camping photos

I am always on the lookout for design inspirations (note that I am also looking for TIME to do something with them!) ... isn't this pattern in the rock intriguing? If any of you clever people (who also happen to have time), can turn this into a design for a wall-hanging - Id love to see it!!!!

We were camping at Patonga. Which is the most southern point of the NSW central coast. This is the creek, where the kids have such fun playing in the shallows. And should the sun ever come out, which it did not while we were, then it really is fabulous for all - kids and big people alike!

This is the (not-so) salubrious inside of our tent, hmmm, a resort this ain't! I've got to say, that I had very good sleeps on those hard stretcher beds, to my great surprise!

However, when there are such gorgeous visions such as this twilight descending over the mountain, well, it's hard to complain ...

You know, now that I am looking at the photos, and explaining them to you, I realise that I don't hate camping quite as much as I wish I did ... BUT shhhh, don't tell my husband, I am still angling for a resort break to detox from the canvas and dust!

dls

Quilts and Flowers Tour - come along!

The FULL ITINERARY for our delightful trip to UK, France and The Netherlands is READY.

The itinerary was created to take advantage of the Quilts 1700-2010 exhibition that is showing for a limited time at the V&A Museum, London.


Lynn Hewitt and I are the tour leaders, and we look forward to meeting new quilting friends as we travel.

Click were to take a look at the great lineup of quilt shows, quilt shops and gardens, as well as castles, chateaux, textile and tapestry collections and so much more!!

dls

wind and cold weather and canvas!

Those who know me would raise their eyebrows if I were to say I was going camping. Indeed, so do I! However, my husband and kids think camping is the bee's knees, and it seems I'm out numbered.

Off we ventured last Wednesday for a four night jaunt. It's like moving house if you ask me - the amount of packing. Afore-mentioned husband and kids were having soooo much fun, we stayed for three additional nights - right through to yesterday.

The weather was not that kind to us, it was cold and windy the first few days, then the wind died down and the temperature improved somewhat - thankfully. Then a bunch of friends arrived and we had a great couple of nights.

As I walked around the campsite and the area I noticed how many indigenous trees there was. And some had gorgeous beautifully colourful Rozellas feeding from the blooms - sadly I didn't have my camera with me at those times :-(

I can't get the photos I did take, albeit not many, off the camera on this computer so will send some tomorrow from work.

Meanwhile, stay safe, stay dry, stay out of the wind, and preferably - out of canvas!
dls

The pleasure and the pain

Today I received the latest Quilting Arts magazine... woo hoo...

Then I turned the package over and on no! this is my last issue - oh the pleasure and the pain. Quick, re-subscribe!



I also received a copy of the latest Patchwork Quilt Tsushin magazine from Japan. I cant understand a word of course, but who cares, the quilts and little projects are divine.

This issue has a special feature on Bluish & Greenish Taupe (i can read that on the front cover). I just love the Japanese taupe fabrics, and this lot are such a pretty hue!

those gorgeous rose-coloured goddesses ...

We are well on the journey to reveal all of the A4 artworks for the Bid-4A-Cause charity fund-raiser.

I just want to say, once more, how grateful I am to these extremely talented ladies - the cream of the crop here in Australia as far as textile/art quilting goes!

My grandfather died of stomach cancer, my uncle of bowel cancer ... it appears to me breast cancer will loom in my life, but so far, I am grateful to say, it hasn't. As a woman, it is impossible to ignore the facts; I acknowledge the importance of raising awareness and funds.

Pop over to Bid-4A-Cause and see the amazing textile artworks, and prepare your budget to BID, BID, BID. What a great opportunity to raise funds for breast cancer research, AND bring home a piece of artwork by a top Australian artist!

dls

a review for a monday

It's a long weekend in Sydney, and I am spending my holiday Monday reviewing books. (s0rry one is upside down, perhaps it's an omen?)

I have been on a quest for information, for direction and motivation for some time. The urgency ebbs and flows, but rarely does better than trickle through the sidelines of my life.

This 'need' is quite a bit down the ladder of my life, but not in my ladder of my wants! To fit in a business, two + one big kids, and a son-in-law and a soon-to-be-born grandbaby and two little kids is quite a chunk of time, then - and this is the biggest time waster - a need for ten hours sleep a night is a dream crusher (excuse the pun - a daydream crusher!) Consequently, I can't find the time to explore my 'needs'.

When I was in Birmingham with my dearest quilting friend Erica, I came across a few amazing people (well a lot really) and their books - it is my professional task to review them for Down Under Quilts, and the NEW Down Under Textiles magazine. Take a look at the titles, what a joy I will have discovering - err umm - reviewing these beauties!

dls

bring on the buttons

When I visited the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham in August, one of the treasures I found were these buttons.


I also bought some pink striped and spotted ribbon from Liberty of London.

Back home, I purchased about 5 metres of top quality linen.

In a few days I will be making linen scarves - some decorated with these fabulous buttons, some with ribbons,

and some with yo-yos created with red and gold striped silk.

I cant wait to 'play', will share the outcome with you.

dls