To all our loyal customers – please note – we are moving to Ipswich.  In the next three weeks we will be in a state of flux as we are fitting up new premises and then  moving .  Our new phone number will be 07 3281 5960.  Our new address will be 44 Warner St., Raceview, Ipswich Q. 4305.  We are still working out of our Peregian premises  at weekends to get out the week’s orders but we have no staff there as Cath our receptionist has now finished up.  We miss her.  You can leave a phone message at our Sunshine Coast phone number but there will be a delay in responses.  It would be best if you try the Ipswich number (above) this week.  You will get the best result if you use email to contact us as we travel with the laptop.  To date, all our block of the month are up to date.  Postcards from Paris, Crinoline Ladies and Noah and Friends will go out at the end of this week on time and you will receive next week.  In the next two weeks after that – posting may be delayed for both mail order kits and block of the month.  We appreciate your patience.  We will be back to normal in about three weeks.

We have our brand new block of the month – Love Notes – on our website – have a look .  It is in my own colours of rose and muted blen ders.

To all our block of the month customers – we sent out a letter explaining our situation.  However, for this week you will need to ring Ipswich to contact us.  We did switch the phone through from Peregian Beach but it didn’t work so  you won’t be able to ring us this week.  Similarly for any pattern or kit orders.  We apologise for this.

If you wish to order the fabric we specified for quilt backing use – this is now listed under fabrics – note it is 42″ wide.

With the brown check for Postcards from Paris – I’ll try to get it online tonight but for the moment – just email us your requiremkents for that.

Next week – you should be able to get us in working hours Monday-Thursday (10am-4pm) on either number(Peregian Beach or Ipswich).  Please don’t ring outside working hours as we are not staffed to return calls while we are moving.

Everything will be back to normal soon.  We hope you are not inconvenienced.   Cheers

Well we have returned and, despite all the doomsday predictions – we had the best show we have ever had in Brisbane.  Some of the items that sold really well are listed below.  I think the press are not doing anyone a favour with their constant predictions of economic meltdown.  when my children were in their teens and I lived on the Gold Coast – my mortage was 17% and I never thought a lot about it.  Added to that, in a previous life I was a Job Centre (C.E.S.) Manager and at that time unemployment was well into double digits in most places.  6% was considered full employment.

At the time I was a single parent but one survived.    My children are professionals and they – like me – work long hours.  We are all very time poor.  We crave all the trappings of the good life.  If we were all forced to live a simpler life – we may find life all the richer for that.  In tough times – craft seems all the more desirable.  I don’t know about you but I am sick of mass produced quilts and home furnishings – I love the homespun touch – but it has to be classy and timeless.

I have always tried to consider the cost effective option for customers.  I also aim for classy and timeless (no fads).  This year I am going to try and consider using more homespun (solid colour fabric) into my designs to make them cheaper.  Jelly rolls (2.5″ strips of a complete range of fabric are a great option to add to good quality pre-washed natural homespun to make a sensational quilt.  Sometimes spending on a nice border makes a worthwhile option.  Moda’s new Bakeshop Catalogue from the Huston Quilt Show has such a sensational quilt using Sweet Urban Chicks Range of Fabrics.  It uses fan pattern to make “lolly” looking patchwork in mint, pink and rose.  The background is yellow homespun.  Ted has sent you a scanned picture.  If you have a comment to make about the quilt – let me know what you think.  I love recession era quilts and fabrics and these are usually cost effective to make and won’t date and look sensational .  The photo is below – call it Urban Chicks for the Moment .  The size of the quilt pictured is  75 x 92″.  You can adapt the sizing to suit.  To make a quilt top this large will cost about $210(guestimate at this stage) and the homespun (yellow solid) background will be extra.

However, you can adapt to suit yourself with the sizing.  The main quilt uses two jelly rolls and this costs about $110 depending on exchange rate (2 @ $55).   You could make a smaller version with one jelly roll.  Alternatively you can add some fabrics from your stash.  If you would like to reserve jelly rolls or a kit send us an email.  We will have the quilt on the website soon.  Patterns will only be available with fabric purchase as it is a project sheet provided by Moda with the fabrics.

Well that’s it – photos follow.  More from me when I get back from overseas in early December.  Ted will send out a photo of our stand at the Brisbane Show.  Have a great couple of weeks.  Cheers.

Olde Roses 58 x 66″ - pattern $16.60 Kit $160.oo.  Relatively easy to stitch – the result is beautiful. this was our most popular seller at the show.  .

Chez Moi 60″ – beautiful offset All Around the World design – easy to make – makes good use of the Charisma range of fabric by Chez Moi from Moda.  I simply love all the fabric ranges Chez Moi put out.  Great useful pattern to showcase a range of fabric and large designs also.   The lovely spots give it “zing”   Pattern $15.40 Kit $120.  Don’t be daunted by the binding – it is bias and easy to apply.

Your Grace 50 x 52″.  Makes good use of a simple crazy patched block with checkerboard sashings.  the fabrics used in this quilt are simply lovely.  They are: 4 exquisite green fabrics including a paisley and stripe – a cream with red script – a cream rose that is to die for and another couple of cream fabrics (including a tone on tone writing fabric).  The striped border gives it real zing.  We have only a few kits of this left.  Pattern $15.40 – Kit $120.00.

Roses, Roses, Roses - This quilt is made from a pack of 80 rose/rosebud fabrics.  80 @ 6.5″ charm squares with free pattern.  Many uses – for colourwash, table runners, braid quilts - lots of occasions when you need smaller pieces of rose fabrics.  $48.00

Judy Gray, Rose Patchwork Cottage.

Hi there – this is my new blog – bear with me I will get better at this.  We are at the show in Brisbane this weekend and it has been a blinder for us sales wise.  We have lots of new products which have done very well.  Here are some:

Vintage Pinwheels

Here is Lollypop.

Lollypop Quilt

 The weather took a turn for freezing and blowy down here in Brisbane this week.  Talk to you soon.  I hope I’m getting there with this new blog.  Kind regards, Judy Gray