Retail therapy

I can't really go to the quilt show and then not show you what I bought! Unfortunately I lost my list early in the day, but there were plenty of temptations. I love Karen Kay Buckley's scissors so I'm going to try her pins too. Double pronged pins, little rulers, a Hera marker to try out, a couple of patterns, and some small pieces of fabric. Fabric wasn't really on my list, I'm finding that even fat quarters are too big for my needs lately. Cherry Pie had these good packs of 3" by wof. Maybe I should ask my friends to save their scraps for me!

I also succumbed to buying more wool. Signature Handknits had items made up that you could try on and buy the kit (or buy already knitted). So with Julie and Kylie's encouragement I'm knitting another cowl, but this one is a bit like a shawl as well, and comes down over the shoulders. I haven't been able to stop since I started.

What I can't show you is the long list of ideas I brought home. I found the whole show more inspiring than last year.........maybe it was all those red and white quilts.

I'm off to spend the afternoon dabbling in my sewing room.

Susan x

Sydney Craft Show

I was up bright and early on Friday to drive to Sydney for the craft show with the Cassilis Quilters. The ferry ride from Darling Harbour to the show was glorious, much more enjoyable than driving. The new venue was good, very spacious with lots of natural light.

One of the highlights of the day for me was unexpectedly meeting Sue-Anne from Buddy and Me. Sue-Anne makes gorgeous quilts and her blog was where I first saw Floral Beauty and Irish Circles. No photo unfortunately, but we instantly recognised each other....it was a perfect blogging moment.

Plenty of retail therapy was had. Lots of little purchases. Especially happy to find my own little pair of Appliquik scissors and stock up on some purse frames. There were so many cute projects, it was hard to resist them all.

The Quilt Show was full of variety and amazing quilts. I was very happy to see the hand appliquéd and hand quilted Best of Show quilt. Lots of intricate machine quilting to be seen too. I particularly liked this one by Chris Serong and Desley Maisano, beautiful use of colour and orange peels.

Here we are at the end of the day, happy and exhausted. From the left, me, Kylie, Raelee, Julie and Lea. Please note that I am not as tall as I look, my companions are vertically challenged.

This is the view of the city as we stepped out of the show to catch the ferry back. You can just make out the full moon in the centre.

We finished off with a very good Thai dinner with Chookyblue and Anita at Darling Harbour.

Susan x

Bird of Happiness purse

Marg Low is a genius. I bought the pattern for the Bird of Happiness purse last week at the craft show. It has a cute bird stitchery and I thought the style was something different for me since I had not used the spring strip before. It was so easy to put together.

I love a pattern that makes you want to make the same thing again straight away. It could be used with or without the stitchery, as red work or in colours. It is great for using up leftover pieces of favourite fabrics as well. And to top it all off it feels really nice in your hand. Will definitely make this one again.

Susan x

Craft Show Part 2

Of course I had to buy something from Anni. - a kit for the zippy bag and (another) stitchery. She is prolific.

Marg Low had her own stand this year and it was gorgeous. All sense and reason just vanishes when you see all her stitched projects, so many of them petite and detailed. I bought two patterns and I've nearly finished the stitching for the purse last night.

Carolyn Konig was at the Sydney show for the first time. Seeing her stand confirmed for me that I really do want to make a medallion quilt with lots of tiny pieces in reproduction fabric. I kept going back willing myself to commit to the 2 year Marriage Quilt BOM, but I couldn't do it. It has definitely planted a seed though, and now I am officially "collecting" fabric for such a project. A friend did sign up for it so I will look forward to seeing hers grow. I'm amazed that I only walked away with these fat quarters.

Some more fat quarters. Studio Mio had theirs on these cute cards - a gimmick that I completely fell for.

There was also a few less interesting "maintenance" purchases. But now that I have shown my loot, it doesn't seem like quite so much. Maybe I'm an amateur craft show shopper after all!

Have a great day.

Susan x

Craft Show

Wow, what a day. Yesterday was my best trip to the craft show ever. Being a blogger has changed the whole experience. The stalls were amazing - I bought so much more than I planned to. It was great to catch up with bloggers I knew, some I hadn't met, especially Teresa and Peg, and to find some new ones like Fiona and Carolyn. My photos didn't turn out so well, but I'm sure there will be lots of group pictures floating around by the end of the weekend.

Here is me, Deb and Kate at our old favourite Hatched & Patched (sorry it's a bit fuzzy).

The quilt show lived up to it's reputation with well over 300 quilts on display. The quality of the quilts made us feel a tad inadequate.

I'm not sure where to start with my purchases - I might have to spread them over a few posts so it doesn't look quite so indulgent. Let's just say I shouldn't need to go shopping for a while!

I couldn't resist Natalie Bird's new book, Red Home. The pincushion and dolls quilt are so cute. Oh, and a charm pack of yet another French General just happened to find it's way into my bag.

The only thing I really had on my list was a Rouennieres Deux layer cake, and here it is. I will admit that I have no plans for it at all, it was just one of those 'had to have' things.

It's cold and wet here today - lovely weather to spend the day fondling my new goodies. Back soon with some more photos.

Susan x

All good things must end.......

After a great day at the craft show, Deb, Kate and I are slowly making our way home on the M4.

We have bought lots of goodies, and had a fantastic blog meet . It was wonderful to see so many blogger friends, and all our favourite stores. The quilt show was incredible as usual. Will post more pics tomorrow.

Susan x

In Full Bloom and off to Sydney

I love this latest block from In Full Bloom. I think Lynette's dog Hugo was probably the model.

I finished it today whilst watching Mr 15 compete at cross country in Wellington. He came second in his race which means he goes to State next month. I'm very proud of him, but really not sure where the athletic gene came from.

Only two more sleeps (more like 1.5 since I'm getting up so early Friday) until I head off to the craft show in Sydney. Picking up Deb and Kate along the way for a day that will be full of fun, friends and shopping. I can hardly wait for the Blog Meet at lunchtime, I think it will be a highlight - my camera is charged and ready.

Will be back to tell you all about it on the weekend.

Susan x