Email: judy@punchwithjudy.com.au

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Hi Everyone,

Thank you to those who replied yesterday that they were receiving these Newsletters twice; very overkeen readers who had subscribed twice somewhere along the way.

We are off to AQC on Tuesday, hence the main reason for the second Newsletter in a month, the walls just may cave in!

Please remember that the AQC has very small stands than normal shows.  In fact, ours is 1/3 the size of the largest we would normally have.  Naturally, I have to be very selective in what I bring for display and for sale.  Therefore, please think beforehand and if there is something in particular you know you want, it would be a good idea to pre-order NOW, before Monday, so as a specially packed parcel can simply be collected by you.  I don't want you to be disappointed when you visit our stand.

Must say that my Guest Speaker appearance with the NSW Quilt Guild's meeting held in Wagga two weeks ago was a delightfully enjoyable afternoon.  I spoke on Therapeutic Products to help ease the pain so many suffer when they persue their hobbies.  Thank you so much ladies for such a great day.  See some pics on my blog.  http://punchwithjudy.blogspot.com/

Often I receive an email saying "I can't log on to the website, the system won't allow me access, it's saying I have an invalid email address, I can't remember my password?"  Most of the time it's because that customer has never registered so the system is "not being friendly".  This is the point: Registration on the Website is completely different to being Subscribed to these Newsletters.  Each needs to be done separately.  Why should you be registered on my website before you place your very first order?  You don't have to fill out all the personal details each time you order, you have a handy wishlist that only you can see, you are awarded Punch Rewards for your purchases, you are SPECIAL.

Remember our little challenge for the "Pain Relief" products naming?  Winners were notified and so were you in my last Newsletter, however, now I'm announcing the addition of that section to the left hand side column on my website.  Do visit same and you may find something to help ease your pains.  Our dear second daughter is about to have yet another back operation and I always feel so sorry for any so young to be suffering so.  Prevention is easier than cure if you have good habits early in life.  Unfortunately, this would not have applied to Melinda, but it may to you.

Personal request: Eldest Grandson Reece, whom I featured on my Blog last fortnight with crutches and wheelchair at the Royal Easter Show, now has to have an operation on his foot.  However, the Orthopoedic Surgeon he has been referred to in Melbourne is booked out until June for a visit, let alone the operation.  Can anyone offer any other Highly Recommended one in either Melbourne or Sydney please?  The Doctors and Physio in Albury think too long a delay may be detrimental, needs immediate attention.  Thanks.  Poor Sharelle says it is so sad that the Emergency Section of Albury Hospital know each of her children by name!!!

Nice drop of rain today, very welcome since it has been a good 5 degrees above normal each day for a fortnight and really quite hot for this time of the year.  Murphy's Law, it rains when I'm to be packing to go to a show!

Catch up with many of you at the AQC during the week and really looking forward to visiting Perth again.

A couple of times during the year, we get extremely busy and now is such a time.  If you are placing an order this week, I'm sorry, but there'll be a couple of days delay while the staff try diligently to catch up and I'm going away to the AQC.  So, if you need something quickly, please ask in the Additional Comments Section of your order and we'll certainly oblige.

Next few weeks are very busy ones so I may not get a chance for a normal Newsletter before Mother's Day. There's some specials I've listed below for same, but I've also added a lovely verse at the end of this Newsletter that could well apply to this time of the year, sort of in reverse, making us appreciate Motherhood. 

Please take care driving over this long weekend and especially enjoy the gratitude to those ANZACS who gave us the freedom of this beautiful country we live in.  Remembering all those who served both Australia and New Zealand in the World Wars and indeed, in any way contributing to our freedom.

ANZAC DAY 25th April 

Judy

Australasian Quilt Convention 
Australia's largest dedicated quilting event is on in just ONE week.  April 29 - May 2, 2010 held in the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne from 10.00am to 4.30pm daily.  See spectacular quilts, attend free seminars, attend hands-on classes, test drive the latest machines for sewing, quilting, embroidering and embellishing, see the latest of everything for our industry from the 100 specialist retailers at the Expo.  NOT your normal Craft Show for sure!

	AQC 2010
	Australia’s largest dedicated quilting event is on in just one week.  Australasian Quilt Convention & Expo April 29 – May 2, 2010 Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens Melbourne

Visit http://www.aqc.com.au/ for all your bookings.

Punch with Judy will be on STAND 126.

Daily Seminar on Bindings & Finishes for your quilts and projects, plus more!  I'll be introducing several new products too. Seminar Room 1 12.30pm daily. It's FREE, no need to book.

