The Obligatory New Year's Eve Post

 Apart from being shocked at the very small amount of blogging for 2024, I have mixed emotions about seeing 2024 go by. Warning: this post is very full of memories, so if you wish to bail out now, I don't mind, it is helping me to write this.

It has been a busy year for all of us here at Ivanhoe. I reluctantly ended up on extended leave from my part time Medical Lab Science position. This did allow me to concentrate more on my sideline business of retailing Batik Fabrics for the discerning quilter. Despite the economic conditions forced on us by our federal and state governments, my small business has continued to grow. Am not sure if I am responsible for this growth by my fabric selections and great service or just more people are searching for quality batiks at reasonable prices. The closure of a few more local quilt shops may help my business but, in my area, 3 have been sold and reopened with younger people at the helm. 

The cattle business has thrived and we have been busy planting leucaena. A few hiccups along the way but the special fencing and learning about seed planting depths and weed control has seen some economic advantages in our finished weights. We have continued on with the red brangus breed.

My quilting and art quilts, has been a slow process. I entered this into the Textile Art Biennale but it wasn't selected. It is a combination of piecing, crochet cord, quilting and needle lace stitches. This took me about 8 months to complete, and the long time was partly caused by an issue with my eyesight (seems to be caused by obstructive sleep apnoea) I had never heard of floppy eyelid syndrome until I saw an opthamologist in August. Am currently on a weight loss mission, as well as learning to sleep on my side to see if it improves without a CPAP machine. 

Photographing it certainly taught me some more skills. I made 2 new pieces for our Tangled Threads exhibit in Wondai for Botanicals and that's it for my art quilts.  Next year we have a new Exhibition for June called Time and Place. I am hoping for 1 piece at least. 

In December, after using up my leave, I resigned from my Part Time position and soon will be going back for re training to work as a casual scientist in Microbiology only. This will be a challenge both time wise and thinking wise. The work should be slightly easier as we now have new devices to help us identify bacteria much more quickly than in the past. If I manage retraining, I will be on a 1 weekend every 4 weeks roster.

Family wise, the children and grandchildren are all busy with school, work and living. My father entered full time care (reluctantly at first in January) and has continued to decline ever since. A hip fracture whilst in care in June with subsequent surgery to repair it, has ended his mobility and he has been bed bound since. His dementia has turned him into a different person from the always thinking farmer engineer that he was. Right up until the weekend which saw him taken into hospital he was still building things with timber in his good moments. Sadly as the year has progressed, they have been less and less.

Weather wise, the year has been wet! We received rain when we needed it, then lately it has been when we don't need it. Flooding and dodging the water over our 2 bridges in either direction from home has been the norm lately, but it is better than the mind sapping droughts we have suffered.

One thing I am proud of is my self discipline with swimming. I have managed to reach 2 goals and am continually adding a few more. I managed to swim 5km in under 2.5hrs non stop and can now do butterfly stroke, might not be the prettiest butterfly stroke in the pool but I do get to the other end. I need to channel the same discipline into my art practice. The IT skills I have learnt from having my small business have been quite immense and this is where the discipline has been focused. Currently am teaching myself to use the long ago acquired Electric Quilt 7 with a view to adding PDF patterns to Batik Fabrics Online. I have a mentor in Kingaroy who has been a great help.

During the Christmas week, I spent some time with my Brother and Sister in Law sorting out Dad's house. It was great excitement to find a box of photo slides taken in the 60's. Told you this post was full of memories! I have managed to save them digitally and this is just a few.

Quite a few photos of Mum dressed up, (Dad used to love seeing her dressed up!) and in her swimming togs, which I wont show on here.

Myself at the age of 6. My hair was already doing it's own thing.

A few cousins, sister and brother at our grandparent's house (there were 6 boy cousins missing that day but we had the eldest and youngest of all of us there), where my sister and I learnt to sew! Grandma and Grandpa certainly ran a great holiday house.

My sister and younger brother at the holiday house.

My sister and I off to school. I still have the weird legs, probably the cause of the osteoarthritis which I now suffer from. At least we had a hat and shoes on.

Christmas in 1966, where our tree was always a Box Tree (not sure of the correct genus name, some sort of Eucalypt, not the English version of Box), cut down on Christmas Eve and usually wrapped in crepe paper as we could not afford many decorations. See the little face down the bottom right, my brother who was 2 yrs old. Again my hair was doing it's own thing.

