Giveaway

To celebrate 500 posts ( it is actually 513) I'm hosting a Giveway and it's open to everyone.

We will be giving away 2 packs of our Matched Colour Blends in Sarong and Bougainvillea. That's 6 Fat Quarters plus........

There will also be additional surprises in the pack. Don't you just love a surprise?

To Enter: This is the easy bit. There is no need to follow my blog or twitter page, you don't even need to visit the webpage. Just leave a comment telling me where you are in the world e.g town, state or country. It will be drawn on the 31st October.

The Crafter's Way 114 - Paper Quilts

Here is this week's Messenger column, I have included the full interview here.


Wrens Nest Studios

I met Michaela Laurie at the Sydney Stitches and Craft Show. I was fascinated with her combination of craft techniques. Michaela’s book “Paper Quilts” demonstrates her unique way creating Gift Tags, Greeting Cards and Bookmarks. This is an extract from an interview with Michaela. You can read the full interview at http://trishalandesigns.blogspot.com

Q1.Describe your craft journey, what other crafts have you dabbled in?
I have always loved art and I have always loved paper. I began making scrapbooks from magazine pictures when I was very young. I then collected all sorts of paper goods such as tickets, concert programs and cards and stuck them into books or put them in boxes. I loved art all through school and trained to be an art teacher. There were no positions for art teachers when I finished however. I eventually got a position at Bridge Street Gallery in Sydney’s CBD after 3 years at a bank. I was exposed to many wonderful prints and paintings at the gallery and became inspired to start creating once more.



I have dabbled in printmaking, painting (acrylic, watercolour and gouache), sculpture, pastels and drawing. All these dabblings came together about 20 years ago when I began creating abstract mixed media collages which I exhibited in galleries in Australia and Internationally. I also became very interested in making miniatures with the Australia Miniature Society in Sydney.



Jumping over the imaginary fence from art to craft about 5 years ago posed a few problems with exhibiting so I began showing my work at markets and craft shows. I have learnt so much from being the person who runs the market stall. I think it has also made me work much harder and think about what I do as a business. I feel very fortunate to be doing a job I absolutely love.




Q2. What lead you to paper quilts, was it via paper or fabric?
It may seem strange but I have never quilted with fabric. I belonged to a Thursday quilt group but I went along to sew tapestry cushions. I was at a point when I moved to Canberra where I nearly decided to finish with creating. I found myself into a creative block. One day the thought of using a sewing machine to sew paper came out of the air after lunch and off I went. My first efforts were just random pieces of paper sewn together roughly with white or black cotton. The whole process just caught my imagination and I couldn’t stop. All those papers I had collected over the years now had new life.
















Q3.How did you develop such a simple yet effective method for constructing your quilts?
This method of Paper Quilting came about from a great deal of trial and error. Paper weight, types of glue, types of thread, how to cut up the squares and shapes along with other techniques, all took a few years to simplify. When I look back at my early work and see how I made it, I realise that the craft has come a very long way in the techniques, materials, tools and the time it takes to create a Paper Quilt.



I think one of the most important ways I began simplifying the craft was when I began teaching. I found that some people did not like to use a craft knife. I stumbled upon the square paper punches one day in my local newsagency. It was somewhat of a light bulb moment although punching out squares rather then cutting presented its own small problems to solve. All the paper punch sizes are in Imperial measurements and all my designs and ideas were created in metric. I then developed a set of template squares to correspond to the punch sizes. This was a real breakthrough.




Q4. When did you decide to write the book, was it a hard process?
I knew that the craft I was working on was unique early on. No body seemed to have seen anything like it. I did some searches on the internet and once again, no-one was creating this way. Then people began to ask me how it was done. I guess the real clincher came when a customer said to me, (after they had just purchased a piece), that they were going to pull it all apart to see how I did it. That was that – I had to put my ideas down on paper before someone else did.




