2 more sleeps

 Only 2 more sleeps until we fly off to Canada - getting organised but really not needing the hassle which good old useless parcel service (aka UPS) is providing. I think Ian had steam coming out of his ears today - I was too stressed by it to even think about it. Last time UPS caused us drama was in London and I cracked knee open. Needed a holiday in Europe afterwards to recover if I remember correctly.

Anyway back to the real world - I spent hours printing out stuff for my workshop - naturally every colour ran out and in the middle I inadvertently kicked the plug out and that wasted a bit more time. All done now. Onto the next thing.

Above is  play on Evolon using the gelli plate  - Used the Paperartsy chalk acrylics which are quite subtle and then I sprayed over with Gecko Green Glitz Spritz. I rather like it and will stitch but not today.

 Ian has loaded two new hand dyed sari ribbons - Carnivale and Persian Market. They are all so exciting when they arrive.

We bought Harley a new cat door because while she couldn't come back in with the old one, another cat could. So this one has her micro chip thingy. Only trouble is we have got her to go out but she won't come back in - I think she is too fat - I have been standing with enticing plate of food and Ian has been trying to gently push her but so far no good. She is so exhausted by all of this effort she has retreated to our bed for the entire day.

Thanks to all who came to see my studio - and Doreen - the big basket of samples is still there just inside the door. I couldn't show everything. I do love my studio and I have to admit there are already lots of containers spread back on the floor. Today is Averil's beautiful studio in  the medieval village of Introdacqua, Italy, to see where she works  http://www.avesrave.blogspot.com.au/

Lots to do tomorrow but what is new...... including a lot more pushing and cajoling of you know who

SAQA Oceania Studio Blog Hop

 Welcome to my beautiful studio in our garden. I am very lucky to have my own place in which to work and the garden between our house and the studio is where we live most evenings in the summer. The studio was designed to blend in with the two eucalyptus trees you can see the trunks of and I enjoy the colours and the way they change during the year. Inside it is not a neat and tidy place because if I put everything away then I cannot find things quickly and it feels like my soul is hidden - or something. That is my excuse. For many years I have worked in the corner of our bedroom but always somewhere which is my space.

Working away at one of the things I like to do - create on one of my sewing machines - 

 I have a decent sized table where I usually have things spread out  - I work in themes so there are always containers for each theme and I hop from one to another. I happen to be one of those people who run on the what if system so often when I am happily working on something my brain thinks - how about trying this and I do.

 Same table looking towards the garden to be outside - this garden to be has been in planning for quite some time - maybe before too long. However Harley the cat loves it and spends ages there doing whatever cats do but having fun.

 My trusty laptop used for creative stuff and not business stuff.

 My precious book collection - never enough space for books and they are always in and out for inspiration.

 A little corner where I often sit for thinking - the studio has a large window space around to link it with the outside and through the window is a spot where we often sit at night and watch the trees in our garden.

 My table today full of stuff I am preparing for my teaching trip to Canada - I work at this table a lot but when I want to work on big pieces or paint, I can easily work outside. I don't dye fabric if I can avoid it - I butter up Jacinta to do it for me. I really like to alter the surface of fabric by layering up

 so here is my small work station - which is marbelled topped and brilliant for working on - and my gelli plate at the ready. For some reason I buy small amounts of commercial fabrics from time to time and wonder why - then I use them for rubbings, overlays, cut them up and stitch them together so they become mine and part of my story. I am slowly working on a journal quilt based on my trip to Marrakesh. You can the first two pages on the right of this photo.

 My beloved embellisher always ready for work

My wet area - yes it is cluttered - and I have loads of Ikea pull out baskets - I like to see my stuff. I don't have drawers which close. My machine threads are in a shop paperback stand on its side on a shelf but since I mainly use my own designed variegated threads, they are always by my sewing machines for easy access.

The corner on the other side looking out - currently a small pile up of folders and baskets of work.

