My AQC adventure
We have to get into a time machine and fly back to April for this post.
My trip to the Australasian Quilt Convention was a whirlwind and then it was straight into the Springwood Quilt Show and other busy things meant this post kept being pushed to the side but as they say, better late than never.
It's a pretty long post too, the sort that would go well with a cup of tea. I'll wait while you make one... or you can just scroll through and look at the pictures, I wont mind.
First up I'll jump in and explain for those who don't know The Australasian Quilt Convention is the big quilt fair held in Melbourne each year. There are classes by numerous national and international teachers, the cream of the crop. There are many quilt displays of the best quilts of Australia, International quilt challenges. This year we had US quilter Luke Haynes as the super star featured quilter with lots of his amazing work. The Quilters Of Mexico brought out a wonderful collection of their quilts. The winning quilts of Quilt Con were wonderful to see in real life.
The list goes on... And then there is the shopping!! All the best quilt shops from around Australia come together and fill the halls with their tempting wares.
So here we go -My the story of my trip to Australasian Quilt Convention.
On Wednesday morning Mr Daisy and I arrived nice and early at the airport only to find our plane had been delayed by a heavy fog in another part of the country. Arrgh.. The hours ticked by and I kept myself busy by pacing the airport, drinking cups of tea and taking quilt inspiration photos. Mr D was busy working on his computer.
Anyway things have a way of working out and we made it to the Melbourne Exhibition building AQC cocktail party just as the speeches were finishing, the champagne was being served and the mariachi band came out. Some would say it was the perfect time to arrive.
We danced, ate mini hamburgers and met lots of wonderful people!! What a great way to land at AQC!
The Venue!! One of the special things about AQC is the venue. The Royal Exhibition Building is a World Heritage site because it is one of the world's oldest exhibition pavilions. Many years ago when I was a florist I worked on big exhibits for the Flower and Garden shows held there. It was wonderful to return as a quilter with my work on display.
It's even impressive in the rain.
The inside is even better!!
I'll let the pictures do the talking...
There were some quiet corners too.
Fabulous shopping!!
One of the first stands I stopped by was the Bernina stand. This was were there were having workshops letting people play with the dream machine Q20 sit down long arm machines.
The wall of mini quilts were wonderful panels featuring Susie Q. They sent these out to different quilters and I was one of the lucky people. As always it's wonderful to see how different people interpret the theme. Can you guess which one's mine?
Yes, it's the colourful flowery one. lol. I'll write more about her in a future post.
Let's move on to the reason I was at AQC. My Whizz Bang! quilt.
Here it is hanging from a distance
Each day of the show I was with my quilt between 11am and 1pm to meet people and answer questions about my quilt.
Thank you for this photo by Karen of Sunburnt quilts. Usually I'm blinking or making faces in photos but she managed to capture a big smile. And no wonder I was smiling Karen and I have been blog friends for about 7 years so it was wonderful to meet in real life. I got to meet another dear friend Susan of No Scraps Too Small who made me laugh non stop.
Here I am with my friend Lorraine, she's known me since I was a baby quilter. It was lovely to have her and her husband visit me at a special event in my life.
In fact my heart swells to think of all the lovely I met. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and for talking to me about my quilt.
Moving on... This was so cool - My Whizz Bang quilt shared a quilt stand with this Luke Haynes quilt, The American Context.
Luke is the loveliest, funniest, genuine, most down to earth and uber creative guy, He's as friendly as he looks on this quilt.
On Friday night we went to his lecture. He talked of his journey from architecture to quilting, his influences, motivations. We got to see lots of examples of his work on the big screen.
I love that he approaches traditional quilting with the view that it is art. A lot of what he said really resonated with me.
If you ever get the chance to see his quilts or attend a lecture , don't hesitate.
***
On Saturday evening we attended the Gala Ball hosted by Bernina.
I took my little Pinky Pin Cushion my friend Susan had given me. She was the perfect size to fit in my evening purse so why not?
There was lots of entertainment of all types.
