The weekend that was...

So I have been a bit slack in getting to this post - it was such a big weekend I needed to recover from it first!!

You probably know I am referring to Sew It Together 2011, the monumental event Sheridan organised in Sydney.

  

Sheridan and her trusty assistant Donna.      Pic by Lara

 
Before I go any further I want to say a huge thank-you to Sheridan - for the incredible amount of work she must have put in to make sure that our every need (whim!) was catered for; from crafting, to shopping, to snacks, meals and even assisting with accomodation and a guided morning walk/run.

What she did brought together a diverse group of women, with a love of creating in common, and provided us all with an amazing weekend together, where new friendships were made and others consolidated.

So thanks Sheridan - you rock!

Unfortunately, due to restricted packing space for the outbound journey, I didn't take my camera and so I don't have any snaps of all the lovely ladies, so I pinched some - with credits of course where they are due.

We started on Friday with a shopping trip that included The Remnant Warehouse where I picked up some great lycra and swimwear elastic and super-cheap stretch denim.

Then we moved onto Calico and Ivy - a seriously beautiful shop and I grabbed a copy of this ace Japanese pattern book which has a bunch of gorgeous things I want to make for the girls. (Wish me luck!! - it's all in Japanese), some lovely Heather Bailey felt and some embroidery threads.

I could have gone wild in there- but restrained myself.



Megan and I at Calico and Ivy - shopping makes us happy!       Pic by Gillian



Next we went to Prints Charming and their studio was awash with colour - beautiful fabric, thread, prints and embroidery.

My only regret for the weekend was not staying to do the stitching group - I wasn't confident my needlework skills would be up to it - but the girls said it would have been fine.

This is the sort of thing they worked on.

Fabulous stitching - pic by Gillian

While we were there I picked up a scrap pack that I, along with some others, are going to turn into a skirt. If you're up for a sew-along then reserve your copy of SEW WHAT SKIRTS at your library and stay tuned next month. 

Some serious scraps! Thanks to Helen for swapping so I had a birdie!

On Saturday we crafted - well, "chatted and sometimes stitched a little" would be a more accurate description of the day!

I was really pleased throughout the weekend to meet lots of girls with whom I have chatted online for a number of years including Helen, Ingrid, Belinda, Kylie, Becky, Nic, Jen and Sara and all were as lovely (or lovelier!) than anticipated.

And I got to spend time with some 'old favourites' and get to know other lovely crafty folk better and make some new friends of course.

I'll be back tomorrow with 'the loot' from the crafting day.