Christmas is upon us and so for those of us ....like myself who have left it all until the last moment.....its now time to panic!!

Thank you everyone who has helped and supported me this year in my business...it is greatly appreciated.

2015 will have lots of new things happening for me....new shows...Brisbane and Canberra....A new website...that's almost done now....classes and workshops ( have to organize that yet!) and of course new patterns and LOTS of beautiful new fabrics.....Oooo can't wait for these.

February only will have a change of trading hours for those of you who can't get away from work...

New trading hours for FEBRUARY only will be.... 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.....9.30 am until 3.30pm

Saturday 9.30 am until 12.30pm

There will be classes during February but I will get back to you with that information in a few days.

Back to reality....The Feeling Blue Quilt is off at the quilters, the pattern is finished and kits will soon be available......

.I have almost finished quilting The Spool Quilt ...it's looking so pretty....starter packs for this will be available next year.

and I have started on a BOM....not sure as to how I feel about this one yet!

Please note the trading hours for December / January are....

Closed from the afternoon of 11th December and will reopen 12th January.

Internet orders as usual.

So thanks again....have a safe and happy Christmas and hope to see you in the New Year.

until next time

Carol

Last weekend saw the Tocal retreat weekend come and go along with that awful hot weather...thankfully!
Everyone enjoyed themselves, we had good food and company and wonderful show and tell.

Something for everyone in the show and tell.

A talented group of ladies.

 A big thanks to all of the ladies over the weekend who helped me get away early enough on the Sunday to make the presentation of my daughters 2nd Dan Grading. All was achieved.

Shelley is on the right with her long time grading buddy Holly on the left.

Centre is their Grandmaster.

until next time

Carol

Just basted the little spools quilt ready for quilting.
Gather your pretties together this will be a pattern for 2015.

Until next time

Carol

Lovely new fabrics from Moda have just arrived. ..."Community" by Howard Marcus. 

Available now on the website. ...hop on over and take a peek.

Until next time

Carol

 Its wonderful to be spending some time at home....painted the wood work around the front and back doors  ....sounds boring but it was very much needed and painting is one of those instant transformations that really don't take long to do.

Thought I would share with you though my latest purchases.....Picked this great little desk up at a shop in Yarramalong (Central Coast NSW ) and as if the actual desk isn't cute enough the little brass plaque you can see on the front of the  document box reads...."Patent applied for March 11th 1918". I am going to try and chase down the history of this little piece of furniture....Oh and the document box folds down into the desk top.

Stopped in at the French Market last Saturday and nabbed this wonderful bench seat, candles and pretty linen coat hangers....just love them all.

until next time

Carol

Lots of new fabric has been arriving  from our very clever Australian ladies.....
Pomegranate Lane Cotton and Wool from the Quilted Crow ladies

I can't wait to start something with the wool....just waiting on the correct coloured thread from Aurifil.

and Victoria Park by Karen Styles of Somerset Patchwork.

Both of these ranges are just beautiful and different.

I have taken some time this weekend to play in my garden and my roses are blooming beautifully.....

A quick trip to Swanes Nursery to pick up some new plants for the garden and couldn't resist taking a few snaps.....wishing these were mine!

until next time

Carol

Why is it that some days are just made up of "reverse sewing"?....so no patchwork this evening I have been working on my cross stitch sampler instead.

Let me introduce you to Dennis. He is the centre of a much bigger picture....1m x .60cm to be exact!

Dennis's garden is slowly growing....

and soon he will enjoy some friendly company....


I am so enjoying getting back to cross stitch for a change.

The blue quilt is coming along....(this is the one that warranted reverse sewing)....appliquéing little bits onto the last border tonight.....then onto the next project!!

Until next time
Carol 

Out and About....

Back home again from a lovely weekend away in western NSW......Thanks Chooky  and family for a wonderful weekend  and the ladies who attended the workshop. It was wonderful to see everyone finish their projects.

I couldn't resist the field of oates.....I think!

Or Dad and the Kids....it's a shame I wasn't closer!

Sorry no pictures from me on the workshop but jump on over to the chook shed and take a peek.

