Taupo "tremors"

A couple of hours ago I was standing in the bathroom and I felt a little giddy and the floor seemed to shake. I thought my heart was doing its silly flutter but it turns out it was a magnitude 6.5 earthquake nearby! More of that here: 'Terrifying' quake strikes central New Zealand. My hat goes off to all New Zealanders who take this in their stride. Fortunately there is not too much damage reported but with another major quake occurring only 2 days ago I would be lying if I didn't share that my tummy is a little 'fluttery'. Apparently there have been at least 30 earthquakes since this morning in the region south of us. So with that aside let's get back to the quilting! Today was a design class and 16 enthusiastic quilters did some incredible work.....

I look forward to seeing these designs turned into stunning quilts ready to be admired.

Thanks for visiting the blog and stay safe where-ever you are xx

Quilt Symposium Taupo style

What a fantastic time we have been having. I am sharing this symposium with tutors from the US, UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand ....quite an experience! There are about 1300 students enrolled for classes - wow! Opening night was very moving with the local youth giving us a traditional Maori welcome - it brought tears to my eyes......

Awards were announced and then it was time for a sleep in preparation for 5 days of teaching. Thanks to the girls who joined me for the last two days....these are their great results which will become bed or table runners - and all inspired by the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne....

Ann has been in my class before so instead she almost completed her Portiere quilt.......

She also brought in her stunning Morning Glory quilt - it is just waiting to be bound. It was greatly admired and I loved her fussy cutting. Thanks Ann for bringing it in and it was great to catch up again x

I had an evening lecture to deliver last night and was overwhelmed by the crowd who came.....I think there were about 300! We did have happy hour before the lecture and were entertained by the local hip hop group - (and this is just for you Sophie and hope comps went well tonight xx)

After the lecture I shared dinner with Lenore Crawford and Susan Cleveland, both from the US and incredibly talented as you will see by visiting their links. Thanks girls for a memorable French evening in New Zealand........

Tonight we have had the gala dinner with a Winter Wonderland theme.....

and what a blast with Cindy of Samoa entertaining us...did she work the crowd!.......

So time for bed....more news later.....

Taupo day two

Today we had a wonderful bus trip with all the Symposium tutors to see some sights. There are tutors from around the world and it was such a special thing for the organisers to arrange. Larry and I had seen most of the sights before but it was just as exciting to revisit. First up were the amazing Huka Falls.......

And then a very favourite place of mine where I made a significant purchase last year ....just a very little purchase this year which is all wrapped safely in bubble wrap - so sorry no photo (and it is very, very little Larry!!!). Lava Glass is definitely a must see if you visit New Zealand......

It is truly wonderful to watch the glass artists at work.....

We were also treated to a most delicious lunch in the cafe before heading up to the Aratiatia rapids. The gates are opened a few times a day and you can see the 'before' scene below as it rapidly fills.......

On the way back to the hotel we had a quick visit to L'Arte Cafe which it says on the website is one of the top 10 places to visit in NZ. I did think these were real trees at first (!!)......well we are in a foreign country after-all!!

 and a 'teapot tree' .....

 Enjoy my views as I wandered through the garden of amazing ceramics and mosaics.......

 I would love to have taken one of these little chaps home but they were a little heavy and fragile..............

 Very clever dragonfly that turned out to be made of cutlery..........

Tomorrow it is time to start working (and yes Karen I am teaching)...so more of that later xx