As 2023 races to the end, I can only wonder at the joy I have experienced this year. Perhaps I am lucky or perhaps I work hard to achieve goals and make sure solid ideas become a reality. The highlight of this year was coordinating one of the best textiles exhibitions in Australia working with Sharon Peoples. It was her idea, and I was so happy to be asked to be a partner in this two-year project. We found 18 of the best hand embroidery artists in Australia and had them commit to completing a work for the exhibition plus write about their process. 52 works arrived and it was like Christmas opening each parcel. The book was launched at the Exuberance - An Embroiderers Perspective Exhibition, at Canberra Craft and Design gallery. and I have the honour (all be it a very nervous nellie) of opening the exhibit. Over 100 people came to the exhibit and reports suggested the pedestrian traffic over each day was excellent.

The book is now on sale on our websites, and we are often asked to do talks to groups around the country. Plus, classes are now in demand, and I have bookings over 2024 already. I would like to say to you that we are slef pubilished. We did this beacuse we believ the messages and essaya dn images are worth sharing. Australia is often forgotten when major publication from overseas feature textile artists so we wanted to showcase these men and woman .

I have been steadily working on another book, Contemplation cloth, making samples and reading as many textbooks as I can on creativity and improvisation. The science and psychology of creativity is an interesting line of thought.

I have spoken with some wonderful textile groups and been doing classes with all age groups. Plus, I have managed some significant trips overseas and in Australia. What a beautiful country we live in.