Craft Gawker

Trying to get my new fabric design to work as a repeat is doing my head in so it's time for a break. Allow me to share my new favourite website with you: Craft Gawker. This is a site where crafters from around the world submit wonderful projects.

The following are a few of my favourites.

Transforming 'blah' wellies into something quite special. I would do mine with a pretty pink or blue ribbon. Or how about a collection of interchangeable coloured ribbons? This project is from Beach Brights.

How pretty is this simple idea? Shared with love by The Apple Crate.

I have been looking everywhere for a black and white rug so a customised rug may be the way to go. Funnily enough, I was just wondering last week if I should try painting my sisal rug. I would probably use fabric inks. This project is courtesy of The House of Smiths.

Okay, I'm back to the drawing board now.

Sunday Inspirations

We're taking it easy on this beautiful and sunny day in Brisbane today.

We started the day by having breakfast in James Street, one of the nicest streets around, eating at Harvey's Bar & Bistro. I'm sorry that I didn't think of taking pictures of our meals but I can say that my banana and buttermilk-ricotta pikelets were delicious!

There are a lot of boutiques in James Street including Sass & Bide. I'm not a huge fan of taxidermy but their window display does command your attention. How funny is the budgie disguised as a cockatoo?

Speaking of budgies, when my Polish-Canadian husband first moved here 5 years ago, he was trying to fit in with the Aussie slang and told everyone to look at the guy on the beach wearing the "Budgie Chokers". They would choke a budgie, right? For non-Australians see the slang definition for "Budgie Smugglers" here.

I never did show you Voyt's special "moon boot" did I? Such an attractive look. He still has to wear this for another 3 weeks while his ankle cartilage grows back. I think it's working as he has stopped taking pain killers for the first time in 2 years.

Right now, I'm inspired by hues of light blues. I just LOVE this painted floor found over at Summerhouse blog. I think that our deck floor should be painted blue instead of white. I would still keep the walls white. What do you think?

Light blues are everywhere! Last Sunday, after breakfast, Lisa and I popped in to the Woolloongabba Antique Centre and I picked up this painted tray from Sandy's shop.

Luckily my husband is a patient man because I want to change our living room walls to a light blue. Never mind that we only painted the walls white last Christmas. I think it would look fabulous with our black & white fabric.

I also picked up this key holder from the antique centre - Shop 30. I do wish all of these stores would have their names on them.

I just love the folk art detail on the wood. I'm just feeling so inspired by it all that I can't wait for the painter to finally start on the windows tomorrow! What's inspiring you?

More Fabric Packs

I've been trying to stick to a schedule in an effort to get more done. Saturdays are for updating the website, when I'm not teaching classes that is. I do like working in the studio by myself without distractions.


Today, I have updated the Eco-fabrics craft pack pages here and here. Check them out. You get to choose exactly what you are buying and the prices are good!

Speaking of screen-printing workshops, a couple of you can still join us next weekend if you're quick. Otherwise, there is another class scheduled for October 8th. Details and bookings right here.

I'm really looking forward to some down time tomorrow with the man. Does anybody have any recommendations for Brisbane brunch? I'm looking for somewhere new to visit.

Getting Organised

My dream is to be organised and I feel like I'm slowly getting there. This week, I caught up with 6 months of bookkeeping! How good is that? My head is still spinning though from yesterday's visit with the bookkeeper.

For the longest time, I have been wanting to put together some professional fabric sample books and today we have been working on doing just that. Once we complete them, I will be posting a tutorial for anybody who's interested.

Elessa, my daughter, has moved back to Brisbane and is helping me out a couple of times a week when she's not at school studying Nutrition. I just love spending the extra time with her.

More organising next week when we have all of our windows and French doors at home painted. It's a huge job and I'll be glad when it's finally done. We decided to get a professional to do it as there is so much sanding and repairing needed. After that, we'll slowly start painting the rest of the exterior ourselves.

I'm aiming for this look, from the "Romantic Prairie Style" book previously blogged about here.

