Off we go to Adelaide

 Tonight we are off to Adelaide for this show. We had quite a spectacular storm here last night - even tipped the garden chairs over and I had to rescue foam seating from everywhere in the garden. Hopefully it has all gone now and won't follow us to South Australia. Set up tomorrow and hope to see lots of lovely people over the next three days. Plus we have our restaurant outings all sorted... sort of...

The latest Quilting Arts arrived yesterday and I worked hard so that they have all been posted out today. Just got to find some room in the suitcases for some clothes - not looking good so far. Boxes of gelli plates arrived as well so I think some are back pack jobs somehow - I have snuck a few into Ian's backpack which hopefully he won't notice.

 I have been working away off and on with the Inktense Blocks. Very few people seem to have used them beyond the basics so I am hoping to break a bit of new ground - the results will be in Issue 2 of threads.In-fusion. This my new set of 72. So exciting and all those colours. They are not available in Australia yet but hopefully in time for the show in Perth. I just had to have them...

Lots of playing and testing on different surfaces.

You might wonder what this is - another little experiment which seems to have worked but it did take forever to dry. One silk hankie for a start....

Off to try fit some clothes in - to Ian's suitcase....

Sunday again

Playing with the Inktense blocks and discovering that some ideas you have don't work - this is computer paper and a very wet stencil from another piece which failed but pleased with this one - I sprayed Gossamer Gold Moonshadow Mist over the top -




Another piece worked well




A piece of batik fabric which seemed to have been salted. Did a stencil spray and that improved it quite a bit




Then I used a white inktense block - plenty of potential. When you play and test all sorts of things happen - good and bad but now I have a brain stop so will be back another day. I have done quite a bit if sampling though - this is for my article in Issue 2 of threads.In-fusion




Then I thought I had better get onto my exhibition piece for the show in Perth which is closer than I care to think so I created a background to get me started.

Last weekend of the Super 15 rugby before the elimination stuff - we enjoyed some great rugby - the Hurricanes and the blues both came out to play and then the Force won. It does seem to have gone on and on though - too long a season.

Went to The Audience this week - film of the production. It was excellent - now we don't need to try and go when we are in London.

Going to be a busy few days because we are off to Adelaide on Wednesday evening

It's Friday

It's been a very busy week packing boxes to send to Adelaide. We used to do about 11 shows a year once - if we were to still be doing this our website and our customers would be neglected. I think we are doing much better at things this way. But we had this opportunity to go to Adelaide and thought why not. But I must say I was pleased to see the TNT man take everything away in his van. Now I can get back to working with my Inktense Blocks for the e- mag issue 2

Talking of which I am so delighted with the response - I am chasing a few more numbers in subscribers to reach my next goal so if you are thinking about it do subscribe!




I went for a swim on Tuesday and the water was so cold I have decided to stop swimming until it improves - my bones were cold all day. Apparently the engineers have set the temp too low and they won't turn the boiler on so I shall wait and go walking. I would rather be swimming. On my walk I saw the new Ace Pizza sign




This is the building development happening next to our warehouse. I like seeing the exposure of the building at the back.

Watching good rugby as always - it's the last weekend of the series before the play offs.
Off to the nursery too in the morning before I hop off to the studio

It's Sunday once again

Today we went for a wander into Perth to check out some if the new developments - quite spectacular they are - all these new restaurants linking parts to other parts. Nothing open on a Sunday though.




All beyond an old church but gee Perth has grown in the time we have been here




The contrast between the old and the new




Central Park
We have had a rugby feat this weekend - Hurricanes Highlanders game was a try fest. Then the Lions vs Wallabies was a bit of a total whitewash. Nuff said but I think it will be goodbye Robbie.




