Things are getting more and more eccentric at Casa de la Swain. Changing styles in my textile work, falling in love again with painting and photography...and then there is the ever illusive quest for continuing creativity through working with Eric Maisel. Still on the road teaching, posting now at the Ragged Cloth Cafe and taking the pledge to keep handmaiden up to date.

Monday, February 28, 2005


Art everywhere..this at the international terminal Posted by Hello

Melbourne airport Posted by Hello

No caption necessary Posted by Hello

The park across the street from the Convention center Posted by Hello

Astounding aboriginal art at convention center Posted by Hello

Me as an official Aussie Posted by Hello

Aussie appliquers hard at work Posted by Hello

Foyer of my hotel Posted by Hello

To prove my point another pub Posted by Hello

At last a familiar sight and they had diet coke with lime for $2.80 a bottle AU. Right next door is one of many pubs...one on every other store front. Posted by Hello

More construction on the river opposite convention center Posted by Hello

Thoughts to live by in book store window Posted by Hello

Cute Aussie school boys waiting for tram Posted by Hello

Downtown Melbourne, driving on the wrong side of the road. Notice the trams, public transport everywhere. Posted by Hello

Close-up of old railway station, love this architecture Posted by Hello

My room, so European, no? Posted by Hello

The new railway station, reminded me of Bilboa Posted by Hello

Moments in Melbourne Posted by Hello The view of the old Grand Railway station from my hotel room

Home from Downunder

Sorry for all the pictures but aren't you glad I bought the camera before I left. Melbourne was incredible and the conference ran like a well-oiled wheel. The organizers thought of everything which made the life of the "tutors" so easy.More pictures later but first the saga of Gabrielle goes to Australia. So I got to DFW in plenty of time, delivered at the proper gate by sweet Ronnie. I check in at the international desk and proceed through security to my gate...uh,oh...the flight to LA is delayed until 9:45 p.m. which means I will miss my connection to Sydney. Out the security, back to ticket desk, looking pitiful...I beg...I simply must be in Sydney on the 22nd. Faint and fall over, they are very accommodating and route me through San Francisco...one little problem, I have to retrieve my luggage and physically check it in again to SFO. Go get the luggage and watch them put tags on clearly marked SFO...all is well. I am off to OZ.
The flight is uneventful as one would hope. Get to Sydney and go through international transfer, never see luggage, don't go through customs until Melbourne. Get on plane to Melbourne, all is right with the world. But not quite.....
Arrive at Melbourne...waiting for luggage...find my clothes, BUT no quilts and teaching materials. One very large suitcase is missing. Nicely go to United desk and request search for luggage......which is in...Los Angeles. Huh? Hang on dear readers, they are most apologetic and promise to have it to me the next day on the earliest flight possible.....and guess what...they did. Since I wasn't on the plane, United paid cargo charges for my luggage and didn't charge me.
One would think at this point all is well. Bert, my taxi driver, suggested I sit in the front seat so I can experience fully driving on the wrong side of the road...oh, my gawd, they turn into on coming traffic....glad I wasn't in a rent car. I can see the headlines..stupid US quiltmaker causes major pile-up on freeway from airport. Bert, is a kind gentleman, sees me into hotel where...they have given away my reservation since I was delayed due to the flight changes. Again, not to worry, they were most cordial, probably because I looked like a piece of toast, and find accommodations for me. Managed to stay awake until 8 p.m. before crashing and was well rested the next day when I committed more faux pas'....but I am on my way to Canada on 3 March so packing and answering email must take precedent over the other stories.
Promise to up-date on all the rest of the travels when I get back on 14 March...until then, I hope someone is making quilts while I am getting stamps on my passport.

Friday, February 18, 2005

Just When You Thought It was Safe


After moving studio, office and packing for Australia a girl and her rowing machine Posted by Hello

Thought you were going to get rid of me that easy, eh? In my last few days home, I thought I would up-date you on my progress. Also, as you can see, I have replaced the broken camera with a shiny new Sony. It looked so easy in the store...but after a few hours of study and help from Ronnie...ugh!...I always hate to ask...here are the results of my last week home. Oh the exciting life of a contemporary quilt maker...when are my handlers arriving???

Detail of challenge: Change of Season Posted by Hello

My Laura quilt and access to the closet...yahoo! Posted by Hello

Notice no computer and excellent storage Posted by Hello

And some more Posted by Hello

Different angle Posted by Hello

Studio sans office Posted by Hello

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