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I'm not sure where today went but if you read my post yesterday, you may have wondered what I was doing with cheap artificial flowers. Personally, I think they are fabulous being low-maintenance and all.
Say hello to my "Smycka" flowers, purchased from IKEA for the princely sum of 99 cents each. They are available in a variety of colours and the height can be easily resized. Cut with scissors and then bend wire to snap off.
To accommodate them, I've painted more vases. This time, I chose the colour and didn't settle for the small selection available on the shelves. I chose a White Knight semi-gloss enamel and had it tinted to Taubman's "Cotton Candy" formula.
The junior at Bunnings paint counter tried to tell me that enamel paint couldn't be tinted but having done my research, I insisted that it could. So yes, you can definitely do so.
I almost think that I should have chosen a deeper pink but it's so hard to prejudge how the glass will look. It is highly reflective so perhaps choose a darker tint than you would like. On the other hand, the paler colour does make the bright floral colours pop which is the look that I wanted.
The various vessels were sourced from Op Shops and I paid no more than $3.50 for each. I think that one was a beer glass.
These two recessed shelves in our living room were originally open windows with a view through to our hall. All you could really see was a bright light on the other side. Totally useless as shelves too as there was always the fear of falling objects. So last Christmas, I asked the painters to cut a gyprock wall backing which was then plastered and painted. I have since painted the surrounding walls the light blue.
To colour your own glass vases or bottles, there is an excellent tutorial here.
Good Morning Lovelies!
My cheery & thrifty theme continues today with these faux flowers from Ikea. I can't wait to share what I'm doing with them at the end of the day tomorrow.
BTW, are you coming to our Christmas Morning Tea on Thursday? Please let me know as I want to order some yummy cupcakes (by tomorrow). It will be such a lovely break for us all.
Oh and one lucky guest will be receiving the lucky door prize of a $100 Thea & Sami Gift Voucher. Would that help with your Christmas shopping? Please RSVP in the comments or visit our Facebook Events Page.
Admittedly, I've lost a little of my blogging mojo lately with the worry of illness in the family. So what better way to cheer up but with a great dose of colour therapy?
I popped into My Secret Garden at Teneriffe today to say hello as Rick and Kerry also stock our homewares and simply couldn't resist this wonderful outdoor rug. The best thing is that it's been woven from recycled plastic straws and you all know how much I love recycling!
Totally affordable at only $54 for a 120 x 179 cm size. You can see other sizes and designs over at Fab Habitat.
The table and chairs were a thrifty find too at only $35 for the set purchased from Laura, Brisbane's Queen of Thrift over at Kit & Nancy.
I'll be looking forward to having my coffee and breakfast out here tomorrow morning. It'll do nicely until we have time to paint the patio floor.
I'm taking control of my life and joined Weight Watchers yesterday. I lost a lot of weight with them 8 years ago but unfortunately, with no exercise schedule and an older metabolism, a lot of it has crept back over the last 5 years. I needed professional help!
These are all my tools for success. Weight Watchers have a sensible programme that works and I really like that I don't have to go to group meetings but will be having one-on-one consultations with them weekly. I'm doing so at their Lifestyle Centre in Myer at Carindale Shopping Centre, close to where I live.
You can search for meetings/locations by postcode on their website. So now you know that you will be seeing less of me in the near future.
With the craziness that is my life, I have had to postpone a few things to catch up with work. Our Christmas Morning Tea date is now Thursday, December 1st from 10.00 to 12.30 pm. I invite you all to our Studio in Capalaba where we can all meet and catch up over some chat, cake and coffee.
Lovely bloggers and hand-made supporters from our last morning tea.
One lucky guest will win the lucky door prize of a $100 gift voucher to spend on Thea & Sami fabrics or homewares. We will also be joined by Red Revival so you will be able to do your Christmas shopping in a lovely, relaxed atmosphere.
Please let me know if you are planning to attend so we may cater for you. Home-baked goodies are welcome! RSVP on this post or on our Facebook Events Page where you will find more details. You may also LIKE our Facebook page for more regular updates from me or you may not want more :)
PS The man is now out of hospital. Big relief!
