Hello again! Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by and wished Olfa a Happy Birthday, and for the love on the Aurifil block. I'm so happy that you like it!
The winner of the Olfa prize is Judith who said "I'm actually getting ahead of the game this year, and I've started a Christmas quilt. Happy Birthday, Olfa. Oh, to be 35 again." Congratulations Judith! Email me your info (envelope button over there on the left) and I'll send it on to Olfa. Thank you Olfa!
So, where was I?
Guess who was waiting for us in Sydney? These two guys:
My husband, Jarom, and Holly's husband Dave (Mr. Stately Type)
After we took an embarrassing number of photos in front of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, we took a ferry across the harbor to Manly Beach. And also stopped for the first of at least 20 gelato stops over the course of 5 days. I'm still having withdrawals.
That night Holly, Di, and I headed out for a trunk show (the boys were exhausted!) at Kim Bradley Creations. Kim's shop is gorgeous!
The trip to Kim's was followed by a class at Melinda's beautiful shop, Quiltsmith, the next morning. This was such a wonderful group of ladies, and they sewed their hearts out! Such a great day, start to finish.
Jarom even popped in toward the end and said hello. It was such a nice surprise!
A ferry trip out to Watson's Bay that night for fish and chips was one of the highlights of our time in Sydney for me. We were the only ones crazy enough to be outside on the ferry since it was chilly out, and were able to see the whole city behind us, the dark night sky, and even find the Southern Cross. It was magical.
My last class of the trip was at Kim Bradley Creations, and it was an absolutly perfect ending. Not only did they whip up 58 (!!!!) blocks in class, but they were also one of the friendliest and most amazing groups of ladies I've taught yet. Loved every minute.
I was so sad when the last class was over. I wasn't ready to be done!
The last day of the trip was a day just to explore and fall in love with Sydney in general. And we did.
Because it was the Red Letter Trip, Holly and I wanted to take some photos of our Red Letter Day quilts in front of a favorite Australian landmark. The bridge was perfect.
Isn't Holly's Red Letter Day quilt beautiful? It's huge!
Then we asked the boys to hold the mini quilts for a photo. And this is what they came up with!
Oh, and we climbed that bridge too! The whole crew- Dave, Allan (Di's fiance), Di, Holly, Jarom and Me. It was amazing!
On our last night, Patrick and Shane of PK Fabrics took us to Cafe Sydney for our final meal, and it was absolutely perfect. Perfect night, perfect view, perfect company.
We headed to the airport first thing the next morning and after a teary goodbye with Di, we started the trek home. Completely exhausted, overwhelmed, and happy. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Di, thank you. I just can't say that enough. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime. I'll never forget it. Patrick and Shane, thank you for all your help, and taking such great care of us, from start to finish. Fiona, Karen, Melinda, and Kim, thank you for inviting us into your beautiful stores and homes and making us feel so comfortable and welcome. Moda and Aurifil, a big thank you for sending such generous and wonderful prizes for my amazing students. They loved them! Dave and Jarom- thank you for the best photo of the trip, and you know, for coming all that way. ;-) Holly- just...all of it. Good on ya! To all my students who traveled near and far for class, and made the whole experience what it was, for making me feel so loved, thank you. Truly.
I can't wait to come back.
Besides, I'll probably be on Australia time for the rest of my life. ;-)
*In case you missed it - here's part 1.
