Having a chat to Margaret Dunn

You’ve contributed so much to Fibres and Fabrics over the years, including taking on the role of President for a term and taking on the mammoth task of relocating the group to new premise. This is an undertaking you’ve pursued with tenacity and determination against all odds.  I believe your labours have recently borne fruit. What are your goals now, in this area? A great part of my life in the past nine years or so has been working towards finding a new home for Fibres and Fabrics. My only hope is that we will be able to build our own home where we will be able to hold meetings, workshops and exhibitions. As we have been granted land to build on or relocate to, I am looking forward to members as well as our supporters to contribute to the Relocation Fund to help Fibres and Fabrics achieve this goal. I have also found that the members are great givers of time, material and talents to support many and varied projects for needy causes. Fibres and Fabrics is a wonderful association that needs your support. 

Can you define yourself – art/craft wise? I find it hard to define myself as I really have a leaning to oil painting. Since joining Fibres and Fabrics as a spinner and knitter and painter, I have tried to express the way I can in oils to using material or threads, either by hand or with free machining. I have been a knitter since a very young child. My grandmother who lived with us all my single life and my mother both were very good knitters and crocheters. My mum being a dressmaker by trade, my sister and I have been taught knitting etc. and have always knitted from a very early age. I think I knitted my first twin set in grade six. When my daughter was taught how to spin in grade 5 it was on the condition I learnt as well. Spinning has proved to be a wonderful and relaxing pastime. I enjoy stump work, cross stitch, as well as book making, felting, patchwork and quilting. All of these latter interests happened because of joining the wonderful organization of Fibres. 

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? I began as a small child sitting on the floor with my back against my parent’s radiogram (a large piece of furniture) listening to music and drawing. I would draw in shadings of black and white with a lead pencil. I loved colours but found I could express myself much better in shades of black and white. At about the age of eleven I was being treated by a Chiropractor/Osteopath who was a wonderful man and an exceptional artist with oil paints. Richard Hertzog became my lifelong friend and later in my life asked me to study with him. I was unable to accept this offer primarily since I was a single mother of three. At this time my friend suggested to stop only using black and white lead pencils and introduced me to oils. This I will always thank him for. After his passing at the age of 84 I took it upon myself to follow in his footsteps and portray in oils the beauty of Australia as we both saw it. 

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why?  I have mentioned in the previous question that Richard Hertzog was an influence with my painting. On shifting to Townsville, having workshops with Ken Smith with machining, Judy Stevenson with stump-work. During our visit to The Shetland Island I was inspired to spin one ply wool. Ricky Tims, with the creative use of colours, using materials, and Alison Withers Painting with Freestyle Machine Embroidery. I now am using this knowledge to translate my photos into a thread painting. 

Describe your workspace.  My workplace has expanded over the years. It started off sitting on the floor in my parents lounge room to sitting in a warm and quiet place by myself. Since being in Townsville we have extended our home several times that is situated in an acre of garden. Now I am so lucky to have my own studio facing out into the garden with birds and wallabies. Though, my husband does call our whole home my workplace. 

What 3 tools could you not live without? I would hate to do without my camera, my propelling pencil and some paper, any white paper will do. I have been known to sit at a golf club dining room in Ireland and sketch the wonderful stone crofters cottage on the other side of the green using my napkin as I didn’t have my trusty camera by my side, just this once. I would like to add a 4^th and that is a good book to read. 

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? I started keeping a journal when I first attended workshops after joining Fibres & Fabrics. These have been a place where I kept notes, sketches and photos of the different workshops I attended. I was often laughed at for all the writing I would do during a workshop but they have proved to be a wonderful source for a memory that sometime lets me down. I have also extended my sketchbook journaling to our trips overseas. 

 We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? I have always tried to attend different workshops we have had over the years at Fibres as well as Quilt Experience held in Townsville. Yes I have passed on some of the things I learned over the years with workshops to new members such as quilt as you go shoulder bag, a pocket book bookies workshop, and recently flip and sew method of patchwork which could be used from a cushion to a full queen size quilt.  

