[JWo]

The fabric store is originally from New Zealand and I was lucky enough to have a store here in Christchurch until the building was destroyed in the 2011 earthquakes. I frequent the other stores in Wellington and Melbourne now and love the products -although I suspect they are a bit pricey compared to what you are used to. There are often designer ends (for example, I’ve bought DKNY, Tory Burch and Marc Jacobs) and a good range of beautiful silks, linens, cottons and NZ merino – which is lovely to wear in cold weather! The fabric seems to be in keeping with current fashion trends in terms of colours etc

I’m just waiting for them to reopen the store here because it is my favorite store for good quality fabrics.

[Lightning McStitch]

Yeah, yeah… Russell Crowe, Crowded House, Pavlova and now The Fabric Store. Have I missed any J-wo? What else have you got? ;)*

I love The Fabric Store although I tend to only go when there’s a sale on. That’s where I got my designer remnant for my Weekend Getaway Blouse. The merino wools are divine, national pride notwithstanding.

*a little cross Tasman rivalry for the international crowd. Pass the popcorn…

[with love Heidi]

I’m a bit frustrated, I went to Spotligh to get Kwiksew 2704 but they didn’t have it. They couldn’t give me an ETA if I ordered it and there seems to be no way they can easily check at another store. Given the next nearest store is 3 hours away, this is rather annoying. They suggested I order it from a store by phone and have it posted, an extra $5 or $6. Just venting, I know they say have a backup pattern but when this one has the right feature, size and is only $3 it’s annoying!

Ok off to sew now 🙂

[meleliza]

It sounds nice and it would be great if they opened a NYC store, wouldn’t it?

[meleliza]

Another snow day tomorrow!!!! I just hope we don’t have to make this one up over Easter too. Not that June is much better, but still. And my kids aren’t in the slightest sick of playing in the snow, so I’ll probably have to take them out.

[Tamara]

It was supposed to be cooler today! They promised!

I have blisters all over my feet from moving furniture and boxes. It is a long weekend here and really hot. We are all grumpy, tired and in need of rest but then it goes with the territory doesn’t it?

I have a nasty feeling it will drag on all week! How I have forgotten how much a move entails.

We cleared up the swimming fiasco with a plan b. I had a look on the website of the coastal town’s pool, where I was taking the kids since the age of six months. Unfortunately they stopped the swim school for a while due to pay dispute but I discovered that they have reinstated it so we will go every weekend for a term sometime this year to get this boy of ours passing that stage two! I know he will do better there because of the teacher experience and there are not so many different stages in one groups so that will give him the chance to really be allowed to be coached. He has been in this stage of swimming since pre school and it is a long time to stay put. He also passed the previous stages at this bigger pool so it has to have something to do with the lessons themselves along with the teachers. I have finger and toes crossed the plan works or we will be threatened with a situation of history repeating itself – my hubby never got past stage one!

[Mama_Knowles]

meleliza we have another snow day here too however my kids are sick of it! I never thought I would see the day when the kids look out the window and see white fluffy flakes falling from the sky and start crying. ; ) Yes it has been a very long winter!

[meleliza]

I feel a little resigned to it actually. We had a warm week that managed to melt away the huge piles, so this is falling cleanly at least. It looks pretty. I was getting really sick of wearing snow boots and climbing over heaps of snow to get the kids in the car, but I won’t have to do that with just a few inches.

Tamara, we have been considering a move, but it’s been so many years and listening to your report makes me really think hard about it.

[meleliza]

The snow day was a waste with much less snow than predicted. So, boys are back at school today and I even got rid of my husband. He’s off to a meeting that will hopefully turn into a job. Fingers crossed. Meanwhile, baby girl and I have a nice quiet morning together. We can get some work done and head off to ballet class, which is my favorite and most peaceful hour of the week.

[with love Heidi]

Prayers for the job front Meleliza!

[bren5kids]

I feel a little guilty reading about the extreme cold, snow and heat so many of you are experiencing right now. We actually have had a fairly typical and not very bad winter here in my corner of Colorado. I saw the first crocus bloom in my flower bed today!

Is anybody else getting a little tired of seeing the racing-stripe leggings every time you check the blog? 😉 I keep telling myself that it means that everybody at O&S is very busy with the spring pattern launch, and I think Liesl may have spoiled us by doing a whole string of blog posts in a row there for awhile………..

~Brenda

[meleliza]

Thanks Heidi, it must have worked because he’s off to work today. It’s a consulting gig, but he may do strictly consulting from here on anyway. We have to really work out some serious long term plans and I fear we have tough choices ahead. But enough of that.

Bren, I am also checking every day for hints of the new patterns. The suspense is high!

[with love Heidi]

Congratulations to hubby, Meleliza! How exciting!

[cybele727]

We all here in my community are holding our collective breaths. A 4 y/o boy was diagnosed with a perniciously aggressive evil glioblastoma on Feb 14. It is so aggressive that after one round of treatment, they decided they can’t treat it. Not that anyone’s should have to suffer a brain tumor, but children are so precious and vulnerable. This little boy has weeks at most. The mother has been blogging about it. If any of you are the prayerful types, please say a prayer for blue 4 Ben and his family.

I hope none of you mind this post.

Jenny

[bren5kids]

Oh, it is so heartbreaking when children have to suffer! I will most certainly pray for him and his family.