Punch with Judy - December 2007 Newsletter

Email: judy@punchwithjudy.com.au

In This Issue:-
1. Christmas Shopping
2. Retreats
3. What's New?
4. Made in Australia
5. Specials
6. Stitches Subscribers Offers
7. Free Projects
8. Gallery
9. Did You Know?
10. Golden Oldies

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We all don’t need to be reminded that Christmas is approaching as we all seem so busy at this time of the year. So, I hope you have time to browse the website a little for all these great Christmas Specials and some once only offers.

Has been as hot as H.... here lately and I had to share with you a snap I took of a recent sunset with The Rock in the background. No bushfire, just a sunset. Isn’t it incredible?

Great happenings since last Newsletter as my nephew and John have filled in the end of my warehouse for extra storage space. Just looks like a granny flat now with its own carport and garage. For those who’ve been here, from the landing deck to the water tank at the back, it is all now a completely filled in garage with cream roller door at the front to match the one on the actual warehouse.

Finally got our wheat stripped after waiting, waiting, waiting for a header to come to harvest it. Guess what HE is now looking for so as he doesn’t have to rely on others for next year? Lost a little due to the wait because it rained, but that’s life. Will feed the emus for the year. Bought an old thingamajig to mix the grain and hay together to make it all go further and the emus should like it for feed. Here’s a photo of the “old” new truck HE purchased at a Clearance Sale a month or so ago, filled with wheat from our paddocks, augering it up into the silo.

Rowan, our son, reared a poddy lamb since August and since it was brought up around the house, Caesar has grown up thinking he is a dog. Funny as a circus. After being greeted each morning with the rush of more than I needed, plus the forever sweeping up of doings, it was decided that Caesar be taught his true worth and be put with the flock. Now, each time Rowan and I go for our evening walk, he joins us, following us around the entire property getting his daily exercise too, playing with the dogs as he walks. Oh I do love Mother Nature.

Disappointed not one photo was sent to me of the grand entrance to your property, like I asked for in my last Newsletter. C’mon all, give me some ideas please.

Welcome to the many new readers we have, enjoy the following and I hope you all enjoy the lead up to Christmas attending school functions and other gatherings reflecting upon the year that’s been.

Happy Sewing ,
Your friend,

Judy

1.

Last minute Christmas Shopping? We're ready!
We will endeavour to despatch all orders quickly but then it's up to Australia Post.

Remember there's a lot of mail Santa has to contend with at this time of the year, so you should maybe consider Express Post from now on. It is only $1.00 extra (within Australia) than normal mail for the 3kg satchels. I think that's excellent value.

What better and smarter idea than giving one of our Gift Vouchers? Easier for you and appreciated by the receiver. Perfect Gift for even right up to Christmas Eve Shopping because it is INSTANT. Keep it in mind for any time of the year when you've slipped up and forgotten to buy a gift in time - Mother's Day, Birthdays as well as Christmas.

Many have been ordering for friends or relatives they won't be seeing around Christmas, asking us to mail it directly to that friend. Good idea you know. Saves time, saves double postage and is a lovely surprise when received.

Let me help you with some ideas for Stocking Stuffers or Little Gifts:

