http://web.mac.com/pamholland3/iWeb/Site%202/Welcome.html
This is the site for the new info folk.
Early morning and it’s a little darker out this morning. Daylight saving gave me an extra hour yesterday but I’m back to real time this morning.
As a Tutor, my schedule doesn’t allow me to get out to shops to view the latest in notions and fabric.
Quilt market twice a year affords me the best opportunity to see “what’s in and what’s out”
Yesterday I sampled batting, 5 new samples from Hobbs. I’m looking forward to testing when I get home.
I saw a vacuum for your threads, A light for your rotary cutter, The most stunning vintage notions. (Huge chunky bake-light buttons) New books and new fabrics.
Jackie Robinson is following on with her flower series and this time her fabric features “fuchsias”
Sue Nickels and Darlene Christophersen have made a breathtaking raffle quilt, take a look.
Time to go and begin a busy day.
Best wishes..
Pam
2006/10/31
2006/10/28
Houston
I flew in from Australia yesterday. We hit the hotel, then promptly went shopping at “The Galleria” till late.
However, today began early. 3.am in fact. I looked at the clock by the bed, sighed and decided to have a coffee which promptly sent me back to sleep until 9.00 am.
I’m staying at an Hotel some 10 blocks from the George Brown Convention Centre. I can either walk or catch the shuttle to the centre. I’ve done both today.....
I had to pick up my media badge and was able to walk the floor of the market as they were setting up.
You have to take your hats off to these folk who put on this great event. There is so much work in preparation. There were people up ladders, sounds of boxes being shifted, discussion on the best layout. Artificial flowers are abundant and beautiful quilts and fabrics displayed at every turn.
I think I counted 1150 vendors... now just how can one get around to all those wonderful booths?
First let me go back to the shuttles, they run every 10 minutes or so and are great places for meeting folk. I met a lady from Hawaii, a lady from South Africa, a guy from Canada and then we all sat spell bound as a lady from Intercourse Pennsylvania filled us in on the terrible shooting at the Amish school.
One of the busses has it’s air-conditioning turned up high... “It’s Freezin in here honey” she says “because we have a restroom down the back and even though it’s locked and not used, you can still smell it if the temperature gets too warm”....so, we all sit and shiver.....but there’s no smell!!!
One of the buses has a dickie door and sometimes you have to give it a bit of a kick to open it.... however, it’s a fabulous service and great for all those who use it.
Now you may wonder who the gals are in the top picture... well I don’t really know, but they told me they were standing in that very place at 11.00 am, (I took the photo at 5 to eight, just before sample spree) There were literally 1000’s of people lined up to get in. There is a amazing camaraderie as everyone waits to get in to get a bargain and see the latest on offer from the manufacturers.I filmed the start as they opened the big red doors. It is rather ceremonial, a huge cry goes up and it’s just like the beginning of a race, hopefully I can put up some video tomorrow...
Well it’s late. (early morning)
Time to go to bed...
I hope you like this new format.....maybe I’ll get to write every day to share with you.
Let me know what you think.
Pam
However, today began early. 3.am in fact. I looked at the clock by the bed, sighed and decided to have a coffee which promptly sent me back to sleep until 9.00 am.
I’m staying at an Hotel some 10 blocks from the George Brown Convention Centre. I can either walk or catch the shuttle to the centre. I’ve done both today.....
I had to pick up my media badge and was able to walk the floor of the market as they were setting up.
You have to take your hats off to these folk who put on this great event. There is so much work in preparation. There were people up ladders, sounds of boxes being shifted, discussion on the best layout. Artificial flowers are abundant and beautiful quilts and fabrics displayed at every turn.
I think I counted 1150 vendors... now just how can one get around to all those wonderful booths?
First let me go back to the shuttles, they run every 10 minutes or so and are great places for meeting folk. I met a lady from Hawaii, a lady from South Africa, a guy from Canada and then we all sat spell bound as a lady from Intercourse Pennsylvania filled us in on the terrible shooting at the Amish school.
