Sue Dennis

Late afternoon vegetable sellers

2012-02-01T07:46:00.002+10:00

These ladies are selling their vegetables in the hustle and bustle of the late afternoon market activity in Jaipur.

A moment later we are passing by in the bus.

This is the 'pink city' in all shades.

Beneath the Southern Sky

2012-02-01T07:04:00.002+10:00

Very happy to be one of the quilters to have work selected for the exhibition Beneath the Southern Sky, curated by Brenda Gael Smith. A website and face book page have been setup and Brenda is touring the 30 exhibition pieces in the Craft and Sewing Show and at AQC. A detail of 'Queensland Floods January 2011' below. The full reveal of all artists and the work will be in early March by Brenda.

Indian road safety

2012-01-31T17:04:00.000+10:00

Indian road safety may be a contradiction, as there were many times I just had to close my eyes and pray! However we found it best to always cross the road with a group of locals. When the traffic is at a standstill it's not a problem.

Don't know if checking your mobile while crossing the road is a good idea!

He survived!

Embroidery

2012-01-31T07:36:00.000+10:00

We were privileged to see the best of Kashmiri embroidery at Andraab in Jaipur. These hand stitched designs were just exquisite with the back as good as the front. On wool mainly or silk, they ranged in size from shawl to bed cover and depending on size and complexity may have taken several years to complete.

Mubashir explains the design source and the time and skills involved.

Applique and embroidery combined.

Fatehpur Sikri

2012-01-30T07:01:00.000+10:00

Built by Empoeror Akbar in the late 1500's, Fatehpur Sikri was popular with early morning visitors, ourselves included. The red sandstone work is amazing and it was nice to image it in its heyday.

This is the Diwan-i-Khas, the hall for private audience and debate.

The beautiful carvings in the sandstone cried out to be rubbed, but we didn't want to upset the guards at this World Heritage Site!

The most amazing panels were in the Turkish Sultanas House.

Agra morning

2012-01-28T11:06:00.000+10:00

It was a cold Winter's morning as we travelled through the streets of Agra. Everyone was wrapped up in layers.

The buffalo had already been milked and were on their way to their grazing places. Note the necklace on the buffalo in the foreground.

The buffalo milk in the containers on the back of the motor cycles.

Note the decorative appliqued hearts in the auto rickshaw. We enjoyed? a few rides in these vehicles in other places. The beeping horns of the buses, trucks and cars when you are in one, are deafening.

From the bus

2012-01-27T07:01:00.000+10:00

We travelled by bus with driver Kailesh and his assistant Yogi. It can be a hair-raising ride on Indian roads, with livestock, other vehicles and forms of transport to contend with. Some days were short hops between our nightly accommodation and sightseeing, other days were longer, bumpier rides. However I never tired of looking out the window and took many photos of the passing parade.

Could this be Australia with the gum trees?

Lots of buffalo = lots of milk for marsala chai.

This photo is of the cow/buffalo dung patties drying, on the roof and later stacked. They will be burnt for fuel.

The trucks and tractors are decorated with tassels of pompoms and tinsel, painted and inside the truck cabs, fringing on the driver's steering wheel and the front of the cab.

Indian wedding

2012-01-26T17:39:00.000+10:00

We are safely home now, arriving late last night via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has been the most amazing, wonderful trip for both Bob and I. We have mountains of photos between us to sort through, but I'll continue to share many of the amazing places and people we visited.
Thanks to Rhonda Preece and Anukram, we could sit back and absorb and enjoy Indian culture, history, food and very special interactions with crafts people, a textile collector and the everyday person/children in the streets and villages we visited. I can highly recommend a Textile Traditions Tour!

We were invited to the night festivities of Day 1 of an Indian wedding, in Kota where we were staying. Indian weddings continue for 4 days, with different events each day. Unfortunately we were travelling on and couldn't come back for more of the amazing celebration and great food.

The friends of the bride danced in groups or alone to traditional songs and music played by a small group of 4 musicians. The lovely old brick arches of regal Sudkham Kothi, now partly used as a guest house, was the setting for the celebration.

The bride's hands to the elbow and feet to the calf, were heavily decorated with intricate henna designs. She was taking care not brush off the freshly applied henna and was not wearing an elaborate sari or shirt and top like other guests.

Bride on the L.

I didn't buy many wood blocks as they are heavy and my suitcase was packed with fabric, Judy.

Elephant polo

2012-01-20T07:33:00.001+10:00

Elephant polo at Dera Amer, Jaipur- totally new to us all and great fun, except when the elephant steps on the ball! New ball please referee. After a hard game of polo [elephants don't move very fast] we had an Indian buffet dinner.

A camel smooching with his owner.

A demonstration match.

Some of our group members in action. You sit on the elephant using stirrups and to get on a ladder is provided.

The team.

Sign for the 'Ladies loo'.

Lunch

2012-01-19T07:46:00.001+10:00

Our lunch spots are all very clean and pleasant, sometimes with remarkable views. However we were all delighted when Anukram surprised us with Soma Haveli, a noble man's home, part of which is used for accommodation and dining. Every surface was very decorated inside and this is how it normally is.

My grilled vegetable skewers were so delicious I forgot to take a before photo!

Block printing

2012-01-18T11:35:00.000+10:00

We visited the workshop of Master Block Printer Rashid to see the whole process from carving the design in teak, mixing the coloured dyes, preparing the fabric on the printing table and the fine lines and registration of the printing.

Jas Vilas

2012-01-18T11:19:00.001+10:00

Our accommodation along the way has been great. We are constantly surprised, very pleasantly so, by the quality properties we stay in. JasVilas was a small, personal property with such wonderful attention to detail. Our rooms had hand painting on the ceiling and an appliqued bedspread plus quilts to snuggle under.