A Sampler of Time is a 12 month Pocket Calendar with Quilt Patterns for $12.00
Bobbin Saver to store your bobbins is still one of our best sellers for $12.95
The Sidewinder Bobbin Winder has been by FAR our best seller of all new products introduced this year. Special Introductory Price of $25.00.
Loralie Mug makes the perfect gift for any sewer. $24.00
Loralie T-Shirts several sizes and styles $35.00
Sonnets in my Bonnet is a fabulous little book of silly, yet sweet, poems relating to sewing and other nice things - by Loralie Harris and is only $19.95. These are actually now out of print, so act quickly.
Punch with Judy Scissors ranging from as low as $7.95
Scissor Leash a comical yet practical way to wear your scissors around your neck. $15.00
Clover Point Protectors that we all use for the tips of our scissors, even though they were designed for knitting needles. Excellent value 4/pkt $5.95
Wonder Knitter by Clover was an absolute hit when we demonstrated it as shows this year. Not only makes knitted tubes, but is excellent for making jewelry. $15.00
Clover Pom Pom Makers and Yo-Yo Makers are all great gifts for any age, children love them too. From $9.00 to $12.50
What Needle? Tells you what size and what type of sewing machine needle is in your machine at that time. Only $3.95
Book A Quilt Bookmark 7 designs to choose from, a quaint bookmark with a quilt pattern for only $5.95
Refrigerator Magnets 3 different sets of 3 magnets each set $10.00 per set
Quilter's Coasters 3 different sets of 8 coasters each set $23.95 per set
Wooden Pin Cushion padded, Australian Wood $17.95
Wooden Sewing Machine is a thread holder and pin cushion $22.95
Quilt Sewing & Collection Pins in numerous quilty designs for $11.95
Quilting Key Rings coloured enameled key ring for $16.95
Quiltsmart Note Cards & Envelopes set for $19.95
The Yazzii Collection ranging from only $5.00

Now for the higher priced suggestions for HIM to give HER:
A Trolley Bag Set, a good sewing light (Daylight or Ott-Lite), a lightbox (Daylight or Slimline), thread selection or maybe some CDs or DVDs.
Quilters FabriCalc absolutely brilliant way to calculate fabric for your quilts. $69.95
My-T-Fine Cutter cordless electric scissors to ease the pain of cutting. $99.00
Professional Touch Applicator Wand with assortment of Hot-Fix Crystals which we could make up to any price. Wand is $59.95
Or you can't go past a Gift Voucher!

2. RETREATS

Couldn't ask for a better Christmas present from the family than a sewing holiday attending one of our Retreats during 2008! If you want more information, kindly email me to be included in my mailout to "those interested".

More Machine Embroidery (previously called our Advanced Class) will be held from 8th to 10th February 2008. This is for those who've attended a previous Machine Embroidery Retreat with us.

Digitizing/Customizing Retreat will be held from 10th - 12th March, 2008. This is a great opportunity to learn from the best! My guest tutor is Leaenda Ingram who is giving you this opportunity to really come to grips with all the secrets to great digitising in an atmosphere of fun and terrific hospitality.

Machine Embroidery Retreat will be held from 12th - 14th April, 2008.
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. Reports from students who've attended this class claim they learnt more than any periodical classes held in shops. Of course you would, three days of concentrated learning can't be equalled.

Machine Embroidery Techniques Retreat will be held from 16th - 18th April, 2008. Wow, didn't this one cause an impact when we held it last year! This is for those who don't own a computerized machine. So many techniques, so much machine knowledge to be gained, this possesses a wealth of information for our passion of sewing.

Full particulars are now on my website.

4. WHAT'S NEW

Olfa have released a new range of Non-Slip Frosted Advantage™ Acrylic Rulers which are certainly not your ordinary rulers, so do read of the benefits.

Linda Franz's Quilted Diamonds 2 has arrived and is just superb in every way. This is a Book/DVD combination pack. Great value as is for the price of the book alone, yet has a 2 hour DVD Tutorial on Hand Piecing and who better to learn from than Linda?

Three Swans Studios have some lovely new patterns in their range and I find that I can use these for Punchneedle Embroidery by reducing the original pattern's size down to whatever size I desire. Winterberries, Vineyard, Harvest, Dragonfly Parades and Mermaid Song.

Martha's Vineyard from Details by Diane is another lovely new pattern for reverse stained glass appliqué.

Have you looked at the Knit Wit & Doodle Loom by Bucilla? Maybe the sort of thing to have some fun with over the holidays. Even the children can use them.

4. MADE IN AUSTRALIA

Fabulous new product from the Slimline Light Box people. Sometimes you may have thought you'd like a Light Box but just didn't need a large one and then you thought about where you'd store it. This just may suit your needs. The Micro Lite Light Box is a small 8" x 8" Light Box that is portable and lightweight and uses an easily accessible compact fluorescent lamp. Excellent product and priced well.