One of the busses has it’s air-conditioning turned up high... “It’s Freezin in here honey” she says “because we have a restroom down the back and even though it’s locked and not used, you can still smell it if the temperature gets too warm”....so, we all sit and shiver.....but there’s no smell!!!
One of the buses has a dickie door and sometimes you have to give it a bit of a kick to open it.... however, it’s a fabulous service and great for all those who use it.
Now you may wonder who the gals are in the top picture... well I don’t really know, but they told me they were standing in that very place at 11.00 am, (I took the photo at 5 to eight, just before sample spree) There were literally 1000’s of people lined up to get in. There is a amazing camaraderie as everyone waits to get in to get a bargain and see the latest on offer from the manufacturers.I filmed the start as they opened the big red doors. It is rather ceremonial, a huge cry goes up and it’s just like the beginning of a race, hopefully I can put up some video tomorrow...
Well it’s late. (early morning)
Time to go to bed...
I hope you like this new format.....maybe I’ll get to write every day to share with you.
Let me know what you think.
Pam
2006/10/22
Just my observation
I’m writing this with my computer propped on my knees as we drive back from Victoria, I don’t really know if that’s legal, but nevertheless it helps to pass the time. It’s 5 pm, the shadows are a little longer and the colour of evening is mellow.
We had an early morning start yesterday. It was really cold and grey when we left, but as the day progressed it warmed and the sun shone.
Unlike the USA where restaurants are just about everywhere, we had great difficulty finding anywhere to get breakfast. Almost famished, and after driving for 3 hours, we finally found a café in Naracoorte called the “Blue Wattle”… well everyone knows that the wattle flower is yellow…however, here in Naracoorte , they decided to make it blue.
OK, so the chef, who looked very young was puzzled by our “eggs over easy” request… darn it they asked how we wanted our eggs!!!
We drove down through the South East of South Australia. We estimated we drove through 150 kilometres of vineyards. Bright green grape vines set in rows, all manicured to show their finest and looking spectacular against the bright blue sky. I ducked my head to view their trunks or undercarriages, all set at different angles. They look quite comical really.
The countryside closer to Adelaide is frightening in a way. We drove through 1000’s of acres of dry devoid paddocks and this isn’t even summer yet. A stark reminder to us all. Tomorrow, October 23rd we begin water restrictions.
The reason the South East is much greener is that it’s limestone country and the water needed for the crops is trapped underground and then tapped for irrigation making a spectacular difference to the landscape. One can’t help but think of the saying “The wrong side of the tracks” it’s blatantly obvious.
Closer to the ocean, the paddocks are lush with green feed, and support large groups of dairy cows and sheep. The black and white cows looked like picture post cards on the green carpet of grass.
Our destination was Port Campbell on the great Ocean road and we arrived there mid afternoon after driving along the coast against a spectacularly blue ocean.
Evening, and 20 people gathered at the furthermost tip of a limestone cliff overlooking the famous 12 apostles.
3 years ago, Matthew and Karen visited there on their way home from Victoria. Just 8 hours later Karen was dead and Matty was terribly injured.
So yesterday we said a farewell to Karen. Matty supported by his best mates bravely said a few words. Friend Sulley sang a song he had written for Karen, the sun filtered through low hanging clouds and the water rippled through gold waves.
Every time we see a report of an accident in the paper, we never imagine it will ever happen to us. It’s someone else’s life….
But sometimes we are destined to be part of statistics. Sorrow comes upon us with stealth and engulfs you in a way that is hard to imagine or even express in words.
So yesterday was tinged with sadness at the accident, anger and sadness for the perpetrator but on the other hand a celebration of Karen’s life as we each in turn scattered her ashes to the sea in a place she loved so much.
Our boy has healed a little and in the company of his best mates will take a short break before returning.
Keith and I in turn drove home through a magic spring day today even though the anticipated traditional pub roast was like re-stewed left overs…!!! And I heard on the news that the USA has banned VEGEMITE. For pete’s sake….!!!!!
