Dear all, well what a few months it has been since the last newsletter.  To start with I would like to say a very big thank you to Laura, Kaye, Margaret and last but not least Ron for all the help they have provided in the shop while I was in hospital and recuperating.  Also a huge thank you to the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday groups who helped Ron and ran the shop when there was nobody else there to do so.  All the flowers, presents, visits and cards I received were very much appreciated - there is nothing raises the spirits more then the knowledge you are being thought about when you are ill.

SHOP OPENING HOURS UPDATE:

The shop operating hours have now settled down and the only disruption will be on a Wednesday afternoon when the shop will close at about 2.45 or just slightly later while I continue hydro therapy.  All the other therapy has now been organised for Monday's when the shop is in the very capable hands of Laura, Kaye and Margaret.

CLASS INFORMATION UPDATE:

Well there is a lot to get through here:

PARCHMENT CLASSES:  There will be no parchment classes at all in September while the lovely Shirley (and her 2 sisters) do a cruise of the Greek Islands and Turkey - I'm not green, I'm not LOL.  Have a lovely time Shirely and Colleen and come back well refreshed.

QUILLING CLASSES:  A fond farewell to Marie who has been our quilling teacher since the shop opened who is no longer teaching to take over the responsibility of assisting her daughter in bearing the burden of raising twins (due in 11 weeks) - thank you Marie.  Also a big welcome to Harriet who will take over this position with her first class being on 28 August.  These classes, as always, are only demand.

ORIGAMI CLASSES:  Tania's first class was, I believe, a great success and Tania is keen to follow it up with more beginner and advanced classes on boxes.  Why not come in to the shop and see some examples to see if you may be interested in doing a class or not.  Please let me know of your interest so booking dates can be arranged.

CHRISTMAS CARD WORKSHOP:  I will be conducting a christmas card workshop on Saturday 18 September for those who may be interested in getting a head start on their christmas cards.  There is only 5 places available so get in early to ensure a seat.

STAMPING CLASSES:  Brenda's classes remain popular and with new products like Smooch and Smooch Spritz, Stazon Metallic and the popular DoCraft clear stamps, now becoming available in the shop Brenda is more than happy to teach classes using these new products.

PAPER QUILTING:  Michaela's classes as ever are very popular, Michaela continues to update her templates with the latest being an absolutely beautiful Bird house.  With the demands on Michaela's classes, and the product that she needs to carry for the different levels of students, being so great the classes are now being re-structured, so please bear with us while we try to work out the best orginisational structure for these classes.

Beginners (4 only at a time) will be taught together on any specific day.  The remaining scheduled days will then be given over to the more advanced students.  As always Michaela is sometimes available to have classes during the week - why not avail yourself of a possible 1 on 1 class with her - bookings essential.

IRIS FOLDING:  we are lucky enough to now have 2 teachers doing Iris Folding.  Welcome to Sheila, who has conducted 2 very popular classes so far, and is a regular in the Wednesday Group, while Janet remains available to conduct classes on request.

ROYAL CANBERRA SHOW:

The Schedule for the Royal Canberra Show is now available (if you are not on the mailing list and would like a Schedule I have a limited quantity in the shop) for those who wish to display their art in the Papercraft Section - and yes every card/scrapbook page you create is art - with the possibility of winning gift vouchers from A White Dragon.

I am also looking for Stewards to assist me over the 4 days of the show - all that is involved is some of your time and the ability to answer questions if asked by the public.  Please feel free to come and help me as Chief Steward - the work is not hard believe me LOL.

SHOP MOVEMENT:

As has been flagged for a couple of months now, the shop needs to move to a larger premises.  Some may have noticed the "For Lease" sign on the window, unfortunately due to my recent illness I do not feel I could do a move at the moment so the sign has come down (for now).  However when my lease is up in March 2011 the shop WILL be moving to larger premises.

On this note I would like to test the water, so to speak, and ask if my regular customers would consider coming to Fyshwick for classes and/or shop?  Can you just e-mail me a yes or no as I would be very interested in the response.

CRAFTY FROG UPDATE:

Laura the owner of The Crafty Frog is definitely re-opening her shop following the flooding issue that has seen her closed since February.  All stock from the shop has been taken to the tip - so look forward to all the new and exciting stock Laura will have available when The Crafty Frog re-opens - when and where is still to be decided.

DOCRAFT CREATIVTY:

The magazine and products from the August issue are now in the shop - the team this issue have concentrated on Christmas so come and have a look at the great (and reasonably priced) products, which include embossing envelopes which will work in your Cuttlebug.

The Docraft range now includes:

• Forever Friends (Teddy Bears)
• Honey & Hugs (Owl & Chicks)
• Picnic Patch (Puppies)
• Penelope & Percy (Penguines)
• Hawthorn & Bramble (Hedgehogs)
• Bubbles (Born to Shop)

And too much more to be able to include in this newsletter.

NEW PRODUCTS EXPECTED:

Some of you may have seen, at the recent Craft and Quilt Fair, the new die's that resemble Nestabilities (and half the price) called Nellies, which work in most of your embossing/dying machines - Nellies are soon to arrive.  A large shipment of stickers is expected next week as is replacements of the Magic Paper used for positive/negative sticker work.

NEW PRODUCTS ARRIVED:

All these lovely products are now in the shop:

• New range of Smooch colours
• Smooch Spritzes
• center rulers
• selection of Yuzen papers
• Cuttlebug embossing envelopes
• mini round brads
• soccer ball brads
• A magnificent selection of Dragon printed cards - including Christmas oriented dragon cards
• Dufex Christmas stickers, toppers and die-cut's
• Reddy range of 3D tole sheets (absolutely beautiful)
• Zips and Zots - I'm not going to tell you what they are you will just have to come and have a look LOL
• Everyday 8 dimensional range - including a lovely Christmas range

SYDNEY PAPERCRAFT FESTIVAL BUS TRIP:

Work has now begun on the anticipated bus trip to Sydney Penrith Panthers on Saturday 6 November so get in early to book your seat.  I will be putting out a separate e-mail about the cost, times etc in the next week.

Well that is about all I can think of right now but please if anything is not clear just give me a call and I will endeavour to answer your queries.  Please do bear with me as the brain is still not fully functional and I am a bit slow and speech may be a little slurred at times.

Kindest Regards

Anne