Finally, a solid step

         forward

   Get ready for

        a great 2010!       

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2010:First update

          Urgent update

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The last two weeks, I went to China to learn the world's finest form of Suzhou embroidery that I had long been curious about since I was a child. It was truly fascinating. I learned heaps and made new friends. As the oldest student, (almost same age as my teacher) and the only paying student, my enthusiasm and hardworking attitude for learning was rewarded by my teacher with the privilege (only me)  of viewing the finest embroidery work of generations of the finest embroidery artists whose needle skills no longer have match in today's China. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the archived work. I have taken videos and pictures whenever I had permission. I'll make them into a little show and tell when I get round to it so I can show those of you who are also double agent: quilter/embroiderer. I can't wait to take you to visit them one day when I am ready to show you around China.

The Promise

     of a beautiful 

                         New Year

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Remember at the beginning of this year soon after the “economic melt-down”, “financial crises” had struck us seemingly out of the blue... We hope to life returns to "normal" after the storm passed us by.

At the year's end,with the benefit of the hindsight, I have seen a real change in the quilting life... I feel ever more optimistic about the new year - because the change is a consequence of a solid improvement.

I took time to read, learn and think, think and think… Here are the major changes for good:

A lot more quilters find real pleasure in making better quilts more efficiently without pain instead of just rushing... Good quality service and good products are on the up!

Online service has finally become a force to reckon: the sharp drop of computers and online access has certainly passed its turning point to become a way of life - a more efficient way.

Isn't it interesting that just when travel cost made it too costly for physical teaching at the other end of the world, new advancement in technology have opened new opportunities to online teaching?!

These service that was previously unavailable or unaffordable to small services. No wonder people say science will always figure out a way to a problem when the problem becomes too costly for too many.

That is why 2010 promises a better new year for all who embrace the changes! We are truly at the door step of a new and great future! 

Looking back:
At around mid-2009, I jumped at the opportunity to rent the shop premises when the rent was only 30% of what I was previously offered.

This has given me a chance to listen and observe... The first taste of a shop owner taught me how much "sub-work" involved in the running of a shop - I had less and less time to do my own quilting, often find no time to even write newsletters! The pressure of making sales to pay salary sent me into quite a panic... Supportive quilters offered many ideas and suggestions in order to make more sales; I was rushing in designs and had a number of projects on the go all at the same time. I found myself loosing focus and I wasn't happy with any designs I made on the run...

 I have taken time to clear my thoughts since Oct – I have decided to refocus on what I have always been passionate about – how to make better quilts without pain through teaching (more online) and innovation of better products...

I am most excited about the online teaching - my head is churning non-stop on the new possibilities! I have just figured out a new smart design - double sided and quilt as you go again, by hand or by machine - that, mathematically, has over 120 million variations. This means in real practice, we should have 1 million that will look very different if we all choose exactly the same 8 fabrics!

Looking forward:
I can't wait to share with you! Because online teaching will be so cost effective that all innovative quilters and teachers will soon be protected naturally!  I shall also be able to make videos teaching every step of all my advanced designs!

Now the Thornleigh shop will be a  showroom for our innovative products and designs - come and browse around; A workshop of research and production - ask for a demo and DIY your own quilt with our Qbot; A learning center of excellence - I have started to invite guest teachers – if you have original designs or innovative techniques with a good will to share, please contact me.

At the end of this special year, I want to thank all of you for the success of the Fabric Club – it is truly a remarkable achievement by all members. Many of you told me that the “co-op” idea of the Fabric Club was smart. Well, without your support, the idea would still be an idea no matter how smart it is!  What have come out of this is we achieve when we dare to have a go and work together. Together we shall achieve more in 2010! 

About the interactive online teaching: I have done all the research and found that the best interactive teaching available right now is video teaching plus live interactive audio – meaning you can see my pre-recorded instruction video and diagrams; We can hear each other live on the phone, but not see each other live yet – if you take a little nap during the class, feel free to do that - I won’t know and you can catch up by watching the video again after the nap... The new Google Wave (interactive video and multi-people instant messaging is on trial – We’ll hop on it as soon as it is ready). What's available now can already enables us to teach/learn online so many subjects and projects like never before! This is our main focus next year!  - I am not just going to show you how to quilt...

I have just signed up for a new video hosting plan that will enable me to create large video files (for excellent viewing no matter what connection speed you are on) without the need to download it onto your own computer nor crashing my website by hosting it on my site in case you all watch the same one at the same time. Plus a regular interactive webinar when and where we do a trouble shooting section subject by subject after you have done a video class… And, don't think you are not computer savvy - we'll be making video tutorials to teach you how to make the most of your computer all together!

I shall continue what I love to do: to develop new products and source better products that will help you to realize your true creativity and give you the best value for money. We shall filled both of our online and Thornleigh shop with unique products and innovative products that help you make better quilts without pains.

Much of this year I have spent sowing “seeds” is promising a great and exciting 2010!

Look at the beautifully hand dyed satin (yes, I did it!) Get some now to dye for yourself!

Christmas and New Year Special:
200 meters more of the new cotton satin plus 200 new sample packs (see details below) of our new fabrics color packs with color chart has arrived!

There is no better way to show our gratitude for your great support throughout the year than offering you:
 
For our Fabric Club members, a store wide special (including class bookings): 15% off everything online from 8^th of Dec to 22^th of Dec. Go shopping now

Please note, you need to sign in your account to see all the specials whether you are a club member or a regular customer.

I have just reopened the second Fabric Club signing up –  for all who missed out the last dead line.
so join us now !

For all our online customers and visiting quilters to our new Thornleigh shop, a 10 % discount on all the learning packages is available now till 15th of Dec.

Potential Valued customers: Don’t forget to check your account totals, as you may have already earned or will, after your Christmas shopping this time, earn your Valued Customer Award!  That is another $50 Store Credit!

