quiltzandpieces

NicQuiltz has moved!!

2008-10-04T20:14:00.003+10:00

I have a wonderful new website & a new blog to go with it!!

I hope you'll click the link to find me there...

www.nicquiltz.com/blog

Inspired

2008-10-02T14:25:00.001+10:00

Inspired
Originally uploaded by nicquiltz

Last weekend I was invited by Illawarra Quilters to host a picnic in the Wollongong Botanic Gardens and talk about my inspirations and creative process. The weather was perfect and a nice group of ladies came along - we had a lovely day.

After sitting by the pond having a chat with a bit of show & tell from my sketchbooks, we wandered around the gardens till I found an interesting spot to sit & draw. Some of the non-drawers were a bit hesitant with their pencils, but eventually even those who claimed not to be able to draw a stick figure had a go. I firmly believe that the only way to get any better at drawing is to do more of it.

After lunch we set off again with cameras in hand to record some of the gorgeous specimens in the gardens - there was plenty to catch our eyes and imaginations. We went our seperate ways mid-afternoon (me with a slight case of sunburn) after spending a very pleasant day together,

Peony

2008-09-27T21:58:00.002+10:00

Peony
Originally uploaded by nicquiltz

Here is this month's virtual sketch date effort. I've been browsing my Georgia O'Keefe book lately, so I was inspired to get up close & personal with this amazing flower. I'm no Georgia O'Keefe, but I'm pretty happy with this attempt all the same.

At the gallery

2008-09-26T08:06:00.001+10:00

At the gallery
Originally uploaded by nicquiltz

Yesterday Janine, Adam & I took the train to the AGNSW to check out the Dobell Drawing Prize among other exhibits. We had a fabulous day - the gallery has recently been rearranged (perhaps in anticipation of the new Cezanne's arrival) so we had a lovely time discovering and rediscovering artworks from the permanent collection. I was allowed to photograph the works in the Dobell exhibition, although many of them were under glass and very difficult to get a decent shot without reflections and glare. The Gino Palmieri drawing pictured above was impossible, as it was almost completely black. However it's a great shot of the three of us reflected in the glass, don't you think?

Contrast

2008-09-23T14:46:00.002+10:00

self portrait as fauvist
Originally uploaded by nicquiltz

Another self-portrait, this time in the fauvist style of pure wild colours and high contrast. I thought this one would suit the theme of the Self Portrait Challenge which I've joined.

Lots of people have commented, both on the blog and in person, that the self-portraits I've been doing are something of a contrast with me in real life in terms of the serious, even sombre expression I have painted. I find this very interesting and wonder whether it is entirely due to my inept painting skills, or if it is in some way that my vision of myself is not the same as what others see.

In either case, it is a conundrum I'm determined to find a solution to, which is why the SPC held such attraction for me. It will be interesting to see if I am able to capture a more happy mood.

One perfect day

2008-09-22T16:38:00.002+10:00

mt pleasant lookout
Originally uploaded by nicquiltz

last month I stopped on the way to my class at Berry to take some snaps from the Mt Pleasant lookout on the Kiama bends. Sometimes we take our surroundings for granted, but lately I've been struck by the beauty of the places I live and drive through.

I'll be heading to Berry again this coming Sunday (the 28th September) to teach one of my favourite classes - the Touchstones workshop. There are still a few places available if any of you would care for a lovely Sunday drive through the countryside followed by a fun class in improvisational piecing and colour play. Call Elizabeth at Berry Patchwork (02) 4464 3387 for details.

On the path to who knows where

2008-09-20T17:04:00.001+10:00

Garden Steps
Originally uploaded by nicquiltz

anything might happen and everything is possible. I'm so excited by my artistic journey and the amazing changes I'm noticing in my work, in the way I see the world, in my very thoughts. I can't wait to see where my path leads next!

Spring has Sprung

2008-09-09T14:19:00.001+10:00

Spring
Originally uploaded by nicquiltz

It is a beautiful day here in Wollongong today, which seemed appropriate for this post. I've just been for a walk around the Botanic Gardens in preparation for a lecture I'm doing for Illawarra Quilters later this month. It was just glorious - I hope we have such lovely weather on the day.

There is still time to join in with this series of Contemporary Techniques classes - I'm at the Quilter's Garden (Albion Park) on the 1st Saturday of each month and Patchwork Plus (Miranda) on the 2nd Saturday. Please get in touch if you feel inclined to join us for a fun class.

Holli

2008-09-01T16:25:00.001+10:00

Holli
Originally uploaded by nicquiltz

This is our new niece who was born over the weekend in Queensland - isn't she a cutie? We're all looking forward to a trip north in the near future to meet her in person. Hmmm, I'd better get cracking on that baby quilt...

My week in pictures 31/8/08

2008-08-31T18:58:00.002+10:00

Lots happening in the NicQuiltz world this week. Check out these awesome clouds I snapped on the way out of the house one morning.

My nephew Cooper had his 4th birthday, so we had a family celebration Friday night...

I headed down to Nowra yesterday for the opening of the Meroogal Women's Art Prize - I was thrilled to have a piece in this prestigious local exhibition for the first time.

There was lots of client quilting too...

Ornamental Cabbage - August Virtual Sketch Date

2008-08-30T23:59:00.002+10:00

Ornamental Cabbage, originally uploaded by nicquiltz.

I decided to join the fun on the Virtual Sketch Date blog after seeing some of the fabulous efforts from previous months. I began with a watercolour wash in soft grey blues for the ornamental cabbage, which was later torn up and collaged onto a soft watercolour background. Then I began to draw back into the collage with black and white charcoal pencils to achieve the tones and textures of the cabbage leaves. Some linear components were added to the background with coloured ink.

It was a fun exercise - I think I'll be back for another virtual sketch date next month.

Introspection

2008-08-28T16:50:00.002+10:00

Self Portrait, acrylic polymer paint on pattern board

I am captivated by portraiture lately, and self-portraits in particular are floating my boat right now. It is a really fascinating process of analysis and introspection, and can provide amazing insight for the artist & the viewer alike as we tussle with the difference between what we see, what we want to see and what's going on behind the eyes.

What do you think of this one I painted today? I'll be interested to hear from those who know me (in real life) whether they think it's a decent likeness - the perception of others can be so different from how we see ourselves.

Life is short...

2008-08-21T21:17:00.002+10:00

Pears #2 - Ink Pen & Wash

It is odd that I was only thinking this week about my time at my old job. This morning I got a call from my distraught sister to say that my former boss, Michael Whetton, had passed away last night a few short weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. We are very sad - this man gave all three of us (my dad, my sis & I) positions in his company, which in one way or another changed the course of each of our lives.

My Dad began a new career with Freemans at the age of 49, a difficult thing to do in this society which values youth over wisdom.

I was offered a job at Freemans the following year, bringing me and my family back to Wollongong after nine years in Tamworth. Within a short time I was Admin Manager and had many opportunities that wouldn't otherwise have come my way. It is 5 years now since Michael sold his business and I left Freemans, but I stayed in touch through my family and occasional chance meetings.

In 1998 when Wollongong suffered from terrible storm damage and the insurance assessment business was under intense pressure, I asked my 17yo sister to come in and help out during the crisis. Sarah slotted in like she was born to it, and within a year or so became indispensable as Michael's secretary/personal assistant/right hand. Sar stayed in touch with Michael and continued to do his ironing each week (she likes to iron - bizarre) until 3 weeks ago.

Tonight (admittedly aided by a glass of red wine) my mind keeps going fondly back to those mornings in the office when I'd start early & bring the kids to work with me for an hour before school. Michael delighted in ruining Adam's teacher's day by filling the 5yo boy with chocolate biscuits so he began the day on a sugar high :-)

So tonight I'm saddened by the loss of this man, and reminded that life is short and fleeting - we must grab it with both hands and wring every precious morsel from each moment.

Making Connections

2008-08-20T23:17:00.003+10:00

Pears #1 - Pen & Ink Wash

Tonight I went to a committee meeting for the gallery I'm involved with, followed by dinner with my fellow committee members. I happened to mention that my son is about to start work experience at a local theatre and is interested in film-making. I found out very quickly that one of my associates teaches digital media and another works for a film production company, and gained lots of insight and recommendations to pass on to Adam, as well as offers of work experience and mentoring opportunities.

It's amazing the connections you never expect to make.

A different perspective

2008-08-19T12:23:00.005+10:00

Today is my Dad's birthday - we are having dinner with the family tonight at a local restaurant. I tend to talk about my Mum more than my Dad, probably because we spend more time together these days. But for several years Dad & I (and Sarah too) worked together at the same company. One of the things I enjoyed most about my time there was spending time with Dad in a non-family environment - you really have no choice but to have a grown-up relationship when you work together.

Dad and I don't always see eye to eye, in fact I think he often gets a kick out of disagreeing with me just for the lively discussion which inevitably follows. But I know I can rely on him to put things into perspective when it matters, and to help me see things from a different point of view.

Happy birthday Dad - I love you lots, even if I don't always show it.

Winter Moon

2008-08-18T07:44:00.002+10:00

This is the view from my front porch - early one chilly morning last month as I stood shivering in my pyjamas while I waited for the dogs. I could see the pale winter moon through the bare branches as it set behind Mt Kembla, and the air was crisp and sharp as ice crystals. The scene was so evocative of winter for me that I dashed inside & grabbed my camera.

It was a pretty ordinary photograph (I was only just awake) but it inspired me to do this water colour as well as my winter image for my latest contemporary techniques series. You just never know where or when inspiration will strike.

