FIBRESPACE TEXTILE ART

Traditionally on these hot Summer days I cocoon myself indoors and work on textile art pieces. 

Back in the 90s it was pieces for the "GOWN OF THE YEAR".

These days it is the FIBRESPACE group which gets the creative juices going. With so much to concentrate on the days pass very quickly. One idea leads to another and before I know it I have the year's pieces done and dusted.

This is the first of the pieces for #WHATEVER!   the title being #status quo #vintage. 

It was inspired when I looked through some vintage magazines that we found in the shed at the shacks. The fashion pages brought back memories from my childhood and the days when I would design my own paper doll fashions. 

This time I researched some 50s fabric designs and using photographs set out the design using PhotoShop. I then printed the result on to white cotton using my Epson R2880 printer which produces a washable result. An additional print of the 50s designs in a slightly smaller  format was used to create the 3D dresses. Some stitching using a quilting wadding adds to the 3D effect.

Summer 2014

2014 started off with a heatwave and bush fires! 

Several fires were started by lightning, one of the most devastating at Bangor in the Lower Flinders Ranges. 

Most of the affected areas are in  gullies which are not inhabited but some farms and 75 percent of the Wirrabara forest has been destroyed. It is at times like this that I am so glad I take photos everywhere I go. Tucked away in my files are some  lovely memories of that place. I hope it won't take long to regenerate. 

This has had an effect on Carly's role as Tourism Officer for the region as she works with operators to ensure everyone knows there is still plenty on offer in the region despite the media coverage of the fires.

High tide and hot weather bring perfect conditions for an early morning swim. We headed down to the shacks and despite the smoke haze it was a beautiful experience as we lazed about in the water while the temperature began its climb to an unbelievable 46 degrees.

The Smoke haze  hovered over the town for several days until there was some respite when it finally RAINED.

Christmas 2013

The three weeks since we were all together at Dumas House passed very quickly and before I knew it I was picking up John Tamsin and Polly at the Airport. 

It was an uneventful 4 hour trip from Adelaide but it did take a few days for everyone to acclimatise and begin to relax.

Christmas at Carly and Brad's was lovely... we had the lead up the day beforehand with Polly and John cooking the Christmas cake... flour less chocolate cake with berries. We all had something to prepare and this made things really easy on Christmas Day.

In the evening we caught up with the extended Sharp family and managed to get a few pics of the next generation of cousins.

It was a case of keeping up traditions with the inevitable crabbing and swimming at the shacks on Boxing Day.

The back yard paddling pool has been a hit as well as disco dancing in Pa's shop... no wonder we are all hanging out for an afternoon nap '-}

Get Together at Dumas House

Dumas House circa 1910.

Dumas House was originally the former residence of Charles Dumas who founded the Courier Newspaper. The homestead and the Oak Tree that was planted by Charles are heritage listed. 

Last weekend Tamsin, John and Polly were over for the weekend to attend a wedding and we made the most of the opportunity by all staying together at Dumas House in Mount Barker. Carly, Brad and Claire came too.

It was a lovely mini holiday and the spectacular grounds provided a make believe playground for Polly and Claire who were very excited about seeing each other again. 

On the Sunday several friends visited and there were more children to play with. "Hide and Seek" and "What's the Time Mr Wolf" were favourite games. An interesting juxtaposition with the IPads ;-)

Arid Garden Wedding

A surprise wedding came my way recently. The bride and groom and all the friends and family had travelled from Adelaide and interstate to attend the wedding at the Australian Arid Lands Garden when unfortunately the wedding photographer fell ill.
The requirements were not too strenuous... I find 4 hours is about the most I can endure and this results in plenty of pics to work with ... and so a new adventure unfolded.

The weather was perfect but unfortunately the flies thought so too so there were quite a few smiles with clenched teeth and quite a bit of photoshop work to be done in editing.
The scenic shots at the Matthew Flinders  lookout and at Ticklebelly Hill were pretty spectacular so we had a lot of fun and the sun managed to shine long enough to get those all important family shots.
Congratulations Dana and John..