 | Something Quirkier |
In this catalogue you will find the stories and creative responses that have been gifted to the project. You can jump to a specific story via the list of titles, or simply scroll through the complete collection. 1. ...and then he was gone (Pam) 2. A pause in my day (Nikki) 3. Enveloped (Pam) 4. Dust (Cathy) 5. Ever changing (Nikki) 6. Like joy and surprise (Liz) 7. A Gift in a dark moment (Jillian) 8. Wintering (Angharad) 9. Likely to smile (Sandy) 10. Long awaited success (Nikki) 11. Blue Sunshine (SS) 12. Oh my goodness (Bron) 13. Unexpected treat (Bess) |
I had gone to the supermarket for my elderly mother and for some reason I had forgotten my wallet, which I didn’t find out until I got to the counter. There was a man either behind me or just ahead of me, I can’t remember which it was now, he must have been ahead of me, but I realised that I didn’t have any money with me, and I sort of stood there trying to figure out what I was going to do. I said to the cashier,
“Look I’m sorry, I can’t find my wallet.”
I was about to put all my groceries back and go back to get my purse because I had money…. but this man just turned around slapped a $50 note down near the till and said,
“Here let me pay for it”.
“Thank you very much that’s very kind of you, can I have…” and before I could ask for his number he had gone.
I never saw him again and it certainly wasn’t fifty dollars worth of groceries. Even though I was in a suburb where people were fairly well off it was still an act of kindness, he didn’t have to do that. It shocked me because no one had ever done anything like that before to me and I don’t think it was because of any apparent disability on my part."
Story and haiku from Pam.
Felt and stitching by Lynn.
Note - there was a second haiku and surprise inside the frame.
For me, a cup of tea is a small blessing. It doesn’t matter if I am having one alone or sharing a pot of tea with family or friends: it is a pause in my day that is pleasurable. I stop, make my pot of tea, select my cup or mug, choose where to sit and enjoy it. It is intrinsically a form of relaxation and either calm, comfort and / or joy.
Nikki, Canberra.
2.1 A kindergarten class at Gordon Primary School listened to the story - these are their responses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 This pink teapot was made by Jennie Curtis. Merino wool fibre has been wet felted using a resist to get the shape. It was used as an example in her workshop at the Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers Convergence in Canberra.
2.3. In response to this story we are making tea bag cosies (who has time to make 100s of tea pot cosies?). These cosies will be placed in the gifting bowl in the gallery. Visitors to the exhibition can take one to remember the exhibition - and the story. In return, we ask that they consider sharing a story. Here is an example made by Rosemary. You can see more of them on instagram @quirkier_small_blessings https://www.instagram.com/quirkier_small_blessings/
2.4 High Tea Mistress. This rod puppet was made by Lynn to exhibit in the Canberra Show in 2022. It was a happy coincidence that Nikki shared her story about tea. Interestingly, other stories featuring cups of tea have also popped up (eg: #18 # 68). The High Tea Mistress concurs with their sentiments - NOTHING is more important than taking time for an excellent cup of tea!. Made by Lynn from merino wool, silk fabric, tea, tea-making paraphernalia. All fibres and fabrics were dyed in a wide range of different teas - from English Breakfast, Oolong, Chai and Roobios). Here tea caddy bosom is filled with herbal tea. Maybe she will take to the stage during “Beyond Small Talk” performed by Lightbulb Improv on November 3, 2023?
2.5 Patch for enveloped. Made by Desi - including pockets!!! somewhere to put your phone or remote. Marine embroidery and appliqué on linen. Approx size
Tea trilogy. Patches created for ‘Enveloped by SS.
Haiku created from the story using Chat Get, then edited by Lynn.
Patch designed and stitched by Justine on hand-dyed blanket donated by Christine.
Amidst the pandemic in October 2021, I went in to have major surgery at John James Hospital.
One day early on in the piece, which turned out to be a 6 month stay, one of the nurses came in and handed me a plastic bag with a yellow crocheted blanket in it.
At the time I thought “What a lovely gesture” that she had made towards me, unbeknownst that I would spend the next 6 months in hospital and the blanket would come in handy every day for the 6 months that I was there.
Since then I have had 2 hospitalisations and I have taken this yellow blanket with me. And every time someone comes in who hasn’t seen the blanket they comment on the colour, which is this light yellow, which is not my colour at all, but everyone comments on how beautiful it is. They ask me if I made it and the answer is “No, but it was given to me by a nurse who must have known somehow that I would end up in this hospital for a long time.”
This blanket has turned out to be a small blessing that has been appreciated by so many people that I have lost count. I always share that this was made by the Country Women’s Association Evening Branch. I sent them a letter – a card in an envelope - to thank them. I don’t know who made it, but it has a little tag (professionally done). I always tell visitors about the lovely nurse that gave the blanket to me.
