Weekend away

Always lovely to have time away, discovering new places. This is the view of Mt Warning, NSW from near Cudgen. It was a super colour saturated sort of day!

Was on the hunt for pineapples and found lots of souvenirs at Tropical Fruit World. I had not been here before and will come back for a much longer visit.

Down at Kingscliff for a bite to eat and the avocado toast did not disappoint, yum!

Batemans Bay

This is a lovely part of southern NSW and an area I'm not familiar with. After seeing these beautiful bays, I will have to come back for a longer stay and exploration. It was all very stunning in the late afternoon light. The tall gums grow right down to the water's edge.

This is a  shadow selfie of Robyn and me. 

Treasure Layers workshop

I have returned from a lovely time in Batemans Bay, NSW with the Night Owl Quilters and a few extra workshop participants. The ladies enjoyed 2 days of Treasure Layers and did great work with stencils, Angelina, fusible web and washaway. Unfortunately my ipad camera would not cooperate and I only have these photos to share.

 

Studio design wall

I have been pulling fabric out and auditioning pieces on my studio design wall. These are silks that have been eco dyed at a workshop with Kirsten Ingemar from Brunswick Heads NSW. I will do something with them next year when I have some time.

This is pieced and now has been basted ready for quilting. It is the souvenir of my time at the Geelong Grammar School for the Textile Retreat. Just needs stitching.
 

Treasure Layers #3

Patricia L and Heather R look at one of the many lovely pieces Patricia stencilled.

 Kay L and her beautiful tone on tone pieces.

This was another popular stencil.

More Treasure Layers

Betty displaying her created flower which would make a lovely brooch.

Lina printed Macadamia farm tools and wood for her original work, enhanced with hand stitching.

Sisters Heather and Claire stitching away.

And here is one of the results- 2 created blue birds.

Treasure Layers

More lovely work from the Goonellabah Quilters, last week in Treasure Layers. R-Bev,  shares her bamboo background and created piece to be stitched in place.

Marilyn was out of her comfort zone but was happily stitching on day 2.

A combination of stencils form the design.

This is a very popular stencil. Work by Betty.
Wow, July 1- the countdown to Christmas begins!
 

Quilting in the Highlands

Hello from the Southern Highlands, south of Sydney in New South Wales. I'm one of 5 tutors preparing for the 4 day quilting retreat Quilting in the Highlands organised by Berrima Patchwork  and run by Sue and Tamsin Harvey.

I'm teaching Garden Trellis and Opal Fever and will remember to take lots of photos! Quilt above is Opals which started the opal fever.

Weekend photos

Our workshop group L-R me, Jana, Rhonda, Kirsten our tutor, Lilly, surrounded by some of our day 2 work.

One participant Omila had to leave early, but we unwrapped her 6 metre silk sari bundle. It is beautiful as you can see above.

Rhonda's leaves.

 On the left, dress and sash by Jana and on the right a panel by Lily.

The Viewpoints 9 Challenge 2 is being revealed over the next 2 days, so check back to see what we have made in response to the Pi challenge.



Bag done- tick!

So nice to get this project finished. After piecing the crazy patch blocks together on a cotton batting background, I used some decorative machine stitches and lots of more or less straight lines to hold the layers together. The colours were too bright for my liking [not often would I say that!] so I gave everything a white wash.

Selection of a lining and handle fabric came next. Some cutting sewing and 'tick' done!

Now I may feel like a walking advertisement for Byron Bay, but that will be a conversation starter!

Souvenir

Almost a year ago, my Mexette friends had a reunion at Byron Bay, where we stayed in the lighthouse keepers cottages. The Southern Belles had made crazy patch blocks for us and told us to 'do some thing' with them. My motto will have to be 'Better late, then never'! They are slowly morphing into a bag for meetings and shopping.

Beauty

Greet each day

with your eyes open to beauty,

your mind open to change,

and your heart open to love.

Paula Finn

from Essence, Inspiration for a life of abundance & happiness, designed by Suzanne & Barbara Maher- Affirmations Publishing House.

Lovely day out

Yesterday we celebrated Father's Day with a day visiting some sites in Northern NSW. Mt Warning, an old volcanic plug dominates the landscape near Murwillumbah & it was in full view as we lunched at the Tweed River Art Gallery which is hosting the Archibald Prize portraits until September 11. The gallery was packed with visitors & the paintings are great.

A rainbow on the beach near Kingscliff ended a beautiful day.

All things Japanese #2

Another purchase of Japanese items was from Kimono Girls who had pre-made cords & buttons of resin covered fabric, in 3 sizes. These were too good to pass by!

 I have been flat out trying to get the last things ready for my 'Destination USA' exhibition- it opens on July 16 in Brisbane at Gallery 159. I am feeling the pressure, so am breathing deeply to keep calm!

All things Japanese

While at the Craft & Quilt Fair last week, I was drawn to these vintage Japanese fabrics sold by Kimoyes, a Canberra based business. There were lots of cotton, wool & silks to choose from. The 3 on the R are wool & the blue & white are cotton. I need to stitch up my rubbings from Japan, so am buying some appropriate fabrics- but then I can't pass by great fabric without fondling!
Thanks Jan, I fixed it.

Sydney Quilt Show

I'm visiting the Sydney Quilt Show for a couple of days, to see the quilts from members of the Quilters' Guild of NSW, chat with friends & enjoy other displays, vendors booths & the atmosphere at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. My quilt 'Counting' has been awarded a Judges' Commendation & as I've been a quilt show entrant for the last 16 years, certificates are being awarded for that too. Sixteen years! I couldn't believe it, but I guess time flies when you're having fun.

The show continues until June 26, 9am- 5pm.

'Destination USA' exhibition

The latest issue of the Australian Textile Fibre Forum magazine No. 102, features a story about my upcoming exhibition 'Destination USA'.

I'm a page 28 girl! And I was thrilled when Janet De Boer, editor of the magazine & CEO of TAFTA invited me to be one of the 30 tutors for the new CONTEXTART Forum taking place April 2012 in the Blue Mountains. This is a great opportunity to participate in a wide range of workshops which cover textile art, jewellery, wood carving, shoe making & sculpture to name a few.

Hope you can join me for a 2 day Surface Design Entree or 4 days of fun in Textile Souvenirs. Above is an example of the technique of mono printing covered both workshops. The entry form and details are on the TAFTA website & please feel free to spread the word about the CONTEXTART Forum 2012. Would love to meet you there!

Food for artists

'All you need is love', good lunch companions & good food. I have saved a few foodie photos so we can have a feast!

Under the Rocket salad there are 3 Sweet Corn & Zucchini Fritters from the Poinciana Cafe, Mullumbimby NSW. The atmosphere was relaxed with eclectic decorations from around the world with Bali & Mexico in various areas of the cafe. We went back for another lunch & again weren't disappointed- Pumpkin salad with Halumi & Sweet potato chips.

Farewell to Byron

The lighthouse is truly photogenic in any weather or from any angle. Hope you haven't been too bored with seeing it in most of the posts for the last week.

A beautiful rainbow greeted us on the second last day. Ali it makes a great day trip destination.