Early Summer Bounty

Summer is rushing forward! Greg has been cleaning, clearing, trimming and planting. This is the first time he has planted radishes. Aren't they gorgeous? The tomatoes are in the ground and the basil is waiting its turn.

These lovely pansies were a party favour for the May birthday celebration for the Chicago School of Fusing. I love these gatherings! So much talent and friendship in one place!

Look at all these happy "women of the cloth"! Judy Coates Perez, Emily Parson, Ann Fahl, Anne Lullie, Laura Wasilowski, Barb Vlack and Frieda Anderson all sit around Laura's table to swap stories and ideas.

Back at home, the early summer bouquets holds pride of place against a vibrant green background. This week anticipates some new fabric designs inspired by this colorful bounty.

Guess Where I've Been

Banksia in bloom.

Beautiful Gumnuts.

Canberra Pears at the National Gallery.

Ballarat boarding school for FibreArts@Ballarat.

Extraordinary tree in Ballarat's waterside park.

Helen Godden's award winning quilt at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne.

Painted windows in the artists old house at Heide Museum of Modern Art.

The fabulous trunk of a Floss Silk Tree in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Timeless Textiles in Newcastle is a new jewel for fiber loves around the planet.

The grounds surrounding the Museum of Old and New Art, one of the most surprising and quirkiest museums I've ever EXPERIENCED.

This plant says, "Which way did she go?" The correct answer is AUSTRALIA! The entire month of April was spent teaching and touring in Australia... Canberra, Ballarat, Melbourne, Newcastle and Hobart, Tasmania. Quilters are gracious and generous all over the world, but especially in OZ. As always, these big journeys create space to view your life from a new perspective. Perfectly timed after the intensity of writing the new book and on the verge of some fresh work, I came home inspired and excited to begin the next phase.

This week I will be attending Spring Quilt Market for the first time. I will have some books to sign and a nice new scarf to wear. Hope to see some of you there!