Ulaanbaatar

Have finally arrived in Mongolia & woke way too early because of the 2 hour time difference. This is what I saw in the early morning light, as I looked out of the 9th floor apartment window. Note there is no traffic, but later when peak hour started, the noise level rose & I have been serenaded by car horns ever since!

The large image of Chinggis Khaan has been carved into the hillside & overlooks the capital. The National Symbol from the flag, is also carved into another hillside to the right of this image.

Went out walking with Bob, to get some groceries & have been snapping away. This Grand Khaan Irish Pub is going to be our dinner destination. We had Japanese for lunch & will be eating a lot of Mongolian food on our long trips on the Steppes. It was a beautiful Spring day, sunny with a light breeze. The streets were busy & crossing the road is interesting as cars don't stop for pedestrians on the crossings if at all possible!

The capital has a Russian era feel to it, as the 2 nations have had close ties for many years. More modern buildings are beginning to dot the skyline, but as far as capital cities go, this one is quite manageable with 1 million inhabitants.  The Cyrillic alphabet is used, so I'm having trouble reading signs, but that won't stop me shopping.

Morning in Incheon Korea

Spent the morning wandering the China Town of Incheon, which was behind the hotel. Lots of interesting sights so a few snaps to let you get a feel for the place.

Did NOT eat this! although it looks delicious.

School excursion to Jayu Park, a green hilltop oasis with a statue in honor of General MacArthur, where he & the pigeons look out to sea at the landing spot of the Marines during the Korean War.

Toilet curiosities

My first experience of a wrapped toilet seat!

The hand on the sensor activates the wrapping to rotate, so it is freshly wrapped for each person.

Next encounter, at the Harbor Park Hotel with a warmed toilet seat & impressive control panel in Korean.

Very reminescent of Japanese toilets & luckily a translation close by.

Korean patchwork

In the same shop as the rubbing demonstration table were many traditional Korean arts & crafts. These minature patchwork items caught my eye with their use of finger nail size pieces.

Mirror cases- I have no idea as to the currency conversion rate. These were 13,000?

Incheon Korea

This is my first time in South Korea, in Incheon, near Seoul & I'm seeing more of it than scheduled! Due to high winds, the aeroplane was unable to fly to Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia so we were taken to a hotel for the night. Fingers crossed I get there on the next scheduled flight. However, imagine my joy when I saw this at the airport!

It was set up for foreign tourists to try, so I did. The Mulberry paper is dampened, placed over the carved rubbing block & patted down by hand.

The pouncher is used to transfer the image to the paper. Unfortunately my fabric was in the checked suitcase.

TaDah! the bad Tiger & the good Magpie complete, ready to be expertly rolled. The other option was a roof tile.

Mongolia

This photo of Bob in Mongolia at the Chinngis Khan statue was taken a few years ago. Today I'm also on my way to Mongolia, to join Bob as he travels out onto the steppes. I'm not sure what internet connection will be like, where we are going, so if you don't hear from me, know I'm well & will catch you up on the adventure soon!

Airports

Most airport terminals have a similarity with only the public art distinguishing them. The textile art panels by Sue Wademan of Queenstown, New Zealand hang for all to marvel at the changing of the seasons on the Remarkable Mountains.

Auckland International terminal has a huge 'palm' on whose impressive, convex surface animated images simulate a watery environment.

Food design

Food that is appealing to the eye & tastes good is always very satisfying. Sassafras cafe, Paddington has been satisfying Brisbane tummies for many years. And while my Eggs Benedict may not have looked as wonderful as Jane's salad, the taste was there.

Will take the oil sticks for a rubbing next time. The atmosphere of the ecletically decorated wooden cottage is great.

Radial design

Recently when visiting a garden centre, what caught my eye in the decorator section were these radial designed wall sculptures.

And on getting home, something that was so familiar, my bathroom blinds, caught my eye again! This is an Ikea fabric & the blinds slide horizontally so the 3 panels layer together. Hope that explanation works for you!
Yes, Little Miss 1 is very cute in all she does!

New rug joy

Little Miss 1 is enjoying the cuddle rug I made her from Minkee, on 1 side and waffle weave on the other. I had enough Minkee left for a small pillow. She is being very busy with it here!

Yes Ali, I too am waiting in anticipation for the STATE of the ART quilt 11 exhibition to open at Textile Art Festival & to see the other artists selected.

Textile Art Festival

The Textile Art Festival June 11-13 in Brisbane will feature demonstrations, displays, workshops & lots of great textile 'things'. The STATE of the ART quilt 11 will be there & I have 2 quilts in the exhibition, the one above 'On Track #1' & 'Circles of my Mind' below. Don't Linda Robertus, Jan McPike, Margie Creek & Mel Forrest also have stunning quilts? Yes this & next year are looking busy Jan, but I love it!

'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!

Biggest morning tea

Yesterday Sunnybank Quilters hosted a Biggest Morning Tea to raise money for the Cancer Council. Our group has been part of this initiative for many years & yesterday raised more than $3000 through a door entry fee, a raffle, craft table sales & donations. Our floral emblem is the sunflower.

We each brought a plate & the table looked wonderful with so many delicious treats. These photos were taken at the end, with much already having been eaten. The stage of the hall was arranged with a quilt & doll display.

Work in progress

My panels of the Grand Canyon are stitched together, waiting for batting & backing. The left hand panel is a print from Ponderosa Pine which are tall, majestic trees on the South Rim. We rode through pine forest on the mules.Thanks for the comments on the painted panel Jan & Ali.

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.