We have just updated our web software - we were told that we should not have any signup or password problems!
                             Thimbles crossed.

______________________

A 10% discount on our everything at the Thornleigh shop from 8th to 22nd of Dec.

Our "official opening" of the new shop starts from the 8^th of Dec together with the Christmas celebration. Our Valued Customer Award Cards are, red hot off the printer, ready at the shop – so no matter where and when you shop with us, you will get the award! 

Noticed? - this special doesn't get in your way for the valued customer award!

Christmas trading hours during the holiday seasons: The Thornleigh shop will close for Christmas on the 23^rd of Dec.

Special 3-day opening for visiting quilters: Some of you are visiting Sydney and want to visit the shop, We’ll open the shop 11am-4pm, 5-7^th of Jan, 2010 especially for you – I’ll be there sewing away.

Oh, don’t forget to put aside the SECOND Saturday of every month to join my Saturday no-bitching stitching group –  the only Saturday of every month I am in Sydney. You can sign up for the group online on the Sydney Class page.

Make sure you keep an eye on the Club updates on the Club page during the holidays. So far, the second Club fabrics is in production. All is happening according to plan - a big improvement, even though we didn't manage to double the numbers for an even lower price. So quilters out there, join us so we can get better fabric for all of us!

In order to make it easier to communicate on colors, this pack will have a color name chart enclosed with it. Keep one little corner of each with your chart for future reference when you use the rest of the pack. So when I announce the new designs (which I'll put on the FabClub page with their professional color codes. You can check it against your real color chart to have a precise understanding how it will look like... We'll get there bit by bit!

So hurry with your Christmas shopping.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very beautiful new year!

Travel safe and rest well. We’ll have a busy new year ahead.

Cheers, Liuxin

    from beautiful summer Sydney.

Innovation

The right side to be!
 

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Have you noticed it? Time flies faster as a year comes to an end…

Just returned from the annual Brisbane show, happy and exhausted after another much needed dose of adrenaline from my girls at the Brisbane Teaching Retreat afterwards. Everything was fantastic! Thank you all for the kind messages following me back to Sydney.  The best message from quilter Vicki at the last Retreat, summarises everything: Take us to the next level! Sure, technology has just made it possible! That is what we shall achieve next year!

Thank you too for quilters’ suggestion – to create a simple form about Fabric Club to save me all the talking that still left many confused…  Adelaide girls will get it next week.

Tomorrow, I’ll be in Adelaide next week. I am looking forward to meeting you at my booth and my lecture at the show.  Get the sample pack of the first Club fabrics, see the quality and feel it yourself. Try the new fabrics for applique, quilting and piecing magic squares and see the difference!

At the same motel, last week, 2008, I wrote you the first newsletter to launch this “new website”.   I was looking forward to writing to you this newsletter there at the same place, on the same couch…

But a few weeks before then, things have changed! This time, I was chewing through voluminous techno books about the latest IT development and trying to figure out what it meant to quilting and teaching… I am still working on it, exhausted but excited! From what I already know now, 2010 promises a good year. I am so convinced that Innovation is the best side to be on!

New innovations are now available for us to conduct interactive teaching online, not only overcome geographic distance but also reduce cost!!!  I am not kidding - You can "raise your hand" when you have a question and I can allow you to speak out through your microphone or IM your question. I can even "mute" you if you are naughty and can't shut up. It is so funny!  But I am serious.

This new development means you can learn all the techniques involved in this jacket that are now taking two hands-on classes plus a week's home work in between.

Can't wait to tell you all about it... in the next newsletter! Be sure to tune in and sign up for the first class soon! - Eleanor from FL, you can attend my first class for $1.  Eleanor has paid for it half a year ago! 

Talking about visual learning, a complete video demos of all our products will be on our NEW new website soon... I have even written a script for each one! Hopefully, this will help my presentation too...

Anyway, whenever you don’t hear from me, you know I am up to something… This time it is something big. Watch out our website on the major changes of the website itself, the new Christmas offers, the official opening of the Sydney store, and the new teaching subjects and methods of teaching in the new year, plus much more… including plans back to US.  Together let’s soldier on - push our poor old brains to innovate our way into a better new year… Keep quilting and keep improving…

Life is so full of great promises. Let’s live it!

                                                                   Cheers, Liuxin

Email me asap to claim your $50 Valued Customer Award, if your online order has accumulated to over $500! The credit will be a good help as Christmas approaches...

Hand Quilters' Dream material:

Right now, the best news I have for you that you can act on is the new cotton satin! It is truly a hand quilter’s dream… I have never quilted on anything quite like it! Not even close.

It is not just beautiful to quilt through, it is totally sexy! - an experience more beautiful than beautiful - a complete heavenly feeling that hand quilt should be!

Quilter Jo, in my last Brisbane Retreat, quilted on it. She gave me an only-we-know grin: "I'll take 5 meters!" For a real quilter, you only need to lay your hands on it to instinctively know "that is the ONE"!

It reminds me of a ballet called Red Shoes – the dancer dances when she jumped into the magic red shoes… This is what this satin has done to me! After hand dying a piece into a silky cherry pink (by the way, it dyes beautifully too), I  started quilting it before I had a pattern or design... I just kept on quilting - so beautiful to quilt!

I quilted and quilted, images flying in and out of my mind – I think I am going to appliqué hundreds of beautiful white cherry blossoms raining down in a spring breeze... once I finished quilting the quilt, if I haven't changed my mind by then... It is  another Quilt Before You Go quilt…

Second Fabric Club:

Don't forget to sign up for the #2 Fabric Club, we need the complete colours to start our once a life time quilt early in the new year.  Let’s keep it up so we can deliver the benefits to quilters.  You can sign up at the show! Ask me if you have questions. But hopefully, our new Fabric Club has answered all your questions briefly… Wink.

