Wow, I can’t believe how time flies!  We are at the start of winter and the days are getting colder and shorter.  It is perfect weather for hand quilting those quilts and projects that we have made in the warmer months.  We await the joys of warm laps, sore finger tips adorned with a multitude of tiny holes that make our fingers catch on everything, not……argh, but isn’t the end result worth it?

For those who like to keep up with our family news, here is a quick update:-

Eldest son, Benjamin is about to turn 20 and working hard as usual.  Second eldest Aaron (18) is studying Commercial cookery at TAFE and both boys live together in Tamworth.  Noah (16) moved up to Darwin with family friends at the beginning of this year so he can complete his school certificate.

Recently, my soul mate and best friend, Ian & I got married in a private ceremony at a gorgeous waterfall in the village of Biausevu, Fiji Islands after a two year romance & courtship.  We bought a house in the Riverina area South West NSW, moving over 700kms from our last home.  After many months of travelling to and fro and finding our way into a new hometown I can finally say that we have settled in.  Being a wife again has its many rewards, and I love it!  Adjusting to marriage and blended families though is hard work, and takes lots of patience and commitment.  I am still feeling my way and have found that I don’t have as much time as I used too running the business, but I am getting there, and I have learned to prioritise certain things in order to achieve goals and deadlines that need to be met.

My two youngest children are still at home and are continuing to be home schooled.  They have more opportunities here and are involved in many activities that keep them fit and happy, including dance, gymnastics & Scouts.  Isaac (14) has been hand stitchin’ now for a few years, and he has really improved and he is now looking forward to learning to machine stitch as he wants to make a quilt with all his stitcheries that he has completed from the Kidz Kitz range that he has completed.

Hannah Grace (11) is a very active outdoors kind of girl, but lately has taken up stitchin’ and she has now completed three stitcheries.  Her first stitchery was the ballet shoes from the range of Kidz Kitz.  I used the panel and made a tote bag for her to take to dancing (see Kidz Stitchin’ page).  Hannah is planning to make a small wall quilt with her completed stitcheries from the Bugz range.  Sitting still for small periods of time stitchin’ has helped to tap into her creative side and now she is thinking about designing something of her own.

Now to some serious business……In the near future I am hoping to add a Blog that is linked to the site so I can keep you all informed on what’s happening here on a regular basis.  You will have the opportunity to comment too! All I have to do is find out how, and then make attempts to get it up and running.  I am also planning to somehow add a shopping cart to the website so it is easy for customers to purchase online here in Australia and abroad.  Having said that, it is far easier said than done, and I have found that for a sub techo like me, this is way too complicated!  Maybe I could get my husband to learn the ropes of web building/updating etc! Now that is a great idea!  What do you think about that honey?  LOL!  Anyway stay tuned and keep watching this space.

It’s been over 3 years now since I have worked with the team at Handmade Magazine, and nearly 2 years with Homespun Magazine submitting projects on a regular basis.  Recently we were welcomed on board by the team at Country Threads Magazine.  Patty will have her first project published in CT in either August or September.  This is a huge achievement for her, and not to mention well deserved.   Keep a look out for our work in upcoming issues in the above magazines.

Now that we are settled I am eager to start up a Stitchin’ School again in our local area.  I have found a venue in both Narrandera and Leeton to teach regular kids and adult classes, school holiday workshops and adult workshops.  I am planning to kick off the first Kidz School holiday workshops in the winter holiday period starting on the 5^th July 2010.  There will be at least two workshops available to participate in either town. Numbers are limited and are granted on a first come first served basis, so don’t delay and put your name down to guarantee a spot.

One of my students, Samantha (11) with her “I love sewing bag” she completed at a school holiday workshop in Tamworth NSW

For those who are more experienced and are looking to do a specialised workshop, either a 1 or 2 day, please email us and request a timetable.  When the Blog is up and running I will be posting frequently and I will be able to keep you up to date with what the projects will be as well as the dates for the upcoming workshops/classes etc.

If you live in the vicinity and would love to join a class or workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact me either by phoning or email.  I am also open to teaching workshops in other areas for both Kids and adults as well.

Next newsletter will hopefully be around Spring time.

Happy Stitchin’.

Louise

PO Box 598 Narrandera, NSW 2700
Ph/Fax : (02) 6959 9009 
email us.

Happy Stitchin'

Website upgrade Mario Milenkovic.

Copyright Just Stitchin' - Louise Audet 2007. All rights reserved.