Road Trip

A few of us decided it was time for a road trip - two shops that we hadn't visited before plus an old one that was worth another visit.
Three of us set out from my place - we collected #4 on the way and off we went.

First stop - Patchwork on Smugglers.  This is a "at home" shop - open Monday-Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-1pm.  Enter on the left via "the gate".  You will probably need a navigator - personal or electronic - to get there as it is in a canal estate.  BUT absolutely worth a visit.  Not huge into Reproduction, Shabby stuff, but the prices are fantastic. $4.00 fat quarters, $16.00 per metre for fabrics.  Paper piecing supplies $4.30 per pack...Best Press - so cheap compared to other places.

Leanne, the owner, was off on retreat, leaving her husband to cope with the influx of shoppers.  We were quite kind to him and even helped some other shoppers find what they were looking for. We all left with a couple of things..I found  a pack of very pale balis for $25.00 (Bali pops were $38 I think), some of Leanne Beasleys' Hearts & Happy Flowers fabrics...I don't think I bought enough of them..might need to go back!

Then it was coffee time and we found a lovely little coffee shop - thanks to the local knowledge of #4 - just coffee and cake - but all home made cakes.  We all had a vanilla slice made with lattice biscuits...the coffee was nice too.

Then off to Fifi's Fabricology.  I have known about Fifi's for a few years now and thought it was probably just a regular shop - not too big...mmmm.
Well, you need your navigator for this one too - and you need to just keep driving down the track - (hope you didn't wash the car just for this trip) through a gate...There are a couple of signs but you need the navigator to be looking for that because you will be watching the track so you don't end up in the deep gully beside the track.  It would make a good track for a horse back rider...more on that later...but the car parking is great - all concrete and quite a lot.
There are a number of buildings.... we entered the "main" one  - we were greeted by a happy face "Oh! is this your first time here? - let me show you the sales room and the "backings" room".....(we are already noticing how big this shop is)...so off to the adjoining rooms.  They are little "cabins" - all self contained with bathrooms.  Apart from looking through all the sales fabrics (incl Anni Downs range that I have forgotten the name of - from her quilt "Favourite things), we are all thinking - perfect retreat place...needs a workroom....Then back to the main shop - and Maria is there - on a little trip for her anniversary - what a nice DH she has...and we may have quietly mentioned our previous stop...
This shop has everything - all the types of fabrics you could ask for - her website say more than 10,000 items.  Her prices are in the "normal" range, but the specials were pretty good.  We were told that next time we come we could take advantage of the workroom tea & coffee - bring our lunch if we like - stay a while - as long as well call before to check about classes etc.  So even more suitable as a retreat venue...
We all left with little parcels of goodies.

Definitely time for lunch - after 2.30 by now - so we went to Currumbin Surf Club.  Out of the car - assailed by the salt smell.  I grew up in Coogee - a beach side suburb in Sydney - OMGosh I hadn't realised how much I miss the smell of the salt and the sound of the ocean...

Lunch was good - sorry no pictures - seems I had left my phone at Fifi's - so we had to back track and decided stop #3 for the day was a no-go  - We had planned on visiting Fantazia Fabricland - it will keep for another day.

Had another coffee at #4's place and then headed home...

My purchases:

What a day - so much fun and new opportunities for us to dwell on.