I am now a half year old quilt shop owner. Guess what? It does feel like a new mom!  It is such an eye opener and just like being a new mom, the real experience is so different from all the books I have read and tips I learned and everything I have imagined. Much improvement will be made soon.

A Spring Promise...
 

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The first FabClub fabrics:
Finally, we are  close to the first flower we have been working hard for!  I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your trust and support. Without the 200 FabClub members who have voted yes, the dream of creating the finest quality fabrics at the lowest cost for ALL QUILTERS would still be a dream. Together, we have made this dream come true!

Thank you for your great patience, too! The three weeks production (as I was told) turned out to be much longer in reality. Having gone through the whole process, I realised there was also a pre-production period – each step needs Fedex to deliver samples for my proof. No matter how tiny the change I made, it will result in a new round of proofing... Anyway you will agree with me if I say I can't spoil it with too much care.

I made one additional change just because I can’t help it: I requested the fabrics be polished again after printing to give it a matt sheen – I know you appreciate how impeccable a quality I want my fabric to be. I simply can’t let you down. 

Don’t you just wish the fabrics to be here yesterday! But there is more waiting to do. After the complete production, there is the shipping and custom procedure. As we speak, the materials are in the hands of Fracht Australia (my shipper) bound for Sydney. I was told there would be approx 16 days at sea and 1 week custom clearance if there isn’t any natural (typhoon) or man-made (strikes) accident in between. Knock wood! The expected delivery is 1 or 2 of Oct. We are ready to deliver your parcel immediately after we receive them. Watch your mail box a week from that.

Also have a look at my new jacket with hidden pokets: Class starts Mar 2010. For Narelle's Qbot training class? Book now.

New inspiration:
In the last Newsletter, I said I couldn’t wait to tell you all about the wonderful people and the new shop… But things seem to be happening so fast, even a fortnightly newsletter seems unable to cover half in a page… So I’ll be brief.

The greatest thing for me to have a new shop front is that I get to meet more quilters and have a chance to listen and talk way beyond busy trade shows or emails.  I have found that many quilters look for original and interesting patterns…  Finally, I am finally persuaded to design again. I want to thank Chris, Paula and Lesley for bringing the joy of designing back into me.

I have created a number of new designs: each is dedicated to the quilter who has inspired me to design it – when you see “Dedicated to Lesley” – you know that is inspired by Lesley Blackwood. Tell me what you want for your quilt that hasn’t been designed before, or what style or what skill level you want to undertake…  That design will be dedicated to you. Together we can create something new, something inspiring for the designer and the quilter for all quilters! Try me.

In fact, I have not stopped designing – it is simply impossible. I only stopped publishing them.

There must be a better way to produce and deliver original designs and low cost teaching directly into honest quilters hands! 

Finally, I can make and load videos like a pro! I can't wait to hear your feed back on the following three videos: eVQuilt1, eVQuilt2 and  - both are made using different softwares in different formats.

Would you be kind enough to feed me back on:

1. One is in Pal format, can you watch it on your computer from US, Canada and Japan?

2. Which one is clearer or you like better?

3. If you only have dial up connection,  which video demo looks less "broken"?

There is a third video eVQuilt1-1 that is the same as Quilt1 but only a clip of it in large DVD format that can not be viewed online easily. I am thinking of producing it on disk to send with our quilt pattern and fabric kit.  Download all three free videos to see which is faster downloading? Which looks better?

Brisbane and Adelaide Retreats:
Both retreats will go ahead even though both are only half booked.

Don’t miss our annual Retreats in Brisbane (26-28^th of Oct) and Adelaide (9-11^th of Nov)!  Join me once a year for the fun three days in your state!

Join FabClub,

     We all save!

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But you might be wondering what make me feel light?! It is Narelle!

Introducing Narelle:

With my great pleasure, I introduce you my first new team member, Narelle Morris.

Many of you know or know of the, at times, very bumpy journey I have had in the past 10 years becoming a business woman... Getting the best people around Thimblelady is now my No. 1 priority! I am determined to perfect it.

Narelle took over the shop while I was away in Melbourne for last two weeks. Some who have met her called her “that very nice lady”! That is right, that is Narelle. I have known Narelle for many years… She just lives around the corner of the new shop! - Talking about it meant to be...

Her formal job at the shop is the shop manager – overseeing the smooth running of the shop. I walked into the bright and tidy new shop after returning from Melbourne, my blood pressure dropped straight below 120! She has already done a good job. I am so looking forward to work under her management!

Now, I’ll be free to do more online and design job - our online customers will get a lot more of me…

Apart from being the shop manager, Narelle's strength is in her thorough knowledge about sewing machines of all brands. She used to be a dress maker, a sewing machine dealer and her last job before joining me two weeks ago was educator of Husqvana Australia.

Besides, we can now start our new “self-machine-quilting-service”! We have bought a new Husqvana Q bot machine. With a half day training by Narelle, you will be able to use Q bot at the shop to finish all your quilt tops in little time at half the cost, while sitting in the shop hand quilting your fine work over a cuppa! How does that sound? 

I've added a new page - Shop news about new sales, new products, new services... Click on OUR NEW SHOP button then choose from drop down menu. Don't forget to check it out from time to time. It will be updated monthly.

FabClub member updates:

Hi, FabClub Members, I have got some emails from confused new members – this is normal for everything new. Even if you haven’t got round the think about it and get confused, I think it would be a good idea to clarify and update you with the latest development.

Updates of our signing-up:

Originally, I planned a week for signing up before we decide either go ahead with the printing or drop the design. Anyway, with a few hiccups in the signing process, we only got half the number we need to go ahead. (I had thought the response was so great, we only need a week to get the numbers). Anyway, after a second thought, I decided not to drop the design, but give it another few weeks for signing up while continue sorting out the computer problem and answer inquiries about the FabClub… Three weeks later, we got the numbers! The fabrics are now in production – thimbles crossed! But it will be a few weeks later than first planned. Besides, looking  at the piles of orders, I realised it would be good to warn you that we won’t be able to deliver all orders in one day, either.

