Black Friday

Only one photo today. I wanted to make up some more black dye yesterday but there was still some in the bottle.

I overdyed Red, Green , Blue and Yellow with the remaining black. Very pleased with the results. I'm off home now to sew 33 buttonholes. Yuk!

Another Dyed T-shirt

Finally they are all dry. Here's another shot of one of the kids T-shirts. Considering that most of them were under 11yrs they did a terrific job.

The rest of my morning has been spent weighing and mixing up dye. No matter how organised I am there is always something I forget. That is until I put on my gloves, then I remember everything else. I prefer to mix the dye up in bulk. That way I can get straight into dyeing when I arrive. I find I don't waste as much time.

Once the last lot of dyed fabric is in the machine for its final wash I'm going to start cutting up a roll of fabric. Just heard the machine stop, gotta go.

One Dyed T-shirt

The weather has been conspiring against us dyers again. I washed out the T-shirts from the children's class last week but until today I haven't been able to do the final rinse. The sun was out so I popped them into the machine and out onto the line.

They were drying quite nicely until we had a sudden shower. This is the only one I managed to rescue. The others are now hanging inside. Hopefully the will dry overnight and I can deliver them to the very patient children.

ReDesign

With most of our stock still in boxes I decided that today would be a wonderful opportunity to rearrange the shop. I wish somebody had stopped me. Move one thing and you need to move everything else.









I started with the fabric.












Then I decided to move the Thread Platters over under the Stitcheries.











They were looking a bit bare after the Expo so I just grabbed a extra handful of each and threw them on. I'll tidy them tomorrow. One side of the shop is completely finished, the other is, shall we say, a work in progress.

The Handmade Expo - Jondaryan Style

We've just got home after unpacking the trailer at the shop. We literally unloaded and threw the boxes through the door. Unpacking can wait until tomorrow. As usual The Handmade Expo girls did a fantastic job organising the event and making sure everybody was happy.

This is our site. this is the first time Alan has come to one of the Expos, as usual he was worth his weight in gold. Funny how a different site can throw all of your design plans out the window. Not our usual set up but with a borrowed table from Linda we managed.

And here is the aforementioned Linda This was her first Expo as well. It won't be her last. Her stall looked so pretty in pink.

We were next door to Miriam, one third of The Handmade Expo team. We had a lot of fun during the day.

That was our first big road trip. We are so looking forward to Goondawindi in April.

The Crafters' Way 81 - Crafty Inspirations

Here is this week Messenger article.

Craft Inspirations

The New Year often brings with it new beginnings. Crafters are no different. We vow to finish some of our Works in Progress, learn new skills and techniques and make gifts for every birthday. Then life gets in the way. Our days fill up or we just don’t know where to start. Here are a few suggestions.

Join a Craft Group/Guild: Many clubs experience a surge in membership at this time of year and gear their activities to welcome and mentor newcomers. Joining a group can reignite creativity. Spending time with people who have a similar passion can be rewarding. As many groups also offer workshops the opportunity to learn new skills is available.

Visit the Library: Spend an hour or two browsing through the Craft Magazines and Books. Don’t go straight for the topics you usually do. If you knit, have a look through a ceramics magazine, if embroidery is you thing check out the mosaic. While you may not be ready to give up your needles you may find a photo that inspires you to try something new.

Get Online: The internet offers plenty of crafty inspiration. Visiting Craft Blogs can leave you feeling overwhelmed. You love so much but where to start? I recently had a conversation with Linda Simpson from Lilly Cottage. She had so many projects that she wanted to undertake but just couldn’t get started. She joined a Crafting Round Robin being offered on a Blog. Round Robins usually have a theme and a timeframe. Having a framework and deadline was all the inspiration Linda needed. The theme kick started her creativity and has led her to create new designs. The image is courtesy of Linda and features some of her Round Robin Projects Other similar activities offered on blogs are Online Swaps, Challenges and Forums. They are fun and give you a chance to try something new.

If you’d like to see more of Linda’s Designs you can visit Lilly Cottage at Old Petrie Town, Wednesday – Sundays.

Dyeing Activity

Today I held the last dyeing class for this school holidays. I asked Linda if her 3 kids would like to join in, also the Baker's Daughter Grace. I really wanted to see if it is a feasible project to try sun dyeing with a large group of children.











Of course it rained all night and didn't show any signs of letting up early this morning. When the kids arrived I told them that we wouldn't be able to do it cause it was still overcast but that I had a heap of other stuff we could do.












All of a sudden the sun came out. I checked the sky and there was blue sky all around. We quickly stopped what we were doing, painted sun dye on fabric , put it out in the sun and placed our leaves on. The we waited with fingers crossed. After about an hour it clouded over again. Lucky for us the fabric had dried and left us with perfect leaf shapes.














We also dyed T-shirts, everyone chose a different method. We also did some monoprinting on paper and fabric.











