Two For The Price of One

While enroute to see the 'Elements' fibre show at Fibre Works Gallery, I found out the Sunshine Coast Quilter's Guild was having a show too, and it was on the way! The guild show included a wearables display, a 'Go Green' challenge and featured an exhibit by quilter Judy Ross. I really enjoyed the variety - most especially how many pieces were mixed media. A favourite piece was Judy Ross' autobiographical quilt 'What We Imagine, What We Become' (previously exhibited at Houston's IQF). You can see it here: http://judywross.googlepages.com/whatweimaginefinalcropsmall.jpg/whatweimaginefinalcropsmall-full.jpg

In the quilt description, she says that the image on the left side was inspired by seeing images of Klimpt's work and shows a 'person of surfaces' - what we imagine when we're young, whereas the image on the right depicts a 'person of content', and includes what actually makes a life. Further up the coast, Fibre Works Gallery was charming, and I loved the feminine feel of the circular spaces of the yurts, which are suprisingly spacious inside. The photo above is of gallery owner Yvonne Stowell and I in her studio, which is a fibre lover's dream - this shows only a small portion of it. She was finishing hanging pieces in one of the two yurts that the 'Elements' show was hung in. I was so impressed with the quality and interesting pieces - there was so much to delight in - 70 works of art!

Tulista Textiles Show

Last night I attended the opening of a fibre arts show put on by the group 'The Colour Connection', in Sidney, and was very pleased that I went. Four group members have over 40 works hung - alot of hand-dyed fabrics, free form piecing and some really exquisite pieces. I met a few other members of FAN while I was there - and that was particularly relevant because I am leaving on a trip tomorrow with the first stop being Madeira Park to see Fan's 'Elements' show. The deadline to participate in this show had passed before I joined the group - otherwise I might have had something of my own in it! I won't be posting for a week or so, but I'm taking emboiderey supplies, a sketchbook, my camera and coloured pens along to continue my creative endeavours. I have heard there's a great fibre shop in Nelson, which will be the farthest destination I go to - and I'm sure I'll find all kinds of goodies along the way!

Free Motion Begins

I've completed the handstitching on my quilt now and have begun free motion quilting, which is a plodding affair because my Pfaff is so finicky. I have a lesson with it in a few days to help me get to the bottom of what is going on. I believe I"ve tried everything possible - over and over and the odd time it sews like a dream and the rest of the time leaves trails of snarls and broken thread. Since getting this machine in the summer, my quilt completion has dropped to nearly none, whereas before I was completing one a month. So it really is getting in my way.
I"ve also joined FAN - a Canadian fibre arts network north and west of Manitoba, and I hope to make some meaningful connections through that, as well as to increase my learning. It felt like quite a stretch for me - and I decided to do it anyway.