However, all orders are sorted chronically, so first order, first deliver. Of course we’ll deliver as fast as we can. In fact, I have told my husband he should start addressing packages next week – so we can deliver as soon and as fast as possible when the fabrics arrived. At this stage, the delivery date will be the third week of the August. You should all receive your parcels before the end of Sept. If you don’t receive yours by mid-Sept, contact us.  Check this page to see if delivery has been announced unless there is any new unforeseen challenge between now and then. Whatever happens, visit this page for updates from now on.

This is a new challenge, we’ll get there together! So please be patient with us. I’ll keep you informed through both this member page and our regular eNewsletter.

Answers to the most asked questions about the FabClub:

This is for all quilters no matter where you are in the world, not just for Australian and NZ quilters.

The $60 (+$10 shipping) covers 5 meters of the Thimblelady finest cotton fabrics at 140cm width.

Email me if you can’t sign in your own account on www.thimblelady.com.au because your FabClub “entrance” is inside your account.

Go to FabClub for more information on FabClub and new improvement made from lessons learned.

Sign In your account (with your email address and your password), then click on the FabClub to access the “member specials”.

Now, I can seriously catch up with my online services. Thank you all for your great patience and your support.

New demo videos on the website. New patterns and new designs are in progress. And of course, new fabrics!!!

With your support behind us, we'll keep improving...

"See" you in two weeks. Take care and be happy! 

Apologies plus

           Loads of new 

                 learning!

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A warm winter greeting to you! 

What a bumpy month I have had! So much has happened that I am at a loss as where to begin to tell you all my ups and downs, new discoveries, new ventures, new inspirations, new shop, and new people…

My apologies:

All month, I felt apologetic because I seemed to have been driving, on a number of steep learning curbs all at once, with a whole truck load of my trusting and supportive customers! Now you deserve a thorough apology and a good report on what has happened.

This was what had happened: Despite of all your best wishes, only 12 quilters made it to our opening day - I was so tired the few weeks leading up to the opening of the shop. I finally fell asleep in front of the computer after finishing the very late invitation the day before the Opening Day… I woke up later thinking I had sent it. Of course, only in my dream. A week later, I realized it was still waiting for me to click “send”. In a panic, I hit the send button, which caused even more confusion… So it was all my fault – sincere apology from the exhausted driver...

Anyway, the late opening day was just a test drive/rehearsal. We are still working on the final and perfect Official Grand Opening Day right now… The new date will be announced in the early Sept. In the meantime, try to find out where we are so you don’t get lost on the Official Opening Day! – then it will be your fault. See my new Liuxin’s Own Women Friendly Directory – just follow the colored arrows! Take advantage of our underground parking and the brand new lift – that is our unique privilege.

Second apology, as if the confusing invitation was not bad enough, I sent an explanation as an apology with the Fabric Club Special Issue… when I learned about the default length of this newsletter. Now I have to keep everything short. From now on, in order to keep you up to date, I’ll be sending you the one page eNewsletter by-weekly with one major story. I can’t wait to tell you all about the new shop!

Third apology is my temporary disappearance from the online Live Support. To upgrade to a faster connection, I was thrown offline for two most frustrating weeks of my life. Now I am back online both at home and at the new shop! So you can click on Live Support for any help at any time except when I am driving to and from home and shop (15 minutes in between). Quilters in US and Europe can reach me easily (your late afternoon or evening time) now when I am available in the morning hours of Sydney. Quilters from Asia can contact me when I am at home. Ask for help when you have problem to sign up an account. From now on all sales and discounts will be given to our customers or Club members.

Fourth apology goes to all our new FabClub members. Thank you for your unwavering support – I am ever more determined to give you the very best service and products! Some of you have tried to access the member only area but in vain… That is because I had got it completely wrong – I misunderstood the software (still in my old thinking) – there isn’t “a member area” for you to enter with a password. The new software is much simpler for both you and me.

It is as simple as this: as soon as you paid for your membership, all I should have done is to click on the drop down menu of “special groups” and select “Fabric Club” – I had done it the hard way, again, by manually typing everyone into the Fabric Club folder. That is the cause of the delay. Right now, you can access the FabClub special!

As soon as you receive the “order completed” email, you can sign in your account to see “Fabric Club” button on top of the vertical Shopping Category buttons on the left hand side of your screen without any delay. Please note: this button is invisible to non-Club member on the home page.  In another word, it is only visible inside the account of every FabClub member. Click on the Fabric Club to check out member exclusive items and prices (50 pieces of 1.4m x 3m) new fine white and off-white fabrics (new arrival) are offered for $30/pce inside the FabClub as our first test of the function for you to grab while testing the function – so when new fabrics arrived in three weeks, you know exactly how to grab them)…. When the new fabrics arrive and sold at $18/m online, club members have the first 30 days to buy those fabrics for only $15/m. Check the Club page often – all fabric related bargains will be there from now on. A not about the new fabrics, in white and off-white colors, super fine quality with a mat silky sheen (no “knots” or “joints” in the weave). Suggestions, best as background fabric (but not suitable for quarter inch cross hatching), hand appliqué, particular good for hand dying, and perfect for cathedral window folding, etc.  

Teaching Retreats:

Thimblelady Teaching Retreats in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide are now OPEN for booking.

This yearly retreat is our only face-to-face opportunity to meet, share and enjoy, so try to make time to join me! I am looking forward to meeting you at my classes.

Melbourne Retreat(28, 29 & 30th of July):

Due to three sudden cancellations, the already full quilting class now has three vacancies. If you want to take it, book immediately. We also have 6 vacancies in each of the applique and Magic Square piecing classes - make a day to focus on getting each and every of the above subject fixed!

