Hi lovely quilters, it’s Wednesday and time to say hello. Autumn (or Fall) is happening here, in all it’s glory. We don’t get to enjoy the changing colors of the leaves as most people in the northern hemisphere, as we’re in a sub-tropical climate, but we enjoy endless beautiful days of gorgeous days, a slight chill in the morning, a lovely warm (but not too hot) day and then a cool chill in the evening. No humidity, no torrential rain, just a lovely day. We have a tourist slogan here….. Queensland – lovely one day, perfect the next! And it’s true for this time of the year.

So I hope the weather is being kind to you where ever you are. What a difficult time we’re having globally. With all the worry of the financial state of the globe, today we are hearing about a world wide epidemic of swine flu. I think we’re going to have to put our seatbelts on and hang on for the bumpy ride during 2009.

Traditionally, when there is gloom pervading our lives, especially worldwide, people tend to stay at home, eat out less, and generally keep a low profile, physically and financially. People say I am ever the optimist, so what a great opportunity this gloom and doom brings to us, I say!! Now is the time for you to make that BIG QUILT you’ve been planning to make for years and years. If you’re going to stay at home and indoors, you have the opportunity to get busy and put your best foot forward and create a wonderful quilt. You probably have most of the fabric in your stash, and more than likely, that pattern you’ve been drooling over, is ready waiting for the “right time”. Well, I’m here to tell you, the time is right NOW.

Let me know what you’re planning to do in this time of frugality and caution, by writing on the forum page. I’m sure all your quilting friends would like to know what you’re planning to do. Here’s the link for the subject, and I’ve started off the process for you. Have a look: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=516205&#Post516205

On Sunday I posted a book review on a fantastic book that’s just been launched titled William Morris in Appliqué, by an Australian Quilter, Michelle Hill. It’s a fabulous book, probably the first of its kind and I have a bit to say about this book. To read my review, here’s the link:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1326.asp . I’ve always loved the designs of Morris, and have often daydreamed about "THAT WILLIAM MORRIS QUILT” that I’d love to make. Well, Michelle has taken the pain and the procrastination out of that daydream, and I’m ready to start my quilt. I hope you enjoy looking at this book.

For my gift this week, I’ve surfed the web and found some more interesting sites about William Morris. He was a very complex man with a number of interests and he managed to have a profound influence of everyday life in the late 1800’s. I hope you enjoy these websites.
http://www.morrissociety.org/designs.htm#textiles From the Morris Society website

http://morris.artpassions.net/ Gorgeous art images of the Morris designs

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jmorris.htm An interesting focus on William Morris’s life

http://www.needlenthread.com/2007/11/free-pattern-tulips-ala-william-morris.html a pretty Morris inspired Tulip pattern from Needle n Thread

Well, that’s all from me for now. Do stay well and happy everyone, and most importantly, stay positive, it always helps.

Cheerio for now


Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com