tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27520757185757115222024-03-13T18:12:16.424+08:00Fiddling with FibrePlaying with all kinds of fabrics, textiles and textile artjoanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.comBlogger717125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-72500179485933555792011-03-17T06:59:00.002+08:002011-03-17T07:02:45.681+08:00Goodbye JoanMy dear wife Joan has left us. She battled the beast for over a year and died on February 25th, 2011.<br /><br />She is sorely missed by me and her offspring, Helen and Martin.<br /><br />Kevinjoanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-86108397921589217972011-01-10T12:42:00.004+08:002011-01-10T13:20:59.176+08:00Binging on booksI have been very slack about stitching - the only time I have been into the sewing room for months has been to do some trouser shortening for Martin and some repairs for Helen and Kevin. I have been feeling so tired that if I wasn't sleeping I just wanted to sit. So I have been reading and rereading.<br /><br />Last year I reread all the Phyrne Fisher novels by Kerry Greenwood and was delighted to discover a newly published one which I promptly devoured. Then Stephanie Laurens came out with the final book in the Bride Quartet, so I had to reread the first three before I read the new one! This series is set in India in the early 19th century and involves a group of four East India Company soldiers who discover the villain behind a vicious cult and have to take the evidence to England, hotly pursued by the cult. Naturally each encounters a lady along the way and romantic entanglement ensues. I enjoy SL's story telling, but have to skip large chunks of the sex scenes.<br /><br />Then the final volume of Nora Roberts Bride Quartet came out. This is modern romantic fiction and good light reading, but of course I had to reread the first three before I could finish off the series! <br /><br />I also read "Ape House" by Sara Gruen. I loved her first book "Water for Elephants". I was less taken by this, mostly because the story timing was inconsistent throughout the novel - events moved very quickly, then slowed to a crawl, then heaps of action at the end. I may have to reread it to see if my first opinion is justified.<br /><br />Since New Year I have been indulging myself in the "in Death" series by JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts). I read the latest volume "Indulgence in Death" (appropriate) and started rereading the entire series from the beginning. Some days I have read two of them, so I am now half way through #11. I suspect I am getting a bit tired of them, so I may stop soon.<br /><br />I have only one completely untouched book waiting - "The Distant Hours" by Kate Morton. I enjoyed her first two books "The Shifting Fog" and "The Forgotten Garden", so I expect to like this as well.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-36152581298375544542010-12-20T10:55:00.005+08:002010-12-20T11:20:06.856+08:00The WeddingHelen and James tied the knot on Saturday. It was a lovely day. Here is is a pic of the park where the ceremony took place and of a couple of onlookers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2yQbL0HXjlcukr_Kz_QKfvoGr6lkxjUrc6Fs06SFkBfYL-26XLOdqJHnLh-Kz-JaFCiogmaolWqA4uLhW_X04UuoZuFqVC5mrw1DqwV1k3_ieQpL6LTL-PF8ZnTnXHWI-0TpaPhWmDw/s1600/Venue.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2yQbL0HXjlcukr_Kz_QKfvoGr6lkxjUrc6Fs06SFkBfYL-26XLOdqJHnLh-Kz-JaFCiogmaolWqA4uLhW_X04UuoZuFqVC5mrw1DqwV1k3_ieQpL6LTL-PF8ZnTnXHWI-0TpaPhWmDw/s320/Venue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552596793438963858" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsNtm4eA13WAJ10P1Tkd1IMcyb0abhckp4iKlLifHvGm25g4YLtTavCaWv8ydmrKdVkygsrb56TvXAvF3G8wtzFK72ghUWVsGouQWwDbtnL_jp8oXJyUF78qQj6jWGBSm6kkJvXFZqSw/s1600/Onlookers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsNtm4eA13WAJ10P1Tkd1IMcyb0abhckp4iKlLifHvGm25g4YLtTavCaWv8ydmrKdVkygsrb56TvXAvF3G8wtzFK72ghUWVsGouQWwDbtnL_jp8oXJyUF78qQj6jWGBSm6kkJvXFZqSw/s320/Onlookers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552596793518218658" border="0" /></a>This is the happy couple at the ceremony and at the reception.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FHF6lcYwkPfMIv0da-ggMrTwo9fZzmUWRMTGzYMDOXdLfrXfccpe86A7xmwTJYOTjMSbmf3O_4kwhX50nnNT6Z4qgJ_8Y2LF67hV8P4ciuL1U6O5vgWDR4v5Z_LeB9tuhTInK6wsCfk/s1600/Ceremony.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FHF6lcYwkPfMIv0da-ggMrTwo9fZzmUWRMTGzYMDOXdLfrXfccpe86A7xmwTJYOTjMSbmf3O_4kwhX50nnNT6Z4qgJ_8Y2LF67hV8P4ciuL1U6O5vgWDR4v5Z_LeB9tuhTInK6wsCfk/s320/Ceremony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552597359042801378" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uZAY9W8y3EZQasdvvh2QDO1L823FZYRKYdYKHF-lmhK6dgwWd8CniLUQPNzspnl4JnnNxXybV_6azqoW6i5MLbjkh3hUnSUqFD_FKHkVGNWlwzeOhbKAAxz4o9B91IaiUagfqOHr8xM/s1600/Reception.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uZAY9W8y3EZQasdvvh2QDO1L823FZYRKYdYKHF-lmhK6dgwWd8CniLUQPNzspnl4JnnNxXybV_6azqoW6i5MLbjkh3hUnSUqFD_FKHkVGNWlwzeOhbKAAxz4o9B91IaiUagfqOHr8xM/s320/Reception.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552597364213719074" border="0" /></a>Another picture of the bridal couple and one of both lots of their parents. It was great that Gail and Dave were able to come over from Queensland.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZkqKs2RV2v3nkxVSdiFEIHdnw52BoWCMXO39FuLbOOqwtA4b5UVWQmCZtYCU8mza1lIxZkiXm0qa093agaZfIImV_4zsHcmz32SvG5dYOemjfG4SHThKCm7U9qq4LFAbdAbHHVxpS6I/s1600/Pathway.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZkqKs2RV2v3nkxVSdiFEIHdnw52BoWCMXO39FuLbOOqwtA4b5UVWQmCZtYCU8mza1lIxZkiXm0qa093agaZfIImV_4zsHcmz32SvG5dYOemjfG4SHThKCm7U9qq4LFAbdAbHHVxpS6I/s320/Pathway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552597963090492322" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRVRxhKQYXVxNXMmEWfz8dEI0F3Sp_xLdz4VZSrjKaSgAvmKFNH3jETBL-M4SZdu6tSYW6UG_FVjeVPXnu-RfQZ2N8oRBw8V4FUX1KHx_LJojrBAPaA5j85TpAFUEqCTeavkMkFcS1OA/s1600/2Families.