Busy Month

It's nearly a month since I posted but it has flown by.
We are still preparing for our son's return, evicting a possum, finding out why we have lost power in our extension, buying a new fridge because we thought that was the problem (wasn't...oops) and general life stuff.

I continue to work on 'Gossip in the Garden'...slowly...the others in our group have streaked ahead....ahh well, I'm telling myself  to enjoy the journey.

The Craft and Quilt Show was on in Brisbane. I did white glove duty at the Queensland Quilters Show which was on within the show. I also helped with set-up and pull-down. It was a lot of work but fun and I meet a number of new people.

 My purchases were modest. The sample bags from Vilene were really great value.

 I joined Chookyblue's 2014 Secret Santa Christmas Swap. I have stalked checked out my recipient. Talk about a challenge, this lady does beautiful work. I had to put my thinking cap on.
 

 This is about all I can show you.

 We had Sunday Stitchers this last Sunday. Here are this month's birthday girls and their loot.

I really enjoy these days. We sit, work on hand work, eat and chat about all sorts of topics.  This month we collected wrapped lollies to help one member supply them for Christmas stockings for the homeless. It's that kind of group.

Well I better get back to those swap gifts I am working on. I am determined not to have a last minute panic this year.
Take care,
Cheryl (aka Kayly)

Sydney Craft Show

My Darling Husband travels a bit for his job. About the only benefit is the accumulation of Frequent Flyer points. A few of which I liberated this week.
I (I should say he) treated myself to an overnight stay in Sydney for the Craft and Quilt Show.
The old venue, the Sydney Convention Centre, has been demolished. When I saw it 2 years ago, it looked in great condition to me. The Sydney lady, I struck up a conversation with at lunch, agreed and rued its demise.
So I was up before a sparrow's f**t....actually I was up before a sparrow even thought about f***ing on Wednsday morning! The possum that lives in our garage was only just getting home. Let's just say it was really early.
The Convention Centre people have built a Meccano-style tent, albeit a very big tent on Glebe Island, in the next bay to Darling Harbour.

Transport is by ferry or bus. This was my ride on both days.

 You know you are in Sydney when you can see this bridge and waterway.

 I went because Kathy Doughty on her blog Material Obession (also from the shop of the same name) said that there would be over 400 quilts on show. There are strict rules down there and as I don't have permission of the makers/designers/organisers I won't be putting up photos of the quilts.  I did this little collage instead. The main photo is the 'Best of Show' winner, Coxcomb and Currants by Janet Treen, being studied by another show goer. I don't think Janet of the Quiltsalott blog will mind.

Congratulations Janet!!!!!!!

 This is another very well deserved win. Janet also won Best of Show last year. I also adored that quilt which was on display as part of the travelling Bernina State Best of Shows.
The NSW Quilt Guild will have photos on their website.
The quilts on show were fabulous. They ranged from ones I think I could give a go to the absolutely incredible. There was everything from the very traditional to modern, quiet colours to the very loud.

I'm glad I went. It was such an inspiration.
I enjoyed walking around the vendors. I was disappointed that a few I wanted to see were not there. I bought a few patterns and a couple of fat quarters. I really went for the quilt show.  ;-)
I had a great talk to Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched and her lovely husband.
Dawnie, I was able to get up close to the original  In My Garden quilt. More inspiration.
To the girls doing Gossip in the Garden, I saw the original. Nah, nah, nah-nah nah!
I have to get over being to shy to ask for a photo.  Anni gave me wonderful encouragement.
Ah well, back to reality. Looking after my darling hubby today as he had 2 wisdom teeth out this morning, especially as I want to use his frequent flyers points again soon. LOL

Talk later,
Cheryl

Sydney Craft Show

This is a novel way to go to a craft show.  It's bought about by a change of venue. The old site is being redeveloped.
Off hopefully to a great day, especially seeing I've been up since 4am to catch the plane.
Take care,
Cheryl

Brisbane Craft Show

Heavens to Bettsy and I went to the Brisbane Craft Show on Wednesday. As usually we were there from near opening to the close. In fact H2B was still buying stuff as the stall holders were putting up their curtains and leaving!!!
I, on the other hand, have to apologise to the stall holders for my poor buying effort. I kept thinking of all the things I had at home still untouched from other shows. I did manage to come away with these.....

For the first time, H2B and I saw the prize giving for Queensland Quilters Annual Quilt Show that is held in conjunction with the Craft Show. It was fabulous...so many talented people....a wide range of styles and colours. The Qld Quilters web site has a gallery of winners and place-getters. You can click on each one for a bigger picture. Their site will give you a better look at them than the photos I took.
Except this one.... My old pointer finger might help to give you an idea of just how small the machine quilting is on this Pam Hill winner.

Also check out the pictorial winner (I think it also won best wall hanging). I don't think photos do it justice. It is amazing. Really it is a great painting using fabric not paint.

Must go. I'm trying to get something finished for OPAM. Can't have another empty month!

Take care,
Kayly