Work in Progress: Tropic seas dreaming

Another fabric and fibre "quilt" to accompany another of my Haikus attempted during January:

Tropic seas dreaming
Under moon coral reefs spawns
Life begins anew

The "quilt" to represent the haiku was based on a photo by Pawel Achtel.
Its size is "Journal size" : 8.5 by 11 inches

The white coral in the foreground was built up using Xpandaprint, and has six strands DMC embroidery thread and Coats Crochet No.8 to add contrast.
Needle felting in greens and cream were also added mainly on the right hand side.
Small sequins and pearl beads are used to represent the coral spawn, but I feel that more need be added to mirror the millions of coral spawn floating upward on the tide.

Paper fabric

 
 
 


Yesterday was good weather for making some more paper fabric for later use.
I'm not altogether happy with the results, as I was "experimenting" in a "what if" mode.As usual I commenced with a layer of muslin and favourite colour ways: lavender , blue and pink tissues.
(Note to self: get out of the rut and buy some orange, purple & red tissue paper for a change!)

The first piece I used some old sheet music as I had the idea of theming it
The song is gone, but the melody lingers on
See March 2008 blogging

To my mind, I spoiled the effect by including large pieces of Angelina film, when I should have used only slivers of it.
Never mind....they can be cut out and used for something else in another project'

The second piece I layered flower sequins in the tissue paper. I was wondering if I would have trouble with airbubbles forming and the tissue tearing.
One thing I found was a new tool!
My silicon scraper makes a great tool for smoothing the wet tissue.!
I also use a foam stencil brush and splodged silver glitter powder on the paper. Nice effect I think.

The third piece was a re-jigged failure from last year, after I found that metallic tissue is NOT transparent.
I used yellow and spring green strips of tissue over those flower sequins again.Probably some Lumiere paint will be washed over the sheet, later.

The flood continues

About 3pm today I went to check how murky Moreton Bay is, with all the floodwaters and flood debris that have flowed into it.
Today's photos revealed oily, silt heavy waters, with trees, large planks, furniture ,dead fish and birds, plastic barrels, and parts of boat ramps.

For an area that is a designated marine park, the mess is horrendous......and there will be more to follow as the flood waters survive.

You may have heard of the Drift Cafe that broke it's moorings at Milton, and crushed into the bridges?
The following link will show you where it finally came to rest at Sandgate, a little further south than Scott's Beach/Redcliffe

HAIKU ART..: (Beginnings) Fire-storm

HAIKU ART..: (Beginnings) Fire-storm: "Fire-stormSummer fire stormsLand lies scorched and blackened.Rains revitalize."

Breakfast at Woody Point

I may not have access to the wildlife/birds that I had when I lived at Moodlu nearly four years ago, but I am still blessed that mature flowering trees entice the birdlife in for a feed.st over my back fence, are a Euodia (rain forest tree);
a Poinciana, which due to incessant rains has lost its blossoms, and an African Tulip tree (Spathodea "something")
The birds love their blossoms and their nectar,
As the Euodia is in bloom, the Rainbow Lorikeets have vacated the Tulip tree (the canopies of the three trees intertwine) to allow the Galahs and Corellas to dine in peace.

Murky Moreton Bay

I was awoken this morning by a thunder storm! More rain!
As the weather bureau issued a severe weather and high tide warning for south-east Queensland coastal areas,I thought I might get some good pictures.
With the dams having controlled releases there is yet more flood debris making it's way into Moreton Bay, so much so, that even the most dedicated kite surfers were sitting on the lawns at Margate Beach, rather than risking life & limb.
One of my favourite walkways was covered in light debris that had been blown over the sea wall:sea weed and plant material made the concrete pathway a tad slippery.

Anyway, no really spectacular shots I'm afraid, but I thought you might like to see the Bay when it is not so pretty.
Anyway I ENJOYED my walk, and certainly a few cobwebs got blown away!

Finally....

