Sally's stuff

The Sketchbook Project 2012

2012-01-21T22:18:00.001+11:00

Yesterday I got myself into a bit of a panic!

Months ago I signed up for the Sketchbook Project 2012 ! I received my little mole skin and started to work on it! My theme was "Stitches and Folds"

Well! I stitched pages into the mole skin - I painted them! I added more! I folded and stitched but was going no where really. And then I got side tracked.

Yesterday I suddenly remembered that the sketchbook has to be in the mail by Jan 31 2012! EEEEK I thought!

At some time in the middle of the night last night, I had a brilliant idea!

This morning I set to work!

First thing I did was take the cover off the sketchbook! That is the important part of it!

As long as the bar code is there and the book is the same size - anything can happen!

Out came my fabric and sewing machine. The paints and the stamps followed close behind.

5 hours later, I think I have done the job!

The topic was Stitches and Folds! I folded one piece of white cotton fabric and stitched it and folded it to make an eight page book!

This page is for Georgia!

He is her bird! I can't remember if she gave him a name? Did you Georgie?

The back page!

Those blackbirds seem to be around again!

That is two deadlines met in one day! The other was submitting my entries for Beneath the Southern Skies Exhibition! Talk about leaving everything to the second last day of annual leave! Family BBQ tomorrow and the work on Monday!

Hugz

An afternoon in the studio

2012-01-19T22:04:00.000+11:00

I have had the best day today.

I spent this morning, in my studio, in my dressing gown, playing with my silk screens. I know the dressing gown was a bit over the top but gee! I was going out for lunch and I thought I could do the shower to wash the paint off! It worked!

I cut a positive and negative pomegranate to make two screens

I am making a quilt for our bed - finally a quilt for our bed! Sweet Pea (DH) has spoken! We have a quist weeklt on King Single that really would be called! The weather the last week has been way too hot for the doona and it was the only quilt that would go anywhere near fitting!

Just not big enough!

I started to play with the hand dyes I had and the stencils I had at hand. It was coming to gether but I wasn't happy with the way they were coming together.

A big screen was needed.

A big pomegranate!

The cat left the studio - I think she was worried that she would be printed on too! I had forgotten how much I love working with silk screens. I still like thermofaxes but silk screen are different!

I had lunch today with two daughters and two grand daughters! And DH joined us later. A two hour lunch is special. The company and the food were very good.

We ( 15 yo grand daughter and I) got hame at about 3. We went straight to my studio to watch Dr Who on DVD and to create. Georgie poddled in her journal and I made a wall hanging for our bedroom (auditioning the colour scheme I want to use in the quilt) and here it is!

POPPY

77 cm x 44 cm

I am enjoying annual leave so much!

Tomorrow Georgia and I are off to MONA for the morning! Another adventure!

Play Date with Grand Daughter

2012-01-10T23:21:00.000+11:00

I had a play date and sleep over with second eldest Grand Daughter yeaterday and today! Sweet pea (DH) was in hospital having kidney stones blasted, so Georgie came to stay and play!

Last year we had another day of play and we made an very large pile of A4 paper. We had no idea what we would do with it at the time.

Yesterday we designed a thermofax screen, printed a length of fabric with it for one project and selected the fabric for another project!

The fabric Georgie picked for the journal she wanted to make for her soon to be born sibling was one of the fabrics I made for a swap I was involved in towards the end of last year. I was really pleased because I had no idea what I would do with it! We used the paper from last year and worked on how to make the journal. After lots of discussion we come uop with a plan!

Here is the finished journal! I am thrilled with it to say the least!

We even made the cord that closes the journal!

This was my first attempt at binding a book!

We are both very happy with the result (there are only two holes in my fingers!).

Georgia decided that red binding cord and a red cord the tie the journa lclosed would give a very Japanese effect to the journal. I think we achieved that!

I just love the hand made paper! Lots of colours (we dropped the red - all wrong for this).

Now I think I need to make one for me!

Hugz

The Perfect Rose of Summer!

2012-01-02T23:33:00.002+11:00

I just had to post this! The prize for working hard in the garden for the last 3 days! Bonus - the perfume is beautiful!

I love summer!

What a ride 2011 was - Bring on 2012!

2011-12-31T09:31:00.002+11:00

My word for 2010 was Experimentation

My word for 2011 was Expansion

Well I think in 2010 I played heaps and learnt lots!

2011! Wow - What a year! I did expand (in more ways than one but that is another story). I kept playing but I expanded my horizons. Off to the US I travelled - two of my quilts were there and I had to see them. I made lots of new friends and went places I didn't ever expect to see.
We have settled into our new house and are getting better at taming the huge garden (which I still love). My studio has been re arranged 3 times and it still needs to be tweaked to work properly, but it is close to just right!

In some ways 2011 was a bit like a curate's egg - some parts were excellent and other parts were not so good - but we have both survived to the 31 December! Sweet Pea is nearly at the end of his chemo and all is looking good! I've got 3 weeks holiday in front of me for resting and re grouping and creating!

Bring on 2012! But what is my word for 2012?
I think it will be "consolidation". I need to stay home and learn and grow from all my experiences last year!

What is your word for 2012?

Hugz

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-25T22:15:00.001+11:00

The Cutest Little Santa you have ever seen!

Where has November gone?

2011-12-05T10:57:00.000+11:00

Dear, very patient, Reader,

I apologise most humbly for my extended absence. I have been flying!

I have been home for 2 weeks and I think I am finally starting to feel normal. It has taken a week for my brain to catch up with my body! I then fell head first into a big black hole! I couldn't get out of my own way!

Hopefully energy has returned and will stay!
Sunrise over Texas!

I had my amazing trip to North America. I couldn't blog from there because my internet connection was too slow - in fact it was so slow I couldn't even use Skype successfully (I could see but not hear! DH and I had to hold up hand written notes to the camera to communicate)!

The reason for my trip was to see my quilts hanging in Lisa Walton's exhibition at The International Quilt Festive, in Houston.

What an amazing feeling see "Blackbirds" hanging in the same space as some of the most amazing quilts I have ever seen.

This is part of the market at the Festival! There were 20 aisles of vendors! It was huge - much bigger than I could have ever imagined.

Needless to say, I spent way too much but I enjoyed every minute of it! I walked miles in the Convention Centre. I was there for the full 5 days and I think I managed to see everything.

This is a view of the exhibition area, just to give you an idea of the scale of the place. The beige wall in the center distance is the wall that divides the exhibition space from the Market! There were over 1500 quilts diplayed.

Once I sort my photos out I'll post some of them to the blog.

Hugz

Houston - here I come!

2011-10-30T22:23:00.000+11:00

The last 24 hours have been awful! Watching TV, the Internet and email! Finally I can start to pack!

Mr Joyce decided that Qantas planes were staying on the ground! Well! He told Australia and anyone one else who chose to listen, that it was in the best interest of both the Qantas staff and the Qantas passengers that he did this! ? How? I will get to Houston and be part of the International Quilt Festival, but I have to get there the hard way! Thanks Mr Joyce! You, your board and your share holders are the losers here! I've used Qantas as my carrier of choice (when I can because Tasmania is a forgotten part of the family). Not any more. I have lost faith

Spring, Swaps and Travel (nearly)

2011-10-24T22:37:00.001+11:00

Dear reader,

I really do apologise for been absent. Life and deadlines have taken over my life - Oh, and Spring! The garden has gone nuts! We have mowed twice this week alone!!! That involves a ride on mower and an edge mower. The weeds seem to have a life of their own. Ground that was beautifully groomed a week ago is literally knee deep in weeds! You should see the bits that haven't been touched for 2 weeks!

Where has October gone? I'm not ready yet! November is rushing at me making a really loud noise. I will be on a plane on November 2nd on my way to Houston and I'm not ready! I have a heap of stuff to do at work (Rat dissections, frog clarifications (that one is new to me - could be very interesting), the second last week for our year 12's - final exams coming up before University or other exploits!

