Link Love: First Winter

In Canberra we have this weather event that the locals like to call “first winter”. It’s where we randomly get one week of super cold temperatures that fool you into thinking winter has come, but then it’s followed by a week (or if we’re lucky two weeks) of warmer temperatures before plunging us right into winter.

The first few years I lived here it got me. That first really cold day would turn up and I’d be rushing to the stores to buy winter clothes and swapping over my wardrobe. Not any more. Now I’m a seasoned veteran of Canberra and I know this is just a pre-amble – the real event kicks off April 25. Despite knowing that it’s coming it still always catches me unawares and I spend a good couple of days with frozen extremities.

This year though I’ve also picked up that seasonal transition cold. You know, it’s the cold you get as your body adjusts to the temperatures setting a new “normal”. Despite the frozen keyboard fingers, the congested nose and the lack of winter gear that fits I’m enjoying the change in seasons. Summer was particularly brutal this year and so moving to the crisp blue days, cold nights and autumnal colours has been nice.

With that said, ask me again in May how I’m doing with the cold and dark days. In the meantime, I’m off to do some sewing so I can turn on the iron and warm up my little studio of fun. Wishing you a week filled with love, laughter and much fabric fondling!

A: This is such a simple pattern but packs a big punch. It looks to be perfect for using all those precious scraps you’ve been holding on to. Click here to read more.

B: I love a good two colour quilt and this one is super fast to make. Click here to read more.

C: Looking for another great scrap buster, then check out this fun quilt pattern. Click here to read more.

D: Easter is coming and what better way to have some bunny fun then with this cute pattern. Click here to read more.

E: Whenever I need a quick motivational pick me up I singalong to this classic. Click here to get up and dance.

F: It’s the season of slow cooked meals like this great sweet potato and chicken curry. Click here to read more.

If you run a business or have a creative passion that you’d like to share with the #100Days100Blocks creative community why not apply for one of the sponsorship spots. Find out more by clicking here.

After much behind-the-scenes organising we’ve managed to secure flat rate shipping of AUD$9 for all continental US orders of Kinship: 100 Blocks Fusion Sampler (it also includes our range of From Marti Michell Templates and Rulers!) We’re really excited about this and have big plans for how we’re going to expand to be able to provide you with even more great quality items at a great postal rate.

Don’t worry if you’re not in the US, we’re working on getting a cheaper rate of postage for all major hubs (Australia, New Zealand, Canada and UK), and if we can’t ship it to you cheaply we’re working on getting it in stock at your Local Quilt Shop! If you’ve pre-ordered the hard copy of Kinship: 100 Block Fusion Sampler we’ll refund you any shipping overages where they occur. So if you’ve paid more for shipping then it costs, we’ll refund you the difference (we’ve already done this for the US orders that were placed before the flat rate was available).

The hard copies are on their way! US pre-orders should ship this week and all other orders the week after (just waiting on them to turn up in Australia!). Once we have them in our hot little hands we’ll update all the shipping costs and let you know. In the meantime, if you have any questions please let me know.

I love to share the cool things that I find during my week of surfing the internet window-shopping and splurging. Here’s my top 4 from this week:

A: I’m farming: You had me at tomatoes! Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

B: I’m sharing: How punchy are the colours in this bundle of Art Gallery fabrics. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

C: I’m loving: Nothing like a good bundle of blenders to help enhance your stash. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

D: I’m camping: Loving the colours in this bundle of Night Hike fabrics. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

You can find the latest information about the following events by clicking the on the relevant link below:

I love seeing the quilts and projects that are made during my sew-alongs or from my book and I’ve decided I’m going to start sharing them with you all so that you can see the amazing work being done within this fabulous creative community. If you’d like to have your work shared please reply to this email with 1 photo of your work made during one of my events, from one of my patterns or from my book. Make sure the image is well lit and clearly shows your work so people can truly appreciate your handy work. Include the details of what you’ve made and it could end up on my blog and in one of my newsletters. If you have any questions, reply to this email and we’ll get it sorted together.

Have you got an event, a charity drive, a pattern release, a class schedule or something else that you think my community would be interested in hearing about? Why not drop me a line and let me know – I’d love to share it with my readers. Click here to email me.

France Dowell has a podcast called The Quiltfiction Podcast. On it Frances reads from her novel-in-progress Friendship Album, 1933. You can find out more about it and listen to it by clicking here.
Margaret Eagles has released a book called My Grandma Makes Quilts and it’s about a Grandma and Grandchild who both like to play with fabric but in different ways. You can find out more about the book and purchase a copy by clicking here.
The Modern Quilt Show is being held 16 – 18 August 2019 in Kiama NSW. You can find out more information by clicking here. You can also download the flyer by clicking here.
Vicki, at My Creative Corner 3, is hosting a 30 day challenge kicking off in April. It’s 30 days of quilting without judgement and it sounds like a great skills and confidence booster. You can find out more by clicking here.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content. Thank you, in advance for your support!