Harvest time!

HofM was given a mushroom farm in a box for his birthday -we took our time preparing the box (not because it needed time - just a bit lazy, him not me, of course!) & now we are reaping the benefits of our labour!!???!! Well, he did have to keep the mulchy stuff moist.  Friday we had small mushrooms & when we opened the door to the dark area under the internal stairs this evening - this is what greeted us!  Think we'll set up a stall!

There were some smaller ones and some really large ones - some as big as the palm of my hand. Looks like we'll be having mushrooms for breakfast, lunch & dinner for a couple of days. Already had some in the salad tonight at dinner - delicious.

Queensland Quilters Annual Show

Our State Guild - Queensland Quilters or 2Q www.qldquilters.com held its annual Quilt Show last week.   The winners are posted on their web site so I have posted some other quilts - not necessarily winners.  This was one of mine and below is another - my kitchen chooks provided a few laughs.

They are chooks with attitude!

One of my friends, Jane quiltingjane.blogspot.com won a couple of ribbons!!!  Congratulations, Jane!

Another friend, Jane (different Jane) displayed Quilt Tarts - hand pieced and machine quilted.  I'm doing this pattern too batiks on black - it'll be finished one year - definitely NOT next year.

The arty side of 2Q - 2QAQ (Queensland Quilters Art Quilters) displayed a number of challenges we had completed over the year and a few of the girls shared their knowledge & expertise with members of the public.  Above is the portrait challenge we did earlier in the year.  It is so much fun channeling your inner child and just playing.

Love shibori!

Another friend, Suzanne, entered this in the Art section & while I was doing white glove duty (keeping the hordes from touching the quilts with any part of their body!) I heard lots of great comments about it.  She used a black netting to join it it and the 'frame' was fabric over foam.  It is a very tactile piece.

There was also a display of red and white quilts from a city in north-west Queensland, Mt Isa.  It was a stunning display.  There were over 500 quilts were on display - the biggest number the Guild has ever managed to have on show - wonder how many we'll be able to get togther for 2013.  Congratulations to all the winners and those who supported 2Q in displaying their quilts and also attending the show.

Quilt University Class

This month I am doing a course with Quilt University www.quiltuniversity.com on Fabric Portraits with Marilyn Belford marilynbelford.com and this is the result so far.  You start with a line drawing of a photo.

Build up the face with fabric - following the shading.

Slowly she appears............

Put the hair on & this is as far as I am - it's not perfect but I am really happy with the technique & the result so far - still two lessons to go.  If you've never tried it - have a look at the  classes offered - something might appeal.  I have done about 4 classes over the years & always found it's quite easy to follow each lesson. The tutor is available on the discussion forum and have always found them very helpful.



Glad Rags Exhbition

Lyn Baxter, president of ATASDA Qld, opened the Glad Rags Exhbition at Gallery 159, 159 Payne Road, The Gap this evening.  Above are some of the works of the Triple P girls. If you'd like to see more, you'll have to be quick & join us either Saturday or Sunday between 11.00am & 4.00pm.

Food glorious food!

Just add milk & you have a wonderful Taiwanese desert.

It may not look as appetizing as some of our traditional desserts - but taste it - it's great - Taiwanese Desserts @ Sunnybank Plaza.  Sue & I enjoyed our Taiwanese lunch & this was just right after our Taiwanese main course.

ATASDA Exhibition

Just a sample of this wonderful exhibition at Gallery 54, 54 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington.  Last day tomorrow, Saturday, 13th (10.00am - 4.00pm)

Exhibitions around Brisbane

Last night was the opening of this exhibition - ATASDA's "Beyond the Surface" - www.atasda.org.au/qld-exhibition-2012   this showcase of members' talents runs until 13th October at Gallery 54, 54 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington. (10.00am - 4.00pm)

Purple Paddo Patchers Exhibition "Glad Rags" opens next Friday night, 12th October at Gallery 159, 159 Payne Road, The Gap - wear your glad rags & join us for the festivities.  This showcase is only on until Sunday, 14th. Open both Saturday & Sunday from 11.00am - 4.00pm.

Sharyn Hall www.sharynhalldesigns.com & Wendy Bailye www.wendybailye.com are holding "A Selling Exhibition of Affordable Contemporary Textiles" at Richard Randall Art Studio, Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Mt Coot-tha from 2nd - 4th November, 2012.

Tricia www.triciasmout.blogspot.com.au  will be displaying the culmination of her year's work as Artist-in-Residence at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens from 6th - 14th November at Richard Randall Art Studio in the Botanical Gardens.

If you are in Brisbane over the next few weeks, put these exhbitions on your 'to do' list - you won't be disappointed.

Back yard visitors

Our morning visitors are getting a little cheekier. When I opened the back door this morning, a couple of our colourful friends, flew on to the deck until HofM went down to their feeding dish.

Bus trip to Wynnum

On Tuesday, a few ladies from my church went on a bus trip to Wynnum - our first stop was an historic church at Tingalpa (a suburb of Brisbane), It was de-commissioned in 1996, fully restored now & used for weddings, baptisms etc.  There are about 30 graves of pioneers of the area.

It was a really lovely stop & one that is worth a second visit to learn more about the history of the area. A note for Brisbane readers, Des Porter's family is buried here. (He was the gentleman who lost his life in the aeroplane crash in the Sunshine HInterland)   We also drove around Minnipi Parklands - once known as Porters' Paddock.  His father flew his De Haviland from the airstrip where they fly model planes now and died in a plane crash in this area.  It was a bit goose-bumpy hearing all these connections during our drive.  Our driver has known Des Porter for over 30 years.

The walkway at Wynnum (sorry the tide was out!) - we had lunch at the park - it was a lovely day out.

Nundah Quilt Show

Nundah Cottage Group held their Quilt Show (September certainly was the month for shows!) Here are a few of the lovely quilts made by members over the last couple of years.

This was incredible - all sashiko. Above the centre panel, below the quilt.

Large ric-rac certainly makes a statement.

This was a great quilt.