I went on a road trip yesterday. The roadside started flat,
then changed to hills.
Some sights made me laugh,
others worry.
But the best part was arriving home.
Luckily it didn't matter that I went for two and came home with three.
When I tucked Mr 7 into bed last night he said "Mum, I love them already", and I said " I do too".
And they are just as lovely this morning.
Lenora X.
At around lunch time today, my babies are being sold.
Well, they are not babies anymore, they are now 18mths old. But they are ready to move on to greener pastures, a beef farm not a dairy farm, where they will be mated and have their own babies.
I do enjoy selling our cattle at auctions. I have a mixture of excitement and nerves. I wait with bated breathe for our pen to be sold. I will the crowd to bid up. I try to keep track of the numbers but they change so quickly. Sometimes the numbers are great and sometimes they are far from what I expected. In less than two minutes my nerves change to either sheer delight having made a fortune, or full disappointment, cursing the time and energy we have wasted. But today their is no we/ours, they are totally mine to sell!
So think of me at lunch time; I am already jittery with the prospect.
Lenora X.
I received an email last week from a blogger whom I have been following for so long. So long, I cannot remember her not being on my favourites page. In the email this lady stated that she was coming along the Great Ocean Road and was wondering if I would be free to meet up. (Free, I would have cancelled any appointment.)
So today was the day we got to meet, and it was not just her, but her family as well. I feel so honoured. It was really hard to pull myself away, I wish we had days not hours. I have been so fortunate to find so many lovely people through blogging, and it is so warming to meet them in person. So who is it?????? Well, I am not going to tell you today, it is her holiday and I will leave it all for her to tell..... but I am sure you all know her.
We met at Gum Valley Patchwork. While I was there I picked up a few items,
Some felt, fabric and those gorgeous note pads from Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched. And see Rudy, Miss 10yrs has resisted him over the last few visits, but today was the day that she weakened. Looks like we are making a Rudy.
Miss 13 (who keeps reminding me that she is almost 14), has decided that she wants to make the "To Georgia with Love" quilt designed by Leanne Beasley. She picked up a collection of fabrics in mauve's, pinks and blues.
It has been a lovely day. One I will remember for sure!
Lenora X.
Wow, Australian Quilt Market 2011. It is going to be forever etched in my mind. I had a fabulous time meeting so many lovely shop owners, other designers and people who contribute to the industry with their great products.
When Linda and I arrived at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre at 2.40pm on Friday, it was a flurry of activity. People in yellow fluro vests were buzzing about, unpacking goods and setting up displays. We timed our arrival to avoid the initial bustle.....actually, I was running late as I was in the last minute frenzy of trying to print more patterns. My stall looked so lonely and bare when I first arrived,
(Sorry for such a poor quality photo), but with a bit of work we had it all set up within a couple of hours.
I keep telling myself that you have to start somewhere. Although my stall did not look as well stocked as others, at least I was there and could say that I had done it.....well, a time did occur at about 4.00pm when I looked at my watch and thought "Oh, take me home to the cows", but luckily it was short lived.
I arrived back at market at 8.00am Saturday morning. Linda attended some of the workshops, while I sorted through some of the patterns that I had stashed beneath the table. I had a little wander around the rest of the market and met some of the other stall holders.
When the market officially opened at 10.00am I had a lovely visitor arrive first to my stall. I have exchanged emails with Julie for a couple of years and it was so nice to finally meet her and her family in person. Not long after, Wendy from Clever Ducks Quilting arrived. It was a calming start to the day. I soon discovered that most people where just as friendly and just as supportive of my designs. I was kept busy for most of the day, explaining my patterns, and handing out my brochures.
The highlight of Saturday was a visit from the lovely Annie Downs....I nearly fell off my feet when she asked to purchase some of my patterns for her shop. I have admired Annie's work for so long and I have a large collection of her books. I was busting to ask if I could have a photo taken with her, but I was too shy to ask and I rarely take a good photo anyway.
At 5.00pm the market closed and a special presentation was held with Robyn Pandolph as the guest speaker. Robyn gave us an insight to where she lives and what inspires her to create her designs. She also showed us samples of her latest fabrics to be released next year.
It was sometime after 6.30pm before two weary ducks made it back to the apartment. Off with the good clothes and those tight new shoes and into some comfy knockabout ones. After a cup of tea, a few Panadol, and a phone call home, it was a short wander down the street to a little Italian restaurant for dinner. When I telephoned home, the first question I was asked from Mr 7yrs was "Did many people eat the lollies?" I had told the children that I would bring home the left over lollies from my stall!
We were back at Market at 8.00am Sunday morning. Linda and I sat in a talk showcasing a new product call the 'Disappearing Design Wall'. We were both really taken with this idea, and you will read more about it here in the future. I also sat in a talk with the lovely Pam and Katie from Cottage Garden Threads. I love these threads and was able to bring home a small collection which I will be using in some of my new designs.
You can see them here with a collection of other goodies I was able to purchase. Some dyed wool from Hatched and Patched and some Moda fabric 'California Girl' and 'Hello Luscious' which I look forward to using.
By Sunday afternoon the stalls were a little more quiet, and with Linda's help I was able to catch up with some of the other designers. I met two wonderful ladies, Cheryl and Bev from Stanford Hall Designs. They had both travelled all the way from New Zealand. Their designs are lovely, I am so disappointed that I did not take a photograph of their stall. I also met Clare, who like me was at Market for the first time.