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? When stuck I resort to reading a novel far removed from craft or sewing and just rest my mind. More often than not something will always pop into my creative mind and set me off again. 

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? I would invest in a time machine – there is never enough of this and I haven’t found the shop you can buy it in. I think when I am fully enthralled with being creative I always run out of the most important commodity, which is time. 

How do you balance your life? My wonderful husband and much-loved cat constantly remind me of the basic needs of life with their support and love.  

Has any of your work appeared, or is it going to appear, in a display or exhibition either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? I have had some of my work exhibited. Two of my oil paintings won first place at the Ceduna Show then hung a gallery in Perth. Other paintings have hung in a gallery on Magnetic Island. I have had two of my picture quilts in competitions; one being awarded Highly Commended and with the other I was fortunate to win first prize. I have also exhibited in an exhibition at the Pinnacles Gallery called the ‘Fabric of the River’ and the bookies exhibition of ‘Altered Books’ held in the Umbrella Studio. I hope one day to have my own exhibition of works. 

What does your work mean to you? Expressing of my feelings and experiences using material, thread, or paint has and will always be very important to me. The one wish I have is to live long enough and be healthy enough to continue along this long path that has no end.

Well, I don't know about you, but I really enjoyed chatting with Margaret. Thank you!

Bookies - Stamping Fun

On Wednesday at Fibres it was Bookies time and as usual there was lots of fun and laughter.  Many thanks to Annette for showing us some fun ways to create stamps and the novel idea of simple everyday objects that can be used as stamps.  We will no longer look at all those pesky bits of packaging in quite the same way. 

Below are this month's Artist Trading Cards

Top L to R:  Suzanne C. Barb N.

Middle L to R:  Sue D. Pam W. Di L.

Bottom L to R:  Birte M.  Annette S.  Beryl B.  Sharyn H.

Things You Might Not Have Known About Sharyn Howlum!

The fact that you’re a member of Fibres and Fabrics shows you are creative by nature. Define yourself – art/craft wise? At the moment, I'm concentrating on finishing the candlewicked quilt cover for my son and daughter-in-law. Only 4 more blocks to go. I have participated in several classes at TAFE throughout the years e.g. leatherwork, copperwork, quilting, pottery; and am always open to learning new skills.  

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? I'm probably more comfortable with crafts that use sewing. There is less mess and you can stop and start easily.  

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? My mother and aunts were always making something as well as being good cooks. I remember the knitting, crocheting, sewing, tatting. Mum also had hat blocks that I wish I'd kept.  

Describe your workspace. I work in the lounge or at the kitchen table. The kids' rooms are slowly filling with the excess, as they have left home.  

What 3 tools could you not live without? My scissors, needle and thread.  

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? I use an old ruled pad for ideas, especially after joining the postcard group at F&F. 

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops?At the moment, I don't think my skills are advanced enough for teaching but I'm enjoying learning new skills through participating in workshops e.g. felting, the bookies group. The other members have so much knowledge and experience and are so enthusiastic!  

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? I usually leave the item and come back to it when I have inspiration.  

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? I would like to do more drawing and painting classes and wouldn't it be wonderful to have them in Paris or Venice.  

How do you balance your life? I don't know how balanced my life is but I also participate in tap dancing and tai chi classes, volunteer at Reef HQ, am learning to play golf and like travelling, especially to visit the 5 month old grandson.

I was a Madam in the local amateur production of "Miss Saigon".  

Has any of your work appeared, or is it going to appear, in a display or exhibition either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? No, only the F&F book display at the library and candlewicked quilt cover at the Show and Tell.  

What does your work mean to you? It is satisfying to create and finish an item. I also like the social interaction at F&F.  

Thank you Sharyn. Hope you get to Paris and Venice for drawing and painting lessons!

Annual Meeting with Those Across the Sea!

