Went to the craft show on Sunday here in Brisbane  – great day to go on Sunday because there aren’t as many people so you could wander around the stalls without having to battle the crowds. I managed to purchase a few items that I am planning to use in my challenge quilt. When I say ‘a few items’ what I actually mean is that I now have enough for a dozen challenge quilts – and when it comes to the building of it I’ll probably use very little. Oh well more in the stash. Don’t forget the challenge quilt is due in by 30th November and the theme is ‘Holiday’.

As usual there was a lot of inspiration at the show. We chatted with Loani Prior – the guru of tea cosy makers. She is such a friendly person and I told her how much I had enjoyed the photographic exhibition ‘Portrait of a Tea Cosy’ that I saw at Warwick Art Gallery in July for the ‘Jumpers and Jazz’ Festival. If you missed it have a look here. She certainly is inspirational – and her inspiration has extended to Apatchy – here’s a photo of our Chris with Loani at the show last Wednesday. Chris is no slouch at making tea cosies herself and has produced several beauties – you can see a couple in ‘Your Gallery’.

Speaking of inspiration have a look at these few examples of the treasures we found at the show:

You can see that I am following a theme here with many of the pictorial quilts. Actually I was very pleased to meet Barry Deans – the winner of the Apatchy Quilting prize at the Quilt Show – and have an interesting discussion about art and quilts. He raised the question of whether the quilts should be judged on technical merit and then artistic or the other way around – what do you think? He lives on the Gold Coast and it is his first time entering so he has certainly set the bar high. Here is his winning piece (you can tell he is an artist – just look at that perspective).

At the same time the quilt show was on another show was on a little further along the building – the ‘Man Expo’ – featuring all things ‘blokey’ – beer-topia, bbq demos, billiards tables and the Bundaberg Rum ‘Distillatorium’. Rumour had it that there were bikini-clad girls as well . The menfolk in my family wandered along to it rather than come to the quilt show with me – can’t think why. I saw this group of guys waiting directly outside the quilt show doors. I suspect they hadn’t just come from the quilt show either – or am I being too stereotyped in my thinking?

Out and about this weekend in Maleny to see the Quota Quilt Show and Wood Expo (Dad’s visiting). Saw some lovely quilts -here’s some we all liked:-

The last one was the result of a jelly roll race. At the Apatchy classes a couple of weeks ago we saw a video of the 1600 quilt made from a jelly roll and it was great to see one made from a race. I will put the link on another page very soon.

The log cabin quilt is also interesting. I think the log cabin is a very underestimated block and depending on how you place each block you can achieve interesting illusions as in this quilt. I always tell new quilters that, although it may be an ‘easy’ block it can still be striking en masse in a quilt.

After a very enjoyable morning tea it was off to the Wood Expo. This event was so popular that there was a traffic jam in downtown Maleny to get to it! It was interesting to see all the blokes looking at all the raw materials and tools and salivating just as we do when we see fat quarters and quilting patterns! There were also some amazing creations – one fellow makes magnificent pieces of furniture including doors with frogs and other animals carved into the timber.  Another innovative artist made this creation from rather more rustic pieces.

What do you think about our craft/art? Are quilting enthusiasts the same as others or not?

It’s amazing what can spark the inspiration for a new quilt project. Maybe it strikes when you’re browsing through a quilting magazine or when you see a new range of fabric. Colours and designs come together in your mind and a new project is born. Whether you choose a pattern or create your own the thrill is the same. Here in Brisbane we are heading into winter – perfect quilting weather. I hope you have a project or three in mind. If not you might like to check out my boards on Pinterest. Just Go to Pinterest.com and look for Apatchy Kaye or else just call me for a chat.