I have been a bit busy in the studio. I've worked on two lengths of fabric for a swap that one on the groups I belong to are doing. It is a 50cm x 50 cm fabric swap. I made the first one and thought to self "I like that - it will be the the one!"

On Sunday, I was in the studio with two of my grand babies (3 and 5) showing them how I play with stuff and I made a second length that I think might work better! I should play with Grand Babies in the studio more often I think.

Now I'm in a dilemma.

I really love this! Do I add more layers? Do I leave it alone? I might just let it brew a bit!

Both of these lengths of fabric started life as one piece. It was scruched into a tray and then flooded with Jet Black Procion MX dye and the "mouched" a bit. It really is amazing what happens when you take two very similar pieces of fabric and play with them differently! When to stop?

Tonight, when I got home from work, I made a cover for my Kindle. I wasn't going to because I thought it would be fine but I took it to work with me in my handbag by accident! (It jumped!). Hummm! That screen is really exposed! A quilted cover is the answer - I thought! The BSR foot on the Beautiful Nina decided she didn't like the colour of the cover! Plan B - free motion without help! I can do that - the BSR is just a bonus.

Back to the packing for Houston! The paper work is amazing just to get there! Then there are all the electronic bits and pieces that need to be organised! I might just sleep for the whole flight to Forth Worth - that would be brilliant (15 hours)!

Hugz

Welcome to my Studio - finally!

2011-10-03T22:15:00.004+11:00

Where did September go! I need more hours in the day, more days in the weeks andj ust more creative time!

In 4 weeks time I will be on my way to the US for the IQF! Life just feels a bit unreal at the moment. Passport and tickets in hand! Yeah!

I tried to ground myself a bit this weekend.

I have been trying to get this photo for years. It is a snag on the banks of the Derwent River that has been there ever since I can remember (I'm 57).

That snag has just so much structure. This is the top level of the snag!

I took this photo in the driving rain as a nasty weather change came through! Gee I got wet but it was worth it! I have a heap more photos that, one day, could be quilts.

Now I will show you my work space - it is about as tidy as it will ever be!

This the the stairway to my heaven! My studio is down there. How lucky can this little possum be? This is the view from the living room! I can still be part of the family but not make a mess in the living areas!

It is still not perfect but it is nearly tidy! The poor Peace lily needs a drink! Fixed! Too much sun I think!

The view back up the stairs!

There is a lot of stuff in here - mircrowave, HD TV (important creative thingy!), beads, pens, pencils, paints, brushes, thermofax screens, threads,............!

This is my creative space, and I love it! The art cupboard is to the right but I'm not showing you that - that would mean you could see the stash room and that is a shambles! Maybe next time! The bathroom houses most of the sewing machines and that won't be fit for viewing for a long while! I have fabric all over the floor!

This is my corner window. The sun, at this time of the year is amazing! That tree is an oak - I have leaves to print with!

I do hope you like the world I live in!

Hugz

Sharing dyeing with my friends!

2011-09-25T23:17:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I had the amazing experience! I shared, with a bunch of my friends, the experience of turning white stuff into the most amazing coloured stuff!

Stuff = white fabric/threads!

I think the girls had a heap of fun - I know I did.

To teach you need to show - I think that is how it happens. So I scrunched, I pleated. I "mooshed" (new word quoted by MJ and Carol - very effective!).

While the girls were playing, I played a bit too - they watched and did!

Photos of their results coming soon!

I showed them how to tray dye.

From the fabric I saw coming out of the washing machine, they have over achieved! Awesome!

Wow - I'm so happy with this result!

When I finally came home I decided to use the left over dye (you can't waste it!)!

This is 1m x 2.4m! I can see a lot of stitching happening here very soon!

This piece is gigantic! I have no idea what I will do with it - I just couldn't waste the dye!

A purple forest? 100cm x 50cm.

Hugz

Playtime with paint

2011-09-16T08:25:00.000+10:00

Hugz

Spring From My Kitchen Sink

2011-09-15T23:48:00.000+10:00

This is the Spring view from my kitchen sink! It is my neighbours front yard (not mine), but what an awesome view to start the day!

The third patch on my travellers blanket - this one is a gelatine plate monoprint. It have been printed twice - the first time yellow and the second orange. Just perfect for my blanket!

Patch no 4

This one is a bit different. Two techniques used - a gelatine plate monoprint (the first pull with the mask still in place). It was a boring charcoal colour so I over printed it with one of my abstract lino blocks. That gave it a bit of spark.

I really am enjoying the process of making this blanket but I'm also enjoying analysing how I have created some of the fabric that is in my stash.

Hugz

This and That

2011-09-09T22:17:00.000+10:00

My Travellers Blanket is progressing Yellow, orange and red seem to be the colours that make it sing. I did have to go and buy me a new thimble - a travellers blanket can cope with just so much blood! (And the person making it has a just so much skin!). The eye of the needle under a fingernail doesn't feel very good!

Here are the first two patches - the second one is now complete! I do love this process.

For someone who said she would never, ever, ever hand quilt another quilt............ am I really doing this and enjoying it? Yes I am. The beauty is that I can't see a Quilt Policeman anywhere and the clock isn't ticking! My time, my design and my choices.

This is the third patch - a piece of a gelatine printed fabric. It really is very interesting how much life a scrap can take on, in isolation!

This morning we had a new washing machine installed in our kitchen (long story - lets just say, it cuts out the stairs!)

Little Miss Her ran out the door as soon as the plumber arrived this morning. She finally can back tonight at dinner time.

I did 3 loads of washing with the little cat looking daggers at the kitchen. After the last load she finally deciced she could get a little closer! She is not too sure!

Isn't this the most amazing mess of interesting stuff? All the threads are hand dyed!

Hugz

Spring

2011-09-08T23:14:00.000+10:00

You have to love Spring!

Still recovering from The Quilt!

Hugz

A New Travellers Blanket for a good reason!

2011-08-28T22:57:00.000+10:00

I've started a new Travellers Blanket!

Today I shopped for flannelette, found some amazing, very old and stained lawn that belonged to my Mother-in-law and then played with my dye pot!

I really do love the blanket I've already started but it is a bit too heavy to pack in my cabin luggage to take to the US! I needed something a wee bit lighter! Something I can stitch on the 16 hour flight from Sydney to Fort Worth - even if I can only do, maybe, an hour of stitiching on the plane - that is a bonus!

This photo isn't the best - a bit too over the top yellow! I just put both on the scales - blue blanket - 800g Yellow blanket - 400g!

I can tone down the yellow with bits and pieces I pick up on my trip! Now there is a challenge to me! Can I find squares (circles) on my travels to add to my Travellers Blanket that are donated? I might see if I can run with that! I might start with my friends at home and see where I go from there! That would make this one a true Travellers Blanket!

Hugz

Traveller's Blanket

2011-08-25T20:31:00.000+10:00

This is where I left you two posts ago. What am I going to do with this?

Well! Me being me! I've started a new project before I've finished the last one! Is anyone surprised? The silence says "No"!

I've signed up to do Dijanne Cevaal's "Travellers Blanket" Class!

I'm loving the freedom! My goodness - hand stitching! Why did I start this class start when I had 2 quilts that needed facings, bindings and labels? My poor sore hands. This project will be long! I think I need to find the new thimble, like the one that Erica now has!

My first square! Not quiet finished yet. The journey starts!

The start of the blanket is amazing - it drapes so softly without the stitching - it will be very interesting to see how the hand is after I've finished the hand stitching.

This post looks horrid but if I play with Blogger anymore I will not be responsible for my actions!!!!!

So far so good!

Hugz (with my sanity still intact!)

Quilts going to Houston

2011-08-22T18:20:00.001+10:00

I have finished the "very special" quilt!
It has taken me months, but I'm really happy with it. All it needs now is its hanging sleeve and a label and then it will be winging its way to Lisa Walton in Sydney! She is an amazing person and a brilliant teacher. If you ever get a chance to take one of her classes, jump at it!

