A Quilt of Belonging…

This is not exactly what I had planned for today.  Really!  I was making a “things to do list” with hopes of doing a bit of blog tidying up.  Somehow though, I fell into a rabbit hole and ended up searching for information about Caribbean textiles.  All is not lost however, as I discovered a spectacular quilt called “A Quilt of Belonging”. 

Photo of the Quilt of belonging at the Inaugural exhibition at the wikipedia:Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Photographer: Nick Wolochatiuk.

The concept is amazing, the result even better.  Although finished in November 1998, I can’t say that I’d heard about this quilt and I must have been dozing in my garden shed when/if it came to Australia.  The block for Australia is one of embroidered wildflowers, beautifully done by Lyn Prichard.  The write up by the Australian High Commission leaves a lot to be desired.  Perhaps it would have been better to have assigned that task to our famous Quilt Historian & Collector, Dr Annette Gero.  The craft of quiltmaking came to Sydney’s colony (NSW) with British female convicts.  The Rajah Quilt was made in 1841 during the women’s transportation.  

If you are interested in a brief overview of Australia’s quiltmaking history then a good place to start is The History Blog.  Otherwise, seek out one of Annette Gero’s excellent books.  They are guaranteed to keep you away from your sewing machine for weeks.  Of course, you can always count this as research and inspiration!  Time well spent, I’d say…

So, getting back to the Caribbean, here are the colourful blocks provided by these tropical island countries to A Quilt of Belonging. 

Forever Blowing Bubbles…

You all know the way that old tune goes.  My song, if ever I have one, goes…I’m forever sorting photos, tra la la la.

In late 2019, I decided that my current photo sorting system (if indeed, it was a system) was not working.  My plan to stick to location as the guiding principle did not work as well as I had hoped and I began to lose track of exactly where I was in this maze of a collection.  So, the realisation that it would be far gentler on the brain cells if it was sorted by year, slowly began to take shape. 

First of course, were many, many sessions at the altar of YouTubers, many of whom had excellent ideas and helped me to picture what my work-around would mean and how it would look.  I did have a few setbacks though, one of which was to try renaming photos (not a good idea for me, it turned out!) and another was to eliminate all those dreadful photos.  Fine if you’re a professional, not so good for me making travel memories.  To know yourself and have goals is important.

Northern New South Wales coast to deliver a birthday quilt

I began sorting with the earliest backups I had (something else I wasn’t good at) from photos taken in 2004 when I went digital (sort of).  I had managed to lose some from trips away that could now sadly, never be recovered.  There were also successes.  This deep dive into old collections allowed me to find photos missing from a London visit with my cousin and his family.  The biggest problem I had was not fully understanding how Picasa stored original files when edits were made.  So, losses of these originals were many and I’m not sure that all have been found, but at least I’ve tried.  What did really help me sort my photos was to keep original file numbers, if I could.  Order (numerical) in chaos, thankfully.

After the demise of Picasa, I moved on to Lightroom – that’s a whole new level of learning experience for you!  I actually do like its capabilities, enabling me to sort by date and time at a minimum.  And of course, another round of YouTubers to help me become familiar with it.  A special mention should go to the whole Covid experience that ensured, during lockdowns, that I moved forward with this project of 48,000 photos.  Last year, I managed easily to assemble all Year 2022 photos and back them up on multiple hard drives that are set aside just for my photo inventory. 

Adelaide's Art Gallery showcased Textiles
including those by Sera Waters

Of course, I’m still not done yet.  There are many files of photos that need double checking, just to be sure I’ve not missed any.  And one should not forget the boxes and albums of old-school photos and slides awaiting my attention. 

One question though, that I have yet to resolve for myself, is whether to shoot raw.  I’m perfectly happy with JPG for now, and my plan is to eventually make travel photo books for my family.  Another task that awaits is to start editing; selecting the very best from each year and to add family detail that will help future family learn how we lived in the 21^st century (if indeed they can access our digital archives!).  So, for now, I guess it’s back to YouTube then!

