Show and tell

Now I know this blog is supposed to be about all things William Morris, with a dash of May Morris and of course some quilts thrown in.....so to keep it kosher I will endeavour to adhere to that today....but first I do have to share the major event of the day! Beau's parents did an amazing job keeping the Mickey Mouse theme alive.......But I don't think they went to bed last night!

 and you could make your own lolly bags....yum!

One does have to have fairy bread and some more.............

I love the fairy bread but who are all these people?

And then it was time to demolish the cake............

A lovely day.........

Happy times with Mummy and Daddy.......

And Auntie Sophie.....

 ......but I still have no idea why all these people are in my house..........

Emily (Beau's Mum) also had a birthday this week.......

 And earlier this week we were reminded of why we live where we do..........3 minutes in the car to the most beautiful beach and a first experience of the sea and sand for Beau as well. He couldn't have been happier....

So now to the "other life"! Victoria sent me a photo of her version of "William Morris and Friends".....I love the fabrics she chose especially the sashing. Your quilt  is just stunning Victoria and thanks so much for allowing me to share it on the blog.............

So finally back to Mr Morris.....I found these little videos on You Tube some time ago and I am not sure if I have shared them before. This is Part 1. I will put one up each day - they are really well worth watching..........enjoy

Designer's block

The fabric designing has still been alluding me but I will soldier on!! Meanwhile here is a little look at some other projects I have been completing this past week. I dug this unfinished quilt top out of the cupboard a few weeks ago and had it quilted by Jude from Cornerstone Creations. I think I made this well over 10 years ago using antique black fabrics (with a dash of red) - those were the days when I did a lot more piecing!! It is so good to have it finished......thanks Jude xx

I've also been collecting black prints for a special quilt and had to include some William Morris prints from Barbara Brackman's Morris Apprentice range. I think this might be a "modern quilt" - whatever that is?? It is just one giant log cabin block and I am thoroughly enjoying hand stitching the pearls on it - I should be doing those drawings ......but 'whatever' ............(and thanks again Jude for helping me finish another project!)

And this is the link and picture of the quilt that inspired me to do this one.....

click here:  All People Quilt

Larry has just a few more days work and he will try retirement once again! It is so special to spend this time of our lives together but we make weekends special too - one with a recent visit to the local farmer's market - Willunga Farmer's Market. It is only 10 minutes from home and the meat and veggies are so much fresher than the supermarkets can provide - and it all tastes so much better too!

 Loved the decoration hanging in the cafe (and great to catch up for a coffee at last Janie! xx)

 Our weather has been surprisingly mild for Summer but the heat is on its way once again. The roses have loved this recent spell as well....

and a little treat for me (thanks to In the Beginning fabrics - thanks Jason!)..........

The little man will be one year old in just 6 sleeps but we decided to give him an early birthday present yesterday. This will stay home here for when he visits us...it was a huge hit......

So life is good in the Hill household..hope it is good in your part of the world too
(and get well soon Jan XX)

May Morris tour update

From time to time I wonder why on earth I started blogging. Some years back a student suggested to me it would be an easier thing to do than my website and that it would also cost me nothing - just my time. So the blog was the answer. That was four and half years ago and here we still are and thanks to that student who prompted me! For me keeping a blog is a rather selfish thing - I can indulge in what I like as I journal my life - which I can also turn into a book from time to time. These become permanent records for the family, especially of our trips.

But the unexpected bonus is the emails and comments I receive from you the reader. Emails come from all over the world (even Russia!), thanking me for sharing in my journey - especially the recent William Morris tours. I am humbled by that and cannot thank you enough for your kind words and support. I don't always answer but please know how very grateful I am.

Writing books was not an easy process for me but if it had not been for doing them (or for having my blog), I would never have met Helen at Whitecroft Tours. Being a part of these tours has certainly been the highlight of my William Morris journey.

Which brings me to tell you that the May Morris tour is almost sold out for next year! Helen hasn't put it on her website yet and I haven't added a special page on the blog....it seems all you loyal followers have found it all here - so thanks again!

So life in the Hill household is much the same. Beau will be one year old in just over a week so that will be fun. My head has been down designing these past few weeks with what I hope will be a new range of fabrics. (Another added bonus in my journey!) And how did I manage to start designing fabrics??!! Well it was Tim from Lloyd Curzon who had faith in me and this will be a fourth collection - but only if Jason from In the Beginning Fabrics approves. My inspiration this time comes from the bed drapes on William Morris's bed at Kelmscott Manor and also the Trellis pattern designed by Morris......

The process can be incredibly time consuming and this past week I spent two days doing just one small design and in the end I threw it all away! This is a brief look at the process from a previous range. The original inspiration for this fabric came from a design  by Charles Voysey - another designer who I admire. You will see his image first and then my creation with a bit of Jason's magic........

The Internet has certainly changed our lives and the way we communicate even more so. I am not a great fan of facebook and only really signed up as an easy way to communicate with family while travelling. I find it very time consuming and do not post or comment very often. But recently I have enjoyed watching the incredible restoration being done at Red House. They do have a facebook page HERE and the photos are from that site. First of all the amazing snow they experienced recently....my photos are pre-snow from the trip last year.....

It will be so exciting to see the restoration when we return on the next William Morris tour later this year. So much has been revealed behind years of paint and also sections of the house restored......

Finally I want to leave you with some amazing 'show and tell'. Judith is the President of the Australian Rugmaker's Guild and some time ago she asked my permission to use my Morris patterns to make a rug. Below is my 'Morris Magic' quilt and below that her incredible rug that she drew inspiration from. If I had more time I think I would like to make one for myself! Might have to give Larry a diversion from his tapestries!

Thanks so much Judith for allowing me to share your photo.....so inspiring and I think Mr Morris would be pleased with your skill!
So to all you readers...thanks once again for visiting and take care where ever you are xx