So it started out as a small blessing that has endured over the last two years. And so again I was thinking about what small blessings means to me. They come in many forms – small ones like this gesture that can lead into bigger gestures down the track. And while I can’t reciprocate by crocheting my own blanket, I would love to be able to repeat that and forward it on. But at least I can thank the lovely ladies from the evening branch. I hope they got the card and know that someone appreciated their gesture. Small, but means a lot to me and means a lot to other people when they come in as they all have a smile on their face and say “What a beautiful crochet blanket you have!”
When I think about this blanket I feel warmth – physical and emotional warmth. Each time I think of the nurse I feel good. It’s a feel-good feeling.
The blanket reminds me of daffodils and reminds me of the people that come in and appreciate it for the skill of the person who made it. Appreciating an art form. I am constantly amazed that people appreciate crochet!
as told by Pam, May, 2023.
2.5 Chair - part of the ‘Enveloped installation. Somewhere comfortable to sit within the cubby while you listen to the stories. Also connected to story #2 ‘A Pause in my day'. Designed by Lynn using hand made merino felt laid out by Georgia and Hannah, with crochet motif embellishments and hand dyed wool blanket from Chris. Stitched together by Bron and Lynn. Chair from The Green Shed in Canberra. 
3.1
This patch was made by Lynn. Hand crochet motifs, wet felted on a white background (merino wool). Each motif includes yellow (an important aspect of the story) and the white background echoes the hospital sheets. There are many motifs, representing the many visits to hospital. Approx 25 x 19cm.
3.2 and 3.3. These two birds are designed to hold in the hand... offering comfort and subtraction. Most of the senses come into play - sight (colour), sound (bird tweeter inside), touch ( texture and weight) and smell (rosemary or gum leaves inside). The pattern is adapted from the Spool bird. Made from hand made felt, crochet motifs, dyed blanked (provided by Chris). They form part of the installation ‘A conversation between birds.'
|
|
4. Dust
Cathy has shared her story (in song form) that connects with the theme ‘Small Blessings’ Listen to the song by clicking on the photo below.
Awaiting a creative response.
Any garden is a blessing. It is the product of someone’s vision and hard work. My garden is just one, but it gives me joy. It is ever changing; from one season to another, at different times of day, and depending on my outlook. It is productive, challenging and always satisfying. I love my garden.
Tea time trilogy - patches for ‘Enveloped. Stitching on hand dyed and printed fabric by SS. Blanket backing hand dyed by Christine.
Below are pictures of flowers that were made during drop in sessions and added to the installation over three months in the gallery. This ‘garden’ was ever-changing.
Watch the conversation unfold here: https://youtu.be/QM3QE6aTLGQ
Transcript of the conversation: Pictured in the video - Liz and Ellie (bubba).
LP: When I say small blessing, what does that mean to you?
LR: Oh, taking my bubba to Japan, Ellie to Japan. And we went to Planet Labs. And it was like Christmas, walking with all the Christmas Lights. And we saw all the fishies.
LP: And then you think about that story how do you feel?
LR: Oh amazing. It was like Christmas but better! Yeah
(Ellie waves and blows a kiss)
LP: So obviously Christmas is bringing positive memories. What is it especially about Christmas that you go, yep, that was a blessing?
LR: Like magic… hard to... I don’t know…how do we explain that? Just like joy… and family… and surprise
Ellie: Ahhhh ah!.
This story inspired the installation ‘Delighted’, a flock of fish flying through the gallery roof space.
People who have made fish for the installation: Jo (with fabric printing assistance from Chris) , Kratai, SS, Bron, Gillian W, Jillian, Rosemary, Jackie, Desi, Kathleen, Juliana, Helen. Khia, Lynn, Ann, Lorraine, Nina... apologies to any other contributors whose names I have not included.
You can see pictures of some of the fish in the description of the collaborative project: Delighted. On that page you can also read some notes left to the makers of the fish from people who adopted one at the gifting day.
LP: What does “small blessings” mean to you?
JR: I really like little sayings. And one of my favourites is “In every dark moment there is a gift for you.” So even though the situation might seem really dark, somewhere in there, there is something that is special to come out of it.
LP: So have you got a story that is about a small blessing?
JR: So a friend of mine, her mother was very ill and in palliative care. And she was estranged from her son and grandson and the situation brought them all back together again. And that was her gift in that dark moment.
But also its kind of why I do mosaics… you might have a beautiful cup and saucer and it gets broken, you can tur it into something else that is beautiful… its kind of the theory behind my art.
