My Quilts 2013

Inspired by a quilt at the Yokohama Quilt Festival 2012. Made from silk pieces gathered during my visit to Japan.

Made from a hankerchief I died using a tie-dying technique during my trip to Japan. Embellished with sashiko stitching, fabric flowers bought at the Yokohama Quilt Festival and beads bought with Dianne in Adelaide.

Sashiko stitching and beads.

A thank you quilt for Kim and the poem I wrote for her...

When you write your next CV and can’t think what to say
Or your confidence is lacking and you need to find your way
Remember Betty’s Boot Camp and the things we have achieved
Whilst sorting out my house and heart and helping me to grieve.

We started first with Surrey’s books on taxonomic botany
Listed them and packed them off, donated in his memory.
Then cameras, paintings, chaos, mess, we ploughed through every room
Sorting out so many things; the job was done so soon.

Then out into the garden where the bamboo reigned supreme.
We dug it out and killed it all. It’s nowhere to be seen.
The water garden was a mess so we dug the smelly mud,
Replanted, rearranged and now there’s growth in every tub.

Now the carports and the garage, so dusty and infested
Have been cleared of all their chaos (‘twas an effort well invested)
And now you cope with spiders, frogs, cockroaches and chook poo,
Fish tanks, drills and sugar soap and even dead rats too.

And so much more we’ve faced as we’ve exercised our muscles.
Grown stronger every week, used our brains so solve the puzzles.
I’ll miss our chats and lunches as now the work is done
But I’ll always be so grateful for your friendship and the fun.

Though grieving is a dreadful state, you held my hand right through.
I hope this quilt reminds you of the things you helped me do.
So thank you Kim for everything! You’ll always be a friend
And though our work is over now I’m sure it’s not the end.

July 2013

And here are a few tablerunners that Elaine and I have made as gifts...

for Suzy

for Bron and Denis

for Helen and Mike

for Sue and Len

for Mary and John

for Jane

for Pernilla

for Graham and Mary

for Valerie and Ian

for Elspeth and Jeremy

for David and Carlos

Mum's 90th Birthday Quilt and a poem for her...

When the washing up is finished and you’ve cleaned away the dishes
Avoid those evening chills and wicked winter winds
Take time to sit in comfort and warm yourself right through
Wrap yourself in the love that made this rug for you.

The zigs and zags and patches sewn together one by one
Reflect the little scraps in life that sometimes lead to fun
Or even sad and jagged times of conflict, loss and tears
As we’ve travelled life together over six and sixty years.

Throughout my life you’ve given skills to guide me day by day
For sewing, singing, sorting, washing up and even play
Of how to make a loving home no matter small or large
And how to take control of life and always stay in charge.

So thank you Mum for raising me, your daughter number one
To be content with what I have, make do, make my own fun.
I’m proud to be the daughter of a woman strong and bold
Who even when she’s 90 doesn’t seem so very old.

with love from Betty
June 2013

My little Japanology quilt and poem below has now been published in Down Under Quilts Issue 158.

Japan Day 8. This tiny quilt (A4 size) was made for the Japanology themed competition run by the leaders of our trip to Japan in late 2012. I wrote a poem to express my thoughts as I designed it (see below). Completed 11 January 2013.

Japan – Day Eight

The eighth day dawned on our quilting tour of Japan’s fabric and fibre art.

Our plan was to visit Station Five at the foot of Mt Fuji for a start.

But the rain was heavy, the mist was thick, no chance of viewing Mt Fuji today.

A museum visit, that’s the trick, to give the quilters creative play.

Itckiku Kubota’s kimono displays, impressive with stitches and magic hues,

Are housed in a building delightfully set with gardens of leafy autumnal views.

The ponds are flanked by coloured displays, of reds and yellows, purples and green.

But to surprise us just when we’d had our fill Mt Fuji appeared to complete the scene.

Of all our wonderful trip to Japan, the quilts and dyes, the friends and fun,

The images of the Kubota museum remains in my memory as number one.

My tiny quilt is a humble attempt to create an impression of that day

With a chance to use fabrics from Japan and my first free-motion quilting play.

Thank you Lynn and thank you Deb, you gave so much for me to absorb

But the greatest of all our experiences was the Itchiku Kubota reward!

For cousin Garry and Helen

For cousin Dianne