Hi to All,

Firstly girls, I must apologise for the lateness of the quarterly (it's nearly an 1/8th!). It seems every time I sat down to write it, I came up with writers block. Maybe it was because it was usually very late at night or we are so busy getting ready for our big events, I had too much to tell you and didn't know where to start. Who knows! But today, I am going to be chained to the computer until it is done - or risk a lynch mob chasing me for it.

We have action on all fronts at the moment! My nights are now overtaken with the sweat shop for 'Girls Day Out'. I thought I was very clever preparing 3 months in advance before I released it so I could stay ahead but you guys are too good for me! Now I'm chasing my tail (and drinking lots of late night coffee) to keep up with you. I already know it will outgrow Angels as our biggest selling Block of the Month. I must say, when I 'slack off' and take time out from cutting kits to sit and work on my own sample, I am really enjoying doing it. I don't know if it is the colours or the design or maybe I can't wait to sew on some of the fantastic buttons we have sourced for it. Can't wait to see what my centre row looks like, but hope to have it up in the shop by the end of the week!

Recently, Melissa, Robyn and I attended training in the brand new and exciting 4D Software for Machine Embroidery. I'm glad I took them because I didn't know much about using the software to start with and was absolutely blown away by what the new product can do! I have impressed myself somewhat since returning from training by actually remembering how to do some of it! Now I have to set aside a small amount of time each day just to learn and experiment with it! The girls are very excited by it also and we will be starting a 'Software Club' which will meet once a month to help the girls who own the program to become proficient in using it to its full value. If you are interested in finding out more about what the software can do, come along to our very special event with the infamous Cheryl Bryant from Pfaff/Husqvarna on Thursday 21st June. Cheryl will amaze you with some stunning samples and a demonstration on all aspects of the software package. Even if you don't have a machine, come along and see what's possible!

If you haven't been into the shop recently and need a fabric fix, come on in. We have recently received some really very yummy fabric ranges. We have new fabrics across all areas, pastels, brights, gold trimmed and fusions and some gorgeous romantic roses. My favourite is a new range called 'Sunwashed'. It contains clean, crisp daisy prints in 'meaty pastel' pink, blue, green and white. We have a couple of great patterns earmarked for kits and maybe even a class! Speaking of classes, we are privileged to have Jane Groves coming down again from Townsville to teach for us. She will be doing a two day embroidery class and a 1 day decorative sewing class for those who aren't into machine embroidery. Jane is an excellent teacher and we are very fortunate and excited to have her visit us again. Book early to avoid disappointment. Places will be limited.

Well retreat is sure to be great this year. We are fully booked with a waiting list and some have even booked for next year so they don't miss out again! We are extremely busy gathering little surprises for our sample bags, preparing class notes and samples and all the other organising that goes with such a big event. I just wish there weren't as many sleeps until November!

Our other main event in the latter part of the year will be our 'High Tea' Show & Tell day. The girls have been nagging me about having one of these since we opened. Helen and Wayne Stark have graciously offered to allow us to use their beautiful Queenslander home as the venue. (Wayne I do hope Helen has told you about this!) We want everyone to come along and bring something for show and tell. We will be serving afternoon tea and charging a small fee which will go to Breast Cancer Research. I am so proud of so many of you - what you've learnt, what you've produced since you joined our shop family and it's high time you had a chance to get together and show it all off. It's important to feel proud of your creativity and achievements. On that note, I hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day and once again stress the importance of taking some time out for yourself. Our lifestyle is much more complicated and busy I think than that of our grandmothers and in some cases our mothers and I think a little bit of time out is not selfish but self preserving and at the end of the day, that better enables us to keep going and being everything to everyone.

Well I'm sure you will agree we all have a busy time ahead. Keep us up to date with what you like and dislike because we do it all for you! Hope to see you all in one of the shops soon!

Until then,
Happy Stitching

Leanne, Tracey, Cheryl, Robyn & Melissa