A little too cold for a swim!

Jaipur transport modes

2012-01-17T21:34:00.000+10:00

Jaipur, known as the Pink City is set between hills. We arrived in the afternoon rush hour and had a good introduction to the hustle and bustle in the old part of town, which is enclosed in high city walls. The modes of transport here are amazing.

We have all put our lives into the hands of auto rickshaw drivers and live to tell the tale of honking horns, potholes, jostling with buses and the other traffic which shares the road. Lanes may be marked but that is only a mere suggestion!

Jaipur has many old city gates, that were originally sized for elephant processions.

Sari

2012-01-16T07:52:00.001+10:00

This is the most beautiful sari we have seen and the wearer was kind enough to allow us to photograph her. The fabric is shot with gold and shimmers as the light catches it. Exquisite embroidery on the edges too.

Pizza Hut

2012-01-15T07:47:00.001+10:00

I love going to Pizza Hut in other countries to see how the pizza flavours compliment local tastes. So we had Indian pizza flavours and an interesting Marsala Lemonade which I can only describe as drinking a curry! The added spices have that distinct curry flavour.

Taj Mahal

2012-01-14T02:44:00.000+10:00

There are many things you can not do at the Taj- see photo below! Security is tight with a body pat down and basically only a camera allowed to be carried in. And yes there are crowds of people, but then if you came to India why wouldn't you visit this amazing tribute to love.

It is breathtaking in the late afternoon, the white marble gleaming in the softer light.

Italian artisans were brought in for the inlay 'pietra dura' work seen here in the borders surrounding the carved marble relief panels. Protective shoe covers help keep the marble from discolouring too much.

One of the sandstone and marble tiled terraces surrounding the Taj. Below is the view from the back of the building.

Our group

2012-01-13T12:32:00.000+10:00

Such a lovely group of travelling companions. L-R front April, me, Sharon, Mel, Rhonda. Back L-R Rhonda, our Australian organiser and guide, Bob doing the rabbit ears for me! and Anita. We have all been soaking up the local history stories from Anukram, our lovely Indian guide, as we visit each significant site.

A quick, alfresco chai break on our way to Jaipur.

Lime soda

2012-01-12T12:03:00.000+10:00

Lime soda the Indian way is to mix the amount of lime juice and sugar syrup to your own taste- delicious.

Have been on the go solidly since the tour began, seeing amazing historic sites so not much time for rubbings. Also as we have mainly been visiting World Heritage sites, rubbing en mass is not appropriate. Indian levels of bureaucracy for permission are just not something we want to get involved with.

We are now in Jaipur, the pink city for a few days. Francie you would certainly love the food!

Humayun's Tomb

2012-01-11T07:45:00.001+10:00

Sandstone and marble join to make this tomb built by the oldest wife of Humayun. It is set in grounds with water channels, as features, dividing the area into quarters. Built in the mid 16th century, it has undergone extensive restoration.

These screen panels are called jaali and made from solid sandstone.

Qutb Complex

2012-01-10T07:32:00.001+10:00

Have visited a couple of World Heritage sites in Delhi. Qutb complex has the Qutb Minar, a 72.5m sandstone tower that has encircling bands of beautiful carved decorative elements.

The ornate columns of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, in the complex, were also amazing- just so much design inspiration.

Delhi

2012-01-10T00:30:00.000+10:00

Arrived in Delhi to be greeted by these cabs at the airport and unbelievable smog- the 'Delhi fog'.

Lovely to meet fellow travellers from Australia and the USA. Here Sharon and April have a delicious Indian lunch after which we hopped onto cycle rickshaws and this was the last I saw of them!

This was an amazing experience as we negotiated the streets and alleyways of Old Delhi, jostling between motorbikes, cars and pedestrians, with car horns sounding loudly behind us. The traffic here is almost always in a total jam.

One alleyway was packed with bling saris, braids, beads and lots of other glitz.

Dubai #2

2012-01-08T08:29:00.002+10:00

Coffee and Arabian sweets and dates in a beautiful cool, treed courtyard with local amatuer paintings on the walls and white wicker chairs- very relaxing for jetlagged travellers.

This is the entrance to a souk, where surprisingly there are many Indian made textiles, embroideries etc for sale. We have noticed this area is populated by Pakistani and Indian foreign workers, so the local shops are catering to their clothing preferences- rich and colourful gold work embroidered saries and tops.

Dubai

2012-01-08T07:54:00.003+10:00

Fascinating to wander around the Bastakiya area that has buildings of coral, sandstone and render, restored to their former glory. The wind towers cooled the houses and are seen on the corners of most of the walled-in courtyarded homes. Most buildings were closed, but we came across a shop selling Iranian handicrafts. The owner was very happy to explain the crafts and insisted I try on the beaded headdress and also equiped me with a beaded bag.

The palm fronds are used for roofing and walls. 'No smoking' around them please!

India via Dubai

2012-01-07T08:36:00.001+10:00

We are on our way via Dubai. This was the sight that greeted us at first light, from the eighth floor of our hotel in the Bur Dubai area near Dubai Creek, which you can see behind the Mosque. A light dust haze hangs over everything. The call to prayer is loud and reverberates around the old walls and modern shops.

The Dubai Museum also sits in front of the hotel. This is my first time on the ground of an Arabian country in Africa and it is a heady mix of cultures, sights and sounds.

Have never had minaret topped toiletry bottles before!

This is the 'abra' water taxi on the creek.

Off to India

2012-01-07T07:20:00.003+10:00

As you can see I have a varied assortment of 'things' that have gone into my suitcase for the Textile Tour in India. The rusted fabric, I'm hoping to rub while there.The cricket bat and balls are for a school visit in Zainabad, Gujarat.http://www.desertcoursers.net/

Now it is much more organised and everything has found a home. We are travelling light to allow space for the purchases which will no doubt take place.

