A week of love, loss, resurrection, reunion, reward, triumph and discovery... but not exactly on a Tolstoy-esque sort of scale.

We're talking MY LIFE here, not Anna Karenina.

Of course the love is all about a gadget..... My new Bernina "jeans foot", bought on a whim last week-and-oh-my-GAWD-I-love-it. 

 

Here it is, sailing smoothly over denim, felted jumper, leather and polypropylene webbing. I have NO IDEA how it does it, but it has some sort of built-in stump-jumping mechanism, that guides it over lumps and bumps and thick, thick fabric, far better than the walking foot can manage.

Loss.. well, the latest was $282 on a speeding fine that I had no idea I'd be getting.  Friends who know me were IMPRESSED when they heard that I don't always drive like the Nanna they've witnessed behind the wheel in my car. 

I just can't understand how I managed it.

There was also a loss of hair, which I didn't notice until I saw this photo three days after the haircut.  I told the hairdresser, "Do whatever you like". 

And this photo is an easy segue (as well as a reminder to re-stitch that side seam) as we move on to resurrection. 

This dress began life as a 'little cowl-neck top' that I made on the knitting machine on my weekend break.  As soon as it was finished, it was obviously too big for me.  I tried wearing it one day but it all felt wrong.  It was too loose and floppy and swamped me.

On the verge of giving it to a taller, curvier sister, I made a last-ditched effort, moving a few seams and turning it into a little mini dress.... which grew and grew and grew as the day wore on, reminding me that there is much to learn about gauge and the properties of viscose yarn before I attempt another project in it.

(Apologies to the taller, curvier sister.  I quite like it now and you're not going to get it after all.)

Unable to wait for summer to wear my new knee-length (and growing) dress, I donned tights, boots and cardigan, and headed out to meet old and dear friends at the Shirt and Skirt Market at Abbotsford Convent last Sunday.

  

I went to see my good friends from Nina Wish Designs, who were stallholders for the day,  and took the opportunity to catch up with a bestie of 25+ years. 

It's a great thing, to spend time with old friends, in that easy space where so much is understood without words, and all is judged with love and respect.  The combination of shared history with genuine interest and care for each other in the here and now, gives all conversations a nurturing depth that is hard to define but wonderful to experience.

All around the market, I bumped into old and new friends, customers and students.  'Twas lovely to feel a part of a community.

Today, I was back in the saddle, teaching a Zippers for Bags class.

 

The couple of weeks break that I've had from teaching has certainly recharged my batteries (I had no idea how exhausted I was until I stopped) and I felt back to my old self today.

Teaching people new tricks and seeing them achieve what they didn't think they could do is the most rewarding part of my job.  Thanks for a great day, girls!

After class tonight, I finally worked out how people take photos with their computer web-cams for Skype profile photos and whatnot.  I know. It ain't rocket-science, but there you go... a discovery for me.    Here's the Eureka! moment, captured for posterity ...and then photoshopped to bring some contrast into the dimly-lit graininess of the image.

Apart from the fine line of (mystery) red blobs running through my forehead, nose and chin, I quite like the idea of low-fi image as an everyday look. It hides a multitude of best-overlooked fine details.

Lastly, TRIUMPH.    Those of you who have been to one of my classes (or tried to have any sort of conversation with me) over the last 6 months or so, will know just how obsessed I've been with 6mm Vliesofix tape: my favourite of all the fusible tapes.  I've been using it to hold hems and zips (and anything tricky) into place before I sew ...and endlessly waxing lyrical about it.



It's been like hens' teeth to get at retail level and it was getting pretty frustrating, sending people off to look for it in shops.  Last week I bought a whole box of the stuff at a bargained-down price (it's soon to be rebranded, so this current stock is soon to be "old stock") and I'm able to pass on the discount to customers - it's $7.50 per 15m roll, in the studio-shop only. 

If you live too far from us to come in and you don't see this product in your local store, ASK for it.  Unless the stores know that there is a demand for it, they may not know to buy it in (when it''s rebranded and more readily available).

And that's another week, done and dusted. 

Not an epic week.

Not even vaguely dramatic. 

But stuff happened and I thought I'd record a bit of it.

Hope your week was a good 'un.

A quick glance upwards

This week has seen me still walking across that bridge.... trying to get over what looks like an insummountable mountain of catch-up, keep-up and set-things-on-course. It occured to me to do a quick blog post NOW before the catch-up here becomes another mountain I'd rather not have in my path.

This week, I also had two classes out in the real world.  The A-line Skirt class at Kimono House was on Saturday, and was lots of fun.  I made the above skirt on Friday night from a $5 remnant and a small piece of some fabric I bought from Eureka Patchwork's "$15 per metre" room. 

