September Issue

If you love the world of fashion and the extraordinary range of talent which comes together in magazines, this film about the preparations for the September 2007 issue of American Vogue is for you. I have been a magazine lover for as long as I can remember so I had to see this film. The September Issue was fabulous!!! Fashion (of course), city scapes, beautiful photographs, parades and wonderful characters. I loved every second from beginning to end. Watch a sneak peek in the video bar on the side.

Back Home

The Stitches and Craft Show in Sydney really was an amazing experience. I think I am still recovering – I’m just not used to talking quite that much. I met many people who had never seen Paper Quilting before so it was a great opportunity to spread the word. People can’t believe that I am sewing paper and watch me sewing for quite a while just to see that the paper is not tearing. It was very exciting all up and I had a really successful show. The one stop Paper Quilt shop did great business and sold out of punches and thread. It was great to meet Lara of ‘La Rara’ and Kate of ‘Please Eloise’ who had spaces on either side of me. There are more pictures of the show on my Web page – just a click away on the left.

I drove home on huge gusts of wind from warm and sunny Sydney to freezing southern NSW where there was snow on the Brindabella Mountains. Hard to believe it is only a 3 hour drive. Pink and white blossoms are out everywhere and it is so beautiful. We actually had some rain while I was away so there is a tinge of green in the paddocks.

Now it’s on to the next adventure. It’s just over two weeks until ‘Handmade in Bloom’ at Yarralumla Wool Shed. So I am back in my own little shed with my head down creating Paper Quilt pictures, new papers and new cards.

Sydney Stitches and Craft Show

Almost finished. My 2 large pieces which will hang at the back of my studio space at Stitches and Craft on the 2 panels which form the back wall. If you are coming along to the show, I will be on level 4, in space #165. Please pop by to say hi and have a look at these two Paper Quilt Creations. I will also have other finished work, my greeting cards created from the paper I have designed, tools for creating Paper Quilts AND my new book, "Paper Quilts".

I will have my sewing machine with me and I will be making Paper Quilts at the show for the full 5 days in my mobile Studio.

Butterflies

This time next week I will be in Sydney for the Stitches and Craft Show at Rosehill. Hopefully I will have my little studio space all set up and ready to go and I will be a happy girl - but I will be very nervous I suspect. Just thinking about it gives me butterflies. 5 days at the show and during that time, my little girl is flying off overseas. I always wanted her to grow up and get her own wings to fly - but now I'm not so sure I like it at all. In fact - it is very distressing.

So, today I sat down and made a list of what I need to before then. I became little side tracked and made a flower broach from fabric which I had printed - and then began work on a VERY large handbag which will hang on the back wall of my space. Tomorrow I will make another large work to hang beside it as a pair. I'm not sure if I will make another bag - or a beautiful tree with a bird resting on top. I think the tree wins as I love the saying "grown old like a tree". Reach up to the sky, stretch open your arms, bare flowers and fruit, be a home and safe place for birds, animals and insects of all kinds and be happy with your beautiful bark which becomes more lovely with age. Pictures of work in progress will follow tomorrow.

No time for photos today

We all knew that Saturday would be a busy day - but today was non stop. We were all busy and I couldn't believe that when I looked at my watch it was 12.45 and time for a break. So -we are all tired and ready for a good nights sleep. Ready for day 4 and the last day of the show and then packing up. What a whirl wind of a time we have had.

Day two at the Canberra Craft & Quilt Show.

After an early night, I awoke to this lovely scene in our back yard - a full moon setting over Beatty Hill with Venus just to the left. Quite beautiful. It was then off to a very busy day at A White Dragon Paper Craft stall as the buses pulled in and the car park filled to “No More Room” status. It was action almost all day long for all of us and there was a real buzz in the air. I did manage to squeeze in a trip to the stall I was hoping to visit and above is picture of some treasure. I couldn’t spend too much time there, so I’m afraid I will have to return tomorrow. (what a shame!!!). These lovely pieces will become part of Paper Quilt Creations such as Cinderella Shoes and Honestly Darling Handbags. Here is a photo of Shirley, an incredibly talented teacher at A White Dragon Papercraft. She is working on the most beautiful parchment umbrella with boarder and flowers. Fine and really beautiful work taking skill and patience. This craft is called Pergamano and the tools and materials are made in The Netherlands.

Craft and Quilt Fair Canberra

My first day at the Craft & Quilt Fair has just finished as a demonstrator at A White Paper Dragon Papercraft. The time just flew by and it was a great day with lots of interest in Paper Quilting and my new book. It is always a bit nerve wracking starting off, but I gradually became more relaxed and I am really looking forward to tomorrow which should be busier. The Saturday – full on craziness.

It was great to catch up with Susan Filer from The Pattern Place, www.patternplace.com.au/shop/index.php who I first met almost a year ago at the Stitches and Craft Show in Sydney. She is going to the Quilt Fair in Houston, USA which is FANTASTIC. How incredible is that.

I found one particular stall late in the afternoon that I was hoping would be there. So I will be arriving early to make more than just a few purchases. I will have a photo tomorrow of my package of new treasures. I can’t wait!!!