A QUILTED ROCK!

An idea was formed when my friend Angela and I went to a rock show last March.  I love rocks, and always find it intriquing to see what people can do with them.  But I keep telling myself I have enough interests, and I don't have room, time or finances for more.....but these are rocks and I love them.  So I bought some pieces, with a new idea forming in my mind. 

This particular rock show had a lot of slices available for sale.  I couldn't help but see pictures in them and thought it would be fun to find a way to incorporate the slices into a quilt.  I purchased four, thinking that I would experiment with them.  The idea percolating was to extend the design in the rock out into a surrounding quilt. 

It is always exhilarating when the idea in your head comes out of your hands.  This slice of stone is actually called "Ocean Picture Stone".  (I had to take it to The Rock Shop in Courtenay, BC to have it drilled because I don't have the correct tools....I'll be getting them because this was FUN!  The owner told me the name and that it's from mainland BC and is getting hard to find.)

 I spread out the fabrics I thought would go with the stone and blend the colors and this is what came of it.  I've used a mixture of commercial solid colors, hand dyed fabrics by Ionne McCauley, and some of my own hand painted fabric.  The funny part is that the quilting design in the "sky and water" area came from the pocket of my jeans!  Inspiration can be found anywhere!   

I have spoken often of the group in which I am privileged to be a member.  We had another "retreat" this past week and it was again, wonderful to be with friends for three days and catch up with what is going on in their lives, as well as share what is happening in mine.  We met at a new location this time, Honeymoon Bay Lodge Lodge in Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island.  It was sooooo comfortable, luxurious and absolutely perfect for our group.  I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have a gathering of this sort. 

We stitch and quilt and inspire each other, share finished projects at our "show and tell" evening and in the last two gatherings have instigated a 12" x 12" challenge.  Last time the theme was trees and the work submitted was so varied and intriguing....so many different ways to interpret trees. 

The winner of the "Tree" challenge set the theme for the next one.  This time we were to produce a 12" x 12" piece with the theme "Ocean".

Lo and behold.....I won first prize for the 12" x 12" (and it WAS a challenge  for me to make it the right size!)  I will be doing more of these with the other slices I bought, and I'll be looking for the next rock show I can go to! 

Is Rock a Textile Too?

Last weekend my friend and I went to the Rock Hound show and sale. We do this every couple of years and always come home with some kind of beads, rocks or trinkets that we can use in our artistic pursuits.  There are also some other friends of mine that I invariably run into at this event.  This year was no different. We walked in and the first thing we saw was this incredibly colorful display of strung beads. This picture hardly does it justice since my focus is unfortunately more than a little off!  But you get the idea!

From there we walked to each display and admired the work of the rock artists. These photos were a banquet table set up with each plate looking like food being served. My favorite were the cookies (no surprise there), and the steak.

This photo shows a rock that is found in this area, on the beach mostly, and is commonly known as Oyster River Flower stone, used. It can be stunningly beautiful when sliced open, and equally as beautiful just as it’s found. I’ve got some in my own collection!  This rock is a beautiful example of nature's art.....in fact ALL the rocks were!  Polished pebbles, polished slices, carved shapes, jewelery, beads.....all a testament to the beauty inside something that usually doesn't look too exciting at first glance......sort of like a lot of people!

This is one I found somewhat intriguing, although I can’t say beautiful. I just think it’s one of those formations that everyone would see a different shape or subject in when they view it. Interesting isn’t it?

And yes, I did come home with a couple of pieces I'm going to try tying into my textile art.  More on that later. 
You should know that my friend and I are rock and stone "hounds" too. We don’t slice or carve the rocks, but we have our collections of pet rocks that are placed in strategic locations in our gardens. Yesterday my husband and I went to his brother’s home where we had “stashed’ all my pet rocks before we listed our house for sale. I didn’t even want to take the chance of someone asking for any of my collection to stay with the house! They were found in local rivers, on the local beaches, and even two that I hauled all the way home from a trip to Alberta! They will show up in future pictures when they get strategically placed in my garden!