Wednesday, 10 December 2008


My goodness it is 3 months since I last wrote anything! I am definitely not a good blogger! It has been a hectic 3 months since the last entry. I have had to move my sick Mum into full time care and we have had our annual exhibition. Lots of wonderful entries and a few of them will be going to Melbourne on display at the annual convention in Feb 2009. Have a look at some of the winners at the Guild website; http://www.saquilters.org.au/

Click on Exhibitions to see the 2008 winners. Congratulations to Elizabeth Camping for her Best of Show award - well deserved to a humble lady who makes wonderful Japanese inspired works. As convener I got to choose a favourite and I couldn't go past Rachelle Denneney's Persistent Peacock as you can see here (detail). The quilt will be in Melbourne at the convention;http://www.aqc.com.au/melbourne09.php

I am really excited to be travelling next year to various parts of Australia including Norfolk Island. Have a look at this link and contact Michael and Nicola at Kiwi travel & tours for a wonderful week of sewing and relaxation. Have a look: http://www.kiwitravelandtours.com/itineraries/Norfolk_Island_Itinerary.pdf

And these are the tutors:

http://www.kiwitravelandtours.com/itineraries/Quilt_Norfolk_tutor_profiles.pdf
The book is in Hong Kong and will hopefully be out early in the New year. Very exciting to see it on C&T Publishing's new release list!!
For those who drop by and read this blog - thank you and I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and happy and healthy 2009.

Sunday, 7 September 2008

Students inspire - see some of their designs from the "designing workshops"




















Time has got away from me again! I can come up with all sorts of excuses including book writing, my Mum being very unwell in hospital again and just life in general!

Through all of this though..........I have had the wonderful opportunity of driving to Victoria four times in 6 months to meet so many lovely quilters. I have put a selection of their achievements on this blog as I have been asked by groups for photos. Thought this is the easiest way. So my heartfelt thanks to the girls at Kilmore, Melton, Horsham and Geelong - you have all done incredibly well and it is just amazing what you can achieve even if you think you can't draw or design yourselves!! Thanks for your inspiration to keep on encouraging others to create their own masterpieces!

Also have a look at this link from the Geelong girls: http://www.geelongpatch.org.au/MHill.htm



Wednesday, 16 July 2008




I can't believe it is nearly a month since I recorded any activity! I have been enjoying the last few days visiting the girls at Quilt Encounter. I did a class yesterday making Japanese textile treasures with Leanne O'Sullivan of Kimono House in Melbourne. Very relaxing to sit and hand sew for a day. great time out from the book. I have finally finished the projects for Country Bumpkin.............I have been asked to teach at their Beating around the Bush embroidery convention in October next year and had to get things ready 2 weeks ago!! Photos of some of the projects are attached. A tea and coffee cosy, book cover and a simple bag. Nice to achieve something so fast! Back to the nursing job tomorrow. (And those that asked......the book is due for release Jan 2009 so contact me closer to the time)

Sunday, 22 June 2008


Valerie your little quilt is just amazing!!Did you applique those tiny blocks??!!I've been working on the book all weekend but have been asked to teach at Beating around the Bush for Country Bumpkin next year and have to get some projects ready by 30th of this month....so drawing as well! Decided because it is more of an embroidery convention I would design smaller projects.SO it will be 'Afternoon Tea with William Morris'......... so an appliqued tea cosy and coffee cosy and a shoulder bag as well. Have a good week ........and this is a picture of my two beautiful daughters (Sophie on the left and she'll be 24yrs next week and Emily on the right who is 26)
Thankyou Lorraine, Kathy and Maree for your messages - I have such a lot to learn with this blogging so please forgive me!! the main reason I started it is because Valerie heard me complaining about the cost of updating my website and she thought this would be a good way to do it. Hope you are all having a good weekend -it is very cold here and I seem to be stacking on the weight because the weather is preventing me from walking. Such a pain that as soon as one stops walking the weight goes back on - Blast it all!! Have a good week, ,Michele

Thursday, 19 June 2008

Sorry Valerie that I have used the same background as you! I searched them all and this was the nicest. I thought the black was a little hard on the eyes! I have so much to learn with this now and how on earth did that spanish (or whatever??) person get in my messages!!!

Wednesday, 18 June 2008


Wow it actually worked except for my spelling of photography! I will put "William Morris Magic" on here as well as this will be in the book - nothing like some advertising!!

Welcome


Well this is the third time I have tried to set this up!! i am so not IT savvy!! thank you Valerie Slater for putting me on to this way of keeping things up to date.My website is long overdue for an update so instead I will try this - thanks Valerie; http://www.ausrose.blogspot.com/

I will try to put up a photo again of my latest quilt which is based on Morris's quilt at Kelmscott Manor. there is a great photo at this link of the original bed cover;



This is my interpreation and Judy Simcock of Cornerstone Creations quilted it for me - thanks Judy - absolutley beautiful. I am writing a book which Country Bumpkin/Inspirations books are publishing and the quilt will be in there along with a load of other new projects. Book to be called "William Morris In Applique"of course!! Today I sepnt the day with my Editor Anna Scott looking for venues for photgrahy. Carrick Hill is hopefully one such venue. More about that later. http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au
I won't do any more for now and see how this goes!!