The Quilted Crow Girls

Merry Christmas from The Crows . . .

Hope you enjoy our little Christmas dance that we have made especially for you to celebrate the festive season!

To play the video (that took months of practice to get all those moves just right!) you will have to go on to our Facebook page and click on the "Elf Yourself" link (cos I just can't get it to work from here!).

Merry Christmas to you and your families and thanks so much for all your support over the past twelve months.

We will be closed from Thursday 22nd December 2011 until Monday 2nd January 2012 inclusive.  We'll re-open on Tuesday 3rd January.

Looking forward to a fun and fabulous 2012!

Until next year,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

 

 

 

 

 

New English Paper Piecing . . .

Not far away now will be copies of Sue Daley's new book titled "New English Paper Piecing", put out by C&T Publishing.  It will be arriving at the shop real soon!

Here is the proud lady herself holding the newly released book and looking quite chuffed about it all!  Sue has very kindly signed each of the copies for us so if you are one of the people eagerly awaiting this new title, be sure to reserve your signed copy by phoning (03) 6228 3319 or emailing (thequiltedcrow@dodo.com.au) us.

We will also be stocking the accompanying templates and paper packs to make each project from the book and they will also arrive early in the new year, so look out for them.  Please note that these packs don't come with the book, they are an optional extra and must be ordered separately.

Just last week, Sue was invited by Mark Lipinski from the States to speak on live radio about her new book!  How's that!!!  Doesn't get much better does it!  If you want to listen to it, click here and scroll down to Wednesday 14th December and click on the title "CREATIVE MOJO". 

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

Deirdre's little corner at home . . .

Now it's Deirdre's turn to show you a little corner at her home . . . her collection of old bikes, wagons and scooters . . .

Her antique quilts . . .

A little bit of greenery from the garden sitting in an old tool box . .

Her Christmas display in her sewing room . . .

These little santas have obviously been very naughty . . . or they think they are birds . . .

And lastly, who wouldn't want all of this . . .

Hope you've enjoyed this little look into Deirdre's place!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More new fabrics . . .

Arriving this week will be some more new fabric which is always a good thing . . . especially for Christmas!

"Pine Tree Lodge" by Judie Rothermel and "Country Manor" by Paula Barnes - both beautiful and coming to a good home here at Crow Central!  So later in the week you will see us with rotary cutter in hand, cutting, cutting, cutting . . .

We've been warming up the rotary cutter in readiness and have cut more of these wonderful bundles of "Elizabethtown" by Jo Morton . . . 28 pieces in total - skinny quarters (25cm x wof) for $126 . . . always a nice little gift for yourself to go under the tree!

If you want one of these yummy bundles to go under your tree, you can order one by phoning us at the shop on (03) 6228 3319 and we'll get it off to you today - gift wrapped and expressed posted free within Australia if you order by Friday 16th December to ensure it makes it in time for Christmas morning!   An extra little surprise from Santa at Crow Central will go in the parcel for the first four people to order! 

And for all you Jo Morton fans out there, we've also ordered her two new ranges called "Simple Charms" and "Bridgeport" which are due to arrive around late January so keep a look out for those - they are just gorgeous!    Also on order by Jo are "Alexandria" and "Sunday Best", but these won't be in until later next year - we'll just have to be a little patient!

Next post we are going to show you a little corner at Deirdre's home, so . . .

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

The dog ate it . . .

Well, ok, the dog didn't really eat it - it's an excuse! 

I thought I was being "oh so clever" when a lovely lady rang the shop on Tuesday to book and pay in full for our upcoming "Gathering in the Barn" next year.  Clever me punched in her details to pay whilst she was on the phone, wrote her name directly on the envelope to post her a receipt and slipped it in the mail box on my way home. . .

Oooops . . . that's ok . .  but I don't have those details anymore!   So if you are reading this "lovely lady who rang and booked on Tuesday", whose husband likes to collect paper, you know, receipts and stuff, please phone us (03) 6228 3319 at the shop with your address!

How could that cute little dog do anything like that anyway . . .

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

A Gathering in the Barn

Come join us next year on either Friday 16th or Saturday 17th of March (you choose!) for a day of stitching and fun at "A Gathering in the Barn",  home of "Quilts in the Barn", hosted each year by Linda Collins on her property in Wonga Park, Victoria. 

Many of you have asked us several times about coming to Victoria to do such a thing . . . so look out - here we come!  

How better can it get - stitching, friends, food - all together in beautiful surrounds.

We will each design two projects for you, combining wool applique and cotton fabric, which are our two great loves, using our well known wool applique techniques.  You will each receive all four of these brand new patterns in your gift bag, along with some other little goodies . . . of course!

There will be loads of delicious food, the opportunity for some retail therapy at "The Quilted Crow" and some sneeky peeks of some of the projects from our upcoming book titled "Elegant Quilts, Country Charm", which is due for release May next year.

