Li’l Bloke’s
163 View St Bendigo 3550
Hours: Monday- by appointment, Tues- Fri 10-5, Sat 10-2, Sunday- closed
Contact: Ph/fax 03 5443 9195
For overseas customers 61 3 5443 9195
The most important part of this newsletter is at the end, so if you are not reading it all now, please jump to the end and read that part...hopefully it will appear in red.
where did 2010 go ??????
Apologies: Due to another water event at the shop ( must be about the 8th or 9th in 10 years), all my Christmas holiday time was spent ( along with hubby Trev) shifting the loads of furniture and storage tubs in the back store rooms here, then there, then somewhere else ( as limited space meant no room to turn around). Then great friend & helper Jean has spent countless hours with me sorting etc as we try to get everything back in its best position. Fortunately the only things damaged were countless drawings for future designs, and the carpet where the water had been stealthily & silently leaking in over time. Needless to say I start the year behind the 8 ball as they say...without having my 2nd block of “Picnic Time” finished, and several patterns still on the drawing board. The good news is that my bronchitis (which has lasted for about 6 months) seems to have cleared away with the removal of the mouldy carpet. Thank you to all those who have made phone contact and commented on the huge improvement in my ability to talk normally.
New.. New.. New.. New.. New..
Vignette Issue 1 by Leanne Beasley :- contains the first block of her mystery quilt “Vignette in Stitches” ( over 8 issues) $17.95 per issue
“Where the Wind Blows by Rosalie Quinlan: fat ¼ packs of 15 pieces@ $70.40 – to be used in Vignette 2 (not quite in stock as yet)...so put in your order. - these fabrics are quite a departure from my usual stock. Very fresh and will suit the young at heart.
Some of you have been asking for, and I again have in stock, closure strips for small purses.
I also have some sew on magnetic closures for bags. Great if you decide after the bag is made that you really did need a closure on your bag.
Best Seller: A delightful red work book “Work and Play” has beautiful designs featuring both boys and girls at various activities. This retails @ $18.70
Wools wools wools: more beautiful wools and wool felts, and patterns to inspire.
Cosmo stranded threads- delicious multi colored threads- more in stock now and very popular
Delightful new doll patterns by Annie Smith. I hope to have these kitted up soon.
Workshops I currently hold local workshops on Wednesday evening which are suited mostly to locals. It’s “an anything goes” type workshop with the 6 participants most likely doing 6 different things. I am prepared to take workshops elsewhere. Please contact me if your group would like me to take one.
New Mystery: “Picnic Time For Bears” Kit price reminder:- Australian price:-There will be 5 stages each priced at $68.95 (No charge for p&h) = $344.75 overall. Overseas price:- $62.70 per stage + p&h ($313.50 overall +p&h) Stage 2 should be next week.
Tip for this newsletter: Rotary Cut Fabric Strips
For those who haven’t tried, or those who are worried about not doing things correctly.
Before you begin rotary cutting, you'll need to square up one end of the fabric, making its edge a 90-degree angle to the fold.
- Fold the fabric along its length, selvages together. The fold should be straight, with no puckers although the selvages might not be perfectly aligned. If you are working on a small rotary mat, you may need to fold the fabric again, making it four layers deep. However, I recommend that “Beginning quilters” should stick to one fold, because each new fold makes inaccurate cuts more likely...that’s when dog legs come into the equation !!!
- Place the fabric on your rotary mat with the fold near the bottom edge of the mat and the side to be squared on the left.
- Place your ruler on the fabric, checking to make sure horizontal lines on your ruler are parallel to the fold.( and checking that your desired measurement e.g. 4&1/2” is aligned to the edge of the fabric.
- Place your hand on your ruler to hold it firmly in place and roll a rotary cutter from bottom to top along the ruler's right edge i.e. away from you. Spread your fingers out to hold the ruler securely, but take care to keep them out of the path of the cutter. The fabric's cut edge should now be at a 90-degree angle to the folded edge.
- Before you make further cuts, check to be sure that the left and bottom edges of the fabric align with vertical and horizontal markings on the ruler. If they do not, square up the end again before cutting more strips.
If you are left -handed, work from the opposite side of the fabric, placing your ruler in mirror-image positions.
My preferred cutter is the Olfa ergonomic cutter which has an automatic retractable blade. That is the blade is not exposed unless you have pressure on the handle. It also has a lock button on it which makes for safe carrying in your basket/bag as the blade won’t come out whilst in the lock position. This cutter can be used by left or right handers simply by switching the blade to the other side. When changing your blade lay out the pieces as you take them off, then you will be sure that it is assembled correctly.
Did you realise that with much cutting your blade becomes a little loose? Don’t forget to tighten the screw/nut occasionally.
If totally stressed out by beginning cutting, try making some projects with jelly rolls, layer cakes or 5” squares so that you can ease into cutting by cutting smaller pieces.
Tip 2.
Sometimes the new fusible web is more difficult to separate then the old vliesofix. Generally I can separate it easily by placing a little “dog ear” in one corner and it springs apart. It gives more trouble if you re iron after noticing you haven’t fused it properly in the first place. If it is stubborn try this trick. Turn your cut out piece over and score it heavily with a quilting pin. It will then separate quite easily.
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The important bit of this newsletter !!!!!
Tonight I got a call from the owners of my building. It was a desperate voice at the other end, after having a 20 minute storm in the town. You guessed it...the shop has had mud all through and fabric close to the floor has been ruined. The Malayan restaurant ( within my building) has also been severely damaged. I am not sure what will be happening with Li’l Bloke‘s but will keep you posted..... Have just contacted my insurance company so will hopefully know soon what the outcome is.
The good news is, that the 2nd stage of Picnic Time For Bears which is due to go out this coming week is all safe and sound. Just have to find somewhere to work !!
Cheers for now, Lynn
