You’re Invited to Be Part of Rita Summer’s Cancer Free Celebration
Help me celebrate being declared cancer-free after 5 years! Last month, I got the final all-clear.
No more scans, no more specialist appointments.
So now I want to celebrate! I would love it if you could participate in this special slow stitch project.
The plan is to make a fabric scroll with all your contributions, quite a long one I hope!
The finished scroll will be displayed in the very first exhibition in our new art shed, which is in the planning stages right now.
The Celebration in Slow Stitch Details
The brief is to stitch a small square (4 in x 4 in or 10 cm x 10 cm). Here’s how:
1. Select one or more red thread/s
2. Collect some small fabric scraps
3. Cut one or more 4 inch* square pieces of white or cream fabric for the background [*or 10 cm]
4. Arrange, cut and pin (or invisibly baste) some of your small scraps onto the background as desired
5. Stitch over the layers with your chosen red thread/s
6. Embroider your initials (also in red thread) on the lower right hand corner of your square
7. Send your completed square to:
Rita Summers, Gone Rustic,
PO Box 12, St Marys, TAS 7215, Australia
Supporting Local Cancer Clinics
Having local cancer clinics makes the world of difference and donations make the world of difference to them. They empower them to be here for those we love.
If you would like to support the wonderful team and work of the Holman Clinic Trust you can make a donation here: https://www.northernholmantrust.org.au/donate
Dare to Dream Slow Stitch Path
The back story: five years ago I was diagnosed with a rare aggressive uterine cancer. Long story short: big operation in Hobart followed by five weeks of radiation therapy.
My body did not cope well with the treatment.
To help me get through I did 2 things:
A. I made 16 small handstitched art quilts featuring red and other colours, which I called Dare to Dream. I usually could work at least a few minutes each day on these little artworks, sometimes more.
B. I wore something red when going into the clinic for treatment. This was usually a scarf, a necklace or my red shoes.
I didn’t know for quite a while why the colour red was so important.
Then it came to me: red was for courage. It has other meanings too of course, but this was what it meant to me.
15 Ways to Reignite Your Creative Practice and Thrive Part 2
In Part 2 of our series on flourishing with your creative practice we explore 15 ways to find your path back to creativity, letting you live the Good Life your way.
Creating a Slow Stitch Scroll From Your Contributions
The plan is to make a fabric scroll with all your contributions, quite a long one I hope! The finished scroll will be displayed in the very first exhibition in our new art shed, which is in the planning stages right now.
About the Artist
Artist Rita Summers creates her work from the land itself – leaves and earth – the result of a direct relationship and collaboration with the Tasmanian landscape.
She finds and reinvents vintage and recycled materials with natural dyes or earth paints combined with contemporary stitching techniques, allowing the materials themselves to inspire her creations.
Through these media, Rita constantly explores ways to visually respond to and express her thoughts/reflections about life experiences, her faith and the local environment.
Her qualifications include a Diploma of Art Craft Design (Textiles) and a Bachelor of Education (including an Art major for which she earned a distinction) and has operated a gallery/studio under the name Gone Rustic in St Marys, Tasmania for over 20 years.
Her work has been juried into numerous exhibitions within Tasmania, interstate and overseas, and has attracted many awards.
She has also been published in various Australian and international paper and digital magazines.
Through her business Rita also hosts and curates art exhibitions from Tasmania and further afield, including Europe and the USA.
Rita was born in Canada but has lived, studied and worked in Tasmania since her teens.
Follow Rita as Gone Rustic on Instagram and Facebook, book into a workshop or event with Rita and explore her inspiring work online at Gone Rustic and join her email newsletter for all the latest happenings (look towards the bottom of some of the website pages for the discrete signup box).
Be Part of Fabulous Tasmanian Events
Workshop Calendar with the Launceston Art Society
The Latest Calendar of Workshops with the LAS The Launceston Art Society is delighted to share with you an inspiring workshop calendar. From acrylics to watercolour to coloured pencils, these workshops are all about developing your skills, whether they're new ones or...
The Anonymous Art Show at The Arty Duck
Discover Artists of the Ruggesd North West in the Anonymous Art Show at the Arty Duck You're invited to explore the Anonymous Art Show at the Arty Duck in Smithton. As part of the Circular Head Council's Feel Good February, artworks have been donated by local arts...
Knitted Bracelet Workshop with Noelene Hammond
Discover the Joy in Making Knitted Bracelets This is a beginners nitted bracelet lesson. Learn how to knit your own bracelet or for a special gift. You will be using wire and seed beads in this lesson it is how to use the wire and hold the beads in place. You must...
Discover Inspiring Tasmanian Artists
Discover Stitching and Beyond and Their Exciting Workshop Calendar
Meet the Welcoming Tasmanian Textile Artist Group Stitching and Beyond Stitching and Beyond began as a small group of textile artists after a 2005 quilting exhibition. Since then, our membership has grown to more than 100 textile artists of diverse backgrounds and...
Artistry Blooms at the George Town Art and Artisan Shop
Come Discover the George Town Art and Artisan Shop The George Town Art & Artisan Shop was started with a pop up retail space, it now has a dedicated shop front at 3/83 Macquarie Street, George Town. It is sponsored by the George Town Council and the Tasmanian...
Revealing the Coastal Town Pop Up Jane Seychell Gallery Safe Inside a Bank
Meet St Helens Gallery Owner Jane Seychell Meeting people who love art and appreciate all types of art is the best thing about having my gallery. I often chat to customers about starting their own art journey and the uncertainty of of what to do and where to start. I...