Last year, at the Houston International Quilt Festival, Lisa was named the winner of the Jewel Pearce Patterson Scholarship for Quilting Teachers. As part of the scholarship, Lisa has to stage an exhibition, not only of her work but she also has to present a body of work made by her students! Lisa also will be teaching at the Festival. The full class list is on the above link if you are planning on being in Houston for the Festival (I'm going to be there! Yeah!).

I was really thrilled and amazed when, in December last year, Lisa invited me to be one of those students!

My "Blackbird" is the result. It is 56" x 57". Sorry the photo isn't very good - it is too big to hang on my design wall. My Sweetpea (DH) held it up for me to photograph. It really does hang straight and flat (and I think I over exposed the photo!).

Over the weekend I finished a second quilt for Lisa. I started the quilt last year but I hadn't finished it. Since Saturday I've faced it, beaded it, put a hanging sleeve on it and a label. This one is smaller (25" x 25"). This one is in the mail tonight, on it's way to Sydney. Her name is Poppies!

I'm so excited! I'll get to see them both hanging! After that I'm off to Vancouver for a few days and then to San Fransisco!

Who is counting the days?

Hugz

A new Project

2011-08-16T22:21:00.000+10:00

I love fabric!

I love dye!

What happens when I put them together?

Yummy colour!

The khadi in the dye pot! Withe a few skeins of yarn, just because I can.

I am going to have so much fun with this!

Hugz

Big smile on my face.

More later

Now to start Beading!

2011-08-07T16:47:00.001+10:00

I think I've finished the quilting on the "Very Special" Quilt! Phew! I spent the best part of the weekend painting, shading and looking! Now I think it might be time to start the beads. That will keep me quiet for a while.

I'd love to know what you think of what you can see so far.

Hugz

Do You Like Chocolate?

2011-08-04T08:23:00.002+10:00

On my way home from work yesterday, I decided to stop and take some more photos of the little bay. I thought I would take the shots from a slightly different angle. Right in the middle of the first photo is a factory - I took a closeup so you could see it a little more clearly.

This the the Cadbury Chocolate Factory - 10 mins walk from my house. What an amazing setting for a factory. The point it is built on also is home to a beautiful golf course. A perfect combination - golf and chocolate. There is a bit of family history attached to the chocolate factory. When my maternal grandfather was a boy, he trained to be a confectioner. He learnt all the tradition skills involved in making handmade toffees and chocolates. When he was older, live got a little difficult an there was no work for confectioners. As luck would have it, the Bournville family decided that the new factory their were going to build in Australia would be built on the shores of the Derwent River. My Grandfather managed to get himself a job as a builders labourer on the site. My grandmother told me that right at the top of one of those white silos there is a love heart etched into the cement, with both their initials in it.

My grandfather applied to a job as a confectioner as soon as the Family invited people to apply for positions. He was laughed at because they all knew he was a builders labourer! Finally one of the bosses said that if he could make pulled toffee from scratch he could have a job, and that is just what my Grandfather did - He made the toffee rest is history. He retired from the factory as Manager of the milk condensing plant.

I love chocolate! Who could be in a better place!

Hugz

Being Creative

2011-07-31T13:39:00.000+10:00

It has been a busy weekend. The weather has improved out of sight. I've just spend a very pleasant hour out in the garden finishing off the rose pruning (I know it is a bit late but at least I could see the new shoots easily! Everything out there is starting to pop up out of the ground..This is our first winter in this house so watching the bulbs breaking through the soil is fun.

I went for a wander with my camera to look for flowers. Here are some of what I found.

Rosemary Flowers - the are very small. I had no idea they were such complex little flowers.

Hellebore (Is that how you spell it?)

The first of the apricot blossom not quiet open yet, but it won't be long! Soon all the fruit trese will be in full blossom.. I just can't get Blogger to let me put this text where I want it! Very frustrating!

Yesterday I spent a very productive day in my studio sewing bubbles! Six hours (with the odd coffee break and I got them all done)

It was fun to finally spend some productive time with my beautiful Bernina.

The quilt I'm quilting is 5' x 5' and is the "very special" quilt that (hopefilly) is going to Houston to be part of Lisa Walton's exhibition.

Here is a little more of the quit - blackbirds, fountains, feathers, flowers and water drops - and of course bubbles.

I'll show more when it is finished!

The world is really starting to look Rosy. Sweet Pea (DH) is healing fast (starting to get cabin fever, but that is a good sign!) Next week we find out what the next step is. All is good with the world - now back to Beautiful Bernina and keep sewing!

Hugz

This morning it was COLD!

2011-07-25T16:56:00.000+10:00

I am so pleased I could stay home today! I am home this week to look after my DH (Sweet Pea). He came home from hospital on Saturday after his operation and the news is all good! It looks as though the cancer was found early enough Phew!

This the view that greeted me this morning from my kitchen window.

That white stuff isn't snow - it is frost!

It was so cold. In fact, it has been really cold all day. Our maximum for today has been a sunny, still 6C! One of those winter days in Tasmania that makes this the best little island on Earth.

This is my little olive tree was white!

The herbs under it looked as though they had been snapped frozen. I guess that is the last of the parsley until next spring.

The poor little pea plants were weighed

down by the weight of the ice. I hope they recover. They are struggling as it is, because the sun is so low in the sky.

Even the Jonquills had their heads bowed.

The water in the bird bath was frozen solid. That is about 10 centimeters of ice. I think the birds might have given a bath a miss today!

Tomorrow is supposed to just as cold.

I might complain baout the cold but I am nice and warm and cosey inside and we are having a proper winter for the first time in years

Hugz

Man on The Moon!

2011-07-20T22:45:00.000+10:00

A long time ago - when I was 14 - a man, very slowly went down a ladder. He said some very "important" words, put his foot on a very dusty bit of moon and entered the history books! At about exactly the same time, my Uncle Harry took a big step into the great unknown! He died at the same time history was made.

I think I am the only person on earth who remembers my Great Uncle today but the whole world knows what happened on the moon!

Harry Surman watched and was amazed but missed the moment by 2 hours! Every year I remember, not just the moon landing but the life of a wonderful man who fought in 2 world wars, had no children but raised 15! I was the 15th. The 14th was my Father. An amazing man!

I wonder who will remember us when we are gone!

Hugz

SAQA Benefit Auction 2011

2011-07-19T10:26:00.000+10:00

I have just been informed that the little quilt I have donated to the SAQA Benefit Auction 2011 has been uploaded to Auction page. If you you like to have a look go here.

When I printed my Koi I only made 4. This one is the 4th one. The third one I auctioned for the Queensland Flood Appeal (my best friend won it and gave it to my God Daughter for her birthday). The other 2 flew to England to Susan Briscoe. Susan did the original art work for Koi. She designed it to use as a sashiko pattern. I used that pattern to cut a 12" x 12" lino and then printed it.

There are over 300 12" x 12" quilts up for auction - they are all amazing!

Go and have a look - it is a lot of eye candy!

Hugz

The world is looking a little brighter today!

2011-07-18T21:24:00.000+10:00

Today my Sweat Pea (DH) had his big operation! He is very sad and sore at the moment and in intensive care but .................... phew! It isn't as bad as it could have been and the rocky road ahead will be a bit smoother than we first thought it would be. It still won't be fun but the prognosis is a lot better than it could have been.

Yesterday, as a diversion, we went for a drive to Richmond to feed the ducks under the bridge.

This is Al and Issy tossing the bread into the river!

The ducks were very hungry but the seagulls were in there for the fight! I think the 5 geese that were there put in the biggest effort!

The Richmond Bridge - the oldest bridge in Australia. I just love the beautiful clean lines of the stone work. It was built in 1835.

Isn't this the most handsome duck you have ever seen - there are so many greens in the feathers on his back! He was camera shy - he hid in the reeds for ages and when he did come out he turned his back on the camera.

I would love to show you some more photos of our day out but Blogger is not playing nicely.

