Welcome to Wednesday

We hope last weekend's Mothers Day brought you lots of goodies, and maybe even some cold hard cash to spend on quilting toys and fabrics.

Anyway, there's lots of exciting news in this Midweek Moments especially regarding some upcoming quilting events later in the year and beyond your usual stomping ground. This week's Big Thing is also one of Australia's biggest and most famous. Go on, put that kettle on now. We'll wait.

Staff Profile

The stories behind the faces behind the counter

Name: Kirrah Perry

How did you start working at Blueberries?

My cousin Linden (aka Pattern Princess) works there and she mentioned to me that Blueberries was looking for some new staff members so I put my hand up. I’d made a bag once at one of the classes there so I was already familiar with the shop.

How often do you work?

At the moment it’s a couple of times during week, whenever required. I’ve been there since the beginning of April.

What do you enjoy most about working at Blueberries?

The atmosphere there. It’s such a nice, bright, happy environment and everyone’s friendly. It’s a real sense of community. I’m also enjoying learning about all the different materials, all the types and brands.

How long have you been a sewer?

I actually haven’t been a sewer for very long. I made a quilt with Mum a couple of months ago and enjoyed that process. I’ve noticed that I’ve become a lot more interested in sewing since I’ve been working at Blueberries. I could easily see it turning into a kind of obsession like it is for so many other people. I’ve always wanted to make my own clothes.

$5 Patterns What a Bargain!

$5 Patterns.

What a Bargain!

Check out the selection of patterns that we have on offer for only $5.

There are patterns for bags, cushions, quilts, dolls, and more.

Click here to check out the selection.

Are you going to the Craft & Quilt Fair?

Anyone who made it down to Darling Harbour in Sydney for last year's Craft & Quilt Fair will remember what an amazing event it was. Well brace yourselves, because the Fair is almost back in town and you know what that means. Once again, two busloads of excited Blueberries shoppers and friends will be barrelling down the F3 to live the dream.

The first bus will be on the opening day, Wednesday 22 June. It will depart from Blueberries, 4C Amy Close, Wyong, at 7.45am, then from the Tourist Information Centre, Mt Penang Parklands, The Avenue, Kariong at 8.15. Estimated arrival time at Sydney Exhibition Centre is 9.45am. The homeward journey will begin at 4pm, giving you more than six delicious hours to lose yourselves in quilting and crafting paradise.

The second bus departs from the same locations at the same times on the closing day of the Fair, Sunday 26 June.

The price tag on this fabulous school excursion is $38, which includes entry into the Fair as well as the return bus fees. Quite a bargain really, when you compare the price and parking hassles of going it alone. And lots more fun to do it with a bunch of like-minded quilting obsessives. A $20 non-refundable deposit is required when booking with the balance due by 31 May 2011.

Click here to book for the Craft & Quilt Fair.

America calling

And if next month's Craft & Quilt Fair in Sydney isn't enough to quench your insatiable thirst for large, fun-filled quilting events, then take a look at this.

Blueberries is organising a 15-day American jaunt starting in cosmopolitan New York City, ending in the divinely decadent Las Vagas, and swinging by the Houston International Quilt Show in Houston, Texas. And if you think Sydney's Craft & Quilt Fair is big, wait till you see what they can do in Houston. (or, as Crocodile Dundee would say, "Now that's a Quilt Show.")

There'll also be an interesting couple of days and nights visiting a genuine Amish community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which will be like a fascinating and informative step back through the centuries. It's almost worth making the entire trip for this leg alone as it probably isn't something you're ever likely to see on a regular travel package to the States.

The trip (named "A Quilter's Journey") will depart Sydney on 26 October 2011 and arrive back on 9 November with Central Coast shuttle services between Sydney Airport and Blueberries.

For more information on "A Quilter's Journey" email enquiries@blueberries.net.au and we will send you an information pack.

Big 'n' Bizarre

A road trip of Australia’s fiberglass monuments

The Big Merino

We all know that moving house ranks as one of life’s most stressful experiences. So consider the case of Goulburn’s famous Big Merino. In 2007 when it had to move from its home of 22 years, it was lopped off at the knees! And as if that wasn’t bad enough, the entire move was just 800 metres up the road. Ba-a-a-a-a-a-a!!!!!

These drastic measures were mostly because of the Merino’s monumental proportions. Standing over 15 metres tall, 18 metres long and weighing in at a bone-crunching 97 tonnes, the steel-framed, fiberglass and concrete structure has been a true leviathan of Australia’s Big Things, right from its very first day on the job in September 1985. No trip along the Hume Highway was complete without a stop in Goulburn to have your photo taken standing in the shadow of the towering Big Merino.

Known locally as ‘Rambo’, the structure was designed by architect Gary Dutallis and took six months to build, using mostly local tradesmen. It was primarily intended as a monument to Australia’s fine wool industry, but proved so popular as a tourist attraction in its own right that within months of its official opening, it was attracting up to 40 busloads of visitors every day. As well as a café, gift shop and information centre, visitors could enter the Merino from between its back legs and climb up to the observation deck in its head, which offered sweeping panoramic views to the east.

Unfortunately it was the Goulburn Bypass that put an end to Rambo’s halcyon period. In 1992, when the Bypass was opened, passing trade was reduced to a slow drip, and Rambo was forced to ponder his future and very reason for existence (big, scary questions for anyone, especially a 97 tonne concrete sheep with limited prospects for alternative employment).

Then in 2004 things went from bad to worse when Rambo’s observation deck was closed to the public, as it didn’t comply with new Council safety regulations.

Finally, in 2007, Rambo was given a chance of a new life when he was relocated to greener pastures. His new home was in the grounds of a service centre just off the Freeway Interchange, less than a kilometre down the road. This turnaround was more than just symbolic. He was also swung around to face the opposite direction. When his observation deck was reopened to the public, it now offered sweeping panoramic views to the west.

Since the move, Rambo has been a new sheep. He’s been given an expanded and renovated gift shop, a permanent historic wool exhibition inside his belly and, perhaps most importantly of all, brand new legs.

And the last word...

"Quilters aren’t greedy, they’re just materialistic."