Yesterday, for our fun activity, we decided to visit the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery. We are not big art gallery goers, but now that we have the time we are trying to occasionally pop in and see the exhibitions.
I heard on the radio how they are currently starting to catalogue and digitise their entire permanent collection of about 2,000 items worth $11.5 million. It is a huge undertaking that they were going to work on next year, but brought forward due to the closure of the gallery for COVID-19.
They are currently showing some of the collection and you can see the staff at work. The exhibitions rotate every two weeks.
The main artists at the moment are husband and wife Jean Bellette and Paul Haefliger. The painting on the right above, by Jean, won the Bathurst Carillon Art Prize in 1955 and was the first aquisition by the gallery for its permanent collection. They have quite a few of their paintings in the collection. This couple, along with several other Australian artists, frequented the gold mining village of Hill End. Their ongoing legacy was to donate the cottage they owned out there to be used as an artists retreat. The Bathurst Gallery has an artists in residence program at it and a couple of other cottages in Hill End.
It was strange seeing the gallery in disarray.
There was another section of the gallery with works on display, but no notes on the pieces. This one did have a little swing tag on it with the title "Farmer's Quilt".
After we left the gallery we popped into the nearby op shops on the endless quest to find a replica of Mick's chipped orange spotty mug. Funnily enough, we ran into an acquaintance, who has joined in our quest, to be greeted with "I've just checked all the op shops today and I still haven't found your mug". Another friend, who was nearby asked what we were looking for, so is now also enlisted in the quest. We will find one eventually.
Even though we knew we wouldn't find the mug we still had a browse. Mick had a score. We have owned the squat blue money box for a few years now. It was bought at the pottery gallery at Carcoar, the village we visited last weekend. Mick spied the tall red one and we knew straight away that it was from the same potter. The look rather good together.
Once we returned home we made the Caramel Walnut slice recipe that Mum had given me years ago. It was a success and rather tasty. Another recipe to add to the repertoire. That's a goal for the month achieved.
Last night was Friday Night With Friends, hosted by Cheryll.
I didn't achieve a great deal, but made a start on Trail Mix. I have a whole three blocks completed.
I also made some of the tiddly little components for some blocks. I was mainly figuring out what I could use from my very small scraps before cutting into larger pieces of fabric. That is my next task.
Now, if you pop over to Maria's blog you can see that she achieved a lot more on her version of the quilt. I know that I will be the last to finish, as the others joining are heaps more productive than me.
Today was forecast to be cold, so we decided that a day hunkered down at home would be in order. However, I did have to pop into town, so Mick came along too.
While we were there, we popped into another op shop, over the road from the supermarket. Mick browsed the books for an author he is searching for, so I had a browse too. Imagine how happy I was to find the Michell Hill book. I love her patterns and had a couple in magazines. But when I got ruthless and threw them all away, they went too. Those patterns just happen to be in this book. Then I saw "Book of Lost Threads". Who could resist a book with such a pretty cover and with recommendations on the cover..........
We decided to drive the long way round on our way home and noticed a sign to a garage sale. What the heck, we had nothing other important to do, so made the short detour. We came away with a couple of CDs and the farewell comment "You should go around to The Church for a coffee now".
That was a great suggestion. The little church building in Eglinton had sat empty for many years, when a local lady we know, with a vision, bought it. It took a while to get everything done, but has been open for quite a few months now. We haven't been because it is in a area we rarely visit.
What a great little spot! The old church is now used for yoga and rented out for events. The coffee shop is only small but has great coffee and delicious home made treats. The grounds have lovely gardens and Lisa, the owner, has a long arm quilting studio around the back. For a cold winter's morning they were doing a roaring trade. Everyone was very good with social distancing. It is starting to be the new etiquette. We were glad the lady at the garage sale made the throw away comment as we left.
Once we returned home I picked up the novel I bought this morning. Can you see where this is going? Yes, my goal of reading a book in July has been met. Very slack of me, but an enjoyable way to spend a cold day.
I did pop into the sewing room and stitched my Drunkard Path blocks for Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Better than nothing
.
So, we have had a very relaxed couple of days. Tomorrow is forecast to be cold again, so another slow day is planned. Just the way we like it.
20 comments:
Enjoy your inside sewing time during the cold. Your blue block turned out beautifully. Every block is another step forward.
Thanks for sharing your weekend adventures and the link to Maria's progress on the Trail Mix quilt. Your Dark BLUE Path block is a great start for July's Rainbow Scrap Challenge!
I do love your money boxes! Great trail mix blocks and drunkards path. That applique book was a great find. Xx
That sounds like a fun day, and your blue Drunkard's Path blocks look great!
Love your curved blocks! Your day sounds lovely and it is always rewarding to kick back, and relax with a good book.
Was a perfect way to have two slow days.....
Good start on Trail Mix .. I'm working row at a time....
The Slice does look nice.
Both books was a great find ..
sounds fun - great block
Thanks for sharing your lovely days! We are not close to an art gallery, though there is often monthly showing at a part of out Events Center. It’s fun to peruse. I’m not an op shop, shopper, but like seeing other people’s finds!
Greetings from southeastern West Virginia, USA....is the caramel walnut bar recipe a family secret. My mouth watered just looking at your photograph. Today is our Independence Day celebration. I was thinking what a wonderful dessert that would make with our evening meal. lol...hint, hint. I'm glad I found your blog.
Luscious quilt blocks and a luscious slice as well! It looks like you had a wonderful couple of days!
You've had a lovely couple of days nice and productive with an outing as well. Lucky you to get those craft books, and tea at the old church sounds lovely. As for book reading, if I haven't got a couple of books ready and waiting, I dont know what to do! Probably read 3 or 4 month, mostly library books. Great to see you got that pesky curved block done handout of the way early in the month.
You have had some great days with a few surprises thrown in. The money boxes are great, you have a good find with the books. The slice looks amazing!! Good start on your Trail mix, there is no rush for you if it is a ender and leader project. Always good to msit and read a book, good for the brain. 😁 your Drunkards path looks great too Janice.
Love both the pots! The coffee shop sounds great too! Nothing like reading a book in great chunks.It sounds like you got plenty done.
Well, I'm tired just reading all of that! It does sound like a great cruisy couple of days though.
I make a point of popping into op shops now and again. On the look out for an orange spotty mug.
It sounds like you've had a very good week! I love the money pots, have never seen something like that before. Nice start on Trail Mix, and your Drunkard's Path block looks great!
What a pleasant, relaxing couple of days. I too love stopping by our Art Museum. Don't do it often enough though. Your quilt blocks look fun. I hope your money pots are used to collect change for fabric! *wink*
Every little bit helps. Nice job on your FNwF progress.
Sounds like a couple of great days. You are lucky to get Michele's book as it is hard to find now.
I always enjoy "travelling along" with you both. Pretty trail mix blocks.
Your Trail Mix will be so gorgeous in those fabrics. I kind of wish I had been more picky about the scraps I used, but it worked out any way.
Don't worry if you are behind. I didn't intend to get as much done as I did. It goes fast.
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