A few weeks ago I attended a workshop on "basketmaking".

( I know: very slack blogger not posting until now)

I use the term loosely because it was so much more than that.

It has taken me weeks to finish this beauty...

I have used scraps and selvedges from my beautiful indigo scraps

 ( yes, yes I save the tiniest pieces)

and wrapped them round rope to coil this bowl.

I think it was worth it don't you?

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")

too late

I was too late finishing this to call it a 2018 finish.

But here it is:

It is based on a Red Wagon pattern which I "customised"

The flip-side.

This is a remake of one of my very first quilts and the owner of that has claimed this.

After the usual round of social media and public exposure.

Cheers for 2019 

and here's to lots more blogging.

so that was Christmas

So Christmas is over.

Even the cricket is finished for now...

but this was what was keeping me busy leading up to Christmas

You may have already seen them on Instagram

but I have decided I find blogging (and reading blogs) more satisfying

so from now on I am going to try and blog more.

What are your thoughts on this dilemma?

I mounted lots of these as my Christmas cards (here's hoping they don't end up in the bin).

Lots and lots...

(i did put some on Etsy if you are interested)

Quick...

I am currenty taking part in an exhibition called "Weathering the Future".

It is a collaboration of artists and writers as described here ...

 

This is my contribution entitled "Opting out".

Melissa Watt has composed an ekphrastic piece as her description of my piece.

What do you think?

If you are local you have just a few days to view the exhibition at the Backspace Gallery in Ballarat.

 

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Up to speed: part 2

Then what happened?

We made our way by train to Lucca for what turned out to be 10 most fabulous days.

You know when you book something well in advance and you never quite know how it will go.

And in another country?

Well it was FANTASTIC!

 

 

 

10 days at the Casa Fiori doing a sketching class with James Richards:

Follow your Senses in Tuscany.

Everything about it was sooo good: food, wine, and my lovely classmates.

The days were structured so rest days (sketching at the casa) were alternated with sight seeing and sketching.

( I hope that link works. I'm not finding blogsy so great for doing this. But do look it up as they have another workshop next May as well others with other tutors)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe I'll show my sketches next post?

 

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