You Make Me Teal Brand New: Frocktober Day 6!

While I sometimes miss my lavender Mrs Slocombe hair, the good thing about this red/orange hair is TEAL! I couldn't wear teal with lavender hair. I felt wet and slimy like a decaying mermaid. But right now I'm enjoying the teal feel that's coming to the fore in my wardrobe.

This $4 op shop number has never been out for a whirl so today I took it to the museum with my little Joe. 

School was back today so it was just me and Joe again and you know, Joe and I only have one term home together before Summer holidays and then he starts school! With kindergarten and swimming lessons we only have Monday's as a gallivanting day and in fact we only have TEN Mondays left! Yeah, I know! No pressure!

Today we played with the mirrors - check out Joe's face! 

 Then we had a picnic in the park.


The frock is TEAL satin (which fascinated Joe and he couldn't stop touching it!) and, as Melbourne weather did not comply with the forecast mid twenties temperature, I donned a beaded cardi (had too long to remember where I got it!) and little fur stole (given to me recently as a gift). I also wore my faux versace tights (from the sock shop), orange bobby socks (from the kids drawer!) and black patent leather shoes (from Savers)

Joe was the photographer!

Stay tuned for some frockfabularse (to use a Helga-ism)fundraising fun.

And in case you don't know what this frocking is all about it is to raise money for The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Early detection is the key. Unlike many other cancers there is no early detection test. Consequently ovarian cancer is often diagnosed in its late stages and only 20%-30% of women will survive beyond five years of diagnosis. In comparison, survival rates increase to 80-100% when ovarian cancer is detected and treated early.

We need this research for all of our mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, nieces, sister in-laws and sister out-laws! We need it for ourselves!

You can donate here.

THANKS to everyone who has donated so far!

Museum Muse

After dropping los gemelos ( i.e the twins) at kindergarten the other day I decided to treat myself. Three whole hours with only one child? Why, I could do anything........I could plot to take over the world (cue the maniacal laughter.... mwah ha hah ha ha). Or I could visit the museum and be back in time for tea!

Which is exactly what I did. The latter. (Phew! I hear you all sigh in relief.)Baby Joe obligingly fell asleep to the not so gentle rocking of the bumble bee tram and I was able to wander about and look at what I wanted to first, before  taking him to the dinosaurs.

The women with clever hands was a glorious journey through indigenous weaving and beading that was simply breath taking. No photo taking allowed here but I got this image from the museum website.

Women with Clever Hands

Gapuwiyak Miyalkurruwurr Gong Djambatjmala

Until 28 Aug 2011

Joyce Milpuna Bidingal, Coiled basket (detail) 2007

                                           

An exhibition showcasing Aboriginal fibre work.

Women with Clever Hands features fibre work by women artists from Gapuwiyak in northeast Arnhem Land. The exhibition features baskets, bags, mats, sculptural figures and jewellery.

These beautiful works combine simple, functional shapes with intricate design, fine detail and subtle colour, all of which reflect the complexities of their land and their culture.

Too true. Exquisite weaving in really interesting rich colours. Navy, green, orange, yellow red and purple. Sculptural pieces. Huge circular mats. Some beading with seeds so tiny it would take magic to pierce them and not split them. I mean really mind bogglingly tiny seeds.

Judy Baypungala | Wurlaki people NT b.1941 | Circular mat (detail) 2004 | Twined pandanus palm leaf with natural dyes | 307cm (diam.) | Purchased 2005. Queensland Art | Gallery Foundation Grant | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | © Judy Baypungala 2004. Licensed by Viscopy, Sydney, 2009 |

The mats were mesmerising as an abstract visual. Just hypnotic. The delicate work and stories attached really deserve some time to take in. Perfect for while Joe slept.

In my further wanderings I went to the Top Designs exhibition from the talented young things in year 12 last year. Important for me to see because my eldest is in year 12 this year and doing four folio subjects, including textiles and fashion. All the time, effort, cutting and pasting now makes more sense to me.

  As Joe woke, we checked out the Melbourne through history displays, pretended to be in the late 1800’s in a Lonsdale Street cottage (the small proportions of which made even little me feel like a giantess!) and then gazed in nostalgia and appreciation at the display of John Rodriquez textiles from the sixties and seventies. You’ll all be familiar with the Scandinavian inspired style, the birds, the apples, the flowers and the colours – so much of it in style again now.

But you can see more of the collection from the comfort of your own internet device here.

Then, for Baby Joe's amusement, it was on to see the dinosaurs and animals – which I must say, I found completely inspirational and gave me the impetus to get a wriggle on with a re-sew-cool idea I’ve had for some time. Will show you all the results soon! 

All in all a perfect afternoon. I think Joe enjoyed it too.

posted by Julianne sisteroutlaw

Anzac Commemorative Quilt

My maternal Great Grandmother, Martha (Mattie) Ellis, was known for her fine crochet work. During the depression she crocheted doilies for her children to sell door to door. She had twelve children and loved to thump out a tune on the piano and play the harmonica.

Her fine craft skill can be seen in this First World War commemorative quilt - I don’t even know how this quilt ended up in my hands! It’s made up of panels that are incredibly detailed with pictures, patriotic phrases and dates of battles.

"Our Hero, We're proud of him. Anzac 1915"

 It was getting ruined and I showed it to my good friend, Calamity Sue, and she recommended I contact the Australian War Memorial Museum. I emailed a description to them and they rang me straight away and said they were sending a courier!!
So Great Granny’s quilt is now in part of the collection there - the second largest textile piece they have. They museum already had some similar panels as smaller items like tray cloths or jug covers, but they had not come across someone who had done so many panels and attached them this way. The curator is trying to find each pattern my Great Granny used, which would have been published in magazines and newspapers.
The curators are also trying to find out if any of Great Granny’s loved ones went to war. She certainly had brothers of an age that could have. The quilt always had a very sombre feel to it (which is why it has been up in the cupboard for many years!) and I do wonder if Great Granny’s industrious crocheting was done whilst grieving.

"Dardenelles 1915 Our Heroes"

"Success to the Allies for Freedom"

 

"For Freedom. Yes we will defend it to the last"



This is one of the largest panel. The ship is very detailed.



This is my favourite panel. It shows a woman tending  a grave with birds flying overhead. It says,

 "Anzac Day APL 25 1915 Lest We Forget

   Lord Bless Waiting for the Dawn of Peace.

   Our Brave Sailors"

posted by sister outlaw Julianne