The Craft Mailbox - Christmas Fabric Offer!

Dear Craft Mailbox Customer

An Airing of the Quilts was held at the National Gallery in Canberra recently, and was ably hosted by renowned quilter and historian Margaret Rolfe, who chose to speak on the theme of Thrift. I could really relate to her topic, as it is a trend we are seeing now. ‘Make do and mend’ and ‘waste not want not’ are two catchphrases which many generations grew up on, and which current generations are fast learning! Margaret rightly pointed out that thrift is not poverty, nor is it being cheap! Add to this wisdom our own mantra "if it's not embellished, it's not finished". Recycle / reuse becomes easy when you use your skills to make something new again with clever stitching and imaginative embellishments.

Scrap Quilting, Locker Hooking and Bag Making

The huge consumer desire for pre-cut fabrics and patterns, scrap quilt patterns, bag making books and accessories, reflects the new trend for thrift. It is not necessarily just financial thrift that I refer to, but more care with wastage too and being mindful to recycle, reuse! There is no waste from pre-cut fabrics (the colours and designs are already matched for you) as every skerrick of the bolt is used! Consider that so much energy and so many chemicals are used to create quality fabrics and quality anything always lasts longer than tempting cheaper alternatives. Scrappy quilts represent great value for money in that they give us a chance to use up our stash or our dodgy purchases. Try our new book, Pretty Little Cozies (terrific for scraps and small gift projects), and also Crazy For Scraps, which is three books by Sally Schneider combined into one volume. The Simply Charming Collection is splendid value as a two-in-one title also. Prolific designer Kim Diehl has another title out called Simple Comforts, while Scrap Quilt Sensation, Scrap-Basket Surprises and Big Book of Scrap Quilts have been hard to resist. Other fat quarter friendly titles include Fat-Quarter Quilting, Square Magic and 101 Fabulous Fat Quarter Bags.

Have you ever asked yourself "why did I buy that fabric" or "what am I going to do with the rest of that fabric"? Try giving them a new lease on life by locking them away into a hooked project. Locker hooking is seeing a resurgence and we have all been stroking the book "Hook, Loop & Lock" with its' visually and texturally stimulating, small and large innovative projects. Delicious!

Bag Making

As many of you would know from reading the Craft Mailbox blog or having a chat on the phone with us, Sandra has recently been to Houston International Quilt Market. It is just one gigantic shopping trip, and it is the place to find all the new gadgets, trends and methods that will amaze us for the next several months. Bag making continues to be just so popular and for those of us who are short on time, but want results faster than the thought of a full sized quilt, bag making is so very satisfying. In today's market of mass produced bags, making your own is a statement of individuality and artistry.

As we get more skilled at making any product, we naturally want more challenges and a higher standard of equipment. It is no different with the construction of a bag – if we are going to carry it with pride, it has to look the part...otherwise we would simply buy the finished product. In Houston we were stunned to discover the release of a massive range of high (commercial) quality of new bag making accessories from Clover to make life easier in the bag department! Swivel latches, D-rings, O-rings and Rectangle rings are essential for classy handles and add such versatility, and along with Bag & Tote Strap Interfacing and Wrap-N-Fuse Piping, help create the total professional look. You have to finish off your masterpiece properly with a strong magnetic closure in matching finish too. Personally, putting all that effort in to end up with a saggy bag is unsatisfying, so we found Shape N Create Bag Templates (6 styles per collection) and Tote stabilizer, and stylish bag feet to keep the fabric from being soiled. These high standard items will help your bags achieve a whole new emphasis on wearable art!

Brand New .... Hot off the Press .... Product Updates ........ Not In Our Catalogue

We have been beavering away here sourcing and adding things that make life easer:

Our current free fabric with purchase offer is for single transactions over $120*. Currently we have 1 metre packs of Kona Bay (quote code 920098 - running out fast) and Christmas fabrics (quote code 920097) when you quote the codes mentioned here(*excludes postage, handling, specials and discounted items).

If you are fan of Moda Pre-Cuts such as Charm Squares, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes we have a brand new supply just in (limited supplies). "Jelly Roll Inspirations" by the authors Pam and Nicky Lintott who brought out the best seller "Jelly Roll Quilts", is also fresh in.

For lovers of Textile Art our newest titles include Connecting Art to Stitch by Sandra Meech, Art+Quilt by Lyric Kinard, and Framing & Presenting Textile Art. We are raving about Silk Unraveled (watch for silk inclusions as a future trend), Fibreart Montage by Judith Montano and Transparency In Textiles (read our blog for an extensive review). A new Angelina Fibres Sampler pack is a fabulous gift item for those wanting an adventure.

Emma Louise Quilter's Muslin is devine. With a high thread count and premium finish, this 100% cotton fabric is a dream to piece, either by hand or machine.

Jennifer Chiaverini of Elm Creek Quilts Novel series is busily writing number 16 in the series. We are taking preorders for May/June 2010 delivery (you won't be charged until it is despatched).

Jinny Beyer's "The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns" is already in reprint. Our next delivery will be mid-late December so the reality is that despatch to all our eager Jinny Beyer fans will be January. It is certainly worth waiting for.

Electric Quilt 6 and all add-on's are in plentiful supply and priced at $210, there has never been a better time to invest in this wonderful software.

Christmas Countdown

We know how close it is to Christmas when husbands, sons and daughters start calling us and taking advantage of our "Husband (Sons & Daughters) Gift Advisory Service", ensuring well thought out gifts are delivered on time. And 'yes', be assured, they have been busy calling this week. Note to Self: this service can only operate if you tell them about it!

Staff Project Over Christmas

From Catherine ; "I love the after Christmas Day period through to early January.  The flourish of organising, work and activity comes to an end, our favourite TV shows are also on holiday so I find I get an amazing amount of projects done.  Last year I sorted all my patchwork magazines and books - reading those articles/techniques I had always planned to 'one day'.  This year my airm is to complete unfinished projects before I take on new ones (at least that is the plan) -  machine appliqué around my already vliesofixed Australian Wildflowers block,  put the borders on my Kaffe Fassett Nickel Brick quilt (from the book "Loose Change"), and finish piecing my daughter's Beyond Borders Jinny Beyer Quilt (she has only been waiting 2 years).  I am currently finishing a wool embroidered blanket before it gets too hot."   

Meanwhile, Sandra is taking the opposite direction and is learning crochet from Becky mainly so she has a portable project to take on holidays and plane flights.  She already has the wool and Becky has convinced her that using a larger hook is not necessarily easier, one needs to match hook to wool size.   Becky is busy making her craft goodies and wacky children's clothes to sell at the markets. Meanwhile, fresh from knitting and felting hats in cold Canberra all winter, Julia is cutting up her admirable collection of fabric, in conjunction with her 12yo son, to make a Broken Hexagon Scrap Quilt. She has been very busy sewing and packing for her other son who is conveniently making room for her craft space by taking a 12 month overseas exchange."

To all our customers, suppliers and colleagues we send our warmest wishes for a safe and joyful festive season and we say "thank you" for supporting us, as we move into the 20th year of The Craft Mailbox.

We are taking a well earned break and will be closed from 23 December until Monday 4 January. Please be assured any web orders placed in this time frame will be filled upon our return.