3rd September, 2021

Dear <<First Name>>,

I had a very unpleasant phone call last week, from an older man asking if I was sending out orders.  I said yes and that I was working from home and cutting and filling orders.  He then proceeded to tell me I should stop straight away as I was not considered an essential business.  I asked him who he was and he told me I didn’t need to know his name, so I gave him a few home truths and he disconnected the call.


If you live with this sweetheart, you have my sympathy and do give him a hug from me, as he is obviously a very unhappy person in need of a lot of love and hugs.  We could find the number the call came from, but really, life is too short to bother.  He was probably a dobber in of neighbours.  There is a thing going around Facebook pointing out that your neighbour will be there to help out when needed when the police won’t!


This phone call was the same day as John had a box of wine delivered, so liquor stores, even in level 4, were and are delivering alcohol!  Who makes these rules?  It’s frightening to think that liquor stores are delivering boxes and bottles of potential trouble to the population of New Zealand during lockdown when people who don’t quilt, have nothing better to do than open a bottle!


Yes! I am disappointed, we were working from home, a situation
encouraged by our Government.  The courier delivered/delivers our paper and mail every day and takes parcels away.  What is the problem?

The gate was and is closed.  We are just lucky to be working from home.  I have so many sewing projects I can’t get to as I have to admit I was really busy doing the work of two staff filling orders and John was also doing the work of two staff in accounts - so we were slow - but getting some parcels out every day.  I think Monday the courier took away a few bins as we worked all weekend trying to catch up.


Staff now on board for a week at least, until the next Government decision, and we will all be working longer hours to clear the backlog of orders.  I apologise for the delays but don’t need to say more.  Our New Zealand suppliers are getting steam-a-seam, tearaway, vliesofix, blades to us this week as we have sold out.  Sewing machine needles are very, very low and I hope we can top those up this week as well.  Most suppliers are in Auckland on level 4.  But family-owned businesses are working, slowly dispatching goods.

Block of the month and Clubs

We regret that there will be a holdup with these automatic mailouts, but the girls, after two weeks away, are inundated with work and catching up.  Lynda had over 600 emails on her computer!  Every day the orders are taking the whole day to get on top of.  I think by 4.30 yesterday, Colleen and Gayle finally cleared the pile.  I fought valiantly for two weeks with no show of beating the pile.  Lesley and Gayle made great efforts on Wednesday and almost won.

We really want to get your orders and projects out to keep you busy and focused during this lockdown, but with a shipment from America that arrived the day before lockdown, Lynda is starting work at 7am in accounting - so please bear with us.

New this week

Mask Making

We have been inundated with orders for mask making notions.  We had heaps at one time but let stocks run down when we had many months of reprieve from the ravages of Covid.  Making masks is a great way to use up fabrics you don’t think you will ever use in a quilt - the ugly ones!  I know many people are selling masks and making masks for everyone they know.  I made some with dog faces using the Creative Grids face mask template.  Here are the items we will be ordering from the USA:
     
     Creative Grids Templates
     Nose bars
     Elastic with buttons for tightening for a snug fit
     Packets of extra washable filter sewn in as a third layer.

Let’s make masks a bit of fun if we have to wear the darned things to fog our glasses.  Send me your pictures and we will put them in next week’s news.

Batik

Fifteen new batiks arrived from America.  Some are just marbled in very useful colours but there are some lovely handpaints like the one pictured here so do check them out on our website.   They will have a “new” banner across them.

Click here to view Fabric AJ389

To view the New Batik arrivals click here.

There are other collections but I will have nothing to tell you about next week if I mention them now.


Socks

We received a delivery of the beautiful Laurel Burch socks. There are three new designs for colourful happy feet.

Click here to view these socks on our website.

Dresden Tree Skirt

We bought these from our American supplier all made up into kits.  All the fabrics are in the kit plus the pattern for the Dresden plates.  I thought it was pretty spectacular and why not get ready for Christmas during this pandemic - although you won’t be having family from overseas this year.  It would even make a lovely gift to send overseas.  We received a correction sheet last week so that will be included in the kit.  We have not made this up yet so please read the instructions carefully before beginning, as we have none of the fabrics included in this kit.

To view this Tree Skirt Kit Set on our website click here.


Playing with Fabric I like...

These are not kits, but they might give you an idea for yourself. The first is a tartan cushion I made this week but I will play with this design a bit more.  I think the thistle is too small but I love that there is real tartan coming from The House of Wales.  The tartan is on our website AJ374 and I used wool and flannel for the thistle.

Click here to view Fabric AJ374.





I have been having a play with fabric I really like - the dragonfly. This is a very simple quilt and I used a Grunge which is a perfect match.

You will find the dragonfly on our website, AH747 and the Grunge is AG593.







Armchair Travel

This week you are going to the Highlands to Sutherland and to Dunrobin Castle.  The original castle or keep was built around 1400 but much of it was destroyed by fire, but what survived is integrated into the more modern castle. The present castle has over 180 rooms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESBdTKixlMg



Finally
I decided the other day listening to NewsTalk ZB and all the talkback from real people, that if you are locked down and alone, the radio is a better choice of entertainment than watching TV, movies and series.  I listen to the radio for 2 -3 hours while I am still in bed in the morning, sometimes drifting in and out of sleep.  But, I get a jolt of reality and what real people are thinking about - today in New Zealand.  Just a thought.  Give it a try.

Until next week. 

Hazel

P.S

A quick recipe this week!  I have not had time out for experimenting but looking forward to trying a nice looking chicken recipe with good reviews.  The chicken thighs are defrosting as I speak...

Baked potatoes with attitude!

Beautiful served with a nice steak with fresh mushroom sauce with something green, like steamed broccoli for dinner, or just with a salad.  It has all the food groups this way.

You simply scrub a baking potato then make four cuts down, but not cutting through.  Sprinkle some salt and pepper between the slices.  Now wrap each potato with three slices of streaky bacon held in place with toothpicks.  Drizzle with a little oil and  Bake 180deg until potato is cooked. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

P.P.S