Jenny Haskins' World of Quilting and Embroidery

If I can Skateboard you can make A Place in the Sun

2012-02-08T22:49:00.000-08:00

For those who were lucky enough to be part of our fabulous webinar today, you will have seen the 'glorious' picture of me skateboarding - my first adventure for the year 2012!! Well as I said, if I can skateboard making A Place in the Sun is a breeze. A Place in the Sun is for remedial quilters/embroiderers as all you have to do is hoop-n-go for a whole quilt which includes quilting, applique, sashing, cornerstones, center medallion and borders. And guess what, no measuring required as it has all been done for you with built-in cutting lines! All you have to do is keep your embroidery machine going and cut on the builtin stitch cutting line and piece with the perfectly flat Jenny Join!

One other thing, if the detailed step-by-step pictures and directions are not enough for you, well invite me to be your personal coach, just go to my website and download the Free instructional videos now all you have to do is 'follow the bouncing sewing ball' and in no time you will be in competition with our amazing Nancy!

Read Nancy's email in two previous blogs ago - well here is a photo of her first lot of blocks and rest assured this quilt will be finished in not time, as she has already purchased the fabric for her second quilt - way to go Nancy, who is 88 years young.


Nancy's first set of A Place in the Sun Blocks

Happy Chinese New Year!

2012-01-30T17:52:00.001-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year! I just had to share some pictures from the weekend. To celebrate Chinese New Year we all headed down to Darling Harbour in Sydney and visited the Chinese Gardens. It was a magic day, beautiful and sunny. We were wondering around the gardens and found a place where you can rent traditional Chinese costumes to wear around the gardens to take photos in, so Harvey and Simon got dressed up....

What fun!! And here is one of the whole family...

Its the year of the Dragon, so I wish everyone happiness, health and prosperity.

What one lady thinks of A Place in the Sun, quilt/book

2012-01-29T22:23:00.000-08:00

I get many, many emails, about how happy machine artists (from every walk of life and sew skill level) tell me about their exciting experiences when making a quilt designed by Team JH. I thought, however that I just had to share this one with you all, as Nancy is 88 years young, quietly spoken, never complains and is always positive, making every day a new adventure and so wanted to share her journey to A Place in the Sun with my blog followers:Friday, 27 January 2012Hello Jenny.I had to write to you regarding A Place in the Sun; having eagerly awaited its arrival I wanted to give you my thoughts about it.Upon opening and reading APS several times I was a little apprehensive about embarking on this new concept, thinking it outside my capabilities/expectations. Then my friend (Elaine) arrived for a short stay this week and we immediately discussed A Place in the Sun. I explained how unsure I felt about doing it.Having recently lost my dear husband, who was my computer whiz, the family had suggested (prior to Christmas) that it was now time I reconnect to the internet again. Not knowing anything about the internet and little more about computers I agreed (keeping in mind that I am 88 and was more than a little intimidated about using it) never the less I agreed. So when my dear friend Elaine arrived in Sydney for a short stay she went on to your website and downloaded all your free videos including the three for A Place in the Sun. WOW is an understatement, as the videos were just like having you in my sewing room and all my fears just melted away; I just had to do a sample. That is how it started, just one sample I thought, having done one, I knew I could do this! I have finished nine centre squares on point (as I want a bed topper this time)! I have also stitched the McTavishing strips and cornerstones and stitched them to the sides of two squares on point. You and the team have certainly made this quilting technique a pleasant and stres free way to sew. Add to this, the free download videos from your website which are the most wonderful aid and I highly recommend these as a form of teaching/learning as they cover all aspects of the quilt process, from preparation, stitching, cutting and piecing (along with the detailed step-by-step pictures in the book), one just cannot make a mistake. And oh the Jenny Join – what can I say – the seams are simply the best I have ever done adding the front and back perfectly together – a reversible quilt! I could hardly believe it possible that a quilt could be appliquéd and quilted with absolutely no stress, worries about cutting accurately and the quilting appeared as by magic; everything was taken care of with the pieces fitting exactly as was directed in the book!!WELL DONE team JH, seems an inadequate thing to say, as no matter what skill level or experience you are at in quilting/machine embroidery anyone can make this quilt, so long as one has the 200mm x 200mm embroidery hoop or larger for your machine.I will be in touch later when my Place in the Sun quilt is completed! Lots of love and admiration for you and the team- you are so far ahead of what this industry needs to teach and show what is possible with these amazing embroidery machines of the 21st Century and are ever a source of inspiration to lovers of machine embroidery everywhere.Jenny I am so blessed with wonderful friends Elaine my sewing coach and Gregg the young man who helps me with my computer, camera etc – has taken the photos and now helped with this letter to you. I can sew but some technology is a little harder but I amd trying to learn with their help.LoveNancy BennettTeam JH think that Nancy is a Sewing Legend, and an amazing example of what can be done, no matter what age, or experience, just put your mind to it and believe in yourself. We will be posting Nancy’s quilt on our website as soon as it is finished, along with any others that are sent to us, so we can all enjoy her quilt along with others as they are completed!

Who said we cannot do new things?

2012-01-18T01:50:00.000-08:00

If I could get my B'berry to talk to my iPad I could back my next adventure with a picture, but I am working on it. All my children as teenagers could ride skate boards, even broke bones on them and I never had the urge until last week to try to ride one. Britty got a new skate board and I thought why not. I was so excited and enthusiastic that I actually just got up and road it immediately. Even learned how to shift my weight to turn the board. It was amazing but more so at my age, which only proves my saying just go and do it. I am thinking of buying one and practicing on my drive. I just love doing and learning new things. My next is getting back to ice skating. Used to do it when I was a teenager and older so why not get my sakes out and try again. My Yoga certainly helped with my balance so you know use it or loose it. I also learned how to play Angry Birds, (a computer game) and I am working mt way through the levels, not to mention Solitare, one of my winning hand was in the top five, score wise, I was asked if I wanted to tell a friend, so I am telling you all.

Robbie and I are busy working on the quilting Academy for later in the year, and boy do we have an exciting adventure planned for you all. Even Simon is impressed. And the lovely Simon well his trip to Bali was an entire his mother wished he had not embarked on, I will say no more!

Simon is working on something especially for the USA - you are not going to believe it, but wait you must.

A Place in the Sun is walking out the door in Australia, so those of you in the US make sure you have placed your preorders so as not to miss out. I know all the online stores are already pre selling it, so hop on line or go into your local store and make sure they are getting it in.

I am watching the Australian Tennis held in Melbourne and our Bernard Tomic is playing and his resilience amazes me, not to mention his talent and passion. What an inspiration and to think he is only 19.

I will keep you up to date with my new adventure, email me yours.

2012 a Time to Change

2012-01-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

Here I am in 2012, I remember coming home in the train from the 2000 Olympics, held in Sydney, when it was announced that the 2012 Olympics would be held in London which seemed an eternity away! Well here it is. For me 2012 is a time for change and new directions.

I was reading in our Sunday paper about how we limit ourselves by our age and the expectations of others as to how we should appear and act. Who says this is what we have to do or be, where is it written that at a certain age we should look, act and behave a certain way. I see contemporaries of mine who have looked 30 going on 60 all their lives and on the other hand those who will be forever young. Me I have always opted for the latter.

I am at my Place in the Sun, at Toowoon bay, ( speaking of which, don't forget to place your order for this book it is out next week) sitting on the deck, reflecting. Our Christmas plans were a comedy of errors, however we did have a beautiful Christmas and Boxing Day. (Incidentally for those who do not follow British tradition, Boxing Day was when all the left over food was boxed up and given to the poor, what a great tradition and it is a pity it is only a holiday in Australia and the food tradition is not followed.) One can never predict families, only love and accept them and trust in their love and acceptance of you.

I have have already started, doing (maybe not new things but things but have not done for a long time) by going down a giant slippery slide with my grandson, it was so much fun. Also taken up snorkeling again, was amazing (after I got over the initial choking due to an I'll fitting mask)! I was rescued by my special neighbor who helped me catch my breath, (water was still coming out of my nose five hours later) but it was worth it. New mask and another day and my snorkeling is off to a great start. Saw two beautiful Gropers and neatly touched one.

I walk every morning, rain, hail or shine, go to Yoga twice a week, and will be stepping up the anti on both of these. I also want to do a course and will be working on more interactive things on our web site including online classes, Academy's (including a quilting one we are working on already) and Sit and Sew with Jenny! We plan on keeping sewing, machine embroidery and creativity alive and well, and advancing into 2012. We have so much planned, so stay tuned.

Am now off to sun bake and read a book, I am having three straight weeks at the van, another first for me. Remember it is never too late to be what you could have been!

My very special friend Brittany, who is my nine year old neighbor up here at Toowoon Bay, asked me how old I was, I answered that I was very old, and she replied, are your 30! Well inside absolutely, and I am working on the outside! I exercise every day, go to Yoga classes twice a week and still wear a bikini!

This year I plan on doing a course, running more online features, classes and Academy's as well as keeping the gospel of machine embroidery alive and very active.

So why not join me on this new adventure, forget your age, infirmities and worries, remember life is a banquets and most poor fools are starving so start eating at the banquet.

Happy New Year my friends and for your age, just go with the feeling!

Holiday Blessings and Love to All

2011-12-19T18:01:00.000-08:00

Well this is Christmas, and what have we done, another year old and a new one begun.. in the words of the famous John Lennon.

This year has been filled with happiness, joy, achievement, blessings and achievements. It has also had many sadness's, with friends and loved ones passing away. I am saddened at the death of Danise Challis, a true hero and warrior against cancer. She lost her battle last week, having a massive stroke. She was an amazing lady full of courage (against all odds) an had such a positive attitude, right up to the very end. She will be missed by all who loved her and enjoyed her creativity, she was featured in several editions of CE and was one of our heroes.

On a great note, A Place in the Sun, (books and designs) is ahead of schedule and should be out around the 8 January, 2012 in Australia and 22 January in the US - don't miss out on this fabulous book. Also don't forget to view the video, which is up and running on our web site: www.jennyhaskins.com

I have just returned from Brisbane, to attend dad's Christmas Party. This is always a bitter/sweet experience for me, as I spend most of the time crying, however there is joy as well. When one is coming to the end of an amazing life, sometimes it deals us a hand we would never have chosen, but like the Christian gentleman my dad is, he never complains and is still gentle and sweet.

My nephew Niki, was presented to the Supreme Court and admitted to the bar - very proud moment for everyone. All in all I had a wonderful time in Brisbane with my only sister and her family.

I attempted to post picture to this blog, but for some reason they would not upload as pictures, rather just a ton of codes. So I am not fighting with the computer right now so pictures will have to wait till next time.

From all of us at Team JH, (Simon, Laurie, Robbie and me) we wish you Christmas blessings and only health and happiness in the New Year. Our office will be closed from the 23 December and reopen on the 16 January, 2012. (We will check our emails however and have a skeleton staff.)

2011 Academy Graduates Gallery open to public

2011-11-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

Well today was Graduation Day for the 90 2011 Online Jenny Haskins Academy of Accredited Tutors - blue ribbons for everyone who completed the eight projects in the allotted time to become accredited! We also had four Masters who completed all 19 Academy Projects Congratulations to all, you are now soaring eagles!

The Members Gallery has now gone Public for all to view
Www.jennyhaskins.com/gallery_2011.php

This is a must see, so once again Congratulations to all our graduates, so if you are looking for great teachers, this is where you look.

We are all so proud of this group of graduates and have just announced that we will be repeating this course early in 2012 as well as our first Quilting Academy later in 2012. Dates will be announced early in 2012.

Take a peek you will love this gallery and delight in what our amazing students have achiever.

Team JH

Back to reality and exciting new products

2011-11-22T20:07:00.000-08:00

I trust you have all received our flier about all our new products- this is sooooo exciting. Nine new design collections that include not only the designs but the directions to make the projects that are pictured on the front cover - you want more? Well there is more. We now have six videos on our site for the following:
1 Perfect Bliss
2 Fiesta
3 I Need a Little Christmas
4 Quilt-a-magic
5 A Little French Chic
6 I Feel Pretty

Create along with me as I guide you step-by-step through these projects - with the directions and the designs on the Special Edition design collections and now Videos so there is no excuse for you not to soar with the eagles! I hope you enjoy these amazingly easy and fun projects.

And yes for those who want a little more you are catered for also.

Bit under the weather today as I am having a tooth inplant and my dentist visit was quite harrowing. Took two hours to get the root out of the bone with a lot of tugging - bit off with the fairies today. Pain killers are my best friends at present!

Will hopefully have pictures for next time, so in the meantime go to www.jennyhaskins.com to see all the new products and to download the. Keels.

Jenny

The things we do for a show!!! Houston is over and now home!

2011-11-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

Well Houston is over for another years . We all had a ball and the show was a great success. Way to go team JH/RNK!!!

The things we do for a show (and in honor of our, Australian Melbourne Cup horse race) click on the link below and ihave a giggle!,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JjbwOWy9W8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

OK now stop laughing.

We had a great show and are now heading home tomorrow morning - Sydney Summer , here I come with an advanced Hawaiin Tan!!

Last day in Houston and then home to Aussie

2011-11-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

Well here we are at the last day at Houston! So good to be well and catch up with all our fellow quilters and embroiderers, it has been a blast. So much fun seeing people in my workshops (three a day no less) converted to the gospel of 'just because it is beautiful; it doesn't mean it is hard'! Everyone went a way with a smile in their eyes and a new belief in themselves that they could do anything.

I cannot wait to see what comes next in the world of quilting and embroidery. In the meantime we are off home tomorrow with so many exciting ideas new concepts to keep in touch and keep everyone busy, so stay tuned to your email blasts so you do not miss out on our future plans - very exciting times we live in.

Please don't get used to these frequent posts, by the way, but it has been my mission to keep everyone posted while I am away - holiday or not.

I am having a love affair with my iPad, just love love it! Am also getting used to the touch key board.

Now on with the show.

Wow what a show we are having in Houston!

2011-11-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well we are half way through the Houston Festival. The winning quilts are breath taking as always with the artist simply amazing! I always feel humbled by the talent and creativity.

The Jenny Haskins stand is a hive of activity being crowded to over flowing. Our work shops are full to over flowing and everyone is so busy that lunch breaks are a thing of the past, we are lucky if we get a 'potty break'. We are all having a blast, so if you have not come by the stand make sure your do, the discounts are simply amazing!

