Crazy for Kathmandu

Never a dull day

One happy boy!

Nepal – what can I say!  This was yet another wonderful experience to follow on from those great days in Delhi.  Although I did stitch – very occasionally – most of my time was spent discovering the delights of this amazing country.  If I had a day free, then I would catch a cab into old Kathmandu and walk my socks off.  Even in my local neighbourhood, there was always something happening and usually all five senses beat the drum at once! 

Our favourite activity was without doubt running (or in my case – walking with Mr Monty) with the Himalayan HH Harriers.  We would meet every Saturday, usually in different locations in the Kathmandu valley, and get a real taste for local life...err, and the beer! 

Somehow it seems unfair to devote only a few lines to Nepal but I really didn’t manage to start any new projects.  The experience of Kathmandu plus our many travels through this magnificent country rounded out quite an amazing experience in this region.   So it was with some misgiving, we prepared to leave for a life back home in Australia.  Hampered of course, by a broken leg….

It isn’t my intention to discuss our travel adventures here – that’s for Textile Tourist.  However, don’t hold your breath as it takes quite some resolve to commit to all that research, recording and photo searching/saving.  And there’s quite a lot to say!  But it will happen…..

Annette's Choice 2005

A Brighter Day: 2005

The Garam Masala Quilters were an active lot, gathering weekly and always with many projects on the go.  Meetings were always fun, we shared lots of ideas and of course, loved to find shops to satisfy our fabric obsession.

A Brighter Day Quilt made by Annette

We all loved to share our textile finds

One of our group projects (Dec 2004) was a set of exchange blocks.  We had completed a couple of blocks for departing members prior to this but had not organised a serious project that covered something for all group members to share.  I think I set the bar a bit high with my request for a fantasy bag.  My general idea was for a purse, basket etc to be appliqued (or even applied eg a photograph) to the block.  The item was then to be decorated with items that represented that "fantasy".  For example, a snake charmer's basket (very India) with said dancing snake or an African safari suitcase with grazing giraffe. Out of the 8 participants, I only managed to be given 4 blocks back.  So my lesson was not to get too creative with exchanges!   

One of my blocks made by Corinne

Sadly, those that were made, and the details of others' requests (yes, I managed to get my 7 challenges completed!) still languish in my UFO box waiting for inspiration.  However, I think I may have found a solution following my visit to the Caroline Bay Quilters Exhibition in Gosford last year...  But I have wait to see if a pattern by Linda Butcher is still available.  Meanwhile the design stage, if I'm ever to get this quilt out of the box, requires a little massaging.

This exchange sadly marked my departure from the group and India in 2005.  I was sad to leave as I was just getting to know India.  It’s a big country with such incredible diversity that even our trips around Delhi and into other states did not cover everything we wanted to see and do.  And of course, the more you look the more there is to find.

(GM exchange blocks & exchange blocks #2  UFOs both Home Collection # 046 & 047)