Loving a visit to Adelaide to break the photo sorting monotony

Dancing in the Streets

Madeira

Quinta do Lorde 4-15 December 2017

Having enjoyed the Azores in 2011, we had high hopes for our visit to Madeira; albeit a winter arrival that we could do little about.  Funchal was lively and its mild climate attracted those visitors wishing to escape Europe’s chilly December snowfalls.  Christmas celebrations were in full swing and there was much to occupy our time.  Perhaps the best feature of these activities was our entrée to regular cultural events practised on Madeira since its discovery (1419) and subsequent settlement.

Despite Madeira’s relative isolation, its position as a vital seaport on the “Columbus route” across the Atlantic to the riches of the West Indies, allowed its culture to survive.  I wasn’t able to locate an ethnographic museum as such in the time we had, but a vibrant Christmas Market in Funchal more than made up for it. 

A wonderful diorama of island life unfolded as we walked the length of the market between the Cathedral and the old Fort.  Stalls of local produce and foods included island grown fruits and vegetables (a rich, almost tropical collection), meats and deli items, tastings of boutique beers, and a smattering of spirits, local brew poncha and wines.  Madeira included, naturally!  Shakespeare mentions Madeira wine and Winston Churchill savoured it on holiday here.  We were also treated to traditional song, dance and music, enhanced by colourful costumes, those fascinating carapucha caps and lively performers.  It was all so welcoming and fun, yet unpretentious. 

Madeira Cathedral

The closest brush I had at the Markets with textiles (other than costumes, of course) was an older lady preparing wool for spinning.  Language of course, kept me from knowing more about the extent of home-based weaving on the island.  Madeira, however is famously known for its lace work, the best quality produced by hand.  It is said to have been introduced to the island in 1854 by an Englishwoman, Elizabeth Phelps.  There was plenty of opportunity to purchase a piece in shops at the regular market or tourist souvenir shops.  Buyer beware however, and if you want an authentic piece made from Madeira linen, ask at Tourist Information booths for directions. 

I have to confess that I did not buy any lacework as I have tablecloths a-plenty from India (and you’ll appreciate the connection here) as we ordered from a Convent via a supplier in Goa, a former Portuguese colony (1510-1961). 

Here are some links to more (brief) information about Madeira textiles:  Madeira Live;  Visit Madeira;  &  KDD & Co

For visuals of Maderia Lace enjoy: Bordal  &  Madeira Sun

And, if you’re tempted by all the talk of markets and food and want to cook some delicious Portuguese food, then this blog, Easy Portuguese Recipes, looks interesting for those authentic recipes.  I particularly loved passionfruit juice, “O Maracujá da Madeira”, even the boxed supermarket variety was delicious.  So was the passionfruit poncha.  

Learning from Others

Yes, sigh, I know; nothing for ages and then two posts in one day.  I've spent the day consolidating my list of outstanding posts going back now ONLY to 2015.  I will get there, eventually.  Whilst so diligently engaged, I found this post from a visit to the Portimao Museum, Portugal in 2011 and thought it worthwhile revisiting in light of my OTS (quilts-by-me blog) and other artistic endeavours.   

Portimao: Photo Marathon.  The Portimao Museum had organised a Photo Marathon Competition (2011) and on our visit we were fortunate to see the creative results.  Firstly there were 2 categories – Underwater (serious underwater camera work) and Digital.  Each category was then broken down into a series of themes to which the entrants had to produce 3 A4 sized photos.  Digital for example, had 8 themes and therefore needed to produce 24 photos.  These photos were simply mounted on card (no frames) and exhibited in theme order.

Seeing them made me understand why the winner had been chosen.  His work was essentially the tightest – all photos were portrait, all perfect close-ups that complemented each other, of subjects that spoke clearly of each theme yet related well as a whole.  The colours were bold and dramatic subject lighting was well balanced throughout.  In this way the whole worked as a complete presentation, flowing well as a design, almost mosaic like in quality, which fitted the surrounding old city (and its pavings).