I will try to blog as much as conditions and time allow. I'll leave you with a couple of links to things we will encounter- Jas Vilas, Hotel Grand Imperial, Kala Raksha, Sadhna Namaste!

A gentle reminder

2012-01-06T07:11:00.001+10:00

There is still time to enter a quilt, for consideration, in the touring exhibition Beneath the Southern Sky. The venues where the exhibition will be seen, are spread throughout Australia and New Zealand. The quilts will be at the Australasian Quilt Convention April 12-15.
Entry is FREE. If selected there is a AUD20 fee. Brenda Gael Smith is the Curator and entries close on January 25. The button on my sidebar will take you to all the information.

A good book

2012-01-05T08:36:00.000+10:00

This book 'twelve by twelve' has kept me company during my morning coffee breaks. I have so enjoyed getting to know each artist better through the book and having time to spend contemplating the work they made for each challenge. I wish I could see the exhibition again, as it would be nice to revisit pieces that didn't catch my eye on first viewing. Published by Lark Crafts and widely available. Brenda Gael Smith may still have copies for sale.

Finishing edges

2012-01-04T06:57:00.000+10:00

After years of putting a binding finish on my work, I made a decision last year, or was it the year before? to use a facing finish instead. But, having said that, if a quilt really needs extra colour on the edge I'll still bind it.
I cut the facing 1 3/4 inches wide and press under a 1/4 inch.

I stitch to the shorter sides first [right side of binding to right side of quilt] and then overlap the next strip and stitch down the long sides. Turn to the back of the quilt and hey presto!

Redesigning a quilt

2012-01-03T09:22:00.000+10:00

I should call it 'cutting up a quilt', but I only did that to part of the design!

I find it interesting when a preconceived notion I have, of how the design is going to work, changes. In this case the whole quilt changed orientation and the top became the bottom. Then the new bottom section was cut off and re-cut. Photo below shows the quilt still a work in progress, from the Flood series.

Thanks for all the New Year's wishes and who'd have thought so many of you had lunched at the Dayboro pub!

An Aussie burger

2012-01-02T09:03:00.001+10:00

Yesterday Bob and I were out driving, slightly north-west of Brisbane and came to the township of Dayboro. Being New Year's Day it was quiet in the centre of the small community, but the pub was open and we stopped for lunch.

I had the Steak and Bacon burger and it came with chips. Typical of an Aussie burger, it had lettuce, tomato, beetroot, cheese and even a small piece of pineapple with some BBQ sauce on the lightly toasted bun.

Yummy and the start of a few more country pub visits this year! The Crown at Dayboro has not been renovated, so still has the country charm of the typical older Aussie pub. The bar area had a timber floor and the doors onto the verandah were French doors with mixed panes.

Happy New Year to you

2011-12-31T08:31:00.000+10:00

I'd like to wish all my readers a Happy 2012. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I hope I can meet them with vigor, joy and support.
May your 2012 be filled with the good things you wish for yourself and time for your creative pursuits.

More Shettar

2011-12-30T07:33:00.000+10:00

Some more glimpses at Ranjani Shettar's sculptural installations. 'Touch Me not' took 2 weeks to assemble, although from this detail you can't get the scale of the work which stretched across 2 walls. Each pinhole was drilled to get the right angle, then it was added to the design and the resulting shadows add to the mass and give a shimmer to the work.

Francie, it was probably fishing line- you can just see a little of it in the upper right of this photo- unless it is just my imagination.

NGV art

2011-12-29T06:46:00.000+10:00

Saw a wonderful exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, by an Indian artist I have not come across before, Ranjani Shettar whose sculptures used the shadow from the installation for added impact or was it the whole point? 'Sun-sneezers blow light bubbles' was a favourite.

Too fast

2011-12-27T08:44:00.000+10:00

It's all over too fast! Christmas anticipation....... and then it's gone in a flash.

We celebrated in Melbourne with an olive tree hung with decorations and stockings underneath. The tree is going to be a welcome addition to the family garden.

The alphabet quilt is being closely inspected. I think it will be a work in progress as I find more buttons and charms to stitch on. The panel just came with the letters, so I searched my stash for suitable printed fabric motifs. Now to hang it.

Progress

2011-12-23T08:20:00.000+10:00

Had great fun putting together the bits for each page of a little book that is a Christmas gift. Still have to hand stitch and tizzy up the pages with buttons and beads etc.

Have some pockets for special surprises! Hope Santa surprises you in the nicest way possible. Joyful times to all my blog readers in this Holiday Season!

Christmas gift sewing

2011-12-22T06:57:00.000+10:00

This is a pile of fabric that may go into a Christmas gift, I need to stitch today for a special little person. It will be fun turning it into the vision I have of the finished project.

I did make a start a few days ago, in selecting a size for the felt book pages.

Lunch with friends

2011-12-21T06:54:00.000+10:00

Lovely company at lunch with Kate, Jane and Suzanne and a special handmade gift from Jane. See more on her blog- Jane Madly Quilting. The food at FLUTE, Cavendish Road, Coorparoo was really delicious.

Rare Beef Salad

Fish cakes

Machine clean

2011-12-20T07:11:00.002+10:00

How often do you give your machine a clean? With all the stitching I do, it doesn't take long before my QE440 Bernina sends me a little message, when it is ready for me to clean and oil the bobbin race. It's a simple take apart, clean, oil, reassemble and the machine is soon purring away again.

