Pam Holland Designs and Productions

Back on the blog.

Sulmona (AQ), 1975, ciabattino. (Photo credit: Fiore S. Barbato)

Confetti di Sulmona (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here I am, working on my computer and organising the next tour and if you didnt know me, you would think it was my first time. I get so excited at the prospect.

"When the plane is on the runway and I am the one with the silly smile on my face, looking like I am going on my first vacation ever. As we head down the runway at full speed, I want to stand up and shout, “isn’t this the most exciting thing ever!!”.  I would probably be arrested, so I silently picture myself doing this, while I picture everyone else jumping up and down with me."  Piper Mackay photographer.

That's the way I feel. I love flying, I love the adventure and I relish the unexpected as you walk off the flight.

Tonight I have the book on India, and the book on Italy open.

But it was the USA leg that made my heart rush tonight.... "how to I get from here to here on time"?

Checking that it was logistically possible I had to book the fare immediately  to make sure we have the seats and  make the connection with plenty of time and that I arrive at my destination unfazed and with luggage in tow. It pays to know the airports you're traveling through.!!!

I'll leave the rest up to the Travel Agent.

Then there's Italy

Abruzzo, the area, it even sounds romantic. The town I will be teaching in is two and a half hours from Rome by train.

Its going to be fascinating. But I have to stay calm, and get Dubai and India over first....!!!

I think a lot of the enjoyment is in the planning though.

Changing the subject.

It is difficult getting photos into my blog when traveling, so forgive me for adding them to my web pages.. its so much easier.

Back to the blog.

I've used my web pages as a platform to describe the events here in Taupo. I'm able to add photos and content much easier.

Today I completed my last page. The Mastery of Gwen Marston

Take a look you won't be disappointed.

I'm also adding this small video of the young people who entertained us on 3 occasions at the even. I have a strong admiration for their dedication and pride.

 

 

 

I've added photos to face book, the web page and a few here. I hope you've enjoyed sharing the experience.

The blog.

Sorry to all my blog friends but I can actually get more on the web page blog than through typepad when traveling so its on my web page.

Taupo Symposium

Taupo Quilt Festival, the preparations.

 

We had a wonderful day yesterday. I took lots of vision and it can be seen at the link above.

Right now its easier to add it to the web page rather than wait for the photos to load on the blog page.

Take a look, I'm sure you will find it inspiring.

Day 2 Taupo.

I moved from the Hilton to the Event Motel today.

It was a day to catch up on work, review my classes and presentation and try to medicate an ear infection.

Most of the Tutors had arrived by late afternoon so a wonderful time catching up was had by all.

The Americans have had a long haul, they looked tired. The Aussies coped well with the shorter trip and the New Zealand Tutors arrive tomorrow.

I had yet another Thai meal and I bought a new sketch book... I just can't be without one.

Its winter but this hydrangea is just holding on.

Many of the shops have joined the spirit  of the event and decorated their shops with quilts.

Its going to be a busy day tomorrow... its an early start and a full day of events.

So Pamela... go to bed.

 

Related articles

Using the computer for quilting patterns and ideas.

Catching up on Ireland.

Taupo symposium

Taupo Symposium

I want to add film, maps and other information so I'm going to report on the Symposium through my web page.

If you are interested click on the link above which will re-direct you.

It takes ages to add photos to my blog when I'm on the road so I felt this was the best alternative.

I made it.

Goodness me, the alarm rang shrill at 3.15. I slept in the chair all night and I was woken from a deep sleep.

The TV news  was  broadcasting bad news in the background and dog Ralf buried further into his bed anticipating my departure yet again.

They make great barista coffee in the executive club at the airport and the Greek yoghurt is all I need to get me going. It was still dark when we left Adelaide 15 minutes late.

I was supposed to have an hour and a half turn around in Sydney and I was alarmed when the pilot announced on our arrival "its 8.30 now in Sydney"

My boarding pass said I needed to board the next flight at 8.45 for a 9.30 departure. I knew I had 15  minutes leeway... but still I was going to have to run.

In Sydney you need to go from Domestic to International by bus. Experience tells me it can take half an hour... but bless the bus, it was there as I ran down the stairs...

I have an express pass through passport control and also through security, but I was beginning to panic a little and I knew I had about a mile... (well it seemed like it) to walk to the gate.

I ran as fast as I could down corridors, round corners, down steps and finally I made it just as the doors were going to shut.

At least I had a few hours to work and relax on the plane and I admit to a little snooze.

3.30 pm we were approaching the shores of New Zealand. The water was turquoise and the trusty Iphone captured the scene.

Its green, green green here... but to be honest, I've only seen it from the inside of the plane.

My layover in Auckland, en-route to Taupo was taken up with locating a missing bag. At first I thought it was my quilt bag, but when I arrived at the hotel I find it was my clothes.

Yes, I have one bag and the other should arrive in Taupo at 7.30 this morning.

The plane to Taupo is tiny.... I was worried about getting my hand luggage on but one case was strapped to the front seat.... (this is the part of the perils of travel for a quilt teacher) I was assisting the pilots !!!! you can see I sat rather close.

I was thrilled that as I walked into the  airport there was an angel in a Quilt Convention jacket..... Christine was there to meet me and transport me to the Hilton.

There are quilts hanging from the rafters and a quilted welcome which is just lovely.

Thank you Angel Christine. I was upgraded to a suite and I have a wonderful view across the lake to snow capped mountains.

Today will be a luggage retrieval day and put on the winter woolies ready for a walk.

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What a day.