Unanticipated Joy

2008-08-17T11:55:00.002+10:00

One of my favourite things about teaching is the absolute pleasure I get from seeing my students take my design concept, add their own life experience and personal aesthetic, and come up with a quilt that is truly their own.

Strata class work by Trish Copeland

Even though my classes are mostly technique-driven, students have the opportunity to bring something of themselves to the work. It is fabulous to see them produce work which clearly expresses their own vision and taste.

Strata class work by Joan Murphy

Before I began teaching, I would never have guessed what joy it would bring me.

My week in pictures

2008-08-09T19:23:00.002+10:00

Well, it's been another busy week in the NicQuiltz world. I thought I'd give you a little photo essay of some highlights...

These are some of the books I used in my research presentation for Cultural Productions (aka Art History) class - some heavy reading there, both literally and figuratively speaking.

I did plenty of hours at the quilting machine, getting one rather large custom job off the waiting list.

I drove past this park several times this week on various errands, and have been enchanted by the romantic sight of the lights strung above the big top (sorry about the bad pic, I didn't have the tripod with me to take a decent low-light shot).

In better photography news, I had a portrait shown in the Wollongong City Gallery Portrait Prize - my first piece shown in a 'proper' gallery.

And lastly, some eye-candy of the stationery variety - I treated myself to this gorgeous diary from Kikki K today, plus a beautiful Lamy pen. New lovely stationery is one of the truly Good Things in life.

There was plenty more including classes taught, excursions missed, sick children, sick me, school musicals and klutzy accidents - but you don't need to know about all that. How was your week?

New Contemporary Techniques Series

2008-07-28T08:21:00.003+10:00

My new series of Contemporary Techniques classes is starting this coming Saturday at The Quilters Garden at Albion Park. This time we are making a larger wall hanging in four parts (employing the quilt-as-you-go technique) of the Four Seasons. We will start with Winter (appropriate on a chilly day like today, don't you think?) and cover a wide variety of different surface design and embellishment techniques.

There are a couple of places available in this class, so get in touch if you'd like to join us. If you'd like me to visit your shop or guild, I'd love to hear from you too. Email me at nicquiltz@gmail.com for more information.

In my Mailbox this week

2008-07-25T17:08:00.003+10:00

arrived the latest issue of Australian Patchwork & Quilting (Vol 17 No 1) featuring my Frondescence quilt as a project on page 36.

A little further on (page 42) is a Quilter's Profile on me!!

They've done a lovely job and I'm very pleased with the way both the project and the profile look. Thanks AP&Q! You can find the magazine in Newsagent's now if you'd like to read all about me (blush ;-))).

Making Connections

2008-07-21T11:22:00.002+10:00

"Nexus" Quilt Triptych 76 x 138cm

I've just finished this piece for the Meroogal Women's Art Prize - my artist's statement is copied below.

My response to the theme "Celebrating the everyday things women do" takes three parts - Nurture, Nourish and Nest. Every day, we nurture our children and encourage their development; we nourish their bodies and minds; we build a nest, a warm, safe haven from the perils of the world at large. In doing so, we form a nexus - a series of connections which bind our families to us. These connections extend to the women who surround us - our sisters, mothers and friends - who make up networks of love and support, who give us strength.

Unexpected Pleasures

2008-07-17T08:03:00.003+10:00

One of the courses I was required to take last semester was 2D Imaging for Artists. I was not at all keen, as computer stuff just seemed too much like work to be fun in my art life, so I thought I'd just get through it and tick it off my list. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

In addition to learning how to tweak photographs in Photoshop, I am now able to design my own business cards, exhibition invitations and such with a much more professional and confident approach. And I must say that playing with digital photos is FUN. We got to use the school's lovely digital SLR camera's (I soooo want one now) and then mess with the mundane images to create something far more exciting.

The image above is my final project for the course, called Reflection (clickable for a larger image). My results arrived in yesterday's mail, and I was pleasantly surprised to get a Distinction - pretty good for a course I only intended to turn up for and never thought I'd enjoy. You never know when life is going to serve you up one of those unexpected pleasures.

New Class Sample

2008-07-03T15:57:00.002+10:00

At last - some new work to show you! I've just finished this latest class sample for a new one-day workshop I'm calling Constructions (for want of a more catchy title). Participants will learn three different improvisational piecing techniques, hopefully giving them a jumping-off point to start making their own contemporary or art quilts. Fast learners & over-achievers will also make a start on some fun free-motion quilting.

I've been quilting up a storm over the past few days at home, as well as doing some class development work & fighting off a cold (ick). Tomorrow I'm off to Sydney to present my quilts at the NSW Quilters Guild's Friday Showcase - maybe I'll see you there!!

Outback at Dusk

2008-06-26T11:05:00.003+10:00

Photograph courtesy of Bard Haerland

My second quilt in the Sydney Quilt Show was another in the Touchstones series, this time #3 - Outback at Dusk (named by DH Rob for the colour scheme). This piece was commissioned by Janome Australia and made entirely on my lovely Janome 6600P sewing machine.

It won third place in the Art Quilt category (big embarrassing happy dance from me!!!) and features gorgeous hand-dyed fabrics from Dyed & Gone to Heaven, miles of free-motion quilting & bobbin embroidery.

Check out the other prize-winning quilts at The Quilters Guild of NSW website.

Just when you all thought I was gone for good....

2008-06-24T13:15:00.004+10:00

Photo Courtesy of Bard Haerland

I'm back!!! I can't believe that it has been more than three months since I posted a message on this blog - time just flies by, doesn't it? There are no real excuses for staying away so long, only my crazy life. I'll make an effort to bring any of you who are still bothering to check in up to date with all that's been happening - 2008 is turning out to be a really big amazing year in the NicQuiltz world. Here's a little taste of some of the excitement...

I think I've posted a picture of my quilt (Touchstones #2 - Gingko Garden) before. You may notice something new about it, though - a lovely ribbon from the 2008 Sydney Quilt Show. I was thoroughly gobsmacked to be awarded the Down Under Quilts special prize for Best Use of Colour - wow, what a thrill!!!

I won't bore you with a long and tedious post listing all of my happenings - I'll break it down into smaller chunks and tease you with a little bit at a time. Make sure you check back again soon!

Cheers,

Nic

My Brown Eyed Girl

2008-03-18T19:53:00.000+11:00

For last night's sketching session, I drew Emma using one of my favourite combo's - watercolour & ink. I'm very happy with this, although it is a somewhat distorted likeness. I can't help myself - when it comes to Em, it's all about the eyes.

No drawing tonight - I have a review still to write about last week's guest lecture (artist David Fairbairn) and I dare not leave it any longer or I'm going to fall behind. Tomorrow we're off to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman exhibitions at AGNSW.

I'm still here...

2008-03-17T12:04:00.000+11:00

hope you are too! I've been struggling a bit of late with my workload, and this blog has obviously been put on the backburner. Then yesterday I got some news which threw me, and made me think, and do some self-assessment. My workload is all stuff I've asked for, wished for, worked for and hoped for. So I need to quit bitching about it and just get on with it.

Off to class now - above is picture of me in 2D imaging class, playing with the Photobooth program on the cool Apple computers they have - lots of fun!!

Sketching...

2008-03-13T21:34:00.001+11:00

Adam had his 16th birthday this week - makes me feel about 105!!

We have been having nightly sketching sessions - Adam wants to improve his drawing skills, and I'm always happy to have some extra drawing practice. We draw eachother with different media - tonight it was coloured pencil and we changed colour randomly every few minutes.

I've been very busy with Art School and a multitude of other deadlines - I promise to resume regular blogging as soon as I am able.

Touchstones Classes

2008-01-30T08:12:00.000+11:00

I've been too busy to blog in the past couple of weeks, gearing up for the new year of classes which are about to begin. For any of you who may be interested, Touchstones will be my first class to kick off at The Quilters Garden in Albion Park this Saturday and then at Patchwork Plus Miranda next Saturday. This will be a great fun class learning my style of improvisational strip piecing and colour blending. The quilt is made from 20 fat quarters plus a half metre of feature fabric (we will also learn how to print your own feature panels if you can't find just the right thing in the shops).

Quilter at Work

2008-01-03T23:35:00.000+11:00

I put in a 12hr+ day at the quilting machine today, so I'm feeling tired but virtuous. It's good to get through some of the work that's waiting in the studio - each finished quilt makes me feel lighter. I've been making lists of all the projects I want to tackle this year, and I have a sneaking suspicion that 2008 is already accounted for - how can that be? We're only three days in...

Summer Roses

2008-01-02T07:51:00.000+11:00

Late this afternoon I noticed that my rose bushes were heavy with gorgeously imperfect full-blown blooms, so I grabbed the secateurs and cut some to bring inside (something I rarely think to do). I tried to capture them with watercolours this evening.

I did not make any New Year's resolutions - they seem to be an exercise in setting oneself up for failure, and I don't need to do that to myself. However, I did set out to begin the year in the manner I intend to continue - along with all my usual hard work and creative and family commitments, I am making time to draw every day (even if it's only a few minutes).

Happy New Year!!

2008-01-01T08:43:00.000+11:00

I hope you all had a happy and safe New Year's Eve - I did, though the new year has welcomed me with a yucky cold/flu today which I could do without.

Today is also our little dog Ruby's birthday - at the mature age of two you would think she may have started to lose her "puppyness" but no, she's as mad (and cute) as ever. I decided to do a little sketch of her in honour of the occasion (also because I haven't allowed myself much time for drawing lately and I don't want to get too rusty). She was posing nicely on the rug, but as soon as I sat down with my pencil, Ruby insisted on curling up on my lap so I had to draw her from that odd position. All those fluffy curls were a bit of a challenge, and it's not easy to draw a white dog, but I think it turned out OK.

