Talent from the UK

Thought I would share some talent from the UK.......It is just wonderful to receive emails from all around the world since the release of the book. Maureen in England sent me these photos.....such a wonderful way to use blocks from the 'Morris & Friends' quilt - an 80" table runner and a beautiful cushion.

Thankyou Maureen for sending me the pictures of your stunning work and also for allowing me to share your photos with the rest of the world. Good luck with the exhibition coming up!

I haven't been idle

Busy times have been a plenty...........we have had our quilt exhibition 2 weeks ago and what a show it was! Congratulations to Best of Show winner Beth Roberts for her incredible mosaic quilt which took her 4-5 years to complete. It consists of thousands of 1/8 inch silk pieces!! And congratulations to Rachelle Denneny as runner-up to Best of Show.....her quilting is exquisite. You can see the winners at the Quilters Guild of SA's website;

http://www.saquilters.org.au/festival-of-quilts-2009.htm

Speaking of machine quilting.....I am definitely not an expert - in fact I don't enjoy the quilting part at all. I can machine applique all day long but the quilting.......not for me. Anyway I was thrilled to be asked to make a block for Heather Bartsch (of the Barossa Quilt and Craft cottage) to be made for her 60th birthday. Well wouldn't you know it...no-one came forward to quilt the quilt.....and me being me..........sucked in again!! SO I have had some more free motion feather practice!! Heather's reaction when she opened the quilt made it all worthwhile.

This past week we have been in Robe in the southeast..........

http://www.robe.com.au/

It is the most charming place and we have been visiting every year for 25 years..........I love the old whitewashed cottages and galleries and cafes and shops etc!

I was working though and it was good place to be so I could focus without the phone and the computer!

New acquisition at the Art Gallery of South Austrslia

Christopher Menz, the Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia is giving a lunchtime lecture on November 3 to discuss a new acquisition of a Morris carpet. The image above is a watercolour version of William Morris' Redcar Carpet. (1881-1885)

The Gallery's Redcar Carpet (252cm x 376cm), is a modified version with a red background and was donated by Tony, Philip and Julian in memory of their parents Fayette and Jock Gosse who are descendants of Robert & Joanna Barr Smith. Robert & Joanna were one of the biggest international clients of Morris & Co. The couple had several homes in Adelaide which they decorated extensively with Morris furnishings. The carpet is thought to have been commissioned in about 1890.

Toowoomba girls

I have been emailing Judy Carrow from Queensland for some time now as we share our passion for William Morris. Judy has been teaching a group of 'kindred spirits' and this is the result of one of their sessions. Go girls - your work is beautiful and I love hearing how you are going via Judy. I feel like I am there with you - isn't it wonderful to keep William Morris alive?!!

Thankyou for allowing me to share your work and photo with the world X

Friends

Aren't we blessed with friends in our lives? I have a 1953 copy of "When We Were Young" written by AA Milne. In it are many poems - this is a favourite written in 1940:

THE FOUR FRIENDS

Ernest was an elephant, a great big fellow,
Leonard was a lion with a six foot tail,
George was a goat, and his beard was yellow,
And James was a very small snail.

Leonard had a stall, and a great big strong one,
Earnest had a manger, and its walls were thick,
George found a pen, but I think it was the wrong one,
And James sat down on a brick.

Earnest started trumpeting, and cracked his manger,
Leonard started roaring, and shivered his stall,
James gave a huffle of a snail in danger
And nobody heard him at all.

Earnest started trumpeting and raised such a rumpus,
Leonard started roaring and trying to kick,
James went on a journey with the goats new compass
And he reached the end of his brick.

Ernest was an elephant and very well intentioned,
Leonard was a lion with a brave new tail,
George was a goat, as I think I have mentioned,
but James was only a snail.

I have several friends that are making projects for me - I am so grateful for their unconditional support. Here are three of five girls who are working away with minimal instruction. To watch them select fabrics with their own ideas and interpretation is just wonderful. We are all obsessed with William Morris and it brings us together as we share in his amazing designs.

Thankyou Country Bumpkin students

I have just completed day 3 of 5 days of teaching at Beating around the Bush. http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au/batb.php

It is amazing to think students have travelled so far.....from Ireland, England, The Netherlands, Poland, Dubai, South Africa, USA, New Zealand and all around Australia (and maybe others I can't recall.)

Today I was presented with this incredible bouquet of flowers from the students in my class..........something I will always remember. Thanks girls.......you were a treat to teach!

Working hard

I have been busy designing new work and preparing for Beating around the Bush which starts this weekend - http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au/batb.php
I found these luscious furnishing prints and I am making ????? for those in the 2 day classes!! All will be revealed later!

