Showing of the Altered Books

On Wednesday, 29th July, we were treated to a themed morning tea along with the unveiling of the Altered Books on which the creators have been working for over 18 months. It was well worth the wait! Janet took some photos of some of the books. Click on this photo of Barb's "book" to see the others.

Along with the other delicious spread of eats there were pyramid shaped teabags to go with Barb's Egyption themed book! The member fees for the day were added to donations made and given to Jessica's Sew for Cancer Group in lieu of having the Biggest Morning Tea for Cancer.

Christmas in July - in Paradise!.

What an amazing setting to celebrate Christmas in July.

*

The Patchwork Group hosted a Christmas in July get together for all Fibres members at Helen's home on the beach. From all accounts to was a most beautiful day, weather-wise and socially. Marion shared these photos of the occasion with us.

Felt Distortion Workshop - more photos.

Christine has given us lots more wonderful photos of the Creative Group workshop held at Barb's (Felt Distortion). To view Christine's photos just click on the underlined words.

Alexander's Quilt by Betsy J

Betsy emailed me these photos of her beautiful quilt, front and back, which she recently completed.

Betsy, I deleted your description in error. Please could you email it to me again? And if you have any higher resolution photos, they would give us a better view of the quilt on the blog.

Plinth Workshop

The Creative Arts group recently met to make paper mache plinths for their altered books. Marion sent us these great photos of some of the artists hard at work. Keep a watchout for the finished plinths. They're going to be inspirational.

Creative Arts at Barb's.

Click this photo to see close ups of work done.

On Friday 10th July more than 20 enthusiastic textile artists met in Barb's great work area: L to R are Christine, Sue D, Carol McG, Karen, Beryl, Val M, Janet B, Pam, Lyn H, Anne P, Joan B, Deb, Annette, Sharyn, Barb, Margaret, Andy, Susie M and Birte. Vanessa and Natalie took the photo and Marlene K, Judy S and her grand-daughter Natasha, Diane C and Gai had already left.

We had the time of our lives learning to make a multi-layered whole cloth, incorporating wool roving, water soluble fabric, muslin, assorted fabrics, braids, cords, zips, yarns etc free motion or otherwise stitched, then felted. Barb introduced us to the concept and Annette demonstrated how she'd done her trial piece. Once we all started there was no holding us back and the creativity absolutely pulsed through the group and the achievements were fantastic! Thanks Barb for a very rewarding and enjoyable day.

*

To see an album brimming with photos click on the above photo. (Sorry I might have names mixed up of some creators and I couldn't remember who had done every single one pictured - so please set me right?) Thank you Sue D for your photos.

*

For an excellent explanation of the process she used along with detailed photos illustrating her technique go to Janet B's blog (click). Thank you Janet for the link.

*

WARNING - ALERT - WARNING!!!!!!

There are a LOT of new posts so get a cuppa before you settle back for a good long viewing session. Enjoy!

Oh! And before I go:

Please email me or give me photos in some form or another of your Inchie creations? I want to make an album of them for everyone to view - like the one for Pam W (thank you Pam for sending me the photos) and mine alongside the posts under Member's Albums. Of course it would be wonderful to have an album for every member - so PLEASE SEE THAT I GET YOUR PHOTOS.

The Townsville Show

Under Deb P's enthusiastic influence Fibres and Fabrics made their presence felt at the Townsville Show last weekend. Here she is, along with Anne T and Suzanne C manning the Fibres table. Some of the members also joined forces with the shearers in demonstrating the production of the wool off the sheep's back, as it were:



Deb and Loma did some spinning and Anne T finished the line with knitting - has anyone got a photo?

Library Gets New Shelves!

It's safe to explore the library now, after new shelves were found by Cath S and installed with the help of the valiant Seamstresses who gave up their sewing day to help. Suzanne C also had a hand in surprising us when we arrived the following Wednesday morning to find everything spic and span and re-organised to perfection by under Birte's eagle eye

Birte's face reflects all the member's pride in our library with it's new shelves and we're very happy to know that the danger of our precious librarian being crushed by falling books has been alleviated!

