Thirsty work

Temple hopping is thirsty work, even in the Cambodian Winter! Fresh coconut juice helps revive us.

More warning signs before arriving at the River of 1000 Lingas- circular carvings in the river rock.

 

Watercolour

I have never tried watercolour painting so signed up for Jane LaFazio's Sketching and Watercolour online 6 week class. This is week one's lesson. I'm new to using a water brush but had a lot of fun with an apple, nectarine and lemon from the fruit bowl.

Travelling in style

We loved travelling in style in the tuk tuk. It is a slower pace and we enjoyed seeing village life as we passed by. I snap photos as I go and you never quite know how they will turn out.

We are always amazed at the amount of stuff and people that can be carried on a motorbike.

This was a load of bread rolls. We did see 3 double mattresses on the back of a bike too!

Wet, wild weekend

It has been a weekend of wild wind and constant rain. Last night was the worst as the remnants of Cyclone Oswald passed over us. This morning we had no power, so no blogging done. A few very large trees had fallen over a main road near us and taken out the power lines. Many areas are faring far worse than us, so thinking of you all and hoping it is not as bad as 2011 floods.

I have the bits ready to assemble another quilt, this time one with rubbings and bits from the Cambodian holiday. But without power it didn't happen this morning. Will get to do a bit now!

Australia Day

Congratulations to Ita Buttrose, our 2013 Australian of the Year. Other worthy recipients are listed on the website.
Today is the day but our official holiday will be on Monday. It looks like a very wet weekend in Brisbane with the wet weather and flooding interrupting many plans.

My mind this last week has been on my new quilt. I have had the button jar out and have been stitching them into words-"beach", "fun", "joy".

I created a background with printing using purchased large rubber stamps. It is a subtle effect as you can see from this progress shot below. This is all I can reveal at the moment.

 

Senteurs d'Angkor

We visited the Senteurs dÁngkor workshop in Siem Reap. Natural ingredients used in their soaps, creams, candles etc are sourced from local plants and they had examples of these growing in the grounds. We had a lovely guided tour by a knowledgeable young woman. The dyeing of the sugar palm fronds for weaving into the small baskets to hold the products was well photographed.

The women cycle to work and have tiled, shaded pavilions for sitting and weaving.

These are examples of the containers they make, called smoks". We ended our visit with a complimentary cinnamon coffee.

Signs of the times

Temple visiting is not without restrictions. Just read the signs! This array greeted us at Ta Som. But wait...there's more.

Ah, 2 things we can do. We could also climb over most areas, only those in danger of collapse are cordoned off or else it's self explanatory when you are greeted with a pile of rubble.

Someone with a patchwork inclination put this together. 

People watching

Sometimes it's more fun people watching in these environments that are so very popular with international tourists. This is the entrance gate to the Angkor Thom complex with the much loved Bayon temple, the one with the amazing faces.

He is wearing camouflage tights.

And yes I loved the faces too!
Jan, I saw many goats in coats as it was Winter in India, so it seemed like a good, quirky title.

Travels in the magazines

Not just one but 2 magazines have turned up this week with my travel stories. Quilters Companion No. 59 carries the story about Quilting in Taiwan pages 68-71.

It brings back many good memories of my time there last August.

The Down Under Textiles Issue 9 is also out with my Indian story, A Goat in a Coat. If this inspires you to travel you can join Rhonda Preece of Textile Traditions on her next Indian tour in March, 2013.

And if the USA is more your style, please join me for a quilting adventure on the Eastern seaboard culminating at the World Quilt Show in August, 2013. Details from my website or blog sidebar icon.

 

A patchwork of rubbings

Temple rubbings are popular items and most complexes had them for sale. Choosing 1 is hard with so many beautiful, high reliefs on rice paper.

Easily rolled up for transport in a woven palm frond cylinder.

 

Inspirations

I don't usually post on a Sunday, preferring to have 1 day a week without my computer, but I have so many lovely images from the recent trip, I thought you may enjoy a few extra inspirations.

The Apsara dancers were popular images for carvings and why not when they are so beautiful?

Ta Prohm

The temple complex of Ta Prohm is undergoing restoration in some sections, but the destruction of the jungle growth can still be seem in various areas of the buildings and surrounding walls, begun in 1186.

Putting the temples together is like a giant jigsaw puzzle with old and new stone used. A scene for the movie Tomb Raider was shot at Ta Prohm. There is a photographing platform with the power of Nature in full view. Don't know who the people are, just wanted the tree!

 

 

Fish nibbling

We gave into trying this new experience- having fish nibble at the dead skin on your feet. It was very tickley at first and I jumped around a bit laughing, but settled down into the moment! I think the sign says it all.

Bob graduated to the larger fish, but I was happy to stay with the smaller ones.

I think the fabrics used in the last post were mainly synthetic silks, but no doubt silk would have been used originally. The lacy fabric Jan is all one. Out of respect I didn't touch the hangings so am reporting only on what my eyes told me.

Publishing opportunity

Lark Crafts are calling for images of traditional quilts for their new showcase book,
500 Traditional Quilts. Karey Bresenhan will be the juror.  If this interests you, you have until February 28 to get your entries in.