A vintage textile fair to end all fairs

On Sunday just gone, I visited with Shane from Roses Lace and Brocante and together we went to Alexander Park in Auckland to a Vintage Textile Fair. 

While most of the time I was far too busy ferreting - I did remember to take a few photos.

 This was my first textile fair and honestly, I have never seen anything like this, there were shoes and clothes and hats and linens and jewels and laces and buttons and quilts. There were a mix of dealers and collectors and prices ranged from bargains to expensive over the top. 

For more than 2 hours I was in heaven :)

Here are a few images taken at times when I wasn't skipping or fra-la-la-ing....

Unfinished quilts

I would have loved to take all these guys home!

These laces were stunning, but highly priced.

These two quilts were dated 1860's and had price tags of several hundred dollars. The one above is a dolls size quilt while the one below is an unfinished bed quilt. Both had come from America.

I would so love to own one of these, but priced well out of my range.

 Gorgeous!

This quilted fabric above was sourced from France and came from around the top of a bed, it was over $700.

 Love this hat!

I had a lovely day and it was so nice to finally meet Shane. We talked non-stop - as you can imagine.

Overall I think you had to be picky to find a bargain, but it was lovely to spend time with a fellow blogger with so much in common.

Thanks Shane, may it happen many more times in the future!

And did you want to see what I found/bought?

Well, I'll show you soon, when I get home from my holiday :)

Carole:)

Yesterday I died and went to heaven.....

Girls, I will tell you what it was like tomorrow

I'm still recovering...

Carole :)

You know how I love textile markets, well.....

...well this is my latest find. 

Amazing, a woman at the Frabric-abrac market last weekend was selling two very large bags of hexs! 

Each bag was packed full of hexs, and although I'm not sure about some of the colours, 

some of the fabrics were very old and quite pretty.

I certainly think the hexs with the paper backings were really interesting compared to the ones with plain card.

It was really interesting to go through them and read what was on them.

When I got home and tipped out the hexs, this chocolate box was tucked in the bottom and it is full of templates. Hundred's of them, how exciting :)

And then I found a tin full of crochet cottons and hooks. 

What more could a girl want?

Had any interesting finds lately?

Carole:)

CLASS REGISTRATION OPENS

Registration is now open

I've always thought about how life can be likened to a road, it has straight stretches, but more often than not it also has many winding corners and mountain ranges. 

As we travel along our road, we also make many stops. Maybe it's to raise children, maybe it's marriage, separation or death.

But, no matter what the road is like, we are often blessed to find some fabulous friends along the way, and some wonderful places.

I wanted to make a wall hanging that reflected that in a quirky kind of way.

This quilt reflects for me the road taken to my house and I would love for you to join me in this journey. 

The road to my house
Make a delightful quilted wall hanging with me. This quilt will be unique and personal to you as it narrates the story of the road to your house.

Celebrate your very own journey.

Together we will use our sewing machines for some free motion stitching and 

a little hand stitching to add depth.  

Add a smattering of teabags, some vintage linen, an assortment of special treasures 

from your sewing room to embellish 

and you will have a wall hanging that's very individual and incredible.  

I will be there every step of the journey to advise you and guide you. 

Make your wall hanging the same size as mine or make it smaller.

As we work together you can follow my directions and explore ideas generated in the workshop or you can be adventurous and put your own spin on your project, whichever road you take, remember, it’ll lead to your house.

Play with fabric, step away from the burden of producing 'perfect' all the time. The quirkiness that you lend to this wall hanging will make it unique and a stunning piece of art.

This workshop includes recycled new and vintage materials and will allow you to include as much or as little detail as you want to in the embellishing. All stitches are easy and I will help you if you get stuck with easy to follow directions, photos and videos.

Work on this project at your own leisure, the wee stitcheries lend themselves to being 

popped into your purse and taken with you. Finish the hand stitching while you wait for the children, or at home while you watch tv. 

The class blog will remain open for an unlimited time.

COST:  $US55.00
START DATE:  11th September 2011

Join me for loads of fun in my brand new class as we share our journeys with each other.

