Timely Preparation

Insight

Konichi-wa.  Japan was my first “textile” dedicated trip.  Not only were we to be plunged into textile practices that have remained unchanged over hundreds of years, we were to base ourselves out of historic Kyoto.  I had not realised how culturally significant textiles were and the depth of respect for master practitioners.  We were privileged indeed. Margaret Wright led our group and made sure, with regular newsletters prior to departure that we were prepared in some small way for what we were about to experience. 

Margaret was also involved in the Quilt Study Group’s exhibition of Japanese stitched textiles “Common Threads” (4April, 2000).  Artist Wendy Lugg and textile collector Sue Leighton-White had collaborated and produced some exquisite works for our viewing pleasure at the Japan Cultural Centre in Sydney.  All this and we hadn’t even left home yet!  Arigato…….

Japan: Educating Mind & Spirit

Making a Start

I am keen to get on with documenting my Japanese adventure.  Although only 13 days long, it is now 13 years since we visited so the brain is a wee bit rusty!  Combine this with only a few photos (and pre-digital poor quality at that) so it’s taking a while to massage it all into shape. So, I'll make a beginning with the history section.  Oh no, I can hear the groans.... 

Embracing crowds everywhere was just the start

We did carry back with us lots of interesting things (darn that luggage allowance limit!) from textiles to tea sets including brochures and wrapping papers.  It was all so wonderful.  I still have 2 boxes of textiles and other souvenirs in my garden shed to tempt me on a “quilter’s block” day… 

Learning to be cultured

My interests are travel, photography, art history, culture and textiles.  This order of preference can vary on any given day depending on mood, weather, star alignment and focus - amongst other things.  My ramblings are not academic materials just a record for me, in some semblance of order, of our trips away and if I’m lucky, a textile offering or two to spice it up.  As I must have dozed off a lot in class, travelling has inspired me to do a little “research”.  This means posting a bit of background detail, a timeline of important events and finally an “itinerary” of the places, monuments, workshops and/or activities we specifically visited.  I will try to include textile efforts inspired by these visits. And of course, interesting links, references and articles that I have “unearthed” over the years! I will also try not to digress (well, too much anyway).

Bird on the Wire

It's been a while since I've done anything interesting at home.  I've been busy "spring" cleaning for our council cleanup day and reorganizing my garden shed.  This has helped unearth a few things to add to my quilt album, which is slowly taking shape. Yesterday though, I managed to sort through my photos and gathered a selection of birds.  Bird Island (forget the mullets!).   We live in our own little sanctuary.  

These are our house (visiting) regulars.  I've not yet undertaking a twitching expedition into the high ground to look for kites or waded in the mud to snap herons.  And the plovers are just too cranky any time of year....