The books on my coffee table

First of all, thankyou to Apartment Therapy for featuring our map cushions, and welcome, Apartment Therapy readers. Please do make yourself comfortable here. No sewing to share today, but I do have a stack of inspiring books on my coffee table at the moment which I've been meaning to share with you.

 

The bottom one has been on my wishlist for a long time - Nancy Crow. Nancy Crow has been a key figure in art quilt circles since the 1970s. To share the quote by Jean Robertson on the inside flap:

"As an activist, teacher and curator, Nancy Crow was a catalyst and prime mover of the art quilt movement... Today, she stands at the forefront of innovative quiltmaking and she is one of the premier colourists in contemporary American art, not matter what medium one surveys. This new book, a chronicle of Crow's work after 1988 shows her transformation."

 

The second book is one I hadn't heard of before, but stumbled upon in one of my favourite bookshops. It is called Botany for the Artist, by Sarah Simblet, and as the subtitle claims, it truly is an inspirational guide to drawing plants. I love Sarah's drawings, the accompanying photos and the references to early botanical art. This book is text-book scale, and I can't collect some plant specimens for drawing very soon.

 

Quilt National '11 catalogues the artworks in the Quilt National '11 exhibition (naturally). Quilt National is a bienniel juried exhibition which was been called the "premier international showcase for contemporary quilts". Each page in the book features a large image of one of the quilts and it's accompanying description and artist's statement, and provides a fascinating (and affordable) glimpse into the art quilt world.

At the top of the pile I have Charlie Harper: An Illustrated Life. I have yet to spend much time with this book, but not for lack of interest. The few glimpses I've had show lovely portrayals of the natural world, and I expect that myself and my kids are going to refer back to this book often.

Now I'm curious to know what books are inspiring you at the moment?

Our map cushions

OK, this is way overdue... This project was finished more than a year ago and I just realised I never shared it with you. So I hereby present you with our map cushions:

 

At the time my sister shared a blog post with me (from OhDeeDoh, I think) which showed a stylised world map painted over about 12 small canvasses. Because I was not going to be short on wall art for the new house, and because I was keen on some more cushiony-type things in the boys bedroom, I decided to try these instead. I call this a 'fun' project because I think the end result is a fun touch to a children's bedroom. The actual sewing was anything but fun - one of those 'what-on-earth-was-I-thinking-when-I-started-this' projects.

 

The map was made by machine appliqueing the various shapes to the blue background, one layer at a time. I used my free-motion foot for that to save having to turn the fabric quite so much, but it was still a massive job. Love how it turned out though.

Drawing, thanks to my modelling team

Tuesdays are currently no-sew days for me. The plan is to focus on my various drawing projects instead. Today that meant a quick before-school photoshoot. 

Thankfully I have a live-in modelling team.

 

 

Today's illustrations dealt with blaming others and self-examination. Thankfully artistic license enables me to wipe those self-satisfied smirks off those faces!

After a day of drawing, I'm looking forward to getting back to my sewing machine tomorrow!

The red trike

This trike features in the quilt I am working on at the moment. 

 

I've taken it inside, for drawing / photography / inspiration purposes. 

Actually, I have long dreamed of claiming this trike for myself and repurposing it as a side table for my books and a cup of coffee, something like this...

 

but it looks like I may be waiting a while yet.

 

I've been a busy beaver in the studio this week, and this newest quilt is all cut out.

I'm looking forward to piecing it together now, and hoping it turns out something like the mental picture I have of it...

Lovely printed material for everyone on my mailing list

 I picked up a package today. Shall we open it?

 

 Oooh! Stacks of colourful exhibition invitations ready to be mailed out to hundreds of interested (hopefully) people next month... 

And some posters for enticing and interesting still more people, hopefully. We are getting more than a little excited here, especially now that we have all this lovely printed material awaiting distribution!

If you would like to be added to my mailing list (I will only use this 3-4 times a year at the most, so I won't be bothering you too much) just click here to send me your address. I'll make sure you get an in-real-life invitation in the next month!

Display boxes at 'Regeneration - Contemporary Quilted Textiles 2012'

 

When 'Regeneration - Contemporary Quilted Textile 2012' opens in April, each quilt is going to accompanied by an individual display boxes featuring 'any material which the artist believes will help convey to the audience the story behind the finished work.'

 

I love this idea, as my favourite exhibitions are ones that include working sketches and sneak peaks into artists' sketchbooks. So I've made a little pieced sample to include in my box along with some other bits and pieces from the quiltmaking process. I know people are often fascinated as to how my quilt tops take shape, and showing the back of a pieced sample is the best explanation I can give.

 

I look forward to seeing pictures of other display boxes in the exhibition if they become available!

Yesterday and today; on Facebook too

 

yesterday:

6 crazy hours behind the sewing machine

249m of stitching

71000 stitches

sore shoulders and a spinning head

 

today:

20 screen printed quilt labels

screen printed fabric of children exploring for my stitched and bound quilt

housework

certainly a more relaxing day than yesterday, in spite of the housework factor

On another note, I took the major step during the summer of signing up to Facebook. That was a bit daunting, but I'm gradually sorting out how the place works... You can 'like' me on Facebook to stay in touch with me there! (In April there will be a special sneak preview there of the artwork for my upcoming exhibition).