Louis Vuitton Hand-crafted Banana fibreTrunks

Loius Vuitton stores around the world dedicated their window displays to Diwali — The festival of Lights in India, from November 1 to January 1.

While holidaying on the Gold Coast I was fortunate to see some of these amazing 'trunks', designed by Indian designer Rajeev Sethi. The trunks were crafted and hand-painted in India on banana fibre paper, glowing from within like Diwali lanterns.

(Rajeev Sethi is one of South Asia’s leading designers and is noted internationally for his innovative contribution to preserving and celebrating the subcontinent’s rich cultural heritage. For more than 35 years, through his work in design and architecture, performances and festivals, exhibitions, publications and policy, he has identified ways to bring contemporary relevance to the traditional skills of vulnerable artisan communities and creative professionals. )

Their luminosity was gorgeous in the night hours, even in these photos you can appreciate the effect.

xdls

one last Christmas Post

quick, quick, one last thing before I jump in the car and head north to the camp site... I have to make a Christmas dress for Eloise, I hope she likes it. I made one for Sadie last week, and Eloise helped me sew the bow on.

15 mins later

Ok, that's done, no time to take a photo and share it with you, must away! Ill post photos of Eloise and Sadie wearing their dresses when I get back.

MWAH - have a merry Christmas xxxxx

it's starting to look a lot like Christmas

From one side of the world to the other - from Holly Bush to Christmas bush,
may you enjoy the season's floral blessings!

In two days I am off to Manning Point, camping for nigh-on two weeks. We will be there for Christmas day, which has been a bit of a challenge to say the least - the food preparations, the redirection for Santa etc - you get the picture!

I'm not fond of camping, as anyone who knows me can tell you, but I must say that today I am excited! To have some lovely relaxed time (after a hectic six months) with my family is an exciting thought. We are near the beach and the river and there is a pool, so all bases are covered! The kids are getting boogie boards from Santa, and they already have fishing rods. What fun we will have. I am even looking forward to fishing, go figure!

Then we are off to the Gold Coast to visit mummy/granny! I haven't been there for a holiday for sooooo long. The kids will spend some time with Granny and Aunty, while we stay at a friend's apartment, and then we will ALL go to the theme parks - YIPEEE.

It's starting to feel a lot like FAMILY!

which is, let's face it, what Christmas really does look like!

to you all, and your loved ones, have a happy and wholesome Christmas with much love, serenity and joy!!!

xxxxxxxdls

The down side of Down Under Quilts ...

there's only one thing wrong with the next issue of Down Under Quilts - its so darn full of great stuff!


why is that a problem?

'cause i know, that like me, you will be pretty busy at this time of year and you are going to struggle to find time to read all those fabulous articles, let alone start a new project.

However, I am going to suggest that you stoically set aside a little time and indulge yourself. My top pick, if you only have a little time, is the International Quilt Week Yokohama photos, OMG those Japanese girls can make quilts!!!!

There is heaps of other great stuff. If you haven't got time to pop out and buy a copy - SUBSCRIBE - either to the print version (call us 02 4365 2995) or the FREE online version - visit www.creativelivingmedia.com.au - tell your friends too!
xdls

White = new begginings

... or so I discovered when I searched the meaning of 'white flowers'. "White signifies purity and perfection and can represent a successful beginning." hmm, that sounds significant!

A few days ago I was standing at my bedroom window, admiring the amazing Magnolia Grandiflora tree in the front yard which is about 10m high and wide! It is an amazing tree and is currently flowering. The flowers don't seem to last long, but they are splendid!

Magnolia Grandiflora

It was then that I noticed another fragrance, it took me a few minutes to recognise it - Gardenia! Oh bliss. I love that flower.

Gardenia jasminoides

When we moved here it was winter and as I do not have a huge knowledge of gardening I didn't recognise any of the trees, except the majestic Liquid Ambers, so as the trees around the property flower I am having all sorts of lovely surprises.

I took these photos of my lovely trees, and I continue to enjoy their beauty and fragrance!

Linen Scarves for Christmas

Ive been a busy little bee and have made some lovely scarves for gifts for family and friends for Christmas, plus I've made extras to sell at market stalls in the lead up to Christmas.

They feature linen and ricrac and some fabrics from my stash.

Alison Schwabe - Guest Curator

Each issue when I am putting together the Deborah's Snippets & Scraps section I take myself on a little armchair journey around the world via the WWW, looking for news-worthy stories to share with Down Under Quilts readers.

This time I have alighted on the SAQA website and will be giving them a little promo in issue 146.

There are so many things to see on their website, including a virtual gallery and lots of images - pop over and take a look.

This month's guest curator is Alison Schwabe and this is the comment she has left on the SAQA website regarding this month's online gallery:

"Time - it's a relative concept of course, and regardless of the period of time concerned, every object or situation changes with time, moving through stages of birth, maturation and decay to 'death', figuratively speaking. Some changes are instantaneous, but others so slow that we barely perceive them taking place. The result of time passing may shock us - a well remembered face now heavily lined after many years, or a grown man steps forward in the place of the young child we remember from long ago.

Archeology, geomorphology, history, genealogy, mythology, meteorology, vulcanology, astrology, geology, sociology ... all of these disciplines and more are referenced by at least one quilt in this collection. In taking a close look at how other artists are handling this subject, I found the following collection very interesting, and present them for your enjoyment in this month's online gallery."

Sounds like an interesting collection doesn't it? why don't you visit now ...