missing in action part one

Well what a week I have had. Let me fill you in. It was my pleasure to be invited by Tracy of Tinkers Cart to be a guest tutor at her When friends gather retreat in Townsville last weekend. It was especially exciting as I had once spent 3 years up there and was very much looking forward to catching up with old friends. On arrival I and Sharon Hawkins of Handmade magazine were picked up and taken to Tracy's lovely store. These three old souls were keeping watch out the door and with the friends and neighbours Tracy keeps its probably just as well!

The wonderful gathering of 110 lucky likeminded passionate stitching women was held on Saturday in a wonderful theatre space. Rosalie Quinlan, Janet Rowe and myself were the lucky tutors. Tracy did a splendid job of organising her first retreat and all of the girls left very happy and vowing to attend the next one - a very good sign of success.
Tracy had some very dedicated and loyal friends and helpers who worked tirelessly all day gathering up the atmosphere for all of us.


Tracy had requested a Colourque(R) project from me which was great as Colourque works really well at retreat type days where everyone can have a go. I was so pleased that at least two thirds of the girls got to have a go and colour their piece with many varied and wonderful results.

This effort belonged to Lauren a lovely young enthusiastic girl from Charters Towers, I can't wait to see more of her work as she was so keen to go and experiment further. It had a really fresh young look dont you think?

After a long day travelling and setting up and then another sharing with all of the wonderful old and new friends it was back to our accommodation which wasnt hard to take. This was the view from my 12th Floor window - Magnetic Island in the distance - many memories there.

after a freshen up and whilst waiting for dinner I walked and sat in the peace of the sun sinking, staring out to see, soaking up the tropical air and the lights of the magnificent Strand.

after dinner and debrief conversations it was bedtime for some... but who is this making the most of life and showing us her newly painted North Queensland toenails...?? See here for some more details..

We rested our feet in the pool, solved the problems of the world and the industry and had many laughs.... a lovely finish to the day... not to mention my photography efforts to catch the curlew on film - sorry nothing to show- the best I got was two white spots which I am sure are eyes!!

A final breakfast feast and farewell to some new and refound friends.... Rosie - who is living life with spirit and gusto, Melly on a mummy break (also the two best of friends and sisters) and Sharon -a truly beautiful person.

yes the photo is at breakfast, champagne and all...

footnote, some photoshop work below? - well no actually that is how it came out - see lots of laughs were had...

I will tell the rest of the story tomorrow....

hugs, Helen

Teaser

teaser. Television Slang. a short scene or highlight shown at the beginning of a film or television show to attract the audience's attention.

If you havent already booked for When friends Gather, I think you had better click the link right now as it is nearly full. I am so excited to be going back to Townsville in March to visit old friends and stitchers.... and get to know Rosie and Janet more whilst having a lot of fun... see I am working - well sort of...

hugs

Helen

Gathering pics

As promised some pics (s0rry many) of yesterdays wonderful gathering. The girls and their husbands had spent the whole day Friday setting up and decorating and what a wonderful feast for the eyes, the spirit and the passion of togetherness the day was.... 73 sharing, excited, passionate women coming together to switch off and have fun in a warm and inviting atmosphere of the sweet Campania country hall.... My voice was hoarse last night from talking and demonstrating so much and I didnt even get to every table.. I am sorry if I missed you...
Met lots of lovely personalities, hopefully gave some knowledge, skills or inspiration to some of you in any small way. Lots of colouring, stitching, piping hotties and chatter in my corner..thankyou so much to Deidre and Leonie for inviting me to share in this day. The next is the Autumn Gathering with Lynette Anderson as the guest tutor. I'll be booking in to that one.
hugs, Helen

the projects for the day are in front of the stage here where the 'shop' was beautifully setup inspiring many purchases of goodies on the day!

Michelle Vince, a local designer for the day

Deidre at the welcoming table giving out name tags and kits

Leonie and her 'best side'

the gorgeous little gift boxes they each got on the day....full of Christmas suprises...

