Email: judy@punchwithjudy.com.au

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Hi Everyone,

Happy Mother's Day to each and every mother and grandmother!  I hope you are enjoying your day with your family and if that wasn't possible, that they at least did phone you.

Melinda is too far away, Sharelle is at Griffith attending a State Soccer Championship (with Jasmine playing) and Rowan was here today with Hunter and we went out for lunch!  Across the creek would you believe!  Yes, Bolong Farm is an "Iris Bulb Farm" between our property and Uranquinty, only a stone's throw the other side of our creek.  They had a special Mother's Day Weekend at the Iris Farm to which I was invited to have a stall, but packing for Perth Show prevented me from accepting, so we thought we'd at least go and have lunch there and browse through their stalls, taste the wine and eat in the sunshine.  Also, with a view of sussing out another local tourist attraction for when we have guests attending our Retreats.  Often hubbies are "let loose" for the day and need local places of interest to visit.   I'll post some photos I took on my blog later.  http://punchwithjudy.blogspot.com/   Must say though that the most wonderful time was enjoyed and the couple who run it are to be congratulated on a very professional presentation.  John would LOVE to have the new cottage shown on the right.  They built it themselves and it's the Cafe/Gift Shop.  So quaint.

This morning I was presented with a bucket full of flowers from our own garden proudly picked by Jonathon, my HIM.  Jonathon is when he is nice and thoughtful, HIM is when I tell tales about him.  It's at times like these, one usually asks "What's her name?" for those of you who know him well this is unlike Jonathon!  The flowers are beautiful and very much appreciated.

Mother's Day!  It's time to reflect, not soppy, just appreciative! I've been fortunate to have three mothers.  My Mother-In-Law, God Bless Her, is still alive but hasn't known anyone for several years and we hardly recognize her.  Looked after well in a home, but a near vegetable.  So Sad.  My "other Mother" is indeed my own sister's Mother-In-Law, whom was one of my Mother's best friends too.  Aunty Silv was certainly like a Mother to me, living right next door to us when we first got married and she was the one ever present who guided me through my own Motherhood each and every day.  She was the one who taught me to cook, preserve fruit, make jam, join CWA, tell me what the pink spots were on my child, when to visit a doctor etc and I loved her dearly. 

May I indulge in a little about my own mother.  It is now 20 years since Mum succumbed to the dreaded Cancer, in fact, passing away in my arms.  Mum taught me to sew on her old sewing machine when I was 14, did all the normal Mum stuff watching me play Sport, Pantomines every summer holidays, Beach Visits and the like.  In later life, nothing she liked better than visiting us at Campbelltown and just spending her days in my shop, talking to customers and just "shopping".  She was so clever with her hands and could make anything from a photo.  Many of you who were customers at Hall's Sew & Knit may remember seeing her there and certainly would've seen her talents displayed in many of my display models for knitting and crocheting as well as the Craft bits and pieces.   A tribute to her family ideals is that we have a family reunion in her honour and remembrance on the long weekend in June, which you've heard me talk about before - our Golf Day!  The reason I can never attend the Wholesale Trade Show held that weekend. Such is the esteem three generations remember Mum by.  Everyone makes an effort to attend, from all three States.

If only she had've been alive to troup around with us on the Show Circuit.  She would've had an absolute ball and you would've found her hilariously funny too as she certainly was a character and a half.

Here is a photo of her with an arrangement of flowers I sent her one past Mother's Day.  The photo has remained on my fridge door ever since.  We always smiled because we joked that she could've at least taken her apron off for the photo!  Mum constantly told me how proud she was of me and was always interested in what I was making with my hands. Love you Mum!

At the end of this special Newsletter is a lovely piece that I think applicable for today's generation and a salute to Mums.

Happy Mother's Day,
Your friend,

Judy

Australasian Quilt Convention 2010 Report
The AQC was again held at the heritage Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne a week ago. You need to save your dollars and make sure you attend the next one if you've never been.  It's different to other Shows - everyone is there to have fun and it shows on their faces and in their attitude.  What a pleasant honour it is to be an Exhibitor!  What a magnificent building it is too.  There were four "arms" such as the hall depicted in this photo.

I'll put more images up on my blog within 24 hours, so go visit for the update.  http://punchwithjudy.blogspot.com/  See MOI with Austin Powers!

Another tremendous success for the Organizers, the Exhibitors, the tutors, the delegates and visitors.  Sandra Chandler from Just Curves, inventor of the famous Curve Master Presser Foot, was my Guest and demonstrated on my stand on Saturday and Sunday.  On Thursday and Friday, Sandy was one of the International Tutors teaching Double Wedding Ring and Winner's Circle.  Here is a photo of Sandy's group on the Friday.  Both classes were booked out and by all reports, everyone had a fabulous time.