Contextart Forum 2012

2011-12-19T09:45:00.001+10:00

Have I mentioned I am thrilled to be a tutor at the inaugural Contextart Forum 2012 in the Blue Mountains, NSW in April 14-20. This is a great opportunity to study with a tutor for 2, 4 or 6 days, depending on your interest or perhaps out of your comfort zone to try something new. My workshops Surface Design Entree, 2 days and Quilted Textile Souvenirs, 4 days will explore the local environment for inspiration and we will get up close and personal with some of it to create our unique art cloth.

If you have friends who may not have heard about the forum, please direct them to the TAFTA website for more information or contact Janet deBoer for a brochure [PO Box 38, The Gap, Brisbane 4061]
Hope to meet you there!

Old quilts #2

2011-12-17T13:52:00.000+10:00

Here are a few of the other quilts in the collection, that caught my eye. Blogger is working a little faster now, so the uploading is not as slow as this morning.

The Friendship Album Applique quilt reinforces the social aspects of quilting and makes me think of the many women I have come to know thriugh quilting. As Chris says, "it doesn't matter if the points are cut off, quilts are made with love, to be loved".
So during this holiday season, I wish you happy times with family and friends. These joyful times are the stitches that keep the fabric of our lives together.

Words

2011-12-17T09:28:00.000+10:00

Today it has been extremely frustrating to upload anything to the blog, so instead, some words from Sarah Ban Breathnach-
"One of the most important milestones we'll hit along the way,
Is the moment when we finally find our own unique point of view
And realise how priceless it is."

Old quilts

2011-12-16T08:34:00.000+10:00

This collection of old quilts from the Kathleen McCrady Quilt History Collection, reminds me of why quilts were important in daily life. The 'making do' is very evident in this Tobacco Sack Puff Quilt by Effie Roe.
We stopped to view part of the collection at Winedale, Texas while we were on a tour during the recent International Quilt Festival. Knowing that this quilt was used and loved gives me hope that quilts I'm making now may survive through several generations. I'd better begin educating the grandchildren now!

Bonus

2011-12-15T08:21:00.000+10:00

When I bought peaches yesterday, I got a bonus- this net was part of the packaging. It made a great stencil, giving a snake skin appearance to the print.

And good old bubble wrap!

$1 fun

2011-12-14T06:58:00.000+10:00

How much fun can you have with $1 these days? Well in Las Vegas, you can make it go a looooong way in a 1cent pokie [slot machine]!

I didn't hit the jackpot. The lions at MGM Grand looked very bored with all the humans staring in.

We were at the Tropicana which had nice carpet and a few other attractions.

Anniversary flowers

2011-12-13T08:58:00.000+10:00

Thank you for all the wonderful messages received yesterday via the blog and facebook. And special congratulations to the other couples who share the same anniversary day.

'When you open your eyes

upon the morning meadows

and look out

upon the beautiful world,

be thankful you are alive.'

Ralph Waldo Emerson

And loved, I'd have to say!

Anniversary

2011-12-12T07:01:00.000+10:00

We are celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary today. Here's to many more!

Sunnybank Quilters

2011-12-10T09:05:00.000+10:00

We had our last meeting of the year at my local group, Sunnybank Quilters. Many members and their families have had a difficult year with health issues. We presented these heart quilts [blocks made by individual members] to two ladies who need our love & support at this time.

Monoprint enhancement

2011-12-09T06:51:00.000+10:00

Thanks to Chriss and Bridget for allowing me to show you their finished collaboration. They were in the monoprinting workshop in Florida and Chriss used a wonderfully textured base cloth. Bridget enhanced the design with threads/yarn and stitch & ta dah! I'm always happy to share your wonderful finished work on this blog.

Diane gum tree trunks are endlessly fascinating.

Gum tree bark

2011-12-08T08:37:00.000+10:00

"It's not what you look at that matters, it is what you see." Thoreau

Clean-up cloth

2011-12-07T07:59:00.000+10:00

I'm still monoprinting fabric for a new series of quilts that have various January & February deadlines for juried exhibitions. As I'll be in India on a textile tour for most of January, I thought I'd better get them started and finished before I go! One side result is the 'trash to treasure' status of the clean-up cloth. Here there's also a narrow strip of wadding that got the paint treatment.

I have 1 quilt basted, waiting for stitching, I quilt top ready to baste, fabric ready to be cut & pieced into another quilt top & the fourth that is fabric on the design wall on the moment. This last one is going through rearragements, the digital photo design stage & a lot of 'what if's'. Bob has been away so I have made the most of the quiet time!

Sand painting

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000+10:00

Other interesting items in the Blanding display were native American crafts. The 2 sand paintings were so finely detailed. There is some reflection as they were under glass.

The softest buckskin with hand beading.

Hobo quilt

2011-12-05T07:11:00.000+10:00

I had never seen or even knew about hobo quilts until I came across this one at the Historic Society and Information Center in Blanding Utah. Akin to the Railroad quilts used by escaping slaves, the symbols all have a meaning.

Mangoes and monoprinting

2011-12-03T09:05:00.000+10:00

No, I have not been printing with these mangoes, but eating them! What a bargain the box of 14 Calypso mangoes were at $7.50. They are not as big as a Bowen or as sweet, but a delicious start to Summer.

Reflecting on the Brisbane & Queensland floods of last Summer, I have begun a new series using monoprinting in some of the panels.

My clean-up cloth is taking on a nice patina.

Chris, I wish I could grow ginger like the cone flowering ones, but can't, so have a varigated pearl flowering ginger which the birds love.

Summer is here

2011-12-02T07:38:00.000+10:00

Our first day of Summer, yesterday, brought much needed rain & a drop in temperatures. This beautiful flowering ginger is not in my garden. I am always amazed at how much the warmer weather promotes plant growth & the shedding of so many palm fronds! Thinking of all my Northern Hemisphere friends who may be surrounded by snow.

