Mosman Night Owls

January 2012 -- Design Exercises

2012-02-04T22:35:00.002+11:00

This year, we have decided to undertake some group work in design, based on the book Fearless Design for Every Quilter by Lorraine Torrence and Jean B Mills.

This month for homework, we did the exercises for Chapter 1 which involved symmetry. Here were Enid's

And Alison's

And Margaret's

And Cecelia's

And Ann-Marie's

And Jennie's

January 2012 -- Show and Tell

2012-02-04T22:18:00.000+11:00

This month, we had a vibrant blue quilt from Lynn.

October Show and Tell

2011-11-19T12:33:00.000+11:00

This month, we focused on quality, not quantity. Here is a photo of some beautiful raised embroidery work that Ann Marie was doing.

After she's finished with the stitching, she'll wash away the stabiliser (the clear plastic looking stuff) and be left with the most amazing lacework. The two smaller wings and the body will then be assembled into a butterfly.

Textile Treasures Workshop with Lisa Walton

2011-10-09T19:11:00.001+11:00

I took these images from Lisa's blog post. They show what we made at our workshop with Lisa Walton on the October long weekend.

Some of the group hard at work.

This fabric was painted, scrunched up and put out on the footpath to dry. Epsom salt was sprinkled on for added texture. The paints are Sun Dye paints which are photosensitive ... the more light, the darker and more saturated the colour.

Rhonda painted some fusible web and then left it to dry.

Stamped and overpainted fabric

Some of Maggie's hand painted and stamped fabrics

Rubbing over a hand carved stamp with paint sticks create a lovely base and then can be overpainted with a painted wash.

Lisa also gave us a beading session in this workshop. Anne-Marie has already started this gorgeous panel for a bag front. Of course, she had stamped and painted this fabric in the workshop too.

I'll add more photos as they are sent to me.

What We Are Doing Next Year

2011-10-01T19:12:00.008+10:00

We have decided to work through the exercises in this book next year.

It contains 10 lessons in designing with fabrics, from basic design principles to finding new sources of inspiration. It is hoped that this will help to bring new creativity to the diverse range of quilting or fiber arts, whether traditional or contemporary, practiced by our members.

Starting with our January 2012 meeting, we will bring our work for each exercise as we work through the 10 lessons. For our first meeting in January 2013, we will bring a quilt made using what we've learnt in 2012, by using the exercise samples we've made or starting a new quilt and incorporating the ideas from the 10 lessons.

Books are available to members from Maggie.

January 2011 -- Show and Tell

2011-01-27T21:33:00.004+11:00

Here are some quilts by Enid ...

... and from Jenny ...

... and some tiny hexagons from Jo

Mosman Night Owls 2009 Challenge -- Scrap Bag Grab

2009-09-26T08:17:00.004+10:00

Our plans for a workshop fell through this year, so we've decided to do a group challenge instead.

One of our members, Enid, grabbed bunches of scraps from her stash ... some are proper patchwork fabrics and some are other cotton fabrics, including clothing ... grouped them loosely by colour and popped them into plastic bags.

At our September meeting, everyone got to pick the bag that stuck their fancy to use in this challenge. The rules are simple:

You have to use some of each fabric in your plastic bag
You can add one other fabric or introduce one other colour
You have to make a quilt, complete with binding and label
The Grand Revelation is at the January 2010 meeting
Minimum size is 1m by 1m but you can make it bigger if you want

Members can keep their quilts or choose to donate them to a local charity group. Decision about which group is still under discussion.

If you missed the September meeting, Enid will have the remaining plastic bags of challenge bits at the October and November meetings as well.

Good luck!

September 2009 -- Show and Tell

2009-09-23T17:19:00.006+10:00

For show and tell this month, we have a baby quilt made by Ceceila ...

... three quilts from Enid, our chronic over achiever, shown here front and back ...

... and from Alison, an embroidered jacket she's had for years ...

... the bits from another quilt ironed onto the sleeve of a shirt and a closeup ...

... a wonderful 1950's wallpaper and a close up ...

... and a piece of dyed silk with a closeup ...

... my The Old Bronx Cheer quilt which is now as far as being a quilt top ...

... and a challenge quilt I did with another group which was finished about an hour and a half before the unveiling.

To see the rest of the challenges from the other group, go here.

May 2009 -- Show and Tell

2009-05-26T07:47:00.001+10:00

At our May meeting, Rhonda showed the blocks made with a friend during her journey through cancer ...

... Ann-Marie brought a piece of needlepoint she is working on ...

... Margaret's latest quilt ...

... A piece of hand stitched silk from Alison ...

