The 2013 Santa Sack Swap

I hope Melody from The House On The Side Of The Hill doesn't mind me using her photo. (I totally forgot to take any!!!!!!).

Melody was my swap partner in this years swap and this is the bag I made for her, It is one of Gail Pan's Bags and it is just gorgeous, and all in French General….DROOL!

There are 6 little gifts as well for Melody to open on Christmas Day.

I had a lovely time making this gifts, and buying some, for a lady I don't know, have never met but who shares the same passion for the arts and crafts that I do.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS Melody,

May your 2014 be full of surprises, lots of special times and most importantly some STITCHING HOURS.

Mrs C xx

Hard decisions but right choices.

Things have been very busy here of late.  I have had to go back to full time work and I am very blessed to be able to work in an industry that I love and studied very hard to get into.

There comes a time when your dreams can be a little harder to reach then you first believed.  Things don't always go to plan but it is the way that we approach these changes along with life's funny little twists and turns that make us grow.

That is why I have decided to close down The Christmas Beetle shop online.  At this stage Im not sure if I will also be closing the Facebook page but it won't be in the near future.

I will be still writing on the blog and running the remaining Block of the Months for my lovely customers that have signed up.

I will also still be running our retreats on a yearly basis with more exciting news to come on this aspect.

Our Christmas in July with Gail is still going ahead, in fact we have nearly sold out!!!!!

SO while the shop may be closing….THE BEETLE isn't going anywhere.  It is just changing shape.

In the next few days there will be some specials listed on the Facebook page so keep an eye out and these will be limited and will go fast!

Thank you for all your support, your messages and your kind words of how much you loved my shop.

Time to put my brain to work on a different level.

Mrs Claus xxxxx

Christmas in July 2014 featuring GAIL PAN.

Friday Evening 4th July 2014 and Saturday 5th July 2014

Friday evening 5:30-9:30

Gail will be holding a trunk show till 7pm, then Mrs Claus will follow this up with a sit and stitch and some yummy eats.

Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm:
Enjoy a lovely day of stitching with Gail as she demonstrates her techniques and shows you some tricks and pointers.
morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea.
LOADS of prizes and giveaways.
Cost: $140 (50% deposit upon booking)
balance due April 2014.
email:
orders@thechristmasbeetle.com.au

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!

As promised we are having a GIVEAWAY.....

My apologies for not being more on the bauble with regard to this but a few health scares had me in a totally different world for a while.

BUT here I am and ready to get this Christmas Season under way....

With only 91 days to go and with our Facebook now welcoming 412 likers (thank you) it is definitely time for a giveaway.

Mr Grinch and I have been having a few heated discussions as to what the prize should be. He thinks you should just pay for the gift and be done with it..... (BAA - HUMBUG I say to that).

So *drum roll please* here is what the prized will be and all you have to do to enter is share our Facebook post with regard to the competition and type in one word that means Christmas to you in the comments below.  You have until the 1st October 2013 to enter).  The winner will be drawn on 5th October 2013.

THE WINNER OF THIS GIVEAWAY WILL RECEIVE

1 x limited edition Mark Roberts Pixie.

1 x bundle of Christmas decorations personally selected by Me, Mrs Claus.

posted FREEEEEE to you. (RRP $100).

Our Christmas in July Retreat

We had a brilliant time last Saturday with some amazing ladies at our first ever Christmas in July retreat.

Gail Pan joined us and kicked off our retreat on the Friday night with an up close and personal trunk show.  She spoke about how she got into designing, what inspires her, and why she does what she does.

 The ladies got to see first hand the amazingly beautiful work that Gail does.  They were also treated to a yummy supper of home made goodies such as, chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread cake, brownies with delicious chocolate ganache icing, oreo balls, and caramel slice.  Tea and brewed coffee coffee were on hand throughout the retreat, mmmmmmm, coffee.

Bright and early on Saturday morning I headed into the hall to get the final bits and pieces ready for the big day ahead.

The ladies started to arrive around 9:30 and we greeted by goodie bags, a couple of Elves and Mr Grinch. (I was in the kitchen getting the most important things ready - the FOOD!)