Simon's Quilt-a-magic is center stage along with A Place in the Sun, so make sure you order both along with the 12 new Special Editions. Amazing thread and stabilizer specials so get ready to stock up.

Have had lots of wonderful customers popping by to say Hi we love seeing our loyal supporters. Thank you for your support and custom.

Must go another workshop to do.

Jenny

Congratulations to our over 90 JH Acadmey Graduates!

2011-11-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Well how proud are team JH of our first online Academy graduates. They are all amazing and so talented and guess what, we have four graduates who passed with honors having completed all 19 projects! We are just so proud of our team of eagles who are soaring high!

Hawaii is now a very happy memory and I cannot wait to go back, Simon said I can go twice a year!

Well Festival is about to start and team JH is so excited, come and visit us on stand 614, and talk with Simon, Paula, Debi, Susan and Margo, we would love to see you. Me, well I will be showing you everything new and giving some wonderful tips as to how to quilt no hands on a domestic machine. This you will love.

Also keep your eyes peeled for the 2012 dates for next year's online Academy of JH Accredited Tutors and our advanced Academy dates for 2012 as well! Yes we plan to keep every learning and flying high.

Also remember the Jenny Haskins division of RNK and SVP or looking for education/sales consultants, so if you would like this exciting career, email me for details.

Well off to the show, I did not get a chance to see anything at market so will try to look at festival.

Catching up at Houston

2011-10-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

First day at Houston Quilt Market. So exciting to catch up with old friends like, Norman Foster, Lewis Carney, Erica (of Erica's in South Bend), Jeannie Miller, Jane Nesbitt, Kim Novak, Tom Justic, Barbara Sunderllage, the girls Creative Machine Embroider (more on that later)'! Met Nancy Snider for the first time which was lovely, Hans Martini is over here as well along with Joanne Wearing from Australia.

Our revered leader Clifford Wallach is charming everyone as always, and Mr. Brooks and his beautiful wife are as gracious as always. Paula and all the girls are hard at work and in general we are all enjoying show casing everything new.

My poor Simon has lost his voice already and has gone to bed.

We have unveiled our latest creations including A Place in the Sun along with 12 new special editions. As you can hear life is full and busy and I have to sit in the lobby to post this because you are all my 'babies and I have to love you'!

Another day tomorrow and will keep you all posted.

Jenny

Trying again my IPad is on vacation too!

2011-10-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

Now my IPad and I have made up we can catch up!

I had forgotten what a holiday was like and have already booked to come back to Hawaii next year - yes I am having the best of times. Tanned relaxed and almost ready for Houston!

I have just sat on the beach every day, swam and read my E-books. Simon is leaving today and me tomorrow (sadly). We are both looking forward to Houston and catching up with our US friends and sharing what we are doing, new concepts and promises of things to come.

Will keep you all posted.

Jenny

Sitting on the beach watching the time pass by....

2011-10-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

Clearing off my desk and more archive pictures!

2011-10-13T04:18:00.000-07:00

Cleaning up again and I found more pictures, these two are of my daughter Sam when she was around 17. The top one is of her all dressed up for her year 12 formal, the class went on a cruse on the Sydney Harbour - she was wearing my Fantasy Cape (I am sure she dressed up for me). Being a tom boy (having two older brothers) the picture below is how she would rather dress. I think they were supposed to be studying rather than goofing off. Do you remember these days Sammie?

Well I am finally closing down my computer for a month!! I cannot believe it, I will have withdrawals I am sure - never mind am taking my iPad with me. We all have been so busy in our studio, making over 20 videos in the last couple of weeks. Our Academy members are going well with 36 who have already completed their required 8 projects and two who have finished all 19 projects, three weeks to go everyone! We have designed and ordered the badges as well as the certificates, so the end is in site.

You will notice that we have instructional videos for Perfect Bliss, Fiesta, Quilt-a-matic, Sandy's Oriental Express and I need a Little Christmas up on our web site now. Simply click on the more button and then scroll down to the bottom of the page that opens and download the video. With all the directions (coloured step by step pictures) and designs on each CD along with an instructional video in which I guide you in making these projects - anyone can now work from home and achieve any of these quilts in their own time and space!! What more could you want - and no I am not making one for you.

A Place in the Sun our exciting new book, due out Dec/Jan is at the printers and you will just love the quilt and our latest technique - an entire quilt quilted and embroidered in the HOOP!! And yes we will have video on our web site for this also when the book comes out

We are also working on our Creative Magic site on our web site - it will be an interactive site that everyone can be part of taking advantage of 21st century technology. You will be part of the Jenny and Simon studio when it becomes a reality show - more coming.

Until next time, I will be on the beach in Hawai!!

Some days it doesn't pay to get up and take the cat off your head!

2011-10-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

Hey Norman (Foster) remember this - long time ago, but at one of the many Pfaff conventions we worked so hard at.

Guess who above - left to right - Laura Haynie, Bambie Greer, yours truly, Jane Nesbitt and Eileen (sorry babe forgot the last name, please forgive me). This was in Denver I think!

I have been trying to up date my blog for over two weeks now, and every time I get all the pictures up and ready to go - it won't upload. Try again and the same things happens again. I then had the brilliant thought to try my iPad - you can see the results, only a heading was uploaded! If this posts it is by luck more than good management as this is my third attempt once again!

I have been having a big clean up in my life lately and found these archive pictures I thought I would share with you - they date back to my Pfaff days, and thought you might have a giggle as to how things have changed.

One more thing, visit our website: www.jennyhaskins.com (after the 16th to view our latest set of three videos to help you with Fiesta, Quilt-a-matic and I need a Little Christmas - just like having me in your sewing studio.

I will not push my luck, and try and post this blog finally. Am off to Hawaii on Sunday for 10 days and then on to Houston for the quilt show - hope to see you there.

Jenny

Third time lucky!

2011-10-11T04:09:00.000-07:00

Academy Graduates to Date and Home News

2011-09-14T23:09:00.000-07:00

Well how do you like our three new Special Editions - aren't they bright and festive!

All of us at Studio Jenny and Simon have been hard at work, trying to keep your creativity satisfied and busy. These three new Special Editions will be out at the beginning of October, so make sure you place your orders so you will be first to enjoy these spectacular editions.

Quilt-a-matic is a quilt a 1-2-3-4 quilt:
1 Quilt each square in the hoop -all three quilt layers fearless quilting
2 Cut on the built-in cutting lines (no tiresome measuring required) and then pieced with 3 3 Piece with the Jenny Join for perfectly flat seams
4 Bind the quilt

Easy as one, two, three, four - finished!

I Need a Little Christmas Advent Calendar - again easy as 1, 2, 3, 4
1 Quilt each square in the hoop - all three layers for fearless quilting
2 Piece the tree with the Jenny Join - perfectly flat decorative seams
3 Embroider and attach the hearts and star - Embroidered Decoupage Technique
4 Pipe and bind your tree

Coming out just in time for Christmas!

Fiesta is another quilt by Simon - glorious colors, luscious fabrics and spectacular colors

This quilt is embroidered directly onto the fabric, it is easy and pucker free - we show you how and for anyone who loves embroidered quilts this is a must.

Now for the amazing Academy Graduates - we have 13 graduates to date - congratulations to the following:
Jill Wilcox - she has made all 19 projects - Yahoo Jilly- already an estabilished teacher
Shirley Budwig
Jeannie Miller - has classes already booked
Tricia McKenzie
Michelle Kratzer - she has made several each of the projects as well as others way to go Michelle, already an established teacher
Heidi Thayer - despite two broken legs she was one of the first to finish her 8 projects - a real trooper- teaching inspite of this!
Brenda Heidooen
Judi Archibald
Linda Seeman-Kort - has classes already booked
Debbie Fultz - who is also a JH Educator for RNK
Pamela Thompson - has classes booked and very excited with this new adventure
Terri Lowery - (works 64 hour week but still has finished her eight projects)
Cathy Letson

This is everyone to date - many already have classes pre-booked and all are soaring with the eagles! If I do not have a comment by your name it is because you have not share with me, so please do, we are all interested in your fabulous journey.

Beautifully

As well as the above, I have finally finished A Place in the Sun it looks amazing and I will share the cover with you in my next blog, I can't give you everything at once.

What's New and What's Coming!!

2011-08-28T00:12:00.001-07:00

Well this is my forth attempt at posting this blog - oh how I hate technology sometimes it is just so fickle.

Well Simon is at Baby Lock Tech in St. Louis and this is his latest quilt finished - Fiesta - it is simply glorious and you will love our next Special Edition when it comes out later in September.

Also we have been working on a Christmas Special Edition - I Need a Little Christmas now.. Christmas Advent calendar - so quick and easy with all the quilting done in the hoop for you - with little Embroidered Decoupage (r) heart pockets - looks beautiful.

Also I have finally finished the instructions for A Place in the Sun what till you see what is in store for you in this book - the very first quilt completely quilted in the hoop and pieced with the Jenny Join for perfectly flat seams - even a dedicated quilter will not be able to tell how it has been done - you are going to just love this technique.

We have lots or more exciting things coming up for our creative followers - speaking of which our Academy finishes next week - wow what a creative ride this has been and the attendees have made such amazing projects - even more that one of each. So if you get a chance to learn from any of theses talented ladies, then do not miss the opportunity they are just the best.

Till next time and I hope I can post this blog - nearly put bog as it truly has bogged me down!

Jenny and her team move on from Creative Expressions

2011-08-02T20:41:00.000-07:00

STOP PRESS:

All good things come to an end, and after eight exciting years, the inspirational team behind the magazine Creative Expressions with Jenny Haskins have decided to move on. Jenny will no longer be the editor of Creative Expressions, and we would like to thank all our supporters (readers, contributors, advertisers and consumers) for their loyalty which we know you will continue giving us in our new venture. It has been a great ride and now it is time to move in a new direction. With this in mind, stay tuned for an upcoming 21st century approach to multi-media, when it comes to machine embroidery and quilting. We are all so excited and have been working on this concept for some time! Our motto is and always will be:

If you throw your heart over the fence the rest will follow! So follow your heart and join us as we all jump over the fence in a new direction.

Speaking of exciting ventures - wow how good was our first webinar for our online Academy - don't forget members this is up in your site on www.jennyhaskins.com for you to replay at your leisure if you missed it, or you just want a recap. By the way Simon forgot to press the record button, so you miss my welcome and the first voice you hear is Robbie's but that is beautiful and expresses all our sentiments.

Sandy's Oriental Express Special Edition design CD is now out and ready for shipping, you will just love this quilt and designs and it is for anyone who has never made a quilt before, this is the one for you, it is just 'sew easy' with all the designs being created using Jenny's Embroidered Decoupage (r) technique. As with Perfect Bliss this Special Edition design CD is supported with an instructional video for you to view and upload - please wait until Friday the 4 August when it should be up on the web site.

With great expectations,

Jenny

'It's my party and I will cry if I want to! More Academy pics and Sandy's Orient Express!

2011-07-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

Well today is my birthday - thank you to everyone who sent me wishes for a happy day - by the way the words in the title of the blog, are from a song I remembered as a teenager - see first memories in last memories out - not sure if that is good or bad. Yes I can remember what I had for breakfast and what I did yesterday and am practising counting backwards from 100 by sevens - to help us all out here it is: 100, 93, 86, 79, 72, 65, 58, 51, 44, 37, 30, 23, 16, 9, 2 well I did it in my head but just checked it with the calculator - guess what got them all right! Also know that Julia Gillard is the Prime Minister of Australia - now what does that say about our glorious country?

Question: What would you attempt if you knew you had no chance of failure? Answer: Make my first quilt - Sandy's Oriental Express quilt!

Below is a picture of our next Special Edition design CD - Sandy's Oriental Express - Sandy is my friend and she came to my studio once a week for a year - she travels so it was not 52 days, however this is her first quilt and she loved making it and said it was so easy. A great quilt for anyone who has never made a quilt before! All the embroidered applique uses my Embroidered Decoupage (r) technique and so there is no chance of not having a perfectly wonderful quilt!

This Special Edition will be released in August - stay tuned for your email blast!!! Retail price $50 plus tax.

Academy News:

Well Elaine has done it again with two more projects finished for the Academy - she is just so excited. This was her amazing start, she is now off to NZ for a holiday and then into hospital for knee surgery - have a great holiday my sweet friend and all the best for the surgery - I know you will be taking your sewing machine into hospital with you if you have your way! By the way Elaine, Heidi is close on your heals - she has finished three projects as of today - and she wants to start teaching in October - way to go Heidi.

BASKET FULL OF POSIES PILLOW

DOUBLE SIDED NAPKIN PILLOW

Am off now to finish editing and then out for dinner - I trust everyone born in July will make a choice to have a fabulous life. Happy Birthday to us.

Jenny (one year closer to my use by date!)

Online Academy first projects FINISHED!

2011-07-23T21:45:00.001-07:00

I thought it only fair that I share what Elaine, from Aussie, has already finished towards her accreditation to become a Jenny Haskins Accredited Tutor! How good is she, like an eagle soaring out of sight. Above and below are pictures of Elaine's Wisteria Floating Diamonds Blouse front view and back view below. Not only did she complete her blouse but taught her sister Shirley also!

Now that is an over achiever!

Below are Elaine's Twin Needle Shadow Work Guest Towel and her Sapphire Applique Doiley, they are beautiful as is she.

Well Elaine has put out a challenge to all our academy students, you don't have to wait for the 1st of August, start when ever you wish, Elaine went by the printed directions, power point and our video (even though we repeated one part in the Floating Diamonds Blouse- Elaine said it just endorsed what she had to do! She was being very kind however we doubled up on part of it and re joined the video in the wrong spot - we are learning also.

Thank you Elaine for sharing these with us, I know you will inspire many of our students!

Now I can hardly wait to see who will be out next student to send in pictures!

Jenny

A Place in the Sun and Accreditation up date

2011-07-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

Robbie and I have been up at our beach retreat Toowoon Bay, doing photography for our next book - even though it was winter the sun was out and the surf was up (but the wind was cold)! Honey and I were all rugged up against the wind!

In case anyone is under the illusion that photography and styling are glamours, thought I would share a couple of candid shots, Robbie took when we were doing the photograph for A Place in the Sun!

Our latest quilt - A Place in the Sun has just been finished by Robbie. It and the designs will be in our next book of the same name so this is something to anticipate as it is another brand new technique, Magic Quilting, that every machine embroiderer will absolutely love as the whole quilt, blocks, sashing, center medallion, and borders are all done in the hoop - including quilting (and it is a double sided quilt as well) - it is simply Magic!

