Sunday, November 14, 2010

It's me, I'm back.

 Mr Quiltsalott and I just got back last night from our New Zealand holiday. Visiting family was great but it was a big three week break away from the computer and blogland so I have a bit of catching up to do.

I had to show you this, I bought myself this piece of contempory art at Auckland airport. A last minute impulse buy which I'm not known to do very often but I just couldn't resist.
The piece is in the shape of a Tuatara, an ancient reptile living only in New Zealand. I love how the found and recycled objects are represented. Many bits are uniquely New Zealand, what we would call Kiwiana. It's kitsh Kiwiana to me.
 
 I took a few close ups so you can see some of the objects. It's all covered with a decoupage type liquid.
The artist is Janice Napper. All photos are clickable for a closer look.

You probably want to see something quilty about now so while I was visiting with my 25 year old son, I managed at last to get a photo of this four patch quilt I made him some years back. It looks a bit faded and used now. It's the only quilt I've made that I didn't have a photo of. It's also the very first quilt that I ever quilted with perle cotton in the big stitch style.
While I was cutting out some basting threads, there was an accidental slip of the scissors which left a hole that needed patching. The cat in the hat was appliqued over the cut and I think it looks like he belongs.
I'll  admit to some other shopping, I have a small (?) amount of loot from two patchwork shops which I'll show next time. I have a few photos to share with you as well as a bit of sewing I managed to do.
It's good to be back, I'm waving out to some new followers (hi there) and looking forward to a big catch up.

43 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

Welcome Back Janet! I was just wondering yesterday if you'd ever be back LOL! I hope you had a wonderful time. And the Cat! I'm currently obsessed with that fine gentleman -- I'm going to have to buy him by the bolt!!!

Miriam said...

Hi Janet!! Welcome home!!

I think the Cat in the Hat looks right at home on your son's quilt! I love the fabrics and the design you used.
The Tuatara is amazing!!! I love all the little pieces of New Zealand all over it!

Darlene said...

WooHoo - welcome home! You were definitely missed!

Love your unique piece of art - incredibly different. :-)

Your son's four patch quilt is wonderful - cat in the hat belongs. LOL

Jan said...

Welcome back, Janet! I love your Tuatara. It reminds me of memory jars, a folk art tradition here in the States. Terrie Mangat, a well-known contemporary quiltmaker, made a wonderful memory jar quilt. I'll have to find a photo of it and forward it along. Love all of the kitschy bits!

Sue said...

Your tuatara is fabulous. I really love your son's quilt too. Cat in hat and all.

Nat Palaskas said...

Hi Janet, welcome back. I miss you! Love the kitsch Kiwiana. Must look out for one when I visit NZ next time. I'm a little bit of a Kiwi myself as you know. Love your first quilt you made for your son. The little cat in the hat is a perfect addition to that quilt. Looking forward to some more photos - Hugs Nat

Julia said...

Welcome back Janet...You've been missed.
The cat looks right at home on the quilt..so cute!
Look forward to seeing what you've been up too..
Julia ♥

Donna~~ said...

Welcome back Janet! Your tuatara is fabulous, like a different kind of quilt pieced together with fun! I've missed seeing all your beautiful (and inspiring) work!

Unknown said...

Welcome Home Janet Yes You have been Missed..Glad to hear you had a Nice Time away...I'm Enthralled by the Lizard it's Amazing all the little Treasure's that have been put into it...looking forward to seeing what you have to show & Love the Quilt...doesn't look faded from hear just well Loved.
cheers

Rachaeldaisy said...

Welcome Home!! I love your Kiwiana!! you'll see different things every time you look at it. What a great quilt, the stripey sashing works so well with those brights. The cat in the hat makes it extra special!!

Carol said...

Welcome back! Hope your trip was just spectacular! Love the Cat in the Hat on your son's quilt...he's perfect!

alobsiger said...

WELCOME BACK! You've been missed!! LOVE your tuatara -- Jan hit the nail on the head mentioning Terrie Mangat -- I was trying to think what your piece reminded me of. She did a fabric series several years ago too. My favorite piece was called junk drawer. :-) Your son's quilt is wonderful. I like the subtle changes in bright color in the four patches and the sashing is perfect.

Trine said...

I love the Kiwiana. How big is it?
It is hard to tell.. I compared it with the coin and other little things, but the photo of some man made me a little confused aboute the size of the artpiece.

I would have bought it as well. Really pretty and different in a cool way.

ranette said...

Glad to see you are back and I love your art piece! Very cool and interesting and I've had some fun enlarging the photos.

Your son's quilt is great and what a cool way to fix the "slip".

Sujata Shah said...

That's some beautiful piece of art!
Love the quilt too! The sashing fabric is perfect for the quilt. What size needle do you use for quilting with pearl cotton?

Sandy said...