We had an early morning start yesterday. It was really cold and grey when we left, but as the day progressed it warmed and the sun shone.
Unlike the USA where restaurants are just about everywhere, we had great difficulty finding anywhere to get breakfast. Almost famished, and after driving for 3 hours, we finally found a café in Naracoorte called the “Blue Wattle”… well everyone knows that the wattle flower is yellow…however, here in Naracoorte , they decided to make it blue.
OK, so the chef, who looked very young was puzzled by our “eggs over easy” request… darn it they asked how we wanted our eggs!!!
We drove down through the South East of South Australia. We estimated we drove through 150 kilometres of vineyards. Bright green grape vines set in rows, all manicured to show their finest and looking spectacular against the bright blue sky. I ducked my head to view their trunks or undercarriages, all set at different angles. They look quite comical really.
The countryside closer to Adelaide is frightening in a way. We drove through 1000’s of acres of dry devoid paddocks and this isn’t even summer yet. A stark reminder to us all. Tomorrow, October 23rd we begin water restrictions.
The reason the South East is much greener is that it’s limestone country and the water needed for the crops is trapped underground and then tapped for irrigation making a spectacular difference to the landscape. One can’t help but think of the saying “The wrong side of the tracks” it’s blatantly obvious.
Closer to the ocean, the paddocks are lush with green feed, and support large groups of dairy cows and sheep. The black and white cows looked like picture post cards on the green carpet of grass.
Our destination was Port Campbell on the great Ocean road and we arrived there mid afternoon after driving along the coast against a spectacularly blue ocean.
Evening, and 20 people gathered at the furthermost tip of a limestone cliff overlooking the famous 12 apostles.
3 years ago, Matthew and Karen visited there on their way home from Victoria. Just 8 hours later Karen was dead and Matty was terribly injured.
So yesterday we said a farewell to Karen. Matty supported by his best mates bravely said a few words. Friend Sulley sang a song he had written for Karen, the sun filtered through low hanging clouds and the water rippled through gold waves.
Every time we see a report of an accident in the paper, we never imagine it will ever happen to us. It’s someone else’s life….
But sometimes we are destined to be part of statistics. Sorrow comes upon us with stealth and engulfs you in a way that is hard to imagine or even express in words.
So yesterday was tinged with sadness at the accident, anger and sadness for the perpetrator but on the other hand a celebration of Karen’s life as we each in turn scattered her ashes to the sea in a place she loved so much.
Our boy has healed a little and in the company of his best mates will take a short break before returning.
Keith and I in turn drove home through a magic spring day today even though the anticipated traditional pub roast was like re-stewed left overs…!!! And I heard on the news that the USA has banned VEGEMITE. For pete’s sake….!!!!!
2006/10/18
Writing, writing.
One can certainly do a lot in 14 days..!!!!
It's 14 days since I've had time to write to the blog. To be honest, I've have been writing solidly. A 40 page pattern book, magazine articles, a small booklet and my Resume of classes. That darn thing comes in book form which now runs to 80 pages.!!!!
You can see it on the web page....
So there was just no time for the blog and today I got a friendly reminder from one of my blogees.!!!!
Add to that my computer crashed last week and I lost absolutely everything off the hard drive. 2 books in progress and several presentations....Including the pattern book.XXXXXX
I could have wept, (I did swear) but darn it, what's the use.
So I've spent hours re-installing and backing up.
I hope to get some free patterns up on the web page in the next week or two... but with the hard drive crash, I had a little hiccup.
It's been nice to be home spending time with the family and catching up with friends. I'm working on my major project... All I can say is that it excites me more than anything else I have ever done. As I mentioned before, I try to fit in 4 hours work a day on it, however, sometimes it gets left for a day and then I work 20 hours straight.
I had a few days in Queensland, no major adventures, no muggings, no dramas on planes, no cats under the seats or ladies having a panic attack, but I did go to the Dixie Chicks and saw a concert of the Young Divas.... all in the same day. Wow !!!