... a first quilt and detail shot (sorry, I don't know who made this one) ...

... Maria's kimono quilt ...

... and two more from Enid ...

... and Merlyn is hand quilting this beauty, photos of the front, detail and the back.

And my thanks to Rhonda for stepping into the breech for me and acting as Guest Photographer.

January 2009 -- Show and Tell

2009-01-28T19:55:00.006+11:00

This month, we had a quilt from Lisa ...

... and Rebekah ...

... not sure who made this one ...

... a piece of silk from Alison ...

... two from Enid ...

... one from Jenny ...

... three treasures from Rhonda ...

... one from Margaret ...

... one from Cecelia ...

... not sure who made this one ...

... two from Rebecca ...
... and one from Marie-Laur.

November Meeting -- From Waste to Art Challenge

2008-11-26T19:17:00.002+11:00

Here is Alison's quilt ...
... and Ann's quilt ...
... and Jo's cushion for her granddaughter ...

... and Jennie's Japanese quilt ...
... and ?#C1? quilt ...
... and ?#C2? purse ...
... and ?#C3? wool quilt ...
... and ?#C4? cards ...

(insert new photo here)

... and Maggie's quilt.

October 2008 -- Show and Tell

2008-10-26T20:54:00.000+11:00

This month we had a quilt from Ann ...

... I'm not sure who made this one ...

... this one from Enid and was made in Nic Bridges' Comtemporary Techniques workshop ...

... and I don't know who made this one ...

... or this one ...

... and a wonderful book from Ann-Marie ...

... some beautiful hexagons but, again, I don't remember who made them ...

... and a wonderful Christmas tree by an unknown talent ...

... and, unfortunately, another unknown quilt maker ...

... and a wonderful project from Karen.

Contemproary Techniques Workshop with Nic Bridges

2008-10-19T22:19:00.010+11:00

Every year, Mosman Night Owls arrange for a tutor to come and teach us a special workshop. In the past, we've had workshops with a wide variety of tutors including The Thimble Lady, Luixin Newman, textile artist Marjorie Coleman, formerly from WA but now living in Queensland, and Blue Mountains textile artist Gillian Hand.

This year's special workshop was with Nic Bridges, a comtemporary quilter and teacher from Woolongong. And, how did that go? .... W-E-E-E-ELL, let me tell you ...

It was complete madness! No plan ... no clear objectives for what they were going to make ... no clue what the finished product was going to look like ... just free and spontaneous work, making it up as they went along!!!

Cutting with rotary cutters and NO RULERS!!!

Free machine quilting WITHOUT MARKING!!!

Using any old thread that took their fancy. Sewing FROM THE BACK with the most inappropriate thread in the bobbin. Which they wrapped BY HAND!!!

And, the things that they did with Vlysofix!

Worst of all, as my fellow Night Owls broke each and every Rule of Proper Patchwork, faithfully handed down from generation to generation, they didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, they seemed to be ... dare I say it ... enjoying themselves. GASP!

It wasn't a sight for the faint hearted. Mosman Night Owls used to have some of the nicest ladies in patchwork as members, but, alas, not any more. I fully expect the Quilt Police to raid our next meeting and letter cancelling our group membership in The Quilters Guild to be in the Post forthwith.

I think that these pictures speak for themselves! This one is ?#W1? ...

... this one is ?#W2? ...
... this one is ?#W3? ...
... this one is ?#W4? ...
... this one is ?#W4? ...
... this one is Maggie's ...
... this one is Ann's ...
... this one is ?#W6? ...
... this one is ?#W7? ...
I shudder to think what next year's workshop will bring ... but I can't wait!

September Meeting -- Show and Tell

2008-09-23T22:09:00.000+10:00

This month, we saw Ann's completed quilt top from last month ...

... an exquisite embroidery from Maria, ...

... a work from Alison (which is even better in focus), ...

... Dianne's latest work with Japanese indigo fabrics, ...

... and two more from Enid.

August Meeting -- Show and Tell

2008-08-26T21:56:00.000+10:00

This month, we have Ann's result from a workshop with Judy Hoowarth , co-author of the new book, Quilts on the Double, ...

... and one from Enid, ...

... a small bag from Anne-Marie ...

... and a quilt from Marie-Laure.

July Meeting -- Show and Tell

2008-07-23T06:14:00.007+10:00

This month's Overachiever was Ellie with two quilts: her Japanese quilt, front and back, all finished and good to go ...

and her Kaffe Fassett quilt top.

Marie-Laur showed her completed scarf, knitted from the most wonderful Japanese wool.

Rhonda will use this composed fabric as inserts into note cards.

