Wow!

I have just come across this exciting news from Dwight Spence of Quilt Resource Canada; http://www.quiltsource.blogspot.com/

She goes on to share.............

Top Selling Products for C & T Publishing for 2009
As mentioned in yesterday's posting I ABSOLUTELY LOVE getting these lists. Here is C&T Publishing's top 20 products for 2009
1. CT10686 -Sylvia's Bridal Sampler
2. CT10985 - Carol Doak's Foundation Paper
3. CT10637 - French Braid Obsession
4. CT10702 - William Morris in Applique (wow wee!!)
5. CT10432 - French Braid Quilts
6. CT10695 - Creative Two Block Quilts
7. CT10642 - One Line At A Time
8. CT10619 - Quick Star Quilts & Beyond
9. CT10625 - 101 Fabulous Fat-Quarter Bags
10. CT10618 - Foolproof Machine Quilting
11. CT10708 - Start Quilting with Alex Anderson 3rd edition
12. CT10694 - Intuitive Color & Design
13. CT10652 - A New Light on Storm at Sea Quilts
14. CT20118 - Kaleidoscope Tote (yes Janet has them on order!)
15. CT10428 - One Block Wonders
16. CT10671 - Applique Outside the Lines
17. CT10624 - Fabulous Fabric Art with Lutradur
18. CT20107 - Quilter's Freezer Paper Sheets
19. CT10629 - Sew Simple Quilts # 1 with Alex Anderson
20. CT10662 - Quilter's Academy Volume 1 - Freshman Year

Another wonderful blog

I have come across another wonderful blog; http://preraphaelitepaintings.blogspot.com/

It was here that I read of a competition that the William Morris Gallery are running:

‘Inspired by William Morris’

Call for entries 2010

A group show of works inspired by the life and work of William Morris will be held at the Gallery between October-December 2010.

The competition is open to all London based artists and craftsmen. Following the example of Morris himself- works in all media are eligible. This includes textiles, ceramics, prints, glass, woodwork, painting, film, photography, drawing…

The judging panel will be looking for artists that respond to Morris’ work in the most creative and personal way.

The winner will be awarded a solo show at the William Morris Gallery.

Deadline 1st July 2010.

For more information and for an entry form please contact the William Morris Gallery.

http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/william-morris

Pity I don't live in London!!

William Morris cushions

I have just come across this amazing website of cushions! http://www.williammorriscushioncovers.com/index.html
Marie has been able to use Morris textiles to make these beautiful covers and there are over 40 different designs! The miner's couch can always do with some more cushions - no-one sits on it anyway!!

She has a special offer on at the moment where if you order three covers you get one for free - and of course I have sent my first order!!.........enjoy

Faye's 50th

Happy Birthday Faye!

I know this is a very personal entry but none the less worth sharing. Our wonderful friend Faye turned 50 and I had to share some images!

Faye & Kym

Kelmscott video

Photo of Kelmscott Manor from Kelmscott website; http://www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk/

I came across a delightful 7 minute video of Kelmscott presented by the late Baroness Barbara Castle. Barbara was a labour politician who was apparently committed to William Morris and his socialist views. Enjoy the video at this link.......... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Uq7gxKx6c

Geffrye Museum

I have just discovered another wonder that we will have to visit in London........the Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road London......just a walk from Liverpool station. There are period rooms set up from 1600 to present day. Have a look at their wonderful website............a feast for the eyes and soul;
http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/

             Chair, c1685; beech with turkey work upholstery.

            © Geffrye Museum
            © Purchased with the assistance of the Art Fund, and the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund

Gift time

I've added some more pictures and information to the Bedford Mystery quilt blog - http://mysteryquiltbedford.blogspot.com/

Here is Lessa Siegele (OAM) & Faye Packham your

mystery quilt teachers with Lauren supervising!!

