A quilt retrospective

In just nine sleeps I will be once again flying across the ditch to New Zealand for my final formal teaching contract at Quilt Symposium and I am so thrilled that all my classes are full. Designing will be our first class and I am so glad we have two days devoted to it. Recently I did this class in one day and I know that it is really not long enough....I also know I am losing my mojo and need to take a break to find my way back to the sewing room! But for the last four days I have had time to reflect on how far I have come with the Retrospective exhibition that I shared with the incredibly talented Julie Haddrick. My work dated from an early design of 1994 through to a couple of years ago.........

 It also gave me time to reflect on what I was creating 18 years ago! I cannot believe I stitched this medieval quilt (below left), so long ago. It also gave me a chance to observe how perhaps my creativity has been stifled by focusing on William Morris............

 18-20 years ago I also made several Egyptian style quilts but they weren't included in the display......

 It was wonderful to chat to so many and also have Larry for company who from time to time donned the "Can I help you" apron and assisted and supervised where required..........

 Julie's exhibition was amazing and her self portrait incredible.........

 She is known for her love of nature and especially feathers.......

 We were surrounded by some spectacular quilts from members of the Studio Art Quilt Associates, many of them from overseas with the theme for this collection being "My Corner of the World".............

 This quilt in particular reminded me of something I have been contemplating for a while. Larry has produced many tapestries but sadly they are rolled up in storage as we can't really afford to get them framed. So for some time now I have been thinking of incorporating them into quilts......so here was a piece of work that has done that very same thing.......you can see a section of tapestry in the top right corner of the quilt.......

 There was also an inspiring display of turned wood pieces from the woodwork group Northern Turners Adelaide. It was wonderful to meet with them and talk of William Morris and his promotion of handmade crafts, so with that I just had to make some purchases while meeting each artist in person! First a pendant........

 and a beautiful bowl that to me is very sentimental as it comes from a 130 year old Holm Oak tree that came down in storms last year in our Botanic Gardens.........

 So after a busy few days I now have a week to spend some time in the garden while the days get longer. I took these photos this evening after 6pm and the colours and scent of the sweet peas was gorgeous....... 

 And I guess the house could also do with a good clean and maybe I had also better get all the teaching packages prepared for New Zealand....I will not miss that when the teaching stops...but rest assured the designing will never stop! So till next time take care wherever you are x