Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Visit Alison Laurence's Studio (Auckland, New Zealand)

There are a few advantages of being an “empty nester” and one is that you can take over the space formerly held by the children. I now have the entire rumpus room to call “my studio”. The room is about 10m x 5m but with a sloping roof, so that wall is used for storage.






This particular room is upstairs and because we have street access both to the front and back of our house, I have level access when carrying sewing machines and such paraphernalia to my car.







I use a table tennis table for sewing and cutting – just because it has always been there! – and I love the space it offers

I only have a few drawers for fabric and all the accessories that are collected over the years – I have been quilting for just four or five years so haven’t amassed the quantities - yet. And, I only buy for the project I am working on at the time.

I have a small design wall which I can move around but when working on a larger project I have a portable frame that I can bring out. I also have a table for drawing or designing, a radio and TV (and the piano that never gets played now the children have gone, but where else can you house it!).




But often for me the best place for auditioning is on the floor!
And I use an old courier bag as my rubbish bin - I never empty it until I have completed a project just in case I want to dive back in there for a pattern piece or bit of fabric!
The room is large enough for a seating area when people come to “visit” – my husband might bring a glass of wine at the end of the day One wall is entirely windows with a bi fold door at the end which looks out towards the city.

Monday, 16 May 2011

Fur balls and felt bowls

I returned from New Zealand to find a gift pack from Maxine. Inside was a pack of 16 fur balls (I'm certain they did not originate in a cat) and I had, by serendipity, purchased felt squares at the Auckland Quilt Show. One of the items on display at the Show was a bowl made using the fur balls and a large circle of thick felt  ...  easy, once the spacing is worked out. Thanks also for the beautiful sari silks ... I feel really blessed.

Sunday, 15 May 2011

Plume art NZ

While at the Auckland Quilt Show I met Jenny Hunter from Plume Art. Jenny sources all the usual and unexpected bits and pieces from around the globe for textile artists. Her business is mail order and based in Auckland. I could not resist some of the felt pieces and unusual beads and sequins.

Thursday, 12 May 2011

Auckland Quilt Show

Thank you to the Auckland quilters for the great show in downtown Parnell on Mothers' Day. It was a great mix of  "on show" and "on sale" .  I dumped the WMBM at the hotel and rushed by taxi to catch the last hours of the exhibition. Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome, and permission to share your works across the Tasman.

Helen Harford "Hibiscus"

Helen Harford "Inch by Inch"

Lesley Rawlings "Journey I, II, III


Sarah Ward "Totems"

Waitangi totems (for Sue D)


Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Stitching in Paihia

In spite of the dire warnings about the cold, we barely got out of t-shirts and tank tops.  Mild weather and not a jumper in sight. Everyone else seemed to be feeling it - perhaps it was just us. At the end of each day there was plenty of time for quilting and I made a bit of progress towards a looming deadline. Not much sleep to be had this weekend!

Textile artists and kindred spirits

While exploring Russell for the day, we stumbled into a shop filled with all things textile and Gillian Jones at the Entrance Gallery. Gillian is a textile artist - lots of different fibre creations and beautiful beading. The occasional feather is incorporated into her works. Simply beautiful. It was easy to get a little bit lost in all the different textile pieces. Thank you Gillian for a wonderful afternoon in the shop talking shop.

Buttons at Russell, Bay of Islands, NZ

Found these beautiful tea pot buttons in the op shop at Russell, a short ferry ride across the bay from Paihia. WMBM just shook his head ... I think they are gorgeous!

Saturday, 7 May 2011

Paihia and New Zealand

Breakfast views in Paihia
Well I'm sitting in an Internet shop in Paihia in the Northland - with WMBM and about to do some last minute shopping before we return to Auckland tomorrow. Have met some amazing people including a textile artist in Russell (across the bay by ferry) and here at Powerquilts in Paihia. Much to share and can't wait to get home to post pics and text of our trip. Hope you are all taking care and having a creative time too.

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Journal cover and retreating

Three days of bliss @ Boonah and I managed to complete a few UFOs and create a journal cover for Module 2 of Playways.
Loads of fun with new friends and such a creative group - inspirational on many levels. Can't wait for the next retreat - only 12 more Saturdays .....and I'm already planning a series of works from our upcoming trip to New Zealand!