Awesome weekend

Last weekend I was fortunate to have a little mini holiday.

It all started with a day at the Newcastle Stitches and craft show.. where I did a little damage to the credit card and spent a lot of time at Somerset Patchwork, adding to my reproduction stash.

Notice there is some cord to make more bags!

Then Thursday night I joined in stitching with Trish and Cheryll at Cardy's house. Lots of laughs and great company....yummy patty cakes too!

Friday morning found DH and I flying to Brisbane.
The main aim was to visit QAGOMA, where they have the most Amazing quilt display from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Quilts from 1700 - 1945

What a fabulous display it was too!! I was absolutely awestruck! (No photos allowed so sorry there is nothing to put here.) Seeing these quilts in real life ....I just could have studied them all day...well I just about did!
What made my visit even better was having Cheryl and Linda come to gaze at these quilts with me...and have lunch of course!

  Lunch was a patchwork platter...Cute!..with bubbles!!
Such a beautiful gallery

 Even Mr Floss was impressed with the history of the quilts.
The highlight of the exhibition for me was the Rajah quilt..made by the women on board the convict ship HMS Rajah, during their journey to Van Dieman's Land in 1841.. this quilt is in the National gallery of Australia...but is rarely on display.

Another coverlet was made of hexagons  by children in Changi Prison, a present for their girl guide leader.. the fabrics were cut from their clothes and thread was very scarce. They had to hide their needles from the guards.....I felt quite emotional looking at these quilts and thinking of the conditions in which they were living.

The exhibition closes on the 22nd September....so If you can get up there.. I thoroughly recommend it!
Just to see these old quilts in real life is so inspiring.
I'm sure Cheryl would meet you too... I don't think she gets tired of seeing these quilts...and she loves to show off her city, Brisbane.....and with good reason...It really is a lovely city!

till next time
Floss

scraps come together

Remember those little scrap strips from the last post?

 They were wrapped around some clothesline cord...( about 33metres of it )







Then stitched together ...using a zig zag stitch on my machine..

It grew... and grew ...

and grew some more!....

Until it was big enough....got some handles and became a bag!



All ready for an outing to the stitches and craft show in Newcastle tomorrow!

I followed instructions in a book called "It's a Wrap" by Susan Breier.

It certainly was a fun project and one I have been going to do for a few years now....
I love it so much...I think there will be a few more.
I just love using scraps...
I have always wanted to do a scrappy rug too.....stay tuned..it might be next!

Till next time
keep stitching
Floss

Fun with Angles

After being inspired by Chooky and Sandi making "Cosmo" from the Angles With Ease book by Anka's Treasures.....I just had to get the book and ruler and have a play too.....
(available from Sandi at Shiralee Stitches )
This is my effort... made with Denyse Schmidt fabric.....I just love the retro look of this material.

 But I need to decide what to do with the border....

coloured Or white???






















A little road trip on the weekend found me travelling through Bathurst on Monday....
and look who I found... having a little stitching time together.....just wish I could have stayed.
But it was lovely to catch up, have a cuppa and cake!

 It's Deb and Khrissy....Oh, and Pegs little chickens... George and Georgina were hiding in my sewing bag.... I guess they will have to be fostered as Peg and Dale have gone off travelling again.

The girls have been encouraging Elizabeth with her English paper piecing and her table runner is growing into a quilt....looks fantastic!

 July Stitch along project completed....

Next project started.......3/4" strips.....what will it be?

Just love all the wattle out at the moment.....I thought Cootamundra was the Wattle capital.....But Wattle Flat...(near Bathurst)  sure looks amazing at the moment!

Till next time
keep stitching
Floss

Back to Nundle

Last weekend was spent in the beautiful little quilt Mecca of Nundle.
The Cottage on the Hill was all abuzz with lots of laughter and rattling of machines churning through piles of fabric.
Its always fun when Blog friends (and no blog friends) get together!

So much concentration!

the Chookster and Kerry deep in thought! 

Totally engrossed!

Jenny on quilt 2

Googy girl made lots of triangles!

Kerry spoilt us with her wonderful cooking as usual.

Quilts coming together....

 some show and tell.....just a little something whipped up earlier.

King Parrots outside our cabin

When visiting Nundle......you just have to go to Rutters Flat .....
Kevin, is a very creative man who makes the most amazing furniture from old furniture and bits and pieces of anything!

I  couldn't resist this little treasure ..... I love the old piece of lino in the centre, between the 2 mirrors.

I managed to resist this cute cabinet .. even though it had lace inserts and wooden cotton reels for handles!

Till next time
Keep on stitching
Floss