To find out more about this fun day we have planned for you, click on the button "A Gathering in the Barn" over there on the left hand side!  We'd love for you to join us . . .

A portion of the cost to attend the day will be donated to Breast Cancer Research, a cause that is close to us all . .

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

My little corner at home . . .

Here are some little treasures that have found their way to my place . . .

My treasured pincushion given to me by Jo Morton, sitting alongside my favourite little cast iron bunny and the extra special bird nest that I found on the ground one day when out walking . . .

My small collection of bits and bobs that I love to have close by . . .

Can you spot my other treasured pincushion sitting on top of the glass jar . . . this one was given to me by Betsy and Carol on our last trip to the US . . . they secretly sat up late one night and made one each for Deirdre and I . . .I just love it to bits!

My collage of odd bits that I've fallen in love with and collected over the years including my beautiful mother-in-laws hankerchief from her wedding day and some cross stitches that she started many years ago and never finished . . .

Some little quilts I have made, including my little log cabin that was one day stolen but returned to me by a very special person who just happened to come across it at a local market . . . on top of my favourite hat box . . .

My shaker box that I have always dreamt of having . . . it came home with me this trip from the States . . . sitting on top of a very special little quilt that a dear friend made . . . she spends most of her time studying penguins way down in Antarctica . . . brrrrr . . . I miss her . . .

A signed antique block by Judie Rothermel whose fabrics I have been collecting for many years . . . surrounded by some left over log cabin blocks made from her fabric range, Rocky Mountain . . .

I love old buttons and books . . .

My extra, extra special pincushion that my youngest daughter Jess made for me a couple of years ago . . it sits on top of my other treasure, my Bernina 1130 . . .

And lastly, the sunset from my sewing room window . . .

I'm sure I've got some space left for some other needful treasures . . . just need to find extra time to go on some more treasure hunts!   And ain't that fun!

Until next time,

Leonie - One half of The Quilted Crow Girls!

 

 

 

 

Some new book titles in store . . .

Just arrived at Crow Central are these new book titles . .

The gorgeous new book by Jo Morton titled "Prairie Flowers Encore" which features 25 sweet to stitch applique designs - this is a must for all Jo fans . . . we were fortunate enough to see the cover quilt at the recent Quilts In The Barn and it is truly wonderful, so ladies, start going through your Jo fabrics and get stitching!

We also carry Jo's other book titles, including "Banner Day", "Coming Home" and "Remembrances" along with her latest fabrics which never seem to last long on the shelf . . . I wonder why? 

By the lovely Bonnie Sullivan and her sister Kathy Schmitz "French Inspirations for Artful Hands", inspired by their recent journey through France.  From embroidery to wool applique, they have created over 16 projects for us all to enjoy. 

And for those of you who are looking for some extra ideas for Christmas, then this book by Lisa Bongean titled "Primitive Christmas" is one you will fall in love with also . .

We also carry Lisa's other book titles, "Autumn Gatherings" and "Summer Gatherings", each featuring wonderful projects.

All of the the above books can be ordered on our website or just give us a call at the shop on (03) 6228 3319 and we'll get a copy straight to you!

And just one last thing, the always eagerly awaited magazine "Primitive Quilts and Projects" just arrived too . .

For those of you who have signed up to receive the mag, it will go out in Mondays post . . . keep an eye on the letterbox!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

 

Just playin' . . .

Today in the shop I had a bit of play time, moving stuff about, putting it here, putting it there . . .

It's always loads of fun . . . look at those bundles of wool . . . aren't they scrummy?

And what about this cute little corner . . .

Can you spot the new Paula Barnes "Tavern Blues" bundled up in the wire basket . . . gotta put them on my list . . . a nice big nine patch with lots of browns and shirtings . . . just like the one featured in Betsy and Carol's book titled "History Repeated" . . .

And so that little bit of play time at the shop got me thinking that I should share a little of my corner at home and some of the treasures that have found their way there . . . I will leave that for a little later in the week!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workshop fun . . .

Well we have been home for just over one week now and have caught up with everything at Crow Central, so now it's time to share some of the fun we had at our workshop at Lone Star House of Quilts in Arlington.

We were greeted by some very enthusiastic ladies ready to try our techniques using felted woven wool.  Let me say, it didn't take them long to 'get into it' and they had plenty to show by the end of the day.  Some had never worked in wool before, so it was all very new to them.  They loved our technique using glue and staples and were more than happy to show their works in progress . . .

After the workshop on Sunday we all gathered on the front porch of Lone Star House of Quilts for a photo or two . . .

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with everyone and it came to an end way too quickly!   Keep stitching ladies and we hope that you'll share some of your finished projects with us!!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls