Inspired

At the moment I need all the inspiration I can get (with B doing a hospital program for the next month and the dramas with his car). So it was great to make the annual pilgrimage to the Craft and Quilt Fair at the Sydney Exhibition Centre with my mum. I think this was one of the best ones I have attended so far. Financial constraints ment a great deal of discipline was exercised and practice in the art of window shopping, and a great many business cards/flyers gathered for future reference.

Here is my list and links:

• artweave mini kits
• Living Stitches more great designs in tapestry
• Amitie Textiles ~ fabrics, patchwork and quilting, this store is located in Bentleigh, VIC and has been pencilled in for when I am next in Melbourne, they are aparently on the train line. They also have a blog.
• And my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE was Prints Charming ~ a Sydney based store, everything else seemed to be from interstate. Great handpainted on cotton fabrics and quilt kits. I just loved it.
• The Thread Studio for wool felt in great colours. I am sure they had other great stuff but that's what I was most interested in.
• Kaalund Yarns ~ exotic silks, wools & mohairs for embroiderers, knitters and weavers
• Dragonfly Blue Imports online bead shop
• Etelage jewellery kits
• Frances Ergen Designs ~ mum bought me a delicious limey yellow wool and silk pashmina from Frances, and as she doesn't have a website I will have to visit her at the Stitches and Craft Show at Rosehill Racecourse in August. I would love one of her Indian embroidered sundresses.
• Amiegems more beads
• Bendigo Woollen Mills ~ I don't know why these guys don't have a website, they offer a great mailorder service and it must cost them a fortune to supply their shade cards.
• And an old favourite Patchwork on Central Park from whom I got this small pack of fabric to use with a bundle of chenille pieces sourced by B.

fabric pack

I also got this wonderful piece of chenille from Sarah London who told me they will have a website soon.

chenille

And this bead, I just liked it although I am not sure what I will do with it.

bead