wintry woodend retreat

it seems that there is nothing quite like 

running away from the everyday

from time to time

went again to this sweet cottage

set on the edge of the small country town of woodend

easy to get there 

once you've actually managed to walk out the front door!

so from friday lunch until sunday late

complete delight spent with crafty minds

i worked on a couple of long sleeve renfrew tops

some 'jama pants

moved onto something a little more challenging

the lisette tunic dress in a very retro fabric 

with orange, which made it even more retro

i love it but it will need to be 'styled' just right

to make sure it not a bit costume-y

there were some hand quilting stitches added to a christmas figgy pudding quilt

& i cut out a new look dress

pattern & fabric bought earlier this year

very summer-y but well you know

you never know when you might click your fingers

& be somewhere warmer sooner rather than later!

check back later for some

photos of these finishes

(having not really posted much on wearable makes

... i'm not yet up with the whole take a pic while wearing it thing!)

we all took ourselves on a little into town excursion

into the brisk cool mountainous air

up the main road

a right, past the catholic church with its round arches!

along the way & onto the auction house

yep .... there was a HUGE i mean massive

deceased estates auction set for the sunday

with an amazing collection of truly vintage haberdashery

& collectables

some very sweet wooden display boxes & drawers

might have been one just perfect for a recently acquired thread haul

also lovely 1900's shop counter that i did work out 

would have 'just' fitted into my car ....

ooooh how i would have liked to have taken

some of these treasures home ..... went had a look-see at the auction

but alas ..... not quite my budget

but a great experience

seemed half the town was there for the entertainment

hope those lucky new owners speak lovingly to those special items like, forever!?

oh & there was the most extrodinary quilt

apparently made over 50 years

tiny tiny little hexagons

silky fabrics 

all completely...

hand stitched .... the maker slowly went blind

& it was huge ....

wonderful time spent away

thankyou for your friendships

your gift of sharing knowledge your caring actions

your words your stories your company on this journey