Still Quilting & Knitting

Still Quilting, Still Knitting, Still Here :-)

2012-01-25T15:47:00.008+13:00

Happy (belated) New Year everyone :-) Well, it is still only January and is still a new year, we are only 3 weeks into it after all ;-)

We have had a busy start to the year but today we are having trouble concentrating on much at all.....look at what arrived at the shop today!

Now you can understand why we would rather be knitting Lol. This luscious yarn is Araucania Ranco Multi and Ranco Solid. 75% wool/25% polyamide hand dyed yarn from Chile.

Araucania Yarns was started by a mother and daughter whose mission was to create beautiful and one-off yarns for the for the global market, employing ancient and traditional techniques and supporting local, sustainable job development. “Each hank sold means more opportunities, more jobs and more hope”.

100g hanks, 4ply, 75% wool/25% polyamide, $29.50 per hank. Perfect for socks because of the nylon content but if you think it is too lovely to hide on your feet then how about a shawl or a scarf? As with all individually hand dyed yarns it is advisable to ensure you buy enough for whatever you are knitting as dye lots could change.

We are also very excited as we have placed an order for our first shipment of Knitsch yarns. If you haven’t heard of Knitsch (Scratching the Knitting Itch) yarns before then you will certainly want to! We are about to become stockists for this beautiful hand dyed 100% NZ Merino yarn.

Perfect for socks with it’s tight twist which gives lovely texture and it will also be great knitted up as shawls, scarves or even baby garments. If you are a Two At A Time sock knitter, want to make multi coloured socks or know that you need a little more than 100g for a long pair then you will appreciate that Knitsch yarns come in 50g hanks.

The 3 colours in the photo are, from L to R, Paradise, The Island and Georgina & The Jellyfish with Yellow Brick Road still in it’s hank at the bottom (well – we had to wind them so as we can road test them first of course!) They will retail for $13.95 per 50g hank. Our order is in and we will let you know when it arrives.

Watch this space for our next knitting projects......they are sure to be in one of these yarns :-)

Merry Christmas from us to you :-)

2011-12-22T15:01:00.002+13:00

We would like to wish all our followers and readers a very lovely Festive Season.......how about some new tree ideas for next year?!

How about this for a Down Under tree??!

Enjoy :-)

And the winner is.........

2011-12-21T14:14:00.003+13:00

Lorraine! Congratulations Lorraine, we think you wanted the yarn as your prize but will be in touch to confirm that and also the colour.

Thank you all so much for entering the draw and becoming new Followers on our blog - we hope you enjoy reading our updates as much as we enjoy writing them :-)

We have emailed Lorraine to organise getting her prize to her - we decided to only do one of the prizes this time and will have another giveaway soon with another prize.

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are looking forward to a busy year next year and have plans for some great classes and kits.

Thank you for reading and following our blog :-)

And all that Jazz

2011-12-19T12:06:00.006+13:00

Phat Cat Jazz is the latest kit to be finished here at the shop - well, mostly finished - just a small amount of binding to be sewn down. This is such a fun and colourful quilt, perfect for all ages and all cat lovers ;-) It's finished measurements are approx 42" x 65" and the kit includes all the fabric for the quilt top, including binding, and a colour pattern. The pattern also contains a free pattern for a Tote Bag and the cost is $120 for the complete kit.

Meet some new gang members here at Still

Quilting. We have some new knitting patterns in stock and the designer has kindly lent us some of her samples - they are proving to be quite a hit with everyone. Here they are hanging out together..........

Ritchie the Rugby Guy......

Ernest and Geraldine are good friends.....

Chip the Robot looks puzzled......

Finally, Penny 1 and Penny 2 - the pattern comes with instructions for both of the outfits she is wearing.

The patterns are $10 each and we are looking forward to making up some samples of our own as at some stage these guys are going to get homesick and want to leave us :-)

Finally, thank you to those who have left comments and become followers on the previous post for our giveaway - if you haven't already done so it isn't too late, you still have a couple of days before we draw the name of the lucky winner :-)

Christmas Giveaway!

