Sunday, June 10, 2007

Fabric, Quilts and Samplers.

While I was on Holiday I did 3 things Quilty / crafty. One planned, the other 2 lucky surprises.

I caught the final day of Quilters and Patchworkers of Otago Inc. 2007 Exhibition. A far greater percentage of the quilts were hand pieced and hand quilted than I am used to seeing, but that is good. The work that most took my eye was a wall hanging of flowers and butterflies on black. Quite stunning and would look good wherever it was hanging.

I also stumbled upon "Stitched in Time," a display at the Otago Settlers Museum of the samplers they have cleaned, restored and preserved. 54 samplers. The oldest from the 1780s! Wonderful detailed work by girls aged 7 - 14years. ( yes 7....imagine that! ) as they were all under glass in low lighting taking photos without reflections was a challenge. ( click on my image to enlarge ) This exhibition is on till 24 th June if anyone is nearby.

As I had often noticed the advert for Catlin Quilts in the NZ Quilter mag, I gave DH early warning that I wanted to stop at that shop. I was the sole customer and we were the only car stopped in Owaka that afternoon. How does that become a viable business ?( Maybe more customers stop by in Summer ) From the smallish collection of fabrics on display ( compared to what I see up here ) I choose 6 FQs that were typical of that part of the South Is. The little blue penguins and Kakas ( NZ Parrot ) and the ponies will be good for my I spy quilts.

I do so hope some of my regular readers come back and say Hi or leave a comment, I'm feeling lonely here with nobody calling by!







11 comments:

Janice said...

Hi Ali

Welcome back! You get the same holidays as we do, mid winter because that's when the nursery isn't so busy! We're off soon too and I'll be looking to see local quilting shops and shows wherever we go. Its very interesting to see the local fashions in quilting style and colour use.

Françoise said...

Hi Ali!
Glad you are back!
:-)

Fiona said...

Hi Ali, sorry I didn't comment on your previous post - been a bit of a week! You are lucky that your DH is is willing to share your interests!

Unknown said...

Hi Ali - good to see you back again - your new fabrics look lovely and what a nice way to remember the trip - love that butterfly wallhanging - I can quite understand why it caught your eye :o)

Susan D said...

Welcome back, hope you've got lots of photos to show us. I love the butterfly hanging.

Shirley Goodwin said...

We're still here! It was only when I saw your comments on my blog that I knew you were back home. Today's frost wouldn't have been any good for all those kiwifruit and avocados you grow, so just as well you're up there. Having said that, my neighbour grows (and fruits) tamarillos.

Helen said...

How many posts do you need to catch up on reading now you are back? I like that quilt you pictured. It is great to see more handwork, must be the cold winters! Sounds like you had a great holiday.

Suzi-k said...

WELCOME BACK, I MISSED YOU!

meggie said...

It is good to see you back- I kept checking. I use the old manual check, dont have bloglines.
Love your fabrics. A cousin gave me some lovely Tui & Kowhai print- so far I have just patted & gloated over it! haha.
That wall hanging is just beautiful.

Diana said...

Hi Ali! It sounds as if you had a great holiday! Since I spent part of the weekend with 7 and 9 year old girls, it IS hard to imagine them doing that kind of fine embroidery! I guess it was quite a bit different back then.

molly said...

That black wall hanging is gorgeous!