It wasn't overkill, just thoroughly enjoyable. I didn't think my ears would recover after the Dixie Chicks concert, we sat just 6 rows from the front... it was fantastic and we spent a lot of time on our feet.
Visited with friend Di and Co, and spent an afternoon on the Brisbane River and dinner at a super Moroccan restaurant after a day of hard work (quilting stuff)
Last week, Sunday in fact, Keith and I took Benny (28) to the Dixie Chicks here in Adelaide so I repeated the performance... but I behaved myself in front of family...not too much jiggling.
I would have embarrassed some of my Aussie buddies and made proud my American buddies as I stood for the American National Anthem... I looked around and I was only one of a handful....OK, so I stand for the Australian Anthem and God Save the Queen....the South African and Chilean.... Just think it's good manners really.
For those of you who remember, Karen and Matt's accident 3 years ago. This week is the anniversary, and is always a difficult time. Karen's Parents, Matt and some of his friends and Keith and I are going down to the Great Ocean Road for a remembrance ceremony and to scatter Karen's ashes...
It's a bit soon after Dad's death, bit hard really, but we need to support Matty.
Just a few days after that I fly out again.
I have 10 days at Houston, Keith will join me on the 1st... then we have a week in Orlando Florida and then Hawaii, so keep tuned.
It's 14 days since I've had time to write to the blog. To be honest, I've have been writing solidly. A 40 page pattern book, magazine articles, a small booklet and my Resume of classes. That darn thing comes in book form which now runs to 80 pages.!!!!
You can see it on the web page....
So there was just no time for the blog and today I got a friendly reminder from one of my blogees.!!!!
Add to that my computer crashed last week and I lost absolutely everything off the hard drive. 2 books in progress and several presentations....Including the pattern book.XXXXXX
I could have wept, (I did swear) but darn it, what's the use.
So I've spent hours re-installing and backing up.
I hope to get some free patterns up on the web page in the next week or two... but with the hard drive crash, I had a little hiccup.
It's been nice to be home spending time with the family and catching up with friends. I'm working on my major project... All I can say is that it excites me more than anything else I have ever done. As I mentioned before, I try to fit in 4 hours work a day on it, however, sometimes it gets left for a day and then I work 20 hours straight.
I had a few days in Queensland, no major adventures, no muggings, no dramas on planes, no cats under the seats or ladies having a panic attack, but I did go to the Dixie Chicks and saw a concert of the Young Divas.... all in the same day. Wow !!!
It wasn't overkill, just thoroughly enjoyable. I didn't think my ears would recover after the Dixie Chicks concert, we sat just 6 rows from the front... it was fantastic and we spent a lot of time on our feet.
Visited with friend Di and Co, and spent an afternoon on the Brisbane River and dinner at a super Moroccan restaurant after a day of hard work (quilting stuff)
Last week, Sunday in fact, Keith and I took Benny (28) to the Dixie Chicks here in Adelaide so I repeated the performance... but I behaved myself in front of family...not too much jiggling.
I would have embarrassed some of my Aussie buddies and made proud my American buddies as I stood for the American National Anthem... I looked around and I was only one of a handful....OK, so I stand for the Australian Anthem and God Save the Queen....the South African and Chilean.... Just think it's good manners really.
For those of you who remember, Karen and Matt's accident 3 years ago. This week is the anniversary, and is always a difficult time. Karen's Parents, Matt and some of his friends and Keith and I are going down to the Great Ocean Road for a remembrance ceremony and to scatter Karen's ashes...
It's a bit soon after Dad's death, bit hard really, but we need to support Matty.
Just a few days after that I fly out again.
I have 10 days at Houston, Keith will join me on the 1st... then we have a week in Orlando Florida and then Hawaii, so keep tuned.
2006/10/02
New Era Quilt.
The quilt is the picture on the bottom.... The fish swimming under the waterlillies. I haven't quilted it yet, but it will be heavily quilted....
The picture in the middle is where the idea came from, if you have been following the blog, these are photos I took in Capistrano California. The carp with their incredible colors...The waterllillies, one of which is some 2 Ft across, the small one is 1 Ft. I used jusdt two colours of Batik for these.
