Change of plan

This week I had planned to begin some new work for my 'Taking Leaf of my Senses' exhibition at the Warwick Art Gallery July 5- August 19. However my body had other plans for me and violent toothache on Monday compelled me to see my dentist on Tuesday.
After an x-ray or 2 and a thorough investigation of the vertical fracture, my dentist declared the tooth, a large back molar, was beyond saving. So out it came- in 15 little pieces "like a jigsaw puzzle" he said!
3 neat stitches [I did ask if they were neat], antibiotics and lots of rest today should see me up and well soon, ready to launch into the new work! I am sporting an egg on my jawline, which is very sore, so yes, I am blatantly seeking your sympathy!! ;)

Memories of National Park

The weekend provided an opportunity for us to relive memories of some of the great National Parks we visited in the US last October.

The Arches, near Moab, Utah were just amazing. This is Delicate Arch, well worth the hike.

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.

Mangosteens

These tropical fruits are soft, juicy and white inside the hard red, outer protective skin. I have always loved their colour and shape, from the petal like top leaves to the flower shape on the base. We first ate them in Malaysia many years ago. Now they are available in Australia during their Summer season.

Cooking

I don't know what was cooking in the pot, but this outside fire/stove made me realise how lucky I am to have a fully equipped, electric kitchen. Now to stop sewing! and spend some time cooking.
The reflections on the water were fantastic on our boat trip Mel. I guess you have great photos too Rhonda?

Udaipur

Magical golden afternoon light on Lake Pichol,Udaipur, as we enjoyed a sunset boat ride.

So lovely to relive the dinner by the lake.

A daytime view from our hotel, to the Lake Palace Hotel which is regularly featured in travel brochures.

Rubbing Cleveland

The art group Broad Strokes invited me to rub Cleveland, a Bayside suburb. Kate had found many interesting textures for us to investigate.

Thanks for a lovely morning L-R Mel, Suzanne, Kathryn, Merody, Kate, Jane.
Puppy sitting has been fun- I had forgotten how much energy they have, like young children. Nap time is good!

Puppy sitting

I am puppy sitting my daughter's cross breed, for a few days. She is very cute, a ball of energy in the mornings and needs to be near me. Luckily she is fairly well house trained. She even enjoyed time in the sewing studio yesterday. Feeding is 3 times a day, but she sleeps through the night without a whimper.

She is part red cattle dog, but there's a question mark as to the rest.

Turbans for sale

I was astounded at the number of ready-wrapped turbans for sale in Jaipur. You can see them neatly arranged on the balcony above the shops on the street below.

Of course! They are a popular souvenir item for local tourists.

Annette, I'll post the photos of the finished quilts when the exhibition opens.

Flood series

Since the beginning of the year, I have been working on a series of quilts related to the Queensland floods of 2011. This is the fourth one, under the machine for the quilting. All the quilts use mono printing for their major design focus. Sorry I can't show more at this stage, as they are all promised to exhibitions opening later this year.

Close encounter

I love elephants and was taken by surprise, in a narrow street in Udaipur, as we walked to our hotel. All too soon the elephant was gone.

Like someone who doesn't clean off their eye makeup, there are traces of decorative patterns on the forehead and trunk.

Dotty world

Can you imagine a world covered in colourful dots? Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama can and we were able to sit dots where ever we liked!

More colourful pieces of her art work were presented in another gallery at GOMA.

Matisse

The Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane has been hosting an exhibition of drawings by Henri Matisse and some friends and I finally got in to see it. It is open until March 4 and there is a lovely cafe, at the end of all the exhibition mini-galleries, where you can sit and draw, talk and admire the decor and Brisbane river.

Great bag

Mary Ann was a student in the Oil Stick Intensive workshop in Florida last November and has kindly sent photos of her finished bag. She rubbed the designs during the class.

Looks so wonderful on the black and this shoulder bag has a front flap and pockets.

Thanks for sharing Mary Ann- I know no one else will have such a special bag!

Caught my eye in India

I have many, many photos taken in India and many are inspirational to me. I fell in love with the shrine-like alcoves seen at the palaces. Some had beautiful paintings and decorative mirrors. This one houses a few rocks that have been placed just so. This area had lost it's roof, so was exposed to the elements.

Visions Art Quilt Museum

Never did I imagine I  would have work hang in the Visions Art Museum, San Diego USA! However due to the generosity of collector Del Thomas, a gallery has been named in her honor and a special exhibit of 12 inch square quilts, from her collection, is on display until April 22, 2012. My quilt "Cloncurry Flinders Grass" is there! It is in the middle row, last on the right. Thanks Del- you have made my day!
After yesterday,s comment from Kim, I'm wondering how many more rust-a-holics are out there?

Rubbing India

Many of the sites we visited were heritage listed, so it was not appropriate to take out oil paint sticks and rub over the reliefs. An opportunity for a group rubbing/printing session came one afternoon at Udai Bagh resort, next to the pool.

We pooled our blocks bought during our shopping and off we went!

Even Anukram got into the swing of things with the elephant and camel wood blocks.

Anita's wood block was the most popular and I was able to rub it's design onto this rusted piece of cotton/linen fabric I'd brought with me. Rusting fabric is very easy with any rusty object, which can be placed on top of the fabric or under it. Dampen the fabric with a light application of white vinegar and water to begin the process. Keep the fabric damp by covering or placing in a plastic bag and after 24 hours you should see some results. When handling the rusty fabric and objects use gloves. Wash thoroughly in salty water and finally fresh water. The final wash can be in the washing machine.

Riding in autos

Our group hired a couple of autorickshaws, as they are called in India, to wizz us round to the sites of Chittor Fort. With the driver in front, there were 3 of us on the back seat and one facing out on the rear seat. The autos are nicely decorated with bits and pieces.

When you are in one, the space between other road users is very small and they tend to weave in and out of the traffic very quickly!

Hang on Rhonda!

On being 2

I can't remember what it was like being a 2 year old! But watching Miss 2 enjoy life fills me with joy.

Miss Penny Pig, with her Smartie necklace, was yummy chocolate birthday cake.