Exciting new Morris Tour!

Well here it is - Helen of Whitecroft Tours has done it again! An exciting new tour for August 2014:

"Decorative Needlework with May Morris" 

This tour it is not completely William Morris but more on discovering more about his 'just as talented' daughter May.

Some of you already know I am quite besotted with May's work as well, and currently I am also enjoying reading the biography (which is several volumes), that she wrote about her father (in my spare time!). May was responsible for a lot of the designs that came out of the Morris and Co. workshop and we have several unique designs of hers in the textile collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia. May was an extremely skilled embroiderer and eventually became an advisor to the Royal School of Needlework. Her father also appointed her as head of the embroidery department when she was only 23. I just love her free form stitches where she really 'paints' the design in simple silk stitches of chain stitch and darning stitch....something even I could do - I think!

That is enough of my ranting....what is the tour about? 

It is not on Helen's website just yet - she is leaving it open to followers of my blog first.....how special is that - but you only have a week before it goes to the website.

Here is just a little snippet.......I do know we will be staying here for 12 days.....

We will be attending a Workshop at the Royal School of Needlework - WOW and a tutor who specialises in all things May (and William ) Morris.........sigh......

Visiting Windsor and Sudeley Castles to view textile treasures....

Champagne at Buckingham Palace.......

Highclere Castle (or you might know it as Downton Abbey!!)......

One night we are having dinner in this very room (but I am not telling where!)....

A private viewing of May's drawings at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.......

And if that isn't enough....we are spending a day in Birmingham at the Festival of Quilts....

Of course we visit Kelmscott Manor where May lived for many years after her father died......

We have a day on our own at the newly refurbished William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow.....

And I will finally get to see this......

here at Standen.....

But there is so much more I could share - I think this is about two thirds of the tour ......for now all I can say is put your name down fast! You can contact Helen at the Whitecroft Tours website where she can send you a very detailed itinerary. If you have been on either of the 2012 William Morris tours you will notice a slight price rise but when you see the schedule you will see why.....it is a little longer to fit it all in...and everything is also included - all workshops, entry fees, meals - even with wine! And always extra little treasures from Helen who is the biggest treasure of all!

And don't forget we are putting on a second William Morris tour in September/October this year. This will be the last chance for an "All William Morris" tour.