My name flashed up for a moment as one of the state Best In Show winners.The highlight of the evening was being there to see fellow Quilt NSW members Jane Gibson win the Lut-dah Award...
and Lynn Hewitt win the Rajah Award. Huge Congratulation ladies!!
And then there was the fun dancing to the Beatles Cover Band after the awards were announced. As soon as the music started there was a rush for the dance floor. Quilters really know how to shake their booty!!
***
The area we stayed in Melbourne was Carlton. Both Mr Daisy and I used to live around there so each morning we'd go walking and enjoy the familiar places we knew so well and be amazed at the changes of others.
I was dressed in autumn colours this day.
Walking on cobblestones is one of my favourite Melbourne things.
And because quilting and cakes go hand in hand, I'll take you to one of my favourite cake shops. I've been going to Brunettis since I was a little girl. It was one little shop then. Over the years it has grown, and grown and grown!!! It had even grown bigger since the last time we were in Melbourne.
There was wonderful tiling everywhere including a giant compass on the floor. I got Mr Daisy to stand in the photo for scale.
Fridges of yumminess.
Cakes that are like art works
Of course we had to try some.
This one has strawberry sauce in a squeezy bottle stuck in the top.
The days flew by and before I knew it it was Sunday. I spent the morning at the Show and had a photo taken with Rachelle Denneny and her Magic Movement quilt that won the Bernina Best in Australia Award
We think it's fun that we're both Rachael/Rachelle D's and we both used to be florists. I thought our quilts made a great pair hanging next to each other. ( And how fun that we dress like our quilts).
My favourite photo of the trip was with my niece Lily.
And that was my AQC adventure. If you made it through this long post, Thank you and well done!! I really should try to do some quick posts shouldn't I. I'll try next time...
27 Comments
I love tagging along with you through your amazing pics! Beautiful building. Congrats to you and the winners. Is it bad that I cannot stop thinking about those cakes and coffee x
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing AQC through your eyes. Thank you! It's such a fun event and the last couple of years has worked in well with school holidays and visits to my IL's who live there.
ReplyDeletePerfect Review of your time in Melbourne. I guessed which susie-q was was yours before scrolling down. Glad you included the close up ; old eyes like big images these days.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfull adventure. Congratulations with this fun and important quilt show.I love your whizz bang quilt. I bet it is nice and heavy.
ReplyDeleteFun story.
Well, Mick's at a meeting, so I made a cup of tea and sat down to immerse myself in Quiltcon through your eyes. It must have been a fabulous few days. So good to see you sharing your time discussing your quilt and getting to meet so many other like minded folk. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePffewwww......what a fun fun fun post ! Thank you for all the pics you shared with us !
ReplyDeleteThis was an important week for you and I can imagine you met wonderful quilters and fans ! Very nice to you !
The cakes looked so yummy.... oh la la ! :)
Congratulations Rachael again and again !!
What a great post Rachael ! I'm really happy that you could live such a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteoh the glitz and the glamour..........LOL.........with be lovely to meet you in Syd albe it not so glitzy.........lol......the exhibition centre sure is amazing building.........they just don't build stuff like that now...........
ReplyDeleteYou are too adorable in your dress jacket and yellow tights! :)
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous trip it looks like you had. everything from the building, the quilts and the food looks beautiful.
That compass is amazing. How awesome that Mr. Daisy comes on your adventures.
Don't you love when a lecture really hits home. I sure do.
Looking forward to hearing more about your pretty flower lady quilt.
Oh what a fun post! I think that is the most incredible venue for quilts that I have ever seen! I loved seeing you with your Whizz Bang! And I can't believe you went to an airport without any hand work. I'm sure it won't happen again! I thought I was bad because I carry at least one project in my car at all times, but my 93 year old friend ALWAYS carries two handbags. One is filled with handwork. After a "surprise" visit to the hospital once, she vowed she would never be caught without something to do again. Works for me! Thanks for a great post. No tea needed.