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRVRxhKQYXVxNXMmEWfz8dEI0F3Sp_xLdz4VZSrjKaSgAvmKFNH3jETBL-M4SZdu6tSYW6UG_FVjeVPXnu-RfQZ2N8oRBw8V4FUX1KHx_LJojrBAPaA5j85TpAFUEqCTeavkMkFcS1OA/s320/2Families.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552597971673952290" border="0" /></a>The reception was lunch at a riverside restaurant, the Red Herring. The food was excellent and the wine waiter efficient. I managed to eat a fair bit - particularly of the vegetables in the antipasto. I fail as a food blogger - no pictures. If you want more pics, there are others on the <a href="http://lockfamilyramblings.blogspot.com">family blog</a> and <a href="http://meandthebigc.blogspot.com">my other blog</a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-31112733786895173192010-12-16T12:41:00.003+08:002010-12-16T12:51:12.874+08:00Another Christmas PartyThis one was Secret Drawer, my friendship sewing group that was started 22 years ago. Members have come and gone, but there are still two originals - Mary and me.<br /><br />Unfortunately Mary could not come yesterday. She had heart stents inserted last week and thought she should wait for an all-clear from her doctor before venturing out.<br /><br />The gathering was at Jenny's house. As usual there was ample food, and I surprised myself by how much I ate. The desserts were great. There was a pavlova and a strawberry custard tart, as well as mincepies. I took one of those home and Kevin ate it later.<br /><br />I had a lovely time - pity the photo is out of focus.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG6OQCrjEs3UTsAewx-CmWMmTHiSX99rQf0yrggdXWZXvdI4_3A7jwXjuY7JVulA0bAt9PJMfKMogSDT4ajWD3o-CpExxV6EewrCfsHOgtD3xDC5oa6Ev8Zzxi8zry7ls0nfF8FJ89QU/s1600/DW.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG6OQCrjEs3UTsAewx-CmWMmTHiSX99rQf0yrggdXWZXvdI4_3A7jwXjuY7JVulA0bAt9PJMfKMogSDT4ajWD3o-CpExxV6EewrCfsHOgtD3xDC5oa6Ev8Zzxi8zry7ls0nfF8FJ89QU/s320/DW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551138006139014418" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-85990974100757846262010-12-12T11:47:00.003+08:002010-12-12T11:54:42.530+08:00Designing Women Christmas Lunch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw7XDcxeAPXnvvU7cqk4iTzNam5IBiIWanOuxlXhnEmmaboUEWyEA-p_SBH7eF5D1QecXyGsB2QfDpnzCElwwX4KRfNTLwoASin3NUcbhi-tByAX8PXgIfPRvzOvgJ4ONygiClr8MPc8/s1600/DWLunch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw7XDcxeAPXnvvU7cqk4iTzNam5IBiIWanOuxlXhnEmmaboUEWyEA-p_SBH7eF5D1QecXyGsB2QfDpnzCElwwX4KRfNTLwoASin3NUcbhi-tByAX8PXgIfPRvzOvgJ4ONygiClr8MPc8/s320/DWLunch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549637640339701410" border="0" /></a>Saturday was the Designing Women Christmas lunch which I was really looking forward to. I was sick in the morning and Kevin thought I really should not go, but Juliet had offered to take me and I knew I could just sit. I am glad I went. There was an impressive array of food (I didn't eat much, but I managed some savoury food as well as some of Pauline's to-die-for icecream cake) and Delys made a wonderful non-alcoholic fruit punch of which I drank at least 5 glasses.<br /><br />We always exchange a handmade Christmas decoration and I received two lovely baubles from Jan.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfdo1F-QveqIp6RoRna8Br9SMzEUYpQoYJD9g69eboXf0cyRD4Ym7YTF2RHVlNdxoPALkURn4nc5aGTDd1295dFWrkhL6hdszARocdn6aa9A7czTpGlrX0sHdZqKwQn1aW7ND_OCo9w0/s1600/Baubles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfdo1F-QveqIp6RoRna8Br9SMzEUYpQoYJD9g69eboXf0cyRD4Ym7YTF2RHVlNdxoPALkURn4nc5aGTDd1295dFWrkhL6hdszARocdn6aa9A7czTpGlrX0sHdZqKwQn1aW7ND_OCo9w0/s320/Baubles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549637639868176322" border="0" /></a><br />In addition, Jaslyn gave me a lovely angel.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq6JmDUZiRwmJJsKlX6BChdKTR983ZqDkHK-bE7Qz-rNPKiiVPyz8EUf6q5ED7UgqNy9kk6hyphenhyphenSjMSlYaluXpfaqb28DMC687ofrCdjHjDSG4sC61QMxBZ0xAvpr2_qFcn9payutLIgGM/s1600/Angel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq6JmDUZiRwmJJsKlX6BChdKTR983ZqDkHK-bE7Qz-rNPKiiVPyz8EUf6q5ED7UgqNy9kk6hyphenhyphenSjMSlYaluXpfaqb28DMC687ofrCdjHjDSG4sC61QMxBZ0xAvpr2_qFcn9payutLIgGM/s320/Angel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549637641137203634" border="0" /></a><br />It was a very pleasant afternoon. Delys has a wonderful house, full of the beautiful dolls she makes and lots and lots of vintage china. We had lunch outside in the alfresco area which is really lovely. Thank you Delys - it was great.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-62160033354534872492010-11-29T20:24:00.002+08:002010-11-29T20:58:20.927+08:00A birthdayToday was Kevin's birthday - as one of our friends said "you have exceeded your biblical allowance of three score and ten" - he is 71. We had a little gathering with friends yesterday to celebrate. It was also Helen's birthday so she and James came as well.<br /><br />Today Kevin and I went to Garden City to buy the iphone that is my present to him (I also bought him a cover and a car phone charger) We got a beginner salesperson who was firstly a bit taken aback that we didn't want/need a sales pitch and then proceeded to take such an excruciatingly long time to complete the paperwork that we both almost lost interest and walked out. We were a bit too tired of the whole bit that we didn't check our invoices/receipts and found when we got home after 4pm that we had someone else's. The phone wasn't in action by then either - activation was supposed to be within an hour. We plan another visit to another salesperson tomorrow.<br /><br />We then went to have lunch while we were at the shopping centre and decided the Asian food train looked worth a try. You select what you want, and pay according to the colour of the plate the food is on and the number of dishes you consume. As usual these days, I wasn't very hungry, but some rice paper rolls appealed (two to a plate for $4.50). I enjoyed mine and so did Kevin and he could have eaten more. Unfortunately, it seemed that there were no more available and so we paid up and moved on. A couple of prawn dumplings from another stall and an iced coffee from another and we had had enough.