2011-12-08T09:28:00.008+13:00

It's nearly Christmas so we thought we would have a prize draw and increase our followers at the same time.

Leave a comment on this post for one entry into the draw. For a second entry into the draw put a post on your own blog and encourage your readers to come and follow us and get them to enter. Make sure you mention this in your comment too and leave us a link to follow.

You must be a follower to enter but if you aren't one yet, go ahead and become a follower and then leave your comment - we don't mind if you have become a follower to enter, we just hope you like our blog enough to stay around afterwards :-)

We will post worldwide..................want to see what you could win??

Your choice of either one ball of Wendy 'Happy' 4 ply sock yarn......75% Bamboo/25% nylon, this yarn is beautifully soft and silky to knit with and to wear - it also washes like a dream. Choose one of the colours in the left hand photo. One ball will make an adult pair of socks. Or.......

You can choose to receive the pattern and fabric (black or turquoise) for our latest bag pattern, the Circle Tote. Both colours are stunning and very vibrant and the fabric is a heavy canvas weight ideal for carrying your groceries or taking to quilt class :-)

Let us know in your comment which prize you would prefer if you win and also your email address - you never know, the Christmas spirit might hit us with a bang and we might decide to give BOTH prizes away.........but you will have to wait and see ;-) The more new followers, the higher the chance of two prizes ;-)

Edited to add: Thanks Debbie for reminding us to put a close off date on the giveaway. We will make the draw on Wednesday 21st December - sorry it won't be in time for Christmas if our winner is overseas - but it would be a nice New Years gift anyway :-)

Coffee and Yarn....what a combination!

2011-12-05T12:11:00.002+13:00

Some new fabric that arrived recently is this range of coffee designs. If you know a coffee lover it would make great placemats, coasters or even a coffee cup sleeve - perfect gifts!

Also just arrived is this divine Noro yarn.....we have both the Kureyon sock yarn ($33.50 per 100g ball) and the Silk Garden sock yarn ($35.00 per 100g ball). The colours are to die for and we are itching to finish up some projects and start knitting something with the Noro.....

.......can you understand why?!

Robyn attempting to leave the shop with our new stash - think she would have had trouble driving home somehow :-)

Wrenly's Place at our place.

2011-11-28T10:55:00.003+13:00

Look what has just landed on our doorstep! A beautiful range of fabrics by Valori Wells called "Wrenly"....and we will be using it to make her own quilt design called "Wrenly's Place"...... we both love it so much we think we will have to make 2 samples so there is no fighting over it once the kits are all sold Lol.

Almost Advent time.

2011-11-24T13:30:00.003+13:00

It isn't too late to make an Advent calendar for the little person in your life. A few hours of work for years of pleasure :-)

2011-11-15T10:55:00.002+13:00

Our latest bag pattern, nice and simple but roomy and convenient - would make a great gift!

The canvas fabric is available in two colours - hard to chooose between them both :-)

New 'kit' on the block.....

2011-11-09T14:50:00.004+13:00

....and yes, it is another cat quilt! Cats and Quilters seem to go together, don't they? Robyn is a cat person....and while Leanne likes animals, she is allergic to cats so is happy to stick to the quilted kind ;-)

The complete kit is $175 and you will have a large panel (same size as the centre) and 2 small panels (same size as the corner blocks) left over from the printed panels to make a cushion or bag with.

2011-05-05T11:04:00.003+12:00

First of all, a big THANK YOU to our loyal followers for sticking with us......we know we have been very poor bloggers over the past weeks, months.....years even? We are going to try to update on a more regular basis and hopefully grow our readership :-) Keep an eye out for a gievaway in the not too distant future as a thank you and a welcome to all our readers, old and new.

We will start with some new fabrics that have just arrived in stock......we wish there were more hours in the day to sit and sew with these beautiful fabrics - who said owning a quilt shop would mean we could sit and sew all day???!!! ;-)

Luscious Amy Butler fabrics......................................

Parisville by Tula Pink for Freespirit........................................

We have some Amy Butler bags in progress from her new book.....watch this space :-)

It's HERE

2011-02-17T19:50:00.020+13:00

...2011 has really arrived and February has almost gone.