I will tell and show you more next blog!

My girlfriend Sue Armour emailed me this picture (that she took many years ago) she found of my darling little boy Simon - and thought it only fair that I share it with everyone!

Simon is in the US at present! No he is not working ratherB he is playing in New York - I am working at home and sick also so the above photo is pay back! Here is is around six/seven wearing clothes we brought back from our first trip to Hawaii ! He was such a tiny child and his pants are short, because I had to get small size much less than his age so they would stay up on his tiny frame!

By the way Simon will be at BU, next week so he will be doing a little work, so if your are going look him up he has heaps of new things to share with you.

Now about our Academy - it is full to over flowing - all the Accreditation packages have been sent! This has given Laurie a bit of a challenge and many hours at the post office, but they have all gone. You should have recieved email advice that your packages have been sent. In Australia I would think everyone has recieved theirs by now as they went by Express Post. For the US the packages went registered airmail post - they Aussie on time, but alas the US post is a 'tad'slow so usually it takes around two weeks from the date of postage! As for Canada, it is in God's hands! So as soon as you get everything, you have homework to watch the videos, power point and read the directions for the eight accreditation projects! You will turly be sick of the sound of my voice by the time you have watched four hours of videos! We are all excited over here in Aussie and I have already had feed back on the packs with some students staying up until the fell asleep watching the vidoes!

Perfect Bliss Video is Live! www.jennyhaskins.com

2011-06-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

Glorious day today - the sun is streaming in my office window - and yes it is Saturday and I am working!

As promised the Perfect Bliss Video is live: www.jennyhaskins.com click on the more button which takes you to the Perfect Bliss page. Scroll down to the bottom o the page and click on the Download Perfect Bliss Video.

This is a zipped file; you have a choice to save it or open it to view it on your computer. Make your choice and if you choose to unzip it and view it on your computer, then select this option. It took around three minutes to unzip (it is a 42MG) file. The video is around 20 minutes and not only does it show you how to embroidery Perfect Bliss but also gives you great stabilizing tips.

So sit back and enjoy our presentation.

I am on Twitter (@jennyhaskins) and CE 31 is finally out!

2011-06-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

CE31 is finally out! It is worth waiting for and you will just love, love, love it! Here is a sneak peak at the contents just to wet your appetite!

Can you believe it - I am on Twitter! Trying to keep up with the latest technology. So if you want to follow me you can on Twitter by searching for @jennyhaskins. I would love to hear from you.

Speaking of technology, you all should have received your flier about Perfect Bliss, the response has been simply amazing. Also if you are a consumer and have not had an invitation to Maragaret's webinar with Simon on the June 21 then email her: margaret@margaretmoorehead.com and get registered, Simon always has amazing things to show you and talk about. On June 27 we have a wholesale conference webinar and if you are or looking at becoming a Jenny Haskins retailer or are already one, then you must attend this webinar, Simon and I will be talking about our latest products, designs and up coming quilts, along with marketing techniques and fun ideas to help keep your customers coming into your store. Email Paula: paula.bramwell@googlemail.com to register.

Simon is busy working on our Academy Videos - there are four hours of them, so this will keep our registered participants busy once they get their academy package. (This is longer than War and Peace!) The Power Point presentations for each project is Simon's project for next week.

Also on June 24 we should have our Perfect Bliss Video (around 20min long) up on the web site for you to download. In this video I guide you through the use of templates (using Template Magic Printable Sheets) and Block Layout Diagrams for the combination embroidery in Perfect Bliss. You will learn how easy it is to achieve wonderful large embroidery designs even if you have a smaller hoop - but wait till the June 24! We will send out an email blast once it is up.

2011-06-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

How good am I, this is my second blog for the month!

It is my task to answer product enquiry emails and I must confess most of them are about how to use products and techniques. Although domestic hoop embroidery has been around for at least 20 years now, we are constantly getting new converts to this amazing craft. Gone are the days when we consumers were happy with boring 'place and plonk' designs, rather creative machine artists are looking for more exciting and challenging techniques and this is what Simon and I specialise in! If you are one of these artists then the Jenny Haskins Online Academy of Accredited Tutors is for you! Simon and I will cover all our techniques, products and creative ideas in this amazing opportunity to work directly with us. We have a detailed step-by-step PowerPoint presentation for each of the required accreditation projects as well as a video with Jenny guiding your through each project, not to mention webinars (which will be recorded should you not be able to be on line at the time of the webinar). The stress of keeping up with a class and perhaps learning a new machine are removed as you can use your own machine and complete your projects in your own time in your own sewing studio - Simon and I are just there as your personal coaches! Add to this there are special discounts on products for those who register for the Academy as well, what more could you want? So make sure you check out: www.jennyhaskins.com/academy_rego.php to see what you are missing out on!

And yes I am in trouble again - I let my blog followers know about Simon's amazing new quilt Perfect Bliss - I now know you love this as much as I do and Peaches who he made it for - she is a totally pink person.

The exciting thing about this quilt is that because of the inclusion of the Block and Center Medallion Layout Diagrams (included on the CD) for you to print in actual size to be used in conjunction with Template Magic Printable Sheets it is like having the actual quilt in your studio to position you placement templates over for perfect placement which can be used for the 200mm x 360mm and 200mm x 200mm hoops for perfect placement for these glorious designs. For those who have the 350mm x 360mm the designs can be done in one hooping (how lucky are you that Simon has already combined and color sorted these designs to fit your large hoop.

Next week we will be having a Video on our web site showing step-by-step how easy the above is to do, so make sure you check out this video.

So till next week your have plenty to think about and plan.

Perfect Bliss - Latest Quilt and Academy!

2011-05-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

Well here it is the first day of June, and first day of Winter for us in the southern hemisphere and wonderful Summer for those in the north - lucky you, Summer is my favourite time of the year.

Well as always we have been working hard on Simon's Perfect Bliss quilt as seen above. It is absolutely spectacular and was made as a gift for our friend Peaches' 40th birthday - she just is such a pink girly girl.

Simon has literally spent over a month perfecting the designs which he has made for the 350mm x 360mm, 200mm x 360mm and 200mm x 200mm size hoops, so everyone can make his Perfect Bliss quilt. Not only has Simon created the designs to fit these three hoop sizes, but he has created 'actual size' PDF's of the designs for each block and center medallion which can be printed (in black and white or colour) and then the pages stuck together to form a design placement graphic, in actual size, to be used as a guide for placement templates to be accurately placed over. This ensures that you have accurate combination templates to be placed over each block to be used as embroidery placement guides.

Once again as with all our Special Editions, we have all the directions and pictures to make Perfect Bliss as well as 180 designs (adaptable to the three hoop sizes) on the CD along with lots of step-by-step pictures so it is easy for anyone to follow. How wonderful is Simon sharing his talent in such a way as anyone can achieve glorious large embroidered blocks in such a user-friendly way.

Hi to all our registered 'Accredited Academy' ladies - we are so excited and happy that you have chosen to do this course on-line - we are all in for a fun time. I will keep you posted on special offers and things to do prior to the first webinar by personal email as well as in my blog - yes I know I will have to do it more frequently than at present!

By the way, CE31 is running a bit late (especially in Australia) and we are expecting it here in the next week and in the US before the end of June - thank you for your patience, trust me it is worth waiting for.

I am now off to work on my next project - A Place in the Sun quilt - this quilt will make it possible for everyone to not only embroider and applique like a pro, but quilt as well - this will be our next book!

Academy, Wins at Paducah and more!

2011-05-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

Oh boy am I in trouble - little did I think when I mentioned the up coming Jenny Haskins on-line accreditation, did I think anyone would read it let alone click on the link! I awoke the next morning (after posting my blog) to a frantic email from my web master saying: 'Please tell me you did not post the link for the academy - the web enquiries has just gone off and I am not ready.'

On top of that both Simon and I have received emails as well as the Jenny Haskins products web site in the US. Whoops sorry everyone and thank you also for your over whelming interest.

The link will be active on the 20th May and you will be able to register at that time until the 15th of July, at which time registrations will close as we have limited space. We also have to allow time for everyone to receive their JH on-line AAT package and to do all their homework before the opening Webinar on 1st of August.

We are obviously as excited as you are and look forward to sharing all our knowledge with you in the up coming months. So thank you for forgiving me and you will receive an email blast once the registration link is active.

Congratulations to Frieda Grischowsky on her third place award in the longarm/midarm machine quilted class in Paducah this year with her Sharman's Vintage Garden Quilt and also to Ken Berg for an honourable mention for his Summer Wine quilt.

I believe there were only four machine embroidered quilts accepted into this prestigious quilt show and two of them won awards - this is just fabulous and the two quilts look glorious. The work in these quilts is quite amazing (and Simon, Robbie and I are only too well aware of the time, effort and talent it takes to complete them) - this is quite a feat in itself, with the awards being the icing on the cake.

Incidentally both of our books, (Summer Wine and Sharman's Vintage Garden) are still available, so if you have not purchased these books (which include all the designs to make the quilts plus much more) you are missing out on a treat, they are real value for money.

The May Webinar with the Jenny Haskins Educators was held this morning and it was great to talk with Paula and her team. These amazing women are some of the most talented and creative in their field, (machine embroidery and quilting) in the industry, being trained by Paula (along with Simon and myself) in the many uses of stabilisers, battings, threads, embroidery and quilting techniques. In a time when machine companies are pulling back on education, the Jenny Haskins team are forging ahead keeping avid machine artists motivated, educated and inspired with fabulous new design CD's, projects, products, techniques, threads, books and magazines. Email: bramwell.paula@gmail.com for more information on up coming presentation chedules so you too can be part of the ever evolving world of machine embroidery and quilting,

Trusting I am now forgiven,

Jenny

Where did April Go and our first On-Line Academy

2011-05-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

Where did April go - it just seemed to be there and then over and when I check my last posting I noticed that I totally did not recognize April at all. Our major project in April was getting everything ready for our first JENNY HASKINS ON-LINE ACADEMY OF ACCREDITED TUTORS. This has involved days of video taping, elaborate Power Point presentations, printing, photographing and heaps more - this has taken up most of our time in April. How great is it going to be for you to be able to become an Accredited Jenny Haskins Tutor and not have to travel or work under pressure - and not only that all the teaching preparation for your future class will be done for you - all you will have to do is keep the class in order!

April is one of my busiest months with over six family and friends birthdays, and this year in Australia we had an extra long Easter as ANZAC day holiday was tacked tacked on giving us nearly a week off. Simon arrived home from his six week tour of the US, Zoey turned one - how quick that year has gone, my nephew Niki had is 30th birthday, (he has just returned from Cambridge England from a three year scholarship and Sam (my daughter turned 32.

The most important birthday however was my dad's he turned 98! That was another long week-end out of April. I went up to Brisbane to see my dad, sister, Niki and Cri (my two adorable nephews) and Katherine - Niki's beautiful Canadian girl friend. This is my sister Sue and my beautiful Dad - 98 years being the most perfect person I know.

Another exciting thing was that Harvey had his first sleep over with Simon (Dada) and me - we had a fabulous time up at Toowoon Bay, and my gorgeous little friends Britt and Kyle looked after Harvey like little guardian angels.

Robbie, Simon and I have been very busy in the studio also with three new fabulous techniques on their way - you are just going to be blown away by them - will give you some teasers in my next blog - and yes we all will live that long!

More news in my next blog - promise it will be this month!

My daughter Sam is in Boston US at present, (having just been to Vegas and then she is off to NY - all shopping stops. She is having a ball and getting some well deserved R&R.

Robbie and I are working on CE 32 - due out Aug/Sept - and then it will be Christmas - and me another year older - won't talk about that it is too depressing!

Well that catches us up a bit, and will promise to have pictures for my next blog.

While the Cat's away the Mice do Play!

2011-03-27T22:55:00.000-07:00

Simon has now been touring the US for nearly six weeks and I know many of you reading this blog would have been to his fabulous classes. He celebrated his 34th birthday while over in the US and I he was so excited at seeing everyone once again. The VDTA was a resounding success along with Puyallup where our 3D Embroidery Magic designs and technique were the success story of the show along with Sam's Love Hearts and the beautiful Windmills of the Heart patchwork quilt.

So while Simon has been away, Robbie has been up north with her three beautiful granddaughters doing what all Nanny's do and that is spoiling them and I have had two lots of house guests. One was very special Catherine - was home from Switzerland for a visit - she used to be my children's nanny when they were little, so it was great to catch up with her again - we refused to discuss our ages - but her twin boys are now 18, so neither of us could pretend we were still in our 40's - bother!

Thank you to everyone who was so patient with us waiting for the 3D Embroidery Magic design CD's and Krinkle Magic to arrive. We were waiting on the Krinkle Magic, which was totally sold out and had to wait two weeks for it to arrive, so make sure you have plenty on hand as it is such an exciting technique.

CE 31 is complete, and off to the printers, it is another great edition and we have modernised the design a little - it is quite fun and funky and we hope you will like it.

Simon is busy planning another great technique quilt and I am in the throws of planning another applique quilt - quite different - both of them are so this is something to look forward to.

Little Zoey is doing really well, and getting to be quite the chubby bub and you cannot put anything within a tiny hand's reach or it is gone!

Robbie and I did manage to get a little quilt finished while Simon was away but that was all! I will show it in my next blog - two other great techniques.

This year is literally flashing by in the twinkling of an eye, so remember to make the most of every moment and remember, life is a journey not a guided tour, so don't miss the ride and have a great time whilst on it.

Till next time,

Jenny

We have been getting creative

2011-03-06T23:44:00.000-08:00

Thought you all might like to see what we have been doing for the past few weeks. Simon has been away on his teaching tour of the US. First stop VDTA in Vegas - where he launched a lot of new exciting products - the response was amazing with our 3D Embroidery Magic causing quite a a stir along with Sam's Love Hearts and Fabricabra. You can see his class schedule on our web site.

Robbie and I have had lots of fun creating a wedding theme using designs from the 3D Embroidery Magic as well as really stylish jewelry accessories.

In Australia fabric flowers are everywhere, especially attached to beautiful necklaces. These are a few of what we have been doing, along with head bands, hats, purses, bracelets, hair clips and shoe clips - the list is endless.