Feel free to take my class button above for your blog.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, I am always only an email away.

Carole :)

“The road to my place is never straight, but it’s always paved with fabulous friends and wonderful places!”  Carole Brungar

seizing the opportunity

Well it's been an exciting week and anyone reading this who lives in New Zealand will be thinking, 'not more snow photos!'

But they will also know it's not a vary common occurrence to have it snow in Palmerston North, and many of the places that it did snow, so when it does everyone gets very excited.

In the last 10 years the hills opposite my home have had 2 dusting's of snow, and it has been at least 50 years since it snowed like this.

On Monday morning we woke to a pretty dusting of snow on the hills and the promise of a corridor of polar air moving towards us bring severe chills and snow to low levels.

Everyone at work was eager to head off home as the day got darker and grey. It started to snow half an hour before I finished work. The above photo shows what it was like driving home. By the time I got home, this is what awaited me....

H O L Y    C O W!!

I'm not sure the sheep were too thrilled about the sudden dip in temperatures. They started to blend into the snow...

And all my daffodils were buckling under the weight of the snow...

And the neighbours farm looked magical in a cold sort of way...

But there was only one thing for it. I took off my smart office jacket and my heels and stockings and put on socks and track pants, coat, scarf and hat and gloves  and in my gumboots I ran out to play like a 5 year old.

Honestly it does one's soul good to run around and build snowmen and throw snowballs, and stand with your tongue hanging out trying to catch a snowflake. 

It makes you feel alive.

And the next morning...

it was still all there, pristine, pretty and pure.

It made me feel alive

and 

thankful for the beauty I got to witness during the week.

My snowman lasted for 3 days and now there is only a touch of snow here and there on the hills, but the polar blast has disappeared and fine sunny days are forecast. 

Can't wait for the sun.

Carole :)

Don't stop at the cafe,

we've got stitching to do

Carole :)

Don't run over the bird in the pot

I'll be keeping my eyes on the road,

I'm taking the road to your house

Carole :)

Looking for a new project?

It's going to be a festival of old button and bows 

and hand stitching

and vintage linen and pretty threads,

play like there's no tomorrow 

Carole :)

It's really all about friends....

....what more can I say?

Carole :)

New class details coming soon

Hope you've been practicing your free motion stitching?

Carole :)

GET YOUR CARS OUT GIRLS!!

We're about to start on a journey,

We'll be taking a leisurely pace.

Pack needle and thread and cream cakes,

Because we're taking the road to my place.

Registration opening soon

Carole :)

Whew, I survived my first market

Well the market was last night. I survived. Just.

It was held in the staff cafe at work, with wine and nibbles.

Three people who were supposed to have tables cancelled at the last minute, and not many staff turned up either.

A bit disappointing really, considering the amount of time and effort you put into making the items to sell and then carting everything in and setting up.

My lavender bags and my fabric gift cards were very popular. I was very happy.

Here is my table, looking a bit cluttered :) -but interesting.

I did learn a few things....

It takes ages to set things up how you want them, in fact I had to re-do the display three times, even tho I had tried things at home.

When it's time to pack up everyone else in the room seems to be able to pack up much quicker than me.

Props are as important as your products.

And finally, Murphy's Law dictates that almost everyone will have $10 or $20 notes. And they did, and I was ready for them! HA

I am thinking I might be tempted to give it another go......

Carole :)

Getting back to the labels...

First I had to do some sewing, (and bask in the warm glow from the sewing machine)

A nice pile of embellishments to play with.

Then I felt I had to use some of these. Nathalie sent me these a while back, I felt they were too special to use, now I know they were perfect for my price labels. 

Thanks Nathalie - knew I kept them for a reason!

Mean looking monsters :)) but they will be perfect.

Then take my little suitcase full of wee lavender sachets with pretty ribbons, laces and fabrics and add a one-of-a-kind hand made label,

One lot of goodies done and dusted for the market. 

They should compliment the pretty quilts and the fabric cards.

Now onto the final quilt. Will I get it finished in time?

Carole :)