Your Patchwork and
Sewing Specialist

Email: judy@punchwithjudy.com.au

In This Issue:-
1. Birthday Celebrations
2. Retreats
3. What's New?
4. Specials
5. Year in Review
6. Did You Know?
7. Golden Oldies

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HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!

There are literally thousands of you now and I wish each subscriber the very best of Health and Happiness for the coming year.  Let us hope that 2008 will be kind to each and everyone of us.  Since we have so many newcomers, I have added a little about how to use our website at the end of this Newsletter, which you all should read even if you have been with us for years.

Christmas came and went with the usual hurry and flurry that occurs and I can report that our family enjoyed yet another wonderful time together at Sharelle's. We always seem to eat too much and get lazy lolling around, but it flowed nicely and the grandchildren had a great time.    Melinda wasn't able to join us this year for Christmas, but she arrived on Saturday so saw the New Year in with us and I am lapping up their company this week.  Granddaughters have been making Boxer Shorts as pyjamas from lovely bright satin fabric and we purchased Singlet Tops to wear with them.  They love using the Overlocker.   All in the learning curve when they visit Grandma.

We were fortunate to have some rain just before Christmas and the place has greened up already, with some water flowing into the dams (first time all year) but still nothing in the creek that borders our property.  That has not had water flowing in it since I remember when???

Thank you to all our Show Staff in every State and, in particular, to Liz who know accompanies us in most States, to Penny who does Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Shows, Leaenda who does likewise but may not be able to for future Shows due to other work commitments, plus the other girls who help out on a local basis.  Having good, knowledgeable staff is an absolute blessing to me and eases the burden immensely of being the eyes and ears of all in very busy times, as you know how hectic our Show Stands can be. We prove to be a great team and those girls keep John under check for me too!  It is a common phrase that the staff have to cope with "the man said"...

Liz and Norma need special thanks for their assistance in providing models for display promoting our new patterns and products as I simply do not have the time these days to do all the sewing I would wish.  To the vast array of Aussie talent with all the machine embroidery designs we offer, special thanks for providing display material recognizing that I can promote your new products as I travel.  Leaenda Ingram, Julie Hall and Janny Primrose in particular for this past year, your stitched out designs are very much appreciated.

Our staff at home has seen some changes during the year, Leonie left early in the year with Brenda joining us a few months later and she is learning the ropes quickly, now that Jen is no longer here.  Gloria has worked more days and continues to be a great help to me preparing for Shows.  Jen retired in October to start her family and is expecting her baby late March.  I am still searching for a suitable replacement for one with the computer knowledge and sewing expertise that Jen brought to our team.

Special mention to the Show Organizers teams who continually assist us for our Show needs for both our stands and workshops.  Also to the magazine editors, Erica, Lynne & Yvonne, in particular, for their continued support in working together to showcase our new products and promote projects using them.  Punch with Judy has continued to support the Subscriber Offers in each issue of Australian Stitches and you really should consider subscribing just for these alone, plus all the other benefits, of course.  Details are on the website in the Books and Magazines section. 

To Adrienne Anderson, my wonderful webmaster, who continually listens to my ideas and impulses, implementing the ones with merit and tactfully squashing those that need to be.  Though I am doing a lot more within the website these days as I learn the technicalities of the program we use.

To all those who continually support our business in everything we do, thank you, thank you, where would we be without you?  Nowhere at all, I guess.

So many emailed me during December wishing us Season's Greetings etc. but in particular, so many thanked me for the Newsletters, in sharing our personal life and keeping you entertained with little stories, interesting reading and all the antics of HIM.  Regulars know I stir John publicly and it's all in good humour, not to be taken too seriously.  You know, I gain as much from you as a group in rewards (via your emails and comments at the Shows) as you may think you gain from reading my Newsletters.  Many a time, you provide a great pick-me-up with your humour and appreciation.  The Newsletters are definitely a two way street let me assure you.

We will get away for a few days shortly, thanks so much  to all those who offered suggestions and I laughed as so many emailed saying GO TO HAWAII !!!  We've taken a raincheck on that offer from our friend and will try later in the year.

Please continue to read on for our Year in Review and other happenings for the coming year.

John and I wish you all a very Happy New Year and we both thank you for your patronage, without you we would not have our business.

Happy Sewing,
Your friend,

Judy

1. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!

Our website is seven this month and you are going to receive the presents.

