Foothills Fabric & Threads

Back to School....

and I feel a bit sad.  No I don't have a preppie starting school but I do have Amelia who is starting her Year 11VCE. Two more years and then she is off to University most likely will have her own car and become very independant.  It' seems like ony yesterday that she was starting prep. Oh well I mustn't dwell.  I'm off to Knox City to buy birthday gifts for my mum (85) and nephew (40) and then I'm off to Borders to treat myself to a new book.  Special good wishes to Nicky who is starting her teaching life today and to all the mum's and dad's out there that are sending off the littles to school for the first time.  hugs Sandra

All Things Christmas...

Yes I know it's a long way off but we love all things Christmas and work on it all year long.  You may have noticed some subtle changes to our blog.  All our Christmas albums are gone, well, not quite, they have just moved to a section all their own.  There is still a lot to be done there, e.g descriptions, prices etc but we're happy with how it's coming along.  So just click on the link in the right hand column for All things Christmas....bye for now

Pay It Forward from Sandra

Late last year a lot of blogs that I like to visit were issuing the Pay It Forward Challenge. I kept thinking that it was something that I would really like to do, so when Anne Ida had a spot left I jumped at the chance.  I wasn't ready to pass on the challenge right on Christmas as I thought most people had a lot on at the time.  So now that our school holidays here in Australia are almost over I thought it was time to post. I hope you will join me.....Sandra

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. You all know I’m already a PIF type of person. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on the blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

Phew....

Yes we're ready for the Fantastic Outer Eastern Fabric Frolic.  This great shop hop involving 9 shops (see file on the left hand side) is alway a fun, busy time for us.  We have lot's of Specials, a free pattern to make the Fabric Frolic quilt for 2008 and lots more  Luckily almost all our orders arrived during the week.  Unfortunately and disappointing for us our Hobbs 100% Wool Wadding is still in transit.  We had hoped to have small samples to giveaway. Hopefully it will arrive early next week (grrrr it was supposed to arrive last November).  Well have a good weekend everyone and Happy Frolicking to those joining the shop hop.  Hugs Sandra

Time is just flying by...

I'm sure it just gets faster the older we get.  Last night was the last night of Rosalie's Joy of Life class.  I have uploaded some photos in the album.  We popped the blocks on the design wall and they just looked great.  Then I was a bit naughty.  I bought in my Mrs Perkins from Sundays class for show and tell as Marion and Sue were in that class as well.  (mind you Mrs P was in bits but she was fully stuffed and sewn) and then Rosalie sewed on her legs with buttons and did her mane and tail so I was pretty spoilt  and now all I have to do is her eyes which I shall do today.

Here she is giving Acute a ride. I had a great time on Sunday despite burning my arm on the iron.  For those that know me, you inow that I am very much a traditional quilter and my projects usually take a long time.  This was just so quick and so much fun.

When I got home last night and showed Mrs P to Amelia....the response was "ohhh she is sooooo cute. Is she for me?"  mmmm I said "I thought you wanted a pink one out of the Flutterby fabric that is coming in February like Rosalie's". This was my trial run and for the shop.... Amelia said "Well we could have a family".  She really is easy for a beginner like me to make but I'm thinking if we start getting into these softies Amelia will have to help I can see this family of giraffes turning into a herd.

OOps went a bit off track there, yesterday Gail popped into the shop with her bag sample for an upcoming class.  I just love it I may just have to sit in on this class if there's room.

Well that's all from me, after speaking to Gail yesterday I am all inspired to do some decutttering in my sewing room.  I've been avoiding it but I'm sure I will feel so much better when I do......Cheers Sandra

Much cooler this morning and.....

I’ve managed to have a fairly decent nights sleep. Friday’s temperature didn’t reach the expected 40C (that’s about 105F) and lunchtime brought a cool change with a little rain.  Thank goodness we have a lovely air conditioned shop which our customers and Bill our delivery man really appreciated yesterday.

A few of you have mentioned that you are having a bit of trouble accessing the blog and that it is taking a long time to load.  This was even from a broadband user, so I have removed the music.  I hope that this will solve the problem .

Lesley’s stunning Friendship Garden is bound and hanging up in the shop I have added photos to the Class Samples album.

As to what I’ve been doing lately. I have managed to sew a few Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler blocks and now am starting to get back into the stitching again.  I started off with doing a lovely easy block from Helen Stubbings project  Nice People Nice Things

I'm really pleased with the result.  I have used a seeded homespun which hasn't photographed too well with my camera.  When I used the flash I lost the stitching.  Mind you I was pretty tired when I was doing this last night I might have another go today.  Back soon Sandra 

It's finally done.....

our newsletter has been uploaded to the sidebar.  It's always a mammoth job luckily now we can get on with getting ready for the Fabric Frolic which starts in little over a week. There are also some new photos in the class samples album, more will be added as soon as they become available.  Well I'm off to bed. Nite all Sandra

p.s. Ohh I almost forgot, I did finish the binding on our shop Sample. Thanks to Pauline for her great stitching.

It's been hot here in Melbourne..........

and even the Gladdies are wilting.  Well there not too bad considering the only watering they have had is when we have had rain recently.

Yes I'm back from the beach and dare I say it just a tiny bit burnt, and YES I did sunscreen.  I guess my upper arms are used to being covered up these days and got a fright when they say the sun LOL.

I didn't manage any sewing when I was away it was just way too hot.  I did manage some reading though.  Jennifer Chiaverini's latest novel The New Year's Quilt, the last book in a science fantasy trilogy that I was reading and now I am reading a book titled The Bad Seed.  You may have guessed I am an avid reader and love to read all genres.

On the Foothills front our newsletter is almost done, we're just putting the finishing touches on the front page.  A new file has been uploaded under Fabric Frolic detailing information on the shop hop that we are part of which starts on January 19.

Well that's all from me, I'm off to get dinner started.  Hopefully it will be a bit cooler tomorrow and I can finish binding a shop sample.  I'll let you know how I go.  Cheers. Sandra