Pandora

Creative hands challenge "I opened the box" got my creative juices going.

Pandora opening the box and exposing the world to the 7 cardinal sins.

Popular Alhonse Mucha painting, "Joan of Arc" was used as a foundation for Pandora's astounded expression.

The rough edge of the quilt was burnt and left ragged.

Dealing with depression

According to the Medical Dictionary, depression is "a mental state or chronic mental disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, low self-esteem, and self-reproach; accompanying signs include psychomotor retardation (or less frequently agitation), withdrawal from social contact, and vegetative states such as loss of appetite and insomnia."

Dealing with this said state of depression is a daily chore. While designing this quilt for the Jacaranda Quilters Guild 2012 Challenge, I was once again reminded of that fact. Choosing the design in a traditional patchwork pattern, I had to also incorporate my interpretation of the colour wheel. The closer I came to the centre, the bigger the challenge. The project was abandoned at at least 5 stages and it was only with great support, abuse and manipulation that between my sister and fellow group members at Creative Hands, it was finished.

Except for a major "blaps" on the backing, the quilt came out very satisfactory and was crowned with a "Highly Commended" white ribbon at the friendship meeting.

 

I certainly learned a lot. The seemingly simple pattern required precise patchwork. This was a challenge on it's own for a free spirit like mine with virtually no patience. I now own an array of seam rippers in all shapes and sizes. 

The second breakthrough on this quilt was the detailed quilting in the negative spaces. I used templates for the first time. The quilt offered ample negative space where I could practice the technique. The design of the quilting is in lots of hearts, depicting the love needed by us all.

All together a very positive experience that dealt beautifully with possible depression. Does the design make you think of depression, or does it deal a blow to it?

 

Texture Challenge

As part of the Creative Hands Art Quilt group, I took part in a 9 box texture challenge. This was exhibited at  the Centurion Art Gallery earlier this year. My theme, as always: Cats.

From the top left:
Sprokie van 'n Katkind - Textured burnt and painted,
Cats' eyes - Cutouts,
5 Cats - Pieced, painted and quilted,
3 Ladies crossing the river - Silk ribbon, woven,
It's All About You - Confetti,
Amadeus in front of the fireplace - Needle felted,
I love Cats - Metalwork, beaded on hand dyed flour resist background
Oscar in the garden - Glue and paint
Jozephina on the kitchen sill - Hand paper pieced and appliqued.

Believe it or not, this took a year to do. Each square is 9 x 9 ins.

The picture used for the Confetti Quilt is one taken by Karen Pepler of her "Karnaki Its All About You" - Sealpoint Birman kitten.