Quilt Fest Part 1

I received my Town and Country Quilters Club badge just in time to wear it at Quiltfest 2013. It was a matter of being up bright and early and down at the Events Centre for the big day.

This way to the exhibition

I had put my name down on the roster for the early shift to sell the raffle tickets.  The major prizes were a Bernina 350PE sewing machine,  and a beautiful beach themed quilt, made with blocks stitched by club members, and expertly quilted by Rabbit’s Patch Quilting.  I was selling the $1 raffle tickets, which were for $100 of fuel vouchers, a “money plant” festooned with “scratchies”, or a lovely dolls house. Our little group of raffle sellers tried very hard to get the people passing by to part with a few  extra dollars as they walked up to the hall to view the exhibition. 

Get your $! raffle tickets here

It was rather drafty sitting in the corridor, so when the next shift took over I needed warming up with a nice hot cuppa from the cafe.  Then it was on to the exhibition to have a look around.  I loved the large Christmas Corner which was assembled from items loaned by members,  There were Santa's galore, (oh look, there’s my two hand made Santas), Christmas Stockings, and all sorts of Christmas delights, but sadly my photos of this did not come out at all well. 

The organisers had done a great job of hanging the quilts in the exhibition, and it was so nice to take my time and have a good look around.  There was a great selection, and here are just a few which took my eye, starting with this wonderful Christmas Block of the Month stitched by Janelle.  These hand appliquéd blocks are quite intricate, and Janelle has done a wonderful job.

Santa’s Flight, by Janelle

“Springtime” had the flavour of a Baltimore, but with a pieced border.  Frances found the pattern in a copy of the APQ magazine, and the quilt is machine appliquéd and machine quilted.  I really liked this, it has a nice fresh look to it, and it would really be the star of the bedroom. 

Springtime, by Frances

It was lovely to meet up with blog reader Roz again, who had travelled down from Dannevirke with a couple of friends to view the exhibition.  She reminded me that next time we are staying in the caravan nearby, to pop in again for a cuppa.  It was nice to catch up with you again, Roz.

Meeting up with Roz again

Just look at these crazy kitties – perhaps they have been nibbling on some cat nip!  This fun quilt is called “Whiskers” and was machine stitched and appliquéd by the very talented club member Griet.  Any youngster would love this bright and cheerful quilt.

Whiskers, by Griet

Mmm, these look familiar.  Yellow Ted, Pin Cushion Lady, and Lucy the Rabbit (sitting on the ends of the rows) are mine, and are helping to decorate the hall.  I do hope they are behaving themselves, while they are AWOL from home.

Soft toys on display

Then it was time to rush home for some lunch, and contact my friend Dot to see if she would like to come and view the quilts in the afternoon.  More from the exhibition later………