We've had another day trip into Sydney last Sunday, the atmosphere is always great on the weekends. There are usually street buskers and performers trying to make some dollars around the harbour. I thought you might enjoy this aboriginal musician playing the didgeridoo. There's a Kangaroo skin on the stool next to him you can sit on for a photo.
The real purpose for our visit was to get a bit of culture at the Art Museum. We went to see the terracotta warriors that are on display until March. There were about six figures, two horses and many artifacts along with two amazing bronze chariots complete with horses and figures. Probably the only time I'd get to see them unless I went to China and that's not gonna happen.
Onto quilty news, I finally got enough courage to get started with the machine quilting on the Stars and Sprigs quilt. The hardest part was deciding what to quilt. I narrowed it down by an elimination process and have ended up doing a swirly worm like pattern.
In case curious minds want to know, I'm using Hobbs heirloom wool batting and Superior's Kimono silk thread in white which is so nice to use and the quilting isn't making it stiff like cardboard either. I'm saving my hand quilting muscles for other projects and I don't think this one has suffered from being machined. I'm clipping and removing the perle thread that I basted with as I go and so far there are no puckers.
Remember that possum from a few posts ago? Imagine my surprise when I went outside and found it just outside the back door on top of the broom cupboard again and during daylight.
Well, take a closer look, it's got it's baby on it's back that hopped out of the pouch and climbed up n Mum's back. Cute but not wanted there. DH has gone outside and put a new roof on the possum box, apparently it had been leaking and was wet. That would be the reason it found a new spot.
.jpeg)
52 comments:
What a great job Janet you have done quilting it looks fantastic and the possums do look cute.lol
cheers Sheryl
http://shez-enjoyinglife.blogspot.com
Your quilting looks great!
Our dog had a possum rounded up under the tin roof of our dam pump, we wondered what he was frantically barking at and hubby went down to rescue it. It ran up the nearest tree it find!
Margaret in my Wednesday sewing group went to China last year to see the Terracotta Army and was blown away by it. The photo's were amazing. Ah, that possum and her baby look so cute but not knowing what they are are they a pest? Your Stars and Sprigs is looking great. I so admire your determination to master something and get the job done.
Love Shirley.x
the quilting looks amazing
Isn't it wonderful that we can go to museums and see these treasures from all over the world.
We really enjoy going to museums as well.
Kathie
Your quilting looks great Janet...I think it compliments the quilt beautifully..
Yes, imagine how much work and time it would take to hand-quilt such a big quilt like that..
The Terracotta Army are coming here soon, I look forward to seeing it..
Julia ♥
Oh Janet your quilting is incredible. I will be sending mine up to you I think! Love the possum and her baby, I hope they move back to their old house and leave you in peace! xo
All that practicing on Fridays has really paid off. You are making another heirloom quilt. Fantastic!
Possums look cute but they drive my dogs crazy and they leave lots of evidence behind.
Your quilting looks stunning. Looks a bit like Kellie's of "Don't Look Now" fabulous quilting ;). I've been to Xi'an while we lived in China to see the terracotta warriors and although it was impressive, the set up there is rather simple and without any atmosphere. And how cute is your possum with baby! But I do understand that you don't want it on top of your broom cupboard. Cheers Vreni x
We had the Terracotta army on display in London about 3 years ago. My son who never seems interested in the arts was completly overwhelmed by it.
Your quilting is fantastic.
I know nothing about Possum's. Obviously a pest but they do look cute.
Oh the quilting is beautiful! I love Hobbs Wool Batting. Like you say, it comes out so much softer!
Stunning, Janet. Awesome quilting job.
As for Mama possum and her baby...aaaawwww.
Your quilting is amazing!!I love the swirly pattern you're using!You might have already told us but why did you baste with perle cotton? Circular Quay is an amazing place isn't it! So full of interesting people and the view of the harbour never ceases to impress me. Sweet little possoms!
Gorgeous quilting! But I really had to post to say how much I adore the pic of the possum. Totally cute, and I love hearing when people find ways to cohabitate rather than destroy, even if they're not your desired neighbors. :)
sounds like so much fun!
My son plays the didgeridoo. He has even made his own using PVC pipes.
Your machine quilting looks incredible, you have mastered that quickly!
You are killing me Janet - you are so fantastic at this! Are you finding it difficult to manouvre the big quilt??
OH, THE QUILTING, JANET! It's looking simply amazing! Fabulous, fabulous!! I'm going to have a gander at that basting tutorial. Your possums are SOOOOoooooo much cuter than our possums -- heinous things. We get skunks, raccoons and possums in our neighborhood. I'm not a fan of any of them.
Talent just oozes out of you Janet! LOL Seriously! Love the quilting on Stars and Sprigs.
Cute baby possum peeking out.
The quilting is goreous, great picture. I am curious about the silk thread....have you used it before? I may need to try that.
