Are you looking for a tutor?

I am planning travel to the USA in 2014, and would be available to any shop or group that would like a digitising workshop.  

My plans will have me visiting the USA for the Pittsburg Spring Quilt Market, and then travelling to the Handi Quilter Academy. So I would be available around those dates (May 2014).

If you are interested just email me at michelleaitkendesigns76@gmail.com.
I teach all levels of digitising using 6D Embroidery Software, TruEmbroidery for Mac, and 5D Embroidery Software.  Students will be able to choose from any of my workshops, including those being taught at the 2014 Digitising Retreat being held in Melbourne, Australia.

I love to share my enjoyment of and passion for digitising and this is the first chance I've had to visit the USA for a number of years.

Sample Making Day's Announced

Help!

We need help to make our samples for 2014, so we are having some Sample Making Days. Can you help us?
Here's how it works ...

We have so many samples to get made and we just can't do it on our own. We have an offer for you .... come to one of our Sample making days and we will give you a $50 store gift voucher, or a free kit for the sample you make!

Michelle used to have Sample Making day's way back in the old shop, and they were always popular. We need to have 6 sample makers at each session, so let us know if you can help by emailing us at info.ringwoodsewingcentre@gmail.com.

Sample Dates are:
17 & 18 December 10am-4pm
14 & 15 January 10am-4pm

Christmas Countdown Lucky Draw

Our Countdown to Christmas Prize Draw continues until 24 December.  

To be in the draw to win one of our fantastic mystery prizes all you need to do is visit the shop and make a purchase, attend a class or workshop, or have one of our staff give you a demonstration on a new sewing machine!

There is a prize given away EVERY DAY!  So the more times you come into the shop the more chance you have to be one of our lucky winners.

Kellie was our first prize winner, she had purchased not one, but two great Pfaff machines in the last two weeks so we were doubly please she was a winner!

My health journey

It is that time of the year when we reflect on the year that was.  I hope that you had a brilliant 2013 ... I know I did!

After four years battling ill health, I finally got control over things in 2013.  The year started on a high with me feeling well enough to sell my Electric Wheelchair and begin driving again.  Off the high doses of pain killers I was thrilled to once again be able to participate in the world.  My GP has been wonderful, and we worked together to find the right dose of medication to control the Fibromyalgia that developed after failed hip surgery, and a diagnosis of aggressive Psoriatic Arthritis. At it's worst I was unable to function at all, and can now admit that I became quite suicidal.  What a difference a good specialist and a patient GP make.  A switch in specialist at the end of 2012 and a barrage of tests helped the doctors know what to do with me.  

It wasn't all good, as the Fibromyalgia medication now meant that I piled on weight!  So now the poor joints that were so inflamed with arthritis now has a heavy load to bear ... literally!  So in April I signed on at Weight Watchers at my local Myer, and so began the "big push".  My Weight Watchers Coach has been brilliant, encouraging me even when my loss was very small.  As the weight slowly came off I did a bit more walking, and then a bit more.  By October I had lost 10% of my body weight, and felt well enough to sign up for swimming lessons.  

Swimming lessons can certainly add humour (or was that horror?), especially since the only other "learners" at the pool were toddlers! 

I increased my walking bit by bit, and in the last few weeks I have been able to manage 2.5km - still with my walking stick and still in lots of pain, but I did it!

In 2014 my goal is to get down to my ideal weight, continue with swimming, and be fit enough to walk on the Great Wall of China!

If you are battling with health issues, take heart, sometimes it really does get better!

I seem to be taking a while to get into the swing of Christmas.  As I look outside instead of seeing the Australian sun beating down, I see cold rain!  I imagine that my friends in the northern hemisphere would find it hard to believe it but I just can't get into the Christmas mood without the sun!

The weather does provide a good excuse for me to sit and get on with work .. and I have been working like a crazy woman this last fortnight!  Although no sewing is being done, just a whole host of planning and working on the computer.  On Monday I'm hoping to finally start a new joint venture with Facebook, and that project goes for 30 days so I really must stay focused.

Meantime, back at Ringwood Sewing Centre it is time for our annual Food for Fabric Appeal.  Our Food for Fabric Appeal started a few years ago, and has become a regular event for us at the shop.  All customers need to do is bring in an item of non perishable food or toiletries and we will give them a Fat 1/8th of Patchwork fabric.  All donations are then taken to our neighbours, the Salvation Army.  Please bring in all donations before 22 December!