Absence makes the heart grow..............

Well a blog entry is way overdue so here goes! I have missed being home (and missed Larry,) so at the moment we are in Ballarat at the Ballarat Quilters retreat. It is wonderful that Larry could come with me so we could catch up again and he could have some time out from work.
I will have had only 4 days at home in the last 4 weeks but I have enjoyed meeting many quilters who have allowed me to share in my obsession. I started In Brisbane where I met with a group from the Kenmore Schoolhouse Quilters where we spent two days designing. I then spent a day and evening with members of the Queensland Quilters Guild. My host Libby lives in a beautiful Queenslander. (You can have a great read about these houses if you click on the link). Thanks so much Libby for having me for 6 whole nights and especially for the cooking, transporting and wood fires at night! 

Libby in front of her Queenslander.
I did not pay attention to its age but it was definitely over 100 years old.

I also finally caught up with Judy who I have been corresponding with for a number of years  and she generously shared a day with me showing me some Brisbane sights...thankyou Judy. She teaches locally and also shares in all things 'William Morris' and has made many stunning William Morris inspired quilts.

I left Brisbane and headed for Sydney and then took a 3 hour train journey to Newcastle where I spent another fun filled weekend with quilters from far and wide. Before the workshop I took this little tram/bus on a one hour tour of Newcastle..........the following are just a few memories taken on my mobile phone (no room for the camera in my luggage this time!)

 Fiona and Jessica (no website I'm sorry), did an amazing job organising the workshop and each participant had a kit ready for them and some extra goodie surprises! It was a great weekend as you can see!

 WOW!!! ...and my brain has totally left this talented quilter's name behind....I am so sorry!

It was time to move on again this time to Maitland for another two days of stitching for Rhonda of Southern Cross Needlework. The Hunter Valley region and the central coast of New South Wales is an area we have never explored - but we will be back as tourists in the future. Thankyou Rhonda for organising such a beautiful place to stay.........Bronte House in Morpeth. It was just bliss!

Rhonda's little shop is delightful and has some inspirational interior decoration......

 And this is a plant I have never seen before.......just stunning

So I have a few more days of teaching in Victoria so I will share more photos later....have a good week whatever you are doing.

Inspiring embroidery

During my week in Berrima I had a visit from Phyl who attended a class with me last year. I have had an ambition to incorporate more embroidery to my applique for several years and recently I have dabbled a little with chain stitch and my very favourite - the pekinese stitch (which I love to bead as well). Blanket stitch can get a little monotonous so I have tried using simple embroidery stitches to the edge of my raw edge applique.

Well Phyl has done it just as I have dreamed of doing it - and all on her William Morris Garden quilt. Have a look at her stunning work (and thankyou Phyl for allowing me to share it)
On the applique you will see chain stitch, pekinese stitch, feather stitch, coral stitch and others. Some of the stitches have also have been whipped...just stunning and so appropriate for the period of Morris....

Talented Phyl is on the left with the gorgeous Sue

So much more exciting than just blanket stitch don't you think?

(and Erica....I am so sorry I missed you on Tuesday too!)

Beautiful Berrima

It is hard to believe I have been in Berrima for almost a week. Thanks to the girls who joined me in classes..........I hope you have taken away all that you came for (beside the calories!). Check out the morning tea one day..........yum!

Tam is a fully trained chef in her previous life (before quilting!), and the lunches are always a treat.
Check out Tam's blog at Berrima Patchwork to see images from the first class. Here is one example of embroidered applique - and it is not blanket stitch!!

On my day off I had the privilege of visiting Harper' Mansion - click here;
Harper's Mansion for more info complete with an image of the garden maze. A few of my photos.......

 Mmmmm........maybe a quilt design??

A cheeky kookaburra above the pond (and not one goldfish in sight!).

Take care......missing you all at home XX

William Morris Tour itinerary is now on the web

The detailed itinerary of the William Morris tour is now on the web! Check it out at this link; http://www.whitecrofttours.co.uk/2011-tours/william-morris/
It will be sensational!

I am writing this from the Southern Highlands of New South Wales in a very chilly Berrima - they had snow last week and snow is expected again next week!http://www.berrimavillage.com.au/
I am a guest of Berrima Patchwork http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/ and have a week of workshops ahead of me .......and of course  tonight I am doing last minute preparations! Stay tuned for pictures later in the week......

Thought I would share these images of two beautiful cyclamen that we received in the past week or so for our new home - just stunning and thankyou Raelene and Kitty XX

Music and flowers

Thankyou so much for your emails, messages and cards..........

We still have holes in the ceiling and wall but the unpacking is almost done!
Last week I received some beautiful flowers (thanks Faye, Vicki & Marg). The tulips have been wonderful to watch for nearly a week but sadly they are now tired. The pink tulips stood up straight but the other type decided to weep their heads from day 2 and never opened - nevertheless they have still been stunning.............

Our moving date was changed three times and resulted in some disruption to classes and events. One of those was as a guest of the Modbury Community & Craft group to assist in their fundraiser for the Biggest Morning Tea. Sadly I could not attend but instead I lent a suitcase full of my quilts to share. Yesterday the quilts came back home and as a thankyou I was given this amazing hand painted tray - it is one of the blocks from the Adelaide Collection quilt! Just stunning and now has pride of place - thanks so much girls (and Tony the artist)

I will leave you with my favourite image of Jane Morris painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. They had an intriguing relationship and I do wonder if the Morris daughters were Dante's or William's!

If you click on this link you will see more of his art work with the music as a bonus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_41ogbDfV6Y&feature=related

Have a good week