During the year, we've had the 3 piece Trolley Bag Set at a wonderful special offer and they are still available, though now a little more in price. However, I have THREE only of the same set in PLUM but not the quilted fabric like the others. The colour is superb, the 3 pieces the same, the sturdy frame is the same; in fact, it is the same set, just not the quilted fabric. Not on the website, they are available for Newsletter readers only for the special offer of only $155.00 plus freight. Just too good to miss out on.

The Yazzii specials are proving to be very popular. If you have children to buy for at Christmas time, you can't go past the Swim Backpack or the Swimbag for a quality present at a very economical price. Mums, you really should consider these, yet it is the Grandmas who have purchased the Yazzii range for their grandchildren for Christmas Presents.

The Handy Craft Organizer from Yazzii is one special you should all consider, either as a gift for someone else or as a treat for yourself. So handy for class or for travel.

Maybe you could embellish a Wine Bag and fill it with a bottle of Aussie Wine!

The Double Shoe Bag really will possibly be purchased for all sorts of uses other than for shoes! It is an excellent bottle bag, accessory bag, tool bag - just to name a few.

The Single Knitting Bag is on special PLUS you Buy One, Get One Free! Now, who could resist that offer. It doubles up for so many other uses too, even if you're not a knitter.

There are a few of the Olfa Mats left if you like a great bargain. The most popular size in cutting mats from Olfa, 45cm x 90cm Olfa Cutting Mat, now at HALF PRICE! These are the previous version with just a few less angled lines on them, so are excellent value.

Our specials re the Daylight, Ott-Lite and Slimline Light Boxes will finish very shortly, so don't miss out on these if you've been considering any item in their ranges. Here they are again to remind you:

Daylight Lamps
With each Daylight Compact Carry Lamp you will receive a FREE Carry Bag. (must say that the Carry Bag is an excellent little bag and can be used for other things too.)

With each purchase of a Daylight Floor Standing Model or the Ultimate Floor Standing Model, you may purchase an Art & Craft Light Box for Half Price - $60.00.
If you just wish to purchase the Daylight Art & Craft Light Box by itself, we have reduced its price for Christmas by over 20%.

Free Freight for all Slimline Light Boxes until 19th December. Plus, you receive your Punch Points Vouchers making these even cheaper than elsewhere.

Ott-Lite Lamps
With each purchase of the Lexington Floor Lamp or the Arial 2-in-1 Lamp you will receive a FREE Task Lamp.
The Ott-Lite Easy View Craft Lamp with Magnifier is still at a remarkably great offer.

Freight on ANY Ott-Lite product is only $12.00 to anywhere within Australia.

Not only is the Madeira Thread Treasure Chest back on special for you for Christmas, but other Madeira packs too. The Furry Friends is not new, but at this price, been very popular.

If you are a dressmaker, then please consider the June Tailor Tailor Board and Pad Set because these are discontinued products and may not be around when next you consider purchasing.

Do visit the homepage of our website for the Monthly Special in the Java Column as this would make great Christmas Gift for any hand stitcher and it's Half Price!

6. STITCHES SUBSCRIBER OFFERS

The perfect Christmas Gift that continues giving pleasure ALL year - a subscription to Australian Stitches Magazine! Give one to a friend or ask the family to treat you. Remember I offer great specials in every issue which are available for Subscribers ONLY. There's always four current Issue Offers on my website which allows you plenty of time to consider, even though the magazine states a closing date of one month only for each offer.

7. FREE PROJECTS

The current issue of Machine Embroidery Magazine is featuring a Christmas Table Setting using the Silver Caddy Free Project on our website with the kind permission of Hatched In Africa. Of course, you can make the tablecloth and accessories using any embroidered design you wish, it doesn't have to be a Christmas theme, but isn't this superb? All due credit goes to Liz, my good friend and co-worker for her absolute skill shown in this project.

8. GALLERY

Rina Stols is a customer of mine from South Africa and she recently sent me some photos of her latest masterpiece, emailing me its progress as she was sewing in the wee hours of the morning many a time. She has kindly given permission to share it with you and since it is a Christmas Wallhanging, now is perfect!

