Tuesday Treasures

My treasures today are some pretty little vintage pieces I picked up at the Paris flea market not long back. I particularly love the little hand- stitched hexie flower. I doesn't appear from looking at the back that it was paper pieced, just put together with running stitch. The fabrics are sweet also.
The shop where I bought them was like Aladdin's cave, a treasure trove of vintage clothing, lace, fabric and sewing accessories as well as vintage linens with white embroidery and monograms. I was almost speechless, I was hard to know where to look. I soon came back to reality when I started asking prices. That's why my haul is so meagre. Ah well, 'C'est la vie!'

This photo is not the shop, just a view down one of the lanes. The vintage hanky and trim came from another stall and were quite reasonably priced.

Don't forget to pop over to Melody's and see who else is sharing today. Just click on the link at the side.

Tuesday Treasures

Living in a city, even a small one like Ipswich, requires a few spaces being left to nature or planned as parklands. My favourite local park has been around for almost as long as the town. Queens Park has it all- open spaces, playgrounds for children, a great cafe and a nature park complete with bilbies and Australian native animals and birds- free of charge for all visitors.

There is also the Japanese- style Nerima Garden with an authentic Japanese Tea House. I love to take my visitors there as it is a combination of heritage spaces such as the greenhouse and fernery dating back to the 1920's-30's and the more modern Queens Park cafe (replacing the much older kiosk) and environment centre.

My grand-daughter loves the animals and over the years we have watched swans breeding (one day we were there when a cygnet hatched!) and the introduction of the bilbies and quolls. There is also a little section for farm animals and there are always calves, piglets and chickens to pat.

In the park also is one of the few buildings left standing that were designed by Walter Burley Griffin (the designer of Canberra). It started its life as an incinerator to burn the city's rubbish, but has long had a second life as the home of the Ipswich little theatre group.

A real treasure for the people of Ipswich to enjoy.

Pop on over to Melody's to see who else is sharing today. You'll have to click the link on the right as I'm still having problems with Blogger.

Textile art festival

What a lovely time I had today. I went to the Textile Art Festival at the Convention Centre in Brisbane. One of the nicest things about it was going with my sister, niece and great-niece (she's just turned two, it pays to start them young). I felt it was more relaxed than some of the other craft shows- less stalls and more opportunity to really look without feeling as though you could miss something.

We saw a display of Jenny King's crochet garments- she reckons crochet's making a comeback- and browsed through lots of beautiful fibres and yarns. There was fabric and quilting stuff too- lovely Japanese prints and vintage kimono fabric.

My sister bought me an early birthday present, the lovely yarn came with patterns to make two lacy scarves. Since I was also looking for inspiration at the show, I hope making one of them will give me a bit of a boost.

I am very cranky at the moment as I can't seem to make any links to my blog. Jenny King's website can be found at Jenny King designs. She is passionate about her crochet and her garments look like a lot of fun to wear.

A sad tale

Well folks, I've done it again. Broken a promise I made to myself, that is. I solemnly promised that I would buy no more craft books until I had sorted my craft room (not much progress there either sad to say). But this book called out to me insistently- "you know you love to crochet", "look! 150 different blocks" and so on.

Well, sadly, I succumbed to the siren song, but I will have the last laugh. The poor book is doomed... it will sit on the shelf among the other "I must have it!!!" books, slowly gathering dust and wondering, "What did I do wrong?" Sorry little book, it's not you it's me... I think I need help.

And worse is yet to come.. I'm going to the Textile Art Fair on Monday! They're having a Knit In....Give me strength!!!

PS Sorry, Blogger won't let me link to the Fair. Info at www.textileart.com.au

Queensland Day

Monday is Queensland Day here in the Sunshine State. Tomorrow, in honour of the day, Government House in Bardon has an Open Day. You can tour through the house or picnic on the lawns. I will be there for the National Trust, handing out brochures etc. If you pop by, you could go into a draw to win High Tea for two at Wolston House.