After we fed the ducks all of us, Sweat Pea, Bec, Al, Seb, Issy and I had a lovely lunch at the Pub. The table was right in front of the fire and we were all cosy and warm.

Pretty much the best sort of day you can have in the middle of winter (one of those beautiful Tasmanian, sun and blue sky days).

I've just spoken to the Sister looking after Sweat Pea and he is sleeping and comfortable.

Tomorrow is another day!

Hugz

Sewing in Winter

2011-07-11T18:37:00.001+10:00

This morning it was very cold. In fact, the whole weekend has been very cold! We had gale force winds. There were really old trees down all over the place. It rained and rained and then the rain turned into snow

It didn't settle were we live (about 15 meters above sea level), but it did settle at 150 meters. This photo was what I saw from my driveway this morning on my way to work. It was very pretty but very cold. I've been cold all day.

The view from the staff room window was another spectacular sunrise.

This time of the year might be cold but it does have it's up side - the amazing light we get because the sun is so low in the sky.

I have been sewing too! It was a perfect weekend to spend in the studio. No temptations to go and play in the garden and the housework - well - that could wait! The very special quilt top has been sewn, unpicked and sewn again! I have no idea how it happened but across 60 inches it ended up over an inch out of square! I still have no idea what happened but now it is square. I've also made the quilt back - I hate plain backs on quilts - I think they need to say something about the top of the quilt. I really try to remember to build my quilt label into the back rather than attaching it later. It is 66" x 66" approximately. My design wall is finally up and working hard!

I also made a small quilt top using a technique I learnt on DMTV. This is about 32" square. Just a bit of fun with a length of Lisa Walton fabric I had that I really didn't know what to do with. It colours were really strong as you can see and they were in straight lines. I thought it was perfect for this project. Stupid me forgot to take a photo before I cut it up! Grrrrrr!

It has been so nice to escape for a weekend - the next few weeks are going to be a bit of a rough ride.

Hugz

Call for Entries

2011-07-08T09:23:00.002+10:00

Sunrise through the Fog

2011-07-04T08:28:00.000+10:00

Sunrise July 1 2011

2011-07-01T11:02:00.001+10:00

This is the view that greeted me this morning!

Hugz

Winter Magic

2011-06-28T21:00:00.000+10:00

Driving home from work tonight I saw this! 4.45pm - the sun had set and magic was happening!

I do love where I live! 500 meters from an amazing museum (MONA) and right next door to this little bay.

Hugz

Sally

A productive weekend

2011-06-28T17:55:00.000+10:00

My goodness - I've just uploaded these photos and they all look very drab!

That wasn't what I was going to say to start this post but it is true! In real life they do have a bit more sparkle.

I finished the quilt I started on Friday with 1 1/2 hands. It is amazing how easy it is to machine quilt with a damaged heal of left hand - it made me use my fingers a lot more and the quilt was much easier to control. That might break "the Rules" but I don't care - worked for me.

These little blackbirds seem to have a mind of their own. In the garden they are very cheeky and my friend Chris would shoot them all if she could - they can be very distructive!

This is a close up of the print from the wood block, blackbird I cut. I have decided that wood block are easier to carve than lino - I like that little bit of resistance that the wood gives.

It really isn't a good photo - looks wonky but it really isn't!

I belong to a group of art quiters from Australia and New Zealand.

This year's challenge is to make 6, 12 x 12 journal quilts based on 6 different countries (Australia not included). I decided I need to have a theme. Petroglyphs, for some obscure reason, jumped at me. I have learnt so much and only produced two little quilts. This one I made on Sunday - Easter Island has alway fascinated me - so mystical and strange and the bird me are so cute!

I'm also a member of SAQA and every year they hold a huge auction. This little quilt (10.5" x 10.5") is my contribution this year. Koi is a lino print that I have hand painted. In real life he sparkle!

Hopefully next weekend will be a bit more colourful!

Hugz

Rejects!

2011-06-25T10:11:00.000+10:00

What do you do with the pieces of fabric that have been rejected from a quilt?

I have been designing a very special quilt for a very special purpose and a lot of the fabrics that I have dyed and embellished have "hit the cutting room floor" so to speak. The pile was starting to get a little large and some of the fabrics I really love.

I couldn't help myself (again!). I made another wall hanging to trial some of the ideas I have for the "very special quilt"!

Unfortunately the rusted fabrics just didn't make the grade but when they are all put together without any distracting colours they seem to develop a live of their own.

This little quilt is still a WIP. I'm only half way through quilting it then I need to add more paint and a few other embellishments (beads maybe?!). My sewing has been slowed up a bit. On Friday night I picked a fight with our very large, just sharpened, Chef's knife! Six stitches later in the heal of my left hand, I am feeling a bit sore and very silly! Now we have two invalids in the house! What a pair!

This photo, I took on my way to work on Wednesday, The Winter Solstice! The Solstice was at 3.16 AM EST and I took this photo at 7.15 AM EST. Sunrise over the Derwent River through a volcanic ash cloud (from a volcano in Chile). The sunrises and sunsets have been spectacular since the ash cloud has been around but the airlines and their passengers are not at all happy!

Hugz

Distraction!

2011-06-10T23:07:00.001+10:00

I am trying so hard to stay on focus!

So! What am I doing? I have started another altered book. This one is important! It is starting to gel all the thoughts I am having about a very special quilt. I think the Blackbird wins! After all - I am a child of the 60's! Where would we be without the White Album?

If you think I've gone mad - you could be right but I am in a good spot just now and Sweet Pea is asleep!

Hugz

I am very sad

2011-06-08T21:59:00.000+10:00

Today was the worst weather we have had in Hobart for 20 years! That is the official word from the BOM site. I can't spell. The view from the staff room window told it all. The temperature today was 8C (46F) all day! It just didn't move. That is cold when the wind blows at storm force (not over stating!). A bad day.

The day reflects my mood! My beautiful Sweet Pea (DH) is not well! We have a long road to travel!

Please wish us luck!

Hugz

Winter Variations

2011-06-03T10:14:00.002+10:00

The foggy photo I took yesterday morning on my way to work - 7.38 am The sunrise photo I took on my way to work this morning at 7.53am!

It is the same bay I photographed the reflections on Wednesday.

I love where I live! No two days are the same. Over the weekend I drove past this bay (I left my camera at home) and there were 6 pelicans bobbing around in the water.

Hugz

A perfect Start to Winter!

2011-06-01T18:01:00.000+10:00

Today is the first day of Winter and Mother Nature excelled herself! It has been just perfect!

This morning I drove to work under the fog and tonight I drove home watching the our river.

The reflections were just perfect.

I'm making the most of this - apparently by the weekend we will have snow. Well, it is winter!

Hugz

My Garden is confused!

2011-05-29T19:23:00.000+10:00

I'm just as confused as my garden! Jonquils and snow drops in flower when the
autumn leaves are still on the trees and the roses are still blooming. The garden is looking very pretty!

I just love the colour!

hugz

I am a Teacher!

2011-05-28T22:37:00.000+10:00

Today I taught my first official workshop! I taught the most amazing group of ladies how to play with gelatine plates. If the photos I've attached below are any indication they had a heap of fun. I'm exhausted! I've got very sore feet (don't wear the boots next time) and I am one very Happy Little Vegemite! (for my not Australian readers - I'm stunned and amazed!).

You rock Girls! I couldn't stop you until the clock said "time out"!

This photo is of the hands that belong to the body that appeared on my blog a long time ago (that would be last year (or maybe the year before)). I think the gloves need to be framed and sold because they had just too much fun! Cryptic and just for you Ros!

Blogger isn't playing very nicely tonight, so I give up and will post more tomorrow!

Thank you so much for a great day!

Hugz

I have been busy!

2011-05-23T08:41:00.002+10:00

Dear Reader,

I am down on bended shin saying sorry! I really have no idea where the time has gone. So much to do, so little time.

