Special savings for you in the Bon Bon Shop on selected Pattern Pairs.  Save over $10 on product and postage!!!

In the Shop, click on Original Quilt Patterns and scroll to the ‘Specials’ listings to make your selections.

Well - here it is!! I have at last, seen the Needleturn Applique with Ease with Robyn Falloon DVD which we filmed in Sydney last September for Quilters Companion magazine - and after my initial cringes at the wrinkles and a few ‘fluffs’, I think I am fairly comfortable with it!  But it is so different looking back at the reality of yourself in this format…. “Is that what I am like - REALLY??

It was however, a wonderful experience and my thanks go to Editor Clare Mooney and the wonderful crew who put it all together.

You may also notice in this photo, the 65 Roses block which I designed and made for the QC Mystery Garden Quilt.  This block was created following Clare’s invitation in 2009 to take part in the making of a quilt to be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation NSW. Blocks by Kerrilyn Gavin and Karen Cunningham also feature in this issue.  Three further blocks will be published in the next issue of Quilters Companion magazine, followed by the final three in the issue after that. What an honour and a privilege it was to take part in this project.  The quilt will be auctioned on 19 June 2010.  For information about placing a bid, you can contact the Foundation on 1800 650 614.

My Somerset Cushion (photo on DVD package) is also featured as a project in the magazine.

If you would like a copy of the magazine, it is on sale at newsagents and selected outlets in Australia from this week - Quilters Companion Issue #41. Or visit www.quilterscompanion.com.au

For Canadian and US visitors to this site, you may be interested to know that my Blessings Quilt pattern, which has aroused so much interest, will be available towards the end of January at the Canadian online address  www.threeducksonaroof.com

It will be offered on this site as either Pattern Only or Pattern/Kit (featuring Jo Morton reproduction fabrics and Seneca shirting backgrounds). Visit Three Ducks for more details.

This is very exciting news as this is my first outlet outside Australia.  It is my intention however, to maintain Bon Bon patterns in the ’boutique’ marketplace and they are usually only available from the Shop at www.bonbondesigns.com .  However, I have been very happy to be sharing emails with Anita from Three Ducks and it all ‘feels right’.

“Pocket Full of Posies”

Over a week of 2010 has already passed by ….. and I have really enjoyed viewing some fantastic cricket coverage of the five day Melbourne Test starting on Boxing Day and then the Sydney Test which finished this week and proved to be very exciting for the Aussies who managed to do an absolute Houdini act by escaping with a victory over Pakistan after the Baggie Greens scraped together a dismally low scoring first innings. The third Test will be in Hobart, Tasmania starting next week and I am really looking forward to it as well.

I love the summer sporting treats - not that I am a great participant!!! The best thing is to catch up on plenty of stitching while I take in the cricket and soon, the Australian Open Tennis Tournament - all shaded and cool inside at home!

I have also caught up with some friends for lunch and visited a gorgeous book shop which was next door.  Can I ever come out of a bookshop without a bagful of treasures??  Well - the short answer seems to be no!!

This photo shows work in progress (still in bits) on my new Block of the Month, ‘Pocket Full of Posies’ which I am making for Fragrant Cottage in Warrnambool. This is my fourth BOM for this lovely shop and it will be released at the Fragrant Cottage stand at the Australasian Quilt Convention in April held at the magnificent and historic Melbourne Exhibition Buildings.  Visit aqc.com.au to find out more about this major event on the quilt calendar in Melbourne.

I really want to thank you all for visiting bonbondesigns.com this year.  I especially thank my son, Benjamin, for creating this gorgeous new website for me.  It is just so much fun adding news and photos whenever I like! You may like to visit Ben and Nina at taranakifarm.com to see the fantastic things that they have been doing during the past few years.

I extend my very best wishes for a joyful and merry Christmas as we close out the year and welcome in 2010.  May the New Year bring bagsful of new creative ideas for us all - and especially new ways of using up old stash!

Snowmen (above) in many countries come with the Christmas season! However in Australia, December snowfalls would be virtually unthinkable - although rare exceptions have occurred in higher regions of the southern states. Some of us here in the land of Downunder, will be wishing for some cooler weather rather than the usual sweltering heat and parched landscape over our summer period.  I know it is most unlikely, but let us hope that the next few months bring milder conditions and we can get heaps of sewing done!

I have definitely focussed on how very fortunate I am to have such great family and friends and to live in this wonderful country comprised of such richly diverse cultures and communities.  And in lieu of presents, I am giving to my favourite charities and causes and it feels a zillion times more peaceful and tranquil and reflective!!!

Best to you all.

Robyn

Well - nearly here again!  Christmas is only nine days away and this year I have decided not to send printed cards, envelopes and stamps - so to keep in touch it will be E-cards only.  Every little bit to retain our living trees and forests - and to reduce paper consumption and waste is worth it!!

My sewing group celebrates Christmas every year with a special dinner and a Kris Kringle exchange of hand made gifts.  This year we are all making cushions and I am feeling a little twinge of apprehension posting this photo of my contribution as it is still a few days until we meet, but I think the secret will be safe for the next couple of days…..

I was thinking ‘country’ for this cushion but as usual - too many ideas and it was difficult to know which way to go with about four possibilities lined up!  Eventually, I found some charm squares which started the project and it ‘grew’ from there.  I enjoyed adding the simple embroidery, some buttons from my collections - and a tassel or two of course! I hope my recipient loves it - otherwise I can take it back because it looks simply perfect on our guest bed!