Well after being cancelled in 2020, and postponed in 2021, the Stitch in Spring was finally held last weekend, just 28 months after my last one in 2019. Set up was done on Friday and the view was just stunning from the Port Campbell Surf Club. The beach might have been quiet at 8am when I took this photo, but was a hive of activity once the weather warmed up.
Between Russell, Jodie and myself we had everything set up and looking lovely for the first lot of ladies on Saturday. To help with social distancing, I had 9 tables instead of the usual 8 tables. Unfortunately some of the ladies were unable to make it due to a variety of reasons, so we were able to spread out even further.
The table decorations incorporated greenery with handmade fabric flowers....
which matched the goodie bags.
Inside was a special 10th Anniversary Stitch in Spring mug, and of course some GORGE Chocolates.
And you have to have name tags.....which also matched. I think these are my favourite ones to date!
Our tutors for the weekend included Gail from Gail Pan Designs. Gail set up a beautiful display of her work, which included quilts, wall hangings, table runners, bags plus more!
Gail's project for the weekend included this bag featuring a stitchery design
and a different version incorporating applique.
I decided to make up the applique version in the fabrics that I included in the kits......and I just loved how easy it all went together!
Unfortunately Lenora was unable to join us on the weekend, due to that wretched Covid virus, but she is much better now and will back in her shop, Elm Grove Patchwork, tomorrow.
I also provided two projects for the ladies......a matching needle purse and bag.
The shop area was spread out more than usual, and it worked really well having the extra space.
Although I take lots of before photos, I always tend to forget to take the 'during' photos......so thanks to Jill H for sending some through to me.
And just like that the weekend was over and it was time for 'the' photo!
Thank you so much to everyone who attended, and were so understanding with the cancellation and postponement. I was so relieved once Sunday was finished that we had finally made it!
Thanks also to:
Gail for coming along and doing what she does so well.....teaching you all!
Russell for helping out over the three days, and in the weeks leading up to the weekend.
Lyndell for her expertise in the kitchen, I never have to worry about anything when Lyndell is there.
Hannah who took time out of her busy work schedule to run the shop for me over the two days.
Tabatha for her help during the pack up.....and of course her amazing vacuuming talent!
and to Jodie......from setting up on Friday, to working in the kitchen on Saturday (and Sunday until we kicked her out!), and packing up on Sunday night.
I certainly couldn't do it with you all!
But wait there's more!
As we all stood outside with full vehicles, we made our plans to meet back at the shop to unload everything. Jodie headed first, followed by Russell. I dropped the key back, and Tabatha followed a few minutes later. As I headed out the road, I came around the corner to see quilts and 'stuff' all over the road. My heart sank as the first thought to enter my head was that Russell had had an accident and rolled the ute. I quickly pulled over and jumped out........further down the road I saw the ute pulled over. Strewn across the road were the Loyalty Cards from the ladies who had attended the weekend, along with my epftpos terminals, cradle, laminated signs, brochures and the list went on. A lovely man pulled up behind me and helped to retrieve the scattered things. The terminals had bounced out of their fabric drawstring pouches, and the batteries had also been dislodged. Hitting the ground at 100km didn't end well for one of the machines, but surprisingly the other still works!
So what happened?.....the door on the canopy wasn't closed properly and flung open going around the corner. Jodie made it as far as Eastern Creek Road before she realised that Russell wasn't behind her, so she turned around to see what had happened. Her heart sunk as she saw the blue & red flashing lights ahead, thinking the worst had happened, but thankfully it was a Paramedic who had pulled over to make sure that everyone was okay and that no one was hurt. With the help of Tabatha, and another lady, we collected everything that we could find and threw it back into the vehicles and headed for home.
So the damage was........one large plastic tub full of kits and fabric fell out......
along with a box of shop props/containers, the box with the loyalty cards and admin stuff, two bags of quilts and samples.......the bags are completely stuffed /ripped open, but the quilts are okay.....phew!
and devastatingly.....Pearl's vintage basket that I take to all of the shows with me. It's ripped and torn and beyond repair.
I'm a glass half full kind of person, so it could've been a lot worse. Most of the kits just needed to be put into new bags, a couple had bits missing so have been tossed, and I will have some greatly reduced fabric pieces at my next Live Sale. I had a new eftpos machine delivered yesterday, purchased a new Loyalty Card file box......at least the destroyed one was the one with the dodgy lid.....lol! and I need a new sticky tape dispenser. From all of the Loyalty Cards that were scattered over the road and in the bushes, I am only missing one.......Tammy's! So as I don't know how many stamps Tammy had on her card, I have decided to give her a full card with a $20 reward.
I will however need to go to Ikea and get a new plastic tub to match the spare lid that I have.....another road trip Jodie!!
Linda :)
So glad that it wasn’t worse, happy that you are ok, looks like most things could be fixed up except for Pearl’s beautiful box, what a wonderful weekend you had though!
Posted by: Meredith | January 26, 2022 at 07:48 PM
So sorry about the accident, just glad all are ok ……..
Posted by: Jane | January 27, 2022 at 07:44 AM
Stitch in Spring looks like a great event inspite of the accident (which can always happen). Well done Linda.
Martha editor on https://thequiltingblog.com
Posted by: Martha | February 14, 2022 at 07:42 PM