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