And no more news on Christopher Menz (my news from last blog)...it didn't even score a mention on any of our television news services - Our Art Gallery funding is obviously not "NEWS"!!!
So seeing as I am still quite upset over all this I think it is time I brought some good karma..........so if you don't have a copy of my book and you would like one...........be the first to send me a message and it is your gift from me to you! And during the year I think it is time I gave away some patterns too..........so thanks to all of you who drop by - do keep visiting

 

Christopher Menz resigns

(Photo courtesy Art Gallery of South Australia)

I am absolutely shocked to read the news this morning..........read for yourself:

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26578467-5006301,00.html

I am not really sure where to start - I am constantly at a loss as to how government funding is prioritised.........the Arts never seem to get the same exposure as sport (especially football) and to lose someone of the calibre of Christopher is devastating. Not only his knowledge of Morris but also his committment to the Art Gallery of South Australia's collection and its value. It is hard to believe that this was our celebration 5 years ago.........(courtesy 'State of the Arts news')..........

Christopher Menz commences as Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia

Monday 7 February 2005

Christopher Menz today took up his new role as Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia. Mr Menz, who has worked previously as the Gallery's Curator of Decorative Arts (1989-2001) recently relocated to Adelaide from Melbourne where he was Senior Curator, Decorative Arts (International) at the National Gallery of Victoria.

"It's wonderful to be back in Adelaide and great to be working at this prestigious Gallery again" said Mr Menz whose first priorities this morning were meeting Gallery staff and becoming reacquainted with the Gallery itself. "There have been many exciting changes over the past few years and I look forward to building on the great work this Gallery does and presenting art to the enjoyment of all South Australians" he said.

One of his first projects will be to oversee the launch of the Gallery's upcoming major exhibition, Island to Empire: 300 Years of British Art which opens 11 March and is curated by the Gallery's former Director, Ron Radford. "It will be a tremendous start to a very exciting year at the Art Gallery of South Australia" promises Mr Menz.


I am lost for words at this moment..........more later

Knitting with Betty

I continue to volunteer one morning a week at the local aged care facility. Betty is still knitting and I have to do the 'finishing off'. This is another one of her projects........took me 4 and a half hours to stitch him up but I must say I just love him and it was hard to give him back! Betty's daughter is complaining about the clutter in her Mum's room with the knitted goods of teddy bears, cupcakes and sundry!

I've now got the 'girls' at the hostel knitting 8inch squares for the Save the Children organisation's project, "Survive to Five - Knit one Save one". It is lovely to see the ladies enthused about this exercise and I am hoping it will give them a sense of fulfilment and purpose. Over the years working in aged care I witnessed so many just sitting in chairs staring - now I am 'retired' from nursing I can give something back.

Save the Children are aiming for 80,000 eight inch knitted squares so I will have to get the girls clicking! Join in the challenge............

http://www.savethechildren.org.au/survive-to-five/knit-one-save-one.html

William Morris fan Club blog

Compton

Do visit Mo at her wonderful blog: http://wmmorrisfanclub.blogspot.com/
She is simply amazing with her knowledge of all things William Morris.........and her committment to blogging so frequently astounds me!! Thankyou Mo......I have learnt so much

Happy New Year

Well the internet is working at the moment....still a little touchy and I've lost a week's worth of emails as my account was cancelled by my provider by accident. Anyway I have had time to complete the ten projects for the next book. There will be two large sampler bed quilts, two wallhangings, a table runner, tablecloth, cushion,two nursery quilts and book covers. Six wonderful friends have helped me as well and I am so grateful to them.

For Chritmas I got a brand new camera which I am thrilled with. The decorations are all packed up for another year and this photo even shows my reflection in the baubles!! I am looking forward to taking many photos on our trip to Britain and Russia later this year. I am especially looking forward to finally seeing Kelmscott and some William Morris countryside including a visit to his grave.

A little diversion from William Morris......... I have also been trying to get this quilt finished for Quilt Encounter this year: http://www.saquilters.org.au/quilt-encounter.htm

I've been working on it on and off for nearly two years and I still need to design the setting triangles but probably won't do a border for this one.

