Bathex 2007 photos

Looking left to right along the table. Note the copy of a French postcard I found of the girl putting on the divided drawers on the little easel behind my pair of drawers.

Photos from Bathex 2007

Looking along the tables towards the front door

Home from Bathurst

Well, Friday morning dawned wet and cold, so I abandoned the idea of painting my little easels. I was packed and ready well before DH, but it was 1.30 pm before we eventually left the city. We stopped in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains for a late lunch in a deli cafe, where the temperature was a brisk 6 degrees C, a foretaste as it turned out. We arrived at Bathurst showgrounds and registered at the Show and, as I had been warned might happen, my allocated table was in the centre of the first pavillion. My DH promptly helped me cover the tables with the heritage green poplin I had brought along, and we pinned a skirt of the same material around the table. I had packed the large suitcase in assembly order for a quick setup and was able to pull my easels (raw wood), makeshift display stands and boxes for tiers out before I had to uppack the clothes. We had my display all set up in 1 and 1/2 hours, thank goodness, as it was starting to get very chilly indeed, down to about 4 degrees. The forecast was for a cold weekend, about 10 - 11 degrees and possible light showers. We had had several days of very mild weather in Sydney, and they had the same in Bathurst, 18 degrees on Thursday.

Friday evening we booked into our accomodation, a boutique hotel with only 3 guest rooms in a renovated 1886 2 storey home on a hill in Bathurst. The owner Lindsay showed us to the Rose suite upstairs. The decorator details were quite nice, with rose pictures on the walls, a rose wall freize, rose painted bead fringed bedside lamps and a square patchwork bedspread featuring rose design prints. The bathroom had underfloor heating (quite a luxury in Australia) which I really appreciated after a long day on Saturday. We ate dinner at a local Thai restaurant, and then went "home" to the roaring open fire in the parlour. The owners were very welcoming and we felt like visitors in their home (which we were of course since they lived in half of the house!)

Saturday morning saw us up before 7am to shower and get ready for breakfast in the parlour, near that roaring fire again. Poor Lindsay must have been up with the sparrows to light it for us, and we had a beautiful cooked breakfast and chatted to him about the Show and Linnwood, comparing the two houses and noting similarities. The drive to the Show was about 6 minutes, so we arrived in time to uncover the tables and settle in. In hindsight, I was underdressed for the weather, as I had no concept of the cold weather. Well, the maximum all day was 7 degrees, and that was in the sun. The concrete floor of the pavillion made it much colder, the hot food and drink van did very well from my business !! I can't recall ever being so cold in daylight hours. But it was worth the discomfort, as I talked my head off to everyone who stopped to read my labels and made eye contact. I gave out quite a few printed contact cards, and of course everyone offerred to give / sell / put me onto wonderful underwear they knew about. I did get an invite to display at a a local historic house open day in the future, and the local Historical Society would like me to help date some of their collection of underwear. I also spoke to two ladies on Sunday who have collections they are wanting to downsize, so fingers crossed they come to fruition.

Saturday night we went to the Show Dinner with other exhibitors, and we made up a table with 3 other couples we have known for a long time who were also attending. I also had several surprise encounters, including 2 ladies from Sydney who I haven't seen for a long time who were visiting Bathurst. I also found several mutual friends with people I spoke too, very spooky how small the world is, isn't it. We enjoyed seeing 2 dear friends who recently moved to Tasmania from the mountains. Edgar had inoperable prostate cancer and other problems as well, and the doctors have told him to go home and enjoy the rest of his life. So he and his wife have moved to Tassie, bought an 1830's stone cottage, joined the local Historical Society and been made honorary life members and patrons already!! I think he has a new lease on life, if his body will just allow him the time.

Sunday was slightly warmer, about 9 degrees I think, but I dressed in more layers, DH bought me some pantihose to go underneath my trousers, and I added a fleecy jumper. I don't own any wool ones, and Spring clothes are already in all the shops. I empathise with the Michelin Man ;} I had bought a cute knitted hat on Saturday from a trader so warmth triumphed over fashion! I hope there is no photographic evidence of how "interesting" I looked !! On Sunday I felt warm enough to do a little bit of the patchwork piecing I packed in case I felt like stitching. It was a good talking point anyway, even if only a little was done.

The taking down of the display took about 15 minutes (I'm not kidding) and after goodbyes all around, we set off for home. The traffic through the Blue Mountains was dreadful, and we took just on 3 hours to get home. The cat was very glad to see us, although the youngest daughter moved home for the weekend. We will never complain about Sydney in winter being cold EVER AGAIN !! I'm glad we went to the Bathex Show, but I've put in a request for it to be held in the Spring next time !!

Packing for Bathex 2007.

The last 2 days have been spent organising and packing for my display of antique and vintage underwear at Bathex 2007. I've been allocated 12 feet of table space and as this will probably be in the centre of a hall, this involved making small portable stands to display 4 camisoles to their best advantage, using candlesticks, sections of cardboard cylinders from fabric rolls and sewn fitted covers for same. I also had to collect suitable boxes to give a tiered effect on the table, and round up about 12 metres of matching (cheap) fabric for table covers and table skirt. In the morning I have to spray paint 5 little wooden easels matt black to display some copies of photos of vintage underwear to complement the display. I'll try to take some photos of the display in situ, but for now I will show 2 of my pieces to whet your appetite. The top photo shows my "free traders" or divided drawers, dated about 1870's. Hand made broderie anglaise trims the legs, quite nicely embroidered. The second photo shows the bottom of my late Victorian / Edwardian long petticoat. It features bands of hand made bobbin lace in between insertions of broderie and other laces. Quite exquisite, slightly grey/white in colour, and very wearable. Now I'd better go and finish packing the case, or I'll never get to sleep tonight.

