William and May Morris tours update

I cannot believe it is nearly 2 weeks since I blogged...obviously life has been very busy! Some of my busyness has been designing a new quilt to go with a new range of fabrics with Jason Yenter - started quilting the mystery quilt for AQC - had meetings at the Art Gallery of South Australia for a proposed event (which will now be in the first half of 2017!), - organised workshops for 2015 and beyond - answered numerous emails and of course thought about projects for the William and May Morris tours which are less than 5 months away....eek! I did have to make a panic phone call as all my flights for the tours were cancelled as Virgin announced that they are no longer flying to Hong Kong from Australia (and more bad news tonight with thousands of job losses with Qantas).

 Helen from Whitecroft tours emailed me some days ago with very sad news for one couple who had planned to join us on the May Morris tour and are no longer able. As a result there are now vacancies, so if you are thinking of joining us please send an email to Helen at enquiries@whitecrofttours.com.uk. I would love for you to join us.....you will not regret it! There are also a couple of vacancies on the William Morris tour and it may be some years before we decide to do them again - so last chance folks!

 Of course our week was also full of a very special birthday and he had his very first haircut for the occasion. Apparently he sat as still as could be until he got the giggles because the scissors were tickling his ears! I 'whipped up' a very quick quilt for the occasion to reflect his love of Disney Cars. I was dreading the large borders but doodled a bit and created a few accidental patterns........

 Birthday cake time with his Dad trying to prevent the candle blowing before we had finished the singing!!.....

 Beau is starting to show a few traits of the so called 'terrible two's' but thankfully not very often....the face says it all!....

 and he has learnt to do the pose!.....

 I also had a meeting this afternoon at this incredible hotel which I can proudly say is in my home town......

This is Thorngrove Manor a unique medieval style boutique hotel that can proudly boast being listed in the Small Luxury Hotels of the world list. Ken and Nydia have lovingly created this magical place over the last 30 years. You can read more about their journey here. Well I have had the absolute honour of being asked to make a king sized quilt for the aptly named Kings Chamber! It is very William Morris inspired so I am absolutely thrilled to have been asked. They are both passionate about the true ethos of the Arts & Crafts movement and every piece of this architectural creation is high end and hand made - so what a thrill that I can leave a little piece of me there! I will share the journey with you over the coming months. Do visit their website as it is full of amazing photos. These are the windows in the Kings Chamber and they come all the way from Scotland - very Pre-Raphaelite and in a Morris style.......

So tonight I am preparing for a unique retreat at Stanwell Tops - My Creative Escape. Every participant gets to do a mini workshop with three tutors and in my classes they have been provided with pre fused and cut kits ready to go (and at no extra cost too!). So I had better skid-addle because I need to pack as I leave first thing in the morning. Till next time, take care wherever you are x