I have been playing with the Studio 490 embossing paste - it's great. I worked it through a stencil




Here's a close up and I sprayed Gossamer Gold Moonshadow Mist over the top. Very pleased with the result.
Today I got the next of our clubs underway - the Stitchy Stitchy Club - great response already - thank you all
Now to watch the tennis final
- posted by Dale

It's a wee tad cold in Perth

 especially at 7.30am at the swimming pool. This is the inside pool - and I  do not know what the frog is for - but it isn't for me - I am swimming outside where the mist is thick and you can't see much and the pool is as good as empty. Cold too, especially getting in and out. However once you recover it sets you up for the day.

Rather traumatic times here - our operating computer has been getting slower and slower and more miserable by the day so off it went to hospital. They sent it home early and it took a turn for the worse and had to go back into intensive care. So last night we managed to send the newsletter out via my i pad which is only networked - new learning curve once again. We got there though. Plus all the people who subscribed to the e-mag had to wait a wee bit longer for me to send them everything once the computer came back this afternoon. Think we are back to normal - we haven't been able to print either because it is all linked that way. The joys of life.... It means I am behind with my e-mag bulletin but it isn't far away. And now that I can print again I can get back to things which need labels, inserts etc.

This is one of the new pieces of street art on Beaufort Street - Tandem. plenty of interest.

my little labyrinth

 It's the 1st July and I have finally finished my labyrinth piece. here are a few little bits and pieces - lots of hand stitching it would seem.

 Lots of different threads and fabrics and bits and pieces

 And in case no one knows where my labyrinth is....

Just that bit of red here and there

Llooks like one way up and then the other - little stones collected in river beds in the South Island. it's amazing what you bring home in your hand bag - no wonder it weighs a ton. last seen there were 6 lipsticks inside as well and I hardly ever wear lipstick.

and there you go - now I have to get started on my artful journey piece for the exhibition here in Perth at the show in August - there are some lovely works rocking up to my house. I am experimenting with scrim and stuff and having a great time. I shall be sharing my experiments with our e-mag subscribers.

We had a great evening last night and this morning watching the Rugby Seven World Champs. Shame there were few people to see them. Wonderful win to the All Black Men and Women's Sevens teams.

Last night we finally made it to Jamie's Italian Restaurant - I booked so long ago I had nearly forgotten but they remind you. We enjoyed it. Friendly staff -  good food - not expensive.

knitting - knotting - knutting - whatever

but flowers first - seen at the Gordon Street Garage where we went for a meal. Interesting concept for a restaurant in a huge garage.

and some daffodils - far too early for bulbs. And too dark but it was dark.

We have been spoilt again - not only do we have Ace Pizza - our favourite new eating house - but last night we went to Solomon on Beaufort Street - holistic food and organic etc. Lovely staff - so friendly and the food was wonderful. The guy was proudly showing us his handiwork - he made all the tables. Ian gave him a lesson on salt having been reading Jarrod Diamond and wanting to share.

 Everyone is busy talking about and suddenly 'knitting' this week. All because, I suspect, Julia Gillard has been in Women's Weekly. I don't usually do political on my blog but I will say that the vitriol has been disgraceful - politics is one thing but the attacks are quite another. I thought Julia's defeat speech after all those knives was excellent. Personally I would wish her well. The rest will carry on in the bad news stake. The only thing I really would like to see is Malcolm Turnbull doing something.

Anyway back to the knitting - I have been knitting since I emerged from the womb - pretty sure I was born with a pair of knitting needles and my boys will verify that they had almost every knitted garment from the Mon Tricot knit books from baby to about 6 - then we came to Perth and it was far too hot - also it became too expensive and there were much cheaper options. But I have still knitted since whenever. I thrive on a challenge and my claim to fame was the pale green jersey I knitted at boarding school after hours (we went to bed early) in the dark all in 3 cable and not a dropped stitch. Every summer when we drove across OZ towing yachts for sailing I knitted up some garment on the way over and another on the way back.

Nowadays I like to knit little things - using ends and embroidery threads - I have little and big knitting needles all over the place but little knitting is great when worked into your other work. That strip above was felted into some felt.

One of my favourite sort of knitting - big needles rayon embroidery thread to be worked onto a background and burnt. This is going to be a journal cover cover. Before too long.

