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 

Australasian Quilt Convention

I don’t really enter my quilts into shows anymore.

I find the paperwork and photography arduous but mostly it’s because i just don't think that is the best way to show them too advantage.

 

But I am so thrilled for the opportunity to have my quilts at a quilt show when they can be seen at their best.

For the next couple of days you can see a couple of my large quilts as well as some of my “women” at the ZiguZagu

 

Recent work

 Ah, blogger. The last time I posted after a long break it was all too easy. This morning it won’t let me type anything so now I am editing the post I just made! 

This quilt is a collation of lots of left over pieces from other projects. I was inspired by the quilt in

“Unexpected and Unconventional. American Quilts Below the Radar”

Artist In Residence

I saw someone on Social Media pose the question:

"How will you describe your Covid-19 experience?"

Artist in Residence

that's me, for an indeterminate period at this stage.

An open contract...

Here's hoping that will sum it up.

Here's where I'm at with the quilt I have commenced.

I have started to plan for the backing...

who knows how long I've got in seclusion?

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.

A Tale

I am part of a local artist group, SHAC, and we have just had a great exercise in collaboration.

All our names were put into a hat and then drawn out to form pairs.

You know how it goes. Completely random.

I scored a wood worker which initially worried me.

No need it seems.

He was thrilled to draw my name and had instantaneously formed an idea for his project.

So, how lucky am I?

He made me a quilt stand. To keep.

It is gorgeous.

Beautifully made. Brass fittings. Smooth...

 And I can hang one quilt with the removable rod or lots of quilts. 

And on both sides! 

Can you tell I am a bit excited?

slow stitch

I think this qualifies as "slow stitch" even though I am using a machine.

Usually I get faster the more familiar I get with a new pattern.

Not this time.

I seem to do more reverse sewing the more blocks I do.

It's effective though, what do you think my friends?

On another note...

What do you think of the developments over at Instagram?

I am seriously considering my account now "likes" are no longer displayed to anyone other the account holder.

Why like anything?

And why can't I see the people I follow CHRONOLOGICALLY.

That's what I want. And Ease up on the advertisements.

Carpenters Wheel

Have you made this block my friends?

I must say it is turning out to be one of the most difficult I have attempted.

I am using templates I bought ages ago and have finally decide to have a go.

This is an 18" block.

Some time ago I tried it in a smaller block and hand-pieced but that is unfinished.

Sigh....

This time I am using the machine but as i say I am finding it slow and difficult.

On the bight side: I have made 3 blocks!

top done

Well I have finished the quilt top.

I decided to opt for a smaller quilt (7 x 7 blocks, 7 1/2").

I have enough for 2 quilts.

The other decision I had to make was borders:

I don't do borders.

The photo below shows the first attempt but it seemed the wide border didn't work so I cut it down.

What do you think?

does size matter

This photo is dated January 2.

That's a good start for the new year don't you think.
They are a bit out of my comfort zone.

And I am well and truly underway.

So far I have made 77 blocks. They are 7 1/2".

I think I might have got carried away.

I was thinking these bright colours lend themselves to a cot-sized quilt but how big is that?

Should I add borders?

Maybe I'll make two (it's always handy to have a few in the "gift chest")

vexillophile

My son has a friend who was a contestant on a game show 

and the big money question was

"What is vexillology?" 

Guess what is one of Sheldon's (Big Bang Theory) hobbies?

He won.

I am thinking a series here.

Indigo Remade

 It's on!

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

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

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.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Machine sewing....

Lots of machining

and now the top is done

and basted, but that doesn't make such a good photo.

And I made another tea cosy!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Hand stitching....

Stitching

stitching

everyday

 

 

and then it's done.

 

Posted with Blogsy