So,
Last weekend saw Mum and myself drive ourselves to the Novotel at Rowland Flat (the Barossa) to the "Indulge in Stitches" weekend put on by Robyn Welsh from
Country Hart in Port Pirie -
this is the 3rd that I have been to and my mum's first.
Mum was exactly like me the first time I went to a weekend away - I'm not good enough,
I don't know enough about quilting (mum has started quilting - yet),
I wont know anyone there and the excuses keep rolling on. Guess what she survived!
I will post photos of my projects and purchases once I buy new batteries for the camera.
I have been to a workshop with Natalie Bird before - at Tricia's at Almond Grove -
Natalie along with Anni Downs from Hatched and Patched
it was to be Tricia's last and I knew that mum would enjoy the stitching.
Robyn normally has them at her shop but having moved recently to Alexander St Port Pirie
she doesn't have the room until the shop next door is vacant.
Natalie Robyn and Libby
10:30 saw us roll up, parked out front and then we were meet by Robyn and her daughter Abbi with morning tea. A coffee machine to work out and some lovely food and then it was time to settle in.
One project each from Natalie and Libby with another 2 on Sunday.
Hexagons - I mean seriously - I have always wanted to do these but never tried - looked to hard -
wow was I wrong...helped with the templates...
the table of 7 ladies had decided to start with hexagons as Libby had to get to 4 tables and we didn't want to sit around waiting, it was also mentioned that nobody had done them before so we were all starting something new. So after a few false starts and Natalie coming to help we all managed to get out a flower or two (I will post my projects in the various stages of finishes once I get new batteries for my camera as they died today after taking the Princesses photo). Now I can see why these things are addictive and easily portable - and yes I love my
sewline glue stick.
We had 1/2" hexagons to deal with some crazy ladies even attempted the 1/4" hexagons - OMG - these are tiny and one lady even fussy cut rose buds for them...I mean seriously....check out Linda Whites "Dear Prudence" Quilt to see the size of these amazingly small hexagons -
Dear Prudence
So after much harassment from two on our table - Libby came across late in the afternoon
( we were suppose to be first thing Sunday but oh well no pleasing everyone).
Mum was SO EXCITED about this as she has a few projects at home that she wants to stitch that has painted backgrounds.
This was so much fun and surprisingly very easy - mum was impressed as she believes that she can't draw, can't paint so was keen to see how she would go, and she finished her drawing - not the stitching but the painting and it looks great.
Natalie's Sunday Projects
Punch Needle - something that I was introduced to by
Anni Downs and seriously I had forgotten how much fun it was. It must be addictive as I stayed up (whilst completing the washing Monday night) to finish it - finished the bird on the weekend and now the house.
Bought the kit to make the bag - will show you the finished project - very cute.
Now have so many ideas going through my head - any stitchery/applique design can be done as punch needle.
Libby's Sunday Projects
A cute wall-hanging - almost finished the stitching but not quite.
So can say the accommodation at the
Novotel is pretty good, the food was amazing and if you went hungry then you only have yourself to blame.
I know Robyn and the hotel had a few complaints - that's sad -
I know a lot of hard work and time goes into these weekends so it must be disappointing when
some people (two in fact) find a way to complain about EVERYTHING -
when even Mum says they're B______S you know its bad.
Came home to three kids, one husband, one father (thanks for kid-sitting Grumpy), a house full of washing and still sick kids. Mr 14 going on 40 has had glandular fever and an infected ear drum for a week now, Mr "I miss out on everything" and She who must be obeyed had already had their fair share of a viral infection.
Thought I had escaped it but no Tuesday night I got hit by a "Mack Truck" - went to pick up No 2 from Karate and felt dizzy and started shivering uncontrollably - went home and crawled into bed and 3 hours later with 2 hot water bottles I started to warm up.
Wednesday couldn't talk, couldn't swallow as someone had chucked a trailer full of glass down there, felt crap and probably looked like it. Spent the next 3 days in bed - sleeping - dragged myself to the Dr's and yep guess who got Glandular fever and Tonsillitis - so a few days off. Normally a bonus just not at the moment with 2 new staff returning from their training on Thursday - great welcome really.
Woke up Saturday morning and realised that I could swallow WOW took the kids to Berri for No 1's footy game - his first hint of activity for 2 weeks, went shopping and came home and laid on the couch for the next 5 hours - didn't expect to get that wiped out - perhaps this really does knock it out of you.
Today stayed quiet - finished my beanie to match my scarf, knitted some more of Princesses scarf, cooked a yummy meat pie for tea and dessert was some lovely Raspberry, Blueberry and Nutella turnovers YUM. Managed to sit through one of Princesses performances - they're getting longer and more ab-libed.
She who must be obeyed "Performance"
Back to work on Tuesday.
Take Care and keep stitching,
Nay
