Perth Show

The main reason for being in Perth was for the Quilt and Craft Show. It was our first time there and the feedback was pretty good. Quite a different group of customers to other shows - it is very interesting comparing the quilters of different cities even in a small country like Australia.

Here is our stand and as usual - we got lots of great positive comments about our bright stand. My latest quilts Seaside Villages and Oranges and Lemons were well received but the most popular quilt this time was Power of Three which is now a few years old but still appealing. I am always fascinated and yet frustrated that I cannot pick what is going to be the most popular. I guess if I could then I would be a multi millionaire although I don't think there are many of those in this creative side of life.

Perth

I have been remiss but we were in Perth Western Australia for the Quilt and Craft Show last week and my internet connection wasn't strong enough to send images.

It was great spending time there before the show as my son is now based there when not on the oil rigs and so we were able to catch up and be shown around by a 'nearly' local. We went down to Cottesloe where he lives and also spend time in Freemantle.

There seems to be a continuing theme of these sculptures which are all over the place and really interesting.

Class in the UK

I am very excited to announce that I will be teaching at The Bramble Patch in the UK in September (1st and 2nd). I will be teaching my Breaking the Drought quilt which was originally commissioned by Janome as a showcase for the wonderful 6500/6600. It was used in their advertising and was also a Houston Finalist.

The workshop is an opportunity for beginners and intermediate quilters to really play around with their machines (any brands) and learn to use some of those strange stitches they have never touched, try bobbin work, raw edge applique and other techniques. Free motion quilting is also explored. The piecing is simple and it is a really fun quilt to make and very freeing and satisfying.

It is definitely one of my most popular workshops and I love seeing the variations that my students come up with.

For those of you in Australia who are interested - I am teaching this workshop at Quiltlove and Berry Patchwork in the next few months and all information can be found on my website in the Workshops Section.

So if you are in the UK and would like a little piece of Australiana - please come to the Bramble Patch for a wonderful workshop.

Playing

I have wanted to try this technique ever since Jane Dunnewold's article in Quilting Arts about July last year. As I am still feeling a bit low and certainly lacking any urge to be creative I thought I would just have a play and try it today.

Basically you work with a 5" square of black craft paper and cut out shapes with a craft knife or scissors. Shapes are then reversed as if they have been folded out on a hinge.
One rule is to keep the corners intact.



Quite like these ones

Some worked and some didn't and I'm not sure how I will move forward on this technique although there is something percolating in the far reaches of my creative brain which may come to fruition.

Shapes need to be more balanced I think in this one.

This one needed more detail but too fiddly for me with craft knife and sticky glue fingers.

Think I prefer working with fabric. Have any of you tried this technique as well?

Mixed Emotions

Yesterday I closed a loop and finally got my degree from The National Institute of Dramatic Art which I went to 30 years ago. When I went the course was only a Diploma and about 10 years ago they made it a degree course and offered a Conversion Program for previous graduates. I had never bothered to do it but when they announced it was the last year I bit the bullet and did the additional work just to get the bit of paper.

Yesterday was the Graduation Ceremony and an interesting step back into the past for me but I think I have closed that loop now.

My first friend in my first job in theatre was a lovely lady Gabrielle who, although she returned to England many years ago, frequently returned to spend summers in Australia as she loved the heat and the Tennis Season. We last saw her 18months ago when she splurged her money on a first class ticket out here and we spent New Years Eve on Sydney Harbour and had a wonderful time. We knew she was unwell with Breast Cancer but she never talked about it and remained positive.

This morning we got the call that no one wants to get - she had died peacefully and quickly. We have lovely memories of our last time together.

Sleep peacefully Gabby - we will miss you.

Painting in the Sunshine

Today was so sunny and warm - a perfect autumn day that I thought I might do some painting for a project that I have in mind.

You can see that these must be the colours that are in my head at the moment as they are similar to the beading I showed you yesterday. That is coming along well too.

This piece had some tape put on and then brushed over with paint. When dried, the tape removed and then other paints added in strips

Washed with diluted paint and then stencilled with a couple of Lumiere Paints

Light hand dyed piece with blotchy ink marks then stencilled over the top with mesh

Diluted inks painted on with Japanese brush. The sort of brush that looks like a 4 or 5 brushes joined together.

Scrunched up then washed over with a few inks which have merged.


A fun few hours which hopefully will generate the inspiration needed for my next piece.

Beading Work in Progress

I have been a bit slack in posting photos of my recent quilts as they are usually for a show or publication so hopefully I can show them soon.

However, in my spare time, I have been doing a little beading so thought I would show you the work in progress. It is nice to work on small pieces which are more portable rather than enormous quilts occasionally.

This did start off as a jewellery piece but as usual - I kept going so it will probably be a framed piece. The centrepiece is a button(?) I bought on my first trip to the Houston show about 5 years ago - see nothing gets wasted but I am glad to be able to use it finally.

Mothers Day Classic

The Mothers Day Classic is on again this year. This annual event to raise money for Breast Cancer Research is a worthy cause.

Having lost too many friends and family to Breast Cancer I have sponsored my friend Maggie. I am sure she would appreciate more sponsors if you feel so inclined.

KD LANG

We went to see KD Lang last night. It was her final concert on her Australian Tour which has been happening for a month.

I loveher voice and she did not disappoint although I have to admit - her 'patter' was a little tired and her jokes fell a bit flat but I can completely understand this after saying the same thing night after night.
However, her voice still haunted me well after I got home.

The concert was in the State Theatre in Sydney which is an amazing old theatre which has been kept in perfect condition. These photos are from their website which is worth a visit to see the virtual tours of the different areas

Wonderful News - Doubled

My great news this week is that I don't need back surgery. This has been hanging over me for a couple of months. Consequently, as I has not planned anything for a period of about 6-8 weeks later in the year just in case, I am now facing a long period of inactivity. Well not really, but no teaching or shows booked. I guess I could just chain myself to the sewing machine but that might wear thin after a while.

So we have decided to go on a trip to the UK (that's the other news). Peter is English and so is quite keen as he has family and friends there and I have only been for a few days for work which didn't count.

I have, on the off chance there might be a group or store interested, sent my resume and class information to the UK Guilds but it is pretty short notice (September). Of course most places are already well organized but I thought I would just post it here in case.

We have no itinery yet so if you are interested in getting more details about a workshop or talk please contact me.