It was not an easy process and it really took me several years to put it all together. I began sending proposals to publishers but had no luck with this new concept. In the end, I decided to self publish. My husband Bill was an enormous help with editing, formatting and proof reading. I couldn’t have done it without him. All the fine details are the most difficult.





Q5. What inspires you?
I get inspired by things everyday. I always try to keep my eyes open every where I go. I find inspiration in books, magazines, movies, exhibitions of all types and nature. Sometimes someone at a market or show will suggest a brilliant idea which I just can’t wait to get home to try out.



I try hard to have a quilt on the go at all times so that when I go up to my shed in the morning, there is something waiting for me and not just a blank sheet of paper. You have to be extremely disciplined with working alone and not get side tracked or distracted. It is not always easy, but once I start work I seem to be able to just keep going.



Q6. Do you teach classes?
I regularly teach classes at a White Dragon Paper Craft in Philip ACT. www.whitedragonpapercraft.com.au check. I have been asked to hold two workshops in September for the National Gallery of Australia. The workshops are being held in conjunction with the ‘Airing of the Quilts’ exhibition and I feel very honoured to have been asked.



I love teaching. My youngest students are around 10 years old and there is no upper age limit. I enjoy seeing how my students interpret the Paper Quilting methods and make the craft part of their personality. Every students work is completely different. I love to see that this craft is bringing joy to people’s lives.

Q7. Where can people see/ buy your work.
People can see my work via my web site www.wrensneststudio.com . Also at the Handmade Markets which are held quarterly in Canberra, the Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston, ACT and the Stitches and Craft Shows which are held in capital cities around Australia.

Q8. How would you describe yourself as a crafter, messy, organised, disciplined etc?

I describe myself as a craft artist. I am incredibly messy. I have the best intensions in the world to stay tidy especially when I have a big tidy up about once a month. But some how when I become focused on making a quilt I just reach and grab what I want and then plonk it down anywhere when I’ve finished. I have many small draws and storage boxes along with a hanging file system for my papers. I have found one of the best ways to put things away is for the draw or box where they belong to be labelled. I don’t think my best intentions for being tidy will ever be realised and I shouldn’t stress over it so much.

Q8. Do you have a process that you follow when designing a piece?

I have 2 methods of designing. 1. Flying by the seat of my pants and just doing it and 2. drawing up a design first, working out the boarder pattern and how many pieces of paper I will need and then drawing up the image. I then create a template for each image and decide which one I like the most. I have a few Paper Quilt picture shapes, such as the handbags which I have created many times. But each bag is totally unique because of the different papers and embellishments used. I never create a quilt which is identical to another – I think it would be virtually impossible even if I wanted to.

Click here for more of The Crafter's Way

Kumihimo Braid

I started this braid a week or two ago then got distracted by another more pressing project.











This is the starting position for the colours. There were slight variations in the shades of the green/blue hand dyed threads.

And this is the finished braid, all 2.5 metres of it. Hopefully I'll get some more threads warped together before we go away.

Click here if you want to try Kumihimo.

Christmas Decorations

Lots of Christmas Decoration ideas from easily sourced materials. If you haven't got any curtain rings at home you can buy them for a song from an opshop. Go from this......







to this.

Cheap, and I mean cheap, paper towel can be turned .......

into these, which can then be turned into........

a garland for your tree.

Fabric and paper scraps.....

into these. Can easily be modified so its also super safe for kids to do.

Click here for more free tutorials,

Working on a Tuesday?

What's going on? We are closed Tuesday's but this morning I ducked into the shop for a couple of hours. I wanted to get a head start on this week's dyeing. With no interruptions I got a full days work done in 3 hours.

Since I've been home I've started pulling out some bits and pieces for some project tutorials I have planned.

The hand dyed paper will get used in one project, the fabric scraps into another.

And while I was in prep mode I cut out the fabric pieces for a purse I'm going to make myself. A neighbour found this fabric at a garage sale. There is another 3.5 metres left. Any ideas?