The photos are all courtesy of Linda's son.

Worth a Look 2

With Americans caught up with Inauguration Fever we have been seeing lots of Obama inspired crafts. This one is my fave, so classy.


http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/



It's sure to have pride of place on somebody's wall for ..... well... at least till the next election.



Seriously though, I thought it was the most elegant sampler I have seen in quite a while.

Never Too Young

While I was ironing fabric this morning,

Alan was showing the Baker's daughter how to do Kumihimo on a Marudai.

She's absolutely loves it. She's even worked out how to do it in the car. That's dedication.

I Won!

I forgot to tell you that I recently won a Blog Giveaway.


I entered a giveaway on Ilissa Hunter's blog everythingupclose.blogspot.com


I won a pair of Jeans and 2 T- shirts.


Thanks Ilissa.

The Crafters' Way 80 - Gallery Activities

This is the first of this year's Craft Article for The Messenger

School Holiday Activities

Happy New Year! Welcome back to another year of Crafting Fun.

Finding fun and interesting holiday activities can be challenging for parents. The Pine Rivers Art Gallery is offering an opportunity for budding artists from eight to eighty to participate in a very unusual art project these school holidays.

Susan Mullen is an artist who specialises in hand built ceramic work. She has exhibited her work from Brisbane to Cairns and won prizes in many competitions. She has conducted clay construction workshops for children and adults over the last 15 years.
Under the guidance of ceramic artist Susan Mullen, participants will be creating a set of vessels holding a collection of brightly coloured handmade clay fruits, nuts and pods suggestive of those found in our forests. Participants will take home a memento of the project. There will be an opportunity to return to glaze the pieces at a later date.

Two sessions daily on Wednesday January 21 and Thursday January 22
Sessions-10.30 AM – 12.30 PM and 1.30 – 3.30 PM
Cost: Individuals- $20.00
Families and groups of up to four - $50

On Monday 19th January and Tuesday 20th January the Gallery will also be holding Free Playing with Paper Activities. The Activities vary across sessions; ‘Paper Animal Kingdom’, ‘Monumental Chalk Doodles’ and ‘Pencil Pastel and Paper Play’. They sound like fun. I wonder if this big kid can join in?

Bookings are required for all sessions. Please phone the Pine Rivers Art Gallery on 34806941

And to round off the School Holidays we are holding one last Dyeing Workshop on Friday the 23rd January 10 am – 12 noon. Cost is $15 per child (7yrs and up). Places are limited. Bookings are essential. Ph: Trish on 3285 1875.

Photo: Susan Mullen with her ceramic vessel. Photo courtesy of Pine Rivers Gallery

Quick Post

It's been another very hot day here in Brisbane and my office/studio at home has been closed up all day. It's stifling in here right now.











I did a whole lot more dyeing of the Colour Graduations today.















And then finished these shirts. I've used a plastic trivet as a rubbing plate with paintsticks. Then added more gold and red stripes out from the centre. It's been inspired by New Years' Fireworks. Blue, blue, red, red. Are Australians the only ones who call out the colours as they explode in the night air?



I have a cold drink waiting on our verandah where hopefully the sea breeze is visiting.

Singlets and More

I finally received my order of Baby singlets. Christmas time can be so difficult to judge stock levels. Wholesalers are on a break and if you guess wrong, as I did, you have to wait. Anyway they are here now.

First lot have been dyed.

And a waiting for a press and packaging.

Also waiting for the iron are some new graduation packs. Here we have Red, Burgundy and Navy.

Look What I Found

Okay, I didn't find them. Linda sent them to me.


http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/2008/10/big-selvedge-project.html


Check out the other items she made from selvedges. Pretty funky and resourceful.



http://www.glitterandgrunge.com/index.html


This site is juried artist co-op site that is contemporary, fun and innovative.


And the last one is http://thetoysociety.blogspot.com/


Looks like fun.

Date Day

Today was our monthly Date Day. To anyone not in the know Date Day is a tradition Alan and I introduced when we started the business. We didn't want to become one of these couple who never had anything to say to each other except ' the business'. We take turns deciding what we will do or where we will go. We are not allowed to discuss business planning, financials, insurance, anything business related.

The funny thing is how quickly Family and Friends got with the program. They understand that Date Day is sacred and once the Day has been decided we don't change it for anything.

Today we caught a bus to Scarborough, 3 suburbs away. This is the view from here looking toward Moreton Island. Date Day is not about being extravagant its about spending time together.

We had coffee at Scarborough then walked to Redcliffe. This is the view at the end of the Redcliffe Jetty.

And here is the view from the top of Redcliffe Point, looking toward Fisherman Island.

And just to prove that Alan is not a figment of my imagination.

Another Finished Kumihimo Braid

Remember this kumihimo braid from a couple of weeks ago?

Well ,its finally finished. I needed a purse/bag that I could keep money in while at shows. And I don't like Bum Bags.

