Collage

First attempt at the composition

I have begun placing pieces of collaged fabric, stitched lace and wool. No stitching yet as there are still a few problems to solve. I intend to create a log that is covered in lichen but am already on Plan B after a first attempt. I know the texture that I would like but am not sure whether it can be sewn on the machine or if it will need to be made by hand stitching.

A New Project

Painting the base

I am finding that I am becoming more process driven. This is the beginning of a piece that has been inspired by the Gordon River in Tasmania that we visited last year. I was amazed by the beauty of the region and very grateful to those who fought so hard to keep the area from being dammed. This is canvas that has been painted and I am planning to collage over it to make it a semi abstract piece.

Pansies

Pansies

This quilt was inspired by the garden - I have always loved flower gardens. I wanted to explore the orderliness of the domestic flower garden and the way that we try to impose that order yet are constantly thwarted by the chaos of nature. The result is beauty.

The quilt was made using both hand dyed fabrics and commercial fabrics pieced and quilted with free machine embroidery.

I was a student at TAFE College when I made this quilt and it won a Highly Commended Award in the Ministers Award for Excellence.

Pansies detail

Pansies

Here is a detailed photo of my Pansies quilt. These are frayed fabrics stitched over romeo stabiliser and then quilted on the the pieced background.

Pansies detail

Pansies detail

Another detailed photo of the Pansies quilt. Randomly cut squares of fabric were frayed and the threads saved and stitched over water soluble stabiliser before being quilted on to the quilt.

Noosa

This beautiful plant with its stunningly coloured leaves and interesting stems was photographed at Noosa while we holidayed there last month.
At Noosa

Southbank

A few weeks back I visited Southbank in Brisbane and walked along this lovely corridor. The bouganvillia are gradually making it into an interesting tunnel.
Southbank in Brisbane

Lino printing

Lino printing

I had a fabulous day 'playing' yesterday. I have long wanted to do some more lino printing and this time tried it on fabric. This is one of my practice pieces, some of which I have now incorporated into a quilt block. As it was 3 years since I had last printed with linocuts, I had forgotten how easy and rewarding it can be. The texture created between the fabric and the paint is interesting and effective.

Bark

Bark

This is a detailed photo of a section of my latest textile work. It involves free motion stitching and couching over acrylic painted fusible.

Bark 1

Bark 1

An interpretation of the bark of the Spotted Gum tree, an Australian native gum. I explored the texture and colours of the bark that changes constantly. I like the effect that the Australian light has on the colours of the trees and plants that live here.

Sunset

Sunset
The sunsets in our area of Australia can be quite spectacular. The colours vary from pinks to oranges, yellows and deep reds.