Canberra Arboretum

The National Arboretum has not been long open and I have been longing to visit it. So yesterday, after going to the movies, Bill and I headed up to take a look in the late afternoon light. It is a magical place with old and newly created forests full of bird song. The views into Canberra and out across to the Brindabella Mountain Range are incredible and you really feel as though you are sitting on a cloud looking out at the scene stretching out. Canberra is often called the place of the big skies and any visit to the National Aboretum will enforce this idea. I can't wait to go back again and again to see how the forests grow and expand.
http://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/

The local Cockatoo flock enjoying Autumn seeds

Where we live in Australia we are lucky to enjoy large flocks of cockatoos which are large birds with even larger voices (not the prettiest many would say - infact they would be quite at home in a horror film!). Here is a small group enjoying some Autumn seed pods in our backyard and making a huge mess while they're at it.

The Scrapbook and Papercraft Expo in Melbourne



Paper Quilt Creations booth in the Royal Exhibition Builing Carlton

A couple of weeks ago Bill and I drove to Melbourne to take part in the inaugural Scrapbook and Papercraft Expo in Melbourne. It was held in the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens which is now a world heritage site. (can you believe that it was almost demolished!)

We had a fantastic time over the three days of the show and saw many people we had met before and many new ones. One of the joys of doing a show like this is when I can set up an area for visitors to have a try at Paper Quilting. They can experience just what fun and how simple it is to create something really beautiful from everyday materials – paper, glue and a simple zigzag stitch. Sunday was a very busy day with a real production line and a queue of people waiting for a try.

An added bonus was that we were staying in Carlton. Little did I know when I booked that it was just one street away from famous Lygon Street where there would have to over a hundred restaurants, bars and cafes with tables set up on the street under colourful awnings. D.O.C was incredible – the pasta, the Italian wine, the beautiful window display of massive cheeses. And Brunetti for Breakfast – all those pastries, bread and coffee. We’ll be back in April for Australasian Quilt Convention so better go on a diet till then!



Teaching the next generation of crafters

Busy demonstrating Paper Quilting



Showing Hoott and Hootee



The beautiful dome at the Royal Exhibition Building

Exterior of the Royal Exhibition Builing

An Afternoon at the Canberra Show

Every year at this time the show comes to Canberra. And because Canberra is sometimes known as the bush capital it is a very rural focused with many farm exhibits, animals and agriculture. But the part I love is of course the Craft Pavilion where there are exhibits ranging from knitting, lace, embroidery, crochet and quilting  to quilling, card making – and now Paper Quilting.

Two of my students from A White Dragon entered the Paper Quilting category and I was very proud that Harriet was awarded first place and Patricia won both second and third. It was fantastic to walk into the pavilion and see their work displayed in the glass cabinets set up to showcase all the work. Congratulations girls.

Harriet's award winning Paper Quilt entry

Patricia's second place entry

Local vegetable competition

Proud Dahlia growers getting ready for judging

Display of antique garments

Spinners and weavers at the show