We all dance around the sun

 We all dance around the sun 36"square

Thanks Diane, this has been a fun challenge on which to end this second round. I have been concentrating on printing fabrics with the plants and foliage I find in my local Australian environment so it seemed serendipity that when the challenge was announced, I had this gum and flowering wattle fabric waiting. I have added 9 colourful butterflies as representative of our members.

No matter which part of the world we live in, we all dance around the sun on planet earth.

Materials: cotton, wadding, threads, dye, textile ink, fusible
Techniques: Hand dyed and printed, machine applique, machine quilted.

Play time

It's with a sense of achievement that I approach the end of the second round of challenges in Viewpoints 9. Having been given permission to play by Diane, I have been having a nice time, sitting in my air conditioned sewing studio, listening to an audio book and stitching on my quilt. I am well ahead of the deadline as I already had a hand printed fabric that worked well with my chosen idea.

This is a detail of my hand printed fabric that used flowering wattle, gum and grevillea.

Cutting binding strips to finish the quilt.
I love seeing the varied interpretations from the talented members of this group and I love grappling with the challenges. Here's to a wonderful 2015 with more to come.

Artistic potential



What interests me is seeing how my young grandchildren, Ruby, Marli and Araluen approach their drawing activities. I give them the pencils, pens or crayons and don't impose criteria usually. However for this exercise I asked the older two to draw within the assigned space on the white fabric. They also kindly gave me permission to use their work in my work. It is a privilege to watch my grandchildren realise their potential. Will their artistic potential blossom further in the years to come?

Artistic potential- detail

9 3/4"w x 26 1/4" [25cm w x 66.5cm]

Materials: Cotton fabric, fabric crayons, paint and pens, batting, thread.

Techniques: Drawing, colouring, machine quilting. 





Potential

Recently I have had the opportunity to spend some extra time with my two older grandchildren aged 12 and 10. I have seen them grow and develop from their baby selves into their present stage of development on the way to adulthood. I love seeing their curiosity about things and engagement with our modern world.

Betty asks us to investigate hidden potential, something that may change the world. When I look at my grandchildren I see potential and hope. I don't know where their future will lead them, what their paths will be, what challenges they will face and how they will overcome them.

But it will be a privilege to be part of their lives and watch their potential blossom.

The Promise of Tomorrow

The humble seed- these little powerhouses hold the promise of tomorrow in their hearts. The destruction of natural habitat to make way for commercial crops threatens the diversity of plant species available. Hopefully the seed banks which have been established will preserve them for future generations.

The Promise of Tomorrow

40.5cm w x 81cm long [16"x 32"]

Materials: 100% cotton, dye, textile ink, oil paint sticks, threads, embroidery floss, wadding.

Techniques: hand dyed, hand printed, rubbed, hand stitched, machine pieced, machine quilted.



A luxury in the city

On Sundays my husband and I have been going bush walking in the city. How is it possible? Just a short 5 minute drive from where we live is a forest park, natural vegetation in the suburbs. We are thankful that past planning preserved this natural environment for everyone to enjoy. It's not very crowded when we arrive and the family groups, joggers, cyclists and dog walkers all seem relaxed and happy.

Nature is a de-stresser for urban dwellers, an inspiration for artists and habitat for wildlife. I hope our urban sprawl doesn't gobble up all natural reserves.

Viewpoints 9 Exhibitions

Viewpoints 9 is pleased to announce a special exhibition of contemporary fiber art selected from each of the original 2012 and 2013 challenges. Exhibits will be held at the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XXI, September 18-21, 2014 and Quiltfest Oasis Palm Springs, October 2-4, 2014. 

To learn more about the artwork in the exhibition, visit www.Viewpoints9.blogspot.com.

Mend

The last 2 months have seen many upheavals for my 91 year old Mum and we have been on the roller coaster ride with her as she transitioned from living independently at home, hospital and then to residential care. We are all happier that she is now getting the care she needs.
Even though my brother and I divided up the to-do tasks, there were many times I felt completely overwhelmed and swamped. It is not a feeling I like. I feel I have been metaphorically stitching our lives into an ordered whole again.

Mend 9 "x 27"

This one short word seems to describe the situation of the last 2 months. I have been 'mending' to make a better outcome. Mend- repair, patch, put right, improve, rectify.

 

Materials- Japanese woven cotton, linen, embroidery cotton, thread, fabric pen, wadding

Techniques-hand patched and stitched, machine quilted

 



 

A stitch in time

The old saying goes 'a stitch in time saves nine'. Is this really true I have wondered through my life? I have diligently mended seams and rips before the damage got worst and repeated the catch phrase to myself often, finding it funny that as I get older, the little homilies repeated by my parents have made their way into my vocabulary and thinking.

I'm also reminded of the seemingly reckless behaviour of my grandchildren and carefully watch out for them, anticipating danger and try to avoid spills and slips and think that this too relates to 'a stitch in time saves nine' in another context.

I invite you to contemplate this folkloric jingle and come up with your interpretation
Reveal begins on August 27.

Our Daily Bread

9" x 27"



This is late, but was begun while travelling in Italy and that country also influenced my theme. The challenge was 'universe' so with a bit of word play I began to think along the lines of what universal might mean and remembered that the word 'catholic' also meant universal, "of interest or use to all".

In the Lord's Prayer we ask for "our daily bread" and surely nothing, in all cultures, is more universal that bread.

The fabric was printed while surrounded by wheat fields in Puglia, the bread basket of Italy.

Materials: Cotton fabric, textile ink, embroidery floss, batting, thread.