Deck the Halls...

2007-12-23T20:56:00.000+11:00

Christmas Cheer...

2007-12-22T10:08:00.000+11:00

and plenty of it. We had our "White Christmas" party and opening at the Project Gallery last night and I'm feeling slightly the worse for it this morning. A bit like this photo, a little blurry. This is another of my Christmas Postcard samples - as you can maybe see, I try to avoid too much cutesiness or traditional colourways - bright & simple but classic works for me.

We're braving the shopping precincts to finish off the last of the Christmas shopping - I'll be glad when it's done and we can relax. More postcard pics to come - watch this space.

Getting some Christmas Spirit...

2007-12-20T13:12:00.000+11:00

Intermittent blogger here, sorry for being tardy once again but life has been a teensy bit insane so some things just have to slide. I thought I'd post this Christmassy meme (thanks to Deb) to try and get some festiveness happening...

1. In your opinion, what does Christmas smell like?
Honey-glazed ham baking on Christmas eve, cinnamon and spice - Mum's here baking Christmas cakes and puddings today - yum!!

2. Do you leave cookies out for Santa?
Yes, we usually do leave out a snack for Santa, sometimes a beer and always a carrot for the Reindeer.

3. What Christmas song would you prefer to never hear again?
"Felice Navidad" - it is the worst earworm ever. Just typing the name has the awful thing going round and round in my head. My favourite is probably Bruce Springsteen's version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".

4. What does your tree topper look like?
Our family favourite is a little Garfield wearing a Santa hat - I've had it since the first Christmas after I left home. I also have a little tabletop tree in the family room which has a funky orange & lime green star on top.

5. Do you plan a special breakfast for Christmas morning?
We'll be having brunch with Rob's family this year - I'm baking raspberry friands (my specialty & sooooo quick & easy).

6. Is a Bûche de Noël a great holiday dessert, or the greatest holiday dessert?

According to wikipedia, this translates to Yule Log - sounds nice, but not something I've ever made.

7. Do you festoon your Christmas packages with ribbons and bows and glittery furbelows, are they plain, or are they (shudder) in gift bags?
Mostly just wrapped with Christmas paper - I used to get really fancy with bows etc, but there are too many these days.

Pictured above is one of my Christmas Postcard Samples - I'll try to post some of the others over the next few days (but I won't make any promises). Five more sleeps...

Scatterday M

2007-12-03T13:13:00.000+11:00

Apologies for this late Scatterday blog entry - I was stuck on one of the categories, Textures. I had lots of work to do so I just kept on with it in the hope that inspiration would come to me, and then looked down at my work and thought AHA!! McTavishing is one of my favourite quilted textures - I use it more often with matching thread which takes away the linear quality and leaves just lovely texture. But you can all see it much better in the funky bright thread!

Next we have Weapons. The Space Marine you see below is brandishing a Multi Melta Weapon - looks pretty fearsome, doesn't he? For those of you not familiar, a Melta weapon is a devastating short-ranged heat-ray.

Which brings us to the final M category - Hobby. Here I present my son Adam's hobby - Modelling. Over recent months he has spent many hours and I hate to think how much money building and painting these tiny figurines and their tanks, spaceships, and various other equipment. He spends some time most weekends at the games workshop, where they have battles and competitions to see whose army will be victorious. There are lots of rulebooks to go with the various games too. I don't really get it, but there are lots of worse things a 15yo could be spending his hard-earned cash on, so I'm happily supportive (being somewhat familiar with obsessive hobbies myself).

Next week's letter is K and the categories will be blue things, dangerous things and in my neighbourhood.

Journal Covers

2007-11-30T08:05:00.000+11:00

These pictures show the front and back of a lovely journal cover made by my friend Michelle Steele during my recent class in Brisbane. She made it for her lovely friend Carolyn, who is returning to the UK later this month. There are subtle (or maybe not so subtle) reminders of their time working together, in the clever quilting designs.

The Holidays are here...

2007-11-27T19:28:00.000+11:00

At last my busy school year is over and I only have three more workshops to teach before I can have a bit of a break from those too. The end-of-year assessment process was a little bit stressful (but really only as stressful as I chose to make it). I have somewhat high expectations of myself, and will not allow myself to put forward work that is less than the best I can do. Perfectionism reigns. I will not know my results for a few weeks, but at least I am satisfied with my own efforts (my closer friends will have some idea of how significant a thing that is for me to state). Progress has been made this year, on many fronts.

Now that assessment is over, it is time to review, to clear the decks, to decide what to keep and what to cull. More importantly, it is time to clean out the studio (and the rest of the house, where bits and pieces have escaped the confines of the workroom and are at large) and make room for new work.

I spent quite some time on the weekend putting up the best work on my Etsy store - not only will this assist with storage issues, but if some work sells it will supplement next year's fees. Although I am pleased to have a bit of a break, I am very excited about what comes next. The picture above is a linocut "Pretty Beach" which is available for sale if you are interested.

Scatterday T

2007-11-24T08:07:00.000+11:00

Another week has flown by and this one was brought to us by the letter T, with categories of Clothing, Purple and Hot Things.

The first pic is clothing (and definitely NOT hot things ;-))) - this is the top I wore today, my current favourite. You can also see my other fave thing right now, my turquoise pendant (not strictly clothing, but I am wearing it).

Hot things - well of course I had to dig the bottle of Tabasco out of the cupboard, it's your ultimate in hot sauces. I balanced it on the bannister in front of another T thing - my first Touchstone quilt, which happens to be purple.

Which brings us to our last category - purple. Here is one of the more purple blocks of my latest Touchstones quilt.

Next week's letter is M and the categories of Textures, Weapons & Hobby have already got me thinking.

Scatterday H

2007-11-17T23:09:00.000+11:00

This Scatterday is brought to you by the letter H and our categories are Human, Soft and Toys.

Here fulfilling my Human category is Helen, who attended my class today. It was the final of the current six-part contemporary techniques series with Illawarra Quilters and we all had a lovely day. It was great to see all the ladies put their own twist on my designs and make them their own.

After class this afternoon I headed over to my sister's house for a sewing evening (glutton for punishment, yes I am). And look who joined me - this is Humphrey and I can assure you that he is very soft (and also a toy).

But of course I thought would be cheating to only have one pic covering the two categories. so I chased Cooper (who was being particularly uncooperative cause he is not well, poor kid) to get a picture of his Hippo which is also a toy. I couldn't quite get him to demonstrate how the Hippo picks up the blocks but you probably get the idea.

Next week the Letter is T and the categories are Clothing, Purple and Hot Things. I hope to resume some sort of more regular blog activity as soon as my Art School assessment this week is out of the way and I get my life back. Wish me luck!!

Blog Makeover & Button Code

2007-11-15T19:54:00.000+11:00

My blog has had a mini makeover by Brenda of Serendipity & the Art of the Quilt and incorporates the logo developed by Design91. Here is my new button code that you can cut and paste into your blog or website:

Scatterday O

2007-11-10T18:09:00.000+11:00

This Scatterday brought to you by the letter O...

My Breakfast item was going to be Orange Juice. Unfortunately in this house, it's the quick or the dead when it comes to Orange Juice - and I'm just not quick enough to beat my family to it. Consequently, you have a watercolour Orange from the same page of my sketchbook as last week's apple. We'd better not need a Banana next - I really don't like to draw them (cause they always tend to look somewhat phallic).

My quest for something Shiny led me straight to my studio - I looovve shiny things and shiny fabric more than most things. Here is a small selection from my extensive collection of Organza - silk or polyester I'm a sucker for that shimmer.

While in the studio, I managed to find this O-Ring which seemed to fit the bill for our third category this week - Little Things. It is a spare one for my Gammill's bobbin-winder, and let me tell you this little thing causes no end of stress when it gets a flat spot or some other issue which stops it from performing it's very important job.

Next week's letter is going to be H and the categories are Human, Toys and Soft (yay - no bananas required!!!).

Scatterday A

2007-11-03T17:44:00.000+11:00

This week was brought to us by the letter A!

Our first category is Round Things - I ummmed and ahhhhed over this, but Emma just looked at me and said "Apples of course" like her mother was only slightly brighter than an Amoeba (which may well be round, come to think of it - I'm too brain-drained to go searching right now). So here we have a watercolour Apple from my sketchbook.

Next we have Something I Like the Smell Of - Acrylic paints. I love the smell of Acrylics, though Archival oil paints are even better!

And lastly, Vegetables. I'm sure the girl in the fruitmarket thought I was crackers, judging by the strange looks she gave me as I photographed this stack of Artichokes. The things we do!!

Next week we will visit the letter O, and the categories will be Breakfast, Shiny and Little Things. Hmmmm.

2007 Journal Quilt

2007-11-02T22:17:00.000+11:00

Cellular

Creative Quilting techniques used: layered sheer fabrics (p. 11); stamped imagery (p. 67); close machine quilting (p. 247)

2007 has been all about creativity for me. I have made more art this year than ever before, learned many new techniques, developed personal imagery and had an absolute ball doing it. I was given Creative Quilting – the Journal Quilt Project for my birthday early in the year and found a wealth of inspiration in its pages. In planning my journal quilt, I thought about my year of creativity. It feels like I have been developing my art and creativity at a cellular level, deep within my being. Art is bubbling just beneath the surface and bursts forth at every opportunity. My journal quilt features a painted sheer fabric, framed by stamped and dyed fabrics. The piece was heavily quilted, with some sections of the sheer fabric burnt away to reveal the sub-strata.

