Orvieto - Day 3

I keep finding wonderful little treasures at the convent where we are staying, from artwork to wonderful colors of inspiration.

This morning on our way to finding a good cup of coffee I was already taking pictures of all the iron work and the doors. So much to take in!

Great cappuccino!

I also bought a few Olive Wood cutting boards from a craftsman in town.

I spent the morning with Baukje, Vanelle and Mary at the Museo Archeologico Statale di Orvieto. The museum was very interesting all related to artifacts found in this area. The imagery on many of the pots were wonderful. I can see many quilts in my future especially related to my class here.

All 12 students and two husbands have arrived and Kristi and Bill had a reception for all of us this evening. Bill gave us a little tour of the convent and shared with us this wonderful Fresco which is being renovated on one of the kitchen walls of the convent.

We all had a wonderful dinner together at the Trattoria la Polomba. Then strolled around town before retiring for the evening.

Sue

Orvieto - Day 2

It is Saturday and another wonderful day. We visited the market this morning with Kristi and Bill and purchased some wonderful fresh produce for a picnic lunch in the courtyard at the convent.

Mom and I love the fresh Pecorino cheese so bought a wheel from the local cheese man along with strawberries, grapes and bananas to add to the picnic.

The vegetables were fabulous lots of color and inspiration here.

We spent the rest of the morning strolling around the streets shopping and taking in the wonderful Italian culture.

I did a little photography of the wonderful old buildings and many doors topped with metalwork and painted in rich worn colors.

Many of the students arrived this afternoon. We all gathered for dinner at a local restaurant before retiring for the evening.

Bill has just posted about the classes prior to my week please visit his blog for a little more about wonderful Italy. makehasteslowly.wordpress.com

Take care

Sue

Orvieto, Italy - Day 1

Mom and I arrived in Orvieto late yesterday afternoon via train from Rome. It was a wonderful sunny evening with all the summer flowers in full bloom.

We took the cable car up the hill then the bus and arrived at San Lodovico our home for the next 10 days. It is an amazing building which used to be a palace then a convent before being renovated into a hotel. We were warmly greeted by Kristi and Bill Steiner the organizers of Adventures in Italy.

www.adventuresinitaly.net

We have a lovely little room which has this wonderful view.

The inside of San Lodovico is very interesting with lots of wonderful light and interesting rooms. Here is a little tour of a couple of rooms.

There is also a wonderful courtyard with interesting mosaics and plantings.

Mom and I had a lovely pizza lunch in town followed by an afternoon nap.

The architecture, metal work and wonderful wood work is going to be so inspirational for my students in my class. I can't wait to start journaling.

We just returned from a wonderful meal with Kristi and Bill. Thanks for making use feel so welcome.

I need to get some sleep now so I can be bright for tomorrow so I can absorb more of the Italian culture. Off to the market in the morning.

Sue

Off to Italy

Mom and I left early this morning for Italy unfortunately we have been delayed by 6 hours here in Miami. What a start to a wonderful trip!

I am knitting and drinking really good coffee while my mom takes a snooze.

Can't wait to be in Italy. I love the food, wine, art and history. I am teaching a 5 day class in Orvieto and then mom and I are vacationing in Venice. Life is sooooo good!

Sue

Quilt Market - SLC

It has been a whirlwind of a weekend here at Quilt Market in SLC. Cathy, Melissa and Kelly my daughter flew in on Wednesday and started to set up the booth while I finished my last day of teaching.

I brought my new book 'Crimson Tweed' and the wool, cotton and silk threads for wholesale ordering here at market. We had a great corner position really close to Renaissance Ribbons who had 20 of Wendy and my new ribbons.

Kelly and Cathy made some great samples showing off the ribbons. Kelly made this button tree and Cathy these wonderful fragrant lavender bags.

I am really excited about the ribbon collection all I see now are wonderful images to incorporate in the ribbons. Edith the owner of Renaissance Ribbons and Sheila who I worked very closely with were delighted with the end results of the collection. I am looking forward to working with both of them in the future.

Here is Valori Wells wonderful booth. She is pictured here with Carolyn. I love Valori's fabric designs. I bought many of them as well as some other fun pieces for my website.

It was wonderful to see all my Australia friends again. We had dinner with Annie and Pete for Hatched and Patched, Jenny, Noel and Samantha from Addicted to Fabric and Jenny for Amitie. I can't wait to return to Australia to teach in 2013.

Sunday evening we all had dinner with Jennifer and Elizabeth from American Patchwork and Quilting and finished off with this wonderful dessert.

I am traveling home today washing my clothes and preparing for Italy. My mom is on her way to Ohio and we will be leaving early on Wednesday morning. Can't wait!

Sue