How excited was I when I opened the [Craft and Quilt Fair] Craft Fair Friend [the fair’s mini mag] to see that Cecile Franconie would be at the fair. I have been admiring her creations on her blog for years. So here is my recap on a wonderfully inspiring day at the fair.
I was lucky to meet and chat to Cecile and photograph her work.
I attended some free workshops. Learnt about ‘boro’ sashiko stitching, some tips on how to make the perfect bag, how to create beeswax food wraps, some tips on using my ever growing collection of embossing folders and discovered candlewicking.
And did you know that candlewicking came about from American women initially using lengths of candle wicks to embroider boiled and bleached flours bags or feed sacks. Traditionally it’s white on white or cream on cream, and pre-dominantly colonial knots to form simple designs.
Warning – it’s a long post but worth the creative eye candy.
Cecile chatting and creating [stitching] flowers.
Some of Cecile’s gorgeous pieces on display. So ornate, textural, just exquisite.
There was a lovely quilted hoop display.
There were so many features on the quilts that I loved – that called for close-ups!
These 3-D origami like butterflies are the cutest!
FMQ drooling
Zoom in – the stitching on these petals…
So simple, so effective, MUST try.
Reviewing my photos – I was clearly attracted to bright rainbow inspired quilts.
Tegan’s ‘The 1400’
Di J’s ‘out of the square’
Oh my these tiny treasures…
This one used Tasmanian timber scraps. With eyelets in the corners, these were sewn to create ‘wooden blocks’.
Sweet felt applique embroidery, sew as you go hexagon quilt.
Denim roof tiles [my take on it]
A fussy cut masterpiece.
Penny Poppleton’s ‘Jenn does Mrs B’
Rachael Daisy won ‘best in show’ with this beauty.
Carina's Crafts 
Wow, WOW – these are ALL incredible! You must have had a great time. Thanks for taking so many photos for us to enjoy too:)
Glad you didn’t think it was too many photos Sheila 😉