"Thankyou 'Mrs' Postman"!

I just asked Larry why I assumed it to be 'Mr' Postman in my last post when it could just as well be a 'Mrs' or a 'Ms'??!! His answer was quite simple...because our postie is a man! I guess it reflects the times we grew up in but Larry did also say he doesn't think he has ever seen a female postie! I guess it is not postman anymore......maybe postperson but in typical Aussie slang we say postie anyway! We now have "fisher" replacing fisherman and in cricket it is now a 'batter' and not 'batsman'. All in the name of progress and equality I guess....but I digress.......it is with a grateful heart that I do in fact have to say a huge thankyou at the highest possible level to Australia Post for not only delivering Maisie's quilt top but also the Beatrix Potter quilt that has just reached the UK after just 5 days!! And yes - Australia Post's new chief is in fact a woman and coincidentally it was one of the stories in the newspaper when Larry and I had a coffee a few days ago.....

 Yes....a former "postie" is now the new boss and on a lot less salary than her predecessor...mind you it is still a pretty hefty salary........

 Larry was drawn to the Haighs Chocolate freckles display next to the cafe but we practiced great restraint.......

So while I am nattering about newspapers I thought I would share some recent snippets that have been sent to me. First up during the week I was delighted to receive a copy of the Terang newspaper and the front page photo was of our recent workshop.....not so clear with the scan but still exciting.......thankyou Mim!

 And then today I received a text message and photo of the story in the Toowoomba newspaper and it was so nice to see Larry featured for a change...thankyou Janice!

Earlier in the year or maybe it was last year...time sure flies!! Anyway we even made the Bordertown news when I was sharing time with the lovely girls from Gumtree Quilters.....and heaven forbid - I have just looked it up and it was actually October 2015...seriously it feels like just a few months ago!!.......

And just over 12 months ago we were celebrating the release of my little May Morris book but that feels much longer!....

So I might not be the new "Ms Postman" but I sure feel very lucky! So before I get too carried away with my own self worth I have been meaning to share some photos that someone told me about on Robyn's Patch blog where she was sharing some of the William Morris inspired quilts on display at the Ballarat Quilt Exhibition back in March of this year. Such a lovely venue and so nice to see my patterns being enjoyed so much...thanks to the makers and to Robyn for sharing. The first quilt is 'Morning Glory' from my second book and it was made by Maxine Rousch and quilted by Precious Thyme Quilting...........

 and these are blocks from my William and May Sampler but using Portiere in the centre which looks lovely. It was made by Pauline Wells and quilted by Mulberry Lane Quilting.....

And this is the William and May Sampler with the same centre as mine and stitched by Margaret Ashmore and also quilted by Precious Thyme Quilting. I wonder if these girls posted their quilt tops to their long arm quilter.?....if they did they were obviously delivered safely. Jude tells me she has been receiving and posting quilt tops for 15 years and never lost one......

 And finally Morris Magic from my first book and I do love these colours...and the extra outer border to frame it all too. This was made by Diane Daly and she hand quilted it as well.........

 Speaking of Jude........we had a little conversation the other night and I am now heading down her way in November where I can devote several days to stitching projects for the new book while being fed and watered. So between us we are turning it into a retreat where you can join us too...so if you are interested you will have exclusive access to the new projects for my new William Morris book.....you might even like to make a sample for the book! You can read more about it at this link - Scroll down the page and the retreat is called  Time with William - November 10th-12th. Thanks Jude x So to a little more news. Tuesday was a lovely day where Emily had a day off (while Brett was studying), and she brought her sewing machine with her (and Maisie!). The room was very cosy and we got lots done.....

while Emily and I were sewing Poppa was outside with Maisie sorting pegs.......(as you do!).....

This time I wasn't stitching new quilts.....instead a pyjama top for Maisie with a matching nightie for the felt doll (that Maisie will get on her 3rd birthday in 2 weeks). Dolly and Maisie also have matching cardigans........

 This week on the internet I came across a brand new range of Morris tablewares all made by Spode in the UK. But I very quickly became disheartened as it is not available in Australia and they ship to many countries in the world but not Australia!! How sad is that?.....maybe they don't trust Aust Post!!

I'll let you check out the link but it includes cake tins, lovely china handled silver forks and spoons and the most gorgeous plates and bowls and also mugs! So I will live in hope that the range reaches our shores very soon! So I have left the most exciting news of this post until last. The antique quilt below belonged to Beatrix Potter's parents and was made on the occasion of their wedding in 1863. It is thought that Beatrix's mother and friends may have made it and it was something that Helen from Whitecroft tours thought I should include in my new 'Stitching with Beatrix Potter' book..........

I was thrilled to receive permission from the National Trust to make a reproduction so recently I decided to donate the quilt to National Trust's Hill Top. I was thrilled that they were planning to display it on Beatrix's bed and just a few days ago I received these wonderful photos from Helen showing it on Beatrix's bed just for participants of the Beatrix Potter Tour........

Thankyou Helen for sending me the photos x Helen tells me that it will be on the bed permanently from July 7th so if you would like to join Helen (and see the quilt!!) she is currently making final plans for a Beatrix Potter tour in June of next year. I will share details as soon as they are finalised. So till then take good care and thanks for visiting x