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2005/09/19


Some people will kiss just about anyone..if they are desperate... Posted by Picasa

A fuzzy couple of old bags... Posted by Picasa

Oh what we gals do to make a buck.

Still at Quilt Fest folk, it's been wonderful, except someone nicked the heater in the middle of the night and we all froze to death... Teachers hobbling with chill blains are not a pretty sight...The heater appeared again each morning but that didn't help those gals who were in dire need.
Now this is a delicate situation... one teacher had a very small class, one being a lady of advancing years who had a flatulence problem. Oh I forgot to mention that said lady was deaf and very obviously didn't hear her bottom bellows... Oh, but the rest of the class did folks....!!!!
Last night 48 gals arrived for dinner armed with just a small bag of Doritos- and a fork. At the allotted time a lady from the streets arrived with her shopping trolley and collection of goodies in big plastic bags... it was a bit embarrassing I must say. Can't imagine anyone actually dressing like that, but there she was, big as life.
She had no teeth, wore daggie old sneakers (size 10) for her size 7 feet, a nice little number that resembled black hose with daisies painted on them and over that a pair of footy sox. Her fur coat and floral shirt and tie were a nice touch too. Considering the crowd, I thought her bright orange workman’s vest and helmet saying "Crowd Control" was very sensible.....
She led the assembled group down the aisles and they filled their Doritos bag with chili mince and all sorts of wonderful stuff... then they sat to eat it with a fork... The said gal said it was a form of eating she discovered in the good ol USA, but we know it was actually just a disguised food line.
The 48 gals assembled behind their machines and had 3 hours of sewing up a storm pinching each others scrap fabric and listening to stories...There were great prizes and some penalties given out by the crowd control folks...punctuated by a loudly blown horn....
The bag lady got stuck into the red wine and was very happy by the end of the night despite being electrocuted by the broken cord of an ancient sewing machine owned by a participant.
What a way to finish a 12 hour day of Teaching... the said baglady was seen heading for the local coffee shop for a draft of double shot latte and a little peace and quiet before falling into bed...

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."

2005/09/17

My lunch hour....

As I write this blog, I'm in my small office spending a few precious minutes alone with a little sedate Bach. It's my lunch hour and I find it hard to break the spell of class... so quiet downtime is important to me.
Folk it's darn freezing here in Toowoomba. We've had winds of 90 km per hour. There were huge dampers last night. I snuggled under the covers in the girls dorm as the wind whistled around the boarding house.
100's of gals are sharing in the delight of the annual Quiltfest quilt retreat and show.

2005/09/13

Scquilters night out


Scquilters, Pam Copeland, Lyn Shipp, Julie Blythelt Douglas, Prue Winge, Vicki Lynch Annabel Samuel, Fiona Mc Clintock, Stephanie Driel, Bev Mc Grath Posted by Picasa

2005/09/09

The West.

Perth has been a little wet and chilly. However, my room is warm and I've had an opportunity to meet up with the quilters of Western Australia.
WAQA Quilt Guild is a large progressive Guild and I've enjoyed the chance to meet some of the members in my classes and lectures. What did we do yesterday... "Through the garden Gate" a class to challenge the creative ideas in all of us. Each student did something different... asked to come to class laden with "garden" fabric... they have designed their own fabric garden and overlaid it with some form of wrought iron, or fence..... The projects look super and I will show you some photos of competed projects tonight..
I met up with 11 gals I correspond with in the online Scquilters group last night.
The restaurant was located at the beach. There was a gale force wind blowing and it was difficult to stand upright as we made our way from the car to he restaurant door. However, once inside the conversation flowed freely and we shared a wonderful meal and new ideas.
So I'm off to spend another day with the students... this is a wonderful secret folks...I'm paid to share my ideas and enjoy myself... OK, there is a lot of hard work behind the scenes.. but I count myself as lucky....

2005/09/05


Regeneration Posted by Picasa

The cummins roads Posted by Picasa

Blackboys in the sunset light Posted by Picasa

regeneration.... blackboys relish the release of the terrible bushfires Posted by Picasa

Lace in the sunset Posted by Picasa

A Busy week....