Scatterday J

2007-10-27T08:00:00.000+10:00

I've decided to join in the Scatterdays fun (cause I don't like to miss out when my friends are playing - mature huh?). The letter this week is J so here we go...

For the category Restaurant we have the Jasmine Rice Thai Restaurant here in Wollongong. They have very nice Thai food, but eating here is a bit odd for me - 20 years ago my parents owned and ran their restaurant in these premises. It was American style Ribs & Steak and I think they were a bit ahead of their time, given the success of Chilli's, Hog's Breath, etc in more recent years. I'm yet to taste any ribs as good as theirs.

The next category is sport and although Adam made a very good suggestion of Jousting it was a little difficult to find any of that going on. So instead we have Emma jumping rope (it is so a sport).

And finally we have Pointy Things (who thinks up these categories?). For this one I found this picture of Javelins and Javelinmen which is part of the Bayeaux Tapestry from the Middle Ages. Javelins are definitely very pointy, just ask that poor guy in the middle of the shot with one sticking into him.
I'm in Brisbane this week for the Quilt Show, so I'm setting this up to post on Saturday (hope it works). I'll try to post while I'm away, but I'm not sure if I'll have access to the internet. If not, be good and have fun, and I'll bring you up to date when I get home.

Might as well face it...

2007-10-21T21:01:00.000+10:00

I'm addicted to journals. Of all descriptions, but in particular to making covered journals. This is one I made last night, and it will be another sample for the other class I'm teaching in Brisbane at the end of this month. Some of you may know that I have a bit of a thing for a blue/green colour combination, but doesn't it zing with some orange embellishments?

This class not only shows you how to make your own covered journal, but will also include free-motion quilting and embellishing your work with sheers, handmade beads, bobbin embroidery and more. It is lots of fun and I know everyone who comes along will soon be as addicted as I am.

There are places in this class, so please don't hesitate to get in touch with me or The Quilters' Store to book in - I'd love to see you there!

Improvising

2007-10-19T20:53:00.000+10:00

This is a detail shot of my "Garnet Strata" quilt. It is a class sample for improvisational strip piecing, and a ton of fun to make. Students will add scraps of their favourite fabrics to a half metre of fabulous hand-dye or batik to piece a wallhanging as unique as they are - no two turn out the same. On the second day of the class, we sandwich our quilt top and do some fabulously easy and achievable free-motion quilting to complete the wallhanging.

I'm heading to Queensland next week for the Brisbane Quilt Show, where I will again be working with my friend Lisa Walton on her Dyed & Gone to Heaven stand. Then I will spend a few extra days in the sunshine state teaching at The Quilters Store. I'd love you to join me there - get in touch with me or call the store to book into the class.

Classy Results

2007-10-14T22:04:00.000+10:00

This is the result of one of my Strata classes - Gay's version just glows, doesn't it? I will be teaching this class in Brisbane at The Quilters Store, Auchenflower on 31st October. It's a fun class, with improvisational piecing and a touch of sheer fabric for embellishment. The free-motion quilting is very effective and achievable for even the inexperienced quilter. There are places available in this class, so if you'd like to join me, contact The Quilter's Store on (07) 3870-0408 to book.

Dazzled...

2007-10-08T21:29:00.000+10:00

Finally some client work to show - I know its rare aound here, but it does happen occasionally. This one was fun - lots of bright colours to keep me entertained while I did my free-motion thing with it. School holidays mean I have spent much of the past week running the kids around, but this is what I've been up to in between.

More Drawings

2007-10-02T20:35:00.000+10:00

But with colour this time. Last week we had the daunting task of drawing this large and very colourful bunch of flowers, adding coloured media (coloured pencils, pastels, watercolours). This is my effort - very traditional looking in watercolours, but I do enjoy using them.

I thought I'd have a go with oil pastels over the weekend - these pears made a delicious subject. I'm fairly happy with this one too, although I couldn't find my paper stump so my blending is less than wonderful.

For those who were interested in the technique I used on the piece in my previous post - I began with white PFD cotton and painted the entire image, then added the quilting after the paint was dry & heat set.

New Work

2007-09-28T18:49:00.000+10:00

Only got time for a quick post tonight - it's Rob's birthday tomorrow and we're heading out for dinner soon. But I thought I'd give you a peek at my newest art quilt. I've just finished machining the facing on & still have to hand-stitch it down, but it's finished enough for a photo.

This one is a strange hybrid cross between a painting and a wholecloth quilt, and sort of qualifies as both. Not sure how it will be received, but I'm happy with it. Haven't settled on a name yet - any suggestions?

A box of dreams

2007-09-26T22:59:00.000+10:00

Today's pic is of a special project I made over the past few days for my sis, who is going through some stuff at the moment. I wanted to make something special to let her know I understood, so I made this little box of dreams - it is a place to put her hopes and hide her fears, to keep her dreams and contain her heart (whole or broken).

It is constructed of Lutradur painted with shimmery pink & orange, hand stitched over bamboo structure with variegated perle thread and lined with watercolour paper (painted and printed with words of power). I made a tassle and added a bead closure, and embroidered rainbows, kisses and hearts.

My love affair with ink

2007-09-19T10:16:00.000+10:00

Here are some of my drawings from the past couple of weeks. As you can see, we have been working with ink and wash. I've been having an absolute blast - I adore this medium. It is linear and fluid at the same time, and so much can be done with it. I've drawn lots of these bones and skulls in drawing classes over the years, but this one (above) is my favourite - never thought I'd enjoy it so much!

Briony, also in ink and wash.

Christine - a 10 minute study in ink with a stick instead of a pen or brush.

Another 10 minute study of Christine, with a stick again but also wash added (with my fingers!).

New Work

2007-09-14T19:18:00.000+10:00

More of what I've been up to lately - this is the second quilt in my Touchstone series. I've used some precious fabrics which I purchased in Houston (almost 2 years ago, can you believe it?) - they've been waiting for the perfect design. This is a class sample for workshops planned for next year. I haven't quilted it yet, but I am absolutely in love with this quilt right now!! Do you like it?

A Good Day...

2007-09-13T18:57:00.000+10:00

I know I've been slack & let the A-Z thing go - apologies for that, but life just did its usual thing & got in the way. So, to get back on the (blogging) horse I thought I should just bite the bullet & skip to today - which happened to be a pretty good day.

We got down & dirty in Sculpture class this morning, attacking our blocks of plaster with chisel & mallet - it was hard work, but fun.

And this afternoon, I finally finished an edition in printmaking that I'm really happy with. I love this screen print (wish I'd done more prints - bugger). And even better, I've now completed all the required components of the course, and can spend the remaining time working on whatever I wish.

I plan to revisit etching, as I was less than thrilled with the imagery I used in that part of the course. And I may even do another screenprint at the same time - printmaking class always has lots of waiting time, so there's scope to work on two projects at once.

More soon (I promise!!!).

L is for...

2007-08-28T20:41:00.001+10:00

L is for lemons ... which I drew last week. Also one of my favourite foods/flavours.

L is for Limelight - one of my favourite quilts. This is a wholecloth using a coloured trapunto technique.

And of course (thanks Brenda - you know I'm a bit vague when snowed under) L is for my lovely friend Lisa, who is getting ready for her second solo exhibition this week. Make sure you check it out if you are in Sydney.

And L is for Lunar eclipse - which we have been watching tonight - an awesome display.

K is for...

2007-08-28T20:37:00.000+10:00

K is for Kristen, who I drew today (I knew I'd eventually come up with something for K). This drawing was done with white gouache on black paper - an interesting and challenging technique. I really like how the wicker chair has come up in this one.

J is for...

2007-08-25T13:45:00.000+10:00

J is for journals - I love making covered journals, and it's a fun class to teach too. I try hard to use my visual journals as frequently as I can, though I am a very poor diarist. And I'm fascinated by journals and sketchbooks belonging to other artists - they seem full of secrets and possibilities.

J is for Joshua - our nephew and god-son. Josh is just nine months older than Adam, and the two of them were inseparable friends when they were little. He's very athletic and intelligent, a great kid. Unfortunately he lives several hours drive away in Tamworth, so we don't get to see as much of him as we'd like.

I is for...

2007-08-21T19:27:00.000+10:00

I is for Ink (& nib) which I employed in class today to do this self-portrait. It is my first attempt at this very confronting exercise, so I'm not unhappy with the result. Not quite right, but not too bad either.

H is for...

2007-08-20T18:55:00.000+10:00

H is for HURRAY!!! Great news this morning from the UK - this quilt, which I did earlier this year for my friend and client Gay, won 2nd prize in its category at the Birmingham Quilt Festival plus 2nd prize in the longarm quilting category. It is very exciting to win prizes at such a prestigious quilt show.

H is for Hockey - everyone in my family but me plays field hockey. Pictured below (sorry about the blurry shot - she wouldn't stay still) is Emma suited up in her goalie gear, ready to play. Her team qualified for the semi-finals on Saturday - everybody wish her luck, won't you?

G is for...

2007-08-12T20:29:00.001+10:00

G is for Gingko Blues - again with the blue and green!

G is for Georgia - what a gorgeous girl! Here is a pic of my little neice in a rare serious mood, most of the time she has a big grin for the camera. The little knitted outfit she is wearing is one that mum actually made for Adam when he was a bub (15 years ago) - it never fitted him in the right season (and was a little bit girly too) so I passed it on in pristine never-worn condition. Doesn't she look cute?

F is for...

2007-08-12T19:49:00.000+10:00

F is for Frond Frenzy, another of my favourite quilts. I love the blue/green colour combo, and I am still happy with the quilting. I often get over the quilting as soon as a quilt is finished, and think of other ideas that might have been better - so it says something that I still love this one.

