'Tis a pleasure!

Later in life my friend took a fancy to horse riding. So when it came time to congratulate her on her big achievement, I just had to make sure she has her own horse. A bonus for her is that she will now have more horsepower.

YESTERDAY.

The “experts” say that body language says so much about us.

♥  Are you patient?  I hope so.   I say this because on Monday I will be posting a picture of a creature made for a long-time friend.  After a very long haul, Sandra has achieved her dream of being awarded her PhD (in rehabilitation/psychology science) through Sydney University.   It hasn’t been a fast gallop, it did involve a bit of falling off and need to get back on track - I know, having watched some of the ups and downs  of this academic journey.   

♥ To celebrate her hugemongous effort I have made her a beautiful and quirky creature – one that reflects her passion for the pleasure of  life (much more than studying).  Making this creature has taken my skills in a totally new direction…..it has been lots of fun playing around.   Until I give it to Sandra, I am unable to share this with you…just for the moment. 

♥ So I hope you will watch this space.  It will be worth waiting – do come back early next week and see what I crafted, will you?  It will make a big big smile.

Splashing around with fabric paints.

Gearing up for 2010!    Well I dont know about you, but I lurve my diary.   To see the next year rolling out before me fills me with anticipation and excitement.    It is a time to reflect upon skills I want to learn, people I desire to meet, and work that has to be done.

So I bought a $2 diary from the local dollar shop at Hornsby, delved into my stash to pull out some boring calico, opened the paint cupboard to see what I could find.   

Here is the result of havingsome lighthearted fun using my acrylic paints.  Its a pretty chirpy cover dont you think?   Maybe you too, will be making a diary cover for your 2010.

A result of just playing with my embellishing machine and different fibres

This month I am will be teaching two workshops at the Chatswood Sewing Centre – which has fantastic classroom space. 

Being located near the corner of Penshurst and Victoria Sts, parking is easy.

My one-day workshops will teach aspects of “Playing with Angelina Fibres”  and “Getting to know your Embellishing Machine”.  

Both are relaxing and fun workshops, with lots of creative experimenting build into each day.

For more information, please go to www.chatswoodsewingcentre.com.au  or if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me on craftyquilting@gmail.com

Fabric beads

Sample - Lutrador, painted webbing, tyvek, stitched.

These small pieces were transformed into the beads

Geraniums for love.

Ready Set Go!

All packed up and ready to teach a stimulating workshop for the Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc, today at home I had time to play some more.

These little samples were prepared, just two of many to tempt the creative tastebuds of 14 members this weekend. I think these fabric beads could add colour and movement to an art-quilt, don’t you? What about the other piece that has been embellished with lutrador, painted webbing, and tyvek?

And lastly, here’s a touch of gentle colour from my garden – this beautiful hanging geranium is a marvel. It keeps flowering and growing – soon I can take cuttings to give to my friends.

 

This, my second quilt, was completed at home, following the Quiltaway workshop Stanwell Tops by Beth and Trevor Reid. Looking for inspiration my eyes spotted this beautiful tree which was full of life and housed this space within its lower trunk.
My quilt was achieved by drawing with a special fabric pen, and particularly good crayons that suit fabric, and then machine stitching for enhancement and drawing together all the essential elements.

The technique is quite a different direction to my norm. However it has much attraction and I am “drawn” to put my skills to work and create two more, at least, as this contemporary style will suit our lounge room exceedingly well.

I welcome your comments – please tell me what you think of this new style (for me).

Having just returned home from Stanwell Tops where the air is as fresh as you can get – it blows straight off the sea into the treetops – the body is tired but the spirit is strengthened! I went with my friend Dorothy – we are both new members of the Illawarra Quilters Group. Diana and her committee put on a great “show” – the venue and accommodation was fantastic, and I had 2 days with Beth Miller, and 2 days with Beth and Trevor Reid, our tutors from Canberra.

There was some quiet time built into the program which suited me fine. I practiced some new beading techniques from instructions that my friend Kaite mailed to me. The limitations of my beads meant that my practice piece looks just like a practice piece so I cant show this to you. Doing this helped my confidence in beading and I am raring to go forward now.

After class one night, all students were encouraged to make a little “wild woman” brooch – Dorothy and I were exhausted so we made ours at 6.15am the next morning, appearing at the breakfast table all decked out wearing our sparkly creations. This is what I made, almost with my eyes half shut!

Here is the first of the three quilts I started at Quiltaway. Two more need to be finished.

Quiltaway by Illawarra Quilters was a fantastic and lovely time – held annually, so why not consider checking it out for next year. Google Illawarra Quilters to find out more.

Reflections surrounding Arkaroola

Following a recent workshop tutored by the lovely Caroline Sharkey, I decided that it was time for “bum down – head up” at home – forget the dishes, shopping, housework (well as much as I could get away with) – and…… I am pretty pleased with the result that came from my sewing room. Using one of my photographs taken at Arkaroola during last year’s visit, I cut lots of my hand-dyed fabrics into tiny snippets and after some playing around with fabrics and water, this is what I produced.

It’s not perfect I know – but at least I am working towards achieving the impressionistic perspective that I so much love.

More practice is needed….so watch this space, and see how my talents grow. I hope to not disappoint you (or myself).

Pizazzy Postcard No.1 by Lin

A few weeks ago my “Postcards with Pizazz class” at the Chatswood Sewing Centre, one of my student’s Lin produced this wonderful postcard. After finishing it off at home, I received a photo of it last night and having Lin’s permission to show you her work from class, here it is! The colours selection combines well with the textures created by stitch, choice of fabrics and …..even the fringe works so well. Lin’s beading work compliments the spotty sparkly fabric too – can you see that?

I am surprized about how much I am enjoying teaching classes. The ladies are so eager to learn and they inspire me too. There is lots of preparation to be ready to teach – all the organisation pays off by being ready to pass on lots of knowledge and inspiration at class.

This is Lin’s outcome from the workshop……her No.1 postcard.