It's a gorgeous sunny day, as I look out the window of my shed, the I'm surrounded by white and pink blossom on the fruit trees....My doves are taking advantage of the sunshine and I never get tired of watching them they soar pure white against the blue sky. The cleaners are cleaning my house so I remain in the shed writing until I can collapse on the lounge for a rest.
I returned home just a few hours ago from Cummins
My week began last Monday with a new venture in Sydney. I had 3 days visiting with the most delightful young folk who are forming our ideas in quilting...I am in awe of their professionalism and dedication. We had a wonderfully busy time... Our days began at 5.45am and I returned home exhilarated to the hotel round 7.00PM each evening.
It was a great experience and all will be revealed early next year.
I returned home on Thursday, went to Guild in the evening and left again on Friday for Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula.
As I was flying over, I was offered the most wonderful views from the plane window. As I sat there, champagne in hand, nibbling cheese and crackers I thought "this is an amazing way to travel to work"
Josie cooked us casserole and home made strawberry cream sponge and my hostess Carmel and I sat and chatted late into the evening.
The class was held in the local school and the facilities were super... Carmel worked on the sustenance and we worked on the quilts...
On saturday evening carloads of gals came from Tumby Bay, Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay for a presentation... and I had to turn off the lights on those who were still working late in the evening...
There is another side to this story. This small community has been shattered by the devastating bushfires earlier this year. I guess we can't imagine the fear, the desperation and sadness that an event like this brings. 9 people lost their lives. 80 houses lost.
Quilters donated 300 quilts to those who were caught up in this terrible tragedy. Yesterday,in the early evening, I was taken on a ride through the affected area. Miles and miles of devastation. The Mallee trees now look like fields of lace in the sunset as they begin to regenerate... the earth is green once again, hiding the sadness in it's beauty. "This was where I grew up" says one gal as we pass a pile of rubble... "It's all gone, it's all gone..so is this house, so is that one..." her voice carries the sadness and helplessness that we all feel in such a catastrophe.
However, the community are stoic, the land s regenerating and I was able to read a letter delivered the day of the class from a family who had lost their Dad... thanking the group for their wonderful quilts.
Quiet, enfolding love surrounding the family in their time of grief.

The gals in Cummins.... a two day workshop... Posted by Picasa

2005/08/25


Another raffle block following the Irish theme Posted by Picasa

A little Drapplique for a share block...This block was raffled at the Ballarat Retreat  Posted by Picasa

On the road again

The heater is glowing, 3 globes have blown in the shed and I'm too short to reach the 25 ft ceiling... So I'm working in a rosy glow of limited light....
I was asked by a gal following the blog if I was met when I arrived home? I made mention that Husband Keith was unsure if he could pick me up when I arrived home because of the footy finals!!!! Thankfully he was joking and yes I had a great reception...
It's been a busy week and I've had enquiries why I haven't written the blog.... Simply, just not enough time. I was home four days then flew to Victoria and taught at the Ballarat retreat all weekend. I enjoyed it, 20 great students, good food, good company and I get paid... what more can I ask?
Tuesday, friend Di came down from Queensland for some R&R, lots of laughs and a little business. Now the hard work begins. I have to design, make and write up a new quilt and pattern then fly to Sydney on Monday...However, the project is not public knowledge yet, but all will be revealed in the next month or so...just let me say it's a new venture and I have to have my hair and makeup done!!!!!
It's so nice to be home.. a bit cold, but still it's just plain nice. I can lay on the settee with dog Ralf on my chest and fall asleep until the early hours. Grandson Kodi has been a constant visitor as has Grandson Jordan, who loves my cooking... Last night we had a treat.. Son Josh, decided to cook, folk his meal was heaven... garlic mash topped with melt in your mouth rib eye steak, topped with baked prosciutto and caramalised shallots and blue cheese sauce.... I had dinner ready in the fridge... but my soup and salad, took a back seat with this offering. By the way, he is a chef..... I love those impromptu meals...
Husband Keith is off at the local Quilt Guild Committee meeting tonight and I'm about to begin my drawings for the next few days work.
What's on for the next few weeks? I'm off to Cummins in the mid north to teach, then a few days home and off to Perth... a few more days home and off to Toowoomba... then England and France... The feet are moving fast folk...
Take care...

