Best time in Coffs Harbour!!!
A couple of weeks ago Mr Daisy and I filled the daisymobile with quilts and headed off up the highway to Coffs Harbour.
Coffs is well known for it's Big Banana,
and beautiful beaches,
and while we did visit both
our main reason for going there was because I'd been invited to teach some workshops at the wonderful Nesting Needles Patchwork Shop in the heart of town.
I wish I'd taken a photo of the entrance where there was a table and chair set up for patient husbands but I was too busy being swept up by the happy welcome from the owner of the shop, Lisa
And then I got caught in the trance of looking at fabulous fabrics. There were aisles of fabric with shelves full to the ceiling with wonderful eye candy!!
Everywhere you looked!!
All different styles, eras and colours.
There would be the perfect fabric for every quilt in this shop, and lots of bolts to inspire new quilts!
As I said in my last post, I get so caught up with teaching that I forget to take photos but here are a few from the two lots of 2 day workshops teaching blocks from my Whizz Bang! quilt.
I really got the sense that Nesting Needles was a heart of a community not just a shop that sells fabric. It takes a special knack and the right people to make that happen.
Lots of busy sewing!
Concentration...
and fun conversations.
We had this very cute little fellow join the class one day. Not only does Lisa run a patchwork shop she also breeds pedigree cats. The ladies had some fun stories about Lisa's pet birds visiting the shop too.
And Lisa would make the most AMAZING lunches!!!
served with a refreshing drink!!
And the end of the days there was lots of Whizz Bang! show and tell!!
I love all these beautiful and bright sparks that will become wonderful quilts, cushions, bags, pot holders, and other fun things.
My most heartfelt thanks to Lisa for being such a wonderful host and all of the lovely people at Nesting Needles who made me feel so welcome. I'll be working on fun new ideas for workshops next year.
Each day after the classes Mr Daisy and I would go exploring.
The weather was quite wild and rainy while we were there but it seemed to magically clear up so we would wander around and take in the views.
We watched waves,
walked on piers,
admired rockscapes,
followed paths that took us to beautiful places,
Sometimes it got very dark and stormy but that just made it even more picturesque in that grand
moody way.
We visited the Botanic Gardens
I'd never seen a musical note plant before.
I can't resist following paths
to see where they go.
I know this is the longest blog post ever but I have to include some photos of where we stayed as well. I found it through AirBnB and we got lucky. It felt like a home away from home.
Once again Coffs Harbour put on a warm welcome for us.
Beautiful morning sunlight on the deck.
This is where I would sit in the mornings and drink my cups of tea and check my instagram.
Mr Daisy set up his office at this desk while I was at Nesting Needles.
The perfect couch for relaxing on at the end of the day.
and because every home should have a gong!
So that's it for now. Thank you for being patient with me and all my photos. It was such a special trip and we had such a wonderful time. It's hard to put all of that into just a few photos and words.
If you're ever in Coffs Harbour here is the website for Nesting Needles,
Or follow along their facebook page here
29 Comments
That looks like it was the best trip! I love exploring new areas, and who can resist a winding path (not me!)
ReplyDeleteYour classes look amazing too. I'm so glad you have added some teaching feathers to your already very full bow of talent!
Hi Rachael wow lots of amazing pics of such a wonderful time,thankyou for sharing your adventure with us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend your days. It is amazing how much you can fit into a day when you try!! The class looks wonderful again and it looks like lots was achieved!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fabulous time! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh what fun! It is a lovely shop. I was dizzy looking at all that fabric. Looks like you had some quick learning students! I find it a little funny that Lisa raises cats and has pet birds. Wonder how they get along? wink. It is so nice to see lovely warm beaches. Ours are still covered in snow and more promised for tonight and tomorrow! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these wonderful places.
ReplyDeleteOh my Gosh ! No doubt you spent wonderful moments in this wonderful place ! This shop is incredible and these ladies absolutely amazing !
ReplyDeleteOK, they have a great teacher noooo ?
Thank you for sharing Rachael !
xoxo
PS : I love your fuel ! ah ah !
PS 2 : I love your country ! I repeat myself I know but it's the truth ! :)
It looks like everyone was having a good time! I love storms and look forward to watching them roll in.
ReplyDeleteI am forever saying, "Oh look! A path! Let's see where it goes!" Too funny! I love the quilt shop....lovely and friendly! Looks like you had a good group, too! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI guess if you have to be famous for something, it may as well be a big banana--lol! The shop looks wonderful and your students did a whiz-bang-up job of making stunning blocks! I'm happy Mr Daisy enjoys going along--the place you stayed was pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're having fun doing the thing I always knew you were destined for. Your Muse and I are happy for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience that the world of teaching is opening up for you! I echo the words that the wise Terry has posted. Good on ya young girlie!
ReplyDeleteWhat another lovely opportunity for you to share your enthusiasm and talent with other enthused quilters.
ReplyDeleteAlways great when you find a wonderful spot to visit.......
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous time you've had. Coffs Harbour is so lovely and looks like you found somewhere very special to stay.
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of fun reading your post and seeing your pictures, as always ... It looks like you had a great time and met wonderful people there. I'm thinking of signing up for your next workshop ... I have nearly one year to persuade my husband I need to go halfway around the world to take a class ! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful opportunity for you and all the people in your class.
ReplyDeleteWould you consider changing continents ? Germany is lovely, too ;-)
I really enjoyed your magic report of your trip and wish I could have been part of it. A bit too far from Liverpool England I'm sad to say. Thanks so much for sharing it all.
ReplyDeleteJo
Fabulous post Rachael...love the pic of you holding up that Quilt! Those ladies were really concentrating weren't they! This list felt lovely je I was reading a story from beginning to end!
ReplyDeleteThere are some great places to find on Airbnb aren't there? That one looked made for you! I laugh at the comments from others who live on the other side of the world, who would like to do a workshop with you! I'd love to do one too, and I only live in the next state!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to merge work and pleasure. It sounds like you both had a great time. Clever ladies, great accommodation and playing the tourist. You can't get better than that.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting & lovely post! And great pics, especially the one of your quilt on down on the beach!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous trip filled with such pretty places and faces! I do love your stories and photos, they are a wonderful peek into what was obviously a fun trip. It's so nice that you were able to bring your hubby along and enjoy the sights with him as well. That last quilt is stunning!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful adventure! the shop looks wonderful and they spread they put out was impressive.
ReplyDeleteI think you quilters in Oz have a lot of fun!!
beautiful photos of your trip and how absolutely wonderful that Phil was with you too!
Sounds like so much fun! Lots of great moments I'm sure.:)
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ReplyDeleteبمناسبة اقتراب فصل الصيف يمكنك الان التواصل مع صيانة كاريير التي توفر احدث الانواع من التكييفات وباقل الاسعار التي تتناسب مع جميع الاحتياجات وبمختلف الاشكال والاحجام ويمكنك الاختيار من بينهم .
ReplyDeleteThanks for the workshop Rachael - we had a great couple of days, and just loved your quilts and techniques. Lisa's shop and her hospitality is pretty spectacular too. Regards, Margie
ReplyDeleteHello Margie, It's so lovely to hear from you. It really was a wonderful time. I so enjoyed meeting you all and seeing all the beautiful blocks you made. Hopefully I'll get to come back next year for more fun times.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.