Rain, rain stay all day

Rain, rain stay all day, don't go away until another day - that's what my two girls are singing. It has just started raining and I can hear the earth heaving a big sigh. It is sooo dry here. My fingers are crossed that the rain reaches those locations where they have been fighting fires for the last couple of weeks so that people there can too have a happy and peaceful Christmas.

My sister Susan and my two nephews returned to Queensland yesterday after spending a week here in Adelaide. It is so lovely to spend time with family. We hadn't seen my nephews for a year - and boy have they grown, both well over six feet and Jake at 14 still growing. They are such lovely boys though - not too old to play with their little cousins.

We exchanged Christmas presents with them while they were here - Susan made me a gorgeous wall hanging for my shop. The photo isn't great since it is grey and gloomy here - but I'm not complaining it's raining!!!
Our present to Susan - well it wasn't gift wrapped but it seemed to give her pleasure - carte blanche in the fabric and pattern cupboards.

We celebrated three birthdays while they were here also Rachel's, who was 7 on the 11th, Vanessa's who will be 10 tomorrow (where did the time go) and my mother's who will be 70 on the 29th of this month. One of the gifts Vanessa received from a friend was to go and make a gingerbread house. I was out when she returned home so I told her to take a photograph (since I thought it may not last until I got home).
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas. May your celebrations be filled with love, laughter and happiness.

It's feeling a little bit like Christmas..

but I need at least 12 more months!

I've been working on a Christmas quilt for the past year. I only work on this one at my Thursday craft group. With sick kids, a business, school excursions and the like I don't always get there. At least that's my excuse for not finishing it yet and I never made any promises as to which Christmas it was for.

Anyway here are the blocks I have completed.
Only 5 and a half to go!

I went out to morning tea with all my quilting group this morning and remembered I hadn't posted a pic of my Flea Market Fancy Cute Skirt. I shortened it and cut the godets with the skirt panels. That is I didn't use separate godets. My girls are impressed since it "twirls" - even if I do get dizzy much quicker than a 7 year old! So here it is complete with grubby finger prints on the mirror.

The top is one I made a few years ago. I have made it a couple of times - with sleeves, in knit, with collar, etc. I think I would like another sleeveless one it is lovely and cool for summer.

Update to last posting

The lovely Gina of Quilter's Buzz has also written in relation to Amy's updated fabric policy which includes photos of Amy's new patterns using her upcoming Lotus range - for more fabric images see here

A letter from Amy Butler

As many of you know I own a retail store called Quilt Fabric Delights. In that store I stock both Amy Butler's fabrics and patterns. Amy has recently written to me and has asked me to pass a letter on to all of my customers and to those who purchase Amy's fabrics and patterns elsewhere.

From Amy:

I hope my note finds everyone well, I wanted to write in hopes of clearing up a lot of misunderstanding. Thanks for taking time out to read my letter.

I have some positive changes on my web site faqs that I'm very happy to share! These changes have been in place for a few weeks but I don't think a lot of folks know about it yet . First I'd like to say how thankful I am that open forums like this exist where we can all talk to each other.

I know there has been a lot of continued concern about the use of my fabrics. I've received several emails and I want you to know that I care deeply about what my studio does and how it effects other people. It's been step by step, but I feel like we have finally landed in the place we need to be. I apologize that it's not been clear cut which is the unfortunate result of our trying to figure things out. Our previous faqs were about trying to keep the fabrics special for niche retailers and sewers. This was not decided with the fabric companies for financial gain, in actuality, a lot less fabric was sold. We were trying to prevent over-saturation in the market place among larger manufacturers. In the end these efforts proved to be too complicated. It's been a very significant and difficult learning process and I'm sorry that we did not respond faster.

I regret that our faqs have caused so much disruption and I am truly sorry for the difficulties this has caused. It was never my intention to harm anyone's business, and I mean this very sincerely. We try our best to make the right decisions, yet sometimes the best solutions remain elusive until you can see the whole picture.

Moving forward the good news is my fabrics are now completely available in any form that makes sense for you, and that includes being able to buy my fabrics wholesale for manufacturing.

I know the selvedge on my fabrics reads " for Non- Commercial Use Only " but that will be removed in future printings of my material. The " for Non Commercial Use Only " is not in effect, so it's totally ok to use those fabrics at any time. Please visit my web site www.amybutlerdesign.com to read the full faqs and if we've left any questions un-answered, please let me know, it's very important.

I also wanted to share my fabric design process and I've added a link to Quilter's Buzz so you can read all about it.
http://www.quiltersbuzz.com/2006/11/post_77.html

Please know that I want everyone to be successful and enjoy what they are doing. I'm continually flattered and humbled by the interest and enthusiasm in people working with the fabrics I design! There are no more roadblocks for any of us, and here's to moving forward in peace and doing what we all do best.

I wish everyone the greatest joy in their creative endeavors and business!
If I can answer any other questions for you, please write to me.

All My Best,
Amy

amy@amybutlerdesign.com
www.amybutlerdesign.com
Questions about Amy's fabrics:
Can I use Amy's fabrics to make projects to sell or use in manufacturing finished goods?
YES.
Why does it say "For Non-Commercial Use" on Amy's fabrics?
This formerly applied to large manufacturers but we have since lifted our licensing requirements. Anyone is free to use the fabrics however they wish. It will be removed in future printings of fabrics.
Why did that stipulation change?
We tried to keep the designs exclusive for the small and independent retailers and manufacturers but it caused more confusion than help. We are opening the line usage to everyone. So large manufacturers and small can now use the fabrics whether or not they buy it wholesale or retail.

I hope that you will continue to be as inspired by Amy's designs as I am and support her as her business grows and develops so that she continues to design such wonderful fabrics and patterns.


And for a sneak peak of her new range Lotus visit Westminster Fibers - which one is your favourite??

Sarah

A farewell

I've just got back from the airport - our Japanese student has just left to return to Japan. She lived with us for nearly two years and it will seem strange without her. Yayoi was quite emotional about finishing school and leaving all her friends here in Australia. I don't think she agreed when I said that finishing school is just the beginning of the rest of your life not the end. But she will be back, not to live with us, but back to Adelaide to do further studies next year. It certainly made it easier saying goodbye knowing she would be back for visits next year.

It will be quiet sitting down to dinner tonight. Vanessa is off on a school camp so it will be just three of us at the table tonight. Very strange but good to have one on one time with Rachel.

I am just realising, especially I have been seeing all the wonderful Christmas creations being made in blogland, that I have done nothing for Christmas this year. No decorations yet, no cards written, some presents ready at least. I must do something about it. I think it is denial. I turned 40 this year and will shortly be the mother of a 7 and 10 year old and the year just seems to have gone by way too quickly. Put all that together with parents turning 70, a recent close call for my mother and I think I am in the midst of the cliched mid-life crisis - very aware of the ebb and flow of life and maybe subconsciously not getting ready for Christmas is my way of dealing with it.

So having said that I'm off to do something Christmassy - maybe one of Coryn's doves