Email: judy@punchwithjudy.com.au

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Seems that I'm forever having Special Announcement Newsletters of late, but I suppose this is partly why you've subscribed, to be kept up to date with all the news within our industry.  There are several BIG announcements further down. 

Just a little catch up first.

Country is looking a little greener but some crops are struggling to come through. The little rain we've had has been a little late for many.  John sold most of his ewes a few days ago, rather gave them away at the price he received, simply because we've run out of feed.  As soon as he had to buy his first load of hay, that was the decider.  First time ever.  The lambs are doing well though and Midget is now a Giant Midget!

Our recent Retreat on Quilts with Curves with Sandra Chandler was very inspiring.  None of the students will ever shy away from sewing curved pieced quilts again. We all enjoyed a very relaxed, though sometimes challenging (with too many ideas), few days.  The social time in the evenings was rewarding too.  If you missed seeing Sandy at Darling Harbour Show, then read on......

I never caught you up on our Perth Trip Dramas.  First of all a very good Exhibitor friend took ill whilst at the Brisbane Show in May and ended up in hospital.  So, to help out, John drove his 8 tonne truck home to Taree from Brisbane whilst another Exhibitor friend followed in our van and trailer. I was smart, I flew home.  Now, this friend and John usually drive to Perth together for the Craft & Quilt Fair but since he certainly wasn't well enough, John then drove back from our place to Taree to collect the laden truck ready for the next show.  Not wishing to drive the bredth of Australia alone (takes 3 days), a mutual friend was asked to accompany him.  So far so good.  They arrive safely, unload, set up for the show, mutual friend helps out and was an excellent help on the first day of the show serving customers on our stand as we were frightfully busy.  Next two days he was physically ill and in desperation was taken to the hospital in the early hours of Day Two.  He was operated on a few hours later for a Kidney Stone.  My, my.  We all visit him in hospital and try to make fun how some people will do anything to get out of work!  In no condition to drive back to the east, he had to fly home and yet another Exhibitor friend drove with John for company during the long journey home.  Now, this is not the end.

The same original Exhibitor friend now has had a major operation himself last Friday, so John is doing the deed all over again in two weeks for the Melbourne Show followed by the Canberra Show as our dear friend is not allowed to lift anything for 3 months.  What a great crew of mates exist amongst all the Exhibitors!!  That's the main reason for telling you.  This gypsy circus we belong to has given us some really strong friendships.

Unfortunately, this year John and I had to miss our Family Reunion Golf Weekend due to travelling to Sydney for the biggest show of the year at Darling Harbour, but the rest of the team didn't let us down.  All three Golf Trophies this year went to OUR family, not my two sister's families.  Daughter Melinda won the 9 hole event (on a huge handicap), Son-in-Law Andrew won the 18 hole Stableford Event (equal tied with Rowan but a count back was the decider) and Nicholas (playing for the first time) won the High School age trophy.  Wow!  Hated missing it and would you know, the same timing of the show and the Queen's Birthday long weekend will prevent us yet again from attending in 2009.

Will stop to smell the roses next week though as it is school holidays here, so we always have a day at the movies and shopping with the grandchildren. It's a great tradition, plus they know that Grandma is a soft touch!

Now, read on for all the Announcements!

Happy Sewing,
Your friend,

Judy

P.S.  It has RAINED overnight since starting this Newsletter!!! 

1. HOBART ANNOUNCEMENT

2. NEW SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT

CRAFTFEST - A CELEBRATION OF CRAFT

from the organizers of the Craft & Quilt Fairs

March 6 - 9 2009 at The Dome, Olympic Park, Homebush, Sydney

Gary Fitz-Roy, Managing Director of Expertise Events who organize the Cr aft & Quilt Fairs released this announcement during last week.

"After much feedback from our many loyal exhibitors and feedback and research from visitors, I have pleasure in announcing a new craft event concept timed to occur in the early part of the year and commencing in 2009 and to re-brand our regional events.  We will also be re-branding the Gold Coast and Townsville Fairs to "Craftfest" to further differentiate them from the shows with established State Quilt Shows.  We believe this strategically gives consumers another reason to visit rather than say they will wait for the other show."