TAST Buttonhole Wheel Stitch

After spending most of the day surfing the net, I felt quite inspired to get straight into this week's TAST. Here is my sample for your consideration. I stitched in a Steff Francis overdyed medium silk thread over some little white clay flat "beads" from an old op-shop necklace. The "flowers" are cut from sequin waste and they are couched down in perle thread with a DMC metallic 3 wrap French Knot in the centre and scattered about. Would make quite a nice little postcard, in fact I might even send it down to the EG for the Postcard Challenge we are collating for the October Festival of Embroidery and Exhibition. Will see how it looks when finished.

Blogging Without Obligation.

I've been feeling quite guilty lately that some folks visiting might feel shortchanged that I'm not regularly doing TAST at the moment. I'm also not very regular in updating this blog. Today I was surfing around the TAST ring and found out about BWO and so have included the logo on the sidebar. You can click on the logo to find out what it's all about, but just let me say I agree with the sentiments wholeheartedly. Blogging means different things to everyone, for me it is a way to connect with people all over the world, sharing my passions, trials and successes. We shouldn't feel obliged and guilty when life gets in the way, as it has a habit of doing when we are busy women, wives or mothers. I love reading everyone's blogs and try to do so regularly, and of course I have favourites that I identify with, or just love their quirky sense of humour, or marvel at their creativity. I hope you find this blog worth visiting, and now I have added a visitors' map I can see who visits, even if they don't leave a comment.

Beetlejuice

As promised, here is one of the costumes I designed and made last week, while still recovering from the worst cold I've had in about 20 years. But the show must go on, so while it did take twice as long as it should have for a fully lined and fused jacket, pants and shirt, and 17 ties (I made a few extra in case they lose some) I do think this outfit looks pretty authentic compared to the movie still. The wig on the model is one I had in my props box, not the one being worn at the Eistedfodd. More information on my costume blog, see sidebar.

Progress

Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel. Today I'm starting to feel a little less "under the weather" and coughing is getting less frequent and less severe. Just as well, I think, because I've put several big projects on HOLD during the last few weeks which really MUST be done soon. One of them is very urgent, and it is started, but not much progress really. I'm making some Eisteddfod costumes for the dancing studio where I freelance. For full dress rehearsal this Thursday night they need a size 8 black and white striped men's suit with a hot pink organza sleeveless top underneath for "Beetlejuice" as played by Michael Keeton in the movie. And 16 hot pink organza ties to go on the supporting dancers. The fabric supplied was black and white cotton lycra, so of course that will all have to be fused to Whispaweft for the jacket. Hope my machines behave and sew through the fabric nicely, otherwise you'll hear me yelling from the other side of the country. I'm not an habitual swearer, I was always taught that swearing is a sign of ignorance of more approriate words. So usually I just threaten the machine with destruction, replacement and other dire consequences if it doesn't perform properly. It usually works. Failing that, I have a back-up domestic machine or two, and they are so old that they don't DARE misbehave or they know they'll be on the scrap heap ! Time to head into the sewing room now, set up the ironing press, and start that fusing so I can get sewing this afternoon. I'll post a picture of the progress later.

A late reply to "You're tagged!" from Jenny B.

You may have noticed on other blogs around the traps that people are being "tagged". Just a bit of fun, recording 7 things about yourself that people might not know, a little insight into your true character. Now that's a bit of a worry, I'm not sure I WANT people to know me THAT well, hee hee. So my reveals might not be all that earth shattering, but here goes.
1. My biggest flaw is that I hold a Black Belt in Procrastination. Now the cleverer ones amongst you might have read between the lines in my previous posts and already worked this one out.
2. The previous point always results in me having to pull all-night sessions to make up for lost / lazy time. I am at my most creative when this happens, out of sheer neccesity.
3. Despite my terminal procrastination, no bride has ever walked naked down the aisle and no dancer has ever had no costume for a performance. Refer to my costume blog for more details if you dare.
4. I'm a chronic organiser. I can't stand leaving someone else to organise ANYTHING because I always think I know how to do it better. Of course, this is not 100% true, and I often drive myself nuts trying to organise every little detail myself, I just don't know HOW to delegate. A therapist would have a field day with me!
5. I aspired to be the next Prue Acton when I was 18. She was a young, hip, Aussie designer in the 1970's and I really wanted to go into Fashion Design. I applied and was successful for the Fashion Design course at East Sydney which was THE place to train at the time (Akira Issagowa, Trent Nathan etc. trained there), but life got in the way and I couldn't continue.
6. I spend WAY too much time on the computer. I belong to 15 Yahoo groups, contribute to 4 blogs, and belong to 3 or 4 other forums, not to mention my LiveJournal account. This all adds up to at least an hour every morning checking emails and links while I eat my breakfast. I don't know what I'd do if I had to go out to business every day, I'd have to get up at dawn to fit it all in.
7. I would love 8 or 9 hours sleep every night but unfortunately it doesn't happen because I can't seem to get to bed before midnight most nights. The result is that I'm always tired and frequently cranky.
As you can see, nothing too earth shattering, but I think I fulfilled the brief. Now I'm supposed to tag 7 other people, but I don't know 7 people who blog well enough to tag them !! So I'm breaking the "chain" I'm afraid.

June Craft and Quilt Fair Day 2

On arriving home from the Show, I unpacked my purchases and thought, "oh, is that all I bought?" as you do. See post below. So on the second day between my shift at Cavalcade of History and Fashion and lunch I scooted back to Dale's stand to buy a few more bits. We are very fortunate in Sydney to have 3 major craft show events each year, and that's not including various Bead fairs and ready made art fairs. But Dale only brings The Thread Studio http://thethreadstudio.com/ over from Perth once each year, to Darling Harbour. So if you want to fondle the goods in person, you just have to be there! I bought a few of the things Dale mentioned in her new book "Surface Tension" (which she kindly inscribed for me with my matching purple pen) such as jute scrim, hand painted muslin, an Oliver Twists experimental pack, some hand dyed wool felt, some felted yarn and one of her great variety packs of various threads in one colourway. I also bought a half metre of an orange metallic knitted tubular ribbon, about 2 1/2 inches wide. No idea what I'll do with that, it just appealled to me. I also added to my stash of old fashioned floral fat quarters for a WISP quilt and bought some little lacy motifs to make a challenge for my EG group ladies, who will be learning some CQ at their meeting in mid July. Now I just need to shake off this dreaded lurgie, get my strength back and Bob's your uncle.
(I can just see all the non-Aussies reaching for their dictionaries to try to translate that last sentence, hee hee. Basically I meant I need to get better and everything will be all right. )

June Craft and Quilt Fair in Sydney.

