As I write this I can here the humming of sewing machines as the quilting is being completed and the bindings are going on the quilts that are going to be registered for the Outdoor Quilt Festival being held on Sunday 5th February, let us have the registration forms by 29th January and then you can bring the entries up for the 2nd February so there is still plenty of time.The forms can all be printed off at the Stonestead site http://stonestead.wordpress.com

The gold coin donations that are made for this festival all go to Te Omanga Hospice, nothing is taken out for working costs, so what goes in the Te Omanga boxes goes to Te Omanga and what a worthwhile cause that is, I have to say I  had little to do with Te Omanga in the past but that changed in 2011 when I had contact with them through friends whose families were there, what a wonderful job they do.

I have almost completed updating the class list for this year, so go through and see the new classes that are available, and come along to the Class Preview Evening on 11th February at 7.00pm, any way until next time.

Happy Quilting

I forgot to say that Bailey and Poppy the Official Greeters will be here as always!

Can you believe that Christmas is just 9 sleeps away and I expect you are all running around madly like me preparing for the holiday.

The Quilt Festival Registration Form and Challenge details are now available on the Stonestead blog

http://stonestead.wordpress.com

so print them off let us have your entries after the 12th January 2012.

We have had some new fabric in though and it is lovely, by Moda and is called Etchings and Pannier, so is part of the French General grouping. I have already cut a little for me to do hexagons over the holiday, you have to be prepared in case you have time on your hands!!

I am still making aprons, these would be great to make for gifts not just for Christmas but birthdays too.

Last night saw some  of the Wednesday and Thursday night ladies get together for a Christmas celebration, Helen organised this and we all had a great time with lots of laughing and hilarity, I have put the pictures below and I know there are a couple of girls I have missed out, so sorry but you were in mid mouthful!!! Maryke and Sue

Helen and Michelle

Moira, Annette, Feona, and Nina

Saskia at the head of the table

We have also had an end of year shared dinner for the Baltimore class, this was a great way to finish the course and we all enjoyed seeing the almost finished blocks, so if you want to join in next year register for the class  at the Class Preview Evening on Saturday 11th February.

The Official Greeters were trimmed for the long hot summer we are supposed to be having and at the moment look like Jack Russells, I keep saying to myself that there is only a week between a good and and a bad haircut!!

Finally before I finish this final blog for 2011 I have decided to tell you all about my own personal news, firstly my son James is now Dr James Matthews PhD in Bio Medicine having graduated on Tuesday, I was a very proud mother, James has worked tirelessly to attain this qualification and his godparents and myself were very thrilled to see him being presented with his PhD by the Chancellor of Victoria University.

My other news is that on the same day my daughter Georgina and her partner Ferry became engaged in London,  this was great news for all the family too, although I wasn’t able to give big hugs personally I sent them lots remotely! but  I have seen pictures of the ring ( isn’t technology great!) and now we all wait to hear details.

So this week has been great for me both from  Sawmillers and Matthews, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the friends of Sawmillers for your kind thoughts, flowers, cards, baking and telephone calls I received in September, I really appreciated everything and count myself very lucky to know such wonderful people.

Kevin, myself and the Official Greeters wish you all a wonderful holiday and New Year and we look forward to seeing you when Sawmillers re-opens  on Thursday 12th January at 10.00am, when we may received the scrumptious new fabric that we have ordered!

Until 2012, Happy Quilting

My apologies once more for not posting as regularly as I should, but I shall endeavour to be more consistent from now on.

This post is just to tell you that Sawmillers will be closed from Monday December 19th to Wednesday January 11th inclusive, so I shall be back here with the Official Greeters Bailey and Poppy on Thursday 12th January at 10.00am we shall be looking forward to hearing how you spent your Christmas and New Year.

For those who are looking forward to our big event for the year we are holding the 4th Annual Stonestead Outdoor Quilt Festival on Sunday 5th February 2012 10.00am – 4.00pm, all the details for the challenge and entries can be found on the dedicated blog

http://stonestead.wordpress.com

so go through and have a look we have an additional category this year too.

So until next time have a good week, only 29 sleeps to Christmas!

Happy Quilting

I really have been very remiss not posting for almost 2 months, the very successful Shop Hop  seemed to keep all the participating shops on their toes and it seems everyone really enjoyed the experience.

I think the majority of the visitors to Sawmillers will have realised that something was going on when there were relieving staff in here, unfortunately my husband passed away just 2 weeks ago after being married 41 years, so all the plans went awry, anyway thank you to all of you who sent cards, flowers and baking it was greatly appreciated, I was very lucky to have 7 out of 8 children come home from UK, USA and Australia, everyone has returned now and so the work begins.

