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

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!

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

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!

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!!

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

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

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.