Stuffed animals

A quick trip to Victoria gave me the opportunity to pop into one of my favourite shops in Gippsland,  Town and Country Gallery in Yarragon, which features handcrafted artworks of a very high standard.  Whether it be sculpture, woodwork, ceramics, paintings, jewellery, glassware or prints, I can always find something to buy as a gift for others or for myself.  This time I lusted after some metal bird baths.  Nobly, I didn't succumb.  But, I'll be back!

I arrived back in Brisbane with a wonderfully awful cold, which meant two days lying on the couch sleeping, and whinging at my poor husband during my waking times, and the rest of the time lying on the couch coughing and listening to taking books.   As a result of the physical inactivity, I discovered Pinterest  during my waking hours and now have several boards
( see pinterest.com/patapanart/boards/ ). 
What a wonderful time to waste time profitably.  So inspirational for an artist.

I also managed to stuff and sew up some soft toys which I had previously cut out and machine sewn.  I now have a herd of felt horses:

I have decided I need to find some dapple grey and black felt to enlarge the herd.

I also made my first little dog from Karen Neuschutz's book, "Sew Soft Toys".  It reminds me of my cairn terriers.

I also hemmed a silk scarf that I printed last year:

Once I started feeling better, I managed to add to last year's quilt of nude backs.  Not sure I like it.  I might try a different version later on.

I am feeling much better now, so I collected some leopard tree seeds from the neighbour
s tree:

and bought some purple carrots for a later session of eco-dyeing.  Pinterest has renewed my urge to dye!

Donkeys to cuddle and the latest exhibition by the Collective

  I finished my donkey from the pattern in Karin Neuschutz's "Sew Soft Toys"

 and thought it so cute  I made another, this time from Carol.S. Friedricha's "The Pooh Craft Book".

.  I'd forgotten how nice it is to make soft toys.  These are destined for adults.  Why should children get all the cuddles?

Inspired by Penny Berens of Tanglewood Thread's blog, I have started embroidering on a long strip I made patched with pieces from my hand dyed fabric stash.  No idea what it is to become, but I am enjoying the process.

I rediscovered Threads and More in Indooroopilly and bought myself some threads to use on this, and eyed some wool for further knitting projects.

Speaking of knitting, I also finished my latest beanie:

As well as working on my projects, I also popped into the exhibition, "Proof ",at the Metcalfe Gallery. to admire the printowork by the Collective.  Here is a sample of some of the work on show:

(aluminium bowl and printed paper bowl, by Jennifer Long)

(a sculpture by Wendy Clark)

(printed work by Judy Keogh)

 

( adapted books by Julie Thornton)

 

(Sandra Taylor's aluminium printing plates transformed into a sculpture)

 (Pip Reid's print)

(Elisabeth Lawrence's print).

I also enjoyed reading :Indigo. The color that changed the world"  by Catherine legrand>  Santa Claus!  It is on my Christmas list!

Another quilt and experimenting with copper etching.

I'm rather pleased with myself.  I've finished my little cot quilt in record time:

and used the scraps to make a little toy rabbit.

I still found time to make another little horse

continue knitting my blanket, and start on a beanie.

I also made my first copper etching prints, based on John Donne's "The Sunne Rising".




As well as working at home, I have been admiring the work of  Cheng-kang Fan at the BIA.  I really like his style:

 

 

This week at the BIA will be the opening of The Collective's printing based work, "Proof".  I've seen some of their work and it is pretty impressive.  Opening night is Friday.  Do yourself a favour and drop into the Metcalfe Gallery to check it out.