Threadpainting – or should we call it using the sewing machine in an interesting way?

Of course the day didn’t go as planned… I think is been like that for the past week. I have scribbles in the diary that need to change in a flash with the needs of the family and in between times I’ve been planning events for the rest of the year and working on projects.

Today was to be purely work in the studio….. hiccup. that didn’t happen. An outing with a daughter that needed a break was the go and we both enjoyed it. So the work happened in the early hours of the morning before her visit and late afternoon.

The quilting Genres I love.

During my time home I need to complete 5 quilts and I’m well on the way to doing that at the moment. I find that working on a number of genres at one time works well for me. I don’t get bored with one quilt… and at the end I finish 5 quilts at once… (well there is a possibility that I won’t) It all depends on babies, family, babysitting, another visit to the skin specialist and the need to stop and sigh every now and then.

Connecting fabrics to Places.

It proves that the use of the stitch ties us to the past and is part of our everyday life. I would love to be able to interpret that in fabric, but its a little beyond me right now.

However, the fabric I bought in Nepal is being used in a very different way this week. I call it painting with cloth and its just perfect for my quilt, ‘Finding Frida’ It has nothing to do with Nepal, its Mexican inspired…… or then again does it?

Day one, the Great Boudha Stupa and the history area of Bhaktapur.

The air was crisp and a heavy cloud of dew settled over all who ventured out. The sun produced an orange glow to everything and it can be the most difficult time to photograph and also the most exciting because of the interesting light. We met, for the first time as a group on that walk, sharing conversation with each other, and also some of he locals who’s smile would welcome you with friendliness.

Rural roundup – a quilting Odyssey.

Women in cars, buses and carriages of all kinds descended on the town on Friday but they didn’t come empty handed. Quilts for show and tell, coolers full of cheeses and wine and other dietary ‘necessities’ and the stories unwound as the conversation flowed.

The Quilters are rattling the rails.

This morning, we drove the 250 kms here on dusty roads flanked by golden manicured paddocks that reflected the end of a hot summer season. The sky was blue, punctuated by old deserted houses with rusty roofs and flocks of black crows. The houses hold memories of happiness, struggles and families past.

When the woman you live with is an artist, every day is a surprise.

Those of you who follow my blog are aware that I use the time traveling to design, write, think and create connections between my journal at my destination and my studio at home. I record everything I see, collect things and it’s mainly textile based. Beautiful cloth that has been touched by others hands. Stories and history i

Journaling with fabric and sensational stitching.

I know I’m preaching to the converted but I’m artists with attitude and I just love the unpredictability of creating with textiles. The refining of the process comes with a little experience and the imprint of practice. Then again, you can never be certain of the finished project. So I just begin.

Christmas Carols, Color and crafts.

I’ve been home just a week and I make no bones about the fact that its been a bit of a struggle. Physically mainly, but almost 70 days of being responsible for a large number of people. Using my brain to the max and doing the very best I can takes its toll.

Now, we have a wedding in the garden in just two days and the preparations have been under way all week. Now I can enjoy the ambience, prepare for Christmas and summer.