Toowoomba Fabric

We now have a stockist in Toowoomba. Make-it Fabrics in Ruthven St is stocking the complete colour range of single Fat Quarters.






And the Matched Colour Blends in Fat Quarters.

If you prefer to buy your fabric in larger pieces, Make-it Fabrics is also stocking the Matched Colour Blend series in 1 m lengths.

Ask for it by name the next time you are shopping for Hand Dyed Fabric.

Advertise Here

Why advertise on the  TrishAlan Designs Blog?

TrishAlan Designs has grown into one of the best known blogs in Australia for promoting Craft Artists and their designs.

Who can advertise on TrishAlan Designs Blog?

Craft Artists, Makers, Handmade Website, Supplier, Anybody who relates to handmade. What are the costs?

1 space costs AU $25 per month. (inc. GST).  Minimum of 3 months applies for each booking.

What are the advertising terms & conditions?

An Invoice will be sent via Paypal. Payment is required before the ad appears.

I would like more information on booking an advertising site.

Please email us at trishalandesigns@bigpond.com for further details.

The Crafter's Way 113 - New Works

Here is this week's Messenger column





New Works

This week we have previews of work by three very different artists.

Recent Works in Glass Nick Mount has been one of the leading figures in the Australian studio glass movement for over three decades. Drawing upon ancient Venetian glass traditions Nick produces spectacular contemporary glass art. Nick Mount creates extraordinary sculptural works. The works displayed are part of an ongoing series investigating the scent bottle, a small functional object is dissembled and transformed into towering forms breathtaking in their scale, virtuosity and beauty. There is nothing minimalistic in this medium, Nick’s combines technical excellence with conceptual sophistication to transform craft into art. Go visit this exhibition and experience a sumptuous explosion of colour.

Coquettish Threads by Katie Pye is the second exhibiton. Katie Pye, is a Brisbane-based leading Australian fashion designer. Katie has created a series of beautiful hand embroidered silk jackets, which recall art of the Oriental. Straddling the boundaries between art, fashion and performance Pyre’s designs constantly challenge the conventions of fashion. This exhibition features a jacket that is simultaneously exuberant, laden with symbolism, and fabulous to wear.

Both of these exhibitions continue until 7 November 2009 at Artisan, 381 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. Ph: (07) 3215 0800 Email gallery@artisan.org.au

The last artist to be featured is Amanda Heelan. Amanda, based in Brisbane has just launched her new jewellery collection, Armour. Armour features a carefully selected palette of semi precious stones, crystal, glass and pearls, hand beaded into unique neckpieces, earrings, brooches and rings. Amanda has a multi layered background of Malay-Indian and Irish. In the past it was believed that hand beading provided protection against hidden forces, in a similar way that armour is traditionally a protective covering used to prevent injury. This latest collection explores this through creation of wearable classics. See Amanda Heelan’s designs at (m)art @ artisan 381 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.

Click here to read more The Crafter's Way.

I've got Blue Hands

After 3 days of classes this week it has been a nice change to get stuck into dyeing.








I needed to mix up a couple of the colours. I mix 5 grams of dye cold reactive dye powder into 2 litres. I usually double this and make 4 litres at a time. The dye brand I use lasts indefinately so I don't need to worry about it.

I've been dyeing our Matched Colour Blends.

These are Fat 1/4's.

This lot is the 1m Matched Colour Blends. I'm off to do a bit more before I go home. And the Blue Hands? Gloves had a hole.

Space Dyed Embroidery Threads

In between classes I have been trying to wind these space dyed embroidery threads into skeins.










These are some of the Stranded Cotton colours. I'm hoping Alan will price them and put them out on display while I'm doing the classes this afternoon.

I've only managed a couple of colours in the Fine Cotton. These might get to come on holidays with me.

