Greetings from Taupo

It is great to be back in Taupo. I had very little sleep last night due to some very inconsiderate hotel guests - slamming doors and giggling girls in the adjoining room.....makes me very cross how others have no consideration for those that might be trying to get some sleep!! So in a daze I got to the airport for the short flight .......and on a very small plane! I was sitting right behind the cockpit - so many dials, lights and 'gizzmo's"!! Gotta love those pilots and their expertise getting us all safely on the ground again.........

 Christine one of the many volunteers for the Taupo Symposium greeted me at 7.30am and just take a look at the airport lounge.....draped in quilts! What a special and memorable greeting for all the quilters that are arriving......

Even the local businesses have joined in - a few shop fronts and they are all colour co-ordinated displays........

I was way too early to check in to the hotel so I left my bags and went walking. All very familiar but much colder than when Larry and I were here early last year in Summer. It was quite chilly when we landed this morning (6 degrees) but a walk is good! The mountains are covered in snow - a little difficult to see in the distance.......and the lake is HUGE! I read that these mountains were filmed in the Lord of the Rings films as "Mt Doom".....

And Larry that hole in one golf challenge is still there and even open for business in Winter!!....

Love Taupo's rubbish bins.......

 And this is in McDonalds - I think Beau would like this...anything to get the kiddies sucked in....or maybe the grandparents!!......

I finally found our favourite coffee place that Larry and I so loved last year. So I had eggs and bacon beside the fire thinking that Larry should really be with me (I've never been overseas without him and confess I had a little 'sookie' at the airport yesterday!)......

So thanks for dropping by....more news in a day or so xx

Back in New Zealand

Well I have arrived in Auckland for a quick night's sleep. I have to be up for a quick 4.30am breakfast and then fly to Taupo. It is lovely to be back to spend time with our "neighbours across the ditch"! New Zealanders are very friendly and I immediately felt 'at home'. I chose to stay in a budget hotel overnight and it is sensational - where else can you get bed and breakfast for under AU$60! 

The room is very basic but is all I need -  a clean bed and hot shower.......

So after settling in I headed out to what I thought was to be McDonalds for tea(!!) but right here on the doorstep was the best surprise ever........

Szimpla is a time warp of all things 70' and 80's. Tash the Manager is just the best (and gorgeous to boot) and allowed me to take these photos......

 Love the NZ sheep head rest on the chair......great place for an after dinner coffee.........

 More sheep and teapots and tea cozies..my favourite!

 And then beside the kitchen a wall of old knitting patterns........

Takes me back to school in the 1960's with this pattern...............

The food is also sensational and I had the most amazing vegetarian calzone with not a zucchini or eggplant in sight - yeh!! (for those who know me you will know how happy I was!) And all served with salad and sour cream on the side......ate it so fast no time for a photo! While I was dining I was not alone as I  had the company of Pink Floyd, Split Enz and more music that Larry and I shared when we first met...mind you we still do! Only 2 nights ago we went to the Pink Floyd Experience...a New Zealand group touring Australia and celebrating the Dark Side of the Moon 40th Anniversary!
So if you ever have to stop over in Auckland do visit Szimpla - you will not be disappointed! Thanks Tash for your warm Kiwi welcome xx

May Morris exhibition news

Just a quick post to share some photos that have been sent to me. As you know there is a wonderful exhibition on in the UK at the moment at the William Morris Gallery. It is such a great honour to be a part of it and such a thrill to know it is hanging in such a wonderful venue. Thanks Nicola for sending me the following photos. First is Nicola's exquisite art work......

 The gallery space........

and my interpretation of Nicola's design in quilt form...........

And thanks also Amanda for this one......

Quick update

I forgot to put this photo on that last entry.....no comments required from me (and thanks to the son-in-law for the photo). Who could not fall in love with this..........

A quilter from Cerney Wick

"Cerney Wick" you ask??.....more of that shortly! The Hill household has been as busy as always. We had dinner with some special friends one evening last week as one of them was heading overseas and this was a beautiful gift to me from her. Blue irises were my late mother's favourites and they have become mine as well........thanks Faye xx

Beau continues to delight us and more words are coming out each visit. He is exploring and discovering new things all the time and he brings us so much joy. I have also been finding time to do some stitching in front of the TV at night. I am totally addicted to the felted wool and have had such fun making these little felted wool birds........

Do visit the blog of Salley Mavor...her felted wool creations are so inspirational. I have also heard news from Nicola Jarvis to say her exhibition at the William Morris Gallery has been received very well. She has promised me some photos but those of you in the UK you must go and have a look yourself......

Now speaking of the UK.... I must go back to the "Cerney Wick" story. A few nights ago while I was stitching I was also watching one of my very favourite shows - a BBC2 show: Escape to the Country. I love this series as I adore the style of traditional UK country homes ....especially in Gloucestershire. It is wonderful seeing the interiors and every now and then I squeal with delight when some William Morris furnishings are displayed. Well the other night I not only squealed but I hyperventilated too!! Larry came rushing in thinking I was having one of my angina attacks...........but this is what I saw on the master bedroom wall........

The views below are the front and back of the house and I dare not put any more images on here for fear of doing the wrong thing (lucky there was a repeat the next day so I could get these shots!!) This delightful interpretation by this quilter is a small section of one block from my "Friends" quilt which was in my first book. It was such a surreal thing to see a very small 'part of me' on the television and at the same time so very exciting!! The interior of the house was just divine......so if you are this quilter or if someone you know sees this ....do please let me know!!

Have a good week wherever you are xx

Reaching winners (and show and tell)

There are several of you who have not heard from me by email to say you have won a set of the 'Adelaide Collection' pattern sets because I can't contact you! I am sorry but if you haven't heard from me and if your name came up in my last post - please email me....I really need an address to send you your prize! Thanks in advance.

Yesterday I received a lovely email from Rosemary and attached to it was the following photos. I don't think she has slept for quite some time! But then in a later email today I was saddened to hear that she lost her husband early 2009 and this is the "therapy" that has filled that dark time for her.........

And in Rosemary's words......'Kelmscott' and 'Morning Glory' adorn bedrooms in my daughters 17th
century cottage in England, and she has also asked for 'Morris Magic'. 'Friends' I have kept for myself and 'Floral Fantasy' is destined to be my winter Doona cover  - hopefully will be finished for next winter.  I have done all the quilting myself on my Janome - also a great learning process but you feel so good when you see the end result.  And not forgetting that I have also done cushion covers, the portiere, miniature sampler and also 3 Nursery friends quilts for new borns." 

I am honoured and thrilled that my designs have made a difference Rosemary....again in Rosemary's words:..... I lost my dear husband early in 2009 and the William Morris patterns was something new and gave me a reason to get on with life and achieve goals - you have no idea the therapy he created in both my mind and soul.

What a lovely email and thankyou once again Rosemary for allowing me to share your beautiful work and story....I hope this inspires all of you who have dropped by as well. Till next time take good care (and don't forget to send me your address if you were on that winning list!)