Very busy time here at the moment with a squillion other (exciting) things happening this year……..!!!!  A BON BON sabbatical seems to be the sensible solution and with that the shopping cart has been parked as I review options and ideas.

I know that many of you are finding this frustrating and annoying but if you desperately need patterns, then please send an email or give me a call and I will try my best to work through the backlog and help you. I do regret that international orders at this point cannot be filled.

After about ten years or more with my Bon Bon branding, I feel perhaps I need to reinvent the product!!  Perhaps it is called mid life crisis!!!

Anyway for the moment, I am taking in some glorious fresh air, cleaning out the studio, sorting through fabrics, moving stuff to the country residence, gathering a folder of new design ideas, gardening (!!), spending more time with the family, travelling (I LOVE that..), continuing with just a few specially selected classes, finishing some projects (i hope!), feeling blessed with my life, and humble and appreciative that so many of you have been enjoying my quilting projects, drawings, patterns and classes over the years. Your feedback means so much to me and inspires me to keep going.

I am not putting my needles and threads into retirement but for now,  I need some time to plan and prepare for the next chapter……… best to you all, R xx

Yes - I know!!  I have not been on the airwaves much lately.  BUT it doesn’t mean that there is nothing happening!!!

The Needlework Cruise is nearly here!  All excited embroiderers and quilters will soon be packing their bags and getting ready to set sail….  I seem to have a container load of stuff to take with all the kits and extra supplies in case we need them . What a roaring trade there would be if the cruise ships had patchwork shops on board! Now there’s a thought……..

At least I should have lighter bags coming home ?  Hhmmm….

I have another ’secret’ project underway and all will be revealed mid year! This is too exciting!!

And it is a big year in Lions too.  There are some incredibly exciting things happening and it is amazing to be at the Lions forefront.  C’mon girls - we need you in this amazing humanitarian and philanthropic organisation!  It is such a buzz…… and we are SO PROUD that Lions returns 100% of their fundraising profits back to community projects - NO skimming off for administration as with most other charities. Next time you give your donation dollar to a charity - ask what percentage actually reaches those in need…you may be shocked!   Lions gives it ALL - every last cent.  Check out the Lions Clubs International websites - especially the new website coming in the next few weeks in Australia:   search  ‘Lions Multiple District 201′.

From ‘old French’, the term ‘coussin’ refers to a cushion and I thought it sounded more romantic and heaps more fun!  Here is my Pomegranate Coussin which is reversible so that you can turn it over whenever the whim and fancy takes hold of you!

Needleturn applique - my very favourite sort of technique (you might know that already!!!!).

Hidden away for decade after decade, a chance family discovery revealed several boxes of wonderful crocheted samples in sizes ranging upwards from very tiny to around 5 or 6 inches, as well as crocheted lace borders and trims.

The boxes also contained the intricately fine crochet tools used to make them. This prompted me to investigate in some of my books on antique sewing tools which contained photos and reference to some which were very similar. I was in total heaven - and so much in awe of the beautiful pieces made during Isabelle McLeod’s lifetime from the late 1800’s to mid 1900’s. Her obituary even makes mention that she was renown for her wonderful needlework skills.

There are so many of these little pieces, but they are toooo yummy to leave hidden in a box!  So I have stitched some randomly into a cushion to decorate our bed.   On the reverse side (below), I have stitched another piece which may be a little difficult to read…. “Centenary of Victoria” in the centre, “1834″ vertically to the left and “1934″ vertically to the right.

I just love to see these gorgeous things brought back to life!  It is very humbling to see, to touch and to reflect on the amazing work by our women forebears in earlier times -  to marvel at the creativity and to understand the importance of textiles for these women. They may have lived in difficult times and their perhaps stark surroundings were scattered with beautiful treasures of their own making. Their own creative and practical endeavours were no doubt encouraged from a young age, and probably provided a most glorious sense of achievement.

Here is Judy J’s absolute stunner in reverse applique from our Pas de Deux pattern.

Is it a treat or what??

We are all lining up to be one of Judy’s super best buddies ‘cos she made this fabulous quilt especially for one of her very, very, VERY lucky friends!

After the delight of receiving a surprise invitation in January to join a wonderful group of tutors on Needlework Tours first Australian South Pacific Fijian Dream Cruise, I have been busy working with the company in finalising details over the past several weeks.

Needlework Tours launched this Cruise at the Stitches & Craft Show at Rosehill, NSW over the past few days and I understand that bookings are filling fast!

The cruise is with Royal Caribbean “Voyager of the Seas” and departs February 2013 - plenty of time to book, enjoy the wonderful anticipation of planning ahead, stacks of entertainment and food, the ‘haute couture’ of Noumea, the fabulous Fijian port of Lautoka, and then basking in the South Pacific sun and seas,  - along with a four great days of needlework workshops with your selected tutors.  What more could a girl (or guy) want!!!

Friends are making this a special trip away together  - or if you come as ‘one’,  you will meet your fellow stitchers in classes on the outward sailing days. One big happy family!!!   With only 150 places, it is expected to be sold out in six weeks - if not before this!

Like to learn more??  Check out the following link for full details of the cruise destination, tutors, craft project classes, all about cabins and more………..

http://www.needleworktours.com.au/index.htm