STOP PRESS - Patchworkers Develop Their Curves!

At last month's Patchworkers' day, they had a workshop on developing their curves! It looks as though it was great fun. Thank you for the luscious photos, Deb P. To see them click on the photo below. You won't be disappointed, although Christine C seemed a little shy about being photographed and Nita O'B looked very surprised!

Our Newest Member

Great to have you amongst us, Mary P. We'll get you knitting with some of that yarn you're spinning before you're 18!

Talking of Postcards

Talking of postcards - well a few posts earlier - here's one done by Diane C in the 'All That Jazz' series.

Isn't it special?

Welcome to Fibres and Fabrics

Whether you're a member catching up with our blog or a lurker browsing from the world outside, welcome! Hope you enjoy viewing our activities.

*

If you're not a member and are tempted to find out more about our group we'd love you to come along. You don't need to join immediately. We welcome visitors for three visits free of membership fees so you can get a feel for what we do and who we are. For details of where we meet and when and what to bring email me, Carol McG, at jungleburra@gmail.com

*

Whether you live in Townsville or are visiting or would like to be a 'country member', you will find our group to be a friendly welcoming community of crafters and artists covering a wide range of activities. You don't need to be expert at anything. If you're interested, someone with the required skill will be only too pleased to show you what you want to know. If you are an expert at something - we'd love to learn from you!

Birthday Cards

Card inserts are needed for the Birthday cards. Please get your creativity out from wherever you store it and make a few. Do them in your favourite style, use whatever technique you're comfortable with, in paper, fabric, wool, weaving, printing, painting ...... Cards are available in which to insert your contributions or it will be done for you if you hand Sharyn your inserts. We all love receiving the cards and they become special treasures to the recipients.

Congratulations Marlene King!

Congratulations Marlene on winning Best of State, Best Pictorial, Best Professional and Contemporary Quilt and Best Use of Mixed Media (were there any other awards left for anyone else?!) at the Tasmanian Quilters Guild (click for link) in Hobart with your amazing quilt 'Traveller'.

We are so proud of you (and to be able to boast that you're a member of Fibres and Fabrics!).

Going back to the Postcard Party.

On Saturday, 13th June, Sharyn D treated us to a most inspiring afternoon at Federation House in honour of the opening of the Postcard Exhibition. Those who hung the postcards did a wonderful job of displaying the postcards to full advantage down the most beautiful stairwell of Federation House. For those of you who couldn't be there for the Postcard Party or who haven't had the pleasure of exploring Sharyn's family's fabulous collection of art which is exhibited in the building, Suzanne C has given me the following photos just to give you a sample taste of what to expect - because a visit to Federation House should really be a priority in your future!

Amongst many local and exotic artist's work, there are some inspirational items done by our own Fibres members. Below is a basketry figure woven by Barbara N, in the foreground, and a whole scene done by Marion G out of coconut fibres of a man sitting in a chair and watching TV, in the background.

Above is the front view of Barbara's figure and below is another work by her.

Threads of Habitat have cornered a space amongst Sharyn's family's art collection too.

And some of the fanciful bras created by Fibres members to raise money for cancer are also featured.

Every space features a very special exhibit in a variety of mediums and by a wide range of talented artists. You really should treat yourself and your friends, family and visitors to a look. The building is very generously open to the public.

This is one of my own personal favourites. Can you guess why?

*

Refreshments were accompanied by the delightful music of The Lettuce Dance Band playing in the foyer.

*

It was truly a most enjoyable occasion, thank you Sharyn.

Sandy Bielenberg freemotion workshop - vacancy!

If anyone wants to do the following workshop contact Andy S to take her place. She is unable to do it. Andy had booked to attend a Machine Embroidery Workshop at Tinkers Cart, 3/277 Charters Towers Road on 18 July given by Sandy Bielenberg, Queensland Textile Artist. She has paid a non-refundable deposit of $50.00. Cost for the day is $75.00. If you would like to take her place, please ring Andy.