The first project that the ladies had a workshop on was a little stitchery.... just yummy :)

Morning tea arrived around 11.  A local baker named Lana the Cake Lady was sourced to make for us some lovely little cupcakes with a gorgeous little bird on each, kind of like Gail's stitcheries :)  After this little feed the ladies went back to more stitching.

Lunch was served around 1pm and this consisted of Spicy Pumpkin Soup, Country style chicken and vegetable soup with Crusty Bread and yummy creamy butter.  There was also a cheese, dip and fruit and nut platter to munch on. (I'm drooling just remembering all this).

Straight after lunch the ladies went back to their tables and were handed out the kits for the next workshop, a lovely needle turned applique wall hanging.

Afternoon tea (yes you read it correctly) was served around 3 and this consisted of peppermint slice, caramel slice, chocolate brownies, gingerbread cake and chocolate chip cookies.

During the day there was lots of sewing, lots of shopping and lots and lots of giggles and chit chat going on.  Here is a photo of myself with my GORGOUS head Elf for the day, Luisa.

Some ladies turned up on their own but made some lovely stitchery friends during the day and I

 hope they all keep in touch.

Around 5pm the ladies started to head off in all different directions to make their way back to their loved ones.

I enjoyed every single minute of the day, I was truly touched by all the lovely comments about the way it was organised and conducted.  As this was my first retreat I must say I was a bit nervous.....but there was no need to be and these women have inspired me to consider running many many more of these in the future.

Love and many blessings to you all,

Mrs C xxxx

some yummy fabric to get you going for christmas......

There are days when I just love getting surprises. And yesterday was one of those days.  Back in February I ordered some of the Esprit De Noel range from French General by Moda. I was greeted when I got home yesterday to 2 lovely boxes full of these fabrics. Here are just 3 of them to get you ooo'ing and aaaaahhhh'ing....

All of them are up on our website..... I have already started to make up kits to go with our lovely Gail's new Christmas book.....

send me a message if you would like more information on the types of kits was are making up, they range from the FULL KIT AND CABOODLE (as in the book and everything you need to make EVERY PROJECT! - except wadding) down to the book and kit to make the wall quilt only..... it's up to you as to how much or how little you want ....

SO CALL US NOW....I bet you can guess what I will be making ready for our quilt retreat with Gail in July "yippee"

Be blessed in all you do my friends, and remember there is never a better way to be inspired then to inspire....

love to all,

Mrs C xxx

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..........

Did you know there there is only 230 days till Christmas AND there are only 58 days till our CHRISTMAS IN JULY..... I am trying really hard not to be too unprofessional, but seriously I am sitting here in my little chair doing a jiggy dance with excitement.

The elves, when they are being helpful, and I have been busy getting ready.

This week we will be finalising our destination for our Christmas in July with Gail Pan from Gail Pan Designs.

We are also in the process of making up so glorious gift bags with lots and lots of goodies.

We have booked some delicious treats from Lana the Cake Lady.

The yummy lunch is just about set and oh DO NOT get me started on the sweet treats throughout the day.

I'm thinking maybe some gingerbread cake, some sugar cookies......oh I have to stop as I'm drooling.

I don't know about you but I JUST LOVE giving things to people.  Whether it be for a birthday present, a baby shower or just for the sake of giving, whatever, the thing is I JUST LOVE IT.

So I am having an absolute ball looking around, grabbing things here and there as I find them and all for fact that on the 6th July 2013 at our Christmas in July, every single person attending our day will be spoilt.

I'm thinking, sweet buttons, lovely ribbon, handmade cards, maybe some patterns ( *wink wink*) oh I don't know what else, how about some fabric, some notions, I know what about GIFT VOUCHERS?.....oh me oh my I could just go on and on.....

One thing I know for sure is, this will be a day to remember.

I hope you have your spot reserved....this is only our first year running one of these events and it will not be the last......

have a blessed week, be kind to a stranger and most of all spread some of that Christmas Spirit, it is never too early or late.

Love to you all and your families,

Mrs C xxxx

Hugs 'n Kisses from Helen

How blessed are we?

The lovely Helen Stubbins from Hugs 'n Kisses wants to come and run a workshop JUST FOR YOU!

