Welcome to my first attempt at blogging. I've been told I need to embrace technology and the wonderful wide world of electronic communication, which I have resisted to date.
As editor of Australian Patchwork & Quilting magazine, I hope I can inspire you with ideas and I'd like to share some of my experiences in my involvement with the magazine and our wonderful hobby with you.
I was invited recently to open my first quilt exhibition, which was for the Bordertown Gumtree Quilters at Mundulla. I was very nervous about my speech, hoped that I didn't make any glaring errors, or that my clothing was intact etc. I didn't want to be embarassed or an embarassment to the group.
I needn't have worried for so many reasons:
1. I was amongst patchworkers - we had a common 'thread'.
2. South Australia is my home state, so I 'belonged'.
3. I'm a farmer's daughter and was amongst farmers wives.
4. My second cousin belongs to the club - we grew up across the paddock from each other, attended the local Sunday school and went to school on the school bus together.
5. My sister-in-law who has recently started doing patchwork came with me and had such a good time, she said "I could easily join this club". Even though it would be a 3 hour drive from home for her.
6. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, that I quickly felt at ease. Not being one for 'airs and graces' I wanted them to feel comfortable too. By the time we left I felt I'd made a lot of wonderful new friends.
The food was delicious - if you've experienced good homemade country fare, you'll know what I mean; there is nothing to compare with it - thanks to the ladies and gentlemen from local community groups who did the catering.
The quilts on display were amazing and a credit to the members. For a group in a small country town, the number, the standard and diversity of them was equal to any. The exhibits from students of Bordertown High School showed hope for the continuation of the craft of patchwork and quilting into the future.
The members are fortunate to have local patchwork shops, but they don't have easy access to a large number like those living in capital cities. Distance is an issue, and farming has not been the easiest occupation during the years of drought, where many a wife has had to carry the load of a working man, with little or no return. Having experienced life on the farm during drought, I felt so proud of these women who had put on such a wonderful exhibition of their work, with not a hint of the difficult times some had faced.
Thank you ladies for making my first 'opening' a happy and memorable experience.

Till next time,
Elaine Rose

• Login or register to post comments