'6x4 lives', computer woes & 'The Book Thief'...

I am in the process of creating gum leaves for the '6x4 lives' - Very simple - but probably also very boring - but I do like gums leaves. I am afraid the Virgo in me like 'clean' lines but I am hoping with the '6x4 lives' to see 'a journey' through what I create over the next few months. Perhaps a folio of sorts and with a bit of luck it might help me 'extend my horizons' and 'loosen up'...

Which brings me to the point of why there are no pictures of my gum leaves being created 'blow by blow', so to speak. E's comp has died yet again and with it my scanner which she has 'borrowed'. I am on my old 'T Model Ford' computer and just the thought of having to re-hash the scanner with my comp again leaves me cold. I am not offay enough with P's camera so I will just have to wait to record my progress As I said I am a simple gal - not really that arty - so don't expect too much... But I am determined to participate in this group even if I am a bit of a 'slow coach'...

I am reading a wonderful book called 'The Book Thief' - Markus Zusak. I have been wanting to read it for ages - it has been the kind of book which has 'echoed' through my psyche. The theme of the book has been written about many times before - but not in this way. I have 'lived through' the characters as they have had to deal with their lives in turbulent and heartbreaking times. Even though I have not read any more since last night the 'energy' of the book pervades my senses and in some ways has 'ground me to a halt'. I think I need to re immerse myself in its pages and finish it as I don't think that I will accomplish much more until I do. As I was gathering my bits together for my gum leaf project the characters were 'reaching out' and I kept 'stumbling' over pieces of the passages I had read last night. As I write this I am wondering if it is this I should be exploring as very obviously the story has had some effect on me. But because the subject matter is so vast and overwhelming, where would I start. What would I start with???

Quilt Show...

I went to the Quilt Show in Melbourne yesterday... I came home from it in two minds about what I thought... I really enjoyed it last year and raved about it - but this year it just 'didn't do it' for me... Largely though I think it was me - I loved last years's venue which was at the Convention Centre - this year it was at Jeff's Shed and while it is a lovely venue in itself I just don't think they planned the floor arrangement very well. I went to a couple of those free workshops and while it was only in a small space they backed onto the eating areas which made it noisy and because they hadn't supplied the presenters with mike's none of us could hear... Very frustrating for audience and presenter alike... But they might iron out those problems today - yesterday being the first day...

Of course the quilt exhibition itself was both large and extensive... Such an array and diversity of talent... Anything from a 3D quilt that changed colourways when you looked at it from different angles to beautifully executed and hand stitched quilts... Did I have a favorite??? Too many to single out... There was also an exhibition of very old quilts and the beautiful work that has stood the test of time was remarkable... I wondered if anything that I made will still be around in 100 years...

I was also disapponted that some of the trading stalls which were present last year weren't there this year... I understand though - from what I heard as I walked around that the fact that it is earlier this year also had something to do with it... Because of the Commonwealth Games the Quilt Show had to be moved forward - which of course interplayed with schedules for other interstate shows which apparently must be on soon... Vendors I guess have to weigh up the better option re travel, stock etc..

Not all was lost though - I did finally meet up with some 'faceless names' from the craft forum I belong to. It was lovely to catch up with those who I have only seen as names on the forum. S waving to ted-scout, sewronnieb, lynnebrumby and TrishJ...

We too, stopped traffic, as as luck would have it sewronnieb and myself both had M's CQ blocks so we had a 'show and tell' - a few people stopped and admired them and we explained the history behind the blocks... So there you go M & J your blocks not only are both in Melbourne having travelled seperately around the world but they 'had a day out' together at the quilt show!!!!!

Did I buy anything? Well, as the photo is suggests I did... I bought a little kit featuring poppies, a couple of FQ's, a button, some hand dyed ribbon, and a craft magazine (had a free diary) to read on the way home on the tram (fell asleep!!!)...

If I had to sum the day up I guess it wasn't too bad - even though I don't think it was as good as last years ( I am sure most people thought it was better!!!) - perhaps I am just a little jaded... What I did learn from it though was that I wanted to come home and create... Yeah, sure I have other years too but this year was I think more than anything I gathered lots of ideas and perhaps having spent that time with G a couple of days it compounded a different way of viewing and considering what was possible.. I can't adequately explain how I feel - just that I know it is different... Perhaps if I were to know - I want to 'play' and create from scratch and explore, have a posible outcome or an unexpected one ... It is becoming more about 'the jorney' rather than the destination... That still doesn't explain it - but it is 'a splinter' of what I am feeling...

Lunch with Gabrielle Swain...

Flannel Flowers 1928 - Margaret Preston

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Gabrielle Swain yesterday. Many of you will know her through her blog handmaiden Gabrielle is currently in Australia as she is teaching at th Quilt Convention which starts tomorrow Friday and runs until Sunday at Jeff's Shed... I have followed Gabrielle's blog since before I began to blog and have always found it to be both interesting and informative plus of course, an insight into someone else's creative life...

I was delighted to see that she was once again coming 'down under' to teach her 'magic'... I had been reading her blog since she arrived here and I decided to email her to see if she had some free time on Wednesday and we could meet for a coffee... Gabrielle took me up on my offer and we decided to do lunch plus a excursion to the Ian Potter Gallery at Federation Square to see the Margaret Preston exhibition that she had been told about... As Margaret Preston is one of my favorite artists this wasn't hard to do...

