After the delight of receiving a surprise invitation in January to join a wonderful group of tutors on Needlework Tours first Australian South Pacific Fijian Dream Cruise, I have been busy working with the company in finalising details over the past several weeks.

Needlework Tours launched this Cruise at the Stitches & Craft Show at Rosehill, NSW over the past few days and I understand that bookings are filling fast!

The cruise is with Royal Caribbean “Voyager of the Seas” and departs February 2013 - plenty of time to book, enjoy the wonderful anticipation of planning ahead, stacks of entertainment and food, the ‘haute couture’ of Noumea, the fabulous Fijian port of Lautoka, and then basking in the South Pacific sun and seas,  - along with a four great days of needlework workshops with your selected tutors.  What more could a girl (or guy) want!!!

Friends are making this a special trip away together  - or if you come as ‘one’,  you will meet your fellow stitchers in classes on the outward sailing days. One big happy family!!!   With only 150 places, it is expected to be sold out in six weeks - if not before this!

Like to learn more??  Check out the following link for full details of the cruise destination, tutors, craft project classes, all about cabins and more………..

http://www.needleworktours.com.au/index.htm

It has been an honour and a privilege to be invited to join a small group of recognised Australian quilters (along with well known American quilter and designer, Robyn Pandolph) to create a quilt for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Annual Charity Ball auction in Sydney 2010.

Clare Mooney, Editor of Quilters Companion magazine, approached me in March this year asking if I would like to participate. Nine quilt artists were asked to design and make a block for the quilt using Robyn Pandolph’s latest range of romantic floral fabrics “Somerset Cottage”.  Her beautiful rose designs were very appropriate for the 65 Roses theme adopted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

I just love a challenge like this and started sketching ideas for the block immediately - and then had an impatient wait for the fabrics to arrive so that I could start cutting and stitching!

The patterns for all blocks will be included progressively in the Mystery Quilt featured in Quilters Companion magazine over the coming months.  Issue #41 is on sale in January 2010 which will include my block - and my accompanying DVD on needleturn applique basics.

My latest profile in Beautiful Country Crafts magazine Vol 21 No 4.  Of course the best bet is to buy this lovely magazine!

Watch out for Australian Country Craft and Decorating magazine Vol 20 No. 7   which features my sweet little quilt which you can toss over a chair or table to create a delightful nook in your home.  It would also make a lovely gift for a special friend. 

Quilters seem to love birdhouses and birds and flowers and this has the lot!