Retreating with Jude

Some months ago Jude twisted my arm and talked me into joining her on another sewing sanctuary retreat. When she phoned I gave her the lecture…."you know I am not teaching anymore and not taking any new engagements"!! "But you won't be teaching" she assured me….."the girls are just coming to have a weekend with you"! What could I say?? And then the weekend turned into 6 days!! I was driving down with a couple of girls from Adelaide but I'd had a day of feeling unwell on Thursday and was very worried about all the bags I was taking…..so instead Larry came to the rescue and drove me. It was a 7 and half hour round trip for him but it was a lovely drive and it was nice to have that quiet time with him which of course included coffee along the way! We were thrilled to see the progress on the latest art work from Guido van Helton on the way as well……….

You can read more about that HERE

 The girls all arrived Friday night and were working on different projects over the weekend…..

 I made up a little package of designs and some of the girls decided to tackle the fabric boxes. I'd been thinking for months of how I could construct these in an easier way and Pat came to the rescue and whipped up two……...

 Those funny bunnies watching on!!…….

 Pat also brought in her stunning version of the hexie quilt from the Stitching with Beatrix Potter book…...

 I just love the colours and the surface painting…...

Just fabulous Pat!

 The catering from Jude is always sensational and we had lovely mild days to share outside. It is always lovely to chat and share life's ups and downs with like minded people…….

 Jude's garden is coming on well and it is so nice to see it all……I'm not a cat person but for those of you who are (including you Faye!!)………..

 So the weekend girls have gone and now it is Monday and we are waiting for the next shift to arrive….more soon xx

Teaching countdown

While looking at my calendar today I came to realise I only have seven more teaching events before I finally 'retire'....well not quite as we will be going to Norfolk Island next year and of course I will be busy with the William Morris in Adelaide Tours. In all I have only ten more classes and I have noticed that there are a few vacancies. First of all Judy in Bordertown has had a couple of last minute cancellations for this coming weekend and next week. Check HERE for details. Everyone will receive the pattern for the Peter Rabbit bed runner (as well as other things!), and there will be lots of rabbits to keep us company!!.....

 Classes with Illawarra Quilters filled very fast last year when they were advertised but when I just checked I noticed there are now two spots left for the May Morris Sampler......

And my very last teaching schedule is in Christchurch New Zealand for Quilt Symposium 2017 where I will be in the company of an amazing list of international teachers from all around the world...a great way to finish so join me if you can! While talking of future events, today was another day of sorting out venues for the Morris tours so we returned south to Port Elliot where I captured some quick photos on my phone of two homes that I have long admired (and we said hello to your old place Lessa!).......

I have just had a couple of days away at nearby Goolwa all on my own so that I could get stuck into some quilting with no interruptions. These are the new quilts I decided to make to brighten up the Bernina stand at AQC in Melbourne that is in just 8 weeks! I always seem to create extra work for myself but I just felt I wanted something new and fresh and so many have seen my quilts so many times. So I enjoyed playing with rulers and I love my new quilting foot......

 On one of the quilts I actually worked from the back as it was easier to see........

 I did manage a couple of walks and of course the mandatory coffee! While walking I was entertained with a small regatta of yachts and a fisherman who was catching fish just for the pelicans  - carp are not much good for eating he told me......

 I also caught up with Janie and Rosie and we worked on more projects for the Adelaide Mbale Children's health Project . Rosie lives in Goolwa with her lovely Tom so of course we were treated to a very fine lunch and what a view from their verandah........

 This past week we had a wonderful day with Miss Maisie and she is such a delight. I just love this image of her listening for birds with her good ear.......

  And the joy of chocolate........

 I found this little pram at a charity shop for just $5 but insisted that they take $10...it is in such good condition and a big hit already........

Sweeping up the leaves is never a chore at that age........

 And then some special time with Beau last Friday on his 5th birthday. We picked him up from school and took him shopping followed by a treat of spanish donuts that he loves......and so do we!!......

So I think that is it for another week.....hope all is well in your part of the world and thanks for dropping by x