Its all relative…your personal level of bonkers

I went to the AQC last Thursday and had one of the best days I have had in a while. Nope I didn’t buy much but I got to catch up with heaps of friends, some old and new ones, some previously internet-only ones and each of them that I need to find the time to see more of.

The quilts (see dog’s butt in previous post) were varied and I found some that I really loved. I especially loved the 12 x 12 exhibition. I also found a new shop, L’uccello that I really need to go and visit in person.

I have to admit I rarely buy fabric at craft shows. The very nature of the tiny booths means that most retailers bring pre-cut fabric, and as a non-quilter pre-cuts aren’t much use to me. Unfortunately as well, when you spend a lot of time hanging out on the internet, it is not often that you will see something that you haven’t seen before at these kind of shows. (in fabric ranges I mean).

One of my goals for the day was to buy new Haemostats and I got two pairs, they are great quality and bring my total to four .

You know, with four sets (pairs?) of haemostats I am almost a doctor.

Not on the shopping list but always needed – I got some delicious new pins. Yes, I seem to have developed a bit of a pin fetish over the years. These are glass headed pins and the deal-sealer for me was that they included black pins. When I make toys I always use black pins to mark the eyes, so I never have enough of them, and they are hard to come by so this purchase needs no further justification.

This book is actually one of the reasons I went to the show. Once upon a time my friend Linda made an outstandingly amazing quilt. The quilt has a most wonderful to story to go with it – you may know it, the story of Linda’s Dear Prudence quilt ? Now Linda has written a book. The book is more than just the pattern for the amazing quilt, it talks about Linda’s inspiration, the story behind the quilt and the sometimes hard decisions that brought this quilt to life. Personally I think Linda is the best kind of bonkers, I mean her quilt has 17,977 hand stitched hexagons in it people !!!!  She is also incredibly generous; after she refused me purchase of her book (gifting it to me) I bought one for you guys anyway.

If you would like to enter to win Linda’s book just tell me what is the biggest project you’ve tackled? What drove you and kept you going? This stuff fascinates me. Which of your crafty endeavours do other people think are bonkers?

 

(and yes I am slack, but prizes are heading off to the following folk ASAP)

Jess of Apple Spice

Stitch and Sew

Jenny from OhJoh

AQC

So , whilst I bought very little at the AQC on Saturday - I did buy something that I chose not to carry home with me on the train.

I think she's almost here.

Blog bore

I know I have been a bit of a blog bore lately,

in my defense, to get to this.............

there is a whole stack of this, and a mind-numbingly lot of this !

None of which make for very good blog.

BUT tomorrow I am heading off to The Australasian Quilt convention with Annie and Lizzie, where I plan to investigate the new sewing machine somewhat. I'm also hoping to find some fabric that will shake me out of my E.I.T.T.T.S .

I'll be visiting one of Reuben's buddies on the Ballarat Patchwork stand and keeping my eyes peeled for Lara, and Carmel, and Fi, and.......if Annie is willing there may even be a crochet lesson on the way !

MON DIEU !!! ' ERE SHE GOES AGAIN !

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 !