CLOTH AND CLAY

 

There is still time to catch this collaborative exhibition of my textiles 

and three ceramicists. 

I am really proud of how it has all come together

So why not take a drive down the Great Ocean Road this weekend and say Hi!

I will be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday 

Ah…log cabin

Is it just me or has this blogging business got more complicated?

Or less complicated?

Has anyone noticed differences I should know about?

Meanwhile...

I have kept myself busy making a log cabin quilt. 

I saw one draped across the foot of the bed in a popular TV show that inspired me. The block placement looked quite random. Got carried away and did another one!

A large proportion of the fabric and thread were "donations" (and these are both BIG quilts)

I have hand quilted them with Wonderfil Spaghetti thread.  

It is lovely thread somewhere between the thick Perle thread favoured by some and quilting thread. It is mercerised so pulls through nicely.

 You can see one my favourite log cabin quilts back here

It has been comforting to have stitching to fall back on when so many around you seem to be 

struggling or losing their commonsense. 

Cheers for now. 

the blues

Well there has just been so much going on hasn't there?

If you are reading this I hope you are safe and well.

I have only  needed to be tested for COVID-19 once and the strict isolation didn't last long.

I have had to stop my giving my classes since March and am not able to restart yet. 

Amazing how some of us have learnt how to embrace new technologies so well.

This is my main project completed for the pandemic so far and I love it.

Don't you just love solids.

Not to mention about 100 masks....

The last couple of days we are down to zero new Covid cases in Victoria 

and soon I will be able to see my sons. 

What a miracle of forbearance, patience and community spirit we have witnessed here in Victoria!

 

remember me?

Happy New Year!

It seems I have not blogged for a long, long time

and it has taken a lovely comment from a long follower on my blog to get me back here.

I am fine and doing well.

But my country:

it seems we are ruled by a team of lazy, lying cheating dimwits.

There I have put that out there.

Plenty has been said in the media if you want to look it up.

The East Coast of Australia has been burning for months losing many times the amount of forest that burnt in the Amazon and millions of our native animals have died 

while our crazy leader holidayed in Hawaii, 

was slow to action and 

continues to obfuscate about Climate Change.

I, like many Australians, am in complete despair.

There seems little we common folk can do and even if we had an election soon I fear the same forces that assisted this party  to be elected would be at it again.

 So I have done what most artists do and turned inward to get myself through.

This improv quilt is inspired by the great Nancy Crowe.

It's progress has been slow while I pondered design decisions but so far I am pleased.

And this beauty has been in the making for some time.

I have been exploring solids, 

quilts made from as few fabrics as possible,

traditional patterns but modern colours

and hand quilting.

I got out the old quilting templates!

I just love doing that kind of quilting.

You can stitch all (or most) of that angst into something.

Funny how when you pick up the quilt again those thoughts return.

So that's me for today. Take care.

Indigo Remade

 It's on!

After months of planning and finishing I am showing INDIGO REMADE.

Hope to see you there!
Or... on Instagram

Latest tea cosy

This would have to be my favourite so far.

 

 

I am really enjoying making my tea cosies again. Why?

They allow me to work in a series (people give materclasses on that).

I work freehand making decisions as I go.

I love needle turn appliqué.

I am testing out various threads for quilting.

They are portable.

While not that quick they don't take that long and who doesn't like a finished project?

And it allows me to venture into Etsy in a small way.

 

 

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Name suggestion?

I have to say that I am quite pleased with my latest completion.

It has taken quite few years.

I love it when people say:

"and how long did it take you?"

Well they won't be disappointed this time.

Why does a quilt need a name anyway?

Like children?

So you can keep track of them?

Any suggestion?

And the back story of course.

 

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Stitching

In case you were wondering about me..

Mostly I have been working on this.

Slow stitching.

Hand stitching....

Stitching

stitching

everyday

 

 

and then it's done.

 

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Finishing school

 

I thought I would share my recent completions....

some fabric is just too good to cut up so it's best used for something special.

 

 

 

And more backing too good to cut up.

 

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Almost March

Sometimes it seems time passes so slowly and then all of a sudden it's gone!

Since Christmas I have been cutting lots and then sewing a bit everyday

until finally I basted this quilt a few days ago.

I must admit I wasn't overly thrilled with the quilt when I had finished the top.

Don't you hate that?

All that work and then an underwhelming result.

 

 

I like it better now I have started quilting.

I am using Wonderfil Spagetti thread.

I really like this thread: it's thicker that quilting thread but thinner that Perle

and it is mercerised so it slips through nicely.

What do you think of the colour choice (orange)?

 

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Home at last

So glad to have my quilts back from overseas

 

But don't you just love Judge's comments

in lead pencil no less.

 

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sign me up.

I rather feel I have lost my mojo the last few weeks.

Not sure if it is all the political turmoil or just because it's Summer.

I have enjoyed a bit of hand stitching though.

Always keeps you going doesn't it?

And I do like a good sign.