We are bursting with enthusiam over our exciting line up for this year.

Kicking off with loads of beautiful new fabrics arriving daily into the store.

We intend to keep you updated on new arrivals and quilting kits avaiable ... but for now here's a sneak peak of one to come.....

Stomp Chomp GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

:::these friendly dinosaurs are keeping my sewing machine company at the moment.

Be sure to check back here really soon and see what they look like when they come to life:::

Our first newsletter for 2011 is written and you can read it by clicking the 'Newsletter' link at the right. There are plenty of classes for all different interests which are filling up fast, so if you want to attend please make sure you email us (again, link on right) or call us 06 7586255 to secure a place.

Enjoy the last of the summer weeks, be inspired by the light that the sun brings into our lives during these hot dry weeks.

A girl can never have too many bags...right?!

2010-12-07T15:26:00.002+13:00

We have just received our first order of Amy Butler's new book "Style Stitches", 12 easy eays to 26 wonderful bags......and wonderful they are too! We already have plans to make most of them and have fabric for some of the designs with more on order.....we can't wait!

12 different bag patterns and some of the bags are available in 2 or 3 different sizes or with long/short handles.

The book is very competitively priced at only $72.50 so if you would like to order one then feel free to email/phone and we will put one aside for you.

Apologies for the bad camera flash on this picture above, but we have got the fabric for this one already so it will probably be one of our first samples......Leanne can't wait to get started on it :-)

Follow this link for a youtube clip of Amy Butler talking about the new book. And, watch this space for photo's of our favourite versions of bags from the book.

Crestwood Bag class

2010-11-18T11:38:00.006+13:00

This was the second night of the popular Crestwood bag class. We had a lot of fun as usual, the more the merrier in classes. By the second class the bag was starting to come together and everybody could see them taking shape.

So much concentration :-)

Ta da....finished. Four of the ladies chose to use our kit.

And the other four chose their own fabrics.....one more photo to follow as one person couldn't be at the last class.

Last but not least.....managed to grab this photo of the missing bag in action on a trip to the movies :-)

We are looking forward to more bag classes next year, wonder what the bag of the year will be for us in 2011?

New look and a new leaf :-)

2010-11-18T11:25:00.003+13:00

Hello Blogland.....we are back :-)

Ok, we are making a promise to have a new post at least once a week......you read it here, in black and white Lol! We are keen to expand our blog readership as well as our blog list, so if you have a blog then please leave a comment and we would love to add you to our list.

Keep an eye out for a giveaway in the next few weeks to kick start our new regime :-)

Over the next couple of months we will be working on some of next year's class samples....so keep an eye out if you would like a sneak peek of what is coming up in our January newsletter and class list.

We have some great bags planned.......one of them will be the 'Weekender Bag' by Amy Butler - has been on Leanne's 'to do' list for some time so we will be making that in some of her amazing fabrics, can't wait. Fabrics are ordered and now we just need to find a few more hours in the day to get some sewing done.......any ideas???

Catch you next week.....watch this space!

Down Under Textiles

2010-05-18T11:19:00.002+12:00

We have just received some copies of this new magazine and it looks very interesting. So far it looks like an Australian version of Quilting Arts, lots of details for the different techniques shown, great photos and some fun projects. It will be published twice a year so plenty of time in between issues for you to 'test' some of the items. There is also a very generous competition with a prize of $500 for making an embellished bag, it does require a $30 entry fee for the handles but what a great prize!

Do you remember doing Lino printing? Look at this amazing owl, great fun too!

A lovely circle scarf that looks very interesting and easy.........

.......and don't you just love this bag made from felt 'lollipops'?

A great mag with lots of information and new techniques to try - all for only $10.95! What a bargain :-)

On the Knitting front we are having trouble keeping up with all the yarn that is flying out the door at the moment, the change in the weather has our customers picking up their needles again for the winter. Luckily we have some great yarns to keep them busy:-)

We are both knitting furiously on different (and various!) projects - why make only one thing at a time when you can be working on two....or three.....or four!!! Leanne is working on a baby blanket from Issue 14 of 'The Knitter' magazine and Robyn is busy knitting socks - they are the projects we are admitting to at the moment! Socks are very popular again this winter, we have the new Opal sock yarn colours in stock and have just received the Regia sock yarn designed by Kaffe Fassett - great colours.

