'Puddle' Quilts Her Way to Success at the Autumn Home Show!

Master craftsperson Julie van der Putten's wonderful energetic style has won her a huge following for her quilting and craft seminars and workshops.

Nationally renowned by her pen name 'Puddle', Julie is sometimes referred to as the Martha Stewart of patchwork and quilting. Full of undiluted passion for her craft, she never holds back from an opportunity to enthuse over the skills and secrets of this ancient art.

"I have always been interested in craft and sewing and have made my own clothing and crafts since childhood," she said. "And it has given me many, many wonderful years of enjoyment!"

Julie's interest has become a successful business for her, retailing patchwork and quilting fabrics and teaching patchwork classes including Meshwork, Machine Appliqué by Hand, Stack 'n Whack and many other techniques.

But it is her energetic demonstrations at craft shows and Quilting Guilds that have built her following, whether to introduce new techniques, or show and teach a new version of an old favourite design or style. "I especially enjoy providing the basic skills so that people can use these ideas and inspiration as a springboard for their own individual ideas and quilts," she said.

This year's Autumn Home Show runs from Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd of April at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland, and features more than 200 exhibitors covering all aspects of home improvement, furnishing and the ever popular Sewing, Stitching and Handcraft Show – which has many beautiful and informative exhibits that won't be seen anywhere else.

Exquisite Stitch, one of the few shops still in New Zealand to specialize in Dressmaking and Haberdashery supplies will be holding daily demonstrations and seminars to show you how to "Buy retail and add detail".

And Swiftquilter will also be giving visitors an opportunity to try their New Zealand made machine quilting frame so they can see for themselves how easy quilting can be. Visitors will again get the opportunity to go into the draw to win a new Elna 2800 with extras including an accessory bag, threads etc. with a value of over $600.

As always the Autumn Home Show features a huge range of exhibitors, including bathrooms, kitchens, furniture home heating and large appliances to upgrade your home of-the-present to a contemporary, luxury showhome. Companies such as Healthy Home Solutions are a must-see, bringing a totally holistic approach to creating a healthier, more effective home environment.

Likewise Broadys NZ, will be showcasing their 2007 line-up of wood and gas fireplaces as well as multi fuel stoves, wood-fired ovens and solar water-heating options. For the outside, Santa Fe Shutters can sharpen up any home, with versatile blinds, shutters and screening for residential and commercial uses. And if you've ever wanted to cook a pizza on a barbeque, well now you can with the new Barbizza™ Barbeque Pizza Oven, entirely designed and manufactured here in New Zealand.

Not to forget the kitchen and bathroom, Mitre 10 is central to the DIY section at the show, presenting a huge range of products, including flat pack kitchens and flooring and an extensive range of appliances and bathroom products, such as showers, baths, vanities, tapware - even portable spa pools for those long winter nights.

Back by popular demand this season are the Property Know-How Seminars. These free seminars have been created by the NZ Property Presentation Network and cover the full range of property investment issues, from where to buy, how to refresh your investment, and investment tips and even property maintenance. There will also be a $10,000 prize pack for one lucky seminar attendee.

And once you've got your property upgrade planned, the Autumn Home Show has hundreds of other great home products to help you finish your project, including ready to hang artwork and photography from local and international artists.

Among the furniture and homewares selection, Danish Designed furniture brand Gunnar Falsig will hold their first New Zealand presentation and will be giving away a fantastic sofa set and coffee table worth $6,000 with the NZ Herald.

The Autumn Home Show has it all, making it a must-see for the entire family.

Times: Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-6pm

Tickets: Adults $12, Senior Citizens $10 (Friday only), Children under 14 free

Booking and show information available at www.autumnhomeshow.co.nz

ENDS

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