caro-rose-creations

Threads- Pacific quilts (cloth)

There is a smallish exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art called "Threads, Contemporary Textiles and the Social Fabric." I live in the Asia Pacific region and these works are just a smattering from our neighbours.

These quilts were hung high in the gallery, rather like flags.  Against the almost austere walls of the room they also looked like bright textile banners.  Most are made from cheap fabrics, all that was available to the makers.  They have a distictive style that draws on the weaving and platting paterns that were used traditionally in the Pacific Islands.

  Tapaera Williams,  Around the World

Tungane Broadbent Tairiiri (fan)

Emma Tamarii, Reine de nuit, Tahitain design

Aline Ameru The Pomare Family

Some stitching details.

Hawaiian quilt  Margo Morgan, Breadfruit.

Gussie R Bento, The Kahili and Crowns of Kamehameha IV

I couldn't find the name of this quilt but thought it beautiful. This image also demonstrate the use of quilts as flags.

All these quilts, and the others in the exhibition, are works of art.

 

Seen at Ikea

I finally was able to get the linen fabric I was after from Ikea but I'm never going there on a Sunday morning again.  So many people!!

My husband dropped me off and was a bit late picking me up so I stopped for breakfast , along with the rest of Brisbane.  I made my way to the far end of the cafeteria and stumbled upon a "Brides Breakfast".  Catering $3.00 per head, room to play games, so many people it didn't matter how much noise they made.  Very inventive and you could finish off with some retail therapy.

(The game they were playing here was how many cotton balls can you put on your head with a wooden spoon.)

More of the exhibition

There were so many beautiful pieces in this exhibition.  It was nearly all traditional embroidery and the level of skill was outstanding.  No worry that these skills are going to disappear.

A different approach to hardanger.

Wessex Stitchery

Dimensional Corn-pad Stitches

Crochet Braid Lace

Traditional Partridges from Epirus Cushion  sitting on a hand appliqued and quilted quilt.

Blackwork reversable modern

The next piece was framed under glass and very difficult to photograph but the stitching was perfect.

Silk crewel and goldwork

And finally Elizabeth Schmidt, who is the President of the Toowoomba Guild, stitched a wonderful book detailing all the different styles of stitching she learnt whilst travelling in India.  I would have liked to take photos of the inside of the book but we were interrupted by a press photographer who wanted photos for the local paper.  So I had to be content with the outside of the book and the box she had stitched to hold the book.

This was a wonderful exhibition and the standard of work was just so good.

Toowoomba exhibition

I made a trip up the range to the Toowoomba Embroiderers Guilds Exhibition.  The hall was full and it was a bit of a crush. Especially where there was embroidery for sale and

also in the main hall.

There was some beautiful stitching.

Samplers

Lagarera work

Ukranian Whitework

Stumpwork

Reticella

More tommorrow.

Christmas is coming and...

I can feel my wallet get lighter every time I walk into a shop.  I went to buy a new iron and had to walk through some interior design shops to get where I wanted to go.  They are all decorating with their Christmas stock and although I didn't buy anything I was so temped.

I think these reindeer would be perfect as a table decoration.

There is even a set for the patchworker.

They are made in India but cost the earth.  The little ones start at $50.00 AUS.  The big one that I like is $200.00 AUS.  I am now on the look out to see if I can find them at a cheaper price. 

Some Beautiful paintings

This is one exhibition that I wish I could see,  "Master Painters of India" , which is on at the Metropolitan Museum of art in New York.  This elephant is so good.

When we visited Rajastan we stayed in a hotel where the Maharajah lived on the top floors and rented out the lower floors to guests.  It was faded splendor but there were painting like this in every room.  The problem was that the electricity went off at about 8:30am every morning so they could only be viewed in a very dull light.

My niece also did a series of painting ( I don't know where I put those images )  using this same style of paintings.

The link above leads to the gallery where you can view other paintings and you can find an article about the exhibition here.

Kogin Stitching

I finally decided on a format and design for my Kogin class that I will be teaching in 2012.  I have tried to put together different elements so that students can try a variety of methods of stitching while not being overwhelmed .  It must be said that this can't really be called an original design as I have used parts of traditional pieces that I have been studying and put them together in a different arrangement.

This side of the bag uses a broder type thread and the count is even making the stitching very regular.  The design is stitched in both horizontal and vertical directions and reflect a more modern approach to this technique.  It took me about a day to stitch this side of the bag.

 

On the reverse side I used the traditional stranded cotton thread and an uneven count that results in the  diamond pattern.  Again, this took a day to stitch.

I have to say that I really do prefer the traditional threads and designs.  This thinner thread almost caresses the fabric as you stitch and separating the threads and weaving them in the row above and below at the beginning and end makes the design as beautiful on the back as the front.  But then that is my personal preference and others may prefer that more solid look.

This stitching is very addictive.  I have a whole heap of projects I'm going to stitch, including some designs on clothing.  To bad about the housework.

Oh Grandma!

Those builders are making so much noise I can't sleep.

And you didn't come and rescue me quick enough.

Have you noticed that although I'm only just 9 months old I can stand up in my cot, even with my sleep suit on?

Now just watch this I can walk from one side of the playpen to the other all on my own.  (The tongue out is for balance.)

Baby sitting

Oh my aching legs!!  That is the legacy from yesterday but today I'm off to baby sit my grand daughter, bliss.  (I hope).  My son discovered white ants in the end wall of his home so the whole lot had to be pulled down in a hurry and the builder is replacing that room.  There will be lots of banging and sawing.  I have a horrible feeling that it will interrupt lots of sleeping.

It has been raining here so I don't have to water my garden.  I walked around and found that my Banksia Rose had bloomed.  It is so pretty.

That's it !

I have finally completed my last Hospitality Event.  My legs are aching from standing all day and I have little voice left as I was the commentator for the event.  I now intend to draw a line under that career.  Today was the "Becoming a Barista" Competition for the Chefs of the Future.

We had wonderful sponsors and great competitors.  I sure miss teaching teenagers.

It was full on all day with three machines running constantly.

The event was held at Blue Sky coffee and customers at their coffee lounge were interested in the proceeding as well as all those involved in the event.   I was impressed with the signature drinks that students designed.

 
AND THEN, I spotted all these great bags that had held the coffee beans and were going to be thrown out.

Now what could I do with these?