Something old...

No new work to report, so here's one of my earlier works which was selected to be shown in the "Birds Aplenty" exhibition in 2004. The stylized birds are based on a Maori bird design, with a background of woven strips.

The second piece uses the same bird design in a reverse applique style with woven corners, and including a comemrcial marbled fabric. This was my "weaving" phase!

Last post for Sunday

The start of some fabric postcards, and sourdough baguettes fresh out of the oven.

Taniwha Part 2

I am trying to achieve something today, so I've cut out and fused my taniwha. I hope these don't look too much like critters out of Ghostbusters; I am trying to make them look like authentic monsters. Faithful readers may have noticed that nothing is actually getting COMPLETED. My broken ankle is my sewing foot, and in New Zealand, also my driving foot. Which is why I'm blogging so much - I am effectively housebound. I think I'll start making some fabric postcards, as these won't take a lot of sewing. Anyone on the other side of world (ie most of you) care to exchange these with me?

Minxes

The dogs aren't the only household pets. I also have 2 Manx cats. Here is Seven (yes, once upon a time, she WAS the 7th cat), who is unusually a ginger female. Colour in cats is sex-linked, so ginger cats are normally only males. She is a "stumpie", with just a little bit of tail. And here is her daughter Grizabella, who is a long-haired tortoiseshell with no tail at all (a "rumpie"). Many people think a cat's tail is used for balance, and that Manx cats must be clumsy but the opposite is true. These cats are very agile and are amazing climbers. I've always been amused by the comments of people seeing them for the first time - apart from being often asked what happened to their tails from people who think they've lost them in an accident, they've been referred to as "lynx" cats, or even funnier, as "minx" cats.

In the Lair of the Taniwha

Taniwha are mythical Maori creatures, the New Zealand equivalent of dragons. I am quite entranced by them, being a fragon person, so I've decided to put some in a quilt. They are shown in various different ways. The shapes I have adopted are from both artistic interpretations and bone carvings. I have made them all two-toned, denoting their otherwordly status, in smoky sultry colours. Accordingly, I needed a suitable background fabric but had nothing suitable. Taniwha live in water, so I wanted something with deep mysterious blues and purples, with some spooky black bits. I took the following very dull piece of dyed fabric:
Note the useful painting board, kindly made for me by Kathryn and her husband Ken. Then I spritzed it with water and applied various paints. The result (still wet) :

A far more suitable taniwha lair. It will dry lighter, but if it's too light, I'll darken it up. Tomorrow, I should be able to start placing the taniwha around.

Later: I didn't like the yellowish colour as it dried so I darkened it, but don't really like how it's turned out, so I did another from the same original piece of blue splodged fabric. Always hard to overpaint, it's not like dye. I like this one better -here's a taniwha trying it out for size.

Friday, Friday

Actually, all days are much the same to me at present. Not being able to drive is really a pain. I don't know yet how mobile I will be when the Otago Mini-symposium rolls around at Easter. I am hoping to meet Frieda Anderson there, although I missed out on getting into one of her classes. However, I am going to do a 3 day class with Els van Baarle on "Working with Wax".

I had to take a photo yesterday for an advertisement with Kathryn's help, because I fell over the previous day trying to photograph fabric while balancing on one leg. Fortunately I'm well-padded and I just bounce. This is just some of the basic fabric that I have in stock. My plans to dye up mountains of fabric have had to be put on hold until I'm more mobile.

You know how....

....there are some days when the sun shines, your creativity flows in a satisfying way, and all is well with the world? This wasn't one of them. So here's some of my earlier (translation = completed) work.
This is called "There Are Flying Geese in the Circle of My Life". It was a result of a challenge at my quilt group to produce a Personality Quilt, and it was a first for me in several ways. It was my first "art" quilt , my first circular quilt, and my first original design (apart from the flying geese circle, which was courtesy of Caryl Bryer Fallert).



