He then announced the above NEW Show which will be run by a separate marketing and servicing team from within EE, but with the support of the Craft & Quilt Fair team.  Admission will be cheaper and you'll be offered a special craft saver's booklet.  It will be supported by Family Circle magazine, so undoubtedly details and editorial should appear in their issues.  The Show will have a completely different look and will include a finished product section called "Maker's Market".  There will be the traditional workshops and open stage presentations.

So, mark it in your diary now!  We'll be there.

3.  STITCHES & CRAFT SHOWS

Reed Exhibitions who stage the Stitches & Craft Shows have sold to Living Creatively, a Marketing Company having several equity partners.  One of whom is Kerri-Anne Kennerly, TV Personality, who will be their "face" and promotional avenue.  Living Creatively says "it is your place to discover what's happening in the world of creativity and to unleash some of your own. "

So, the August Stitches & Craft Show to be held at Rosehill Racecourse 20-24 August 2009 will be the last one held by Reed Exhibitions.  Of course, the new company will keep the three shows going, Melbourne March, Brisbane April & Sydney August.  The Stitches & Craft Show is simply called "The Stitches" by one and all because it was the original concept of these craft shows by our much loved George Pyne, the founder, who passed away a few years ago.  To many of us, since he passed on the reins, many things changed.  It always amazes me that anyone, anywhere, going to a craft and sewing type show, very often ask "are you going to the Stitches?" even when it is a small country affair.  I certainly hope Living Creatively don't change the name to their own because the two shows that Stitches dropped, Sydney February and Melbourne September, have had those dates taken up by Creative Living Media and are called as such, so you could see the confusion that may happen.

Note also that those two shows called Creative Living Expos in Feb and Sept use Kerri-Anne Kennerly for promotion as she is closely involved in helping to promote and market their Expos through "Morning with Kerri-Anne" on Channel 9 TV.  They say "she will become the media personality to promote and market the craft industry".

See how easily confusion may occur?  For Punch with Judy, we will mainly be attending the Craft & Quilt Fairs as they are dedicated to our type of customer's needs as a serious sewer, quilter or embroiderer.  We do have a few products that overlap into other crafts but find we have enough shows as it is to contend with so will be hesitant about adding any more.

4.  MELBOURNE CRAFT & QUILT FAIR

SANDRA CHANDLER - JUST CURVES/CURVE MASTER

QUILTER FROM USA RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA - ATTENDING THIS SHOW

Sandy certainly must have loved attending the Darling Harbour Show a few weeks ago because upon her return to USA she contacted me to say she'd been able to rearrange her US commitmen ts to enable her to again be my guest on my Stand A11 at the Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair in July. 

Held at the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre (commonly called Jeff's Shed)  from 24 - 27 July 2008.   Don't forget the show is open until 8pm on Saturday too.

Although too late to be on their advertised program or to hold Seminars etc. she will be demonstrating daily on my stand showing the extraordinary benefits of sewing with a Curve Master Presser Foot when sewing curved seams for quilting and dressmaking. 

So, Melbourne Show Goers, you haven't missed out entirely!

Remember I have no Pre-Show Seminar this year but I do have a Daily Workshop at 12.30pm in Workshop 3.

"How to Use the New Specialty Rulers". I will explain how to use some of the new rulers to perfect your patchwork by using just the right tool for a specific need, making patchwork quicker, easier and certainly more fun. Of course, I add lots of tips and tricks along the way.

Saturday Night Special Classes :

Workshop 2 at 5.30pm 1 hour lecture:    Just Curves - the next revolution in Quiltmaking 

Imagine a tool that allows you to master curved seam piecing - sewing curved seams is as fast & easy as strip piecing straight seams.  Presenting the Curve Master Presser Foot - challenging curves are within reach of ALL quiltmakers.