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
- Augustine (354-430)

2005/08/17

Home at Last.

Three nights in my own bed... Well sort of, last night was spent in the upstairs room with Grandson Kodi. I never have a problem with Jet Lag when I go to the USA... But I can guarantee that on the third day home..... I crash, and today was said day. But I have managed to prepare for class Friday, organize 2 more plane trips, post off the business info, do the shopping and washing, cook the meals and entertain the troops.... So I guess it's no wonder that I crash....
I'm actually writing this to make the evening longer... I end up falling asleep too early and wandering around in the wee hours.
The weather is super, 21 deg and I'm in shirt sleeves... it's hard to go back into sweaters...Goodness me I was Teaching in California last week, it was in the 90's....and then relaxing in Disneyland...!!! The world sure is small.
Well the bags are packed for Ballarat on the weekend... class notes completed just need the haircut and I'm ready... two more days will get rid of the jet lag... and I'll be firing...


"A child on a farm sees a plane fly by overhead and dreams of a faraway place A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home" - Carl Burns

Our Precious Kodi..... Posted by Picasa

2005/08/12

Going Home

Two and half months on the road is an interesting and enlightening experience. After every trip I return home with an envelope full of lessons in life...
I've just been down to breakfast. I shared the lift with a young African American boy, about 12... He was dressed immaculately. "I just had to go back up to my room to do my hair" he said with a huge smile... enough to melt your heart.... I laughed as I got out of the lift. His hair was cropped to about 1/6th inch.... What does he have to do with his hair...? There are lots of young people here at the Holiday Inn. Its school holidays and many come in groups to visit Disneyland. I'm impressed by their demeanor, and by that I mean their presentation, both in the way they present themselves in dress and speech.
I came to Orange County to Teach for the Guild and I was given a wonderful welcome. Tuesday evening was a pot luck dinner...imagine my surprise when our table was set with fine china, beautiful silver, white napkins and a silver centerpiece supporting chocolate dipped strawberries and chocolates.... It was such fun... It seems that they have a competition for the best dressed table.... I think we won hands down....I delivered my lecture and they seemed to be in stitches for some reason... I also give a 15 minute presentation of inspiration with beautiful photos, (some 250 actually) and play it to an unusual combination of a flamenco guitar and didgeridoo. You can hear a pin drop in the room... and believe me students get more inspiration for quilting in that 15 minutes than in an entire class.
However, my class was super and I was impressed by the students innovation and talent.
I had the added benefit of having some time off so I went to Disneyland. It was hot and sunny...
It's a wonderful family environment... But it's also a place you can visit on your own and still enjoy the sounds and sights presented with so much care....
Now to pack the case for the final time this trip... I'm an expert I can tell you...
This time next week I'm off to Ballarat.... so the pace continues...

The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor. - Unknown

My images of Disneyland summer 2005 Posted by Picasa

Disneyland 2005 Posted by Picasa

California Land  Posted by Picasa

These are some of the things I see at Disneyland Posted by Picasa

Some of the gals in my class in Orange County. It was a fun and relaxing day. Posted by Picasa

2005/08/08

Life's Interesting.

Late Sunday evening and I've prepared for a 4.00 am early morning call for a 7 am flight. I usually get up early, but the early hours are beginning to take their toll. I've averaged 5 hours sleep a night for the past week because I'm working on projects and research. I will be traveling all day tomorrow and I know I will be able to sleep on the plane to LA...
Just 5 days till I go home.....
I had great classes at Quilt University aided by patient and thoughtful students and supportive organizers. Class went so quickly today I didn't even get an opportunity to take photos.
The time spent with fellow Tutors has been wonderful, we laughed at shared experiences both good and interesting!!!!!!
My life here in the USA is hard for my friends back home to understand, but as Traveling Tutors we share common interests.