Melbourne food

2011-12-01T07:47:00.000+10:00

There are many Melbourne places with a gritty urban historic, decayed interior/exterior & Little Creatures Dining Hall in Fitzroy captured all I'm trying to describe.

Eight family members had dinner there & the food was delicious. We were hungry so I didn't get photos until the end. They specialise in micro brews & great cider.

Francie, we flew to Melbourne because of the distance from Brisbane. The road photo is of a narrow stretch in Utah, part of the Grand Stairway Escalante.

Marriage

2011-11-30T08:15:00.000+10:00

Getting back to reality & a house that needs cleaning & studio time - all on the agenda today. I was thinking how Life & marriage are mysterious journeys we embark upon with hope, love & support from our partners & families. Who knows what lies ahead for any of us- the thrill of the unknown!?

Bridal bouquets.

Great weekend/wedding

2011-11-29T08:43:00.000+10:00

I have been in recovery mode, following the weekend/wedding in Melbourne. I didn't take my camera to the wedding, so don't have a photo of the bridal party to share at the moment. The official photographer's photos will be amazing as the venue was the Mountain Goat Brewery in Richmond. We were very thankful everything was indoors as it rained all Saturday.

6 of our family members- my daughters, their children & son-in-law to be.

Our girlie preparations at a day spa.

Last minute stitching.

The bride's hair style in progress.

My hairdo.

Thanks for your comments & well wishes regarding the wedding. I'm getting a little misty-eyed again, recalling the beautiful event.

Ready for the big day

2011-11-26T07:05:00.003+10:00

I did not put on too much weight in the USA on my recent travels, so can still fit into my patterned silk Mother of the Bride dress. The jacket is part of the ensemble also. The big day is finally here & we are happily assembling in Melbourne to celebrate.

Capitol Reef National Park

2011-11-25T07:34:00.001+10:00

The rock structures in this National Park reminded me of Egyptian temples & monuments. Love the colouration of the various layers.

Inside the park, the historic Mormon settlement of Fruita was a good spot for morning tea. The Gifford House was originally built in 1908 by polygamist Calvin Pendleton. Inside were some patchwork quilts & other items from the early 1900's.

This chair is the only original piece of furniture. It has a leather thonging seat.

Bison spotting

2011-11-24T07:23:00.001+10:00

My photo does not do these magnificent beasts justice. We spotted them as we were driving around Torrey looking for accommodation.

I tried to imagine what the plains must have looked like, covered in vast herds.

And I know you must be curious as to where we spent the night? At a Best Western, Capitol Reef Resort with this view from our balcony. I had a great Beef Brisket sandwich with homemade BBQ sauce, for dinner.

Best coffee

2011-11-23T07:38:00.000+10:00

It's a long way to go for the best coffee, with a view, but if you ever have the chance, do stop at Kiva Koffee House, Escalante Utah. It is 'Melbourne' coffee transported to the USA & in small cups!

The scenery of the Escalante Grand Staircase is truly amazing.

Janine, a pleasure to have your great work on my blog.

Petrified wood

2011-11-22T07:57:00.001+10:00

Who doesn't love seeing petrified wood? The Escalante State Park had a great amount of it on the hiking trail that climbed the hill near the entry gate & also gave us great views of the man-made dam, ringed with golden cottonwoods. Did not find any dinosaur bones!

Amazing colours in the logs & this one has the bark. Chris the Porcupine Pilsener was more to Bob's taste. As a non-beer drinker I can't comment!

Biggest onion ring

2011-11-21T06:20:00.000+10:00

If you ever find yourself in Moab Utah, we can recommend the food at the Moab Brewery. These onion rings were the biggest we had ever seen! And delicious too. Went well with my Rueben sandwich & the pickle.

Bob is not going to recommend this Pumpkin Beer he tried at Eddie McStiffs, but as you can see there were many 'stiffies' to choose from, with the added notice that these were 'the strongest drinks Utah has to offer'!

On a high

2011-11-19T07:37:00.000+10:00

I'm not done yet! Still on a high from all that we saw & did in the USA, but these were the highest elevations we encountered at Bryce Canyon National Park. In feet, not metres!

Oil Stick Intensive at Florida World Quilt Show

2011-11-18T06:51:00.000+10:00

Now that I have recovered my camera, which was in the lost/found bag, I can share some photos of the great work produced by my lovely students in Oil Stick Intensive. Marianne & Maria were with me for all 3 workshops & many others came to 2 of the classes, so there will be many combinations of techniques in their future work.

Mary Ann with the before & after fabric.

Tanya enhanced & transformed commercial print squares.

Holly & her reflection on time.

Judi with a pale background.

Junko with a landscape ready for cherry blossom applique.

Home Sweet Jetlag

2011-11-17T17:16:00.000+10:00

Nothing can quite describe the feeling of 'coming home'. Now jetlag is another matter- it's like being put in a tumbler & then being let loose & not quite getting your orientation! A head cold which sprang to life on the long haul flight does not help.

I will feel 'right' in a day or two. Yes, it is marvellous to have had my 'lost' bag returned- thanks for the follow up remarks, dear readers.

And Chris, while I've seen toe socks, the toe shoes were something else, but I was assured they are very comfortable to wear & help correct back problems. No I did not try them on.

Tropical fruit & the unusual

2011-11-17T07:03:00.001+10:00

Not something I have seen for sale, at my local supermarket in Queensland. Coconuts and persimmons- yes.

And now for the latest in walking/jogging footwear- toe shoes!

Caught my eye in Florida #2

2011-11-16T00:53:00.000+10:00

Bridget Wilson Matlock was a student in my Monoprinting Magic workshop & was very excited to have won a ribbon with her quilt 'Queen Nemo' detail above.

