First of the month

We celebrate the beginning of our Winter on June 1, but to finish off the week of first time events,  I have to announce that, for the first time as a writer, I have a column, Global Thread in 
Down Under Quilts magazine. My first column about Cambodian experiences will be out later this month.

A couple of snapshots from the visit. The quilts were at the Mekong Quilts shop in Siem Reap.

No Littering, Cambodian Style

I'm returning to this quilt as I wanted to show you a detail. Above is the quilt before machine free motion quilting. I always love the way the stitching brings the image alive with subtle texture.

As I was dealing with a rubbish bin, I decided the thread tails, usually cut off could remain visible to further enhance the subject.

I also tore the fabric edges and encouraged fraying. The Viewpoints 9 challenges have allowed me to be bolder with experimenting with techniques and edge finishes. It is a great feeling of artistic freedom.

Viewpoints 9 challenge reveal

The extraordinary in the ordinary happened for me in Siem Reap Cambodia, when I saw these beautiful shaped garbage bins made from repurposed truck tyres.

The full story of my quilt 'No Littering, Cambodian Style' can be viewed on the Viewpoints 9 blog with more reveals from the other artists today and tomorrow.

The extraordinary in the ordinary challenge

I have been working on my Viewpoints 9 challenge, which I set the group on January 1. Reveal day is coming up fast, February 26, so I borrowed a light box from my friend Jan.

I'm using my rusted fabric which I rubbed in Cambodia. It was harder to see the traced design through the rust spots, but I managed.

Sorry, I can't show you any more at the moment or it will give it away. The stitching begins today.

She is waiting

We bought this temple rubbing while visiting a small temple. There are many opportunities to buy these while you are visiting various temple complexes and also in Siem Reap. The paper has a high relief because the carved sandstone panels are beautifully carved, with intricate detail. The bare breasted carvings frequently have a polished look in this region from all the caresses!
Rather than put her behind glass, I am thinking on stitching rubbed fabric panels to the top and bottom and then hanging with bamboo rods.

The colour is actually gold as in the first photo.
 

On my design wall

I have been working with fabrics I rubbed in Cambodia, making a quilt for the SAQA Text Messages juried exhibition. The quilts need to be 24"wide but any length of your choosing. I will submit 2 entries for consideration by juror Lesley Riley.These were words I got from a lamp post. Apsara is the word for the Khmer traditional style of dancing, but perhaps it has another meaning?

I', also using some Riel notes- Cambodian money, in the work too.
Ginny, the fabric did change colour when I put it in the soda ash solution, but the photo doesn't refect the true colour. After it had been rinsed and washed, I ended up with a much paler, subtle colouring of mushroomy brown.

 

February 1

On January 1 we were travelling from Singapore to Siem Reap, Cambodia for a holiday break and adventure, which we found. We also came back relaxed and many memories of the wonderful people we encountered remain strongly ingrained. Sharing my travel photos and observations with you is always a pleasure.
February 1, new month, new stories and adventures of the everyday!

Thirsty work

Temple hopping is thirsty work, even in the Cambodian Winter! Fresh coconut juice helps revive us.

More warning signs before arriving at the River of 1000 Lingas- circular carvings in the river rock.

 

Travelling in style

We loved travelling in style in the tuk tuk. It is a slower pace and we enjoyed seeing village life as we passed by. I snap photos as I go and you never quite know how they will turn out.

We are always amazed at the amount of stuff and people that can be carried on a motorbike.

This was a load of bread rolls. We did see 3 double mattresses on the back of a bike too!

Wet, wild weekend

It has been a weekend of wild wind and constant rain. Last night was the worst as the remnants of Cyclone Oswald passed over us. This morning we had no power, so no blogging done. A few very large trees had fallen over a main road near us and taken out the power lines. Many areas are faring far worse than us, so thinking of you all and hoping it is not as bad as 2011 floods.

I have the bits ready to assemble another quilt, this time one with rubbings and bits from the Cambodian holiday. But without power it didn't happen this morning. Will get to do a bit now!

Senteurs d'Angkor

We visited the Senteurs dÁngkor workshop in Siem Reap. Natural ingredients used in their soaps, creams, candles etc are sourced from local plants and they had examples of these growing in the grounds. We had a lovely guided tour by a knowledgeable young woman. The dyeing of the sugar palm fronds for weaving into the small baskets to hold the products was well photographed.

The women cycle to work and have tiled, shaded pavilions for sitting and weaving.

These are examples of the containers they make, called smoks". We ended our visit with a complimentary cinnamon coffee.

Signs of the times

Temple visiting is not without restrictions. Just read the signs! This array greeted us at Ta Som. But wait...there's more.

Ah, 2 things we can do. We could also climb over most areas, only those in danger of collapse are cordoned off or else it's self explanatory when you are greeted with a pile of rubble.

Someone with a patchwork inclination put this together. 

People watching

Sometimes it's more fun people watching in these environments that are so very popular with international tourists. This is the entrance gate to the Angkor Thom complex with the much loved Bayon temple, the one with the amazing faces.

He is wearing camouflage tights.

And yes I loved the faces too!
Jan, I saw many goats in coats as it was Winter in India, so it seemed like a good, quirky title.

A patchwork of rubbings

Temple rubbings are popular items and most complexes had them for sale. Choosing 1 is hard with so many beautiful, high reliefs on rice paper.

Easily rolled up for transport in a woven palm frond cylinder.

 

Inspirations

I don't usually post on a Sunday, preferring to have 1 day a week without my computer, but I have so many lovely images from the recent trip, I thought you may enjoy a few extra inspirations.

The Apsara dancers were popular images for carvings and why not when they are so beautiful?

Ta Prohm

The temple complex of Ta Prohm is undergoing restoration in some sections, but the destruction of the jungle growth can still be seem in various areas of the buildings and surrounding walls, begun in 1186.

Putting the temples together is like a giant jigsaw puzzle with old and new stone used. A scene for the movie Tomb Raider was shot at Ta Prohm. There is a photographing platform with the power of Nature in full view. Don't know who the people are, just wanted the tree!