LP: So how do you feel when you are creating a mosaic from something that has been broken?
JR: I mean it’s sad that the thing that you loved is broken, but how much happier it is to turn it into something else that is beautiful and useful.
7.1 A patch made for ‘Enveloped’. One of my favourite sayings is “In every dark moment there is a gift for you.” so even though the situation might seem really dark, somewhere in there, there is something special to come out of it.” Blue felt (merino fibre) with black fabric paint gelli print made by Lynn. Words stitched by Sandy. We had to show you the reverse side because it is awesome! Approx size 45cm x 25cm.
|
|
After the last long grey winter here I wrote some poems about welcoming spring… I certainly was looking at small blessings after the horrid greyness of winter after COVID….
This is my poem about Winterlinge, the winter acolyte that is the first flower to appear in damp shady spots near water when winter is still gripping us firmly in its hold here in southern Germany. I made a felt and embroidery piece about the Winterlinge as well … of course Winterlinge are a very European thing - I don’t even know if they grow in Canberra …. but I share it with you as a small gift of appreciation for what you are doing. From Angharad Dean. Embroidery by Angharad connected to the story. Winterlinge Under the trees by the river The baren earth damply glistens Plump soil holds promise Into this, upon the ground Golden balls of sunlight Emerge overnight even as winter blankets all in grey The winter acolytes, with their collar of green Glow with promise Of spring to come |
L: What does ‘small blessing’ mean to you? S: My first thought was the value of a smile... and how easy it is for you to do it and how much you get back when someone else reciprocates L: So do you have a specific smiling moment you remember where it did just lift your spirits? S: I think when it’s unexpected… just when you are walking along the street and you smile at somebody and they smile back at you and you think “ah, there’s lovely people out there.” L: And how does that make you feel? S: Positive and it means that I’m likely to smile the next time. As told by Sandy, Canberra. 9. On the Street. A series of landscape printed black and white photographs taken by street photographer, Ian, on his travels. Over the course of the exhibition the photographs will change in the collection. (Note the coloured photos converted to b&w for printing) L: What does ‘small blessings’ mean to you? N: It means innocuous happenings that bring bountiful joy. L: Can you tell me a story about a small blessing? N: Well, the first thing I think of is making bread. The first time I was actually successful in making a loaf of sour dough bread that had risen well and the impact it had on me and everybody else. And the fact it keeps having that impact on people when they taste it. L: So, how did your loaf of bread make you feel? N: It was a long-awaited success because it takes six weeks for the culture to mature and you make a few loaves regularly until you get the one that’s ‘there’. So you’ve got all that anticipation and then you get this loaf that just looks beautiful and the joy of cutting into it… then you share it! L: What does ‘small blessing’ mean to you? B: Clear blue sky, sunshine, on a cold winter’s day. Makes you feel warm and happy. SS, Canberra.
|
11.1 A fish made for the installation ‘Delighted. Fish designed and made by Bron from felt made by Lynn. L: If I say ‘small blessing’ to you, what does it mean?
B: Appreciating the small things in life. Taking time to take note of how lovely it is to walk along the Canberra bike path and not have to cross a road to get to the creek. Just take a moment.
L: Do you have a story you can share?
B: When lockdown first started, and none of us knew what services would be available or how life would look in the short term and I had all these plans for what I would do during lock down and my rubbish bin was quite full – I had been clearing stuff out. And when I took it out I thought “Oh my goodness, if my garbage man can’t come and empty this, what will I do? I’ll have to rethink everything”. So when I heard him driving down the road I was just so grateful that he was able to come to work and do his job, And I remember thinking and sending good vibes out to him as he drove past.
L: So when you retell this story, how do you feel?
B: I do get a bit emotional as we all know it was a tricky time, it was weird, and we were all finding our way … it was like the nurses…you were just so grateful for them going to work.
Bron, Canberra.
L: What does ‘small blessings’ mean to you?
B: Sometimes little unexpected treat. Something that just sparks you. Just makes you feel kind of special
L: Can you share a story about a small blessing?
B: I’ve always been a knitter – I knitted since I was about six. I was knitting jumpers in primary school for my little siblings and I used to knit with my grandmother and my mother.
One of my friends made me a pair of socks, this year, the most beautiful pair of socks. And I realised I had been knitting for everyone for sixty odd years and this was one of the first knitted things that was given to me. And so I just felt… it was that same feeling of being… oh, what a precious friend to give you a lovely, knitted pair of socks. It was gorgeous. I was very moved.
L: So if you were going to sum up how you feel about the story, what word would you use?
B: Gratitude.
Story told by Bess, Canberra.
- Home
- Past projects
- Small blessings
- Catalogue: Stories and photographs