Installation in Paris

This work by Lyndi Sales was seen in Paris at Le Bon Marché, a department store. My sister took the picture for me.

I love the hexagon shapes that peek out from behind circles. I like the artist's use of thread.

Audience (2010) by South African artist Lyndi Sales
3m x 2m
(photo credit J. Lavallee)

To read more about this work and see detailed images click here.

High School Quilts

I had a busy week last week mailing out art work, tennis lessons, trip preparations and wrapping up my teaching at Branksome Hall.

I worked with a small group of students and finished up the quilt making that I started with the entire grade last month. The blocks were made and designed by all the grade 8 students.

First step- Place the blocks in a pleasing fashion.
Second step- Sew the rows together being attentive to the block intersections.

Since we were pressed for time, I suggested we make the quilts the "turn inside out" way instead of the traditional way that ends with a binding.

Third step- Lay your top, good side up over the batting and pin the two layers together using safety pins.
Fourth step- Cut the batting right up to the edge of the quilt.
Fifth step- Tape the back fabric, good side up, onto a table so there won't be any shifting when doing the next step.
Sixth step- Lay the top and batting combo, good side down, over the back fabric.
Seventh step- Pin all the way around using straight pins.
Eighth step- Sew around the edge leaving a gap at one end.
Ninth step- Trim backing.
Tenth step- Turn inside out through the gap you left.
Eleventh step- Add a top stitch all around the quilt which closes up the gap.
Last step- Tie the quilt using pearl cotton.

Lots of steps but the girls were so good at listening that it went pretty fast.

Originally the quilts were to be donated but now the school has decided to exhibit them as an installation at their other school Branksome Hall Asia on Jeju Island, South Korea.

The girls are very excited about that. They should be proud of their work!!

First Full Day

We started with a walking tour of this wonderful city of Verona.

Our tour guide, Christina Zuegg, did a great job,
as I knew she would! Here
she is stopped under a poster for the event Verona Tessile.
and yes that is her up there on the poster!

The group plus Christina standing on a terrace
overlooking Juliet's courtyard.

The group in front of the Arena.

Here we are in Piazza Dante, where we met up with
some people the ladies had met on the plane!

Touristy enough for you??

Some of the textile work is already visible. The official opening will be Monday.

Merging Nature, installation by DAMSS
 from Milano, made of recycled plastic and fabric.
Their work is always site specific.

Some quilts are already displayed in the store windows.

We finished with a nice lunch at Verona Antica, the oldest Osteria in Verona.

Olive oil tasting

Scenes from our walk back home.

Peter went home for a rest and the ladies and I headed to a craft fare at the Arsenale.

Tonight we are going for dinner with a group of my italian friends!! I think we will be about 16! Everyone is loving it.

I am so glad people are making new friends.