Wow - what a hectic weekend. I flew to Melbourne on Friday and helped Tim from Lloyd Curzon Textiles set up the booth. Then on Saturday and Sunday it was full on selling. I've never been so busy at a trade show before. It was great to see so many quilt shops down there seeing what's new. There were more exhibitors this year, and the shop owners that I spoke to were having trouble getting everything done in the two days. The Australian Quilt Market is very well organized and the more attendees - the more it will grow. The Australia Quilt Market is for TRADE ONLY.
I arrived home about 7pm last night to a house that was anything but tidy. I think I will have to get an electician out as the dishwasher must have an electical fault that zapped my daughter. I'm sure that's what it is - as the dishes were all left in the sink!! So there was no time to relax - straight to work putting the washing on (school uniforms were in desperate need of cleaning), tidying up, stacking the dishwasher (funny - I didn't seem to have a problem with it???), checking emails, answering phone calls and catching up on all the kids news. Emma was presented with her senior badge on Friday as the year 12's left school and the year 11's now begin their final year at high school and Luke couldn't wait to show me a wooden cd holder that he had sanded and sanded until it was as smooth as glass. I was too scared to look out on the back deck and see the mess where he had been working - I'll leave that until tomorrow!
I do have heaps to tell you though - this new product is great!
One of the new products that Ascot Lane were promoting was the new Clover Yo Yo maker. I sat down and learnt how to use this in Houston and I love it! Because you are using a template - you make a perfect little yo yo, that is the same size - every time!Joan Hawley from Lazy Girl Designs had this to say on her blog: "The Clover yo-yo maker is similar to a little tiny quilt hoop to hold your circle of fabric. There are two sizes available. The inside of the hoop is a disc, the outside is similar to a tray. Snap your fabric circle into the yo-yo maker, then you do a running stitch around the edge using the stitching guides. The stitch guides look like little crescents along the edge. Go in through the beginning, and out at the end of a crescent to make a stitch. It’s just that easy! Afterwards, pop the small disc out of the hoop by pushing through the hole in the middle, pull the threads to gather the circle, and tie a knot."
The Yo Yo makers will be available in Australian Quilt retail outlets, online stores etc. in January 2007 and will retail at approx. $11 (large) and $10.15 (sml)
Below are some examples of how you can use the yo yo's
Below is a quilt called "Make it a Yo-Yo Christmas". It is a FREE down loadable pattern from Sewing Savvy (a U.S. magazine). To download the pattern click here and follow the directions. This pattern uses 2 different sized yo yo's and although it gives the directions on how to make yo yo's from scratch - the Clover Yo Yo makers will make the job much easier. (there may be a slight difference in the size of the yo yos when using the clover yo yo maker as compared to the size stipulated in the pattern).
Contact your local quilt shop if you would like to order one. I cant wait to make myself one of the bags.
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