Taking a different path

Over the past few months I've been asked to teach in several new destinations and sadly I have had to decline. I've been trying to "retire" from teaching these past couple of years and now I know this path is right. It is 30 years since I started teaching casually (while nursing part-time), so it is time for others to take over. I've stopped the trips to the UK which was a decision made with a very heavy heart, but sometimes intuitively one's body tells you it is the right time. I suffer from angina on a daily basis now and a jolly ganglion in one of my wrists has returned after having it unsuccessfully removed 20 months ago. This week I took myself to a hand therapist to see if she could help as I can no longer rotary cut or hand stitch (or knit) for lengths of time without pain and numbness. I was very excited (and hopeful), to see a Bernina sewing machine set up in her room amongst other household items! Kathy specialises in hands and I thought how trivial my problem is when others have possibly lost all function. Disappointingly she informed me that I really need to have more surgery as it is now affecting the sensation in my finger tips, so I think I might have to learn to live with it as I fear it will just keep coming back.......it is really just a minor detail in the journey of life. But what a stunning Adelaide building that she has her practice in...........

So my very last teaching engagement in Australia is only 3 months away and this time for the delightful Marilyn in lovely Ulladulla.........and what great company we will have as I celebrate the occasion.......

I was also thrilled to receive notification last week that my classes are going ahead in October in New Zealand at Quilt Symposium 2017. I also heard recently that one of the William Morris in Adelaide tours is full... so there is time to register your interest for the others. Meanwhile I look forward to seeing some of you in my last classes or in Adelaide. So yes I am truly retiring from teaching.......I will never stop designing though and especially when one receives a text message from Curzon fabrics to tell me a package of lusciounsness is on its way.......

I am so excited about these fabrics returning as they have the pearl lustre I have yearned for and that we have not been able to get for a couple of years. Tim has worked tirelessly to find a fabric company that might print them so it is wonderful news - more of that very soon. Many of my Morris inspired quilts have featured this type of pearl print in the background and now my creative brain is running on overdrive with new possibilities.....so the designing will never stop here at home! I've already set up my folder of images from our visit in 2010 to the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. You can read more about that on my blog posts HERE. Meanwhile this is some of where my inspiration will come from that will feature those delicious new fabrics......and this was just a small part of the intricate parquetry floor designs at the museum......

This week I received an email from Monika in Czechoslovakia sharing her beautiful quilt using blocks from the 'Floral Fantasy' quilt in my second book - More William Morris in Appliqué. Monika told me this is her very first appliquéd quilt too - my gosh how wonderful!! She shared with me her quilt site that you can visit HERE, where you will see more stunning images of the quilt (and I think she might be a long arm quilter too). Isn't it just gorgeous and I love, love her quilting.... Thankyou Monika.........

 I've tried hard to get out and walk each day and only a few days ago on our walk by the river we bumped into a group playing medieval games......

 What fun and further on our walk I discovered a casket hidden under a tree that I am sure was part of their game....it took great resistance to not touch it!!.......

 We did notice it is very much the end of Summer as only 8 months ago this area was full of water and birdlife.........

I wonder who started building this house?........

This past week I have also managed to stitch Maisie two little pinafores with matching shoulder bags.....and one is just like Nanna's using that Ikea print!!

 So on a final note....Oh No.....not more roses!! You will be pleased to know that they are producing their final blooms and before long it will be pruning time........so once again thanks for dropping by and hugs from the Hill household xx