The art is unique! and I too love the Cat in the Hat remedy ;) Mostly, I missed your posts and am glad you are back...fondly, Sandy

Nedra said...

Welcome back, and that little piece of art would fit in perfectly here in Southern Utah.

Lori said...

Welcome home Janet!! I missed you although I bet you had a wonderful vacation with your kids.

I love the quilt and the kind that get used are the best!!

I love your kitchy art piece. There is so much to see. That is a very nice reminder of your time in NZ.

Annette said...

I love the cat in the hat and had fun looking for him on the quilt. What a fun idea! Your souvenir is fun to look at too...like an appliqued lizard LOL

Terrie Sandelin said...

Wow, that tuatara is amazing! Sometimes those impulse buys really are the greater path of wisdom . . .

Susan said...

Welcome home! You were missed, but no doubt you had a wonderful time with your family!

Crispy said...

Welcome Home Janet!! I love the Cat In The Hat solution, we quilters are so clever LOL. I LOVE the lizard, really pretty!! Looking forward to the loot :0)

Crispy

Michele said...

Hi Janet, Glad you are back safe and sound. LOVE your lizard.......I would like to see something next to it in order to gauge the size as I have no idea how big it may be. It looks as though the artist had a lot of fun creating it, doesn't it? Michele

Shirley said...

I came browsing earlier but had to come back and say to you that what a fantastic idea it would be to make a lizard quilt but fill it in with wonderful applique'd I spy type things. It would be wonderful for your little Noah. Just think of the fun you could have finding things to fit in it. May even do one myself!!!! Have missed you.
Love Shirley.xx

Dixie Howard said...

So happy you are back! Love the art piece you found. My favorite kind of jewelry is made from recycled stuff like you found. I love how it is unique and also supports the artist - very nice piece you found. Love your son's quilt, and the Cat in the Hat is perfect - he does belong there!

Janet said...

What an interesting lizard! I enjoyed the close shots :0)
The quilt looks wonderful to me and how rewarding to know it is well loved.
I'm glad you're back!

Nyla said...

Glad you're back and that you had a nice visit with family. Love your lizard, maybe you could share about the uniquely NZ items that some of us don't know about. I'm looking forward to seeing your "loot". Your having expressed yourself that way cracked me up, it was so fun and cute.

Cardygirl said...

Love the Tuatara...fascinating & very tempting. Great quilt...love the applique!

Sonja♥ said...

What a lovely excentric artist, I love it!!!!
And your quilt... the cat in the hat is it's signature;)

Meredith said...

Welcome Home!

Munaiba said...

Welcome back. I've missed your blog posts! What a gorgeous quilt that is. Simple and faded it may be but I just think it's beautiful. It's funny that you had an accidental slip of the scissors because I did the same thing with the rotary cutter on a quilt I'm making and was planning to applique an owl over it if I can find one.

We've had so much rain while you've been away that Oz is as green as Kiwiland now. :)
Cheers
Munaiba

Joan said...

Wonderful to see you back safe and sound. Seems like you have had a wonderful time . Love the lizard though I guess thats not really its name. Quilts nice too :) :) ♥

sheila said...

Welcome back, I'm sure you know by now how much you were missed but I though I would add my voice to the swell. The art is amazing and the 4 patch for you son is pretty cool. I'm a big Suess fan myself and working on a Suessical themed quilt for my oldest daughter. Looking forward to more inspiration from you in the days to come.

John'aLee said...

What an interesting piece!
I love the quilt you've shown too. Makes me feel like I'm not the only one who does the 'slip of the scissors' thing!

Barb said...

welcome home - I love your pin! It reminds me of the mexican art form that is similar when they affix stuff to a box or other structural objects. The jewelry piece is just great.

Ann Champion said...

Welcome home! Your impulse buy is a lot of fun. A nice reminder of your trip/family visit.
I'm glad you were able to get a pic of your son's quilt. It's a fun quilt and the cat in the Hat is the perfect addition.
I look forward to seeing what you've got for us next! :)

Miss Hillbilly said...

That is the coolest piece of artwork!!

*karendianne. said...

Welcome home, welcome back, welcome! You've been greatly missed. The Tuatara is a real feast for the eyes. We were feastless at Quiltsalott but sure looking forward to catching up. *karendianne. (what a great fix on the quilt, Janet.)

Juliann said...

Welcome back! I love your Tuatara.

Nanette Merrill said...

I so love kitchy cute.

Ivory Spring said...

Oh, that's where you have been. I was wondering why your blog hasn't been updated... ;) Welcome home, and welcome back to blogland.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh what a nice trip! I"m excited to make it to AU in April. I wanted to stop in New Zealand too, but not this trip - not enough time.

Robin said...

What a cool looking lizard! It really is a beautiful piece. I love the quilt too-- that striped sashing is awesome!