Saturday, January 8, 2011

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

(Apologies to Mr Dickens)

The last week has held some real highlights and some major lowlights.

With a family trip planned to Ballarat to visit some lovely stitchy friends for a picnic, and then some good old family fun at historic Sovereign Hill ... what could possibly go wrong?

Well to start with, Mr Patch Andi came down with tonsillitis and couldn't come along.
But we pushed ahead with our adventure, leaving the Mr to get a couple of days of much needed rest.

We (my kids, my parents and I) arrived in Ballarat at chez Ric Rac late on Tuesday morning where Jodie and her son Connor were the hosts with the most.

Jodie had even 'made' bikkies for the kids.

jodie's bikkies

We were soon joined by Kate and her girls, Rachel and her Maya and Lizzie. We all wondered off to the local park for a picnic.

all of us

Here are a few more shots. (Check out all the quilts we bought to use as picnic rugs)

rachel and maya

5333978511_2cd42652d5_o

kate and girls

jodie

jodie's quilt

my family

Pepper

jodie and jake

Annie joined us a bit late as she was rather busy finishing her latest creation!!!

annie's bag

annie's crochet

dad and annie

There was even some impromptu creating going on ...

Indi drawing on pep's foot

scar foot face

After the delightful picnic, I sent my parents and kids off to check in to our accommodation while the girls took me to visit a local icon.

Oh the pretty fabric ....

fabric

fat quarters

ooshka babooshka

I was seeing spots!

spots

(These pretties came home with me along with a few other delicious selections!!)

Thanks Emma for being so very hospitable.

emma

SUCH a very lovely afternoon! Thank you to everyone for coming along and playing with us city folk!!

Soon after leaving Ballarat Patchwork, I got a grumpy call from my dad wondering when I would be resuming my parenting responsibilities. Oops!!

A happy family dinner followed, then back to the hotel to rest up for a fun day of gold panning and ye-olden-days-lolly-eating the next day.

Unfortunately, my Ella woke up with a tummy bug so she and I went straight home, leaving my parents to take Jake around Sovereign Hill. They had a lovely day.

We'll get back there one day .... all of us!!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Andi xx

17 comments:

manda said...

oh gosh, you really did have some good and bad things happen! I hope your husband and daughter are both feeling better, it's no fun being sick! What a fantastic quilt shop!!! I can't wait to see what you make with those fabrics!!

Cath @ chunkychooky said...

Oooohh, I wish i had of been to that picnic... xx

Willow Grove - Kez said...

Looks like a great time away picnicking with blogging friends. Now you will have to go back to see Sovereign Hill. Hope you little girl and DH it better

Audrie said...

Gosh you're making me wish for warmer weather... it's snowing outside right now! Hehe :) Looks like you had a lovely time... I'd have left most of my bank account in that gorgeous store!

Annie said...

So sorry to hear that you had to miss out on the Gold Panning. I hope all is well again in your house - great photos.

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Oh sorry about the tummy bugs. Pretty sure if my husband was on the guest list for a picnic with crafty ladies, he'd suddenly get a tummy bug too!! What a stunning Shop & check out all those bloggers i wish i knew in real life too. Kudos to the clever ones with chairs!! Love Posie

Claire - Matching Pegs said...

What a shame Andi :-(

We had a lovely day at S Hill, thanks for the inspiration.

trash said...

Was Jodie proffering her famous (and patented) salad pedicure? She seems to prefer it in that park.

Glad you all had a triffic time. I was only unbelievably and extremely jealous.

Chocolate Cat said...

Even with the lowlights sounds like lots of fun especially the picnic!!!

Nikki said...

Despite various hiccups in the plan, it sounds like you had a lovely day in Ballarat. I must make the trek out that way again to catch up with the girls!

rachelmp said...

I'm so sorry Ella was unwell. It was fantastic to meet with you and your family Andi and I hope you will be back to Ballarat again!

Kate said...

Oh bum! Poor Ella.
The park bit was fun but. Hope you have a happy and well rest of the holidays. X

Leanne said...

It looks like such a fun time and how great were Jodie's biscuits.

meli B said...

Sounds like a pretty good day to me.

Emma said...

Thanks for dropping by at the shop!
Lovely to meet you too!

emma

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Hope your family is all well again by now Andi! Looks like a fabulous day, I'm heading off for that certain patchwork shop tomorrow, I've never been to Ballarat Patchwork before, can't wait to see it! Hope you are really well,
Cathy xo

Michelle said...

What a great day! Friends, fabric and family! Poor Ella though...and you, it's hard when the littles are sick...hope she's better now.

Are you gearing up for Perles in 2011?! I'm excited!