Wednesday, February 28, 2007

AQC Loot and Vintage chenille

I thought I'd just show off a few of the purchases I made while being so busy at the AQC -
Gorgeous red bag handles (a new woolen winter bag is forming in my mind). Some delicious fabrics and a gorgeous book by Denyse Schmidt.







Apart from the handles I have no plans or actual projects for these but I would love to get started on something with Heather Bailey's fabrics.




But for today I must finish the cushions that have been on a promise for far too many months.


They are delicious vintage chenille cushions - speaking of which two more new (vintage) arrivals turned up late last week and I am hoping hoping for some more today.

Don't you just love parcels in the post !





Monday, February 26, 2007

Australasian Quilting Convention


What a weekend ! Early starts and long days filled with fabric, fibres and fun!.
I have just been luck enough to spend two days at the AQC .
I was asked to go along and help out my friends Emma and Pam of Ballarat patchwork.
They had the most beautiful stall and were surrounded by customers (sometimes five deep) for hours on end.
One of the big hits of the marketplace was the Yo –Yo. They are such fun and easy things to make (especially with the Clover “quick yo-yo maker). People loved Emma’s gorgeous rosettes and her garland and we completely sold out of the yo-yo makers.


The prettiest stall in the marketplace


Emmas Yo Yo garland

Yo Yo purse from the Clover stand

It was fascinating to see a show from behind the counter and to meet some of the most amazing people.

I was lucky enough to have a brief chat with Lisa of Dyed & Gone to Heaven. Her hand dyed fabrics are just breathtaking and the depth and range of colour are truly inspirational (and she is a lovely welcoming person !!).




Lisa's beautiful fabrics



I met and secretly almost fell in love with Tony Sullivan of Victorian Textiles. He is the gadget man !!! I especially loved the rotating cutting mat, his tiny tiny scissors that fit onto a key ring and the scissors with large pad handles and spring loaded opening action. He had every gadget you can imagine and I wanted them all! I love gadgets !!!


I also met Christine Abela of Gecko gully and her friends who as you can see went to a lot of trouble for the show –there is 8 metres of fabric in those dresses!

Of course the marketplace was only a small part of what was happening at the AQC.
The AQC is a world class quilt show that showcases a collection of exhibitions. With teachers like Ruth B McDowell, Gloria Loughman, Pam Holland Sue Nickells and Esterita Austin it is no wonder that delegates were already booking accommodation for next year before this years convention had ended.

I have to mention the breathtaking exhibitions !!!! I was amazed and humbled by the magical quilts on display.
You must go and check out the AQC site and take some time to look at all these exhibitions – I cannot begin to explain to you how inspiring they are (and a bit scary – how can people sew like that??)

The Husqvarna Viking International Quilt Competition
Eyeline by tACTile
Best of the Best
Michele Hill’s Tribute to William Morris
Journal Quilts from the Australia New Zealand ArtQuilters
Stitch like an Egyptian
Victorian Quilters Challenge.

As a bit of a show junkie I have to say this is far and away one of Australia’s best events. I was there for two days but could have quite easily managed four. Even if you are not a delegate there are so many free seminars and exhibitons you would be hard pressed to fit it all into one day.
By far the best thing about this show is that it is a dedicated Quilt show so every where you turn you will see quilts, quilters, notions, fabrics and fibres – you just have to breath deeply and take it all in !

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

hello chenille !!!!


Hello,
Just dipping a toe into the blogging waters here. Events and friends have conspired to force my aimless mutterings of "oh yes I am starting a blog too" into an actuality.

Thanks Emma, Alison , Sarah .

At the hairdressers today I started to finally read the crafters Companion .

I bought it a few weeks ago and have been waiting for time to do more than browse. I had so many lightbulb moments as I read that it was all I could do not to run out into the street covered in hair foil looking like last nights leftovers to get sewing !

If you know any of the contributors through their blogs you will understand why this is a must have book - the pictures, inspiration and projects are gorgeous ! Truly!

Then home to some beautiful parcels.

Three beautiful new vintage chenilles from the states -they look like sorbet !!

I will be spending the weekend at the Australasion Quilt covention and writing about it for sara's blog, so if someone actually stumbles across this post between now and tomorrow come and say Hi to me at stand 43-44 with my friend Emma of Ballarat Patchwork.