Each January in past years we’ve had a LUCKY DRAW to help celebrate our Website’s Birthday – but only 3 lucky customers were the winners! Therefore, this year, I’d like everyone to have the opportunity of receiving our Birthday Gifts.

2. RETREATS

Please contact me now to have your name added to the list for the mailout in the next few days for each and any of the following Retreats.

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 digitizing 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.

3. WHAT'S NEW

Always being updated and you'll need to visit the What's New? each week during January to be kept up to date, as I have time to add some new products.  eg. Embellish and Stitch Book and Stitch Dissolve Distort Book, both from Valerie Campbell-Harding & Maggie Grey; Beyond Circle Magic from Brandy's Templates, plus her 3" Diamond Mylar Pieces and her Scallops Acrylic Template Set.  There are more!

4. SPECIALS
Last month I mentioned the following, can't believe you didn't snap them up. 

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.

I have a few Yazzii specials still left over from the Christmas promotion, so shall leave these available to you for a little while longer.

The Swim Backpack or the Swimbag are still handy for summer swimming.

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

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.

Do visit the homepage of our website for the Monthly Special in the Java Column.

5.  YEAR IN REVIEW

During 2007 Punch with Judy attended thirteen Shows, at least one in every State of Australia plus one in New Zealand.  As an Exhibitor I gave daily workshops and conducted pre-show seminars at many.  You, the attendees, were once again marvellous, supporting everthing I did and allowing me to catch up with many of you in person.   In 2008, as part of our overall plan, we will further cut back the number of Shows we are able to participate in simply because of the pressure of business back home as the mail and website orders continue to grow.  I do like to keep a personal hand in these, plus, we are not getting any younger and want to be around for a long while yet.  We had planned to do Shows for 5 years and we are now in our 18th year; I think enough said.

Our Retreats in 2007 were well attended and I consider successful from the students' reviews.  My thanks to Robyn Miller, our machine embroidery tutor and to Anne van der Kley who conducted her first Overlocking Retreat for us.  My Pleater Techniques Retreat was most rewarding when I see the projects the students have made during and since the Retreat.

Although I was unable to attend the Houston Quilt Marke& Festival in 2007, I did manage to attend a one major Show in USA earlier in the year.  This was a very successful trip resulting in many new products being sourced for you.

Sales of our Pleat Makers (which we manufacture) continue to grow in Europe as a result of my visit in 2006 and the efforts of Ruth in Switzerland and Catherine in France who exhibit and teach.  Nancy's Notions in USA added them to their catalogue in August 2007so will be interesting to watch that market.

Best Sellers for 2007:

The biggest sellers for 2007 would have to be the Clover Pom Pom Makers and Yo-Yo Makers followed by the Wonder Knitter by Clover. 

Certainly Bag Patterns across the board.  By far the most successful are those from StudioKat Designs, followed by Scrap-Bags Patterns and Timber Lane Press Patterns.

The Loralie Designs fabrics and machine embroidery CDs rate very high as do CDs from Hatched in Africa.

In the haberdashery products the Bobbin Saver  still outsells them all but the introduction of the new The Sidewinder Bobbin Winder has been a runaway seller since it was introduced just prior to Christmas. 

The  My-T-Fine Cutter has been received very well and I urge all shopowners to consider using it for cutting their fabric when selling over the counter.  Once customers see it being used, they'll want their own; let them test drive it themselves!

Constant great sellers are our Pleat Makers and Fasturn Turning Tools, mainly due in 2007 to me conducting workshops at Shows refreshing ideas for those who have them and introducing them to so many newcomers.

Photo Transfer Products continue to be very strong sellers and I'm amazed with the continued sales of Russian Punchneedle Embroidery tools, our Punch with Judy Stencil Burner, hot-fix crystals using the  Professional Touch Applicator Wand and heat-bondable Angelina Fiber are still extremely in vogue.

The best new craft introduced to the masses would be Needle Felting with Clover's felting tools way ahead in sales of other alternatives.

The best new product over the last year (or a little more) I would have to grant to the Double Mitre Ruler from The Sewing Revolution company.  It's Aussie made too and accompanied with The Sewing Revolution, presents accuracy plus in all its designed uses.  Congratulations to a wonderful Australian Company.

On the farm scene, the pavement around the Warehouse and now the additional extension which I call the Garage, the extended cover from the shearing shed to house the tractor, truck, van and trailer are major things that happened around the farm during the year.  The lambs have done well this year but the wool was still down to near nothing.  Everything is affected by the drought right through the whole country.  The emus continued to give a return even though their fat content went down a little, again due to feed and climate, we still sold all the oil we produced and couldn't supply sufficient for those seeking it.  Many of you I know, are gaining relief from the wonders of 100% Natural Emu Oil.

