Saturday, August 8, 2009

What can I say ?-----

----but to tell you that I have had the most enjoyable holiday of my life--or should say of our lives.
Perth was fantastic--the weather was superb- we left Canberra at 7.15am and the temperature was 2 degrees Celsius and we landed in Perth at 1.30pm (Perth time) and it was 20 degrees Celsius and it stayed like that the whole time we were there.
We had a fantastic apartment with a great view -almost in the centre of the city-what more could we ask.
The public transport was free around the city -the people were friendly-nobody bagged us because we came from Canberra (they usually blame us for what the politicians do) and we could sit on our balcony at night watching the planes coming into the Perth airport.
And then there was the really good stuff--on Saturday I went to the Craft show and the only stand I got to was the Thread Studio--need I say more.
I was like a woman possessed-all that yummy stuff and my credit card really did take a belting.
I watched Maggie demonstrating on the embellisher at Dale's stall and went to hear her lecture which was wonderful.
When I walked into the hall and was heading to the Thread Studio's stall I heard this voice say "Doreen"---nobody knows me in Perth--but it was Jo (Aussie Jo) a fellow blogger.
We had never met face to face before but she recognised me from my photo (unmistakeable as it is) and we chatted for ages--went to see several displays together--had lunch-sat at Maggies talk--old friends instantly.
Then I bumped into Linda another blogger whom I knew would be working on one of the displays and we had a big chat.
Linda and I have been friends since 2006 when we swapped ATC's in a swap arranged by Dale.
I bumped into Helen Gray who is a wonderful Textile Artist from Canberra who was there as the guide for a display by 6 talented people from the ACT.
On Tuesday I did the workshop with Maggie Grey--what can I say?-I don't think I have ever done a workshop with a more generous person than Maggie.
She gave us so much information -nothing was held back--no secrets kept-she told us the lot.
It was all hand on and I mean hers-she came by as we worked and tweaked a bit here and fiddled a bit there always encouraging us as we worked--I learned so much.
In this photo from the left is Linda,Jo,Maggie,Dale and little ol' me.



On Tuesday night Jo,Stephen and I were lucky enough to be invited out to dinner with Maggie, Clive, Dale and Ian.
On the way to the car after dinner Maggie showed me how to take a swoopy photo-the proof is below.
It is of flashing lights in the window of the local member of parliament and if you click on it you will get a closer look at what looks like stitching.
Thanks for showing me how Maggie.


This is Stephen and I at the dinner---all together now-ahhh.


This is the apartment where we stayed and that is me up on the balcony on the 7th floor and the sky was that blue colour all the time we were there except for the morning on last day.




It's nice to be home again in my own bed--you can't beat it can you.

23 comments:

Heather said...

Oh Doreen - I am green with envy that you not only met up with bloggy friends, but Maggie and Dale too, AND did Maggie's workshop AND shopped at Dale's stand. It must have been a lovely time for you and I am really pleased that you and Stephen enjoyed it so much. That swoopy photo is fantastic.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Hi Doreen - what a lovely post. So glad to hear you had such a WONDERFUL time! I doubt I shall ever get to Perth so it was nice to hear about your travels

Have a lovely weekend
Best wishes
Carolyn

Janet said...

I can just see your smiles from here! It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm so happy for you. And I can't wait to see all the things you learned turn into fabulous new projects. Welcome home....you were missed.

Doreen K. said...

Welcome home. You very lucky girl. And it sounds like you had an awesome time. Dales booth, would be like a candy store I think. And to get to take a class with Maggie, Wow. Can't wait to see all the new stuff you are going to make.

Unknown said...

Great to have you back Doreen. It sounds like a great trip!

Sandy said...

It sounds like a dream vacation.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

aaaah...sounds like you had an absolutely wonderful time. I'm waiting now to see if you turn the 'light' picture into needlework?

Paula Hewitt said...

what a great trip. I hope Steven managed to entertain himself while you were busy shopping and workshopping (or did he trail around behind you carrying all the shopping bags?)

Robin Mac said...

Wow, Doreen, you certainly had a fantastic time - you know we want lots more photos yet don't you - just so we can share some of the things you have done! Glad the weather was so good for you. Creditcards are there to take a beating occasionally aren't they? Cheers, Robin

Monica said...

Welcome back to Canberra, Doreen.
It sounds like you had a great holiday. I met Maggie Grey years ago when she gave a talk at the Embroiderers' Guild and I can imagine how fantastic it would have been to do a workshop with her.

Ati said...

Wonderful that you have got a great time with friends and nice weather too :) Nice to have you back here also.

Françoise said...

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Viv Estill said...

I'm so pleased you had such a great time Doreen and lovely to see the photos - beat you to the newsletter policing though.....!!

Christine said...

Wow Doreen, sounds like a fabulous time was had by all. One day I'd like go on a crafting holiday overseas or even interstate, but I've never flown without DH and not sure I could do it. Perhaps a local one that I can reach by train or bus?
Must say I love your choice of luggage, DH won't let me buy purple cases to go with the purple glasses, clothes etc. I wear, what a spoilsport !
I agree about the bed too, it's nice to travel but so nice to get home again. Looking forward to seeing some work inspired by your trip now, no pressure though, LOL!!

Genie said...

Glad you had such a great time Doreen, and a chance to meet up with blogger friends.

Lynne said...

Glad to hear you had such a good time, it sounds wonderful.

Joei Rhode Island said...

What a perfect adventure! How exciting to meet blogging friends and fabric fanatics!! Can't wait to see what you do with your new knowledge!

Carmen said...

sound like a great and nice trip :D

Linda’s Textiles said...

Glad you had such a lovely time here in Perth Doreen - great to meet you in person!
Your swoopy photo turned out well.

Maggie Grey said...

I'm blushing, Doreen - what can I say? It was so good to meet you both - just such a shame that we aren't close enough to meet up more often.

I loved the workshops - such talented students made it a great pleasure.

Your swoopy pic is fantastic and I'll never forget the taking of it. We were all blocking the pavement and swooping with our cameras - mad women all!

Val said...

WELCOME HOME! I've missed you - what a fantastic trip and amazing memories. Super pix - but I just lurve that swoopy one!

Purple Missus said...

Good to have you back Doreen and what a lovely write up you have done here.
I bet you wished it could have lasted forever don't you? Sounds like you had an amazing time - and I agree with MG, a real shame you don't live closer to us. :(

Julie H said...

I am so so happy you had a wonderful time, so often the longed for trips can be a bit of a let down - yours sounds perfect.
Wonderful photo of you and hubby and the shot up to you on the balcony is fantastic.