Sew Special is a small home based business selling Quilts and quilted items, great for gifts. I have some fabric in Fat Quarter sizing (18inch x 22inch) although I am slowly going out of fabrics.  I also carry a range of buttons, threads, panels, bundles of fabric and novelty items. If you want larger pieces of something, send an enquiry.... I'll see if its still available.  I am happy to have fabric returned in original condition - I know how hard it is to match colours etc over the internet.

How It All Began

Long, long ago (well, about nine years actually) I searched high and low for a lovely 'button' fabric to border a Button Quilt I was making. A friend suggested I 'Google' it (I was a complete novice!) and found exactly what I wanted in America.  So, after taking a deep breath, and with shaky hands I typed in my credit card number. I thought if I'm going to this much trouble I'll buy extra and sell it through TradeMe to cover my costs.  The rest is history.  My daughter chose the name for me, and I think it IS sooo special

Other Avenues

I have been selling mostly through TradeMe, and branching out into Craft Markets which I have been enjoying.  The latest addition to my stock is some ready made novelty items, including Charm Packets, Eco Bags and cushion covers.  I LOVE New Zealand so a lot of my stock is made in the gorgeous Kiwiana fabrics. 

My 'Other' Life

IN MEMORIUM

It is with incredible sadness I have to tell you of the death on 1st December 2010 of my darling Sam, my youngest child.  He was accidently killed in a tractor accident, doing work he loved. Our world has been tipped upside down and will never be the same without this very happy, very bubbly, always smiling and always making whoever he was with laugh with him.  He was loved by every age group, every ethnic group, every religion and creed, every group with disabilities. Sam was never quiet - when he was in the vacinity, you knew it!!  Either his very happy laughter, his joking and teasing or even the 'boom boom' of his car.  He cared about the welfare of his friends and family.... always telling us about which food group was best for us and why.... raw milk, organic meat, fruit and veges.  A testimony at his funeral said he was the only one they knew who would set out as sober driver (which he usually was) with $5 in his pocket and at the end of the evening have $90 and a tummy full of McDonalds!! He loved his family and let us and his friends know that.  His neices and nephews adored him, his was a fabulous mischievious Uncool Sam.  He had a close relationship with his brothers and sisters, his brother in law would say 'forget the in law bit'. He was my biggest fan and critic, telling me I was selling my quilts too cheap, and would check my design board and rearrange if he thought it necessary. Ah! Sam. Dearly loved, sadly missed, tragic loss.  R.I.P. my darling.

About 3/4 of the people at his outdoor funeral

I am a mother of four adult children, and seven grandchildren, all of whom are the love of my life.  My eldest daughter is the mum of three of my grandies, 10yrs,  9yrs and darling 5yr old.  I am really blessed that they only live half an hours drive, so see them fairly often.  The other three are 6yrs, 5yrs and 20 months.  They live a little further away, and don't see them nearly as often as I would like but we make sure we have plenty of family gatherings 

I have a 'black and white' collection... these three are as blonde as the driven snow and the others have Maori dad hehehehe

My second son lives in the French Alps with his fiancee and are in the hospitality business.  Check his web site www.morzine-retreats.com  I love to go over and check up on them, but sadly thats not as often as I would like. I'm not really fussed on parenting from a distance :-(

Number two daughter (the one who gave Sew Special its name) and her husband have just done their big OE, (Overseas Experience somethingt kiwi kids have done) working with Damian in France, and in Cornwall and Scotland.  They are home again now and living 10 minutes away, making it really easy to see grandie number 7!!

Sadly my youngest died at the beginning of Dec 2010.  We all miss him terribly, although the memories of him bring pride and laughter.

Tear Fund Sponser Child 'Bee'

From the proceeds of sales, Sew Special sponsers a Thai girl nicknamed Bee who lives with her mum and dad and two other children in northeastern Thailand.She is 9 yrs old, goes to school and loves telling stories, playing house and art. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, or contributing to many other works Tear Fund do, visit their website www.tearfund.org