Email: judy@punchwithjudy.com.au

In This Issue:-
1. Shows
2. Retreats
3. What's New?
4. Made in Australia
5. Clubs/Guilds Discounts
6. Specials
7. Stitches Subscribers Offers
8. Damaged products
9. Did You Know?
10. January Lucky Draw
11. Best 10 Products for 2006

Unsubscribe

Celebrate AUSTRALIA DAY …… ,

As we all celebrate Australia Day tomorrow it allows us to come together as a nation to think about what is great about Australia and in being an Aussie. Our National website suggests "it's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great Nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future." Anyone who has travelled overseas, knows the feeling tingling through your veins of flying back into Australia at dawn and seeing the sunrise over our great country.

January has been extremely busy and I must apologize to one and all for the delays in processing your orders. Staff have been on Annual Leave and I've muddled my way through the enormous amount of orders being received in between having a constant stream of visitors since before Christmas. I thank you kindly for your extreme patience. We should be on top of it all by the end of next week. Truly, I'm returning to the gypsy show circuit for a holiday!

Thank you to all those who obliged my request last Newsletter and suggested to a friend that they should receive our Newsletters!  Welcome to all our newcomers, there are many of you this month.  I hope you learn heaps and enjoy the reading.

During January we celebrate our website's birthday. This year we are SIX. Haven't we come a long way in those six years? Constantly adding things to the website to make it even more user friendly. Don't forget to place an order before January 31st if you wish to be in our January Lucky Draw. Enter as many times as you wish and winners will be announced on February 1st. Not only is it our website's birthday, but the family helped me celebrate this week and I was entertained by my six grandchildren's sing song around my organ as my youngest granddaughter, Jasmine, played Happy Birthday. I've just enjoyed a wonderful week with Melinda visiting with her three daughters. I taught all four granddaughters how to use an Overlocker and they made several tie belts to go through their shorts and jeans belt loops. Very proud of themselves as you will note in the photo below, (Kirsten, Courtney & Ashleigh - Jasmine is missing). They also chose designs which we transferred to their T-Shirts using June Tailors T-Shirt Transfers and also placed them onto ceramic plates and mugs using June Tailor's Create n Stick.

Rowan's new website is now up and running, so if anyone knows a teacher who is thinking of teaching abroad for a while, maybe they should consider South Korea and have the assurance that they'd be guided by an Aussie who knows the ropes? Visit http://www.esl-planet.com/ Rowan is our son, by the way.

Last Newsletter I made a comment re the Ashes Series of cricket and it seems I inadvertently offended some by using the term "Poms" when I was referring to the English Cricket Team. I am sincerely sorry and apologize to anyone who took this offensively. I wrote the following to a lady and thought I should make it public to all in case there was anyone else offended who "didn't" contact me.

"I am far from being racist and I really had no intention of having any slur whatsoever upon any English Person. The word "POM" in relation to cricket is defined in the Australian Cricket Rules as follows and has ALWAYS been a term of endearment to our friendly opposing team in the Ashes Series. One only has to watch the game to understand the pure sentiments of sporting rivalry between our two countries and to realize it has no malice or mis-intent.

On September 27, 2006, the Australian cricketing authority Cricket Australia ruled that it was OK for cricket fans to refer to the English as 'Poms' after a wide-ranging review on potentially racist terms.

We love you all and this generation has no feelings like what you are suggesting you felt when you first arrived. I certainly didn't mean to insult any Brit and I have many, many friends who are from England and they even call themselves POMS in a tone that only befits a friend in a humourous Aussie comical manner."

With that in mind…………

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY,
Your friend,
Judy

1.

Our website shows the complete 2007 Show Calendar, however, there are a few
"newsy" bits to add.

The Australasian Quilt Convention is the first Show for the year that Punch with Judy will be attending. This is from 22nd to 25th February to be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre, just near Spencer Street Railway Station. Please visit us on Booths 15a/15b. The AQC has become a must attendance for quilters not only throughout Australia & New Zealand, but now from neighbouring Asian countries and indeed many from USA and Europe.

I am holding a Daily Seminar at 12 noon in Seminar Room 3 entitled "Circles & Curves" - don't avoid sewing circles and curves any longer. With the latest innovative products, Judy shows how to sew them with ease. Plus, how to use them for borders, bindings and more.

Here is an update from the organizers to help you plan your itinerary.

Important convention information:

• Social functions will be a highlight of the program. Support your industry and attend the social functions that set the Australasian Quilt Convention apart from the rest!
  Welcome Cocktail Party - 6.15pm Wednesday. Tickets $45 (includes drinks, finger food and entertainment)
  Gala Dinner - 7pm Saturday. Tickets $95 (includes food, drinks and entertainment)
  To secure your place call Kelly Bucknell now on 02 9452 7546.
• Expo open hours:
  Thursday, 8.30am-10am (delegate preview only)
  Thursday, 10am-5pm
  Friday, 10am-5pm
  Saturday, 10am-5pm
  Sunday, 10am-4pm
• Don't forget this year's convention will be held at the Convention Centre.

