Show time

Way back in the Thirties and Forties (as in Nineteen Hundred and), Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland were teenagers in the Andy Hardy movie series.  No matter what the situation, Mickey would always say to Judy, "Let's hire a hall and put on a show."  Today it was the crafting community's turn and what a show it was.

The Craft & Quilt Fair came to town at the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre and today my daughter and I left the menfolk at home (one grandfather, one father, and one three year-old) and had a girls' day out.   

As we entered the quilt exhibition hall we heard applause, so we followed the sound and discovered that the quilt awards were being handed out.  We watched for a time and then decided it would be prudent to inspect the quilts while the crowds were otherwise occupied.

My daughter is not a quilter, but is a new convert to knitting, so we were delighted to come across Loani Prior, famous for her wonderfully quirky tea cosies, in attendance at her booth.

Among the many quilt booths I found my favourite Sydney store, Material Obsession.  I am on the same wavelength with this store in its fabric, colour and design choices, and there was a little elephant bag on display that I know sooner or later I will have to make.

In our family, a girl can never have too many magazines and I could not resist these at only $2 each.  My daughter managed to do a little more damage.  I am so proud of her.

While The Knitter was in a buying frenzy, I was caught up in her enthusiasm and found myself buying these two balls of beautifully soft wool.

Of course, the wool is useless without knitting needles.  Aren't they adorable?  They come from Russia with love and are made of birch and maple.  Just perfect for a warm scarf to help me through my first Sydney winter in 21 years.

Kim McLean's Pandemonium (detail)

What a fun day we had.  I will be back on Friday to take a proper look at the quilts with some quilting friends.  Can't wait!