Hello planet earth

Dulany at work

Where have I been? Sans computer for 2+ weeks and hoping to be back online when we return from a brief holiday in New Zealand this week. The lack of cyber access hasn't dulled the level of activity in the studio or working on the contagion of "porcelain clay". With the return of Little Sister from the Isle of Man  there's been a foray into her world of beautiful objects, glazed and unglazed. Without the appropriate level of care, it could become a second passion.
I'm working on an entry for World Quilt which is due 20 May - and all the details are on Sue Dennis' website for those who can manage a 1296 square inch minimum size - it's lovely to work "big" again.
Our 2QAQ meeting on Saturday was a hoot - and it is good for the soul when I get with "my people" as Kathryn calls them. Best of all I got an email from Dulany Lingo (La Veta Colorado) where I visited last September. Dulany's studio home is amazing, as is her polymer clay, textile and fibre art.
I'll try to post from Paihia and if not, there'll be a flurry of activity when we're back.

Dulany Lingo's polymer for the home

Cherries ... by Dulany

 Dulany has just started her polymer for the home, available through her new website.  In addition to being a fabulous photographer, master of  knitting, thread and glass, Dulany produces kitchen measuring cups and spoons - and I was fortunate enough to see Dulany making a set based on a Judith Baker Montano design. They are individually created by Dulany in her home studio at La Veta - which is the biggest studio I've ever seen - and doubles as Dulany's residence. Dulany's website has a description of the process she uses to transfer the images and how special, made-to-order sets can be created. All the best Dulany and thanks again for your kind comments, and for sharing your part of the world with us.

Dulany visits us @ JBM's studio

Dulany Lingo photography

Smoke bush leaves by Dulany Lingo

It only took 2 weeks to get Dulany's beautiful photograph of smoke bush leaves framed and ready to hang. It has taken me 3+ months to take a photo of it and say a proper "thanks" to Dulany for a beautiful reminder of our days in the Rio Grande and La Veta, Colorado last September.

Dulany Lingo Magic

While we visited Colorado, and La Veta specifically, Judith took us on many visits - for food and for nourishment. Dulany Lingo and her house of five studios was a place of artistic nourishment. A real life artist with a real life. Juggling grandma duty with being astonishingly creative - doing a Masters in Knitting (seriously and serious stuff) and living with challenges - and producing amazing art. It's the first and only time I've swooned at the unwrapping of ... knitting needles. Mind blowing stuff . 

I just loved Dulany's studio and the way she had the various studio areas - so much talent, so many studios, set out within her home. The only non-studio element was the bed and bathroom. One aspect of Dulany's art is her digital photos - where the background is totally removed and beautiful elements remain. Fingers crossed, I get to pick up the framed version of smoke bush leaves that I purchased on the trip in the next few days. Can't wait  to hang in the studio/ my room of hanging beauty.  Like Dulany, it's magic.