These are the goodies I bought from various traders including The Thread Studio on my first day at the show. They include some Sari "ribbons" in a hank, some stranded variegated silk mill ends threads (very reasonable, at a wool shop) some machine embroidery threads and some lovely wool tops to do some felting. I loved the little square sequins seen in the middle of the photo, they are not super shiny but will add a little zing to wherever I put them. Please don't expect any photos of any of these projects SOON, I have a bit of a reputation for buying up at these shows and using the goodies about 5 or 6 YEARS later. Perhaps this time I'll be a bit more motivated, seeing all the fabulous work on the net these days is very encouraging, and now I belong to a few Groups as well where people are just so prolific, I feel positively LAZY. Just at the moment I have a good excuse though, I volunteered 3 days in a row at the Show for my Guild and for Cavalcade, and have come down with a really heavy cold, spending the last 4 days in bed or lying on the couch feeling downright miserable. Today is the first day to even sit at the computer, a big deal for someone like me who is so email and blog driven. I'd actually forgotten what I purchased till I opened the bags to take these photos, hee hee.

Appliqued blocks on the Wood Quilt

As requested, here are closeups of some of the blocks on the Wood quilt. The quilt is 217 cm long by 212 cm wide and comprises 56 blocks with appliqued fabrics on foundation square blocks of suiting weight fabrics. Family history has it made in 1865, but there is some doubt about this. Fabrics from children's dresses are reputedly also incorporated, but the young people in question look to be teenagers in a 1920's photograph. In any case, Mrs Wood was a remarkable needlewoman who used fabrics at hand to make a useful item for her home and showed a flair for design in her composition of this lovely hanging / quilt. There is quite a bit of conservation to be done, the first photograph shows just one area where the blocks have started to separate. There are also areas where the silk pieces have shattered and dissapeared altogether. The quilt has been displayed on a bed for many years since arriving in Australia from England, where it hung across the top of stairs to keep out drafts. Scroll down for the overall view of this remarkable textile.

A UFO finally completed.

Should that be "an" UFO ? Now I'm not known for my smocking talent, in fact this is my first attempt, with a little help from one of my EG ladies who is a member of the Smockers' Guild as well. We did this little scissor ball as a class project earlier in the year, or was that late last year ? Anyway, last weekend was dreadful weather in Sydney, cold, wet and very windy. So I pulled out 2 WISPS and a UFO. Now the WISPS are "Works in VERY Slow Progrss" I'm afraid, one has been over 5 years while the other only about 6 months. They are both patchwork projects and hand pieced, and these things take TIME so don't expect finished photos any time soon, but this little ball only needed its little needle woven "cap" and a pretty "necklace" to finish it off. I think it's too pretty to use on my scissors, so might use it on a key to the china cabinet where all the children's precious objects are stored. They include birds nests, souvenir items, decorations from christening and birthday cakes, a bottle of sand from the Simpson dessert, shells and a moth case complete with piece of twig still attached. You can probably see a bit of a pattern here, I have mini collections of all sorts of odd things in my home, including vintage underwear (Victorian, Edwardian and up to WWII mostly), dolls, china shoes, sewing machine models, costumes and accessories... you could say we need a museum to house it all.

Hambledon - The Wood Quilt.

While this is called a quilt it should properly be called the Wood Wall Hanging, but it doesn't sound so romantic does it? My current project, this is housed at Hambledon on the Payten Bed. Originally from England where it was used to stop drafts at the top of some stairs and still shows the original tape for the hanging loops on the rear at the top (see the area without the scallops and tassels in the background) Reputedly made by piecing suiting fabric blocks which were appliqued with remnants of dresses and furnishings which came from a royal tailor's shop in the late 1860's, but there is some question over the dating. Certainly some of the fabrics appear to be of that vintage, but there are supposed to also be remnants from family garments worn by children of the maker who appear to be young adults in a 1920 photograph. My guess is late 1800's but I'm no quilt expert. I'm a textile specialist though, and so will be leading the group performing conservation and repair work to the deteriorating quilt, and the making of a storage cylinder and bag to "retire" it from permanent display. Study groups will still be able to book viewings of the quilt but it is hoped that resting it will lengthen its life considerably so future generations can enjoy its beauty.

Hambledon and its trees.

Here is Hambledon, nestling behind a magnificent Hoop Pine dated to the 1830's. The cottage was built in 1824 by John Macarthur as a guest house and then governess' residence for Elizabeth Farm which is situated to the East. The cottage is quite modest from the outside, but quite lovely inside with a drawing room, dining room, 2 bedrooms, detached kitchen and out buildings. We are very fortunate in Parramatta to have 3 historic properties within a short walk of each other at Harris Park. Elizabeth Farm (John Macarthur's principal residence) is to the East while Experiment Farm Cottage (site of James Ruse's farm, now Surgeon John Harris' house) is to the West in the same street. Hambledon is on the point of the triangle down in front of the other 2 properties and closest to the Parramatta River. And I am very fortunate to have connections with all three properties now, and also with Old Government House up in Parramatta Park. Through my historical reproduction sewing of soft furnishing and costumes, I get to visit all 4 properties fairly regularly in various capacities. An exciting project is beginning at Hambledon, more about that soon.

Hambledon trees.

How's this for a huge Moreton Bay Fig tree? Dating to 1850's this magnificent tree seems to have escaped from the disease which has plagued the figs in Sydney's Hyde Park, causing them to be removed. Perhaps it is due to this land being part of a private residence till the 1960's when Parramatta Council purchased it from the owners who planned to build a pharmaceutical factory behind it? The trees at Hambledon have survived the droughts and vandals, but one has been damaged extensively by a lightning strike after being damaged by borers. The arborist has placed a protective sheath around it hoping to save the remaining portion, and extensive mulching around the drip lines of the trees seems to be helping with moisture retention. A truly magnificent sight.