Stop by our stand for ongoing Demonstrations of all our new products.  Plus, Sandra Chandler will be our guest on Saturday and Sunday demonstrating her fabulous Curve Master for sewing curved seams with ease - no pinning nor quartering! 

FLASH NEWS!   There is ONE seat left in Sandy's Friday Full Day Hands-On Workship featuring the Curve Master and the Pleat Maker for her wonderful "Winner's Circle" Quilt.     Please email me if you wish to book and I'll pass your details directly on to the AQC Bookings.  Sandy's Thursday Class for Double Wedding Ring the Curve Master way was booked out very soon after announcements.     

Good news too, the prices for the Curve Master have been reduced owing to the current exchange rate.

Perth Craft & Quilt Fair is our next show, being held at the Perth Exhibition Centre from 19th - 23rd May. We will be attending in our usual position of Stand A01 and holding daily workshops and hands-on classes - details following.  John will be driving over quite early, so I will need any special orders from you before 10th May please.   Visit http://www.craftfair.com.au/ for full particulars.

PLUS, I am pleased to announce the details of my Sunday's invitation for an Open Day with a great group south of Perth.  The Art a'Peel, part of the Mandurah Arts & Crafts Society, have invited me to a full day of demonstrations and education of new products, plus, "by request", from 10.00am to 3.00pm.  They cordially invite Members and Non-Members to attend and I can assure you they have an extremely pleasant venue and a great day is in store for us all.  Members $8.00 Non-Members $10.00 Light Refreshments are included.  Please contact Hilary minadmin@iinet.net.au or email me. judy@punchwithjudy.com.au

Don't forget your Show Coupons too. Print them and collect your discounted products or receive your FREEBIES.  The ones being offered this year includes a fabulous offer of Hot-Fix Swarovski Crystals and Wand, a FREE CD for a selected group of Aussie Machine Embroidery Designers, 10% off Clover Products and an offer from Westalee Design Rulers.   Too good to miss.  No coupon, No Offer.

2. RETREATS

The Machine Embroidery Retreat 17th - 19th September is completely booked out.  But the good news is, we have scheduled a second Retreat following.  Enrollments are now being accepted with $100.00 deposit for 21st - 23rd September 2010.  3 Day Retreat for computerized Machine Embroidery Sewing Machines.  Full Price is $600.00 which included 4 nights Twin Share Accommodation, all meals and 3 full day's tuition. 

If you simply want more information, please email me with your questions.

If you own a computerized machine embroidery machine, this is a must! Everyone learns so much whilst having a great time with other fellow enthusiasts. What we've done with this particular Retreat is update it completely with many new Projects.  The industry is advancing in leaps and bounds, so we've taken on board lots of new Stabilizers & Techniques.  We will be supplying you with designs to upload so as everyone will come to the Retreat fully prepared so as ALL the time will be spent sewing and learning.  Anyone who has attended one of our previous ME Retreats held over the last 5 years, this is different with no repeat projects.  More to be added, but view full particulars on our Retreats section.

3. ONLINE CLASSES

These are progressing better than I imagined.  The students are delighted.  Maybe you should consider one for the future.  We currently offer a Pleat Maker Online Class and a Punchneedle Online Class with another two in the future - one for the Fasturn Turning Tools and one for the Curve Master Presser Foot.  Expressions of interest are being filed for future advice.

4. WHAT'S NEW

Ever so many new products have been added in the last 2 weeks alone, so I can't mention them all here.  Please visit the What's New? section and browse through. 

I just love the new Rotary Contrasting Cutting Mats from Martelli.  Read about them and view the tutorial.  You'll see why.  Their Ergonomic Rotary Cutters are the perfect pair for the mat too.  Available in different sizes and also for either right or left handed use.

If you have tension problems with your sewing machine's thread delivery with different sized spools, then have a peep at the new Kwik Spinner Thread Dispenser from Martelli.

One of our best sellers is the new Game Quilt for kids. Fabulous.  Freezer Paper Sheets are now available in a larger pack of 100 sheets and also on a Roll.  Miracle Fabric Sheets are now available in Natural and Tea Dye as well as white. Plus, untreated white fabric by the metre, suitable for Photo Transfers using Bubble Jet Set 2000.  This is the best fabric for photos, being 200 count and beautifully even and smooth.

Several new attachments for the Clover Mini Iron 11 "The Adapter" are now available but they won't fit the Original Mini Iron unfortunately.  There's quite a few plus a lovely Cooling Stand to house them all in.  The Clover Adaptor Ball Tip is just one.  By the way, the original Clover Mini Iron is now discontinued, though I do have some stock left.  Far less dollars!

Have yourself organized and store all the new adaptor tips.

