Melbourne coffee

Another good foodie reason to visit Melbourne is for the coffee & cake. This was a slice of Linzer torte at Haus Frau bakery in Yarraville. I love the use of seasonal fruit in the cakes & tarts & cafes with personality here. This was so yummy with rhubarb & possibly pear that I had tucked into it when I realised I needed a photo!

Art of the Omie

Yes June, the Melbourne breakfasts are worth travelling to that city for. Lisa, I also saw this exhibition, Wisdom of the Mountain: Art of the Omie at the NGV International and it took me by surprise as I'd seen a recent bark cloth exhibition in Brisbane, but these designs were so different from the South Pacific island use of colour & design.

There was a complexity & mastery of natural dyes which had me enthralled. The 14 Omie women artists from Papua New Guinea use the Spider Web, Climbing Vine, Mountain designs & others, creating a  powerful sense of place.

Ron Mueck exhibition

What makes the work of Australian sculptor Ron Mueck so fascinating? I have seen this image of the woman in bed in a catalogue, but until you see it in person, you have no idea of the scale.

Photos were allowed but without the flash. Mueck works in super size or half size. We are left to ponder what his figures are comtemplatng. This current exhibition is at the NGV International, St Kilda Road Melbourne until April 18.

Melbourne breakfast

I'm a fan of the all day breakfast menu & Melbourne does it the best! At 'the hot poppy' cafe North Melbourne for brunch, I had the Florentine Eggs while Bob had Spanish Eggs.

Tarmac inspiration

I snapped these photos while waiting for a flight & was instantly reminded of the paintings of Australian artist Jeffrey Smart. Much of his work features everyday, somewhat industrial landscapes with a figure or 2 to humanize & scale the image.

Red Brain

This quilt has returned home after a lengthy tour in the USA as part of the Fiber Force: A Futuristic Approach exhibition. It is always a nice surprise to see a quilt when it returns- it is like viewing it for the first time, with fresh eyes. Detail shown here.

Down Under Textiles

It's arrived & I've been enjoying reading through the articles which range from step by step instructions, information about how artists use colour, book reviews, an interview with artist Felicity Clarke & a listing of fibre events & groups.

I've written about how I use oil sticks in my work.

If you are interested in getting a copy, editor Deborah Segaert has a listing of stockists on her February 10 blog or you can order from Creative Living Media online. I can't wait to see what will be in the next issue.

New quilt

I have been working on 2 new designs to enter in The New Quilt exhibition run by the Quilters Guild of NSW & exhibited at Manly Art Gallery & Museum. This year the biennial exhibition will coincide with the Sydney Quilt Show & as I'll be in Sydney for the show, will take the ferry across the harbour to Manly.

I have set myself the challenge of facing my quilts & here is a shot in progress before it is turned to the back of the quilt & a completed corner with just a teaser glimpse of the front.

Down Under Textiles

I am eargerly awaiting the arrival of a Down Under Textiles magazine in my mail box. As a contributing writer, I can't wait to see this new Australian publication. The following is a list of what is included in the magazine.


• Make silk paper with Erica Spinks

• Using SHIVA paint sticks with Sue Dennis

• Create a scarf with Sam Pope

• Silk wall-hanging with Cecile Whatman

• Wet felting technique by Gutermann

• Wood block printing with Dijanne Cevaal

• How to use Lutrador with Dijanne Cevaal

• Using the Embellisher machine

• Galleries showcasing art pieces

• Australian fibre artist Felicity Clarke shares her ‘journey’

• Colour Comment – advice from leading artisans

• How and why a journal can inspire the creative journey

• ‘Embellish a Bag Challenge’ – win prizes with your creations.

Orders are available online & through some retailers. It is AUD 9.95 + $2.75 postage & handling.

Scribbly gum

The scribbly gum tree is so named for the scribbly tracks left by insects. It is a great inspiration for working with line.