Lee thought that bags would be much easier than quilts but, after making this very nice bag, has changed her mind.

And here is a quilt top she made from treasures found in someone else's clean-out and give-away.

Merlyn brought her scrappy charm quilt, front and back, which she is currently quilting ...

... and here is a quilt for her grandson, who was supposed to be a granddaughter and get the pink and green quilt she made first.

And here is my 'This is Your Life' quilt made for a challenge. The fringe is from my scarf and isn't really part of the quilt. Maybe it should be ...

And another one of Enid's string pieced quilts.

And a quilt that Cecilia made from Liberty scraps.

SAQA Auction

2008-07-20T10:21:00.004+10:00

SAQA, Studio Art Quilt Associates, has an auction of art quilts donated by members as one of their major fundraisers. One of our MNO members, Alison Muir, has donated a quilt for this year's auction.

The quilts are all one foot square (30 cms) and are being uploaded to SAQA's auction site. The auction will go live 10 November, just in time for holiday gift giving. Alison's quilt is on page 6.

And remember: Bid early, bid often!

June Meeting -- Show and Tell

2008-07-20T10:05:00.006+10:00

I kicked off this month's Show and Tell with my entry for the My Place exhibition. It wasn't accepted but I still like it, much more than the expression on my face would lead you to believe.
And Enid was this month's Overachiever ... which would put her membership in MNO at risk if we didn't like her so much. Standards must be maintained.
And a quilt from Jennie that come to visit every so often and is coming along quite nicely.

Special Exhibit at Sydney Quilt Show

2008-05-31T21:06:00.003+10:00

One of our members, Alison Muir, is having a special exhibition at the Sydney Quilt Show from Wednesday, 11 June, through Sunday, 15 June at the Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour. I've seen some of her work at our monthly meetings and know that her exhibition will be worth checking out.

May Meeting -- Show and Tell

2008-05-30T22:45:00.006+10:00

This month we had quilts from Margaret ...
... Anne ...
... Cecelia ...
... Karen ...
... Rhonda, who has been very busy, ...
... and two from Enid.
We also got a private viewing of the Mosman Youth Art Prize where one of our members and the son of one of our members had works entered. Too cool.

Textiles Tour at NSW Parliament House

2008-05-29T23:01:00.000+10:00

An Invitation to Tour the Textile Art Collection of the New South Wales Parliament with artist Diane Groenewegen

This tour takes you through the textile artwork of the NSW Parliament. Diane, your guide, will explain these artworks in terms of technique and history and reveal some of the behind-the-scenes stories associated with their creation. At the time these were commissioned she was the President of the Craft Council of NSW and is a well-known textile artist and teacher. Join us for a unique opportunity to view and learn about these important works.

The program is organised by the Education Section of the NSW Parliament.

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL, please contact us on 9230 2047 or email: education@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Date: Monday 7 July 2008
Times: 10:30am -12noon (registration 10:15am) or 2:30pm - 4:00pm (registration 2:15pm)
Cost: $10 (includes colour booklet)

Click here for more information.

April Meeting -- Show and Tell

2008-04-23T06:17:00.005+10:00

This month, for show and tell, we had Jennie ...

... can't remember who ... ooops ...

... a budding quilter, Elodie ...

... Karen's HSC project ...

... and Anne and Ann-Marie who are working on cushions for St Mary's Cathedral and the Pope's visit ...

... and Maria who has been sewing for her grandbaby ...

... and an update on Ellie's Japanese fabric quilt.

January Meeting -- Show and Tell

2008-01-22T06:00:00.001+11:00

For our first meeting of 2008, we have a quilt by Anne ...

... a tiny little embroidered button from Ann-Marie ...

... beadwork from Rebekah and Gemia ...

... a folded crane quilt from Maria ...

... beach houses quilt from Lisa ...

... and a flannel quilt from Sue, which isn't quite so blurry in person.

November Meeting - Show and Tell

2007-12-05T19:04:00.000+11:00

Whose idea was it to give Lisa the camera?
Ahhh, that's better.
Jenny's quilt.
And Margaret's quilt.
Sue's wool quilt.
Alison, winner of Best Use of Colour at the European Quilt Championships, with her ribbon and the bits and pieces of her prize.
Ellie's Kaffe Fassett quilt.
Quilt for a friend made by Marie-Laur and Ellie.
Two of Enid's quilts.
Merlyn's quilt.