Brisbane and Adelaide Retreats:

The most challenge is to get the retreat info out. Please don’t assume everyone knows about it already. Help me inform your friends and groups. The success of these Retreats depends on our “advertising” – use every means, email, blogs or local group newsletters and meetings to let fellow quilters know. Tell your friends to ring me on 0291447207 or 0284111151. Or book online at InterState Retreat page of www.thimblelady.com.au

July Melbourne Show is just around the corner!

I have prepared plenty new Magic Markers (metal) for you. They sold out too quickly in the last two shows. Plus new fine fabrics, new special silk scarves, new needle grabbers on top of the thimbles and regulators etc.

And I'll finished my new silk scarf - free hand pieced! Can't wait to show you!

Here is a preview:

Highlight of the next eNewsletter:

To dissolve my writer’s block bit by bit, I have made up a list of subjects so I introduce my new products or new inventions plus the interesting stories and people behind them! 

In the next issue, I’ll tell you all about “ups” and “downs” of the new shop and what more I have learned... Fasten your seatbelt, I am taking you on a great bumpy ride to discover more…

 New shop,        

       New beginning!

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Thank you all for asking whether the grand opening will be on schedule! Yes, it would!

The fantastic Perth Show and the subsequent three-day Teaching Retreat in Perth last week has, once again, renewed my commitment to build a serious women’s business! Of course, this is exactly the kind of refuel I get from each and every of my classes in the past 10 years. That is why I call you “my drug”.

Right now, I am writing to you at the “new shop”. It is late afternoon, 23^rd of May. Finally, after more dramas with setting up our last piece of furniture - the glass counter, all racks and furniture are up. Now I have one day (24^th) to fill them up and one day (25^th) to set up the new cash register and learn how to use it!

Now it is the evening of the 24^th, I am finishing the newsletter as this is the Invitation for the opening celebration of my new shop. If I don’t send it out tonight, it will no doubt be the shortest notice in the world!

The shop’s grand opening date is 10am, 26^th of May, Tuesday, 2009! I shall be here greeting you with Champagne on the big day!

Guess what? More things to be done: shipped quilts to the shop and then only found the hangers were missing, so Keith gets a new job to install hangers… Just hope that is it!

I know, I know. The grand opening is just the beginning of the long road to perfection for my commitment… As you know, everything has taken longer and harder achieve. Even though I have turned into a master for window frosting, master cleaner and Keith a master assembler… My first new line of fabrics are still on their way; Only 500 new Thimble Gloves have been couriered over by UPS to catch the opening day; But our new perfect magic markers will only have three sample representatives for the opening - enough for me to show you their magic!

The new silk scarves and magic squares and regulators, etc. etc. are all ready to greet you! I have been listening to quilters, and your suggestion of a good opening discount sounds a great idea to me! So a 10% discount on top of our most competitive price will be start on the 26^th of May until the end of Aug while stock lasts (some fabrics will run out soon, but new ones are coming in...) as our welcome to you. So try to come another day if you can't come on the 26^th. The opening celebration sale will last three months. I’ll keep you informed on the new products through the newsletter… In the meantime, let’s party.

Visit our website for the NEW classes at the new shop on the Sydney class page. Our trading hour is 10am-3pm (I might be here until much later), Tuesday to Saturday. Sundays and Mondays are reserved for full day classes. New classes will start mid-June when we come out of our champagne hangover.

I think I’d better stop right now and hit the send button so the invitation can reach you before it is Tuesday!

Oh, sorry, I left the camera down stairs... I won't be able to send you new shop photos this time. More later in the Gallery on the website...

Cheers,
Happy Liuxin with aching back, legs, knees and feet..

The much anticipated Fabric Club was scheduled to open for signing in on the 6^th of June. If you are good at math, you might have noticed that I made a miscalculation in the last Newsletter: I said A$60/5metres of the finest cotton fabrics (160cm width) = $15/meter. Here is the correction: it is going to be A$60/5meter (140cm/55inches width) which should = A$12/meter (Ooooops!). This is an even better deal! Although our dollar is fast creeping up against US dollar (from A$1=US$0.65 to A$1=US$0.78), this is still US$9.36/40inches length at a width of 55inches. This still means less then US$7/yd in old terms! And this is the price for the finest cotton materials!

For complete information about the Fabric Club, read more on Fabric Club page. The basic idea is to get the best quality at the lowest price by working together! To further simplify the system, there will be NO limitation on how many memberships one sign up for. As soon as 200 memberships are signed up – Click on the membership, you will be asked to purchase a membership for A$60.
You can choose more than 1 membership if you like. There will be a cut off date announced. A$12/m is the preproduction price. So sign up as soon as possible. The sign up date is 6^th of June and the cut off date is 12^th of June.

Check out the new thimble gloves and get ready for the new Magic Marker – I am finally satisfied with the new perfect magic Marker – from now on, it is going to bear Thimblelady®. Not sure what is the next special occasion /excuse, remember the special silk scarves for your next gift idea. You need to feel it to know how beautiful it is. I am sure many of you will feel it when you visit our new shop.

 Important Notice! 

Claim your credit: Those of you who have made more than $500 of orders (accumulated) on our website, email me to claim your $50 Valued Customer Reward voucher.

Groups and Shops: we have changed the group discount shopping into Bulk Buy which is open for every group or retailer. Prices are totally quantity related. More new products will be added to that page including new fabrics.

Your online account: In order to end the misery of resetting password for our old customers from our old website, I have deleted all empty old accounts – meaning all those who have not made an order since last Oct. This way, you can sign up as a fresh new customer for a new account without being told by the computer that “your account is already been taken by somebody else” or “your password is incorrect”…

 Work Harder,        

          Achieve More!