Craft Circle 4 at 6.30pm 1 hour hands-on:  Kumihimo - Japanese Braiding

Kumihimo is the Japanese art of braiding, used for fashion jewellry, bags and embellishments.  Make a funky zipper pull with this easy to learn braiding you can do anywhere.  Special Kumihimo disks will be available to use in Class.  Kit $10.00  Book at Stand A11.

Any special orders you need brought to the Melbourne Show will need to be emailed to me by Sunday 20th July please. 

5.  CANBERRA CRAFT & QUILT FAIR

Hands On Class  Carolina Favourite - The Just Curves Way with Sandra Chandler (USA)
5pm to 8pm Friday 8th August Fee: $60 (no kit)
Carolina Favourite is a simple American 4-patch block with lots of ways to arrange it. Four templates make this 16" finished block fast! Focus on cutting one or two blocks, then sew them with the Curve Master Presser Foot. Complete at least one block in class. Sandra will discuss the vertical symmetry concepts and techniques for you to explore after class. Templates and the Curve Master Presser Feet are available for use during class. Sewing machines will be provided but if you prefer to bring your own please do so. You will need to bring your own materials - a class requirements list will be provided.

Bonus:  Each attendee will receive a $10.00 discount voucher off a set of Just Curves Templates. 

For direct online booking go to:

https://online.expertiseevents.com.au/iebms/reg/reg_p1_form.aspx?oc=01&ct=CLASS&eventid=5255

Or Contact rebeccar@expertiseevents.com.au

Don't forget your Show Coupons. Print them from our website and bring them to the Show. 
No Coupon, No Special, No Discount!  Some have said they've had difficulty printing these.  To print JUST the coupons, you hover your mouse over them and a new little box will appear and you click on Print within that box.  Then you won't be printing the whole website page.  "Here endeth the lesson" - I love Sean Connery!  That was one of his lines in a movie.

7.  MY DAY PLANNER

I know many of you arrive at a show with your whole day's activities planned, but sometimes you miss something.  Expertise Events have now made it easier for you to plan ahead.  If you visit their website http://www.craftfair.com.au/ for each show they now will offer you a Day Planner. 

My Day Planner allows you to create a personal diary of what you want to do at the show.  This can be anything from an Exhibitor List, Plan List, Craft Circle, Stage Presentation or a Workshop List.  Select, Drag, Save, Print and you have your OWN customized day planner!  Fabulous idea.  Congratulations to EE for such a great idea for you.

8.  TEASER!

SCOOP - If you think all the above Show News is Front Page News sort of stuff, the best is yet to come.  Wait for my next BIG Announcement for something really fantastic!  All I can say is, if you like doing the sort of sewing I love, then you won't want to miss it, so save your coins for a trip north (or south or east, depending where you live) for an exciting new venture that will become your Annual MUST attend, just like the AQC has become. 

9.   RETREATS

There's only two Retreats left for this year and we're finalizing those now plus taking bookings.

Advanced Machine Embroidery 7 - 9 September is for students who have already done our Machine Embroidery Retreat.  So this takes you further along with more exciting concepts and challenges.  Many repeat this class as we allow you to bring projects or ideas of what you'd like to learn.

Fun with Embellishments 11 - 13 September is one you shouldn't miss if you like to have fun with textiles, free-form work, using the new Embellisher Machines, all kinds of other embellishments, felting, felt balls and other shapes,  foils, sheers, making flowers, beading, angelina, boxes, adding textures and so on.  Hmm, yes, it's only 3 days.  What a great Retreat we have now organized for you!  Please note: this is not a retreat for embellishing machines as many have thought, but we do spend one segment using them. This is truly a "let's explore how to......" using many of the newer techniques and new products now made available to us.

Retreats are $600.00 which includes 4 nights Twin Share Accommodation, All meals, 3 Days Tuition, exploring Aladdin's Cave, fantastic entertainment and a little holiday in the country. What more could you wish for?