Being a quilter I got a little caught up in this project.  A big part of working in textiles is taking the time to stand back, balancing the “pieces” or blocks into a well-balanced whole.  So, I learned quite a lot about the value of working in series; imagining connections between a single work, a series or indeed of a larger body of work – just like an artistic mind map.  Fascinating.

I sadly don’t have any photos of these photographic works at the Museum (no photos allowed) so I’ve included some general ones from their collection instead to add to the watery theme.

(By the way, I hope the new Tag boxes make searching easier...)

Inspiration Unlimited

I've been sitting on my photos from the Sydney Quilt Show since - when was it - in June 2107!  It was so good to have it back in Darling Harbour.  Our little group made a good day out of the show with some hard-liners going back for another day at least.  

Here are some quilts that I found particularly inspiring...I think I'm a big Jen Kingwell fan too!  Let me say though, the work of Carolyn Sullivan should be inspiration to us all.  

Starting with an Edna Ostrich

Sheep will never be the same!

Carolyn Sullivan

Detail of work involved in Carolyn Sullivan's art works

Who doesn't love a vibrant star?

Scrappy Jen Kingwell pattern

This year, I plan to take a better camera with than just my phone.  See you there...

A Rainbow on Every Corner

Venice, Italy

4-17^th July 2015

Bird's Eye View from the Campanile di San Marco

Riding the Grand Canal in a Vaporetto

Beguiling Venice!  It’s so easy to be overwhelmed in Venice, especially in July – the heat intensified by huge crowds, many in holiday mode.  It’s a frenetic pace, and an island repository of visually stunning beauty housing amazing art & history in every corner, not to mention wondrous structures, old and new.  So, I quite forgot my textile challenge and, as nothing especially reminded me until we stepped off the vaporetto on Burano, I felt quite chastened.

Of course, when I say few textiles, I’m not counting rows of Italian designer boutiques, mansions crammed with all things evocative of wealth and power, religious vestments or art festivals aplenty.  It’s just that it fits in, a hand and glove story if you will, becoming part of Venice’s bold statement about itself, and you don’t want to unravel the strands.

Luxurious Velvet & Textiles on Ceremonial Gondola_Naval Museum

Only the Best Furnishings_Querini Stampalia Museum & Gallery

Mansions are full of great tapestries, lush curtains, upholstery and bedding, complimented by the sheen of silk wallpapers.  Soaring cathedrals and modest basilicas alike are adorned with humble cloth transformed into resplendent precious pieces, heavy in embroidered gold and silver threads. Have I mentioned glass?  Famous Murano is just across the lagoon and its Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro) positively drips with crystalline decadence.  I think I’ve found the modern-day home of Odysseus’s Sirens!

 

Another take on a self-guided tour of traditional fabrics of Venice can be found on this VeneziaSi site.  Yet another site (link) has a brief summary of textile history that I really wish I had read when planning my trip.  This way I might have at least discovered Cà Mocenigo and the Museum of Textiles and Costume.  Grrrr!

Punting the Inner Canals in a Gondola

Whilst Shopping in Gosford

Caroline Bay Quilters

I'm not sure how I found out about it but the Gosford Regional Art Gallery (in itself a wonderful place to visit) had a showing of quilts in early April this year.  Of course, I should have been getting ready for Sunday's lunch - I had the Randwick Girls up for a little Island time.  But I remembered I had to do a bit of "shopping" on Saturday and skived off early to catch this lovely exhibition by the Caroline Bay Quilters.

I'm going to try to get a place at Quiltsmith to do Linda Butcher's fabulous Tea Caddy Parade Quilt.  Just perfect for my Indian friendship blocks (waiting patiently in the UFO box).  Lovely show, lots of hard work!

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…….