Lisa Gorski has an interesting story to go with 'Zebra'. Hope the print is large enough for you to read it.

Detail of 'Blue Toucans' by Margarita Korioth which uses recycled laminated newspaper & magazine clippings with beaded detail in the pink section.

Happy ending

2011-11-15T06:01:00.000+10:00

I'm about to get on a flight heading home, but wanted everyone to know the happy ending to the lost bag story.

I was contacted via e-mail from my business card in the bag, which had been picked up from the gutter, by a man & his wife on their way to the movies. He worked a late shift yesterday, so didn't have time until this morning to contact me.

Can you see me grinning from here? I was able to reward them for their honesty, time & effort in returning the bag. They also loved my quilts that were in the bag.

Thanks Gerrie & Cathy H for your words of comfort re my missing bag.

Caught my eye in Florida

2011-11-15T03:35:00.000+10:00

It is so evident that as quilters, we are influenced by our surroundings. The following is a selection that caught my eye at the Florida World Quilt Show. 'Breezy' above by Janine Ward. Janine is also the maker of 'Brown Pelicans'.

Unlike the white pelicans we have in Australia, I saw brown pelicans when on the intercoastal waterway yesterday on a Diva Duck tour.

Detail from 'Blowing in the Wind' by Marianne Williamson who achieves a very painterly effect by intense stitching over collaged fabrics.

'Weight,Weight- Don't Tell Me!' detail from a humerous quilt by Pat Kumicich.

A little problem- bag lost!

2011-11-14T00:24:00.000+10:00

It is not often in my travels that I have encountered the bizarre situation that took place last night! At the end of the Florida World Quilt Show, which was a great event, Sue Nickels, Marjan Kluepfel, Phyllis Twig Hatcher & I got on the big shuttle bus. All of us had bags with our workshop quilts and supplies in the bottom luggage compartment of the bus. Off we drove toward the hotel.

Four blocks after rounding a corner, our driver noticed that the door of the luggage compartment had opened! We stopped & discovered that only 1 bag had been thrown from the bus- yes it was my bag!

The bus driver quickly retraced our journey with the bus & we saw my bag sitting in the gutter on the corner- hooray. The driver stopped the bus, leaving it in the middle of the road and ran the block & a half toward my bag through oncoming traffic.

Oncoming cars & their headlights blinded me, but once traffic had cleared, my bag had disappeared! Unfortunately we had not reached it in time before it was stolen. Peter Mancuso was incredibly helpful & we searched the area, but found no trace.

Apart from the quilts & workshop supplies, camera & numerous other lost items, one that is irreplacable is my student comments book! Please, if you wrote your e-mail contact details in it recently, send me an email so we can keep in touch.

Opal Fever- Florida World Quilt Show

2011-11-13T00:15:00.002+10:00

Opal Fever students with their beautiful opal creations & variations. Interesting for me to see the opals in painted silk in the work of Ellen S. We had 3 delightful Ellens in the class! Angelina stole the show in the afternoon.

Beverley

Monoprinting Magic at Florida World Quilt Show

2011-11-12T00:22:00.001+10:00

I'm having fun teaching at the Florida World Quilt Show Francie. Monoprinting Magic students produced great pieces for future reference & use. Andrea above & a few more individual photos, below the group shot. Thanks for a great day ladies.

Ann

Judy

Tanja

Lynn

West Palm Beach Florida

2011-11-11T00:03:00.001+10:00

Everywhere I look I am seeing palm trees. The Town Center is a large shopping/eating area. I feel like I'm on the Gold Coast, with the beautiful warm weather & holiday atmosphere.

Caught my eye in Houston #2

2011-11-10T00:12:00.002+10:00

Congratulations to Lisa Walton, the Jewel Pearce Patterson Scholarship for Quilting Teachers on her exhibit. I loved seeing this work, 'Gaudi Star' in person, it really glowed.

'Blackbird' by Sally Westcott was also part of the exhibit.

Maria Elkins with 'Windblown' winner of the Fairfield Master Award for Contemporary Artistry.

'The Monumental Way' by Karlyn Bue Lohrenz stopped me dead in my tracks, as only 3 days before I had been standing under this arch, named Delicate Arch in the Arches National Park, Utah.

Caught my eye in Houston

2011-11-09T00:30:00.002+10:00

There were many, many stunning quilts that caught my eye in Houston. This is a very small, personal selection from exhibits where photography was allowed.

'Radiance' by Susan Stewart was awarded the Pfaff Master Award for Machine Artistry. I don't think the photos can show the skill & precision in the placement of the digital embroidery over the pieced diamonds & the lacy edge.

'Dixie Dingo Dreaming' by Susan Carlson won the 'What's Good for You' contest.

'The Summer Sun II' by Reiko Naganuma, in which woven pieces are intergrated into the pieced design.

I always love Betty Busby's work & seeing it in person is a thrill. This is from the 'What's Good for You' contest- 'La Puz', a prize winner.

Texas Quilt Museum bus trip

2011-11-09T00:12:00.001+10:00

We joined a bus tour to La Grange & the Texas Quilt Museum. No photos allowed in the Museum, but many beautiful quilts from the Lone Stars III book on display there & at Festival.

The photos above, are of the large mural on the side of the Museum. During the tour we stopped at 3 quilt shops. Gerline's Quilt Shoppe in the countryside of Giddings had some interesting outdoor decorations.

I can never resist a Prickly Pear Cactus!

Or pie! This was the best we have had- Junkberry- apple, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry & some others! If you get to Round Top, drop in for a slice & coffee at Royers Pie Haven.