<br /><br />When we got home I Googled rice paper rolls and found several recipes. All the necessary ingredients (except peanuts) were in the pantry or fridge/freezer so I made some for dinner tonight. They were very nice, though Kevin wasn't too keen on the coriander I included. I/we will make them again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChBJH09Iu6e9Ty-o9Wk-v02M_WGEzIQSMtaV-chs93aSlhMs7zjs8oM5K2AoSE5XopU5N9zvoQNBCiKlPmAyxbS5XMQNKfLyNQDKY0jJ_jOtXZTBIQQnRmJvayPcgLjps1OJ4pjvljjk/s1600/RicePaperRolls.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChBJH09Iu6e9Ty-o9Wk-v02M_WGEzIQSMtaV-chs93aSlhMs7zjs8oM5K2AoSE5XopU5N9zvoQNBCiKlPmAyxbS5XMQNKfLyNQDKY0jJ_jOtXZTBIQQnRmJvayPcgLjps1OJ4pjvljjk/s320/RicePaperRolls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544954818751126210" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-70924113997192237962010-11-15T14:31:00.005+08:002010-11-15T14:48:59.715+08:00Rich in StitchThis exhibition celebrates the tenth year of the Designing Women textile group and is the sixth exhibition the group has mounted. We went to the opening last Friday night. This is Thelma Cluning who did the honours. She is a textile artist herself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SGtAZI6n0mlAH7-w1ZeJlhyCBvJGNE8Hqd8obKuFAHy3pZ96scmJZOtS5ZRIWWxO0dtAFbMAbMIAXtvgzkziTmVOVZoil9J-G7-jtmx7aXYmAS-nZnigtbhS_S50T3vDjI7gq6Zyx7o/s1600/Thelma.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SGtAZI6n0mlAH7-w1ZeJlhyCBvJGNE8Hqd8obKuFAHy3pZ96scmJZOtS5ZRIWWxO0dtAFbMAbMIAXtvgzkziTmVOVZoil9J-G7-jtmx7aXYmAS-nZnigtbhS_S50T3vDjI7gq6Zyx7o/s320/Thelma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539664020496876930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is some of the audience.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMbSHGK1tN6F4s9Ev1QLlLxw7YkhDPAVmRXIoC2TF8ZeNNua9WPyzC-UwR4v2K-84OXFrY4O7al5BUdoGwrL5Vn5TdBZvRw_wbfEeFtC9QlXVwW_aS48bJymCjaTzW1-CdbUfvVdoyDI/s1600/OpeningNight.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMbSHGK1tN6F4s9Ev1QLlLxw7YkhDPAVmRXIoC2TF8ZeNNua9WPyzC-UwR4v2K-84OXFrY4O7al5BUdoGwrL5Vn5TdBZvRw_wbfEeFtC9QlXVwW_aS48bJymCjaTzW1-CdbUfvVdoyDI/s320/OpeningNight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539664025510027538" border="0" /></a><br />There were 76 pieces on display. I don't have photos of many, because though I took my camera I didn't pull it out of my bag, and Kevin, as official photographer, was concentrating on the opening crowd. I loved these two nuno felted and stitched pieces by Juliet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GbfcHl_ckCNgMVIXIvYovMrCNvZJgYH9rP-h_qMypS682zHfUmQXTVJ2JCtZ7lEH6IDOdciME35ZGPC5P__zRb4wQre7rhgyLefr_kJpa9Z4hvlsFF59WmGB0ixccm9xm23cgtmLzKU/s1600/Juliet.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GbfcHl_ckCNgMVIXIvYovMrCNvZJgYH9rP-h_qMypS682zHfUmQXTVJ2JCtZ7lEH6IDOdciME35ZGPC5P__zRb4wQre7rhgyLefr_kJpa9Z4hvlsFF59WmGB0ixccm9xm23cgtmLzKU/s320/Juliet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539664427789059362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This lovely piece is by my sister Dorothy. It was made in response to the challenge "10" and has several tens included. One you can't see is a ten-cent piece hiding in the undergrowth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7-AWHqUOkPQL-QveUEBn5G8WoAdvjO3bNnz1ZatZDj5wBW0zfXZa6Yfv_J1tDuXa74nCDhrntJOlbykbqTW8paftG0q1fZJGAfgZmepPzsttC17Y9ANlM8j124cBTVmcUwFW5NwJXwg/s1600/Lyrebird.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7-AWHqUOkPQL-QveUEBn5G8WoAdvjO3bNnz1ZatZDj5wBW0zfXZa6Yfv_J1tDuXa74nCDhrntJOlbykbqTW8paftG0q1fZJGAfgZmepPzsttC17Y9ANlM8j124cBTVmcUwFW5NwJXwg/s320/Lyrebird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539664433959997314" border="0" /></a><br />I will take more pictures of the works when I do my turn of exhibition sitting next week.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-3955245649656384532010-10-27T10:45:00.003+08:002010-10-27T10:56:34.481+08:00UFO finishedI have been very lax in updating this blog, though I must confess that I have not been fiddling much. I have been reading lots and I may blog about that later.<br /><br />I <a href="http://fiddlingwithfibre.blogspot.com/2010/08/checking-in.html">wrote about the quilt top</a> I made from nine-patch blocks which I swapped way back in 1996. I finished off the top recently by adding a couple of borders and sent it off to be quilted. A couple of weeks ago I bound it by machine, so it is finally finished. My only problem now is what to do with it. Here is a photo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0_Y49ifI-tMMSHILmOB6N9Q7j3B0V6Yd7lBajLYvfFKme_AzZ6TLv3vhLjBrJ1aP7QWYU0d9NB55pVDWJdvNb6GhG0ER8GwPcqPJMgIt8g56imiqJLR-sohhMFqXHfney-xIKeeqQPs/s1600/9Patch1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0_Y49ifI-tMMSHILmOB6N9Q7j3B0V6Yd7lBajLYvfFKme_AzZ6TLv3vhLjBrJ1aP7QWYU0d9NB55pVDWJdvNb6GhG0ER8GwPcqPJMgIt8g56imiqJLR-sohhMFqXHfney-xIKeeqQPs/s320/9Patch1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532553566386355122" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-20324207950360344772010-10-05T13:42:00.004+08:002010-10-05T13:56:59.219+08:00More ATCS and some other stuffI finished some ATCs yesterday. These are for the Metal theme of the bimonthly (is that the right term for every second month?) swap for the Aus-NZ Art Quilters list on the internet. I am running a bit late because they were due at the end of September, but I was assured that it would still be OK. I forgot to take any photos, so I will have to wait until I get my swapped cards.<br /><br />I have been unpicking some trouser waistbands to try and shorten the elastic so I can still wear them. Having lost close to 25 kilograms and approximately 20 cm from my waist since November, everything literally falls off me. I have donated a couple of bags of clothes to the Good Sammies, but I am hesitant to pass on some, because I like the fabric so much. I will see how it goes on one pair before tackling any more. I have fabric to make some more, but I lack the energy to cut them out as yet.