Little knitting attached to felted pieces and linking them up - never go anywhere without my plastic container full of themed stuff and a few little needles inside - every now and then I have to buy a new set.

And another patched knitting - great texture when you mix and match turned into a bag on the embellisher.

Been busy this week as always - I am chasing my tail to get my piece finished for the WAFTA exhibition - tomorrow is the deadline and hand stitch sure takes some time and there is a lot of time placing hanging looking and thinking. No good while watching rugby though - need to concentrate. Sadly Ian's team beat my team yesterday but it was very exciting game.

I have written two blog entries on the threads.In-fusion blog http://threadsinfusion.blogspot.com.au/ which people might like to peruse and I am just putting the touches on my playings for my Dale's Delight newsletter. This is to go to all the subscribers to the e-mag in the in-between months. Lots of lovely comments about the e-mag and the free pdf I produced.  Never too late to subscribe http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/infusion/text.htm  The other very interesting thing we have received this week are the Porcupine Quills http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/embellish/quills/text.htm - have a peep....

Nearly July - yikes - I am going to try to blog more often - May was good but June I was hopeless. Plenty of ideas in the head and on the surface though.

Sunday outings a new habit?

Even though I was whizzing away on the studio it wasn't difficult for Ian to suggest a drive to Fremantle this afternoon. It was a beautiful winter's day and loads of people were out and about so fair enough that we joined them.

We had barramundi and chips and a Madfish wine at Kailis in Fremantle Boat Harbour.

Then we went for a stroll around the environs.

Manage to catch Ian as well.

Then we passed this little lady enjoying the sun.

So I shall have to get back whizzing away in the studio in the morning to meet my deadline. Tonight we are enjoying loads of rain dropping down. Harley is not.

I have had quite a few emails with suggestions for other clubs The Thread Studio could/should run. Love to hear other suggestions so I can make decisions shortly.

where exactly does time go?

It's Saturday already and while we have been very busy this week, i am still not sure what we have done. I have been trying to get working in the studio every day and mostly managed to unlock the door. I am working on my big piece for an exhibition with a deadline looming so it looks like loads of hand stitching coming up. Much bigger than I normally. Once that is out of the way I must get working on my Artful Journey piece for the Perth Show - I have some lovely pieces here from others - if you are coming to the show you will love seeing them all.

 I am also working on another lovely piece using flimsies and hand dyed cotton gauze. I love cloth creation and if you have the latest Embellish magazine (they arrived this week - we do have a few spares) you might see that I have an article on my patches. It's got a long way to go but quickly... You may recognize what I am doing on top.

One of the reasons I have been busy this week is the response to the Silk Fibre Club. WOW! This is a heap which went off in the post for month 1. You can read more about it here if you are interested.
http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/info/clubs.htm

And today I got the first lot of packaging done for the new club - the Wool Fibre Club. It works in exactly the same way for 12 months. Much more messy to put together as wool is bulky but just imagine all the different wool products on our kitchen floor for me to make my selection and you will be on track. All tidy now. http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/info/clubs.htm

 Just a reminder that today is the last day for subscribers to the e-mag threads.In-fusion to be in the draw for $200 worth of silk fibres. We will be drawing a winner tomorrow morning. Of course you can subscribe any time. You don't need to be on facebook - it is an e-magazine. I thank everyone who has subscribed already and for the lovely comments. As well as the first issue there is a free pdf from me on Tissutex for everyone who takes out a subscription in June. $27.50 ($25) is pretty good for 4 issues. There is a magic pay pal button on the web page or you can use the usual suspects - Visa, MasterCard or direct deposit.
http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/infusion/text.htm


And finally before we watch the All Black vs Les Bleus in Christchurch for the second test, thanks for all the comments on the irises. I have no idea of its name - it was here when we came but I love seeing all the flowers appear -they have as good as finished now.

a day off...