Must add that some of the new products I mentioned in the last Newsletter are flying out the door.  They are all still on the What's New? listing.

Lots more, so visit the What's New?

5. MADE IN AUSTRALIA

Glenn Harris has added a fabulous collection for his Mother's Day promotion.  Great value at only $69.95 and includes 100 designs.

Jenny Haskins has a new CDs and a book out whilst Julie Hall has released several new CDs some using the wonderful new Mylar Embroidery Sheets.  You'll love these. 

Janny Primrose's new Candlewick Elegance CD is already proving to be very popular.

6. SPECIALS

Mother's Day is not very far away.  Always popular are products from Daylight Lamps, Ott-Lites and Slimline Light Boxes.  All have specials to tempt your dollar.  ALL Ott-Lite Floor Lamps are Freight Free anywhere in Australia up until Mother's Day.  The Ott-Lite Easy View Craft Lamp with Magnifier is particularly good value at only $199.00 and remember, it's Freight Free.  Daylight have a fabulous NEW range of Easy Twist Lamps.  Brilliant!  Their Mother's Day Special Offer is a FREE Daylight Twist Portable Lamp (value $129.95) FREE with each Daylight Ultimate Floor Standing Lamp up until Mother's Day.

Now, I have ONE Daylight Ultimate Floor Standing Lamp that has been opened, but is Brand NEW.  Normally $369.95 but it's yours for only $250.00 plus $20.00 freight.  No free portable lamp with this one sorry.  Email me.

Another great idea would be the Bendable Bright Light.  Can be used in ever so many places, not just on your sewing machine.  These are 240v with "our" plug, so no need for adaptors or transformers within Australia or New Zealand.  This has certainly been one of our best sellers this year.

There are some great specials on selected Yazzii Bags though a few are now nearly sold out, so may I suggest you check them out before you miss out?

The Madeira Thread Treasure Chest is always a popular Mother's Day Gift.  $300.00 off RRP too!

The 3 Piece Trolley Bag Set is another firm favourite this time of the year.  Available in several colours (few new ones) and only $12.00 freight anywhere within Australia.

Of course, there's always a Gift Voucher allowing Mum to choose what she would really like.  Maybe she should show you her Punch with Judy Wish List if she's a registered customer? 

7. DAMAGED & DISCONTINUED

These are all are bargain prices because they have been damaged in transit somewhere along the way. Simply visit Damaged & Discontinued, order whichever you please, then type in the Additional Comments section of your order that you wish to purchase the one from the D&D for such and such a price as the normal retail price will be showing on your order.  Don't worry about that, we'll adjust manually. 

8. TIPS & TUTORIALS

I've recently added some more tutorials that may be of interest to you if you own these products or even if you have been considering same.  We've also grouped the products to make it easier for you.  Some on the Martelli Products and one on the new Binding Tool.  Of course, there are many others in the tutorials section on our website to help you too. You can print them and use them side by side as your work.

9. DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that you need to remove the spring inside the Bobbin Case, if there is one, before you insert one of the Little Genie Magic Bobbin Washers?  Read my blog to share an exasperating experience John and I had last week.

Did you know that the Homebush CraftExpo in Sydney has been moved to Rosehill Racecourse in March 2011?  Great news!  I did announce it in my last Quick News but we do have a lot more subscribers since then.

Did you know that I now have all the products for Pain Relief grouped together in the one section?

Did you know that we've been doing a lot of "behind the scenes" improvements to the website this year.  There's now a section under each product for a Review that you may add, refer to a friend if you like the product and a product rating.  I'd love to see more use these features as it certainly does assist other visitors to the website.

Do you know how to use your Punch Rewards?  I see as orders come through that so many have hundreds accruing just sitting there.  It's simple really.  When you get to the "how do you prefer to pay" section of your order, simply select Punch Rewards and it will automatically deduct the value leaving the balance only to be paid by you with your chosen other payment method.  Give it a try.  These rewards are there for you as a loyalty program.  Here's the FAQ and also step by step how to use them.

10. GOLDEN OLDIES

I like to tell you about some of my favourite products that I personally use and want to share their attributes, as one sewer to another. Here's another: Marking Pencil Removal Solution.

I wrote on my blog recently that "many a time I receive wonderful emails from customers, but this week I was absolutely thrilled to receive the following email from Marie who has kindly given me permission to share it with you in case you ever get desperate about a stubborn pencil marking on your project."

Read the full story here.  Simply scroll down a little once you open my blog.

A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.  Each of us, Parent, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Teacher, Friend, influences the life of a child.  They are our future.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING!

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favourite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities even though you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt but it's alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say "Thanks for the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking".

Till next time,
Judy