On the personal front, it has been absolutely wonderful in having Rowan home from so many years overseas and he has been living with us since mid 2007 conducting his recruiting website business from here.  It has given us a chance to truly catch up on so many missed family options during those years away and I love our evening walks around the farm as we both catch up on the day's doings.

6. DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that for each website order you receive Punch Points Vouchers?  These are dollar spending vouchers for future products you will receive FREE as a loyalty program.  My gift to you for shopping with us.  It's pretty simple to use them really, but let me explain in a sentence or two, though full directions are on my website.

Basically, you save your Punch Points Vouchers until they total the FULL dollar value of any product or products you choose to receive as your FREEBIES and ask for them, quoting your voucher numbers in the Additional Comments section of the order form, whenever you are placing your next normal paying order.

No, you can't use them as a Cash Discount and No, you can't use them for products already discounted.  Unfortunately, I can't offer them for redemption at the Shows because we wouldn't have the option of checking if they were still valid or not.  I think you'd appreciate these reasonings.

Many customers receive regular FREE products and love the program.

Did you know that you don't HAVE to register on our website in order to submit an order?  Registering simply streamlines every time you visit and place an order.  You don't have to fill out the entire order form each time, the registration remembers all your personal data and logs you in automatically.  Makes it faster and easier for you.  Remember, this is completely separate to subscribing for these Newsletters.  A lot of people think the one registration serves both.  No, you subscribe for the Newsletters, you register for the website.

Did you know that the wish list on the website is there to help you?  Every time you visit the website and come across something of interest, pop it into your wish list and it will be far quicker for you to find it again when you're ready.  You won't have to remember the name of the product or where to find it.  Plus, other member of the family may like to use your wish list for future suggestions as presents for your Birthday, Mother's Day or Christmas for example.  By the way, I can't access your wish list, it is for your eyes only.

Did you know that if you are hesitant about placing internet orders, you can simply fill out the entire Order Form but when it comes to the part for you to add your Credit Card details, you can simply type ON FILE and only need fill in the Expiry Date and the CCV (those last 3 digits on the reverse side of your credit card).  Then phone or fax me your Credit Card details and ask that they be kept on file for all future orders.  These are kept secure and completely separate to our internet connections.  Very safe and worry free.  Though I will add that our website is of the highest security possible and has been upgraded during the year to offer the latest in technology. 

Did you know that when you advise me of a new email address, you also need to let me know your previous email address so as I may delete it at the same time?  Makes it so much easier for me please.

Did you know that if you can't find a product quickly when browsing my website, you may email me and I can give you directions or a link to it?  Also, if a product is not found on my website, that doesn't mean to say we don't stock it.  I have numerous products not on our website and many items that I may take to Shows that will never make it to the website.  Again, simply ask in an email.

Did you know that I appreciate you letting me know when you may sometimes find a product cheaper elsewhere because I can quite often match the price for regular customers.  I've been told by many prudent customers that my prices are usually very acceptable and competitive already though.

7. 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.

That Purple Thang is one of the handiest little tools you can have in your accessories.  Funny name for sure, but it can be a bodkin threader, a 1/4" measure, a pusher or poker for lace, bias, seams, ribbon, gathers etc. when sewing so as you don't run the risk of your finger getting in the way of the sewing machine needle.  I find it holds a seam open when sewing over cross sections and controls any embellishments I am sewing.

Clover's Fork Pins are the best I've used for holding knitting together before sewing those seams and for numerous patchwork holding pins.  Try them, they are great.  Not cheap, so keep them safely, but well worth the price. They are Double Pointed Pins for blocking knits and are perfect for pleats and sleeve easing. The grip of the double pin is bent for ease in handling.

Schmetz have wonderful quality sewing machine needles, we all know that.  However, not many realize the importance of using the right needle for a specific purpose.  I absolutely swear by their Topstitch Needles and probably use them for more situations than they are designed for.  The deep groove at the front of the needle allows metallic threads as well as heavier topstitch type threads to sit comfortably within that groove, thus not allowing the thread to shred as it sews through the fabric so many times at a fast speed.  No shredding, no thread breakage.  Isn't that what we all long for?  Try them.

Till next time,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Judy