How wonderful to have a quilt show in Hastings to check out during my weekend trip away, put on by Wine Country Quilts. I had a free day on Saturday before the family birthday, put the address into the Sat Nav, and after a little hiccough, finally saw the sign. Did you know I'm somewhat navigationally challenged while driving?
This must be the right place
After paying my $8 entry fee, and buying raffle tickets, I entered the door. Wow, it all looked wonderful. I love seeing big bed quilts, and there were plenty of those on display.
Where to start? I'm pleased I had my walking stick with me as I slowly wandered around, walking slowly is hard on my back. Here are some quilts which took my eye.
"Catfish" by Linda McAdams, applique, painting, lace making
There's something about the timeless designs of William Morris. Sandra Vinden created "Arts and Crafts Revival" in this simple design which showcases this lovely fabric line.
"Arts and Crafts Revival"
This large tee shirt quilt had a lot of interest. Linda Ralph pieced "Those Days, 40 plus years of Concerts". You could imagine all the memories this quilt holds.
Tee shirt quilt full of memories
I had seen versions of this intricate design on blogland recently so it was great one in real life. Lyn Churcher stitched "Colour my World" as a BOM and machine quilted it herself. I'm most impressed and don't think I could tackle anything like this.
Colour my World
I liked the simplicity of this one, made from men's shirts, complete with labels. Sorry, but I didn't get the maker's name this time, and I'm not sure if it was made as a memory quilt.
Made from men's shirts
And we have to have a Kiwi to finish off with, don't we. This one was so pretty. Leanne Kenah, guest exhibitor, stitched "Le Fleur Kiwi" using thread painting over fabric applique, and then machine quilted it. This pretty piece included part of a doily made by her grandmother.
Le Fleur Kiwi
I didn't really check out the merchants area, nothing I really wanted at the time. Sadly, I shed a few tears when a well meaning quilter approached me, she was formerly from Levin but had moved away and recognised me. "Hello", she said, "You travel around in your caravan with your cat, don't you". "Not any more", I replied and promptly burst into tears. Dear me, that comment was a trigger, and I'm sure that will continue to happen from time to time. I do hope I didn't embarrass her too much.
The family birthday celebrations were on Saturday evening, and the following morning I had a cup of tea, no breakfast available at this motel, and packed up for the drive home. I encountered quite a bit of heavy fog driving out of Hastings on Sunday morning. Or was it mist, I really don't know the difference. Time for a spot of morning tea a little later and I turned off the road into Norsewood and I ordered a cup of coffee and a date scone at the cafe.
Cafe at Norsewood
On the 15th September 1872 the sailing ship Hovding arrived at Napier with 483 new settlers from Norway. A few days later the men trekked through the heavy bush to reach the area now known as Norsewood. That would have been very hard going for them indeed. Families followed and the community became established, and over the years many more Scandinavian settlers arrived. This family of three happy trolls, father Norvirke, mother Margit and son Ormvah are sitting in the sun to welcome travelers. Norsewood trolls are very happy creatures, not like those other trolls which hide under bridges ready to eat you up!
Happy family of Trolls
I made it home safe and sound although the muscles on my side were still very painful. Time to collect Gemma and settle down after our trip away. Sadly, no phone call came through to tell me I had won the raffle.
13 comments:
Beautiful quilts at the show. I really love the kiwi one. The carved trolls are amazing. ((Hugs)) my friend.
God bless.
It is always a wonderful bonus to stumble on a Quilt Exhibition and that was a beauty. I’m impressed at the range of concerts attended by the T-shirt owner. I hope to make one for Mick one day. I’m just not sure if he’ll let me cut up his treasured T-shirts. Norsewood sounds like it has an interesting history. I’m sure Gemma has been your little shadow once you both returned home. Joey always was for a few days.
Quilt Shows are so inspiring! Nice you could get there and visit; happy you made it home safely--I totally get the sore back from walking--I also have that problem.. thanks for sharing those photos--just lovely works...
Hope you are feeling better now...hugs, Julie
The Kiwi, what superb stitchery there. I congratulate you on that long trip, by yourself a whole new and different way, I know the last time I drove by myself a long way, many years ago, it was past Taumaranui to our camping spot, but Hugh was ahead with the big wagon and trailer, even so I started to sing!!! Rain here, not as much as Auckland thank goodness.
there is a town in Wisconsin that has those wooden sculptures as well - they call them Trolls and it was settled by Scandinavians back in the 1800s I loved visited the place when my younger daughter lived in Wisconsin. So glad you got to see the quilt show and I'm sure you will have times when someone says something to you that will remind you of Robin - so many things will for sometime to come. I keep a walking stick in the car so it is handy and one in the house too because of my lower back.
What a great trip away. Celebrating with family and quilt the show was fantastic.
So many amazing quilts but my favourite was the Kiwi one.
I’m sure you’ll have will have many sad times but I think you’re doing really well going out on your own. 🤗
Lots of lovely and interesting quilts at the show! Tears are a normal part of grieving. It just means you loved Robin and miss him. Sending a hug to you . Take care.
The slightest thing may trigger tears for some time to come. Virtual hugs to you! The show was wonderful, and I hope you were able to enjoy it all.
Hi Jenny, I am caught up on your posts now. Those quilts are all beautiful...thank you for sharing the Morris quilt, just lovely and isn't that Kiwi beautiful! Your date scone sounds delicious...I don't think I've ever used dates in them, what a good idea. I understand the driving bit...I'm navigationally challenged as well which I think you know. But well done to have such an adventure. Yes, those sad moments will hit from time to time I guess. No warning too. Take care, J
It looks like it was a great quilt show to be able to visit. Thanks for sharing your photos.
Amazing quilts on display! I’m glad that you went to the show and shared your photos.
Lovely to see the quilt show, thank you for sharing. Leeann who made that Kiwi quilt is a member of my local club. That kiwi is stunning isn't he?
I'm glad for you to have had this little get-away, and finding a quilt show to visit surely kept your mind occupied, for a while at least. No doubt well-meaning people will continue to drop into your life, and remind you of your sadness. Neither she nor you should be embarrassed by that, though it's understandable that would happen. My heart hurts for you. Still, it's good to get out and do things. You can be proud of yourself for making that drive both ways.
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