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Author Archives: eastwoodpatchworkquilters
Avalon Quilt Exhibition
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News on Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair
The Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair is on this year July 9-13 at a new venue, Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island.
Some quilters have been asking about the new venue and how it will work. Here’s the latest from Expertise Events:
News on Darling Harbour Redevelopment
In 2014 Expertise Events will be moving their events previously held at Darling Harbour to the NEW Sydney Expo site at Glebe Island whilst the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is redeveloped over the next three years.
The specially designed temporary venue at Glebe Island will allow us to create a whole new opportunity to deliver our events in a brand new premium harbourside setting!
There is some great news for visitors; who will have the option of free public transport from various city locations, loads more parking onsite and it will be cheaper!
Fast facts:
- The new venue is just 5.6km from the existing Darling Harbour centre.
- Only 5.8km from Central Station or a short 7 minute taxi ride from George Street.
- Ferry and River Cat services drop off at the centre door.
- Buses will operate from set transport hubs around the city: Central, Town Hall, Circular Quay and Darling Harbour.
- There will be an array of restaurants and pop-up cafes on site.
Upcoming Craft and Quilt Fairs
Some dates to add to your diary, for more information go to Expertise Events
The Creative Textile Show in Canberra on May2-4 is a new one this year and is a welcome replacement for the textile art show that was previously in Brisbane. An easy drive to Canberra from Sydney!
Patchwork is Everywhere 2
Keep your eyes open and you will see patchwork everywhere. On a recent visit to the QVB, this gorgeous floral display was viewed near the Queen Victoria statue.
Its part of the Sydney Living Colour installation of street art and can still (as of last week) be seen.
Miss Phryne Fisher
For those of you who love Miss Phryne from the ABC TV show, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and her stunning costumes you won’t want to miss this exhibition coming to Parramatta Old Government House from the first of next month for three months. How lucky we are to be able to view this exhibition so close to home.
Tickets must be bought on line and are for timed entry, walk-ins will only be admitted if there is space, here is the link
Patchwork is Everywhere
Have you been watching the Winter Olympics in Sochi? The bravery and skill of the athletes amazes me, no way would you catch me hurtling down a mountain head first on what looks like a travel ironing board!
But, I am really loving seeing patchwork everywhere through the games. On the banners, the competitor’s vests and all types of signage. 
The designs are, of course, based on a patchwork quilt. The designers, Bosco, wanted a design that would reflect the traditions of the Russian culture and reflect the ideals of the Olympic Games.
They stated “they had a wealth of choices to represent Russia’s rich diversity, but in the end we settled on something familiar, warm and welcoming: the patchwork quilt”. Patterns in the quilt pieces were taken from fabrics, ceramics, folk art painting and clothing.
Its fantastic to see quilts being used in such a high profile way, maybe it will encourage a few others to take up this traditional art form.
The official Sochi.ru website shows the patterns that were used to derive the designs, there is a sliding bar that links with images of the patterns that link to information about each pattern and photos showing the location of the patterns in the banners. Its well worth a look. Click here to be taken to the site. Then click on Look of the Games.
From the official 2014 Sochi-RU site, this is how they describe the choice of the quilting theme: The Sochi 2014 Look of the Games concept is a logical continuation of the philosophy behind the sochi.ru brand. It offers a new interpretation of different cultures, traditions and ethnicities which together form a united and powerful visual identity. At the heart of the Look of the Games concept design lies the principle of the “patchwork quilt” – a combination of 16 designs representing the most famous traditional Russian arts and crafts, ranging from Gzhel to Khokhloma. – See more at: http://www.flarefabrics.ca/blog/index.php/patchwork-as-olympic-motif/#sthash.jJvFl6YT.dpuf
A Quilting Challenge from Space
You may remember the previous post on Karen Nyberg, the NASA astronaut who took her patchwork into space with her. 
Karen has now issued a challenge to quilters worldwide to create a star block to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the Houston International Quilt Festival.
To read more about Karen’s challenges trying to stitch in space, follow this link. There is a great YouTube clip of Karen talking about her difficulties completing her 9×9 block.
Happy New Quilting Year
Happy Quilting for 2014
Quilting commences this week for 2014, so get those needles busy.
New members are welcome at any time, for more information use the contact button on this blog.
Snow Quilts
Simon Beck walks all day across the frozen lakes of Savoie, France to create beautiful quilt patterns in the snow. Each takes him about 5-9 hours to create to the finished size of three soccer fields, however sometimes snowfalls prevent him finishing his work. Simon walks on raquettes (snow shoes) to create the intricate patterns and says that his initial reason for doing so was for exercise as he can no longer run due to feet problems. Now, he more enjoys taking photographs of his creations and is considering buying a new camera! Go to mymodermmet for more great pictures and click here for a recent update
Eastwood Patchwork Quilters Inc. 