A country quilt show

Okay, Rosewood isn't really country, more rural I suppose. After all it's only a twenty minute drive from where I live. However, I really love going to the Rosewood Quilters bi-annual show; the quilts may not be as professional as those in a big city show but in many ways they have lots more to offer. Most are made to use, in the maker's own home or as a gift for a loved one.. and I think it shows.

It was on last weekend and this year I had to go alone. I usually have my sister with me but she happens to be cruising the Mediterranean at the moment (not in the least jealous of course) and obviously wasn't available!

The ladies in the group are most welcoming and I am thinking of joining them. I like the fact that they don't just do patchwork and quilting but other crafts as well, which suits me as I find it hard to settle to just one thing.

Anyway on to the quilts. This year I didn't think there were any really outstanding ones so it was hard to pick some to photograph... I liked so many. This one in brown tones was probably my favourite.

I thought this one striking for its bold colour.

This one is simple but I liked the quilting.

A close up of the quilting.

I admire those who take time with the quilting part as I have to confess it's not my thing. I do like the piecing part though and usually do simple quilting or send it off to the professionals.

Another two years to the next show and who knows... next time there could be something of mine on show!

Crayon Box

I have finally decided on the quilt I am making as a fundraiser for Wolston House. I dithered about this for a while as I am hoping to get some of the other volunteers to participate and most are not experienced patch- workers. Even though they have sewing skills, they lack confidence. The pattern I chose (from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville free patterns) is Crayon Box and I think it will be perfect as it doesn't require precise seam matching.

It is a scrappy quilt (Bonnie's specialty) and I have started slicing and dicing fabric. Stay tuned for progress!

A day out

On Wednesday I went with my sister to the "Quilts" exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery. Most of the exhibit came from the Victoria & Albert museum and the pieces date from around 1700 to 1940. They are amazing. All the early ones were completely handmade of course, and represent thousands of hours of work. The tiny piecing and the even tinier hand quilted stitches are totally mind boggling.
Photos are not allowed so I had to make do with a couple of postcards.. this is a close up of one.

This is a crib sized quilt and some of those pieces are very tiny. I find it incredible that the colours are still so vibrant. Of course I had to buy some souvenirs and this is my haul. I was very restrained.

We had a lovely lunch in the QAG cafe which included a glass of bubbly and that's my excuse for not taking a picture, which is a bit sad since it was beautifully presented on the plate.

We also visited a display of work by the late Ruth Stonely, a pioneer of quilting in Brisbane from the late 1980s until 2007. Very inspiring. 

A lovely day out and a very worthwhile exhibit.

Beautiful buildings

On my recent visit to Perth (in Western Australia for non-Aussie readers) I naturally visited heritage properties owned by the National Trust.
Peninsula Farm (aka Tranby House) is in a perfect location on the banks of the Swan River and I was lucky to have gorgeous weather for my visit.

The farm was established in 1839, just ten years after the Swan River Colony began.

The bit on the right is a slightly later addition but everything that goes with the veranda is part of the original building. It is also interesting inside, this is the dining-room. I love that it is so simple.

The other property I visited is of a much later date, being built in the 1880s by someone who was happy to show off his wealth and influence. This is Woodbridge, built by Charles Harper; politician, farmer and part owner of the West Australian newspaper. I guess he needed a big place for his wife and ten children!

Nothing simple about this dining room!

These properties are easy to get to from Perth itself. Other National Trust places are a bit further away.. WA is pretty big!

Hello again

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted on this blog. I have been caught up in a few heritage events and kind of lost my focus for a bit. Add in a flying visit to Perth for the National Trust and my regular volunteering commitments and... enough excuses!

I did however, finish the signature quilt I was working on. Deadlines are good and it needed to be ready for the event we ran to celebrate the 160th birthday of Wolston House. I'm fairly pleased with the outcome although this is not the best photo I've ever taken.

This is a close-up of the central section. The embroidery was done by one of the other volunteers.

A lot of the fabric came from my stash but I did have to buy backing. Isn't it cute!

The event was an Antiques & Collectables Day and of course I had to buy one or two little goodies. I have a "thing" about pretty plates and and just loved the little collections of vintage photos from France and Italy.

Next I am planning a scrappy quilt to raffle for Wolston House and hoping to get other volunteers to participate. Lots of patterns to choose from here.

A little busy...

... but not with crafty stuff, more of the heritage stuff. We had a very busy Mother's Day at Wolston House, so I didn't catch up with my children that day except by phone.
On the Monday, my daughter took me out for morning tea at Top of Town, Ipswich, which has all sorts of shops with lots of vintage goodies on offer. This was my haul.

If you are ever in Ipswich looking for vintage treasures, the place to go is The Vintage Advantage. That's where I found the milk & sugar set and the salad servers (with bakelite handles). Yummy morning tea at Laneway 17.

A bit of fun

Hmmm... I should know better than to get a bit boastful about my crafty progress. Since my last post? very little progress on the crafting front.
However, I have been busy with my heritage-related activities.
At the moment we are in the middle of the National Trust's Heritage Festival for 2013 and of course we had an event at Wolston House last Sunday. Thankfully the weather behaved and it turned out to be a very successful day.

Kaleidoscope Dance group

Cars from The Model T Car Club

Since this year is the 50th anniversary of the National Trust in Queensland, there was a Gala Dinner held last week in the newly refurbished Brisbane City Hall. It was a lot of fun to 'frock up' and rub shoulders with the Governor and the Lord Mayor (only kidding about the shoulders- I was at least 20 feet away from the official table) in the beautiful auditorium. Yummy food and plenty of champers (forgot to take piccies- too busy eating!)

Looking up to the domed ceiling

Looking towards the stage

The sculptured relief above the stage looks as if has just been done and the pipes for the organ were all shiny and bright. Apparently they are still working on tuning the organ. I plan on going back to see the rest of the restoration soon.

Am I excused for not getting crafty?