Scrub Stitchin’ - The Adventure Begins

This year’s version of Scrub Stitchin’ had an extra element of fun as we have been joined by Lou and Tony from New Zealand once more.

We picked them up from the train in Lithgow on Saturday, enjoyed a nice lunch and a walk around the Blast Furnace ruins.  Of course, with all the catch up chatter, we forgot to take a photo.

Sunday was a nice lazy day, but started out with a glitch.  Halfway through making coffee for breakfast our power went out.  That shouldn’t happen when you have a solar battery system.  It was eventually worked out that the coffee machine had had enough.

The went shopping and came home with this.  Very similar to what we had, but in a pretty pearlescent cream colour.  Disaster averted.  Definitely a first world problem.

We did venture out to Reckless Brewery, Bathurst’s local brewery, to enjoy another delicious lunch, and most importantly, for the boys to enjoy a tasting paddle.  They enjoyed them all.

Monday had us hit the road to travel north west.  Us in Frank the little truck towing our caravan and Lou and Tony in their hire car.  We always know we are getting close when we can see the Warrumbungles. You couldn’t have had better weather, a pleasant temperature and beautiful clear sky.

Our first stop was The Crafters Cottage shop at Coonabarabran, in Deb’s new shopfront in the main street.  It’s looking good.  I had my shopping list, found everything on it and didn’t buy anything else.  Win, win.  I really have failed with my photos this trip, as no photo of her bright shop either.

From there, Mick continued on his way to Baradine to set up the van, while I joined Lou and Tony and headed west to Chooky’s.  The sunset was gorgeous last night. This is a bit hazy, as it wast taken through the fly screen.

We went for short walk early this morning.  The light was beautiful.

It is such a pleasure to see everything looking so lush and green.

Today will be a pottering day, before heading over to Baradine tomorrow for the big event.  I can’t wait to see everyone.

Here There and Everywhere - Braidwood Airing of the Quilts - Part 2

In addition to the quilts hung outside there were a couple of exhibitions that we visited.  The first was an Apron Challenge.  The entrants made and adorned an apron, all using the same pattern.

There was such a variety of ideas.  Here are a few.

The Christmas apron was a collaborative effort by a craft group.

The two in the top right consist of squares created by primary school children and their teacher added the to the aprons.  Apparently, there were quite a few made by juniors.

This final one was made from a beautiful cross stitch table cloth and then intricately machine quilted.

The other exhibition was the quilt show.  

Oh my!  There are some talented quilters out there and such a wide variety of styles.  Here are some for you to drool over.

The winner of the best traditional quilt and best hand quilted. Beautiful.

I had to add this one for my Kiwi friends.  It is entitled “Extinction” and depicts the Moa and includes various Māori symbols.

I always love quirky Sue Spargo quilts.

This started as an unfinished top purchased from an op shop.  The maker finished piecing it and then hand quilted it.  I feel the quilting really makes it, as the blocks are so simple.

This beauty was the maker’s first attempt at hand appliqué, completed in a series o Katrina Hadjimichael workshops. The colours are perfect.

This was my viewers choice vote.  It is a Sue Cody pattern.  I just love it.

I always enjoy seeing the various versions of the Field Journal blocks.  So much work in them.

Great use of colour.

You can tell this is a Chris Jurd pattern.  I love the pickle dish block, but don’t know if I will attempt it.  All those curved seams.  Maybe one day.

This one is so simple, but so effective.

Such fun.

This was so effective on the darker background.

So much work in this one.  There is nothing nicer than a traditional medallion quilt.

Mick is always drawn to the Sashiko style quilts.  This one is a beauty.

What a gorgeous treatment of a stunning panel.

And finally, a beautiful African inspired quilt.

By then it was lunch time, so we found a nice cafe and enjoyed a delicous, huge, sandwich.  So big we shared and were still full.

As it was so hot, and we had seen everything that we wanted to, we made the decision to start heading home a day earlier than planned.  We decided to aim for Crookwell, where there is a nice little caravan park, with power - which meant AIR CONDITIONING.  There was no point in sitting for another night in the heat for no reason.

On the way, we drove past some new wind towers.  They seem to be getting taller all the time.

The following morning we got an early start, travelling through the picturesque countryside.  You feel like you are on top of the world.

Crossing the Abercrombie River.

We were home by morning tea time, so plenty of time to empty out the van and get some washing done.  

We don’t expect to use the van for the next few months, as it is too hot, too busy and the garden needs looking after.  Hopefully, we will do some more exploring in the autumn.

Here There and Everywhere - Braidwood Airing of the Quilts - Part 1

We had no sooner returned home from our trip to Lake Cargelligo, waved our friends goodbye and it was time to set off in the van again.  You can see why I set rather minimal stitching goals for November, can’t you.

This time we were heading south east to Braidwood - back on the 22nd of November.  Yep, I’m running a bit behind with this post.  It was lovely to see the gentle rolling hills all nice and green.

Once again we free camped, this time in the car park of the Braidwood Services Club.  It was very convenient, being only a couple of blocks away from the main street and rather picturesque, being situated next to the golf course.

The weather was very hot.  After a wander around town on the Friday afternoon, including the consumption of a delicious cold milkshake, Mick adjourned to the Club to watch the cricket and I settled in with my stitching, sitting in the shade beside the van, beside a honeysuckle plant, which was rather fragrant.

In the early evening we had quite a sharp storm pass over.  The weather now looked rather different from earlier in the afternoon.  We enjoyed dinner at the Chinese Restaurant located within the Club.  You must support them, seeing as they allow you to camp cost free.

Saturday was the big day and the organisers had obviously been very busy in the early hours getting all the quilts hung on the balconies, after the previous night’s rain.  

Our first stop was the markets.  These are always well worth visiting and we usually find some little treasure.  This time I found a vintage table cloth for $5.  It is one printed to be embroidered, but never worked.  It is like new.  My plan is not to stitch it, but to use it, in conjunction with some extra fabrics, as the backing of a quilt.

One stall was doing a big destash for a lady who has developed dementia.  She had purchased a long arm machine, but never used it.  Therefore, all her threads were for sale.  I bought a few to try with Monique.  We will see how they go, but they weren’t expensive, so worth trying.

I also bought a few fat quarters from another stall.  Some feature blue wrens, as Mum loves blue wrens, and a couple are more blokey.

There was a lady with some miniatures on display at the markets.  I love how she had included quilts in them.

I also bought a fun jigsaw at Vinnies.  That should keep me occupied after Christmas while the cricket is on the tele.

I’ll just give you an overview of the main street. Braidwood is such a pretty town and lends itself so well to displaying the quilts on all the balconies.

I love the three quilts above.  They are all so effective.

I’m always drawn to a Wagga and this had a great backing, including an old flour bag.

The puzzle quilt certainly created quite an impact on the corner.

How cool that Vinnies have their very own quilt to hang out the front of their shop.  it is so pretty.

The famous Braidwood Bakery had some show stoppers as well.

Don’t you love the contrast between the modern quilt and the rustic building in the above photo.

The quilts on show this year were terrific and so many of them.

In addition to the quilts on display in the street, there were a couple of exhibitions.  I will give them their own post.