Australia Day 2013 with the Island Quilters

Island Quilters Exhibition (26th January 2013)

We made use of Meg's perfectly positioned house to display our works (again!) this year.  And Wally who is more than handy with a hammer (and could now organise an exhibit in the Met).  Wyn & Margaret took very good care of the sales table/raffle, Sandra played clarinet to add an up-market touch and Margaret K's balloons were very popular. 

Although the group is now down to a handful of stitchers, somehow we managed to fill the verandah and lounge area with a very nice display, mostly in the “modern” style (thanks to Vanessa who is positively driven).   It really is exciting to see the quilts hanging.  Somehow it adds another dimension.  This year though, we didn’t hang any in the garden in case it rained.  Thankfully, a tropical deluge waited until the following day. 

This is my NYC quilt (fabrics purchased in City Quilter & Purl Soho)

So, another extravaganza!   But even now, we are talking about next year….     

Ramble or Scramble: Sculpture Competition 2013

Australia Day (26^th Jan) has been and gone.  It’s a big event for such a small island but we welcome the diversion for many, many reasons.  Here’s my favourite this year: a round island Sculpture Trail

Residents were asked to make a sculpture and place it outside of their house.  It was to be judged for Australia Day and visitors to the Island would be asked to nominate their favourite for an additional award.  I’m not sure there was a theme but a few took up the challenge and boldly displayed their works.  Others, who shall remain nameless, left their run to the last minute – only hours before judging!  Let me tell you, it is surprising how many things you can make with a few branches and some bark….

Even as judging began, the sculptures took on a life of their own.  Some were further embellished, some vanished (island intrigue here) and others appeared to mushroom, almost overnight, to fill vacant spaces.  It was clear we were having too much fun and anything goes!  My favourites were the cheeky bamboo wheelbarrow, a mermaid lush down on the beach and escaped hessian & palm frond chickens pecking in the park.  The winner was Sandra's  amazing CD fish (a mullet of course).  

Meet Peno the Fisherman
(so that's where my garden gloves went!)

He's a little rain sodden in this picture & his rod
has snapped.  And hes wearing less-than white shoes.

If you are wondering about the many pairs of white shoes, they were used as markers for judging numbers and actually became mini-sculptures in their own right...

Home at Last

Across the Bowling Green

It’s nice to be home again!  Especially as we have completed the worst of our renovations and can (almost) start to live in our entire house.  For some years now it’s been 1/3 living, 1/3 storage and 1/3 renovation.  A moving feast over 5 or 6 years and we are both just about over it!  One of this year’s tasks for me is soft covers, cushions and curtains so I’m looking forward to a bit of sewing time.  The garden shed, with its new timber floor, timber blinds and paint job is ready for action since its makeover (and cleanout) before we left earlier this year.

Kookie knows we're home

This time of year is so wonderful and the island is resplendent with its fresh lavender coat.  The jacarandas are flowering madly.  We’ve had a few bush visitors already and were especially pleased to welcome a large blue tongue lizard and a scratching bush turkey into our yard.  Even the possum is still bumbling and crashing his way across our rooftop in the early evenings.  The Cap’n is now driving a mulcher instead of a boat and the kookaburras couldn’t be happier.  Easy snacks reveal themselves in the leaf compost.  All in a day’s work!  Add to this the squawk of the channel billed cuckoo in the tree tops and we’ve quite a menagerie to host.

Our Bush Turkey's cousin who has a cushie job at Australia Zoo 

This month the Café is hosting an exhibition of aprons.  I did manage to get one finished in time but made it into a quilt.  Of course!  Some years ago friend Yvonne had given us a challenge “stash buster” and since then I’d added a few similar pieces to the collection. Its “I’d rather be quilting” theme seemed just right for an apron-shaped wall hanging. When it came time to quilt the apron, I remembered back to the days of feeding hungry boys.  Bottomless pits.  “What’s for dinner, Mum”, a regular refrain, is now stitched in with lots of menu ideas too.  A reminder of fun times & their favourite meals!....

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.