Hello From The Hug!
(August 2007)
G’day all! I’ve decided I should have kept my big mouth shut about the cold weather in past newsletters, because the weather in Toowoomba has been even COLDER!! There were some record-breaking low temperatures, fog, sleet and some very nasty cold westerly winds. Perfect weather for sewing – or taking a holiday at the beach!! And that’s what the Tag Along Teddies household did, at least for a week. We headed north to Burrum Heads on Queensland’s Fraser Coast and not only enjoyed warmer weather for a few days, but also the break away from the busy weekly routines. My wonderful techno-husband used the time to play with some computer programming, while I knitted some fuzzy scarves (I told you it had been REALLY cold!) and worked on some ideas for new pattern designs. My mother was absolutely amazed that I managed to go on holiday to a small, relatively undeveloped beach town and still find not one, but TWO patchwork fabric shops! They were in nearby towns, but still… I wasn’t too naughty, but was tempted by some lovely shabby chic flannels, which have now been added to my stash ready to make a flannel quilt. Winter really does inspire us to find a warm spot to sit and stitch!

While we were away, I received an unexpected but exciting phone call from Sandra at Bear Creations magazine. She was interested in doing a feature on the Tag Along Teddies bear hug for an upcoming issue of the magazine! Wow! My furry bear babies are going to be stars! Tee! Hee! Hee! I had some lovely chats with Sandra in the process of co-ordinating emails from holiday accommodation (Geek-Boy to the rescue – he had taken his laptop on holidays!) and I’m excited to be part of an issue of the very magazine that helped get me started in my bear-making journey. One of my stitchery projects will also be published in Bear Creations, for all those fans of teddy bear stitcheries! The chat with Sandra also showed Scott that my bear collection actually isn’t of the gargantuan proportions his practical male mind thought it was – Sandra confessed she has over 1000 bears! Wow! Even my mind boggled a little at that! I’d need to buy a bigger house to provide room for my hug! Hmm, now there’s a thought!! Just kidding, dear! Tee! Hee! Hee!

For those who have been patiently waiting for me to finish the Christmas stocking featuring a teddy bear writing to Santa – your wait is almost over! I know in the last newsletter I promised to have the pattern ready for sale by the end of July, but with our break away and a few other interruptions, the pattern isn’t quite ready for publication. The prototype is completed and looks rather wonderful, if I do say so myself! So now I just have to discipline myself to sit down and write the instructions. I PROMISE it will be available on line before the next newsletter! It will be ready for you to make a dozen to give as Christmas gifts!

And speaking of gifts… we here at the Tag Along Teddies hug are offering our loyal customers a gift! For the month of August, everyone who purchases one of our bear, doll or stitchery patterns will receive their next pattern for half price! Yep, two patterns for the price of one and a half! This is a great chance to stock up your own pattern supply, or why not take the opportunity to buy a favourite pattern for yourself and the second at half price as a gift for a friend? And the best part of this deal is – you wonderfully informed people who receive our “Hello From The Hug” newsletter, are the first customers to know about this deal! See? It pays to sign up, so tell your friends – after you’ve stocked up on patterns!! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Some of you may recall that I’ve become involved in some behind-the scenes work with Fresh Hope and you will be pleased to know that you will soon be able to purchase Fresh Hope Patterns from the Tag Along Teddies site! These pattern designs have been donated to Fresh Hope Patterns by some of Australia’s well known craft designers, with proceeds going toward keeping the Fresh Hope drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre running. Fresh Hope is the only rehab program in Australia that allows mums to keep their children with them as they go through the 12 month program and I’m excited to be playing a small part in helping this fantastic service continue. If you’d like to know more about Fresh Hope, you can visit their web page from our “Links” page and keep an eye out on the Tag Along Teddies site for Fresh Hope Patterns in the on line shop!

I think that’s brought you up-to-date with the happenings at the Tag Along Teddies hug for the last little while, so I shall sign off for this newsletter. Remember, I’m always keen to hear your feedback about the patterns or site, so feel free to email me with comments or suggestions for future patterns you’d like to see! And of course, don’t forget to take advantage of our “Buy one pattern get the next for half price” offer during August. Til next “Hello From The Hug”,

CHEERS!
KRIS

TIPS

• Are you tired of wasting time searching through your sewing room/basket for the right embroidery threads for the project your working on? Here’s a simple tip to keep them all together. When starting a new project, search out all of the threads you will need and thread all of the thread bobbins onto a piece of ribbon and tie the ends together in a secure bow. You can either unwind thread from the bobbins without undoing the ribbon, or if that proves to be too awkward, simply untie the ribbon ends, take off the thread you need and retie the ends. Just be sure and replace the thread bobbin on the ribbon once you’ve cut your thread or you’ll go back to your time-wasting searching!
• If you’re looking for a great gift for a busy crafting friend, why not make up a project kit for them? Find a pattern in a magazine or a commercial pattern that you’ve heard your friend admire and collect all of the supplies they’ll need to complete it. If you want to take the idea a step further, you could do some of the fiddly cutting to get them started. Pop everything into a pretty gift box and your friend will have an instant craft project that they can get stuck into straight away.