F is for food - I have a constant love/hate relationship with it. I love to cook (when I have time) and I definitely loooooove to eat, but the side effects are all too obvious (as anyone who has viewed me from behind recently could attest).

F is for family - my first focus and motivation, constant source of support, love and fun.

F is for friends - I am blessed with wonderful friends (you know who you are).

E is for...

2007-08-10T20:26:00.000+10:00

E is for Emma (of course) - my gorgeous girl (with her puppy), gifted, goofy, creative and clever, she has been the light of our life since she arrived nearly 11 years ago.

D is for...

2007-08-10T20:09:00.000+10:00

D is for Driving Force (show above) - the quilt I made my Rob for his 40th birthday. The images are abstracted from photographs of engine block and cylinder heads which I took in our garage (he's a bit of a rev-head).

D is for Drawing - which I'm trying to do as much as I can. One of the best things I'm getting from art school is a vast improvement in my drawing skills.

C is for....

2007-08-07T21:12:00.000+10:00

C is for Crossroads - my first-prize-winning quilt, which hangs in pride of place in my family room. It is one of my favourites.

C is for Cooper, my gorgeous nephew - I love being an aunty!!

C is for Cara, shown here with Adam & Emma earlier this year. My first neice, first time I got to be an aunty. She is also the reason I became a mum - until she came along, I had decided that I didn't want to have children. She was a delightful baby and toddler, and inspired me to want my own family. Cara will be 18 later this year, and has grown into an amazing young woman who we all adore. I hope to get to spend more time with her if she comes to Wollongong University next year - she wants to be a teacher (and will be a fabulous one).

C is for Creativity, and living a creative life. I'm constantly working at it.

B is for...

2007-08-06T22:30:00.001+10:00

B is for Bridges - this is the Bridges side of the family, otherwise known as the in-laws (or outlaws). I've been married so long that I can't imagine being anyone other than a Bridges. When did my maiden name start to sound so strange to me? Nic Bridges is the only name that fits anymore. I sort of like the idea of a bridge as a connecting structure - there are artistic concepts there that I will one day explore.

B is for Bonnie - my old faithful poodle. She is nearly 12 years old now, getting a bit crotchetty in her old age. But still a good dog through and through.

B is for Buddha - I'm not a Buddhist (nor anything else really), but I find the imagery (and many of the philosophies) of eastern faiths so appealing. This is a photo I took at the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple when we visited for the Chinese New Year Celebrations earlier this year.

B is also for Busy - as anyone who has visited this blog before knows, Busy is my middle name.

B is for Balance too - something I'm constantly seeking in my life, but beginning to suspect will continue to be elusive.

A-Z of Me

2007-08-05T20:46:00.000+10:00

A few of my favourite bloggers have started a new Meme for August called the A-Z of Me. Check them out on Caity's and Pixie's blogs. I thought it seemed like fun, and might help me get back into the habit of blogging regularly. So here goes...

A is for Adam - my first-born child, gorgeous goofball, creative, clever & constant source of amusement and amazement.

A is for Art (of course) - any of you who know me will recognise art as my passion. I just love it - it feeds my soul, gladdens my heart, captures my imagination. Today was another painting day for the Tullimbah Painting School (see my earlier post). The weather was not so friendly today, it was blowing an absolute gale. Below is my morning's effort. After three hours of painting, we all troup inside to enjoy lunch in the restaurant. The paintings are hung on the walls and we vote on our favourites. I was thrilled that the group awarded me second place!

Art School Progress

2007-08-05T20:22:00.000+10:00

Some snaps from my week at school - I am really enjoying having a full day of drawing on Tuesdays. Below is a sample of what was achieved this Tuesday - we had portrait models for the morning class plus a life model in the afternoon for general drawing. I was in the zone.

This is my favourite - another portrait of Kim, a lovely clear-skinned student. I am so thrilled to be able to get a likeness, something I doubted I'd ever be able to do.

I've finished two of these relief sculptures now - so much fun!!

My productive week...

2007-07-26T17:50:00.000+10:00

I've had another great week at art school - I really feel like I'm achieving so much and I'm so excited by the progress I can see in my work. We have moved into portraiture in our Life Drawing class - here is this week's drawing of our model Damian.

On Tuesday afternoons I've joined a General Drawing class. This week we all met down at the boat harbour for some outdoor sketching. It was a gorgeous mild afternoon, and thoroughly enjoyably to sit in the sun and draw. Sorry about the blurry photo!

Today in Sculpture I finished this construction piece. It's such fun to arrange and re-arrange found objects and recycled junk into a cohesive composition.

I made a start on my next piece, but it needs more work. Three hours in the sculpture studio just FLIES past!!

And just cause it's been a while since I showed you anything remotely quilty, here's a shot of my worktable where I've laid out the fabric ready to start on a new quilt. I've got a scrummy selection of Lisa's hand-dyes, a hand-painted overlay (I used a new product I can't think of the name of - it's similar to Lutradur, but slightly finer - and painted it with shimmery Setacolour paints) and some strips of fabric which I stamped yesterday with a carved-by-me rubber stamp.

I'll have to keep you in suspense from here on in - I won't be able to show you this quilt till later this year. But don't all the makings look delicious together?

Back to School (Hurrah!!!)

2007-07-17T19:04:00.000+10:00

We all went back to school today - the kids to their respective schools, and me to art school. I'm celebrating on both counts - thank goodness the kids are out of my hair & their days are occupied and thank goodness for art school - I've missed it for the past month.

Here is a selection of the days work - I've completed my Colour & Design course, so have joined a General Drawing class on Tuesday afternoons (thus the guitars, etc). In Life Drawing we have moved into Portraiture - today our subject was a gorgeous young 2nd year called Kim who was lovely to draw.

I particularly like this quick and energetic sketch of the stuffed crow from the art school props storeroom - the drawing only took a few minutes when I was warming up at the beginning of the lesson, but I'm really quite happy with it. I think I'll dedicate it to my dear friend Brenda, who loves our feathered friends ;-))))

Another Sunday Flies By...

2007-07-15T20:19:00.000+10:00

Today was another busy Sunday, had a quiet coffee this morning, painted for a little while, then headed over to Mum's place for lunch. My "Earth Mother" quilt had just arrived back from its travels with the "I Remember Mama" exhibition, and it was time to take it to it's final home. For those who are not familiar, the quilt is a portrait of my late grandmother who was (and continues to be) my biggest inspiration in my life. We still miss her so much, my Mum most of all - she was so not ready to lose Nan. So, this quilt has always been for her - I know she will love it. It now hangs in pride of place in Mum's dining room.

It has been another busy week, but with many distractions with Rob and the kids home on holidays from school and work. I found it hard to settle down and get much work done, but I did finally clean off my desk - I really needed to clear some space to work. See how nice it looks?

I fear it won't stay that way for long.

This week is back to school for the kids as well as me, plus I have two new groups of Contemporary Techniques classes starting - all systems are go!!

Squared Up

2007-07-09T16:10:00.000+10:00

Lisa gave me a copy of some professional photographs she had taken of our prizewinning collaboration, so I thought I'd pass them on to you. You can get a good look at the quilting in the closeup shots. I used three different threads (a blue/green variegated, a purple, and a gold metallic) to achieve the quilting design, which is all done freehand.

I'm Baaaaaaack!!!

2007-07-03T08:42:00.000+10:00

What a week it was! I'm still recovering from the excitement. Here's me with my Crossroads quilt (note the blue ribbon!!!). Note also the dopey grin - I still haven't wiped it off my face!
This is the centre of my Bluebird of Happiness quilt. Please excuse the bad photography - the shiny material is a bugger to photograph (never mind the questionable skills of the photographer).

And here we are in front of our prizewinning collaboration. You can see some of Lisa's wonderful work, but this doesn't really show up the quilting very well.

More quilt show highlights to come.

BIG News from a tired but happy blogger

2007-06-27T18:48:00.000+10:00

WOW, what a day it has been today! I've been bouncing off the ceiling and grinning from ear to ear all day whilst working at the show, so I'm too exhausted to write too much. However, I'm thrilled and delighted to tell you that my Crossroads quilt won 1st prize in the Small or Wall Quilt - Professional section at the Sydney Quilt Show today. I am equally if not more chuffed to say that my client and friend Lisa Walton's quilt Squared Up won 1st prize in the Commercially Machine Quilted Section (Lisa also got a 2nd prize in the Anything Goes category for her Sheer Magic quilt). And to top it off my newest quilt, a wholecloth called Welcoming the Bluebird of Happiness won 2nd prize in the Traditional - Professional category.

I am absolutely over the moon! I'm not at home, so have no access to any photos. But if you check out the guild website you'll find pictures of all the prizewinners. And you'll see the spectacular Best of Show by Mariya Waters (one of my quilting heroes, and the quilt is just amazing).

Confessions of an Infrequent Blogger

2007-06-26T12:09:00.000+10:00

This is the view from my front porch this morning - usually I have a clear view of the escarpment which you can hardly see here. It's amazing how quickly the novelty of rainy days wears off, even after years of drought. I have to drive to Sydney this afternoon & I'm hoping this weather will clear a little - I hate driving in fog and rain.

I've had a couple of days of enforced non-quilting, and below is the culprit. My Gammill threw a switch on the weekend, and I have been unable to source a replacement locally. My Gammill dealer will have one waiting for me when I see him in Sydney tomorrow. My usual pre-quilt show frenzy has been somewhat curtailed as a result.