Now a name for it......... Maybe 'Arabesque in Blue'?

So Happy New Year to you all......may it be full of good health, happy times and lots of stitching

My internet is down

Can you believe it......our internet service has decided to go down 2 days before Christmas - damn it!! If any of you know our famous Telstra........service can be appalling. I tried to get my late Mum's phone reconnected last year when she moved.............it took 10 days and numerous phone calls totalling 5 1/2 hours on hold!!
We are not sure why our internet cable has 'deceased'  and no-one can come and look at until until Dec 28th. (was going to be January 8th until I went berserk on the phone!!)
We are a little suspicious as there seem to be a lot of Telstra Big Pond vans in the area today!!

Well I have made about 8 phone calls...........been on hold for a total of nearly 2 hours in the last day to sort it out. I can't even access my emails using my daughter's computer (where I am doing this).......normally I would be able to access my emails at the Telstra website but some twit has made my whole account inactive!! Goodness know how long before it is fixed. So to all of you trying to email me.............Sorry but I can't get your messages.
I am so, so sorry and please know I would have answered you if I could.

So in the meantime enjoy greetings from our "grand-doggies"!!

Kahlua with a Christmas kiss

Kahlau and Malibu bestest buddies

A friend and Christmas

A friend transforms her home for Christmas every year and I just had to share some of these delightful images of her dresser. Take note of the detail........the red robin with matching card and little Christmas pudding also with matching card!!

I had a birthday yesterday............I still don't like having it so close to Christmas so those of you who do I commiserate with you!! I had a lovely lunch on Thursday and what a scrummy cake this was to clebrate my 53 years! (made by the same friend with the decorated Christmas dresser)

And I have set up another blog for another dear friend......the blog explains it all:

http://mysteryquiltbedford.blogspot.com/

Brer rabbit

I have so many favourite William Morris designs. Brer Rabbit is just one of them.......I have used this image as the centre of a recent quilt and also as a cushion panel. Morris produced this as a discharge cotton around 1882. It is sometimes know as Brother Rabbit and as I was doing my research I discovered I can purchase it today as a wallpaper or for drapes. I am afraid I will need a lotto win for that dream but for now I just drool at these sites.......have a look at this exquisite collection at a shop in Victoria, Canada; http://www.historicstyle.com/
Just divine!!

And another site; http://www.william-morris.co.uk/

The pattern above is called Mary Isobel and it has a striking similarity to a screen embroidered here in my home town Adelaide in the 1890's. The Art Gallery of South Australia has this in their collection and their publication "Morris & Co. - Designs and Patterns"states that this was designed by J.H.Dearle and embroidered by Mary Isobel Barr Smith who resided here in South Australia. My book also states that William Morris advocated that his favourite embroidery stitches were darning, running, long and short, satin and stem stitches. I have just completed a wallhanging inspired by this design which in the gallery is just simply called 'Portiere'.

The Christmas tree

I don't seem to be the only one who is struggling with the fact that Christmas is only about 10 days away!! (I have a birthday at the end of this week so I always try and enjoy that first!) But the last few days I have found I am not the only one who hasn't had the time or inclination to put up the Christmas tree!!

Sophie always puts the tree up in our house and now she isn't living home I thought I would forget about it (waiting for the grandchildren and then it will be up in style though!) Anyway I thought I had better make an effort and put the sewing on hold for a few hours .......so yesterday I finally put the tree up! It was worth the effort and it was lovely to hang all the ornaments that meant something. Gifts from friends, souvenirs from travels and some of Mum's very old glass birds. So that brought sad thoughts as it is nearly one year since Mum died........then thoughts of others who won't be sharing family time with us. Not just Mum but my Dad, my brother, friends and in laws who are no longer here.

So with that I send thoughts to you and yours for a joyous festive season and may 2010 be a peaceful and healthy year full of great times and most importantly lots of stitching and pleasure!

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.