Getting to know William Morris

I've been reading about the genius of William Morris for nearly 20 years now and how I wish I could just sit down and have a chat to him about it all. I have started reading intently the 'Collected Letters of William Morris' series. 

I have three of the four volumes but still need Volume 3 to complete the set. I suspect it will be a while before I get to that volume anyway as Volume 1 is over 600 pages and very heavy propped up in bed at night! What I am learning is that he was a devoted father and husband who always tried to please his wife even allowing her a live in lover. Jane never loved William which I find so sad. One wonders if he threw himself into his work to escape from the sadness or whether it was his work that contributed to Jane finding love elsewhere. William addresses letters to his friends by "My dearest friend" and to Jenny and May……"Dear little daughters" and finally to Jane….."Dearest Janey". There are over 2,400 letters that have been found in over 140 libraries and private collections around the world so I have much to get through. So tonight a small snippet from the very beginning to his mother from Rouen, Hotel de France (Morris is 21 and has started his clergy studies at Oxford and is on a break with fellow students Burne-Jones and Fulford in France)…….
"My dear Mother,
I suppose you will be expecting to hear of me by this time, so here is a dull account of what we have been doing since we landed; Abbeville has a very fine church, though very unfinished, and the town itself is very old and full of exceedingly good houses……..Morris goes on to describe more of the architecture and "gorgeous churches"……..Well we have had a glorious time of it, working desperately hard; my two friends have been in a state of ecstasy since we landed, and for the matter of that so have I. The weather has been just what we could have wished: we hope to be able to stay out another fortnight. I mustn't write any more or it will be over weight - Best love to all - Your affectionate Son William" (I might add his letter is far from dull!)
It is so incredible that so many of his letters were kept but I do feel at times like I am intruding. With moving house twice in the last few years I found it very hard to throw out correspondence - especially cards. But the blog doesn't take up any room ….but where on earth is it all stored and when will it all go 'puff' and be gone??! Oh well the weekly Hill report continues……we had Larry's Aunt Joan celebrate an 80th birthday so I made a cushion that could be signed by all of us on the back as a memento……..

 We also spent Easter Monday escorting a delightful couple from New South Wales about town to see a little bit of Morris and some of where we live. It was a warm day to start with but then a storm came in which was quite spectacular for photos……….

 A few days ago we drove to Thorngrove Manor to pick up "the" quilt……….. 

Nydia and Ken have kindly loaned it for the quilt convention in Melbourne next week where it will be hanging with nine other quilts of mine. A visit with this delightful couple is always special and the afternoon tea is to die for! Vodka and beetroot soaked salmon and avocado followed by the best scones on earth and all served on Portmeirion of course! Thanks Nydia and Ken - you are the best!

 Somewhere in the midst of this I enjoyed a day on my own with this little girl who is growing up way too fast! Miss Maisie has an enormous personality and her hearing deficit is not stopping her……she adores music especially the maracas! Today she had another hearing test and exceeded all expectations hearing extremely well out of just the one ear………..

 We had a quick visit to the Museum afterwards but initially Beau clung to me in trepidation of seeing real dinosaur bones and stuffed dead animals! This was Emily's collage of the day……..

And we also had an evening watching our other talented daughter perform another amazing hip hop routine (And I won't embarrass her by putting the entire video on here - just a screen shot of her on the left instead!)

 So we are never idle - just like Morris! I've been preparing for four days of teaching and a lecture and of course answering wonderful emails. One of them was from Sherryn sharing her stunning version of my "Friends" quilt combined with blocks from "Renaissance" as well. It is gorgeous Sherryn and thanks for sharing it with us all…….

Some time back I also received these wonderful photos from Yvette in the US. She has been painstakingly renovating her home in the Arts and Crafts style complete with her very own William Morris bedroom. The bed is similar to the one Morris had, the walls are wood panelled with Morris wallpaper and the bed cover and pelmet will be stitched by Yvette. But hanging on the wall is the quilt I donated to the Society of Antiquaries when they were raising funds for Kelmscott Manor. Yvette was the winning bid at auction and I am so glad my quilt is now hanging in this amazing room where it will be treasured. Thanks Yvette for allowing me to share part of your journey…….

So on a final note back home I can report that the weather is changing with the nights becoming cooler. The birds are preparing for whatever they do pre-Winter and boy are they noisy! These are galahs that looks like confetti in the trees. This is some distance from our back fence but the camera could zoom in a little as they all left the trees at once…….

And yes the garden is still blooming but not for long now! If time permits I will try to blog during the Australasian Quilt Convention so you can see what it is all about………so till then take care x

Easter time - family time

It is Easter Sunday evening and time to record the Hill household happenings……but I promise a little more of William Morris soon Maxine! In fact I might start sharing some of his letters from the volumes sitting on my shelf shortly! Before a little family I will share a couple of exhibitions coming soon to Melbourne at the National Gallery of Victoria. Larry and I have managed to get some cheap airfares so we are looking forward to a short break in June to see Exquisite Threads - English embroidery 1600-1900……

and at the same time Medieval Moderns- The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood…….

I've still been quilting like a 'mad woman' up till the wee small hours and I'll have photos of two new quilts when they are hanging at the quilt convention in Melbourne next week. I have also been trying to get back on track with my health and finally ventured down to the river once again. I have to confess during these warmer months I've been reluctant since Larry had a brief encounter with a brown snake……that has kept me well and truly away! It is so peaceful and I still pinch myself it is only 5 minutes from our front door……….

There are hundreds of elusive blue wrens but with patience the lens managed to capture one……….. 

 My heart skipped a beat below but it was only a branch…..and then tracks in the dirt which are fortunately only bike tracks!!

 So yesterday I did some Easter baking for today's family brunch where I reluctantly finished the last of Penny and Paul's Canadian home grown and brewed maple syrup in a - Parsnip and Maple Syrup Cake and it was delicious…..(and I smiled at the following delightful photo I received of Paul sitting in the sun waiting for the next batch to brew - so glad they finally have sun after suffering minus 30C this past winter!)…and the empty bottle is ready for a refill when we catch up again next year Paul!

The Great British Bake-off has inspired me to do more baking so I've recently been baking bread - this lot a ciabatta followed by Easter muffins with an Easter egg hidden inside…..

 I stitched a wool felt Easter hunt bag for Beau with one of his favourite characters and Larry had fun hiding the stash……..

And then the joy of consumption and some happy family time together……...

 Home again as the sun sets a little earlier and we are still amazed at the transformation of the front garden from this……….

 to this in less than 12 months…….

 

We all celebrate Easter for different reasons so I hope yours was enjoyable. Till next time take good care x

Oops…..I nearly forgot to add this news! An email and photo came through as I was typing the blog from Sheila of the Arcadian Quilters in New South Wales. Members stitched blocks from my Renaissance pattern and produced this stunning version that is to be their charity quilt this year - I love their choice of colours and the borders make it look so very regal. The group are hoping it will be on display at the quilt show in Sydney in June. Thanks Sheila and all of you involved - it is stunning and I hope the raffle is a great success!