Thinking of coming to Taupo 2013?

If you are thinking of coming to Taupo, New Zealand in 2013 to take part in National Quilt Symposium, you might like to listen to this.....

You've got plenty of time to practice.

Thanks Cait for sharing the fun :)

Very clever students

Thought you might like to see Gill's finished wall hanging. She was doing my class on free motion stitching called 'The road to my house', you can find the details by scrolling down the side of my blog and clicking on the link.

I think she's done an excellent job, well done, I think I could sit and look at all the bits and pieces she has added for ages!

You can visit Gill here and congratulate her if you like.

two days in Wellington

At the end of last week I had to spend two days in Wellington, for work.
This was the view from my hotel window on the first day.

This was the view on the second day.

I did manage to get out for some fresh air and a short walk before it rained, thanks Wellington.

Carole

sometimes life offers so many choices

Sometimes life offers you lots of pathways.

Sometimes you find a pathway that's safe and help is available just in case you need it.

Sometimes the path is obvious and right in front of our eyes, but we struggle to see where it's leading us.

And sometimes we only get a glimpse of the path, but it's that one glimpse that holds excitement and  mystery and promise and although we are unsure of our destination we can't help but take that path.

I know which path I'm taking, how about you, which path would you take?

Carole :)

Fussy cutting

Isn't it a darling print!

The cake's cooled

It's almost finished, yay! But before I rush off and press it, I think I'd like to include some words. 

What about - "A day in the life of Miss Maude the house mouse"?

 I thought you might have some ideas?

Someone's been baking...

Trying to finish these stitcheries, nearly done, just waiting for the cake to cool....

Have you managed to get any "started long ago" projects finished?

Enjoying summer treats

picking fresh peas and eating them straight from the pod

Time to share some exciting news

National Symposium is coming again! That's right so you'll have to keep the week 18th to 23rd July 2013 free.

This time it's being held on the shores of the beautiful Lake Taupo, in the scenic central North Island,
and not only is it being held in Taupo, but it's going to be a Fabric Art Festival! How exciting is that?

But the most exciting news is that I'm going to be a tutor at Symposium! And are we going to have some great fun!

With registrations well over 800 so far, it's going to be a week of challenges, ideas, inspiration, and classes that you can create with wild abandon - and all with food and friendship thrown in.

Here's a peek at the classes I'm teaching...you'll be the first to see!

'Open your Door' a journal class using mostly recycled items that you have at home.

A wall hanging, 'The road to my house' a class with loads of free motion stitching and hand embroidery.

And for my 3rd class I'll be teaching a one day class called 'Embellishment Fair' where we'll have some fabric fun embellishing ourselves and our lives.

If you'd like to read more about the Symposium check their web site, www.tauposymposium.co.nz
where you'll find a list of international tutors along with tutors from Australia and New Zealand.

Are you ready for some fun? I am! Mark the date in your calenders now :))

Have a great week,
Carole

On a sunny summers day

I'm playing with the new app on my phone....

while the fabrics for my next quilt dry in the summer breeze.

What are you doing today? Started any new projects?

Can you tell...?

I love the beach? 
I have just had a brief stay at Waitarere Beach, which is 40 mins south of where I live. It was only a night, but I got to go for some long walks and enjoy the beach, the sea air and the sun and the sound of the waves on the beach at night.
I also got to play with a new app on my phone. Thanks Linda, it's lots of fun and I love the images :)

Now that I've had a nice refreshing break it's back to stitching.
Carole

2012, here I come!

Dear readers,
Hope you all celebrated the New Year in your own special way, with friends or family, or doing whatever pleased you. It was a very quiet one here with the weather so bad that New Years Eve concerts were cancelled all over the country, including the one here in Palmerston North.
However an evening indoors with the rain pelting the roof, meant I could catch up with some blog surfing, and visit with some friends I haven't had the chance to visit in a while.

I have decided to make a few changes to my blog, hope you like them. One of the main changes I'm going to attempt is to write more. I am usually very visual but intend to make it my goal to include more text. We'll see how that goes.

How are the New Year resolutions going? I made a good number of them this year. Normally I make one or two, but when you've got so few to follow, I am sure you set yourself up for disappointment. I figure if you have a whole list of them, then the chances of you being able to cross a good number of them off are pretty high. You are setting yourself up for success. 

Of course I had to start the New Year on a positive note and got to add a few fat quarters to my collection of florals. As you will know if you follow my adventures, I am always on the lookout for floral fabrics and think a new project is brewing...

During my holidays I also wanted to work on the stitching of my Maude the House Mouse stitcheries which have been waiting for me to finish them, and perhaps get my garden nice and tidy.

I've got several larger projects happening this year too. One of them being a special quilt for a special person, as in June I will become a first time Gran! We are all excited about the new arrival and I am sure you will hear much more about it as the arrival time nears.

You might remember I bought a copy of this book a while back and picked it up yesterday to read. Now I can't put it down! I'm not sure why, I don't think it's a memorable work of literature, but I think on reflection I would call it an Enid Blyton book for adults :) it's a mystery which seems to suck you into it's pages, and who doesn't love a good mystery/fantasy? As the author's first book, I think his ideas have been really clever. Well worth a read.

Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar Children written by Ransom Riggs.

I'd love to know what your New Year resolutions are for 2012! Perhaps you will inspire me to add a few extras to my list!

I hope that 2012 brings you happiness and health and above all lots of creative inspiration!

Carole