Come fly with me

As promised here is the 1st installment of our travels..........I think I am going to really struggle with restricting the number of photos though - I do love clicking!!
It was a long couple of days of flying but we have finally reached Birmingham. Travelling economy is not much fun but simply the only way we can - my goodness doesn't one feel like a peasant walking though the business class section first?!!
We stopped overnight in Hong Kong and had a day to capture some sights.

The best value hour cruising Hong Kong harbour

Had to go inside as the heavens were about to open

Still so much development going on and these footings have to be 40 metres deep!!

Working even when it's raining!

And a quick snap from our train - what a creative way of utilising space for the dearly departed

We are stopping over Hong Kong on the way home as well so have promised ourselves a night cruise to see the lights.

So for now we are very weary but glad to be able to settle for a few days. So stay tuned for stories from the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham!

Celebrations

What a hectic few weeks it has been. My mind has been full of emotion - the excitement of our pending trip to the UK and Russia, the disappointment of not being able to go to Houston in November and the never ending pile of jobs to do in the meantime!! Part of that was preparing the new block of the month packs - 2,500 pattern sheets put inside the appropriate month's booklet - whew!  But there is light at the end of the tunnel. When we board that plane Sunday morning I will heave an almighty sigh of relief!

Thankyou Larry and Faye..........I couldn't have done it without you!

Now to some exciting news from Barbara Powers in the US who emailed me to tell me she has just won 2nd place in the 2010 Hoffman challenge for her quilt "London Bird" (from a pattern in Book 1 - 'William Morris in Applique'). Congratulations Barbara - your quilt is sensational!

You can see all the winners of the challenge at this link;

http://www.hoffmanchallenge.com/2010challenge/winners10/appwinners2010.html

And to my friend Judy Carrow in Queensland - another winner!

Her email was titled " Another win for William" We both hope William is as pleased as we are! Congratulations Judy X

So the next time you hear from me I will be many miles away from home - I promise to blog with photos and stories when I can..............so take care till next time,

Michele

Designs are everywhere

William Morris started his career as an apprentice to the architect G E Street; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Edmund_Street

Street's Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand London (Photo courtesy of wikipedia)

I recall reading somewhere that one of the first assignments that Street asked the young Morris to do was to go out and copy (in his sketchpad), the woodwork patterns of the Canterbury cathedral. Many years later Morris wrote this letter to The Times in 1877, voicing his concerns for the restoration of that very same cathedral; http://www.marxists.org/archive/morris/works/1877/cant2.htm

So over time in true Morris style I find myself seeing designs in the oddest of places. The camera may not be handy but the mobile phone can still take shots!!

A tile in a country loo

A window advertisement

Another window display

And a pattern on a window

And finally some beautiful roses from a friend's garden (and displayed in a friend's kitchen). I need to tell you all that I will not be coming to the International Quilt Festival in Houston this November. Those of you who have emailed me to say you were coming to say hello........I am so sorry but the trip has been cancelled. This trip was to coincide with the launch of my second book and was part of the enticement my publisher offered for doing a second book (so soon after the first). In these trying times of publishing, especially with the spread of "ebooks", I know this trip would have been a great expense. I am sure I will get there one day but as an observer with my beloved husband. It will be something to share with him as it will be my very first trip - not only to the USA but also to the quilt show!

Travel plans

It is now less than 4 weeks before we leave for our big trip overseas. We start in Birmingham and then travel to Wales, head up north to Liverpool then across to York. While we are there I am hoping to visit the new headquarters of the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles museum and gallery. This link takes you to their wonderful collection of both antique and contemporary quilts; http://www.quiltmuseum.org.uk/collections/ These two quilts appeal to me:

Circles 1850-1900

Ladies Work Society Coverlet 1875-1899

After a few nights in York we travel to Scotland for a relaxing week staying in a B&B in Edinburgh

Kingsway House http://www.edinburgh-guesthouse.com/

I feel a close affiliation to Edinburgh. The first time I stepped in the main street at dusk. As I looked up to the castle the moon was rising - a lump in the throat and a feeling of belonging – I can’t really explain that. Kingsway House is only one mile from the Royal mile so we will be right in the centre of Edinburgh.

Before we leave for a 2 week Russian tour we are going back down to Oxford for a whole week. The highlight will be Kelmscott Manor and to finally visit Morris’ grave, and a visit to see the Oxford quilters as well.  Look at some of the delights in the gift shop at Kelmscott!!

Having never taught so far from home my biggest worry has been transporting quilts. I remember way back seeing tutors take just quilt tops – so here is the first one that I will take for a class in Birmingham. http://www.twistedthread.com/

It was very relaxing to be back behind the machine – and here is another new little quilt top as well.

And while I was clearing up some documents on the computer I came across these photos from a design class a couple of years ago from a group north of Adelaide. Those of you who think you can’t draw you can have a go at the design class in Birmingham as I see there are still vacancies. Don't be scared - check this out.....

