Long Time Without a Quiz

You Are a Visionary Soul

You are a curious person, always in a state of awareness. Connected to all things spiritual, you are very connected to your soul. You are wise and bright: able to reason and be reasonable. Occasionally, you get quite depressed and have dark feelings. You have great vision and can be very insightful. In fact, you are often profound in a way that surprises yourself. Visionary souls like you can be the best type of friend. You are intuitive, understanding, sympathetic, and a good healer. Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Getting It All Packed

As you can see I have spread myself all over this room. How did I get it all here in the first place? Nothing to do but get on with it. Going to pack as much as possible today and throw all the last minute stuff in tomorrow morning. Flight leaves at 1 p.m. Australian time and I will be home at D/FW by 5:30 p.m. Wow! what a short flight. If only that were true. One hour to Sydney, 16 to LA and 3 to D/FW but going east so I keep getting back time. Wonder if you just flew around over the Pacific date line if you would never grow a year older.....of course, you would be a peanut, all shriveled from breathing the re-cycled air.
So tomorrow I will be back in the USSR...apologies to John and Paul...that would be the good old US of A. Can't wait to see sweet Ronnie. 

Leaving Batman's Hill

One last look at my home away from home...the Quality Inn at John Batman's Hill....much brighter than the bat cave and I never so much as caught a glimpse of Robin. 

Last Take Out

Couldn't leave town without one last take out lunch from the Jarrah House. The Chef's Special Hot and Spicy Chicken and Special Rice, which includes baby shrimp, pork, mushrooms, peas and scrambled egg. I am so spoiled.....this is enough food to hold me the entire day. Just one more thing to miss....not really eager to get back to cooking. 

One Last Walk Down Collins

Took my daily walk for the last time down Collins...found a shop called All Aussie. How could I have missed this shop in all my touring? Dropped in a picked up small gifts for the family, stopped in the infamous 7-11 for enough diet coke with lime to last until I leave in the morning.
It isn't that I don't miss home but Melbourne is labeled "the most livable city" and I truly believe it. I got to see so much more this trip....special thanks to Caity (hugs) and Sharon Hunting (stay in touch,please).
Had a great time being "cheeky" with Gary Fitz-Roy of Expertise Events about coming back next year. They are a class act....run everything so well and treat us all like stars. Wishing a bittersweet good-bye to Australia 

The Ladies of Design

My compliments to each and everyone of these fantastic women. Some of whom had never even thought about doing an original design to others who were already skilled designers wanting to sharpen their skills. They have truly made the past two days a joy for me. Thanks for all your hard work and sharing your work, new ideas and great laughs. I will miss all y'all. 

Barksia Plant

You will have to come to Australia to see this amazing plant.....but we can share the artist stylized view in the comfort of our own homes. Can't wait to get the picture of this finished. 

The Sun Rising

More rays added to the sun than shown on the original drawing. This artist has several views of the sun already designed and has decided to do all of them as a series. Already has a perfect place to hang them together. 

Lotus Pods and Feather

Reverse applique for details on both of these pieces..stunning. The lotus pods will cover most of the background but what a great movement of color using the radiating pieced background. Decisions on the feather..should the quill be dark or light...what there is no doubt is the blue violet is perfect as a background. 

The Shell Design

My apologies for the blur but hope you can see how wonderful the background is for the gorgeous shells that are in this design. The hand dyed fabric circular shape looks just like mother of pearl in real life....and the fabrics for the shell are perfect. 

Changing Scale

Pansies awaiting leaves. Changing the scale in the pansies as they descend down the quilt will help move the eye of the viewer exactly as the artist intends. Try to visualize leaves behind the pansies doing the same scale change. This isn't even the exact placement....just laid down as each one was cut out and it still has a wonderful flow. 

Moving Along Quickly

Posting this separately because the picture grid crops off the border. Big plans for the quilting and finishing will make this even more exciting than it already is...if that's possible. Horrid lighting is washing out the background of the large leaf...it is much stronger and more dynamic than the pic. 

Great Starts

Everyone promised to send pictures when the designs were finished but they are off to a great start. What a gift for an instructor to see the work from idea to drawing to fabric. 

Designs Come to Life

After a hard day's work, things are starting to take shape. The artist of these views are all planning on finishing their pieces even though this was a process class. I agree these pieces deserve to be finished. What a difference the fabric choices make. 

Tutors Night Out

Tutors and friends at bar and restaurant. Not going to tell which was which or name any names....we are all walking on our knees but still having fun with our astounding students. Tomorrow is the last day...sorry to see things end..even sorrier to leave Melbourne...but always glad to get home.
My design class today just proved to me again that there is an artist within all of us who want to create if we allow ourselves the permission to do so. Some are already sewing; some still pondering their designs but all are on their way to an original design. The first steps have been taken. I hope the continue to explore more imagery. Of course, I gave them the working in series pep talk...some saw the value; some thought it would be boring...until I mentioned Monet and the Chartres Catherdral and suddenly everyone's eye lit up. Just my part for the cause.....stay tuned for the final day of fun and fiber in Australia. 

Lotus Pods

Great shape..reverse applique for seeds in pods should give depth to the shape. Radiating background for geometric lines to off-set the curves of the pods. 

Gingko in progress

Design still in the working stage but coming along nicely. With fresh eyes in the morning, we will review what we can do to give the feeling the artist is after. 

Pansies and Leaves

Descending scale of pansies and leaves to be combined with the larger pansy below. Can't wait to see how this is resolved. 

Pansy

Larger than life pansy to be combined with smaller pansies and leaves. 

Simple leaf shape

It still always amazes what you can do with a simple shape. Simplicity is elegance. Sometimes you can say more by doing less. 

Same Concept, Different Results

Several of the students loved this setting idea as you can see but the difference in interpretation shows their individuality. 

Anthrium leaves

Larger than life scale with radiating background which will barely be visible but will add so much dimension. 

More Leaves

Off center large leaf smaller tumbling leaves with radiating background...remember they all cringed when I said draw so I started saying design and suddenly everyone had a calmer attitude. 

Sailing Ship and Stylized Feather

The single shape class isn't limited to leaves and flowers. These amazing sailing ship and feather designs go to the heart of what you can do with focusing on on single image and how different the views of that shape can be. 

Leaves adn Radiating Background

Everyone fell in love with the radiating line background but all used it in a different way. Leaves will have reverse applique vein lines. 

Single Feather

Beautifully drawn to be executed in reverse and direct applique. Background to be decided but what a marvelous drawing.