Friday, December 12, 2008

Kochi and Varkala

How can I tell you how much we are enjoying India!
Kochi is an old fort and trading town, part of the spice trade originally. Peaceful. beautiful and we did a cooking/eating class there much to Phil's chagrin originally--he is now a convert to actually working a little more for his dinner.
Car down to Varkala, on the Arabian Sea where Phil is taking a dip while I sort out our next leg; some things you need to book in advance when there is a big pilgramage on, as we have realized. We have a 3.30 a.m. flight that takes half an hour and is deemed international so we have to be at the airport 3 hours prior to time because of teh terrorist threats!!!!!!!!
Food is absolutely stunning still. Fabrics and tailors everywhere and we are in wedding season here--the jewellry stores have to be seen to be believed, they are like huge supermarkets with gold, stones, diamonds, pearls....I am in shock.
Will write next from Sri Lanka

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Hampi

Will type this as it comes as the keys are jamming: we are in Hampi Bazaar (check it out via Google)today, came via Tuk Tuk from Hospet where we are staying , an amazing world heritage area, full of big rocks for Phil--reckon it is only fair as I have had a look at my fair share of old frocks!
Arrived from Hubli, took a car and driver for the princely sum of Australian $60-ish dollars. At times it was like being in the Aussie countryside with wheat growing and gum trees on the side of the road.
We are doing a Hampi tour tomorrow so we actually understand what we are seeing today, but thankfully not staying in this highly touristy place, full of backpackers--the youthful ones. We are also backpacking but not doing 1 to 2 star accommodation...our driver in Delhi referred to us as aged (pronounced as age-ed) on the way to the airport, so we are now referring to one another as age-ed wife or age-ed husband. Does this mean that we now have falls rather than falling over?
Love the country, though everyne is suffering from the scourge of terrorism and there have been alleged airline hijack threats so security is really ramped up. We are travelling on our first train tomorrow night, to Bangalore, an overnighter, sharing with ?? whom. Will keep you posted
The food is fabulous, we are mowing our way through all the local stuff, much to the amazement of some of the locals who keep trying to sell us omelettes!!!
Talk to you whenever

Friday, December 5, 2008

Incredible India

Incredible India is the promotional idea of the Indian government adn it just about says it all--arrived in Delhi to amazing traffic (usual apparently), incredible turmoil post Mumbai. Have had a great few days, out to Agra and the Taj Mahal, lots of hype about it has proved true.

We are currently in Gurajat state, Ahmedebad, have been to Ghandi's Ashram and a great museum...more at a later stage.

Flying is a challenge with threats of hijacking. We are currently in an internet cafe and the space I have is for a 10 year old, not a voluptuous woman like me, so will write when I have more comfort. But, yes, so far I would come back in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Hey Ho, Hey Ho, it's off to the airport we go.......

The last big sleep has been and gone, we are off to the airport for yet another flying marathon.
8 hours to Singapore, 2.5 hour stopover before we depart at 2.30 in the morning to arrive in Delhi at 5.55 am on a 5.5 hour flight...no, my maths is not that bad, allow for the multiple time zones and changes.
We have culled (or is it killed??) the amount of clothing we are taking in our back packs:while we are not really ageing hippies, carrying or pulling suitcases is hard work and a real pain-packs give us free hands. Seems ludicrous, but more of the weight of the bags consists of some books, Lonely Planet India and Sri lanka guides, power adaptors, mobile phones, camera, anti-bacterial gel and wipes, sunscreen, tropical strength insect repellant, anti-biotics, anti-diarrhoea and anti-vomiting medication...we reckon our bags weigh less than 10 kgs each, and we both still think we are carrying too much!
As we usually do, we will probably end up 'donating' any excess to fellow travellers on the road. For now, au revoir, auf wiedersehn, ciaio, hasta la vista, 再见,hoo roo

