Craft and Quilt Fair…

I can't believe that it is over a week since

The Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair

I showed more restraint than ever before with this show…possibly because I could only get there at 1pm and it shut at 5! Margie, my quilt show "partner in crime" got there for the start and still would have liked more time there!
One pattern, fabric for the pattern and the clover binding clips I have been after for a while. The temptation was all there - fabrics, patterns, wools, 'gadgets', so many stands, so much to look at, but the word "hoarder" kept playing through my head!!

I loved looking at all the quilts, but it can be a bit demoralising too!! They make me wish I could spend all my time quilting - oh well not to be - at least I get to see some gorgeous creations and have an hour of heaven.

However…
In the last two weeks there's been some quilting going on…
The quilts for Lucy and Gemma, twin girls of our new neighbours, were finished and handed over last weekend.



They were made using a charm pack of Domestic Diva and a layer cake of Hello Betty…it’s nice to know that I can make use some of my stash…I do have a hard time letting go sometimes!

BEE BLOCK
This block is for the Sew & Bee Happy online bee and is the June block for Henny. 
It’s the “Maybe” block from “Modern Blocks” book. 
I chose the colours from my stash and decided the most appropriate word for the colour purple to embroider on it…

...passion for fabrics, quilting, and joining in swaps and bees!
It's already on it's way to Indonesia - I love the international nature of internet quilting!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Good Mail...Good Friends...

A good mail day...

The cute little Penguin pattern that I'd ordered arrived...with some unexpected extras!!!
Clare from Clares Craftroom had a "guess my new pattern" post on her blog ages ago...who'd a thunk a crazy guess of a penguin would be right? Thanks Clare for the lovely surprise J

I had a great visit from one of my lifelong friends, Margaret. We usually get to the craft show together, but this year we couldn't co-ordinate our "timetables".

On this visit she kindly helped me with my paisley addiction...

 my magazine addiction...

 and my fabric addiction...

ahh that's what friends are for!!!!!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Look what 'followed' me home...

Friday was SHOW DAY

If you remember the previous post when I was silly enough to mix husband and fabric shopping, you may well roll your eyes when I tell you that I asked the MaTH if I could go into the city with him on Friday to go to the Craft Show. He was doing a consultancy job in near Pyrmont (not too far from Darling Harbour), the only catch being that I'd have to walk to the show and I'd be nearly an hour early for it opening...well it turned out to be a brilliant plan....and I had a lift home too (which, we all know, means that we can take home just that little bit more!)

First stop was booking into the screen printing workshop - like I really need to start another obsession craft.

I admit it - I can't draw and had a thought that maybe we'd get to choose a stencil...but no, it was draw your own!

Since we were screen printing on a tea towel, and I just finished this mug rug with a cute embroidered tea bag, I went for the obvious!

I'm very happy with how it turned out and I'm told that my artistic blobs in the corner should maybe, perhaps one day wash out if I don't heat set them when I iron the design! Handy hint: don't hold a screen full of paint and lean over to ask the teacher what should you do next!

My Horn sewing cabinet is over 15yrs old, and in some places is showing its age:

Not any more: despite going to shows for many years, it never occurred to me until today to actually go the the HORN stand and ask about whether it's possible to get new seals/surrounds!!!

 

I've also ordered the insert to fit my Brother sewing machine. I can't wait to get it and have the machine flush with the table top - goodbye neck aches.

There were a few other things jumped into my bag on the way around the show. 

 I've admired the grey and red pinwheel quilt forever...now I've seen it, met the creator and got my own little pinwheel magic tool to make my own version!

...and in the end I needed to get one of these to hold all the goodies...

How else was I going to manage the long trip all the way back to near Star City where the MaTH had parked the car?

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Deployment at the Craft & Quilt Fair

Thursday morning our household was moving with the precision of army manoeuvres. Kids to get to school and 'Operation Craft Fair', saw me and The House Guest (from Heaven [Newcastle actually]) maintaining a strict timetable. Out of the house for the 8.21 fast train to Bliss for 8 hours! Between 9am - 5pm I was only contactable on the Craft Fair hotline and I was operating on a 'don't ask don't tell' budget policy. You know the one where you are allowed as much fabric, notions and patterns as you can hide!


The House Guest and I decided to split up and meet at 11.30 and 2.20 for refuelling. We had taken a packed lunch which meant we didn't have long to wait to get our coffee, sat down when we wanted, and saved ourselves a bit of spending money to boot!.


Starting at Stand 1, I took my time to look at each stand and even spent time at crafts that I don't do, but was able to admire and appreciate the work that went into each persons own passion. 
I fell in love all over again with Hot Possum - especially their matroushka quilt. I snaffled me some sprout design fabric, drooled over Prints Charming, chatted to shoppers and stall holders, spent a bit here and there and slowly filled my backpack with purchases, flyers, patterns and cards. 
I was mesmerised by the variety of ribbons on display. They are like the offspring of the bolts of fabric that can have me staring for hours on end. Oh so many more of them fit on a display shelf too!. I did show some restraint and took lots of business cards for 'follow up' purposes.


As if I don't have enough bag pattens already, but this CD from Jody at Quilt block of the month club was too good to pass up. Especially as we got a discount for going to the afternoon workshop. I have some plans for this bag pattern, (picked up from Retallacks). Actually I have some paisley material, that has plans for all these bag patterns...

I bought a couple of kits too. This mug holder, with it's own little matching fabric coaster, was justified on the grounds that I will need something to take with me when I get the opportunity to go to Brown Owls or the Craftroom...
The other kit is for a sewing bag, but I've already worked on modifying the kit to turn it into a laptop bag. The little paisley birdie was the clincher in that sale!


I stared at every single one of the 300+ quilts on display. I have a few little pics, but for reasons of fairness to the quilters, you will just have to imagine how wonderful they are.


I also picked up some other little bits and bobs - one being for the postcard swap. I found a few little 'time' related goodies - but you'll have to wait to see those later...


Foot sore,  but well satisfied, the House Guest and I reluctantly left at 5pm, lugged our bulging bags back up to Town Hall, fluked the fast-train to Beverly Hills, and were sitting, warm and cosy at home, with a reviving cuppa, in under an hour. 
Operation Craft Fair a resounding success!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

What do we do when the craft show is in town?

Look what is coming to town.

I can't wait...

Now I have a little question...How do we bloggers find each other? 

Should we wear little badges with out blog name? 

Is there a secret handshake?. 

Do we boldly walk up to stall holders and likely looking crafters and whisper "I blog" in a mysterious tone of voice!

Will I eventually have to put a picture of myself up so that others know what I look like!!!