Midweek Moments #96

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Welcome to Wednesday...

Hey, what do you think of our snappy new look? It’s an enduring fact of life that we all need a bit of a makeover every now and then, so we decided it was time for a change.

It’s fitting that we should mark the first issue of our new look by starting a brand new weekly column. This one celebrates all those bizarre roadside monuments we Aussies seem to be so fond of, like the Big Merino at Goulburn and Coffs Harbour’s famous Big Banana, which, by the way, dates all the way back to 1964, making it the very first. These unusual sculptures are mostly of food, drink or animals and are scattered all over our great nation, commemorating the local fauna or produce.

And what do these Big Things have to do with quilting? Absolutely nothing. But we thought you’d like to come along for the ride, anyway. The journey begins in the sultry northern reaches of New South Wales with the Big Avocado.

And don’t forget that other journey… The Gidday Quilters Great Aussie Shop Hop. This bounced off last week and continues until 30 April, so there’s still plenty of time to join.

Mr Megaphone

First with the big news...

What? 50% off a huge selection of fabrics

When? Saturday 12 to Monday 14 February 2011

Opening hours
Saturday: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Sunday: 10am - 2pm
Monday: 9:30am - 4:30pm

For those purchasing online this is available all day and night over the three days visit www.blueberries.net.au

Where? Blueberries, Amy Close, Wyong and www.blueberries.net.au

Mr Megaphone says:

This weekend 50% off huge selection of fabrics! OVER 500 to choose from! This is not to be missed.

Tutor Profile

Getting to know a bit about the teacher

Name: Suzanne Gray

Pictured on right is a model wearing Palmer-Pletsch Pants taught in one of Suzanne's classes.

How long have you been quilting and what got started?
I’ve been doing quilting and patchwork for about 25 years now. I suppose it was my passion for sewing in general that led me to quilting. I’ve been a passionate sewer for almost forty years now, so it’s pretty much in my blood.

How long have you been teaching and what do you specialise in?
I’ve been teaching for about 33 years. The first 20 were teaching Visual Arts at various high schools. I’ve really built on that experience as a sewing teacher. I’m also a qualified Palmer/Pletsch teacher and I specialise in pattern fit.

What inspires your creative ideas and projects?
I draw inspiration from many sources but my love of patchwork and dressmaking is what really seems to be a winning combination for me. It’s fuelled a lot of my projects like designing my own patterns and publishing my two ‘Hooley Dooley Artworks’ books on appliqué.

What’s something you love about being a teacher?
I love helping students create something unique using commercial fashion patterns, especially when it fits them beautifully.

Suzanne will be teaching the Palmer-Pletsch Pants class on Friday 20 and 27 May to find out more or to register click here.

Big 'n' Bizarre

A road trip of Australia’s roadside monuments - The Big Avocado

This six-metre high fiberglass structure, the first of our meandering journey, stands guard at the entrance of Tropical Fruit World in northern NSW and was first erected in 1983.

Tropical Fruit World is a 10-acre theme park in Duranbah, halfway between Tweed Heads and Byron Bay. It’s a celebration of mouth-watering goodies like avocados, mangoes, papaw, custard apples, macadamias, guavas, nectarines and lychees. It’s one giant fruit salad masquerading as a theme park.

So why the Big Avocado? Simple. The place used to be called Avocadoland, the site of the very first place in NSW where avocados were grown and marketed. It was the Dept of Agriculture that did this, but in 1967, after 30 years, the project was finally abandoned and went to seed. When the property was put on the market, local avocado fans Bob and Val Brinsmead bought it and transformed it into a theme park paying homage to their favourite fruit.

So from the humble avocado, many things grow. Although the park is now Tropical Fruit World, the avocado still reigns supreme. As well as the Big Avocado standing guard like a huge green bouncer, the gift shop sells such wonders as avocado skin care products, avocado soap, avocado mustard and avocado flavoured ice cream. It’s almost worth driving all the way to Duranbah just to check them out.

And the last word...

“Any time is stitchin' time.”

Til next week!

The Blueberries Team