Blogtoberfest

Thought it might be fun to join in with this although I don't know if I have the stamina to post everyday. My life isn't that exciting! Who knows... it could have a positive effect and overcome my crafting lethargy.

Today I went off to a craft market in Forest Hill, a little town in the Lockyer Valley about a half hour's drive from Ipswich. The market was a first for the town and was organized by the ladies who run The Handmade Expo here in Ipswich. Sadly, I forgot my camera and since I didn't buy anything either,I have no gorgeous photos to show. (Actually I did buy some home-baked goodies but the evidence has been consumed).

The craft was lovely but most stallholders were aiming for the young mum category. Since that's a long way in the past for me and my only grandchild is a teenager, I wasn't tempted to spend.

I took the opportunity however, to call in at Mimmi's in Forest Hill, a cute shop with handmade stuff, vintage collectables and  revamped furniture. Lots of goodies but nothing that begged to come home with me, although I think I will have to revisit regularly.

Since it doesn't seem like a post without a pic, here is a gratuitous shot of a hippeastrum blooming in my sadly neglected garden.

Tuesday treasures

This piano has been a part of my life since my early teens, although it has not always lived at my house. My mother bought it around 1960, partly because she wanted my brother and I, as well as our younger siblings, to learn music, and partly to relive her own dreams of playing which were never properly fulfilled when she was young. It was purchased, reconditioned, from Palings music store, for many years a Brisbane icon, which sadly no longer exists.

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It survived many moves and much loving use at many, many family gatherings over the years. It managed to keep going in spite of rarely being tuned as Mum and Dad would not have been able to afford it. Mum used to dream of having it restored one day, but that task became mine. When I moved to Clenbar the piano went off to be reconditioned once again, however, I chose only to restore it internally, and left the outside to tell its own story.
I would love to be able to say that I play it regularly but that would be fibbing. My skills are extremely rusty, though I have fantasies about taking lessons again one day.

Thanks again to Melody for hosting Tuesday Treasures, don't forget to visit to see who else is sharing today.

Tuesday Treasures

It's nice to be back in blog-world, especially to join with Melody for Tuesday Treasures.
My treasure today is a crocheted cushion cover which I had framed. It came from my grandmother's house (my dad's mum) but I'm not sure if she actually made it or not, as all my aunts were able to do beautiful hand work also.

It was most likely made during or after the first world war, as patterns for patriotic items were very popular then.This beautiful book has an interesting chapter about the ways women supported the war effort with their craft.

As someone who also loves to crochet I really treasure the effort involved in making this.

Tuesday treasures

A couple of weeks ago I visited this historic treasure with a group of National Trust friends. Bellevue Homestead was rescued by the National Trust in 1975 when it would have been covered by water in the Wivenhoe Dam. It was moved to a site which was actually the original entrance to the property and care was taken to map out gardens etc so the original layout could be replicated in its new home. Sadly the Trust was unable to afford to continue with the restoration and the property was sold in 2002. The present owners open the homestead on Sundays and offer tours and refreshments.
Although the day was a bit drizzly, we all enjoyed a yummy morning tea and an interesting tour with the owner, John. The first photo is of the original part of the house, built in the late 1800s.

This section was built in 1905 as a guest wing and has a beautiful timber panelled dining room, as well as a ladies sitting room and a smoking room for the gentlemen. The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) stayed here in the 1920s.This is the bedroom where he slept.
Hard to believe that his meals were probably prepared in this kitchen!

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

A quilt show

Last Sunday my sister and I attended a quilt show at the small town of Rosewood, not far from Ipswich. It was showcasing the talents of the Rosewood Craft & Quilting group and they hold one every two years. My sister and I have been going for years, as much for the yummy morning teas and country hospitality as the craft. Here is a small sample of the show.
Here is one for all those hexie flower makers. My sister has been looking for ideas to assemble some hexagons she's had on the go for a while and was very taken with this layout.

I love quilts with a dark background... although I think my eyes would have trouble without very bright light as well as a magnifier!Strips and flying geese- what's not to like in this simple quilt.
This one captures the spirit of the group I think. They also had displays of other lovely craft.

Can't wait for the next show.

And the winner is...

Michelle from Rag-tag stitching! Some bits and bobs from my stash, including vintage Laura Ashley fabric squares, will be on their way as soon as I have a postal address. Congratulations and thanks to all who entered.

Tuesday treasures

A bit of a retro treasure today, very unlike my usual decor of pretty vintage china. This coffee set was a wedding gift from a dear friend whom I haven't seen for some years but who I was fairly close to at the time of my marriage. I must say this was a very trendy look at the time and it was used a lot in the early years of my marriage. Now it is relegated to the china cupboard, but brings back great memories when I look at it. Mostly of the great times I had with my friend as, sad to say, the coffee set has well outlasted the marriage.
Don't forget to pop over to Melody's to see who else is sharing today. Just click the link at the side.

PS Don't forget my give-away. I'll be drawing the winner next Tuesday.