Hambledon trees.

A majestic English Oak tree at Hambledon Cottage Harris Park. The plaque at the base suggests 1850's as the planting date because the tree was mentioned in the census of the time. This is one of about 8 heritage listed trees in the former grounds of Hambledon, now maintained as a park by the local Parramatta council. Truly magnificent.

Amazing art in the mall

Today I went with 2 friends to Hornsby (a northern suburb of Sydney) on a quest for some mattress ticking for one of my historic house projects. The shop staff told us to look for the big clock and we could not miss the shop. Well, we did (miss it, that is) and we drove around and around in circles till eventually consulting the telephone book in the post office (no help because we couldn't find the street signs) and then asking a friendly local. She pointed out the clock and said just up there on the left. Well, this is THE clock. How could we miss THAT? It's a magnificent metal (bronze?) sculpture / clock / water feature in the centre of the mall at Westfield. The details are just fabulous. Local birds, bats, and a tribute to the local waterway (the Hawkesbury river not far away). A real centrepiece to the mall, and a drawcard for the locals and visitors alike. It made the 2 hour drive worthwhile, although the companion directing the driver disliked traffic and stop lights and took us on the "scenic route" !! I'm ashamed to say it helped that the local Target department store had chocolates at 30% off too (actually, that's not 100% true, I deserved some spoiling!) I also bought 2 giant punnets of local strawberries from the Organic Growers' Market as a treat for my DH.

My tips for Creativity.

On her blog "inaminuteago" (see sidebar for link) Sharon B. invited us to list our tips for creativity. I had to really think about that, because my creativity is so chaotic, I don't think I have any useful tips ! However, here is what I know:
1. You can't force yourself to be creative. No matter how soon the deadline to finish a challenge/ submit an entry/ do a class sample you will NOT be able to magically produce your best work on demand.
2. The irony is that you will feel most creative when you don't have the time to be. It is so hard to resist the urge to put just a few more beads or sequins on the project as it is leaving the house / studio / craft room "because it just needs a little something more".
3. Your most creative moments will strike when you don't have the materials required to hand, and by the time you gather / buy / acquire the materials, the moment often has passed.
4. The moral of number 3 is you need to have a big stash of materials so that when the moment strikes, you're ready.
5. The hours between 11 pm and 3 am are my most creative. If I can stay awake, I can do great work.
6. Chocolate is a great source of energy at 2 am, just make sure you always have a good supply in the house (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)
7. I love to look at other people's work and marvel at their ingenuity. I shouldn't, it just makes me feel lazy.
8. I need a "wife" to cook, clean, wash and keep house for me. Then I could spend more time in creative pursuits.
9. I need to learn to turn off the computer after I check my emails, reply to them, check out my forums and groups, post to my journal... You get the idea.
10. I should celebrate when I finish some stitching / costumes / lace / patchwork because I do good work, just not a lot of it. It feels good to finish something, I just need to complete a bit more.
Not sure how "helpful" that will be for others, but it sure was cathartic writing it down !

Another chick has flown the nest!

Well today my middle daughter's best girlfriend took possession of her new 2 bedroom flat which is about 5 minutes away by car. She invited my 24 year old to share with her and pay rent so the past few weeks have been very busy for Col, looking for a permanent teaching position, packing up her bedroom and buying a few "essentials" like pots and pans, cookbooks, kitchen utensils, ironing board, broom, fry pan and a clothes airer. Funny what the kids see as essential, her friend had about 50 glasses (gifts), candles (gifts) some Tupperware and the contents of her bedroom, and thought that would be plenty !! We bought them a lovely woollen feature rug for the living room, and furniture has been ordered for weekend delivery. It took Col all of 15 minutes to pack her life in boxes into 3 vehicles and then she was off. She assures me she'll be back home often as she doesn't have a computer yet at the flat. She has a 3 month posting in P.E. but not a permanent job unfortunately. She is looking at retraining in another subject area as there is a glut of P.E. teachers presently. Doesn't seem right that a student can graduate with 2nd class honours and still not get full time employment in their field. That leaves my oldest girl still in residence (although that could change soon too) and the youngest girl officially still living here, but we see less and less of her as she works 2 jobs and stays with her boyfriend's family a lot. Her fish and cat are still here though so perhaps I can hold them hostage? The house is suddenly looking a bit big for just hubby and me, lets hope I get some grandchildren to visit some day?

TAST running stitch - pattern darning

This sample of pattern darning from my Basic Course at the NSW Embroiderers' Guild shows a few more complicated designs than the bookmark in the post below. Here I have used positive and negative spaces to form the patterns from a basic running stitch. The threads are perles except for the purple thread which is a stranded persian wool and the work was stab stitched while in a large hoop. The fabric is an evenweave linen about 22 count.

TAST Running stitch - pattern darned bookmark

Here is a little pattern darning bookmark I worked several years ago, using a simple running stitch action to create the design. The chart is my own, so you may use it freely. Pattern darning is also very suitable for kids to do as they can easily see where to go next, you could simplify the designs onto a larger grid for them. I used perle threads in this example.

An apology

Following my lovely relaxing trip to Northern Queensland I received the news that my elderly biological father had passed away after a short serious illness. My mother and father divorced when I was just 17 so we had not been close for many, many years. It was only in the last 10 years or so that he had re-established any contact with me on a semi-regular basis. The emotions are very mixed up at present, and I feel the need to "stocktake" if that makes any sense at all. The death of one parent has caused me to examine the parent-child dynamic with my own kids and with my remaining parent. As a result of holidays and now this past week I have not done any stitching on my TAST group, but hope to get back to it soon. I apologise to group members who may have popped in to check my progress recently. I have been checking Sharon B.'s blog every day but "life events" have taken over from actual stitching just lately.