Life at work has returned to something vaguely near normal (at least there are two of me now instead of me trying to do the work of two!) What a relief. Nicky is great and we are catching up will all the work.

I have made a small art quilt as a test for a larger quilt I will be making. I had some issues with o few of the elements I wanted to use and I decided a small test quilt would be the way to. After a couple of issues it finally worked. Now onto the big quilt! Don't you just love deadlines!

I've been busy with baby quilts and Grand babies.

At the same time I have start doing City and Guilds with Design Matters. I've having a lot of fun working my way through the work. I thought I'd show you what I achieved over the weekend. With all the fabric dyeing I have done I had never made a colour wheel of hand dyed fabric. Well now I have done two! The pile on the left is a series of 6 and I used cool primary colours. I really don't like the primary colours - they are way too "acid" but the secondary colours are to dye (pardon the pun) for. The second row are made with warm primary colours. You should see them in real life - yummy!

While I was at it, I dyed yarns to match (silk, crochet cotton and mercerised crochet cotton). The fabrics I have used are cotton handspun, cotton sateen, a 60/40 silk/cotton blend and Lara linen (60/40 linen/cotton). They all took the dye differently! I had a very satisfying Sunday.

Hugz - and I'll try very hard to not neglect you too much

Beauty found when not looking for it.

2011-04-08T14:57:00.001+10:00

It's me again! At least it hasn't been a month this time between posts!

Last Saturday I went to the museum but I think the most beautiful thing I saw all day was this view across the Derwent River about 200 meters south of my house.

Righ in the middle of the littel bay were 4 black swans.

They were quietly feeding in the shallow water.

The sun was shining and the air was so still!

Who would live anywhere else. Tasmania is the most beautiful little island in the world!

Hugz

Been missing again!

2011-03-31T17:01:00.000+11:00

I have been missing!

My excuse?
I really don't have one. Well.... Maybe.....

I've had my head down and my tail up at work. By the time I get home I'm pretty much brain dead. That really is a feeble excuse - I should be creating to re charge the batteries.

I guess I've been doing that - or something close.

I've started to play with altered books. I've got 3 of them on the go. You need to - while one is drying you still have two to play with.

I really have done a few pages. I learning to play with new tools.

But what I'm really doing is procrastinating! I have a big quilt I need to make and I have hit a huge wall of inertia! I'm trying really hard to create my way out of it!

Wish me luck. I think I need it. I'll try not to stay away for so long. Sorry dear reader!

Hugz

The Next Sketch

2011-03-03T22:57:00.000+11:00

Two little shells dipping their toes into the ocean! The anemone is a shirker! It won't dip it's toe.

hugz

Learning

2011-03-01T20:07:00.000+11:00

New Grand baby and more sketches

2011-02-28T13:04:00.000+11:00

We have a new Grand Baby... His name is Sebastian James and he was 6lb 1oz at birth. He is so cute. Bec and Al are very clever to make such a sweet little boy.

This is the Little One (Bec) with her Little one!

One week old and already has a very pronounced personality.

I will see his eyes one day!

I have been sewing but I still have nothing to show, but I can show you some more sketches

Hugz

Sketching still

2011-02-23T15:27:00.000+11:00

I have been sewing and I've been sketching. I haven't got any of the sewing to show you because it is still in it's infancy but I can show you some of my sketches

I think my sketching is getting better. Practice, practice, practice!

Hugz

Snow in Summer!

2011-02-21T13:24:00.000+11:00

The view from my Living room when I got up this morning! It was 6C and felt like 3C!

Hugz

Working with Fabric again!

2011-02-20T18:41:00.001+11:00

Today I finally got back into my studio and created. Really it all started yesterday when we (Hutchins Quilters) had our first get together for the year. We sewed a lot and we laughed til it hurt! Our theme for lunch was Italian. Yum! I forgot to ta photos of our lunch but I did find this little fellow taking great interest in what we were doing. I think he ended up joining in!

This is the little quilt I sandwiched and quilted while we laughed and chatted.

Today I put the backing and the facing on to it today.

This is the first of six (I'm going to make 12) challenge quilts for a group I belong to. We are making quilts based on other counties in the world - not Australia and they have to be 12 x 12.. That is the only criteria. A very open ended challenge. I have decided on a theme of rock art. This one is Sweden.

There are Viking long boats, Otter people and a man with a hunting horn.

This little quilt is a completely different story.

I have joined a group of eight (?) others who are printers. This is my first "page", I hope.

He is a wood cut. I do hope he is up to scratch. I will find out soon. I will be making 11 of him!

Hugz

More sketchbooks!

2011-02-17T18:51:00.001+11:00

AWOL again - Doesn't time fly when the boys come back to school!

I have been sewing but I can't show you yet. There is rust dyed fabric and thermofax screen prints and a bit of embellishing happening but not enough to show you. Maybe after the weekend.

I've been playing in my sketchbook again. The Sketchbook Challenge has really focused me on my drawing skills (or lack thereof). I'm starting to feel comfortable about the idea of drawing/painting a design before I start to make a quilt. I think that could be a good thing.

I have to make a quilt by July/August and I've decided to journal the process, so my drawing skills need to be a bit better (read - a lot better) than they are.

I'm also doing an on-line journaling course with Alisa Burke. She is just amazing.The learning curve is very steep! I'm having lots of fun, learning heaps and not sewing enough!

Over the weekend we went to the Wooden Boat Festival. It was huge!

There is a band in that shed! The shed has been built on top of a 14 foot tinny! Amazing!

They were playing local Tasmanian Folk Music - some of it I knew (My Grandmother used to sing some of them!)

They cruised around the docks all weekend (we had a long weekend here in Hobart this weekend.

It must be the busiest weekend I've ever seen in Hobart.

We had the Wooden Boat Festival. The Royal Hobart Regatta , The Hobart Cup (horse race)

Who would live anywhere else!

Hugz

Wooden Boat Festival

2011-02-11T13:19:00.001+11:00

I was in our school staff room 10 mins ago and this is the view I saw out the window!

The ships are here for the Wooden Boat Festival. It might be a grey, overcast day in Hobart but it is warm and the river is colourful!

If you click on the photo you will be able to see the ships a bit better.

Hugz

Do you think I might be avoiding the sewing machine?

2011-02-10T23:19:00.000+11:00

I've been playing with my sketchbook instead

I've been dyeing and designing - but nothing to show yet! There will be!

Hugz

Sally ( I think I deleted my signature!) sigh!

Playing with Watercolour

2011-02-09T23:17:00.000+11:00

Missing in Action!

2011-02-08T22:48:00.000+11:00

Where have the last 2 weeks gone? I've been reading blogs

I know! I've been at work!

I have managed to do something. I did some rust dyeing!

This was the view on my clothes line tonight! I am amazed they look so good. It will be interesting to see what they look like after they have been ironed and then washed.

They al have a role in the projects have have under the radar!

Hugz

The quilts and their Bags!

2011-01-25T23:23:00.000+11:00

My contribution to my mixed media group travelling exhibition! The theme is "Passages"

Destination Hobart Town

Quilt and It's bag!

Passage to an unknown World

Quilt and Bag

Flood Auction - we have a winner!

2011-01-24T22:58:00.000+11:00

The auction has finished! I goofed - it finished at 9pm.

I am kind of stunned by the winner! She is my best friend!

Chrissie, you now own my little "Koi"

Chrissie has paid $125 for it. I'm really happy I could contribute!

Thank you so much to every one who placed a bid and thank you also to every one who had a look at my little offereing.

Hugz

My Sketchbook Again

2011-01-24T15:29:00.000+11:00

I've been sketching again! I've just been trying stuff that I've not tried before.

This is a pen drawing of my little Ganddaughter. I've never drawn a face before and I'm quite pleased with it.

A Doodle to get me warmed up! A Zentangle in full glorious colour.

Night birds!

They are back again!