And here is my beloved "Monet's Hexagons", another original design available as a pattern or kit from www.dyeing2design.com. this has been my best-selling pattern, particularly in Australia. Interestingly, this quilt features what I call "underdyes" - which I produced accidentally, and which provide a very soft colour that I can't reproduce dyeing the proper way.

Fusing fractals - Dragon's Teeth

I love fractals, and here's one that particularly appealed to me. If you're not familair with fractals, they're images generated by mathematical equations. Who knew at school that maths could be so beautiful? You can make them yourself - there are a number of free fractal generators that you can download. I decided to play with this, though I couldn't hope to reproduce the perfect curves or the exquisite luminous colouring, so I opted for an "interpretation" using simplified tracings of the shapes, with less contrast. I used hand dyes for the "teeth" and a commercial print to represent the complex centre area. Here's my fused result. Problem is, I have no idea what to do with it now.

Trojan Horses

I've been hit by 2 Trojan Horses in the past 24 hours. Norton detected and stopped Back Orifice (hey, I didn't name these!) yesterday, and this morning when I booted up, my settings had all gone haywire. I had downloaded an update to Adobe Reader last thing yesterday, and the Trojan must have come in on that - it's called Downloader. I found I had 4 bit colour (normal is at least 256 bit) and no option to change it! I activated System Restore, which sorted most of the settings out, and then Norton found Downloader and snuffed it. Phew.

Here's Otago 2 (see Otago 1 below, in painted fabric). This one is in hand dyes, and the cutouts feature moa (large extinct flightless birds), the head of a fossilised whale skeleton, and a taniwha (Maori dragon). I really like taniwha, and I'm thinking of making a quilt with a number of different taniwha shapes on it.

I couldn't resist posting this photo of the twins - they just lay like that themselves, honest!

Storm in a teapot

Thanks to all those who took the trouble to give me their views on the teapot issue. Generally you agreed that the cream one looked out of place, so I've replaced it with a blue one. I don't really have much floral fabric in my stash anymore, so the contrast fabric is actually the small cream floral painted blue. The picture is a bit fuzzy (do not adjust your eyes) but it's the values that matter here, and these colours fit in much better with the others.

Why did I use calico for the background ? (for American readers = muslin). Partly because it goes with everything, and also these patterns are aimed at beginners, who will inevitably have calico. Plus it keeps the cost down. Today I'm going to work on blanket stitching these (yes, by hand!) and I'll post photos of the next stage when I decide how to present them in the wallhanging (eg what sort of borders to have).

Now for something completely different

While my focus is now on art quilts, I appreciate that these don't appeal to everyone. My plans for this year include moving into a retail space in the Historic Precinct (currently being renovated by the local Trust who own the stone buildings, and who encourage artisans and crafstpeople to work there). Many quilters here are traditional, so I want to have patterns available that will provide some bread-and-butter income. I love old china teapots, so I've drawn up these designs, which I'm making in 2 different styles as a wallhanging - one floral, the other funky. See what you think. The cream floral one looks too pale compared with the others. Maybe I could paint it?

And here is another from the quilts not now being submitted for exhibition - this is called "Otago 1" (Otago is the region I now live in). The fabric for this is all painted.

The little cutouts feature wildlife in this area - penguins, sea lion, albatross and lizard. I really like this quilt, which is still pinned up and unquilted.

It seemed like a good idea at the time

I have changed my colours, but what a pain! Melody Johnson kindly copied my links for me, so I reinstated those ok, but lost all my webring buttons. I've got 2 back on but have to find the code for the 3rd one yet. And I'm still not happy with the colours, though I've managed to change the text colour.
Here's the first bread I've made since my accident - it's sourdough, and I've had the starter over two years now. I love this bread! And here is a great book I've just finished reading - it's about the history of paints, pigments and dyes. The author takes each colour in turn, and goes all over the world seeking today's versions. It's fascinating for anyone interested in colour. Did you know the colour of the universe was beige? Scientists have calculated that if all light in the universe could be put in a box, that's the colour it would be. They prefer to call it "cosmic latte" - I can see why.

Calling all Blog Goddesses...

