The gals in the loft working on their projects.
2005/02/19
Two days in the loft.
Pat and I have just returned from Lillydale where we had a great two days working with the gals from Lilydale. Debbie Wearne has the most delightful shop right in the centre of town.
http://www.thevillagesampler.com/index.htm
Lilydale is just 20 kms from Launceston and a charming small town. I just love the cream wooden houses fringed with blue hydrangea and aggys. Unfortunately I've not taken as many photos as I usually do....I hope to do a little photo expedition tomorrow...
We worked upstairs in the studio and the gals learnt how to assemble an antique Rose of Sharon block. We touched on machine applique, drapplique and foundation piecing over two days.. and it was just great, very warm and inviting. We sat in part of the loft, which also serves as the spare bedroom, surrounded by fabric and books. One of the quilts on the bed was basted and partly quilted, one wonders if the guests have the job of completing a little quilting each evening before retiring... We sat by open French windows and shared a delicious lunch and great conversation ...Thanks gals.
http://www.thevillagesampler.com/index.htm
Lilydale is just 20 kms from Launceston and a charming small town. I just love the cream wooden houses fringed with blue hydrangea and aggys. Unfortunately I've not taken as many photos as I usually do....I hope to do a little photo expedition tomorrow...
We worked upstairs in the studio and the gals learnt how to assemble an antique Rose of Sharon block. We touched on machine applique, drapplique and foundation piecing over two days.. and it was just great, very warm and inviting. We sat in part of the loft, which also serves as the spare bedroom, surrounded by fabric and books. One of the quilts on the bed was basted and partly quilted, one wonders if the guests have the job of completing a little quilting each evening before retiring... We sat by open French windows and shared a delicious lunch and great conversation ...Thanks gals.
2005/02/18
It's not me who is dancing too fast
It’s not me who is dancing too fast
It’s the violins that play too slowly.
- Marie Duplessis, nineteenth-century socialite
It’s the violins that play too slowly.
- Marie Duplessis, nineteenth-century socialite
End of the tour in Tasmania
I can't beleive that my Tasmanian tour is over. The past four weeks have flown, however, if you are immersed in what you are doing... I guess thats what happens. 4 days left and I'm off to Melbourne.
With coffee in hand and the expectation of a great class again today I acknowledge the new friends I have met during my classes over the past weeks. There can be no greater pleasure than sharing something that you have designed yourself.....We returned last night from Scotsdale (the home of the best bakery in the world) where 18 gals created their own versions of the folk art village. Today I teach Rose of Sharon to the folk in Lillydale, and then a precious couple of days off.
Dear friend Joan has had a wonderful time. We've laughed lots and solved the problems of the world...
As move on to Victoria... Joan returns to the US and the snow and ice. Pat returns to normality and I go from one adventure to another...
With coffee in hand and the expectation of a great class again today I acknowledge the new friends I have met during my classes over the past weeks. There can be no greater pleasure than sharing something that you have designed yourself.....We returned last night from Scotsdale (the home of the best bakery in the world) where 18 gals created their own versions of the folk art village. Today I teach Rose of Sharon to the folk in Lillydale, and then a precious couple of days off.
Dear friend Joan has had a wonderful time. We've laughed lots and solved the problems of the world...
As move on to Victoria... Joan returns to the US and the snow and ice. Pat returns to normality and I go from one adventure to another...
2005/02/15
Valentines day
My Valentines day was full of surprises yesterday with a beautiful bunch of flowers arriving from Husband Keith... Well I did a little prompting. I sent him a flower, via my son, via the florist next door and the note read. "waiting for a bunch"..... and it arrived.... The florist gave a flower to our son, sent a bunch to me and to Keith....
In the town of Launceston I saw young gals clutching roses, young men with pots of flowers in their hands and my cousins husband outside the flower shop... When I visited her... there were the flowers.
Friend Pat received chocolates which we helped her eat over a glass of red.
My office on the road has been in full swing, I'm up to my neck in paperwork. patterns for this person, contracts for this event... patterns to design and things to order...poor Pat her sunroom has been taken over by a woman possessed.
Joan, Pat and I spend a lot of time laughing. We visited the local quilt shop.... The gal behind the counter talked to Pat in low questioning tones. "We passed Pam on the road coming home from Hobart, my husband noted the car with the quilting number plates... but there was a strange man driving" "That's not a strange man" said Pat, "That's my husband"... OK so the moral of the story is. No monkey business in the quilting car...
In the town of Launceston I saw young gals clutching roses, young men with pots of flowers in their hands and my cousins husband outside the flower shop... When I visited her... there were the flowers.