Festival is over for another year

2011-11-08T02:58:00.000+10:00

I have been absent from my blog because there is just so much to see & do at Festival. Like this Texas boot, Festival seems to be bigger & better each time I visit. This was only the third time I have experienced it.

Francie, what goes on in Hosuton stays in Houston, so sorry, but I can't give you the spoon secret!

It was a delight to meet quilters from many countries & thank you to everyone who joined me for my floor talks. The future of quilting is in good hands- 6 year old Quinley, a stitcher, declared that 'Blue Cottonwood', the quilt behind us, was her favourite. If you'd like to see the full exhibition Destination Texas, it is on my website in the portfolio section.

This is a view of the front entry section before opening at 10am & the sign below summed it up!

Houston fun

2011-11-05T00:17:00.000+10:00

Judy Perez is the 'expert' at balancing a spoon & shared her tips with me.

I'm concentrating hard! Houston fun continues.

Quilt Festival Preview night

2011-11-04T00:20:00.002+10:00

Bob is buckling under the weight of the Festival bags filled with books! He was told he is the CEO- 'Carry Everything Out'. Preview night was fun- great to catch up with friends, old & new & meet more quilters. I'm very happy with how my exhibit has been hung.

L-R Holly, Betty, Marlene, Eileen & me.

I'll be at Destination Texas from 3-5pm today [Thursday in the USA] The quilts on display in the World of Beauty, IQA members show are fantastic. Looking forward to browsing the booths too.

Thanks for all the comments on our travels. More of that to come over the coming weeks- I'm not done yet!

Waffles

2011-11-04T00:12:00.001+10:00

Why don't we have these in Australian hotel breakfast buffets? I love them but have to do a lot of walking to keep them off my waistline.

The batter comes from a dispenser, then you pour it onto the waffle plate, close it up & rotate & wait.

After the set time, it comes out ready to eat. I smother mine with Maple syrup.

Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival

2011-11-03T00:35:00.002+10:00

Have you ever been to a Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival? We joined Moab, Utah locals at their festival for some good, old-fashioned fun. Everyone from babies to adults was dressed in costumes, adding to the atmosphere.

Now the pumpkins were not thrown by hand- 2 large compressed air cannons launched the missiles across the field!

This one also launched bowling balls, while the smaller one used pumpkins only.

There was added fun with the Weiner Race for sausage dogs only. These are the practice rounds.

And a pumpkin pie eating contest for children & adults.

Some work along the way

2011-11-02T00:26:00.002+10:00

I have not been doing much printing or rubbing, but managed this small piece at Zion, on a background of hand dyed fabric I created in Australia. Not having enough fabric with me, I went to Walmart in Page & bought some other colours. Below is a print of the plant Mormon Tea, commonly seen by the desert country roadsides.

In Bryce I wrapped a Ponderosa pine tree trunk for a print, the day before it snowed. Below is the 'after' shot.

This is the bark of the pine. It flakes off like scales. And I had never seen the work of a Wood Pecker

bird on this tree before- such a neat pattern!

Destination Texas exhibition

2011-11-02T00:11:00.005+10:00

My exhibition Destination Texas has been up for Quilt Market in Houston & continues to be on display for Quilt Festival Nov 2-6. I will be there for Festival so hope you can come & say G'day on Wednesday Preview night from 5pm-10pm, Thursday 10am-7pm [Friday I'm away on the Texas Quilt Museum tour] Saturday 10am-7pm or Sunday 10am- 5pm. I will be giving a short floor talk at the exhibit, about the work, in the afternoons at 3pm.

Food

2011-11-01T01:10:00.001+10:00

This is a selection of our travelling food groups. We supplement our diet with delicious dinners, like the trout below.

And Bison Stew with a Cheddar Biscuit on top. Aussies would call this a scone. Food naming

can cause us great confusion & a laugh at times. These meals came from the historic Bryce Lodge built in the 1920's. The giant fireplaces kept the lobby & dining room warm.

Wifi was only available in the lobby area.

Snow

2011-11-01T00:51:00.010+10:00

This is the sight that greeted us on our second morning at Bryce! A Narnia world of snow & fluttering snowflakes had silently appeared overnight. How magical for 2 Queenslanders.

It was very special seeing the hoodoos wearing a snow frosting. I was wearing my long-johns, several layers including a down jacket & waterproof wind jacket, but my wool gloves were not enough to keep the cold out for very long.

Before we could drive off, Bob had to remove the snow. His credit card got an extra workout!

Bryce Canyon National Park #2

2011-11-01T00:48:00.003+10:00

The famous Thors Hammer formation is just one of many curiosities at Bryce.

Two stone bridges on the Navajo trail- not for clambering on!

Terraced switchbacks get walkers out of the canyon. I am pausing to catch my breath!

And then trekking ever upward.
Chris & Ginny, so glad I'm able to transport you to the magic of Bryce with my photos.

Bryce stone garden

2011-10-31T00:39:00.000+10:00

At the bottom of the Bryce Canyon amphitheatre it was curious, amusing and touching to see the human response to the oddity of the hoodoo landscape, in this stone garden.

Bryce Canyon National Park

2011-10-31T00:05:00.001+10:00

For someone with the nickname 'colour & shape', this place really appealed to me! The colours are magical & the hoodoos amazing. At 8000+ feet elevation, it was hard going walking back up from the bottom of the trail.

Jan the fossils were not in a National Park, but by the roadside. We would never take anything from a National Park, except photos & memories. The parks here are so well set up for visitors & have a fantastic Junior Ranger Program for kids.

Dale, glad you enjoyed the Opal Fever PIQF workshop.

Ali, yes there has to be the more adventurous among us!

