12 June 2010

Sydney Quilt & Craft EXPO with Retro Mummy

Greetings all,
So it's a long weekend in most states & territories in Australia & silly me drove up the Hume Highway with all the other weekend makers from Canberra/ Melbourne to Sydney last night.  Smooth trip, we almost did the 3 hours/ 300km without a toilet stop!!  Almost.
Corrie from Retro Mummy asked if i'd join her at the Quilt & Craft Expo, which i get an invitation to each year but never attend (usually living too far away) so i met her on this crispy Saturday morning with hot chocolate at Rosehill RaceCourse for 4 hours of fabric & sewing supply information, buying & sales.  5 bolts of fabric, many charm sets & jelly rolls later, my fingers were struggling to grip the carry bags!!  Plus 18 bolts of Echino & Kokka fabric on order . . . i came back to my patient father-in-law who was watching my children.  Well seems while i was out in the pertty world of fabric, they were being taught how to shoot rifles??!!  Ok??     
Now i'm a huge snob on many levels (ask anyone who knows me) & fabric combined with customer service are close to the top of my list.  I have to ask, WHY let people with no interpersonal skills/ ability to smile/ general friendliness REPRESENT your brand or be any way involved in SALES??!!  My goodness, so many frowns & huffy behaviour from certain fabric companies front line staff i was shocked!!
Corrie & i are 34 & 35 years old respectively, we felt young, VERY young!! We like the fresh, cute & quirky Japanese fabrics, it's Corrie's specialty & we just can't look at some of the oldy woldy country style anymore.  We stuck to what we love.  Here's a quick tour of what was on offer . . . you'll spy Oliver + S, One Red Robbin, Amy Butler, Saffron Craig, Birch, Prints Charming & more.
My instant shopping, the bolts of fabric are still in the car, plus all these trims - up to 10m worth for $5 each!!
I can appreciate the skill in these large traditional patchwork quilts, but they're not my current style or palate.  Finally, this Canberra based company with the huge quilting machine . . . i went over & said hello & that i was up from Canberra too.  Their sour response "why??"  Enough said!!
Alrighty, have a lovely long weekend, i'm off to Bowral on the way back to Canberra for my mummy's birthday, think she's 21 for the 3.5th time & i have an awesome card for her - will blog later. 
Safe driving people, maniacs on the road (not me, i drive slowly with my precious cargo).  Love you Corrie, thanks for the lovely morning, giggles & dent on my Posie Visa Card!!  Love Posie

15 comments:

yardage girl said...

Ooooh lucky ducks - sounds like you had a wonderful day! Enjoy Bowral too - one of my favourite towns. Nic

Corrie said...

thanks! we always have fun together!!!!!!!!!!!!

Corrie;)

Brenda said...

Looks like you and Corrie had a great time together. I look forward to seeing all the goodies that put a big dent on your Posie card!
Have a safe trip home.

mel @ loved handmade said...

Sounds like you've had a whole lot of fun so far this weekend (except for the seriously unnecessarily snarly sales assistants!!)..how about that trim bounty!

Thea said...

Great photos. I love those buttons! At least your sour puss stories are good for a laugh and reinforce what you already know... good service with a smile will get you so much farther... x

Cathie said...

ohhh yeah, my pet hate, people who are in customer sales positions that basically....do not like customers!!
sounds like a great trip & lots of shopping, fun, fun!!
have a great long weekend lovely ♥

Unknown said...

Besides the cranky boots it sure looks like you had a great day ! Hope your mum has a fantastic day too!

Kylie said...

Oh my - do they have one here i Brisbane? I will carry your bags next year if there is:) Oh and those butone - I so need some of those. Love the pictures and pleased to hear that the kids were entertained:)

Sarah. Splish Splash Designs said...

Goodness, that's not good that you had such rudeness!! But, I'm glad you had a good time :)
Look forward to seeing all your goodies.

Ruby Star said...

sweet, looks like you girls had loads of fun. ANd what bargains! I love smiling at the cranky ones, they never know wether to smile back or not. Makes you wonder why they're there. nevermind, as long as you had fun.

Tammy said...

ohhh, ahhh, ohhh looks and sounds like a lovely time, with lovely company though I must say I'm hearing you on the customer service and sour face/attitude issues.

Jodie said...

it all looks great - and I have no idea why those people who hate people get jobs ...It dements me...

Kate said...

How much fun to go and see everything! How weird that people are unfriendly - they musn't want to sell anything.

by marie-nicole said...

Sounds and looks like you two had a wonderful time.... despite the frowns and grumpy so & so's!

Enjoy Bowral... what a beautiful place to be in this weather.

Lia said...

oooooo I love those quilts...why can't I ever finish a quilt :(