Wishlist

I did some serious damage to my wishlist yesterday. I made a routine trip to the haberdashery warehouse to buy a small number of items. My strategy on these trips is to go with a very definite list. Otherwise the showroom can be overwhelming and all sorts of purchasing accidents are liable to occur. I have been wishing for a proper worklight for I don't know how long. A Daylight company lamp is what I really wanted. I'd decided to start comparing prices and models with a view to buying one soon. When I had dealt with my list, I started to check costs, features and accessories. Then I noticed that the model I wanted was on clearance: 25% off the wholesale price. I took my time making up my mind, but yes, I came home with my dream lamp. Now it's set up and in use.

It's one of those super-hot Melbourne summer days. Closing the blinds helps to keep out the heat, but makes the room too dark to work in. My old halogen light produced a fair bit of heat too. Now I can have cool light and colour accuracy. I'm so happy with it!

Quilt Show

I'm off to the Quilt Show today. That's the big annual Craft and Quilt Fair. And one of my challenges will be to control my spending . . . 

Personally I would love to see more quilt shows distinct from the shopping frenzy that fills the hall of the convention centre every year. I would love a quiet space to enjoy the beauty of the textiles. I would like to be able to visit at different times without the need to pay a $16 entry fee. Unfortunately it's just not like that here. At the end of the day it all comes down to finances. Some-one is responsible for setting up this whole event and it's a package deal: money from the stall holders to display their wares; money from the craft enthusiasts to experience the event; sales for the stall holders to cover their overheads and hopefully in amongst it all promotion of the craft and its possibilities. Anyway, I'm going and I expect to see some great quilts, to be inspired and maybe to buy a little, but it doesn't stop me wishing things were different.