All these girls said they couldn’t design their own appliqué – sure thing....look at these spectacular results!! You too can do it- if I can anyone can!

A young quilter's experience

Some months ago our local quilting group had an exhibition. During the weekend a young high school student visited the show having seen an advertisement for it in the local newspaper. While walking around she eyed off the quilts that took her fancy – one of them being mine. So a member took her to meet me and so the conversation evolved. Lauren is a Year 10 student doing a “Middle Years Program” and as a part of that program students have to undertake a ‘personal project’ which is based on research and reflection. Lauren decided to make a quilt. She was not sure why as no family member quilts but she thought it would be a journey which would eventuate in her donating the quilt to a childhood cancer group. The aim of the school program is to also teach students to serve others so this seemed like a great idea.

So Lauren set to work with no knowledge – she did not know of rotary cutters, she bought poly-cotton fabrics and thick polyester wadding. All the fabrics were cut out with scissors and when it came to quilting without a walking foot she was ready to give up! So you can imagine her despair at the result! Lauren was certainly discouraged and I think intuitively came to the exhibition to seek further advice. As she was telling the story to a group of us I secretly hoped someone would put up their hand to help her. But no-one made a move! My life this year has been quite overwhelming with the 2nd book almost complete, the fabric range projects in progress and more quilts to design – and teaching in between.....how could I find the time?!!

So it was that I took Lauren under my wing a week or so later. On that day my offers of help led to her crying, her mother crying and me crying as well – tears of hope of course! And I have to say it was wonderful to encourage this delightful young lady to the world of quilting with cottons, correct battings and a book full of advice!

So here is the result. Lauren designed it all herself and she plans to give it to a child with cancer. Lauren hopes to enter the International Baccalaureate Diploma next year at school and I am sure she will achieve that. http://www.ibo.org/

I also hope that one day she will continue her quilting – it was an honour to be a small part of it.

Show and Tell and award winners

Thankyou for all your emails - a newsletter will be coming in the next week or so. My head has been down getting the new Block of the Month program organised and I've been doing the final proof of the book which is looking stunning. It is only just over 4 weeks before we leave for Birmingham - how time flies but before then I will have a final give-away - stay tuned!
For now I thought I would share with you some more quilt photos sent to me and most are award winners - CONGRATULATIONS to everyone - it is such a thrill for me to see your interpretations but even more of a thrill knowing that the designs have been so rewarding for you too!

Michele's William" by Carol Timmins

Carol gained a prize at the Sydney Quilt Show in June! Such clever use of several quilt designs. Just beautiful - thanks for the picture Carol

And I got this lovely email..................

                                

"We thought you would like to see a picture of our raffle quilt for this year.

We bought a copy of your book for our library. About twenty people worked to produce the top from your pattern and we had it professionally quilted by Kay Brown. The applique is done with a small zigzag stitch, we did spend one of our meetings getting members machine set up to stitch the same so that the applique would be consisted. We are all very happy with the end result and the first comments we have had as we start selling our raffle tickets have been very positive with people loving the design.
Many thanks for a very enjoyable book"
Sheila Hewett
for Arcadian Quilters

What a quilt to win - sensational!!!!

Andrea from Calgery, Alberta, Canada sent me this picture of a challenge she entered. I think she has used Friends blocks and a motif from Coffee with WM

Pat won a prize at the Victorian Quilters exhibition for this stunner..............

Pat Leviston's William Morris Sampler

This was my first ever Morris Sampler design and it is still my favourite - congratulations Pat! I love the dark background.

And finally Carolyn.........

She says in her email........"It is all hand stitched and hand quilted and I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. It is called "Sapphire Peacock". A dear friend of mine said it needed something special for an eye and she gave me a sapphire to use. I had a neighbour, who works in silver and gold, make an eye "socket" (with lashes) in silver that retained the sapphire and enabled me to (blind) stitch it in place"

Have a good week

William Morris Exhibition

While having a break from proofing the book I often find myself surfing the net looking for interesting news of Morris. I came across this fascinating article about an exhibition "William Morris a Sense of Place" being held from June 26th - October 17th at Bowness in the Lakes District.

"Morris's sense of place is the unifying thread which runs through this comprehensive exhibition at Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House. Covering Morris's domestic life, design work and writings, his feelings about the wider environment of countryside and city and conservation work the exhibition investigates Morris's instinctive’ feel for place which became an underlying factor in his wellbeing, creativity and ideas on a fairer society.

Designs, textiles, books, samples and personal objects have been collected by Curator, Dr Kathy Haslam from public and private collections to illustrate the life and work of the Father of the Arts & Crafts, displaying them in the beautiful surroundings of one of the finest surviving Arts & Crafts houses in Britain."
Read more of this at this site;

http://victorianweb.org/victorian//authors/morris/edgar.html

The exhibition is being held at Blackwell House and can be found at Bowness in the Lakes District. We have visited this area twice on our visits to the UK and in 2003 spent a delightful week in Windermere at one of the many beautiful B&B's. Wish I had known of this Arts & Crafts house then! Check out their website; http://www.blackwell.org.uk/

And another amazing exhibition which is showing concurrently in the house grounds from Steve Messam, 'an environmental artist'. This is called lawnpaper - very clever!

