Our countryside is looking fresh and green again after a little rain, just enough to give the crops a boost.  Ours aren't looking brilliant at all since we had so little too late, but there's still time for improvement.  Have thoroughly enjoyed the last week or so having had our guest Sandy Chandler staying with us in between shows as Sandy has been attending with us and we're off to Canberra in the morning.  Canberra is always a favourite, even though it is freezing this time of the year, plus, it is the closest to our home so I do consider it our "local" show. 

Thanks to those who attended Melbourne Show last week and it is encouraging how the Saturday night till 8pm has obviously suited so many.  For those who've been enquiring, no, I'm still not walking and moving freely, but I am under medical guidance now.  Thank goodness I have a long break after Canberra Show to try and improve whatever the problem is.  Due to these woes, I have been forced to postpone the two September Retreats until 2009 as obviously, my body is telling me something and I need to pursue all avenues in an attempt to try and regain 100% mobility.  MOI, who is always so active and healthy!  This is a bitter pill to swallow I can tell you.  I do sorely miss my afternoon walks with Rowan as we also use this as our daily catch up time whilst we exercise.  Rowan is off to South Korea next Tuesday for 5 weeks for his Recruiting Business as well as spending some time with his son, Hunter.  He's so excited with the latter. 

The saga of the Perth travelling debacle hasn't ended.  The same friend, who ended up in hospital over there after driving over with John to keep him company, hadn't long been home again when he fell off a ladder fixing the house gutters.  Broken hip with two pins and a plate later, whilst in hospital, had two heart attacks, but pleased to say is back home and on the mend.  John reckons everyone he comes in contact with he jinxes!

I know you like our little comical stories, well, here's a situation that you'll need to imagine the pictures and actions! John still driving our Exhibitor friend's 8 tonne truck and trailer from show to show whilst he recuperates from a shoulder operation; we're leaving Melbourne on Monday morning after finally packing up when this comedy scene happened.  Because I was so useless, not being able to walk or lift anything, a friend stayed with John late on Sunday night and early Monday morning to help pack up both our van and trailer as well as the truck, thanks also to my staff for rallying around.  In return, John is detouring on Monday morning to take our friend to the Melbourne Airport, John driving the 8 tonner with me following in our Van pulling the trailer (yes, I was okay sitting, so could drive) with strict instructions from HIM to "keep up and follow right on my tail" so as not to get lost in Melbourne traffic.  This I was doing, talking to Sandy. my passenger, as we drove.  All of a sudden John stops abruptly and I jam on my brakes so as not to plough into the back of the truck - I can tell you one does not stop as quickly as when one has a trailer on and I was counting!!!  Well, it seems, the guys in front were summarizing as to whether or not the train overpass ahead was high enough for them to pass under, then decided h.... NO, quick, STOP.

All out, direct traffic around us, reverse up (now, I've never backed a trailer in my life), give John room to detour around the block, me continue on and wait up ahead for him.  Friend directing traffic around us both and asking them to give us room to get out of this situation.  Can you imagine the look on the guys faces as they approached that overpass?  Worse still, can you imagine us telling the owner of the truck, "Gee, Harry, a funny thing happened on the way home from Melbourne, we lost two feet off the top of your truck and Judy bashed the back of your trailer in", so sorry about all this, but.....

Held at Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell.  7 - 10 August, 2008.

SANDRA CHANDLER - JUST CURVES/CURVE MASTER

QUILTER FROM USA RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA - ATTENDING THIS SHOW

Our special guest from USA is Sandra Chandler from Just Curves. Sandra is the inventor of the fabulous Curve Master Presser Foot and she'll be conducting a hands-on Workshop on Friday evening from 5.00pm to 8.00pm teaching the marvels of sewing convex/concave curved blocks as easy as sewing strip piecing!  Knowing how quickly this class filled in Sydney in June, be quick.  It really would be a shame to miss this great class.

Sandra will be demonstrating on our stand how to sew curves the easy way with her Curve Master Presser Foot.  Imagine sewing Drunkard's Path blocks without pinning or quartering? Imagine sewing Dresden Plate blocks without appliqué?

TRUNK SHOW daily at 2pm Upstairs in the Coorong Pavilion - Curved Pieced quilts Made Easy - presented by Sandra Chandler

The Curve Master Presser Foot - invented by a quilter for quilters.  Sandra will present an exciting and inspirational trunk show of her quilts including Double Wedding Ring, Drunkard's Path, Wheel of Mystery, Wheels of Whimsy, Robbing Peter to Pay Paul, Improved Nine Patch, Royal Cross, new Strips & Curves and Hexagonal Orange Peel. 

Fee: $10.00  Bookings: Punch with Judy Stand A01      

Bonus:  Each attendee will receive a $10.00 discount voucher off a set of Just Curves Templates.

The above hands-on workshop with Sandra will be held also during the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair in October. Although no details are yet confirmed, I am happy to take names to pass on so as you are first in line.

Remember I have no Pre-Show Seminar this year at Canberra but I do have a Daily Workshop at 12.30pm in Workshop 1.

"How to Use the New Specialty Rulers". I will explain how to use some of the new rulers to perfect your patchwork by using just the right tool for a specific need, making patchwork quicker, easier and certainly more fun. Of course, I add lots of tips and tricks along the way.

3.  SHOW COUPONS