Life in Dungog

On the 1st day of March I (and Samera, my tonkinese cat of 12 years), awoke at dawn.   I was in a sweat of excitement – well, not only because the summer heat, but more due to my creative space being at last sorted.

I took the opportunity to take these photos that show the view we have from our new home at the country town of Dungog.   This is a taster of more good things to come.

Very soon I will post pics of some Dungonian greeting cards – being the first project made in my new work-area….. featuring paint and stitch.  They are yummy.

Creative hearts & minds

Sydney’s continuing rainy weather is influencing the time spent in my studio.   Straying somewhat from my usual methods, I have been playing with paper, acrylic paints, threads and other yummy bits and pieces.  

I was one of three members asked to be guest speakers at the ATASDA NSW Christmas meeting yesterday on 4/12/2010.  I showed fifteen quilts – traditional and contemporary and talked about the techniques used and inspiration behind their designs.    Being part of the ATASDA group yesterday felt very special – time to enjoy other’s hearts and minds – to see and hear about their creative endeavours and what matters to them.  

My presentation included this unfinished piece of quilt-art made primarilly with hession and paper.  I applied Jo Sonja’s acrylic paints and stitching by machine and hand.  More work is needed to complete this piece of quilt-art.

And….after my presentation, a very nice surprize happened…..After the meeting I was delighted when one lady asked to purchase my tulip quilt that I designed especially to enter into the Quilters’ Guild Darling Harbour exhibition earlier this year.   It’s gone to a good home – I couldn’t be happier.

Once home again, I unwound by doing a little more work to this piece which reflects my love of outback Australia where the rich earthy colours dig deeply into my soul.

More and more, I am finding my mind is concentrating on elements of design.   This piece is quite symmetrical but with subtle diversions. 

Do you like it?  I welcome your impressions especially about design and what impacts on YOU.

Crafty Quilting

My grandmother said I was born with needle and threads in my hands! Crafty Quilting embodies what I do.

I am a quiltmaker, designer, textile artist using commercial and hand-dyed fabrics, yarns, threads, and other textile-art media. My passion is to create unique original designs for others to enjoy.

Formerly of Adelaide in South Australia, my career in personal injury rehabilitation created the adventure of relocation to Sydney, New South Wales. That was over 20 years ago. Now semi-retired, I have the time to fully pursue my real passion in life – creating textile art pieces and quilts. From my home in the leafy northern suburbs of Sydney, I love to create new pieces and share them with as many people as I can.

Three years as Vice President of the Quilters Guild of NSW Inc connected me to like-minded creative souls, and this continues through ongoing membership with this Guild and ATASDA (Australian Textile Arts and Surface Design Association Inc). Regular group meetings in Sydney are a wonderful way to enjoy creative minds and stimulate new styles of work.

My work includes Baby Quilts, Art Quilts (small and large), Textile Landscapes, and Textile Jewellery – based upon contemporary or classic designs and techniques. The majority of these quilts are of my own design; and some have been the outcome of attending workshops. All work produced is my own. Quilts and textile art pieces can be made for you from designs I already have, or they can be designed to your specifications.

PP & Zenny