Lest We Forget

This small quilt will be one of 100 making a tribute mosaic to the Anzacs at the Australasian Quilt Convention [AQC] in Melbourne next month.

Hot and humid

We have had a long spell of hot and humid weather during late Summer and early Autumn. My garden loves the rain though!

 

South Africa tour

Unfortunately Active Travel have had to cancel the planned Down Under Quilts South Africa Tour as the minimum number had not been reached and the time to hold accommodation bookings had run out.
If there is another tour I will be sure to let you know.

A rare sight

My cutting table is clear of clutter- a rare sight! I just needed to clear off bits and pieces from completed work to welcome the new pieces I'm planning.

Yellow

This will be a background for another quilt. I'm trying to complete my deadlines with time to spare!

 

The next design

Rather than use Procion dye which requires a long rinse and wash out process, I have swapped to
Kraft Kolour Sun Dyes. They are quick and easy to use and use little water. Sometimes I use spray bottles to achieve the effect I'm after.

 

Viewpoints 9, round 1

International House Davis will be hosting an exhibition of over 50 works of contemporary fiber art by the international artist group, Viewpoints 9, April 9 - May 6, 2015.  Now in it's 4th year, V9 consists of SAQA artists: Betty Busby, Diane Wright, Lin Hsin-Chen, Kate Themel, Lisa-Marie Sanders, Martha Wolfe, Mary Pal, Misik Kim and Sue Dennis, representing 5 countries. The exhibition will include the group's first body of work, 2012-2013, exploring new sources of inspiration, including the scent of a memory, the masks we wear, symbolism in the contemporary world and 6 more themes.  

 An Opening Reception will be held Friday, April 10, 2015, from 6 - 8 pm at International House Davis, 10 College Park, Davis, California 95616.

Finishing off

I stitch my facings or bindings by hand and this photo shows the back of a recent quilt. A piece of hand dyed fabric was used for the backing as it nicely matched what was going on colour wise on the front. There is no point keeping these older hand dyes in the cupboard as I specifically dye the colours I need for current quilt designs.

My friends

Friends Ali and Rebecca have a wonderful range of hand dyed and printed fabrics that they produce and sell under the Aliquilts Studios label. The recent Stitches and Craft Show featured their work and a one hour workshop was available.

It was very relaxing to sit and hand stitch under Ali's guidance.

Thanks Rebecca, above and Ali for a fun experience.
 

Italian fabric

It feels good to be quilting a piece of fabric I rubbed in Italy in Orvieto. I later printed with some leaves and grasses.

More to do yet before a facing goes on.

 

Pets

Old English Sheep dogs are not a breed I have come across before in person, so it was a pleasure to get to know Lottie the puppy and Heffy.

Soft, cuddly and very affectionate, they made me very welcome as did their owners Sandra and Allan! Thanks for your hospitality. 

Textile ink

Whether it is textile ink or fabric paint, when travelling by air with these items I double wrap the jars, so if the unexpected happens and they leak [which has happened] the clean up will be relatively easy. A wrap of cling film and then into a plastic bag and tie tightly. Ready to fly!

More workshop photos

By Maxine

Judy's

Robyn's

Denise

 

Surface Design

I had a lovely time in Sydney with this group of quilters from the Quilters' Guild of NSW, exploring surface design techniques. Front L-R Deborah, Pam, Anita, Denise Back L-R Sandra, Judy, Maxine, Robyn, Jo, Wailyn. Many beautiful pieces of fabric went home for further enhancement.

Jo working on day 1.

Sandra's stencil design.

Sorry, not sure who rubbed this.

Two by Pam.

 

 

Bush walking

We enjoy the proximity of Toohey Forest and the opportunity to walk in the bush on the weekend. It is a popular spot with bush walkers, bike riders, runners, dog walkers and picnickers. It offers a relaxing environment and reconnection with nature.

 

Reinterpretation

I love this transformation of textiles into porcelain objects by Sara Tse at GOMA. Delicate, deceptive, elevated.

 

A sign

I love this sign as it makes me feel very connected to exciting cities beyond my backyard- a world of possibilities! This photo was taken in Sunnybank Plaza, Brisbane.

Good news

I'm very happy to announce that my printing efforts have paid off! My quilt We all dance around the sun #2 has been selected as a finalist for the AQC True Blue challenge. The Australasian Quilt Convention is the highlight of the quilt show circuit in Australia and having been a tutor at 2 of the conventions in the past I can say that special exhibits are one of the many fabulous features of the event. Congratulations to all those selected from the 98 entries. And if you weren't selected, I know how you feel and don't give up!

Printing again

Thank you for your very encouraging comments Faye and Lucy, on yesterday's post.
I have been getting carried away with printing what is around- in my garden or on the footpaths. I need to collect the foliage/flowers fresh- they wilt very quickly especially on the hot days I seem to choose for printing.

Soon enough the hot weather will be gone and the growth rate of most plants will slow down.
 

Hand stitching

After many hours of stitching by hand, the central panel for one of my latest quilts is complete. I love the texture of the random seed stitch and the energy it brings to my quilt. Sorry, no full views at present as I am entering this in a juried exhibition. Two variegated pearl cottons were used to give variety over the hand dyed background. The pink is machine quilting.

Colourful work

Bernardine Hine R was guest speaker at the 2QAQ meeting and spoke to us about her artistic development and  process. Her daughter Lorelai was her lovely assistant.

Bernardine is well known for her bird portraits and floral compositions using her hand dyed and dye painted fabrics. It was great to see her development over the years and the steps she has taken, with many awards along the way.

This is a detail from Coreopsis which won the Best of Country award, World Quilt Competition last year. Entries for 2015 close on May 18.

Lunch

After speaking, a small group went to lunch at Anna Karena, a quirky café at Burleigh. I loved the eclectic decor. The salad was good too!

Gold Coast Quilters

Nice drive to Burleigh on the Gold Coast to be guest speaker at the Gold Coast Quilters Guild last week. I received a warm welcome and met up with many quilters I know.

Two well known friends Ella L and Lorraine.

I gave my lecture Quilting Adventures From Mt Isa to Mongolia and had a selection of quilts for showing, including my first quilt, the small log cabin to the right of Silent Sentinels. It was a pleasure to share information and techniques with the enthusiastic group.