I've been wearing the skirt ever since. 

I think it's love. (And yes - it matches my hair).

 On Thursday, it was loads of pattern-free fun at Bargain Box Fabrics in Mornington. It was fab to see the group's initial trepidation turn into inspiration over the course of the day, and to see so many variations on the theme of my Trapese-line top.  We were a group of women of all shapes, sizes and ages, and there were tops and dresses to suit everyone.  Great day.

 Today (Sunday) was a busy one.  It started with a trip to the characterful and quirky Thornbury Theatre, to the Suitcase Rummage.

Handmade and vintage goodies were spilling out of every sort of suitcase as locals shopped, talked, listened to live music.  It was a great atmosphere (and I managed to pick up some de-stashed crafty bargains).

My sister Leonie had her screenprinted  cushions, bags and fabric panels (of her original drawings) and a few Fabulous 50's Bibs....

 I loved this watermelon apron, too, by Anita at NeitZarr....

My little personal-shopper had a ball.  I gave her a budget of $15, which she took great pains to spend, without leaving a single cent.  I suspect that she pumped up the cute-factor to get a few bargain second-hand books and jewellery bits.  (I worded her up on bargaining down the handmade stuff before she had a chance to widen those baby blues at anyone).

 We then went into the Quilt and Craft Show for the last few hours of trading. 

BIG MISTAKE. 
Tired girl who thinks she's an expert shopper. 
Expensive parking and entry to the show for 2 hours of show. 
No time to look at anything before the girl spent her craft-show budget and wanted "another budget".  
Endless negotiations about the possibility of another budget.
Please... another budget...
But the other budget was just A PRACTISE budget....
And couldn't you you just buy THAT for me?
And now I've run out of budget, I want to go home....
And it's not fair that I'm not enjoying myself anymore..
So, if you'd just give me another budget....

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!

(She didn't get another budget).

However....I did manage to get Terese Dair's book from her at the show.  SWOON.   (It's LOVE-ER-LY!).  I daresay, you'll be hearing more about that.... when I get off this vertigo-inducing bridge.

Back to life...(and trying to remember where I put the reality).

Yep.  I made it to Sydney and back (...yes, even with ME driving!). I'm just trying to get my bearings again, having had such a big focus for the last few weeks.

All went relatively smoothly in Sydney.  I managed to set up and pack up and do a whole show in between, all without tears.  Nothing was stolen and nobody said anything unkind.  I met lots of interested and interesting people and had a very nice time.  I must also say that the organisers of this event are just wonderful.

We now have some more stockists, and you'll be able to find my patterns and supplies in a few more places around Australia and New Zealand.

Over the weekend, I was seen to be fondling bits of fabric on other stands, and you may well be seeing more of these prints in these-here parts.

 Two ranges that took my particular attention were by Surface Art and Veritas Design (Australian designers), and as I sat opposite them throughout the show, I thought up fabulous 50's-inspired full skirted dresses and skirts and all manner of homewares.  LOVE it.

Another new independent designer on the wholesale scene was Buddies Corner. The stand was really fresh and inspiring and the designer (Tammy) is just lovely.  She has a career background in textile design for large companies and has branched out on her own.  GO TAMMY!

 I loved the mix of yardage and panels and the mix of boys/girls children's designs.

 I didn't think to get my camera out in class, but I had to take a few photos at Peg's Pieces, before I left the shop.   Along with loads of fresh and fabulous fabrics, they have just a few (thousand) buttons....

...and the cat-themed fabrics had my head spinning with choices for a Mummy's been away gift for the smallest crafter in the family.

 Best of all, while in Sydney, I got to stay with my great friend of 25 years, Sarah.   I even finished the Divine Hat I started crocheting for her before I arrived and started a new (knitty) one.  The hat fitted Sarah's 2-year-old as well as it fitted her.  (Lots of brains in that kid's head...!)

And now, having barely landed (and taught a patternmaking class last night), I find myself cleaning up the chaos I left behind a week ago and trying to remember where I was up to in my various and scattered mental lists of loosely-prioritised to-do's.  I'm yet to muster the courage to look at the calendar ahead of next week.

Thank goodness for the long weekend ahead.  I have nothing planned.  By Tuesday, I hope that there will be a renewed focus ...and that the enormous pile of laundry at home will be a distant memory.

Grand plans and a grand day.....

We were off at a gallop this morning.  There was laundry and vacuuming and general tidying before prospective buyers came to look through our house (auction looming).  There was a hairdresser appointment and a promised cafe lunch.  There were patterns to pick up from the printers and there were plans... oh yes... craft markets and artist studios.... and I think I mentioned something about going out to the country to visit my parents in the evening.

 Ok, so it was all a bit unrealistic after the tidying, hairdresser, lunch and printers bit. 

