Australian Tour Highlights

We spent 30 glorious days in Australia in June and July. Our travels took us north from Sydney to the far north of Queensland.  It was winter there, so we didn't do any swimming or sunbathing, but we did have lots of wonderful adventures. 

Our first stop, was Novocastrian Quilters in Newcastle, where 165 quilters came to hear us sing at the community centre.  It was a stunning turnout on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Most of them had never heard of me before, and they came anyway! Helen and her crew were great in getting everyone to come out. Read the full blog of our first days in Australia here: http://singingquilter.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/ 

We drove north to attend the SCQuilters' retreat in Townsville.  I've mentioned SCQuilters (Southern Cross Quilters) many times in CD liner notes.  They are the on-line quilting group in Australia and New Zealand, and I've taken great inspiration from their stories and knowledge. It's my fourth SCQ retreat, and they just get better and better! Details about the hexagons, the bling, and some rock wallabies here: http://singingquilter.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/

Further north after that to do some teaching and singing.  We stayed with Ruth Bloomfield in Atherton for a couple of nights.  I last saw Ruth at Houston a few years ago with her award-winning jigsaw puzzle quilt.  Ruth does landscape quilts with a confetti technique that I'd like to learn. We got to sleep in her studio - with her stash! More on this story here: http://singingquilter.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/

I taught classes in Mossman, Hughendon and Murwillumbah (great name, huh?). We almost got stuck in Hughendon because of rain.  When it rains in the Outback part of Australia, the mud turns into glue and it becomes impossible to drive on unpaved roads.  Also, there are dips where the water rushes through and the road becomes impassible.  We just made it through on a mostly-paved road down to Winton, only to find out that most of the hotel rooms were full because they were shooting a movie! More on this story here: http://singingquilter.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/

It was really important that we do make it through, though, because our next gig was singing at Sew Creative, the shop in Gatton where the World's Biggest Hexagon Quilt was made.  I wrote a song about it, and premiered it that night (I've been talking about this for months, haven't I?). The shop was full; we sang in a corner of the shop in front of the last 3 pieces of the quilt; and everyone was pumped, including me!  I got through the song successfully, and they liked it (whew!). The story and the lyrics to the song are at: http://singingquilter.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/

                           
With all the staff from Sew Creative                                                         The door prize was a little piece of the quilt!

It was an incredible evening.

We were almost finished the tour, but there were a couple more gigs.  Our friend Jan Rhoades once again hosted a concert - this time in her Brisbane home.  I told the story of the WBHQ song from the night before, and showed my piece of the quilt.  It turned out one of the gals in the audience recognized some of her hexagons in my quilt!  What are the chances of that?

Lois Kidd, pointing out the two rosettes she made on my quilt.

We had lots of other adventures on this trip. My last blog entry was all about useful Aussie terminology, ginger, and Suzanis from Uzbekistan. http://singingquilter.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/

New Video from SCQuilters Conference performance

Fall Colours Quilting Cruise

September 22 to October 2, 2013
Quebec City to New York City
on Holland America - MS Eurodam

Susan Purney-Mark and I have started a blog to keep everyone informed about our plans for this next cruise.  Please subscribe to find out about classes, prices and other events we're planning. 

www.fallcoloursquiltingcruise.wordpress.com