On the road again, enticed by both traditional and contemporary textiles in Japan... This trip didn't afford enough time to explore textiles in Tokyo, but there were opportunities in Kyoto and in the beautiful town of Takayama where we had some … [Read more...]
Samarkand, land of milk and honey
May 6, 2014 by · 5 Comments
"For lust of knowing what should not be known We take the golden road to Samarkand" Well James Elroy Flecker never got to Samarkand, but I did. Not by the golden road, but by the much more prosaic and definitely more comfortable bullet train. … [Read more...]
Tashkent trivia
May 3, 2014 by · 9 Comments
Tashkent holds surprises for those of us who had ill-informed preconceptions. The city was held to be the fourth most important city of the Soviet, so benefitted enormously when rebuilt after the earthquake of 1966. The new city shares … [Read more...]
Warp and weft
March 11, 2014 by · 1 Comment
Time to reflect now on the many opportunities we had to see at first hand the story of handloom weaving in India. Our trip took us to weavers working in a room in their village or town; weavers working in sub-standard conditions in small workshops … [Read more...]
Lucknow white-on-white
February 19, 2014 by · 3 Comments
Lucknow, a "small" Indian City with a mere 3-4 million population, has a less chaotic feel than Calcutta . The trees were washed by recent rain, new roadworks are actually in use rather than perpetually under construction, and public gardens seem … [Read more...]
Oh! Calcutta
February 15, 2014 by · 5 Comments
Greetings from India where Kris and Libby are on a textiles tour (well, it's a food and shopping tour as well...) Our visit to Kolkata is focused on two aspects of textiles production: Kanthan embroidery and hand loom weaving. Once we penetrate … [Read more...]
Alva’s embroidery
February 23, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
My mother had a collection of her own beautiful handwork, embroidery and crochet in particular. Her embroidered table linen was always brought out for 'supper' or other special occasions with guests. This supper cloth has an applique Japanese … [Read more...]
My Queensland firewheel tree
February 22, 2012 by · 1 Comment
The firewheel tree was one of the first things I planted at this house. Some years it is laden with spectacular flowers around March, some years not. Every time these stunning discs appear, I am struck by their geometry and their colour. … [Read more...]