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How I wish to tell you that all my hard work has paid off! But the reality is even the smallest goal has taken that much more work and that much longer to achieve! I can only say, we are getting there…

So the only two things I have achieved so far are finding a NEW SHOP premises and getting the perfect Mother’s Day gift in for you. Visit www.thimblelady.com.au for more info.

About my New Shop:

First, I finally found the DREAM location for my first quilt shop! It is right opposite Thornleigh train station with good public transportation and plenty street parking plus underground visitor parking – a rare luxury for Sydney. So no matter when, where and how you come to visit, it is easy, plus a guaranteed warm welcome inside.

I have cleaned the windows and scratched the grouting off the new tiles… But the real job only starts from there! After a round of quoting for shop fitting and signage etc, I realised we simply have no option but do it ourselves… I designed the shelves and layouts for the shop. Keith made them. Yes, last Friday, I watched my first fabric shelf standing. Clever Keith! All the shelves and etc will be in place within the next two weeks…   

The official opening date is 26^th of May.  I am excited! We have worked long and hard to get to this day. Let me promise you, it is not going to be an average corner shop. It is going to be an innovative and welcoming place for all clever women who share the same belief that a good life is made by ourselves and we can make anything with our clever hands!  I want to share more than just my quilt making skills. I can’t wait to share all my skills and help you stitch up a beautiful life.

Nothing will stop us making a good life for ourselves and our families. Visit me at the new shop, see how creative we can be. A full list of classes to make better quilts and elegant jackets etc will be out soon. 

Claim your credit: Those of you who have made more than $500 of orders (accumulated) on our website, email me to claim your $50 Valued Customer Reward voucher.

Groups and Shops: we have changed the group discount shopping into Bulk Buy which is open for every group or retailer. Prices are totally quantity related. More new products will be added to that page including new fabrics.

Your online account: In order to end the misery of resetting password for our old customers from our old website, I have deleted all empty old accounts – meaning all those who have not made an order since last Oct. This way, you can sign up as a fresh new customer for a new account without being told by the computer that “your account is already been taken by somebody else” or “your password is incorrect”…

New Product coming soon:

Thimblelady’s new Thimble Glove/Needle Grabber will be ready in a week! Some of you have noticed the new needle grabber was missing on my website… I have improved our new Needle Grabber into a newer Thimble Glove!

I had been working on a design of a special appliqué thimble to stop thimbles fraying threads because all thimbles in the market fray fine threads when you use a fine needle.  Anyway, I’ve found a cheaper and simpler solution instead: the Thimble Glove. The thimble glove can be worn over any thimble. It is reinforced with a surface texture to counter dimples in the covered thimble. NO MORE fraying threads!

The coming Show:
Western Australian quilters, please drop in at my booth A 06 during the Quilt Show from 13-17^th of May. I can wait to show you the incredible Magic Marker, the Stitch Regulator and Magic Squares. There are only a few places left in each of my appliqué and piecing classes on 18-20th at the State Library.

Come and see our new products, grab everything on sale, get information for 2010 retreat and sign up for our free eNewsletter.

More new products briefings in the next issue...

Help! I've only received 12 photos? of 6 arthritic quilters. Where are the rest of you?!

Mother’s Day gift and Fabric Club:

I have been thinking how to set up a great system so we can get together to increase our buying power for better quality materials at a lower price to improve our own labour value as quilt makers or home makers.

I have finally decided that it has to take an important step to achieve this goal - Print larger quantity at much cheaper cost for Club members who prepay for their new fabrics.

How will the club work? Each membership costs $60 or approx US$45. Only 200 members will be taken to receive 5 meters of the finest fabrics (1m or 40in of each of 5 prints) @ A$15/meter or approx US$10/40in. The new fabrics will come in a width of 1.6m or 63in wide - that is A$15 for 1.5 metres of the finest fabric in the old fabric width or A$10 (US$6.5)/metre of the finest cotton.

But, you need to familiarise yourself with the high quality of the materials I am planning to produce. On our website, it is easy to see the colours and prints, those of you who have attended my classes or read my books have already got an idea about what I mean by high quality. However, so true is the old English saying - you live and learn! I have discovered some superb quality silk materials that has never been in the market. I am so certain you will love it. But how can I even begin to describe its quality or feel when you have never seen anything quite like it?!

So before we start the signing for Fabric Club membership, and make the learning more practical and cost effective, here is my cunning plan:  

Mother’s Day gift: I would like to take the opportunity of Mother’s Day to introduce this superb silk material to you. It is made into a scarf so you can buy mum a gift or have your children buy you a gift – instead of getting a fat quarter size material to test the material. Feel it and have a good look of it before you wrap it up and give it away.

It is something you have not seen before, neither had I. It is not those expensive junky stuff. Its quality simply grabs you – it is one of those scarfs sold only in good shops (e.g. Hedrena) for around $300. David Jones and Myer don’t even have anything that nice these days. It is a super material to make elegant jackets! It feels like high quality wool, but its silkiness soothes your skin and doesn’t make your skin itchy like wool. It drapes better than good quality wool, yet no wrinkles. I hand washed one, and smoothed it out with my hands, it dried like new without ironing…The following material is double sided in different colours and patterns!

      

Make a nice jacket with it for a little over $100 as a gift, any lucky person receives it would think you have broken the bank for it! That is what I call the value of your clever hands! I want to show you how to make nice and simple jackets so elegant that your hubby couldn’t wait to take you out to a very nice place for dinner whenever you put it on. When you have at least one scarf (which is a fine gift in itself), you will know what I mean by “superior quality” of my choice of fabrics to be made available at a discount for Club Members only!

Free Fabric Give-away: I have prepared 300 pieces (50cm x 50cm or 20in x 20in) of my first fine cotton material (white) as a give-away sample for every online order made from 6^th of May until sold out. I want to guarantee you that all my designs will always be printed on the best quality cotton – the best quality with the matching density of weaves for particular sewing purposes!

