Presently I'm at a hotel near the Melbourne International Airport preparing for my flight back to the U.S. tomorrow. I've had another wonderful trip to this fabulous country. This beautiful kangaroo was munching on grass at my friend's, Jenny Campbell, home this morning. It was a nice farewell photo. She's a bit wet as it has been raining off and on since Sunday morning.
My trip started in Coffs Harbour visiting with our friends Don and Gloria McKinnon. They live near Diggers Beach, and even though it was chilly we had to take a quick trip down to the beach on a gloriously sunny day.
Click on any of the photos and it will take you to a larger image. On this day we drove down to New Lambton to Gloria's new shop where I was to teach a two day workshop. I always love catching up with the Hello Dollies. I've known so many of them for years. Gloria brought me over for the first time in 1996! Hard to believe I've been coming to Australia that many years.
It was Sunday evening that Gloria took 3 of us to the Andre Rieu concert. You can read about that in my previous blog post.
After the workshop I spent a couple days visiting the Hunter Valley with Gloria. We had a delightful lunch with Ann Maullin. She and Greg live out in a beautiful valley not too far from the Hunter Valley.
We got to wander through Ann's wonderful studio. Here she's showing us what she's done with some of the techniques in silk ribbon embroidery she's learned from Gloria.
Gloria has workshops in her shop on her style of embroidery. I've been taking classes from her when she comes to America. She has a new quilt called Asian Riches that I fell in love with and bought all the blocks. It is a crazy patch quilt with the most beautiful images of Oriental women that we then embellish. I'll post a photo of the quilt once I have permission from Gloria.
The photo to the left is Gloria in front of her new shop in New Lambton, NSW. It is perfect for Gloria and reflects her beautiful Victorian style. A must see whenever you are in New South Wales.
After my time in NSW I was off to Victoria to catch up with Alan and Jenny Campbell and the Bendigo Textile Artists. Again, many of the people in this group I've known for years. It was fabulous seeing so many people I've known for a long time, plus meeting some new doll makers. One gal, Amy, drove up from Melbourne and shared with us some of her first attempts at doll making, plus her cover for the Tome I designed.
As you can see from the photo, she needs to stay in doll making. She and I have joined the Bendigo group and will stay as active as we can. They are going to have a recipe card challenge, which I've joined and can't wait until December when I'll get a box of recipe's.
Saturday evening, after class, Jenny and her mum, Gwen, took me to the embroiderer's guild retreat to meet several of the ladies and to share some of my dolls. I was excited to meet Dorothy who makes the most exquisite knitted and embroidered animals. Jenny had given me several when she came to visit us in February. There was so much talent in that room. I should have taken heaps more photos, but was so smitten with the work I forgot. Glad I got one of Dorothy.
On Sunday we were back in class and worked on my doll LiMei. I taught her in New Lambton and Bendigo. She's a bit much for a two-day workshop, but I was pleased with what everyone did get made. We got to all the important bits and everyone can put her together as time allows.
This is my last teaching trip to Australia. Next time I come it will be as a tourist.
Where else can you see kangaroos in your friends yards; cockatoos, lorikeets flying in the wild; and people who are genuinely real and friendly.
God Bless!