After living through one of the scariest days of my life on Friday, I'm happy to report that my husband is now out of danger and recovering well in hospital. Without wishing to reveal too many personal details here, Voyt has not been well and suffered a life-threatening attack that morning.
Today, I saw these adorable owls made by Empress Wu Designs using our Fretwork printed fabric and they brought a smile to my face. Thanks Wilma. You can purchase Fretwork printed fabric here or remnants here.
Things will be back to normal in our studio as from tomorrow.
I have been a little quiet in the blog world lately and haven't had time to visit many of you so I apologise for that. We have had a few health concerns in the family but I've also been really busy screen-printing.
After a couple of quiet months in June & July, I was planning to introduce the customised printed napkins to our services but that idea has been put on the back burner since we have suddenly become inundated with wholesale and other orders. The best part is that new customers have been finding and contacting me. It is so much nicer than me having to chase sales.
I'm so grateful that Elessa, my daughter, has been around to help me since Lara has now left us to pursue a full-time career in Childcare. Along with our regular work, we have been printing custom-colours for customers such as this Red Hydrangea design on white linen
and this Black Fretwork print on white linen for a custom-made cushions order. Both prints looks so good and for a moment I wonder if I should add them to the range but then I wake up and remind myself how much work it is to maintain current stock levels.
The truth is that everything still passes through my two hands so early next year, I will need another studio junior to help us. Unfortunately, I really don't have time to train anyone new right now plus I really want to have a few weeks off at Christmas.
I also want to announce that the Studio Shop will only be open to the public on Fridays and not Saturdays. It was timely that I stopped teaching classes when I did with the growing demands on my time. I also need some rest on weekends! You are welcome to visit the studio at other times but only by appointment. See you soon.
Owner Jo Gurung opened the store in 2009 after living in Nepal for a year and seeing first hand the importance of dealing with fair-trade organisations.
Expect to find beautiful ethically made and organic and natural fashion and homewares in store including our range of hand-printed tea-towels.
Find One Village Shop at 59A Tambourine Road in Riverview and on-line here.
Say hello to my "Smycka" flowers, purchased from IKEA for the princely sum of 99 cents each. They are available in a variety of colours and the height can be easily resized. Cut with scissors and then bend wire to snap off.
To accommodate them, I've painted more vases. This time, I chose the colour and didn't settle for the small selection available on the shelves. I chose a White Knight semi-gloss enamel and had it tinted to Taubman's "Cotton Candy" formula.
These two recessed shelves in our living room were originally open windows with a view through to our hall. All you could really see was a bright light on the other side. Totally useless as shelves too as there was always the fear of falling objects. So last Christmas, I asked the painters to cut a gyprock wall backing which was then plastered and painted. I have since painted the surrounding walls the light blue.
My cheery & thrifty theme continues today with these faux flowers from Ikea. I can't wait to share what I'm doing with them 
BTW, are you coming to our Christmas Morning Tea on Thursday? Please let me know as I want to order some yummy cupcakes (by tomorrow). It will be such a lovely break for us all.
I popped into My Secret Garden at Teneriffe today to say hello as Rick and Kerry also stock our homewares and simply couldn't resist this wonderful outdoor rug. The best thing is that it's been woven from recycled plastic straws and you all know how much I love recycling!
The table and chairs were a thrifty find too at only $35 for the set purchased from Laura, Brisbane's Queen of Thrift over at Kit & Nancy.
These are all my tools for success. Weight Watchers have a sensible programme that works and I really like that I don't have to go to group meetings but will be having one-on-one consultations with them weekly. I'm doing so at their Lifestyle Centre in Myer at Carindale Shopping Centre, close to where I live.
Three Birds is our latest stockist in Stirling, South Australia and is no exception. Opened only a couple of months ago, you will find a collection of our linen tea-towels, runners and napkins in store now.
The three lovely and clever birds are sisters Jo and Kate and friend Alana.