The grass will be trimmed and shaded to reflect a William Morris wallpaper and is expected to grow out in 4-5 weeks. So then I had to visit his website; http://www.stevemessam.co.uk/

Enjoy and have a great week

Sydney Quilt Show and Congratulations

I didn't see the Sydney Quilt Show this year - I try to go every year but this year the savings need to go towards our big trip (which is now less than 8 weeks away and so much still to do!!). Anyway I received a phone call tonight from a very excited Rachelle Denneny - the most amazing domestic machine quilter you could meet! (and a sweetie to boot!) Rachelle just found out she has received the Viewer's Choice Award!! Here is her beautiful quilt (with permission from Rachelle). It has already won the Domestic Machine Quilting Award in South Australia and she also received that award in Sydney - go Rachelle!

Rachelle's quilting is just astounding and all done on her small domestic machine. The photo does not do the quilt justice - it is needleturn applique and made of dupion silk, quilted in silk thread and to think Rachelle has only been quilting for a few short years! WELL DONE Rachelle - it was very exciting to share in your news!

You can see all the winners at this link; http://quiltersguildnsw.com/quiltshow/

And I thought you might like a quick look at a quilt I have been designing using the Adelaide Collection fabrics. Jason has cleverly 'coloured in' the fabrics. It will be a Block of the Month quilt soon! (this is the Burgundy colourway and there will be a blue one as well).
Have a great week 

Exciting parcel and delivered on a holiday!!

Sorry folks - I do know this is all getting a bit boring but it is still very exciting!!! I heard the doorbell this morning and seeing as I was "indisposed" (in the WC to be precise and the only reason I am telling you that is because Tim http://www.lcurzon.com.au/ dared me to!!).......anyway as I was saying - husband had to answer the door and informed me it was a package delivery. It is a public holiday here today so I knew it could only be an international couriered parcel from Jason http://www.inthebeginningfabrics.com/ . I couldn't get the loo door open quick enough!!! So whoopee - have a look at the very first strike-offs!!

These fabrics feel like silk ....just as we expect from Jason and In the Beginning Fabrics

And the texture of these leaves.........i am dreaming of blouses, jackets and even curtains. Maybe some even larger prints reminiscent of the 1960's & 70's - now that would make instant quilts and save doing all the applique!! What do you think?

Apostles of Beauty: Arts and Crafts from Britain to Chicago, Part 1

I've been away for over a week meeting quilters in Broken Hill and Burra...........thanks girls for inviting me to help spread the magic of William Morris! While in Broken Hill Larry and I stayed at the most wonderful self contained accommodation "Tarawingee".......a home away from home of 2 bedrooms, lounge, dining, laundry, kitchen - everything you need!

Then to Burra staying in a quaint cottage "Ivy Cottage" but I fear there was a ghost who didn't want me there. A few mishaps including almost burning the cottage down with a candle!!

So back to the computer and catching up on emails - someone did ask me if they could purchase the book yet and I did know that Country Bumpkin are taking pre-sale orders. I visited this link and 'lo and behold there are some pages from the book for you to see. Go to this link and click on the 'next page' button to flick through.......
http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=435900

Now finally enjoy the ten minute video link above.........a bit late to see the exhibition but a most enjoyable viewing

It has been all up-hill

Yes it has been all up-hill this past week! I received am email today from a lady in Melbourne who has been "watching over" me for quite sometime. Alison is an enthusiastic Morris devotee as well and her email was simply 'Are you ok'? Why ever did she ask me that and then I realised it was probably because I hadn't blogged for over a week! So here Alison this is for you!! (And also you who are reading this as well!)
A couple of pictures from the new book to tempt you!

I hit the wall on Sunday night.....the cause.....the book of course! Like the first book I decided it was like giving birth - many months of 'discomfort' and then the final weeks of a very long labour! So it is that we are in the middle of the 'labour' part - but I am doing it for you William Morris!!

Due out October

To everyone who stops by my blog may I say a huge THANKYOU...........I am humbled by your support and appreciate all your wonderful comments especially about the fabrics.

This week I have also enjoyed reading about Spring Quilt market and I am amazed at all the new talent out there. If you just google 'Spring Quilt Market' and look up 'blogs' there are pages and pages of news. The colours in the US are so very pretty at the moment. I can see why Jason wanted more pinks in the Adelaide collection but Tim and I asked him to tone the pinks down!
I will leave you with another Morris image.......yum!

I came across this image from a 2005 London Cycling campaign newsletter. You could take a bike ride from The Red House in Bexley to the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow by canal paths, green lanes and ferry  - what a divine day!