I think I showed the drawings of the waterlilly as I traveled.
The carp are floating in a black background which is the pool.
I have quite a bit of illustration to do on the waterlilly leaves and then thread work.
The carp are going to be trapuntoed... A simple quilt, but been on my mind for a month or so in between the Bayeux.
If you wish to see the method and a clearer picture just visit my website.
www.pamhollanddesigns.com and go to "the quilt I'm working on at the moment."
The picture in the middle is where the idea came from, if you have been following the blog, these are photos I took in Capistrano California. The carp with their incredible colors...The waterllillies, one of which is some 2 Ft across, the small one is 1 Ft. I used jusdt two colours of Batik for these.
I think I showed the drawings of the waterlilly as I traveled.
The carp are floating in a black background which is the pool.
I have quite a bit of illustration to do on the waterlilly leaves and then thread work.
The carp are going to be trapuntoed... A simple quilt, but been on my mind for a month or so in between the Bayeux.
If you wish to see the method and a clearer picture just visit my website.
www.pamhollanddesigns.com and go to "the quilt I'm working on at the moment."
A new era
I'm a genuine baby boomer and I admit to a significant birthday yesterday.
I had a lovely time and of course it's been something I've been putting off as long as I could... But it has a way of catching up with you.
No I'll never wear a cardigan, or my slippers to the shops... or even a nylon frock. To be honest, I never wear a frock.
It's was a day of reflection. I had time to write a little, visit with family, design and begin quilt for my new era!!! and think of how I actually got here.
Age 20, Keith and I got married.
By age 30, we had 7 children.... Goodness gracious, how did we do that? Jaime, Rachael and Matthew, (3 in 3 years) and we had adopted Joshua (newborn), Suchada, (aged 11) Darrin aged 8 and Phat from Vietnam aged 15.......What were we thinking of!!!! But it was a wonderful time. I wouldn't swap it for the world. It was a wonderful tine in our lives.
Age 40, we added a few more bedrooms....Callie, Michael and Sam arrived......Lori, Liseby, Benny from Mauritius, Jinda from Thailand. Lean lived with us for a year, Bo for two....The exchange students arrived, 6 in all and they stayed for a year. (not all at once.) but when I think about it, we did have 3 at once.
During that time I met a young man in Thailand who was traveling, I said "if you ever come our way you're welcome to stay"
He did..... for a year. He is now almost 50, lives close by us with his wife and child and is very much part of the extended family.
We had our own bus and a caravan for holidays and life was sure hectic
In my 40's I began my fashion design business with partner Cynthia.... She has a significant birthday next week... just a little younger than I. As two Librans, we are exact opposites but worked well for some 15 years.
50 was a turn around. I was a dedicated quilter. Gee you all know what happens to you then, I don't need to explain.
Friends that's about the end of it.... Now I quilt, write, make documentaries and take photos.... What a way to go....
What will the 60's bring.
I know I can discount at Denny's fast food restaurant. !!!! Seniour discount in the movies in the USA takes the price down to abhout $4.00 - and I feel I can ask the nice young man in the aisle to put my hand luggage up for me....!!! and i have no problem enjoying my classical music along with new country. I play them very loud.
In life we have things that are moments in time and end up being significant to our future. I often think back to when I had 3 littlies under 3 at home. I was incredibly shy and introvert.... Trust me it's true. I had really low self esteem.
Keith, an Accountant was negotiating a business partnership with another accountant and we were invited to dinner to negotiate.
He turned up with his snotty secretary with a plum in her mouth, little back dress, coifed hair and tottering on heels far too high.
Her enjoyment for the evening, was to put me down with comments. "Oh, I couldn't bear to be just a housewife"
How can you let yourself have 3 children so quickly. Etc, etc.
By the end of the evening. I was ready to snot her.
I loved being a mum. My children were gorgeous... I sewed their clothes on my hand cranked machine... Believe me .....!!
I cooked, cleaned and was a happy as a pig in straw.