I believe CE 30 has finally hit the US, so if you have not ordered or received yours make sure you do and not miss out on the wonderful new projects and ideas that are in it. Us well we have just finished CE 31, it is looking pretty good - but enjoy CE 30 first.

Simon and the JH girls have just finished the best show ever in Puyallup - it was just the best show ever, so there will be lots of creativity going on once all the consumers get home. It is always a very very busy show and this year is no exception, to congratulations to everyone and thank you for all the hard work.

Simon had a hands on class and lots of lecture demos as well as his Embroidered Decoupage class - all went well and Paula had her Make-it-and-take-it Krinkle Magic class. It was literally magic when the participants saw their flat flowers spring into 3D life. Patty was the stabiliser queen, making sure everyone had the correct stabilisers to get the most out of their embroidery.

A wonderful time was had by all.

Robbie is off for two weeks, to see her three beautiful grand daughters, and I have had my beautiful 'little sister' (who was my children's baby sitter when they were small) visit me for a week from Switzerland - we had a wonderfully busy time - leaving both of us exhausted but happily so.

On that note I am off to bed, my baby Honey had her 6th birthday today along with my sister Sue - at her age 'discretion is the better part of valour'.

See I am getting better, not even a month and here is another blog.

Jenny

I am so sorry for being so slack - will try harder

2011-02-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

Family Christmas and holiday pictures: Top left - my 97 year old dad and my sister Sue at Dad's Christmas party. Top right my beautiful grandaughter Zoey in Noo Noo's Christmas dress.

Bottom left: Harvey and Noo Noo swimming

Bottom right: Beach babe Robbie at Toowoon bay.

I know it has now been nearly two months since my last post and am so sorry. Simon and Pattie have been nagging me and again Erica you were right, but I am hanging in there. I truly do have some good reasons for not keeping my blog up to date. My computer was broken when I was at the beach, we had a funeral and then Simon was back from Fiji, and we were back in full swing. Maybe you will forgive me if I tell you what we have been doing:

1 Finished Fabricadabra and sent it out This is a glorious quilt by Simon and the CD has all the directions (like a book with fabulous photography and pictorial step-by steps you can print), on the CD along with all the designs. This quilt and design CD introduces Magic Seams which are 1/4in seams embroidered in the hoop. The cutting lines give you an exact 1/4in cutting line for piecing, taking the stress and time away from measuring cutting. You will be blown away by how easy it is to piece this quilt.

2 Finished Sam's Love Hearts and sent this out. This is a Premier edition includes all the new designs to make the Windmills of the Heart patchwork quilt along with once again the directions ( you can print these out as a book). If you have never made a patchwork quilt, then this is a good one to start with as it is Robbie's first one and as she says, 'If I can do it, anyone can!' The designs feature multiple applique as well as buttonholes in the hoop!

3 Finished 3D Embroidery Magic - another new technique that enables you to embroider a flat design (using Kringkle Magic) in the hoop along with a fabric. Again full step-by-step colour directions are included on the CD and CE 31 will have the directions for this amazing quilt. 3D Embroidery Magic will open a whole new world of creativity for you. Fabulous for clothes and home decor too along with Magic quilting designs as well - you will be so excited! The flowers spring into life before your eyes and the quilting puffs up giving amazing texture!

Simon has also finished three more fabulous quilt - that's for another blog and Robbie and I have nearly finished CE No 31. We have done all this in a month and now Simon is over in the US on tour for six weeks. Go to our web site for his schedule.

Had a beautiful Christmas and holiday period with my family and friends, so many ideas flashing through my mind also. I hope some of you joined our webinar the other day - we had nearly 1,000 sign ups it was so exciting talking to everyone. Also welcome to Janome and Elna dealers who are now carrying the Jenny Haskins range of stabilisers, books, magazines, threads and design CD's welcome to our world of creativity.

Well I have now been writing this for and hour and a half - been interrupted with a phone call and the pictures take a while to up load. Have lots and lots to to tell you in future blogs, but before I go I would like to welcome my nephew Nicky home - he won a scholarship to Cambridge England to do his PHD and is home in Brisbane, bringing with him his partner, a Canadian beauty by the name of Katherine - welcome to Australia Katherine I cannot wait to meet you.

Promise it will not be so long next time,

Jenny

Blessed Christmas and Bring the New Year On!

2010-12-20T22:42:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe where the time has gone since my last post - over a month - well I do have a good excuse. After getting over my bout of bronchitis (thank you God), it was straight into CE No 30 - the cover you can see below. Then it was up to see my darling dad for Christmas - the picture is above. Simon and Sam came with me and we also saw my sister Sue. We had a wonderful time decorating dad's room with a Christmas tree, lights and streamers and when we left he had his own little Christmas Cave. It was, as always a joyous and sad time, but somehow I know he knew he was loved. Sam and Simon are such great kids to give up their week-end to come up and visit my dad, they remember what a great Poppa he was (and still is in their eyes) and me , well he is my adored dad.

We have been working on our next Special Edition Project Based design CD, featuring Simon's quilt Fabricadabra and our Magic Seam technique - embroidering an exact 1/4in cutting line around each embroidery design so no need for measuring seams, just cut on the 'dotted line'. You will love it along with making the quilt which is really easy with all the quilt blocks being made from embroidered fabric - who says embroidered quilts cannot compare to pieced fabric quilts - we will show our critics! Fabricadabra will be out February 2011.

Then while Simon was away Robbie and I were working on Sam's Love Hearts quilt and designs - the quilt as we speak is with Kim Bradley who will be quilting it for us. The Pillow above shows the quilt block we used for the quilt, which is pieced on the diagonal - it is just pink, pretty and perfect - you will love the double applique hearts with embroidered buttonholes through which to thread ribbon.

This small pillow features again Sam's Love Hearts, using the same fabric as the quilt - When Dreams Flower but in a simple little design.

Wait till you see the other projects we have created with Sam's Love Hearts you will just love the ideas which will keep you very busy. You will have to wait however until next year for these!

The front cover of CE 30 - out February/March 2011 features again Sam's Love Hearts in a double sided quilt - yes the other side of the quilt is as beautiful as the front only uses purple silk for the quilted blocks and different fabrics for the applique in the hearts - it is all put together using the Jenny Join, and was quite a "W0w"factor in Simon's classes at Houston and on the stand.

We have so many fun and exciting projects in CE No 30 and are busy getting ready for 2011 with great anticipation and expectations.

Simon, Robbie and I wish you all a Christmas filled with love and blessings and may 2011 be filled with love and hope.

Jenny

Report from Houston and back in Aussie

2010-11-11T16:55:00.000-08:00

Well I will try an pick up where I left off. Remember Robbie's mum Dorothy turned 90 on the 31st of October, well I missed the big surprise party so here is Dorothy (in the middle) surrounded by her friends drinking Champagne in her stretch limo being driven to her party. Robbie greeted her and as you can see much fun was had by all - what a special day Dorothy had surrounded by her family and friends who love her. Trust me she is far from a typical 90 year old!

Houston for me was exciting as always however I got sick (second time in Houston for me) and really spent most of my time in the Hotel room. Had to go to the Doctor who prescribed heaps of drugs and bed rest however I am still not over it. Evidently I have an upper and lower respiratory infection, bronchitis and fluid on my left lung - and am perched up in bed typing this. Good news am home, been to the Doctor for more drugs and today am feel quite a deal better.

In the brief time I was on the show stand I did get to say Hi to lots of people and thank all those who sent messages. Great to see Erica briefly on the first day of market, Petrina (whilst crossing the road after jogging), Margaret, Laura, Debi and Gail who all flew in for the show and to see me, so that was really special. Margaret was an angel and never left my side of hotel room while I was sick and Simon fussed over me as always, - I love you all.

Saw Theresa Robinson from VSM as always a special friend, Sue and Herb Hausmann along with the gang from Windham Fabrics. Had a wonderful dinner with Clifford Wallach, Ricky, Kay and the team JH (Janet, Paula and Pattie) on our first evening, so good to catch up with everyone. Also had dinner with Toshi and Randy from Janome USA. Many Aussies popped in to say hi and it was great to see Kim and David Bradley (picture below) venturing into the US market - way to go Kim.

Here is a pic of our amazing Janet and Simon who worked both Market and Festival, with smiling faces and happy banter (joined for festival by Pattie) these three are like little kids, even texting after we left - well they had a ball and do such a fabulous job at shows and promotions. Simon was at the end of a five week presenting tour of the US and Canada and still got up happy (well almost) every day of the show and looked after his ailing mother!

I did take pictures of the winning quilt but it was all blurry, a little like me I suspect. However this pic did turn out and it was the centre of a quilt that caught my eye - simply amazing and the technique was just so clever. Like a pressed tin ceiling I thought.

Well I do have more news, but will save it for the next blog. By the way hope the Aussies have CE 29 by now and the US should be out in the next week, hope you are enjoying it and getting those machines out and keeping them busy making wonderful projects for Christmas.

Until the next time,

Jenny

CE 29 cover, a quick catch up and the off to Houston!

2010-10-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here is our cover for CE 29, I have received the advance, so 'from my mouth to God's ears' it should arrive in Australia in the next week or so and the US not long after. This is our Christmas edition and has heaps of glorious quick and easy projects for Christmas, as well as our War of the Roses quilt directions it surely is a must have! Lots of memorable dates since my last blog posting, (sorry it has been so long) but with Simon away for nearly five weeks, presenting around the US and Canada, we have been rather frantic back home here in Aussie. By the way Simon is having a wonderful time and I know he would like to thank everyone for making him feel so welcome - he is having an amazing time and of course he is cute and very good at what he does!

Harvey turned two in September, as well as Kirstin his mum having a birthday so birthdays are on our list of events.

Baby Zoey has had her 6mth birthday and is doing well and as you can see quite the little girl now and is just such a happy baby - every day we thank God for her as she is that day.

Robbie, our dear friend and editorial assistant for CE's mother (Dorothy) turns 90 at the end of October, so we took her out for a special afternoon tea - she is simply amazing - we all say if we can be as good as she is then we all want to reach 90. Dorothy has recently moved into her own luxury apartment, knits teddy's for the Children's hospital (she has knitted way over 100 so far), takes herself out daily and is generally a social butterfly - happy 90th Dorothy you are our hero.

Robbie, Laurie and I have been frantically working on orders for our Jazzy&Me patterns as well as our Special Edition CD's so that has 'kept us off the streets' so to speak. We have also made a spectacular long line vest (which I will be wearing in Houston) as well as a very 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' Victorian white gored dress with eight frilled circles on the bottom of it. On top of that are working on an embroidered patchwork quilt made with the When Dreams Flower fabric and using our latest (not released) special embroidery collection to be called Sam's Love Hearts and then there is Simon's quilt Fabricadabra which will be released under the Special Editions label featuring a fabulous new technique. So you can see everything is go, go, go in Aussie.

I leave for Houston on the 27th October, so am thinking about packing as well - just hate packing, but it is a necessary evil. So if you are at the International Quilt Market/Festival please look us up we would love to see you.

So till I come back from Houston,

Remember: Miracles happen for those who believe in them - I am a true believer!

Having Fun in the Sun - Spring is Here Yipee!!

2010-09-13T17:58:00.001-07:00

I have to confess to spending time at the beach in the last month. As you can see the sun is shinning the the weather is beautiful heralding Spring. Below is a picture of my sister Sue, who took time off from her duties as a consulting Doctor (up in Brisbane) to have a long week-end at the beach with me. We had just finished our morning walk on the beach and believe it or not, as there was no one on the beach, I stripped off and went for a swim - it was magic.

Sue loves to pose for pictures so here she is on a rock platform with the beautiful sea behind her taking time out after one of our morning walks. Cleo, Kirstin and gorgeous Harvey came down to visit on Sunday and of course Noo Noo had to get Harvey a present - he chose a Wheelie Bin (Trash can) only pint sized - he would not let it go and would let no one touch it - even took it to bed with him. He had to practise taking it out to the road and back again in anticipation of trash day!

Spring is now finally here and I am so happy, I am a true Sun worshipper and just love the warm sunny days. Below is a picture of my daughter Sam and myself at Cockle Bay, (opposite side to Darling Harbour), last Sunday having lunch - the weather was glorious and the harbour sparkling blue with the sea gulls enjoying tit bits that were thrown to them. The food is always perfect at Nick's Seafood restaurant not to mention the Mojito's! I got into trouble from both Simon and Sam as I had not up dated this blog for a while - imagine my surprise when I realised my last posting was on the 20 of August. I have been spending more time at Toowoon Bay taking a week off enjoying the first day of Spring which was 24 degrees and the water is 18 degrees so all was perfect. Robbie was also up at the beach so we enjoyed leisurely strolls along the beach and a coffee at a little cafe that overlooks the bay. This became our ritual with our little white companions Honey and Mitzie - we never take this amount of time off, but we thought it time we stopped and smelled the daisies.

On the home front, Simon is home for a brief period, (check out Simon's teaching schedule for October on our web site) during which we celebrated Harvey's second birthday up at the beach. We all had the best of days, and could not believe that it was two years since Harvey was born. He is such a bright little thing leaving me saying, 'Talk to you on the phone Noo Noo, luv you.' Quite the little charmer like his father!

Yes we have been working, the Special Edition project based design CD's have been an amazing success and everyone has loved them so thank you for your support.

We have finished CE 29, which looks fabulous - this is our Christmas edition so is filled with wonderful holiday ideas and projects, not to mention Christmas gift ideas. Jazzy & Me patterns are now released and only cost $12.95 each, with the projects being so much fun and so easy - perfect if you just want to sew for fun or to start someone sewing. Kirstin, Harvey's mum came down one day and made an owl pillow had it finished in under an hours and she is just starting to sew.

Well will save the cover of CE 29 for the next blog and some teaser pics. I have caught everyone up to date and now do not feel so guilty for not being for punctual with my blogs - hope you are all well and happy and God is smiling on you.

Jenny

Special Edition, Project Based Design CD's

2010-08-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

SPECIAL EDITION PROJECT BASED DESIGN CD'S OUT NOW!

I cannot believe it has been over a month since I up dated my blog - sorry everyone, my life is over whelming me at present. I am sure you all know this feeling - and I had another birthday which at my age is very depressing - not sure I like the alternative as yet.

