in trouble with the embroiderer's guild!

This is what happens when you give in to your undisputed procrastination skills. You come a cropper!! I was meant to be finishing a tender document yesterday. Not the most fun thing to do on a Sunday that's for sure.
I didn't think it could hurt to take myself off to the Embroiderer's Guild exhibition at Canberra's Albert Hall. Just for an hour or so...
There were some lovely example of very fine needlework. This amazing boho teacosy was quite old...isn't it fabulous!

I managed to take a couple of pictures before I was accosted by a white gloved wearing official who told me picture taking was definitely, absolutey not allowed. And hadn't I seen the sign in the foyer forbidding it? Well no...obviously not!

I of course apologised profusely and was given a further bollocking and told it was because of copyright issues. Hmmm, copyright? What a catch-all excuse, and slightly bemusing as I certainly wasn't planning on stealing designs and mass producing table runners!

Of course, being told I couldn't take pictures paled into absolute insignificance after the earlier humiliation of being asked if I qualified for a 'seniors discount' when I was paying my entry fee. What the...!!! So that made me determined to post the few photos I did manage to take! This is as rebellious as I get I'm afraid. In my defence I did look up the guild website to see if there were any photos there I could use. The last time photos were uploaded bloggy peeps??2007! I am resting my case! And I don't think I'll be joining the guild any time soon...senior or not!!

On the plus side I scored these great old books for only $5 for the three. Gotta love that.

I'll see you tomorrow. Might have to spend some time today looking up cosmetic surgeons!!

the ranamok glass art prize in Canberra...

Canberra really is a great place. 

And it's an especially great place for glass art.

... with the world class Canberra Glassworks that has been built in the old Kingston powerhouse...

This is where practising glass artists and amateurs alike come to create. 

I've done a couple of courses here and I love it.

It's also where the Ranamok prize finalists' works are exhibited for several weeks each year. 

That's what you've been looking at.

My friend Susan and I went a few weekends ago and if you're in Canberra it's on until 23 September.

when you see pieces like these you understand why glass art is so expensive...

but so completely worth it...

as long as there aren't a bunch of kiddly-winks running around the house!

My photos don't do these beautiful art works justice, so here's the link to the Ranamok prize site...for Australian and New Zealand contemporary glass artists. Do yourself a favour as they say!!

all images by me, with permission of the Glassworks (they're good like that!)