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  Amazing embroidery!

Saturday, 31 October 2008
  Filed under: creativity
   
 

I spent this morning in Stratford at the Whanganui, Taranaki & Manawatu Embroiderers' Guild Regional Day, stitching and talking with a bunch of very creative women. Their work was all so different and beautiful. There was beautiful hardanger work, a stunning embroidered afghan, and even amazingly realistic crocheted pansies!

In the afternoon we trooped across to the Percy Thompson Gallery for the opening of the amazing Along the Garden Path exhibition by the Whanganui, Taranaki & Manawatu Embroiderers' Guild & Anne Sinclair's Fabulous Florals paintings. I will have to go back again, as there were simply so many beautiful items that I could not take it all in in the 2 hours that I spent there.

It never ceases to amaze me how talented so many women are, and yet too often they don't celebrate their creativity because they have learned to devalue it. This exhibition is a true celebration of women's creativity.

The exhibition is on until 16 November 2009. Entry is free, and raffles are available. You may also vote for your "viewer's choice", although it is very hard to choose a favourite!

Go and see it!
   
 

Garden-inspired baby clothes!

Sunday, 12 October 2008
  Filed under: creativity
   
 
 

As if gardening during the day is not enough, I have been making garden-inspired crafts  in my evenings as well.  Here is a photo of the little strawberry beanie hat and booties I knitted for friends' new baby boy.  The booties have strawberries embroidered on the toes.

  
   
 

Hamilton Craft & Quilt Fair, 2008

Monday, 6 October 2008
  Filed under: creativity
   
 

My sister and I had a magnificent time at the Hamilton Quilt and Craft Fair.  It runs for 4 days each year in Hamilton, New Zealand, but also takes in the Australian state capitals as far as I can make out.  It is an incredible Fair, with exhibitions, stalls, creative zones, workshops, hands-on seminars and plenty more.

The quilting exhibitions were incredible, as were the fibre displays.  I took hands-on classes to learn the introductory skills for Shetland lace knitting, ribbon embroidery, bead knitting, and Wessex embroidery.  I also attended seminars on creating memory quilts with photos printed on fabric, making fabric sculptures with Paverpol fabric hardener, and creating icing roses.

And of course I browsed and bought from the stalls.  Thank goodness I took my little red truck to the fair.  There are times when a girl really needs a truck, and this was definitely one of them.

And yes, I have plans to go again next year.
 
 
 
 
 

Two very different quilts: The butterfly quilt (left) looks as though it will take flight at any time.  The fully hand-pieced & hand-quilted masterpiece (above) took 4 years to complete.
September 2008