Port Douglas marina

Port Douglas is about one and 1/2 hours by road from Cairns, which is two and 1/2 hours by plane from Sydney. Port is the main departure point for the Great Barrier Reef cruises, and for diving expeditions and sailing. The marina is a large complex with shops and boutiques, very tourist orientated. This part of Queensland is a popular tourist destination especially for overseas visitors and is very popular with holidaying and honeymooning Asian couples. We noticed German, Dutch, Russian, American, British and Japanese people as well as other Asian nationalities on our cruise. One of the biggest attractions besides the coral formations is swimming with or observing the thousands of brightly coloured fish of all shapes and sizes. A large blue groper swims around the pontoon regularly, as well as Maori Wrasse, clown fish (Nemo) and other tiny irridescent schools of fish. We also saw a green sea turtle lolling about, but no sharks were seen this time, whew !! Can you tell I had a great time, and didn't want to leave? Oh well, back home now and trying to catch up with everything left on hold while I was away. I do feel rejuvenated though.

Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

A Lifeguard is positioned to call people back who stray too far outside the marked area, and to rescue anyone if needed. The blue lycra suits are recommended to avoid being stung by box jellyfish or irikandji, both can be lethal. They are not the most flattering of garments, but most people do wear them, so after the initial shock people just resign themselves to looking "interesting" We did see a couple of foreign ladies with their swimsits over the lycra, and a couple of people stripped off and wore them alone !! I apologise in advance if you are in my photos, I tried to take them so faces were not in full view.

A trip to the Great Barrier Reef

This beautiful twin hulled catamaran is the boat which delivered us from Port Douglas to the Agincourt reef on the Great Barrier Reef for a day on a moored pontoon. There visitors can snorkel in a controlled area, free snorkel, dive, take helicopter joy flights over the reef, float over the reef in a semi-submersible (not too claustrophobic, even for me!) or just sunbake. They serve a buffet lunch on the boat too. Most of our group of 14 people donned blue "stinger" suits to snorkel. As I'm a "non swimmer" I went in the semi-sub and the underwater observatory for my reef experience. This is our second trip to this region so we planned our activities before arriving. I still had a very enjoyable day.

More photos from my vacation

The gardens in tropical North Queensland are lush and green straight after the Wet Season and Sea Temple is beautifully landscaped. Plants include palms, crotons, elephants ear, lobster plants, star gardenia, flax and some only grown in this area. The butterflies are huge and irridescent while we also saw bats, tiny bright yellow hummingbirds and colourful lorikeets in the gardens. There was also a friendly baby tree frog in the rooftop spa when we visited my husbands boss for a BBQ dinner. The temperature did not drop below 21 degrees C at night and climbed to 32 degrees C during the day, very pleasant and not so humid as Sydney. I even walked for an hour on the beach one day, very rare for me, but it was very relaxing.

Venue for my recent holiday - Palm Cove, northern Queensland

The main pool at Sea Temple resort, and the main terrace dining room set up for dinner, lit by gas torches "a la Survivor". Absolutely gorgeous, we would have loved to stay longer but 5 days/4 nights was a very welcome break anyway.

Personal Library of Stitches Lesson One

Yippeeee! After finally finishing an urgent paid job, I have some time to rest, recuperate from a minor illness, and stitch!! A whole day and night spent exploring lesson one of PLOS. I really enjoyed trying to find some different ways of presenting Guilloche stitch. I tried some of Sharon's suggestions with very pleasing results. This could be a border stitch, I think you'd have to use it sparingly if you worked it as heavily as I did on some of the rows. They feature silk, cotton, stranded and metallic threads, beads and bugles, French knots and running stitch as well as the traditional lacing found on Guilloche stitch. The outline of the postcard sized piece is Portugeuse knotted stem, not sure if I'd work that again along a withdrawn thread, it tended to wobble about a bit. I decided to use the "window" method of hooping up the 26 count oatmeal coloured linen in the end, stitching it by machine to a piece of calico and cutting away the area to be stitched from behind. That way I could use my large table hoop which prevents me stooping over the work and so is easier on my arthritic neck.
Now on to lesson two!!!

TAST Catchup part 2

CROSS STITCH
Here is another sample, see below, stitched 3 years ago. Another pieced silk background, and this time the colours are more like my current tastes. Again, there are a few beads and this time some sequins as well for sparkle!! My tutor commented on the movement I achieved in this piece, but I can assure you it was quite by happy accident. Perhaps because I really liked the colours it just evolved.

TAST catchup

FLY STITCH
I've been a bit pre-occupied I'm afraid with an urgent paid costume sewing job, so thought I'd share a sample stitched in an EG course 3 years ago (was it really so long ago, wow!) The module involved creating backgrounds on which to stitch and this one is little pieces of silk arranged and stitched down to a larger piece, then stitched over. There are a few beads for sparkle (my work nearly always has a little bit of sparkle, have you noticed, gggg). There is also a bit of line stitching which I recorded as raised chain band, although now I can't really see the chain stitch, but that must have been the method. Funny also how much my taste in colours has changed, this now looks particularly dull to me.

Family wedding and THE bridesmaid's dresses!

Photos hot off the camera of my son's wedding on Saturday. The bridal couple and my oldest daughter and her boyfriend in one photo. The other a close up of the smaller of the bridesmaid's dresses over which I agonised for 6 weeks. Everyone was very complimentary of the work, and I think I was the only one who really noticed the join in the lace of the bodices. I'm just too particular (some unkind people might say obsessive/perfectionist) It was a very emotional day, as this is not his first trip down the aisle, unfortunately. However he is very happy and I'm sure this time it is for keeps. A very kind and caring young man, and not too bad looking either I must say. He is my firstborn and only son, the heir to the family surname as the only son, of the only son, of the only son! Whew, a big responsibility to carry on the name, but he is very worthy.