I have a query - if I want to change the colour scheme on my blog (because I'm a dyer, that's why), am I going to lose all my links and webring buttons? The message I got when I went to change templates seemed to indicate that. Please let me know, any of you blog goddesses who have changed your colour schemes. Thanks.

Stitch du jour

Here's stage 2 of the book cover. I have always enjoyed doing blanket stitch. I don't know why - I find cross stitch boring, and blanket stitch is equally repetitive. However, the stitch that appeals most at the moment is herringbone, which I've sued to outline the leaf applique on this cover.

On a (blog)roll

Kathryn has growled at me for not posting every day, so I've taken this to heart. Here's a wee project I'm working on - it will become a quilted book cover for my brother's birthday next week. I know I don't have the proportions right for the background piece, so I will no doubt have to do some creative adjustments.

One amusing thing I didn't mention earlier about my trip to hospital - I had been clothesline dyeing the previous day, and not only were my arms liberally spotted with dye (a result of the wind getting up), but as usual, I was barefoot (it's summer here), and the soles of my feet were a delightful greeny-black colour from all the dye that had dripped onto the lawn. Every time a doctor looked at me and frowned, I had to explain that it was dye, and not bruising, gangrene or any other nasty thing. The red splotches on my arm looked interesting too. At least the doctors have remembered me when I've seen them again!

No added misery required

Now that I'm not going to be able to enter my latest works in the Otago P&Q Show, I can reveal them to the world. Entries had to be inspired by items in collections in the Otago Museum. Here's "Eclipse 1", which was inspired by Pacific island tortoiseshell ornaments. It's still pinned and unquilted at this stage. I really like the way this has come out. It's square, it's just the photo that's on a bit of an angle.

Thanks to everyone who has wished me a speedy recovery. The ankle is healing but I've had a couple of other hiccups that I won't go into - suffice to say that they've made me miserable at a time when no added misery is needed.

Longing for fabric

Yes, folks, after 2 weeks of abstinence, I'm just itching to do stuff with fabric. I have a number of ideas for small projects, some with hand embroidery/stitching, that I wnat to explore, though I'll need my trusty friend Kathryn to help get me set up. My daughter put away all my fabric and my ironing board in the stock room, much of it up on the spare bed, and of course, I can't get at it. I am hooked on fusing (see the blog of my goddess Melody, who is such an inspiration) - to me, it's the technique I've been searching for that really appeals to the way I work.

I also want to work out how to get yarns (and rovings) into my quilts. I've seen knitting covered with sheers, then stitched and burned, but I'm not really a burning gal. Any good ideas? Let me know.

Racing.... but not racing

Here it is, my new racing cast. Unfortunately, I won't be racing on it for some time. The doctor took an x-ray in order to explain why not. Quite an impressive array of hardware inside, with 1 of the screws going from one side of my ankle to the other through both bones. I can expect to be not properly mobile for at least 12 weeks. AAARRRGGHHH!
This requires me to do some rethinking about what I can do and how I can spend my time. And, most of all, what I am going to do about my dye business in the meantime.

Transplants - only within the family

Fortunately, none of my family have ever required organ transplants - but we've been doing jeans transplants for years. My son Cass is almost 25 and left home 7 years ago to go to university (yes, he's still there! He's doing 2 degrees, Engineering and Architecture) but he still brings his jeans home for mending. Now it's a little-known fact, and one I don't broadcast, but I'm a good, nay proficient, jeans mender.

Harvesting the donor jeans is not difficult - I usually have some past their best. It's the recipient jeans that require work - firstly, they have to be removed from the owner, and then washed, before any transplant work can be undertaken. Today I've done 8 transplant patches, so that 2 pairs of Cass's jeans may live another day. Here's the "after" photo. You can't see all the patches as some are in the (ahem) buttocks region.

Not all the ragged bits require mending - apparently, you can't buy cool jeans these days that are not distressed. I'd be distressed about paying good money for clothes with rips and holes in them, so clearly I'm not cool.

That was my first sewing for 2 weeks!