On a lighter side we have new fabric arriving from USA, it has currently left Honolulu so shouldn’t be too long, trouble is I can’t remember what it is, so it will be very exciting.

So until next time, Happy Quilting.

A quick posting today to ensure you know that all the quilts in the Shop Hop are now available to see at http://quiltersfriend.wordpress.com

Go through and have a look and make your choice and then contact us at Sawmillers.

Until next time, Happy Quilting

It is a bit sharp here at Te Marua, but the sun is shining and I think the day could be lovely, mind you the official greeters and I are toasty warm here in Sawmillers, the heat pump is making us feel very comfortable and I know Kevin has all the heating going in the Tea House as well and the oven is on ready to make his famous scones.

Just a short posting today,  I have uploaded another quilt that is part of the shop hop, this one is from Quilt Works, go through to the Quilters Friend blog to see it.

Don’t you just love spots? Here is a range of spots and solids from Maywood, great quality and ideal choice to give your project a zing!

This is ‘Fresh Off The Farm’ by Red Rooster, can be used in your country quilt or wall hanging and for children’s quilts too.

Last but not least this is another pattern from one of my favourite designers Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs, these scottie dogs are a delight and very easy to make.

So until next time, Happy Quilting

Hi Everyone,

I have been very tardy not posting for quite a while, but we have been in the midst of helping with the Shop Hop whose registrations close on 3rd August, Sawmillers quilt is pictured below

This is made in 30′s fabrics, but you can see the other quilts on offer at the dedicated Shop Hop site http://quiltersfriend.wordpress.com along with other information you might need.

We have added new classes, one is Japanese Meshwork with Shirley Mooney and we are taking expressions of interest for a class being taken Adrienne Nelson making Pencil Cases and Thread Catchers great for presents.

Below are some of the new fabrics we have received as well as a great new supply of bag patterns and easy fat quarter patterns too.

Fresh Off The Farm by Red Rooster

Imperial Collection by Robert Kaufman

Safi bag pattern, a vintage French reproduction

Material Possessions Studio pattern ‘Towering Trees’ great Christmas Wall hanging.

Last but not least the Official Greeters Bailey and Poppy went to the hairdressers yesterday and here is the result, although I think Bailey feels a little self conscious wearing the bow!

Until next time, Happy Quilting

This is just a brief posting today, and is really only to mention that it is just a year since I lost my beloved Barney and of course Archie too, not a day goes by when I don’t think about them, but they are always happy memories.

It is also a year since my lovely Bailey came to live with us, and each day brings another challenge but also lots of fun, he has become just as devoted as Barney was but in a different way, and then there is Poppy who is such a little old lady with her funny ways, but quite fearless.

Thank you to all of those who come and visit us and apologies for the times when Bailey thinks he is employed by K9 and welcomes you with a barrage of barks!

Until next time

Happy Quilting.

Great excitement at Stonestead as Kevin has received a letter signed by Sir Anand Satyanand the Governor General, congratulating him on his 100th blood donation! A complete surprise and as always underplayed by Kevin, but I think quite a feat non the less.

The other bit of excitement and what we call in the Matthews Family a ‘Kodak Moment’ is that the oldest Official Greeter, Bailey, has managed to use the dog door, finally! All we want now is for Poppy to do the same.

Meanwhile here at Sawmillers we have lots of new notions arrive from USA, erasable markers, thimbles, fusible web to go in the bias tape makers, and at last Steam a Seam, we seem to have been waiting months for this!

These William Morris fabrics have now become part of our range, we have the supporting blenders for them as well.

These are another two fabrics that we now have in stock, the ‘bugs’ one is cute and colours are great enabling you to introduce a huge variety of blenders etc. lovely for children or I Spy or Attic Window quilts, the other fabric is mottled blue with a lovely gold metallic on it, infinite possibilities with this one.

We would like to wish you all a great Queens Birthday Weekend, Sawmillers will not be open on Monday 6th June, so we shall look forward to seeing you either over the weekend or next week as usual.

So, until next time,

Happy Quilting.

We have Sandra Kennington teaching Quilt As You Go to a full class this weekend at Sawmillers, this will be Sandra’s first visit to us and I know everyone is looking forward to learning this great technique.

The new button stand is proving to be a great success, there are some of the cutest buttons on it, from cupcakes to jandals and everything in between.

The Baltimore class is being held tonight too, with Judy Betts, it is always exciting to see what each participant has accomplished since the last lesson, I have managed to complete all the unfinished blocks I had as well as completing a ‘clipper’ ship too, so I am looking forward to deciding what to do next.

There are still a few places remaining in classes, go through and see what we have to offer and contact us to see if there is a place for you.

Until  next time,

Happy Quilting.