Pam Holland Designs and Productions

Designing as I travel

I flew over Cairo, Italy, the deserts of Africa and the suez canal.

I had amazing views and of course I documented it all.

That part of the trip was rather lovely but the next 10 hours were a bit of  a strain.

Long delays, long lines, very hot, no aircon and no where to sit.

However, even though I've woken to  a misty morning here in Northern France I have great anticipation at driving through the country side on my own and the camera will be working overtime.

 

I had stunning views

 

 

However, I while raveling and waiting took the opportunity to prepare ideas for new textile pieces.

First of all I worked in EQ7 to create a new pattern for a design I made some 12 years ago.

This is a new Kimono pattern and it might replace the old one. I need to refine the block, but I quite like it. I like the continuation of color and line on the filler block. Sashiko quilting on the blue...woow it would look super.

 

The new kimono pattern... I quite like the setting as well, then again it depends on the fabric and the quilting..

 

The images below are watercolors, done in the computer of photos that I had taken over the last few days, the orange one in Dubai. I'm visualizing a black thread sketch of one of the Mosques I photographed and sketched last year. I will have the fabric printed and it will be ready for me when I get home. The other one is of the desert at we were flying yesterday, it was on the top of Africa and I also have a plan for this piece. I will also send it to be digitally printed on fabric.

Of course the sketch book is an essential part of travel and I did a journal entry using my flight ticket and a bit of imagination. 

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Travel is a state of mind.

Textiles at the British Museum

"Now thats strange" you say

I believe that 'Quilting' is a craft, an occupation, a creative expression that is equal to any artistic medium.

Fear - Less

window dressing

 

I enjoy the window displays in shopping malls and this one just took my fancy today.
Of course I love the colors, but I really like the image too.

 

Travel

 Travel is a means of getting from one place to another. 

It might be a car ride. 
Then again it could be a boat, ship or plane. 

This gal has ridden on a donkey through the mountains up a very steep path. Well, it was supposed to be a path, any semblance disappeared after the first half mile.

My least favorite was a  very uncomfortable camel in the desert. I lurched from side to side like a drunk. I kept asking him to stop but he didn't speak English only Arabic. Horses and I don't work well together  either  somehow my legs just don't fit around his girth. When I get off, I crash to the ground through lack of circulation in the legs. Its not a pretty sight.

So give me a great big jumbo jet and I'm happy. In the middle of the night last night I was beginning to wonder about my affinity with planes. At one stage it appeared to drop out of the sky and we continued to bump around for about an hour or so. I love being on a ship as it rolls from side to side I reckon I have a chance if it's going to sink I'll grab a nice life boat, but the plane is different I think you just fall to the ground, no life boat just a big wing to slide out onto and I don't swim.

I obviously made it, because I'm writing!!!

On a serious note when I'm in the midst of something like that and its dark and I'm powerless. I wonder about the wisdom  of my ways.

How is it that Quilting or its fancy name 'Textile Art' can give me so many amazing experiences.

Today my invitation arrived from the US Embassy in Rome on behalf of the UN.
Its just one more of those experiences.
It matches many others and counteracts the desperation of stolen quilts the missing luggage and being mugged in South Africa! 
Put it all into perspective. Its pretty darned amazing.

What are you listening to right now.

 

 

Right now I am listening to 'Time for Three'

Classical crossover released July 2014.

A wonderful fusion of classical, Jazz and Country if you can imagine that.

Just the right music to travel by.

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Music and being creative.

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Designing a quilt for a specific project brings forth a lot of challenges.

Designing a quilt for a specific project brings forth a lot of challenges.

"Hunger" was this challenge.

It's not beautiful, its supposed to be provocative and the images are from my own experiences of people on the streets in Thailand, India and Mexico.

The Artist statement will give a detailed description of the quilt.

It was difficult to add this small quilt into the larger one, but realistically it would be too hard to thread-paint onto the larger quilt and so I did as a separate piece and appliquéd it on.

The other images are illustrated right on the quilt top and the quilting flows across the genres.

 

The next genre was "The South west" totally different and whimsical.

This is a teaching sample, so I have to add illustrations and instructions.

 

Then on to Donkey Diva,

Mark 1 and 2 

Four quilts in 3 weeks. Gees Louise.

The brain and body have been on overload but now I can wind down. Hopefully I can smell the roses and relax.

