Email: judy@punchwithjudy.com.au

In This Issue:-
1. Shows & Workshops
2. Pre-Show Seminars
3. Retreats
4. What's New?
5. Clubs/Guilds Discounts
6. Specials
7. Made in Australia
8. Tips & Titorials
9. Did You Know?

Hello ,

Thank you for all the emails commenting on our new look Newsletter. Obviously, it has been well accepted and not one person said they had trouble downloading it. That's wonderful. I did receive a couple saying they missed on some of the wording when they printed it, so we've changed the margin settings to remedy this. On behalf of my webmaster, apologies that it didn't have a subject line so I do hope no-one deleted it thinking it to be spam. Teething problems with a new system, that's all. There are other changes behind the scenes too and I appreciate when you email me with suggestions. If you belong to a Club or Guild read further on about the huge incentives I'm now offering you as a group.

A Patchwork Retreat was held in our Warehouse this week and I must say that more laughs, stories, jokes and unmentionables were heard than with any previous group. What a fun time we had! I'm putting together a "Students' Gallery" section of my website's Gallery for project pictures and comments for the benefit of anyone considering attending one of our Retreats but having hesitations about the unknown or whether they should take that big step and enrol. I think this would encourage others to join us and have a sewing holiday to remember and to make new friends. Many seem to keep in contact with each other after the Retreats and that's just fabulous. So, come on past students, send me your photos of your finished Retreat Projects!

Tis very hot and dry here with no rain whatsoever. Farmers won't have a harvest at all. I'm so pleased we don't rely on the land and feel very concerned for those poor souls who do. My rellies won't even recuperate the cost of sowing this year. They're one hour west of here and theirs is not an isolated case, it's the same everywhere. The city folk need to be reminded of their plight as it usually takes two years to hit the whole population following a drought. Just seems these days that one drought runs into the next drought though.

Farmer John has cut and baled one of his lucerne paddocks so as not to lose it all due to lack of rain. Sheep are looking good and our place isn't too bad and even has some new fencing that he did in his spare time! New emu chicks are hatched and growing happily. We'll have them here early December. These days we contract them out because we are away so much, it simply makes it easier.

Scroll down to the rest of the Newsletter now if you wish, but for those who like my "stories", this is for you.

Our trip to New Zealand during September was not uneventful and one of which I never want to have repeated. Doomed from the start! Arrived at the Wagga Air Terminal to be told we were meant to be on yesterday's plane. How this error occurred still beats me, but yes, I have to take the blame. (My fault!) "Well, we can certainly get you on the next flight Mrs. Hall but you'll have to purchase another ticket." Phoned Qantas and they did the best they could under the circumstances. Another two tickets later, off we go to Sydney, collect our baggage and book into the next flight to Auckland. Arrive safely to find that not so for our luggage. In fact, they couldn't even trace it. "Here's our overnight emergency little package" Mr. & Mrs. Hall, we'll be in touch. Black one is for HIM and grey one is for HER." Couldn't wait to open them to compare the difference! Drove to Hamilton at this unearthly hour of midnight. Those little Qantas white T-Shirt and Boxer pants were quite comfortable really. Finally, late the next day, our luggage arrives. Seminar I had required my laptop for my Power Point Presentation, but alas, why won't it turn on? What's happened to the screen during its flight over the waters? Technician called in, "sorry ma'am can't fix. Suggest you purchase a new one." Rescued my hard drive which was fine, copied what I needed and borrowed the organizer's laptop - because a few others I tried first weren't compatible with my projector. Seminar fine. Just no emails or internet connection for 10 days. Nearly killed me. Jen had to answer all my emails from home as best she could and now knows where the hours in the day go to. Show was great, people were great, so we venture home. At the airport in Auckland, where's the mobile honey? Long story……..this time was HIS fault. Thought had left it in the motel room, but 5 days later we track it down to being left in the hire car; which, by the way, is another story. We left it at the airport and locked the keys in the boot, as one usually does with these cars. Well, why would a hire car company only have ONE set of keys? Vice squad or fraud squad sent to the rescue. Do you know they took a week to get their car back? Another long story! Still haven't had my phone returned to me as yet, promises, promises, but no action. Anyway, not finished yet. Arrive back in Sydney to find that Qantas had cancelled the Sydney/Wagga leg of our original itinerary when it was updated at the initial "no show" situation at the beginning of the trip. You'll have to pay for another ticket. No way José! (Definitely not my fault) 90 minutes later, standing in a queue for the whole time, we finally got our original ticket re-instated. Flew home! Home never was so welcoming! Doesn't end here! HIM went to Wagga the next day to do some errands and pay my Visa at the Post Office with my Credit Card in hand. Following day I asked him for it back and he went into pannick mode. Crikey, I never picked it up from the counter! Hmm, was she blonde or young, were you yakking away? (That's a staff in-joke) Phoned them up, "Yes, Mrs. Hall, he did leave it here and we have it in our safe".