Friday, November 28, 2008

Here today, gone tomorrow

I have not been hiding from the blog backlog, just been catching up with 'stuff'...you know what that is like! Time consuming is only part of it. Couple that with the number of phone calls we have been fielding regarding our upcoming trip to India and Sri Lanka and I am so far behind I'm in front! And my intentions about the packing updates have gone by the wayside also: am actually off to cull some of the gear right now.
If we had been on our original schedule, we would have been transiting via Mumbai on the first day of the terrorist action. As it is, we transit in about 8 days from now with hopefully everything more sorted than it is now. I am sure it will be much more security with each leg: I know that's a good thing, just means even more time at airports. I am taking bamboo circular needles and some wool to knit I-cord while I kill time
We fly to Delhi, visit the Taj Mahal (not the hotel), maybe Jaipur, but other than that, a few days in both Old and New Delhi before we head south to the cardamom (spice) hills and Cochin. All up about 2.5 weeks in India, then off to Sri Lanka. And, no, we will not be going up north where the Tamil Tiger action is.
I may just post occasionally while on the road so you can check up on our well being if you are so inclined.
For everyone (just in case my intentions are better than the reality), enjoy whatever end of year celebrations are appropriate to you. We will be back on home soil on December 30, just in time to sleep through all the New Year's Eve fireworks. Have a glass or 10 of bubbly for us

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Has it really been THAT long....? Long

Where have I been hiding since the last blog?
Well, I got home and despite trying to keep sounding well in my blogs while on the road, I really was feeling v.v.v. sick, losing weight rapidly. I keep remembering Spike Milligan's headstone..." I told you I was sick!"....I really felt that I should be ordering some marble or sending the 'last post' to the blog: my poor daughter thought I was dying I looked so bad: not what any mother really wants to hear.
Numerous visits to doctors, tons of tests finally sent me packing off to hospital for emergency surgery.
I can't believe how much better I feel with some food and fluid back in my system and the problem repaired. Keyhole surgery has seen me get back to feeling well enough to travel. My hubby took a redundancy package after 26 years with the one company, and we had planned our trip as a "de-congest the brain" before he comes back and looks for another job...maybe a part-time one of about 40 hours per week this time!
The trip to India/Sri Lanka has been abbreviated and we are now leaving on November 30.
Since it has been such a tumultuous time, I have decided to take it easy all of December, and start posting regularly again in January 2009 with lots of new and exciting stuff happening.
I will be keeping you up to date with packing (and what I am discarding from the original packing effort) as I cannot carry too much weight or lift anything too heavy at the moment.
And I have to say, it is so sad that I cannot hang the washing out or do too much housework at the moment either.....oh, dear.
BTW, those of you who tried to download the free Ebooks can now do so...it is all up and running.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Missing in Action--longish

I arrived home after a visit to Birmingham (England, not Alabama), staying at the Barton's Arms, a great pub near Aston Villa. The Aussie couple who have been managing (my former next door neighbour's son/my children's occasional babysitter and his wife and 5 month old baby) are heading back home a week after me, so I was glad to get some time with the baby-Riley- before the Grannies were on the scene
On my way home I stopped in Singapore for 2 nights at a brand new hotel, Hotel Re, at the back of Chinatown. Fantastic hotel if a little away from lots of stuff, but taxis are really cheap and efficient.
I had a Javanese massage at the hotel to try and get some of the travelling kinks out of the way...I hurt as I was being massaged but felt great, went out to have a laksa and then slept like a top until 3 am...must have watched the BBC news talking about the economic meltdown until I fell asleep again until 11am which is when Singapore seems to wake up. Caught a glimpse of myself to realize I was wielding serious Javanese bruises!!!!!!!!!!!
Try explaining that to your hubby before you arrive home...forewarning +++.
Got back to the Blue Mountains and hit the decks, trying to hide from everyone and everything for a while as I tried to get over whatever it was I have had on the road: at this stage, I still do not know what made me so sick. I have lost over 10kg (22lb) at least and everyone has commented since my return: so many so that I started to worry that I must have lost more than I thought and had to advise that I do not have any sinister disease!
My husband is leaving work after 26 years and we are going to India and Sri Lanka for 6 weeks from mid November until the end of December (avoiding Christmas)...of course, he had not really done anything while I was away, so we have been frantically getting visas and some accommodation sorted...another reason I have been recalcitrant. And cranky with the S.O.
For those of you after the free pattern...give me a little time while I work out what is happening with the web gurus now that we are all on the same continent and accept my apologies in the meantime

Monday, October 6, 2008

Another day, another airport

So sorry not to be able to post between the US and Frankfurt airport where I am in transit to Singapore.
England was wonderful again, staying with friends in Birmingham at the "Bartons Arms", a turn of the century pub that has spectacular gas lights and amazing tiles as well as great Thai food and fabulous beer...too good to pass up.
Have been busy playing with my former neighbours new baby and investigating the jewellr yquarter as well as a great jewellry gallery with lots of artisans work ...brought a few "samples with me.
If my battery was not going to die soon, I would keep on talking, will chat again in sultry Singapore

