Well 2011 has arrived with a bang not a whimper with Mother Nature proving that she is in total control as our thoughts go out to our friends and customers in Queensland, NSW and Victoria with floods.

January has so far proven to be very productive for myself with the move from 60 Dundas, to 10 Dundas being completed in 1 1/2 hours with the help of a few very nice people - a very big thank you goes to first and foremost my long suffering husband Ron while others that helped included our son Stephen, Jenny and husband Steve, Karen and husband Michael, Karen's daughter Kayla and partner Alex (who were visiting from Queensland at the time), Harriet and husband Ian, Brenda and husband Rick and last but definitely not least Shirley.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday then saw restocking of shelves with the help of great friends including Shirley and Karen (who helped all 3 days) and again last but not least Michaela.  Thank you everybody all your help was very much appreciated.

My aim now is to fill the 115 squares with stock LOL.

Class Information:

Some very exciting news for classes in 2011 firstly for Michaela with her Paper Quilting - Michaela is going to the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Winter Show in America on 26 January to present her craft to the American craft industry.  This is a huge step for Michaela who has worked very hard to bring her craft to the for. The CHA is one of the largest craft shows in the world and Michaela has been singled out as one of the top 20 new innovations artists at the show, so exciting, this requires her to make a one minute presentation to the craft industry and then be interviewed by the media.  Michaela's aim is hopefully to be picked up by one of the bigger craft wholesalers who will purchase her concept and then distribute and sell her product.  I am sure you are with me in wishing Michaela every success. Michaela will continue to teach her craft from the shop and she is occasionally able to conduct classes during the week for those who cannot make classes on a Saturday.

Harriet has taken over the reins of the quilling teaching from Marie/Sushila who is now concentrating on her two new grandbabies.  Harriet has been teaching quilling for many years and is looking forward to meeting many of you when you come for lessons.  Harriet is only able to conduct classes on Saturday.

Thankfully, Shirley continues to teach parchment and is looking forward to continue with her existing pupils (who are coming along in leaps and bounds) and also making new friends as beginners in her class.  Shirley is occasionally able to conduct classes during the week however please ring me to arrange a class that is convenient to you.

Brenda's stamping classes are very, very popular, as always.  Brenda continues to learn new techniques and then pass them on to her pupils.  Brenda is only able to conduct classes on Saturday.

Iris folding seems to be coming back into vogue in a big way and Sheila is being kept very busy with classes.  Sheila is able to conduct classes during the week so please contact me if you would like a class during the week.  Janet is also an iris folding teacher with the shop and will conduct classes on demand.

Tania's origami classes are very quite so if you are interested in taking on origami please contact me.

New Shop Hours:

Those of you who are regulars in the shop may or may not know Kaye who has been working for me for a while now.  Unfortunately Kaye is having treatment, successfully, for cancer - this combined with other (short term issues) means she will no longer be able to work in the shop - we wish her a fond farewell and all the best for the future.  We may however, see her back from time to time, fingers crossed.

With this unhappy event, Monday trading will now be restricted - the opening hours for Monday's only will change from 8.30-5.00 to 12.00-5.00, this is effective immediately.

All other shop opening hours Tues, Wed, Thur and Fri remain 8.30-5.00 while Sat remains 8.30-3.00.

Royal Canberra Show:

Don't forget the Canberra Show is on from 25-27 February so come along and see Harriet, Shirley, Brenda, Sheila, myself and other volunteers demonstrating their craft and see the beautiful exhibits.  The closing date for providing exhibits in the craft expo is usually in December the year before - a very long lead time I know, but necessary for administrative purposes.  So how about keeping your eyes open for Craft Expo advertising for the Royal Canberra Show in November/December 2011 to place your entries in the 2012 (wash your mouth out for even mentioning 2012!) show.

DoCraft Creativity:

As you are aware the DoCraft Creativity Magazine comes out every two months and the next one is due on 1 February 2011, unfortunatley the distributor is located in Brisbane so, without having any further information - other than there was delays from Print Blocks for a couple of weeks, please expect a slight delay in receiving the magazine and product in the shop - please ring me for further updates if you wish.

New Products in the Shop:

As I was anticipating the move, and not wishing to have to move to much stock, the stock was run down before Christmas but I am happy to announce that with the move complete I am now placing orders with the wholesalers again.  Recent new products in the shop include:

• a large quantity of Reddy 3d die cut paper tole;
• a large quantity of Dufex 3d die cut paper tole;
• Cuttlebug embossing and dies; and
• handmade papers.

There will be lots of orders placed in the coming weeks as I endeavour to fill the new shop with product LOL.

Wishing you all a very happy and safe 2011.

Kindest Regards

Anne