2QAQ fun

The first meeting of the year for 2QAQ featured Live Art & this is our contribution to the afternoon- a comment on cleaning up the waterways. Suzanne is wearing a dustpan on her head & holding the brush while plastic bags swirl around her.

Yes, Diane & Ali, many graffiti walls are truly art & I'd use the inspirations for my work too.

Graffiti

'Graffito' was decoration scratched through plaster to the under surface & is an ancient art form. The modern graffiti tagging in this photo, to me, can't be elevated to the same level.

Yes Ali, we do seem to be having a parallel  posting universe.

Railway station sights

A good safety message, at the railway station, but when making art, scribbling beyond the yellow line is allowed!

Railway station art

Our railway line was improved a year or two ago & the station also had a face lift. Colourful tile art graces some of the walls.

Deepest concerns & sympathies for the residents of Christchurch following the earthquake yesterday.

More stitching

This bright 'welcome' [hard to read in this photo] metal work decoration at the Franch, in Texas intrigued me. Could I rub it? Yes, but in the end I printed it & it's part of the current quilt I'm working on for my exhibition Destination Texas. Love those stars!

At the dump

Even a trip to the dump can be turned into an exercise in 'looking' for artistic inspiration. 'Line' was present in many forms.

Gardening

Garden clean up today as the rain, sunshine & humidity have made everything grow madly. Bob is getting the trailer ready for a serious load of cuttings, to be taken to the dump. We have trees which border our fence line & they will be pruned.

Houston bound

I'm extremely happy to announce my exhibition 'Destination Texas' will be a special exhibit in Houston, USA at the 2011 International Quilt Market Oct 29-31 & International Quilt Festival Nov 3-6. 'Rusty' above, 66" L x 38.5" W is part of the exhibition. If you'll be in Houston please drop by & say hi!

Thanks for the constructive comments yesterday on 'Indian Summer'. I think we often overlook the programmed stitches we have on modern machines. I alter the stitch length or width to suit my design. To avoid broken needles, always check the foot you are using will accommodate changes.

Indian Summer

Yesterday I finished a small quilt 50cmW x 35cmL titled 'Indian Summer' & posted it to Bernina for the Textile Tattoo Challenge, which Bernina friends were invited to enter. Selected entries will be photographed & transferred to the front of a Bernina sewing machine, making an individual statement as a tattoo does. Above, the first stage- dye painted cotton fabric.

My collection of Indian wooden, printing blocks added another layer, after they were rubbed with Shiva oil paint sticks.

Detail, below is from the finished piece. I have used some of the programmed machine stitches, free motion quilting & some hand painting of textured areas. I'll post the full quilt once results are announced. Blog is late today due to server problems this morning.

Sweet potato fries

Italian food is always sooooo....good & you have also confirmed that! One of the new food items I tried in the USA was sweet potato fries- they are so delicious with much more flavour than regular fries or the big, fat, hot chips we eat here in Aussie land. The burger was buffalo with onion jam, in Santa Fe on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Jan, thanks for the variation on the title- it is perfect for the quilt!

Italian food

Memories of our time living in Sardinia were rekindled when I ate this dish of Gnocchetti Sardi con Porcini at the Stellar Star restaurant, Coorparoo.

Wild Boar was also on the menu & I couldn't resist the Fig Tart.

Special friends

Seems so appropriate today, Valentine's Day, to share the unexpected gifts I received from 8 special friends yesterday. I was quite speechless & 'thank you' seemed inadequate.

All the small 4" canvases had a touch of orange, my favorite colour. This is by Jan, complete with a 'lucky' elephant.

By Ros, reminding me of various special things over the last 3 years.

Always, impressive quilting by Jane & orange beads.

Mel's mixed media - an artist to watch. The sketch is by Mel & the feather is very delicate & a perfect embellishment.

Colour & shapes I can really relate to, from Lexie.

'Ants Escaping' from an anthill by Kathryn, with the lovely texture of silk paper.

Kate made 'The State of my Art' below, bursting with energy & life. The card is also handmade by Kate

Thanks to Suzanne who made 2, so the set of 9 would be complete. The vibrant orange fabric has printed gold beetles & the flower centre has a  pearl shell flower.

Thanks team, I love them all.

Route 66

Yesterday while writing a description for my exhibition 'Destination USA', I was reminded of the wonderful holiday Bob & I had there, late last year.

We crossed paths many time with the iconic Route 66 as we travelled through the South-west. In Kingman & Williams near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, then again in New Mexico & Albuquerque, which is where this photo was taken. Most markers of the route were not as grand as this.

Yes Jan, the urn is quite a grand mantelpiece. I was wondering how to rub it!

Chinese urn

This replica bronze urn was given to Bob on his recent work trip to China. I love it for the patterning on the bronze & the goats' heads on each of the 4 corners. I'm a Goat sign in Chinese astrology.

Peace

Let your soul radiate peace. Think, act & speak harmoniously. Be contented & thankful for all you have. Live your life as a divine vision. Hazrat Inayat Khan

Suzanne, I forgot to mention that the deadline for World Quilt entries is May 20 & they can be up to 3 years old.

World Quilt Competition

Francie, that is indeed an Aussie breakfast- I know they do things big in Texas & so do we, when needed.

For Australian readers who may not know about World Quilt Competition & for those needing a gentle reminder, the 2011 World Quilt entry form is now available on my website. Here you'll also find the conditions of entry. I'm the Australian coordinator so would encourage you to enter & have your quilt eligible for great cash prizes & a tour of the USA Mancuso Quilt Festivals.

A new quilt

This fabric piece has been used for the testing of ideas for an invitational quilt to go to Michigan, USA. The theme is an interpretation of little miracles & can focus on comfort, hope, peace, strength & courage. I first looked at interpreting the universal symbol of the heart & 'x' for kisses, but was drawn more to nature- it's miracles & soothing balm for our soul, hence the leaf printing. Indian wood block printing is in the background of my work.

Almost ready for the facing.

Melbourne achievements

Looking back on the week in Melbourne- a lot of painting was finished & in the end we painted anything & everything white!

We celebrated Ruby's birthday the best way we could & even got out for an enjoyable Melbourne breakfast.

And great coffee with an added incentive.

Feeling blue

Bob & I are well, but everyone else in the household is sick & feeling as blue as this freshly painted wall.

Thanks for the comment on Ruby's quilt Jan- she likes it too. I've had it in the cupboard waiting for the right occasion.

Ruby's quilt

Ruby was 1 yesterday & I gave her a quilt for her birthday. It is whimsical with lots of little black ants crawling around the pieced & appliqued design.

My arms are getting very trim Jan, from the workout on the big roller & walls yesterday.

Painting

Is house painting an artistic outlet? I'm on the job here with the mini-roller, doing the ceiling edges. This is our daughter's new home in Melbourne & our first visit to it. We painted late into the night.

Francie, black flowers always take me by surprise.

Colour & shape

I was impressed by this unusual 'bat flower', seen recently in a pottery/gift shop.