Highlights this past week have been being welcomed with a big bag of luscious goodies in my hotel room.
The surprise of a spa in my room.
Shared breakfasts at Big Boy in a convertible booth.
Assisting the window cleaner of Big Boy with his allotted task.
Dressing in my glad rags and giving a lecture where I had a runway to perform on.(I was in heaven)and I used to be shy - Truly.
Relaxing in the spa, with chocolates and the TV on, then I realized it was the weather channel instead of something interesting.
A Phone call arrived while I was in the spa... I told the caller I couldn't talk as I was in the spa with the Weather Man... The phone hung up.....eek there will be more rumors to add to the piercing and the super glue stories...
Visits with students in the common room after dinner who sat patiently and waited for their turn for a massage. The place was buzzing with talk, show and tell and smiling faces...
This evenings meal at Red Lobster and a large Margarita with friends.
An email from a student from last year who said how much my class had meant to her.. I told her she could do it... and she sure did....
My quilting buddies back home who held a quilt show with our combined quilts and raised $2000 for the Local Nursing Home....
Ok, Ok, sure there was one interesting incident that I have never encountered before... and I'm going to keep you guessing...I'll just say we had security on alert for a few days...!!!!

Happy Birthday to Daughter Callie....


The work of my talented students at Quilt University Michigan Posted by Picasa

2005/08/07


The logs on the cabin are drappliqued on fabric.... you can see it in progress Posted by Picasa

This quilt is not finished... but the drapplique is well under way... I love the way the leaves were cut and placed on these trees. Posted by Picasa

This guy is so realistic... it's great quilt. Posted by Picasa

Picture and quilt Posted by Picasa

These look so real.... what talent.... Posted by Picasa

This is the work of one of the students today in my class..... just stunning. The leaves really look as if they are floating in water... this piece has been machine appliqued and quilted... I'm impressed Posted by Picasa

2005/08/04

Super Glue again!!!!!!

It's late in the evening and I have Battle Hymn of the Republic by She-Daisy playing very loud, followed by a little Bach. Another 20 young men were killed in Iraq again today. What more can I say... Whatever your religious persuasion is please pray for the families of these young men. I had a heavy heart as I watched their faces appear on the TV screen this evening. Most of them were only 19.
The past couple of days have been a whirl of experiences... These are the first days I've actually had on my own... I intended to do so much, but to be honest I achieved just the basics.
It was sad saying farewell to my Minnesota family. I'm always miserable and tense the day before I leave and I must admit, I slept very little.
I gave the legs an stiff workout yesterday. Have you ever got into bed and your legs keep working? I didn't think I was going to be able to walk today... This all stems from miles of walking in 96 deg heat changing hotels... The one I booked online was a smoking room (even though I booked non) Oh well, that's the way it goes. Win some loose some.
I intended to go to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts today. However, after a late start due to the build up of business mail. The writing of a new lecture etc... and of course I had to have the nails done...
For those of you who know me well, two more Thelma and Louise sparkles were added...!!!! Now the gal in the beauty shop slipped a little and she stuck my finger to hers as she was fixing yet another of my troubled nails... Neither of us noticed for some time. Then we realized we were joined. I envisioned having to cut the finger.. but we pried them apart after 5 minutes. She was embarrassed, I was trying to stifle my laughter. Can you image being joined at the finger to a middle aged Vietnamese gal half my size?
So I didn't get to the Art Institute. Borders was a good alternative and I was lucky to purchase two reference books on my next project. So I curled up in a corner of Ruby Tuesdays, munched on salad and read my books... Wonderful.
I love the Mall of America. You can sit in one spot and see the whole world go by.
It's used by the newly retired as therapy and exercise. Families come for days and get passes to Snoopy Land....On the shuttle yesterday, the banter was as excited as when I visited Disneyland. I passed an elderly Amish couple holding hands and walking through the main doors... I was tempted to follow them and watch their reaction. Mexican families dress for the occasion and Grandparents have grandkids in tow. There are groups of youth with their pants hung from invisible braces under their shirts. They seem to defy gravity. Everyone is well dressed, polite and smiling and you can walk for miles... and I sure did.

2005/08/02


I'm off again.... the next 14 days are on the road... the bags are packed...this is my alter ego.... she comes to life in my drawing book on the plane...!!!! Posted by Picasa