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-32360531836364476902010-09-24T15:27:00.004+08:002010-09-24T15:54:20.261+08:00Australia Wide II exhibitionI am really chuffed - I have had one of my quilts selected for the second Australia Wide exhibition (I had two selected for the first one - but who cares! Just one is a great ego boost.)<br /><br />Here is a tiny peek of a bit of the detail, since I am not sure whether it is acceptable to show the whole quilt before it it is put up on the <a href="http://www.ozquiltnetwork.org.au/">Ozquilt Network Inc </a>site.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfLbS10aIg-AuIPLCDoBF9cDfMlFhedmYZryk8RXws2D0149wPRSRzdA1ZjNc0izsV4wnFy5lK5QqEzjAvX0iEgbhZtcgz04Gav5J-Zpoj3oZJ3P_a4oXSaCiLBJRo3DmeUO23bm1knY/s1600/DetailPineyLakesIIIedited.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfLbS10aIg-AuIPLCDoBF9cDfMlFhedmYZryk8RXws2D0149wPRSRzdA1ZjNc0izsV4wnFy5lK5QqEzjAvX0iEgbhZtcgz04Gav5J-Zpoj3oZJ3P_a4oXSaCiLBJRo3DmeUO23bm1knY/s320/DetailPineyLakesIIIedited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520382705123382930" border="0" /></a><br />I posted it off today so it should get to Sydney by the end of the month. It needed a hanging sleeve and a label as well as the facing to be stitched down and I was a bit concerned that I mightn't make the deadline because of my stint in hospital. However I felt energetic yesterday, so the necessary bits were finished.<br /><br />Today Juliet drove me around. We went to a framer - I want the piece I did for the Melville Art Awards properly framed for the Designing Women exhibition, then to the Post Office to mail off the quilt and then to Heathcote to see the Stitched and Bound exhibition. I loved some of the pieces, especially the triptych by Lisa R, but I felt that the overall exhibition did not address the cutting edge of contemporary quilting. There were several pieces that were immediately recognisable by the maker's style. Lovely pieces, but hardly avant garde. Maybe I got it wrong, and the aim of the exhibition is no longer to stretch the boundaries.<br /><br />I am pleasantly tired after today's excursion, but have decided not to take a nap. I plan to go to bed immediately after the "Collectors" show on TV tonight.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-14952320978146851522010-08-31T09:58:00.003+08:002010-08-31T10:23:59.949+08:00Yesterday I sent off some digital and hard copy prints of photos of one of my textile pieces for possible inclusion in a book to be published at the end of the year. It is the first book to be published by TAFTA (The Australian Forum for Textile Arts) and I am not sanguine about my chances of being selected. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained.<br /><br />I don't think I should show a full photo, but here is a tiny detail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC2wu-Q_AxS98gefBf83IcxaP9tsAi_wNM75NiGhYE_gIw9hg-S0E7sjMWAqRwDFWHBoOd4p0PzurBqNP7LRwBjOu2YwuxuAisliGrtPrpShWOwc84BxFLP8EYsbL0vBGRZqEiQ9hni8/s1600/Detail.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC2wu-Q_AxS98gefBf83IcxaP9tsAi_wNM75NiGhYE_gIw9hg-S0E7sjMWAqRwDFWHBoOd4p0PzurBqNP7LRwBjOu2YwuxuAisliGrtPrpShWOwc84BxFLP8EYsbL0vBGRZqEiQ9hni8/s320/Detail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511392398786821106" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-51347504910354809412010-08-27T17:43:00.004+08:002010-08-27T17:53:15.453+08:00Friday Flowers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm_HSZLi4ENmUK5dgjicKZaq7B3IHSyLsagvN73dPucruyV5MPMbA2JvUsF32nL0-2tXO0RFzgnvhRM_vFu0nJaUrZA_t0XB-XXHC_yQYE5l-DUnvDmQ_JpzhwPbX-0imeNkl8WrBiHQ/s1600/Beans.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm_HSZLi4ENmUK5dgjicKZaq7B3IHSyLsagvN73dPucruyV5MPMbA2JvUsF32nL0-2tXO0RFzgnvhRM_vFu0nJaUrZA_t0XB-XXHC_yQYE5l-DUnvDmQ_JpzhwPbX-0imeNkl8WrBiHQ/s320/Beans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510024404327789314" border="0" /></a>Kevin has planted broad beans in the rose bed in front of the house. I don't mind at all, because I love young broad beans. We have already picked a couple to try and I was able to eat them, so that's a plus too. The main crop is still quite a way off, although there are plenty of flowers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVP_jf1MCg_vvkPKX1TRBzp22XV0BIQjj-Kvr1pN-3rI_VuVN1jKxwOVGhf1_PssdtM4FmVw9bC0azJkEvVFPzw2Qj2wN5P1YWHoqXBj7Jx0vSzEqSVwuZhE2XBGTa33k27B2DU0gVm2k/s1600/BeanFlower.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVP_jf1MCg_vvkPKX1TRBzp22XV0BIQjj-Kvr1pN-3rI_VuVN1jKxwOVGhf1_PssdtM4FmVw9bC0azJkEvVFPzw2Qj2wN5P1YWHoqXBj7Jx0vSzEqSVwuZhE2XBGTa33k27B2DU0gVm2k/s320/BeanFlower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510024407978285874" border="0" /></a>Another bonus is that the beans hide the pruned rose bushes, which aren't exactly pretty to look at. However, a couple of roses have managed to burst into bloom already, so here they are.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnlOeb7inGTdHJ2o_0Go3rJcXEiQ2NuqvqjyHQAceNT_u7uUL4Jl4SKFlW6z38y4kavs8E31G95j-an9Y39fsE8vN1i8hTU0YzfrlNOXvjMgZgF0x_gOCz0CvuMaTWv-BMspnAe1ULQw/s1600/LonelyRoses.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnlOeb7inGTdHJ2o_0Go3rJcXEiQ2NuqvqjyHQAceNT_u7uUL4Jl4SKFlW6z38y4kavs8E31G95j-an9Y39fsE8vN1i8hTU0YzfrlNOXvjMgZgF0x_gOCz0CvuMaTWv-BMspnAe1ULQw/s320/LonelyRoses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510024413272385202" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-20830332904357466092010-08-25T17:11:00.006+08:002010-08-25T17:28:13.257+08:00Wind ATCS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nYJYVvgI9d5u3kzXwGwz67u52DhFSlhSzFpON_f6u1YsPy2bl1EcBPLNb277U5wMje8RtQkTmPhF2B0JJ3HRXcZwj2rBQm7nVpOYE2mo_ONCsZpdTdS3rQQqqhW25j7Aj31pFEArV8E/s1600/WIND+ATcs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nYJYVvgI9d5u3kzXwGwz67u52DhFSlhSzFpON_f6u1YsPy2bl1EcBPLNb277U5wMje8RtQkTmPhF2B0JJ3HRXcZwj2rBQm7nVpOYE2mo_ONCsZpdTdS3rQQqqhW25j7Aj31pFEArV8E/s320/WIND+ATcs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509273659580737938" border="0" /></a><br />I received my selection of ATCs from the swap co-ordinator, Diana in New Zealand, today. They are fabulous as usual, and cheered me up after a really crappy letter I received.