This morning I attached the braid to the purse and have been using it. I want to add a few beads to the join, the extra stitching will add to the strength. I'm very happy with it, suits its purpose.

Success

The computer and I were agreeing this morning, I got some more of the needlework designs listed on the website I've also been experimenting with the settings on our camera.

Last night Alan and were enjoying a quiet drink by candelight. The Takadai was casting some brilliant shadows. Out came the camera and we snapped away trying to capture the image.

No luck with the takadai shadows but we did get this shot of the bobbins. They look a little ghostly.

We were very happy with this shot of the candle though.

Craft Website Update

After finishing todays dyeing schedule I decided it was time to add to our new shopping website

We now have a Needlework section with our exclusive designs.

Of course as is usual when time is of the essence nothing in the computer world was going easy. So we only have 3 items listed for now. Lots more tomorrow.

Getting Stuck In

Back to work yesterday and straight back to dyeing. I can't yet show you exactly what I've been up to yet but you can see by the buckets that I'm using much more water than I usually do.

I was so organised (touch wood) and everything went according to plan that I had finished todays' dyeing by lunchtime.

I've even changed the Pandora's Box display.

Guess that means I should go and iron fabric or I could just stay here and browse some blogs.

Martha Stewart

I've been indulging myself while I've been on holidays, I've been watching endless repeats of Martha Stewart. Today's episode featured an aticle on Wedgewood.

It was in 2 parts. The first was a bit of a history, fascinating to say the least. Then Martha interviewed one of the Lord Wedgewoods'. Now at this point I have to say I don't really know if there is more than one or exactly how the English Peerage system works but it got my memory banks working in overdrive.

When I turned 18 yrs old, which is the Australian Coming of Age, I was given by my best friend a Wedgewood item. Absolutely beautiful, and no doubt an item I cherished. Not only because of its monetary value but because Chris thought of it.

It spent years in its box, largely because I was still living at home. Years later, now living in my own home, it had developed a greenish mark across the faces of the 2 figures. I didn't want to attempt removing it myself in case I permanently damaged it. As luck would intervene I worked with a lady whose son worked for Wedgewood. She offered to show it to her son. Lord Wedgewood was visiting Australia courtesy of David Jones. The son showed it to him and Lord Wedgewood had it repaired.

Now it is used to display my buttons. Oh! and the Martha Wedgewood I liked the best, absolutely the Green One.

Google Maps

While I was on holidays I planned to add a couple of extra features to our website. The only thing was that I also wanted to have a break fom the computer. Today is the second last dayof our break so I got stuck in and added the features.

We now have the bare bones of a Google Map, a Gallery and some Links. Now that I have the basics up, I can add more product items. That can wait until we go back to work.

But for now I'm still on holidays. I have finished all the embellishing on the slippers and have now painted the insides.

I've also started embellishing the 'patches' of the Faux Crazy Patch Angel. Didn't take long before I had finished 4 patches. Might even get it done before Wednesday.

Just a Little Bit

Back into the shop today for the first time in a week. Very Busy. Only got a little bit done on my Faux Crazy Patchwork Angel.

These sorts of projects are ideal for the times in between customers. Great promotion for the Hand Dyed Fabric and Hand Dyed Threads.

Small sections to stitch, easy to pick up. While the customer traffic was constant throughout the day I still managed to complete3/4 of the project.

I bet it takes me much longer to finish off once I get home though, lots more there to distract me.

Fat Quarter Bags

I'm on a mission. I want to make some bags from 1-2 Fat Quarters. I've been drawing patterns and cutting out fabric.

The blue floral fabric is hopefully going to be one of the Japanese Knot Bags. I don't have a pattern except the sketch I did while in Japan. The exact measurements are going to be a bit of a guess.

The blue hand dyed fabric is going to be a small pouch bag. A little while a go I tried to make one similar to sweet bag from Stitches mag. I used some left over sampler fabric. I could never get the drawstring to work. The bag has been pinned to my cork board ever since.

I really like the shape so I've drafted off a pattern from the bag and I'm going to have another go. This one will have handles.

The pink/brown hand dyed fabric is to be a small shoulderbag, I'm going to some embellishing before stitching together.

And lastly I'm going to attempt to make a bag for my camera. I got the instructions from Sew-Mad I'll also be embellishing this before assembling.

Should be enough to keep me busy for a while.

A Crafting New Year

Happy New Year! Has everyone made their New Year's resolutions? Me either. I really don't believe in them. I do however believe in starting out the year in the way I hope it continues. One of my Mother's Old Wives' Tales was that anything you did on New Year's Day you would do for the rest of the year. That's why Peg never did any washing or housework on this day. While I had no intention of doing any cleaning I did do a few things.

I did a little sewing.

I braided just enough to see the pattern developing.

And did a bit more embroidery. Let's hope this is one Old Wives' Tale that holds true.