Hatched and Patched

Away at shows (again!!)

I have been home for more than a week now, and have madly been trying to catch up with orders, overdue projects for magazines and charity blocks (oops), and my term newsletter. I am only just now starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel (could it be a train coming to attack me rather than the gorgeous sun??).

Anyway, FINALLY I am taking time out to write on my blog. I always seem to be apologising for my lateness, so from now on, I think I will stop, as I think blogs with apologies in every post may be a little ho hum.

As I said in my last post, Pete and I disappeared for a couple of weeks to firstly participate in the Sydney Wholesale Quilting Trade Show, then to partake in the Darling Harbour Craft & Quilt Fair as we do every year.

It was SO great to see so many - what must now be called - friends! After all of these years I am finally starting to recognise those who support me every year, and in a great big sea of people at the show, it is wonderful to see a familiar face. Also wonderful are people like Dimity and Christine Book, and Kimmy's mum (from Jukejema Quilting Barn in Nowra), who out of the goodness of their hearts bring us food to keep us standing upright. Gorgeous food - homemade biscuits and slices and buns. So THANK YOU! Our stand has grown a little the last two years we have been, and Pete and I are now at the stand from 8am-5pm without a break most of the time, so to have such generous friends with generous offerings is a Godsend!

The show was as wonderful as ever. I was unable to leave my post much, but from what I saw, there were gorgeous quilts on display as well as many gorgeous fabrics and inspirational quilt kits on offer. I also noticed many wool fibre stands with every type of anything imaginable. SO much fun! One of my favourite places to visit there is the HSC clothing display. There are SO many very creative and talented younger people out there (I wasn't allowed to take photos of these unfortunately).

Below is a photo of Friday morning before the rush. Can you see me? I'm trying oh so hard to hide behind a bird on a stand. I think I did well with the hiding  - maybe you can see my poking out just a leetle.... ha ha.

Below is me in action (woo hoo). I just thought you may like to see the mess behind the stand. It all looks so tidy before we begin each day, but by about 11am things are flying everywhere as we try and find more kits and patterns. Pete and I can't believe we haven't fallen over everything yet!

Below is a picture from the wholesale trade show the weekend before Darling Harbour. Pete launched his wool in earnest at this show, and it was well received. Hopefully you will see Four Ewes Wool in your local shop soon!

I hope everyone is handling this cold snap well. My feet don't seem to thaw at all during the day. I am surprised my toes haven't snapped off! I do so love winter though as the town is like a fairyland every morning, totally transformed with frost - beautiful!!!

I'll try my hardest to talk again soon

Stay warm

Anni

New Bag Book

Well, my promise to show you my new book is finally happening. I have named it 'In the Life of a Bag'. I have always had SUCH a MESSY bag, so thought I would design a few things to help myself become a little organised. I made a few bags as well as notepads, keyring, phone pouch, diary cover, purse, and more - 12 projects in total. Here's hoping my plan will work ha ha....and my bag will be BEAUTIFUL inside....hmmmmmm.....

It is being released this weekend at the Quilt & Craft Expo in Sydney (a wholesale trade show), then it will be on display at the Craft & Quilt Fair in Darling Harbour the following week (June 16th-20th), where Pete and I are going to be having a stand (I-29). If you can't get to Darling Harbour, hopefully you'll find a copy in your local patchwork shop.

Hope to see you soon
Anni

Spring Market

Yet again we had the best neighbours. I'm beginning to think everyone in this industry must be fantastic. When roaming Minneapolis I was hoping to find something to add a little life to my stall - a ladder, a shelf, a something, but nothing was to be found. I went to set up feeling a little flummoxed only to find Debbie and Jeff from Wooden Spool designs unloading furniture galore. They had some spare pieces left over from their stall and offered a great array of wooden boxes, a door, window frame, table and other bits and pieces - woo hoo!!!!

Debbie and Jeff, happy and ready for Market! They had such an interesting and fantastic stall. I spent a fair bit of spare time (and money ha ha) on their stand! Pete was SO happy to find a man to talk to at the patchwork show, and spent much time discussing manly things such as baseball and gridiron!

Here is my stand almost at completion. It is always an interesting exercise trying to fit everything into suitcases for an overseas wholesale show. We only had limited clothes so all of my quilts could fit ha ha. If you look closely you can catch a small glimpse of my new book - more on that in my next post - yes!!! I finished it just in time to catch my flight!!!

 

One night we caught up with Sue Spargo and two of her friends who were helping with her stall - Melissa and Lori. It was great to catch up with Sue and meet another two creative souls. There are SO many places to dine in Minneapolis. So many sidewalk cafes and restaurants.

Whilst munching merrily we saw a strange sight - a Peddle Pub!! There is one person steering, while all the 'drinkers' peddle away while sitting at the bar. They were flying!

Talk more soon.

Keep stitching
Anni