I probably didn’t mention that I was asked to film a DVD on Needleturn Applique Technique!

After months of preliminary chats during the year with Clare Mooney, Editor of Quilters Companion magazine, and working with her on scripts, the two days of filming for the DVD had finally arrived!

It was the end of September - hot on the heels of my busy weekend in Shepparton and Wondonga - the very next day actually!

Loaded with a large case of quilts, I checked in at Melbourne airport for my flight to Sydney.  Clare met me on arrival and we drove to the studio to arrange the set.  This was definitely quite a lot of fun and it was a relaxed way to start this DVD production!  Perhaps not quite the same was to follow…..

Above: Clare and I running through a few last minute details…….

With the busy schedule leading up to the filming, I was hoping that I had not forgotten to bring anything along.  It was a little too far to rush home if I had! Clare assured me that she could come to the rescue if needed.

An early start at 8.30am began with ‘hair and make-up’ and Miriam and Julia set to work on me first whilst waiting for Clare to arrive (and they probably thought I needed a lot more work!). After what seemed like endless applications of lotions and potions, I emerged feeling just a tad more than ‘a little over done’!  But I was assured that it was  ‘very natural’ look and to ‘relax’!!

It was great meeting all the team involved in the production of the DVD.  Starting with Clare, and then Miriam and Julia on hair and make-up,  John, Tim (above) and Chi on cameras and sound, Simone with the teleprompter, Lauren who coordinated the project, and finally me!!! Everyone was encouraging, relaxed and very helpful.

Then of course, it came time to fire up the cameras and make a start……. I THOUGHT I knew every word of that script - or at least I knew my work well enough to ad lib.  It was rather un-nerving after two attempts at the very start, to find that my mind became a complete and utter blank!!!! Fortunately - not a permanent condition and it was also great to realise that it was not just me making it necessary for the occasional re-shoot!  Sometimes Clare, sometimes a camera issue or even the microphones……

At one time when everything seemed to be going beautifully - everyone suddenly threw their arms into the air and exclaimed ‘Oh NO!!! STOP!!!’ I was looking around in bewilderment wondering what on earth was the problem - a large truck had just driven past making a lot of noise!!  I was so focussed on what I was doing that I didn’t even hear it!!!

It was a great experience and the team were happy with the result - the proof is in the pudding which will accompany Quilters Companion magazine Issue # 41 on sale in January 2010. The DVD coincides with the Quilters Companion Mystery Quilt Project made for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - but more about that shortly……

Yes - it was a rather hasty retreat from Shepparton as I had a two hour drive to Wodonga ahead of me and I prefer to arrive in daylight rather than rely on my night driving skills. The drive passed quickly however and with the assistance of GPS, I arrived to meet Helen from Murray River Quilters.

After shuffling bags and settling in, it was out for dinner with some of the members from the group. We enjoyed a lovely evening together where I caught up with friend and former guild committee colleague, Sue Jack.  Sue’s larger than life personality made for lots of laughs and reminiscing.

The next day, Helen and I paid a quick early morning visit to Carolyn’s Quilting Room where I spent more than I care to mention….  fabulous reproduction fabrics and it was just ‘ quilt heaven’!  Fortunately Carolyn, Helen and I were called back to duty at the venue of the Murray River Quilters Exhibition. Otherwise the bank balance may have suffered even further!!!!

Visitors enjoyed the many and varied quilts on display and I was asked to judge the fabulous ‘Bag Challenge’ of which there were twenty five or thirty entries of all different styles, techniques and original features. Well done to everyone who participated in this great challenge.  Asked to select one winner, I stretched the resources and included several commendations as well!

More friends to catch up with …..  lots of fun.

Following this I shared my ‘Illustrated’ Quilt Journey with the large group who came to listen to the guest speaker.   It is an honour and a privilege to share my story with others and judging by the comments afterwards, they seemed to appreciate it too.

What a lovely welcome I received from the girls at Anam Cara Patchwork in Kialla Lakes at Shepparton! My workshop was held at the shop in late September (you can tell that I am way behind with the news here but there is something on every moment of my life and I am now seeing a little window of space to catch up!!!).

I arrived the night before  and it was sheer joy to settle in after driving through torrential rain and very limited visibility for two hours, to arrive to such a very thoughtful gesture from Debbie who had left a delightful gift bag of ‘essentials’ including a water bottle and CHOCOLATE and some other lovely little things…. .  I didn’t disappoint them either - having made a decent impression in the contents of the Roses chocolates.!

It was lovely to meet Rhonda (third from left above) and Debbie (standing right below), who own the shop with their friend and business partner Julie.  Rhonda had made most of the arrangements with me for the workshop and also joined the class.  Debbie was thoroughly attentive and helpful in looking after the shop and all our needs during the workshop.

It was great to meet such an enthusiastic group and I think everyone managed to learn a few more tips to help with their applique - also very encouraging to see some new designs taking shape as well.

And my hasty departure after the class - I pointed the car in a north easterly direction towards Wodonga - more about that next………