I have a secret!  Well, I had a secret but now I am telling you, so it’s not a secret anymore!  Early next year, I will fly to Australia for the first time in my life.  When I get there, I am going to board a jolly big ship and go on a cruise.  My first ever cruise!  For eleven glorious days and ten wonderful nights!!  Not only will I be going on this cruise, but I will also be teaching workshops on board!!!  I hope you can feel my excitement radiating through your computer screen.  Just in case you can’t, I have liberally peppered this paragraph with exclamation marks :)

My Most Popular Pattern: Sophie’s Universe CAL 2015

When I went to Blogtacular in 2016, Lisa Congdon was the opening speaker.  She said many things that resonated with me, but the one thing she said that really stuck with me was:  “If the answer isn’t ‘Hell yes’, it’s no.”  This is a principle I have tried to implement as much as possible.  So when Jo Patton from Crafty Adventures contacted me asking if I would like to do these workshops and my gut reaction was ‘Hell yes!’, I knew that this was something I had to do!  A once in a lifetime chance to see a bit more of the world and to meet some of my Australian crochet buddies in real life!

Cruise Details

The ship, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, departs Melbourne on 23 February 2019 and arrives in Sydney on 5 March 2019, visiting places like Milford Sounds, Akaroa, and Wellington along the way.  I will be running two workshops, sharing patterns I am specifically designing for the cruise.  Don’t worry, the patterns will become available on my site later on for those of you unable to attend.  The price of the workshops will include a special kit I am also working on.  I will be available for informal hints/tips/troubleshooting throughout the cruise, so if you come along, please make a list of things you’d like to chat with me about.

Example: Namaqualand Blanket Workshop with Be Inspired 2016

There are also other optional extras like an overnight trip to Bendigo Woollen Mills and Bendigo Pottery the day before the cruise, or a visit to Ashford Spinning and Weaving Factory in Ashburton NZ.

Please note that my workshops are not compulsory, nor are they the only workshops offered on board the ship.  If you dabble in sewing or quilting, you’re in luck.

Other Workshops

Quilting With Paula Storm

A busy mum of 4 children, Paula Storm has a passion for inspiring and teaching quilters.  Her unique style sees her making quilts in new and different ways while still appreciating traditional quilting techniques and designs.  She began her working life as a radio announcer in outback Queensland.  A career change saw her in the Nail/Beauty industry but after a fall that left her in and out of a wheelchair, Paula discovered quilting. 

“Working with fabric and keeping my hands busy has kept me sane through all the hospital stays.”

 Paula has been a full-time quilter for over 12 years. She has taught all over Australia and publishes her own patterns. She published her first book ‘Sew a little fabric’ in 2014.

“In Australia, we as quilters have an amazing opportunity to break away and create our own look and style. We have so little quilt making history of our own which I see as a huge benefit! We have no traditions to adhere too. We can break the ‘rules’ and show the world how unique we are.” 

In 2015 Paula became the National Ambassador for Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machines. Paula’s main focus at the moment is teaming up with her travel agent sister Jo to organize and teach on lower cost, extreme fun ‘Crafty Adventures’.   

These gorgeous cushions are what Paula has planned for her workshops.

Sewing With Mandy Murray

“I cannot think of a word that encompasses how passionate I am about my craft. I’m so passionate about sewing and being creative, I’m sure my heart is pieced together in liberty fabric, covered in glitter and scattered with buttons. My whole world revolves around inspiring the young & the young at heart to sew.”

Mandy hasn’t shared her project yet, but it’s going to be wonderful, I just know it.  You only have to look at some of her other work (photos nabbed from Instagram) to realise that :)

You can find Mandy on her website Sew Quirky or HERE on Instagram.

Crafty Adventures at Sea February 2019 Itinerary

Below you will find the official itinerary for the cruise in February (click on the images to enlarge them) as well as booking and contact details (listed below for ease of use).

To book your place on the cruise, please contact Jo Patton:

• Via Email:  [email protected]
• Online Booking Form
• Cruise Community

More Cruise News

If February seems too far away for you, Shelley Husband from Spincushions is going on a crafty cruise in January.  She will be teaching her  Mayan Crochet Blanket square, as well as a couple of squares from her upcoming book (ooh, the things I know but can’t tell you!).  You can read more about Shelley’s cruise HERE.

Mayan Crochet Blanket by Shelley Husband

Shelley and I have been online friends for a couple of years now.  She is one of the most sincere people I have had the privilege of surrounding myself with and such an inspiration!  I would love to meet her in real life so that I can give her a jolly big hug for all the support she has given me on my journey to finding my designer wings.  There is a teeny tiny chance that she might be able to join us on the cruise in February, but I cannot promise anything.

I hope that you are as excited about this cruise as I am, and if you are planning to come, please let me know!

This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use.  All opinions are my own.

Ps.  Might I be allowed a little “SQUEEEEEE!”

Pps.  My ‘baby’ sister will be joining us on the cruise.  She lives in New Zealand and this will be the very first time I get to see her house and hometown (after the cruise).  She is a life coach and one of the most inspirational people I have ever had the privilege of knowing and calling my own.  Also, she used to be a total ditz and used to come up with the most hilarious statements as a child.  You don’t want to miss the chance to meet her :)

Ppps.  On reflection, she might not be happy with the above Pps.  Ah well…  She can yell at me on the ship :)