Christmas Charity Challenge

Do you know it's only 47 days until Christmas today!! I have no idea where this year went.......

Just to add to the huge pile of projects you probably already have underway for Christmas I thought I would bring your attention to the amitie Christmas Charity Challenge.

You can use any materials you like - paper mache, clay, wood, card, origami, knitting, crochet, felt and of course fabric!

For some inspiration try here or here.

Here are some I made for a swap a couple of years ago.



And here are some that were sent to me.







So if you or maybe your kids have a few minutes spare during November, please consider making an ornament to hang on the amitie tree. All the proceeds will go to a really great local charity that helps give less privileged kids a bit of a break. And if you are a local, we'd love you to join us for a drink on the 30th November to see them all get hung on the tree ready for sale.

Good luck with all your other Christmas preparations. I would so love to be organised this year .......

Hogging the Limelight!!

Cathy and I are back from a few weeks rest with our families and are as busy as ever.

So what's happening in the world of Audrey and Maude? Well, we were very fortunate to be invited to do some projects for two great Australian publications, Homespun and Simply Patchwork and Stitching.









It's very exciting seeing our names in mags like this and we know how popular Homespun is around the world now so it's a wonderful opportunity for us. And as a direct result of this article we can welcome a new stockist - Happy Stitches - from the Netherlands.

Right now you will find us in the latest edition of this magazine.







It has some really lovely Christmas projects in it so if you have some sewing time before Christmas grab yourself a copy!!

There are few new Audrey and Maude patterns coming soon, including some more Christmas projects so stay tuned!

Selvedge House - Brisbane

Audrey and Maude patterns are now available through Selvedge House, in Brisbane.

This is a new venture for Ellie and friends, of a 'perfect modern crafting store'. Here you will find lots of hand printed fabrics from your favourite Australian Designers, Ink & Spindle, Kristen Doran, Red Seed Studio and of course patterns from Audrey & Maude. You can head over to their blog Selvedge House, for all the latest information.

We are so excited to be included in this mix of great Australian talent.

Sydney Stitches and Craft Show

Which one's Audrey and which one's Maude?

Our stand before opening (sorry forgot to take the sheet off before the shot)

Wow! That was awesome! What a fantastic show the Living Creatively team put on in Sydney this last week.

The crowds were huge and they certainly weren't disappointed with what was on offer.

Kristen and Bettina

We were lucky enough to be up in the Incubator area on Level 4 and were neighbours with unbelievably talented and creative people from all over Australia. It was so much fun to finally meet the people behind all those fabulous blogs and labels that we had heard so much about. Our immediate neighbours were the lovelies from Ink & Spindle - thanks girls - we had a great time.

Lara, Teegs and Bianca from Ink & Spindle

Louise and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all who came and said hello on our stand. - it gives us such a warm and fuzzy feel when we actually meet the readers of our blogs - we love it when you delurk!

The gorgeous Anna from Living Creatively (that's her on the left)

Both the tote bag and the fabric picture canvas workshop were certainly a big hit. Thanks to all those that came and did them. You were a great bunch of students and your projects turned out so beautifully. A big big thankyou to Donna and Jade for helping us out - they wouldn't have run so well without you.

A very happy Olivia with her completed canvas.

Mum and daughter (Alyson & Rebecca) who did the tote bag workshop.

The only downside of being involved in a Show as good as this one, was having all the beautiful handmade goodies surrounding us. We just couldn't resist them and all our hard earned money was soon spent. You can check out here what I bought from the Show.

Mr and Mrs Banshee with baby Banshee

A huge thank you to Ross, Angela and all the team at Living Creatively - you guys were fantastic and so supportive. Thanks especially to Ross for making the dash to Bunnings for us - we would've been in a pickle otherwise.

We are now both recovering at home now - back to the housework and kids and loads of washing. More photos here.

Not long now

only a couple more days.

We have packed our bags and all of our supplies and are heading to Sydney tomorrow for the Stitches & Craft Show at Rosehill Racecourse beginning on Wednesday.

If you are in Sydney come and see us we are at Stand 173. The Incubator section of the Show is loads of fun and so much talent is on show. You will find us next to the Ink & Spindle girls and next to the the very lovely Belinda from Tutti Frutti who has the most amazing stuff .