<br /><br />Thank you to Dorothy Faithfull (from NZ) for the top two on the left, Cherie Hoyle from Adelaide (top right - balloons), Amelia Ruscoe from Wellington (well, they certainly know about wind there!) for the turbine, Marie Bezzant from somewhere in Australia for 'Walpa' (aboriginal sign for 'wind') and Jenni Strachan from Werribee, Victoria for 'Wind Blown Grass'. I love them all.<br /><br />The next swap theme is 'Metal'. Must get onto it - it's due at the end of September.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-76202777388835218862010-08-23T09:36:00.004+08:002010-08-23T09:56:36.466+08:00Checking inI have been very lax in updating this blog, both because of lack of energy and the fact that I have done almost no fibre stuff for weeks.<br /><br />I did manage to finish off a quilt top I started back in 1996 and it is now with a professional quilter. I promise a photo when I get it back. The quilt started as a nine-patch swap between Scquilters - the Australia-New Zealand online quilting group. There was so much interest that we were broken up into groups according to our favoured colours and I ended up with the mid - to - dark green group. I joined my swap bits up pretty quickly after I got them and produced a top and that is where it has remained for the last 14 years. I decided it needed two more borders and finally finished it off last week. Phew - only 3 more quilt UFOs left. Let's not mention other kinds!<br /><br />And here's a photo of some fibre related stuff: Amber posing on a cushion next to a stuffed needlepoint tabby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIniCTJHxRWlF4JBCw0tsqHDXz53sSwmNEpGMeKITA0FvdR9FFQ8yVrhNbl8wVgZERJ2VIvvHrv_xsimyqa1UPgjlVRViJYjlFrBZ6w8yKz_M0JWXtFM5RSjDxMU8B1ZoP8ujC4FQSYMM/s1600/2Cats.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIniCTJHxRWlF4JBCw0tsqHDXz53sSwmNEpGMeKITA0FvdR9FFQ8yVrhNbl8wVgZERJ2VIvvHrv_xsimyqa1UPgjlVRViJYjlFrBZ6w8yKz_M0JWXtFM5RSjDxMU8B1ZoP8ujC4FQSYMM/s320/2Cats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508418250703247010" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-57026340085283935432010-08-05T16:38:00.006+08:002010-08-05T17:49:51.589+08:00A good day outI went to have my blood test this morning, then Juliet and I set off to the Holmes aCourt gallery in East Perth to look at the Stringmakers exhibition with indigenous artists from Warburton in the North West and three others from Perth: Nalda Searles, Holly Story and Bronwyn Goss.<br /><br />We had omitted to check the address, but eventually found it - largely due to my hazy memories of a previous visit. Then there was the problem of access. The official entrance is down a flight of steps to the boardwalk which I was reluctant to negotiate (no handrail), so we entered the building at street level and found a lift that went to the lower level, but opened into a small hallway with several closed doors. We investigated one (labelled Restaurant Toilets) and found a narrow corridor which led to the restaurant which is next door to the gallery. Boldly we marched in and a helpful young waitress told us where to go next. Unfortunately we were there an hour before opening time.<br /><br />We decided to fill in the hour with a visit to another gallery (the Old Bakery on 8th) in a neighbouring suburb, and enjoyed ourselves looking at the exhibition there, browsing through the gift shop which has some wonderful objects, including some spectacular knitted and felted scarves, and having a coffee at the attached cafe. Then back to East Perth.<br /><br />After we negotiated our way through the toilets again we finally got to see the exhibition. It was well worth our effort. Most of the exhibition is huge felted pieces, called "blankets", but not intended for use on beds or as rugs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9fMIM-246DNSFdPHNld_n7kgK7V4IbGv4CFwxm_oIr0HSQgv5PRN6-550jGs7W2Gr9g6MBhtP3nlWwopLLgh-CMGOPyRdmjBS0oBkr3i_KGxQKKEvbVTi9exTPEXi2UWrHlykxYdBUg/s1600/FeltedPieces.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9fMIM-246DNSFdPHNld_n7kgK7V4IbGv4CFwxm_oIr0HSQgv5PRN6-550jGs7W2Gr9g6MBhtP3nlWwopLLgh-CMGOPyRdmjBS0oBkr3i_KGxQKKEvbVTi9exTPEXi2UWrHlykxYdBUg/s320/FeltedPieces.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501857986775782354" border="0" /></a>There is a most moving paper scroll about 25 feet long which was a collaborative effort by all the artists. Nalda had written about how the paper piece had come about and then screen printed the words on to long silk scarves dyed with native vegetation. They were exquisite, but definitely out of my price range!<br /><br />Nalda also had a blanket dyed with natural dyes on which she had couched tufts of human hair, then embroidered the words "mangko warntu" on one side and their translation "hair blanket" on the other. It was hung so you could see both sides.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCpEJgyfV1mP4bB9dL-rUR5obFlAKG8ohpe3dNflhbfSL0HHwXyjRruzi4S5Bz2PZ0pC9dsdSiSSTPswRc29pRIMzGbbd8f1yktH0FjtwvvaVUx_fQFlIU7yDgdxuxvy474U4kP0TA0U/s1600/Nalda.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCpEJgyfV1mP4bB9dL-rUR5obFlAKG8ohpe3dNflhbfSL0HHwXyjRruzi4S5Bz2PZ0pC9dsdSiSSTPswRc29pRIMzGbbd8f1yktH0FjtwvvaVUx_fQFlIU7yDgdxuxvy474U4kP0TA0U/s320/Nalda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501857978520835010" border="0" /></a>I liked it, and the installations by Bronwyn Goss, but I LOVED Holly Story's pieces. There was a set of four tiny framed scrolls, dyed with plant dyes and imprinted with various leaves from the Warburton region - fabulous. However my favourite was a diptych where she had imprinted tree branches on to woollen blankets, one branch from Warburton and the other from the South West where she lives. This technique is one she was taught by India Flint and she gives credit for it to her. The dyed pieces were then emboidered with red and white silk threads in a design derived from Indian symbolism. Absolutely stunning.