The Lest We Forget Challenge

Hi all

A slightly different post for you all today. As you know Aussie Heroes was recently a guest exhibitor at the Australasian Quilt Convention.  It was a wonderful event for us and we were able to get the word out about what we do and so many people came by to say hello and "sign up".  I am still getting sorted with the emails to all the new people but hope to have them all done by the end of the weekend.  

As well as the vendors, who I confess that I did not get to see at all, the quilts on display were amazing.  The three exhibitions that I was most interested in were the Gallipoli Quilts that I will write a post on separately, the True Blue Challenge Quilts ( I may be a bit biased about those) and the Lest We Forget Challenge quilts.  

It is the last group of quilts that I will share with you today.  I had to work out how to take photos of these amazing quilts in a way that would attempt to do them justice.  This was the best I could do as there were waaaaaay too many for me to photograph them all individually.    I so wish I had had the time to read the blurb about each quilt but there just was not time..... at least not for me.  I only managed to get to see these quilts by going to the show before opening on the Sunday but I was determined not to miss them.  I hope you enjoy the photos I took to share with you.

I was going to say that I took close up photos of a few of my favourite quilts but I had too much trouble and there were too many favourites. These are the ones that stood out to me in the little deliberation time I had.

I had to take this photo for my friend Kerryn as she loved the ANZAC Girls and so did I.

And because I could not take individual photos of all of the 100+ quilts I took group shots of the lot so that you can see them.

The people from Expertise Events who organised AQC really went above ad beyond to look after us and I was really touched by their efforts and welcome. They "get" what Aussie Heroes is all about.  

Time to return the favour and tell you all about the Perth Craft and Quilt Fair.  I bet lots of you Perth ladies could not make it to AQC so you will get the chance to check out these AWESOME quilts in your home state. 

Here is their press release. I did not want to paraphrase it in case I got something wrong so all the details you need to know are below.

Diversity sets an inspirational standard at Perth Craft & Quilt Fair

With creative pursuits limited only by the imagination, this year’s Perth Craft & Quilt Fair from May 20 to 24, is set to be an inspiring hub of diversity showcasing knitting, paper craft, textile art, vintage fashion, wearable art and a stunning array of quilts, created by Australian and international crafters aged nine to 90! With some of the most captivating and impressive displays, workshops and craft products on offer at Australia’s most popular craft event, 

visitors will be spoilt for choice.

The exhibition of quilts is second to none, with the best from two highly anticipated national quilt challenges, ‘True Blue’ 

and the ‘Lest We Forget Quilt Challenge – 100 years, 100 quilts’, together with a stunning display of 140 local works presented by The West Australian Quilters Association Inc. (WAQA).

The ‘True Blue’ challenge features 35 incredible interpretations of the theme ranging from iconic Australian scenes and ‘Blue Heelers’ to shades of blue, images of depression, sporting heroes and political statements relating to the #I’ll Ride with You campaign. Also on display will be 100 captivating and poignant quilts capturing Australia’s involvement in WW1 set to be showcased together as a 7.25 metre mosaic in the inspiring ‘Lest We Forget - 100 Years, 100 Quilts’ exhibit. 

The exhibition by WAQA will represent a full spectrum of amateur and professional quilters, including works by 90 year old internationally renowned West Australian, Marjorie Coleman alongside quilts by WA’s most talented youngsters.  West Australia’s best home grown talent quilters will reveal fascinating techniques, vivid splashes of colour and innovative design with 140 quilts on show. 

A perennial favourite, the ‘Best of Australia’ display will include the best quilts from each of the eight major state quilt shows.

There is also plenty on offer in the increasingly boundary-breaking realm of craft including a quirky and chirpy menagerie of 3D hand-crafted birds created in response to the ‘Make a Birdie Competition’.  With crafters invited to produce a bird in any medium, a selection of the clever and colourful finalists will be on show, including the winner which is the mascot for the 2015 Craft & Quilt Fairs.

Two masters of creativity will be revealing how to transform cheap into chic. Vintage style guru, Miss Chrissy will reveal her fashion and styling secrets including how to ‘change chain store clothes to couture’ while paper craft expert, Kerrie Gurney will show visitors in her 30 minute Make ‘N’ Take class how with just $5, an original and handmade any occasion card can be a work of art, utilising techniques such as die cutting, embossing and mixed media.

The Fair will also feature some special guest artists set to share their creative genius, including effervescent, Australian textile artist, Svenja who has been making waves in the art world with her flamboyant and controversial creations (pictured right).  Svenja blurs the lines between art and fashion, creating exceptionally striking garments using a quirky fusion of mediums. A selection of her most daring wearable art creations will be on display.

Accidental Gansey expert and acclaimed author, Michael Pearson will celebrate the release of the expanded edition of his famed book, Michael Pearson’s Traditional Knitting: Aran, Fair Isle and Fisher Ganseys, in which he shares both the intricacies of these time honoured fishing sweaters’ fascinating history together with their unique patterns collected while visiting the remote fishing villages of Scotland and England.  Having established a successful career as a machine knitter, Michael became immersed in hand knitting ganseys in 1972, after a distressed fisherman appealed to him to repair his bedraggled 30 year old gansey so that he could pass it on to his son.  He is looking forward to displaying a collection of the garnseys that he has since knitted as well as signing copies of his book.

Other highlights include a display by the creative members of the Western Australian Fibre and Textile Association (WAFTA) who have produced a collection of textile artworks based on the theme of memory and commemoration, inspired by their own personal experience or events in our lifetime.

Perth Craft & Quilt Fair	Admission
May 20 – 24, 2015	Adults	$16
Wednesday – Sunday	Age & Disability Pensioners	$14
	Seniors Card holders	$15
Open daily: 9am – 4:30pm	Children (from 5 to 16 years)	$9
	Family (2A + 2C)	$40
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre	Children under 5 years	Free
21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth

The Handweavers’, Spinners’ and Dyers’ Guild of Western Australia, Inc. will mount a display of members’ scarves, hats, shawls, bags and beanies created as part of the annual scarf exchange.  The scarf exchange asks crafters to select a natural fibre, such as merino, linen, wool or bamboo and send 150grams of it into the Guild, who then pass it on to another member to create a wearable garment. Every crafter who is part of the scarf exchange is called upon to make a garment and will eventually receive their selected fibre back in its new wearable form.

For those wanting to stock up on all the latest craft supplies, tools and gadgets, the Fair will be bursting at the seams with specialty retailers from all over Australia.  

Show admission tickets can be bought on the day or online. To learn more and book a ticket online in advance and save, please visit www.craftevents.com.au.   #craftandquiltfair

Till next time..............keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree xx