Teaching journey almost ended

We have travelled 4,000 kms and I must say I am a tad weary....but it has been a privilege and an honour to meet so many of you - thank you. Only one more workshop to go and then I have 6 months off from teaching.....it will be a great rest and we are now looking forward to the William Morris tours in the UK....we leave in just over 2 weeks!

 Above and below are images from a sit and sew morning I had with a few girls in Bright. Angela from Sew Bright Alpine quilting arranged it and what an amazing cafe.....it is very orientated to the bike riders in the region and the very 1st time they had hosted quilters!

 A gorgeous chair in the corner.....I offered one of my quilts to the cafe owner in exchange for the chair - probably good that he declined because it would not have fitted in the car!

 Thanks girls for coming...............

 After Bright we attended the Victorian Quilter's gathering and then enjoyed a 2 day workshop playing with tile designs. Not sure where my camera went so please email any images that you might have :-)
After this we travelled to Castlemaine where I joined the local embroidery members....it was great to convert a few members  to the world of quilting and appliqué...great effort as seen below......

This past weekend we have had a few fun days at the Ballarat Quilters' weekend. I had drawn up some designs from the Ballarat Town Hall floor tiles which I photographed last year.......a few girls had gone home before show and tell as they had travelled so far......

And below is a beaming Pam - her very first attempt at appliqué - well done Pam! And a huge thank you to Jan and Pam who have been behind the organising of this great event for the past 5 years. They announced that after 15 years this is to be the last retreat....time for a rest for them (but who knows - maybe someone else might take it on!)

During the week I received an email from Margaret who did a class with me in Stroud some months ago. She has already managed to get her quilt together and is currently quilting it........these are some Art Nouveau blocks that I had drawn but not had time to make! Thanks Margaret - it is so nice to see them completed...

I also received an email from Country Bumpkin to say that they are doing a calendar with images from my 2nd book.....click the Link to pre-order.....I might need to order a few myself!!

And finally.....our little grandson turned 6 months old a few days ago! He is growing up way too fast.....

Till next time (probably from the UK!!)....take care where ever you are X

After Winter comes Spring

Spring is starting to appear but today we had a wonderful touch of Winter.....I mean wonderful because it actually made me cry! Larry was very brave and hired chains to go up the mountain and those of you who know Larry will also know that he is not one to be adventurous and he is seriously scared of heights as well! But he knew how much I yearned to experience the snow, so off we went. And I might add we were very lucky to reach the top of Mt Hotham without those tyre chains!

Enjoy my Winter Wonderland...............

 As we turned the corner the tears started..."Larry, it's snowing, it's snowing".......but it was actually snow blowing off the trees......I just love it!

 And below is my favourite shot taken from the car window as we made our way back down the mountain...thankyou Larry for an incredible memory X

Back down in Bright there are hints of Spring..........

As always take care wherever you are and thank you for sharing in my adventures

Farewell New South Wales

Tonight is our last night in NSW.....we head to Bright in Victoria tomorrow - a place that is sentimental to us as we spent out honeymoon there over 34 years ago.
Our most recent drive has brought us to Wagga Wagga - which I am told means "place of many crows". On our way here we stopped at Goulburn to visit the giant merino and the amazing bakery....

 Inside the bakery is a bit of Aussie humour.......

 and a welcome fire....

On route we viewed the majestic wind farm turbines which you either love or hate. I kind of like them, but then I don't live near them which I am told can be quite annoying.......

The last two days we have been working for Faye of 'Simply Stitches'. Classes were in the Commercial Club and the carpet captured my attention once again....

 as did the room dividers......

 Here is Faye doing some exquisite hand piecing......

 and here are the diligent workers at their machines.......

 Some of the girls brought some show and tell. The quilt above is from Johanna and is all hand appliquéd and quilted and is also her own design. It is being made for her brother who loves water lilies....and below is Johanna's Arabesque quilt from a class last year that we did in the same venue. Johanna wanted to enlarge the quilt so she used an image of a Russian block that she found on my blog just for the centre. Your quilts are just beautiful and thanks for sharing Johanna

 Below is Val's stunning version of Portiere from Book 2. Her fabric selections are beautiful......

 ...and check out her stitching....all by hand!!

Thanks once again Faye for having me. Finally these are photos of just five of those nine new Art Nouveau blocks that I promised to all of you in class. (these were done by students at the Hawkesbury retreat in March this year - one day I might get to do them - the drawings are always much faster!)

As always....take care wherever you are (and it is only five weeks today until the first William Morris tour starts in the UK!!)