My Counted Thread Band Round Robin Round 2

Wow. Just found pictures uploaded of my band, and the next round of stitching has been completed.
Jenny B. from http://jennysaustralianneedleart.blogspot.com/
has done a fabulous job as usual, adding wonderful texture via Withdrawn Thread work. There are 9 stitchers worldwide in the group, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what the other members are going to do on my band. Of course it also means I have to design 8 other rounds to go on their bands too!! Oh well, now that the son is safely and happily married off last weekend, I will have a ton of time on my hands, won't I?? Actually not that much. Between completing Sharon B.'s TAST each week (well I have to catch up a couple of weeks due to wedding sewing) and Personal Library of Stitches course online (another of Sharon's excellent courses) I have a rush job to make an 1830's dress and accessories for a house museum by 14th March! Was it Oliver Hardy or Stan Laurel (can't remember which one) who said "That's a fine mess you've gotten us into!! all the time. I just have to prioritise, and spend less time on this darn PC and do some work! But it is fun, isn't it, and you "meet" some really nice folks here. Oh well, back to the salt mines for me!!!

TAST Algerian Eye!

Just a quick exploration for Sharon B.'s TAST stitch this week. I really like this stitch, I love that you can expand it to become eyelets, and work them a bit "freeform" too, varying the size and making them assymetrical if you wish. I've used a perle variegated thread called Hand Dyed Hues from New Zealand, a lovely gelato blue and green. I also used DMC metallic stranded threads from the new range of about 12 months ago. My sister-in-law bought me one of each colour for Christmas 2005. Did you spot the buttonholed ring under the single eye stitch, I worked it over my finger this time, it was a little difficult in the metallic yarn as it doesn't slip easily against itself, but I was determined and eventually succeeded. A bit of a motto for life, really.

It's been a very busy week, the February Stitches and Craft Show has been on in Sydney and I had to help display work and then man a stand for the Embroiderers' Guild which kept me busy for 2 days. Then I started to hem a bridal gown and make a veil for my future daughter-in-law, to go with the 2 bridesmaids which have been in progress for the past 6 weeks. The gown and veil are finished and the bridesmaids need hemming and some lace overlaid on the bodices. Luckily I was able to buy some wonderful silk sewing thread at a Lace Guild day last weekend which matches the custom dyed lace beautifully, so now I just need to take the plunge and start grafting the lace. It will look very elegant, chocolate brown Chantilly lace over dusky pink sik satin and silk organza. Then I just need to find a suitable ribbon for the waist and they're finished too. If I can't find a suitable coloured ribbon, I bought some liquid dye, used for ribbons and laces, at the Craft Show and will experiment with that. 2 weeks till the wedding, and it's been a long hot Summer in Sydney and I'm so tired from lack of good sleep. Thank goodness for stitching, it has given me a focus point and kept me grounded. Ohhh, I sound very philosophical tonight, must be exhaustion setting in, ggggg.

TAST Chevron Stitch

Week 5 of Sharron B.'s TAST challenge was Chevron Stitch. My only reference book which showed it was Jacqueline Enthoven's "Stitches of Creative Embroidery". Once I got into the rhythm of the stitch I found it easier, just had to remember when to keep the thread up and when to keep it down before inserting the needle for the next step! Not really one to do in front of the television. I stitched a little pyramid shape in variegated silk Colour Streams thread then added little highlight stitches in 2 strands of the new DMC stranded metallics, and a very "hairy" stranded thread whose name I have lost, but I think it was for machine embroidery (in the bobbin only)and bought at a Craft show. Really must learn to save wrappers and labels from my threads, it would be so much easier for future reference. Wish I was one of those organised people who kept a sample book of fabrics and threads, but I'm just not.

TAST Cretan stitch

Here is a little exploration of Cretan stitch for Sharron B.'s Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge on her blog at www.inaminuteago.com which I started on Australia Day, see post below. I got a bit carried away with the sparkle!! The top row is alternating Cretan rows in stranded cotton with a short straight stitch capping off one row in a sparkle metallic "chain" yarn. The next row uses Pearl 8 thread, I think, and I used 2 rows interlocked then threaded 2 rows of metallic chain yarn through the centre. On the left below them is a free form design using Pearl 8 again and the metallic "chain" yarn again. On the right is another free form design using a silky ribbon tubular ribbon yarn, variegated, which stitches beautifully. I explored using another metallic chain yarn to do some needleweaving and wrapping, and one leg of the Cretan has a little buttonholed section as well, just for fun. Hope to get week 5 stitch worked by the end of this week.

Happy Australia Day!

26th January is our national day and over the years our family has celebrated in various ways. For 3 years now I have volunteered for the National Trust (a non-government self-funded organisation) at the Parramatta properties. This year I was rostered at Experiment Farm Cottage at Harris Park, where Governor Arthur Phillip gave James Ruse, a farmer convict, land in 1789 as an experiment to see how long it would take a man to become self-sufficient in the new colony of New South Wales. This year we had racks of costumes available for hire so people could take a souvenir photo of themselves on Australia Day. In previous years we had a photographer take photos and print them out on the spot, but our regular volunteer was not available. Although I didn't do a lot of business, I still dressed for the occasion. I wore my Regency inspired outfit with cotton petticoat, long over the knee stockings (socks), leather flat shoes, chemisette and gown, and white cotton day cap. I do a pretty good impression of Whistler's Mother I'm afraid, ggg, and it was an extremely hot day to be dressed in silk taffeta, but the Bush Music Band was great to listen too, the damper and billy tea and the sausage sizzle were great tucker, and just being at the 1830's Anglo Indian bungalow that is EFC was terrific. Oh, and I did some embroidery to while away the hours too, I started exploring Cretan stitch for Sharron B.s TAST challenge. More about that later.

TAST Week 3 Detached Chain Stitch

This week I have experimented with little detached chain "suns" using several different threads and methods. The first two are holographic gold sequins "couched" down with detached chain stitches in variegated silk thread. I think it was Colour Streams thread, I unwrapped the skein and lost the label long ago!! The large sun on the left is couched over a buttonholed "ring" made over my little finger with stranded thread and then couched using long legged detached chain in stranded purple and pearl 8 orange threads.I added a gold cup sequin with a bead in the centre. The small sun on the right is couched over a buttonholed ring worked in pearl 8 orange over the end of lead pencil. The couching is in the variegated silk thread and there are 3 beads in the centre of this one. I'm really hoping to fit in some more chain stitching this week, and perhaps even go back and do week 1 and 2, ggg.