Friend Pat received chocolates which we helped her eat over a glass of red.
My office on the road has been in full swing, I'm up to my neck in paperwork. patterns for this person, contracts for this event... patterns to design and things to order...poor Pat her sunroom has been taken over by a woman possessed.
Joan, Pat and I spend a lot of time laughing. We visited the local quilt shop.... The gal behind the counter talked to Pat in low questioning tones. "We passed Pam on the road coming home from Hobart, my husband noted the car with the quilting number plates... but there was a strange man driving" "That's not a strange man" said Pat, "That's my husband"... OK so the moral of the story is. No monkey business in the quilting car...
2005/02/14
2005/02/13
Wooden boats, quilting and sun on my face.
Today began early, however, we made our customary stop for a latte at the exclusive McCafe....
I saw the funniest sight. A family off for the day with their motor bikes and trailing behind the car they towed their porta-loo. One wonders if they if they had an urgency problem. I can just picture them... Stop on the side of the road... Whip into the loo.....!!!
We drove down to Hobart, arriving at around 10 am. A little sneakiness on the part of my sister in law and myself resulted in a surprise visit to my brother, Robert who had flown in from Adelaide to see the wooden boat show as well. Rob, a recently retired Ships Captain was in heaven amongst the salt and sea.
I'm not too rapt in boats, however, the quilt show over the road at the museum was another thing altogether. Put on by a group of local quilters they showcased their talents with professionalism. The show was crowded and it was lovely to see family groups walking around discussing the quilts. Well done gals. Some of the quilts were very innovative.
I have a precious two days to finish paperwork.
As a Tutor I work on the road. I carry a full office, printer and all. So today, it's finish a pattern for a quilt shop. Contracts for 2006 venues, I just learnt that the 1776 quilt automatically goes into Paducah because it won in Nashville in August.... more paperwork. Information to be sent to the US and quilts to design..... It goes on gals, Oh and I need to fit in a little shopping...
What do you do if you get sick here? You can't get into a Dr in Launceston unless you are already a patient... So I have an earache.... "You have to go to the hospital" .... Oh no babe... so I contact my local GP and he sends the prescription I use frequently to the nearest Chemist. You have to learn a lot of tricks on the road.
I saw the funniest sight. A family off for the day with their motor bikes and trailing behind the car they towed their porta-loo. One wonders if they if they had an urgency problem. I can just picture them... Stop on the side of the road... Whip into the loo.....!!!
We drove down to Hobart, arriving at around 10 am. A little sneakiness on the part of my sister in law and myself resulted in a surprise visit to my brother, Robert who had flown in from Adelaide to see the wooden boat show as well. Rob, a recently retired Ships Captain was in heaven amongst the salt and sea.
I'm not too rapt in boats, however, the quilt show over the road at the museum was another thing altogether. Put on by a group of local quilters they showcased their talents with professionalism. The show was crowded and it was lovely to see family groups walking around discussing the quilts. Well done gals. Some of the quilts were very innovative.
I have a precious two days to finish paperwork.
As a Tutor I work on the road. I carry a full office, printer and all. So today, it's finish a pattern for a quilt shop. Contracts for 2006 venues, I just learnt that the 1776 quilt automatically goes into Paducah because it won in Nashville in August.... more paperwork. Information to be sent to the US and quilts to design..... It goes on gals, Oh and I need to fit in a little shopping...
What do you do if you get sick here? You can't get into a Dr in Launceston unless you are already a patient... So I have an earache.... "You have to go to the hospital" .... Oh no babe... so I contact my local GP and he sends the prescription I use frequently to the nearest Chemist. You have to learn a lot of tricks on the road.
2005/02/12
2 days of classes in Launceston.
On the bench in the kitchen are 3 big bowls of greengage plums. What memories that smell invokes. The plum tree down the lane from Nanna's house was always loaded with greengages at this time of the year, that was some 45 years ago. Here I am back in Launceston, the place of my birth and my emotional 'home' and I'm teaching quilting to gals of various ages..., some would have shared those times with me.
I love coming back to 'Lonnie', however, this time is very special, I'm sharing my enjoyment with friend Joan from Minnesota.
The weather is super for Joan who has come from -40 and a little cold for me. I love it in the 30's thankyou.
When you get to share your memories of a place with a friend it's a great experience. Joan has enjoyed meeting my students and my friends.
