Show and tell is an integral part of our day, so without further ado, we present our show and tell, all with the help of the internet, e-mails, and Zoom.
New member Jo finished this piece a week before the lock-down. An example of an idea that she had, which was a third the size, free forming into this..... it was a marathon! Consisting of bullion knots, back stitch and satin stitch, worked in wool thread on wool background. It’s the largest piece of hand stitch Jo has ever done. It felt like quite an achievement!
Sheila
has completed two shopping bags using partially completed projects from
classes. The machine embroidered figure was begun in a Forum class with
Barbara Jackson. It was quilted last year and finally assembled.
The abstract work was begun in a class with Helen Parsons ( https://www.instagram.com/helenelizabethzparsons/)
last year. It is collaged fabric and machine quilted.
Jenny was re-visiting our Pulled Back Stitch eyelet filler exercise from February, and is hoping to turn the piece into something practical.
These
2 are 'works in progress' views of Susan's "Butterflies" embroidery for
our exhibition. The text is in whipped backstitch and the butterflies are in
stem stitch outline. Susan is going to do more butterfly outlines in a different
colour.
Robyn has been playing with Rust dying on a hankie using bottle tops and discarded Street
cleaner road spikes.
Sheila
joined the Carla Sonheim (https://www.instagram.com/carlasonheim/) class, 10 Years of Online
teaching. The mixed media lions were great fun to create.
Jenny had pulled out a UFO blanket consisting of different sized Granny Squares from approximately 7 years ago. The yarn is a cheap nasty acrylic from a $2 shop which is warm across her legs as she works. The blanket will continue as far as the yarn will allow, as the shop from which it was purchased has now closed.
Jenny had also finished her cardigan in Bendigo Woollen Mills 'Bloom- Blackberry Bliss'. The cardigan still needs buttons, and is being worn without them. A trip to a button shop is on the plans when Covid 19 restrictions are lifted.
Wendy has been collecting neutral coloured threads and fibres of various thicknesses
for many years. She has stitched with many, but just loves touching and playing with them. These neutral threads were intended for weavers and are difficult to stitch with.
This
is what happened when…“I
did something…and then I did something to that……” With apologies to Paul Klee.
Sheila
also continues her daily practice and for the month of May, she is creating dot
faces every day. This exercise was inspired by Carla Sonheim. One
dot of fluid acrylic is dropped onto the paper and spread with a piece of heavy
card. The number of drops needed can vary until the work is complete, or
not. Sheila's daily practice work can be found at: https://www.instagram.com/thingstitcher/
Susan supplied us with a choice of digital exercises for the month. The first was using the digital images proved on-line by The NGA in Canberra https://nga.gov.au/knowmyname/works.cfm . We were encouraged to look and note what inspired us, and maybe stitch, paint, draw, or collage.
The second was inspired by Robert Genn 2010. We were encouraged to take a walk where we could, taking photos or drawing along the way with no particular focus. The idea was to get inspiration and ideas.
Robyn worked
on choosing colours from two Digital works. The first photo was taken at the Sydney Zoo, while the second was a Naomi Hodson painting found on the NGA link
Susan also chose the same Naomi Hobson's "Yinyalma" image from the NGA link to study. Susan was attracted by the
colours and the organic shapes. First she played with some of those shapes and
the colours in a design, and then used the colours to inspire her next quote
embroidery, on 'inspiration'. Susan now has her fabric in the hoop and is ready to stitch.
Jenny played with her camera while walking, trying to learn just some of the features it provided. Above are just four of the photos taken on her walk. More can be found on her Instagram page at
There is so much line and texture to be found just in our own back yard if we look .
The Covid 19 virus may have stopped us meeting in person, however, we are all creating in some way, shape or form while self isolating at home. We all hope to meet again in person soon as restrictions lift. So please come back next moth to see what we have been creating.
