Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

  This year , I have spent a lot of time practising free motion stitching on my sewing machine, a Bernina 550.   Earlier in the year, I had one of my machine stitched artworks, "Take Time" chosen for the exhibition, "Stole the Show, curated by Rod Pattenden.  This was created using the machine's set stitch patterns on collaged fabric.  The  newer work, "Finding Gold"  doesn't use any set designs. It is free motion stitching, which is really like free hand drawing, with the needle in the sewing machine like a pencil. The only difference is that the fabric is moved rather than the needle - just like moving the paper rather than the pencil. Sometimes, I think free motion machine stitching  is like rubbing your tummy and patting your head simultaneously, but with practice, the action of moving the fabric under the needle and keeping the machine whirring in a rhythm becomes comfortable.   "Finding Gold"  started as one of my practic...

Mandala XIV - hand stitched mandala - Annette Tubnor  Classic theme inspires Newcastle artists ...   Source :  Timeless Textiles website  The artists and makers who are members of the Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists (NCEATA) were challenged to respond in  “Black and White” for a new exhibition opening this month at Newcastle’s Timeless Textiles Gallery.  Black and White Art Works  by Ruth Spence, Anne-Marie Kelly and Karen Murray  For many of the textile artists, who typically love to explore the richness of colour in their work, the  “Black and White” theme led them to previously uncharted territory. Wilma SImmons said the NCEATA artists had worked creatively with the black and white palette.“When black and white take centre stage, an artist’s message, and their emotions, shine through” she said. “Stripping out colours adds clarity and depth to their chosen subject.” Detail of "Is it Just Black and...

 Stitched tea bags/ old doily "tea lights" - Wilma Simmons  More than a year ago, a decision was made.  The annual exhibition of NCEATA ( Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists) 2015-2016 will have the theme "Mottainai". Mottainai in Japanese refers to more than just physical waste (resources). It is even used to refer to thought patterns that give rise to wasteful action. Grammatically, it can be used in Japanese as an exclamation ("mottainai!") or as an adjective phrase ("it feels mottainai"). There is no plural form. The collection of mottainai things could be called mottainai koto ( もったいない事 ? ). As an exclamation ("mottainai!") it means roughly "what a waste!" or "Don't waste." [2]  A simple English equivalent is the saying "waste not, want not." A more elaborate meaning conveys a sense of value and worthiness and may be translated as "do not destroy (or lay waste to) that ...

Texture and colour from the 'Wine and Roses ' Exhibition by NCEATA - Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists at Timeless Textiles Gallery, Newcastle , NSW 

Polymer clay head by Bobbi Oliver Happy New Year - cheery fellow isn't he? What a creative beginning to 2013 I 've had. A visit to my friend's studio always motivates me. This week, I was there for only a few hours and came home with new knowledge and ideas.  Bobbi Oliver, from Lamboart   is a talented  figurative sculptor and art doll maker. Her partner, Jane Lambert ( hence the name, Lamboart) is also a talented paper artist. Their studio is alive with creativity, fun, laughter and joy.  Bobbi and some of her works in progress  Bobbi demonstrating clay techniques.  Bobbi has also helped me with the beginning of the "Spreading Wings" project for International Women's Day. Here is the link to the fantastic event, with a new sponsor -  the City of Newcastle , Making your Place program. Read more about this by following the link  ... in summary, " Spreading Wings " is a series of textile art skills workshops where small swa...

Hunter Art Bazaar  9 Sept 2012  It was a glorious Spring day yesterday for the Hunter Art Bazaar in the beautiful location of the Hunter Valley Gardens (the vineyards , near Newcastle, New South Wales). We had all hoped the very windy  and wild conditions of the previous few days would disappear and we were not at all disappointed. We couldn't have imagined a more beautiful day for enjoying the amazing talents of  the artists of our region. Yes it was windy last week, but the "whirlwind"  I refer to was not caused naturally. It was activated by the "turbulence" created by a week of running workshops, trying to finish off a few items for the art bazaar, and complete the month's assignments for the blog challenge " Tag Tuesday ". I seem to have managed .... lots of little dolls , some temari, and some old stock helped the NCEATA (Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists) stall. Fortunately, my creative partners all experienced si...

As regular visitors to this blog know, I am preparing for an exhibition "Wise Women" celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March. I had a crazy idea to ask creative friends to contribute by decorating a string of paper dolls which will adorn the skirting boards of the gallery and I have been overwhelmed by the response, especially from the Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists  (NCEATA) . All of these dolls will be silent auctioned  with the funds raised going to a local charity Penola House, which supports refugee women in our community. I thank all the artists not only for their talented contributions, but also for their generosity.  Please come to the exhibition  at Timeless Textiles  on 8 March -25 March to see these all displayed and perhaps make a bid for a good cause. There will of course be many other beautiful art works to appreciate. And not forgetting my tag this week for TAG TUESDAY   which had Valenti...

Last week I said I was not ready for Christmas. This week I don't think I ever will be - not this year anyway.   While I have been distracted this week from Christmas preparations, it has been worth it. A  very talented textile artist friend Wendy Scott had the opening of her solo exhibition, Rainbow Journey, at Timeless Textiles Gallery on Thursday night. I really recommend that you take the time out to see this one - a magical visual journey of colour, excitement and pure joy.  The exhibition is open until 7 December at Timeless Textiles Gallery, 7 Beaumont Street, Islington  (Newcastle NSW) - just a 2 minute walk from Hamilton (NSW) Railway Station.  Congratulations, Wendy - it is an absolutely beautiful exhibition and a wonderful testimony to your artistic talent.  Wendy Scott and self portrait  We are very fortunate to have opportunities to exhibit and see great textile art here in Newcastle. The next textile art exhibition op...