TAST Catch-up

Okay, confession time. I have a "black belt" in Procrastination. Always have, always will. I can't decide how to present my stitch explorations !! I think if I'm going to try to complete a stitch every week that I should at least make something useful from the pieces I stitch. I have several sample books already since I've completed 4 years of Embroiderers' Guild NSW courses. I thought perhaps I should embellish some CQ blocks, but my first attempt was dismal. Now I'm stuck, and I'm really not the "just do it" type, although I know I really should be! Therefore I'm posting a couple of little swatches I worked during the Embroidery By Design (formerly Intermediate) Certificate which I took at the Guild 2 years ago. I promise that I will decide by the next challenge day what form my samples / pieces will take, and get to work on them. Cross my heart XXXXX

Buttonhole stitch - Tailor's Buttonhole

The second stitch in Sharron B's TAST challenge is buttonhole stitch. There has been an ongoing debate about buttonhole stitch / blanket stitch and the difference for many years amongst embroiderers. Older embroiderers remember doing hand worked buttonholes which used tailor's buttonhole stitch as opposed to closely worked blanket stitch which today is called buttonhole stitch. I found this diagram of the tailor's buttonhole stitch in Oldhams Big Book of Needlecraft which I believe is from the 1960's or perhaps a little earlier. There is an extra loop put into the stitch which forms a "bead" on the edge which would give a more robust buttonhole when used on tailored coats, suits and work wear. This might be an early Victorian innovation since the buttonoles and eyelets used on pre-Victorian corsets and clothing seem to be just overcast or satin stitched like modern eyelets, with no "bead" on the edge of the cut hole.

Counted Thread Band Round Robin-WIP

My on-line group "The Stitching Post" is doing a Band Round Robin, with participants all around the world! We decided on Counted Thread techniques which might include such styles as Pulled Fabric, Assisi, Blackwork, Cross Stitch, and Hardanger to name a few. I have decided to do Wessex Stitchery, a multi layered style using just a few very basic stitches. I took a day class in this a couple of years ago with the E.G. NSW and really enjoyed it. At the time my husband was recovering in hospital from a heart attack, luckily only one blockage treated with a stent. I felt a bit guilty sitting and stitching in a class while he was in ICU, but my friends thought it was good therapy for me and I had to agree. Do you think I got a bit carried away with the stitching on this sampler? So far I've taken 2 whole days to stitch this much. We are only supposed to do a 2 inch band or so, but I really enjoyed the stitching. I don't plan to repeat this on the other 10 or so samplers which might come to me! I'm going to let each sampler "tell" me what technique it would like on it, I might even repeat a technique with a new design or colour than previously used. It promises to be great fun, a real challenge because of the distance and especially for me because I procrastinate a lot, and end up rushing to get things finished by the inevitable deadline. Hope I can be a bit more disciplined in 2007!! New Year's Resolution there??

Hexagon Hussif Part 2

Here is the outside of the hussif, with a finger crocheted loop and button closure.
Fogot to say that the straight side of each hexagon measures 3", and that the "diameter" point to point across the middle is 6" and so that makes it a 6" hexagon.

Hexagon Hussif

Today was the last day for this year at my EG local group, and I took along the makings and directions for this hussif. A friend at our patchwork group had the original concept, but I have modified it. There is pellon sandwiched between the inner and outer hexagons and the outer layer wraps around to "bind" the smaller inside one. I inserted shaped felt needle leaves between the first two "pages" and there is a small pocket between the 2nd and 3rd page which is unfortunately not large enough for needle packets but will fit embroidery scissors and a rotary tape measure. A most useful "housewife" indeed !! Only one more party to attend, although the way I feel right now after a full day down at Linnwood again, I might just give my apologies. Although.....they do serve some really nice finger food at that restaurant venue.... and everyone knows I LOVE my food. Do you ever wonder why there are no photos of me anywhere on the net? You'd be able to tell how much I love my food!!! Our Secret Santa exchange went really well today too, I got a handmade dilly bag for shopping and CHOCOLATES. See they know me really well (and I did hint at what I'd like at the last meeting too, VBG) The miniature tote bag was very much appreciated by the receiver, and they all thought I was a bit mad when they saw the size of the stitches on it. I think I'll need to make another for myself now.

Christmas Holiday Projects

Isn't it funny how Christmas time brings family memories flooding back? I remember how excited my own 4 littlies used to get at this time of year, "How long till Christmas, Mum?" and trying to buy or make the perfect gifts for each of them. One year I made a full doll's cot set for one of the older girls, little quilted blanket (my first attempt at quilting) and pillow and lacy skirt for the cot and all. We still have the cot in the shed, and I found the little quilt the other day in the linen cupboard while putting things away. Over the years I made lacy potpouri pillows for my aunties, homemade lollies, and lots of other things too numerous to mention. There is one WIP gift that my mother keeps reminding me about. I bought her a kit at a craft show when my step father first took ill, thinking she could relax and stitch. It is a coloured candlewicked dresden plate design pillow, quite nice really, but she thought I should do it for her as she couldn't concentrate well. That was 5 years ago. It is still unfinished. My WIP list is 3 pages long you know. I suppose I should get to it fairly soon though, mum isn't getting any younger and I'm sure she would like to see it finished. So would I, so I've moved it higher on the list of to-dos this holidays. I've also bought some fabric and some thread suggestions for an online Round Robin Band Challenge , the first band stitched is due in February so that is also on the list. The fabric is 25 count Lugarna, and these are some of my favourite colours at the moment.

It can't be December already!

