Blue Mountains #4

Several installations were arranged around the Springwood High School during the Contextart Forum. Apologies that I didn't get the artists' names.

This was my favourite- stretch knit fabric into a wow!

The draped cloths are from one of the traders on site.

Blue Mountains #3

Dinner at the Carrington was very elegant in the Dining Room. The tiled entry foyer called out to be photographed.

Bob's seafood entree- presentation and flavours divine!

My main of lamb two ways- yummy.

Blue Mountains #2

Not all work at the Contextart Forum!

Yes, there is a story to how one gets a false eyelash mo! The Cocktail Party at the Carrington Hotel, gorgeous historic building at Katoomba, asked for hats, false eyelashes or a 'raylee scattering?' outfit. While I found orange/pink/silver eyelashes for me and purple for Bob, the adhesive was not up to the job and after numerous tries, only 1 would stick!

Housemate Samantha Pope was so gorgeous she won the scattering prize! She had quickly made the hat on an embellisher, her speciality.

And housemate Anita Larkin, felter/mixed media  artist extraordinaire, wore her felted hat. But whenit came to eyelashes, no one could beat Kim Thittichai, wearing 2 pairs. Seeing was not an option.

Viewpoints 9 reveal

Today and over the next 24 + hours, the Viewpoints 9 members will be posting their quilts on the blog.All our quilts are in response to the first challenge set by Martha Wolfe- Vivaldi Four Seasons, Summer music.

I have written in more detail about 'V voom' on the Viewpoints 9 blog, and we all welcome your comments. An interesting exercise was getting Bob to listen to the music while looking at the quilt. He had seen the quilt a number of times in construction and than to photograph it but never initially heard the music. He saw some similar elements in my interpretation, but also gave me a new perspective that I had not considered. The next challenge will be launched on May 1.

ANZAC Day

The 25th of April is always ANZAC Day and a day to remember all those who have served and are serving in the armed forces. Gallipoli, Turkey in 1915, is the site of the birth of ANZAC tradition and many make their way there for this special occasion.
Thank you to all who have served our country.

Super Surface Design #2

Work from Sheila- L a stamp, R the actual fern.

Janet describing her piece at show and tell.

Suzanne

Ruth

Val

Super Surface Design

The workshop Super Surface design was held over the weekend and my 8 students rubbed and printed many gorgeous pieces of fabric.

Thanks to Janet, I have this photo of my first demonstration with the oil sticks. We worked in the art room at Springwood High School.

L-R Janet and Alison working.

Jenny, surrounded by student work in the background.

Alison

Judith

The tree ferns are amazing Lisa. Visited the large patchwork shop at Katoomba, The Stitching Post Stephanie.

Blue Mountains

Back from a great 6 days teaching at the Contextart Forum. The Blue Mountains west of Sydney were an easy 2 hour train journey and are famous for many hikes and the Three Sisters.

Found in Leura, a busy tourist town, just down the road from Katoomba, where you disembark from the train for the Three Sisters and Echo Point.

Lovely Autumn colour and a visit to the famous chocolate shop, Josophan's.

Thanks for your comments on the last couple of posts. Yes Rayna, colourful shirts can certainly hide a lot!

Orchid

One of the orchids in our garden has given us this spectacular display of colour and form. Thanks Mother Nature, for your gift, even though you don't get any special treatment in my garden!
I'm teaching this week in the Blue Mountains so will blog about it when I get back, cheers for now.

Taking Leaf of my Senses

My solo exhibition in July at the Warwick Art Gallery is fast approaching and I am testing ideas- stitched leaves on a water soluble base. This is a slow process, but can be tremendously rewarding. However in this case my trial pieces have made me rethink my original idea for their use.

I like the sparkle that metallic thread creates. These pieces are really lace made on a sewing machine.

New foot

I have a new machine foot, a free motion couching foot for the Bernina 440 and can't wait to have a practice run with it.

Up-cycling tops

Sometimes I need to be reminded how much fun it is to splash a little dye onto fabric. Using Dye-na-flow by Jacquard, I have updated a white top to wear at the ContextArt Forum in the Blue Mountains. It begins this weekend and I'll be busy introducing students to lots of surface design techniques.

It is not as easy to rub on a knit fabric!

Mirror Mirror

Last week I went to the movies with my grandchildren and daughter. We saw Mirror Mirror- what a sumptuous visual feast this is,not to mention it is just great fun. A twist on the Snow White fairytale, it is directed by Tarsem Singh and there is a little Bollywood style musical number at the end. Costumes with smocking, lace, tucks, pleats and beautiful embroidered silks, satins, taffeta by Eiko Ishioka. Treat yourself, even if the grandchildren are nowhere in sight.

Taiwan International Quilt Exhibition 2012

Sorry to only show the details from these quilts but TIQE 2012 have worked very hard to put this international exhibition together and I don't want to steal any of their thunder. Above 'Flood #2- Under Leaden Skies' and below 'Flood #3- Flotsam'. A full list of artists is on the website and there is a translate button.

All three quilts use mono printing techniques, an area I wanted to explore more of this year. Have you ever quilted with a twin needle? I haven't tried it yet, but was asked that question when the quilt above was viewed, as I deliberately wanted semi-parallel lines to replicate the lines in the print.

Easter

Wicked, wicked Bunny!

Taiwan International Quilt Exhibition 2012

This is a detail of 'Flood #1- River Rising. Along with the other 2 flood quilts in the series , it will be going to the TIQE 2012. The quilts from 24 countries as well as Taiwanese quilters work will feature in 2 exhibitions in August/September and October.

Portrait continued

I have completed my 14" square portrait quilt, except for the earring, which I will search through my beads for. Rather than put a binding or facing on the edge, I used 2 strands of novelty yarn and machine stitched them in place.

I love the added fluffy texture. Preprogrammed machine stitch in the background and colourful buttons tied on with embroidery floss are added details.

Symmetry

This was our morning tea yesterday, prepared by Miss 7. I cut most of the fruit and she arranged it. She loves symmetrically balanced arrangements.

The fun portrait is for the 2QAQ challenge and I'm having fun playing with the novelty fabrics. Of course I had to be orange!

My portrait

I got into my bright and novelty fabric for this portrait. Still to tizzy up,with an earing etc.