As well as showing you our patterns (a few new ones too) , we are doing a couple of Workshops.

First up is the Simple Reversible Tote Bag - this is a great beginner project. You will receive a kit which includes all you need to make the reversible fully lined and appliqued bag. You will learn all of this in the 90 minute Workshop.

Next we have the Applique Canvas Workshop. Perfect for the beginner and fun for anyone else who wants to learn how to make a very quick a gift. This class is perfect for the kids that are coming to the Show.


A full kit is supplied and there are five designs to choose from.

We are really excited about being part of the Show again in Sydney this year and think that the team at Living Creatively do a fantastic job.

I had better go and finish the packing - see you at the Show.

Time for a winner!

Goodness time has flown by so quickly in the past week as we madly prepare patterns and kits for the upcoming Sydney Stitches and Craft show. It's a lot of work but worth all the effort as we have so much fun meeting everyone.

Anyway, sorry for the delay, I know you are all dying to find out who won the patterns! I thought my smallest girl could pick this one so she pulled the names out of a bowl.





So congratulations go to:

Crafty Girl with a Ruffle

Nicky

pabennetts

Little Munchkins


Please email me your addresses and I will get your patterns to you asap.

And for a little bit of extra Audrey and Maude you can find 3 exclusive patterns in the current and last issue of Patchwork and Stitching magazine.




A mini-quilt.




An apron.



And a gorgeous cushion.

More Audrey and Maude fun!!

Well, we said there would be new patterns and here they are.

Meet 'Henrietta the Hippo'.  She has a huge smile and a huge tummy - just right for a cuddle!


 
And for all those who want to keep clean AND look pretty in the kitchen, here's the 'Flirty Florence' apron.  



Leave us a comment by Sunday 2nd and we'll randomly pick four winners of both patterns.



And don't forget these and all our other patterns will be available from our stand at the Stitches and Craft Show in August.

Sydney Here We Come

We are so excited - we're coming to Sydney for the Stitches & Craft Show at Rosehill Racecourse 19th August - 23rd August!

It's going to be a fantastic show with lots and lots of cool people exhibiting!

We'll be there with our patterns (new ones too) and conducting some Craft Labs so make sure you come and say hi to us!

You can check out the website by following the link below. More news soon!

Courtney's Been Busy!

Look at what Courtney's been producing - Lots of Gilberts and Gertrudes!

Thanks for sharing Courtney - they are just beautiful!

New Stockist

Just to let everybody know of a great new online store which now stocks Audrey & Maude patterns. Modern Retro Textiles!


Go check it out here

And the winners are..........

Gosh are we really a week late? I think Cathy and I are both being nice and lazy with our families for the school holidays!

But back to business for a minute. After removing the anonymous ones (sorry folks but I have no idea who you are) and a couple of double ups, I have input the numbers and the Random Number generator came up with the following:



And they are Christine from Aunties Quaint Quilts and the lovely Chalet Girl, Sheridan.

So ladies I will leave a comment on your blogs and when you get a moment send us your addresses and we will mail out your prizes. Just give us a week to mail them out as Cathy (Chief Officer in charge of pattern distribution) is away for a week.

Thank you all for such a lovely bunch of comments. There are more new patterns to come but for the moment we are taking it easy!

Another Giveaway

We have some new patterns to introduce to you and that means a giveaway!

First of all we would like you to meet Gertrude and Gilbert, a sweet giraffe and her son! Make them as a set or choose the size you prefer! Lots of fun to make and an ideal project for a gift for someone special.



Next we have Two Square, a perfect beginner's quilt and super fast for the more experienced. This bright and contemporary quilt would look great in any colour combination.



We are also including Baubles the Christmas Tree quilt in the pattern giveaway pack. Featuring a variety of red and white fabrics in florals, spots and stripes there's no need to use a Christmas fabric with this one and of course you can change the colours to suit your own personal Christmas theme.



So leave a comment before 3rd April (next Friday) and we will let the random number generator pick two people to win the three pack of our new patterns.

It's over

Yes, it's sad but true, the Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show is over for another year. We have both had a wonderful time and it has been great meeting all who came by our stand to say hi and those who attended our Workshops.

