Hand Made in Bloom Review

I ask myself the night before each Handmade, “Will there be as many people visiting as the last one?” I don’t know why I ask this because the Handmade Market never disappoints. It is Canberra’s - if not Australia’s - premier market for all the beautiful things which are handmade. So much talent from so many parts of Australia join together to create an event which people mark in their diaries as THE event which they just can’t wait to attend every quarter. It is busy from before opening till after closing time with visitors enjoying the Handmade experience – buy handmade with pride and joy.

As the afternoon came along and lunch called the many hungry shoppers to the variety of tempting eateries, the feeling of the market changed to one of a festival. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the springtime sunshine with family and friends in the beautiful surrounds of Kanberra Wine Company. I’m pretty sure that the rock feature, bridge and pools were not built as a children’s adventure play ground but this area fulfilled this task perfectly. One of my favourite views was a Dad holding hands with his little boy, tightrope walking along the rock wall. It reminded me of ABC Catalyst show in Thursday evening about the type of play Dad’s do with their children. The play that Mum’s (no matter how old) find hard to watch but which is so incredibly fantastic. Just plain old fashioned pure fun.

Here is a link to some fantastic photos of the day by Tania McCartney http://canberrahandmademarket.blogspot.com/2010/09/handmade-market-blooming-fabulous.html  Thank you so much to everyone who popped by to say hi and say they enjoyed looking at the new work I have been creating. I had a fabulous day.

Handmade in Bloom - 2010

Well - apart from at least half a dozen ice cream buckets scattered all around my studio to catch drips of water from the torrential rain over the week-end, I am on track for “Handmade in Bloom” on Saturday at Kanberra Wine Company. What a week-end!! Lovely, lovely rain – even blowing sideways. The result is overflowing dams and a raging torrent turning the creek into a wild stretch of rapids and water falls. You can still hear it from the house. Awe inspiring.

Handmade - this time in Bloom, coincides with the first day of Canberra’s famous Floriade. Spring is here and cherry blossoms are everywhere making a gorgeous and very pretty show. It’s a bit colder than the same time last year, but Spring is here none the less.

I’m really looking forward to setting up my little shop at Handmade. I will have new work, including some little owls, along with a larger section for visitors wishing to try Paper Quilting for themselves. I will have my 4 new patterns for cards which I launched in Melbourne – Cinderella Shoe, Afternoon Tea Dress, Handbag and Christmas tree along with the beginners Gift Tag Kit. These are great as presents for crafty friends and family. I will also have my sample packs of the most beautiful Anna Griffin papers. I decided while I was in Melbourne that I would stock Anna’s papers. They are very hard to source in Australia and they are very hard to beat for quality and colour. They are perfect for Paper Quilting, card projects, scrap booking and for people who love paper. To say I adore them is an understatement.

I'm also looking forward to wearing my new apron. (what on earth you may say). Well I love aprons by Nell Design. http://www.nelldesign.net/ . This is my second apron by Nell which I found at ArteForge a lovely shop in Fyshwick http://www.arteforge.com.au/ - and they have become my uniform for work. Fantastic.

I look forward to seeing you at lovely Handmade in Bloom this Saturday, 11th September, 10am – 4pm - Kanberra Wine Company, Northbourne Avenue, Epic, Canberra.

Handmade in Bloom

Handmade at Yarralumla Woolshed on Friday night and Saturday - was Blooming wonderful! So many people - thousands infact came to see the woolshed transformed into a shoppers paradise for handmade goods. The event was also a great opportunity for people to meet up with their friends and family over a glass of wine, tea, coffee or chai. It was almost like being on the set of a movie with the lighting, atmosphere and music. http://www.wrensneststudio.com/ - click on handmade top right for photo gallery.

Thanks so much to everyone who came by Wren's Nest Studio to say hello and to all the people who supported my craft of Paper Quilting. Your wonderful support makes it possible for me to keep working and exploring my love of paper and sewing.

Now its back to "the shed" to create new pictures and work on some new ideas. It's also time to start thinking about Christmas (yiks) and creating a new paper for cards and gift tags.

See you soon.

Can you believe it?

Well I just couldn't stand my sluggish behaviour any more - not to mention my growing mid section. So - I have joined the local Curves gym. I've just come back from my second visit and feel great and its lots of fun too, which is a nice surprise. I think I've now got the hang of how all the pieces of equipment work so I'm looking forward to my session tomorrow. I have even splashed out on some gym gear which will be a relief to the staff and patrons who have had to put up with 1. my gardening pants, and 2. gardening sun flower T-shirt. I think all my other T-shirts etc are stored away with my summer clothes. Any way it will be a bright and cheerful sight from now on. I have promised myself a new pair of runners after a months work.

It will be good to have a break every day from "the shed" where I have been spending many hours getting ready for Handmade In Bloom next week-end. It is exciting to think that I will be at Yarralumla Woolshed this time next week for the Friday Night Shopping night. It should be a wonderful week-end.

Back Home

The Stitches and Craft Show in Sydney really was an amazing experience. I think I am still recovering – I’m just not used to talking quite that much. I met many people who had never seen Paper Quilting before so it was a great opportunity to spread the word. People can’t believe that I am sewing paper and watch me sewing for quite a while just to see that the paper is not tearing. It was very exciting all up and I had a really successful show. The one stop Paper Quilt shop did great business and sold out of punches and thread. It was great to meet Lara of ‘La Rara’ and Kate of ‘Please Eloise’ who had spaces on either side of me. There are more pictures of the show on my Web page – just a click away on the left.

I drove home on huge gusts of wind from warm and sunny Sydney to freezing southern NSW where there was snow on the Brindabella Mountains. Hard to believe it is only a 3 hour drive. Pink and white blossoms are out everywhere and it is so beautiful. We actually had some rain while I was away so there is a tinge of green in the paddocks.

Now it’s on to the next adventure. It’s just over two weeks until ‘Handmade in Bloom’ at Yarralumla Wool Shed. So I am back in my own little shed with my head down creating Paper Quilt pictures, new papers and new cards.