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Serendipity and the Art of the Quilt

Serendipity and the Art of the Quilt

Creating with Brenda Gael Smith

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Areas of Brightness

26 May 2006 Filed Under: Travel 2 Comments

The eskimos may have umpteen different words for snow but the British would surely rival them with different ways of referring to rain. What is “rain clearing to showers, followed by thunderstorms and then light drizzle” other than extremely wet?! May is traditionally the
driest month here in England but THIS May is apparently set to break a 200 year rainfall record. Still, we have been fortunate to experience some “areas of brightness” and have seized the opportunity to ramble over hill and dale as we explore our Yorkshire surrounds.

We are gradually familiarising ourselves with the nomenclature of the English countryside – lorries crossing, becks, copses, crofts, styles, field gates and so on. It’s all so delightfully English – I feel like I am living one of those Famous Five books that I devoured as a child.

My supposedly waterproof Rockport boots have proven no match for the sodden paddocks and I realise now that we should have invested in one of those plastic map envelopes but “musn’t grumble” is an English byword and I’m game to follow along.

Found a month-old patchwork store (Pennypot Patchwork) outside Harrogate earlier in the week and bought some lovely Batiks. Otherwise, little to report on the quilting front. Can’t wait to get back in my studio! Cheerio!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Delia says

    2 June 2006 at 6:24 PM

    poor david… 🙁

    Reply
  2. rooruu says

    11 June 2006 at 11:39 PM

    I particularly like the photos of the old Yorkshire tiles – but have enjoyed reading about all your travels.

    The Irish have a delightful expression for a day of light rain – they avoid the ‘r’ word altogether, and refer to it as a ‘soft day’!

    Looking forward to seeing your quilt/s at the Sydney show – always enjoy your wonderful use of colour.

    Reply

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Brenda Gael Smith
brenda@serendipitypatchwork.com.au

PO Box 131, Avoca Beach
NSW 2251 Australia

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This year (2026) marks the 20th anniversary of the
This year (2026) marks the 20th anniversary of the Australasian Quilt Convention. The entrance features a display of the brochure covers over the years and it was fun to identify 3 covers that include snippets of exhibits that I was involved with.

⭐️ 2009 was my first AQC. I was a tutor and my contribution to the “teach me” exhibit was “Grass” that you can see in the lower right corner.

⭐️ in 2013, the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Project shared the Colourplay series which included a piece by @studioconway highlighting the plight of refugees in drought (see centre left)

⭐️ in 2020 the chronology was disrupted by the Covid pandemic but not before the brochure was published with “The Fuchsia’s Looking Bright m” by @darlingdi from @vision2020textiles who poseda poignant question: Will my optimistic dream of a brighter future turn out to be 2020 vision, or just a fun and fabulous fabric fusion of my favourite colours?

Congratulations to @craft.events_  on the 20th Anniversary 🤩


I am driven to abstraction. Abstraction is a persi
I am driven to abstraction. Abstraction is a persistent and insistent force in my creative practice. Working improvisationally, I capture the essence of my subjects to impart a sense of wonder of the natural world and a deep affinity to place. 

As part of the Rajah Award that I received last year, I will be sharing a selection of my textile paintings in a special exhibit at the Australasian Quilt Convention in  Melbourne presented by @craft.events_ 

Textile enthusiasts from across Australia and overseas gather at this exciting event. If you see me at AQC, please do say hello. I am looking forward to seeing everyone😍

#australasianquiltconvention  #rajahaward  #brendagaelsmithart #australasianquiltconvention2026