What a wonderful retreat we have just all enjoyed together. It is difficult to put into words, but this retreat was a very special experience. To me, it was a community of textile artists both traditional and contemporary, sharing, supporting, growing, producing such energy as a cohesive group, creating together and appreciating and encouraging each others talents. All in one place!!!! The social interaction, friendships and fun were the additional bonus.

This was the first of the three NEW LOOK Be Creative by the Sea retreats planned over 2010-11.
This will be followed very shortly by “Creative Winter Escape” retreat to be held from the 3 to 10 July 2010 and then of course there “Something Special-International Parade” 30 April to 8 May 2011 to look forward to in the future.

The new concept of a smaller and more intermit retreat was enthusiastically received by participants at the “Last Warmth of Summer” retreat. The retreat offered participants three -day workshops with special time to focus and indulge and fine-tune their creative talents under the guidance of three very professional and talented tutors. In the smaller workshop groups, students received generous attention from their chosen tutor and more workshop space was much appreciated in the inspirational and affordable luxury of Opal Cove Resort.

Just a sampling of the wonderful and positive feedback from participants

• Fantastic experience!!
• I have grown so much in my work with the help of your carefully selected tutors.
• I have learned so much and crossed the road to explore more creative approach to the art of quilting.
• Loved every minute- took scraps to a whole new level.
• Loved it all – the new format is fabulous.
• So very relaxing but so very productive.
• Not a SINGLE COMPLAINT!!!!! Just a wonderful week.
• Absolutely delighted with every aspect of my creative week.
  

Rosalie Dace as the guest international tutor from South Africa, entertained, amazed, and inspired everyone with her talent. Her compassionate and professional guidance, took her students through an incredible journey to another level in designing Art Quilts.

Brenda Gael Smith explored a variety of traditional patchwork techniques with her students and with a contemporary twist, students created amazing quilts from their scrap bags.

Realistic Landscapes were created in Lorraine Parker’s workshop, using silk tops felted into silk paper to create water and then enhancing their creation with photo to fabric transfer features and embellishing by machine. This workshop is a very unique and successful concept that Lorraine has developed.
Both inspirational evening tutor presentations by Brenda – Twelve by Twelve and Rosalie –

Contemporary African Quilts were most enjoyable, informative and inspirational.
There are hundreds of images but only a few have been included. If you would like more then I can arrange to send participants a CD or DVD. I would also appreciate any images that you would like to share.

Please keep in touch. Returning home, life so quickly returns to normal, but I do hope that the creative spirit with remain with you. Regards Wendy

Robyn Alexander - Mullumbimby NSW

Robyn is the designer and owner of the beautiful thread company Colour Streams. Her love for colour is evident in the array of colours in her silk threads, ribbons, kits, fabrics and treasures. Experimentation with hand felting, the layering of fabrics, machine embroidery and hand embroidery make an interesting creative journey.

Robyn’s goal in teaching is to equip her students with a range of skills, encouraging them to play and experiment and that is exactly what is in store for you when you join her three day workshop. This popular tutor is returning for the third year to Be Creative. www.colourstreams.com.au

Rosalie Dace - South Africa

Rosalie is a studio artist who has been working in the fiber art, quilt and embroidery world since 1975. She teaches, exhibits, lectures and judges internationally. Her work has been widely exhibited and published internationally, and shehas won several awards.Her quilts are generally abstract and she favours silks, brocades, cottons and velvets. She has taught and lectured in South Africa, USA, New Zealand Australia and Germany, which has allowed her to indulge her passion for textiles, travel and meeting people. Rosalie was nominated for 2008 Teacher of the Year by The Professional Quilter magazine (USA). Rosalie comes to Be Creative by the Sea from AQC in Melbourne. This is her third visit to AQC through popular demand. Rosalie is a friend and professional colleague of Gloria Loughman and Gloria has always said “Rosalie would be the ultimate tutor to take the loyal and experienced Be Creative students to their next level”. I feel very privileged that Rosalie has accepted my invitation to tutor and my appreciation goes to Judy Newman and Expertise Events who have assisted in making this possible. www.rosaliedace.co.za

Lorraine Parker - Coffs Harbour NSW

Lorraine has recently retired from secondary teaching, and re-located to Moonee, Coffs Harbour where she intends to continue her passion for textiles creativity.

Lorraine taught secondary schools for many years, specializing in Textiles and Design and Hospitality, but recently has worked with adults including ASC (Australian Sewing Guild) and delivering lectures to University trainee teachers in Design and Technology.

In Lorraine’s words, “quilting, patchwork, embellishment and fabric manipulation techniques, give wonderful opportunities to use creativity. This combined with my love of teaching.” Lorraine’s skills in photo to fabric transfer and embellishing are well known to past students of Be Creative. www.creativetextiles.com

Brenda Gael Smith - Central Coast NSW

Brenda relishes every step in the quilt making process – the planning, the construction, the sharing and the serendipity factor.

Brenda’s colourful, dramatic and contemporary quilt designs are published regularly and she is an enthusiastic member of the international Twelve by Twelve Collaborative Art Quilt project. Hopefully, Brenda will share her experiences while she is with us. Brenda has designed two workshops for Be Creative by the Sea with a focus on low-fuss but learning a variety of striking techniques with effective use of colour. Many of these techniques are traditional with a contemporary twist. www.serendipitypatchwork.com.au