More Fabric Sales

As we continue to clear out the hemp/organic cottons, the ever popular Marguerite design is now on sale!

There are only a few metres left in the black and red prints so hurry over here. Keep checking the SALES PAGE for other bargains.

For inspiration, Leonie Kervin has shared a wrap skirt she has made from the Marguerite design over on her blog.

Mini Boutique - St. Lucia

We have another new stockist in St. Lucia, in Brisbane that is, not the Caribbean.

Mini Boutique carries a range of designer fashion and gifts, personally sourced by owner Libby Scott. You will also find a selection of unique handmade designs, many of which are made exclusively for the shop.

Do check out the Thea & Sami linen tea-towels in store.

Mini Boutique is located at 88 Gailey Road, St. Lucia. For more information and to keep up to date, you can LIKE the Mini Boutique Facebook page.

Shop image is courtesy of Mini Boutique.

Fretwork Linen Now Available

For lovers of blue & white prints, our beautiful Fretwork Design is now available for purchase over here. Hand-printed on white European linen, it's delicious and beautiful to work with.

Limited stock of the design is still available in red and olive on the discontinued hemp/organic cotton on SALE HERE.

I have taken advantage of my sick day today to work on a new fabric design so hopefully, that will be ready for printing next week.

Welcome Vanilla House

One of my most satisfying roles is seeing our homewares into beautiful stores and our latest stockist, Vanilla House is no exception. This Brisbane store is so pretty!

Style savvy owner Ruth Raison will help you find that perfect gift or with your decorating.

My bestie Lisa Lange and I popped in to Vanilla House yesterday after having breakfast next door at Cream and enjoyed checking out the Spring fashions (if only the weather would warm up soon). Doesn't Lisa look chic in her (faux) fur coat?

I love small businesses that support local designers. You will also find a range of Ruby Olive jewellery here.

Does this basket not inspire you to plan a romantic picnic by the river? What a great wedding present.

Can one ever have enough blue?

Vanilla House is located at 380 Cavendish Road, Coorparoo and is receiving lovely new products weekly. For more information and to keep up to date, visit Ruth's BLOG or FACEBOOK page.

How To Feel Better

I've been feeling under the weather this week so haven't been very active in the blogging world. I've been trying to perk myself up with shoe shopping on eBay.

How good is shopping from the US right now?

Thank you to all who attended our Open Studio yesterday. The winner of the glass bead lariat (see previous post) kindly donated by Creative Arty Facts was Chris Lawson. Tomorrow I will be sharing pics of our gorgeous and newest stockist here in Brisbane.

Sneak Peek & Open Studio

I have returned from Tasmania to a lot of work which is keeping me out of trouble. Unfortunately, I lost an entire day to a migraine on Wednesday. Fortunately, I have two lovely assistants to help me today and tomorrow.

Here is a quick peek of our new Blue Marine Cushions. They feature our Fretwork print on one side and the French Stripes on the other. I haven't listed them on the website yet but needed to quickly get images for a magazine for an upcoming Hamptons theme.

New table runners are coming soon too. If you are coming along to our Open Studio tomorrow, limited stock of these and other new products will be available.

For location and details on our Open Studio, please visit our Events Page. We will be demonstrating our fabric printing and would love to meet you. We have been preparing LOTS of fabric remnants and other goodies for you.

Creative Arty Facts has generously donated this hand-crafted glass bead lariat for our Lucky Door Prize. Each attendee will receive a free ticket for the draw.Thanks Liz!

If you can't make it tomorrow, our Studio Shop is also open today from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. We're at Unit 1, 6 Jones Road, Capalaba (or Birkdale on some maps). I hope to see you!

Drunken Admirals & Thrifty Finds

Fashion revolves and if you wait long enough, you may find your possessions to be back in mode.

Luckily I have held on to this mesh bag given to me as a teenager. I wore it with my outfit on Saturday evening and have since noticed modern versions in stores everywhere.