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm1KYBD-6-4HVSnQnZS57c1LgHtCYT0KbGXfHnJLnKDRO6DZeaF8HtdvdBvWW2yh0ylHseCcQtpQDmLDtqr_AXRbL6A1O_YI7f9z9dOWFv9KU26XOerAfI0AJCibevUnE6Gn5eNv-VP4/s1600/Holly.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm1KYBD-6-4HVSnQnZS57c1LgHtCYT0KbGXfHnJLnKDRO6DZeaF8HtdvdBvWW2yh0ylHseCcQtpQDmLDtqr_AXRbL6A1O_YI7f9z9dOWFv9KU26XOerAfI0AJCibevUnE6Gn5eNv-VP4/s320/Holly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501857983757930882" border="0" /></a>I also loved the string hanging. A piece of string travelled backwards and forwards from Perth to Warburton several times, with every artist adding in bits. The finished length was looped to hang on a wall. You can read more about the process of putting the exhibition together on the Stringmakers <a href="http://thestringmakers.blogspot.com">blog site.</a><br /><br />I had a lovely day. Thank you to my chauffeur Juliet and to the artists whose work I so enjoyed.<br />Also thank you to the photographer whose images from the catalogue I have used. I cannot find a name to credit.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-68200720200957346902010-08-02T19:03:00.008+08:002010-08-05T16:38:06.848+08:00Sunday at the Craft FairDesigning Women had a display at the Craft Fair that was held on the weekend - and for once I remembered to take a photo. This is Jan on Sunday morning and the display which was beautifully set up by Liz and Stephanie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiXt-MFL3rlYJAYUvo_aCedg2DZZKh-BMLleBpyRHOqlkOJObH12myzeJj0BBo0eWKaQhCQMYTUudVufzWPjWW_wiHi3UdciwC5wsmYhGeooxsfl_2zQn40MB2a1RrQe5zr5_S_BtvzE/s1600/DWStall.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiXt-MFL3rlYJAYUvo_aCedg2DZZKh-BMLleBpyRHOqlkOJObH12myzeJj0BBo0eWKaQhCQMYTUudVufzWPjWW_wiHi3UdciwC5wsmYhGeooxsfl_2zQn40MB2a1RrQe5zr5_S_BtvzE/s320/DWStall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500773381239555218" border="0" /></a>We had an excellent position - right opposite the entry to the display of Jenny Bowker's quilts and in full sight of one of her beautiful quilts. I looked after the stall in the afternoon with Dorothy and then we pulled it all down with Juliet's help - in much less time than I am sure it took to set up!<br /><br />I spent the morning looking at the stalls, with a break to listen to Jenny Bowker's talk about her quilt journey, which was absolutely fascinating. I met and talked to lots of people, but was extremely restrained about buying, because I need to downsize, rather than accumulate. I did buy some wool to nuno felt a silk shawl that Helen gave me because it has some holes in it. That won't affect the felting, and I will give it back to her when I am done. I also bought an ingenious dish and holder to use for grating garlic - I hate garlic crushers because they are so hard to clean, and chopping with a knife makes your hands so smelly. I haven't used it yet - I still have no appetite.<br /><br />My favourite part of the Fair is always the Art to Wear section. There were some great creations this year, but the piece I liked best in the Adult section was a felted jacket by Carole Redlich.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kFHmekGKKba6qJlA6fzjxZtRLqpDqvAEohMw49OhGdsw-ac4oSsbkTF3U_cB1ypcA-UecTXHAcoVjIs0o4BckyIdoZqDPtnCduf1dq3-KGoYwT0P3bgfsmMChFRnk18E_rm60o_Fi4g/s1600/Carole2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kFHmekGKKba6qJlA6fzjxZtRLqpDqvAEohMw49OhGdsw-ac4oSsbkTF3U_cB1ypcA-UecTXHAcoVjIs0o4BckyIdoZqDPtnCduf1dq3-KGoYwT0P3bgfsmMChFRnk18E_rm60o_Fi4g/s320/Carole2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500773201254672754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu_X0r2IuLITkebIl3eAJrlQi8vBrsAbJGUEO9zlzul-i5dJMZdfK58E7UBVsxWOsLAdrznGuBxshZApkbl9XAsqHocymXA54d1xVP-TwnRAY87F6mLlCJccKTsNhz9bSRe8dWoHyvQE/s1600/Carole1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu_X0r2IuLITkebIl3eAJrlQi8vBrsAbJGUEO9zlzul-i5dJMZdfK58E7UBVsxWOsLAdrznGuBxshZApkbl9XAsqHocymXA54d1xVP-TwnRAY87F6mLlCJccKTsNhz9bSRe8dWoHyvQE/s320/Carole1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500773200682115154" border="0" /></a> The student section was absolutely fabulous - especially the garments from Penrhos College. The girls had to use nothing but plain calico with a theme of geometric and there were some wonderful interpretations and some superb fabric manipulation. I loved this one, but I failed to take photos of some of the other spectacular creations. What a dill!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aBAe5JTRY0TIYlJRfeCUBU96hSIUKyebDGxbHr0Qi3YTSeR7q_WePjuY2e2Woxu99cIhomqBseRD9cVgP9ce3KQR4vTkmTt-FZpICAgs4yumK6V6dg9tCayftYVVGQmd3FjShWmNJuw/s1600/Student.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aBAe5JTRY0TIYlJRfeCUBU96hSIUKyebDGxbHr0Qi3YTSeR7q_WePjuY2e2Woxu99cIhomqBseRD9cVgP9ce3KQR4vTkmTt-FZpICAgs4yumK6V6dg9tCayftYVVGQmd3FjShWmNJuw/s320/Student.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500773385310625938" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-31327193014727478132010-07-31T12:45:00.004+08:002010-07-31T13:08:05.727+08:00Australia WideThe Australia Wide exhibition travels throughout Australia for two years. The quilts are a uniform size (40 cm square) and are supposed to be representative of contemporary art quilting in Australia. I was fortunate enough to have two quilts accepted for the first exhibition which travelled from late 2007 to early this year. The quilts are still to be seen on the <a href="http://www.ozquiltnetwork.org.au/">Ozquilt Network site</a>. Click on Quilt Exhibitions, then the Australia Wide Online Exhibition.<br /><br />I had been toying with the idea of entering the second competition and had collected some bits of fabric together. It took me a long time to get going, but last week I completed two pieces and sent off my entries (digital photos, not the actual quilts). They got to Sydney by yesterday's deadline, so now I just have to wait until the selectors' decisions are announced in September. I hope I get in again.