I was really looking forward to the shopping day with my Quilting Group, Star Sea Quilters, and it didn't disappoint. Sometimes lady luck picks you out and says
"you need a break, here is a blessing to cheer you up."
That has been this quilting group. The more I talk to the members the more I realise what a remarkable group of women I have joined up with.
Hiring a bus for the trip was inspired. That traffic down on the Gold Coast is a nightmare and there I sat in a comfortable bus being driven to and from all the place I wanted to go to. That was win No1. Number two was the company of great people, so good. Then there was the shopping.
We started at Fi Fi's. Never been there? It is well worth the visit. The shop is arranged differently from other Quilting Shops. Most organise their stock by colour, this shop is organised by designers, and she keeps the full range of those designers who are purchased. (Natalie Bird who is a member of our group is featured here as well.)
The only problem is making a decision about what to buy. I bought a new pair of scissors, that fit my hand that doesn't work properly,and some fabric to use in my charity quilts for kids and teenagers and
some to make some pillows for my grand daughter. ( I bought a bit more than I intended but...)
Then onto Japanashe. They manufacture futons and when they cut the fabric there are all these off cuts. $100 work will be enough to make a King sized quilt , maybe 2!
They have a great range of Japanese fabrics and
so I had to have some of those.
And they also had Japanese Antiques. (One of our members is still an antiques dealer so she checked everything out for us.) I also found a lovely little tea pot for my daughter.
Then we were all dropped of in Burleigh Heads to find a place to eat, this saw us spread out in all directions. My little group of friends from the island headed to the Surf Life Saving Club. These clubs are located along the coast of Queensland and all are right on the beach and serve great food. This was our view whilst we ate.
Personally I think it is a bit cold for swimming, 24 degrees C.
Then a bit of retail therapy in the shops at Burleigh where I found a dress from my daughter. (I hope she likes it?) Back on the bus and then home. It was a long day. I caught the 7am ferry to the mainland and the 5.30pm ferry back to the island.
I now have so many projects planned for all that fabric!