My first line of designs will be: “inspiration from our garden”, inspired by Keith’s orchids -which are most blessed by the magics of  Mother Nature! Armed with professional design software and Pantone Colour Guide, I simply can't wait!

Fabric Club signing will open on 6^th of June – so you have time to grab a scarf and or a cotton fabric sample to get yourself ready. For the first new line of designs, we’ll only take 200 prepaid members.

Feel Good,

           Be Good

                 Do Good!

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Recently, an ad in the paper for tailor made suits made me laugh out loud! It argued that you need to look good, to feel good to be good and ultimately do good! It humorously pointed out, I quote, “Sadly, no one wants to associate with a walking recession... It is catching!”

I agree! It is so easy to slip ourselves into a “walking recession” whenever we repeat the bad news from the papers. Every time without a fail, a chat of the collapse of share market would lead to our doomed retirement savings. If loosing money is bad, loose your mind and health on top of it is worse! So refuse to be a walking recession to ourselves or anybody else.

I have decided “feel good, be good and do good” is my recipe of the year. I can’t wait to recommend it to you! Dwelling on negative thoughts beyond our control hurts. So think positive! Think creative! Think constructive! If you agree, share this recipe around. And do some good that can make a real difference!

To feel good, set small goals and achieve them! Reward yourself for the achievements with a little indulgence! My magic squares are getting better and better because I reward myself for improvements. Focus on perfecting the squares 10-20/day until you have 500 perfect squares while dreaming all the possibilities for the most beautiful design but not be overwhelmed by a grand design – not right now… I reward myself a nice piece of chocolate for every 40 squares I make - The same chocolate made me much happier when I earned it rather than bought it! You can achieve that too!

To be good, I am going to cheer you up by making my interstate retreats the most informative and cheerful for you this year! That is right – it won’t just be an informative intensive learning day as usual, it will be an inspiring and cheerful day when I shall add a new emphasis on how to apply the skills and techniques to my new design that will be released soon – something will remember this special year of ours!  

Join me if you want a positive and fun Retreat when and where we can brush constructive and creative thoughts off each other! Read and print out the Retreat information on our website. Book the Perth May 18-20; Melbourne July 28-30^th asap as they are already half full.

Retreats in Brisbane Oct 26-28^th and Adelaide Nov 9-11^th  will be held at the State Libraries. Quilters from Queensland and SA, please click on the class booking info form for Perth or Melbourne Retreat for classes info – fees and contents will be the same. Email me before the end of April to register your interests for which ever classes – then we can go ahead to commit to the venues before taking bookings. Please note, the above will be the only classes I can do this year apart from classes at my new shop to be announce soon!

Have you read Warren Buffet’s recent economic forecast? He made three points: 1. The recession will end eventually – we all know that! 2. Things are tough now before the end of this year – no harm to hear it. 3. The next threat is the onslaught of inflation as the inevitable consequence of huge government stimulus – This is important! – Here are our opportunities!

The golden opportunity for American quilters is right now! Some asked why I charge two different “prices” on my website – No. It is the same price viewed in two different currencies – The difference is the Australian dollar is now so much lower than the US dollar – they looked the same in the past because the two currencies had little difference in value. Right now, you will be giving yourself a 30% - 35% discount on everything you buy on my website because our dollar has dropped big time against yours. US dollar may not stay so high for long because US has the biggest stimulus package, much bigger than Australia’s! That is what Warren Buffet was warning! Buy now, you SAVE!

For Australians, don’t be disappointed. After some 5 years of good time importing from America, it appears tough for us to import right now. If Warren Buffet were right - US dollar value may drop soon! The smart thing to do is to keep making magic squares or appliqué for the time being and we can insert the battings and quilt our tops when the currency rate is in our favor again - I am holding out on getting new battings in from the States… Hope our turn come soon. Thimbles crossed!  

Now, do good – I have got a new thimble for arthritic fingers! I need your help to perfect it!

To cut the long story short, my 10 years of first hand experience of making and fitting thimbles for quilters showed the desperate need of a special thimble for the deformed fingers of arthritis-suffering quilters. I used to hand make our old style thimbles to fit deformed arthritic fingers individually without additional cost for quilters. But the benefit to quilters was very limited, because arthritis is a growing problem – it has a long period of growth. A thimble no matter how well fitted at the first place will soon become a misfit. A thimble too tight hurts the tender swollen joint. A thimble too loose won’t stay on the finger! Plus the shipping costs if one needs a thimble for every stage of the growing arthritic joint!

Through all my failed attempts to address the problem, I realized that the ultimate solution must be a light weight thimble that could hold onto a deformed and swollen finger joint firmly without hurting it. And sound as impossible as it is, the thimble must be able to grow with the arthritis!

Finally, in a recent experiment of something else, a brand new design for THAT THIMBLE hit me!!!  Yeah, a thimble that can grow with an arthritic joint!!! After a few months’ trials and errors to get the concept into a working design, I am ready to start the final CLINICAL trial!

Here is the help I need from you: Arthritis sufferers are all over the world. The majority of quilters with arthritis in the fingers are late middle age to seniors who may not be as familiar with digital camera and online communications as you when all of you reading this message have computers and know how to contact me. So please help if you have the time, the skill and the will.

What I need:

Email me low resolution digital photos of arthritic fingers around you – middle finger only with the suffers’ contacts and age information.

♫       If you have arthritic fingers and know how to take digital photos, do it yourself.

♫       If you have relatives with arthritis (many forms of arthritis run in the family) but don’t know how to take photos etc, please help them.

♫       If you don’t have arthritis nor digital photo skills and never noticed those who have arthritis, look around, you will find many around you in your group, please help to inform them and others who have digital cameras to help.