So, it's afternoon on New Years Eve, we are currently flood bound in one direction after another deluge yesterday. Some parts of Kingaroy had 275mm in a couple of hours, so it comes down the Stuart River and floods our low bridge. We drove in last night and posted the orders for fabric so they would not be delayed and smelt the water rising up fast as we drove back over the bridge. I think we had about an hour to spare. Am looking forward to 2025 with some trepidation as it will be a juggling act time wise, physically and emotionally. Wishing you all the best and hope if 2024 has been difficult for you, that maybe 2025 treats us better.

Back to Blogging

 After a hiatus which has gone on for longer than expected I am back to blogging. Life has been a bit busy. After having 6 months away from my Medical Scientist job, I decided to go back to work in November but not as a continuous shift worker but day shift only and working in Microbiology. This certainly kept me busy as well as running my Batik Fabrics Online store. Due to staffing issues, I am now required to be a continuous shift worker again, working night shifts and unfortunately my body cannot stand up to this, so am now once again taking leave which looks like it will be until I have no more leave to take. This leaves me with mixed feelings about quite a few issues. It will certainly give me more time for Batik Fabrics Online so am looking forward to developing it further if the current economic outlook lets me.  Batik Fabrics Online — Arrivals in Store   is where you can find my store. I have been busy adding new fabrics ordered 6 months ago. I am also in the process of setting up a blog for Batik Fabrics Online and have now added a pinterest account as well. 

Currently I am in the WIRE program learning how to use ChatGPT in your business amongst other resources hoping this helps me become more resilient and can understand and use IT tools more effectively.

 My own personal art journey has also slowed so am certainly looking forward to getting back on track with it. I have been working for months now on a piece for Tangled Threads upcoming exhibition in Wondai Gallery this year.  Friday 23 February sees our Alchemy exhibit open in Chinchilla Gallery so I might pop along to have a look. 

Family wise, we had a quiet Christmas, sharing the day with our 2 daughters, son in law and grandkids up at Agnes Water where they were holidaying for a week. Back through Bundaberg we stopped off for a family Boxing Day lunch where we had Dad and his siblings together for quite likely their last formal lunch together. He has since been moved into care as he can no longer live by himself even with daily visits from the nurses. This has been a struggle for us all, but it is improving.

Farm wise, it was getting pretty desperate during October with some stock losses (mainly due to dam bogging even though we have troughed most of Ivanhoe) and cows dying during calving so it was a huge relief to see the rain arrive late November. Our federal government needs throwing out of office for not removing the people in charge of our BOM Bureau of Meterology ( Manure) as it is nicknamed. These people do not know how to do weather forecasts and caused cattle prices to slump with their forecast of a severe el nino which didn't eventuate. We get more accurate long range predictions from AV Weather. We have used his knowledge for years now but we cannot control the cattle market when BOM gives out inaccurate information using computer models instead of doing correct data analysis of actual conditions. 

I have included some photos of batik fabrics to show you the wide range of styles that batiks can be. 

I have also done some hand dyeing of fabric, I did a short online course with Jane Dunnewold last October and now am nearly ready to do more. I have bought a gelli plate and am waiting for some paints to arrive so am hoping to soon have some fabrics coloured by me ready to use, either in my store or in my art projects, September is creeping up fast, will keep you informed of any progress.

Sad Last Days of Autumn 2023

 Sad last days of autumn 2023, saw my family mourning the loss of our dearest Mum. She spent the last few years of her life in care.  A short tribute to her vivacious spirit which kept her going when things  went against her. 

With her pet dog Freda, who occasionally got to visit her.

On her last birthday in August 2022. We managed to wheel her down to her house for a morning tea on her veranda with friends.

A wild, chaotic photo after numerous attempts with half of her great grandchildren in 2016. 

A small piece of my artwork which she admired and wanted to buy. So I  gave it to her and it hung on her wall in her room until she passed away 2 weeks ago.

A photo I took in the Christchurch Botanical Gardens of her favourite flower, the rose. This image was on her Frameo device which brought the world into her room. Love you Mum, RIP.

Whew! Time to Catch Up, Have a Break!

During last autumn, I was working on entries for the International Art Textile Biennale 2023. I could not show you my entries as I was waiting for the juried results. I was successful in getting one quilt selected. This one is currently on tour in the East Gippsland Art Gallery in Bairnsdale Victoria until March 18th, 2023. Then it goes to Emu Park Qld from April 15 - June 10 2023. Then off to Toowoomba from July 8- August 26 2023. Kyogle, Hobart, Darlinghurst, Geelong, then Fabrik Lobethal in South Australia are following dates finishing in July 2024.

