Tuesday 20 August 2013

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





14 comments:

  1. It is a lovely display and fun to go with the others.... I was lucky enough to go on a bus trip to see them...

    Hugz

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  2. You lucky duck! Sounds like you had a fun long weekend.

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  3. So pleased you had a great time... and meeting some friends would make it even better I'm sure. :)

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  4. I m sooo jealous..... Would love to go, ohh well maybe next time

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  5. love those patchwork meals ,yummy and how wonderful to spend the day with some lovely friends too,glad you had a wonderful day Lea.xx

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  6. You have been having some fun! Glad you had a good time, and glad the MR enjoyed it too lol

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  7. Sounds like a lovely weekend, glad you had a good time.

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  8. Looks like you had a lovely little holiday

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  9. What a fun trip you've had! The bag you made is fantastic, I can see why you got cord for another one...

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  10. So glad you got to see the quilts - and with such great friends too! Wasn't it just wonderful!

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  11. a fun time you've had.......nice you could catch up with the girls.......

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  12. What a great post Lea...just loved it! I met the lady at Somerset Patchwork when they came to the Canberra Quilt and Craft show. That exhibition looks awesome!

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