Welcome to Gum Valley Patchwork
Hi Everyone
It's the start of another month.....can you believe that it's June already and it's also the start of Winter! Our Autumn here has been very dry and our area is currently in a drought. While the paddocks look green, there is no substance to the grass. Dams are very low or dry, and stock feed is extremely difficult to source and is very expensive. While we have had a bit of rain over the last week or so, our fingers are crossed that our winter weather returns to a normal season. This, for us, means lots of rain and cold weather, which is perfect for stitching and crafting. I have picked up the knitting needles again and am really enjoying knitting in the evenings, helping me to relax and unwind. It keeps me off my phone and social media, which is nice, and also helps me to sleep better.
I have been busy making up a few new samples for the shop using some of the new fabric collections that have arrived. I have finished a few quilts as well as some smaller projects. With under 5 weeks until we head to Adelaide for Craft Alive I will be spending a lot of time at the sewing machine!
Thank you so much to all who have participated during May in my special fundraising for the "It's in the Bag' program. As mentioned last month, this program is run by 'Share the Dignity' which is all about providing period products to women and girls in need. The 'It's in the Bag' program provides bags with personal products in them for women, teenagers, and mums & bubs in domestic violence refuges at Christmas time. These bags are collected via drop off points in late November in time to be distributed to those in need. It was my aim to make up at least one bag in each of the 3 categories, but with the amazing response I have received so far, we will well and truly exceed this target. I have had not only donations of products, but also cash. This will be used to purchase shortfalls in products as well as the bags to put everything in. Now with May finished, we start our June promotion from Wednesday 4th June.....which is.....Donate an item and receive a ticket in the draw to win a mini Oliso Iron valued at $185. If you donate cash....one ticket for every $5 donated.
Then in the following months:
July : I will donate 10% of all sales made between 2nd to 5th July.....online or in store. The more you shop.....the more I give!
August : Join me for a Sit and Craft day on Sunday 10th August at the Timboon Elderly Citizens Clubrooms. $20 for the day (includes tea / coffee and morning / afternoon tea....BYO lunch). I will take out the hire fee and expenses, with the balance raised added to the kitty. More details about times etc in the July newsletter.
and
September : A 'Taste of Timboon' Raffle will be run with all proceeds used to buy any shortfall in products etc.
I will continue to remind and update everyone in each newsletter what is happening. Hopefully we can bring a little dignity to those in need at Christmas.
The Christmas is July will be held on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July at the Community Hub Building at the Simpson Recreation Reserve. While Saturday is now full, I do have a couple of places left for anyone wanting to attend on the Sunday. The cost for the day is $80 and includes 2 small Christmas themed projects, a few goodies, plus some lucky draw prizes. Morning and afternoon tea, and a 2 course lunch (baked potato with toppings and dessert) is also included. For those who have booked in, payments are due by the 15th June. Please note that this is a hand stitching day only (no sewing machines), you can either work on the projects provided or bring along your own sewing to do.
Now on to the fabric news!
There have been a couple of fabric collections arrive since my last newsletter. Part of the 'Purrfect Christmas' by Elena Amo arrived a couple of weeks ago. I have made up 3 new projects using the prints that are in stock, and the fabrics are listed on my website HERE. Those that are showing as being 'sold out' will be arriving in the next few weeks....all going well! The brand new 'Wallflower' & 'Bellflower' by Tilda is available from today. I have limited fabric on the bolt, but do have some bundles available. I will also have more kits of my new 'Wallflowers' Quilt available in about 2 weeks. The beautiful 'Wildwood Dwelling' by Sheri McCulley for Poppie Cotton arrived in late April and is now listed on the website.
Other collections due this year are: 'Till the cows come home' Flannel collection by Riley Blake (June); 'Flossies Flowers' by Janet Rae Nesbitt of One Sister Designs (June); 'Gentler Times' (a big collection of 51 prints) by Lori Holt (July); 'Sherbet Sunshine' Flannel by Corey Yoder (July); 'Atelier' by Makower Fabric (sewing themed fabric due July); another beautiful Tilda collection (1st September); 'Redberry Lane' by Gail Pan Designs (September/October); 'Lucky' by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics (September/October); 'Joie de Vivre' by French General....just part of the collection this time as I needed more French General reds and pinks in the shop (September); 'Woodland Wonders' from Camelot Fabrics (October); 'Le Fleur Flannel' a beautiful floral flannel collection (October); 'Simply Charming' by Janet Rae Nesbitt (November); 'Little Ones' by Makower (February 2026); and a Tilda Collection (February 2026). I know that there are a couple more but I can't think of them!
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."