I've just finished teaching a two day 'Learning landscape class' and then Joan and I took off and celebrated at the wonderful food fair in City Park. I love events like this. Everyone was there. Young families, Old families, teenagers climbing the fence and babes in prams. The standard dress was cute casual and a wine accessory. Joan and I shared a bench with 3 different families and we 'visited' with each of them. We did the same with the gal in front of us in the queue... In a few short minutes, we learnt she was a widow, bought and sold houses and lived in Baghdad..
The weather was mild and the music super... I did think the guy dancing in front of the stage with an exaggerated grimace of intensity was a little 'look at me' but on the whole it was a great evening.
I'm so proud of what my students achieve, take a look at the projects they completed by going to the webhots site. http://community.webshots.com/user/caljin
I also gave the gals a shock when I arrived at the venue and kissed the caretaker.... he happened to be my cousins husband...
There is no beginning or end..Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift.
I love coming back to 'Lonnie', however, this time is very special, I'm sharing my enjoyment with friend Joan from Minnesota.
The weather is super for Joan who has come from -40 and a little cold for me. I love it in the 30's thankyou.
When you get to share your memories of a place with a friend it's a great experience. Joan has enjoyed meeting my students and my friends.
I've just finished teaching a two day 'Learning landscape class' and then Joan and I took off and celebrated at the wonderful food fair in City Park. I love events like this. Everyone was there. Young families, Old families, teenagers climbing the fence and babes in prams. The standard dress was cute casual and a wine accessory. Joan and I shared a bench with 3 different families and we 'visited' with each of them. We did the same with the gal in front of us in the queue... In a few short minutes, we learnt she was a widow, bought and sold houses and lived in Baghdad..
The weather was mild and the music super... I did think the guy dancing in front of the stage with an exaggerated grimace of intensity was a little 'look at me' but on the whole it was a great evening.
I'm so proud of what my students achieve, take a look at the projects they completed by going to the webhots site. http://community.webshots.com/user/caljin
I also gave the gals a shock when I arrived at the venue and kissed the caretaker.... he happened to be my cousins husband...
There is no beginning or end..Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift.
2005/02/10
It's been a long day.
Tasmania put on it's finest today. A mild day with skies of turquoise. The day began with a session by the telly with a cuppa and the happy voice of Alex Anderson on Simply Quilts.
I think I've convinced friend Pat to tape it each day for future reference... You never know what you will learn next. By the way my session of Simply Quilts must have aired in the US... On Monday I received dozens of emails asking about Drapplique. After a visit to Office works to buy pens and finding the shelves empty..... "I've sold all the pens to a group of ladies" !!!! said the assistant. We took off for the historic town of Ross
http://www.rosstasmania.com/about.htm
In rare moments, I think I would love to live in a village like Ross. Then I pinch myself and think of the winters and the tourists and the fact that the Bakery would be rather too tempting.
But I reveled in the beautiful stonework, the colours of hollyhocks framed by hand hewn bricks.
The cemetery holds some wonderful secrets. Sadly some less than normal folk have decimated parts of the old cemetery, many of the early 1800 headstones now lay smashed on the ground.
I am Tasmanian by birth and heart and I feel a sense of disappointment when I see the results of vandalism.
Take care folks. Pam
I think I've convinced friend Pat to tape it each day for future reference... You never know what you will learn next. By the way my session of Simply Quilts must have aired in the US... On Monday I received dozens of emails asking about Drapplique. After a visit to Office works to buy pens and finding the shelves empty..... "I've sold all the pens to a group of ladies" !!!! said the assistant. We took off for the historic town of Ross
http://www.rosstasmania.com/about.htm
In rare moments, I think I would love to live in a village like Ross. Then I pinch myself and think of the winters and the tourists and the fact that the Bakery would be rather too tempting.
But I reveled in the beautiful stonework, the colours of hollyhocks framed by hand hewn bricks.
The cemetery holds some wonderful secrets. Sadly some less than normal folk have decimated parts of the old cemetery, many of the early 1800 headstones now lay smashed on the ground.
I am Tasmanian by birth and heart and I feel a sense of disappointment when I see the results of vandalism.
Take care folks. Pam
2005/02/09
That wonderful Crayfish
Hi folks... The crayfish met his demise... Gee it was just delicious.
If you think the time posted on my blog is incorrect, it's because my computer is logged onto US time.. everytime I change it the diary goes haywire, then it affects my desk top and then the palm... The perils of a traveling quilter. Sigh, sigh.
Whoow I've been on the run today... I actually negotiated for 2 new sewing machines for my friends and then two more students rang the guy to order some..."sorry" he said, "some lady came in and bought them all"... so he has to ring up the company and get a quick order in...