At 4.30pm the market was closed and we donned fluro vests again for the pack-up. In half the time of setting up our stall was cleared out and we were on our way home. I arrived home at 8.40pm, worn out but still buzzing with all the excitement.
So my first market has been and gone, and today I am having an easy day. No deadlines, no pressures. It feels so good. And will I do it all again? Of course I will, I'm already planning for next year.
Lenora X.
I've made it down to Melbourne and my stall is all set up for tomorrow morning. I wanted to share first with you, my newest patterns that will be released tomorrow morning.
Here is Springtime Dresden's.
I have made this large quilt ( 77 inch square) from the 'Ruby' range of fabric (Bonnie and Camille for Moda).
My other new pattern is 'Last Minute Lolly Stockings'.
These novel stockings are really quick and easy to make, and will not be too detrimental to the little peoples teeth.
To celebrate my getting to AQM, and to thank you for the message's of support and encouragement I am offering a giveaway. Leave a comment from now until Monday, and you will be in the draw to win a copy of my latest three patterns. Housework Can Wait, Springtime Dresden's and Last minute Lolly Stockings.
Have a great weekend, I'll be back after the weekend to tell you all about it.
Lenora X.
It is hard to believe that today is finally here. My very first day teaching at a stitch-in, for Gum Valley Patchwork in Simpson.
Yesterday was set up day. It is so exciting to see a local club room transformed with quilts and stitching delights, but even more exciting was to see two friends Gail and Lorraine, walk through the door.
I will be back soon to share my projects, and another pattern I am releasing today.
Happy Stitching,
Lenora X.
Ps. Took this photo as I walked out the door yesterday,
it's going to be a great day!
I am slowly coming back down to earth after my day out at the Melbourne Quilt and Craft Fair. I really look forward to this day. A day in the city, a day without cows and calves and lots of time to slowly wander around taking in fabric, textures, ideas and inspiration.This year was even more exciting, because Dear Prudence was making her grand debut.
It was an early start for me, the alarm went off at 4.30am, but I was not complaining. Actually I was feeling thankful, a gastro had hit the house a few days earlier and I was scared that I would be home nursing sick children....luckily all were well.
I was pleased to be able to make it to the show in time for the presentations, with Linda being award two ribbons for her fantastic quilt.
It was so exciting. A just reward for the time and dedication that Linda put in. It was wonderful to stand nearby and listen to all the wonderful comments about Linda and the quilt. What I find really amazing, is that I know the time that Linda also devotes to her shop and their dairy farm.
I wandered about the stalls, purchasing a few threads, some scissors, and a book. I popped into Nicole Mallalieu's stall and showed her my brand new skirt.
and thanked her for giving me the confidence to try an invisible zip.
(If you are looking for a great pattern with great instructions, this is the one. It's called the A Line Skirt.)
I had a lovely chat to Gail and Jane, and sat in on a talk about choosing fabrics for dressmaking. I wandered about until it was time for my train to leave and departed Melbourne at 6.36pm. As I sat on the train with my eyes briefly closed, I heard a wonderful recount of a beautiful hexagon quilt a group of ladies had seen at a quilt fair. I grinned from ear to ear.
I was up early the next morning, and straight back to feeding the calves before I had to be at football/netball at 8.30am. It was so good to have a day out!!!!
Lenora X.
Have you missed me? I've been away, living the life of a Princess. No cooking, very little cleaning and lazy days spent bike riding, shopping and touring. It's sure been fun. And the kids loved it too. An extra week off school, and whole days spent with Mum and Dad, not a cow to be seen.
We have been holidaying in Bright, a beautiful town in the Victorian Alpine Region. This the view as you drive into and out of town. It is beautiful, especially this time of year with the autumn leaves starting to fall.
In the middle of town there is a lovely picnic area with a playground. I believe in the summer time it is used as a swimming pool. (Can you see the slide leading into the water in the background?)
There is a great 'Rail Trail' bike path which travels from Bright to Wangaratta, over 70km's. We rode the trail, not the whole distance, just a short way.
While we were away, Miss 9 turned into Miss 10, so we celebrated with a trip to the maze at Wandiligong. It was really enchanting, well worth the visit if you are in the area. I do love mazes, though I am not very good with my sense of direction.
The scenery was magnificent and the weather was absolutely perfect.
It really has been the perfect way to wind down and relax after such a busy time with pattern writing. And I finally have made a start with the crochet....and the knitting...but that is a whole post on its own, so I will leave it till next time.
Better go and start cooking some dinner, back to reality again!
Lenora XX.
Monday morning and it is all back to reality. The weekend that had been checked on the calendar six months ago, has now been and gone.....my sisters wedding.
Saturday was the big day. The weather was exactly what you would order; the sun shining without it being too hot, and a lovely breeze in the air. I was asked to be her matron of honour, so there was the pampering of hair and makeup, a fancy dress, shining jewellery, bouquet of flowers and high heel shoes.
Like most weddings the day went way too fast. Before we knew it, the guests had left and the candles were being blown out. It was way after midnight, but it certainly did not feel like it.
(The bouquet is now limp, but still in remarkable shape considering it is two days on.)
Back to work today and back to pattern writing.
Lenora X.
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