On this Anzac Day, it is timely to reflect, learn and remember.
I was interested to see that www.ancestry.com is offering free access (until 30 April) to over 40 million military records in their extensive collection of online databases from Australia, the UK, Canada and the US. You can find enlistment dates, battles, locate gravesites of war veterans, and discover the details of military service.
Expertise Events have announced a special rate for Gold Passes at Australasian Quilt Convention plus the release of one day classes.
Book your Gold Pass at Easter Bunny rates: $875, on sale for two weeks only, until April 14. The best way to enjoy the AQC experience is with the four day Gold Pass - a package that allows you to attend classes and enjoy all the special extras, in the most economical way. Only Gold Pass delegates are able to:
If you just can’t make it for the four days: Do the One-Day Dash. Book a one day class. Our One-Day Dash is $199 - class and lunch only, (previews, lectures, Gala Dinner, Cocktail Party and the sample bag are not included). There are only limited places available in classes including my workshops Power Stripping, Scrap Queen Odyssey, Strata Various and Stacks of Improvisation, so be quick!
Indulge yourself and book your place at AQC, Australia’s premier quilting event, bringing the world of quilting to your doorstep.
AQC Update:
The APQ-AQC Challenge quilts, themed Remember, look amazing.
The Twelve by Twelve quilts have arrived from the USA. The guilds are rounding up the Best of the Best quilts so we can all get a close look at what’s happening in other states.
The brand new layout will see the quilts take centre stage on the floorplan and the retailers’ stands spread out to create a more spacious feeling.
I’ve mentioned Art with a Needle, the relatively new blog by Kathy Loomis before but I feel compelled to mention it again. Kathy is writing a series of posts about the process of finding your artistic voice and, to me at least, many of her observations seem right on target.
Following the success of Australia Wide, Ozquilt Network Inc is inviting members to submit quilts for consideration for Australia Wide Two, the second travelling exhibition organised by Ozquilt Network Inc. Australia Wide Two will be launched at an exhibition at the Fairfield City Museum & Gallery from 22 October to 5 December 2010 and as a virtual exhibition on the Ozquilt Network Inc. website. The quilts will then tour until 30 June 2012.
The exhibition is designed to
- Showcase the talents of Ozquilt Network members
- Introduce members’ quilts to a wider audience
- Demonstrate the scope and variety of art quiltmaking
- Publicise Ozquilt Network Inc.
Entry is only open to paid up members of Ozquilt Network Inc. The Ozquilt Network membership year runs from 1 April -31 March. Accordingly, NOW is a great time to join Ozquilt Network or to renew your membership. See the membership page to download an application form. The annual subscription is $30 and may be paid by cheque or EFT.
Looking through my copy of the new magazine Down Under Textiles, I see that the magazine is sponsoring an “Embellish a Bag” challenge in conjunction with the Textile Art Festival in Brisbane, 25-27 June 2010. All you have to do is make a piece of textile art – approximately A3 in size – then turn it into a gorgeous bag following DUT’s easy instructions and using some elegant handles that are included in the $30 entry fee. All entries will be displayed at the Textile Art Festival.
The theme is “Flights of Fancy” anad you could win $500! See the Embellish a Bag entry form (400KB PDF) for further information.
I have three sisters - none of them are quilters as such (although Amy once made this baby quilt) but all of them are supportive and enthusiastic about my work and often send me links to events or articles that catch their eye. That is how I found out about Bolt of Cloth who stock beautiful home decorating fabrics including some local design talents from Australia and New Zealand such as Bird Textiles, Ingrid Anderson, Bianca van Meeuwen and Lara Cameron.
And if you are itching to design and print some fabric of your own, I can recommend the Prints Charming Screenprinting Workshops. Here’s the quilt top I made at a Prints Charming workshop last year. I’d love to return and work with some more abstract motifs:
In 2010, my quilt Magic Carpet travelled all over Australia as part of the AP&Q AQC Fantasy exhibtion.
The AP&Q AQC challenge is a wonderful opportunity to share your contemporary or traditional designs and I encourage Australian readers to enter this challenge in 2010.The theme is “Remember”. Prizes are awarded based on the interpretation of theme, excellence in design, and craftsmanship.
Each work must measure a minimum of 100cm (39 1/2in) on each side up to a maximum of 150cm (59in). The participating quilts must be available for eight months, from April 2010 to November 2010 and will be exhibited at the Australasian Quilt Convention, Melbourne April 29 – May 2, 2010 and selected Craft & Quilt Fairs around Australia and in New Zealand. Download the entry form. Remember - completed entry forms must be postmarked no later than 10 February 2010!
The Bid-4A-Cause reverse auction starts today at 10am. Fourteen unique, A4 textile works are available for you to add to your collection. All funds raised are donated to the National Breast Council Foundation. Your support is gratefully appreciated.
My contribution is Roseus Goddessii:
“Roseus Goddessii” comes in all shapes and sizes. This piece includes eleven fine lines – ten pale pink and one deep pink – to represent that one in eleven women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75.
It’s time! Get ready to support the Bid-4A-Cause fund raising activities for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. On Friday 27 November (Australian time), the reverse auction will begin, so please help spread the word to all your friends.
There are 14 unique A4-sized textile artworks available including Roseus Goddessii by me. All money raised will be sent to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. There are no administration or artist’s fees, so every cent you spend will go to this extremely important and worthwhile charity.
Go to Bid-4A-Cause to read more and to see photos of the textile pieces. Don’t forget - bidding starts on Friday!
Behinds the scenes here at the Serendipity Studio, I am undertaking a revamp of my logo and associated promotional materials. My current banner, prepared by my brother many years ago, is bright and cheery and has served me well but a new look is quite overdue. It’s exciting to consider all of the possibilities and I look forward to sharing more with you in the new year.
Meanwhile, Candy Glendening has recently conducted her own branding makeover with stunning results and this week she launched her attractive new website - www.candiedfabrics.com. Not only is her site clear and easy to navigate, you have the opportunity to win one of Candy’s beautiful creations in her welcome giveaway. Treat yourself, check it out!
©2006-2010 Brenda Gael Smith trading as Serendipity Patchwork & Quilting.
All rights reserved. All images and text are copyright of the artist.
Reproduction of any kind is expressly prohibited without written consent.
