Tattoos - Fleur Maddern - "Stony Chook"

Let me introduce you to Stony Chook

In her younger days she was a Rock Chick!

She worshiped the sun & the latest rock band, always trying to be 'in the moment' & 'up to date', keeping up with the ever changing top of the pops! 

Now in her twilight years she has a permanent reminder of her devotion to her teenage idols, and her fickle loyalties.

*****

I remember when I was about 10 years old seeing an old woman with 'tatts' on her wrinkly aged arm.

At the time I thought it looked revolting. Her skin was dry, wrinkly and obviously sun damaged from years of sun-bathing, 

the tattoo was dull, faded and looked bedraggled.

I don't remember exactly what the tattoo was, but it was the first time I had seen tattoos on a woman, and it made a lasting impression on me, a very negative impression.

My grandfather had a few small homemade tattoos. 

Whenever any of us grandchildren saw them or mentioned them he would always quite firmly say to us that they were wrong, he'd made a mistake doing them and for us to never ever do it.

His stern advice also made a lasting impression on me.

So of course I don't have any tattoos.

Some things that are ingrained in you as a child really stick.

*****

How I made this quilt

The basic design was drawn from the 'Redheads' matchbox.

The arm is machine embroidered, pillowed out with "Shrinky" fabric and steam activated, 

this created a 3D element to the arm.

Her hair, facial features and singlet top are machine satin stitched.

Hair features are satin stitched. 

Say Goodbye to Stony!

*"Chook" is an Australian word for an older chicken