On this note I am finishing as I'll leave it to your imagination the tension and strain that some couples do face from time to time, but usually not for a whole 2 weeks. If you Kiwis never see me in your wonderful land again, please understand why! It is not your fault, I really do love you!

Welcome to all our new friends! You may wish to skip my personal note at the beginning of our Newsletters, but regulars keep asking for more news about what's going on within the homefront, so scroll down if you wish to bypass this section, I'll never know. You MUST check out the Retreats section for a real scoop that I'm so pleased to be offering to you with a visit by Santi from Hatched in Africa for a Weekend Retreat here.

Happy Sewing,
Your friend,
Judy

For a complete listing of all the remaining Shows for 2006, you may visit our Show Schedule section.

Do come and visit us and don't forget to bring your printed SHOW COUPONS with you if you want to receive some extra bargains. Visit our website, print them off and bring them with you.

For those attending, I have a Free Workshop daily in Workshop 2 at 12.00 noon entitled, "Quilting with Zing & Pizzazz!" Quilts with "zing" attract attention. Pizzazz your quilting with new trendy ideas and products. This will have something for everyone, no matter what your level of expertise and I'm pleased to say it is an extended workshop of 45mins duration.

For anything in particular for Brisbane's Craft & Quilt Fair to be brought to the Show, you'll need to let me know immediately please. We're leaving early Sunday 15th October.

Next Show after that is Adelaide's Craft & Quilt Fair, so please let me know as soon as possible for special show orders. Sunday 29th October is your close off date.

2. PRE-SHOW SEMINARS

Hamilton's Pre-Show Seminar is already booked out. You should consider Brisbane or Adelaide NOW so as not to miss out. Don't delay in contacting Rebecca if you wish to attend. Email me or contact Rebecca Reed at Expertise Events via rebeccar@expertiseevents.com.au

Brisbane's is on Tuesday 17th October at 2.00pm till 4.30pm. Cost is $30.00.

Adelaide's is on Wednesday 1st November at 2.00pm till 4.30pm. Cost is $30.00

DIPLOMA OF "THREADOLOGY" SEMINAR
Learn to use and love specialty threads.
Do you know how to appliqué with fusible threads or use bobbin threads?
Use water soluble thread for machine trapunto?
Have fun with shrink embroidery thread for texturing fabrics?
Couch with decorative threads?
Use double-eye machine embroidery needles?
Crochet by machine?
Reverse quilts with decorative threads?
Use felting needles?
Plus, many more ideas including use of Angelina Fiber and other embellishments.
You will be given extensive educational notes, project notes and thread samples.
Learn lots of challenging new techniques for use in machine embroidery, quilting, textile art and many other sewing areas.
Suits all levels.
All students will receive an official Diploma of Threadology!

3. RETREATS
We've released details of some wonderful NEW Retreats for you and bookings are flowing for next year, so don't delay emailing me if you are interested in attending. Deposits aren't required until early next year but students are enrolling now so thought I should inform you. Organize your time, holidays, money, family or whatever and join us for the following.