<br /><br />I can't show any part of the quilts yet, but I promise I will show them in full later.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-80348244876350902712010-07-27T15:01:00.003+08:002010-07-27T15:17:47.031+08:00A mushroom harvestSome weeks ago I decided that I would like to try growing mushrooms again. My first effort (years ago) was notably unsuccessful - something to do with not watering the compost regularly, I think.<br /><br />So I bought a mushroom farm from Bunnings. I chose the Portobello one because I believe that variety of mushrooms has more flavour than the white buttons. I followed the instructions carefully and a week ago discovered some itsy bitsy buttons coming up.<br /><br />Today we harvested three enormous ones and I actually ate almost all of one - quite a feat in view of my present aversion to food. Kevin ate the other one and enjoyed it, which is another plus. He is not really a mushroom fan.<br /><br />Here is a photo of what is growing today. The big one at the back is actually one that we had already picked - it just got put back to show how big they are. Looks like a pretty good harvest tomorrow, too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvt8uNI10QfPF-OUCQUbDFbJVJNDH-_tH3Tt1UY2nzBSyJ94TgRA57zBjryd_rKyCg_7BC5eYjTPzGEhAQYLsIiKY4nK0Z99yQ4_3_oDR9xsvG3YGhBbW40ZIgPEXqYiGj8gbK8NcHEg/s1600/Mushies.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvt8uNI10QfPF-OUCQUbDFbJVJNDH-_tH3Tt1UY2nzBSyJ94TgRA57zBjryd_rKyCg_7BC5eYjTPzGEhAQYLsIiKY4nK0Z99yQ4_3_oDR9xsvG3YGhBbW40ZIgPEXqYiGj8gbK8NcHEg/s320/Mushies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498481670411463858" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-44074281773539538782010-07-26T20:46:00.002+08:002010-07-27T15:01:35.870+08:00Recycling WorkshopI went to Jody Pearl's first Open Studio yesterday. It is a great studio and just down the road for me. Jody's "filing system" is to die for! You can read all about it <a href="http://re-inventingfashion.blogspot.com/2010/07/first-open-studio.html">here</a>, and see lots more pictures. After a demonstration of some of Jody's more popular refashioned garments we moved outside for morning tea under the jacaranda.<br /><br />We did have to fish the odd fallen leaf out of our tea mugs, but it was a lovely setting and will be fabulous in November when the tree is in bloom. Then we had a workshop on fashioning men's ties from the op shop and recycled zips into accessories. These are the two I made - there were several more exciting ones.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiEtDhuhtuP3DTaMkqj6p5dFBIFn1wh92Rs9UA81p_cXz6FLdhe0tQACUEZddsj-3RbGDC3w1zxzsGF2hSEur5wpnRtO_5RgGZ16LiIrB1jflXy_PEM1QTNByVdo-AnRy_5FfM_5FHwo/s1600/RecycledFlowers.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiEtDhuhtuP3DTaMkqj6p5dFBIFn1wh92Rs9UA81p_cXz6FLdhe0tQACUEZddsj-3RbGDC3w1zxzsGF2hSEur5wpnRtO_5RgGZ16LiIrB1jflXy_PEM1QTNByVdo-AnRy_5FfM_5FHwo/s320/RecycledFlowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498475717212715906" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-46563103260205127662010-07-24T09:56:00.004+08:002010-07-24T10:07:15.128+08:00Friday Flowers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCLaIXGogsZO096pF8QJ87OZ4zFKqamqrL3McIJFWUGfgIkCNErwR-DZn3zoRv_IVzooVUKGuU81ktCS_xaD-gYfYctO8KEHKww0ZAMv-vl3XXaWLJgzPLu_88Ru565wJ73Sg8xYO18A/s1600/FF1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCLaIXGogsZO096pF8QJ87OZ4zFKqamqrL3McIJFWUGfgIkCNErwR-DZn3zoRv_IVzooVUKGuU81ktCS_xaD-gYfYctO8KEHKww0ZAMv-vl3XXaWLJgzPLu_88Ru565wJ73Sg8xYO18A/s320/FF1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497287835148968210" border="0" /></a><br />I have wanted a new car for awhile, and was determined that it should be red - which my first car was. We looked at several makes and models and eventually decided the Ford Fiesta was the most attractive option. The salesman told us there was a red one (I insisted on an automatic) on its way from Germany, and it would be here in six weeks. Very good. But then it was discovered that the red one had been sold, and the wait time for a red automatic would probably be six months. This is not a viable option for me, so I opted for a silver one, on which there was immediate delivery.<br /><br />We picked it up yesterday, and to my surprise I was presented with this red flower arrangement as a small consolation.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-23976812734549459412010-07-18T12:33:00.003+08:002010-07-18T12:46:51.248+08:00700th PostWho would have thought it? I know lots of people do giveaways at major milestones, but I haven't got anything, so I won't. Maybe at 750?<br /><br />I have just finished my ATCs for the latest Aus-NZ Art Quilters swap. This is a theme swap every two months and this time the theme is AIR. Once I remembered (and finally found) the balloon fabric I have had for years, they were really quick to make. I also found some sky fabric (blue with little bits of white) while I was looking, so it all went together very well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT1p1NuEY9x56_wKetN9-QU7f0DG5_gE5vem2cBv7YSsiHlYpzLwDY1ml0D-z6pzWIOUy9PNqwt8HeeyTS7ijlGZP5oIPD-GxCeue_egU7enGwVvFlanTqmKf6JFcMURLghevmKobIuM/s1600/Air.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT1p1NuEY9x56_wKetN9-QU7f0DG5_gE5vem2cBv7YSsiHlYpzLwDY1ml0D-z6pzWIOUy9PNqwt8HeeyTS7ijlGZP5oIPD-GxCeue_egU7enGwVvFlanTqmKf6JFcMURLghevmKobIuM/s320/Air.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495102853447602802" border="0" /></a><br />I will post them off to Diana in NZ tomorrow.<br /><br />I am progressing well with the art quilts I plan to enter in Australia Wide 2. I was fortunate to have both my entries accepted last time, so I will keep my fingers crossed. No pictures yet, of course. The deadline is July 30, but because the entry form and images need to be in Sydney by then, the actual deadline for me is Monday 26th. I think I will make it.