Here is what to do:

1. Take two digital photos (resolution: 72bpi will do) of each arthritis middle finger: two close ups from the tip of finger to halfway between the two joints of a middle finger - one view of the nail side and one side view)
2. Email the photos to me with your shipping contacts.
3. I shall examine the photos and select the most typical or challenging arthritis fingers at various growth stages to send a new thimble for them to try it out;
4. I need to correspond with them directly or through you by email during the trial period – so every volunteer helper needs to have access to a computer.

Let me drive you into

The Happiest New Year!

Thimblelady's new 2009 plan

Hi, %%listname%%    
            The title might make you think “Is she out of her mind?!” Yes, I am out of the old mind into a NEW! 
           Like you, the gloomy doom all over daily newspapers really turned me blue… I was so scared that I cancelled all my shows in 2009 and cut myself a whole containerful of Magic Squares to stitch… I stitched and stitched. The magic squares grew into piles of beautiful mama squares - my perfect stitches using my new regulator became even more perfect! Once again I decided there is nothing impssible! I am going to make the most impossible possible - to make 2009 the most productive, creative year against all odds! I want to make this year the happiest for you and myself! I have even thought up a great line as Our clear Goal: Absolute Excellence at Affordable Price! It's already made me feel accomplished. Now I am going to achieve it!

Here is how:

My first plan for Thimblelady™.
        1. Take a booth at  AQC late Feb to show you my new inventions to excite you with the Magic of my new Magic Square quilt and my fasinating Stitch Regulator! So cheer up. Just come and watch.
        2. Continue my hunt of a premise in Sydney - yeah, I am going to start a quilter's dream shop!

        3. Get my new design fabrics into production for Thimblelady™ Fabric Club. Help me to make another impossible possible -the best quality fabrics without the cost at the toughest times! 

Of course, how can I achieve it without you?! That is why we have Best Advice Award and Loyal Customer Reward! See the column on the right. We are not able to offer special discount to selected groups. Your support will be appreciated.

This is part of our improved online service! If you haven’t visited our website in the last few days, please pay a visit! I have spent last four weeks to belt up the software – Wow, it makes me feel young! Challenge yourself, you grow younger! 

Now hop on www.thimblelady.com.au, let me drive you into the happiest New Year!

Cheers, Liuxin

Note: We shall send out eNewsletter in the middle of every month. Look out for it. Tell your friend about it. Together we can make 2009 the most productive and happiest NEW YEAR. 

Here is three most important and urgent tasks for you:

1. Read the New Shopping Guide to learn the new and powerful features.

2. Set up your account and reset password: Everyone who is reading this message is a current subscriber of our eNewsletter, therefore already an account holder. The problem is those of you will find the new site doesn’t allow you to set up a new account nor would let you access your existing account. Because you haven’t got the new password!

You can log onto our website, put this email of yours as login address, then click forgot password… Read Reset password first will save you frustration.

If you are not so confident to do it yourself, just click on Contacts and email me for help. I can set it up for you manually in no time. You need this account to benefit the our special programs.

3. To kill three birds with one stone: Save advertising cost and pass it onto you; Test the 1st powerful features of our new software - coupon for specific group; Introduce my new inventions so you can burn your stash into a magnificent quilt, I want to give a $20 discount coupon to each of 300 Stitch Regulator Set ($78) and 300 Magic Square and Regulator packages ($140). 

Copy the code SZ3P9T40TJ5RG and paste it into the coupon window when checkout to receive the discount! This is a saving from advertising. It expires on the 2nd of March or until sold out. Be quick! 

Since only 5 per cent of the subscribers have received the last newsletter, here is the highlight of last Newsletter:

Have you been wondering why you haven’t received a bi-monthly newsletter from me since last Feb? ... You will forgive me now that you know I have been busy inventing the next best tool that will transform your piecing forever and a new design you simply can’t resist to make!

Thimblelady’s Magic Square

is its new name. I loved it so much that I have trade marked it and made it our new logo! It is a square on the point inside a square without ever touching a biased seam!

One morning last Feb I woke up with a fantastic idea for a complete NEW design that combine the two concept of whipstitch piecing together with quilt-as-you-go and double-sided quilt, creating a square on point without ever working with a biased seam! I was so excited to finally come up with this design that save me from all the cutting and basting kind of preparation work I don’t like. After I worked out 40 designs, I realised how "big" this design was! I started to write the book to introduce it as I can see you are all going to like it for a change from the hexagons. In the process of writing this book and making samples, I discovered even more! Not only this design has an eternal elegance that only exists in the simplest of designs, it has unlimited variations! Yes, unlimited! Read my book. It will hook you forever once you caste your eye on it. It is Magic! It is an entire Magic Family! You want to be the first one to meet the Family!

  

Here is how the invention began:

Only when piecing the magic squares did I appreciate how impossible to whipstitch perfectly and why quilters went to the trouble of paper basting each hexagon as well as the need to piece on the wrong side! It was also painful on the non-sewing hand from gripping the pieces when whipstitching! Why didn’t I hear anybody complaining about it before?! I first set out to fix the gripping pain - a tool of some kind to hold the pieces instead of the pinching...

After 6 months’ trials and errors, a "project grabber" that also controls the size and evenness of stitches started to take shape... I was testing it one night when I suddenly realised my husband, Keith, was mesmerised by my stitching! I explained to him, "I was going to tell you that I might be onto something bigger and better than I thought..." He said: "Good Lord, I saw it! It is unbelievable!" He couldn’t wait to volunteer his mathematical advice - after another 3 months’ experiments, this Stitch Regulator was perfected!

It has transcended my stitching to an unprecedented level of excellence! You can’t live without it!

You have to try the impossible possibilities for yourself! I am now piecing a silk scarf, the extra ordinary simplicity and elegance of the impossibly fine even dotted stitches... Wow!