Australia Day 2011

Australia Day on the Island was quite a success in 2010, so the quilting ladies were asked to host another exhibition this year. 

Thus began the mad dash to complete UFO’s in time.  To be fair to our viewing public, we didn’t want to repeat too many of last year’s quilts.  Somehow, we made the deadline (despite the heat) and came up with quite a selection to hang inside and out.  Margaret’s house is close to the Ferry wharf so our visitors arrived to a colourful welcome.  See for yourself…

I think it was well worth the effort!  We even had a few musicians along during the day to set the ambiance. 

It was hard work to organise, but well worth the effort.  We even had the odd offer to buy our quilts, but somehow that's another issue for discussion.  What is an acceptable price to ask for our handiwork and are people prepared to pay that price. 

It was so uplifting to see our quilts hanging and the variety of work we had produced over the years.  Hanging offers a whole new level of appreciation and inspiration.  See my comments re: hanging your groups or your own quilts. 

So, what are we planning for next year?  Don't ask - the UFO pile is getting dangerously low!

Visitors arrive on our trusty Island Ferry, the Sun.

Annapolis: Old Houses

Chase Lloyd House 1769

On the way back to Deltaville VA, we stopped for the Annapolis Sail Boat Show in Weems Creek.  Yikes!  Full to the brim with cruisers and boaters!  Luckily, we snagged the last day of the show, so we were able to have a day at the show then fit in some time sightseeing around the old port district.  You would think that Annapolis is all Boat Show and Naval Academy.  Well, no!

Garden behind William Pacca House 1763

Located just a few blocks from the City Dock, is the Anglo-Palladian, Hammond Harwood House (1774) and the William Pacca House (1763-65) with its colonial pleasure garden; both open for viewing.   Photos were not allowed to be taken inside, but I must say I really liked the bold use of vivid interior wall colours. The docents were again excellent – interesting and interested in their residences.  After the tours, I strolled the colonial garden (only until recently a bitumen carpark), meeting Jeffersen, the large, black guard cat.  We exchanged pleasantries but it was either my accent or camera that appeared to irk him – so he left! 

Fall Wreath

At closing time, I made my way back from the historic district to the dock admiring some attractive and well cared for homes (from the outside!).  We were told on our tour, the city holds regular competitions for best front door decoration; baskets in Spring and wreaths in Autumn (or Fall in American speak).  I couldn’t resist taking just a few (more) photos.

Fall Colours

Up a busy Weems Creek

Washington: Textile Museum

No photos allowed in the Textile Museum

I seem destined to pick either “closed” days or times mid-prep for the next exhibition.  Damn unlucky, I say!  Therefore I was hardly surprised to collect both awards at the Textile Museum in Washington DC. 

When I did eventually get a foot in the front door, I was able to see at least, Indian tent hangings, William Morris upholstery linens, Chinese embroideries and American Indian weavings (rugs).  I spent most of my time exploring their excellent research area where I was able to give some thought to:

• What gives each textile its own look and personality?
• How are these textiles made?
• What are the influences on the maker?
• What can this textile teach us? 

Although meant essentially as a framework to support organised research into world textiles, this context could well be useful for any artist interested in exploring their own motivations, technique and artistic direction.

Luckily, I caught a glimpse of 10 fabulous Ikat coats, part of an upcoming exhibition. Ten has to be better than nothing; and certainly not bad for a spur of the moment visit.  Can I live in Washington??

These are a few tempting examples from exhibition books and mags available from the Museum Shop. 

(Just as an aside, and because I quite like historic homes, the Textile Museum is located in the 1908 home of George Hewitt Myers, a renowned rug and textile collector.  The house is built in the Colonial Revival style – now weren’t we just considering that….)