Well we have been very busy with new products and ideas, but firstly check out our new web site design and all the new products. I am sure you will all love our new Special Editions project based design CDs. We now have complete directions plus all the embroidery designs to make many of our out of print most popular quilt patterns.

http://www.jennyhaskins.com/special_editions.php

The Jazzy and Me patterns are not quite ready, but we are close to it, hopefully they will be available in early September - it is me who is holding everything up, as the the covers are complete and the pattern sheets done, I just need to write the directions, but I have been busy with CE 29 - which by the way looks amazing with over 40 holiday gift ideas in it.

In the meantime here is a preview of the one of the Jazzy & Me pattern covers. hope you like it. I had Kirstin test trial one of the patterns and she just loved it and had a T'wit T'wit Tawoo owl pillow done in around an 1 1/2 hours - she thought herself just so clever and that she was!

I have had a tiny break - went up to my beach escape for an extended week-end and did have some much needed time out. The weather was magic and I had my first swim for the season and it is still winter!

My special project has been to put a Gazebo in my front lawn - it looks so cute and perfect for sitting in the winter sun reading a book, watching Cooper-Jay and Honey having a play in the sun. It was lovely getting out in the garden again planting pansies and polyanthas and their bright little faces seem to be smiling!

Well I shall leave you with a picture of what it looks like and a promise to try and keep things more up to date in the future.

Jazzy & Me, Simple Creative Patterns

2010-07-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

Mr and Mrs Twitt-Twitt-Twoo door stop OWLS.

Group picture, from left to right:

Mrs. Twitt-Twitt-Twoo, Toby and Tessa Teddy, Mr. Twitt-Twitt-Twoo with Dilly Dolly Dandy in the front.

Well they say as one gets older one reverts back to childhood - well this is what Robbie and I have been doing in our Sewing Studio. Now having grand babies in my life and being accurately aware that there is a whole generation out there that have never sewn, Jazzy & Me patterns are designed for the young first up sewer of the more experienced one who just wants to have fun. Robbie and I have enjoyed just 'playing' with simple creative projects that use our When Dreams Flower fabric collection - which by the way should be available in the US NOW!!

We have quite a few great ideas for more patterns, but so far we have the ones shown above along with three pillows and a bag - but lots more on the drawing board! Let me know what you think of our Jazzy and Me patterns idea - of course for us who still love to embroider all these patterns would be beautifully enhanced with our embroidery designs either straight onto the fabric or using my Embroidered Decoupage technique to embroider and apply embellishments to any of the patterns.

Have you tried our Peaches' Purses designs yet - you will just love them and they are just sew perfect to leave on your embroidery machine just stitching away - and not only that they are great to use and give-away - dare I say Christmas is not that far off!!

Looking forward to hearing your comments on our new pattern range - am off to dinner with my daughter Sammie.

Thank you and moving along

2010-06-28T04:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who emailed me in regards to my beautiful baby Zoey - your emails were so appreciated and I am happy to report Zoey is getting more beautiful on the outside everyday. Here round of specialist appointments start tomorrow with the Cardiologist and then the Neurologist, EEG's and so on. As Zoey's mum said 'I can only think in the moment anything else is just out of my mind space.' I have to agree with her and so we take it hour by hour day by day.

As you can see, here is the cover for CE 28, which is at the printers as we speak - it is simply the best and we are thrilled with it. There is just so much in CE 28 with heaps of new and different things to make, inspire and challenge you.

We have finally finished our black, white and red quilt War of the Roses which we will feature in CE 29 and Simon is working on a fabulous new quilt and technique. Peaches' Purses is finally released and can be ordered. Of course go to our web site for more information.

Simon is off to BU in Orlando on Friday so that is exciting and Robbie and I get to play - we have some exciting ideas for which to use our new fabric range -When Dreams Flower which I plan to share on my blog so there will be lots of new things coming up. I also want to have Simon redesign the blog layout so I can make it more interesting.

Well it is Monday night and my girlfriend Sandy is making a quilt and she is up to the cutting and piecing stage so I must go and check on her. I will try and be more regular with my postings in the future.

Life, love and grandbabies

2010-06-09T03:25:00.000-07:00

How do you like Robbie's Melbourne Cup Race outfit - hat and hand bag - the hat features designs from Margaret's Magnificant Melody Design CD and the hand bag is hot off the press from Peaches' Purses - the directions for the hat will be in CE 28 and the directions for the purse will be on the design CD along with directions to make all the purses etc that are on the design CD - it is truly a beauty!

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words - well this is it - I don't want the yogurt and you are wearing it - and that I am right on the middle of the nose with one flick of the wrist - baby Cooper-Jay hit the spoon flying with the yogurt in it and I copped it - I had forgotten how to wear food but soon got back into the swing of things.

Well our lives will forever be changed since the birth of our beautiful baby Zoey Ruby-Rose (Cooper-Jay's baby sister) has Tuberous Sclerosis Complete a rare genetic disease which can be inherited if one parent has it but in her case it is a spontaneous mutation. This horrid disease allows non malignant tumors to grow on vital body organs like the kidneys, heart, eye and brain - all of which she has. The main concern is the brain and due to the fact that the tumors die and calcify electrical currents get blocked and cause little explosions which result in seizures - she has started at eight weeks. (I was hoping for an up dated picture of our little Zoe but the DVD my son Jason gave would not open!) The picture will have to wait for next time.

A week in Westmead Children's Hospital is a lesson in love given by the parents and amazing nurses and doctors, acceptance for parents and grandparents and a total new perspective on life. Seeing this apparently perfectly beautiful baby girl with electrodes covering her tiny head for an EEG - not once but twice, learning she is on a strong anti-seizure drug with the edict being given that from now on we all will follow the path her tiny body leads us truly makes one realise you don't have a choice but to be strong. When I consider my life is nearly over and what can I do to be there for her and her parents and please God let it be for a while! (One good thing has come out of this I have discovered I can still cook on a regular basis - I have become a real soup kitchen!

Zoey is home now, doing all the wonderful things a 9 week old baby does, smiling, laughing, gurgling, kicking and bring a wonderful joy to us all, always tinged with the sadness of reality - but today is a good day and we are grateful for that.

Our beautiful Harvey is growing in charm, looks and chatter - he is like a sponge soaking up everything he sees and hears being the total little mimic - this we have learnt he is very good at too!

On the work front which has taken a second place we are still all on track with CE 28 being just completed and now we are up to our next projects - we have three new quilts in the making and a new design CD coming along - and yes Peaches' Purses will be out by next week - it is quite a large project, but we know you will love it.

On that note I must away and get back to work, forgive me Erica I am trying to be faithful in my blog up dates, but life has thrown us all a curve ball and it is a little hard to catch at present, love you all Jenny.

When Dreams Fabric launched at Spring Market

2010-05-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

Well I have been lax - it is over two weeks since my last blog - my life and time have been so taken up with editing (we are working on CE 28), being creative (we are working on a new quilt - The War of the Roses) as well as still working on Peache's Purses - and yes it is coming one cannot rush amazing things. By the way I trust you all have CE 27 we were out on time with it this time - yippee!! It has been out in Australia for just over a week so it should be in the US soon.

Simon is in the US for Spring Market - Minneapolis and our When Dreams Flower fabric range will be launched there. Robbie and I have been busy finalising projects using our sample fabrics and are now anxiously awaiting seeing pictures of the Ring-a-Ring-a-Rosie... quilt quilted. Hopefully we will get a report and maybe a picture tomorrow.

We have also been very busy making hats, bags and skirts for our Melbourne Cup special for CE 28 - for those who are not Australian's Melbourne Cup is Australia's most prestigious horse race and it is 150 years old this year - unfortunately Simon and I will be in Houston when it is on this year. Melbourne residents in Victoria actually have a holiday the day it is run. Everyone all over Australia gets dressed up and goes either to the races in their city or out for lunch and everyone has a bet. It is a great day and so we thought we would create our own accessories - they are really fun and quite gorgeous - they will have to wait for my next blog.

Zoey is doing well and growing fast - but is such a dainty little thing. Cooper-Jay, her big brother is not exactly liking not being the centre of attention - but he will get over it! Poor little Harvey broke his collar bone, but it is mended now and we are told the large mending lump will disappear with age.

My dad turned 97 on the 13th of April, Sam, by baby 31 on the 29th of April - it is the most popular month for birthdays for our family.

Well it is nearly winter in the southern hemisphere and we are all starting to heat our homes and rug ourselves up - Honey and I are still walking/jogging every morning which certainly makes one feel alive.

So this is my last committment for the day, and now off to bed. Promise to try and keep this up every week - I know Erica I am slack!

Ringa-a-Ring a Rosie...quilt and pillow and Noosa Girls

2010-05-04T02:19:00.000-07:00

Sunset over Noosa and girls night out!

How lucky were we to meet two absolutely gorgeous young girls up in Noosa, Katlin and Megan - we met quite by accident and had a great first night out till late and then the second night danced on the balcony until very late - there was a wedding below our balcony so we pirated our very own private DJ. I learnt Blame it on the Boogie with actions and the Nutbush both of which were fun and exhausting - and yes at my age perhaps a little too many cocktails which we were happy to find out hit the young things the next day as much as it did my girlfriend and I. Never mind we had a great time - better late than never!!

RING-A-RING-A-ROSIE A BASKET FULL OF POSIES

Well before I left for Noosa on the Thursday after my last post - Simon, Robbie and I had nearly finished our Ring-a-Ring a Rosie... patchwork quilt made from our sample When Dreams Flower fabric. Laura - the marketing and advertising mistress of Windham Fabrics - asked us to make a quilt to have on their web site with free directions - so this is it! (Laura may be small but she is feisty)! Laura is having it quilted in the US and it will be on display, along with the original When Dreams Flower quilt at Spring Market in a few weeks.

We are also making two pillows to go with the Ring-a-Ring a Rosie quilt - this is the pink story of the fabric range embellished with Lottie's Poppies embroidery designs. If Laura gives us more time we may make a couple of other items as well!!

The fabric will not be available until July 2010 in the US and September in Australia - this is just a teaser - by the way the directions to make the quilt will be on my web site as well as Windham as a free download once the fabric is released.

Well I am working on another pillow tomorrow and am in the middle of another quilt (red, black and white this time - very different to anything we have done before- so it is time to sign off - still keeping up Erica aren't you proud of me. x x x

What is happening in and out of our Studio, fabrics, quilts and embroidery

2010-04-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see, Laura of Windham Textiles has been busy designing a poster for our When Dreams Flower fabric - great poster Laura.

Robbie has been busy also making a quilt for her third granddaughter Hannah. This is her interpretation of Harvey's Garden isn't it gorgeous. She has added hills and a tree (appliqued) over a diagonal quilted grid background and then embroidered Harvey's Garden characters - it makes a great scene on a little girls quilt. The borders are decorated with flowers and toad stools with the cornerstones having butterflies - way to go Robbie.

We have been busy with our little Zoey, Harvey and CJ especially Zoey who at present is the focus of our attention being so new and little - she is growing and doing well - she is such a special little soul.

Robbie and I are working on our purses - we are nearly there - they are looking fabulous and Simon is working on a new quilt using Margaret's Magnificent Melody flowers - it is going to be stunning.

And wait till you see our patchwork quilt made from our new fabric - When Dreams Flower which arrived last week, we are just putting the borders on it.

Well it is a long week end here in Australia and my friend Sandy and I are off on a Thelma and Louise long week-end in Noosa - I am really looking forward to the break - we have been just so busy lately.

I am literally walking out the door to catch the plane so will write again next week.

Introducing Zoey Ruby-Rose Haskins

2010-04-13T02:49:00.003-07:00

Well my Easter week-end away was cancelled and this is the reason - the arrival of beautiful baby Zoey born to Kim and Jason (my elder son) and baby sister to Cooper-Jay - (she was born on Good Friday).

She arrive 12 days early and is as you can see so beautiful - as all babies are.

Uncle Simon was baby sitting Cooper-Jay for around four hours and they say a picture is worth 1,000 words - only just having arrived home, tired and getting the flu looking after a very very active 16 month old took its toll on a weary Uncle

We celebrated (early) Sam (my only daughter's) birthday up at the beach last week-end with the gang - Harvey, Kirstin, Cleo, Simon, Laurie, Peaches and Sam - we had a great day - weather perfect and lots to do do. Harvey had a carousel ride, rode the toy train, fed the fishes, sea gulls and pelicans and we had a beautiful relaxing Saturday - with lots of food, wine, family love and - amazingly we all bought the right birthday gifts for Sam - big sigh of relief!

Our When Dreams Flower strike off fabric should arrive tomorrow, so we are anxiously awaiting it - very exciting.

Robbie and I have been making embroidered hats, hair bands, earrings, necklaces and hand bags - we are being very creative so there are lots of exciting things to look forward to.

My beautiful friend Catherine was with me this time last year and we had such an amazing three weeks together - she sent me flowers today with a card that said 'Thanks for the memories' and what great ones they are. Time just seems to be slipping away - my beautiful dad turned 97 today - he wants to reach 100 and it seems he is determined to get there.

My life is full and happy and business is busy - Simon will be off to quilt market soon and then there will be June and 2010 will be half way through - I am constantly reminded that I have to make the most of every day and be grateful.

Will try and be a little more consistent with these post Erica - but Zoey was a little more important this time!

Simon is Home, When Dreams Flower has arrived and Happy Easter

2010-03-31T01:20:00.001-07:00

Well Simon is finally home - after five weeks on the road - we are all so happy to have him home safe and sound and none more than his son Harvey. Yes Harvey is on the front cover of CE No 27 - which is on track to be out on time - beginning of May yippee - I just saw the colour proofs and they are beautiful. Speaking of CE - finally No 26 has arrived in the US - thank you to everyone who has patiently waited for their copy to arrive. As one lady wrote to me, ' You can't wait too long for anything that is really good!' Thank you everyone for your patience.

Simon had a wonderful time on his teaching/lecturing tour and made lots of new friends as well as catching up with old friends. We all missed him and we (his family) are all catching up for Easter this week end.

I have lots of goodies to show you that Robbie and I have been working on, but have not had time to take any pictures so that will be for the next blog.

When Dreams Flower (the book) has arrived in Australia and has been dispatched this week to everyone who has pre-ordered it - so if you pre-ordered When Dreams Flower from us then your copy is winging its way to you - I have already heard that some people have theirs already. The books came in late Monday afternoon and we have been shipping for the past two days with the last lot going out tomorrow. Hope you all love it as much as we did producing it.

Well I am off up the coast tomorrow with Robbie and so will wish you all a Gloriously Happy Easter and will catch up again - with new pictures next week.

