Aussie Hoop Swap

 

 

Earlier this year I participated in the "Aussie Hoop Swap" which was hosted by Jas McMahon @jasminesews

 

Participants were asked to create a piece of hoop art for their assigned swap partners. 

 

Our partners were secret so we did not know who was making for us - at least we didn't until our parcel arrived.  And who we made for may not be the same person who was making for us.  Our dispatch deadline was 31 March.

 

My assigned swap partner was Kristy Monaghan @misskm89 who lives in Western Australia.  I was told that Kristy likes blue, aqua, turquoise and navy.  Kristy does not sew but does do embroidery.  

 

Kristy's inspiration mosaic

 

When Kristy mentioned that "the ocean is my place to be happy and sooth my soul" I immediately knew that I would run with this theme. I was inspired by the image of the lighthouse in her mosaic so went searching online for suitable images to use for inspiration.

 

This is the hoop that I made for Kristy.  I used a combination of variegated threads.  For the waves I used colour #1053 by ThreadWorx, #415 "Bonnie Brook" by Cottage Garden Threads for the lighthouse and seagulls; and #803 "Pea Soup" by Cottage Garden Threads for the light bulb.  I used a soft grey for the clouds.  I've used a combination of chain stitch, back stitch and satin stitch.

 

The entire parcel of goodies that I sent to Kristy kept with the ocean theme.  I included some stickers, the latest "Get Creative" magazine from Spotlight, a DMC embroidery pattern "Under the Sea", an "Ocean Breeze" candle and a selection of Semco embroidery threads in her favourite colours.

 

The candle that I included was called "Ocean Breeze"

 

The Semco threads that I sent were various shades of blues.

 

The card that I sent

 

When Kristy received her parcel

All photos on Instagram were posted with the hashtag #aussiehoopswap   There are some amazing photos in this feed so please check them out when you have time to do so. 

In my next post I will show you what I received from this swap.

Meet the Elephant Patch - Ballarat

 

Our last visit in Ballarat was to a shop which I had been referred to by a stall holder at the latest Bendigo Design Market.

 

Welcome to The Elephant Patch.

 

 

The Elephant Patch is a beautifully set out boutique store which sells needlework supplies.  Owner Jo Maxwell is a pattern designer and  needleworker.  She has the full range of Cottage Garden Threads, Au Ver a Soie silk threads, Presencia / Finca perle threads and Appletons.  She has patterns for sale and also stocks some linens, cottons, and a small selection of  Liberty prints.  in addition to these supplies, there is  also a small range of already embroidered trinkets for purchase. 

 

The Elephant Patch offers 2-hour embroidery classes for visitors looking to create something special.  You can choose your favourite design and take a class to learn all that you need to complete your project.

 

 

 

The Elephant Patch

199 Victoria Street

Ballarat East, Victoria, 3350, Australia

 

 

 Opening Hours:

Wednesday: 10am - 9pm

Thursday: 10am - 5pm

Friday: 10am - 5pm

Saturday: 10am - 1pm

 

Class Hours:

Wednesday: 10am - 12noon

Wednesday: 1pm - 3pm

Wednesday: 7pm - 9pm

Thursday: 10am - 12noon

Thursday: 1pm - 3pm

Saturday: 10am - 12noon

  

 

My stash from the Elephant Patch - I purchased some Finca Perle 8's to hand quilt one of my quilts.  I will definitely go back to buy more!
 

I was rather impressed with the large variety of colours of Finca Perle 8 threads this store had.  Not to mention an ENTIRE WALL dedicated to Cottage Garden Threads at a VERY good price I might add!  I *WILL* be back!!!

Catching up with Jess in Ballarat

I had the most awesome day on Thursday!  I drove down to Ballarat with my co-pilot Mum (it's about 1.5 hours drive south west of Bendigo), and met up with my gorgeous "Quilty Sister" Jess as she was passing through on her recent road-trip from Queensland to Melbourne (she's on the home trek now).

 

Jess & Fiona aka "Scrappy n Happy" & "Bendigo Lioness"

Bendigo (where I live) is the top town marked on the map - it is about 1.5 hours drive from here to Ballarat.

We had arranged to meet up at Alison's shop - the Cotton Factory, and Jess had also arranged to meet up with Jodie from Ric Rac.  This was the first time I had physically met any of them (although we often chat online) and we had a lot of laughs!

  

Jess & Jodie from "Ric Rac"
(can you see Alison photo-bombing in the background?)

 

Alison (Cotton Factory), Jodie (Ric Rac), Fiona (Bendigo Lioness) & Jess (Scrappy N Happy)

 After our visit, strange posts started to appear on Instagram...
 

posted by Alison

 

posted by Jodie

 

Apparently I "cook, sew, have great hair & I give good muffin"... oh deary deary me...

After we left the Cotton Factory, Jess joined Mum and I as we visited the Crafty Squirrel and Gail's Patchwork Emporium.  It was here that we bid farewell to Jess. Mum and I then headed off to get some lunch and then had coffee & macarons at McCafe.  We squeezed in a quick visit to the Elephant Patch before leaving Ballarat for the journey back to Bendigo.  I will detail these visits in coming posts over the next few days, including our stop on the way home at Maldon. 

 

Macarons & Coffee for afternoon tea at MacDonalds

The Next Day:

I know that Jess hasn't had a chance to open the box of presents that I gave her yet, but these are the gorgeous goodies which she so generously gave to me (I didn't get a chance to open them until the following day):

My first ever box of Aurifil!  I was absolutely blown away when I saw these!!!!!   Yes, I cried!  Absolutely ecstatic!

A very yummy box of chocolate truffles from Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. 
The flavours are: Zingy Lime, Strawberry Delight and Marble Mint.

She also gave me some Cottage Garden Threads, some Tula Pink squirrel ribbon and a copy of the new release from the International Assembly.

  

I will post more details on each of the shops that we visited on our day out over the coming days; but meanwhile I will introduce you to Jodie & Jess.

 

Meet Jodie.  Jodie from Ric Rac is a toy maker based in Ballarat and she creates the most adorable toys from various fabrics including felt.  Her newest patterns "Bruce" the crafty carrier and "Tea Set" have just been released.  Please click on the link below to visit her blog and there is a link there to her store where you can purchase her patterns.  Her patterns can also be found in many quilt stores throughout Australia.

 

 

Click to visit Ric Rac

Meet Jess. Jess (Scrappy n Happy) is a Queensland based Quilter, Sewer, Mum & Blogger and is one of the most loveliest people I have ever met.  She is also a member of the Quilty Sisters.  Please click on the link below to visit her Blog.  Links to her Etsy shop and Instagram can be found on her blog. (Sorry Jess I borrowed this photo from your Instagram profile.)

 

 

 

Click to visit Scrappy n Happy