From the green of Ireland to the Orange of Alamagordo.

Trying to keep healthy while I travel.

 

Someone asked me the other day, how do you maintain your health and stamina?

I have a few golden rules... but basically I think I'm just lucky.

One of the perils of travel is getting ill. Of course it depends on where you are traveling but even a week away in your own country can have an effect on your body.

I've been ill twice in my travels. Once was this year when traveling companion Lisa and I both fell victim to Viral Pneumonia on the same day. The other time was after I was mugged and I contracted Shingles from the shock (so they say)

Not too bad for 14 years of travel.

I've fallen and broken my arm but on the whole I'm ever vigilant.

Lack of sleep, changed eating habits, rapid change in climate or environment, increased intake of different foods is an understated hazard.

I dislike water intensely, but I do try to drink more when traveling. A good alternative for me is soda water. I don't drink  alcohol and up the water intake if I can. Dehydration creeps up on you while traveling. Sitting in a seat for hours, especially in a plane, you are sitting in a human made test tube of everyone's bugs,  Fess, a preparation to keep your sinuses clear helps... Someone coughs, I fess.

I try to eat the same diet I have at home... but that's not  always possible, Greek Yogurt, dates, honey, egg on toast and cheeses are my staples. I'm highly allergic to fresh fruit and veg, so I supplement with vitamins and cooked fruit. I always carry packets of Miso soup with me.. its quick, easy and a great settler for the tummy if you feel a little 'off'

I wash my hands often, be very careful of what you touch with your hands and what you put in your mouth, the alcohol based wipes takes the skin off my hands, but washing lots especially before you eat is essential.

I love to try new food and if you read my blog I do get into some gut inflammatory stuff, like green chili cheese burgers... but in moderation.

I try to have a reflexology spa as soon as I get home from long overseas flights. Maybe its my idiosyncrasy but a good practitioner gets the circulation moving a little faster than just rest.

My trip to India in September will be a challenge... but I've done it many ties before and maintained my health.

 

Back on track.

3 days after I arrive home from travel I hit the wall.

Its always been like that... and today is the third day, so I began  well but I'm fading fast.

Its been busy since I arrived home and I've not had time to write the blog. I also had some difficult internet services while traveling and that put a bit of a kibosh on the whole thing.

So much to do and so little time but to be honest it is self inflicted so I can't complain.

It could also be because I joined in the dancing class for 2 year olds today...but I didn't get photos, you have to be careful when other children are around so the little people came to visit and I could get the camera out there.

It was just lovely..

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Was it just a month ago I was in Ireland?

Was it just 6 weeks ago I was in Asilomar?

Was it just 5 weeks ago I was strolling in NY?

Was it 7 weeks ago I was doing a media promo in New Mexico?

Gees Louise... it seems like an age, but I have fabulous vision to prove I was there and I loved every minute of it.

I met literally 100's of people and shared my ideas of textile art with them all.

On the other hand I've had a lot of time to plan, work on new ideas and design quilts.

I have a burning desire to create a very serious quilt made from paper, so I've been experimenting. I've used paper in a quilt before, but I want to use beautiful txture and make it entirely of paper.

I also want to make a pieced quilt for a change. I have completed the pattern and it will be just pure color and black. No pattern on the fabric at all.

Galleries like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY were an inspiration as was the Getty Villa in LA.

Emilie late 1890's Henri De Toulouse Laurtrec

I walked, photographed and examined each image I captured in fine detail.

Santa Fe. The art galleries, the color and the environment.

I've loved every minute of it and it all begins again on Monday.

 

Related articles

Using the computer for quilting patterns and ideas.

What a day.

Its the way I like it.

Its the way I like it.

Brie, quince paste, crackers, cappuccino, tomato soup and Dixit Dominus by Cozzolani through the earphones and I'm set for the next 3 hours before I get on the plane and retire for the night.

I'm in a world of my own... its the way I like it when I travel. It my small bubble of peace.

I've achieved so much on this trip, its been wonderful.

I've met the most inspiring people and I've been granted a rare insight into the lives of some very generous  people.

From the luxury of Asilomar  - to children who live in poverty but still have the time to give of themselves.

The visit to New York, which is an experience that I will carry in my heart forever after a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ireland, both Northern and Southern, the beauty and the sadness.

Santa Fe, an absolute inspiration. The generosity of the Westside Quilters...and the visit to the   Getty Villa and of course visiting with my friends and quilting peers from all over the world.

Thank you.

Fortunately my face has healed well and it just might be that I'm making each day special after that health scare.

I'm looking at things a little differently these days.

I enjoyed the 4th of July so much.

Lisa and I attended the parade and we sat in the sun, ate donuts and waved flags. (yes Rachael I wore a hat)

I never tire of the patriotism of the average American citizen. I used to attend the parade in Minnesota for years and I felt close to tears when I saw everyone stand with their hand on their heart as the colors passed by.

In the evening we were amongst guests invited to view the fireworks from a vantage point high on the hill at the Space Museum.

Friend Larry spent the day preparing for the event. He grilled hotdogs, we ate homemade coleslaw, potato salad and I sampled all the traditional things my friends love so much on this special day.

Our event in Alamogordo added to the tally of almost $60.000 given to the young people of Otero County and I was surprised by the Mayor with a Commendation. To be honest it should be given to all the volunteers who assist us in our project.

Well its almost time to fly home to my family, so I need to finish this blog. Its a little disjointed because its taking ages to put each photo in.

Thanks for the memories and experiences.

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Share my Inspiration.

Back online.

The Excitement of Santa Fe.