The 9th Australasian Quilt Convention

The Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne was an incredible experience. The location, the atmosphere, the beautiful quilts on display, the fabric and quilt patterns – everything! And boy was it busy. Visitors who love quilts from all over Australia and beyond descended upon Melbourne for the 9^th annual AQC Show. Many visitors came to the show each one of the 4 days to look at displays and stores, to take classes and attend seminars. It was lovely to see some ladies visit us every day of the show.

Bill and I set up our Make and Take space within the McCall’s Creates stand where we showed the McCall’s Collection of patterns and a display of how our patterns could be used with paper or fabric – or both. Throughout the show we offered visitors the chance to create a simple but beautiful gift tag using the 1 inch punch, paper, luggage tag, ribbon – and of course some bling. It is one of my great joys to see people use a sewing machine for the first time and see the sewing spark ignite. I always hope it is the start of a life-long love of creating with one of the greatest of all inventions – the magical sewing machine.

Here are a few pictures from the show.

Yes - it was pretty busy at the show

Having fun

One of my favourite stands L'uccello http://luccello.blogspot.com.au/ Must visit next time in Melbourne!

Our lovely stand neighbours Mai Misaki http://maimisaki.com/ (beautiful Japanese quilting) and Prudence Mapstone http://www.knotjustknitting.com/ Enough to make me take up knitting or crochet. Gorgeous!!
 

Make and Takes are always popular

The magnificence of The Royal Exhibition Building

Having a talk about using the patterns with fabric instead of paper.

 

Next post I will show some pictures of the absolutely beautiful quilts on display.

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