Hope you have enjoyed your visit to my studio - it is a precious place and I try to be in it every day.

A few thoughts

I have been busy pottering today - partly preparing for my workshop in Canada and partly trying to organize my studio for tomorrow's blog hop. Of course I failed that because I have little piles trying to sort what I am taking and then what I still want to finish. I sprayed some silk rods - I love the texture of these when pulled apart.

The latest Studios mag arrived - we got about half out and the remainder will go tomorrow.

A new sari ribbon colour arrived as well - Persian Market this time. I have chosen one for the woven book cover I will try to work on while we are away. Five more sleeps........

a wee last look at Broome

 Some of Ian's photos of Broome for you to enjoy - sunset at Port Beach

 why there has to be one of me sitting on the rocks at sunset I do not know

 our villa at the Bali Hai - love those frangipani trees and flowers - love staying here actually

 through the walkway

Cable Beach - another perfect day

Don't forget to check out the SQA Oceania Blog Hop - see tab above for links - today is Linda Robertus

busy friday and saturday

 One very happy captain of the Hurricanes - and one very happy fan. They are doing very well.

 I have been playing with the Jacquard Lumiere 3D Dimensional Paint and Glue (a big mouthful) - we have got it in all 24 colours as well as some with 3 different tips. I thought I would try it out. I sprayed Starburst Sprays (the Marrakesh set) on Tissutex and then worked burgundy and lime green through the Marrakesh stencil. Guess what theme I am working on today? I like the detail of this stencil and it reminds me of the patterns I saw on Marrakesh. I popped sequins into places and they have stuck very well. I plan to stitch on it next. As it sets the colours intensify and sit raised. Very pleased with this [piece.

 The fourth colour in the hand dyed sari ribbons has arrived - Rivendell. Wonder what magic Jacinta is cooking up in her dyepot for next?

I have made another page for my Romeo book - very dark photos but that is because I left it until late to take my photo. the one above has turned itself around so youhave to turn your head on the side.....You should be able to see that I have stamped my fern stamp on with paint and stitched and washed out.Tomorrow I shall make a cord for it and maybe another page if I have time.

This is another page of Tissutex stamped with the Lumiere 3D paint. it looks really good.

Don't forget to check out the SAQA Oceania studio  blog hop -  today is Lisa Walton - her studio looks far too tidy for me. http://fibreinspirations.blogspot.com.au/

The newsletter is nearly ready to post out - Ian has stopped inorder to watch some rugby but he has his usual beautification to do and then I will post it out. Some great specials this month.

Trip to Canada getting closer

 The box of stuff for Canada left today so it means that our departure is getting closer. Hidden in that box are the workshop kits surrounded by lovelies for the market night which I hope people will like. Flimsies on the top. We have a new Sari Ribbon to match Kimberley Dreaming and Arabian Nights - Indian Splendour this time. Hoping Jacinta might get a couple more done and to me before we go not that there will be much room in the suitcases. It is always a relief once you finish a task like that - I had to make some executive decisions not knowing what people might like. Now I can get back to more workshop organisation and some stitching and stuff and an article to do before we go.

 I have stitched another page for my little water soluble book. This is the cover - 2 layers of stitch so it is quite dense and the back of the cover is that luscious velvet/flimsie texture. If I finish it I will take it with me.

The two pages so far- I can't move these photos - the top one I have stitched a grid and lots of rows of leaves - well it is a bush piece. The bottom one is the page I showed the other day but in its proper colours. I love stitching on Romeo I must say.

We have had more new lovely goodies - the Lumiere 3D paint and glue which I haven't had time to play with as yet. We have it in all 24 colours and also some in blister packs with 3 different tips. It looks fabulous. And we also received the Mul-Tex - a very interesting mulberry fibrous paper laminated.. I am hoping to have a wee play tomorrow.

