Breaking the Drought Workshop

Today I started a new workshop for Breaking the Drought - a quilt originally commissioned by Janome to demonstrate the 6500 sewing machine. This quilt has travelled more than me and now I am teaching it as a workshop.

First we embellished the fabrics using a variety of embroidery, couching and applique techniques.

This was the first time many of the students had ventured beyond the basics of their machines and after intial hesitation the machines were whirring away happily. Many students were travelling well outside their comfort zones in terms of techniques and colours but they certainly seemd to enjoy themselves.

So many braids - which one to choose

Ahhh - is that what couching is!


Here are some pieces of the fabric groups at the end of the day





Next class we will piece the tops and start some free motion quilting. Should be fun!

Sign of the Times

A building near me was demolished recently to make room for a yet another (no doubt tasteful) development. When it came down the adjoining building displayed this sign - definitely not one commonly seen today.
Broadbents - The Busy Drapers - wonder what ever happened to them??

Final Drawing Class

Week nine has finally arrived and this week we had a male model - I am still not overly comfortable having one naked person is a room full of clothed people.

Can't say I was impressed by this weeks effort. I need lots and lots more practice but now at least I have the basics and know where and how to start. I guess a blank page no longer scares me to death.




I will do more classes I'm sure but have a few other priorities over the coming weeks so maybe next term.

Fabrications Underway

This week we started using the Fantasy Fabrics we created last time at Idyll Pleasures to make up into the blocks and then started to create the Fabrications quilt top. There was quite a bit of sharing happening as everyone looked at the results of last week's creativity.

Speedy hands creating the blocks. They are very fast to make up once you start chain piecing.

Jane deep in concentration





Here are some of the results - apart from the persistant heat we had a great time and the chocolate biscuits really helped






Next class we will be quilting and beading the masterpieces

Drawing Class Week 8

Last night we did Life Drawing which was really interesting and scary at the same time. Luckily we had an experienced model who certainly put us at ease although I suspect we all felt a bit nervous.

We used pencil first and had to work fast so couldn't think too much.





Working with small charcoal covered squares we then had to draw quick sketches with our erasers. We only had about 5 minutes each time

Then we did a larger one using the same technique

Then back to white paper and charcoal as the drawing tool.

Not close by any means but we were assured that many artists continue to do life drawing classes throughout their lives. It is a skill that you just have to keep trying and trying. At least I have started. Only one more class next week with a male model complete with dangly bits......

Weekend Workshops

Back to me being the teacher. This weekend I held Beading and Fabrications workshops and they were such fun.
It is always such a bonus to see the change from tentative first beading stitches to confident creative beaders.









Fabrications is one of my favourite quilts as I really love making 'Fantasy Fabrics'. We not only play around with water soluble stablisers but have such fun with texture and colours.








It started to rain just as we needed the fabrics to dry so this window made a great drying rack.

Drawing Class Week Seven

Another successful class I think. While I am used to doing most things with fabric - I have never had to draw it.

Tonight some fabrics were draped over a cane chair and we had to draw it. I think I did quite well for a beginner - just don't look too closely.

I am getting more confident and looking at things differently now.

Drawing Class Week Six

Finally something that bears some resemblance to the original.

These Gumnuts were off a tree next door. I love the shape of them and when they are in flower they are a wonderful burst of red.

What a view

I am spending the weekend away at another show. This one is much smaller than last weekend's effort but it is always fun to meet other like minded souls. Nic and I are the 'featured artists' so we get to demonstrate and talk lots so we shared many laughs as usual.

There was a full(ish) moon last night which begged to be captured but this doesn't do it justice as it crept up over the trees.

This morning I woke to the laughter of kookaburras and galahs and this view from my window. How would you like to wake up to this view everyday?

Yesterday was soooooooo hot we were melting even with four fans on but today promises to be a little cooler but I am worried about this thunderstorm on it's way up the coast.

Drawing Class Week Five

Last night was week five but I missed one due to the AQC. Probably wouldn't have helped this exercise - I just wish I could get the charcoal to do what my head is telling it to do. I know Practice Practice Practice.

This exercise was to draw three objects simply and then move and draw them again and also a third time so they all overlap on the one plane.

Then you needed to draw around the resulting shapes and start shading them with charcoal. Very messy but of course you always learn something each time you try anything.