I have been enjoying some relaxing knitting in front of the heater these past few cold evenings. I saw this diagonal knitted scarf at a market on Sunday, and figured out how to make one of my own - much fun! I'll be taking my knitting with me to Lisa's to keep me from snoozing in front of the TV after our busy days at the show.

I'm nearly all packed and ready to go. I couldn't have concentrated on work today anyhow - I'm a bit excited since I got a phone call yesterday inviting me to attend the prize ceremony at the quilt show tomorrow morning. Watch this space - I'll be bursting to share my good news as soon as I'm able.

If you're in the vicinity, don't miss the Sydney Quilt Show at Darling Harbour this week. I've heard that the quality of work on display is amazing. And if you're there, be sure to call by and say hello - I'll be working on the Dyed & Gone to Heaven stand (G26) with my friend Lisa.

Snippets & Snapshots from a busy fortnight

2007-06-17T18:43:00.000+10:00

It's been even more hectic than usual this last couple of weeks, and I haven't found many spare minutes to blog. So I thought I'd do a bit of a catchup post with some pics of what we've been up to.

Emma participated in the local schools dance festival, after much rehearsing & preparation. They did a piece based on the classic "Madeleine" children's story, and looked very cute dressed up as the "twelve little girls in two straight lines". Emma's best friend Brittany played the teacher Miss Clavelle as she has already had her growth spurt & is taller than the rest (that's Emma beside her holding the yellow umbrella). We were all exhausted after a week of rehearsals and twice daily performances at the performing arts centre.

Last weekend we made a fast trip up to Sydney to visit Rob's mum who has not been well. My brother-in-law Chris and his family were also visiting from Queensland. It was lovely to catch up, we don't get to see them often enough. Little Ella had a lovely time catching up on playing with her big cousins.

Today was little Georgia's christening - isn't she a little doll in her gown that Grandma made her. My sister has a beautiful family, doesn't she?

After the church ceremony there was time to catch up with friends and family. Here I am with two of my Aunties, Chris on the left and Cathy on the right. I am often told how much I resemble these two - I don't mind too much, they are both lovely.

And last but not least is this great shot of my brother Dave and his family - sometimes I fluke it with the camera, and this is one of those times, I love this photo!

I'll be back soon with more of what I've been up to - there has been art school assessments and quilt show preparation and classes and more, but that will all have to wait a bit longer.

Scattergories

2007-06-10T22:41:00.000+10:00

I'm in the midst of a busy long weekend, and haven't had time to post anything much. Just so you don't think I've wandered off again, here's a meme I picked up from Deb's blog (actually I've combined two because I liked all of the questions).

Instructions: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following…They MUST be real places, names, things…nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.

Your Name: Nic
Famous Artist/Band/Musician: Nirvana
4 letter word: Name
Vehicle: Nissan Navara
TV Show: Neighbours
City: New Orleans
Boy Name: Nicholas
Girl Name: Nina
Alcoholic drink: Noble One (Botrytis, yum)
Occupation: Ninja
Flower: Nasturtiums
Something you wear: Necklace
Celebrity: Nicole Kidman
Something found in a kitchen: Noodles
Cartoon Character: Nala (from the Lion King)
Something You Shout: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
A Country: New Zealand
A Song Title: Nebraska
An Artist (painter, photographer, etc): Nancy Crow
A Reason to stay home from Work or School: Nausea
Something you’d see at a Zoo: Numbat
A Snack: Nuts
A Character in a Book: Noddy
Something Icky: Nostril hair
A Six-letter Word: Novice
Something Breakable: Nails (fingernails)
Non-Alcoholic Drink: Nice cup of tea (sorry)
Something you Whisper: No.

Painting Day Part 2

2007-06-03T21:18:00.000+10:00

After a glorious morning's painting, we all sat down in the restaurant for a delicious lunch. The paintings will hang in the restaurant for the next few weeks, and they looked great - such a variety of work.

This was my attempt to capture the view - I'm not much of a landscape painter, but was fairly happy with this for a 2.5 hour painting under pressure.

I like this one better though - it is abstract (obviously) and was inspired by the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees onto the grass. It's not quite finished - I'll post another pic when it's done.

Wow - nothing from me for weeks, then you get inundated!

Painting Day at the Tullimbah Inn

2007-06-03T21:07:00.000+10:00

This was the gorgeous setting for today's "en plein air" painting excursion. The quaint and historic Tullimbah Inn at the foot of Macquarie Pass provided plenty of inspiration for our group of around 20 art students.

Janine hard at work.

Odette and her fabulous moody tree scene.

These two set up their picnic rug and got stuck right into some wonderful pieces.

Kerry with her beautiful watercolour painting (Kerry is amazingly talented).

We had such a fun day - more pics in the next instalment.

New class update

2007-06-03T21:00:00.000+10:00

Look at what my clever students did on Saturday! This some of the results from my brand new class I told you about a couple of days ago.

Can you believe the different variations they achieved? All beautiful, and all expressing the variety artistic directions in the class.

Delicious, aren't they?

Blooming in The Quilters Garden

2007-06-03T20:48:00.000+10:00

At last we have a new quilt shop here in the Illawarra - The Quilters Garden in Albion Park. I was there for a sneak preview on Friday night (apologies for my dodgy photography).

This shot shows just some of the fabulous wares that are on offer. Cheryl & Robert have done a beautiful job in getting the shop set up - it is light, airy and welcoming.

This is the lovely Cheryl - she's earned that big, cheesy grin. I hope her new venture is all that she hopes it will be.

And you thought I'd dropped off the planet...

2007-06-01T15:33:00.000+10:00

Didn't you? I know, I know - I'm sorry. I never meant to stay away so long, but my life is just ridiculously busy right now & sometimes I just throw my hands over my head & cry ENOUGH!! But now I'm back, and I promise to try hard & do better. Forgive me?

Here is one small thing I've been working on - my latest class sample. There's much more to show you and tell you about but that will have to suffice for now - I'm off to a sneak preview of my friend Cheryl's new patchwork shop, I'd better go get ready!

Vale Kathryn Sheehan

2007-04-28T20:29:00.000+10:00

This morning we got the sad news that our beautiful friend Kathryn had passed away, across the world in America but so close to our hearts. She will be sadly missed by all her friends here in Australia, who feel utterly blessed to have known her.

On Mothers' Day (13th May here in Australia) my family and I will be doing the Mothers' Day Classic 5km Walk to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. Our participation will be dedicated to Kathryn's memory. Anyone who would like to sponsor us or contribute in any way to this most worthy cause, please contact me or go to this website http://www.mothersdayclassic.org/home/event-details/regional/wollongong.

Interview Thing...

2007-04-27T20:29:00.000+10:00

Deb posted this interview challenge, and of course I couldn't resist the opportunity to be interviewed by Deb. Her questions made me think...

1. You've been told that you must leave the country and live abroad forexactly one year, but you have your choice of any other country in the worldto live in during that time. Where would you go for a year and why?
There are many exotic places I'd love to visit in the short term, but for an extended period I'd have to choose somewhere with comforts and standard of living close to what I'm use to here at home. Therefore, I think a year of travelling around the US would be wonderful - different enough to be exciting, with a variety of climates to experience (eg. the changing seasons in New England, a white Northern Hemisphere Christmas) but familiar enough that I'd not die of homesickness before the year was out. There are so many places I'd love to see in the US, I've only been to LA and Houston but that was enough to make me want to see more.

2. If I was coming over to your house for dinner, what would you cook? (Or if you don't want to cook, what restaurant would we go to?)
I'd scour my recipe books for something special, but I'd research your likes & dislikes more closely first. So probably easier to take you to my favourite Vietnamese restaurant "Mylan" in Wollongong - always the best wonderful fresh and tasty asian food.

3. If you could no longer work with fabric for some reason, what would bethe most likely way you'd channel your creativity?

I'd paint. And draw. And probably sculpt. As a matter of fact I'm doing all these things at the moment in my art classes, and I just love them, so the transition wouldn't be toooooo hard.

4. When I say "adventure" what's the first thing you think of?

Hopping on a plane to some exotic destination. Experiencing a different culture. Trying something new. ART school!!!!!

5. If you could briefly go back in time and give a bit of advice to youryounger self, what age "you" would grown-up-you visit and what would youtell her?

I would visit my 16 year old self and tell her to persist, be strong, go to art school like you dreamt instead of settling for secretarial school and doing the sensible, responsible thing that everyone expected of you.

Like all the meme's I post, if you'd like to do this one leave me a comment & I'll interview you!!

Road Trip Roundup

2007-04-18T19:31:00.000+10:00

Well here I am home again from my big trip. Much fun was had and many many laughs with my friends. I took lots of pics, but will post just a few to give you an idea of our journey. This is a shot of the back of the car at the start of our journey - a perfectly reasonable amount of luggage for the three of us who began the trip.

Let me tell you it did not stay like that for long. I think we stopped at almost every antique and secondhand shop we saw on our 800+km journey.

Janine met us in Bendigo, adding her suitcases. Here are the four of us at the SCQ Retreat 10th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday night. And below is a more realistic image - Janine, me and Cheryl on the bed knitting in front of the TV in our jammies. Glamourous, huh?

And this is what the car looked like when loaded for the final leg of our journey. Yes, that is an antique hand-crank sewing machine bottom-right and a genuine egyptian fez (in plastic) top-right.

We came.

We shopped.

We conquered!!!

Well, my bags are packed....

2007-04-11T21:57:00.000+10:00

and I'm ready to go!

I'm off tomorrow to the 2007 Southern Cross Quilters Retreat in Bendigo Victoria. I'll be teaching my Opposites Attract class on Saturday, but otherwise I'm intending to relax and have fund with a couple of hundred of likeminded friends.