One of the overseas guests for the show is Gabrielle Swain who has several DVDs relating to her classes and other topics. Punch with Judy is honoured to announce that these will be available from our stand and if you are not lucky enough to be one of Gabrielle's students, then you may still purchase from our stand or from our website as they'll be added early February.

Show Coupons will be updated next week so as you may print them out and bring them to the AQC.

Re the Craft & Quilt Fair in Hobart from 28th - 31st March, please note that it is a Wed. to Sat. Show this year and the times are now 10.00am to 4.00pm daily. Thousands of you would have received the Craft Fair Friend magazine via a mailout prior to the show, however, this year, it will be inserted into the Mercury Newspaper on the Saturday before the fair opens, so make sure you receive your copy and not wait for the mailman.

My FREE daily workshop will be held at 1.30pm in Workshop 2 entitled "Inspirational Ideas using the Pleat Maker" - ever thought of using a Pleat Maker for prairie points, rosettes, flowers, shark's teeth, scenery, inserts or fans? Judy has some wonderful ideas to demonstrate what she claims is the most versatile and best product she has ever used!

Makes you want to attend? Now, another announcement, unfortunately, the organizers are NOT holding any Pre Fair Classes before the Hobart Show this year at all. Sorry to disappoint many of you who I know religiously attend mine no matter what I'm presenting. Not much I can do about it.

Townsville is getting their own Craft & Quilt Fair for the first time this year to be held from 19th - 22nd April immediately following the Craft & Quilt Fair at the Gold Coast from 12th to 19th April. Punch with Judy will NOT be attending either of these Shows, but WILL be at the Stitches & Craft Show in Brisbane from 2nd - 6th May and look forward to catching up with Queenslanders then.

Don't forget that Punch with Judy will NOT be attending the Stitches & Craft Show in February being held at Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney. However, we WILL be at the Stitches & Craft Show in March at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne. Adrienne, have the new Stitches logo I sent you here please

2. RETREATS

During February I will be emailing those who have expressed an interest to attend any of our Retreats for 2007. Please make sure you email me before Jan 31st if you wish to be included as the registrations will then be open and Deposits asked for during February for confirmations.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

New Retreat
Anne van der Kley is Internationally recognized as a guru for Texturing with an Overlocker and has kindly agreed to visit us for an Overlocking Retreat from 14th to 16th July 2007. If you'd like details, I can email you a preliminary outline now. This will be GREAT! I'll be her assistant as I've taught many an Overlocking Class. Anne’s books and CDs are now on our website too.

Machine Embroidery Retreat 2nd - 4th June, 2007
Have you a computerized sewing machine but don't know the full capacity of what it is able to do? This is a specially designed workshop with you in mind!
Learn from our special guest tutor and myself, how to get the best from your investment.
We will cover correct hooping, choice of correct stabilizers, threads & needles, exact placement and how to use various accessories. Projects done show how to use The Sewing Revolution correctly, other positioning and dissecting designs, photos to fabric and so forth.
Suitable to all brands of machines and for the novice to the expert.

Machine Embroidery Techniques Retreat 6th - 8th June, 2007
Includes Free Motion Embroidery for other than computerized designs. This will include Hemstitching, Couching, Feather Stitching, Pintucking, Stippling, Appliqué Stitch, Candlewicking, Double Eye Needle Embroidery; PLUS Shrink Embroidery Thread, Fusible Thread, Machine Trapunto using Wash-A-Way Thread and using Perfect Sew.

Pleating Techniques Retreat 14th - 16th April, 2007
Manipulate and embellish fabric using The Pleat Makers & Fasturn Tools plus other surprises.
Various techniques for the beginner and intermediate student.
Tucks, Tubes & Trims! New tricks & techniques for wearable art embellishments.
Expressions of Interest now welcome.
Don't forget I'll also be visiting Cobar in central NSW for a Weekend Retreat in the first quarter of next year if you live in that area, email me and I shall certainly pass your details on to those who are organizing this.

3. WHAT'S NEW

Stable Stuff is an absolutely amazing new multi-purpose stabilizer which Ricky Tims is endorsing. It is a polyester tear-away that you place into your laser or ink-jet printer to print your design ever so many ways that are described within the packet. It isn't a water soluble stabilizer but when wet, it becomes so soft that you won't know it is even there. 50 sheets per pack.

The Sew Easy Cutting Board has been around for years and years but many don't know about it, so I've added it to the website. I've used one for dressmaking since I can't remember when and just wouldn't be without it. It extends over my entire table and has a pinnable surface and a grid for aligning everything up.