Do check out the SAQA studio blog hop - I have put a tab at the top so you can go see lots of interesting studios.

lights agoing and a wee bit of progress

I stitched up a page for my little book - the colour is wrong because of the artificial light but the pattern looks good so I am happy. Ian has fixed the light which was on fire - apparently whatever it was is now incinerated and he replaced the two lights not going so I can see in the studio.

My progress has been slow though - the box for Canada is empty - I spent ages packaging 100s of Angelina fibres for someone coming tomorrow to have someone today buy them all. Back to square one. Long day tomorrow. But my kits are all under control - just not packaged. More importantly I have an urge to make these pages so that I will do.

The Dylusions stencils - just the big ones - they are lots of fun - arrived today and actually there were a few new things but they have not got to the web, nor have I finished the newsletter - will try tomorrow - it might be a wee bit late this month. We have a new book and some interesting fabric but they can wait for another day. off to cook the neck of pork with prunes and red wine.

tidy studio, busy brain, little action

 Tidied up after my workshop - it is actually good to have to clear because it does clear the head - table is cluttered already though because I am working and planning for Canada. More because I cannot take everything so I am trying to be selective. Then there seemed to be a fire in my light so I had to lock up and leave it for Ian to inspect tomorrow.

When I was in Broome I became a little obsessed with frangipani leaves, imagining that they were bigger, better and fleshier than here but of course they are not. What I have loved it the way they have broken down and I have been drawing them and stitching them etc. At the top is the start of a leaf journal I am working on - Romeo is a good way to get a result. I am hoping to have a few more pages made to take with me to Canada.

Of course I have quite a few other pieces all over the table in various stages - lace pages half stitched and this came out of Saturday's workshop when I was waving foils around. I am beading all around it tonight.

Lots of ideas and not a lot of time but always exciting.

Saturday and the rain cometh

Lovely Artful Journey starting out workshop today. They did some great stuff with paper napkins and gave me some new ideas which I plan to explore tis week. I let them select their own napkins from my supplies - sometimes choice makes it harder. Liz had fun with this one




With foil background




Margaret had fun - we all enjoyed the foils




The colours are all a bit orange - I think the light and the impending rain may not have helped




Emily had heaps of fun with poppies




All great stuff

Managed to watch the rugby - sadly the Chiefs were just too good for the Hurricanes. Then it rained - wow - loads of. We decided to stay indoors and watch the Force vs Stormers instead of sitting in the stands in the heavy rain. It's wonderful though.

Friday night and the BBQ has done its good work




Lamb is resting




Roast kumera, red onions and zucchini with a honey and balsamic dressing




About to eat - good way to finish the week

Artful Workshop tomorrow and then getting ready for Canada. Packing the kits and deciding what to send for the merchant night - the box goes on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Location:Chez Rollerson

Holiday

 We seem to have holidays all the time but it is ANZAC day today so we have managed to get a few jobs done- these are the new Hemp Cord which we found at CHA - great selection of colours and some variegateds still to go.

I am testing out some new paint colours - what do you think? The bottom colour is really orange and I am hoping for a gright pink as well. love the two top colours.

The next colour in the Sari Ribbon is here - Arabian Nights - we have sold out of Kimberley Dreaming but more is on its way. This one looks wonderful. I can't wait until we have a heap of different colours.

The latest Cloth Paper Scissors arrived yesterday as well - managed to send about half out and the rest are now all done and ready to go tomorrow.

I have put everything away from my Northampton workshop and getting ready for my Saturday workshop in my studio - Starting your Artful Journey - beacuse it is only one day I am not sure how much we will get done but it will be a busy and I hope, exciting day. I have just had a cancellation if anyone is interested at this late stage. All the details are on my workshop page above. I am a bit obsessed with my fangipani leaves and hoping to get something made using the idea.

We went to a great new restaurant - Gurkhas Nepalese Restaurant - last night - with Val and Jim. only 2 steps away and very good. Tonight we are having a bbq at home.