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-63552096803967339342010-07-12T11:12:00.003+08:002010-07-12T11:23:18.018+08:00A new book<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAsxLV96uQiFt_-1pMdAxEOiP3WiRcUu204jUPZEraqZ4wb4SBeTNAGs4sQT8Q6pPHJdyW4ZlYNhD6yb6Bf4vfihGr3ib7YI8Natp2MBA5JA7m7HPnpMfoW7UCmjYXOb9LymSMyLp_FI/s1600/Art+Cloth.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAsxLV96uQiFt_-1pMdAxEOiP3WiRcUu204jUPZEraqZ4wb4SBeTNAGs4sQT8Q6pPHJdyW4ZlYNhD6yb6Bf4vfihGr3ib7YI8Natp2MBA5JA7m7HPnpMfoW7UCmjYXOb9LymSMyLp_FI/s320/Art+Cloth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492854265403612130" border="0" /></a><br />I preordered this from the Book Depository and it arrived this morning. I haven't even flipped through it yet, I am waiting till I have a bit of uninterrupted time (diarrhea today, yuck!).<br /><br />I was fortunate to do a 5 day workshop with Jane at FibresWest at Bunbury in 2008 and learned so much about surface design. I have had her first book, Complex Cloth, since 1997 and it has been probably the most used textile book I own - and I own lots.<br /><br />So I am looking forward to this one.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-30601168545132791362010-07-02T14:50:00.004+08:002010-07-02T14:58:28.412+08:00Friday FlowersNo fibre again this week, but my roses are putting on their final flush. Soon be pruning time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgasgSzoB_EJlg2gLWK18MOF1gWaIEO4LtTduAL5yHG6DwHu6-v2XaswPm38pRXsjubFwMThyphenhyphenzjMwPZlnF526RasoJxAdo51YKOmAFkpSI7CykgOiIaCtUAln-YBoVGWeAina1rTMRnOU/s1600/Lastweek.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgasgSzoB_EJlg2gLWK18MOF1gWaIEO4LtTduAL5yHG6DwHu6-v2XaswPm38pRXsjubFwMThyphenhyphenzjMwPZlnF526RasoJxAdo51YKOmAFkpSI7CykgOiIaCtUAln-YBoVGWeAina1rTMRnOU/s320/Lastweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489199272161950722" border="0" /></a>This was last week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9snz20yKEK_-VK9cDVAmPraAEs_t6eyvVi4BBgx35gDDdNqgsS7ok2GEEug8-SQsTcz2Kr6tE-RKaqTAWc3NooxglcHXC7946bIrWN7LbcCEWkrkKWHXJWlxtJvhMH5uvCHQLhT80ZI/s1600/Thisweek.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9snz20yKEK_-VK9cDVAmPraAEs_t6eyvVi4BBgx35gDDdNqgsS7ok2GEEug8-SQsTcz2Kr6tE-RKaqTAWc3NooxglcHXC7946bIrWN7LbcCEWkrkKWHXJWlxtJvhMH5uvCHQLhT80ZI/s320/Thisweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489199278216145506" border="0" /></a>This is this week.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-26325067432187378212010-06-20T20:56:00.002+08:002010-06-20T21:12:26.281+08:00PetsI have been neglecting this blog - sorry! I have been making more regular entries on <a href="http://meandthebigc.blogspot.com/">the cancer blog</a>, so you can catch up there.<br /><br />Yesterday we went to visit our daughter Helen and her partner James. As usual, Kevin had to do some sort of maintenance. This time it was the cord to the heater which their Staffy puppy, Ruby, had chewed and destroyed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGAOl1MtZXMiwl6IVsIVz9cTIx3Mt1eTT7xizEKKhcEj2FB_UTTGCpnBF29Y9PBIcACQtBxh-rM9kJpH2KTdCqKQHVjBrAvVqp7OokTN9urtEQV7zMGBSNtbv4wWF04cb8d6wNZrfEf8/s1600/cord2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGAOl1MtZXMiwl6IVsIVz9cTIx3Mt1eTT7xizEKKhcEj2FB_UTTGCpnBF29Y9PBIcACQtBxh-rM9kJpH2KTdCqKQHVjBrAvVqp7OokTN9urtEQV7zMGBSNtbv4wWF04cb8d6wNZrfEf8/s320/cord2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484842479122174642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You wouldn't think it of her, would you? She looks so sweet and innocent!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MAvmtJIIc_6r9Bg6TrEDiFfx9P6h-4RPGsehJKKCeIDl7yXINYJDKkFJVVU2-pA1s6oGVfgs3p2KGLHs2dTHctjerYqOfx5sJr7iy6S_KfktVpLIGbyXzt7O24Lr-sWTqnj1XQrmsns/s1600/Ruby1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MAvmtJIIc_6r9Bg6TrEDiFfx9P6h-4RPGsehJKKCeIDl7yXINYJDKkFJVVU2-pA1s6oGVfgs3p2KGLHs2dTHctjerYqOfx5sJr7iy6S_KfktVpLIGbyXzt7O24Lr-sWTqnj1XQrmsns/s320/Ruby1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484842471572861010" border="0" /></a>Amber has settled in well. She has been exploring outside for a week now. We did take the precaution of blocking the gates with shade cloth, so she is confined to the back yard. I am hoping she is too heavy (and relaxed) to jump fences.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZfkmYqHoJl91cw73ElIesR_SeGkO_tJNipBjAniVyUOFpuJYUw_HHe1PedXRFmYNMJvP-qFAqDfwPOhmiBT2vhHstVsPTH6zgF-evzzx8A9pW8bUX2sMPRUtpKdLddT7aq8mTrV1T6Y/s1600/Amber.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZfkmYqHoJl91cw73ElIesR_SeGkO_tJNipBjAniVyUOFpuJYUw_HHe1PedXRFmYNMJvP-qFAqDfwPOhmiBT2vhHstVsPTH6zgF-evzzx8A9pW8bUX2sMPRUtpKdLddT7aq8mTrV1T6Y/s320/Amber.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484842463018241218" border="0" /></a>joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2752075718575711522.post-80965540309434756052010-06-11T18:51:00.004+08:002010-06-11T19:07:34.378+08:00Fire ATCsI have just received my batch of ATCs from the "Fire" swap. This is organised by Diana in New Zealand and members of the Aus-NZ Art Quilters Yahoo group send four to six ATCs every two months. In January the theme was Water, March's theme was Earth and May's theme was Fire. The theme for July is Wind, and I need to put my thinking cap on.<br /><br />Here are the cards I received this month.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6xKuCJpS_kK2zbQQDblaW-tFJU5pMRFh1uncjtf79s2CLzFBtmRzfH-OP8XxuISMAsisWmvS2CzcBfBZyjjSUHB-E5OlyZ2J5SqsxCaM2iSLFDbcEv_eFAfxRCG13v-qZtCjkueqDkQ/s1600/FireATCs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6xKuCJpS_kK2zbQQDblaW-tFJU5pMRFh1uncjtf79s2CLzFBtmRzfH-OP8XxuISMAsisWmvS2CzcBfBZyjjSUHB-E5OlyZ2J5SqsxCaM2iSLFDbcEv_eFAfxRCG13v-qZtCjkueqDkQ/s320/FireATCs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481469385003835794" border="0" /></a>From left to right, top row first the artists were:<br />Evie, Marie (countries of origin unknown), Carolyn, Dorothy, Sharon (all from NZ) and Nia from Australia.joanlilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15593908508538790284noreply@blogger.com1