I am jealous you live in Australia...my absolute favorite can't live without item is the stainless steel cone thimble bought online from thethimblelady.com in Austrailia. I quilt by hand. Her thimbles are FAR SUPERIOR to anything you can get in the U.S. and customer svc is awesome. If you do lots of hand quilting you must check this out. The thimbles are very expensive, but one will last forever and it makes quilting a true pleasure. There is also a video demo on you tube.

Fabric and books are items I definitely buy from USA . Nancy notions may give you a few ideas as she does have new tools . Also try quilt in a day. I find here in UK not much choice in fabric which has square with a theme ie, ladies sewing etc.
I would also look at rulers twister square a big one which has slits too cut out shapes.
Cheaper item over pond definitely quilt cal. Also 505 cheaper.
They may have patterns which are new ideas.

I have just had a thought. You could buy from a shop in USA and have the parcel sent to the place where husband and daughter are going for them to bring back.

I would pass up the Gingher scissors and get KIA. They are amazing, made in Japan and they hold an edge like no other scissors I have ever used. www.kaiscissors.com look them up on line, not all stores carry them. sorry for the color change?????