These are our Medley packs. Great if you can't make up your mind which type of thread you want. Click here for more TrishAlan Designs Hand Dyed Threads.

Looking For Hand Dyed Fabric?

We have two new stockists in Gympie and Cooroy.




If you live near Cooroy the Cooroy Drapery is now stocking TrishAlan Designs Colour Blend in fat quarters and 1m lengths.




For those of you a little closer to Gympie The Gympie Patchwork Factory is also stocking our fabric.






Check out Stockists List in the left hand sidebar for a stockist closest to you. Ask for our Fabric by name.

Dylon Dyes -50

A couple of week's ago I showed you a pair of brown jeans that I planned to dye.

While they were evenly faded they were still looking a little tired. I popped them into a bucket of Dylon's Dark Brown. You know the drill by know, just follow the instructions and you can't go wrong.

And now we have a lovely rich brown and a 'new' pair of jeans.

Read more about using Dylon Dyes here.

 

New Eco Dyed T-shirts

Busy couple of days trying to restock our Eco Dyed T-shirts.










I tried some new colour combinations.

I still wasn't sure if I liked this one combination when I put them out for sale.

I guess it doesn't really matter what I think cause I sold one within the first half hour. Should get the kids Eco Dyed t-shirts restocked by the end of next week.

The Crafter's Way 111 - Craft Classes

Here is this week's Messenger column.

Want to Learn to Do ????

The Moreton Bay Regional Council has a number of Craft/Art Classes happening throughout the region. These are a wonderful and inexpensive opportunity to try a new craft.

Bribie Island: The Bribie and District Woodcrafters are holding their Annual Competition and Exhibition from the 11th to 25th October at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, Sunderland Dr. Banksia Beach. Ph: 3408 9288. The Bribie Island Library is hosting a Silk Painting Workshop on the 22nd October. Cost is $15.00, Bookings are essential, Ph 3408 1388

Caboolture: The Caboolture Library is the venue for the next two Workshops. The first one is for the young ones ages 5+ The Spooky Craft session on the 26th October will get you in the mood for Halloween. I’m holding a Kumihimo Disc Braiding Workshop as part of the Council’s Older and Bolder Program. This is a recreation program offering subsidised activities for people aged 50 and over. Cost is $5.00. Ph: 5433 2052 to book.

Deception Bay: You can learn Scrapbooking or Card Embellishing at the Deception Bay Library on the 14th October. Cost is $4.00, Ph 3203 1094 to book.

Narangba: Make your own Silk Scarf on the 20th October at the Narangba Library. Also at the library is a Jewellery Making Workshop on the 27th October. This is also part of the Older and Bolder program. Cost is $5.00, Ph: 5433 2052 to book.

Kallangur: Another Older and Bolder activity is being held at the Kallangur Library. Collage, an Art Workshop is on from 10am- 1.30pm on the 20th October. Ph 5433 2052

Strathpine: Kimberley Ogle is conducting two Wire Sculpture Workshops at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery on the 17th October. The first session from 11am – 1pm is for children aged 8yrs to 13yrs. The second from 1.30pm – 3.30pm is for aged 14 to adult. Ph: 3480 6941 for more information.

This is just a taste of what available in the next month. Older and Bolder programs are available at your local libraries or visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/olderbolder

Click here to read more The Crafter's Way columns.

Craft is Brain Food

Did anyone see this article in The Sunday Mail's Body and Soul section on Sunday? It is an extract from a book by Stephen Pinnock called Get Smart.

The author claims that crafts have joined the list of activities that can help reduce your risk of memory loss. Duh!

Look What I Won

While researching The Crafter's Way column Blog Giveaways I entered a number of the giveaways I found. This bag was being given away by Aphie from Botticelli Craft

Last week I received an email from Aphie letting me know that I had won it. It arrived today. I was really taken with the flower pin.

Of course I was way too lazy to take another set of photos, these are from Aphie's blog. Pop over and have a look.