This is the second one that I made. I will now have it in our Tangled Threads exhibit in Kingaroy in July 2023.

This is the book that is available with every piece documented and the Artist's statement. 

International Art Textile Biennale | Fibre Arts AU ,you can find out more information visiting the website. While you are there, consider looking at attending a Fibrearts school. I was supposed to be doing a workshop at  April's school this year, but it got cancelled, so have transferred to one in September with Elizabeth Haigh- The essence of colour.

The other big news is I bought a fabric business!. Last year, I was talking to Chrissy the owner of batikfabrics.com.au one day and half jokingly said " I could be interested in buying her business". Unfortunately for Chrissy her health deteriorated and she did have to sell and she approached me about it. I did give it some thought, and decided to purchase it, as a hobby business for my retirement from Pathology work. I have been learning SO MUCH MORE about the internet, online shopping and websites. So much time was spent physically moving fabrics, setting up a storage area and then waiting for go LIVE DAY in December. The first order came through about 5 hrs into the site going live. Which necessitated a panicked phone call to Chrissy about "what to do next?". I am happy to say I have now processed a few more orders and feel much more confident.

The worst part has been matching the website inventory with the physical inventory. I have set up an Excel spreadsheet for the physical inventory and dutifully am updating that as I do not want to keep counting about 4500 metres of fabric.

These are some examples of fabrics which I currently have and some new ones that I have added this past week. Not quite what the word batik sometimes brings to mind. I hope to be able to get back into hand dyeing  more when I start an extended period of leave from work in April. Am hoping my September workshop will add to my skills in fabric colouring.

I am enjoying the time spent playing with fabric so far. The new Fire Range suits being used in Art Quilts,  maybe I might regret only getting 1 set of the range. The designer is busy working on new ranges all of the time, so maybe there will be more like it soon. Batik Fabrics Online — Arrivals in Store  this link will take you directly to the new arrivals collection on the website. I am trying to update this page at least once a fortnight. So much to learn!  So little time for sewing for me, but I hope to sew again soon.

On a personal note: we both ( husband and I ) had birthdays recently. Our daughter shouted us a gift voucher for Packs n Pedals from Monto for a bicycle tour of the Barrimoon Tunnels at Kalpowar.

 

We spent a pleasant Saturday afternoon riding an e -bicycle through these tunnels and downhill to the bus pickup area. An evening meal at the Kalpowar Hall completed the evening. Worth it for the sights ( reminded up both of Mt Perry where we lived for many years) and the company. Don't think we will be buying a bike though. We are still waiting for a decent drop of rain for the farm, so here's hoping we get some soon. 

The week before Christmas!

 

Has been a rather busy 3 months, culminating in the lead up to Christmas. Every year it seems to get worse. Dealing with Covid the past 3 years, not only at work being busier with covid PCR tests but the impact it has had on letting our parents see their family. This week after 3 months of planning, we spent a wonderful day in the Park under some shady trees, spending time together as a large family group. Last year we had planned a Boxing Day event but covid lockdown of Mum's care facility meant No Go. Same thing happened at Easter time. We have been successful in wheeling Mum down the street to their house for a birthday celebration  (mind you a week later they were back in a lockdown). The nurses have worked out how to get her in and out of a car, last week she went on a driving tour of the district. This week we managed to get her down the park getting her out of the car without their help. We had all 3 children plus spouses, all 8 grandchildren and all 4 partners, all 12 great grandchildren present for an early low key christmas celebration, a BBQ in the park for lunch. This photo is pretty special, 9 years down to 9 months is the age span for the great grand children.  It  actually was pretty easy to organise, but, with quite a few of us dealing with shiftwork rosters, you have to start early in the planning for such an event.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will be back with some art and quilting news soon, got a stint of night shifts to work through first and it seems covid is still on the rise. Hopefully for not much longer.

More Winter Art

The Tangled Threads group selected   Alchemy as the theme for our exhibit as part of the Winter Craft Festival in Kingaroy. I am undecided as to whether this was a great idea or not. Alchemy seemed to be an issue for some of us. I read about trying to make gold out of other elements. Trying to make the best of a bad situation. Trying to solve lots of issues with simple methods. I made two pieces to exhibit, this one is called "Is there Gold in There?"

