Lots to Share

So this is going to be one long post :)  Where do I start?  Perhaps in date order.....at the Craft & Quilt Fair in Launceston last Friday......it was my first ever quilt fair and also on the last day of my holidays.....wonderful way to finish almost 3 very relaxing weeks.  Lots and lots to drool over and equally as much to purchase......I was however, very restrained (only because I had a budget)!!!!!

The day began at 7am at  Kathy's house, then off to collect Christine and Di.   Road Trip!!!  First stop - the Raspberry Farm at Christmas Hills for breakfast - or should I say break-FEAST.....muffins, toast and raspberry jam, scrambled eggs, bacon and sweet potato hash browns.....ohhhhh my goodness - small serves were big enough to feed an army....and very delish!  Guess who didn't take a photo - doh!

Then off to the fair....wow - there are so many talented people in this country.  The quilts were so impressive - (no photo's) and the stalls were equally so.  It was wonderful to see so many Tassie businesses there - and I finally got to meet the gorgeous Fee - her stall looked absolutely wonderful with lots and lots of lovely patterns and fabric bargains........no, I just couldn't resist :)

I purchased this lovely tablerunner pattern and the prettiest fabric behind.  I think you should all visit Fee and check out her online shop also.......

Next purchase was from Blue Willow Cottage.........

A super cute teeny tiny rotary cutter and mat - perfect for cutting hexies (I've had the papers and template for a little while, but have not yet dabbled....they look rather addictive)....both items are super portable.  I also purchased a dresden plate template - dresden's have grown on me over the last couple of months, so I think I shall definately have to try my hand at making one or two!  The absolutely gorgeous chenille ric rac came from another stall, however I can't remember the name.

Later in the afternoon after much wandering, returning, umming and ahhhhing and completing our purchases, we slipped out to Esme's at Kings Meadows..........

...... I was delighted (read ecstatic) to find 2 more fabrics from the Fleur Rouge collection I blogged about a couple of posts ago......it's soooo pretty.  Of course I couldn't resist buying just a tiny bit more ric rac - I have such a thing for it at the moment.......its almost as addictive as fabric :)  I had a lovely day out with 3 gorgeous friends and can't wait for another road trip soon!

On Monday when I returned home from work I had this waiting for me.....I knew it was from sweet Friends With Benefits swap partner Sisbabe.....now - you must understand that when I get a pressie in the post, I normally have the packaging ripped to shreds before I even step inside the front door.......I have showed much restraint with this gift to produce the appropriate photo's........

OK, so I may have had a little squeeze between the letterbox and the house.....

Ohhhhh I love pressies with ribbons.......and tissue paper........how easy is that to tear open quickly...

What a beautiful pouch......and on opening the zipper I found.......more pretty bows the tissue wrap (I was so excited by now)

The next pressie was this perfect piece of stitchery which opened out to.........

Isn't it lovely - Sisbabe's stitching is just perfect - AND the clever lady designed the stitchery herself.

A matching notebook to complete the set......and last but not least

this teeny 2 1/2 inch charm pack (I had no idea they came this little), which has lots of the lovely french reds I am in love with at the moment.

Sisbabe, my gifts are absolutely awesome - the words you chose were very meaningful to me........thank you for the TLC you put into each stitch!!!!  It's been wonderful getting to know you bouncing lengthy (very lengthy) emails off to each other....a true new blogging buddy!

Sisbabe on the other hand, is totally the opposite to myself.......her parcel arrived a day later than mine, but ohhhh nooooo, my new friend likes to look at the pretty wrap, and touch and squeeze and feel and play for waaaaay longer than I can manage........its almost 36 hours since the postie delivered to her door and she still hasn't opened it........can you imagine that......I'm going bonkers waiting.....I think secretly she is enjoying torturing me........what do you think?

xoxoxoxo