Welcome to Gum Valley Patchwork
Hi Everyone
Hi Everyone
Welcome to December and my last update for the year. I can't believe how quickly the 2025 year has gone.....and wow what a year it's been. The year started with the Southern Right Creative Festival & Quilt Show, which is always a great show to attend. Our 10th Friendship Frolic followed in February with a record number of people participating. March is always a busy month....Craft Alive Ballarat, followed by my March Retreat Weekend, the shop's 18th birthday sale, and rounded out with me taking the shop to Chrissie's gathering in Myrniong. The Colac Quilters Quilt In returned for a second year, and we took the shop on the road to Adelaide for the 9th year. Christmas in July was again spread over 2 days, with everyone enjoying a little bit of festive fun in the middle of the year. The first of my 2025 Craft Tours headed to Sydney in mid September, and the shop returned to Myrniong for Chrissie's 2 day Grand Gathering. The second Craft Tour Group for the year headed to Hobart in early October, and I was no longer back home and it was time for my Spring Retreat Weekend. While all of this was happening, along with the general shop stuff, I ran a year of fundraising events for the 'It's in the Bag' drive. In mid November I dropped off 44 bags to Bunnings in Warrnambool. I am so proud of everyone who contributed to make this possible. I am looking forward to running this again next year. The process of renovating the old Timboon Telephone Exchange into a short stay accommodation place started in January, and work continued throughout the year. It's finally completed, and The Exchange Timboon is listed on AirBNB, and we have welcomed several guests already. Oh and we also restumped the shop building and put new baseboards on. No wonder I am feeling tired and looking forward to a little break away from the shop over Christmas.....lol! While talking about Christmas trading hours, the shop will close at 4pm on Saturday 20th December and reopen on Wednesday 7th January 2026. As we have quite a few bookings at The Exchange during that time, we will be in to Timboon on most days, so we will still be able to dispatch any orders placed via the website. I am also hoping to spend some time in the garden (if it's not too hot), and in the sewing room making up some new samples for the shop (hot or not I can sew!).
Now on to the fabric news! There have been another 2 collections of fabric arrive since my November newsletter, so the shop is looking lovely and full.
The top up stock of Tilda's 'Merry Little Christmas', 'Eve' and 'Noel' arrived, and I have since ordered a few more of the prints. I have bundles still available, and with Russell back in the shop this week, he will be back cutting more for for me. I have missed him!
The 15 prints that I ordered from the 'Joie de Vivre' collection by French General have arrived. The Charm Packs are on back order and yet to arrive.
The other collection to arrive in the shop last week was 'Wild Honey' by Lella Boutique. I have made a table centre and a quilt from this collection, and I am hoping that these will be available in kits by the 12th December.
The list of new fabrics for 2026 is growing. These include 'Slow & Steady' by Anni Downs (delayed now until January); 'Little Ones' by Makower (February); 'Songbird' by Tilda (1st February); New Tilda Blenders/Basics (March); 'Hey Love Bug' by Poppie Cotton (March); 'Norwegian Forest' by Mary Jane Carey (March/April); 'Friendship Garden' by Gail Pan (March/April); 'Sway' by Kori Turner-Goodhart (March/April); 'Love Bug' by Janet Rae Nesbitt (April); 'Country Sewing Club' by Lena Morris (May); Tilda Collection (June); 'Holiday Spirit' by Lisa Audit (June); "When Snow Falls' by Deb Strain (June); 'Chilly' by Sweetwater (just six prints in June); and a lovely range called 'Flannel Season' by Kansas Trouble Quilters in June....just in time for Winter 2026!
Don't forget to follow along on Facebook for more up to date happenings.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Til next time...
Linda
Don't forget to follow along on Facebook for more up to date happenings.
Til next time...
Linda
TESTIMONIALS
"I just wanted to let you know that my parcel of Bluebird of Happiness fabric arrived today. It really is stunning. Thank you for packaging it so well and thank you so very much for the ruler! It was a beautiful surprise and I will definitely put it to good use :) Thanks again for your great service. You are my new favourite shop :) "
"A couple of weeks ago I placed an order for some fabric from you. It arrived today and I just wanted to thank you so much for it. I am thrilled with what I ordered and it was packed so beautifully.....you also have a beautiful selection of material and with the wonderful service you provide, I know I will be back on your site again !! "
"Just wanted to say thank you, my fabric arrived today and I'm super happy as a first time shopper with you...(wont be the last lol) the care you took with the parcel and the little extra gift meant a lot."
"Just wanted to let you know that my fabric arrived today. I'm very excited and look forward to completing the quilt. Thank you for your friendly and efficient service and when I'm next down your way I'll definitely call in."