inherited opportunity ... or more wool

This is tapestry wool. I've inherited it from the same place as all the knitting wool mentioned earlier in my blog. Today we sorted it into colours, as it was all in separate little bags and I wanted to see exactly what I had. There is a huge amount of greens, and a lot of blues, and very little red (my favourite colour). I have a body of work planned for this lot and am quite excited about it. More will be revealed as it occurs, perhaps not for a month or so. It fits in perfectly with my thoughts that I should be an artist who deals entirely with materials that have already been pre-loved but not used - rescued materials. I like that idea. =)

Sojourner completed

Here is my completed hummingbird for the Sojourner project, to be hung at Epworth Eastern Hospital, Box Hill in the next month, where it will remain for a year before being auctioned off to raise funds for the hospital. It is now with the framer, Hall of Frame in Doncaster East, where it is in the capable hands of Pam, framer extraordinaire. Next week I'll post the framed version.

Sojourner update 4

Worked on the wings today. Slowly, slowly ...

Sojourner progress

Slow progress indeed as I sew seed beads onto the body of the hummingbird. Half the body and head are done, with the other half plus wings still to do. Will be stiff and sore by the time I finish this, and need to do so quickly to get it to the framer.

The Sojourner continued

Here is how my Sojourner project has progressed over the last 24 hours. Now you can see it is a hummingbird. The wing is not quite completed, and then I need to fill in the body and wing areas with beads. This is supposed to be finished by tomorrow, but that's not going to happen.

The Sojourner

The Sojourner is a project devised by my teacher, Dawn Duncan-Smith, a textile artist in her own right who nurtures us with joy and positive confirmation as we take our own journeys through the textile art course at Box Hill Institute.

The Sojourner art pieces from my class will soon be installed at Epworth Eastern Hospital, in Box Hill. Each piece is our interpretation of 'The Sojourner', someone who stays momentarily, or for a brief while, before moving on. After the artworks have been at the hospital giving pleasure to staff, patients and visitors for one year, they will be taken to the Epworth Eastern Hospital Gala Ball at the Palladium, Crown Casino, Melbourne, where they will be sold in a silent auction. Moneys raised will go to the hospital, the artists will have pieces in private collections and everyone is a huge winner. What a fantastic project, and thanks to Dawn for thinking of it.

This is a progress photo of my piece. I haven't quite decided on a title yet. Meanwhile, I'll leave you wondering exactly what it might be.

I'd better get back to it!

Rainbow Afghan

I began crocheting this afghan the day my mother-in-law died. On reflection I believe I had a need to return to the comfort craft of my childhood. Every school holidays I would stay with my grandparents in Geelong. Nanna was always knitting if she was sitting. Mum tells me that when she was growing up, after dinner had been eaten, the dishes washed, dried and put away, the table set for breakfast the next morning (yes, with table cloth and all the correct cutlery and condiments), the family would sit down to listen to the radio and knit (females only). If you weren't prepared to knit then you had to go to bed.

Fortunately, the times I spent at my grandparents' were different and I didn't have to go to bed straight after dinner. But once I'd learnt to crochet I made granny squares until the cows came home. I made a cover for my grandfather's favourite cushion, a cover for the back of Nanna's chair, tea cosies - all sorts of things. I'd even get told off for crocheting in bed too late with my light on, and to "get to sleep!"

It took me two weeks to make this afghan, approximately 80 hours of work. I've been asked who I'm going to 'give' it to but I'd be happy to sell it. Who would like to pay me two weeks wages for it? How much do you earn in a fortnight? It's interesting how little value is put on a woman's time.

Wool, wool and more wool

Recently I was given a very large green garbage bag full of wool from a deceased estate. I wasn't expecting such a large quantity, and initially I was overwhelmed. For a few weeks I wondered what to do with it. Then I had some fun putting it all out on my long coffee table. There are all sorts of bits and pieces covering the whole range in the rainbow. Tomorrow I'll show you what I did with some of it.

A Hug from a Friend

It has been hard to smile lately. Last Friday we buried my mother-in-law. The two months leading up to that point were difficult and very emotional as we watched her struggle to the end. Things weren't always smooth between us, but hell I loved her even so. And she loved me. She told me so every single time I visited her in hospital - looked me fair and square in the eyes and told me she loved me. Now she's gone. May she rest in peace.

Consequently I haven't felt like blogging or sharing, but I hope to do so again from now on. This photo is a perfect way to start. It's not my creativity, it is that of a very good friend who knitted me this wonderful infinity scarf. It has all the colours in the rainbow. What a beauty! Finding a parcel in the mail and opening it to receive a hug from a friend way over in Adelaide was the perfect pick-me-up. Thanks Sue.

(And in the light of a few people complaining that I haven't been blogging and showing pics of my art, I will endeavour to do so regularly.)