Craft Haven of Berwick

Winter sun

2010-06-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Today I took a break from stitching and went for a walk around Wilson's Botanic Park as it was such a beautiful winters day. The air was crisp but the sun was gorgeous. I took my camera and had a peaceful stroll around the lakes. The mushrooms were a plenty and the camellias were in bloom. It was good for the soul. Then it was time to head back home to do some more stitching. Maria and I are busy making samples for Xmas in July. The school holidays are fast approaching which means busy times are ahead.

Stocktake Sale

2010-06-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year when we have to count everything for stocktake. Please help us on the 28th June we will be having a sale and we hope to clear lots of stock to make our job easier on the 30th June.

STOCKTAKE SALE

28th June 2010

20% off reg priced FABRICS,PATTERNS,GIFTWARE

CLEARANCE ITEMS include DMC Tapestry Wools, paints, patterns, beads, books, etc

Tilda Christmas

2010-06-02T01:44:00.001-07:00

As promised here is another project from the Tilda Christmas Book. Everything in the book is sooo cute, the decision is what to make!! A couple of new ranges have arrived and plans are under way to make a couple of projects to show off these fantastic fabrics.

If you like crinolines we have a new cushion in the shop on display and a new quilt that we have just started work on. As they say watch this space.

Pretty in Pink

2010-05-20T03:57:00.000-07:00

Maria has finished her heart from the designer"Don't look now". It will now go to the framers for stretching on a canvas. It looks fantastic. Maria has blanket stitched the appliques and embroidered the smaller flowers.

Tilda Xmas

2010-05-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

Its been awhile since I posted on the blog, but life has been so busy. We have been busy stitching in amongst all the other things that have been happening. As you know Maria went over to Ireland, the school holidays flew by and before you know it a month has flown by.

Over the last week I made a couple of items from the Tilda Xmas book. Attached is a photo of one of the items. I preview some more over the coming weeks.

TILDA IS HERE!!!

2010-04-11T21:06:00.000-07:00

Our range of Tilda fabrics and books arrived today. Over the next few days you will see them on the shelf, I hope you will be as excited about the range as we were. Maria is in Ireland at the moment and won't be back for a couple of weeks. The holidays flew by once again and the new samples produced over the holidays will be on display once they have been quilted.

Flower Faeries

2010-03-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

This week we received a shipment of fabric and one of the pieces depicted the flower faeries. The fabric has glitter on the wings and is just irresistible for any little girl. I zipped up a little throw just to show you one way of using the fabric. My quilt has also been completed (a variation of the Pieces of the past quilt by Crabapple Hill) and the table runner also made using the pattern is ready for the quilter. I am thrilled with the end result.

Mary Rose Fabric

2010-03-10T04:08:00.000-08:00

We have received our stock of Mary Rose fabric. One of the fabrics has Initials on it and can be used in various ways. Maria has stitched a sample of one way you can use them by making a small pin cushion that makes a lovely gift.

Inspirations Baby

2010-02-25T01:44:00.000-08:00

The morning class are half way through making this little cushion. It is in the Inspirations Baby Book. I think it is beautiful.

For all you TILDA lovers we will soon be stocking her fabric, books and kits. I am so inspired by her books. Their are so many projects and just not enough time.

Nellie

2010-02-24T04:06:00.000-08:00

Today I heard about the passing of one of our past class members. Nellie was in her eighties and produced some magnificent work especially her ribbon embroideries. She was always stitching something for the family, I know they will have plenty of hand work items that will bring back many fond memories of her. We wish to pass on our condolences to her family.
Today the balance of my fabrics have arrived for my "Pieces of the past" projects so I will be very busy over the next week or so. Watch this space for further updates.

Pieces from the past

2010-02-18T02:50:00.000-08:00

This evening I have picked up my embroidery from the "Pieces of the Past" quilt by Crabapple Hill Studios. This is a big project, here is a sneak peak at a section of the quilt which I am making into a table runner. The embroidery is not finished yet. I am breaking up the quilt into sections. I hope to have one of the items finished by early March as long as my fabric delivery comes through.

Country Keepsake Dolls

2010-02-16T03:39:00.000-08:00

I have just returned home from night class. We had a small party to celebrate one of the class ladies birthday, it was lovely to see her get spoilt by her fellow class ladies. Class is great as it is as much a social environment as a learning one.

Maria finished her dolls today and they look fantastic. Guess which one is Maria!

Portsea-Valentine's Day

2010-02-13T23:32:00.000-08:00

Today, being Valentine's Day, Hubby and I headed off to the Peninsula for lunch and a day out. The weather improved as the day went on and we spent several hours at the beach in Sorrento and Portsea. From the Portsea pier we could see a couple getting married at the Portsea pub. What a lovely spot for a wedding.

Now that I am back home, it is back to reality- housework and then some stitching.

Heart Topiary

2010-02-13T02:10:00.000-08:00

Well today has been quiet an eventful day. I spent about an hour with all the members of my family, on all fours trying to catch a guinea pig that got loose. Our property is surrounded by large conifer trees and that is where the guinea pig decided to hide. Several scratches later and covered in dirt we finally succeeded.

