Ahhhh yes! I felt like a kid in a lolly shop last Sunday when I visited the Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show with the delightful Kerryanne from the Shabby Art Boutique, our darling friend, Anne, and her lovely mum, Joy.
The event was hosted by Living Creatively this year - and held at a new venue - the Melbourne Showgrounds. The space was well organised, light and spacious, and had plenty of eye-candy on display!
Immediately after arriving I recognised a couple of designers from their appearances in Australian Homespun magazine and was delighted to meet them in person. Kristen Doran, at Cheeky Beaks, designs and sells her own unique range of fabrics and was an inspiration to talk to! And Jhoanna Monte Aranez of One Red Robin delighted me with her display of softies, personally-designed fabrics and patterns! In fact, I haven't stopped reading her blog since I came back from the Show!! If anyone is worried, please don't be, I'm not a stalker - I promise! What really amazes me is that so many of the talented ladies I met at the show are not only industrious and ambitous artisans, but they also juggle paid jobs, raising young families and running their houses as well. Please share with me how you do it ladies, as you have no idea how much I admire you for it!
Another big highlight for me was to meet one of my doll-designing idols, Karlene Atkins of Katkins Designs. I'm yet to meet anyone who does not fall in love with Karlene's dolls! They each have fresh, sweet and pretty dispositions with the most beautiful faces that are instantly recognisable as Karlene's designs. It was such a pleasure to meet this modest and charming lady, and my buddies were giggling away at me as I gushed with childish enthusiasm over our meeting! Karlene shared with us her beautiful new range of buttons and new doll designs - and do you know - I was so excited by chatting with her that I completely overlooked buying some of those scrummy buttons... I shall have to rectify that in the very near future! Here is a picture of me with Anne on my left and Karlene on my right.
Kerryanne caught up with one of her blogging buddies, Jodie from Vintage Ric-Rac. What an inspirational lady she is! Not only is she an incredibly talented and original artist, but she is genuinely humble and modest with it. Jodie is famous for making garments and soft furnishings from selvedges - yes - what most sewers would consider to be useless strips of fabric to throw out, are what makes Jodie's creations so unique. Well not only that of course, she is a damn fine seamstress with a tasteful and classy flair for design! If you get the opportunity to see Jodie's work, I would highly recommend it.
I don't think I have slept properly since Sunday as my mind is just buzzing!
Until next time, happy creating!
4 comments:
Aahhhhhh... it truly was a great day out. One can never have too much crafting inspiration. Of course it is always better when shared with friends. Thanks for helping to push me around the show Vikki.
See you tonight. Hugs ~ Kerryanne
That sounds like a great day . So glad you enjoyed yourselves .
clares craftroom
Hi Vicki, I came to visit via Kerryanne. Adore the nursery you did for your Rosie, its just rosey!! Rachaelxo
Hi Vikki! Thanks so much for your kind words about my work and for visiting my little stand. So glad to hear you had a great time at the show. Your blog is so warm and cheery and I especially love the nursery pics!
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