Meeting Dates for 2008

2007-11-18T17:50:00.000+11:00

Time to mark your diaries for our 2008 Mosman Night Owl meetings:

Tuesday, 22 January
Tuesday, 26 February
Tuesday, 25 March
Tuesday, 22 April
Tuesday, 27 May
Tuesday, 24 June
Tuesday, 22 July
Tuesday, 26 August
Tuesday, 23 September
Tuesday, 28 October
Tuesday, 25 November

Lisa's Solo Exhibition

2007-08-12T08:27:00.001+10:00

September Challenge -- The Hand Stitch

2007-08-12T08:26:00.000+10:00

The Challenge for September is to make something that features The Hand Stitch. You can make anything ... a quilt top, a tea cozy, a garment, a decoration ... the only limit is your imagination.

Results will be posted to the blog after the September meeting.

Results of the July Challenge -- Take One Shape

2007-08-02T21:20:00.001+10:00

Gemia's
Jenny's
Jo's
Maggie's
and Alison's

July Meeting - Show and Tell

2007-07-29T16:06:00.000+10:00

Here is Kim's project for her HSC
Here is a quilt from Jenny
And two from Enid
One from Lynette
The latest from Alison
Cecelia made this treasure from someone else's trash
Here's Sue's newest project

July Challenge --Take One Shape

2007-07-15T08:14:00.001+10:00

The Challenge for July is to make something using just one shape. You can make anything ... a quilt top, a tea cozy, a garment, a decoration ... anything.

And it doesn't have to be textile in nature. It can be anything made using just one shape.

Results will be posted to the blog after the July meeting.

Tapestry Exhibition at SH Ervin Gallery

2007-07-15T07:55:00.000+10:00

Martin Sharp Eternity 1999

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

Contemporary tapestries from the Victorian Tapestry Workshop

29 June - 12 August 2007

Tapestries are the murals of our time Le Corbusier

Oh yes, it’s cold outside! So how about a special collection of exemplary tapestries to warm the cockles of your art life?

S.H. Ervin Gallery is delighted to present the touring exhibition, From here to Eternity: Contemporary tapestries from the Victorian Tapestry Workshop for our winter program. Fifty-two works from the Workshop’s exhibition collection have been selected to promote and present the VTW to new tapestry audiences.

From its humble beginnings in 1976, the Victorian Tapestry Workshop is now a world leader in the production of the tapestry medium. Unique to the Workshop are the skilled weavers who are also trained artists. Their sensitivity to the visual aspects of the medium, together with their technical expertise, enables them to form a special collaboration with the artists whose designs they translate.

This exhibition features some of Australia’s leading artists including Davida Allen, Angela Brennan, Mike Brown, Jon Cattapan, Alun Leach-Jones, Chris O’Doherty (aka Reg Mombassa), Glenn Morgan, Gareth Sansom, Martin Sharp and Peter Walsh.

The exhibition’s title is drawn from Martin Sharp’s quintessentially Sydney tapestry Eternity, his graphic homage to Arthur Stace.

“I loved the idea [that] that vastest of words, which had been written so humbly and so often on the streets of Sydney, should be honoured in tapestry.” Martin Sharp

Exhibition catalogue available $15. Mail orders welcome.

Watson Road (enter from Argyle Street), Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney

Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11am – 5pm

Admission: $6, $4 National Trust members, seniors & concessions

General Information: Ph. 02) 9258 0173, Fax. 02) 9251 4355

Email: shervingallery@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Web: www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Public Program: Sundays @ 3pm, Gallery Floor Talk: Tuesdays @ midday

June Meeting -- Fabric Weaving Workshop

2007-07-01T20:30:00.001+10:00

At our monthly meeting, we did some fabric weaving using a sturdy water soluable stabilizer. That is the plastic-looking sheet under the fabric strips.

And here is what we ended up with ...

Next Month: The finished pieces

New Online Quilt Magazine

2007-05-27T08:47:00.000+10:00

A new on-line quilt magazine has been started by Karen Fail and Nora Buckley and is called iquilt. You can find it here:

http://www.iquilt.com.au/

I'm not sure how often it will be published, but you can register and they'll send you an email to let you know when the next issue is available.

My neices clutch bag

2007-05-23T15:49:00.001+10:00

Hi girls, It took 2 hours to make but here you are: overall and a detail of inside

May Meeting

2007-05-23T05:44:00.001+10:00

It was a cold and blustery night, but we still had a very good turn out. One quick basting of Lisa's quilt and then it was on to show and tell.

Published!
We had two members published in the latest issue of Down Under Quilts. Lisa Walton's quilt Delicious was featured on the cover and inside was an article on the 12-piece set of new altar frontals and pulpit hangings made by Lynette Thrift for St John's Anglican Church in Stroud NSW.

Congratulations to you both!