Sunday, November 14, 2010

Soul food weekend

I nearly cried when I saw the sign for the little town of Lancefield on Friday. It reminded me of coming home to Melbourne after an absence of many years (or like when I got lost as a child, and only cried when I finally found my mother....).
I was home. Home... where it's normal to sew in pajamas before breakfast and to sew into the wee hours of the morning. Home, where it's normal to know the names of fabric ranges and designers and to talk endlessly about patterns, books and overlockers...where ideas and sewing tools are shared.

I was inspired, entertained and nourished - bodily, emotionally, creatively and mentally.

I loved seeing Annie's quilty genius in action (at lightning speed). I loved seeing Lara embracing the OFM attitiude, and my sewing buddy's drapey tops becoming EVERYONE'S summer wardrobe. I loved watching Megan prepare for her upcoming crochet classes. I loved the exquisite work that went into Rachels and Karen's little-girl-dresses...and I loved that I whipped through a pile of simple dresses for my girl, and made a few things for me.

Most of all, I loved that I got to share a weekend with a group of wonderful, talented and generous women who were the best company I could have wished for.

And it was lovely that Blogless-Kerry was able to drop in for a cuppa... and take photos for us. (Really Kerry - it was great to see YOU. And thanks for bringing that bun!).
And then I came home to unpack into a new home.
That'd be 3/99 Helen St Northcote 3070. Nicole Mallalieu Design just grew up and got her own apartment.
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22 comments:

  1. CathieNovember 14, 2010 at 10:41 PM

    I bet you feel reenergised and ready to take on the world!

    congrats on the new place Ms N.Mallalieu!! Happy creating
    ♥

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  2. KarenNovember 14, 2010 at 10:51 PM

    Thanks so much for letting me share in the goodness of Sewjourn - it was such a great weekend, in lots of ways.
    Can't wait to see pics of the new palce Nikki.

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  3. MelanieNovember 14, 2010 at 11:08 PM

    Ahhh Sewjourn. Soul food is right, it is just amazing what restorative powers that place has.

    So excited for the new grown up business digs. Good luck with your monstrous to-do list :)

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  4. CassNovember 14, 2010 at 11:08 PM

    Sounds like you had a great weekend. Can't wait to see the new place

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  5. OotyNovember 15, 2010 at 12:45 AM

    Sound like an amazing recharge to me!!!!
    Congrats for your new place =)

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  6. A Peppermint PenguinNovember 15, 2010 at 1:00 AM

    Fabulous - you, them, the place, the NEW place - all fabulous.

    But does it have air conditioning?

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  7. JudiNovember 15, 2010 at 4:48 AM

    The design wall looked great! Looking forward to seeing your new design space.

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  8. soozNovember 15, 2010 at 6:51 AM

    I so get it! I hope one day to share the SJ experience with you I am sure you are the inspiration in action kind too. Good luck with the new place - can't wait to visit!

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  9. trashNovember 15, 2010 at 7:45 AM

    I know Helen Street! 99 is down toward the railway end isn't it? My mum was at school up at the top of the hill when she was weeny and my brother lived in the middle on upon a time.

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  10. SharonNovember 15, 2010 at 9:33 AM

    So glad you had such a great weekend, I agree completey that these weekends are just so inspirational and rewarding.

    Congratultions on the new home, can't wait to see it.

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  11. LeonieNovember 15, 2010 at 10:16 AM

    Congratulations on your upgrade, so grown up :-)
    Hooray for weekends away for crafting with no "normal" people guilt about attire and bedtimes. Such a nice way to spend the weekend.

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  12. AnonymousNovember 15, 2010 at 10:40 AM

    Looking forward to seeing the new nmd casa! and huge congrats for the milestone achievement in growing your business!!

    Very jealous of the SJ weekend. I'm seriously hoping to get along to one of these next year.

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  13. AndiNovember 15, 2010 at 12:27 PM

    What a gorgeous group of girls!!

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  14. FerNovember 15, 2010 at 12:41 PM

    Sounds like it was just what the doctor ordered! So glad you had a great time, it's amazing what a bit of crafty inspiration can do. :)

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  15. AnonymousNovember 15, 2010 at 1:18 PM

    Thanks for the informal invite Nikki. I was nice to catch up with you and Lara and be inspired by a very productive group of ladies.
    Kerry
    ps - the lesser known (obviously, cause none of us could think of it) AB range is called 'temple flowers'.

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  16. Gay McDonellNovember 15, 2010 at 5:13 PM

    Totally and insanely jealous! Good luck with the apartment.

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  17. AnnieNovember 15, 2010 at 7:57 PM

    Great to be around all you crafty girls again, and sew and sew and sew, like we do. Your new place sounds oh so exciting - I had a great weekend, and the bibs were "just right"

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  18. becNovember 15, 2010 at 8:13 PM

    Oooh, that sounds awesome! And yay, congrats on 'officially' getting the place! Hope the moev isn't too stressful. And that wee girl liked her clothes!!

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  19. JodieNovember 15, 2010 at 9:42 PM

    Congratulations you big grown-up... How amazingly exciting !!!!
    Your weekend sounds divine.

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  20. flickettysplitsNovember 16, 2010 at 4:28 AM

    Ooo, Helen St; you are right next door to me - I am in Henry St!

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  21. seabreezequiltsNovember 16, 2010 at 7:53 AM

    Ohhh must organise a retreat next year for the quilting buddies it was going to be this year but the wheels fell off. Next year it is. Congratulations on the new home.

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  22. Chookyblue......November 18, 2010 at 6:36 AM

    sewing with friends is wonderful....enjoy your new space........

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I LOVE to read your comments and they brighten my day. I can't respond unless your profile has an email address attached, though... And some days I simply don't have time to respond.... but I respond in a telepathic sort of way to each and every comment.
xxx Nikki