Japanese food

Sakuraya, a new Japanese restaurant opened a while ago, in our area & they were very popular at night, so we made it to lunch instead. Having acquired a love of Japanese cuisine & the presentation of their dishes, this brought back memories of our holiday in Japan, 2008.

Thanks for the comment on the last post Mel, yes, it was a fun project, especially if you only have limited creative time to spare.



On my design wall

I have a few quilts made/started in workshops that I have been 'upcycling'. This, I think is a trendy word for recycling something into a more beautiful object.

So this is the process- stitch a lot, paint a lot, trim & turn into journal covers. This has been so much fun!

Old Government House #2

I had mentioned the patina of the wallpaper in Old Government House, Brisbane but not included photos, so am posting them today. It reminded me of the layering techniques many quilters achieve with their work.

On my design wall

Thanks everyone for the notes of congratulations re Quilts=Art=Quilts. The 2QAQ group had an 'Off the page' challenge, to make a small piece which was inspired by reading page 127 from a novel of your choosing. My novel was 'The Birth of Venus' by Sarah Dunant & love was the inspiration for my work.

The background is a crazy patch of synthetic fabric embellished onto felt, then stencilled, with wool finishing the edges.

Quilts=Art=Quilts

Yesterday I had the very good news that the 2 quilts I'd entered for jurying, in Quilts=Art=Quilts at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn, New York, had been accepted! Well, I walked round in circles for a bit, taking it in, then quickly got them to the post office as there is a short delivery time.

The top quilt is 'ANTHILLS-Study in Gold' followed by 'SPIRIT LAND' so if you get the chance the exhibition dates are October 31- January 9. The center also runs the Quilting by the Lake annual workshops & retreat.

Old Government House

While visiting the William Robinson Gallery, upstairs in Old Government House, I took photos of things which caught my eye- the carpets, wallpaper layers & the play of the light in the building.

Francie, the quilt 'Acacia Ridge' will be in the Queensland Quilt Show when PIQF is on.

William Robinson Gallery

Old Government House in Brisbane houses the work of renown Queensland based artist William Robinson.

Food & textiles

Lunch at Ahmet's Turkish restaurant South Bank, for me, combined food with some interesting textile surrounds & glorious colours.

Remarkable Symposium

The Remarkable Symposium class catalogue arrived last week, full of tutor profiles & workshop descriptions. What a hard job selecting classes to attending from the great line-up! The Remarkable Mountains in the background are snow capped & a beautiful backdrop to Queenstown. Hope to see you there. My workshops are Opal Fever, Leaf it Alone & Divide & Conquer on page 40.

On my design wall

This piece 'Acacia Ridge' has had a long evolution, but is finally finished. Many years ago, before I began dying my own fabric, I bought this hand dye from a local business Ozdyeart, now no longer in business. A few years ago I printed it with acacia  [wattle] flowers & rubbed it with oil sticks.

It sat around for a long time, but it is finally finished! It measures 31" L x 51"W.

Swell Sculpture Festival #4

I can't resist sharing just a few more of the great creations from the Swell Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast at Currumbin, as this is the last weekend to see it.

Mexettes at Palm Beach market

There is an excellent weekly Saturday market at the Palm Beach High School grounds, Gold Coast. Lots of fresh produce, meat, seafood, live entertainment & delicious food stalls plus good coffee! We went for the African baskets, which come in all shapes & sizes. L-R Marg, Marcia & Di, members of our friendship group the Mexettes.

Di arrived with her own beautiful,  hand made shopping bag.

SAQA auction

The SAQA auction begins on September 20 & this is my contribution 'Colour Patch Series- Black, Blue & Red' I'm on page 1b along with many other wonderful pieces from members. If you are interested in quilt collecting this is a great place to start- the work is all 12"square & while the opening bid begins at $750, it drops each day to $75, if you can wait!
Money raised goes to help SAQA programs.

Swell Sculpture Festival #3

Kate, there are some nice cafes along Pacific Parade, which look out to sea & the sculptures.

Swell Sculpture Festival #2

Swell Sculpture Festival

The Swell Sculpture Festival, at Currumbin Beach, Gold Coast began on the weekend & continues until September 19.  Many people were out enjoying & interacting with the artwork.

Redlands Quilt Extravaganza

If you are in Brisbane this weekend you may want a trip to the Bay, to the entry free, Redlands Quilt Extravaganza. It is at the Redlands Community Cultural Centre, Middle St opposite the Cleveland railway station. Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm. Lots of interesting displays from groups & traders & a quilt show in the hall, up the ramp. Outstanding embroidery & quilting make this a wonderful community event.

Thank you for the well wishes yesterday- much appreciated.

'Australia Wide Two' exhibition

'Colour Patch Series- Yellow & White' has been juried into the touring Ozquilt members' exhibition 'Australia Wide Two'. All the pieces are 15.5" [40cm] square & will begin the tour in October at the Fairfield City Museum & Gallery. The Ozquilt webite will have details & images in October.

Sunnybank Quilters meeting

At my local group Sunnybank Quilters, Jan, standing on L organised to make a raffle quilt to raise money for breast cancer research. The quilt was presented to Dragons Abreast member Pam, standing R. Members who made the quilt are in the front L-R Di, Mary, Denise & Vera. Well done ladies!

'Windows on Australia: The Quilts of Sue Dennis'

I have spread out the quilts, for a sneak peek, that will be the small exhibition 'Windows on Australia'   showcasing some of my work from 2000- 2008, at the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara October 14-17. My lecture on Thursday October 14 , Outback Travels with my Sewing Machine, will also give an insight into the Australian landscape & the work it has inspired, so I hope you can join me.

Jeri, thanks for noticing my sequined vest in the post from Monday- it's a good outfit for openings!