Urban Stitches 2012

 * Warning photo and content heavy - at least a cuppa's worth
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending Urban Stitches 2012 at the Novotel in Glen Waverley. I had been anticipating this day for months as I would finally be meeting some of the faces behind the designs that have become household names in the quilting world. These are of course Leanne Beasley, Rosalie Quinlan and Melly  Dekker of Melly and Me.

Melly, Leanne and Rosalie

I have 'followed' these girls for years via their respective blogs and Facebook.  I first became aware of Leanne many years ago when I fell in love with her quilt Leanne's House which I then bought as a BOM - block of the month - I think at the time I had a romantic dream that saw me diligently stitching hearts and flowers and buzzy bees surrounded by pretty fabric and delicately shaded threads... May I tell you now - that just didn't happen!!!!! At best - I took each prospective block out of its little snap lock bag, looked at it lovingly before putting back in order with its number mates. BUT yesterday I fell in love all over again when I saw the original and I reminisced. But I digress slightly...

I set off feeling a little nervous because I was doing this on my own and I felt a little out of my depth going to something where I didn't know anyone. However when I walked into the Novotel's foyer and saw Rosalie  greeting people with her big smile - I felt the butterflies disappear. Once I had registered and identified my name badge, handed my bag of goodies and found a seat - the day began in earnest, or should I say it began in a way I wish all my days would -  with that delicious feeling of being able to do exactly what I wanted to do with not much thought to anything else for the next few hours. Then the delight of exploring the contents of my goodies bag was equal to a little kid at Christmas time... Life was very good  :)

My name tag and goodies bag...

...and it contents

An arty shot of the room...

Leanne,Melly and Rosie drawing the door prizes

Time for show and tell

Throughout the day the Melly, Rosie and Leanne mingled and endeavoured to sit and spend time at each table and have a chat session, I am positive they would have heard the same stories over and over again but nevertheless they gave us their full attention. In these days when the internet is such a big player in the majority of peoples lives it is nice to have that kind of personal contact with those people who are normally a screen's distance away.


I was sitting at a table of with seven other ladies - one lady was all the way from New Zealand and another from Brisbane. This was reflected throughout the room of  the 103 people who attended on Saturday - many were from interstate - this, I think is testament to to Rosie, Melly and Leanne and their  product's popularity and perhaps, more importantly their genuine interest for those of us who follow them. The three of them struck me as friendly and down to earth and more than willing to help those of us who had projects that needed that little bit of assistance with or questions which need to be answered.

Two of my table companions...

Did I enjoy myself? Yep, you bet... As Rosie said yesterday our time was our own to do what we wanted whether it be stitching or chatting or just relaxing. And it was just that - people chatted and stitched and laughed and showed off their past projects and of course looked at all the quilts and associated stitcheries, dolls etc which lined the walls around the room...

Not a bear in this house....

only the mice were at home...

Who's the miss with the red dress???

Creatures large and small...

And quilts galore...

Of course none of these days would be complete unless there was somewhere for us to satisfy our other crafty pursuit - stash building... Eric from Under the Mulberry Tree was there and judging from the throngs which were constantly at the 'shop tables' we didn't disappoint her. Nel - Rosie and Melly's mum - was kept busy trying to keep up with tidying and replenishing the fat quarter baskets - I did feel for her as she seemed to have an uphill battle on her hands. I had set myself a budget because I knew that I would be tempted and spend money - and I was - and I did... 

A peek inside my stash bag

I love those Cosmo variegated threads - they are like lollies who can stop at one!!!!

And of course more fat quarters for my stash

I have admired these by Rosie for ages - who could resist - but at least I only bought two!!!

Caught up with Vignette

The hours flew by - only punctuated with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea - and then it was time to go - some of us were coming back for the second day - but I came away feeling content with my day. I will definitely go next year as I believe that Urban Stitches offered value for money plus more...

These were freebies

I believe too that Leanne, Rosie and Melly - if not already - have a very bright future ahead of them, that if they keep doing what they are doing in the way that they are doing it, it will continue to grow.... Who said that stitching/embroidery in the 21st Century amongst younger women was a dying art -  if my observation yesterday is anything  to go by - in this small pocket of the Universe- it is still very much alive and in the hands of a creative force that will take it even further... Three cheers for those who dare to dream and make it a reality!!!!


Oh by the way, and did I stitch??  Just a little...

Until later, take care and keep those needles threaded..

Sharon x x

ps* my great day didn't end when I left Urban Stitches - when I got home there was a surprise waiting for me. M - my eldest daughter had dropped in and she had bought me my very own Monster High Doll - I had admired her collection and she thought that I should have one of my own... Who says I am too old to play with dolls!!!! M and I thought we might make a dress collection for them...

M - knows my heart is with the sea - so she bought me a fishy doll...

Isn't she gorgeous???