I leave for Singapore on Tuesday, Thursday I will be in London and Saturday on a cruise to Norway Teaching.

Breathe, breathe, breathe,

 

Finally back on track.

The housework is completed and the gardener had been consulting about the new work they did in the garden. It all sounds rather grand, but it's not fancy and it's so nice to have someone take that responsibility and give Keith and I more free time.

 This guy in my tree is enjoying a brief respite in the sun....(it didn't last long)

I've finished a lot of paperwork and in organizing my schedule, I am making a conscious effort to spend more time home next year. (that has always been the plan) but it's hard to implement.

Being a traveling quilter means that I live two lives, A Mum and Wife life and a Teaching life.

A friend rang me the other day, she mentioned that she had been at a retreat recently and it was the first time she had been aware of the camaraderie of quilters that were previously unknown to her.

I value the camaraderie I experience while traveling and teaching. Its very different to life to being a Mum and Wife.   Both are wonderful, and I think I balance them well. Some folk don't understand, but then again, that's not my problem.

I get to go into an environment where I know absolutely no one, and at the end of two or three days I have a bunch of wonderful new friends who have something in common.... I guess that says it all really.

I'm just about to start quilting the Buddha image.

Travel - you need to be prepared for anything.

I woke early, at least  a couple of hours earlier than I needed to.

There was a sense of urgency.

A few things have happened in the past few days that I can't add to the blog.... but lets just say that a situation arose where lives were put at risk. (mine included)

I truly felt I shouldn't be leaving today, but I had no choice...

I left at 6.45 am, I could hardly concentrate on the road. the traffic was intense and I found myself grinding my teeth.

So many things were going through my mind.

I drove for 40 minutes.

I suddenly saw smoke up ahead and within 5 minutes the traffic stopped.

Sirens, ambulances, fire engines.... Police went past at alarming speed on the access road. The traffic stopped.
I had 7 miles to go to the airport.

40 minutes later I passed the devastation, crumpled metal,  smoking metal  barely recognizable as a vehicle.
It was draped to prevent people seeing the inevitable.... People stood around in shock and I found it hard to accept after the  events of the morning. It brings back the sadness we've experienced in accidents in the family.

I made it to check in with just a little spare time.

The stress of the morning waving over me as the attendant handed me my boarding pass.

One event in the morning bought a smile to my face..... My bling sent the bells ringing at security. An officious officer asked if I need privacy as she patted me down...What the heck, It was really the metal buttons on my white pants..... Pat as much as you wish honey..

........which she did...so much that my trousers fell down almost below my butt as she ran her hands down the legs.... WELL that embarrassed her.... I just laughed.... I had my good knickers on...

Hmm, she'll be a bit more careful next time.

These are my traveling pants....they have a loose waist for plane sitting....

I bought a bagel that I later found was not fit for consumption.... I drank my coffee strong relishing each mouth full and managed to get off a few emails.

Little rock to Dallas..... Dallas to California.  I worked all the way, wrote and drew....

I had 40 minutes to get from one terminal to another... But in reality it was really only 10 minutes and I walked up to the gate with heart pounding and walked straight onto the aircraft.

Will my luggage arrive the same time as I do?

YES it did. I'm safe and comfy in Orange County California.

Who said being a traveling quilter was easy.....

11/08/2010

I'm in the airport after a Most amazing morning ..... Scary and dangerous situations in Hot Springs.....and then there was a terrible car crash in front Of me.... The car burnt Beyond recognition..... I got here late. .... The bling set off the alarm and my trousers almost fell down as I was being patted down. Note to self..... Don't wear shiny undies when flying...

breathe Pam

Life on the road.

Life on the road is frustrating at times.

Despite being laid back most of the time and as organized as well as know how. I guess I wouldn't be human if I  said that I didn't get uptight at times.

Shifting from one place to the next is stressful. Although I'm here for another 4 days I've already packed most of my things. Weighing luggage and making sure everything is in it's place is a necessary evil. I have a portable scale which is invaluable. It attaches to the handle of the case and when you lift the case it gives a correct weight.

Communication at times is difficult and thank goodness for the internet and phone.

I was asked recently some tips on packing...

Its hard not to over pack... Some tutors wear black, black and a colored jacket... and YES, I do have some of those things, but it's not really me.

My problem is that I have to match everything, glasses, shoes and scarf....

So my list is.

