them both so I am giving Pauline's  Funky Friends Factory elephant softie a go first as she states it is suitable for a beginner.
The fabrics I have picked out are from Riley Blake Designs Unforgettable  range Grey petal and Blue Hexies for this project and you can find the range in my webshop if you want some for your stash..
Next the tracing and cutting all rather simple to trace and cut the pieces needed. Then I was ready for sewing. All straight forward and ready to turn through before I knew it. Even at this stage I think it is looking like an elephant don't you think?

Stuffing was a little more challenging, trying to stuff the trunk with little bits of wadding. I think he could of done with a little more stuffing but I think it is too bad. All that was left to do was to hand stitch his ears in to place and stitch his eyes.
Here he is all done

Now it is time to try Jodie's mouse Fig from Ric rac. Another free pattern on the Sew mama Sew blog.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Look who has arrived.

The first lot of animals have arrived with Oliver guidance. Let me introduce them to you.
These cuties have come from Melly and Me beautiful range of soft toys (softies) and I can see more coming in the near future. Plus some from other designers that have been recommended.
 Now lets start with Oliver Hoot because he came home  with me from Cotton Carnivale 2015 and is Melly and Me latest design.

Next we have Kiki the cat

Followed by Pebbles the puppy

and Moo Moo

and Piper and Pete

and Five Little Ducks

and just in time for Easter Baby Bunnies

 All of these patterns are now available in my webshop under the Pattern Tab in the Melly and Me category. There will be more to come so if there is an animal you would like to make let me know and I will see if I can get it.

They are lots of fun to make so have a go today. If I can make Oliver they can't be too hard. I may have discovered a new craft to love Softies.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Our Cynthia's Ark Aurifil Batik Bright Thread Club is here.

As part of Australian Machine Quilting Festival we launched our Aurifil Batik Brights Thread Club (starting December) which is now available to sign up for in the web shop. Each month you receive six 150 metre spools of Cotton Mako NE 40 weight cotton plus with your first month you receive a personalised box to keep them in as pictured. This weight cotton is perfect for sewing batik fabrics with.

The cost is $39 plus postage for the first month then a flat $39 per month (for Australia) for the next 11 month to complete your set of 72 spools  Aurifil cotton which has been selected to go with our  beautiful range batik fabrics we stock. 

Email us at sales@cynthiasark.com.au  if you live outside Australia and want to join our thread club and I will work out the cost for you.

Until next time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

PS You can join this club at anytime to start your collection so don't worry if you couldn't join the first group starting in December. 

Painting not sewing

Yes the sewing drought is still happening here. I just don't seem to have any spare time to do any machine sewing. A lot of computer work happening, some poster designing happening for my stand at AMQF. Which has been at interesting introduction to PicMonkey. I have also created a Cynthia's Creating Ark  star link for my blog that now is happily sitting on my web shop, plus you will some of my other creations in the coming weeks. If I can work it out nearly anyone could use this program. 

So what else have I been doing? Believe it or not I having been painting the inside back panels of my new fabric shelving units for my shop. It will be so cool to have these units completed and in place in the shop. I have finished painting 2 coats on the large unit and the first coat on the smaller unit and there is one more small unit that will need painting.

 The other item of shop furniture that is in place ready to be used is the cash register shelving unit. I think the cutting counter is next to be made. I hope so.

Look at my poor lonely machine just sitting there waiting to be used. There are few lozenge blocks waiting to have corners added to them. At least I know where she is.

 Maybe I will find some time in the next week to do some sewing, fingers crossed. At least I have had a few minutes here and there for some hand piecing to keep me sane.

Until next time

Keep stitching

Cynthia