The Patchwork Retreat held this week was a wonderful three days of laughter and frivolity. What a great group! They did get a lot of sewing done amidst it all though. If you've ever thought of attending one of our Retreats, then don't put it off or be shy. Everyone enjoys them and often return for another Retreat. It's a little social holiday with people sharing the same interests who often become friends and keep in touch way after the Retreat.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

EXCLUSIVE! Santi from Hatched in Africa is touring Australia later this year offering her Trunk Show to several groups and shops in most States. Trunk Shows are like a show and tell display of finished projects. Well, we've been able to procure Santi's valuable time by jointly offering you a Two Day Retreat on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November at Wagga and The Rock. This is her only hands-on class during her entire visit to our country. As you know, we've been selling Hatched in Africa's digitized embroidery designs for some time now and have had various beautiful projects featured in Australia's Machine Embroidery Magazine periodically using Santi's & Liese's designs. We even have the Swarovski Crystals that Santi's designs are so famous for plus the Professional Touch Applicator Wand. I have reserved several places for my past Machine Embroidery Retreat girls with the balance left open to first in best dressed option. Please email me for further details. It won't be expensive and it certainly is too good an opportunity to miss out on! Scheduled projects are a Cutwork Doily, Multi-hooping Quilt Block and her newest, about to be released, Fantasy Phoenix which will be the first time in the world that Santi has taught this fabulous design.

Maybe you'd like to attend Santi's Trunk Show on Friday 17th November during the evening?

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 - April, 2007 - dates to be confirmed
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.

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.

4. WHAT'S NEW

I've been selling McKenna Ryan's "Storybook Farm" for quite some time and have now added "In Full Bloom", "Giraffic Park" and "Rhythm of the Sea" to the range. You will more than love these appliquéd patterns. Buy as one block or buy the complete set and make a quilt. These are in the "to die for" category.

Many of us can't resist a great bag pattern and we certainly do have a few new beauties. The Zipped-Up Tote pattern is nothing short of fantastic. I've had it made up and showed the students here this week and they agreed. Two squares, made up and zipped together but when opened out becomes a large picnic tablecloth or a baby's changetable! Brissy and Adelaide girls, ask to see it at the show.

The Easy on the Back Bag is another incredibly handy bag you'll just have to make. Shame the photo on the cover just doesn't do the pattern justice. This is really a practical, sling over your shoulder type bag with outside pockets for all the items you need to reach for in a hurry.

The Fabric Wallet/Purse is a wonderful Chrissy Present type pattern since it uses 2 Fat Quarters and makes up quickly.

We now have in stock the stencils designed specifically for the centre feature of Cheryl Phillips "Rings That Bind" Double Wedding Ring design.

I've also added some new sizes to Cheryl's "Cut-A-Round" tools. Take a peep at the new pattern/tool package called "Bargello Color Wheel" too.

Some fascinating new Rulers from June Tailor for scalloped edges, wavy edges, borders, shapes and a whole lot of "playful" type finishes.

Olfa have released a new device for cutting circles. The Ratchet Rotary Cutter will accurately adjust from 4cm to 22cm. Circles are "IN" just in case you hadn't noticed.

Help is always appreciated and seeing is better than reading anytime in anyone's language. So, I know you'll appreciate the DVD Creative Feet have produced showing how to effectively use their special sewing machine feet for more than you ever imagined.

Another new DVD to help you master quilting using "The Quick Quilter" which is like a spoon really.

If you have a Baby Iron (Mini Iron), then you may be interested in our new Silicon Iron Mat to stand it upon. Great safety feature because the base of the Baby Iron does tend to get quite hot. A tile is another option. The Mats are $25.00 but really excellent quality and very flexible. Naturally, they may be used for a regular domestic iron too. These are not on our website as yet. When this occurs, for the interim period, simply place a "dummy order" for any item at all, then type in the Additional Comments section the fact that you really only with to order such and such. Easy!

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.

6. SPECIALS

Punch with Judy is proud to be part of the Australian Stitches Subscribers Club offering Monthly Specials to Subscribers. Not only do we offer you a 12 month subscription for half price but you could pay for that alone with the savings I offer in our monthly specials which are only available to Stitches Subscribers and you must quote your Membership Number when ordering.

Stitches Issue 14/4 released in August, 2006, had a CurveMaster Presser Foot at $10 off the normal RRP plus a FREE pair of Bent Tip Tweezers.

