Wednesday 17 July 2013

Road tripping

We have been away for the last couple of days and being a mid week trip I managed to plan and actually convince my family that  we should make a few stops at some patchwork shops on the way.  First stop was here ....

"Patch n Quilt" in Gisborne


Lovely store and is definitely on my "to be visited again: list :o)
I also managed to find some "Bliss" by Bonnie and Camille in here.

We then went on to visit "Pentland Patchwork" in Bacchus Marsh


A little too "Country" and cluttered for my tastes but hey you have to go see to know.
I did still manage to make a purchase though. :o)

About now we dumped Whoops I mean, dropped the kids off to spend the night with their Grandparents before heading into the city and "frocking" up for an awards evening aka Cocktail Party in the 
Jim Stynes Room at the MCG.  We got to see the MCG in a new "light" 


A lovely evening was had, great company, awards issued, wine and fine food. 
All very different to our normal Tuesday night routine!



This morning, I will admit, started a little slow.  A quick visit to Ikea was first then off to Ballarat. Yep a little detour in the wrong direction but OMG was it so worth it.  Huge thank you to Shez for steering me in the direction of
"Gail's Patchwork Emporium" 
in Sebastapol, Ballarat. This truly is one STUNNING shop.


This beautiful building was guttered by fire in Oct 2011 and has since been rebuild and now reopen.
If you are ever in the area I can highly recommend a visit. I will be going back for sure.  It truly is a beautifully stocked store.  Let me show you just a little :o)

 

 


There were also a few purchases made here :o)

Last stop for the day was
  "Ballarat Patchwork"
I do love a store with an inviting Red Door and this shop did not disappoint.


I am a girl that is constantly inspired by the rainbow and to walk in here, I was at home.
Lovely, bright and beautifully presented.


and of course a purchase or two was made here :)

So that makes 4 "new to me" Patchwork shops visited in two days.
That makes one very happy ME!

I'm already trying to find excuses to get back to Ballarat :)
I will pop back later and share my purchases.
hugs Sharon



16 comments :

  1. All well prepared travellers know where the patchwork shops are! So exciting to visit new stores. Glad you had such a good break.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so glad to see that Gails Patchwork Emporium has opened up it's doors again. This is one of my all time favourite stores to go and visit....... it seems to be a "word of mouth" store. Not much publicity, but the die hard patchworkers seek it out!!! Thanks for sharing your pics........... I will have to find my way back to Ballarat in the near future.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh shopping! I love shopping! Can't wait to see what you bought!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely to see all the shops together in the one post! Glad you enjoyed your time away :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great day out for you. I agree that Pentland Patchwork is very cluttered but you just never know what you'll find there! I haven't been to Gail's for a long time. Looking forward to seeing your purchases.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great trip Sharon.... how fun to mix a bit of work and a lot of fun!!
    Hugz

    ReplyDelete
  7. so glad you found these shops Shaz,we can find lots of excuses for you to come back this way,also glad you and hubby had a top night.xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely shops. thanks for sharing. Wish I lived closer.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What lovely shops Sharon. Thanks for the tour and photos. Can't wait to see what you bought. Hugs......

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like the perfect trip.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Looks like you had a wonderful time - I would love to be able to visit those lovely Patchwork shops.

    ReplyDelete
  12. enjoyed following you on your trip, how lovely to visit so many great shops, they display the fabrics so wonderfully and it would be impossible to resist a purchaser or two.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Sharon...we could have caught up with you at the Gisborne quilt shop!! I am often wandering around in there!! The Bacchus Marsh shop does look cluttered but she has some beautiful fabrics - love her Batik selection. Good to hear yiou had a great night out - lovely photos! Have been to Gails before the fire, would love to get back there again.
    Take care and cant wait to see your purchases!!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks like you had a great time Sharon,can't wait to see your purchaces.x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks like you are having a lovely few days away

    ReplyDelete
  16. I went to Gails Emporium about 10 years ago when I first started quilting and every shop I have been in since is compared to Gails...one awesome shop!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment as I know your time is valuable. hugs xx