Your choice for the quilting pattern is wonderful!! I am envious of your machine quilting talents :0)
That's one bad thing about living out in the country, there are no really big museums to attract exhibits like that.
Crispy
Oh, my, Janet! Your quilting is gorgeous!! It empaphizes the pattern so well, making this a true work of art.
If you are finished quilting, please engage in more peaceful activities. Machine quilting can be stressful on shoulders and ears;)
What cute troublemakers...
I just watched an Oprah where she went to Sydney, and I thought of you.
And your quilting turned out beautiful!
Your machine quilting is amazing. I love international blogs---I can be an armchair tourist and visit places I may never get to go. Thank you.
... and a truly troublesome word - I meant 'emphasize' lol. Take care:)
Hi Janet! Thanks for the pictures of Sydney. For just a moment, I was there again. I know exactly where you took both photos!
I have one of those "big gulp" FMQ quilts to begin too: Snowflake Medallion, a Ballarat Patchwork design. It's been basted for months and I can't bring myself to make the first quilting stitches. I too am using Hobbs Wool, but will quilt with Sulky. I think it's time to "just do it." You've inspired me.
Awwww, those possums are soooo cute! And your quilt is going to be beautiful -- I love the way you've chosen to quilt it!
Swirly worm like pattern?! That is how you are describing your beautiful machine quilting?! There has to be a better descriptive word!!!
Your quilting design is fabulous, Janet.
Not sure about the critter - ick! LOL
That possum is so cute! Your quilting looks great! :0)
It is fun to do and see things that come into town. We like to do that too. Your quilting is looking super. I know you are going to be very proud of your quilt when it is finished.
Aaahhh! sweet baby even though you don't want them around.
Your quilting looks wonderful - and Oh!! what a cute mother and child :)
Quilting on the Stars and Sprigs is gorgeous! Are you using silk in the bobbin too? How are you controling all the bulk of the quilt? The possum is adorable, quite unlike our North American possums--though I guess they are a nuisance everywhere. Hope she moves on.
What great quilting...I can't wait to see the finished quilt!
Your quilting motif is perfect for this quilt top. I like the choice of wool batting and silk thread because you are correct, lots of quilting = stiffer quilts. Your McCord quilt is really amazing, and don't get all self critical over the vines, they look great.
Perfect choice for the quilting for Stars and Sprigs! And American possums aren't as cute as yours!
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
Oh it's looking so awesome!! I'm getting ready to do my basket quilt which has Hobbs wool. Have never tried silk thread. I'll check back with you.
love your stars & sprigs. Did you use a particular range of Kaffe Fasset fabrics
The quilting looks great Janet.
You impress me at every turn. Your machine quilting is ALSO exquisite. Beautiful job!
The machine quilting looks great! I love the design. Just remember to breathe while you're working.;)
Your possums are a lot better looking than ours.
When I looked at the pic of the man playing the digeridoo, I found the electric hookups on his other side amusing. What a contrast-the ancient instrument versus the electricity.
Wonderful machine quilting - it really does justice to your beautiful quilt. Your trip looks really fun and interesting. The possum is cute, but I agree it would look cuter somewhere else!
Oh Janet the quilting is amazing.
The possum is really cute and the baby is even cuter.
Janet
You surely have been blessed, Janet - not to take from the dedication you put into a project!
Hugs - Lurline♥
Happy Australia Day!! :-)
Quilting is gorgeous!!
A beautiful quilt and a baby possum - double win for today.
There were some Terracotta Warriors (reproduction) in an exhibit locally and my Mom and I really enjoyed seeing them. They are so big! and with all the different faces. Just wonderful.
Love the quilting you're doing. Excellent work as always!
Our possums here look nothing like yours. Ours are very light colored and have dirty pink noses. They definitely stand out when light hits them and they make an awful hissing noise. Unfortunately they are often road kill.
The quilting is gorgeous. The possums look so cute - but perhaps that's because we don't have them over here!
Your machine quilting is marvelous!! I think your squiggly worms are perfect for it.
A possum baby - wow it's cute - I'll have to show it to my kids. We don't have possums here.
Your quilting is spectacular! I think you've found the perfect design to compliment the beautiful fabrics?
I'd love to see the terra cotta army. I hope they'll come to an area within reasonable traveling distance here. Fun too, that you got to see some local "color".
Your Opossum and Mum are very cute, but it would be nice if they'd move on? Maybe if you could get a bar of soap up there, or play a radio they'll head out for the other place?
Great post Janet, although I did cringe a bit at the kangaroo skin. Your possums are so cute, almost like a chinchilla, very plush looking, not at all like our scruffy ones. Your quilting continues to amaze. I'm hearing alot about the wool batt. I'm going to have to try it.
I just love to see a little bit of your culture too!! Fun to see images that I have only read about!!
Your quilting is just amazing, and your possums are definitely cuter than ours! They are not actually native to the NW US, but came here from the south as pets with civil war soldiers. They are the ugliest things alive!
The quilting looks fabulous!!!!!!
Post a Comment