Fiberians took the ferry across to Magnetic Island on Wednesday 15th June for the annual get together with the island craft group. It was their turn this year to host us.

Annette reports "It was a lovely day, too much food and talking as per normal. There were some interesting works being done by the Magnetic ladies, an amazing scarf that they have found out about. You can buy the 'wool' from Lincraft apparently and it comes with the pattern on the wrapper. Pretty amazing looking scarf.." Thank you for the photo, Annette.

Del, who is visiting Townsville from the Sunshine Coast, went along and said that she was very impressed by the number of charitable organisations which the Island group support, that the food was (as usual) sumptuous and the ladies very welcoming. 

Sounds like a wonderful day was enjoyed by everyone.

The Hidden Depths of Joan Brown!

The fact that you’re a member of Fibres and Fabrics shows you are creative by nature. Define yourself – art/craft wise? I am still in the early days of exploring what I really want to do.  My main love at present is patchwork/making quilts and this is taking time as it is still early days for me. I like to explore other craft activities, when time permits.(Photo to the left shows Joan's quilt made using strip-pieced water colour merger.)

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? I prefer to work with fabric –mixing colours and shapes to create an enjoyable piece of work.

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? In my limited creative life (since retirement), members of Fibres have been the main influence in what I have achieved to date.

Describe your workspace. My workspace is half an enclosed breezeway.  I share the room with my husband’s computer interests.  Actually, I think I commandeer a bit more than half the space.

What 3 tools could you not live without? Sewing machine, scissors and unpicker.

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? I have a folder in which I keep instructions and samples of what I have learnt since joining Fibres.  Prior to this I was either working, meeting the needs of family and pursuing other interests.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? When time permits I attend workshops at the centre and regularly attend the Patchwork Group days.  When I feel I can, I will happily share my knowledge, but I feel I am still very much a learner.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? Think about what I am trying to do, look at books on the subject and ask other members of Fibres for ideas and help.

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore, to expand your skills? Attend workshops and classes.

Joan, you do so much for Fibres, coordinating the Patchwork and Quilting Group and all raffles during the year. How do you balance your life? Haphazardly! Pursuing creative interests generally fits around other regular commitments I have made.

(Photo to the right is Joan's "I Spy" quilt.)

Have you, or do you intend to, exhibit any of your work, either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? Some of my quilting efforts have been included with the work of other Fibres members shown at the Craft and Quilt Fairs.  I don’t have plans for any other type of exhibition.

What does your work mean to you? Personal satisfaction on achieving creating something and the pleasure of creating that item.

Thank you for sharing yourself with us, Joan.

Silk Scarf Painting With Margaret Wretham

On Wednesday 1st June, Margaret Wretham showed a group of Fiberians how to paint silk scarves with some delightful results.

Here some of the ladies clustered together for a photo with their results.

A very good outcome!

Getting to know Jan Crabtree

The fact that you’re a member of Fibres and Fabrics shows you are creative by nature. Define yourself – art/craft wise? I would describe myself as being a mixed media / collage art person.

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? Paper, fabric and paint.

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? My Dad, Gordon, a watchmaker and jeweller by trade. He was very artistic and always encouraged me, even when I drew and painted animals all over the bedroom walls when I was younger. Every member of Fibres and Fabrics.

Describe your workspace. I have a very tiny studio (my laundry) but being too hot most of the year, I work on the dining table.

What 3 tools could you not live without? Heat gun, scissors, paint brushes.

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? No. I would lose it.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? I enjoy participating in most workshops. Teaching? Not as yet.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? Browsing through books. Dreaming up new ideas.

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? I would attend more forums.

How do you balance your life? Art comes first. Everything else is secondary.

Has any of your work appeared, or is it going to appear, in a display or exhibition either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? Collaboratively in the Alba Leucos exhibition and anything to do with Fibres and Fabrics.

What does your work mean to you? Everything. I love to be creative.


Thank you Jan.