I am with you on the stipple thing. Not very interesting and I am not very good at it. Too good reasons to try something else. Just saw Jim West, Ricky Tims, and Justin Schultz at a local quilt store. They are on the Route 66 tour. I am sorry now that I didn't sign up for it.

What a cute and talented little thing is Tillie. I know she is enhancing your experience at the quilt show. I have books by Margaret Rolfe and love all the paper-pieced animals of Australia featured in them. Thanks for sharing.

I tried out a Sweet 16 recently at QuiltCon in Austin, TX. My first impression was very favorable. The machine had the stitch regulator but I was working on such a small sample that it was difficult to determine if it would be a nuisance or not. I am no expert in machine quilting, still in the learning phase, but have been able to get my stitches relatively even. You, being a master at machine applique, may find the stitch regulator not helpful. This has been the comment I have heard from several people who are expert and have tried out the regulator. They fell it hampers them and slows them down. Beautiful quilt! The colors and patterns certainly evoke a sense of the Caribbean.

110 degrees? My heavens. That is too hot to think, much less work. Love the latest study. Do I understand correctly that you are on the second version of the Bayeux? This one being more colorful and in one long piece? What becomes of the first effort?

I love satellite television, but I cannot imagine watching U.S. politics from the other side of the world and down under in Australia. Must seem like the biggest soap opera to people outside the country. Anyway I, too, eagerly await every morsel of information about the Bayeaux. I hope to be able to see it in person someday. Thanks so much for sharing.

I am impressed. The photo of you at 5:15 a.m. Dressed, coiffed, bangle bracelets and all. I often work early in the morning, but still in my pj's and with the sleep barely gone from my eyes. The Bayeux is beautiful. Can't wait to see the finished work. And the book. THere will be a book, I hope?

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the U. S. One of the many things to be grateful for on this day is our freedom of speech. No censorship here. It sometimes takes experiencing the differences to appreciate what we have.

Oh, boy, Pam. Your photo of the 12 year old boy is killer! I see a portrait quilt there.

Pam, have you finished the Bayeaux? I agree it is from a traditional design, but I guess I can also see that it might be considered a pictorial quilt. Frankly it would almost seem to be in a category all its own.

P.S. What on earth are the linen manufacturers thinking when they send you poly and try to pass it off as cotton? Yikes. Glad you caught that one.

Oh, boy, with you in charge of fabric and other selections, the hotel is going to be fantastic. Can't wait. Lino - I am assuming you are talking about linoleum? It is definitely coming back into fashion. First of all, it is a renewable, eco-friendly material. Secondly, it is kind to the feet, as it is not too hard. Martha Stewart has also touted the wonders of this material and has done some interesting things with it, although her color palette is a bit too understated for my taste. We had linoleum in our kitchen when I was growing up and I remember it fondly. It was later replaced with vinyl goods, but I can still picture the old floor in my mind's eye.

Pam, you may be able to get satisfaction regarding the Orbitz booking through your credit card company, assuming you used a credit card for this transaction. You can dispute the issue with the credit card people. Since no goods or services were received this may work. You will have to submit your dispute in writing to the credit card company and I would suggest doing so immediately after receiving the bill that shows this transaction on it. Worth a try. In any event, I have been told that in order to dispute it, the merchant (in this case, Orbitz)will have to pay a fee of $100 to the credit card company. Even if you don't prevail, it may be worth the satisfaction of knowing that at least they will be out $100. No cost accrues to you for contending your bill.

My husband and I toured this exact area two springs ago. It is one of my favorite parts of the country. Take the back roads and it's even better. Have you heard of the "Turquoise Trail"? Ask about it if you don't. It's a scenic route on smaller highways through northwestern New Mexico. There is a cottage industry weaving locally grown wool into beautiful textiles in and around Chimayo. You can walk through village in warm weather and hear the click-clack of looms emanating from the homes. Don't miss the Georgia O'Keefe museum in Santa Fe! Mary Ellen

Skew whiff? Must be an australian-ism.

Ditto, ditto, ditto. I don't need another magazine article on six different methods of making flying geese or half square triangle units. I am letting most of my subscriptions lapse. I have found that I flip through most of the magazines in 10-15 minutes and then chuck them into a basket for the free table at the next guild meeting. I do like Quiltmania (French), but don't subscribe. I find it at Barnes & Noble two or three times a year. I like Quilters Newsletter and the magazine that AQS puts out (the name of which escapes me at the moment). It will have interesting articles on technique such as rust dyeing or discharging with bleach. After someone remarked to me that the quilt magazines sometimes take patterns from years before and re-publish them in current fabrics, I got really disgusted.

Pam, you have a great eye. William Morris had an affinity for medieval art and architecture. The pillars, gargoyles, scrollwork, and illuminated manuscripts were all influences on his style. I am working on an applique quilt "in the style of" Morris. Consequently I have been reading up on him. I was familiar with his art, but had never made the connection between his artwork and that of the Middle Ages until I read about it. I envy you your time in Paris. Mary Ellen

What in heaven's name are you talking about? Cementing a pig pen? For real? Mary Ellen

That famous quilt "teacher" was no teacher whatsoever. Teachers are educators. Sometimes it helps to examine the root of that word. It comes from the Latin verb "educere", which means to lead or draw out. Now isn't that a nice definition. It's more about developing what is already present rather than putting information in. I hope that things in Arkansas are proceeding apace. I can't wait! Mary Ellen

Pam, you must be very, very homesick on this trip. You usually don't mention it. I hope you haven't run out of that Veggie stuff. The blog is wonderful and I am positive that the grandchildren will adore it.

Well, that certainly adds wonderful texture. Thanks for showing us the steps. Mary Ellen

Pam, Which magazine has the "Quilt Contrary" article? We can get Australian magazines here. I would be interested in reading it. Mary Ellen Adams

Ooh, I'm jealous of your new coffee machine. Looks as though it makes great coffee. We need a new refrigerator. Guess it must be the season for new appliances! Happy New Year! Mary Ellen

I love the agapanthus. When I lived in southern California you saw them a lot. I especially love the blue ones. We can't grow them here in St. Louis, at least not outdoors year 'round as it's too cold. Merry Christmas, everyone! P.S. Baby is so sweet. Very good Christmas present, huh?

Pam, Someone sent this link to me. Being the wonderful photographer that you are, I thought you might like to take a look: National Geographic's Photography Contest 2010... http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/11/national_geographics_photograp.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed1_HP It's worth looking at! Mary Ellen

My father had one of those "walking frames" as you call them (here in the US they are simply "walkers") and we called it his blue Cadillac, after the cars he owned for many years. Pam, have no regrets. You mother had a life well lived and she was obviously well loved. She lived to a ripe age. Many people don't get to have the benefit of a beloved parent for as long as we both have (my father died at 93). I feel fortunate to have had Dad for so long. I miss him, but he had a good ride, as did your Mum.