Craft Alive Bendigo

I discovered this blog post partially written and unpublished, so I thought that I would finish it off and publish it.

Back in June I attended Craft Alive here in Bendigo.  Craft Alive is Regional Australia's leading craft and sales expo and is held over 3-days.  The three day craft show has craft of all ranges and craft for all ages. Exhibitors have everything from supplies to finished goods, covering a wide range of craft. Each show has 60-100 exhibitors, workshops, make and takes, demonstrations, a full café, and the local guilds and groups.  The Bendigo show also features STITCH! which is a two day niche craft show which is focused on all things needlecraft. In addition to the main show, STITCH! has 20-25 needlecraft experts covering patchwork, quilting, embroidery, wool work, and more. Exhibitors will have everything from supplies, to kits, to finished goods. Each site runs interactive learning opportunities including workshops, make and takes, and demonstrations.

As I don't handle crowds very well, I usually try to go on the Friday when I know that attendee numbers are fewer than those on the weekend. This year I went with Mum and a friend of hers from the retirement village.  Once there I met up with my friend - Linda from Echuca - and we walked around the stalls together. I managed a few hours before having to return home.

Although we arrived right on opening time, there was already a queue to get in.

THIS is why I like to go on a Friday, there is space to move and I can actually TALK to the stall holders without constant interruptions or having to elbow my way through the crowds.

This year it was housed in a larger pavilion

I headed straight to the Brindabella stand as I had recently purchased one of their quilting frames and I needed help.

One of my highlights was catching up with my sewing idol Rosalie Quinlan/Dekker and her sister-in-law Erica who is the proprietor of Under the Mulberry Tree.  I love these girls!

And I finally met up with my Instagram friend Julie @narioka  

Mischief in the making - a photo of me with Linda.

Linda knows EVERYONE (or so it seems)

Beautiful vintage sewing machine

Some more vintage sewing machines

Ooooh lots and lots and lots of notions!!!

Too many wonderful goodies to purchase

My goodies from Craft Alive.

I bought a Rosalie Quinlan embroidery pattern "Happiness"; embroidery needles, Sewline ceramic lead refills; Cosmo floss; some Kaffe Fassett fat quarters; two other fat quarters for one of my quilting bees; a specialty ruler for my Brindabella quilting frame; quilting pins (for the quilting frame) and a new stencil.

My Schnitzel & Boo "Parcel of Awesomeness" has arrived!

 

Last week I posted about the Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap and showed you the parcel of awesomeness that I sent to my swap buddy - Fiona Tchan.  Today it gives me great pleasure sharing with you the amazing parcel of awesomeness that I recently received from the super wonderful Filomena Parbery @so_filomena from New South Wales.

 

Firstly these are the inspiration mosaics that I posted for this swap featuring a mixture of different techniques with a preference for lime green & teal:

 

 

 

I knew from the moment that the parcel delivery guy handed me the parcel that something special had arrived - just look at how the parcel was addressed!

 

But before I show you what was IN the parcel, these are the teasers that she had posted on Instagram.  I had seen most of these posts and I must admit, I did wonder if those gorgeous hedgehogs were headed to Bendigo... (Instagram photos reproduced with Filomena's permission)

 

 

 

 

 So, back to the parcel... this was written on the envelope:



I was getting good vibes about this parcel!

 

I'm not going to share what was written inside the card but it brought tears to my eyes!  Such beautiful words!!!

 

And here is the beautiful Hazel the Hedgehog quilt that Filomena made.  I love the pinky red nose on the top one!!  The quilting on this is just extraordinary!

 


I was thoroughly spoilt!  My favourites - Cadbury Peppermint chocolate & Nutella.  Also some peppermint tea and coffee.

 


One of my favourite Australian fabric & stitcherie designers is Rosalie Quinlan, and Filomena generously included 3 fat quarters of Rosalie's fabrics together with some buttons and two skeins of Cosmo Pearl 5

 


These are absolutely adorable.  Filomena has crochetted these coasters herself and they will go beautifully in my kitchen.



A packet of green Ruffle Elastic

 


This is absolutely gorgeous - it is a Tea Bag Holder with a tea bag design foundation paper pieced on the front.  The fabrics are just gorgeous, especially the red text used on the inside.

 


The tea bag holder opened up and showing the contents - herbal tea bags & coffee bags.

 


A close up of the inside.  I love this red fabric! 

 

This really brought a tear to my eye - not only did Filomena spoil me rotten, but she also thought of my little purr baby Gemma and included a treat for her as well!

 


Gemma says thank you Filomena for the Love Hearts! xoxo

 

I really am just totally overwhelmed by the awesomeness in this parcel!  Obviously Filomena has had a lot of fun stalking me and researching my preferences. 

 

One of the hashtags for this swap was #makeaquiltmakeafriend and that is so true.  Through this swap I have got to know two new quilty friends - Fiona and Filomena.  I have also enjoyed watching Fiona create some wonderfulness for her swap partner; and watching Filomena's swap buddy make the gorgeous mini that she sent to Filomena.  Feel the quilty love!  There are so many talented quilters out there!  To view more wonderful creations look up #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap on Instagram.

Meet the Cotton Factory - Ballarat

On the corner of Clyde and Brougham Streets in Ballarat sits a lovely white washed studio.  It looks innocent and quiet from the outside in its idyllic peaceful setting, but don't let that fool you because all the fun and excitement happens within the inside of these walls!  This is a very special studio which is famed throughout Instagram-land amongst the crafting and quilting communities.

 

Many famous names are known to frequent this address including (but not limited to): Ric Rac, Sarah Fielke, Kaffe Fassett, Tula Pink, Emma Jean Jansen, Gail Pan, Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry and Heather Ross. 

 

What is this amazing place you may ask?  It is the Cotton Factory of course!

 

 

Cotton Factory is the brain child of owner Alison von Bibra.  It is described as being a community sewing space within Ballarat which "offers space for people to come and sit, sew, knit, learn and connect with other crafty types".  The Cotton Factory offers classes in various types of craft including sewing, quilting, crochet, toy making, and handbag making.  They also host children's parties where children can "leave with something they have created themselves and new skills."  

 

Cotton Factory offers a selection of monthly clubs such as Aurifil, Cosmo and various designer fabric clubs.  When on the premises you can use the Studio space, attend classes or pick up supplies. Credit card facilities are available.

For those of you who are unable to visit in person, Cotton Factory has a small selection of items for sale via their website and also advertises items for sale via their Instagram Sale account . 

 

Owner - Alison von Bibra

 

Barbara and Jess shopping at the Cotton Factory

A quilting class in progress at the Cotton Factory

Sarah Fielke's "Enchanted" Quilt is currently on display.  Her "Enchanted" fabric range is available here for purchase together with kits and the pattern for this quilt.

View from the classroom area looking at the shop (left)

View from the classroom area looking at the shop (right)