Stitches Issue 14/5 released in September, 2006, offered a Free pair of Punch with Judy Embroidery Scissors with each purchase of the Satinedge Foot from Creative Feet. Plus, if you purchased all three Creative Feet you had the great combo offer of $139.95 plus the Accessory Guides Free!

Stitches Issue 14/6 released last week was our Fasturn Set special. When you purchase a set of 6 Fasturn Turning Tools, you may purchase the Fastube Foot and the Perfect Tubes Guide for half price.

Stitches Issues 14/7 and 14/8 have already been done but I'm not allowed to give you a preview. You'll love the latter.

Offers remain available for 3 months from date of issue. So, everyone, tell me what you think about them so as I may give you Special Offers that you appreciate.

7. MADE IN AUSTRALIA

I mentioned in my last Newsletter of the new Stained Glass book called "Cats Designs" from the Glass Books Company's array of beautiful books for Stained Glass. This book is selling really well and I'm so pleased you appreciate its versatility. Jillian Sawyer has made available FREE designs from each of her books so as you may have a taste of the designs in each book. Please view the whole range of Free Designs here.

Several new CDs have been added to the Glenn Harris Collection series. I particularly like the Spirit of the Outback ones. When a student sewed this out onto Balsawood in our Retreat, I just had to have it for myself.

Gloria Gram from GL Designs has introduced a Ballerina Set in Redwork and another in colours. The latter is cleverly digitized to use variegated thread resulting in their tutus being effectively striped.

For those of you who have Julie Hall's Machine Embroidery Stumpwork, please read her paragraph in the "Did You Know?" column further down. Important Notification.

8. TIPS & TUTORIALS
I have updated the Tutorial on using Hot-Fix Swarovski Crystals to include the new Professional Touch Applicator Wand and their Iron-On Ribbon & Thread Tips. I think you'll find it interesting.

Have you ever visited this section? You'll find a wealth of information on how to use many of our products.

9. DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that "fly fishermen" love Angelina Fibers for their lure to attract the fish? Had an interesting conversation with such a fisherman at the Hamilton Show and he explained to us why he uses the different colours for certain fish etc. Absolutely amazing. Says it's because the Angelina is 100% Polyester that it doesn't deteriorate, is waterproof and it floats (think that's what he said) and the sparklies in it attract the fish. Now, he's given me a list of the colours that you should purchase for your husband. Colour Nos. 10, 20, 31, 35, 84, 322H, 376H, 378H & 379H. So, do you want to impress your HIM?

Did you know that if you've purchased the Machine Embroidery Stumpwork CD by Julie Hall Designs, that this may interest you.

Note from Julie: So far the most unique and sought after designs of my collections have been the stumpwork designs, which were the second set that I digitised. Whilst most of the feedback has been great from these designs, it was brought to my attention that some people with Bernina and Pfaff machines were having difficulty stitching out the designs that had a lot of dangly threads in them. I have now altered these designs to ensure that they work on these machines, whilst still giving the same great effect. If you have purchased a copy of the machine embroidered stumpwork and need the upgraded designs, please email Judy quoting your order number (or letting her know where you purchased this from) and she will arrange to have these immediately sent through to you.

Did you know about the Australian Partners and Families of Veterans National Quilt Project? I viewed the display of 47 quilts made by families affected by the war in Vietnam giving recognition to them for their ongoing care of our war veterans and peacekeepers. 50% of those who made the quilts were non sewers but wanted to participate in the display and shared their experiences and emotions through textile and language. If this Quilt Display ever comes to your area, DON"T miss it, but do take your tissues! It was just so moving. My own father was a World War 11 veteran but would never talk about the war or attend Anzac Day marches.

Did you know that October was Cancer Awareness Month? A lot of companies are presenting products in the familiar pink colouring associated with the Cancer Research but I just love the new Olfa Rotary Cutter special edition Cancer Fund model.

Till next time,
Judy Hall
Punch with Judy
P.O. Box 62
THE ROCK (near Wagga) N.S.W.
AUSTRALIA. 2655
Website: http://www.punchwithjudy.com.au
Email: judy@punchwithjudy.com.au
Phone: 02 6920 2238
Fax: 02 6920 2021
International Phone: 61 26920 2238
International Fax: 61 26920 2021