Techniques: Hand printed, hand pieced, machine stitched, hand embroidered.

Hatari Effect

'Hatari' is the Swahili word for danger and I can still remember how exciting this movie was when I first saw it as a child. Directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, it is set in Africa and follows a group of animal catchers out to collect animals for zoos.
Elephants are my favourite animal and  I attribute this to the influence of this movie, the 'Baby Elephant Walk' tune and the adorable antics of the baby elephants. Africa has always held a fascination for me. Kuba raffia cloth inspired my background fabric choice, which is Japanese woven silk.

Materials; silk, cotton, fabric paint, buttons, thread, batting
Techniques; fused applique, machine quilted, hand drawn, hand painted
Hatari Effect-  27"wide x 9"long

Childhood influences

As the only Southern hemisphere member of this wonderful group, I have to point out that September for us in Australia is new Spring beginnings. Our school years are January to December so September holidays are for 2 weeks only generally.
Movie memories from childhood are numerous. Going to the Skyline drive-in in Brisbane with my brother and I dressed in our pyjamas, riding the small train round the track, swinging on the 4 seater swing and having ice cream before the movie started are happy memories and nostalgic now that DVDs have replaced the old fashioned drive-in.
John Wayne Westerns were popular fare for my parents and we often fell asleep in the back of the station wagon before 'The End'. I can remember crying when the cowboys got shot. These early movie impressions left me with a love of the rugged USA Monument Valley landscape where many were set and it was a thrill to stand on John Wayne Point many years later in my 50's.

 
Now I am happily sharing one of my favourite childhood movies with my older grandchildren and they seem to love it as much as I still do. I can't reveal what it is or I will give my challenge piece away. Reveal day is just around the corner beginning April 27.

kNOwledge

KNOW  27"l x 9"w

Where would the human race be today without the accumulated knowledge of the centuries? I have been reading the Earth's Children series by Jean M Auel and find her well researched descriptions of the Ice Age landscape, fauna and flora fascinating. It is a matter of survival for the main characters to know where to find food and water. It really makes me feel inadequate in my knowledge about the natural environment.
I really know so little about the plants in my garden but thought it would be interesting to present ornamental and weed species together in a sample box style presentation.
We are so lucky as there is no kNOwledge we cannot gain from applied study, curiosity and desire.

 Materials- Cotton/linen blend fabric, rust, wadding, textile ink, thread
Techniques- Rusted, hand printed and painted, machine quilted

Yes!

I have been down several paths with my thoughts for this interesting challenge. Having grandchildren and children of my own I realise how often we say 'no' to stop them doing something dangerous or harmful or just plain wrong or inappropriate. Children mimic and copy adults so often this is one of the first spoken words.

I remember doing an experiment with our third child, where I would use 'yes' more often than 'no' to see what would happen when he began speaking. Of course it should not have come as a surprise when indeed, 'yes' was one of his early words, displacing 'no'! I can report he was not scarred for life by this small shift in behavioural conditioning!

Looking forward to see what everyone comes up with.
 

If I had a boat

One of the things I fear the most is sailing. I don't know why but I am not an 'on the water' person, unless it is extremely calm sailing! So this small 27" wide x 9" long quilt  If I had a boat  goes some way to giving voice to a braver me, which is what Kate's challenge has inspired.
The right piece of commercial fabric was in my stash; painted boat and letters added, then machine quilted.

May you have calm seas in 2014 or if not, be fearless in conquering your obstacles.
 

If only

What a beautiful premise Kate puts to us- live, enjoy, die and be reborn. Perhaps this is even more pertinent as I am travelling in India once again at this very moment. Everywhere in India is the ever present representations of numerous religious beliefs, in vivid contrast to the often mundane and  very poor existence of the average population.

However I was drawn to think about my own aspirations and the adventurous things I might do if I was guaranteed to survive and of course could overcome my fears!
Bungie jumping, sky diving, deep sea diving, exploring unknown cave systems, foreign correspondent in a war torn country, ocean going sailor, mountaineer on Everest, lion tamer or snake catcher may have been on my resume!

But then I am happily content with my own life and the many opportunities I have.
 

Tide and Time

The anticipation is over as the reveal begins for our new round of Viewpoints 9 challenges, I liked being able to select my own size within the framework imposed by units of 9"up to a maximum of 27"and chose a 27"long by 9"wide portrait format for Tide and Time my response to Martha's challenge.

Tide and Time

In Australia it is customary for the Summer holidays, with Christmas at the start of these, to be spent at the beach, swimming, walking and relaxing. "Oh, no it's Christmas again! Where did the time go?" were some early thoughts and contemplations and eventually evolved into recalling the saying 'time and tide wait for no man' which eventuated from  'tide and time tarrieth no man' perhaps from as early as 1225.

Materials; cotton fabric, batting, thread, fabric paint

Techniques; hand painted and printed, machine quilted.

Measuring time

As I write this blog, the Kookaburras [Australian native birds] are voicing their distinctive raucous call, announcing to the world and me, that the sun has set and it is their bedtime. In the morning they will call again in the dawn chorus. Nature has many ways of marking the passage of time.

Our seasonal changes mark the passing of the year. We mark off the days on a calendar, paper or digital. Perhaps in the past a notched stick was used. I have been reading the Earth's Children series by Jean M Auel about another time of human history. For me it has brought into focus how much we have changed and developed over eons.

This is truly a fascinating challenge that Martha has set for us in this new round and I'm looking forward to seeing the results from Viewpoints 9 members. I have decided on what the focus of design will be about and the picture below is a clue. I'll leave you in suspense until reveal day on 27 October.