Welcome to Wednesday
The big quilting news this week is the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne, which runs from Thursday 14 April to Sunday 17 April. And as these words are being written, Jackie and Carmel are on their way to this big event, barrelling down the Hume like Thelma and Louise (although without the armed robberies and blowing up of Mac trucks). No doubt they'll be mingling with the best of them, rubbing shoulders with all the big quilting names in Australasia, talking the talk and picking up loads of juicy quilting news plus info on new products.
Also because of the Quilt Convention, Susan's Patchwork School this Thursday night has been cancelled for this week only and will be back at the usual time and place next week.
We also need to clarify that Blueberries will not be open on Sunday 1 May after all, due to the cancellation of the Wyong Show. Previous advice has been to the contrary, so take this as being straight from the horse's mouth (neeeiiiigghh!!!)
And we couldn't let the week go by without mentioning last week's featured sewer in Show and Tell - nine year old Hallie Bancroft who, with the guidance of her grandmother Jan Hyman, has already turned into an immensely talented and productive sewer. There were so many messages of support and congratulations on the Blueberries blog regarding Hallie's work, we thought the server was going to go into meltdown. Even if it had, it would've been for a good cause. After all, it's about spreading the inspiration and the joy as far as possible. Well done and thanks to both Hallie and Jan.
Show and Tell
Show us the item and tell us the story
Cosima Bardy goes over the rainbow
What was your inspiration for this quilt?
It was the wonderful colours. I saw a similar pattern and I wanted to make one for my grandson. I asked him what colour he wanted and he said lots of colours, like a rainbow.
Did you stick to the pattern or did you customize?
The blue was my idea. I saw the fabric in Blueberries and thought it was just lovely. I also decided on the idea of putting the rainbow into the pattern.
How long did it take you to complete?
That’s a bit hard to say because I did a little bit at a time. I suppose all up it took about two weeks.
How long have you been sewing?
I’ve been sewing for close to four years now. I started not long before Jackie opened Blueberries. I’d never done much before, only little things, but not quilts. I started doing quilts as something different and because it’d be a challenge.
What’s the next project?
I’m not sure what to call it. It’s a small wall-hanging about 84cms across, just lots of colours put together.
 
Lily and Will 2 and more
New instore this week
Lily and Will II
Civil War Reunion
Oasis Bakehouse Items
Bella Solids ... drop into the shop this week or browse online.
Big 'n' Bizarre
A road trip of Australia’s fibreglass monuments
The Big Gold Panner
This week we’ve left the coast behind us and travelled inland to the historic gold mining town of Bathurst to meet the Big Gold Panner, a five metre high wire and fibreglass structure that’s locally known simply as “The Man”.
Balanced on one knee and with his head bent forward hopefully over his pan, this persistent bloke has been trying his luck with the same pan and the same pond of water since 1979, which probably explains his blank, slightly comatose expression. His location on the front lawn of the Gold Panner Motor Inn at the eastern approach to Bathurst has ensured him a high degree of visibility and iconic status among locals, while also paying homage to Bathurst’s heady gold rush origins.
When The Man was first constructed, the fact that he had only two stabilizing points of entry into the ground (the knee and foot) led to concerns he could easily topple over like a common drunk. Historically this wouldn’t have been entirely out of place, as many amateur prospectors in the gold rush days were quite partial to a bottle of rum, but in 1979 this wasn’t considered to be an appropriate message for tourists or locals. To keep him respectfully upright, The Man was therefore given a third stabilizing point in the form of his fossickers’ pick ax (or mattock), which leans casually against his right hip as if he’s supporting it, when it’s actually supporting him.
The pond he’s working in is actual running water too, thanks to a complex underground pumping system and pipework that runs up his leg and down his arm into his pan (another reason, perhaps, for that awkward expression on his face).
Like any modern, self-respecting bloke in the public eye, The Man has had several outfit changes over the years and can accessorize himself according to the season and events on the local calendar. This tradition began in 1991 when the then owners of the motel had The Man’s outfit painted in Bathurst 1000 motor race colours. A true metrosexual, he’s also not averse to exposing his legs once a year when he’s dressed up in a kilt and Tam O’Shanter for the Highland Gathering Sports Day held by the Scots private school. He also wears a red nose on Red Nose Day and sports a Santa hat in December. Quite a community minded fellow, really. If only his dogged prospecting efforts could pay off with some real gold.
And the last word...
"A family stitched together with love seldom unravels." |
