A Little bit of my trip …

/ quiltinggail

Oh me, oh my!!!  What an awesome trip I had.  I spent a week in England/Wales, a week in Johannesburg, 3 days in Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), 5 days on Safari in Namibia at Etosha National Park, 4 days in Cape Town, and finally 2 days in Paris.  If you ever consider an African Safari – let me know, and I will give you the name of a fabulous company and the most wonderful guide!

Visit my YouTube video HERE to see pictures from my trip that may inspire future quilts. These pictures were all taken with my phone and were chosen from over 3,000 pictures that I took.

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This is a sewing machine that was in a store in Cape Town, where the owner makes all of the clothes for sale right in the store.  This machine was one of the “newer” ones. The ones they use on a daily basis were in the back and unfortunately, I didn’t get to see them! Somehow, I suspect that the decals are not in the prestine condition of this machine!

 

I only had 2 opportunities to buy fabric … we ended up in a small town, Kalk Bay, which is south of Cape Town … on the way to the Cape of Good Hope … and there was a very unique tourist shop and they had a tiny selection of fabric!!!  Of course, I had to buy some. The piece in the upper right corner (picture below) came from Kalk Bay.

A few days later, we went to Lowry’s Fabrics in Cape Town.  The fabric on the lower left is a panel with several motifs. The top left is the coordinating piece.  Both my sister & I bought these.  She’s thinking of making place mats & bags … I’m not sure if I’ll do the same or simply back the panel and quilt it.  I don’t need to decide right now.

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The rest of the fabric is Shwe Shwe cotton fabric that is made in Eastern South Africa.  It is quite stiff – almost to the point of feeling like a board.  But apparently, once it is washed, it will be a very soft, supple cotton.  The washing instructions are on the right.

Although, it doesn’t say on the instructions, the lovely lady in Lowry’s told us to soak the fabric in salt water to preserve the colours.  That’s easy enough to do!

Lowry’s does have an online shop where you can order fabric.  The Shwe Shwe is Rand 79.00 – which works out to less than $7.90 Canadian per meter.  (Even less in the US) … but the shipping will make the price triple or quadriple.

Design Wall

I did not sew AT ALL while I was away.  I’m ready to start sewing … my machines went for their annual spa visit while I was away and are now set up and waiting.  What will I sew first?  I have NO idea … I know that I will sew something fun.  Well, DUH, all of my sewing is fun, so I don’t know what I’m saying!  You can blame it on my jet lag!

Stash Report

Absolutely no sewing, so no fabric used.  However, I did not count the projects on my blog that posted while I was away.

My Africian fabrics totalled 8 yards total.  Not bad.  I did have to restrain myself because I only travelled with carry-on luggage and it had to fit in!  (OK … so I did leave a nightly and a few other clothes behind!)

  • Fabric Used this week         4 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:         123.6  yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   8 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      65.05
  • Net Fabric used                     64,55
  • –
  • Husband’s Purchases           9.5

Stitchin’ Time

  • January – Aug:  196 out of 222
  • Sept: 1 out of 1
  • Year-to-date: 197 out of 223  =  88%

(Reminder, I’m only counting days that I’m home.)

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

PHD in 2019: Quilting UFOs and Finishing New Projects

 

Updated picture of my status.

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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21 thoughts on “A Little bit of my trip …”

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  5. What an amazing trip. You are so fortunate to be able to do that. The sewing machine is the same one my mother bought in a treadle version in about 1930. My sister had it and passed it to her daughter who doesn’t sew. It was in perfect condition the last time I saw it. That will sew for another 80 years, I’m sure! If it was originally a hand crank that he electrified, it could go back to 1901-1902!

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  6. Hi Gail! Fabulous photos and I know those are only the tip of the iceberg. Oh, to visit Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope. Did it live up to its name? That is definitely on my bucket list to do someday sooner than later. I think that panel is just a fun reflection of your good time. I can’t wait to see how you use that medallion piece. I’m so glad to hear that you had a wonderful trip and that you’re safely home. ~smile~ Roseanne

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    • Hi Roseanne!
      Yes, they are only the tip of the iceberg. I have more pictures on my facebook page. Are you on Facebook?
      Anyhow, it was fun to visit Cape Town and surroundings! Definitely not to be missed if you are in South Africa.
      Our safari in Namibia was beyond amazing!!!! I still can’t believe that I was really there! And that I saw everything that my photos say that I did!!!
      Yes, I’m home safe and sound! And it’s wonderful to be home!
      Happy Quilting! 🙂

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