 The wild irises in the garden are out in flower - every year I photograph them and draw them for as long as I can remember. Barbara the cat used to sleep in this bush just outside the back door.

The All Blacks won last night against the French. We were rather nervous for quite some time but it all same good in the end.

Today has been a compulsory rest day so I have been a bit wandersome - not been allowed to do any business stuff at all. We went to the Swan Valley for lunch to Stewarts - I wouldn't really recommend it - not bad - not good. The carpet hadn't been vacuumed maybe for a few days and the food pretty ordinary. But it was a nice outing. Then we called into check out Coventry Markets in Morley.

spotted these but decided they were not really me. Lots of rain here and this afternoon the Force managed to lose again.

Tomorrow back to work - that silk fibre club is keeping me busy but I have another new club coming tomorrow as well - as soon as I get organized in the morning. Why is it that every time I add proper spellings to the dictionary, good old blogger undoes my hard work....

Galloping Horses

 Galloping Horses? Well since I had these at Namh Thai and at Namh itself, I have been wanting to make the recipe.Quite a few years back I bought David Thompson's cook book - Thai Food - and have drooled over it off and on for ages but never cooked anything. (and no - you can't look inside the book)

the recipe for galloping horses was not difficult but time consuming - I had to get 100gm minced pork, 100gm of minced chicken, 100gm of minced prawn flesh etc etc so I had quite a collection of happenings in the kitchen. I crushed coriander roots in the mortar and pestle and crushed roasted peanuts etc then the phone rang and Ian was out walking. But I got it all together and while we watched the Lions eat up the Force last night, Johnathan, Ian and I enjoyed it on (well sort of on) pineapple and tangelo. The acidity of the fruit just makes it and you need fresh coriander on top and fresh finely sliced chillies - and our chillies are very hot straight from the garden. So I shall be happy to make it again.

There has been a wonderful response to the e-mag which is so rewarding and lovely comments. If you haven't taken a subscription, you should. you get a free pdf which will be ready in a day or two and the chance to go in the draw for a prize of silk fibres if you sign up before 15th June - which is not that far away.
And we have just introduced our brand new Silk Fibre Club and what a great response. I have had a lovely time today putting together the first month's selections. Playing with all that colour is amazing.

Loads of parcels today but not the one I was waiting for. Maybe tomorrow. What did come were ots of paints including a new paint.

The newsletter is almost finished - that's what happen when you have loads on your plate. But I am sure everyone will forgive us. We are but human after all....

threads.In-fusion

Big excitement of today is the launching of our e-mag - Ian worked so hard yesterday so I rewarded him with a meal out at our favourite new restaurant Ace Pizza - it is the closest restaurant to our home. The chef is brilliant - James - and they deserve their day off today after 21 days straight.

Back to the real news though - Ian still has the paypal button to add and the pictures to put on the free pdf which comes if you take out a subscription. Do check it out here
http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/infusion/text.htm

Just as well it is a holiday here in Perth not that we are. Harley knows it is as she has done nothing all day.
We are having a day off soon - just not sure when, There is a newsletter to get out as well. We hadn't forgotten in our excitement. And we are launching our Silk Fibre Club as well - that's not quite on the web yet either. But it is a 12 month club - every month for 12 months, we will send you a parcel of assorted yummy silk fibres in co-ordinated colours from our wonderful collection with a different ideas sheet each time along with a non-silk product for you to use with your silk fibres. $300 for 12 months or $30 a month.

See - we have been busy!

Welcome to winter

Welcome to Winter and it really is cold here - for Perth




Last night we went to Jesus Christ Superstar - great show - great effects and everything and our first visit to the Perth Arena




So many people to seat and pretty efficient - same when it finished. We walked home.




Lot of lovely hand dyed silk laps to dry but they make lots of colour in the back garden.

Enjoying the rugby - shame the Hurricanes lost but really great to see the Highlanders won tonight - bit late though.

I am working on what seems an enormous piece of work for this exhibition. I am building up a background so just work on a little bit every time I run in and out of the studio