Robbie and I are still having fun - Facinator Scarf and Sammie Snail and his New Friends!

2010-03-24T02:14:00.001-07:00

FACINATER SCARF - A LA ROBBIE AND JENNY

With the eminent
release of When Dreams Flower - the books are in Australia and now we are only for them to leave the wharf - RNK Distributing have just released Faux Knitting kits to go with the technique of the same name a technique launched in When Dreams Flower.

These kits have six balls of coordinated yarns and two yards of Dissolve Magic Sticky to make Faux Knitting fabric - scarf, hat, gloves wrap - all the directions are in When Dreams Flower.
This is a great starter kit for you to have a play.

Simon sent us home some sample yarns and Robbie and I could not wait to use them - this is what we made a Fascinater Scarf. The actual scarf took no longer than an hour from beginning to end - how quick and easy was this?

We then use used yarns (sandwiched between two layers of Dissolve Magic Sticky) as the applique fabric inserts for flower designs taken from Applique Magic design CD, stitched over hooped Dissolve Magic.

Of course we had to embellish the embroidery with feathers, crystals, beads and a glorious trim that Simon sent us home (centred in the pink flowers) and then attached the yarn embroideries to the scarf with Magic Tac machine washable fabric glue.

Here I am modeling this in a Cashmere top coat in 34 degree heat - I nearly passed out I was so hot - the things we do! Trust me Robbie had to be really quick with the photos!

SAMMIE SNAIL AND HIS NEW FRIENDS CHILDREN'S RAG STORY BOOK

Sammie Snail and His New Friends - an embroidered rag story book taken from Harvey's Garden . This is an embroidered cloth book including picture pages and text pages. We think it is gorgeous, with the embroidery designs being embellished with crystals and additional pen drawings which add to the pictures on each page.

BACK COVER AND FRONT COVER

STORY PAGES

These pages are all on Harvey's Garden design CD so they can be stitched out in one or two hoopings - you will just love it. Ange Ross from Canada just emailed me and said she has started her book - way to go Ange. Harvey just loves his - come on Nanas this is something special for that beloved grand baby - a real family heir loom so get started.

Still having Fun!! Peaches' Purses and Slippery Dip!

2010-03-17T00:41:00.000-07:00

Simon was at Sharman's in Longview in TX last week - yes this is the lady who we named Sharman's Vintage Garden book after - well she has lost a lot of weight and was just so thrilled to fit into my Faux Knitted coat, which of course you have seen on this site - they sent me a picture - she looks amazing and yes the coat fits perfectly now a size 6 - how good is this.

Here are our Peaches Purses stitch outs - just the beginning, so many more to come - you will just love the CD when it comes out maybe at the end of April!

Well Simon has been away for three weeks now - and as you can see Robbie and I are still having so much fun. The purse designs stitch out amazingly well using Tearaway Magic fusible and Tearaway - not a stitch missed! Yippee. We have sent these over to Simon for the VDTA along with the leopard skin skirt and purse as well as our Krinkle Magic Pillows - they all look fabulous and great new techniques. Look out for Patti she will have my skirt on!

On the week-end, Aunty Sa Sa - Simon's baby sister and I had a wonderful day looking after our beautiful Harvey - he was perfect all day and did enjoy the slippery dip amongst other things on the play gym. He was up from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 at night with only a little nap.

Of course finishing the day off in a beautiful hotel room over looking Darling Harbour and watching the boats having cheese and crackers with Noo Noo finished the day off perfectly - to be honest Noo Noo needed to be up on the bed more than Harvey! The day and week ended perfectly.

Robbie and Jenny Play while Simon is away!!

2010-03-10T01:18:00.000-08:00

Well here it is another week almost gone. Thought you might like to see what Robbie and I have been doing while Simon is away!

We have been having a real fashion bonanza. Remember are few blogs ago I gave a link to a site that showed a great skirt my girlfriend Sue made - well she sent me a package (when I saw the fabric I thought how sweet she has made made me a skirt) - no such luck but the fabric is fabulous and Robbie and I got together to make a skirt and here it is using Margaret's Magnificent Melody. The fabric is slightly stretchy and Robbie just took a pattern off one of my pencil skirts. The bottom of the skirt has a false hem using red silk backed with of course Sheer Magic the flowers are embroidered and applied to the finished skirt using the Embroidered Decoupage technique as seen in Jenny's Heritage, When Dreams Flower and on the Get Creative Video - the technique is easy, fun, creative and fool proof.

We have also been having amazing fun with Peaches' Purses (based on the candy wrapper purse) they are just gorgeous - so you can see we are just having a ball. You will see pictures of these in a future blogs.

Good news CE 26 is finally in (in Australia that is) and it looks amazing, we had forgotten how beautiful it is - so everyone who has been patiently waiting thank you and hope you get your copy soon. And we have just finished CE 27 - which also looks great - I will have the front cover up soon to show you.

Another good lot of news is the we have received our advance copies of When Dreams Flower and it is a beautiful book - should arrive in Australia next week and then go out to everyone who has ordered the next week.

Had an amazing week-end with Harvey, Kirstin, Cleo, Sam and Peaches will post some pictures in my next blog.

Well my favourite TV show is on - so I am off to join Honey on the bed. Till next time - Love the life you live.

We ha

Sneak Peek at When Dreams Flower Fabric out July 2010

2010-03-04T02:43:00.000-08:00

How cool is this - you are the first to have a preview of our new fabric range When Dreams Flower taken from and to go with the book and quilt of the same name. From time to time I will show you more of the range it is just so glorious.

Fabric that emulates embroidery - for those who do not have an embroidery machine and fabric to go with embroidery for those who are lucky enough to have one - the creative possibilities are just endless. We are thrilled the Mickey from Windham Fabrics let us start showing our friends what we have been doing - the range will be launched at Spring Market and be available in July 2010. In the meantime When Dreams Flower book should be available by the last week in March so make sure you have ordered yours so you will not miss out and know everything you need before the fabric is released.

I know I am behind in posting this blog but we have been so busy with Simon away, editing CE 27 (and yes CE 26 has not landed yet but should be here next week) thank you for your patience as well as working with exciting new designs - wait till you see what Robbie and I have been up to while Simon is away.

By the way Simon had a wonderful time in Puyallup and it was great for him to catch up with our old friends and make new ones. Thank you to everyone who sent me their love and best wishes, I miss seeing you all, but am so enjoying being creative.

Am fighting the flu, has been a long few weeks, so am now off to bed - have a great week.

Get Creative with Jenny - DVD finally available

2010-02-24T03:17:00.000-08:00

Well you asked for it and here it is - Get Creative with Jenny Haskins -a compilation DVD of the past, present and future Video's from my web site. You can order it now from the web site along with all our other exciting new products - you can now have me as a permanent fixture in your studio - now you will have to ask Robbie and Simon if this is a good thing!! You will have one advantage over them - you can turn me off!!

Simon left for his teaching/lecture tour on Sunday - hope you all see him in Puyallup, he is busy setting up today - everyone is very excited about being there and looking forward to catching up with their sewing friends.

I am in the middle of editing CE 27 - sorry no sign of CE 26 yet, but I am assured it is on the ship which is on the water - that is positive so keep your fingers crossed it is supposed to land around the 11th March. It is a beauty and totally well worth waiting for.

Robbie and I are going to the Gift Trade fair on Friday - that should be interesting, who knows what ideas we might pick up to challenge you with. We are working on new ideas as we speak, but that will have to be a surprise in future blogs.

How do you like our new web site - Andrew is doing a fabulous job, lots of flashes and animation - it now a real happening place if you haven't seen it you are missing a real treat! www.jennyhaskins.com

I just heard this great saying - one to help us over the rough spots so I will leave it with you:

Scars show where we have been but don't have to dictate where we are going.

Look what Robbie and I have been Creating

2010-02-18T02:29:00.000-08:00

Well I was hoping to have two pictures for you to see, but the second one will have to wait until my next blog - it is like the Internet in Australia is on a 'go slow' strike! Frustration is my second name today, however Andrew has finally got the changes up and running for our web site - way to go Andrew - be patient if they are slow we are working on it.

How do you like our Margaret's Magnificent Medley pillow using the largest size three-dimensional flower - it is around 8in in diameter - we just loved creating this pillow. The flowers are held onto the silk pillow with a large pin, so the flowers can be removed should the pillow need cleaning - the pillow is a rather fun technique which we will share with you in a future edition of Creative Expressions. The flower on the chair is a pin that you can attach to a dress, jacket, hat or purse - edged with black feathers with a beaded stamens and crystals in the center.

Simon is off on his US teaching tour on Sunday the 21st and will be away for four weeks - long trip extending up into Canada - both US coasts and down into Texas as well as down south east to Florida - he is going to be busy. Simon will also be teaching in Puyallup as well as being on the Jenny Haskins' products stand so do stop by and say Hi.

Well so far so good with posting this blog, have made several attempts, so will not push my luck any further - I am 'baby sitting' Sam's puppy Lottie to night so I had better put Honey and her to bed - they have been playing and are exhausted.

Remember: The place you are in - needs you today.

PS Woops forgot this - Sues Special Skirt!

2010-02-15T02:25:00.000-08:00

One of my best friends is Sue - who lives in Noosa - she is amazing and takes full time care of her special mother Mirri who has a kidney disease needing three days a week on dialysis. To while away her few spare hours Sue loves to embroider and send me a picture of this stunning skirt and then sent me this link. How cool is she and how innovative is the skirt - just love love love it and thought I had to share it with you. Go to www.tessuti.blogspot.com and see Sue's skirt and hear how she made it.

The joys of Technology and Creativity!!

2010-02-15T01:53:00.000-08:00

Well I have tried for over three days to get this blog to work - and finally it has - technology who knows - I certainly don't and when the experts have problems, what chance do us poor mortals have? Pretty much nothing other than perseverance!!!!

Now I feel better.

Well what do you think of what Robbie and I have been doing? We are having a ball with Margaret's Magnificent Medley of glorious large three dimensional flowers - they truly are striking. We have made a hat, dress pin and matching hand bag and are at present working on a spectacular pillow. You are just going to love this new CD.

I had an unexpected visit for my beautiful Harvey on Thursday, Friday and Saturday last week, along with Kirstin and Cleo. Harvey is such a joy and entertained us all while we were working. He took much delight in 'working' with Papa (Simon's dad) and proudly told his mum - working working - even remembered the next day. He went out with Noo Noo and happily announced walking - walking - well one of us was walking and the other being carried - but I guess we were both moving! To say we were all a little exhausted at the end of the day was an understatement and Harvey eventually crashed around 9:00 pm - but even though he was sick he never cried all day and was just so happy and full of energy - oh the joy of being a grandmother!

Robbie and I have also made the cutest little headbands with Harvey's Garden designs along with matching wands - perfect for kid's parties you will love the idea.

I went to see the movie Precious on Saturday night - to say it is confronting is an understatement, along with such words as thought provoking and totally staggering - one knows these things happen but to see them on a big screen and have to deal with your resulting emotions literally took my breath away - it is a movie only for the brave but one everyone should see.

Well I am not pushing my luck with this posting and hopefully will have more pictures for later in the week.

Up date on availability of Videos and Harvey's Garden CD

2010-02-05T01:49:00.000-08:00

This week has simply disappeared - I don't know about you but my weeks have Monday and Friday and seem to skip the rest of the days - must be a big black whole somewhere!

It has been national 'Girlfriend Week' this past week and I have had some wonderfully funny emails sent to me - hope you all had a great week 'girlfriends'. One of the sayings shared with me was: 'God must love stupid people - He made so many'. Another one - was a bumper sticker I saw the other day:
'When God created man SHE was only joking!' They both remind me of the fact that the truth is often spoken with jest. Enough - hope you enjoyed a giggle.

We have been frantic with photography this week amongst other things along with testing new exciting products and finishing Harvey's Vintage Garden design CD. We are just so excited with the finish CD it has so many creative possibilities - so look at our website in the upcoming weeks for details. We are just waiting for photos and for Andrew to update the site.

Speaking of new products, due to overwhelming demand we are going to release a DVD that will have all 14 comprehensive industructional Video's that have been shown or are to come from my website on a DVD, so you can play them whenever you like. My daughter is working on it as we speak so look for updates - we will announce the release both here and on my web site - you ask and we try to make it happen - not fast enough I know but we are working on it.

Robbie and I have been photographing for the past few days - with exciting results - news on that front coming up in future blogs.

Our weather 'down under' is just so tropical at present - hot, humid and steamy - not ideal for photography with lights etc - especially if you are modeling garments that are made for winter or you are caught in a thunder storm in the middle of a shot - the joys of photography.

I have just been to see Avatar - in 3-D if you have not seen it you are missing out on a treat it is amazing Robbie and I just enjoyed it so much - if you haven't seen it then I would recommend it. My sister Sue also recommends Precious but it is a much more somber movie but great to see - Oprah produced it so it will have some good messages in it.

Well am off to Happy Hour and a great week-end - I wish you all both of these little pleasures!

Holidays over - Work back in full swing.

2010-01-31T18:56:00.000-08:00

Well Erica has been proved right (several times over) - sorry I am late with this posting and I promise to try and do better for the rest of 2010 - and yes I have eaten crow at Eric's table as well as saying she was right.

Well Christmas holidays are over - oh joy and we survied the holidays - wonderful and we will all be a year older this year - reality bites!!

On the other hand here is our amazing Harvey on dad's shoulders at our Australia Day Holiday week-end - we did have a lovely day.

Well here is the cover of CE No 26 - isn't it glorious - that is the good news, the bad well it is running late! Sorry everyone but anticipation is half the fun. The cover shot is really special and looks fabulous and there is just so much in this issue including Danielle's French Provincial bedroom setting and Kerrie's Recession Cake recipe you will just love it all.

Simon is still working on Harvey's Garden - not sure if I told you that I have written my first children's story - Sammie Snail Finds a Friend - this goes with the CD and the text is all digitised so it marries up with the block pages so an embroidered book can be made - something rather unique - we love it and hope you do too. Our little quilt is finished (as well) and just looks magic - sashed with embroidered rows of lady bugs - really cute. Will save a picture until next blog.

When Dreams Flower - book is printed with the DVD finally being sorted out so it is running pretty much on schedule and should be out in March - we will put it on our web site this week so you can order it and make sure you do not miss out.

