Houston, California and Christmas

Once again I have neglected my blog but am now catching up. The three photos show me talking to Barbara Trombley whilst I was demonstrating on the Quilting Arts Stand at the International Festival of Quilts in Houston. The set of beetles made at one of my workshops in California and lastly Fraser enjoying the snow at the weekend.

Geoff and I had a brilliant time in the States. We went to the Quilt festival on the preview night and then for two whole days but it still wasn't enough time to take everything in. We managed to get in a visit to Nasa before flying on to California and staying at San Clemente. I taught two beetles workshops so now my bugs are springing up all over California. The weather was excellent, not too warm although we did spend a couple of days on the beach. We spent an interesting day in San Diego on the Midway.

We arrived home to the cold and wet UK and now have the snow hence the photo of Fraser on his sledge. It looks as though we will have a white Christmas. Happy Christmas to all my followers and I will try to keep this up more in the new Year

Houston Quilt festival

I shall be demonstrating on the Quilting Arts Open Studios stand at the Houston Quilt Festival on Thursday 4th NOvember from 12.40-2.40pm and friday 5th from 3-5pm.
The rest of the time I shall be shopping!!!!
I seem to have been to a lot of theatre shows lately, Joe Brown, Wicked, Salade Days and last night, Beauty and the Beast. One more to go to before our holiday and that is Princess Ida at Cirencester.

Here are some of the beautiful Venetian purses made by my students at the EG workshop at Leamington Spa on Saturday. They are layered organza fabrics over a glitzy layer which have been machine embroidered then some of the layers cut back. Having given three talks and two workshops int the last couple of weeks I have found it exhausting especially as the talks were all different. I think that I shlall have to space them out a bit better in future.

holiday in Austria

Here we are enjoying lunch on top of the Mountain in Fugen Austria where we went for our holiday . Yes I really did go up there in a cable car having overcome my fear of them. However I still won't go in a chair lift. We went to see the Oberammagau Passion play which was brilliant. also visited Mayerhofen where I had been skiing as a teenager and Innsbruck using the train than ran though the village. Since coming home I have been to Windsor and Maidenhead EG to give a talk and then Bristol for a talk and an embroidered bowls workshop.

The last month!!!!!

Can not believe how long it has been since my last visit here. trouble is being on face book takes up time. Still I've had a very sucessfull month with a visit to Alston Hall near Preston to teach at the North West Of England EG summer school. Then my favourite time of the year at Marlborough College Summer School teaching felt making. It helps to remind me how much I enjoy felt making and how little I do it not to mention the wonderful food, entertainment and company. I spend the mornings singing for pleasure which this year included songs from Wicked, Fame, Chicago and Eva Cassidy. Now I have just got to go and see Wicked.

Had a wonderful day on Saturday teaching at Basildon Branch of the EG. Here is a photo of their bowls, some of which are almost ready for washing off. I am always amazed at the results and how every one is different. The bowl with the leaves on was made by a lady who had never done free maching embroidery before. She was incredable.

I treated myself to a Fay Maxwell workshop on Tuesday. Bliss! someone else had to think for me and tell me what to do for a change. She is a great teacher. I am now looking forward to Sit 'n' stitch tomorrow, Singing at the weekend,GWE next Tuesday then teaching at the weekend in the north of England at the Summer School of the NW region EG. have just dyed some more silk caps ready for it. Now off into town to meet Sarah and Fraser for shopping and lunch.

America November 2010

Another long time since I visited my blog to update it. I have added this picture of my christmas bottle cover table centre as I shall be teaching it in November in California at the Piecemakers Country Store. Also the Christmas flower.http://www.piecemakers.com/ . I am really excited as our trip all fell into place just before our Spanish Holiday. We leave on November 2nd and fly to Houston where I shall be taking part in the Houston Quilts Festival on the Quilting Arts Stand. Then we fly on to LA staying at San Clemete for two weeks and I shall be doing the workshop on Sunday 14th.
I am really looking forward to meeting up with all the friends I made on my last visit and making lots of new ones.