ReplyDeleteRachel, you and your works are such delights! I dream of attempting some of your projects but life keeps pulling me in so many directions! Thanks for including the show. Wonderful eye candy for someone like me who lives so remotely. Again, I thank you for taking the time to share with the world! And that mr. Daisy is a cutie pie! I always tease my daughter that there may be snow on the roof...but there's still a fire in the chimney!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun adventure--that venue is amazing! Thanks for sharing all the events. I knew your Susie Q right off the bat--unmistakable--lol! Those cakes are crazy--it would be hard to dig into a work of art like that. Why is it that when you don't have any hand sewing along, it is just the time you need it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight to see what's been happening. Your photos are wondeful and, of course, your quilts are amazing, colorful and so innovative. It's been a Whizz Bang year for you
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful venue! I loved seeing your quilt hanging there for everyone to admire! It looks as though you had the time of your life...I want to try some of those cakes, but they are too beautiful to cut into!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! the inside of that Exhibition building looks fantastic. Makes me wish I'd got off the bus and looked inside it when we were there two years ago. I'm hoping to meet you at the Sydney show. I'll only be there on Thursday and Friday. I"m getting excited and can't wait to see your next creation.
ReplyDeleteLoved going through your Time Machine Rachael.....what fun! I have to go,through mine too to do blog posts lately lol! What a gorgeous building thee show is held in.....so lovely! At least you were able to take so,e patchwork,shots hanging around! Beautiful quilts at the show! Oh those cakes...how delicious! I'm so glad I popped by this morning.....a lovely, lovely post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience for you! I loved seeing that gorgeous building and all of your photos, and reading your post! It wasn't too long!! So good that you got to meet so many friends, and see your niece too! So happy that you got honored in this way!! Hugs, H
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Rachael! What a wonderful memory blog, like the best day evah!! I get all blushy and giggly when I see you pop in my name for a hello, I know not attractive in a woman of my age....but who wants to act her age? I will pop your abservation on dressing like ones quilt in my list of thesis.....my other thesis is that your beautiful heart is bursting with life and colour and warmth and it cannot help but spill over into your fabric life. At this moment I am packing up my home in order to move to the quiet of the country, just lately I have had to pack away my sewing.......I have learned that I don't function well without a time to sew......I will be busting out my packing the moment we sell!!!
ReplyDeleteOK OK OK...I am now content to retire my life. I will just sit back, drink red wine and live your life. I will be beautiful like you., famous like you, a darling artist like you...and much more. All through your wonderful blogposts...Thank you, my dear...thank you...xxxoo
ReplyDeletePS...at least u could do for this tired old grandma..it to mail her a piece of the cake...red, please...xxoxoxox lol
ReplyDeletethank you for the wonderful report. Yes, I made it to the end of the blogpost, but that's easy with your colourful funny posts :-)
ReplyDeleteBtw love your cloths..
What a fabulous few days! Melbourne is such a great city to visit and having your quilt on show is a perfect reason to go.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your lovely long post. What a great time you had in Melbourne. The Exhibition Centre is fantastic! Pleased your Whizz Bang Quilt won a prize, it looks great. Yes, I picked out your little quilt on the Bernina stand. Love all your pretty dresses.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael,wow what a wonderful post ,i had a ball reading this,lots of lovely pics and i am so sad that i missed seeing you,your quilt was amazing.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for sharing your special event with us Rachael xx
What a great venue for a quilt show!
ReplyDeleteThanks for great pictures,
xx
This is a wonderful post. There is always so much to see and do - and you have captured that in your post. I think the session with Luke Haynes would have been fascinating. I enjoyed seeing his quilts so much.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you featured the interior of the building, too. It is amazing with all the beautiful restoration work.
So much of the 4 days must have seemed like a blur with all that went on, so having photos was a smart idea.
Congratulations again, on being selected in the Best of the Best finalists. It was exciting to see your quilt and to finally meet up.
Good luck for what quilting brings to you in the next great adventure.
Playing catch up at my place - what a wonderful post to see just what you've been up to on your visit to the show and what a stunning venue!!! Doesn't Whizz Bang look a delight! I should think the foodies amongst us bloggers reading this post will be positively drooling at these food photographs!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.