And yesterday I had a wonderful email with this photo. It came from Judy Carrow, a quilter from Queensland who has been teaching machine applique using designs from the book. This is Judy's quilt and cushions - just beautiful. It is lovely to see designs reworked............I only usually ever see my own so if you are reading this and have ever done one of my patterns please send me a photo. This is the first time I have seen the 'Morris & Friends' quilt re-made, apart from my own.

Have a good week

Thankyou Judy for keeping the genius of Morris alive and for allowing me to share your stunning work.

Northern Lights is coming back!

The picture for this blog entry is of the black & white room at home - it is finished!

But the main reason for my blog................During Feb/March 2008 and as a part of the Festival of Arts here in Adelaide, we had the sensational Northern Lights (from Electric Canvas - http://www.theelectriccanvas.com.au/)

I am so excited to read in the paper this morning that it is coming back next year.....oh shouts of joy! Have a look at it on this wonderful link on you tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN2ZtiRYsIk&feature=related

and another.............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUm4TOPs3J4

It is simply stunning and one building even had a William Morris image. So if you can come I will escourt you personally!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/28/2698144.htm

My William Morris rose is blooming

My first William Morris rose has bloomed..........(this was a gift 2 years ago from a very special friend in Melbourne - thankyou Maree x). I have been told this rose is no longer available but there is still much information on the Internet about it;
http://www.davidaustinroses.com/australian/showrose.asp?showr=3413

We have also been doing up the bedrooms in our house - painting and new carpet this week....my gosh that is no mean feat - it is like moving house having to pack and move everything out of 3 bedrooms - Aaaagh!!
I have had a dream to have a black & white room for some time which is why I originally made the black & white brocade style quilt. I recently found a beautiful chair for the room....thought I would show it off!!

And last week Betty and I had the 1st trading table for the aged care facility...here we are with all the bears and coat-hangers!!! All bears but one were sold before the day!

William Morris on You Tube

Jane Morris with May

A 'young' Morris

There are several interesting video's on You Tube you might like to have a look at. This one comes with some narration from the Morris Society (15 minutes):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3kLR4N10Qg&feature=related

And this one is in Japanese but still worth a look (9 minutes);

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPXUslsYJHI&NR=1

Quilting practice

A very dear friend offered to make a sample of one of my patterns and this is the result. I was thrilled with her efforts and all the applique was done by hand. I did ask if I could borrow it for teaching as I loved the way she spread the border design out around each block. (a little different to mine)

Of course she allowed me this honour so in return I offered to quilt her quilt for her.............I actually don't usually enjoy machine quilting..... I always find it so hard deciding what design to do. I love a 1"grid behind applique but because of the time this takes I usually resort to free-motion.

So I have had a wonderful time practicing feathers and this is the result. I found that the feathers surrounded the applique quite fast - most satisfying to me as I am so impatient! So today I returned the completed quilt only to find I had missed a little section!

Well it was tears all round as her dear husband had made this beautiful chest of drawers for me in return. It was just so exciting and I was so touched by this gesture as it was not expected and I was the one who wanted to return a favour for borrowing the quilt top. So I have had fun filling the drawers with all my embroidery threads tonight - YUM and I feel so lucky.

When I am not quilting

In my spare time (!!) I continue to volunteer at the local aged care facility once a week. I get immense satisfaction from doing this and it fills a void with the loss of my Mum.

Well the quilting never really took off........instead I was shown how to knit coathanger covers........here is a basket full - Betty knits the covers and then I have to cover them using leftover batting and then stitch the cover to the hanger. Now we have moved onto teddy bears knitted from squares........Betty is great at the knitting BUT I have to stuff and stitch them, each one taking over 2 hours!! Thought you might like to have a little look :-)

William Morris and the Muslims

Photo courtesy of 'Travel adventures.org";
http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/hazratemazumeh1.shtml

A few days ago I received a wonderful email from a fellow Morris devotee telling me about an interesting BBC radio program. (Thankyou Jane)
It is very interesting if you have about 25 minutes to listen.....Fiona MacCarthy is a guest and it was a thrill to hear her in person as I have enjoyed her books and writings on Morris. If you go to this link you can have a listen;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p003vdc5/The_Monday_Documentary_William_Morris_and_the_Muslims/

Clever Ballarat Quilters

I can't wait for this BBC series "Desperate Romantics" to come to Australia...........looking forward to getting a glimpse of Morris!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lvyq2

Spectacular results from the students at the Ballarat quilters

weekend who say they can't draw!

Thankyou all so very much for all your get well wishes. I am getting back on track - 3 weeks since the angiogram and in typical 'nurse style' had a bit of a complication. I ripped the stitch holding the angioseal and had a bleed into the abdomen. This resulted in a very painful internal haematoma around the iliac artery!! But it hasn't stopped me. After clearance 2 days before the event I did get to go to the quilting weekend in Ballarat...........I forgot my camera of course but did manage to get this shot on my mobile phone!