Received some super fabric from Curzons to design a few quilts today.... Oh it just makes your heart beat faster. I just want to touch the fabric... However, I designed a small project for the SA Quilt Guild today and sent that off... It's a little quilt to demonstrate Drapplique.
Photo on http://community.webshots.com/user/caljin
Dear friend Joan is having a wonderful time, she's walked the beach, talked to locals, played with children in the water and visited quilters, shops and museums...
She's knitted about 5 scarves and found every op shop in St Helens.... A precious day off to do the washing, banking and office work...
Life's good folks... especially after crayfish...
If you think the time posted on my blog is incorrect, it's because my computer is logged onto US time.. everytime I change it the diary goes haywire, then it affects my desk top and then the palm... The perils of a traveling quilter. Sigh, sigh.
Whoow I've been on the run today... I actually negotiated for 2 new sewing machines for my friends and then two more students rang the guy to order some..."sorry" he said, "some lady came in and bought them all"... so he has to ring up the company and get a quick order in...
Received some super fabric from Curzons to design a few quilts today.... Oh it just makes your heart beat faster. I just want to touch the fabric... However, I designed a small project for the SA Quilt Guild today and sent that off... It's a little quilt to demonstrate Drapplique.
Photo on http://community.webshots.com/user/caljin
Dear friend Joan is having a wonderful time, she's walked the beach, talked to locals, played with children in the water and visited quilters, shops and museums...
She's knitted about 5 scarves and found every op shop in St Helens.... A precious day off to do the washing, banking and office work...
Life's good folks... especially after crayfish...
Crayfish in the Raw
It's 6.30 am in the morning. It's freezing cold and as I sit here looking over the Tamar Valley, the sun is tipping the horizon and the sky changes rapidly from grey, to violet and then an orange blue. Strong, hot coffee is helping.
I've just returned to Launceston after 4 great days in St Helens. The gals were just great. Annie looked after us all very well and even managed to finish her top quilt top ready for quilting.
A surprise gift was a huge live crayfish. I was so excited... He survived the trip home securely tied in his box... He then had a rest in the freezer for a short time until he fell asleep... Then I prepared the water, dropped him in covering my eyes and ears.... Should I become vegetarian?
You know I don't think I will take up producing my own food... give me the supermarket and butcher any time.
Now to prepare for the coming days... The Launceston gals and I will have a couple of days together and then on to Scotsdale and Lillydale.
In the past 39 days I've only slept 2 days in my own bed. 21 more days to go and I can repeat the process.
I travel with printer, computer, and all my files on CD.... You should have seen the face on the car salesman when I auditioned the stuff I carry in the trunk of my quilting car....!!!
I've just returned to Launceston after 4 great days in St Helens. The gals were just great. Annie looked after us all very well and even managed to finish her top quilt top ready for quilting.
A surprise gift was a huge live crayfish. I was so excited... He survived the trip home securely tied in his box... He then had a rest in the freezer for a short time until he fell asleep... Then I prepared the water, dropped him in covering my eyes and ears.... Should I become vegetarian?
You know I don't think I will take up producing my own food... give me the supermarket and butcher any time.
Now to prepare for the coming days... The Launceston gals and I will have a couple of days together and then on to Scotsdale and Lillydale.
In the past 39 days I've only slept 2 days in my own bed. 21 more days to go and I can repeat the process.
I travel with printer, computer, and all my files on CD.... You should have seen the face on the car salesman when I auditioned the stuff I carry in the trunk of my quilting car....!!!
2005/02/04
Our Dangerous trip
Hi folk, it's a quiet day today... I'm trying to catch up on contracts and
business, I'm set up in the kitchen with phone, printer, computer and a myriad
of paper work. I'm racing to get all my emails written and then I'll whip
into St. Helens and send them by wireless...
Joan and Pat are quilting and knitting in the sitting room and solving the
problems of the world. Our home for the next 4 nights belongs to a friend who
kindly let us use it as a base. We are surrounded by native bush, and we can
hear the crash of the waves on the beach which is just a few 10 feet from our
door. We've stocked up with food and I'm ready for class tomorrow.
We are currently 180 kms from Launceston on the East Coast of Tasmania. I
have 4 days of classes coming up and then we'll take off for Hobart and a little
more sight seeing.
Of course we have checked out the town, did the antique and op shops and
left with a little extra baggage.
