Home Sweet Home

There is definitely no place like home and as we drove in to our driveway late yesterday we had just logged 4,370kms (2,715 miles), in just two weeks! It feels like we've been away for many weeks and it is so hard to believe it was only just two. Today Winter has hit with vengeance so it will be nice spending time indoors creating some new work. But first of all an enormous thankyou for the invitations to teach and share in my passion and especially to those who came to the events - if it wasn't for you the events would never happen. When we left yesterday morning it was only 11C and it rained most of the way home………..

 A quick drive-by view of some wonderful dry stone walls reminiscent of the ones in the UK…..

 We stopped for a coffee at Casterton - home of the kelpie…….

 and were thrilled that the cafe was serving our most favourite of coffees - Mahalia Coffee where it is roasted at our favourite 'time out' place of Robe…….

 great props in the cafe…….

 As we approached home about six hours later the skies caught my eye……….

 and then the journey to our lovely Adelaide Hills…….

 There have been some tragic accidents at the end of the Eastern freeway so the semitrailers can only do 60km an hour as we whizz past……it must be frustratingly slow for them on this long descent but safety takes precedence………..

 We always breathe a sigh of relief as we enter the final part of journey on the southern expressway……less than 15 minutes and we're home…….

 The last little bit of expressway always entertains Beau each time we travel on it. The overhead walkways represent the area that we live in known as the 'sea to vines' district. There is the river design……..

 gum leaves…….

 the rows of vineyards……..

 and the waves of the sea nearby……..

 and he knows the concrete ones are for the cars……

So it was home sweet home just before the sun was setting. The silver birch has lost all of its leaves and the roses have finished until next season………...

 On the way home I also picked up my brand new rugby tops from Out and About Clothing where they are all hand stitched in Keith. So for all of you who purchased a book…. this was my reward!! These tops are of beautiful quality and they can be made to measure with personal trim choices as well - and all in just two weeks! I adore spots and lime green so that was a must……

 and the other is navy with an orange stripe and trim……….

 I know they will last me years and I am absolutely delighted with them - thank you Christine! I also received lots of lovely gifts on my travels - thankyou……..

 So there is lots to do over the next couple of months including designing some new quilts. So till next time take good care x

Stitching among heroes

On this trip we've stitched in a college, stitched on a farm, seen William Morris in Newcastle and for the last two days we've stitched in the most humble of places….. among heroes of the RSL, at the Terang branch. It was a privilege to be allowed to conduct an appliqué class in the midst of such important memorabilia. Steve the branch president has an impressive naval service record himself and has spent countless voluntary hours setting up an impressive war collection (and even with a younger Queen Elizabeth looking on)……… 

  Since we've been in Terang it has been rather chilly and today was only about 13C with lots of heavy rain. So what better way to keep cosy and warm  surrounded by a lovely collection of Morris inspired quilts made by some local ladies. I am always so chuffed to see that my designs bring so much pleasure to others…...

This version of Kelmscott was made by a lady who was looking forward to meeting me but sadly passed away earlier this year. The blue and white version was hand appliquéd by Darlene……….

So a little more about Terang. The buildings reflect past times of wealth but sadly some are in serious need of restoration especially this wonderful small arcade 'Johnston Court'………..

 There is a large avenue of oak trees down the centre of the High St with more wonderful buildings…...

 Darlene owns The Good Old Days Quilt Shop and this is the first time she has hosted a tutor. I am not sure she realised how much work was involved but then again I have a feeling that she may have spoilt us all way too much with the scones, cakes and sandwiches….and that was just for morning tea!! Then yesterday was homemade pumpkin soup with freshly baked rolls, followed by chicken and salad. Today was homemade chicken soup followed by corned silverside and vegies! But her mammoth efforts were appreciated by us all and I was thrilled that I could do the workshop for her……….

 A visit to her shop was a treat where hanging on the walls were two of my quilt designs…..all hand appliquéd (needle-turn) and also entirely hand quilted……...

 Thankyou Darlene for asking me and for your kindness and generosity to us all. Thanks also to everyone who came………if it wasn't for all of you there would be no workshop! It was also a great surprise to have some of our 2014 Whitecroft William Morris tour guests come to stitch as well! Jude and Liz………..

 and Marilyn and Jenny…..so very exciting……..

So tomorrow we head home…another 640kms to drive so in total we will have travelled about 4,340kms (2696 miles), and in just two weeks….so it will be time for a good rest when we get home! Thanks for sharing our journey and more soon when we are rested x