... Perfect the Next

True to its word, Brisbane turned on the most beautiful Spring morning on Saturday.  The birds were singing, the sun was shining and the crowds came out for a day of fun at the BrisStyle Indie Designers' Market.

There was music ...

wood-fired pizzas...

... and lots of lovely people out to enjoy the early Spring weather.

Inside the hall we set up our stalls full of tempting goodies.

My next-door neighbour was Catherine of Made by Maisie.

Opposite me was Holly of Pannikin with her delightful badges, cards, etc.

The crowds obviously liked what they saw.

Outside the sun kept shining and the people kept coming.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These gorgeous bracelets by Sophie of Strat Designs were good enough to eat.
 

The canopy of Sophie's stall threw this dainty shadow of the Poinciana tree overhead.  What a beautiful day it was.

 
 

However, another day, another story.  Sunday the rains came and we battled the elements to get the Hot Fudge clothing into the exhibition hall at Schoolhouse Quilters.

 

 

The wild weather was soon forgotten once we stepped inside historic Brookfield Hall.  The quilts were absolutely stunning.

 

This masterpiece by Glenys Cheng took four years to complete and the hand quilting was breathtaking.

 
 

It was time to visit the refreshments room to sit quietly and contemplate the beautiful works of art before us.

Then a visit to the sales room to get started on some early Christmas shopping.
 
 

What a weekend.  It was, of course, Father's Day on Sunday, so we had a late celebration before promptly falling asleep in front of the television.

Ah Brisbane.  Beautiful one day, perfect the next, then a lot of rain.

Market Frenzy

My blog has been somewhat neglected, I know.  However, there is a good excuse.  On the weekend of 4-5 September I will be involved in two events.

First of all on Saturday 4 September there's the BrisStyle Indie Designers' Market and I am more or less permanently chained to my Bernina in the hope of producing new stock.

This is the back view of a little sundress I have made for the market.  It's a voile fabric I bought in Sydney a couple of weeks back at my favourite fabric shop, Tessuti. 

If you are coming to the market, please drop by and say hello.  I'll be inside the hall and would be delighted to see you.  It promises to be loads of fun and there will be music and food keep up your energy as you take in the exciting atmosphere.

The second event of the weekend will be Schoolhouse Quilters' 2010 Biennial Exhibition on 4-5 September at historic Brookfield Hall, Brookfield.

I have seen some of the quilts that will be on show and they are absolutely stunning.  The refreshments room will cater to your needs with delicious freshly made sandwiches, cakes, scones and slices, and the sales room will be full of beautiful handmade goodies created by Schoolhouse members.  You can read more about it here.

I will be there on Sunday (unless my split personality manages to manifest itself on Saturday as well) selling my children's clothing in the salesroom and again, I'd be delighted to see you.

I was a little amazed to discover a rush of views on my Etsy shop on Monday, with a few hundred hits on this little cushion, along with several hearts.  After some clever detective work I found that it was featured on Etsy's blog, The Storque.   You have to scroll waaaay down, but there it is - I do the dance of joy.  With all this attention, did the cushion sell?  Nup.  But at least I've had my 15 minutes of fame.

Mission Impossible

Well, not quite - it is possible to be in two places at once if you plan ahead.  Take next weekend for instance.  Jems Quilt Sitters will be holding their annual exhibition on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July, while BrisStyle will be holding their first Eco Market on Saturday 10 July.

Mid-winter in Brisbane is the time to get out and about, and what better way to spend the weekend than take in both a market and an exhibition?

What do a Roman cafe and exotic, fanciful birds have in common?  These are tiny glimpses of just two of the many art quilts which will be on display at the Jems Quilt Sitters' exhibition.  Historic Brookfield Hall is the perfect setting for this ever-popular weekend.  Apart from the stunning quilts, there will be a sales boutique where you can start your Christmas shopping super early.  There will be quilts for sale, as well as beautifully hand-crafted items from the very talented members of Quilt Sitters.  I will be selling my Hot Fudge label, so do stop by and say hello.

If you are partial to a little jazz, then come on the Sunday, bring along a picnic blanket or fold-up chairs and sit back for the most enjoyable afternoon filled with fun, laughter and music.  Oh, and there will be lashings of scones and cream, freshly made delicious sandwiches and coffee, tea or soft drinks.  Bliss.

To complete your shopping spree, take a trip out to Hamilton on Saturday to St Augustine's Church grounds and hall, where you will find the BrisStyle Eco Market in full swing. 

From top: Kitty Boo Boo, Cairo Made That, Edward and Lilly, Renee Treml, Little Jellygnite, and Ruby Red Studios.

This is a first for Brisbane, an Eco-friendly market where you can buy the most gorgeous items, knowing that you are doing something to help the environment.

So if you'd like to spend a few hours next weekend admiring stunning quilts, listening to some cool jazz, buying up big, or simply wanting to save Planet Earth, look no further.

Deadlines

What do you think of when you see the word deadline?  Stress?  Tension? Panic?  Yes, all these and more.  However, without deadlines I for one would simply sit around all day dreaming of what I would like to create, be it a quilt, dress or recipe.

For me deadlines usually mean there's an upcoming market on the horizon or a quilt exhibition, or maybe a desktop publishing job.  Right now I am working on this quilt.  I can only show you little bits, otherwise I would be shot at dawn.

I'm not quite at the head-in-brown-paper-bag phase, but I can feel that the deep breathing exercises are just around the corner.  I have finally completed the quilt top, but now the fun bit begins - machine quilting. 

The completed quilt (ha!) will be part of the Jems Quilt Sitters' exhibition to be held on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July at Brookfield Hall, Brookfield Road, Brookfield.  Opening hours are between 10.00am and 4.00pm and the hall will be filled with the most creative quilts.  I will also be selling some of my Hot Fudge children's clothing in the sales room - more deadlines.  It promises to be the most marvellous occasion, with lots of delicious refreshments and even a jazz concert on the Sunday.  Pop it in your diaries now.

Deadlines - who needs them?  Me.