It was a well organised weekend held in amazing accommodation: http://www.mercureballarat.com.au/

Thanks to the grils for asking me - an honour to be amongst the likes of Gloria Loughman, Lessa Siegele, Michelle Yeo and Margaret McDonald.

http://ballaaratquilters.com.au/bqw.htm

William Morris quilt top finished

Close-up of centre
I have had a few days at home recovering from a coronary angiogram...............a result of 25 years of high blood pressure. And we know...........stitching soothes the soul. So after much contemplation I chose Brer Rabbit for the centre. Drawings done Saturday and put together tonight. I used nearly all of Barbara Brackman's new 'Morris Workshop' range of fabrics for the applique and centre backgound, with the Iris pattern as borders. http://mordac.unitednotions.com/storefrontB2CWEB/simplesearch.do?action=process_simple_search
I thought that an appliqued sashing and/or border would be just too much. Now I have to quilt it!!


According to the Art Gallery of South Australia 'Brer Rabbit' or Brother Rabbit as it is also known, was designed by Morris in 1882 as an indigo discharge and block printed Cotton. I have used the oak leaves and birds from the orginal design and of course the rabbits. The rabbit fabric I chose was a little pale on the cream background so I had to do some heavy stitching around the edge so it would stand out. The best laid plans still trick the eye!! here is a link to the orginal design: http://www.artgallery.sa.gov.au/agsa/home/Collection/detail.jsp?ecatKey=2994
And Ruth....your package is on its way!

Black & White quilt

Forgot to mention that the pattern and instructions are in the magazine and on the DVD as well

Quilters Companion & DVD

I have just received my copy of the latest Quilters Companion (Vol 8.4 No 38) with the DVD that Clare Mooney the Editor talked me into doing!! It is so surreal watching yourself on TV...........do I really look like that......do I really talk like that??!!! Amazing how it turned out with all the giggling and 'stuff-ups' that happened on the day - the make-up and hair was fun too!

But what an honour and a privilege to be asked to do it. The DVD is like being in a design and machine applique class with me, so pick it up from your favourite quilt shop or newsagent and say Hi!

And check out these amazing cupcakes......I have been trying to fill my stand for months and came across a shop in Wagga when we travelling that makes them out of soap......they look like you could eat them!!

And thanks for your comments regarding the new sampler.....Ruth B I love your idea. I was thinking along those lines already so when I have your address a pattern of your choice is on its way!

Morris Floral Sampler No 2

Here are the blocks for Floral Sampler No 2. I made my first William Morris Floral Sampler (now No 1) in 2004 and it is still popular today - in fact 'Stitchin' Heaven' from Texas in the USA have just ordered 110 patterns as it is going to be a block of the month; http://www.stitchinheaven.com/stitchin_heaven_pages/block_of_the_month_programs.asp#william(And that was a heavy load - $360 in postage - phew!) How exciting though!!

I have run out of the background fabric for the Sampler so not sure where to go from here :-(

I still need to design the large centre and I might sash the blocks or use the centre fabric for an outside swag border. Let me know what you would like to see.......the best suggestion wins a pattern so please leave a message.

I have used the new Morris Workshop range from Barbara Brackman........(see previous blog for more images and info.....http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_the_morris_workshop.pdf
It does take a while to download the PDF but it is well worth it! Do drop by on Barbara Brackman's blog too - she has some very interesting articles on her speciality of historical quilts and textiles; http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2009/07/stars-on-point.html).

The image of the fabrics was taken in the excitement at Patchwork by Sea on Saturday on my mobile phone (so not very clear); http://www.patchworkbysea.com.au/

we all bought metres of it - once it is gone we will no longer be able to get it.

But Barbara tells me there will be another Morris range coming in 2010/2011. I do love the teal blues and browns and the fabric is very soft and lovely to work with.

Waterhouse natural history art prize

This years winner is "Fish" by Matilda Michell. (Photo from the South Australian Museum website)

This amazing exhibition is something I look forward to every year. There are entries from all around the world and it is such a wonderful thing that it is in our own city..see website:

http://www.thewaterhouse.com.au/page/default.asp?site=1&page=&id=

If you are in Adelaide do go and check it out. All mediums are represented including glass, wood and even textiles - not just paintings.

I am back at the sewing machine trying to complete the new sampler. I will get pictures up tonight. I am using the new William Morris range of fabric from Barbara Brackman (for Moda), and it has just arrived in the shops. Have a look at the beautiful range; http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_the_morris_workshop.pdf

It does take a while to download the PDF but it is well worth it! The fabrics are a lovely quality and I am enjoying appliqueing them. .......more later! Do drop by on Barbara Brackman's blog too - she has some very interesting articles on her speciality of historical quilts and textiles; http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2009/07/stars-on-point.html

This entry is a lovely way to 'showcase' the fabrics and I do love blocks on point even if they are all pieced!!

