Hunkering Down to Design

First day of four and works are being drafted, cut, sewn, improvised. A truly great class, 19 in all, who took on the challenge to learn more about improvisational quilting. The Australasian Quilt Convention is run as smooth as clockwork, always support when you might need it. 
 

The Place Was Hopping

At the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne the Australasian Quilt Convention is going strong. I'm on he second floor above the fray (but not the noise) and we're sewing like crazy. W?th over 500 quilts to view, and of course the gaggle of vendors, what's not to love.
 

Gangs All Here

If you signed up for one of the AQC workshops then one of these folks would be leading the class. We are in our Hi-Vis vests for set-up day, to get a briefing, and set up our classrooms. What a great and well run operation. And I can see it's going to be loads of fun. Plus a few quilt shows to boot.
 

Room Full

Painted bark cloth works fill the walls at the NVG Ian Potter Center. Made my way over there on the train and then back home on the tram. I also toured the National Gallery of Victoria. Definitely makes me want to paint, sculpt. or print. If art wants you to join in, join in!

 

Time Suspended

The Australia trip was a long slog through four airports. The last flight was 17 hours in the air. So, this posting is a placeholder for that 30 hour time delay from start to finish. All went well, got lucky with a whole row to myself, and managed to stay sane. I've a day to explore tomorrow, then the fun ramps up.

One Last Twist Before I Go

It's hard to resist a good scrambled block. This has the elements I love -- dark and light, large 'blank' areas, and places with small textures. I love getting the parts to move across the inherent grid of the four patch. I've left it on the wall so I can return to it.
 

Lotusland Goes on a Trip

My second offering for exhibit is Lotusland. Here's one of my large walls at home to display my works. This is packed and ready to roll out Saturday so I can land Monday morning in Melbourne for the Australasian Quilt Convention. Lotusland will get to see everyone, I'll be somewhere in class.
 

Pink Moon

The tote bag was sent off today to Alegre Retreat along with a couple of quilts to display, and a heavy box of material to print this April at Gateway Canyon in Colorado. This detail is where I signed it, and I think it's a good stand in for tonight's full moon -- the Pink Moon.
 

End of a Project

For months I'd been preparing to sing a 25 minute set for the folksinging groups here. And I did. That was enough for my day, can't wait to get back to my other jobs.

 

What Goes Around

Packing prompts for Design Camp with Australasian Quilt Convention has me finding and sorting through older montages. I can see the beginnings of the work with Within the Frame, a technique I've loved using lately, and sharing as well. This is just calendar images, or perhaps from a recipe book, but are strong.
 

The Never-Decreasing Pile

From each workshop comes a stack of unfinished pieces. They wait and wait. And this interruption in printing the layers makes for a more interesting and responsive addition. The urge to finish in one go is tempting, I've done that, but a pause brings fresh perspective. And so, no hurry.