Thanks for dropping by, Happy Quilting & Knitting :-)

Still Alive & Kicking @ Still Quilting :-)

2010-05-06T16:21:00.004+12:00

If you are new to our blog - welcome :-) If you have been hanging around since September 09 for our next post - sorry and thank you :-)

We would like to apologise for how long it has taken us to get back to our blog - please be assured that it will be much more of a priority from now on and we plan to post at least once a week, more if possible!

So, we thought you might like to see our latest Block of the Month - Chicken Buffet.

This quilt is a lot of fun! It depicts a chicken in lots of 'food' guises........ 'Stewed Chicken' is not a difficult one to imagine,

....or 'Chicken Italiano' anyone?

But, can you imagine 'Chicken Divan' or (Leanne's favourite!) 'Chicken a la King'? Call in and have a look and a laugh, or email us and ask for more details. Month 1 $60, Months 2-12 $25, includes all fabric and patterns for the quilt top and the binding.

Summer is coming - and we have proof!

2009-09-03T15:17:00.002+12:00

We know summer is just around the corner when our summer yarns and patterns start arriving! These will be going out in the shop over the next couple of months, we will have samples knitted and get them displayed - but we thought we would give you a teaser first!! We have chosen some scrummy new colours and have got new patterns for Sirdar Sublime Soy Cotton DK, Sublime Organic Cotton DK, Juicy DK & Baby Bamboo DK. This is unlikely to be the last of our summer deliveries so keep your eyes peeled!

We will show you what is on our needles in our next post! How long will we be able to resist starting a new summer project?? Probably not very long at all :-) These new yarns will be hidden out the back, hopefully 'out of sight, out of mind' until we have finished some of the knitting we have on the go (in all honesty, 'we' means Leanne!! Robyn has been finishing her started projects and her halo is shining. Leanne's may have to wait until next winter Lol!! Her excuse is that she gets bored easily and so has to have multiple projects on the go to keep her interested!)

New mag on the block!

2009-08-20T09:47:00.004+12:00

Today we received a new magazine, one that we have never heard of before - Irish Quilting. Now for reasons only known to our magazine supplier, they have decided to send us this new magazine starting with Vol 1 issue 4 - ours is not to reason why!?! It is hard to tell how good a new magazine is going to be from only one issue, time will tell - but so far it looks good. Lovely photography, glossy pages - more like a soft book than a magazine which is great if you like to re-read (again and again!) your magazines like we do!! It is also nice to have a bookshelf full of soft books rather than mags.

An article about Gail Lawther, a great designer of Celtic Knot's and other Celtic quilting.

A good 'art quilt' using what they call 'inchies', from my quick look they are 1" mini quilts/embellished squares to give your quilt a 3D effect - very clever and an easy way to add another dimension.

A nice pattern for a table runner.

A simple scrap quilt pattern - but what a great photo of the castle!

We have four copies of the magazine in stock ($11.90). If you want a copy reserved, of this or any other magazine, please email or phone and we will put it to one side for you.

"I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow....

2009-08-12T15:37:00.004+12:00

sing a rainbow tooooooooo!" :-) Sorry, couldn't resist that - rest assured that you are far better off reading our singing than being here to listen to it! The reason we are bursting into song? This beautiful fabric has just arrived, called the 'Rainbow' range, we have Rainbow Poppy, Rainbow Rose, Rainbow Lily....and so on. There are 6 luscious colours and they are only $22.50 per metre. As a special offer, buy half a metre of the 6 fabrics for only $60, that works out at only $20 a metre!so, now can you understand why we were singing?? Isn't it beautiful?

Thanks for reading, we have some great batiks to put up in the next few days, a whole range of graduated fabrics, and we will have another special offer for them!

Fabrics with a 'Flourish'!