Expect to find beautiful homewares and gifts for everyone on your shopping list.
Hand made ceramic bowls in an array of colours.
Leather sandals for those lazy Summer days.
How amazing is the counter? Made by Oak and Elm.
Visit Three Birds in the Adelaide Hills at 1A, 37-39 Mt Barker Road, Stirling and tell them that Thea sent you. For more information and updates, LIKE their Facebook page.
Located in harbourside Balmain, Breathing Colours is a contemporary art gallery and gift shop that presents the work of a diverse range of talented Australian artists and designers.
They now carry a range of Thea & Sami hand-printed linen tea-towels too. Find them at 446 Darling Street, Balmain. Visit their blog for more information or LIKE their Facebook Page.
I squealed with delight yesterday when I received this image of the lovely checked ottoman from Lauren Pearse at Rylo Interiors.
Lauren is a very talented young lady and has recently opened Rylo Interiors, her own interior design shop in East Brisbane. It was Lauren's idea that I print the Pink and Navy checked fabric and she was so right! You may remember that I used it on my chairs here.
Rylo Interiors is a beautiful shop and Lauren can help you design your own beautiful space.
Visit Rylo Interiors at 985 Stanley Street, East Brisbane. Read Lauren's blog here or LIKE her facebook page.
Lovely bloggers and hand-made supporters from our last morning tea.
It's funny where our products turn up. This month, 2 magazines that I don't usually read, have featured our Fish napkins and Spoon & Whisk tea-towel as suggested kitchen gifts.
Hand-printed linen Loads of Fishes Napkins featured on page 43 of Australian Prevention Magazine (December) under "Presents for Food Lovers". I quite like the way they have photographed them.
Hand-printed linen Spoon & Whisk Tea Towel featured on Page 11 of Australian Homespun Magazine (Vol. 12 No. 11) under the "Red Hot" Window Shopping feature. Mmm, I don't like the layout as much in this one.
I have a spare copy of Homespun and it's full of sewing projects including the apron that you see on the cover. I will forward it to the first person who comments on this post saying that they would like it. Please ensure that I can contact you and that you reside in Australia.
Today, I saw these adorable owls made by Empress Wu Designs using our Fretwork printed fabric and they brought a smile to my face. Thanks Wilma. You can purchase Fretwork printed fabric here or remnants here.
I'm so grateful that Elessa, my daughter, has been around to help me since Lara has now left us to pursue a full-time career in Childcare. Along with our regular work, we have been printing custom-colours for customers such as this Red Hydrangea design on white linen
and this Black Fretwork print on white linen for a custom-made cushions order. Both prints looks so good and for a moment I wonder if I should add them to the range but then I wake up and remind myself how much work it is to maintain current stock levels.
We've had a few requests lately for products for children's rooms so have made up more designs in the Aqualicious/Lily Pink colourway; one print on either side.
The new Peacock Party cushions are hand-printed on washable white linen and are oh-so-pretty. You may purchase yours here. 
They can be coordinated with the Spring Garden cushions in the same colours available here.
Congratulations to Jo Mills for the lovely write up of her shop French Allure in Country Style magazine this month (see page 118).
I've included a couple of more images that I took a few months ago as the page doesn't show enough of Jo's gorgeous space in Toowoomba.
I also wanted to share another tidbit from the "D'Fine" Redlands local style magazine, August issue. Janneale of Miraje Home writes the monthly decor page and included some of our homewares.
This is a space where you will find the latest in summer fashion, accessories and homewares including an extensive range of our hand-printed goodies.
Expect friendly & expert advice from stylish owner and interior designer Louise and shop manager Charlie.
Hopefully, when you visit you will see Thea & Sami cushions and lampshades on this top shelf although I do love yellow.
Old furniture always seems to look better painted. The fabric used is our Hydrangea screen-printed linen in Crème on Natural Flax.
The original chairs were found by the side of the road.
The second chair makeover features our French Stripes design hand-printed on Duck Egg Blue European linen.