Until next time.....hopefully that won't be long!!!

Carol

Well it is lovely to be home after such a busy month. I decided to take my quilts to the International Quilt Market in Pittsburgh last month. There was much interest in what I make and lots of great compliments on my work.
I was lucky enough to be placed right next door to Carol Hopkins (one of my favourite quilt authors). Such a lovely lady, she kindly lent me some items that I left at home!!!

My husband came along to "carry the bags" and we both were overwhelmed with the friendliness of not only the people at Quilt Market but those people we met in Pittsburgh in general. 

These are before and after shots of our booth. This event was a huge learning curve for me and I will be back at Market again next year in Minneapolis next year.

We continued over to Lancaster County for a few days and then onto Philadelphia for 3 days before flying home. This part of our journey was the "holiday" part of our stay and we thoroughly enjoyed both these places very much with their lovely old buildings, antique shops and country scenes.

This lovely brass section of an old bank took my eye as a potential quilt border...

and these lovely little wool pieces had to of course come home with me.

Thanks to everyone for making our stay just great.

Carol

Hi and Welcome, May has begun, the days are shorter and my office here is cold, so I will quickly give you an update of what has been happening. April was so busy with 4 shows! Fairholme quilters had their 30th Anniversary show and it was a gem as always and  Caroline Bay had its 3rd quilt exhibition and the only disappointment on the weekend was the weather. The rain just had to make an appearance! One day later I was off to AQC in Melbourne and thank you to everyone who made this a very enjoyable show. The response to my patterns and items was overwhelming and I have only just completed the after show orders!   This stand was just amazing. They sold lovely braid and habby items. As you can see it was like going back in time....beautiful.   And of course my favourite stand at the show Somerset Patchwork...always something good to buy from Karen. The last weekend of April saw me at the Springwood Quilt Exhibition which as always is a wonderful event. The big news for me is that on Monday May 12th my husband I will be heading over to America to exhibit at the Spring Market Wholesale Market in Pittsburgh. After lots of encouragement from friends we made the big decision to go ahead and do this and oh how that time has come around so quickly. We have no expectations, only to enjoy ourselves and have a bit of a holiday afterwards. Louise will be here on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help you so give her a call if you need anything. I will keep you posted via Facebook. So be sure to jump on over to FB and take a peek next week.

Enduring Legacy/Old Sturbridge by Judy Rothermel has just arrived in 13 wonderful choices. I am having a slice of all of them!   click here to purchase.     Yorktown c 1930 is certainly lovely in  muted colours. New  from Blue Hill fabrics I am sure you will enjoy these beauties.   Click Here to Purchase    Four lovely fabrics in red and brown are here from Moda. Millbook 1852 is rich and beautiful.   And of course Ladies Album by Barbara Brackman has arrived but is selling fast!     Click here to purchase   Carol

It has been quite a while since I wrote a BLOG on what has been happening at Cherry Pie Designs.
Well don't think that I have been sitting with my feet up watching the telly (I wish!).
Lots has been happening, we had the Shop Hop in February which was a great success, the prize winners of which will be publicized at the end of next week and  March is all about getting ready for April and May.
And I have found a little time to make these two lovely projects in linen. You could of course use cotton fabric.

Two  gorgeous little projects new for 2014 that you can pick up now are......

Rosie...

So cute Linen needle book and pincushion. Easy to make and a great gift. Pretty in Pinks. Available as a pattern or kit.

Click here to purchase.

Sewing Sachet and needle book...

Also in linen is the right size for your sewing and fits A4 patterns or a magazine.Available as a pattern or a kit.

Click here to purchase.

April you can come along to the Caroline Bay Exhibition 5th and 6th April
Gosford Regional Gallery 36 Webb St East Gosford....(Japanese Gardens)

or you might like to take a peek at the 30th Anniversary Quilt Show of the Fairholme Quilters
April 5th and 6th April, Thorleigh Community Centre, Phyllis Ave Thornleigh.

I will be at both!

Home for a day and then I will be off to Melbourne for the Australian Quilt Convention. Wow I will be busy!.

Happy stitching
Carol