Hugz

Blackbird in My Garden

2011-01-20T18:12:00.000+11:00

Blackbird in My Garden

9" x 10"

Wood Block Print, free motion quilted, hand painted

I made this little quilt last night, after I go home from work. I posted it off to America this morning to be part of the SAQA Trunk Show. It will be on the road in the US for a year. At the end of the tour, 50 of the little quilts will be chosen to be part of a permanent collection. Fingers crossed!

I've come to the conclusion that if you don't put your work out there, no-one knows you are there!

Hugz

The Sketchbook Challenge

2011-01-19T11:27:00.000+11:00

I think I'm hooked! The Sketchbook Project sketchbook has been posted off and I missed it! I've joined The Sketchbook Challenge. This sketchbook I get to keep.

The theme for January is "Highly Prized".

Once again the blank white page frightened the living day lights out of me! I umm'd and Arr'd , I put it away and I got it out again.

Then I saw Diana Trout's blog about warming up, and that's what I did! I warmed up!

That is me and the pages! I added colour - lots of it!

What I prize highly is colour!

Hugz

2011-01-17T22:18:00.000+11:00

Life is starting to return to normal around here. My birthday was yesterday and we had 30 family and friends come to our new house for a spit roast lunch! They started to arrive at 11am and the last left at 8pm! We had the best day.

Turning 57 wasn't so bad after all!

This morning, at 6.30, the alarm rang - raucous! I had to get up to go to work - eek! Ah well! It pays the bills.

When I got home late this afternoon this photo was the view I saw from my kitchen sink! Awesome! That is my next door neighbours front garden. The light was perfect.

So, there you go! The summer holidays are over, I'm back at school (no kids till 2nd week in Feb) and we are back into the real world!

Just a reminder.

This is the little quilt I have up for auction here.

If you can afford it, the victims of the Queensland floods would really appreciate the help!

Hugz

The Sketchbook Project 2011

2011-01-13T23:32:00.000+11:00

I finished it!

Posted and flying to America! Yeah! I did it! And I learnt so much about me!

But where did those strange birds come from?

Hugz

Queensland Flood Appeal Auction

2011-01-13T16:57:00.001+11:00

I have been watching the Television in horror for the last couple of days! The Queensland floods are just horrendous. It beggars belief that that amount of water can be flowing through a city like Brisbane.

Toni at Make It Perfect is hosting a web auction to raise funds for The Queensland Flood Appeal.

I offer for auction this quilt

KOI
34cm x 34cm

Lino print, free motion quilted, hand painted

How the Auction works

1. Bidding will start at $50 (Australian).

2. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address. Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.

3. Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.

4. This auction is open to everyone, however $35 will be charged for International addresses. Postage is FREE for Australian residents.

5. The auction begins NOW and will END at midnight on Monday 24th January 2011.

6. At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address). The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email. Once proof of payment has been received, I will post your quilt to you.

7. Thank you for participating and happy bidding!

If we all do a little, a lot can be achieved. If you please either place a bid for my quilt or any of the other quilts that are on offer in the various other auctions.

Hugz

Panic Stations!

2011-01-11T23:48:00.000+11:00

My Sketchbook has to be in the post by Saturday! Eeek! That really means Friday here! Last week really slowed me down, so, today, I painted my socks off! I also changed the paints I using.When I started the little sketchbook I thought I was using really good paint - I now know different!

This project is the biggest learning curve. I've discovered I can draw, I can paint and I do have an over active imagination!

I've posted a collage because I'm too tired to post so many photos and I guess you wouldn't really want to look at so many photos!

You know? I think I would really like to keep this litte sketchbook, but I wont!

I have been painting and watching the story unfold in Queensland! Just horrid! At this time of the year we have fire not flood! In 3 weeks time it is the first anniversary of the Victorian Bush Fires - tomorrow 5 States of Australia are under flood watch (including Tasmania) and the other State (Western Australia) has bush fires!

I do live in the most amazing country on earth, but she can be a harsh mistress!

What a Week!

2011-01-09T22:33:00.003+11:00

I really don't think I want this week back at all!

On Monday, we got one of those phone calls you never want to get but you know will eventually happen! The Grandmother of my two stepdaughters had passed away - we knew she was going but it still was a bit of a shock. It is a very long story, but I have been included in Sweet pea (DH)'s ex family! I know, but there it is!

Catherine Cecila O'Byrne passed away, January 3 2011. We all loved her so much! Samantha and Naomi said to me during the week that they couldn't remember Kay ever saying anything bad about or to anyone! They are right! She was one of the most beautiful people I have ever met.

We love you Kay!

Hugz

A win!

2011-01-06T09:59:00.000+11:00

How lucky can I be. I left a comment on Ferrets blog and I won a gift voucher for The Quilt Show!

You really should go and check out Ferret's Blog. She does some amazing work with her free arm machine and she also make the most amazing costums.. It really is worth a "ferret" (pardon the pun)around her blog for loads of inspiration!

Hugz

My Word for 2011

2010-12-31T23:43:00.000+11:00

This year, I think my word was "experimentation".

For 2011 my word is Expansion!

I want to expand and grow all that experimenting I did this year! And I really did some!

Hugz and good luck for 2011

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T22:59:00.001+11:00

I've been sketching in my sketchbook again!

The birds seem to be away for a while.

I do think they will be back - my sketchbook has to be in the mail in 15 days! Eeeek!

I wish my readers all the best for the New Year! I do hope you all have a very happy, safe creative and productive 2011!

Hugz and heaps of Love

Summer arrives in Hobart!

2010-12-28T19:48:00.000+11:00

Summer has finally arrived!

How do I know? Because The Taste of Tasmania has started!

What is The Taste of Tasmania? This is the celebration of all things Tasmania. Our fine foods and our amazing wines. It is a huge party on the docks, just beside where the Sydney- Hobart Yacht Race finishes ( as well as the Melbourne-Hobart and the Launceston-Hobart Races). The party goes from today until January 3rd.

Lots of people and amazing food and wine!

We met so many friends doing the same thing.

The setting is awesome (I can say that and I live here!).

I think that sea gull (silver gull) had the idea that there might be food available.

I guess I should have blurred the face of the bloke eating his crayfish (lobster) but I have no idea how to!

This is the view outside the big shed - the stalls are all inside (under cover). How much fun are they all having? The little huddle on the left is a bunch of blokes getting some really cold water to drink. (a good idea I think).

Traditionally, this is where the yachts "park" after the race. Most of them are too big now to dock here now, ( I remember, as a small child, walking around this dock (Constitution Dock) and seeing all the boats tired up, with lots of very tired ans smelly sailors having a few beers on their yachts) Now only the little ones dock here.

I played tourist today in my own town and had a lot of fun!

I'm very lucky to live in the best little City on Earth!

Hugz

Sketchbook Project Fun

2010-12-26T22:17:00.000+11:00

Today we had the Tribal get together! All the girls (bar one - she and her family are in Melbourne) and their families and our extended family got together at our house for a Brunch BBQ!

4 kg snags, 3 kg bacon, 4 litres milk, 6 loaves of bread, 2 hours making espresso coffee and hot chocolates, 2 dozen oysters and 5 kilos of ham later they have all gone home again!

Lots of fun has been had and the little, shy pussy cat can now claim her house back!

Once all was sort of cleaned up and sorted, I got my sketchbook out again and worked with it.

The birds are still around!

I have no idea where any of these are coming from but I think I'm starting to get very fond of them.

I do wish I knew where this sketchbook was taking me! I guess, by the time I get to the back page I will know!

PS I still like the birds!

Hugz

Christmas Giveaway

2010-12-25T07:30:00.001+11:00

I don't usually do this but this is such a brilliant giveaway.

Stephanie Forsythe at Fibre Nation is giving away a grab bag of embellishments. The contents look almost good enough to eat!

Hugz

Happy Christmas

2010-12-24T20:53:00.000+11:00

Happy christmas to all my readers!

I do hope all your Christmas wishes come true and that you have a very creative and productive New Year!

Warm hugz to those in the northern hemishpere and to my friends in the southern hemisphere - please stay as dry as you can!