Went to see Momma Mia a couple of weeks ago - we danced our legs off and then went to Wicked last night - both shows magnificent - loved my green cocktail and glass that had a stem light in it - yes I know I am still a child.

Robbie and I are working with our new products - which is fun and then photography at the end of the week - we are all now back into work full swing.

Three weeks holiday at Toowoon Bay

2010-01-19T03:44:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe I have not up dated everyone for nearly a month! Shame on me - I know Erica you told me so!!

I have been away for three weeks, the longest break I think I have ever had - it was wonderful and now I am tanned and totally rested.

This beautiful photo is of Brittany who is my neighbour at Toowoon bay - I have known her since she was three and she is one of my best friends. We have a wonderful time together and she is the the only person who talks more than I do and asks more questions than me! I love her dearly.

Sam (my daughter see our Christmas Princesses photo) came up to the beach for four days and we had a special mother/daughter time and of course Britty, Lottie and Honey were included. The photo was taken on our day out - we went to the Crown Plaza resort for lunch on the beach - it was a magic day.

The water is 23 degrees and the weather is rather like 'the little girl with the curl - when it is good it is very very good and when it is bad it is horrid'. However the horrid part was video days, reading books, shopping and going out for meals so it was all good.

Simon had a great time with his family in Pukett and Robbie of course was up the coast with me in her van - we also went to see 'Sherlock Homes' and 'It's Complicated' both great movies. Since I have been home I have been out for dinner or lunch five days in a row, so am being very social and enjoying it - although it is back to work. As always when you have been away the work piles up, but we are ploughing through it.

I am off back up the coast on Thursday - is the end of the holidays and Australia Day week-end and the weather is tipped to be very hot - great swimming weather but next week the bubble bursts and normality sets in.

We are all working on new things so will promise to post more regular blogs in the up coming weeks.

Happy New Year to everyone - may it be all we dreamed it would and could be.

So this is Christmas - the Aussies Princesses and their Prince Harvey

2009-12-27T21:59:00.000-08:00

This is our Christmas - Harvey, Sam and I. Kath, me and Harvey.

Mr Brooks always says I am his Aussie Princess and Kath found these Pink Christmas hats with Princess on them, so we thought it appropriate to wear them Christmas day.

As you can see we had a magic day and all was perfect. Lunch was at my place and we all had a magic day, filled with Bliss and Blessings - thank you God for a perfect day.

I am now up at my beach retreat - it has rained for three days, but we need it and today it has cleared a little so we are hoping for some swimming weather. Harvey, Kirstin, Cleo and Simon are in Pukett for two weeks - lucky them and so far all is just wonderful.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and that our new year is filled with dreams that materialise.

Introducing Cooper-Jay and year end

2009-12-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

Thought you all should see my other grandson Cooper-Jay - we do not see as much of him as we would like to but love him dealy. He is two months younger than Harvey and CJ is just as beautiful. He had his first birthday just recently and this was Noo Noo's little visit with him - he also is like his dad and is very lucky as he will have a little sister in April 2010 - so then I will have three grand babies - how lovely.

We have now officially finished everything we had planned for 2009. When Dreams Flower is off to the printers with its full sized pattern sheet and instructional DVD - there will be no excuse for anyone not to be able to make this quilt and the projects as I personally show you how it is all done. I have had a sneak preview of my When Dreams Flower fabric range and it is just magic - even better than I imagined - will save that for another blog to share with you. Harvey's Garden is almost finished and I have written the story to go with it - hope you love it. CE 26 is off to the printers and is also looking rather gorgeous.

Simon is busy finishing off his Christmas gifts - he has made everyone gifts this year - they are truly beautiful including quilts, pillows and Faux Knitting gifts - a regular little Christmas elf.

We have had extreme heat 42 degrees and today it is only like 21 degrees, so we are having extremes of temperatures.

Honey is curled up at my feet as I write this - sleeping peacefully. I am so grateful for my friends and family and for everyone who contributes to my life and happiness - I am truly blessed. Christmas is a great time to tell these people in your life how lucky you are to have them in your life. Please take this as a personal gift to everyone who reads this that you are special, loved and appreciated and and thank you for being in my life.

It's Starting to Feel a Lot like Christmas...

2009-12-12T21:44:00.001-08:00

This glorious bauble was made by and given to me as a gift from Karen - just love it Karen thank you. If you want to make it Karen has generously given the directions on the Jenny Haskins' Yahoo group so log on and get the directions to make it - mine is centre stage on my tree.

Well I do not know about you but all of a sudden Christmas is almost upon us. Christmas parties, carols, decorations and that 'what do I get people' list of gifts. Each year it seems to get harder and harder, everyone I know just seems to have everything they need with most of us having so much more than we need. I keep seeing visions of the 'Little Match Girl' out in the snow peering in at the window - please remember the street children of India, Ethiopia and Bangladesh at this time - and remember those who have much are responsible for much.

As you can see my tree it up, and all my presents wrapped and tagged with the lights up and the setting for my table chosen - we will of course be eating outside as it is glorious summer here in Australia at Christmas.

We are really starting to wind down, and in doing so my adrenalin has stopped and I am sick - this happens when I have been pushing my body too hard living on adrenalin and then stop - so I am not the best, but am soldering on. (I actually think my generous little Harvey gave this to me - as his mother said how unselfish of him!)

I have lots of exciting news for you all, but will keep it until my next post .....happy Christmas preparation with all its peace, joy, forgiveness and good will.

Social Butterfly & Harvey's Garden pics

2009-12-08T03:11:00.000-08:00

Well after teasing you with my very bad pics here is the CD cover for Harvey's Garden and a block stitched out. How do you all like it? We are really thrilled with it and it will be great fun do embroider for the kids 'T' shirts, shorts, wall hanging, quilts etc just fun Little critters to embroider.

Had a great week-end half way through my Christmas shopping - oh glee, tree is up, lights on most of the gifts wrapped and we are getting there. Wonderful Bangladeshi dinner on Saturday evening cooked by Jodie (Simon's best friend who announced she is having a baby in June how magical). Simon, Kirstin, Cleo, Harvey, Anne and George were all dinner guests it was a beautiful evening with Harvey eventually crashing in his dad arms around 10:30 - he was just so good.

Sunday out for lunch with the family and then on to a party at 'our' Robbie's - all her oldest friends - I was a bit of a ring in - but had a wonderful evening and the food was delectable - Robbie and John were great hosts.

Jo my designer got her black belt in Karate on the week-end along with the two of us designing CE in between our social and family lives. CE is looking rather gorgeous actually.

Oh guess what - I should see the first story boards for my When Dreams Flower fabric range this week - very exciting indeed.

Simon and Robbie are working on the sashing for Harvey's Garden quilt - wait till you see it - it is such fun.

Well Honey is already in bed, so I am following suit.

When Dreams Flower Book Cover!! Yipee

2009-12-02T03:14:00.000-08:00

Well here it is finally the cover of When Dreams Flower everyone is just thrilled that the book is finished - it will be off to the printers soon. Jo our designer did a magic design job and of course Tom's photography is unbeatable.

It is such a good feeling to see something come together and look so amazing. There are always final things that need to be looked at but basically our task is completed. Now on to the next thing CE No 26 - all the text and photography is done and now it is in Jo's hands again. Simon and Robbie are busy designing and working on amazing projects - will share them as they are finished.

Well on that note I am off to bed - I deserve it - fancy being in bed before 1:00am for a change!

Simon and Harvey's Garden and Catching up

2009-11-30T03:34:00.001-08:00

Steve just reminded me that I had not up dated my blog since last week - where has the time gone?

I have been very focused and productive of late and am happy to report that When Dreams Flower is almost finished in design - it looks gorgeous - my part is finished and now I am on to more text for CE 26 - which is looking oh so good.

Simon had been nagging me - actually constantly nagging me to draw up designs for Harvey's Garden a children's design CD. He is just itching to get into childrens designs at present. Between him and Mr. Brooks, I had to give in - they both know how to motivate me into doing just what they want - which is not easy might I add!

When my children were small I used to draw toadstools, butterflies, snails, bees and butterflies in a magic garden and they would colour these drawings in - keeping them quiet in church, shopping centres or on rainy days - they would colour for hours. I made the plaque for Simon's room when he was around seven and he has kept it - now he is a man of 32 and still he remembers and treasures this. I had forgotten I made it - we never know how we effect our children until they are adults - how precious our time is with them when they are small.

Well I finally have drawn up all the creatures, the toadstools, clouds, sun, moon and flowers and we are stitching them out. Both Simon and I have such happy memories of our days spent together when he was young with me drawing and him colouring in my pictures as I told him stories of Sammie Snail - the lonely snail!

This is just a preview of our stitch outs - I intend to add to this picture with fabric pens - cannot wait and we will make the blocks into a quilt - eventually we want to make a quilt and I am going to write a story book to go with the quilt - this will be in my spare time of course, but I will do it. Can't you see all the possibilities for these little creatures.

Well this is keeping you up to date with our studio - Simon is also working on another quilt for his dad for Christmas, Robbie is making her mum a foot warmer for her new apartment - me I am glued to my computer. However on the week-end I did take time out to have lunch with my daughter and Peaches, and shop for shoes - two glorious pairs, and go to the movies with Sandy and Toni as well as working until 1:00am each night. Life is good and I am happy.

Week-end Pelican Party and where has the week gone?

2009-11-25T03:43:00.001-08:00

I just looked and I have not up dated my blog since Saturday - shame on me. The week has just vanished before my eyes.

Harvey and I were invited to a Pelican Party on Friday last - the food was a bit 'fishy', and they ate so much but Harvey did manage to pat one and made a new friend. It was one big adventure.

Next there was the Pool Party, with the water spurting clown and sea gulls, life is just so exciting for our boy Harvey - Noo Noo is going backwards rather than forwards in age - or so Harvey thinks. There is no such thing as too much water to play in or chocolate to eat are stronge core beliefs of Harvey.

Well, my working week-end away from home is come and gone and deadlines are hard task masters. Well When Dreams Flower is almost finished - yippee and I am now working on CE No 26 - out February 2010. How are you all liking CE No 25 - our Christmas edition. Lots to create for Christmas and besides.

Here is a little teaser pic of an up coming new design CD coming out in 2010, the pillow will be in CE No 26.

Must sign off - been sitting at this computer for around 12 hours so it is time to let my feet de-swell from sitting so long - Honey is already in bed waiting for me. Night all.

Toowoon Bay - my Perfect Retreat

2009-11-21T19:28:00.003-08:00

This is our million dollar view from Robbie's and my beach retreat. It is around 50 miles north of Sydney and is nestled in a little bay, shelterd by a reef which is a marine park on one side and a doggy surf beach on the other - nothing better. Today is just glorious and we have been swimming - you have to be in the water or you will bake on the sand. We have to admit that we were both unceremoniously dumped - several times but it was worth it. How perfect is this view and how amazing is technology that I can be working her on my deck.

Here I sit on the deck with the fan, my computer, B'Berry and Kris Kristofferson in my ears and working. I can take my office with me, how good is technology? However how crazy am I, would you believe working on the week-end! This is just a little bit of paradise on earth, surely, God has perfection in mind when He created this paradise.

It is 38 degrees plus here today, we in Australia are getting a heat wave. It was 43.5 degrees when I was driving up here from Sydney on Friday.

Honey is asleep with the fan on her. We walked around 7:00am this morning, it was glorious on the beach and she flirted with the waves, chased sea gulls and just ran in circles with glee.

Thank you for those who have commented on this blog, it is great to hear from you.

I have heard from Windham that the fabric line is coming along nicely, as are our two new CD's, book and CE - you can tell we are all very busy and with Christmas and all coming up.

Harvey and Cleo came down on Friday afternoon and joined me at Toowoon Bay, we had a ball. Harvey had a swim in the surf, ate fish and chips - and Noo Noo spoiled him with a chocolate ice cream - I tried to have one too but he thought it more efficient eating time to have one in each hand - his ice cream in one and mine in the other - he literally inhaled them! At the end we were both covered in chocolate ice cream - Oh joy. Harvey patted a pelican, played in the kiddies pond and just stood under a clown spurting water, and then next the play gym - he slept all the way home and Noo Noo must confess she was a little tired also - but joyfully so, haven't done so much climbing in a long time!

Must get back to work - then perhaps a glass of wine in the cool of the evening on the beach! Sound great - what do you think?

Harvey, our Beach Boy

2009-11-19T02:36:00.000-08:00

Well summer is here in down under - temperatures are in the forties and it is beach time. Our gorgeous Harvey is having his first summer at the beach - this is a big adventure for him. Now I am not sure but they tell us kelp is good for us - but Harvey perhaps you are taking on too much - Noo Noo is glad she doesn't have to change that diaper!

Harvey is now walking - or should I say running everywhere these days - he is such a joy and a real little chatterbox - one has to be careful what they say as it is quickly repeated.

I am off to the beach for the week-end - have so much to do but need the break and the weather is going to still be in the forties - I do love summer.

Our instructional video for When Dreams Flower is finished and looks really great - the cover for the book is finalised and looks great - that is for maybe the next blog, cannot give you everything at once.

I just want to leave you with a thought: Cancel your subscription to expectations you shouldn't read that sort of thing any longer!

And I thought it would be easy!!

2009-11-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

Well I thought it would be easy to post a blog every day - Erica from Eric's in South Bend Indiana said I was crazy - now I know why. I have been meaning to write this for the last three days - but alas my spirit was willing but the flesh weak. I am feeling a little like my beautiful Mz Honey who is in the picture and went back to bed this morning after our early morning walk!

The week-end went by in a flash - gardening, then out for lunch with Sam and Peaches - left my cell/mobile phone at Sam's - it was like I had lost a limb - what does that say about me? A Blackberry is certainly addictive no wonder my daughter calls it a 'Crackberry'.

Sunday I had a real veg out day - with lovely long phone calls to Margaret (Moorehead) and Catherine (Heighton) two of my best friends - it was wonderful to catch up - it was just like we were out for coffee - over 10,000ks away! How I love technology - when it works for me.

Bought a new out door setting in around an hour and then horrid things like shopping - Sam dropped in with a picture of her new car - she is so excited and then casually asked if I had any fried rice - well I didn't but she went home with some for dinner and lunch the next day. What else are mothers for?

Today has been run, run, run - When Dreams Flower is really looking fabulous, Mickey from Windham Fabrics says the matching fabric is on track to be released at Spring Market and we are doing the Video (an instructional one that goes with the book) on Wednesday - so all is good.

