Exploring Australia - Material Obsession, Sydney

Have you heard of Kathy Doughty?  An American living in Sydney, Australia, Kathy is a quilter, pattern designer, fabric designer, book author, teacher and Sydney fabric store owner.  I highly suspect that many of you reading this have made at least one quilt designed by her. 

Exploring Florida - The Quilt Place + Fabric Fabric Fabric, Rockledge

Exploring Japan - Tokyo's Ginza, Okachimachi and Ueno

When I was in Japan a while ago, I met up with my friend Aya.  I met Aya when she came to my quilting classes in Manhattan and she's returned to live in Tokyo now.  Having the opportunity to see Tokyo with Aya was definitely a highlight of my trip.

Exploring Florida - StitchCraft, Boca Raton

Exploring Barcelona, Spain - Oyambre

While in Spain at the end of October, I met up with my friend Adelaida.  Adelaida is from Barcelona and a few years ago she spent some time living in Manhattan and became a regular shopper and student at The City Quilter and that's how we met.  We hadn't seen each other for about three years but, of course, as soon as I knew I was heading out to Barcelona we arranged to meet up.

Exploring Manhattan - Purl Soho & Friends

A couple of weeks ago I met up for the first time with Sarah Craig from Confessions Of A Fabric Addict when she was on a trip to Manhattan.  We spoken via the internet for several years, I love her blog and the charity quilt work she does is amazing.  I'm a regular at her Friday Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? linky party and it was great to finally meet in person. 

Exploring Upper East Side - (new look) Pins & Needles

There was bad news a few months ago for fabric shoppers in Manhattan when Pins & Needles on the Upper East Side suffered a flood.  It must have been heartbreaking for owner Rachel and her staff and she shared her news here on the P&N blog.

Exploring Austin - Stitch Lab

Last week of April I travelled to Austin Texas and as always I was keen to find a neighbourhood fabric shop gem to share with you - wait till you see my pics of Stitch Lab, I guarantee you'll be adding it to your 'must visit' bucket list.

Exploring Bath, England - Country Threads

On my recent trip back to England I took the train out from London to Bath to meet up with my friend Vanessa.  Bath was my old shopping ground when I lived in Marlborough, Wiltshire and one of my major interior design house projects was here too, so I know it well.  

Exploring The Garment District - Gotham Quilts, Midtown Manhattan

What's happening in New York City?  Well, there's a new fabric studio in town, and that's something we all love to know about.