Cohuna workshop

Here are a couple of photos that Lisa Walton kindly took from the 'Applique design' workshop. It is such a thrill to see what people can produce when they think they can't draw!! Hope you girls don't mind your picture here.......thanks so much for coming

Back to the computer

I can't believe it has been 6 weeks since I recorded anything! Now that I have met some of you that visit I had better make it more interesting for you!!

We have been away for over 3 weeks, travelling 3300kms and spending wonderful times with quilters in Cohuna and Jamberoo. My thanks to Lee and Marilyn for asking me - what a privilege and thanks so much to those of you who bravely came on the designing journey!! It was also lovely in Cohuna to meet Brenda Ryan; http://www.brendaryan.com.au/ and Lisa Walton; http://fibreinspirations.blogspot.com/

Lisa kindly sent me some photos of student achievements for me which I will put up shortly. I was under the weather that weekend and didn't even have my camera handy!!......thanks Lisa.

Then we headed to Bright for a few days, then Canberra and finally Jamberoo. 17 students in the Jamberoo workshop and I was teaching with Lee Cleland; http://www.leecleland.com/, Judy Turner; http://www.judyturnerquilts.com/, Beth Miller and Lessa Siegele. What amazing tutors we have here in Australia and it was an honour to be sharing the classrooms with talent of this calibre.

I did finish some quilting and applique while I was away as well. I have enclosed a couple of shots from our travels (Mt Buffalo views) and the Morris Garden quilt that I finally finished.

Till next time........Hi to those visiting - I promise to write more often!

I think I've retired from nursing?!!

Today was just another day - but was it? I have just worked my last day as a registered nurse. I have given 35 years to nursing - tried to 'retire' before but we won airfares to London in a raffle and I had to go back and earn my keep so we could afford to go!! So 12 years later I am trying again.! So what is retirement? For me it is a serious change in my career............quilting I hope and who knows where it might go? Mind you the book has not been my reason for my final nursing days- far from it as I have found out in reality how little authors earn. Much worse that I thought so for those of you thinking of publishing....please, please get your contracts checked by legal writing services before you sign it.

But with all of that it is still an exciting future and I thank my dear husband for allowing it to happen.

So today I received some wonderful flowers, some Pandora from my workmates and the doctors have given me a holiday voucher - WOW! And I also received this fascinating book yesterday from a very dear friend - full of snippets and memorabilia from Beatrix Potter's diary.

Have a great long "Queens Birthday weekend"

Quilt Show Sydney

I have just completed an exclusive pattern for attendees at the Sydney quilt show next week (June 10th - 14th) http://www.craftfair.com.au/Sydney2009/app/pages/view/special_events__lectures/

Come and say hello! The pattern is based on a William Morris design called Artichoke - it is a small section from an 1877 embroidery.

Heavenly Autumn

Autumn is my favourite time of year. I planted the liquid amber almost 20 years ago and I have to say the show of colour this year has been sensational. Not sure if the drought might have created the best colours we have seen for years??.........we have lost our silver birches though - two down and one looks very sad.

Morris in the Nursery

Just had to share this delightful picture of Larry about to go out for tea with his brand new jeans on!! I missed that label!!! (cardboard and all)

Our week in Robe was heaven. The open fire was on every afternoon by 4pm and lots of drawings and cuttings were produced. Also a few glasses of wine and I finished a Jodie Picoult book. Here is a little peek at the nursery quilt - a cot size quilt..........i will be doing a lot of embroidery on this one. The row by row single bed quilt has almost got the applique ironed on.
And I also managed to design a new sampler quilt.....nine new 16" William Morris inspired designs!! Amazing what you can get done away from the phone and hum drum of routine at home!

Quick and easy warm quilt

When Mum moved into care late last year I started a sewing group with a few of the ladies. It was a great way to spend a day with Mum once a week - but when she died unexpectedly 7 weeks later I found it hard to continue there. So instead I am going to a facility closer to home...........I decided that "we" could make some warm and cuddly lap quilts for residents.

BUT.....it has been hard convincing residents to join in - The response varies from 'I can't see', 'the arthritis' etc.......but one dear lady Betty has done all the cutting of the applique. I used bright polar fleece and appliqued the flowers on 12 1/2" squares. Unfortunately I had to do all the applique myself so had to resort to machining! I am pleased with the end result and I even found a great backing to co-ordinate! They are so warm and cuddly that i think I want one - might even make some for my daughters ......IN MY SPARE TIME!!