Weather is very hot - wish I was at the beach but a commitment is a commitment - oh yes - wait till you see Peaches Purse designs - they are just out of this world.

Let me leave you with a quote: Winners expect to win in advance. Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Be a winner!

Holiday at Noosa

2009-11-12T02:39:00.000-08:00

Well as you can see - here we are at Noosa Heads, north Queensland. Toni and I had a fabulousl time - not long enough though. We had this wonderful little Bali style bungalow situated in its own little rain forest an easy walk from the beach.

It was then morning walks along the beach, dinner out, afternoon cocktails and lots of shopping. We met up with friends, (surprised Sue and Mirri, they did not know I was coming up) and family and of course went to the movies along with 'the must do' shopping!

The weather was temperamental with four seasons in one day, but mostly humid. The water was around 24 degress but very choppy - except the last day - as always when the weather was perfect.

I went and saw my darling dad - he is just so beautiful and enjoyed an evening out with my sister Sue and nephew Christopher.

Today was full swing back to work so much to catch up on - and in case you think I did not take my Blackberry with me you are mistaken - Jo (my graphic designer) and I have half finished designing When Dreams Flower it is looking beautiful - all via B'Berry.

Robbie and Simon are getting ready for our Video recording day next week - yes we are including a Free instructional video with When Dreams Flower along with other great things.

We are also working on three need design CD's wait till you see Peaches Purse - it is amazing you will love it - something totally new and different. I also finished drawing the designs for Harvey's Garden!

Well my girlfriend Sandy is busy upstairs keeping three machines going - so had better run off and check on her

Faux Knitting Fringed Patchwork Pillow

2009-11-04T18:43:00.000-08:00

How do you like Margaret Moorehead's, beautiful pillow? Margaret is my only International Accredited teacher and is a magic presenter and teacher. She gave this pillow to me when I visited her earlier on this year it is really amazing.

Now I had told Margie about our new Faux Knitting techniques and she immediately set about making this fabulous little pillow - which she is offering as a class. I want you to look closely and you will see all the techniques she has used. The fabulous fringe around the edge of the pillow is made using our Magic Tassel and Fringe maker, the embroidery designs are from Lottie's Poppies and the patchwork is make up of decorative stitching blocks and Faux Knitting blocks all backed with Quilt Magic the ultimate lightweight fusible batting- how cool is this? And yes Quilt Magic is back in stock whoopee!

The embroidery designs are not embroidered directly onto the pillow, rather stitched out over a layer of nylon organza and Cutaway Magic and then heat-cut around using our Magic Heat Cutting tool (while the embroidery is still in the hoop) over a tile. The embroidery is now free standing, soft and pliable (without washing out stabilizer) and can be stitched onto any home dec item such as this pillow using Invisa sheer thread and a tiny stipple-stitch to sew around the edge of the embroidery. If you are really smart you can also glue such Embroidered Decoupage motifs in place using Magic Tac permanent fabric glue (which is washable/dry cleanable) and dries really fast.

Now can't you see shoes, handbags, hats, lampshades etc all embellished in this way - fast, easy and fun. You may also choose to embroider your designs over a layer of nylon organza sandwiched between two layers of Dissolve Magic, heat cut as mentioned above and then wash the stabilizer from the design and once again you have a fabulous free standing Jenny Haskins' design that you can now be creative with on any item - be it a quilt, pillow, garment, frame, mirror - the list is endless - what till you see what Kerrie Hay from Bernina Australia does with this technique in our February issue of Creative Expressions.

Thank you Margaret for allowing us to share your creativity.

If you want more information on the Embroidered Decoupage or the Fringing technique plus heaps more creative embellishment ideas, then you can find them in Jenny's Heritage book a must for any embroiderer. You can purchase all the products mentioned above in Australia: www.jennyhaskins.com and the US: www.jennysmagicquilt.com and email Margaret: Mzmoorehead@aol.com for her class schedule.

Melbourne Cup - 2009

2009-11-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

Melbourne Cup (a little like the Kentucky Derby for the US) is an Australian institution - our nation stands still for the 3 minute running of this horse race. The city of Melbourne actually has a holiday for this occasion.

The rest of Australia, gets dressed up to the 'nines' with hats, dresses and shoes all matching, and go either to the horse races in that town or city or go out for lunch.

This year Simon, Laurie (his father), Robbie and I went out for lunch at the Euro Lounge in Castle Hill - we found out the Mayor of Castle Hill now owns this restaurant so he was present also. It was a glamours occasion with all the ladies wearing hats and the waiters wearing jockey outfits, with sweeps and competitions. The four course meal was fabulous as was the champagne along with coffee and truffles.

We had a great day out and Robbie and I enjoyed getting dressed up - which we love to do for any reason or no particular one.

No we did not back the winner but Robbie's husband John did - way to go John, (but he could have shared his secret with us)!

Today is reality day so now back to editing.

Cairns, Kay and Sandra

2009-11-02T22:30:00.000-08:00

Well we arrived at Cairns - not at all what we expected, it is built on the coast surrounded by Mangrove swamp with hills at the back. Arriving, at Cairns we drove to the resort of Palm Cove, around a 25 minute drive north. Palm Cove is a beautiful and filled with tourists from around the world. For my overseas readers Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, which one reaches by boat, and does have crystal clear 25 degree water and amazing coral and fish.

This was an adventure for Simon and I as neither of us had previously been to Cairns before. Upon arriving we stripped off our travel gear and changed as the climate is tropical 30 degrees, hot and humid. We took in the sights walking along the beach, did the boutiques and walked to the end of the jetty. This is me on the end of the jetty - and yes the water was that colour do to the wind and the choppy seas.

The most beautiful and interesting thing to me (other than the 'Beware of the Crocodiles' signs) were the spectacular paper bark/teatree gums which dated back to prior Captain Cook days (1770) and are over 200 years old - unbelievable and so beautiful. The resorts are built around the trees with our accommodation having two glorious trees growing up the middle of it.

Well here we all are at Kay's Fabrics Cairns for the Far North Queensland Machine Embroidery and Quilting Retreat.

To the left is Lizzy Allen, our Jenny Haskins' Accredited Tutor in Australia, who promotes our products and teaches classes, as well as working all the major shows. She joined us on stage as well as teaching classes. We always have a great time together.

On the right are Simon, Kay, Me and Sandra (Kay's daughter) - Sandra being the MD of Kay's Fabrics. This photo was taken after the 'show' (Simon and my presentation) was over and we all heaved a sigh of relief. With over 150 attendees at the week-end of demonstrations and presentations, it is safe to say it was a wonderful success.

There were were many hours of prior preparation and planning for this machine embroidery and quilting event, with Sandra and Kay's family, friends and customers volunteering to help; the end result was amazing and worth all the effort.

Simon and I were made to feel right at home by Kay, Sandra and their family (especially Kay's girls, who both have dibs on the dress I am wearing in the photos). Creative machine artists,who attended, travelled from as far afield as Newcastle, NSW, Darwin NT, northern Queensland towns as well as from Cairns (and the out lying areas). We all had a ball!

By the way the glorious dress that I am wearing was decorated by Ruth Osborn, a friend and magic artist from Queensland. I commissioned her to decorate this skirt and top (which were given to me) and she amazingly transformed a size 20 skirt into a size 8 and created my Titania queen of the fairies dress. Thank you Ruth, I do feel like a fairy queen when I wear it and it fits perfectly. The Titania dress will be featured in our up coming book When Dreams Flower.

Congratulations Sandra, Kay and families - you did a fabulous job and we loved being part of it.

Today is Melbourne cup day in Australia and tomorrow I will tell you about our day.

Off to Cairns - North Queensland

2009-10-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

I am never ready early let alone an hour early - but here I am. Been walking at 6:00am and then things just went very fast. Thought I would have to miss today - but no I have time.

Thought I would share a group family pic so you know what everyone looks like when I speak of them - left to right: Simon, Cleo, Harvey, Kirstin, Kath (affectionately known as Peaches my 'adopted' daughter), Mz Honey and Me, Sue, Sam and Lottie. You all know Simon and Sam (my two younger children) Lottie is Sam's puppy and who Lottie's Poppies design CD is named after. Kirstin and Cleo are Harvey's parents, and Sue is my sister who is a medical Doctor up in Brisbane. This again is a photo taken on my birthday week-end - it surely is a 'coffin' memory.

Well I finished writing the directions for When Dreams Flower the quilt - not the book, but that is a huge break through so I am feeling really great - text is off to Nina my fabulous subeditor. Jo my designer also worked her magic and within half an hour of speaking with her re the cover it was back designed - looks great but will keep you all guessing for a while but it looks great.

It is now time that I headed for the airport - I am taking paper and pencil to draw some designs for our next design CD - it is going to be called Harvey's Garden and is based on pictures I used to draw for my children when they were little. They would colour these pictures in by the hour and kept them busy when they needed to be quiet - like church. Also we are working on Peaches Purse design - it is magic just have to get Simon moving.

Off to the airport!

Simon and I are off to Cairns today to do a machine embroidered quilts presentation for Kay and Sandra - my they have been busy. I will post some pictures when I return. I will be hot and humid and I have never been to Cairns but have not time to stay - back on Monday.

Faux Knitting Coat

2009-10-29T16:11:00.000-07:00

After my friends had viewed Rita's video on the above coat I had lots of requests for a photo - well here it is. This coat will be featured in my up coming book When Dreams Flower -which again I am taking time out to write my blog. We love this coat and Robbie and I had so much fun designs and making it. We are very proud of it actually, as we designed the pattern and all. The Faux Knitting fabric is created using Dissolve Magic Sticky and a basic sewing machine -amazing and such fun to make. It takes a lot less yarn than knitting, not hard on your hands and looks like expensive fabric when finished. You will just love creating your own fabric.

The embroidery is from Lottie's Poppies design CD and is of course embroidered with my wonderful rayon embroidery threads. The embroidery technique is called Padded/Trapuntoed Embroidered Decoupage as the embroidery is freestanding and has a layer of Quilt Magic (which is back in stock by the way) and a layer of Quilt Magic Plus just released double sided fusible batting - simply scrumptious and amazing to work with. Well enough of the coat - how do you like the Shoes? Aren't they the best. I am going to wear them to the Melbourne Cup lunch on Tuesday! Will have to get a photo for you all to see - if Simon remembers to book a restaurant!

CE 25, which is due out for Christmas, is running a little late - sorry, but it should be here late next week or early the week after - remember all good things are worth waiting for you will just love it.

Well that is it for day - feel like Julie (in Julie and Julia) please notice we have not heard from Catherine yet - but we live in hope!

2009-10-28T23:27:00.000-07:00

Finally our new web site is up and running - Yippee! Thank you Andrew who has worked tirelessly battling bureaucracy and technology but up it is.

Thought you should all meet my family. For my birthday this year we all went to my beach retreat and my friend Toni took some amazing photos - she is such a great photographer and this is one of them . Simon, and Sam (my son and daughter) with Harvey and I (Harvey of course is my beloved grandson).

I have so much news for everyone but you will have to wait - this is my trial and I have taken time out from laying out our next book When Dreams Flower to play with my new 'toy.

You may also like to check out my latest video on my website http://www.jennyhaskins.com/ and Rita Farrow's Blog has a video on it, and interview with me at Houston http://sewingandstitcheryexpo.blogspot.com/

Have to fly, must get back to my text. Remember - Love life and it will love you back.

First Hello from Me!!

2009-10-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

Finally I have a blog page - something that Andrew and I have been working on for nearly a year! I promised Sam my daughter if I got a blog page I would keep it up - and keep it up I will!I have just been to see Julia & Julie the movie, which is the story of a frustrated young writer who loves cooking and decides to write a blog on cooking her way through Julia Child's French Cooking for Americans recipe book over 500 recipes in a year! A really inspirational movie if you have not seen it you should.My dear friend Catherine rang me this morning and mentioned that she also had seen the movie - then she announced she was going to sew her way through Jenny Haskins' books and write a blog - so now it is official she has to do it!Simon and I have just returned from Houston Quilt Market and Festival - as always it was amazing, wonderful, awesome and inspiring. The winning quilt was by Caryl Bryer Fallert as always her work is sensational and inspiringly beautiful - and talk about a flat quilt it was like a desk top.I hit the deck running, catching up on emails, phone calls and then working on photography for CE 26 and our up coming book When Dreams Flower (which I have taken time out from to write the first page of this blog). Then I had family to catch up with, my beautiful daughter Sam and her friend (my second daughter) Kath, and then there was Harvey, Kirstin and Cleo who came down for the week-end - what joy to see them all. My friend Debs daughter Natalie got married on Saturday - gloriously perfect wedding and then it was catch up with girl friends and neighbors. Out for dinner, movies, helping Sandy (another girl friend) with the quilt she is making not to mention looking after Mz Honey - my beautiful and faithful little puppy. So that is my week in a nut shell! Never a dull moment and I never miss my 2k odd walk first thing in the morning - it is another personal commitment of mine. Life is really great - thank you God.

The Jenny Haskins' products stand looked fabulous, decorated by Simon and show casing all our wonderful products including books, Creative Expressions, current and past issues, stabilizers, threads, beads, crystals, kits - the list is endless.

We introduced Faux Knitting ® a great new technique of ours, and everyone loved it. We had our latest quilt (and up coming book) When Dreams Flower on display along with jackets, handbags, scarves and wraps. The coat was the hit of the show, with no one ever guessing we made the Faux Knitting ® fabric in the coat ourselves!

Simon had his latest amazing quilt on display, made with Simon's Terrific Trims, using a great patchwork technique. He is just so clever and the vibrant colors are spectacular. The quilt has no name yet, and he doesn't like my suggestion so if you have a good name for it let us know.

Gina, Pattie, Jenny and Janet - Four Girls in HatsWe also had RNK and CE's Light up a Life ® challenge jackets and hats on display - and the girls on the stand just had to try on the hats! Thank you to everyone who entered, the standard was exceptional. Sue Hausmann judged it along with Debi Homer (thank you ladies), congratulations to Jean Halstead, who sent her entry from England who won first place, Debi Reese from Cleveland who received second place and Linda Stiltz from St Charles, MO who received third place.This is a good start I think, for the first of many pages in this blog, as I share my life's experiences with my fellow machine artists, I also look forward to hearing your comments. I am off to visit my dear friend Maree who is not the best (maker of Maree's Magic Christmas cake recipe of which is in CE 25) due out very soon.