You can find more photos and details here from the Show.


Here is a photo of us on our stand - it's not a very good photo - it will be updated if we find a better one!

2 More Sleeps

Yes, that's right - just two more sleeps until the best and most anticipated event on the Australian craft calendar opens! The Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show. The fantastic team at Living Creatively have been doing an amazing job putting together a brilliant show for us. You can read all about what they have planned here.





















We have been making up gorgeous kits for our Workshops.

We've even had the paparazzi come knocking at our door! If you double click on the photo you can read the article. We especially love the opening paragraph "Two hip young mums have set out to make sewing less daggy." With hip and young being the operative words!!!!! We really must have made an impression on the very youthful journalist!!!!

As well as our Stand (225), Audrey and Maude will be conducting two workshops during the Show and you can find the details here. Tickets and booking workshops can all be done online or at the Show.

Simple Reversible Tote Bag - a very simple and easy introduction to sewing. All materials supplied in the kit - $27.00. Sewing machines will be available for use thanks to Brother.

Classes - Wednesday and Thursday - 9.30 am - 11am Craft Lab 9
and Friday 3.30 - 5.00pm Craft Lab 9

Children's Applique Canvas (8+) - a delightful and easy project for children (boys and girls). Create your very own wall hanging in this fun and simple class. All materials supplied in the kit - $17.00

Classes - Saturday and Sunday 12.00 to 1.30pm in Craft Lab 3.



Come on in - we'd love to see you. Stand 225
Melbourne Showgrounds 11 - 15 March 2009. 9 - 5 daily.

Workshops at the Stitches & Craft Show Melbourne 2009

We are so busy over here at Audrey & Maude headquarters as we are in full swing with preparations for the Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show starting March 11 - 15.

As well as a Stand (225) and some new patterns to show you, we are also conducting two 'hands on' Workshops.

We thought we might give you a little peak into what we have planned for the Workshops.






In our first Workshop we will be teaching you how to make this very simple reversible tote bag. So, if you have ever wanted to know the secret to making simple tote bags - now is the time to learn. Just think, birthday presents, xmas presents, teacher presents! Your friends and family will be so impressed. You will leave, after finishing our Workshop, with a completed tote bag which is absolutely gorgeous.

Our class is for the absolute beginner or for anyone who really wants to learn the secrets of making this gorgeous tote bag. All you need to do is bring yourself! We will supply the rest.

We have made up kits with the most delicious fabrics from Amitie and there are four different colourways to choose from. The hardest part of this class will be choosing which kit!!!

Times for the Simple Tote Bag Workshop are 9.30 - 11.00 am on Wednesday and Thursday and at 3.30pm - 5.00pm on Friday. The cost per class (including kit) is $27.00. We will let you know how to book for these in our next update.





We are also very excited about doing a Children's Sewing Workshop. These classes have proved extremely popular at Amitie this past year. In this fun and easy workshop we will teach the children how to make a beautiful appliqued canvas picture to take home. There will be four different scenes to choose from in the yummiest of colours and fabrics.

These workshops will be run on Saturday and Sunday at 12.00 - 1.30pm and the cost will be $17.00 per class (all materials supplied). Details on how to book for these workshops will be posted very soon.

So what are you waiting for! Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show starting March 11 - 15 - a new venue and heaps of new exciting things to see and do! And make sure you pop by our stand - we'd love to see you!

SHOW SPECIAL - check out this link for a very special deal on our patterns!

Sew Hip

If you haven't already checked out the last two issues of Sew Hip, you should.





Look who's in there!! It's us!!!

In Issue 2 you can find our apron pattern Flirty Florence and in Issue 3 Gorgeous Henrietta the Hippo makes an appearance.

And we even get our picture in the magazine! That's Louise on the left and Cathy on the right!!!

Back to School at Amitie

Today we held another successful children's class at Amitie teaching lovely young ladies how to do some simple applique canvasses!

We will let the pictures tell the story of a great day with the girls.

It was amazing to watch their different talents and the confident way they chose their fabric and thread combinations. The end results are stunning.

Now we are busy planning for our childrens' workshops at the upcoming Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show next March. So if you are interested in our classes , stay tuned and we will keep you updated as we nearer the Show.