Such a busy time. Parties and gatherings every couple of days, much too much eating and drinking taking place. At least my kids' group had a nice party day, a simple felt Christmas project then we all shared afternoon tea. I put up some decorations in the hall, and asked the kids to all help decorate a little tree. Christmas is not so magical without little ones in the home, so I really enjoy my kids at embroidery group at this time of year. On Monday I had to take a "bag challenge" project to my patchwork group Christmas party. As usual, I had procrastinated over design and fabric for so long that time had beaten me, so on Sunday night I decided to whip up this little miniature tote which will do double duty as a Secret Santa gift for a fellow miniature enthusiast. It measures 1 3/4 inches x 1 1/4 inches, is made of homespun and decorated with some canibalised suffolk puffs
(yo yos) from my mini quilt project. The straight sewing is over 3 or so threads of the fabric (thank goodness for good magnifying glasses) and took about 4 hours to make. Yes, in that time I could have sewn a full size bag by machine I hear you say, but would I have had so much fun ??
This week I have also attended the end of season show for the Dancing Studio I sometimes work for, got a credit in the programme and all. There is a certain amount of satisfaction in seeing your creations on the stage, even if some of the costumes weren't worn correctly !! This weekend we have Open House day at Linnwood, and I have spent several days helping set up an exhibition of all our donations received in the last 4 years. We have some quite delightful groupings of items, clothing and accessories, kitchenalia, war momentos, tools, lighting, handcrafts and laundry items just to name a few. I'll try to get a couple of photos to post on Sunday.

Saturday afternoon's class went well.

Today's class was exhausting. 8 kids who loved the dolly-peg angels but also wanted to make the alternate project as well !! We had several male angels with very dark coloured robes (not dresses, they're for GIRLS!) and short styled hair. They had green and red glitter sticks for their wings, and everyone did a pretty good job. Next time, I'll take craft glue in SMALL bottles which run easily and don't need the nozzle to be unclogged every 5 minutes. Perhaps I can buy some small squeeze bottles and decant the glue so each person has their own. We don't use it very often, after all it is a stitching group, but this was meant to be a quick, easy session. The second project was a little lolly bag made from a felt covered carboard cone, decorated to look like a reindeer. It had little brown ears, and white antlers, goggle eyes and a glitter pom-pom for the nose. The handle was from the same dark brown felt as the body. The only stitching was down the centre back to re-inforce the glued seam, and a couple of running stitches to hold 2 layers of felt together on the antlers to give them a bit of body. They were cute as well, and took about 25 minutes to make including waiting in line for the dreaded glue bottles. I have promised a craft project for the Christmas party day as well, it will have to be a really easy one with NO GLUE. (can you guess I spent 15 minutes cleaning glue off tables and brushes and myself at the end of the session?)

Dolly peg angels for the kids' group

This weekend at my children's group we are making some cute angel decorations. It is inspired by a recent magazine project but I've changed it quite a lot to suit the children's skill level. We will paint the peg first, then they have panties made from strips of cloth wrapped baby-nappy style and glued on. The skirt is just a rectangle, fringed with pinking shears and gathered down from the top. There are arms from a strip of fabric knotted in the middle, a collar of gathered lace and plaited yarn hair wound around the head. The wings are glitter pipecleaners and circle the waist before forming the wings. A simple face and a loop for hanging on the back completes them. I will also have an even simpler project on hand for the littlies or anyone who doesn't want to make a "girlie" thing . I'll post that one up when I've made my sample. Hope they like them!!

Secret Santa idea

Here is my version of a project in Handmade magazine Vol 23 no. 9. Each member of our EG group is making one for themselves and putting their name on it. At our November meeting we will do a Secret Santa draw. Each person will then have the challenge of finding a small gift, or making one, for the person they drew out. Then in December at the Christmas meeting, we will all see how well we know our fellow group members!! One of the ladies also suggested we make a few extra bags, to be filled with some little goodies for residents in aged care etc. We thought that was a lovely idea, so some people will donate the items for the bags while others get to work making the bags themselves. Christmas is now only 2 months away, wow, has the year flown by?

A Crazy Quilting Christmas project for the kids

This is my class sample for my kids' EG group last weekend. We pooled Christmas fabrics, and I brought along sequins, beads, laces, threads and ribbons for embellishing the raw edges of each patch. There are 3 boys in the group and the average age is 9. A couple of the older girls chose to do the alternate project of a yo-yo Christmas Tree ornament. I wish now I remembered to take the digital camera to class, I really must learn how to use it so I can post up photos of their actual work. The idea of the group is to learn about textiles and fibre so we stitch, weave, embellish, paint fabric and sometimes use glue where appropriate. We attempt a small project once a month, and they usually finish most of the project before they leave the meeting. I sometimes find it challenging finding an inspiration each month, but the results from the kids are the reward I think. We have to design a panel for a group banner for the upcoming EG major exhibition next October, and one child will be selected from our group to stitch it.

I also belong to AMEA in Sydney, although I am not very active at the moment. Here are two mini quilts I have attempted. The hexagon one was completed as part of an EG basic course in 2001, and measures
6" x 6 1/2" (15 x 17 cm) and was hand pieced over cardstock shapes based on an AUS 1c piece. The yo-yo quilt is a WIP and needs 220 puffs for a 1/12th scale double bed quilt. It is currently pinned onto a piece of styrofoam so I can move the colours around. Each puff starts out the size of a AUS 1c piece, then has a narrow hem and gathering stitched around before pulling into the shape. The pattern and the fabrics came in a kit although I have added some of my own favourites as well. There is no lining or backing so it drapes beautifully. I just need to finish the wooden bed kit, and the matress, pillow, sheets and blanket... Now don't send for the men in white coats just yet, this is a long term project and the enjoyment is in the journey, isn't that what they say ? We won't talk about the 200 plus stars and 150 plus hexagons I'm hand piecing for a full scale queen size quilt, or the new one I'm thinking of starting (called Pioneer Braid) which is a scrappy quilt, to use up the leftovers from the star quilt, will we? I do like to have several projects on the boil at any one time, then when I get "creative block" I can switch projects for a while. How many creative people do you know with only one WIP at a time, I ask you? Although I did hear recently of a WIP swap, where people bring theirs along to swap for someone else's. That sounds like fun to me, I could contribute several !!!

Miniatures