Passages - Destination Hobart Town

2010-12-23T22:23:00.000+11:00

I've been playing in the studio! Just because I had the time, I thought I might make another "Passages" quilt.

I'm not too sure if the composition is right. Ah well - I'll sleep on it and have a good look tomorrow!

hugz

Sketching and another journal cover

2010-12-19T16:43:00.000+11:00

This is journal number three - for Grand Daughter number three! She is nearly 9 so I really hope she likes it!

I think she is ready for something like this. The 15 yo and the 14yo should like theirs. Fingers crossed.

The problem is "What to give to the little Grand boys?" Now I think I have an idea - I'll let you know if it works.

I used a commercial batik for this cover - the colours aren't true - it is more purple than blue and the coloured splodges are butterflies. It really zings in real life. (I wonder why my computer doesn't like purple? I do! (Like purple that is)

I've been having a little creative fun with my sketch book! These two photos are of the same page! I cut two of the original pages out and inserted a new, A4, page (the sketchbook is A5).

The other side of the added page! That big black bird is still around. One of my commentators suggested it could be a black swan. You know. I think that is what it is!

Just look what appeared on the next page.......

I think she really is a big black swan!

Someone else said (that would be you Chris) that having a lovely big garden would take away sewing time! She is right. Sweet Pea (DH) and I have spent the whole weekend in the garden making it our own!

Hugz

My Sketchbook again

2010-12-17T11:54:00.000+11:00

I thought it was time to show you a few more pages from my Sketchbook.

I have no idea where these little birds have come from but they are a bit of fun. I'm starting to feel a bit more confident with my water colour paints. The paper in the sketchbook is really thin and puckers badly!

These two big black birds are amazing! I have no idea where they came from either. My theme for this project is "below the surface". Well I guess that is where they are coming from.

I wonder where they are going?

Last night, just for fun, I decided to use some of my quilt off cuts to make gift tags for Christmas - an idea from Laura and Linda Kemshall. They are so easy and are individual.

I'd love to know what you think.

Hugz

I've been busy!

2010-12-15T17:31:00.000+11:00

I've been very quiet on my blog recently! Sorry Reader! I've been very busy with deadlines and unpacking.

I did manage to finish the quilt I showed you a few weeks ago (well almost finished - I took it to the meeting and discovered that I should have had it ready to hang (with all the hanging bits and pieces)) Bugger! Fortunately there is a little time left to deal with those details but that needs to be done by after Christmas - Phew! We have even been invited to make another piece if we so wish. Now there is a temptation.

This week has been really frantic!

Monday was the delivery of the above mentioned quilt.

Tuesday (yesterday) was my Firstborn daughter's graduation! You have no idea how proud I am of her! She has done an amazing job to finish her Bachelors Degree with the offer of Honours next year and care for her family at the same time. That would be two very small children and a wonderful, shift working husband! (He deserves a Degree too!)

Today has been our school end of year BBQ. The senior staff have catered a beautiful lunch for the rest of us. We have said farewell to some long standing staff members (one has been at the school for 38 years!)

When I had a few minutes over the last few days I have been busy making Christmas Gifts for my Grand Babies.

These two photos are journal covers I have made for the two eldest of the tribe. That would be two down and 6 and a small one left to make.

Why do I run head long into deadlines all the time?

Hugz

Play Date

2010-12-08T15:10:00.000+11:00

On Monday I flew to Sydney for a "Play Date" with 6 other quilters. We shared different techniques for making marks on cloth.

You have no idea how much fun 7 like minded people can have. Now to put into practice all we learnt!

I flew home this morning. The weather was beautiful in Sydney but it was very sticky. Hobart isn't much better, but it is good to be home again.

Hugz

That's better!

2010-12-02T21:18:00.004+11:00

This photo looks so much better!

I bought a new foot. It cost me but it is better than the darning foot I can't find ( Still Not Happy Jan!).

Progress is happening with "Passage to Another World"! Thank you everyone for your suggestions. This is the one I have chosen.

It makes so much sense if you think about the people on the boat (convicts who haven't known anything but privation since birth. They lived in England, in mud huts, most of them! Then they were on the hulks on the Thames! Yuck! The ones that survived the bad food, disease and violence were loaded onto these filthy boats and sent to sea to God Knew where!

They saw nothing much, most of them were too sick to care! Then they arrive in Hobart Town! It wasn't really pretty by the time my Great Great Grandmother arrived here on her convict ship but I think it might have been a lot better than where she had been, She was a very tough young woman! She was 19 when she landed in Hobart and 102 when she died! She arrived in a very alien place "Another World"! Thank you Jenny!

On my way to work yesterday I saw this! I had to stop and take a photo.

Two black swans feeding in the small bay just south of our new house. Magic!

Hugz

(I have no idea where my siggy has gone - oh well - the least of my worries!)

Not Happy Jan!

2010-12-01T21:20:00.002+11:00

Can you see what is wrong with these photos? I can and I'm really not happy at all!

There is no foot! My little quilt is ready to quilt and I can't find my darning foot or my BSR foot! Come to think of it - I can't find my pins either! And all the cottons I've been using lately!

What have the removalists done? I was going to pack up my sewing room but the boxes we asked for didn't appear! THEY packed me up! Can I say "BUGGER!"

Tonight Sweetpea (DH) and I have gone through every box we can find in the garage ( we found some very interesting stuff like Sweetpea's (DH) phone charger) but no feet! I don't have any pins either, except in my travelling kit!

What a waste of an evening! I really want to be quilting! Tomorrow I'm going to be at my favourite quilting shop buying a new darning foot (my favourite quilting tool)!

Deep breaths! In - Out - In - Out!

NOT HAPPY JAN!

Hugz

PS - look at the fluff on that needle! It has been on the machine for about 1 meter of stitching! No wonder we have fluff in the works!

I need a Name!

2010-11-30T21:23:00.001+11:00

Hi Friends,

This is a quilt top that is a WIP. I have to have it finished in a bit over a week! Eek!

I have one big problem - I need a name for it by next Monday.

Does anyone have a really bright idea? All the names I can come up with are too long. The Theme is "Passages".

Hugz

Ta in advance

More Sketchbook

2010-11-26T14:16:00.000+11:00

I realised a couple of days ago that I'm starting to run about to run out of time to finish my Sketchbook!So for the last couple of evenings, when I've flopped in my chair after unpacking more boxes, I've got my little sketchbook out and started work. I've been doing them late at night and I've just been letting my pens and brushes do what ever they feel like doing. So guess these sketches are what is Just Below the Surface of my mind. I don't think I would want anyone to psycho analyse them!

I've always been terrified of watercolour. I nmade the decision that I would used this sketchbook to overcome that fear! The paintings aren't good but I am starting to feel more comfortable using a paint brush.

I am having fun doing these but I really should get on with finding my studio! I have a dead line screaming towards me at a 100 miles an hour (Dec 6th) and I quilt is still in my head! I've auditioned the fabric and I've drawn a few sketches but I haven't applied needle or scissors to cloth yet! Eeeek!

Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

Hugz

Our New Garden!

2010-11-22T22:32:00.001+11:00

I can see a lot of really good times in this garden!

What is this?

2010-11-22T22:16:00.000+11:00

This flower is in my new garden. Do you know what it is?

It is really pretty!

A find

2010-11-14T22:50:00.001+11:00

I found this in the garden bed that is going to be my herb garden! What treasure! Can I wrap it in fabric and give it a small dose of salad dressing (Vinegar)? Oh yes! More rust dyeing coming up!

I do love my new home.

Hugz

We are on the move again!

2010-11-14T18:48:00.000+11:00

Can you see the two windows with the grape vive between them? I'm so excited! They are the two windows in my new studio that look out over our beautiful new garden. The roof of the studio is a huge sun deck.

This is my work room in my new studio! There is already "stuff" in there and a "shed" more to come.

This is just so exciting - I'm tired though! I moved two huge car fulls of stuff today. My car is a big Rav4 - that is a lot of stuff. I'll pack the car again tonight to move after work tomorrow!

