The very heart of it ...

Inspired is probably not the right word. Artistically, there is often a trigger or catalyst from which we launch ourselves. I find myself responding to the sale of my parents' property after forty years at "509". They, I might add, are full of the possibilities for the future at their new residence.  For now, I am staying in the trauma of upheaval and disruption. The first response has materialised in "The very heart of it ..." which developed at a recent  retreat. Text and textiles. I have tried to convey the emotional quality of moving day. In a literal context I have chosen the use of text. The heart (not shown in this pic) symbolises the emotional core of  being, and the gift of Dad having survived a trauma of a different kind ten years ago). The final element was the creation of the focal point - which goes to the very heart of it.

Thank you Getaway Girls

Flew home for the weekend to the WMBM and a large stack of snail mail which contained a most precious gift from the Getaway Girls - fifteen squares with everything from beautiful red work to a crazy patch and everything in between. Thank you so much - and I'll bring them along to our next ... getaway!

Journal cover and retreating

Three days of bliss @ Boonah and I managed to complete a few UFOs and create a journal cover for Module 2 of Playways.
Loads of fun with new friends and such a creative group - inspirational on many levels. Can't wait for the next retreat - only 12 more Saturdays .....and I'm already planning a series of works from our upcoming trip to New Zealand!

Cudgerie Homestead Bed and Breakfast ... quilter's retreat



Hidden pool ...



It's been a long week away from the computer and with no time for stitching ...almost. We spent the weekend at Cooran where my cousin hosted my aunt's 80th birthday celebrations -a family reunion with a birthday cake to boot.  It was every person for themselves for accommodation - and by chance we found Cudgerie B&B just near Cooroy and Pomona.  This place had it all - great hosts in Veronica and Steve (he also has the fruit shop in town), generous spirit (one daughter marvelled at the large box of Lindt balls sitting beside the hot beverage station) beautiful rooms with own toilet and shower, airconditioning if you need it, big verandas and multiple breakout areas. There's also a beautiful pool ... and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. I was thinking weekend away ... quilting, sewing, relaxing, vegging out ...

Cudgerie has five double rooms and a single room - all very close to Noosa and yet far enough away to be another world. The breakfasts are worth the trip - Veronica kind of redefined "continental" ... we were glad we hadn't gone for the full cooked breakfast as we'd have never been able to eat it all. Fresh fruits, yoghurts, bircher muesli, freshly baked muffins and gentle conversation. It was all  good ...

This place would be perfect for another getaway - and even more so as a quiet retreat - it can be self-catering ... or not. Everything seemed to be negotiable and no trouble. So if anyone is interested in Cudgerie ... Veronica or Steve would be happy to accommodate. Veronica and Steve can be contacted through their website link or on  (07) 5442 6681

One of the double rooms ...

Main kitchen

Main lounge #1

Main lounge ... a different angle

Another breakout area with extra kitchen facilities

A verandah

and another ...

Back verandah leading to the gardens and pool