Please vote for William Morris!

I have been meaning to do this post for a couple of weeks now and keep forgetting! The Bank of England are looking for a new face for their 20 pound note and it needs to "celebrate Britain's achievements in the visual arts". So it goes without saying that in my mind there is only one person who should be on that note! He is still as relevant today as he was in his time in so many areas - for encouraging people to have a go at creating, for the use of natural dyes, for textile design, weaving, stained glass, embroidery, environmental sensitivity, social awareness…….I could go on and on! So please vote by clicking on this link: 20 pound nomination form but do it soon as voting closes on Sunday July 19th! 

Thankyou x

Having a go!

Having a go you might ask?……….all will be revealed shortly! But to start with a little 'family catch up'. Emily recently returned to part time nursing so we are looking forward to the routine of having the little ones for one day a week. Little Miss Maisie actually turned one today but celebrations are happening this weekend. Wednesday we decided to take them to a shopping centre where events were being held for the school holidays. Beau enjoyed riding on a dinosaur and then making his own minion……poor boy had a fall last week so he is still wearing the scar on his face……

 So back to the theme of this post of 'having a go'! Some weeks back my talented friend Anna Scott asked if I would like to share a booth with her at the Adelaide Sewing, Stitching and Handcraft Show ….so with a few weeks notice we plunged into action and here we are 'having a go'! Now I am not one for selling as many of you know…..I still say nurses are not good at doing business!! But what fun we had setting it up yesterday and some of my quilts were glad to come out for an 'airing'…..

 I decided it was a great opportunity to sell more books and help pay that printing debt back to Larry...and also an opportunity for people to see the projects in the flesh too…..

 I bought some wonderful William Morris mugs and packed them full of fabric and they were very popular today………...

 Anna has some of her stunning crewel and stump work embroidery on display with kits packaged beautifully and even printed linen and cotton panels for an instant imitation embroidered cushion……….

So for those of you in Adelaide….pop by and say hello. There are many displays and shops and the Home and Building Improvement Show is on as well. See you there! (Aren't you proud of me Helen B?!! x)

A morning stroll

Sleep was somewhat unsettled last night and I heard the Launceston clock chime at 4, 5 and 6am! But on to another day where it will be exciting to see all the quilts hanging in a few hours. I decided to go for a quick stroll this morning in the street behind the hotel and I was not disappointed. I always enjoy photographing local houses and today there was a lot of smoke puffing out of the chimneys…mind you it will be a little warmer today……12 degrees! Enjoy the houses amongst the haze………

Tasmanian touchdown

I was asked some time ago if I would accept the role as guest judge for the Tasmanian Quilting Guild's annual show - so here I am!  Must say it is a tad chilly at the moment…..just 2 degrees when we got back from dinner last night and minus 3 overnight! Today was expected to get to a maximum of 11C so it is well and truly winter. It took two flights to get here and when I left Adelaide yesterday morning this was the view from my window………

 The first leg of the trip is via Melbourne and another view as we left the mainland heading south……...

It is 40 years since I visited Tasmania as a student nurse on my second semester holiday break. I recall the island being known as "Little England" and Larry and I have had it on our 'bucket list' for a visit. My first glimpses as we followed the Tamar River to Launceston……….

My 'home' for three nights is in this wonderful boutique hotel - Auldington - once a Sister's convent from 1899. It is just charming and reminds me of the small hotels we stay in during our UK visits…... 

The views from the balcony look over the city of Launceston……...

Audlington has had recent refurbishment and it is so nice to have a deep bath and an incredibly comfortable bed (and it is also great value if you are visiting Launceston)……...

 When we left this morning the car was covered in ice…………..

On the way to the judging venue we made a short detour to Cataract Gorge where we were greeted by some grand peacocks……….

 Everything was covered in frost and the landscape looked like it was covered in snow……….

 Amazing to see these native plants covered in ice………...

Tomorrow I have a few hours in the morning where I will photograph some of the heritage houses (hope it is not raining!), and then the afternoon is where we select the special awards and Best of Show……..so I will touch base after that. Thanks for dropping by x