2009-08-04T14:21:00.002+12:00

We love opening boxes - especially when we know they contain new fabrics! These stunning Robert Kaufman fabrics are always popular. Each year we see a new range and we always think they could never get any better, yet each year they do!

The three on the left are from his 'Holiday Flourish' range and all have a gold over metallic finish. They make you think of Christmas without being obviously 'Christmas fabrics'.

The two on the right are called 'Imperial Fusions' and we have sold a lot of these over the past few years, they are so versatile and gorgeous!

Holiday Flourish are $29.50 per metre and Imperial Fusions are $30.50 per metre. We think the Holiday Flourish would make up as a beautiful fussy cut or stack and whack quilt with the other two as compliments.

Calorie Free Chocolate anyone??

2009-07-30T11:14:00.003+12:00

'What's that' we hear you say, surely there is no such thing? Now - would we lie to you?? Drum roll please........................ we give you - Chocolate Fabric!!

At $27.60 per metre, what better way to enjoy your chocolate fix without having to worry about the calories?? This would make a great apron, tote bag, wheat bag cover or how about a quilt for a special someone with a very sweet tooth? Yum yum!

P.S. Hi Aunty Val :-))

Go on - smile :-)

2009-07-28T14:23:00.002+12:00

Had to share these cartoons with you all, I think all quilters can relate to them - I know we can!

Warm winter woolies.....for your bike?!

2009-07-27T09:33:00.007+12:00

These pictures were sent to us by a customer - and we just had to share them! Now we love to knit but..........................................a whole motorbike??

If you have got any photos of unusual knitted objects then send them in and we will put them up. Can anyone beat a motorbike?

Newsletter day - finally!

2009-07-22T09:28:00.004+12:00

Our snail mail newsletters will go out today! They were printed out yesterday and we sat and folded, labelled and stamped them. We post about 300 newsletters twice a year - compare that to almost 1000 when we bought the business just over 3 years ago! The reason? Not because our mailing list has got smaller, but because we now have a huge amount of people receiving theirs by email! Our original plan was to send more regular updates to the email list but now we have our blog that won't be neccessary. If you don't receive our newsletter and would like it direct to your Inbox, please email us and we will gladly add you to our emailing list.

Jill Maas and her posse came to town!

2009-07-20T10:24:00.011+12:00

Her posse of dolls that is - although it was hard to think of them as 'dolls' - they had such character and personality! This was the first time Jill has taught a class here at Still Quilting and, due to popular demand, we already have her booked for another 3 classes next year! If you want more details see our class schedule. Jill very kindly taught two dolls during this class, Dressmakers Dummy and City Girls, these City Girls were made by Debbie who was a first time dollmaker! Two dolls in two days - amazing! As you can see from the photos, everyone worked hard and had fun - but it was heads down when we took photos :-)

The City Girls will be taught again in May 2010, it may seem a long way off but we already have bookings so it is never too soon to put your name down! Fleur will be taught in March and we have a couple of spaces for that class if you get in quick.

McKenna Ryan BOM 'Forest Hollow'

2009-07-15T15:37:00.005+12:00

We are taking Expresions of Interest for this lovely Block of the Month. We don't have a definite price for it at the moment but expect it to be around $65 per month for 9 months. It works out to be a very good price as the patterns alone from the Pine Needles website convert to NZ$175 - and that's without postage! Go to the Pine Needles website if you want to see more details. Email us if you would like to put your name down.

Friends are like fabric....you can never have enough!
Happy Quilting, Leanne & Robyn :-)

Woohoo, we made it!!

2009-07-15T10:16:00.003+12:00

Finally, after talking about it for.......months, we have found time to set up our blog! Welcome! We hope you will enjoy checking in on a regular basis and sharing in our adventures. We think we have the best job in the world and we have a lot of fun while we do it - we would like to share that fun with you here on our blog. We will have a link to our class schedule and newsletter, also to other blogs we enjoy - be patient though, we are blog newbies so it may take a bit of practice! We would love to hear from you, either via the comments or email (when we can figure how to link to our email addy! :-))

Happy Quilting & Knitting, see you soon, Leanne & Robyn.