11. DID YOU KNOW?

Following my last Newsletter here's some replies:

Did you know that a magnetic kitchen knife holder that has two strong bars of magnets to hold knives makes a handy sewing storage for scissors, tweezers and tools? Thanks to Wendy in Adelaide for this hint.

Did you know that you can use a paper shredder to process fusible adhesive stablizer into ¼” strips suitable for bias binding and celtic appliqué? This tip was given by a customer to Nancy Zieman and I saw it on her TV Show, Sewing with Nancy, so due credit there. Pretty nifty idea! Must say that we found Heat n Bond Lite performed brilliantly whereas the Vliesofix did tend to separate and it needed to be fed through double thickness. Here’s the results.

Did you know that if you accidentally get a drop or two of thread sealant right where you don't want it to go (Murphy's Law), then Janny Primrose suggests using a product from Big W called "Oomph" to safely remove it. She sprayed the stain, let is soak for 5 minutes, then washed the item in detergent and the stain disappeared. Thanks Janny.

Did you know that there are lots of charities that are accepting your old mobile phones when you update? Most places will take them off your hands at point of purchase, but they may not be recycling them. Check first.
Karen from Perth suggests contacting Children's Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation, Reply Paid 1118, P.O. Box 1118, West Perth. WA 6872 and says there's bound to be similar in your State.

Sheryl from Queensland says that the Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland gave the following address: Reply Paid 78054, Aussie Recycling Program, Locked Bag 4000, Moorabbin, Vic. 3189.
Or simply visit www.arp.net.au

11. 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 some more.

The Perfect Sew Needle Threader is designed for Sewing Machines and Overlockers, but I also use if for Hand Sewing Needles. What's the worst thing about all needle threaders? The wire breaks! Not with this one. The little hooked wire on the end of the tool is fine yet solid. Simply pass it through the eye of the needle, hook the thread on it, then pull back through the needle eye. Works every time. The other end is a handy tool for inserting a needle into your machine without having the needle twist on you. Best thing? The Price. It's only $4.95 Well, there's another good thing too. It's MADE IN AUSTRALIA.

Whilst we're on inserting needles into machines, have trouble inserting two needles simultaneously into your Overlocker? No more. The Two-Needle Installer is just superb. Couldn't be without it. Positively holds either one or two needles in place for easy insertion.

Let me leave you with this wonderful little story and poem. You've all heard me refer to "my second best friend" who tries so hard in becoming "my best friend", well she sent me a poem a long time ago, but last week told me of a story about it.
Seems that she had the poem published in a local paper recently and I thought you'd like to read it too. Here's her story. The last line sums Carol up to a tee!

I had a funny thing happen - I sent a couple of my poems into the paper. One was called Prayer of a Stitcher. I got a call from a lady whose mother had died & she found my poem on her mother's dressing table ( the old lady had cut it out of the paper) & asked me if they could read it out at her Mum's funeral. I said I would be honoured as it must have given the old lady pleasure. She said it was really appropriate for her mother and that her funeral notice was in the paper if I wanted to read it. When I got off the phone I did; they had relatives called ……… (I'll keep that private) & so do I, so I got in touch with her again and her cousin is married to my cousin's son. She considered the old lady as a mother. So how is that for spooky stuff, of all the people in that town to ring me up & want to read that poem at her mum's funeral.

Prayer of a Stitcher

Please take me by the hand
Lead me to the Promised Land
These hands are creators of fine stitches
Not only made for mending britches

Take my eyes and let me see
They can see beauty and make me free
To give me the means
To draw fine scenes

Take these ears
That enable me to hear
When my friends give advice
To stitch my picture nice

Take these feet
To lead me to where embroiders meet
To shops filled with lovely threads
To stitch my house, my tree, my shed

Give me the will to try
And leave my mark when I die
Of many lovely pictures
Of all sorts of creatures

Give me the ability to be kind
When friends of mine
Come to me with their pictures
To praise their fine stitches

And as I travel to Heaven above
Please let me remember my friends with love
Also please let me take my stitching bag
And I hope I'm remembered as a bit of a wag.

By Carol Le Maitre

Till next time,
Judy