Foothills Fabric & Threads

City Girl.....

Comes to the suburbs (Tecoma anyway)..One of the ranges of fabric we ordered at the Trade Show, came a bit earlier than we expected. This range has really inspired us to make some projects even though it's taken us out of our comfort zone a little but here goes. We were so busy working on a couple of projects  that time quickly got away from us tonight. Phone calls from family  you know how it goes "what time can we expect you home?"  We have some more lovely fabrics coming next year, yummy Christmas, (you know we can't resist those) soft flannels, a Mary Engelbreit range. Strawberry Lemonade and lots more.  We will have to be patient.  More soon, Lesley

Foothills Christmas Stitchery Swap

Hope you are all busy putting the finishing touches to our 1st Stitchery Swap "Oh! Christmas Tree".  The deadline to have them in is the end of this week.  I have a little more work to do on my mine, and I'm getting excited as they start to trickle in.  Don't forget ACTUAL STAMPS girls and an envelope, doesn't have to be a padded bag  as long as it holds the stitchery.  Please write a little about the pattern you have used, that way it becomes more personal for the receiver. Bye for now, Lesley

For us at the shop

the Countdown to Christmas has already started.  Regular classes are winding down, those that happen at the end of the month have already finished and of course another busy week as the last of our Christmas classes are ending. Lesley and I started working on our Christmas Display on Saturday whilst Lesley Coleman was teaching the last of her Christmas Dolls for the year.  I have uploaded some photos of the almost finished Holly Santa's and we even have a Mrs Holly Santa too.

Here are the girls from yesterday's Embroidery class.  Absent were Judy who is away and Julie who has to work this month.  Happy Christmas girls we look forward to your returning next year.

Well I'm off to the shop.  I was so busy yesterday I didn't get a chance to open the packages that arrived so I have lots of stock to put away this morning. Cheers Sandra

I wish I had....

these templates from Victorian Textiles when I was piecing my True Lover's Knot quilt, it would have made life so much easier.

These templates are just one of the new sets released at Quilt Market last weekend and can be seen in this booklet which is available at the shop.  There are great monthly specials available each month so if you love these great templates like we do then contact us or drop into the shop for your booklet.

   

Here is a photo of my quilt.  I have come to a bit of a standstill with my quilting in the borders, but hopefully I will get back to it soon.

Cheers for now Sandra

Quilt Market

We looked at so many lovely patterns and too many fabrics.  Here is a sample of just one pattern that caught my eye. I used to make lots of clothes for myself so many years ago for work and casual wear and now with all the lovely fabrics designed for young ones, I thought who would just love this dress, Hayley of course, although she might have to wait a little while for it.  We've chosen some lovely "strawberry fabric" due early next year great for little ones.  From Kookaburra Cottage " Sunday Best". Lots more inspiring things soon. Lesley

Busy Weekend

I had a lovely day off yesterday catching up on things at home.  I was stressing out a bit as I knew that Lesley and I would be spending Saturday and Sunday at Australian Quilt market so I needed to be organised.  We usually only spend one day at market but it's getting bigger and better so we thought we would go for the two days.  It's always exciting to see new patterns and fabrics and to catch up with our great designers.  So I took my time, lit some candles, put on some music and before I knew it I was done.  I picked some flowers from the garden.  Fresh flowers in the house always makes me feel great.

I even managed to get in some sewing time. The weather is starting to warm up and I am hurrying to finish hand quilting a shop sample before the weather heats up.  It's a Kerry Gillespie design from My Favourite Things called Honey Bears, Flowers and Things

I'm off to bed , back soon.
Hugs Sandra

I just can't keep up......

The weeks are flying by and stock seems to be arriving daily, there just never seems enough time to put all the happenings on the blog.  I added a few items to the what's new album but they're already out of date.  We had 20 bolts of Look and Learn arrive last week which still need to be photographed perhaps Friday will be the day.  I've uploaded photos to the Christmas at Foothills album.  Unfortunately most of my photos were blurry (and no it was not too much champagne punch) I didn't have my settings right.  Oh well hopefully Lesley will have some better ones to add.

We have a couple of vacancies in Ramona's Christmas Decoration class which is being held this Saturday between 10.00am and 12.00pm.  Ramona's classes are always a lot of fun so if you have a couple of hours to spare let us know on 9754 6166.  Cost of class is $15.00

Ages and ages ago Lesley Coleman asked me if I had any more easy recipes as my Chinese Chews were a hit with her family.  Of course I said, and then oops forgot so when Lesley gently reminded me last Saturday night I thought I'd better get my act together.  This is an old recipe and is very quick to make. 

Chocolate Johnnie's 

18-20 plain biscuits (I used Arnott's Marie) 4 oz sugar, 2 oz butter, 1 and 1/2 desertspoon cocoa, 2 and 1/2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla or rum essence.

Crush biscuits. Heat all other ingredients in a saucepan (or microwave).  Add the biscuits and allow to cool.  Make small balls then dip into chocolate sprinkles.

Enjoy!

I'm off to bed I want to read a bit more of Jennifer Chiaverini's The Quilter's Legacy.  I started to re- read this last Sunday night as we were starting our Sylvia's Bridal Sampler sit and sew group on Monday and of course I'm hooked again..... night all

Sandra

I'm so tired.....

and my feet ache, yes those who commented on my pretty pink shoes, I went barefoot after awhile. Christmas at Foothills was fun, tables groaning with food, Sandra and I didn't get a chance to taste much, but we got a small doggy bag each to take home. Lot's of fun with fabric bingo (I was on the whingers table). Ramona's Secret Swap, Show & Tell it's great to see so many of our class projects finished (wish we could say the same of our own) and best of all Mother Christmas (mad Di) I don't know how she remembers everyone's name. Many thanks to you and our teachers for supporting us each year, and a special thank you to our friends who help either behind the scenes or those who are more visible, and Lesley (to come from Northcote) it's a particularly busy time  for her helping out her friend with a big fund raising weekend for Charity.  Oh well, now we have to put the shop back in order on Monday, and plan for the Trade Show next weekend, we love seeing all the new fabric and pattern trends for next year.  Cheers, Lesley & Sandra

I just can't believe..........

I've been back from my holiday for almost 3 weeks and it's been well over a week since my last post.  Life has gotten hectic again.  Lesley and I have been busy preparing for our 3rd Christmas at Foohills night and also planning some exciting workshops for next year.  At the top of my to do list today is to take photos of new stock that has been arriving over the last couple of weeks.  Then I need to photograph the blocks that I am doing of Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. For those of you that know me, know that I am an avid reader of a wide variety of genres.  My favourite quilt related author is Jennifer Chiaverini.  I have been reading her novels since 1999 and of course her quilt books are a must have as well.  I recently participated in a swap block through Jennifer's web site.  My blocks arrived whilst I was away so it was a lovely surprise to come home to.  These are the blocks that I received.  They are all just stunning.  I have no idea how I will set them.....mmm that will have to wait for the summer break.

Bye for now  Sandra

p.s. Congratulations to all the winners and the Houston Quilt Festival but expecially to the Aussie Winners Mariya Waters, LInda Steele, Margaret McDonald & Susan Campbell.  Helen Godden with Gail Thomas & Annette M Hendricks, and Jocelyn Leath.