I had a polyester piece with gold flecks, black felt and used this as an overlay over a strip pieced landscape. I did some hand stitching meandering throughout. 

The second piece is titled "Endlessly Searching"

A single piece of grunge fabric with 3 inserts overlaid with a vertical patterned batik fabric. I did extra vertical machine stitching in places.

During my work leave, I have been learning to use my camera better. I have struggled with focus, keeping the darn thing still when clicking the shutter button, trying to look through the viewfinder is better without glasses. It is annoying to have to keep putting the glasses on and off though. I think using the viewfinder is better than relying on the fold out screen.

 I had invested in a quilt stand previously, so I set up the lights, the stand and spent hours working out how to take slightly better photos. In the process I now have a decent ( or slightly better ) photo of each piece and they are now stored away. I also used the camera tripod and the self timer button to stop the jitters. I also managed to get Belinda's alcohol ink paintings framed and have kept one for our walls and returned to her  the rest . I thought since I bought the yupo paper, inks and frames , I could keep one. She proudly showed them off when her guests turned up for her recent birthday celebrations. They are poster size and great to look at. We are encouraging her to pick up the brush and straw again and paint some more, but work and staff shortages keeps her busy. 

I started this piece in July inspired by rocks.

This is a quick photo taken using the flash instead of my lights as they had been packed away. I have to start the quilting next. 

Working out, whether to overlay? Add some small strips? What next? I remembered the time spent on sewing an overlay for a recent commission which saw me, making 2 because the first one was not quite the best colour, I thought I have a Wacom cintiq HD13 drawing tablet sitting idle, so I have spent the past week re learning how to draw with it. This gives me an idea of maybe the next stage using an actual photo of the underlay. I have now managed to remember a bit of photoshop, as drawing in Word doesn't save the changes to the original photo.

An example of a possibility. I can change colour/size/shape and get an idea without wasting fabric and lots of time. I can also do this while away from home and a sewing machine.

Learning about my camera, I tried taking photos of the orchard welcoming spring ( a bit early). I managed to understand how changing the Aperture changes the Depth of Field and am happier with my skills. 

Hoping that severe frosts don't come along and damage the stone fruit. 

The plum trees in flower were an absolute delight, the bees were very busy. 

The nets in the background are protecting the late mandarins from the birds. We are trying to be partly self sufficient in our fruit supply. The vegetable garden is back on the agenda, just waiting for some warmer weather, hopefully it is here soon. Spring is always an inspiring time of year for me, hopefully it is for you too.
 

Winter Art

 Our local Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery holds a Winter Craft Festival each year during June and July. As mentioned in my previous post, I was busy working towards this earlier this year. I sold 6 pieces of work, managing to speak with 2 of the buyers whilst I was present in the Gallery. One buyer purchased 3 pieces, I am blown away with that, and am happy that someone else obviously liked my work enough to purchase it, but also am surmising that they enjoyed their experiences when walking into the gallery to see all of the pieces there.

This piece is Tracks- Mundubbera, an abstract landscape of the rows of ripe citrus you can see from the southern entrance to the town Mundubbera. 

This piece is Tracks- Pt Vernon, the beach where I spent my childhood holidays. Both of these pieces now have a new home. Thank you to the buyer, I hope you are enjoying your purchases.

This small piece- Anthills 1, sold on the opening night, where I had a good conversation with the buyer about this piece and also my artwork. Wonderful to be able to speak with a buyer.

June rolled into July, my exhibition came down, and the Tangled Threads Group's work went up. I had 2 pieces in there based on the theme  Alchemy.  I have shown photos of my main piece previously as this exhibit was delayed due to covid lockdowns. Last year we had The Road Untravelled in Kingaroy ( a year late).

Art wise, this year I have continued on with the Incubator and Mastermind program. I keep promising that I will blog more often but life, weather seems to interfere. I have been attempting to learn more photography skills but still there is room for improvement. My goal is to have a decent photo of each piece in my records.

I started a new piece, a few weeks ago. A geological landscape, using organza in a different way.

One more month of winter for us, I have 2 new themes to work with for Tangled Threads next year. Spring always seems an inspirational season for me, so hopefully the ideas get a chance to happen. Over winter, for the house renovations I have been preparing for painting our bathroom. Patience with dodging round the yellow platform in the middle of the room is wearing a bit thin for the other household occupant, so maybe by Christmas, it might be out of the way.  Will post a photo when it is completed, by then I might have made more art too! Will keep you all informed.