The Thread

Hello, Welcome to September's Thread newsletter. We have two new block of the month pattern sets, more new patterns, a new designer, a Great Global Christmas Swap update, news from The Gingham Girls Stitchers group, and find out more about saving the planet in my very own Last Word segment. Grab a cuppa, take a short break, and read all the latest news from Fiona Marie's world.   Quick links: What's New | Patterns | Sale Bin

Save the Planet!

	Teddlywinks This 9 pattern block of the month quilt features Liz's trademark bears being crafty, just like us ... The techniques required are simple stitchery, appliqué, and machine or hand quilting. Liz has also generously included a free stitchery design with the last block pattern. Purchase one block a month for as little as $NZ7.95, two blocks a month, or the complete set. - More -

In Stitches by Natalie Ross Natalie lives on the sunny central coast of New South Wales in Australia. She loves colour, designing, patchwork quilting, animals, chatting with friends, and generally doing anything that's creative. Oh ... and she is also a self-confessed laugh-a-holic! Her sunny nature and sense of fun are evident in all the patterns I have added to her page this month, and don't forget to look at her popular BOM pattern set Blossom Creek. I have added six patterns from the In Stitches range to the store this month. If there is a pattern you would like that I don't currently stock please let me know and I will get it in for you. - More -

Presently we have 76 stitchers pre-registered for the Great Global Christmas Swap beginning in mid September. I will be contacting a lot of quilt guilds worldwide over the next couple of weeks to raise awareness of our swap experience and to encourage as many people as possible to take part. I now have an A4 size poster/information sheet on a PDF file that can be printed off and taken along to your next group meeting.

I have received confirmation from Kookaburra Cottage, Bronwyn Hayes, Janelle Wind and Rosalie Quinlan that they will supply a pattern/design idea for the swap participants to use if they desire for their swap gift, and these will be free for all participants to download.

I would also like to hear from any stitchers who were introduced through the previous Christmas Swaps and who have actually met their swap partner in person. I would like to do a feature on this for a newsletter I'm sending out on the 17th September to coincide with the launch of The 2009 Great Global Christmas Swap.

Here is where our participants are from so far:
New Zealand - 35
United States - 20
Australia - 11
England - 3
Wales - 2

We also have a representative from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Norway.

We would love to have more stitchers join us, especially if you are from a country not yet represented!

Gingham Girls news We now have 53 Bronwyn Hayes fans participating in this group of stitchers, many of whom are stitching The Gingham Girls quilt along with me. This is a picture of one of my latest effort as I now work through the stitchery components of block 5. There is useful information posted under each block pattern for anyone making up the quilt and I encourage everyone with an interest in Bronwyn Hayes designs to join up and contribute your thoughts and some pictures of your made up patterns, (even if you haven't bought your patterns from me!) We'd love to hear from you. View more information on this gorgeous quilt here. - Gingham Girls group -

Coming soon! I have discovered a really, really talented Australian designer whose patterns I am going to add to the store next month. They are fresh, modern, elegant and have a really contemporary Baltimore flare about them ... hmm ... I'm going to keep this one a secret so you will just have to wait and see. I also have a competition to announce next month ... think star-gazing ... think cup cakes ... think icing and sprinkles and cherries and cream ... if it's yummy - then think it! (But don't sneak off to the kitchen just yet.)

In New Zealand a few large shopping retailers have recently started to charge us for plastic bags to package our purchases in. This is an initiative to reduce the amount of plastic waste and it's definitely working. So have you jumped on the 'reduce waste' band wagon in order to 'save the planet' and stitched a re-useable shopping bag for yourself yet?

While a supermarket eco-bag may be okay for the grocery shopping it is a different story when embarking on a retail therapy expedition to a shopping mall or local shopping centre. For these excursions you need to show a little more style, express yourself through your art, and become a re-useable bag trailblazer.

I have noticed a marked increase in the sale of shopping bag patterns recently as more and more of you turn your backs on rampant consumerism and adopt a 'make your own' philosophy. I have displayed some of the more popular ones below. Join the movement today, there is a shopping bag revolution happening ... make sure you are part of it!

Stargazey Shopping bag Recipez

Kookaburra Cottage Fresh Flower Tote - On sale!

Rosalie Quinlan Designs Leanne's Shopping Bag

The Janelle Wind Collection Millie's Market Day

Have a fantastic month and make every stitch count!

Fiona Marie Clark

P.S. To find out what's happening more regularly, visit me at my blog.
I update it as often as my workload allows and would love to hear from you.