Monday, April 14, 2014

More adventures of a Norwegian in Australia.

WARNING!! Photo heavy!
 
You may need a coffee or a wine to get you through this!


 
A few days after our city outing we had another wonderful
 day with like minded quilters, sharing our love of antique quilts.
They came from near and far to join in the fun.
 
 
First up for the day was a sumptuous morning tea,
provided by several of the ladies.
 
 

Our theme for the day was Tops and blocks,
and this beauty was the first we looked at.
 
 
Then there was time to browse through the baskets
 of antique quilts blocks l had for sale, which
 l had arranged with Mary Koval to send from America for us.
 
 
And there was a small selection of tops also for sale.

 
This stunning silk crazy belongs to Jill,
who purchased it from Mary last year at QITB.

 
A delicious lunch was enjoyed by all,
again contributed by all the ladies who attended.

 
Then lots more blocks and tops to enjoy and study.
This is a 1930's log cabin that belongs to me.

 
This Lone Star belongs to Virginia.

 
Some 6 pointed stars from one of my tops.

 
There are 12 different fabrics in each star hexagon.
 

 
The ladies enjoying all the quilts on show.
 
 
 
This tumbler top, belongs to Janet.
We were very impressed with this one.

More tops and blocks.
 

 
We also had time for show and tell of attendees work.
This block belongs to Miriam and is one she made
during our Marg Sampson-George workshop.

 
Sharon had this quilt to share, made with fabrics purchased
at last years QITB, and inspired by one of the chintz quilts
we had hanging in our exhibition.

 
Randi and l had a sewing day the next day.
 Inspired by the tumbler top we had seen the day before,
we decided to use our vintage fabrics,
purchased from A Piece Of Cloth, to make our own version.
 
 
By the end of the day, the rows were together, ready for assembly.
Loving it!!
 

 
Sunday we headed into the country for a short tour.
 Our first nights stop was in Echuca,
where we stayed in this delightful home called Cadell B&B.
 

Our restaurant that evening was right beside the Murray River, called Oscar W's.

 
This was the view from our table.

The next morning bright and early, we took a ride on a paddle steamer on the river.
P.S. Emmylou. We were transported back in time to a gentler era,
and only wished we had our hand stitching with us.

 
Then it was off to Wodonga to stay with the delightful Sue-Anne.

 
Sue-Anne arranged for her sewing buddies to come over that evening
 and they brought  arms full  of wonderful show and tell.
Here they are having a wonderful time poking through
the block baskets which we had brought with us.
 
 
Back home the next day, and it was time for The Quilted Crows
to arrive and set up for A Gathering In The Barn. .
 
 
Pretty little corners everywhere you looked.
 

 
Savoury and date/orange scones greeted  the ladies as they  arrived.
The sweet bird wool stitchery was their project for the day.

 
And there was enough food at lunch time to feed everyone's hunger!
 

 
Robyn, Sharon, Gail, and Jill did a wonderful job of making the sandwiches
and cakes for the 2 day events, so
Saturday evening we headed out to a local Thai restaurant
for dinner to give them a break from cooking.
B-R Deirdre, me, Leonie, Jill
F-R Gail, Robyn, Sharon and Randi.

 
Then Sunday  morning we headed to Sorrento for some sewing therapy of our own.
We were joined by Jenny for a few days and Meredithe and Glenda for a day.

 
Here is Randi  helping out a friend, making a cot quilt.

 
And l was busy doing some secret sewing, which l can't show you at the moment,
but will when given permission.

 
My stay was cut short, as my daughter's dog was run over by a car,
 and we made an earlier than planned trip home.
Here we are visiting sweet Duffy in Puppy Hospital.
She is making a slow but steady recovery.

 
Our last few days went by in a blur.
We visited the Australian Quilt Convention,

 
and caught up with our sewing retreat buddies again.

 
And had a wonderful time exploring all the shops and quilts on display.
 
 
 
Randi is now safely back home in Norway with her DH,
who l am sure is very happy to have her home.
But l miss my dear friend!!
The memories we have made over the past month are absolute treasures,
and will sustain me till we meet again in just a few short months.
 
A huge thank you to everyone who also shared in Randi's adventures,
making her time here in Australia very special.
 
And if you made it this far, thanks also to you!
l hope you enjoyed coming along on our adventures with us.
Thanks for visiting.
Linda.