Not raining, pouring!

You know the old saying it doesn't rain but it pours...happening in this neck of the woods at the moment!
My FIL is in extremely poor health and we have had a lot of running around to do for he and my MIL...yes, the kids just leave and the natural progression to caring for the older folk just happens. As it is probably meant to be in the natural order of things.
I was busy last week as Guest Host with Creative Machine Newsletter: an interesting range of questions (if you are a Yahoo Groups member, you can check old posts) that will be incorporated into my newsletter. I am still surprised after all this time that so few people play with their overlockers/sergers as I do!
I am between computers at the moment, not on the Internet yet on the new one, will happen soon. Still working on my old (not so reliable computer): my computer gurus are between new homes/work spaces, so the newsletter is on its way but slowly, and now with a much better format and focus...just like the shampoo add, it may not happen overnight, but it will happen!
Apology also...I am going back through my history of those who have purchased e-books recently...seems that I need to e-send them manually at the moment until we work out how they are e-shipped upon receipt of payment. I am going through the orders to confirm who has or has not received their books. let me know if you have had an issue please.
I have also decided to blog only a couple of times a week at best. My life is so out of my control with family at the moment, that an absolute daily blog guarantee is just not possible.
Catch you all later

Guest Host and Tour Guide

Cryptic clues uncovered!
News Item #1
I am Guest Host on the Yahoo groups Creative Machine Newsletter, a group of dedicated stitchers in an online forum first started by Robbie Fanning and then continued for a while under the umbrella of Threads magazine. It has been going for some years and if you want info, answers, stimulation or just to sit back quietly and read about lots of 'things' sewing, this may be a group for your consideration. This week is my chance to serger-cally enhance the group.
News Item #2
Next year I am going to be the Australian tour leader for some of you from the Northern Hemisphere. We will have a strong focus on all things textile as well as entertaining any of the men folk who come along. The tour covers lots of the scenic highlights but also goes off the beaten track and takes in countryside not normally covered in a traditional tour. You are all being given 'first dibs' for info.
This is in association with
Downunder Travel Toronto
Registration opens August 1st, 2009
Phone: 1-888-642-1630
Fax: 416-642-1634
E-mail: stephanie@downunder-travel.com
and
www.creativestyling.com (Jo-Anne)
Contact either Jo-Anne or Stephanie for more details

Busy Week next week!

Just letting you all know in advance that next week will be a busy one with things International happening. Not meaning to sound too cryptic, all will be revealed Monday (Northern Hemisphere) time.
I'll just say think about talking to me or coming to play with ...all will be revealed soonish.
Have shaken off most of the lurgy except for the cough: I think I must be keeping whole households awake overnight at the moment. All in all though, feeling so much better. Nothing like most of the week in bed (again!!!!!!!!!)

Glad there's no camera

I am still battling the lurgy I got at last week's show: runny nose, sore throat and raspy voice...definitely not attractive!
I have 5 metres of the most beautiful lightweight wool to create a garment for a magazine article, due by early July: I have so many ideas I could use 50 metres, but the way I feel at present, 5 metres may be 4 too many. Back to find some inspiration and more importantly, energy

Craft and Quilt Fair

I have just surfaced from the Craft and Quilt Fair at Darling Harbour in Sydney where I was at the Art to Wear exhibition all week, answering questions on behalf of many interstate artists unable to attend as well as endeavouring to stop people from touching wearable garments, an almost impossible feat! It was themed "Black and White, cocktail, elegant", with the emphasis on construction and finish.
Wow, has the bar been lifted this year: I think we will be in a dilemma next year with the judges having a really high level of artistry and attention to detail and more candidates than available mannequins or space.
This exhibition is under the umbrella of the NSW Quilters' Guild, Australia's largest guild: any member of the Guild can enter into this juried exhibition (just giving you all a heads up for next year).
Images of the work will be posted on the website in the next couple of weeks, I will post a link so you can drool over the work.