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
 

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