Our Easter weekend

We have just had a four day long weekend here in Australia so I thought I would share a little of what the Hill household got up to. Good Friday was a 60th birthday celebration and then Sunday the family came to our place for brunch. The only thing I forgot was the maple syrup to go with the waffles and having just seen how it is done from our friends in Canada, the girls had to go and find some! These are a couple of photos from Paul showing how he has spent his Easter making the real thing .....and straight from the maple tree! (And it looks like the snow is finally starting to melt over there)

 Penny and Paul have sent the most amazing photos and also little videos to us for some time now. So I thought it was time I did it in return......quite a laugh really but I managed to get this photo of us at the computer on Easter Sunday trying to work it all out! Emily is to the right of me and Auntie Sophie holding Beau........sorry girls - I know you will been unimpressed with this image on my blog!!

Beau is still a little young for the egg hunt but he did discover this little chap in the garden......

 Brett and Emily made this amazing Easter cake........

And Beau decided that playing was more fun....he has started to work out that balls are for throwing.......

I have also been working hard over the break. This is the project that I am doing for Nicola Jarvis for the exhibition at the William Morris Gallery staring in June this year. You might recall this image from a couple of posts ago of one of Nicola's bird drawings.......

It has been a challenge for me working with someone's else ideas and it has also made me incredibly nervous! With much trepidation I have sent Nicola these photos. She had sent me four different bird designs and four different colour ideas so I went with doing the four birds. Nicola also sketched a layout which I have pretty much followed. Normally I would mirror image the same bird but it was very hard to pick just two of them as they were all just gorgeous! I am not sure how I feel about it yet - I do know that intensive feather quilting will enhance it and I do plan to bead parts of the appliqué as well. Nicola had sketched an appliquéd border but time is running out......from receiving the package to posting is only about 8 weeks. So my fingers are crossed that she likes it....I am still a little nervous! Let me know what you think.......

I hope you have had a happy and safe Easter in your part of the world xx

Spreading the word

Today I had another opportunity to share in my passion for William Morris - especially promoting our wonderful collection at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Larry got behind the camera this time and managed to capture some moments that I thought I would share. Firstly a big thank you to the friends of the Victor Harbour Library for asking me and to Deb of the Whyte House Gallery for setting up the wonderful display. Deb had a selection of my fabrics, books and patterns and even managed to have some gorgeous purses made up in the Dear William fabrics. I went to purchase the blue one at the end of the day and it was already snuffled up (but Deb has promised to make me another).......

My publisher Country Bumpkin gave me some calendars to give away so that was exciting

 Five residents (and two staff), from one of the local aged care facilities had come to listen as well which was a great thrill and hopefully an enjoyable outing for them as well.......the devonshire tea was well worth an afternoon out!

 And these singers made an appearance and one has come home with me! (Made in the Dear William fabrics as well). Thanks to everyone involved for sharing in my passion!

World time zones and me!

For the record William Morris was born on March 24th, despite the fact that my previous post records me writing on March 25th!! I think I am still on a time clock in the UK on blogger and of course as usual I was posting way too late in the night and it was probably past midnight as well! Sorry William.........we do know your birthday was the 24th!

Now I can't do a blog without some photos. Jan came on one of the William Morris tours last year and sent me these wonderful images a few weeks ago.  First is of the project that she did on the tour which she turned into a photo album cover and the other a quilt she did in a workshop with me.....they are gorgeous Jan! The other photos are a recent purchase of hers! Jan is obsessed with collecting old buttons and antique sewing gadgets.......I love, love the bee hive!

 and it opens to reveal this.........

I've been on the scrounge for some time for a Victorian sewing box. I have seen just one in the last 4 months but the price was a bit much and it was pretty ugly - just a square box. If I could find one like this I would be very happy but it would probably be right out of my price range!

(Image Source)

Enjoy your week X

A William Morris celebration

On this day in 1834 a true genius was born. I give thanks every day for the amazing and beautiful designs of William Morris. Below is a self portrait at the age of 22.....

 Aged 23...........

 Aged 53.....those years of hard work are showing. This is a portrait by Frederick Hollyer and my most favourite image of Morris......

Lots of sites will be celebrating "Topsy's" birthday today including Red House and I did not realise Morris purchased the piece of land to build Red House on his actual birthday! I can't wait to return to his two homes later this year.....

William Morris fabrics

I received an email yesterday from Kona Bay Fabrics showing their latest catalogue. Well it looks like they might be smitten by William Morris as well! Check out these beautiful new designs appropriately called 'Acanthus'............what a gorgeous background fabric for some William Morris appliqué...........

And for the borders...............

Many years ago I received the most amazing gift from a fellow Morris devotee who sadly passed away long before she should have. She left me the most amazing book that is out of print and full of black and white images of most of William Morris's work. Now that Heather is no longer with us I am grateful that I kept the little note she popped inside the book...........

 And here is the gorgeous image from the book of that wonderful 'Acanthus' design.......

Now it just wouldn't be right for me to be talking of new fabrics and not mentioning Jason Yenter from In the Beginning Fabrics and our latest collection 'Dear William'!! I have finally received my own stash of fabrics and I think a shirt is first on the list made with this print.......

I can't really explain what it is like to see my drawings turned into fabric but I do know I never cease to be thrilled with it all and so honoured to be able to do it........

And of course some of William Morris's drawings as well.......

It doesn't always go to plan though and the border I designed below just didn't work for Jason....a few hours of drawing but it might be turned into appliqué one day!

I hope things are working out for you whatever you might be doing - enjoy xx