Let me go back a few days. Wednesday was a warm and sunny day. We left mid
afternoon for the town of Ulverstone, some 120 kms from Launceston. We met in
the quilt shop and had a little wine and supper with the local quilt group and
then adjourned to the surf club for a formal talk ... some 50 gals turned up
(by invitation only... ) We even had a few gate crashers...who were made to
pay extra! It was super to meet so many enthusiastic gals ... however, our
adventure was just beginning ... at 10.45 we began the trip home. The wind
began to blow and the dark freeway was littered with branches... I had to
struggle to keep the car on the road... "Funny we said, there are no other vehicles
around."... Some 50 kms into the trip I realized that we were in the grip of
a huge storm.... Gals we found out that the winds were 150 kms an hour...We
arrived home after 12.00 the wind was whistling through Pat's house like a
train ... as usual I fell straight to sleep.... Joan put in her ear plugs and
popped her head under the pillow. Pat and Bert slept little. Water came through
the front door and the trees in the front yard, laid down and died....
I slept on... Morning told the story. The worst storm in Tasmania's history
... and still the quilters got through...no storm or tempest can keep us from
our meeting.....Reports today in the paper state that the boat we traveled
on to get here just one week ago was severely damaged. Water was waist high in
the cabin Joan and I shared ... eek...It had to return to it's original
departure point even though it was almost to Tasmania.
Out drive down to St. Helens was OK until we began to be bothered by two
young men in a white commodore.... They would get close and pass us in dangerous
situations, like on a narrow bridge or corners ... they would then stop and
wait till we got past and then do it all again. I finally stopped and
informed a shop owner ... who was going to notify the police... However, the
quilting car stopped at a quilt shop and we lost them ... only to see them driving
down the main st looking for us ... so we sneaked off in the other
direction....
We finished the day with our own private movie theater, I set up the
computer and digital projector complete with speakers, armed with minimal chocolate
and diet coke we watched Calendar Girls until late in the evening...
Whew ... it's been an intrusting couple of days gals ... but we're safe.
Class tomorrow
business, I'm set up in the kitchen with phone, printer, computer and a myriad
of paper work. I'm racing to get all my emails written and then I'll whip
into St. Helens and send them by wireless...
Joan and Pat are quilting and knitting in the sitting room and solving the
problems of the world. Our home for the next 4 nights belongs to a friend who
kindly let us use it as a base. We are surrounded by native bush, and we can
hear the crash of the waves on the beach which is just a few 10 feet from our
door. We've stocked up with food and I'm ready for class tomorrow.
We are currently 180 kms from Launceston on the East Coast of Tasmania. I
have 4 days of classes coming up and then we'll take off for Hobart and a little
more sight seeing.
Of course we have checked out the town, did the antique and op shops and
left with a little extra baggage.
Let me go back a few days. Wednesday was a warm and sunny day. We left mid
afternoon for the town of Ulverstone, some 120 kms from Launceston. We met in
the quilt shop and had a little wine and supper with the local quilt group and
then adjourned to the surf club for a formal talk ... some 50 gals turned up
(by invitation only... ) We even had a few gate crashers...who were made to
pay extra! It was super to meet so many enthusiastic gals ... however, our
adventure was just beginning ... at 10.45 we began the trip home. The wind
began to blow and the dark freeway was littered with branches... I had to
struggle to keep the car on the road... "Funny we said, there are no other vehicles
around."... Some 50 kms into the trip I realized that we were in the grip of
a huge storm.... Gals we found out that the winds were 150 kms an hour...We
arrived home after 12.00 the wind was whistling through Pat's house like a
train ... as usual I fell straight to sleep.... Joan put in her ear plugs and
popped her head under the pillow. Pat and Bert slept little. Water came through
the front door and the trees in the front yard, laid down and died....
I slept on... Morning told the story. The worst storm in Tasmania's history
... and still the quilters got through...no storm or tempest can keep us from
our meeting.....Reports today in the paper state that the boat we traveled
on to get here just one week ago was severely damaged. Water was waist high in
the cabin Joan and I shared ... eek...It had to return to it's original
departure point even though it was almost to Tasmania.
Out drive down to St. Helens was OK until we began to be bothered by two
young men in a white commodore.... They would get close and pass us in dangerous
situations, like on a narrow bridge or corners ... they would then stop and
wait till we got past and then do it all again. I finally stopped and
informed a shop owner ... who was going to notify the police... However, the
quilting car stopped at a quilt shop and we lost them ... only to see them driving
down the main st looking for us ... so we sneaked off in the other
direction....
We finished the day with our own private movie theater, I set up the
computer and digital projector complete with speakers, armed with minimal chocolate
and diet coke we watched Calendar Girls until late in the evening...
Whew ... it's been an intrusting couple of days gals ... but we're safe.
Class tomorrow
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