Country quilting with the new PA!

The time for blogging seems to have evaded me again - but I have not been idle! I am hoping life will be eased a little as I have a new PA - whoopee! Check him out......

Yes  - Larry has finally retired - well almost. Officially it is next week after 2 weeks leave but he has been home with me for over a week already. But that is not really true either as he has been working as PA already as we have been on the road for 11 days! The day after Larry stopped work we headed to Cohuna to the Country Quilting Weekend. A wonderful time was had with 105 quilters in attendance. The tutors included the amazing Linda Steele, Gloria Loughman, Mariya Waters, Margaret McDonald and Judie Bellingham. All these tutors  had the most amazing "show and tell" on the first night but sadly the camera was not with me. Check their websites as you will know their work. Nearly all of them have won international awards and their quilts are truly inspiring. Here are a few images post workshops.....

 Above: is Linda and so much embroidery was achieved by the girls on the crazy patchwork blocks

Above: Judie's girls pretended to have completed needle turn applique and Celtic quilts - but I think they belonged to the teacher!

 Over achievers in Margaret's class and I think one participant didn't sleep overnight!!

 Above: Mariya's group learnt to do bobbin work with luscious threads

And we all scrambled to get photos (above and below ) of the colourful landscapes in Gloria's class - they were stunning

And above is our class - thanks for coming girls and I hope the quilts are finished for show and tell next year!!

We stayed in a wonderful cabin in the caravan park where we were greeted by this fellow (or maybe it was a lady??).......

 Up early for a memorable sunrise and this was the view from our cabin!

 This intrigued me....I've never really thought about the trees that make cricket bats. The sheep certainly keep the undergrowth down



Then we headed north to Mildura where I was the guest of the lovely Mandy Gowers in her beautiful shop Lesley May's (named after her late Mother). The shop is a stunning old house which has been renovated tastefully, complete with a massive classroom....and home baked food. (must get that Oreo slice recipe!!). And sorry but the camera was missing again!

This Thursday I am off to the Sydney Quilt Show just for the day. I managed to get a cheap return airfare as I just have to go and see the quilt below in the flesh!! I am also looking forward to seeing the new Master Quilters Category. This is a category to celebrate the NSW Quilters Guild's 30th anniversary. Quilters from around Australia were invited to enter and I was honoured to be one of those asked. Sadly I could not particpate as I have not had the time to do something new.

But back to this quilt! It belongs to our talented Rachelle Denneny and it is all done on her domestic machine! Our fingers are crossed for a well deserved award ........but I also want to see it win in Houston when I am there in November! Good luck lovely Rachelle XX