Today I completed a heart Topiary designed by Loretta Forshaw that I have been wanting to do for several years now. Over the holiday break I picked the colours for the ribbon and thread and today I finally got round to doing it.

Rosie's Boudoir Square Cushion

2010-02-10T03:08:00.000-08:00

Well it was another hot one with a promise of a thunderstorm. It is now 10.20pm and nothing!! I hope it is still coming as the garden is dying of thirst. Today I finished the square cushion from the Rosie's boudoir range. It looks great.

Last week I spoke to Libby Richardson and her "Remember When" BOM are due out this week. I have started to organise kits for the "Create" block which is hanging in the shop.

Rosie's Boudoir Oval Cushion

2010-02-08T03:59:00.000-08:00

Another warm day, all I can say is thank God for air-conditioning. I have been busy stitching a Faeries in my Garden cushion, one that will compliment the one pictured above. I have used a Mary Rose fabric.

As it will be another warm one tomorrow I could be tempted to head down to the beach but after my last attempt just over a week ago when I came home with a sprained ankle I might just avoid it for now.

Present of the Month No 3

2010-02-07T02:47:00.000-08:00

Well it didn't take long to get back into the swing of things. The kids are back to school, Maria and I are both off our crutches and we both have been busy stitching to complete some new samples for the shop. I have been flat out making the samples for the "Present of the month". This is a programme where you sign up and once a month you receive a pattern and the supplies to make the item. This months item is a great bag with a vintage machine embroidered onto the front and you also get a thread holder in the shape of a machine.

Busy Weekend

2009-12-14T02:45:00.000-08:00

The weekend started off on Friday night with our annual Christmas party. It went off really well with everyone having a great time. Rhonda won the gold ticket prize and everyone else also went home with a gift. Show and tell was a hit again with some stunning pieces on display. It is always great to see what the other classes are up to. Saturday was a busy day for Josey (our bear teacher) as her son got married. The bride had a fabulous dress and the rest of the bridal party looked great also. Josey lived up to her usual standard with a fabulous dress. I am sure they would have fallen in a heap on Sunday as the day was full on. I spent Sunday wrapping Christmas presents as it is creeping up quite quickly and I am not very prepared.

Quilt Market

2009-11-15T16:17:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I attended the quilt market where several designers release new products and patterns and the fabric companies show us what is new for 2010. I have ordered several new patterns that will inspire you to complete some projects in time for Christmas or plan for next year. It is always good to see the designers face to face and have a chat about their plans for their next project. Over the next couple of weeks you will see some of the stock arriving in the shop.

I have finally attached some photos from our trip to Hamilton Island. We had a fantastic time.

Hamilton Island

2009-10-31T16:49:00.000-07:00

With a few hiccups at the airport we finally arrived at Hamilton Island. Palm Trees swaying, sun shining and the sound of the waves was just wonderful. Our rooms overlook our private beach at the resort. Life is tough but someone has to do it. A few cocktails later and a stroll along the beach and its time to get ready for dinner. After having dinner at the steakhouse we wander around the marina as the evening is balmy and we are all quite relaxed.
This morning I was up early and went for a 5 km walk up to the lookout. On return a dip in the pool was just what I needed to cool off before heading down to breakfast.I hope to post a couple of pictures later on if I can get the equipment to work up here.

Craft Day

2009-10-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

Today we had our little craft day at my house. We have a get together with a small group each month. It is as much a social thing as a work day. Actually today was very much social with very little stitching being done. We had fresh baked bread for lunch that nearly didn't make it as I accidentally stitched off the bread machine half way through a cycle. I took it out of the machine and finished cooking it in the oven and it was o.k.
The countdown has started for our trip to Hamilton Island. Maria's 50th is around the corner and this is our treat for our birthdays. We have been lucky enough that 4 friends are joining us. I know it was hard convincing them but we could twist their arms.

Remember When - "Create" Block

2009-10-22T01:35:00.000-07:00

Libby from Artsmart Craft Cottage is currently designing her new block of the month. I have just completed one of the blocks to give you a glimpse of what is coming. I hope you like it.

Xmas has arrived

2009-10-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

Today we worked in the shop all day re-arranging which enabled us to put out Xmas stock. We have done a new window display and are both exhausted. There are plenty of good buys as we were able to purchase some stock at very good prices.

Annette's birthday

2009-10-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

Today Annette one of our class ladies celebrated her 45th birthday. Everyone had made some morning tea and there were plently of laughs going around as the whole group shared in her birthday celebrations. I don't know if much stitching took place but I know everyone had fun judging by the sounds coming from the back of the shop.

This weekend Maria and I are preparing to transform the shop ready for Christmas. I know this sounds a bit scary but it will be here before you know it.

2009-10-11T02:47:00.000-07:00

The weekend has gone by in a blink. It seems to be the same every weekend. At least we enjoyed some great weather. Come on summer I say. As promised pictures of what Maria completed over the holiday break.

Back from Holidays

2009-10-09T05:33:00.000-07:00

It hasn't taken long to get back into full swing after having a lovely break. I had a fantastic time in W.A. It was hard coming back to the cooler weather as we had enjoyed some warmer days in the West. Maria has kept herself busy while I was relaxing. (Good to see!!) Tomorrow I will post a couple of photos of what she completed while I was away.