When: Saturday 27th July 2013

10am - 5pm

Where: Right here in Albury NSW

Cost: $120 for a full day of 2 workshops (of 2 brand new designs released on the day)

Included: Starter kits for both projects, a gift bag, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, lucky door prizes, and a ticket to an 'up close and personal trunk show with Helen on the friday night prior to the workshop.

 

Drop us a line and book your spot NOW.

(50% due upon booking with remaing due mid May)

Mrs C xxx

Happy Easter

I have just only begun to reorganise our website.  A lot is to be done with updated stock and inventory.  THIS JOB is going to be HUGE!

Do you ever have a job that is just so overwhelming that you just want to cry? I mean is it this job or is the 4 cups of coffee I have had today, OR is it all the chocolate I have eaten?

Who knows but this is my lot for this week.

 

This is a mammoth effort and I have no idea how long this will take or how many hours it is going to require.

 

Starting our stock levels from scratch and just rebuilding seems to be the only way to go.....

that means, unrolling and measuring every bolt of fabric.....

 

I am not a computer geek, I do not pretend to understand computers, all I know is at times, well a lot of the time there are not what I would call USER FRIENDLY!!!!

 

I am praying that there are some elves out there with time on their hands this week to help me......surely surely surely :)

 

So with another coffee in one hand, a bunch of chocolate in a bowl on the side, here I go with my cutting board as my measure, and scanner armed we are off to REDO this website once and for all!!!!!

 

Mrs C xx

 

Inspiration under my nose

I have been having a lovely time getting more of our sample of Berries and Bluebirds done.  It is just a great way to spend some quite time.  I am finding needle turn is getting easier and easier the more I do it.  Hmmmmm, I do remember a piano teacher telling me that many years ago....

Speaking of pianos, how cool is this?  I am not sure I have shown it before but it is what is left from an old piano.  I really want to take out the middle and hang it on my wall - well that was the plan for the shop.  But now as we are going 'online' Im not sure it would fit in our home.... I hope I can find a good home for it before Thursday...

And what about these birds? A lovely lady in Adelaide gave me a box with a gorgeous china tea cup in it, this was the box......I just love them and Im thinking they will be incorporated somewhere soon.....

and, last but not least, is this fantastic stovetop kettle.....HOW AWESOME is this? If only I could find one in the shape of a Christmas Tree......

so As this blog post is titled, Inspiration under my nose, everywhere I look this week I have been seeing the most fantastic things in the most obscure places.

I think it is definately time for this designer in the closet to finally COME OUT!

 

Can't wait to chat again real soon,

 

Mrs C xx

Skating Sue Swap

 

I was recently in a 'mini quilt swap' and we had to make a mini quilt with this paper pieced 'skating sue' on it.

HERE IS WHAT my swap buddy Billie, went me....

 

HOW COOL IS THIS? and it even has (what I like to call) CHRISTMAS TREES on it :)

I love this and now I cant wait to get my new sewing area all decked out so I can put in in pride of place.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, Billie

 

Mrs C xx

Fun in Adelaide

 

I was very fortunate this past weekend to have attend a quilt retreat in Adelaide.

I got to catch up with my cousin,

eat yummy food,

get gifties.....

 

meet lovely women that all share a passion for craft, food and yummy wine,

 

 

make a lovely stitchery that was designed by Fee,

I cant wait to finish this as it will be a gorgeous project bag, thanks FEE love your work!

and search out places for more retreats.....

oh and there was this surprise waiting for me at the airport when I got home yesterday afternoon, well hello Manu!!!!!....

HUBBA HUBBA!!!!!

so all in all it was a great weekend and I dont know how I am going to top it next year....maybe Pete Evans? or Curtis Stone? he he he he

 

 





where one door closes another door opens

We announced yesterday that we will be closing the shop front doors to the Christmas Beetle on Thursday 21st March and we will be going online.

So where one door closes another door opens and by closing our shop front doors it just make way for us to create more, design more and get back to what it is that we love to do.....C.R.E.A.T.E.....

If you are in Albury, we are having 50% off everything in the store till we close the doors.....so call in and say hi..

 

Be blessed, there is always a plan.

 

Mrs C xxx



WOW what a weekend that was

I don't know about you but there are times when my to do list is longer than I can manage.