Quilts from around the world, local collections and displays highlighted Australia's premiere event.  The highlight is always the Gala Dinner announcing this year's winners of special awards.  From the eight Best of Show quilts from 2009 State Guild Shows, Marlene King from Tasmania for her "Travels" won The National Quilt Award.  More photos of her beautiful quilt depicting her travels in the form of a photo film, which I took at the Hobart Craft & Quilt Fair last year, will be posted on my blog, but here's the overall quilt.  Well deserved and was my choice too.  Barbara Macey from Victoria received the Rajah Award acknowledging an outstanding contribution by an individual to quilting in Australia.  Do you know of the Rajah Quilt?  Visit my blog to see a photo of the quilt.  The Lut-Da Award (Lut-Da is an aboriginal word meaning "to give") goes to a quilter who has made an outstanding contribution to their local community via the medium of quilting and this year's award went to Cynthia Harvey Baker from W.A. for her work in many aspects of our industry. All well deserved and we congratulate these very proud winners.  The Shining Light Award is to any quilter under the age of 18 as an encouragement award for junior quilters and this year's award went to Freyah Howland-Davis from the North Coast of NSW.

The Gala Dinner is always a grande night.  This year we were wined and dined on the balcony of the Royal Exhibition Building and danced the night away to great entertainment, including African music and dancing followed by ABBA (impersonators naturally).  Everyone joined in.  I even saw a very elderly lady and I mean VERY elderly, trying to jig from one foot to the other with a circle of much younger quilters surrounding her, all having a ball of a time with arms joined doing the dosey-do.  How absolutely precious!  Here's us done up to the nines, but I must say this was taken at the end of the night!!!

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 is now leaving a couple of days later than first announced, so you still have till Tuesday this week to let me know of any special orders you want brought for collection at the Show.

PERTH SHOW CLASSES HELD DAILY

This is a copy of what was in my last Newsletter, but I omitted one very important factor - the date!  These days are great fun, so please come and join us.

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 on Sunday 16th May.  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.  

RETREATS

Machine Embroidery Retreat being held from 17th - 19th September, 2010 is booked out.  Last month I announced a second Retreat to deal with the "overflow" of hopeful students would be held following this one.  However, a stumbling block.  It clashes with Henty Field Day which is only a short distance away from us and all Motels are fully booked.  Therefore, we've now secured a second Retreat to be held from 12th - 14th September, 2010 so as no-one is going to miss out from attending.  If this new date suits you better and you'd like to attend, may I suggest you contact me BEFORE I leave for Perth's Show.  View full particulars on our Retreats section.

Several new products have been added this month so do pay a visit regularly to this section.  No further details here as this is not our usual Monthly Newsletter. 

We've also been busy at work behind the scenes and you'll see some rearranging of product categories to make browsing and finding products quicker and easier for you.

If you didn't remember your Mum in time for posting something for her to have today, there's still time to make amends.  If you visit my website now and purchase a  Gift Voucher   which we allow Mum to choose what she would really like, then I can have the acceptance emailed to her immediately, right now!  You would simply phone her and say "You Have Mail Waiting"! 

TIPS & TUTORIALS

I've recently added some more tutorials that may be of interest to you  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 you work. 

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The world is a great place and the next generation will rise to the task for sure, but many have their doubts re today's society, so I thought this extract from a Newspaper submitted by a concerned citizen may bring a smile to your face when the young ridicule the aging generation who talk about "in my days" or "the good old days".  Enjoy this and ponder.

Different Drug Problem..............The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine Lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining shire and he asked me a thetorical question, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young:  I was drug to church on Sunday morning.  I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.  I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.  I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.  I was drug out to pull weeds in Mum's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of Dad's paddocks.  I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbours to help out some poor soul who had no-one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline or chop some firewood and, if my Mother had ever known that I took a single penny as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behaviour in everything I do, say or think.  They are stronger than cocaine, crack or heroin and if today's children had this kind of drug problem, the world would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us!

Let's finish with some humour!!!

These are two magnets I have on my fridge which I hope will bring a smile to your face on Mother's Day.  I have another which says "Saw It, Wanted It, Asked Grandma, GOT IT".  The grandkids love it the best!

The Stages of Motherhood

4 years of age - My Mum can do anything

8 years of age - My Mum knows a lot!  A whole lot!

12 years of age - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything

14 years of age - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either

16 years of age - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned

18 years of age - That old woman?  She's way out of date

25 years of age - Well, she might know a little bit about it

35 years of age - Before we decide, let's get Mum's opinion

45 years of age - Wonder what Mum would have thought about it

65 years of age - Wish I could talk it over with Mum

HOW TRUE, DON'T YOU THINK?

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day!

Till next time,
Judy