This room is going to be my stash storage and, maybe, my design wall, maybe not!

The light is good in here.

There are cupboards all over the place.

Here is the bonus! I have a full bathroom in my studio. I would love to be able to rinse fabric after I have dyed it but I think I might make too much mess!

I just love this kitchen! How much fun am I going to have in here? I have space! I have a proper hob and oven.

The fridge has an icemaker. Humm - that could be interesting over summer.

The garden is beautiful! This photo is taken from about half way down to the back fence. We have 4 veggie patches, rose gardens, 10 fruit trees and a whole heap of amazing plants!

Time to smell the roses!

Hugz

The Chaos of moving house

2010-11-13T22:55:00.001+11:00

More Sketchbook

2010-11-11T14:40:00.001+11:00

I thought I would show you a couple more pages from my Shetchbook. I've started to play with watercolour. These are my first few baby steps.

Unfortunately the pages in the Sketchbook are a wee bit thin and I made the paper a wee bit wet, so my little tear shaped doodle blurred a bit! Ho hum!

The pages are so thin I have to some of the elements from the previous page on the next page as you can see them through the paper - My tear shaped doodle turned into an egg plant!

hugz

Passages - I think

2010-11-10T22:59:00.001+11:00

These two are going to be my next quilt - they are the building blocks. Sailing ships and the mouth of the Derwent River, Tasmania, Australia!

This is where my Great, Great Grand Mother found herself when she was 18 years old. She was "dark of hair and blue of eye and sallow of skin" and 4 foot 10 inches. Her crime was "highway robbery"

She sailed into this river but never saw it from south! She died at the age of 102 - she committed suicide - she walked into a train - she had had enough. That is the story my Mother has told me and I believe it. I can go look at the paper work I've inherited but I don't need to!

This is "Passage" She will be finished by the beginning of December.

Hugz

English Paper Pieced Art!

2010-10-31T21:03:00.000+11:00

I think I did it!
If you have been watching the stuff I've been doing recently you might remember this little piece.

I've now quilted it and attached it to a artists canvas.

I decided to leave all the funny edges as they were - in other works - I didn't square it up! I really like the jagged edges.

If you click on this photo you can see the quilting!

I've stitched it to the canvas now!

I'm loving it!

I really like this - I might need to add a leaf or two but maybe not - I'll have a big long think about that!

Thank you so much Laura Kemshall for showing me how to do this!

I'd really love to know what you think.

Hugz

Texture and Colour

2010-10-29T17:04:00.000+11:00

A little bit more about the "Texture" piece I posted earlier.

I went into my sewing room and hunted out every piece of white fabric I could find! I had 18 different fabrics until I realised that one of them was fusible web that had lost its paper! Not happy! That makes 17. I have used everything from Pure silk to a beautiful silk/cotton blend, etching plate cleaning cloth (a really loose cheese cloth). Pure cotton and linen to poly blends and rayon. I think there is acetate in there too! the only fibre missing is wool.

No there is wool in there too - wool batting and cotton batting.

I tray dyed it last night, with a 1 meter piece of cotton scrunched up under it! I used three Procion MX dyes, Raspberry, Golden Yellow and Forest Green. I'm amazed how much the colour has changed the total effect!

I love it! Now to work out how to stitch it to make use of that colour!

Hugz

Texture

2010-10-27T18:33:00.002+11:00

This little piece is an exercsie in texture! I went into my sewing room and found every piece of "white" fabric I could - I came up with 18 (I later made that 17 when I realised that one of them was fuseable web that had come off its paper - oops).

It looks totally different, depending on where I stand to take a photo.

Hugz

PS - I have no lace in my sewing room! Humm! need to fix!

I bought a Tagine

2010-10-24T22:22:00.000+11:00

DH and I went to the golf club annual dinner 2 weeks ago! We had a brilliant night - the food was good, the company was good and I won one of the prizes in the raffle! I won a gift voucher to Myer!

I went shopping yesterday and what did I find when I went into Myer? "Spend $75 and take off $25"! I had a $50 voucher!

Now - I have lusted after a Tagine for a long time!

Here it was on the shelf - $90! I bought it! It cost me $15 from my pocket! Oops - now I have to learn Moroccan cooking real fast!

How does this look?

Moroccan beef with chickpeas, prunes and pumpkin! There are also a heap of spices! Amazing flavours! The house still smells amazing!

DH's plate. I made him wait till I took the photo! He was not a happy camper until he tasted it!

Serious yum!

Now I know why I wanted a tagine.

Hugz

Journal covers

2010-10-22T18:45:00.000+11:00

Today has been a day off for me! Yeah!

It is Mid-term break and we get a 4 day weekend. Yesterday, Hobart Show Day, I spent playing in my sewing room, playing with two of my grandchildren (both at the same time) and feeding said grandchildren and their mother (she was studying hard for her final Uni exams and I was the child minder).

Today was play time just for me. I made these two journal covers.

The Poppies and Pears (again) is A3 and was a huge learning curve - I messed up the measurements and had to add a placket! I think it still works.

This one is A5 - my travelling sketchbook. This little sketchbook will be travelling with me every where I go for the next month or so.

A really positive and productive way to spend a day a home.

Hugz

The Trial

2010-10-21T23:31:00.000+11:00

I sooked! I wasn't quite game enough to commit my english paper pieced little quilt top to the whole process until I tested the process out!

I went into my sewing room (broom cupboard) and dug out my little quilt sandwich I used to teach me how to free motion quilt. The quilting is not so good but it gives me an idea od what is possible!

I think I might almost like this piece!

Gelatine plates and English Paper Piecing

2010-10-17T17:59:00.003+11:00

Yesterday I taught my very first class. My ~~victims~~ students ~~are~~ were my friends. We all belong to a quilting group we have started at school. Every 6 weeks we meet at school for a day of learning and sewing (not to mention good food and wine) Each session one of us teaches the others a new technique. This weekend it was my turn.

I am the senior laboratory technician at the school and I decided my Prep Room would be the best place to play with paint and gelatine plates. We spent 2 hours painting, rubbing. lifting and resisting! It didn't take the girls long to work out what we were doing and then the fun ensued. None of the bins on the walls were safe! They contain all sorts if interesting shapes for resists!

Here are Leanne, Suzanne and Carol showing off some of the little prints they made. I was kept busy cutting more fabric for them - I thought I'd cut enough!

This is Shirley and Alicia! When Shirley is around it is a giggle a minute!

I think the girls had some fun!

Lunch was good too! We had a Mexican theme.

M-J supplied the bubbles!

During the afternoon we sat in the Physics lab (lots of power points and a smart board) and sewed. Quilts were sandwiched, applique was machined x 2, borders were sewn on, backing was prepared and M-J started to quilt her bargello quilt! I'll have to ask her is I put a photo of it on my blog one day!

And what did I do during the afternoon? I finished the quilting on this and started to paint some of the leaves I quilted onto it!

A little bit more paint in strategic spots and it will be ready for a facing!

So far so good I think!

Today I've been doing something totally different.

I subscribe to Design Matters TV. (Thank you Lisa for pointing me that direction!). Over the last few weeks Laura Kemshall has been showing us some very interesting English paper piecing. Now, I've never be attracted to it at all! Hexagons really don't do much for me. Please don't get me wrong! I really admire quilters who have the patience to make a grandmother's garden quilt. It's just not me.

Well, having said that, look what I have done! This is my very first piece of English paper piecing!

It still needs a heap of work (quilting ........)but it has had its papers removed and it sits flat!!!!!!!!!!

I'll tell you a bit more about it over the next week or so as I do more work on it!

I do hope you like my post today! I've had the best weekend of sharing and creating.

Hugz

The Sketchbook Project

2010-10-13T09:28:00.001+11:00

I thought I would show you a few pages from my sketchbook. The theme is Below the Surface!

I really seem to be obsessed with pears, poppies and pomegranates at the moment.