Recovering my sanity

Thanks to everyone who wished me well as I recover from my very first broken and/or dislocated bones. Fortunately, my head has recovered from anaesthetic-affected mush, which is a big plus.

Obviously, I can't work as normal, so I'm enjoying having my son Cass and his girlfriend Hattie here for a few days. It's a holiday weekend here in New Zealand. However, some things still need to be done - here's a photo of some fabric for my Surface Design class at the NZ Quilting Symposium next January, which I need to get a hard copy of and send away. This was taken with my new Sony digital camera - the old Sony was damaged when I dropped it and will no longer open .

I really miss my quilting, and I'm trying to decide how best to use the next month or so before I can get around properly.

Blah Days

Well, I may be at home all day but I'm certainly not doing much. At least my brain seems to have recovered from all the anaesthetic and doesn't feel like mush this week.

Like Teri, I decided to put this quiz on my blog:

***You Are a Newborn Soul***
You are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance.On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others.You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative.Noconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you.
Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter.You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything.You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships.Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily.
Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul
What Kind of Soul Are You?http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofsoulareyouquiz/

Well, that's me! Awwww, doesn't "newborn" make you feel young?

At a standstill....

Here's the cause, and here are the culprits. Early last Monday morning, the dogs bowled me over at speed while we were walking up on Cape Wanbrow. The result was a dislocation and compound fracture of my right ankle. My friend Kathryn has kindly minded my pets, watered the plants and helped out while I was in hospital.

I've had to shelve the quilts I had planned to complete this week as I can't sew. Officially, I'm unable to work for 4 weeks (leg to be elevated for 2 weeks, and no weight-bearing at all for 6 weeks). Sooooooo......this is going to have to be a planning and designing time for me that I hadn't counted on.

Also, I'm going to spend some of this down time knitting.

Moa in Boots

Incidentally, the Maori language has no "s", so moa, kiwi and so on are both singular and plural. This whimsical piece started life as "Moa Crossing" and was my version of Robbi Joy Ecklow's "Guitars" and still life pieces. I thought moa were lots more fun. Annnnnyway, my friend Kathryn kept calling it "Moa In Boots" because of the way their feet were emphasised by the design, so I've renamed it. Clearly not a quilt to take seriously - the jury will either love it or hate it - I suspect the latter. But I'm going to submit it anyway. Each moa is quilted witha different design. I haven't quite decided how to the backgrounds yet. I am using good ol' NZ wool batting - that's what we have 40 million sheep for here - and only 4 million people. That's altogether. In the whole country. One third of them live in Auckland so I don't. But my children do.

Off to hang some fabric on my clothesline and pour dye all over it - fun! And put my sourdough bread mix to ferment for a while. Cos it's Sunday which is breadmaking day.

Blowsy and decadent!

No, not me! I was having trouble quilting "Moa in Boots" so I thought I'd free my mind up by making a start on this one (as yet unnnamed). I decided that, because of the severe symmetry and straight lines of the background, I wanted to quilt something that shamelessly draped itself across the quilt like a drunken "D" list celebrity. Something blowsy and decadent that slurred "Look at me!". I hope you can see the design in this photo - it's meant to be a hibiscus flower.

Oh by the way, I've decided to leave this horizontal - I'll make some more in this style and do them vertically.

"To sample is human, to actually gather up my courage and quilt the damn pieces is divine"

Ok, here is the latest sample. I think I'm comfortable that I have enough control over the machine (down, you beast!) to actually start on the actual quilts. Enough mucking around! (BTW, I just roughly divided the piece up with a marker pen in case you're wondering what the black lines are).

As well, I've found out how to do close-ups with my digital camera. I couldn't find the instruction book for ages, but it turned up when I was sorting my stuff out prior to shifting. So now I can be more competent with it.

"She has a studio like a palace....

..I don't have one so I am jalace" (apologies to Roald Dahl). Here's what my current sewing & drawing & cutting space looks like:
Of course, I DO have another table that I even occasionally eat off. Mostly I use that to keep all the things I need to do in one place so they don't get overlooked, and I also dye and paint on it (it's not an antique piece, I might add).

Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to comment on my work in progress. I have it pinned and ready to quilt, but have not made the final decision about a quiting design yet.

Since my last post, I've set up the Dyers Webring, and joined the new Surface Design Webring. I've ordered some gel medium (thanks, Jane, on HeArt Cloth Quarterly) to have a play with. I'm still dithering about the quilting on my exhibition pieces, as this I feel is my weakest area. They are all sandwiched and ready to go, however. First I'm going to do some more samples to increase my confidence about free-motioning within a restricted space. Also I want to experiment with some designs I've thought of to see how they translate into thread.

The hills, the sea, and work in progress

Today I went to visit an area about 60km away where there are lots of fossils of toothed whales and giant penguins, as well as Maori rock drawings. It's inland, close to the lovely Waitaki River, one of the South Island's wonderful braided river. You can just see it in the photo, with the rugged Otago hills behind.

It was lovely then but at home, there's a very strong easterly. You can see in the other photo (this is the view from my back deck) how rough the water is out in the bay. I can't even have the back door open because it's blowing my stuff around.

Now I have a confession to make....I like having a zizzz after lunch. Not because I'm getting elderly (what my children think) but because if I lie down and relax, I get all sorts of good ideas. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Today I 'saw" this design in these colours so have got stuck in and made it. Originally, I planned to have it horizontal (left hand photo) but I saw it the other way (right hand photo) and decided I liked the vertical view better.

What do YOU think? Please post your opinion.

Controlling the beast!

I haven't done any free motion quilting for months, so I wanted to do some practice before completing my quilts for Otago. Here's the sampler I've worked on today. Some of it's a bit shaky but generally, I'm happy with the result. I'm not used to quilting a single design within a confined space (these fabric pieces are quite small) so it was a good exercise in control.

More dyeing...will I ever get to sew?

Well, yes, I will because I HAVE to. There are only about 3 weeks left before I need to submit photos of my latest art quilts, and my daughter will be here in 2 weeks so I need to get going. It's on The Plan for today. I also want to get to the Trade Aid store where they've kindly got in some Indian stamps for me, wooden and metal, no obligation. I'll post some photos of these and what they do when I get some more. Anyway, here's the result of one of the lengths I dyed yesterday for a quilting shop - but it's sooooo nice that I think I'll keep it. The gold just glows.

Playing with Shibori

I have just acquired a couple of seminal works on Shibori and I've been hankering to play with this a bit more. Supposedly it was back to work today, but hard to get into the rhythm after a couple of weeks of indolence. However, I did send a few orders out, but also produced these subtle small pieces (each around 13 x 22 inches). They're subtle because, as a dyer, I prefer not to have hard white space on my cloth (and let's not mention how tight you have to pull up thread and bind in order to get it!)

Also, while doing research on the net (not frittering away time seeing what other dyers and fiber artists are doing, you understand), I joined Paula Burch's dyeing forum. Paula is the Dyeing Doyenne, with a wonderful informative website. I'm not sure if there's a dyeing webring but I'll go look.

Dyeing day

Today my friend Kathryn and I had a dyeing day. I wanted to make some multicoloured metre lengths, so we did some in two different ways. These photos were just taken with the fabric lying on the living room floor, so aren't superb quality. The first four photos were dyed outside (it was a beautiful 27 degrees Celsius day) and these came out quite differently. I really liked the effect.





The next photos show the ones done the way I usually dye - scrunched into trays to give a crackle effect.






There are more but those are some of the best.

2006 Resolutions

Usually I have a list of these, but this year, with my brother and sister-in-law staying, I didn't even think to make any. However, there's the perennial "Must lose weight", so that can go on the list for 2006; also my discarded plan to walk the dogs every day. While I'm a morning person, there are some mornings where I just don't want to have to go out. However, it's all about health. My pets are all in great condition, no weight problems at all so it's just me who is struggling with avoirdupois.

I'm longing to get some fabric into the dyepot so will post some shots of the results.