Buttons and Bows

I know that some folk like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings.  Not me - I prefer buttons and bows.

Which is just as well, because I've been up to my eyeballs in them over the past few days in readiness for the Christmas BrisStyle Market on 4 December at Hamilton and the Twilight Market on 17 December at King George Square.  They are also for sale in my Etsy shop.
 

Next Saturday is going to be a treat.  I'll be going to the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market as a visitor rather than as a vendor, so I will have all the time in the world to take in the innovative and original handmade goodies that the talented bunch of BrisStyle designers have put together for the occasion.
 

Can't wait!

Sleepover

We had an awfully big adventure last night.  Two of the Fudgelettes, aged four and two, honoured us with their presence for a sleepover. 

After a visit to the park and lunch at home, it was time for an afternoon of activities.

The Actress was a study in concentration

Grandad Fudge did very well too

Cup cakes were next on our busy agenda.

A little television doesn't go astray.

Dinner time came around all too soon.  Sausages were on the menu but they went down like a lead balloon.  I have to be honest and say that they consumed a plate of tomato sauce with perhaps a fleck of vegetable.  The sausages lay there like roadkill, covered in tomato sauce.  However, the cupcakes we girls made that afternoon went down a treat.  I'm sure their parents understand that grandparents do get desperate at times.

They were little angels and settled down for a full night's sleep, much to our amazement.  Methinks that perhaps the combination of tomato sauce and cupcake is some sort of sleep-inducing potion.  Should I patent it?

Happy Birthday Schoolhouse Quilters

Twenty years ago I joined a fledgling group of quilters.  This small little band was formed by Sharyn Hall and we returned to Brisbane after an absence of four years in time for me to attend the third meeting in the staff room of Kenmore State School.  Like Topsy, we have grown.

Today was our twentieth anniversary celebration (a month late) and also our Annual General Meeting.  A lot of water has passed under the bridge in the intervening years, but among this group of quilters are some of my closest friends.  We have supported each other through the good times and the bad and I know I am truly blessed to have such wonderful companions.

And what's a special celebration without cake?

Schoolhouse Day President Alison Campbell presents our celebration cake

The honour of cutting the cake went to five Schoolhouse members who were at the original meeting in September 1990.

Original Schoolhouse members Pat Burgess, Robyn Mallett, Kaye Tanner, Denise Barbero and Sharyn Hall

Fresh cream and strawberry topping.  Mmmm ...

It didn't last long.

Next month, let's all wear green.

Muffin Rowlands' Liberty bag with work in progress

The day ended with Show & Tell.  Wonderful. 

To top off the joyous occasion, we basked in the reflected glory of several Schoolhouse Quilters who took out major awards at the Craft & Quilt Fair held at the Brisbane Convention Centre over the previous week.

I'm planning on being around for the 30th anniversary and have already ordered my walking frame.  Happy 20th Anniversary Schoolhouse Quilters.

Two months to Christmas ... Eek!

As the tea towel says, keep calm and carry on.  It's eight and a half weeks away.  I won't quote how many shopping days that is, because it would only alarm you.

In the true spirit of Christmas, I have started on some dresses for the upcoming BrisStyle markets and my Etsy shop.  This Christmas Party Knot Dress is available in sizes 1 to 8.

I fell in love with this adorable fabric when it arrived last week.

I'm almost tempted to make something for myself with it, but it would probably scare the grandchildren.

BrisStyle's Busy Season

It's nearing the end of October and that can mean only one thing - BrisStyle is about to enter its busiest market period ever.  It kicks of with the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market on Saturday 6 November.  If you like  handmade with an eco edge, this is the market for you.

Samantha of Jetta's Nest is just one of the many stall holders.  Not only does she create the artwork on her amazing brooches, she uses salvaged and rescued timber, some of it hundreds of years old and quite rare.  She shapes her designs with the help of her trusty sidekick, Suzy Scrollsaw (why do I have visions of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre?)

Put the date in your diaries now and give yourself plenty of time to wander around the many stalls at St Augustine's Church, Racecourse Road, Hamilton on 6 November between 9.00am and 2.00pm.   

Is it Spring yet?

I can't remember the last time I was still wearing winter clothing at this time of the year - bring on Global Warming!  I have to admit that we have had some beautiful days - intermittent, but really appreciated.

It has been sufficient to encourage the flowers to bloom - can summer be far away?  The bougainvillea is stunning and the petunias came as a pleasant surprise, remnants of last summer's dropped seeds. 

They tie in with the skirts I have been working on over the past couple of days - lots of frills and plenty of warm colours.

They are available for sale at my Etsy shop, or you can buy them at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market at St Augustine's, Hamilton on 4 December, just in time for Christmas.  Hopefully by then it will be warm!

BrisStyle has not been resting on its laurels.  On Saturday 6 November you will find the most inovative designers selling their wares at the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market.  More details in a couple of days. 

Craft & Quilt Fair Brisbane

On Wednesday the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair will commence at the Brisbane Convention Centre.  My friend textile artist Sharyn Hall will be featured as guest artist.  You can't help but be inspired by her work and her enthusiasm to impart her knowledge onto others.  Highly recommended.


Shibori Textures  by Sharyn Hall



















I will have a couple of small quilts as part of the Jems Quilt Sitters' display, one in the Whispers Challenge, and the other a small quilt of memories of our time in Rome last year.

Detail: La Dolce Vita

It promises to be a brilliant few days, with so many tempting crafty vendors' stalls and some stunning quilts courtesy of Queensland Quilters.  Can't wait!