Festival of Quilts

It's all over now and I am a few hours north of Birmingham in a little village called Cockermouth but finally have computer access so will attempt to give you the flavour of the Festival of Quilts.

We arrived in Birmingham a few days early so it was really exciting to watch it grow from an enormous cavernous hall to a sophisticated show venue. I have been part of many show setups but this one was organised and calm and lacked the frenetic mayhem we are used to.

I loved the differentiation by carpet of the quilts (white carpets) and traders (orange). The layout of the quilts was wide and clear. Photos were permitted and the light was great. Of course I can't post many individual photos due to copyright but some distance shots are acceptable I think.

This is Best of Show (which I do have permission of the winner to post). Looks incredible doesn't it? Kumiko Frydi from Texas named this Mission Impossible 2. Paper foundation piecing , reverse applique. After making a 64 point Mariners Compass - this one was a challenge at 128 points.

Now look at it from a distance - yes - it is only about 12" square. Now you can even further appreciate why it won best of show.

My workshops went really well and we had a lot of fun and many laughs.





Don't forget if you are still interested - I am teaching at the Bramble Patch (13th/14th September)and Midsomer Quilting (4/5th Sept) . Both have Crystallisation (the one above) and Midsomer also have Aurora.

One of the highlights for me was meeting Laura and Linda Kemshall whose work has inspired me for years. I am doing the City and Guilds with Linda and also got to meet my tutor Marie Roper which was a bonus too. Design Matters TV which is their online subscription program constantly inspires and delights me. So to actually meet and talk to them and get so close to their work was brilliant.

I also got to know Susan Shie, who's work is absolutely mind blowing with it's humour and detail. Susan was so friendly and generous and it was a joy to spend time with her. Many laughs were shared. I am holding my own set of her Kitchen Tarot cards which she generously drew a picture on for me.

Did I buy anything - well just a few things. Some paints and yarn for dyeing and some bits and pieces. They probably wouldn't be of interest to many but I am looking forward to playing and dyeing with them. I did get a whole set of catalogues from the European Quilting Group as they had great photos and a disk in each volume with excellent photos for references. Will show them to you at another time.

I am hoping to return in 2012 - a long way away I know but something to look forward to.

Festival of Quilts

I am packing - yes again!
In just over a week I leave for the UK and the Festival of Quilts - I am so excited!
They have just released a few more places on their website for my Crystallisation Workshop on the 17th so if you are in the area and fancy having a fun few days playing with all sorts of fabrics and creating a striking geometric design why don't you sign up?

This is the quilt that inspired my award winning Bushfire Sunset and uses the same piecing technique. It is a very freeing and relaxing workshop that breaks lots of rules so if you are feeling like a break from tradition - this is the one for you.

ALSO - I only have 4 copies of Down Under Textiles (mentioned in my last blog post) left so you will need to be quick if you want one!

Festival of Quilts Bookings Open

So thrilled that my two workshops came close to filling on the first day of registration.

At the end of day two Creative Beading is now full and Crystallisation (above) only has a few places left. That is pretty exciting sitting here on the other side of the world.

You can check out all the workshops at the FOQ site and thanks to those of you who have booked places already.

Here is another Breaking the Drought quilt completed from a workshop. Donna has chosen great colours and her embellishments are terrific.

Festival of Quilts 2010

The online brochure for the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham has come out with booking instructions and it is so exciting to see my name included with so many inspiring quilt artists.

I am hoping that there will be some places available in classes for me to do on my free days.

Of course I hope that my classes will be popular as well.
Crystallisation - 17th & 18th August
Creative Beading - 20th August

Exciting News

I know I have been quiet but not really. I am in Tasmania for a few weeks teaching and touring and my access has been limited but I have just bought a portable modem with another provider so am able to connect to the world again.

I will post more about my travels soon but just had to tell you my exciting news.
I have been selected to teach at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham in the UK in August. I am absolutely blown away to be included in the biggest quilt show in Europe alongside some of the world's most amazing quilt teachers.

I am teaching Crystallisation as a two day masterclass. This is the quilt technique that developed into our award winning Bushfire Sunset quilt and is such fun to do. You get to use all those interesting textured fabrics like silk, organza, velvets etc - and easily blend them into your own masterpiece. I love teaching this class.

I am also teaching my Creative Beading workshop which gets you started on a fabulous new obsession (well it did for me anyway).

This trip will culminate in the wonderful week in Orvieto which I have told you about before but will be the most rewarding experience for everyone who joins in with me.

There is, however a bit of a gap between Festival of Quilts in August and Orvieto in late September so I am also looking for other teaching opportunities in the UK and Europe during that period. I already have some classes booked but am very keen to do some more so please contact me if you would like more details. There is the possibility of some workshops in Hungary and Turkey so you can see I am happy to discuss any possibilities. My workshop information is also available on my website.

Exciting News Again

I heard this morning that Bushfire Sunset by Nic Bridges and myself has been awarded 2nd prize at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham. It is so thrilling - I really wish I had been there for the announcement but can't really complain as I am having such a wonderful time in New Zealand.

If any of you are in Birmingham and want to take a picture in situ I would love to see it.

Today we had an early start for the five hour drive to Picton for the InterIsland ferry to Wellington.

It went quickly with such beautiful views as these.