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Old Town

Last day of programmes in the US beore I fly out to England tomorrow on my way home. So wet (and cold) in Virginia I bought a coat...a great look with strappy sandals, but who cares about the look after a certain age. I just know I am too old for the dripping wet and attractive look.
It has been a full and fantastic programme, and looks like I will be winging my way over here again a few times next year.
Off to throw out any accumulations of stuff in my suitcase: tell you what, that gets really tired, hauling 2 suitcase and a computer. Never again...ONE suitcase only from now on.
Had a damp but terrific look around Virginia's Old Town...another bookmarked place to spend some time rather than glimpses. Suppose the theme would be "Take me back to old Virginia..."

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

On the road again

Hard to do 2 things at once at the moment, travel, work (? 3 things) and keep up with the blog.
Had 2 presentations in beautiful Asheville, NC, and then travelled right across the state to Clinton, a rural area about an hour and a half from Raleigh. How different these two stores are, but it just reinforces how much I have been enjoying NC...my last day before Virginia.
I have really been enjoying presenting my interpretation of 'sergery'. I suppose I take for granted the artistic interpretations of stitches I use and it still surprises me when people are really amazed by my work: I am waiting for lots of you to take up the baton and out stitch me so I can just devote my time to playing rather than working!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Paying rent in Charlotte NC

Wow, back off to Charlotte again tomorrow for the last leg of the trip. Florida has been busy with lots of different events all over the place.
Actually had a great time in Keep Me In Stitches with an all day programme and the chance to sit down and do a little sewing, even if it was only to showcase various techniques, as well as to re stitch a skirt that--da-dah- has become a litle too big in my travels!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Just Plain Busy

Have been flat out for the last few days, working. Rose who I am travelling with had to change over cars to a rental after her ABS brake system went to BREAK system. Have been to stores in Central Florida and am at Keep Me In Stitches on Friday/Saturday...hope to see some of you there.
Have tomorrow off, out to get my hair trimmed and do all the domestic on the road stuff...wash the knickers, discard any excess clothing, re-pack the samples bag, perhaps rest....ah, the glamour of being on the road.Wouldn't swap it for quids!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Planes, airports and travelling &&*^*(&^*&^&

Have been to Charlotte NC and back to Cleveland, then back through Charlotte into Fort Walton Beach FL. Petrol/gas stations are being besieged by people making sure they have enough fuel to get out of Ike's way if necessary...many are out of all fuel and it has gone up a dollar a gallon today.
I am in the lap of the Gods and I know all the folk at Ruth Barnhill's where I am for the next few days will be praying for me, the weather and the success of the event, though I am not sure in which order!
Have read a lot in airports with flying delays: I need to get out and get some needles and yarn for a bit of variety.
If you have a chance, get to Ruth's for a couple of big days and lots of special offers...hope to meet some of you 'blogees'

Monday, September 8, 2008

Charlotte, North Carolina

Wow, what a beautiful part of the world even if a little hot today (I suppose it is still summer here in the US).
I am having some time here with YLI, the thread company, and we are looking at hatching some new ideas. Don't hold your breath, but keep it in the back of your mind for next year sometime.
Had fantastic N.C. barbeque...still licking my lips (and fingers and the dribble on my clothes!!)
The accent is 'southern', whereas I keep on telling them mine is from the "Deep South". Funnily enough, we seem to be able to understand each other fairly well though.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Blogger behind

Had a great (v.v. busy) time in Cleveland with Jan from Pins and Needles...what an energizer bunny she is, with more programs ready to roll out in the next 2 weeks.
Flew the (?????) friendly skies from Cleveland via Washington DC to Charlotte N. Carolina. Small plane and we had to wade through 5 inches of water and pounding rain to get off the plane, and repeat the joy after a few hours delay. Wet, miserable and tired, of course, no luggage arrived with me. For the baggage charge United are now charging, the service is really diminishing. Airports are far from happy places to be at most of the time.
Will amend that a little--the couple I sat next to were great and the hubby went off to have a drink: he asked if we would like one and me being cheeky, said , yes, a margherita to go. Be careful what you wish for! Made the wait a little more fun though.
Catch up with y'all later

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Back in the US

Flew back into the US today (Cleveland), minus my Australian adaptor for a few days...no phone charger and no computer charger means that I had to have a break whether I wanted to or not! So sad, eh?