I was a pretty diligent girl this past weekend with my sewing,

I sewed in front of the television, beside the pool and in the car and these are some of the bits and pieces I managed to get done.

 

This is a sweet Advent Calendar by Judy Golder and you move the little Santa along as you count down the days.....

This is the start of one of Gail Pan's patterns of a needlecase that we have in store.

 

Another pattern by Gail coming along, I only have one more little stitchery to go on this one.

 

and this is what we have for dessert on Saturday night, the pastry on these puffs up and they we put big dollops of ice-cream on the top and it just melted away into the middle with the cinnamon apple.....YUMMO!

Well, I hope to have lots more to show you come the end of this week.....

 

Mrs C xxx





A cup of tea, a Monte Carlo and a chat with a dear friend named Gail......

I dont know about you but some days I feel it was just what the Dr ordered.

This morning upon arriving at work I was greeted by a parcel of patterns sent by my friend Gail.

I love getting new patterns in the store.

Gail's new release 'Among the Holly' tablerunner is amongst our new patterns, only released this week.

 

And there are a special little gift placed in the parcel just for me....I LOVE GETTING PRESENTS..

 

I cant wait to make a start on some of these with some new fabric due in this week... :)

 

OH OH OH AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING....

 

 

Gail has released 5 MORE PLACES, in her workshop with us on the 6th July 2013.

It's $100 for the workshop.

10am - 5pm.

(includes, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, 2 workshops, 2 kits and fun and games and lots of laughter).

Be quick as these 5 places will not last.

 

Mrs C xxxxx





 



Sit and Sew Wednesday

Today was our Sit and Sew Wednesday here in the shop.

We have had this panel for a little while now so I thought I would play with it.

I came up with this wall hanging.....

'ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE'......

 

I also made this little tote bag....pretty sweet.

 

AND there is another stitchery....ALL OUT OF THE ONE PANEL :)

That has got to be value for money......

 

Mrs C xx

 





1600 Quilt Class

On March 16th from 2pm - 5pm we will be having a 1600 quilt afternoon in our store.

Cost will be $50.00 (includes Jelly Roll and afternoon tea)

OR

if you already have a Jelly Roll that you wish to use, then afternoon tea will only be $15.00

 

I thought I best make our shop sample, and here are some pics.

 

In the store this morning arrived some lovely Jelly Rolls from Basic Grey and French General.

I decided to make the shop sample our of the Basic Grey one, this range is titled Aspen Frost.

The first step in making the quilt is to join all of the strips.....so here we go....

and we just keep going and going and going .......

Then its a matter of joining the strips to the strips.....and again it just keeps going and going.....

After an hour or so you have this.....a gorgeous quilt top.  Now its just a matter of getting it quilted and bound....

All in a mornings work :)

 

Mrs C xx

another day another quilt

Well it's another start to another week here at The Christmas Beetle and today was a great day with many friends calling into the shop to see our new abode.  We swapped stories about Christmas, children and cooking.....I LOVE THESE DAYS!

 

I also got to finish off the middle of our new quilt using Anni Down's Christmas Time Range.

Not quite sure about the border yet, but I will be done by the end of this week.  Maybe some yoyo's or prarie points or some stitchery.....

 

OK so now that my mind is going a million miles an hour someone HAND ME MY COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE :)

 

Love and blessings to all,

Mrs C xx

Tillie's Lane

We are starting to take names of people interested in doing this Block of the Month by Anni Downs.

We will be commencing this BOM in June 2013.

I am in the process of sourcing the IDEAL fabric for it, Anni and I had a great discussion about this late last year.

I hope she likes what I come up with, OH THE PRESSURE :)

Enjoy your day, and remember

 



The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary. ~Mary Kurtz

love Mrs C xx

Bits and Bobs

Somethings are just too yummy NOT to have them.

I think these Tilda ribbons are some of those things.

How gorgous would they look on a sewing bag, like the pattern we have in store by Leesa Chandler?

OR

just given as a little gift on one of the FANTASTIC swaps that are always going on and about linking us quilting, patchwork lovelies all together.

 I am not sure what I will be doing with these yet but I do know of a lovely lady that is having a birthday soon, so maybe just maybe a card may be included in her little gift box.......