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!!

Don't you just love weddings?

We have had a complete change in weather - rain (which we needed so badly) and gale force winds! But Kamille from work still looked so composed and so classically beautiful.

Rain!!

Borders are finally appliqued to the "William Morris Garden" quilt - now for the quilting!


"Red morning.....shepherd's warning"

After 9 months we are finally having some decent rain. We have quite forgotten what that looks or sounds like.....and forgotten how slippery the roads are when it is wet. The sunrise photo was taken at 6.30am this morning over my back fence.

And to all the scquilters who drop by.......thanks for the great weekend - so good to meet you!

Easter

What beautiful weather we have had for these four days of Easter. Larry and I spent two of them helping my brother paint his renovations. After 5 weekends there is still so much to go!!
But the Easter bunny did bring me something fat free...............Benjamin Bunny!

Quite timely as I had been spending the last couple of weeks thinking about some new quilt designs especially with children in mind. My eldest daughter is planning to have a baby over the next 18 months so I thought it time I started planning - they will have to live with William Morris though! So how beautiful are these new fabrics from fabric freedom and I think just great for quilts for children: http://www.fabricfreedom.co.uk/
It took me a while to get used to the pastels as I am such a traditionalist with William Morris colours of nature. But the more I looked at them the more I saw potential. So I have two single bed sized quilts in mind which I will start drawing up over the week we are in Robe at the end of the month!So "William Morris meets Beatrix Potter" - I will probably do silhouettes - need to be careful of copyright with Beatrix Potter designs

A William Morris Garden Quilt

This is the new quilt - blocks almost completed - now for the borders

A day off

Helen Godden's Fantasy entry

It has been lovely to spend the day stitching - I've almost completed the blocks to a new quilt- just have to design the border! I will be teaching this at Quilt Encounter in July (Photo to follow): http://www.saquilters.org.au/quilt-encounter.htm

I am 'retiring' from nursing at the end of April - I've given 35 years of my life to nursing so thought it was time that I spent more time designing more quilts and maybe writing my second William Morris in Applique book - can't believe I have said that already!!)

It will be so good to catch up with friends as well!

A week ago I had an enjoyable time with my good friend Faye at the Quilt convention in Melbourne. It was great to hear the book was selling so well. It was also great to see all the 'Fantasy' entries.One of my favourites was Helen Godden's - amazing!!

The engagement cake!

I did a couple of test runs a few days before and then the final result was 85 cup cakes! Sophie helped to decorate - we actually had a lovely time doing that and we were all pretty chuffed with the end result!

Emily & Brett's engagement

Larry with Brett (looks like an approving look for the future son-in-law!)

Aaron & Sophie

Emily with Sophie

Finally got some photos of the engagement up. A good time was had by all. Photo of the cake is coming!

Book Launch

For those who didn't get to the book launch - especially friends interstate and overseas - you can see it all on the net!! Go to the link, make a coffee and enjoy. (It takes about 30 minutes and you don't have to stand!!) You will see how hot it was by all the fanning - bless all of you who put up with it!
http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au/article_info.php?articles_id=520

It never ceases to amaze me how diligent people are with their blogs - I am not one of those people! Sorry if you visit frequently!!

The last couple of months have been an emotional journey for me - seems a bit irrelevant now as we hear of the devastation and loss of life in Victoria with the bushfires. Something a lot of us cannot comprehend but our hearts are certainly with those who have and are suffering.

For me it was the loss of my Mum a few days before Christmas - I miss her every day and I was so sad that she didn't see the book in its final stage. A photo of my Mum with one of her beloved hydrangeas and a snapshot of just a few of the amazing condolence flowers that I was sent.

The other amazing journey was the book launch last week. 200 friends and family stood in the most unbearable heat in a small hall! I am so grateful and humbled by the overwhelming support - thankyou to everybody and especially to Christopher Menz, the Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia , for coming and for making a speech. Photos of yours truly with Christopher and yours truly again expressing my thanks to everyone and especially to William Morris!

My goodness it is 3 months since I last wrote anything! I am definitely not a good blogger! It has been a hectic 3 months since the last entry. I have had to move my sick Mum into full time care and we have had our annual exhibition. Lots of wonderful entries and a few of them will be going to Melbourne on display at the annual convention in Feb 2009. Have a look at some of the winners at the Guild website; http://www.saquilters.org.au/

Click on Exhibitions to see the 2008 winners. Congratulations to Elizabeth Camping for her Best of Show award - well deserved to a humble lady who makes wonderful Japanese inspired works. As convener I got to choose a favourite and I couldn't go past Rachelle Denneney's Persistent Peacock as you can see here (detail). The quilt will be in Melbourne at the convention;http://www.aqc.com.au/melbourne09.php

I am really excited to be travelling next year to various parts of Australia including Norfolk Island. Have a look at this link and contact Michael and Nicola at Kiwi travel & tours for a wonderful week of sewing and relaxation. Have a look: http://www.kiwitravelandtours.com/itineraries/Norfolk_Island_Itinerary.pdf

And these are the tutors:

http://www.kiwitravelandtours.com/itineraries/Quilt_Norfolk_tutor_profiles.pdf
The book is in Hong Kong and will hopefully be out early in the New year. Very exciting to see it on C&T Publishing's new release list!!

For those who drop by and read this blog - thank you and I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and happy and healthy 2009.