And Canada is fabulous...thanks to Joanne in Westport for a memorable event, pulled together in a whisper of time in such a beautiful location. And thanks to her husband Ron for being such a great chauffeur and laundry assistant. You've got to take your hat off to someone you barely know who folds your semi-industrial underwear after laundering!!

I am sure textile husbands are their own special breed!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Toronto, H&H

Still in Toronto, had a fabulous day on a local city tour bus (one of those on/off numbers) slowly feeling less sick each day.
Went out to the islands, feted with a close up of the Toronto air show.
Off to Westport tomorrow, hoping to be well enough to finally eat something with real maple syrup on it!!
Have been well looked after by my Uncle in-law (husband's uncle) Herbert, and am staying right next to the St.Lawrence market with anoth really kind distant relative of Herb's and therefore me, Henry.
Don't know whether H&H is like M&Ms, but both are leaving me with a really good feeling.
I will certainly be back to Toronto again.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Whirlwind

Greetings from Toronto where I arrived last Wednesday, towing a bug with me from Chicago.Sick, sick, sick!!!
Still recovering after throwing up for the last 4 days...one way, but not the ideal way to lose weight!
I have a few schedule changes and am working at someone else's computer, so will put them here as well as the side bar

Buffalo NY is cancelled--such a short lead time proved too short, but it will happen next year.

North Carolina
22 September
Asheville Cotton Co 828 299 0888

23 September
Ann Olivers Sew & Vac
Clinton 910 592 8071

Virginia
25 September
All Brands 804 270 1882

26 September
Berger Sewing 703 368 7169

Maryland
27 September
Maryland Sew & Vac 301 856 7200

I will advise you if there are any other changes.
Off for an I'm not a Nana nap, just like to snooze

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Another P word

Well, the party's over and time to call it a day from St.Louis. Off to Chicago next for some serious R&R before hitting the highlights in Canada.
Can't wait for some sleep and hoping my feet recover from days of concrete floors and walking miles.
Had one of my projects showcased for the Novi MI show (Huggy Shruggy), will keep you posted as to when to have a sneak preview. Today's class could have kept on going all week, so fantastic to get store owners and teachers to play with some of my arty techniques. If you see me on my travels I will be showing some of this.
Once more, off to rest the feet and restore the eyeballs to normal

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Are we there yet?

I cannot believe just how fast the week has flown...my last day ( and a full day class at that) tomorrow, ff to Chicago for a few days to sleep!!!! Oh, and to wash my clothes and undies.
I am not sleepimg especially well, with my brain being overfull with stimulation each day: much better than being too empty though I suppose.
I am really not even making sense to myself, off to fade into the bed again

Monday, August 18, 2008

Bungy Jumping brain

Well, day 2 of teaching is over: my brain is jumping with too many ideas, my legs are complaining about concrete floors and walking miles to get to my room.
Computer hassles plaguing me: cannot get out on my email at times, maybe it's just me being too tired to concentrate, or maybe I am just computer challenged.
Some really great new products coming down the system: great long arm quilting machine, new sewing machine (TOL),threads galore.
Networking and socializing are also fantastic--great to catch up with lots of old friends and make more new ones.
I am fading off to bed, will get some photos off to y'all soon

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Meet me in St.Louis....

Have been in St.Louis for Babylock Tech now since Wednesday (Aus and US time...weird, eh?).
Had my first class, went down well with everyone wearing their "Huggy Shruggy" out of the class and lots of variations. Mmmm...even more ideas for me.
Tired +++...the guy in he next room was noisy from 4am and while I am good at burning the candle at both ends, I am getting cranky if I am woken up when my body is telling me to sleep. Working tomorrow p.m. so can sleep in a litlle, still have more kits to prepare
Off to slee, catch you all soon with more than tired rambling

Thursday, August 14, 2008

St.Louis, Missouri

In my absolutely befuddled brain, working in 2 timezones currently, I am in beautiful St.Louis, Missouri. It is a bit humid but otherwise perfect, small but welcoming city, easy to walk around.
After all that effort (notched up 10,0000 steps by 2pm) am off to have a nana nap.
BTW, my e-books are up and running and I have my first order (even if it is a test run by Kay and Paul, my techno web designer friends!!).
www.annevanderkley.com
When I can focus better, I will check it out properly myself!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Leaving on a jet plane

