Teaching break

I have just completed my last teaching contract for 2016 and I now have 10 wonderful weeks before our last trip to the UK in September. This will be filled with family, friends and a little bit of stitching along with the final proofing of the new book. But it did feel good to pack away my teaching bags and know they will stay there until March next year. My need to slow down was also identified in the workshop as it appeared the last construction page was missing, so maybe if you've done this May Morris Sampler recently you might need to email me!! I am so, so sorry.........

Mind you it was just how to put the blocks together and most will know how to do that but it reminded me of my need to 'retire' from teaching! It was pretty chilly in Melbourne as it is here at home too - a very cold winter for us all. One morning we were greeted with a blanket of ice on the car..........

 The flight to Melbourne only takes an hour and then a trip in the car where I was hosted by Sue and Bob. Sue sent me a photo of herself some months ago so I knew who she was and she also sent me a photo of her home telling me my room was the one upstairs...............

I knew straight away this was going to be lovely only my image shows it was a little colder than the sun drenched blooms of Sue's picture...............

I had a wonderful few days with Waverley Patchworkers with a very large class already filled with talent! Some of the girls brought previous work for show and tell......first of all Denise with her beautiful version of 'Portiere' entirely hand stitched using the needle-turn method - amazing! Denise is also a long arm quilter and you can visit her lovely site here at The Quilthouse.......

 Joyce turned three appliqué blocks into a wall hanging and her hand appliqué was amazing too........

 For some time now in class I've been sharing the method for what looks like a tailor's buttonhole stitch that has a knot at the end of every stitch. This method gives a lovely edge and is worked by hand like blanket stitch - but it reduces the rolling of traditional blanket stitch. Lovely Yvette Stanton informed me that it is in fact a Hedebo stitch and with two strands of cotton Joyce executed this method to perfection - it looked like it had all been done by machine...........

 Lynne brought in her beautiful 'Bird' and 'Morris Revisited' quilts also hand appliquéd...........

Unfortunately one day I did not have my camera so my phone had to capture the memories - very shy Jan brought in her stunning version of 'Morris Magic' and the colours glowed.........

 And Rhonnda brought her lovely 'William Morris Sampler' top all appliquéd by hand...........

Thanks so much girls for sharing your lovely work and to everyone who joined me in class too! So back to that lovely home and my accommodation for four nights where I was well looked after by Sue and Bob. Their home is just lovely and it was so kind of them to let me share it with you. The formal lounge was full of history and treasures.........

And then a gasp as you enter the beautiful recent addition of a large conservatory style room (complete with the mandatory grandchildren's furniture and one of the dogs!)......

 I think they enjoy entertaining because there is a lot of crockery on those shelves (and that is only half her cookbooks too!)..........

 And then even a bigger gasp as I entered Sue's sewing space.........golly gosh it was huge and I won't tell you how many sewing machines she owns!.......

 My room upstairs did not disappoint either especially as I was sharing it with some Beatrix Potter friends..............

 Outside one frosty morning we were greeted with this little bit of magic in the garden..........

 Thanks so much for looking after me Sue and Bob........the food was wonderful - even the family slide nights! Monday before the evening lecture I had some time on my own in a very wet and windy Melbourne but the arcades and warm coffees always make up for the chill..........

 So I hope the coffee is good where you are if that is what you enjoy - till next time thanks again for dropping by x