The large bag pictured above contains kits for the class as well as several relevant quilts for show and tell. I have chucked in some shoes but other than that it's all class stuff. The small bag is for my clothes. At least I have my priorities in the right order, don't you think?

As I type, I'm sitting here with a head full of bleach - must beautify myself before heading off. Tomorrow morning I'll put the kids on the train to their grandmother's (just for a couple of days, then they'll be home with their Dad) and then we'll hit the road. Thelma & Louise move over - Nic, Cheryl & Lorraine are going to have a roadtrip to write home about (& Janine will be joining us for the return journey).

I'll surely have a story or two to tell on my return!

50 questions...

2007-04-09T20:37:00.000+10:00

I picked up this meme on Deb's blog - it's been a while since I posted one, so here goes.

1.Whats your name spelt backwards?
Cin (sin? I can be bad…).

2. What did you do last night?
Picked up a pizza and a DVD, watched “Casino Royale” with Rob & Adam.

3. The last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
An audiobook – Water for Elephants (great story, too).

4. Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery?
Nup.

5. Last time you swam in a pool?
On holidays nearly a year and a half ago (that’s bad, isn’t it?).

6. What are you wearing?
Jeans, black t-shirt, green crocs.

7. How many cars have you owned?
4 or 5 – most of my cars have been co-owned with Rob, or a company vehicle.

8. Type of music you dislike most?
Heavy thrash metal – my son listens to it sometimes and it just seems like noise (and makes me feel old that I can’t find anything redeeming about it).

9. Are you registered to vote?
Yes indeed – here in Australia it is compulsory to be registered and to vote on election day. Not sure whether that is a good thing or not, but I would vote regardless.

10. Do you have cable?
No – we used to, but found that we rarely watched it so it was a waste of $$$.

11. What kind of computer do you use?
A Dell laptop – love having the laptop, even though I rarely take it anywhere.

12. Ever made a prank phone call?
Yes – it’s compulsory at 14 isn’t it?

13. You like anyone right now?
I like most people – life is too short to invest energy in feeling negative about people (unless they are really awful and piss me off).

14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
I have done a bungee jump (two actually) way back in my early twenties. Can’t say that I’d do it again now, but I’m glad that I can say I’ve done it. Our funniest memory of bungee jumping is the horrified response of my late paternal grandmother – she declared that I’d surely go blind from detached retinas, and would never have children. I was pregnant within a year, and my eyesight is still pretty good 16 or 17 years later.

15. Furthest place you ever travelled?
Houston, Texas for quilt festival the year before last. Loved it and would go back in a heartbeat.

16.Do you have a garden?
Yeah, although it’s more yard than a garden. I’m a lazy gardener and plants have to be pretty tough to survive my lax care, even when we’re not in drought. I’m happy to say though, that my rosebushes (which are very old and were transplanted from my late maternal grandmothers garden) have survived wonderfully to give me a living link with my beautiful Nan, who had the world’s greenest thumb.

17. What’s your favorite comic strip?
Hmmmm – Dilbert, or The Far Side.

18. Do you know all the words to the national anthem?
Yeah, though nobody needs to hear me sing, so I usually mime. My singing voice is horrible.

19. Shower, morning or night?
Morning always.

20. Best movie you’ve seen in the past month?
Casino Royale (also the only movie I can recall seeing in the last month – I’ve been busy)

21. Favorite pizza toppings?
Last night we had a calzone with ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, capsicum, tomato, cheese – it was delicious, so that’s my current favourite. If I’m making my own pizza at home, I love sweet potato, feta cheese and caramelized onions.

22. Chips or popcorn?
Chips at home, popcorn at the movies.

23. What cell phone provider do you have?
Optus.

24. Have you ever smoked peanut shells?
What????? Of course not.

25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?
No (ROFLOL).

26. Orange Juice or apple?
Apple

27. Who were the last people you sat at lunch with?
My family – Rob & the kids, mum & dad, my sister Sarah & her son Cooper (and Georgia, though she wasn’t eating) – Easter Sunday lunch at Mum’s house.

28. Favourite chocolate bar?
Darrell Lea Ginger bar.

29. Who is your longest friend and how long?
I’ll have to follow Deb’s lead and say my DH Rob – we’ve been together for 23 years and he’s still my best friend.

30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato?
Couldn’t say – it’s been a while.

31. Have you ever won a trophy?
No, never won a trophy. Got a few quilt show ribbons though.

32. Favorite artist?
Frida Kahlo.

33. Favorite computer game?
I don’t play computer games. Except maybe Sudoku.

34. Ever ordered from an infomercial?
No.

35. Sprite or 7-UP?
Diet Coke, actually.

36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work?
Yes to both.

37. Last thing you bought at the store?
Paint for Emma’s bedroom, Scarlet Rose to go with the bright lime green.

38. Ever thrown up in public?
Yes, unfortunately. The less said the better.

39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love?
Deb said: I’ve got true love, so I’ll take the million, thanks. I’ll second that!!!

40. Do you believe in love at first sight?
I don’t think so – lust and chemistry, but not love.

41.Can exes just be friends?
I have one ex who I have remained friends with, although we don’t talk frequently.

42. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
My friend Linda, following the birth of her baby boy.

43. Did you have long hair as a young kid?
No – I have very fine hair which is very hard to handle, so it has always been quite short – shoulder-length or shorter.

44. What message is on your voicemail machine?
Nothing very interesting – business-like message with my mobile phone number.

45. Where would you like to go right now?
On holiday – a luxurious resort somewhere, all expenses paid by someone else preferably!

46. What was the name of your first pet?
Spike (mutt)

47. What kind of back pack do you have, and what’s in it?
I don’t have one.

48. Last incoming/outgoing call on your phone?
From my friend Cheryl, discussing plans for our road trip later this week.

49. What is one thing you are grateful for today?
My wonderful husband

50. What do you think about most?
I don’t know – constant random stream of mundane thoughts mostly. (Deep, huh?)

Art School Update

2007-04-05T20:37:00.000+10:00

Whew!!! A busy week at art school this week - it's the end of first term so we have been sort of wrapping up some of our projects.

Here are two of my Printmaking efforts - the first is from a sketch of the view from my spare bedroom window, towards Mt Keira and Mt Nebo.

And this one is based on a photograph I took at the Nan Tien temple, one of their gorgeous Buddha statues. I really enjoy the etching and aquatint - very process-driven, which suits the methodical side of my nature.

This set of drawings of Briony resulted from Tuesday's Life Drawing class. We did four 10-15 minute sketches in different poses, then one longer pose (the larger drawing in the centre). I have seen a definite improvement in my approach to figure drawing in the past ten weeks.

This colour exercise was fun. We collaged prints of photographs taken around the campus of objects in the three primary colours. Yellow...

Blue...

Red...
We've spent a couple of weeks working on these large coil-built heads in Sculpture class. To give an idea of the scale, I'd say this piece is around three times bigger than life size (in other words, quite big - I had to stand on a box to complete the top of the skull). I'm thrilled with mine, and will stress out about possible damage occurring over the two week Easter break.

Contemporary Techniques Class

2007-04-05T20:17:00.000+10:00

This week I began a new set of my Contemporary Techniques Classes with Illawarra Quilters. The first of the basic six classes introduces fused applique and the wonders of Vleisofix, as well as a tiny bit of free-motion quilting and colour theory. Here are the ladies hard at work...
And here are the finished results - these A4 sized samples build a display folder of different techniques and ideas, with the aim of participants having the tools to begin making their own contemporary/art quilts.
It's lovely to see everyone's different colour schemes displayed at the end of the day.

A weekend with the In-laws

2007-04-02T21:20:00.000+10:00

I've been away for the weekend to Tamworth (north-west NSW) to visit with my husbands family. In particular, we were there to celebrate BIL Aaron 's 21st (he was born on my 17th birthday - how's that for a circumstance to make you feel old?).

It was the first chance in a while to get all the kids together for a photo opportunity. They're all getting to be so grown up. From left to right, you'll see my daughter Emma, my son Adam, neice Cara (17), little neice Ella (2) and nephew/godson Joshua (15).

We also took the opportunity to celebrate Ella's 2nd birthday. That time has gone VERY quick indeed - she lives in QLD so we tend to miss out on a lot.

Family gatherings are so rare these days, with Rob and his brother and sister living so far apart, that we made sure we got a family photo. There was mass techno-action trying to get all the different digital cameras set up on my little tripod with their various time-delay functions, but eventually we got there.

I'm sorta tired today - not used to the 1200km drive in a 36hr period anymore.

Today's Travels

2007-03-25T20:07:00.000+10:00

As a pre-birthday treat today, Rob took me to Sydney to the National Gallery of NSW to see the annual Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prize exhibitions. Parking was at a premium in the Domain today, and we had to drive nearly to the end of Lady Macquarie's Chair to find a spot.

The spectacular city and harbour views made up for the inconvenience, and the brisk walk made up for no gym visit today.

It was a blustery day in Sydney, with frequent showers of rain. In between showers, a number of bridal parties could be seen taking advantage of the break in the weather to have photographs taken in the botanic gardens and surrounding parkland.

We called in to see my sister and her family this afternoon on the way home. Little Georgia was gorgeous as always, with lots of smiles and cooing.

Coming out of the closet...

2007-03-22T20:44:00.000+11:00

Well, no - not really! This is a shot of J9 & I on emerging from the aquatint cupboard during our printmaking class this afternoon. Today was oppressively hot & humid, but then we had to don dustmasks and crowd into the little tiny room which houses the rosin box to learn about making aquatints. Fascinating process, but whew!! It sure was hot and claustrophobic.