Whatever is not done now will be left behind as I fly out to the US.
I am trying to get my hubby to call into a shop so I can get a green and gold wig, Aussie flag and perhaps a lycra body suit so I can support the Olympians in my own special way...on second thoughts, having a look at my body, forget the wig (HAHAHA)
Will talk to you next from St. Louis Missouri.
Check out the new e-books (if they are not quite up yet, give it a day or 2) at
annevanderkley.com

Sunday, August 10, 2008

The P word

I was telling a friend, Lyn Kenny, the other day (www.kennykreations.com) just how much behind I was and she told me there were 2 "P" words to consider. Mine/ours--procrastination--and hers, panic!
I did not even need to adopt the word into my library, I already have it lurking and loitering with intent!
Do I sound as panicked as I feel?
I was happily poodling along, thinking I had finally some end in sight when I realized there was a whole day of work that I had not crossed off my 'to do' list...Capital PPPPPPP's started flashing before my eyes (or is that just fatigue?)
Back to work again

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The Art of Procrastination

I am sure I am not the only one...putting off what I should be doing, wasting/spending time at anything else other than what I need to be doing.
Is that why they created blogs?
I think I am in avoidance territory, when it really looms large as just how much more I have to do before I leave.
I'm rationalizing that by convincing myself that I am trying to keep up my bloggerspondence so that I won't forget how to do this newly acquired skill.
Off to stitch via having my eyelashes tinted and my eyebrows pruned up a bit: they have the tendency to get a bit Groucho Marx, not a good sight for those on the side that looks at me.
My mantra today is "I must stop wasting time"
HAHAHAHA

Monday, August 4, 2008

Last minute productions

I know, I shouldn't complain, but I really do need another day in the week, another week in the month and fewer ideas to explore as I get down to the nitty-gritty for my upcoming US trip.

Let me know if having my "Where's Anne?" on my blog works or do I need it on the web page? Still trying to learn when my brain is already overfull and it is actually not about me, but about your convenience.

You know it's down to the wire when I have my hairdresser's appointment the day before I fly out even though I tried to get it on my day of departure: my hairdresser said he could not fit my luggage in the salon with me...oh, and he wouldn't open up at 7a.m. either! That's how I travel with textiles!!!!!!
I always say, however, that I do deserve the people I know

Back to the other work

Friday, August 1, 2008

Learning Curves

I thought I had enough of my own curves, but have had a few steep learning ones in the last few weeks!
Learning to create a blog is just another one of them--why didn't I do it before? (DAH--Probably because I couldn't until today!)
Took a day off to play with my extremely talented friend Trisha today: she is weaving scarves with her new knitting loom and introducing me to a tool I think I am already secretly lusting after. And we had a party to celebrate the horses birthday, August 1 (Australia--?? same date anywhere else) with balloons, party hat, cake and candle.
I truly deserve the people I know!
I realize too that I need a clone: someone who will do all the stuff that is seriously lacking as I start packing and finalizing my trip to the US. Or I need another 48 hours in the day and another 2 days in the week.
Anyway, busy +++ at the moment.
Will see if this comes up on my show off page.
BTW, I am tickled pink with purple spots at the way my new website is developing. (www.annevanderkley.com) Let me know what you think. And thanks to Kay and Paul for their patience and expertise as they design it.
Ooroo for now

Thursday, July 31, 2008

My Schedule for August & September

Off to the States and getting ready for it takes time and preparation

AUGUST
Babylock Tech
(not open to public)
16th to 22nd - St.Louis MO

Venues to be confirmed: these may change a little, I will advise full details as soon as everything is 'inked' in.

SEPTEMBER
Ohio
4th & 5th - Cleveland OH
Florida
12th & 13th - Ruth Barnhill, Baker FL
16th & 17th - A White Sew & Vac, Ocala FL
19th & 20th - Keeping Me In Stitches, Tampa FL
North Carolina
22nd - Asheville
23rd - Clinton
24th - Raleigh
Virginia
25th - Richmond
Maryland
26th - Occaquan
27th - Clinton

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Well, it was only a matter of time ...

The Thread Sergin ... creating a blog!