We got lost in unfamiliar suburbs and arrived at the River Studios Open Day much later than expected (...and in desperate need of a nice cup of tea and a bit of a sit down). 

How lovely to see Leonie's drawings tansformed into new screen-prints, all made up into cushion covers and packaged fabric panels.  This is her first print and she has plans to extend the range of prints and products, using her own art images.

 There are lots of interesting people in the River Studios, doing all manner of art and craft-based work.  I loitered around the tactile textiles of Gaye Abandon..... lovin' those felty  table mats and coasters.

 I wanted to dive into the stacks of cut up, felted jumpers..... (Although I don't think Gaye would have thought that was ok...)

 The wee girl found an enormous sheet of paper and a box of pens.

 ..and she fund her 'tribe'...

 They drew, they played with the "dollies", they played imaginary games of SPIES and TEACHERS....

They had an altogether FANTASTIC time.

...and I was happy to see her so happy and engaged with other kids (and I was thinking of a saying about things that are not broken), so we stayed a bit longer.

I did some knitting, had a lovely chat, ate lots of bread and pate and cheese.....and then realised it was getting dark outside and that I'd missed the opportunity to go anywhere or do anything else with the day.

It was probably a good thing.

Tomorrow in Melbourne....

Two events showcasing local arts and crafts -

The wee girl and I are going to have a busy day!

Will I see you there?

Apparently the class is booked out (they're now taking bookings for when I return in May). 

You can still come to the trunk show, win prizes, take advantage of some great in-store specials, play dress-ups with all my samples and have a book signed.  Now, that sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Contact Bargain Box for details.

Ahem.... where was I...?

It appears that I've had better things to do than keep up a blog about the things I've been doing....  This hasn't been the case.  I've just done a bit more driving about the countryside (and collapsing - exhausted -  in a heap at the end of the day) than usual.

Last weekend, the wee girl and I made the trip out to beautiful Ballarat to see Annie at the quilt show and catch up with Jodie, Rachel and Kathryn there.  

We spent a good part of the day being led on several wild-goose-GPS-chases around the city before finding the old Mining Exchange building and the fabulous quilts it held.  I was so excited about eventually getting there (!!) and seeing the girls, the only time I thought to take the camera out was while waiting for the girls to get their cups of tea and join us at the table.

On Wednesday, there was my trunk show at The Blanket Box in Geelong - a first-outing for these newest Shell Purses.

Thanks to the lovely people who came to say hello, try on skirts and dresses and peek inside bags.

I love this Pippijoe Waterhen print.  I had a tiny scrap left over and had to use it, so teamed it with the tiny scrap left of the Portuguese linen that Meri sent to me years ago.  Fabric gold....I couldn't waste any of it.

 And there was more hacking into the GJ's haul.  I have a Shell Purse workshop and a trunk show coming up at Bargain Box Fabrics in Mornington on 28th March, so I'm making up lots of new little samples for that and thinking through all the new tricks I can show people who come to the class.

There was a fair splash of Saffron Craig fabric about the place this week, too. I'm preparing for a workshop for the International Federation for Home Economics Congress, which is to be held in Melbourne this year. I wanted to infuse an Aussie flavour into the class, so chose Saffron's cheerful prints for the job.

Precious scraps of Ink&Spindle and Yardage prints were also put to use this week. 

I'd started this patchwork bit for a workshop last year (at the Technology Teachers Association conference) and finally put it all together on Friday. 

 I made a bag (the piecing above appears on the back of the bag). 

 And I'll admit to a bit of blog-finishery here..... so that's as far as le tour de bag goes.

Oh look... there's a bag-making class....

 Yesterday was filled with the finer points of bag bases and straps and zippered gussets.... a Customised Bag in a Day workshop.  We focused on the details that make a super-special handmade bag even more special.

 (And yes, Patternmaking gals from Thursday's class... perhaps your toiles could be used as scrap tub covers after all.... the current Yoplait models could do with an update!).

There were some very satisfied bag-makers at the end of the class, and quite justifyably so.  Love ya work, girls!

So... it was a bit of a busy one and I didn't have the brainspace left to blog at the end of each day. 
But I still love you.....

Show and Tell

Today, being a public holiday here, I snatched a few hours for myself and went into the studio to sew.

 I had a lot of finishing-off to do.  Between things that I'd started and not finished, and things that I'd delegated coming back (thanks Adele), I had an interesting and varied afternoon.

 I'm trying to finish as many new samples as I can before I head off to The Blanket Box on Wednesday.  If you're in the Geelong area, do drop in from 11am- 2pm this Wednesday, for my Trunk Show!

I have a lot of lovely new things to show you, and you can try on samples of garments, hats and bags.  It'll be fun.