 

My idea for "Firestorm" started taking shape way back in February 2010 after the devastating summer fires swept through Australia's southern states.
However volunteering at TAFE, joining in Postmark'dArt Round 11 swaps, and completing an embroidered cushion cover for my friend Lottie, put the project on the back burner for a few months

One of my New Year Resolutions was to at least complete the Unfinished Project as soon as possible.
It is with great satisfaction I can now say......"Firestorm" is as complete as it will ever be!

Now........I wonder what can be done with "mud and flooding rains"?

Haiku...January "Beginnings"

Tropic seas dreaming
Coral reef spawning polyps
Life begins anew.

I've got maill!

 
 
Two other cards received in the last days of the year included
From LindaK "The waters of Missouri--the clear streams and the muddy Mississipi"
as her interpretation of the ELEMENTS: Water

Also received was a delightful "No theme" (Leaves) from LynS of Sacramento.
This is one card that will be framed, as Autumn leaves/Autumn are favourites of mine.

I've got mail

 
A couple of days back, I received a fabric and fibre postcard from Janice S of MI state.
It was the final of my Round 10 Postmark'dArt ELEMENTS: Fire to arrive.
As usual, the reverse of Janice's card is as great as the main side.

Today's mail

 
 

Today's mail brought a UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES envelope to my mail box.
On opening it I recalled that JaniceS said her post master felt the card might be safer in a sealed envelope.

The postcard (another in Round 11 of Postmark'dArt exchange) was Janice's No theme card to me.
She chose "Haiku" which is a favourite of mine....not that I'm too successful in composing Haiku.

Both sides of the card were so good.....I had to share both with you.

Petroglyphs

 
 
Round 11 swap for Petroglyphs has seen four cards arrive in my letter box:
From my good friend Vivian......you should visit her blog sometime

www.vivianhelena.com

Janice Simpson.........we have been swapping postcards for three or four years now.
Liz T in MN
Mary K in Tacoma WA
Some have used batik fabrics, others use stamps and paint.

Landscapes in one colour

 
 
 
So far I have received SEVEN "Landscapes in one colour" for Round 11 swap of Postmark'dArt.
You know of the one from EvieH in New Zealand.
The other SIX have all travelled from the U.S.: From VA, Mi,Ma;Pa (two cards) and Ca.
Thanks ladies, they are all truly unique!

I've got mail

 
 

The weather may be incredibly WET and grey in south-east Queensland (In fact we were 18 mm short of breaking the rainfall record for the first five days of December) but I was cheered to find that two cards from Evie H in NZ had arrived!
One card represented the Landscape in one colour theme: "Hot Landscape".
No
The second fitted the No theme category as was a "Treescape"

Thanks Evie!

Postmark'dArt : Dragons & Peacocks

 
 
 
 


The final swap I chose to share in in Round 11, was "NO THEME"
However I chose to use Dragons and Peacocks: Die cut rice paper shapes I bought in Beijing some eleven years ago.
We were in the craft/sewing section of the Rainbow Shopping centre, when I saw these fragile papers: Dragons, Peacocks and Tigers.
Of course I just HAD to have them....and now I share them with my contacts through Postmark'dArt.
Because the papers are so fragile, I have enclosed them in either black tulle or white Organza and kept embellishment to a minimum.

Now to address them, brave the pouring rain and mail them~~~~~"just" within the deadline.

Postmark'dArt: ELEMENTS: Water

 
 
 
 

One of the challenges in Round 11 Swap that is currently at it's "use by date", is
ELEMENTS.....Water

I tried out several ideas--
The first one, was a BLUE Hole in the ocean: Unfortunately, my ambition exceeded my capabilities. However, I will keep attempting to do it more successfully in the future.
In Moreton Bay (south east Queensland) at the southern end of Moreton Island, is a blue hole, strangely surrounded by shallows where dugongs and turtles live.

The second attempt I tried to think and work slightly outside the square,
in that I tried a reverse applique of the Kanjii symbol for 'water'.
Again I didn't like the result.

Finally, in a weekend newspaper, I chanced upon an advertisement for Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
I had my inspiration!
So, 12 seascapes later, I had completed my challenge. I hope my swappers enjoy my attempt.

TWELVE seascapes I hear you thinking! I only needed make six, but somehow I didn't register the number required...so now I think I'll frame a few for presents.