Kodachrome Basin

2011-10-30T00:26:00.001+10:00

The State Parks we have gone into, are well set up with camping facilities, hiking trails & clean toilets. Kodachroma Basin offered a few trails & we chose the Angel's Palace which took us up onto a dry, dusty area with views of rocks shaped by Nature, resembling castle turrets.

I'm not as adventurous as Bob when photographing!

Cottonwood Road

2011-10-30T00:06:00.010+10:00

We decided to take a dirt road shortcut, named Cottonwood Road from the Lake Powell area to Bryce Canyon. It would take us past Grosvenor Arch & the Kodachrome Basin State Park. An added unexpected bonus was stopping to look at rocks & finding fossil mussels in a seam above a coal bed.

Southern Utah is a living geology lesson.

Grosvenor Arch & below rock lichen.

Halloween

2011-10-29T00:51:00.002+10:00

We have seen Halloween preparations everywhere. Here is a selection of photos I've collected so far.

Eyeballs for Trick or Treat.

Pumpkin competition at the Fall Festival in Page where we also enjoyed the Strawberry Lemonade.

Yes Francie, the rock textures would certainly have been good to place some fabric over! Pity I didn't have any idea they would be there.

World Quilt Show Florida

2011-10-29T00:04:00.001+10:00

I'm happy to be going on to Florida, West Palm Beach after Houston Festival, to teach 3 workshops at the World Quilt Show Florida Nov 10-12. Hope you can join me for Opal Fever, Oil Stick Intensive or Monoprinting Magic. I have added some more information about the show, for readers who may be able to attend.

November 10 - 12, 2011
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Admission: $12 (Includes Re-admission) • Children under 16 Free!
Even more exciting things have been added to this year’s program:

Special Luncheon/Lecture: On Saturday, November 12, at 12:30pm Dierdra McElroy will share her experiences growing up in Tahiti. The island paradise has it’s own traditional form of quilt making which is intertwined with every aspect of its culture and history. The audience will be transfixed with historical details, cultural norms, and exotic photographs of nature as they are laid side by side with the Tifaifai (tee-fay-fay) design that honors its existence. Dierdra’s presentation includes lunch - Penne alla Bolognese, Salad, fresh baked garlic breadsticks, iced tea or coffee, and chef’s selection of dessert. Tickets for the luncheon / lecture are available for $28; seating is limited.

The Marchants Mall at a Mancuso Show Management quilt festival is always eagerly anticipated by quilters, textile artists, and sewers who can’t wait to stop ‘til they drop! this year, Creative Curves and its owner, Virginia Walton are celebrating their return to vending and teaching in Florida by offering the students in Virginia’s workshop - "No More Showers, Just Spring Flowers" - a 25% discount on workshop fabric kits and the Creative Curves Ellipse Ruler set needed for class.

NEW THIS YEAR

•MORE Workshops & Lectures with Internationl Faculty.

MORE Quilts! Over 400 quilts from 10 countries!

•NEW Expanded Southeastern States Quilt Competition including the prestigious "Best of Florida" quilt award!

•GREAT Shopping at the Fabulous Merchants Mall

•NEW All-Inclusive Hotel/Show Package Available!

Glen Canyon Dam

2011-10-28T01:04:00.001+10:00

This is the fantastic Navajo Bridge, built in 1957. It links Wahweap Marina & the town of Page & many more communities separated by this canyon. Once the bridge was completed, work began on the Glen Canyon Dam. We went on a guided tour.

The turbine room where the hydroelectricity is generated.

This fella was a resident of the area, but has since moved out.

Horseshoe Bend

2011-10-28T00:07:00.002+10:00

It is as much fun observing & photographing the tourists at Horseshoe Bend, as peering over the edge, way down into the Colorado River.

It's a very long......way to the bottom, so I wasn't keen on getting too close to the edge. The rocky sides at this spot had great texture & me without the oil sticks!
I have to clear up a misunderstanding- the pie was $4.95 & the ice cream 75cents a scoop! Still a delicious bargain.

Antelope Canyon

2011-10-27T00:13:00.001+10:00

Well, I can tell you that Antelope Canyon is as amazing as the photos you may have seen of it & is a definite must-see!

We waited in the parking lot before getting onto the back of one of these vehicles, the only way to get to the canyon, with our Navajo driver/guide Betty Marie. Across the road is the power station.

Betty Marie leading the way into the canyon.

The bear appears, depending on where you stand.

Lake Powell- Rainbow Bridge

2011-10-26T00:57:00.001+10:00

We went out on the waters of the Glen Canyon dam for a cruise of Lake Powell & the Forbidding Canyon to see Rainbow Bridge. There are many house boats cruising around the lake shores.

So many amazing geologic lessons, taking place right before our eyes. Pity we won't be seeing it in a few million years time! Many dinosaurs roamed this area of North America & the bones of new species are being constantly uncovered.

This is the first glimpse you get of the bridge from the boat.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes

2011-10-25T00:46:00.002+10:00

Is this the track of the rare Tiger beetle of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes?

While I didn't spot the beetle, as it burrows into the cool sand of the dune in the midday heat, it was fun trying to 'read' the other tracks.

Sucker for pie

2011-10-25T00:38:00.001+10:00

And at Mt Carmel Junction Thunderbird Roadhouse, who could resist Strawberry Rhubarb or Thunderberry Pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for 75cents?

It's a long way to go for a latte, but it was really awesome too.
Francie the ribs are better here, as there is much more meat on the bone & it soaks up the flavour! Now I'm getting hungry!

Weeping Rock

2011-10-24T00:06:00.001+10:00

A natural phenomena, the water curtain runs continually over the edge at Weeping Rock. What is fascinating in Zion, is the amount of water in various parts of the park & the ecosystems it creates in an otherwise arid environment.