Thursday, April 19, 2012

Outdoor Shopping





My head is still spinning from my little excursion yesterday.  I'm afraid to say I did not get much sewing/creating done, and will be given the boot soon if I don't shape up and actually do something at patchwork one day!!!  However, the presence of our friends from Seriously Crazy, aka the RED BUS, was enough to give us all a big smile.  We are always pleased when they can make the time to stop and allow us the day to wander through their shop on wheels, gasping, picking up, putting down, buying, going back to stitch some more, then outside again to buy some more.................  It is a pleasant way to spend the day, under the bottle tree, checking out the latest and greatest fabric designs available.  Marg & Colin Kendall have been travelling with their bus for a number of years now, and even travel to Victoria.  For those of you who may like contact them, you can do so via phone 0428 787 623 [mobile] or email 'thebigredbus@bigpond.com'  

Marg kindly allowed me to photograph some of the quilts she and Colin have made.  They have patterns, kits, fabrics for a huge variety of projects from wallhangings to embroidered sewing goodies.  There are buttons, braids, bag handles, beads, and much, much more.  I couldn't help but be taken by the quilt with the shoes!!!  I'd seriously love to own some of them, if I thought I could walk in them.

And, just to prove the bus is actually red, here is a shot of it from the other side............LOL...........  I honestly don't know how they fit everything in there, and am amazed at how they continue to pack and unpack.  I take my hat off to them.  

Of course, I cannot leave this post without sharing the purchases I made.   They have an extensive range of Cottage Garden Threads, from country Victoria, and I just happened to 'need' a few more - one in particular 'Billabong' took my eye.   I found some bead colours that perhaps {??} I didn't have at home, and I really love that metallic Papillon thread, so buy a different reel every time they are around.

I most certainly left home yesterday telling myself I DID NOT need fabric, be sensible Linda, don't buy fabric.  Sadly, the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak, and some fat quarters jumped into my hand before I could find the courage to say no............LOL.......  I also bought something I had not seen in person before, ie cotton felt.  It is a product made and dyed by Pam Spurway of Cottage Garden Threads fame, and extremely soft.  Marg often has the odd fat quarter of wool felt, and I couldn't resist some brightly coloured trims [flowers and ric rac], in colours a little out of my comfort zone.  

So, there you have it, the full confession of a thread/fabric/bead junkie.  I did buy other boring stuff like cloth gloves and shrinking polyester fabric, but you all know what that looks like!!  Thank you all for constantly taking an interest in my life in general, as well as the creations I present.  There are so many interesting products available these days, all offering something different.

15 comments:

WandarArt.Stitch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
WandarArt.Stitch said...

Linda, surely You had a great day, in every respect.
Beautiful shopping did you do, and do, as usual, beautiful work of art.
Cottage fabrics do not know Cottage garden threads ... , But it does not matter, I'm glad you're happy and nice day You had, I love these kinds of meetings, but everyone has different life, so it already is,
Manny hugs, :)))

DIAN said...

Oh dear Linda, I am so pleased you didn't put up too much of a fight. It would just be a waste of energy.

By the way did I notice some purple there? Funny that.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Linda, WOW, what a super lovely shopping excursion you had. huge VBG I am sure you had heaps of fun. LOL ALL the threads you bought were fantastic. I see you also bought some BE threads. I especially liked your cottage garden threads. Neat. AND of course how can we resist just a wee bit of new fabrics all which look fantastic to me. VBG I am sure everyone had a lovely day and how super wonderful that the "Red Bus" came to your area for all to enjoy. Hugs Judy

Sandy said...

How unique. I'd have trouble resisting. Thanks for your comments on my blog.

Anney said...

Hi there my friend..how lovely to read about the Red Bus..I've heard you mention it before...I would have been so weak if i'd had a chance to 'step aboard'...
Whilst on hols in San Francisco,Lani and I went to a place in the Nappa Valley,called Sonoma..a quiant missionary town..guess what one of the stores was? Quilting store..and boy oh boy did I have a great time feasting my eyes on so many sumptuous fabrics..I was so spoilt for choice ..Lani had to go sit in the car!!
I was modest in my purchases remembering the fact of 'baggage allowance'..in fact the fabric I bought has been given away as gifts..but I did treat myself to a pattern of a quilt called 'Annie'..it's a kind of strip type patterned quilt that I might try sometime...before then I must make a quilt with fabric I brought back from Hawaii in 2010..it features pineapples!!

Nelson said...

Hello Linda! My first visit, will visit you again. Seriously, I thoroughly enjoyed your posts( really interesting blog). Would be great if you could visit also mine...Thanks for sharing! Keep up the fantastic work!

Karyn said...

Isn't that red bus fantastic!! I must keep an eye out for it the next time it comes down my way.
I see you put up a good fight to go home fabric-less, but you know, it is hard to resist. And when it just jumps into your hand, well; what is a girl to do???

Juliettecherry said...

What a wonderful time you had. Just love the variegated threads, sometimes they are just the thing you need!! The red bus is such a good idea when it is far to travel to get suplies for your needlework. Internet shopping is so handy, but not the same as being really tempted by seeing it all.

Iceni UK said...

Oh Linda...
A big red bus.. it sounds a wonderful to have the chance to buy lovely things from it.
The threads look wonderful, don't you just love new threads. I keep new ones for weeks just looking at them and touching them, then comes the day when they turn into embroidery, always a special day :):0
I wish we had a big red bus to visit and bring happiness in a material way. :) :)
hugs,
thanks for all your lovely comments on flickr.

Dianne said...

Love your variegateds Linda. That big red bus is a great visitor to have. I have encountered it in my travels and always find something there to purchase. I love how you have bought some beads you 'may' not have. he. he. Double ups happen!! Di.

Robin Mac said...

Hmm, maybe I shall have a rethink about visiting the Red bus after all - you certainly have acquired some wonderful stuff from it! Cheers

margaret said...

Just catching up Linda, how lucky are you with a red bus to shop on. Shops are closing down here and it is so hard to find what you want, some of the stitching shops have gone over to paper crafts as they got very popular but I think that craze is dying now. I either buy things I need at the shows or on line, of course the exhibitors at the shows are restricted to how much they can take and tend not to take small things but things there is a good profit on as the rent they have to pay is massive and they need to make a profit.
Buying on line has it drawbacks too as things are not always as they appeared on the computer when they drop through the letter box!

Radka said...

Oh, I am behind with blogging! I missed this!
Need to say "wow", what a great "shop"! Just as well we don't have anything like this, I would spend a fortune! I love your threads, deffinite weakness! Of course you need them! I can see that you need everything you bought :)

Teresa said...

Glad you got your shopping.....the big red bus sounds like a terrific idea