Grandmother's embroidery

Marika, seeing the Hungarian embroidery on the Textile Blog, had a strong emotional response from me, as it reminded me of my Czechoslovakian Grandmother's embroidered tablecloths. Many of the motifs are similar across this part of Eastern Europe & incorporate drawn thread work. Slovak costumes have elaborate embroidery on the sleeves & necklines.

The Textile Blog

Have you been reading the Textile Blog? The posts are interesting & take you on a round the world journey, via textile traditions, without leaving home. I have put the site on my blog sidebar so I don't miss any posts.

Mongolian quilt

Jan, I always have challenge fabric left over so use it for the backing so it doesn't sit in the stash. And congratulations for making a pennant for the Olympic athletes- it's on my 'to do' list.

Bob got back from Mongolia & presented me with a gift- this Mongolian quilt. The central area motifs have been chain stitiched on 2 fabric layers, while the border is 3 layers & machine quilted.

It is unfinished on 1 long side. What you can't get from the photos is the smell! It has been well used in the gur [yurt] & has been smoked from the coal powered cooking fire.

Challenge quilt

Yesterday I was very happy to finish my challenge quilt for Queensland Quilters & deliver it to the meeting.

This is a view of the back & the challenge fabric we had to work with. I'll reveal the front when all the entries are in next month.

Antiques

Bangalow in northern New South Wales has a few antique & old wares stores & we visited Heath's in Station Street.

He uses the Singer sewing machine drawers for storage & they make an impressive array at the front of the large shed/store where the memories of the past are housed.

By the sea

I find the rhythm of the sea totally relaxing & walking along the tideline is time to be in the moment.

The shadow of us sitting on the sand dune in the late afternoon light.

Cardwell lily

My friend Sue is a great gardener & can reel off the botanical names of everything she sees, unlike me. I'm looking at the colour & shape & this Cardwell Lily in her garden was just delightful.

Joyful week

Unfortunately June, Bob only gets to work in Mongolia & not be on holiday, with the exception of the Chinggis visit, which is a pity as I'd love to see more of the culture. But there has been much baby joy this week.
 From snowy Mongolia back to the warmth of an Australian Summer in northern New South Wales, visiting friend Sue & looking into & through her front window, with great reflections.

Many birds visit her lovely garden & she has them on You-tube "Birds at the Beach".

Chinggis Khaan

Bob went sightseeing in Mongolia & has sent me these photos of the Chinggis Khaan [local spelling]  60 metre tall statue some 100 kilometres from the capital Ulaanbaatar.

The statue is made of stainless steel. My orange hat is certainly seeing the world, just a pity it's not on my head at the locations.

Granddaughter Ruby Eloise

Some of these pre-cut squares were turned into a small quilt top in anticipation of the arrival of our third grandchild.

Now little Ruby Eloise is here & Nanna will have to get stitching on the rest of the pack. I didn't get much sleep last night from the excitement of the day, as I also had the wonderful news that I will have 3 weeks as artist-in-residence in the USA after the Houston International Quilt Festival.

Quilts 4 London

Yesterday I finished the marathon work on my SAQA Sightlines invitational exhibition work & posted it. Phew! I'm sorry, but I can't show photos as it will premier in Houston USA at the International Quilt Festival November 4-7, 2010.

However, think of the athletes preparing for the 2012 Olympic Games to be held in London. Like quilters they spend many hours practising to perfect their skills for the goal of competing & winning. On the website Quilts 4 London, first mentioned by Erica on her blog, there is a call for making pennants for all the athletes. The Australian coordinator is Sandi Manning.

I'm going to join in & make a few.

Printing play day

Got together with some friends, last month & had a fun play day with paint & oil sticks. L-R Liz & Cathy.

L-R Enid, Jan & Liz.

By the end of the day, after much laughter & paint flying over fabric we had some nice pieces to take home. L-R Liz, Cathy, Sue, Jan, Sharon & Sue.