AQC 2017.... Over and Out

For the past two months I have been cutting, folding, bundling. Dyeing, cutting, stitching. Folding, cutting and more bundling. All in preparation for the Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) which was held in Melbourne over the past four days. 

I was hoping to set off early on Wednesday morning, but a few last minute jobs turned into last hour jobs, and it was pushing toward 10.00am before the wheels on my wagon sped off up the road with myself and my dear friend Jane aboard.

Set up is not easy, in fact it is the least enjoyable part of the whole weekend. It doesn't seem to matter how well I have my stall planned out, it always takes a different spin when I start hanging the quilts up. Inevitably the quilts go up, they come down, they go up again, they are moved over, then down, then around again until I am either convinced it is the right combination or so confused I give up. It took a little bit to get it right, but it did eventually came together..... just before a security guard escorted us out at 8.00pm.

With a late tea of quiche and salad it was into bed. Unfortunately my body alarm is set at the farming time of 5.15am so there was no sleep in, but I did lay in bed going over the layout again in my head, and after breakfast it was back to the centre for some readjustments. By 8.30am our stall was ready and open for the delegate trading.

Here's Jane and I at our stall, which is looking a little shabby here on Sunday

We had a wonderful time trading at the Royal Exhibition Building. It really is heart warming to be able to put a face to a name when you have been sending emails and parcels via post multiple times. And it is also warming to see returning customers year in year out. Thanks to everyone who stopped by, it really does mean a lot and it does make the week so enjoyable. 

These lovely ladies visit from Jakarta every second year. This year they purchased a colour cube from my stall on Friday and returned on Sunday to show me the blocks they had hand pieced. Thank you ladies, you made my day.

Many thanks to Veronique Diligent of Wattlebird Designs for allowing me to launch her brand new pattern Caprice. It is such a lovely appliqué quilt, with Veronique's beautiful touch of bright, reproduction fabrics.

Caprice and Circa 1903

Thanks also the Lisa and Lou of Max and Louise Pattern Co, who kindly loaned their beautiful Cira 1903 quilt, seen on the back wall as well as a number of other small quilts.

Luckily packing up was done in a fraction of the set up time and we left the city lights behind us at 7.00pm. As we trekked home the road changed from a three lane freeway, down to two, then to one, and then a peaceful country back road. As I pulled into the driveway at 10.40pm, I could see a herd of eyes in the front paddock and I knew I was home. 

Good bye AQC 2017, only 352 days until I do it all again.

Comments

[Max & Louise Pattern Co]

Thank you Lenora for supporting our little business. Your display is always gorgeous and your smiling happy faces are always our first stop at AQC. We need to come and see those super cute eyes down your way!! Xx

[Marian]

Hi Lenora, it was a delight to finally meet you 'face to face' after all these years.. talk about serendipity!! I only decided the day before that i would go to AQC.. it was meant to be!!
I'm off to check your online shop now :))... hugs, Marian