10. WHAT'S NEW

Please visit this part of our website as there are some fabulous new items being featured. Over the next few days I will be adding even more new products, but for now, I want to let you know about a few new items I've been using myself and just love them. 

It seems Motels these days have done away with overhead lighting and it's useless trying to do something detailed such as sewing each night when we're away at a Show.  Or, when I'm sometimes embroidering in a different room to where I have my Floor Lamp set up.  Also, sometimes in the car travelling I don't have really good light.  Well, I've been using the new Ott-Lite Rechargable Task Lamp which works on either a normal power point or as a portable light source from its rechargable battery.  Nothing short of fantastic.  It has Ott-Lite's TrueColor Lighting, may be used with the included AC Adaptor or for up to 3 hours of Battery Use.  To recharge the battery, you simply plug it into the power source.

At the AQC earlier this year, one of my friends used a Portable Folding Ironing Board called a GO Board.  Everyone raved about it, so now I can offer them to you at my friend's insistance.  It is 12" wide and 32" long, but when folded is only 16" long.  It's lightweight, the legs collapse and the iron rest slides in.  Great for travelling, but perfect for classes, uni students, caravans or your sewing room. 

We do need to look after our eyes, so here's another gem to help you sew better.  The Bendable Bright Light attaches to your sewing machine to give you more light exactly where you need it.

Or, if you can't see well enough whilst sewing, maybe try the Magnistitch which magnifies your sewing area.  Plus, here's another little treasure for failing eyesight.  The Lighted Magnigrip - a LED lighted magnifyer tweezers combo!  One of the sharpest little unpickers I've tried - a new Seam Ripper Clipper from Anchor, which is really great. Now, this just made even me say now I've seen everything.  A Sewing Taxi!  Well, that's what Fiskars new 12-in-1 Sewing Multi-Tool is commonly called.

All the new items about Kumihimo, the ancient art of Japanese Braiding will tempt you too because this craft is great for jewellry, necklaces, bag handles, braiding with beads and much more.

Some interesting new books I will add this week, include:"Needle Felting by Hand or Machine" (absolutely inspiring), "Machine Embroidery on Paper" (includes a DVD), "Quilt with Confidence" (a great beginner's book), "Sewing Packs, Pouches, Seats & Sacks", "Skinny Quilts & Table Runners", "The Art of Landscape Quilting", "Embroidery Machine Essentials Piecing Techniques" and some great new books on felting.

The best sellers at present are the Sewline Fabric Markers, Block Butlers, Side Winder Bobbin Winders (still!) Wave Edge Rulers (because Lily Marie Amaru has been in Australia) and Fabrico Dual Tip Markers.

11. GOLDEN OLDIES

Roxanne's Glue Baste It has just come back into stock after being unobtainable for quite some time.  It's been a long time favourite of mine as a water soluble temporary adhesive that dries in minutes.  The best feature though is the fine nozzle allowing perfect control for applique and other positoning actions required.  I've never had it dry up on me either which is a big plus for any adhesive.  Comes in two sizes, but the larger is by far better value.  Many buy both and refill the smaller unit for class and applique on the go.  Try it.

12. DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that in Korea, it is a great milestone when a baby reaches 100 days, originating from many years ago when the baby mortality rate was high.  Although not applicable today, the Koreans still celebrate 100 days being reached with a big party etc.  Here's a photo of our grandson Hunter when he reached 100 days recently.  Isn't he a fine young man?  But then, all Grandmas are biased. Don't know about the hat though!  We see him on webcam each night since Rowan, his Dad, is currently working his website business from here at The Rock.  Hunter and Jess are in South Korea.

Did you know that one can of Quilt Basting Spray will do for 5 single bed quilts if used sensibly?  Meaning sparingly.  Pretty good value hey?

Did you know that we have numerous products that are not on our website (and may never be) so you should always email me to ask when you can't find something you're searching for. Maybe I just may have it, or at least, be able to direct you to someone else.

Did you know......

Till next time,
Judy