The Bottom Line from Superior Threads on prewound bobbins! SuperBOBS have become so popular and now are in smaller packages of assorted colours. Alex Anderson has endorsed Superior Threads too and her range of Masterpiece Threads will be available on the website soon for you to choose from. You'll love them for either quilting, appliqué or general sewing.

Because Madeira's Lana Thread has been so popular when we've shown it on the show circuit for machine embroidery and punchneedle embroidery, next week I'll be adding the full range of colours for you to order online to make it easier for you. Plus, there's a tutorial to explain how to vary your designs to accommodate the extra thickness of this thread. Most informative.

Shisha Mirrors are now in stock and we'll shortly be having a Machine Embroidery CD featuring designs sewn around them.  Something exciting to look forward to.

New book for Machine Embroiders showing you how to decorate your house with your new found Machine Embroidery Room by Room will change your whole décor.

Another new book for Colourwash enthusiasts which is just fabulous and opens your eyes to what is achievable.  Just loved reading through this one when it first arrived.  Watercolor Landscape Quilts will aspire you to great heights with your quilting.

Quiltsmart have Classic Kits now for Broken Lone Star, Bitty Broken Lone Star and Mariner’s Compass.  All using their easy as pie method wStar were a big hit on our show stands last year.ith Printed Fusible Interfacing.  Always a hit and the panels for Lone Ever popular Roxanne's Glue-Baste-It is now available in a tiny .25oz bottle so handy to take to classes or for use whilst you’re travelling and sewing-on-the-go.  We’ve also added her extremely sought after Appliqué Needles (the eye is so much easier to thread) and her Quilter’s Choice Marking Pencils.  I know you’ll love these.

We’ve been selling Nancy Ota’s Screen Play Bag Pattern using Pet Mesh for a while now but only ever able to get black Pet Mesh which is a stronger and more durable than Screen Mesh – well, we’ve now got Pet Mesh in Bright Blue and Cream with more bright colours to follow shortly.  These are so much fun and we’ve machine embroidered over it and embellished with crystals, but you may like to appliqué or quilt over it.

4. MADE IN AUSTRALIA
I have a wonderful friend who used to gypsy the show circuit as Kae’s Heirloom Treasures, you may remember her stand.  We always visit their farm whereupon John and Peter yak yak away sharing farming ideas.  I’m proud to now offer you two of Kay’s books now that she’s semi-retired. 

You will love Creative Heirlooms and from Treasures to Heirlooms if you enjoy fine embroidery and things of past generations.  These are beautiful.

Pyjama Party is a delectable book of projects for any girl’s bedroom, making her very own room the envy of everyone who sleeps over for a Pyjama Party.  

5. CLUBS/GUILDS REGISTRATION MEMBERSHIPS

Announcement!

If you are a member of a sewing group, patchwork group, Guild or Club, then I now have a specially assigned Membership to our Website arranged for you. One Member (and ONE Member only), usually the President, but that's up to you, may register as a Club/Guild Membership. A form will be issued to you for completion and if your criteria meets my requirements for eligibility, then you have reduced prices for which you may purchase as a group. Bulk orders may then be placed by the Club or Guild on behalf of their members in order to receive generous discounts. One order, one payment, one shipment. Now, the Club or Guild may decide to either allow their members those reduced prices or they may choose to save this money as a fund raiser for a special appeal or guest tutors or whatever. The choice is theirs.

Footnote: Just to clarify, you don’t need to have your group affiliated with a State Guild to qualify. I’ve had some emails re what exactly is defined as a group? When you apply, I’ll be sending you a form to complete and then I can decide.

6. SPECIALS

7. STITCHES SUBSCRIBER OFFERS

Last Newsletter I gave you subscriber prices for New Zealand and the UK readers, unfortunately, they’ve now been updated from the Magazine.  Your NZ 12 Month Membership will now cost you AUD $101.70 whilst to the UK< it will be AUD $125.75.  

Next week it will be easier for you to order as we'll have a new section for the current Subscribers Offers.  Go to the Book section then to Magazines and you’ll find where you may either subscribe or take advantage of the special offers quoting your Stitches Subscribers Number.  Offers are valid for 3 months or until stock relating to the offer sell out.  This will be set up next week.

Current Stitches 14/9 has four Pressing Products for $20.00 plus $5.00 postage. 

Stitches 14/10 will be a Cancer Fund Raising Offer and 14/11 and 14/12 will suit everyone, I promise you!

8. DAMAGED PRODUCTS

Still available these items at half price, damaged during transit.

Springfield Ruler 24" x 6.5"
Brandy's 1" Shapes
Sew Clean
If any of these can find a home with you, please email me and I will quote you the price with postage.