This is one of the client quilts I finished this week - I was on a roll yesterday and finished two quilts in one day of concentrated effort. Yay me for being so focussed!!

Our life drawing teacher has taken us right back to basics with drawing the figure. We have drawn boxes and cylinders, done stick drawings of skeletons, but I think all this work is paying off in the improvement of my grasp of mass and proportion, my ability to correctly measure and translate the pose. Watch this space...

Down to Earth

2007-03-18T19:17:00.000+11:00

This is an accidental photo from today, which just happens to sum up how I feel about the day. Or maybe Kate took it - now that I think about it, that seems more likely. I drove up to Sydney to Lisa's beautiful home to share lunch with a group of special women who I'm grateful to call friends. As I looked around the group and shared in their various happinesses and heartaches, triumphs and tragedies, I realised how lucky I am to be part of an amazing network of women who both lift me up and help keep my feet on the ground. Thank you to all of you - you know who you are.

Here's a group shot - taken by Lisa's DH Peter, so I can't take responsibility for the closed eyes of some of those pictured.

Since last time we met...

2007-03-17T18:38:00.000+11:00

We have celebrated my son Adam's 15th birthday - can you believe he's 15? My parents and my brother Dave with his family came over for a BBQ dinner. 4yo Sidney had a fun time helping his big cousin blow out all those candles.

I have finished as many client quilts as I could, including this one which belongs to Carol. It is her version of my Southerly Change quilt class, and turned out looking great. I couldn't decide which flower from my repertoire would look best, so I used lots of different ones!

I've been working on my art school projects. I want to do well, so have been investing much of my time in the late evenings in finishing drawings and keeping my visual diaries up-to-date with notes and so on. This is one of the wire sculptures I've made - I call it "hide & seek".

I've been teaching my students how to make covered journals. It has proved to be a very successful and entertaining class, with a bit of fabric painting, a bit more free-motion quilting and just a little construction work. The journals and diaries pictured are all mine (cause I forgot to take along my camera) but the variety of work produced in these classes has been wonderful!
I have also been circuit training at the gym at least five times a week for the last month, which is a HUGE effort for me - I am notoriously bad at exercising and keeping up an exercise regime for more than a week or two. I'm in week five now, and have seen some good results (and am feeling much better already).

So now you all know why I've been too busy to blog. I'll try to be better, but I can't make any promises!!

Shoalhaven Quilt Show

2007-03-04T21:10:00.000+11:00

This weekend Lisa & I were invited to be the "Featured Artists" at the Shoalhaven Lionesses Quilt & Craft Show. It was a nice country show on the south coast of NSW where we happened to be experiencing some unseasonably hot and humid weather. We set up our displays and spent the weekend demonstrating our work (which was a good chance to get some work done on a new quilt) and networking.

Lisa brought along her beautiful hand-dyed fabrics and kits for sale, and of course a couple of pieces had to come home with me. Although it was hot and exhausting, we had a fun weekend.

Another big quilt finished....

2007-02-27T21:59:00.000+11:00

This is the very large client quilt I've been working on for the past week. It belongs to Gay, and features what seem to be her signature colours of teal and green. I'm very pleased with how it turned out, so I've posted some pictures for your perusal.
The large blocks which make up the border feature a fern frond wreath.

The big setting triangles were quilted in a grid pattern, using a "line-dancing" continuous line technique (I love this patterning - reminds me of pressed tin ceiling panels).

I used the same technique for the centre panel of smaller blocks.

Nice, huh??

A Midweek Meme (Yet More Stuff You Never Knew You Wanted To Know)

2007-02-21T19:03:00.000+11:00

It’s been a while since I shared some meme nonsense with you, so when I spotted this one on Deb R’s blog I had to pick it up!

What curse words do you use the most?
Bugger mostly, occasionally I'll drop the f-word if really provoked, absolutely detest the c-word - never use that one & hate to hear it.

Do you own an i-pod?
Yep - love my lime green nano

What time is your alarm clock set to?
about 6am - Rob gets up for work after a few hits of the snooze button, and I've been trying to get up early to exercise.

Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
I'm not much of a photographer, but when I'm carrying as much excess weight as I am at the moment, I definitely don't want to have my photo taken.

What was the last movie you watched?
"Kenny" hilarious Aussie mockumentary, laughed my arse off.

What cd is currently in your player?
Not sure - been listening mostly to the ipod lately.

Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?
Skim milk in coffee or smoothie.

Has anyone told you a secret this week?
Don't think so...

When was the last time you had Starbucks?
When I was in Houston, October before last. I stick to Gloria Jean's when on my own turf.

Can you whistle?
Only for the dogs to come.

What are you looking forward to?
Art school tomorrow.

Did you watch cartoons when you were little?
Oh yes indeed - Warner Bros were my favourites, but also Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion (Japanese, I think) - I could still sing you the theme tunes.

Do you own any band t-shirts?
Yes. Whose? Hunters & Collector's (80's Aussie rock), Springsteen, Chris Isaak, Meatloaf. What does that tell you all about me - that I'm a bit tragic, I guess...

What will you be doing in an hour?
Cooking dinner

What was the last song you heard?
Don't know.

Last time you cried?
Couldn't say.

Desktop or laptop?
I use the laptop most of the time now.

Desiring any new ink?
I'm not sure what this question refers to - printer cartridge? books? tattoos?

What’s the weather like?
Hot & muggy - bleah.

What were you doing an hour ago?
Working on a client quilt in the studio.

How many hours of sleep do you need to function?
I try to get 6-7. Rob can manage on about 5 or even less, but not me.

Do you eat breakfast daily?
I can't do anything much before I eat breakfast, except my morning walk or gym & shower. I feel ill if I try to skip brekky.

What did you do last night?
Worked on a design for a wholecloth quilt while watching CSI.

Do you use sarcasm?
Never!!!

Do you like mustard?
Oh yes, a steak is not complete without a dollop of wholegrain mustard.

Do you sleep on your side/back/stomach?
My side usually.

Do you watch the news?
I try to watch the ABC news at 7pm, but don't always manage it.

How did you get one of your scars?
I have a pair of scars on my right forearm where I was bitten by a dog, when I was 7. It was a kelpie, and although I love dogs I'm still scared of kelpies and blue cattle dogs.

There you have it. If anybody wants to pick this one up, please let me know so I can find out what I don't know I want to know about you ;-)))

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

2007-02-18T18:55:00.000+11:00

All the best to you for the year of the pig!!! We joined the crowds today at the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple which is very close to where we live. It was a hot summer day, perfect weather for the New Year festivities and the many people who flocked to the temple to enjoy the day. Nan Tien is the biggest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere, and is a beautiful facility.
We arrived in time to enjoy the Lion Dance and Martial Arts demonstrations by the dancers.

Also on show were exhibitions of Chinese Calligraphy and beautiful carved sculptures. Many visitors enjoyed a vegetarian lunch at the temple.

It was a fun way to spend a few hours with the family, besides being interesting and educational. I have been fascinated with Buddhism for ages, so I plan to go back to the temple on a quieter day to investigate further.

Art School Progress

2007-02-16T20:03:00.000+11:00

I have been somewhat remiss in keeping you all up-to-date with my busy doings at art school (and the rest of my life too, I guess). So I thought I'd see if I can do something about bringing you up to speed.

Life drawing class - but not drawing from real life just yet. We started out with some plaster heads, which made the job a little easier as plaster heads don't keep moving while you sketch. I've named the guy on the right Elvis the Centaur - his hairdo would do any rockstar proud ;-))

In Design class we worked on these abstracted line designs, blocking out shapes in black and white on one set and adding tone and texture to the other.

Sculpture class is lots of fun, although I don't know how successful I will be at it. I love getting my hands dirty playing with the clay, and I guess these little models aren't too awful.

I'm having so much fun!!!

This & that from my busy week...

2007-02-08T19:22:00.000+11:00

On Sunday morning last, Rob & I rose before dawn and headed to the airport for the breakfast flight to Melbourne. Once we arrived, we found a taxi and headed into the city to the Sofitel, a lovely & luxurious 5 star hotel where we were to stay that night. This is the view from our window... We were picked up at noon and taken to lunch at swish restaurant by David, who is a national manager (I think) with the company who invited us on this jaunt. It was all set up by Rob's employer, who appreciates just how hard Rob works and what an asset he is.

Following our yummy meal, it was off to the MCG to take in a day/night cricket match between Australia and New Zealand. We had an excellent view of the whole proceedings from the corporate box, and were plied with more edibles and drinkables than I care to mention. It my first time at the cricket, and how wonderful it was to do it in such classy style!

We returned to Sydney following a leisurely breakfast on Monday morning, and after collecting the dogs and locating the children, it was all systems go in preparation for a flat-out week.

Tuesday was my first day at TAFE for the year - I'm so happy to be back there attending art classes, I'm grinning from ear to ear. We had Life Drawing in the morning and Colour & Design after lunch - both were just amazingly inspirational. I love the art school environment!

I taught a class on Wednesday, foundation piecing and many of the class were more or less beginners. Whew!! A fun day, but quite taxing - I had no voice by the end!

Today was back at TAFE for Sculpture in the morning and Printmaking in the afternoon. It was my first taste of both of these subjects, and I can tell I'm going to love them both. Pictured are a couple of sketches from the Design class and Printmaking class. I particularly like the little drawing of the stack of stones (mirror reversed in preparation for etching next week).

Tomorrow I'll be hard at work at the quilting machine - must get some work done to support this seemingly extravagant lifestyle!!!