Fish 1949 - Margaret Preston

Yes, to those who are involved in the Art Challenge Quilt - I even managed to find fish!!!!!!

Rather than me tell you about our day I shall direct you to Gabrielle's blog (click on handmaiden link) for her report... One thing I will say though it was interesting see my hometown through a new pair of eyes and realising how much I knew about various bits and pieces... While I gave Gabrielle a more 'gossipy version' rather than time and date version of our history I was pleased I remembered as much as I did... I really enjoyed being 'a tourist' in my own city... Things which I have walked passed a million times Gabrielle stopped to either comment on or take photos of... Even one of our fruit street barrows didn't escape her appreciation...

To sum the day up I had a great time in the company of someone who is warm, open, and generous ... And to echo and endorse what Gabrielle says on her blog - good food, wonderful art, great conversations and great companionship...

Thanks again Gabrielle...

Tomorrow I am off to the Quilt Convention itself for a look see...

Another journey...

This is what partly started my journey into the world of quilts and CQ... It is the page of a calendar that 'caught' my attention... It theme is the differing aspects of Australia if I were to guess at it... More later...

M's block

This block belongs to M... She is J's daughter and has taken an interest in CQ... M created a block which has then embarked on a round world trip... It has come to Australia - to two states - Victoria and South Australia. After I have added my bits it will go on to New Zealand and then back home to England... I wish I could pack myself up with it and go with too...

I always amazed at these connections... I may not ever meet J and M - but I have a little piece of them here with me in my lounge room... The friendship that binds and bonds people with this craft is mind blowing... It is also a great way to see other peoples work up 'close and personal' - the old adage 'one picture is worth a thousand words' - is certainly very true here... Except in this case I can actually hold 'the picture' in my hands...

M has also included a 'record book' - each person who contributes to the block also makes a entry to the book as well...

There is a map as well which we pinpoint where we live... In years to come this block and its bits will be lovely to look back on and remember not only the experience of doing it but the memories that will have 'attached themselves' to this period of time in M's life... The writer in me is always fasinated by journeys - whether they be physical journeys or otherwise. This CQ block's journey is no different as I start to ask myself questions of 'what if', 'could it' and ' would it be possible'. Hmmm... More food for thought...

I am very excited to do this for M as I have never really done anything like this before... It has given me permission to 'have a play and lighten up' so to speak and being able to do it for someone else has made it that more special... So in lots of ways it is a first - not only for M - but for me too... I hope you like what I add M... At this stage I intend to use the yellow space for my contribution...

Hopefully by next week - all being well- the block will be ready to continue on its journey - one more stop - before finally home...

Drought...

I am having a bit of a 'dry spell' of late... I am finding it difficult to find anything of interest worth blogging about... I am still reading and enjoying everyone's blog butI have simply lost interest in my own for the moment... But then again tomorrow I might feel full of motivation and be ready and raring to go... Until then - see ya!!!!!

Ouch...

Your Life Path Number is 6

Your purpose in life is to help others You are very compassionate, and you offer comfort to those around you.It pains you to see other people hurting, and you do all in your power to help them.You take on responsibility, and don't mind personal sacrifice. You are the ultimate giver. In love, you offer warmth and protection to your partner. You often give too much of yourself, and you rarely put your own needs first.Emotions tend to rule your decisions too much, especially when it comes to love.And while taking care of people is great, make sure to give them room to grow on their own.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

I seem to be too good to be true... You should see me first thing in the morning - all of those descriptions I am not... Ask anyone!!!!!! It's every man for himself!!!!!

I found...

...this site in my net browsing - CQMagOnline.com . This is yet another confirmation why I never get anything done!!!!! Still is is very interesting :-)) Lots to look at...

Another sunrise surprise!!!!!

What is worse than having a full bladder first thing in the morning - a great bloody huntsman spider perched directly above the loo!!!!!

Sunrise surprise...

Look what floated over a couple of days ago. I was laying awake in bed just before 7am the other morning and thought I heard a noise... I listened for a minute then realised what the sound was...

I went outside to discover three hot air balloons making their way over the house...

For me they have magical quality about them and I love to discover them 'sitting' strung out over on the horizon. Huge tear drops of colour gracefully drifting across an immense blue canvas sky...

The 'small child' in me is captivated with delight, wonder and fasination. I think it is to do with their movement and the sense of freedom and peacefulness they invoke.

I have often thought they would look good reproduced in something like CQ - imagine where one could go with that - perhaps I shouldn't!!!!

Would I ever go up in one? Considering I am not very good with heights - I don't think so. But then again - I just might!! I understand that there is a landing site not far from us so perhaps next time we will go down and see them come in...

My angel...

P gave me this one for Christmas. I had seen it a few weeks before and I thought how peaceful it was. One day when I have more time I would like to dedicate a piece of stitching to an angel theme. Why do I like angels? As I have said in another thread I am not a religious person but I have always liked the idea of unseen angels watching over us.

A cutting start to the New Year...

Before...

After much deliberation I have had my hair cut - I think the final straw has been the hot weather - that, and the fact that I got it caught in the car door...I love my long hair - but just lately I have had enough of it - so this morning it went...

After...