1. A pair of good quality small scissors. (invaluable)
2. A case weighing device.
3. International locks approved by the airlines for your cases. I  even lock my cases in my room.
4. For security in the room.... I leave the TV on and a do not disturb sign. (works so far)
5. A knife fork and spoon, and a plate and bowl... you never know when you need it in your room. Mine are light weight and serviceable.
6. Medications, (extra and prescriptions) are essential... I have allergy problems so I need to have my medication on hand.
7. 2 pairs of glasses.... I broke one pair last time and I have traveled with one pair... and had to have them repaired...Keith lost his overboard once (I don't know how) so he had to have his prescription sent and it was a real hassle.
8. Make a check list before you leave home of all your cords and plugs.
9. An international or local "pay by use" phone.
10. Good insurance. I have good medical and personal insurance in case of personal injury or loss.
11. Everything in my wet pack is small.... small shampoo, hair gel, toothpaste etc.  They are divided into 3 separate see through bags.    I carry one on the plane.
12. For me it's important to be a card carrying member of airlines and hotels for good service.
13. I use Qantas affiliates which gives me gold or platinum status where ever I travel. I don't have to wait in line too often, I get to go through as a priority, and most importantly my Qantas status allows the fact that I don't have to pay extra for my bags.... that alone can save me a lot on the trip.... traveling with two bags can cost around $60 each leg. 
14. My status allows me to rest in the Clubs aligned with the airlines. Its wonderful on long trips. Sometimes I even shower and change there..
15. I don't pack linen... or clothes that can't be washed out quickly. Light undies, socks, shirts... etc.
16. I pack everything in the air compressed bags. I used to use smaller ones... but they slipped around, so I use two large ones... Good clothes for teaching in one and casual in the other. You compress the air out of them and seal them and the clothes don't get too wrinkled and sit flat in the bags... they are protected from water as well.
17. I often have my bags sealed in plastic at the airport, they don't do it here in the USA, but I've had it  done in Mexico, Thailand, France and Russia.
18. It protects the bags and I feel more secure.
19. I keep duplicates of all paperwork on my Ipad and computer...but I don't carry any of it with me other than my Eticket now.
20. Everything is on the Ipad and Iphone,  Hotel room confirmation, hire cars, and extra tickets....

That's about it really. It works for me.

Fire at breakfast.

I'm sitting in the local breakfast bar... The pancake shop in the main street. It's the first time I've had breakfast out but it was recommended, so I thought I would give it a try.

It seems that everybody who is anybody is here. Families, business men, tourists, locals and ME and my Ipad.

The conversation buzz is loud and happy and punctuated by laughter.

The cafe is run with amazing efficiency.... The waitress who served me is no nonsense... Sort of "eat it up honey" 

When I asked for sweetener "pink, blue or yellow" she said in a matter of fact voice....first time Ive heard that...

I ordered a banana pancake and a coffee. It arrived with one slice of banana on the top... not quite what I expected.

I figured the rest was inside the pancake.... Yes it was....

Suddenly the sound of sirens hit us and a fire engine pulled up outside, then another, then another and  a number of police cars and other ancillary  vehicles.

Firemen raced to the restaurant next door and with extreme efficiency they smashed through the glass door.

After 15 minutes of excitement it was all over... Fire extinguished... 

The smell was intense as I walked past on the way back to the hotel and now I'm having a asthma attack... darn it...it must have been the chemicals so I need to use the puffer for the first time on the trip.

Michigan

10.30 and the body is failing me tonight.... I need to sleep.

I arrived in Michigan this afternoon after several good flights...

I managed to sleep all night and my foot was much better this morning,  and I'm icing it again tonight....

Not too much to report other than an update on the MN challenge....

I did it on the plane.....I've made it a little simpler.... I had too much detail in the other drawing...

The description is what I saw and experienced while I as staying in Nevis MN. Trees, houses, the lake, buildings and storms.

Granted they are my trees, the the average MN ones....

How can I translate this to a quilt.... well, I think I can make one here.... I have a machine for the next 5 days.!!!!! heaven.

I saw the funniest thing at dinner tonight...!!!

A gal in the corner of the restaurant was eating a salad and carried on a conversation with her ear piece during the whole meal.... we all heard the conversation..

"I don't like yellow" she said in a loud voice to the bodiless person at the end of the ear piece.

"I like orange," I said..... sharing the moment...!!!!!