National Gallery Workshop

Sunday was the perfect day for a workshop afternoon. It was the coldest September day since some time in the 1960's so we didn't feel guilty about being inside at all. I was incredibly excited to be giving a workshop on making Paper Quilts at the National Gallery of Australia. This workshop was held in conjunction with an exhibition of 5 beautiful antique quilts which are not usually on display. It was a wonderful feeling being at the gallery as a teacher of the craft I practice.

I set up in a large room - the small theatre - so we had lots of room to spread out. We accomplished so much in the 2 hours and everyone who attended created beautiful work which you see in the picture here. A gift tag, aperture greeting card and a bookmark. I was very proud of everyone there and I hope they enjoyed the afternoon as much as I did.

Going, going - gone.

Here are a few pictures of the dust storm which came across Canberra and NSW last Tuesday. I went inside after the last shot so I could breath. There was red dust everywhere for the rest of the day. On Friday night we had a return visit by the red dust. This time it came down with rain to form red mud. It is sticky and hosing the car does not remove it. Looks a job for super brush!!! Then yesterday, while I was teaching in Canberra - we had a snow shower at home. Incredible.

On the way home from class, I popped in to see the Embroiderers Guild ACT Exhibition at Albert Hall. http://www.embroiderersact.org.au/ I loved so many pieces including Lorna Loveland's 'Foxgloves and Peas'. It was inspired by the work of Jane Nicolas http://www.janenicholas.com/ who creates stumpwork. There was absolutely beautiful work there. I also bought some lovely bags of vintage shell buttons from Needlewitch http://www.needlewitch.com.au/. I am going to make some white gardens with these lovelies.

Spring Morning

Spring time morning

Through the kitchen window

I'm up early this morning. One of my favourite times of the year - BEFORE daylight saving starts and I wake up very early with the rising sun and no alarm clock! I love this early morning time when I can get on top of the days little tasks. This morning it was computer and then - my most dreaded task - ironing. It was made better with Martha's new series back on to keep me company. This morning she took us on a tour of her beautiful home and garden 'Skylands'. Inspirational. Now I want to change all the furniture etc around, paint walls and generally clean things out. Must be springtime.

Handmade in Bloom

Handmade at Yarralumla Woolshed on Friday night and Saturday - was Blooming wonderful! So many people - thousands infact came to see the woolshed transformed into a shoppers paradise for handmade goods. The event was also a great opportunity for people to meet up with their friends and family over a glass of wine, tea, coffee or chai. It was almost like being on the set of a movie with the lighting, atmosphere and music. http://www.wrensneststudio.com/ - click on handmade top right for photo gallery.

Thanks so much to everyone who came by Wren's Nest Studio to say hello and to all the people who supported my craft of Paper Quilting. Your wonderful support makes it possible for me to keep working and exploring my love of paper and sewing.

Now its back to "the shed" to create new pictures and work on some new ideas. It's also time to start thinking about Christmas (yiks) and creating a new paper for cards and gift tags.

See you soon.

Spring Blossoms

A photo of a pear tree tree in the early morning sunlight in the back yard. Lovely rain yesterday has made everything sparkle.

Can you believe it?

Well I just couldn't stand my sluggish behaviour any more - not to mention my growing mid section. So - I have joined the local Curves gym. I've just come back from my second visit and feel great and its lots of fun too, which is a nice surprise. I think I've now got the hang of how all the pieces of equipment work so I'm looking forward to my session tomorrow. I have even splashed out on some gym gear which will be a relief to the staff and patrons who have had to put up with 1. my gardening pants, and 2. gardening sun flower T-shirt. I think all my other T-shirts etc are stored away with my summer clothes. Any way it will be a bright and cheerful sight from now on. I have promised myself a new pair of runners after a months work.

It will be good to have a break every day from "the shed" where I have been spending many hours getting ready for Handmade In Bloom next week-end. It is exciting to think that I will be at Yarralumla Woolshed this time next week for the Friday Night Shopping night. It should be a wonderful week-end.

September Issue

If you love the world of fashion and the extraordinary range of talent which comes together in magazines, this film about the preparations for the September 2007 issue of American Vogue is for you. I have been a magazine lover for as long as I can remember so I had to see this film. The September Issue was fabulous!!! Fashion (of course), city scapes, beautiful photographs, parades and wonderful characters. I loved every second from beginning to end. Watch a sneak peek in the video bar on the side.

Back Home

The Stitches and Craft Show in Sydney really was an amazing experience. I think I am still recovering – I’m just not used to talking quite that much. I met many people who had never seen Paper Quilting before so it was a great opportunity to spread the word. People can’t believe that I am sewing paper and watch me sewing for quite a while just to see that the paper is not tearing. It was very exciting all up and I had a really successful show. The one stop Paper Quilt shop did great business and sold out of punches and thread. It was great to meet Lara of ‘La Rara’ and Kate of ‘Please Eloise’ who had spaces on either side of me. There are more pictures of the show on my Web page – just a click away on the left.

I drove home on huge gusts of wind from warm and sunny Sydney to freezing southern NSW where there was snow on the Brindabella Mountains. Hard to believe it is only a 3 hour drive. Pink and white blossoms are out everywhere and it is so beautiful. We actually had some rain while I was away so there is a tinge of green in the paddocks.

Now it’s on to the next adventure. It’s just over two weeks until ‘Handmade in Bloom’ at Yarralumla Wool Shed. So I am back in my own little shed with my head down creating Paper Quilt pictures, new papers and new cards.

Sydney Stitches and Craft Show

Almost finished. My 2 large pieces which will hang at the back of my studio space at Stitches and Craft on the 2 panels which form the back wall. If you are coming along to the show, I will be on level 4, in space #165. Please pop by to say hi and have a look at these two Paper Quilt Creations. I will also have other finished work, my greeting cards created from the paper I have designed, tools for creating Paper Quilts AND my new book, "Paper Quilts".

I will have my sewing machine with me and I will be making Paper Quilts at the show for the full 5 days in my mobile Studio.

Butterflies

This time next week I will be in Sydney for the Stitches and Craft Show at Rosehill. Hopefully I will have my little studio space all set up and ready to go and I will be a happy girl - but I will be very nervous I suspect. Just thinking about it gives me butterflies. 5 days at the show and during that time, my little girl is flying off overseas. I always wanted her to grow up and get her own wings to fly - but now I'm not so sure I like it at all. In fact - it is very distressing.

So, today I sat down and made a list of what I need to before then. I became little side tracked and made a flower broach from fabric which I had printed - and then began work on a VERY large handbag which will hang on the back wall of my space. Tomorrow I will make another large work to hang beside it as a pair. I'm not sure if I will make another bag - or a beautiful tree with a bird resting on top. I think the tree wins as I love the saying "grown old like a tree". Reach up to the sky, stretch open your arms, bare flowers and fruit, be a home and safe place for birds, animals and insects of all kinds and be happy with your beautiful bark which becomes more lovely with age. Pictures of work in progress will follow tomorrow.