I do like to have things that are different to the masses so was pleased to pick up this leather briefcase at the garage sale, mentioned in my previous post, for just $10. It's just worn enough to have character but is in otherwise excellent condition inside and out.

I'm always looking out for pretty vintage tableware for morning teas. I found 6 of these for $2 each.

Today, we wondered a little around Hobart as much as the husband's leg allowed us to. I found out that residents of Hobart are called "Hobartians". I did not know this interesting tidbit until today.

We spotted this restaurant on the wharf this morning and will be checking it out tonight since we both love seafood and my husband was attracted to its name "The Drunken Admiral Seafarer's Restaurant". I don't know why; draw your own conclusions.

Note: after dining, we can report that the restaurant is excellent with fresh seafood and a great salad bar to complement your main meal. The atmosphere is fun too with lots of interesting sea-faring decor to look at.

These are the lovely old buildings along Salamanca Place that house art galleries and cafes. I'm sure it's really happening here on Saturdays when the famous Salamanca Market is on. Perhaps I'll be lucky enough to visit on another trip.

All images are taken by me except for restaurant one that is courtesy of here.

Taking it Easy In Tassie

Yesterday I did nothing! It was strange for me but I think my body truly needed the rest. In the evening, Voyt and I did attend a gala dinner at the Country Club hosted by the RWTA and it was fun to glam up for the first time in ages and enjoy great local food and entertainment.

Today, we drove back to Hobart and Voyt insisted that we take the coastal scenic route but there wasn't that much coast to see along the way and I would have preferred to have arrived those 2 hours earlier.

We did stop at Richmond, a pretty historic village only 25 minutes drive from Hobart. The image above is Richmond Bridge, Australia's oldest surviving bridge and is still in use (we drove over it). It was built by convicts in 1823. That's old for this country!

There are several lovely Georgian buildings in the village such as this one and a few nice gift and craft shops. However, I did my shopping at a private garage sale that I stumbled onto. Sorry that I didn't have enough light to photograph my finds but I will try to do so tomorrow.

Finally, we have arrived at our hotel and have a lovely view of the harbour and mountain. We will only have a full day tomorrow to look around the city and perhaps fit in a short day trip. Voyt is still on crutches so I need to choose places where I can park him every so often.

I am finding that the last few days off are more than enough for me and I am anxious to get back to work now. I guess I am used to keeping busy. Am I the only one who doesn't like relaxing for too long?

For those of you who do know how to relax, I hope you have all enjoyed your weekends. x

Designer Sales Rep

I really enjoyed looking around Launceston today.

It's such a pretty town and the weather was lovely for a winter's day. I really like the hills. Hills in cities, like Brisbane, create more interesting landscape and views, don't you think?

There are so many lovely houses like these Victorian ones lining hilly streets.

I'm totally amused by this street directory. Not because it's so ratty looking (on loan from the car rental company) but because it's for the whole of Tasmania! With the entire state having a population of just over 500,000, there isn't much urban sprawl here.

Now, I don't believe in missing opportunities so I also put on my Sales Representative hat for Thea & Sami today but I wouldn't be seen dead carrying boring black cases or clipboards like most male reps that you see.

This is what I carried my samples in; a vintage suitcase that is smaller than my lap top bag. It's the smallest of a set of three and one fits snugly within the other. Kind of like babushka nesting dolls.

I usually do cart my wares in something bigger but this baby fitted nicely inside my larger suitcase with plenty of room for my clothing.

It's amazing how many products fit in here. Certainly enough of our range to give retailers an idea of the designs and colours that we offer.

I can happily report that today's store visit was a success and I have secured our first Tasmanian stockist! Unfortunately, I can't reveal who at this time since stock won't in store until later this year but these gorgeous paper flowers are a hint of the lovely things that you will find there.

And since my business part of the day was a success, I felt that a hot stone massage was totally justified. If you're ever in Launceston, I highly recommend that you visit Kerstin at the Country Club Tasmania.