New Zealand Chook #2

I have been working on a series of small wholecloth painted pieces based on a photo I took of a chicken in New Zealand (where chickens are often called “chooks.”) This is #2, painted and stitched. The three I have completed are nearly identical except for differences in their background colors, which are all different shades of green. They are all about 7" square.

I am really liking these small pieces, and plan to do some more small ones based on photos I took of sheep! After that, I might do a big version of this chook.

Here are some detail shots:

My Schedule

I'm only teaching a few classes this year because of COVID. I’d love to have you in one of them! 

2021 Schedule

Bernina World of Sewing

Raleigh NC

Sept. 25

Wholecloth Painting: Botanicals

and

Sept. 26

Thread Sketching: Still Life with Three Fruit

Bernina World of Sewing

6013 Glenwood Ave

Oak Park Shopping Center

Raleigh, NC  27612

919-782-2945

info@berninaworldofsewing.com

Orange County Artists Guild Open Studios Tour

Tour the studios of about 100 artists at more than 80 locations in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough, NC. My studio will be open both weekends. I'll have large and small art quilts and notecards for sale, and will be doing demonstrations as time permits. 

725 Kenmore Road, Chapel Hill, NC

Saturday, Nov. 6 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 7 – noon to 5 p.m. 

Saturday, Nov. 13 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 14 – noon to 5 p.m. 

I'm teaching in Minnesota June 11-14, 2014

 

I’m pleased to announce that I'll be teaching at the Minnesota Quilters’ 36th Quilt Show and Conference on June 11-14, 2014! This event will be held at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. There are classes, lectures, quilt exhibits and special events, plus vendors.

Other teachers already announced for this event include LIsa Bongean, Sherri Falls, Page Johnson, Gwen Marston, Mari Michell, Sue Pelland, Kari Schell, Sandra Starley and Elizabeth Dackson. 

To automatically be the first to receive the Show Registration book at the end of December 2013 and the first to be invited to sign up for classes, join and become a Member of Minnesota Quilters here.  
 

If you would like only to receive the Show Registration book in January 2014 please send $3 and your full name and address to: 

MQ2014 Registration Book
Minnesota Quilters, Inc.

1203 5th St SE

Minneapolis MN 55414-2030

New Zealand Chook #1

New Zealand Chook #1
Copyright 2013 by Susan Brubaker Knapp

Just finished painting a tiny little art quilt I am calling “New Zealand Chook #1.” “Chook” is a New Zealander/Australian word for chicken. It is based on the photo (below) I took last Sunday near Rotorua, New Zealand while having lunch with my friend Alison Green. I don’t know if it is a hen or a rooster, but it wanted our crumbs, and it had some attitude! This piece will finish to about 7" square. 

Here is a detail shot:

 

I’m going to get started on the stitching soon, and will post a photo of it when I am done.

Battle of the Opossums

Virginia OpossumSOURCE: http://www.wildliferescuerehab.com/all-about-opossums.html

Okay, folks, it’s time to vote. Which possum is cuter, the American one (Virginia Opossum), above, or the Australia/New Zealand one (Australian Brushtail Opossum), below? When I taught in New Zealand, all my students told me how hideous their possum was. They hate this creature, which is actually native to Australia (and protected in some places there) because it has decimated the New Zealand native bird population, including the Kiwi, their national bird and namesake.   

Australian Brushtail Opossum
SOURCE: http://www.southern-edge.com/possum/

In New Zealand, they hunt and kill the opossum. Then they make the pelts into expensive things like fur-lined caps, and pillows, or blend the fur with merino wool and knit it into fabulous sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves and hats. When I was there a few weeks ago, I bought a lot of knitwear in a merino-possum-silk blend. It is beautiful, warm, and very lightweight. 

Here is a closeup of their fur:

And a photo of their pelts:

Want to know more? The Atlantic magazine has an informative and amusing account of New Zealand’s war on the possum here.

I told everyone that I had seen photos of the Australian/New Zealand possum, and it was WAY cuter than ours. I think it is just that they hate it so much that they think it is ugly. What do you think? Cast your vote; leave a comment!