But this gal really got up my nose. I decided to show her.....
Where are you now honey?
Dinner with the whole family and friends creates an a spectacle even in the friendliest restaurants. People look as one by one a gaggle of good looking young people of all nationalities arrive, kiss each other and are obviously family. We even added a Frenchman last night. However, that's not new... it's been like that for years... it was handy when the kids played up in the shops... "Who does that badly behaved child belong to"? being multi racial has its benefits!!!!
The family added to my bling collection despite their ribbing and I had a wonderful time.
I just missed my Dad.
Thanks for the emails and phone calls. It was sure an international day yesdterday.....!!!
I had a lovely time and of course it's been something I've been putting off as long as I could... But it has a way of catching up with you.
No I'll never wear a cardigan, or my slippers to the shops... or even a nylon frock. To be honest, I never wear a frock.
It's was a day of reflection. I had time to write a little, visit with family, design and begin quilt for my new era!!! and think of how I actually got here.
Age 20, Keith and I got married.
By age 30, we had 7 children.... Goodness gracious, how did we do that? Jaime, Rachael and Matthew, (3 in 3 years) and we had adopted Joshua (newborn), Suchada, (aged 11) Darrin aged 8 and Phat from Vietnam aged 15.......What were we thinking of!!!! But it was a wonderful time. I wouldn't swap it for the world. It was a wonderful tine in our lives.
Age 40, we added a few more bedrooms....Callie, Michael and Sam arrived......Lori, Liseby, Benny from Mauritius, Jinda from Thailand. Lean lived with us for a year, Bo for two....The exchange students arrived, 6 in all and they stayed for a year. (not all at once.) but when I think about it, we did have 3 at once.
During that time I met a young man in Thailand who was traveling, I said "if you ever come our way you're welcome to stay"
He did..... for a year. He is now almost 50, lives close by us with his wife and child and is very much part of the extended family.
We had our own bus and a caravan for holidays and life was sure hectic
In my 40's I began my fashion design business with partner Cynthia.... She has a significant birthday next week... just a little younger than I. As two Librans, we are exact opposites but worked well for some 15 years.
50 was a turn around. I was a dedicated quilter. Gee you all know what happens to you then, I don't need to explain.
Friends that's about the end of it.... Now I quilt, write, make documentaries and take photos.... What a way to go....
What will the 60's bring.
I know I can discount at Denny's fast food restaurant. !!!! Seniour discount in the movies in the USA takes the price down to abhout $4.00 - and I feel I can ask the nice young man in the aisle to put my hand luggage up for me....!!! and i have no problem enjoying my classical music along with new country. I play them very loud.
In life we have things that are moments in time and end up being significant to our future. I often think back to when I had 3 littlies under 3 at home. I was incredibly shy and introvert.... Trust me it's true. I had really low self esteem.
Keith, an Accountant was negotiating a business partnership with another accountant and we were invited to dinner to negotiate.
He turned up with his snotty secretary with a plum in her mouth, little back dress, coifed hair and tottering on heels far too high.
Her enjoyment for the evening, was to put me down with comments. "Oh, I couldn't bear to be just a housewife"
How can you let yourself have 3 children so quickly. Etc, etc.
By the end of the evening. I was ready to snot her.
I loved being a mum. My children were gorgeous... I sewed their clothes on my hand cranked machine... Believe me .....!!
I cooked, cleaned and was a happy as a pig in straw.
But this gal really got up my nose. I decided to show her.....
Where are you now honey?
Dinner with the whole family and friends creates an a spectacle even in the friendliest restaurants. People look as one by one a gaggle of good looking young people of all nationalities arrive, kiss each other and are obviously family. We even added a Frenchman last night. However, that's not new... it's been like that for years... it was handy when the kids played up in the shops... "Who does that badly behaved child belong to"? being multi racial has its benefits!!!!
The family added to my bling collection despite their ribbing and I had a wonderful time.
I just missed my Dad.
Thanks for the emails and phone calls. It was sure an international day yesdterday.....!!!
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