All the walls of the hall were adorned with Christmas cheer as were the tables complete with Deidre's fir trees - are there any left at home?

The hall looked so warm and welcoming and set the mood for the day...

I jsut love gatherings and I think we should all attend one at year at least - now onto organising mine for the 28th October - a little different as its also a charity day...

hugs to all for today

Helen - who then went out to see James Morrison, Emma Pask and the Tasmanian Symphony orchestra last night - a wonderful show but a very long day...

Christmas Gathering

I am all packed ready to head off to Campagnia ( a very little town outside of Hobart Tasmania) tomorrow for the Quilted Crows' Christmas Gathering. I am very excited to share a wonderful day with many like minded stitching enthusiasts. Case is packed, patterns and samples delivered, Colourque samples ready to go and family organised.
I know we are going to have the most wonderful day as I know a few of the treats and suprises Leonie and Deidre have organised.. Have my trusty new camera (yes another one as the last one died on day 15 so they have just replaced it) so will take lots of pics for you and post them after the event.

Its always a worry whether the ladies will like my projects, I sure hope they do....

hugs for tonight

Helen

When Friends Gather

Have just gotten off the telephone from Tracy of Tinkers Cart. Our trip to Townsville next year sounds so exciting, she is really getting some special things happening for all the lucky ladies going to the When Friends Gather day in March 2008. Just writing this quick message to let you know she has gotten up the courage to start a blog. Have a peek here... (for overseas readers Townsville is in the far north of Queensland and is very tropical and relaxing. I spent three wonderful years there with my family on an army posting and am very excited to be going back to visit)

I promise I'll write more soon, have my parents visiting from interstate so they are busy packing patterns and refilling all my half empty pigeon holes bless them... am suffering from the Tassie flu - yes finally succumbed, have poor Tilly on antibiotics with double ear infections, Molly with sore throat and no voice and Tess just being Tess. It is school holidays so they are taking a well needed rest before Guide camp at Maria Island next week...
hugs,
Helen

Christmas Gathering

What have I been up to you ask??? well apart from a hundred other things today I delivered my projects for the Christmas Gathering mentioned in an earlier post to the girls at the Quilted Crow. I think they were happy with them. This is going to be a wonderful day at the Campania Hall in October with myself, Belinda Merrit from Pheobe Rose, Leonie and Deirdre and Michelle all giving new projects for a special day. We have all done a Christmas Project and a Gift type project. I threw in my new bags you have been seeing me play with also using the lovely Fresh Cut range from Heather Bailey..

Do you like my Christmas Tree Skirt, I used the Spirit of the Season II range which had just come into the Quilted Crow shelves...

Do you like my Christmas in July rose tree? sort of Christmassy??? well use your imagination..
I got fat eights from the girls so the leftovers were used to make a double sided cushion with an interesting back...

I have been tagged yet again by Sarah today. I know I know, I still havent come through on Lynettes tag yet but I will get to it when I can find 8 people (it was only 7 for Lynette so now I have to find yet another!)... will try soon, it will be great when I get my laptop back from my developer and can blog upstairs in front of the heater at night instead of down here in my studio where by now at 5.45pm it feels like about 5degrees! By the way I really like what she got in her Christmas Swap,,,, mmmmm maybe I could find the time to join her Pay it Forward challenge...so, heres my tree skirt and fresh cut cushion..... I had to include some Colourque at the request of many....but using some new brighter colours...

hugs

Helen

Dear one....

Know, dear one, there is no limit to Who You Can Be ...as long as you believe and follow your heart.

remember to tell those you love and care for something positive everyday. There are so many negatives we need to be told something good about ourselves too....

Reports home yesterday and I am very proud of my Molly, the best comments are those relating to attitude, positive friendly nature and always giving her best. It really doesnt matter about being the best in the class or school or neighbourhood as long as we are being our best right?? I do so hope I have taught my girls that. (note that the grades were quite impressive too)

anyway, here is a peek at todays project for the Christmas Gathering...

hugs to you all tonight

Helen