Sneaky Peek at our Napkin Rings

I had a wonderfully productive day at home yesterday working with the lovely Louise Perkins of The Design Villa who is not only a talented photographer but also a fabulous stylist.

I can't believe that this is my dining room. Who knew that the foliage outside could look so good?

Now I can't keep quiet any longer! I must share my new project with you. I am so, so thrilled to be collaborating with local and self-taught ceramist Freda Bosgra of Raw Ceramics on a range of natural clay napkin rings that just look divine with our natural linen napkins.

The napkin rings have been an idea of mine for a while now and Freda was able to bring that idea to fruition so perfectly.

It was important to me the rings be all natural, hand-made to maintain that 'organic' look and preferably, locally-made (yay!). These babies will be available for purchase on the website by tomorrow and soon in a darker clay colour to complement our white linen napkins.

The sweet linen pears in the photo were made by Red Stitch Designs. The table runners are our French Stripes in Red. I hope you like what you see so far.

Angela's Table Runner

Are you ready for Christmas? I'm not but Angela is. Look at her lovely Thea & Sami table runner. Custom-made from our Marguerite printed linen to fit her beautiful Rustic 3m long table.

Now why don't I have time to make my own table runner for our beloved Jimmy Possum table? I'm so motivated by Angela's snapshot that I think I will today. I'll be in the Studio Shop and don't expect it to be too busy.

But do pop in if you're around and would like to say hello and I'll make you a cuppa. We're located at Unit 1, 6 Jones Road, Capalaba (Birkdale). Open from 10.00 - 4.00 pm.

Short or Long?

Thea & Sami linen table runners are now available in a new shorter length - 140 cm (55 inches).

Of course, for some, short just won't do so we will still offer you our longer 180 cm (70 inches) runners.


This is our new Dotty about Roses runner with matching placemats. Styling by Olive and Joy. You may order other runners here and select your preferred length from drop-down menus.

Other placemats are available here. More runners and other new products to follow shortly as my internet speed returns back to normal at midnight. Yay!

The big kid is no longer allowed to use You Tube without supervision. It's been painful trying to visit your blogs and waiting for images to upload. I can't wait to catch up with you all.

Table Makeover

I just love seeing furniture transformations and now I have my own to show you.

Why is it that everything just looks better when it's painted white?


The traditional wooden table was given to me by my Aunt a couple of years ago and although I never liked the colour, there was never time to paint it until now (yay for studio assistants). The Life InStyle trade show was just the catalyst to prompt me as we are using it as a prop in our stand (that's Stand 226 for those visiting). Please excuse our studio's ugly concrete background.

It's not a large piece so will do nicely and perfectly suits our Modern French Country theme and is such a nice backdrop for showing off our natural linen wares. Here's a peek of the Butterfly Placemats (coming soon) that we thought we would try yesterday as a new product.

The creamy white colour looks pretty good displaying our Cottage Garden table runner too. Our props are all coming together nicely so I will keep showing you as we finish them.

More Fish

Zeega is of our favourite stores and sells a lot of Thea & Sami linen table runners and tea-towels which is why we found it hard to say no to a recent request for Fish table runners.

They do look delicious but were extra work to print and make, so won't be added to our regular range any time soon. If you do want to catch one, you will have to duck into Zeega quick smart.

Available in black or white print.

Zeega has also been selling the "Loads of Fishes" tea-towel in a creme (off-white) print. I just reprinted these so they have been add to our regular range.

Our new, natural linen tea-towels are a beautiful darker colour. You may buy fishy tea-towels directly from our on-line store. Free shipping in Australia!

Or if you would like one for free, spend $100 or more in our on-line store and quote "Fish tea-towel" in the check-out instructions. You may also choose your colour preference. Offer is valid until the end of June. Please note, extra shipping costs will still apply and be quoted for orders outside Australia.

New Printed Natural Linen

I am loving the European natural linens that we are now printing on. Newly listed in our on-line store is our Hydrangea print. Hand-printed on natural flax linen, the fabric is also available as a plain coordinate here.

If you are looking for elegant tableware without having to sew, I have also listed beautiful new table runners in this print. Not only is this fabric gorgeous but it has been prewashed and preshrunk by the manufacturer so is definitely safe to wash.

The table runner and fabric is also available in a dark red print.

The navy colourway is printed on the Petersburg European linen, offered as a coordinating plain linen here.

We will be printing our Cottage Garden design on the same linens this week. Do you have a busy week ahead? We are sourcing and trying out new local manufacturers this week; not particularly my idea of fun but necessary for the seamless production of our growing range homewares. Luckily I have delegated this task to new business partner Voyt.

Table Runner For You

We have been working hard here at Thea & Sami to expand our range of hand-printed loveliness. To help us spread the natural hand-made goodness, I am giving one lucky person the chance to win a beautiful table runner printed in navy on natural, unbleached linen, featuring our popular "Marguerite" design.



For your chance to win; choose from one, two or three possibilities. Firstly, you may blog about this giveaway (and let me know). Secondly, become a follower and get another entry or tell me if you already are a follower.

Thirdly, leave a comment telling me if you enjoy shopping on-line and if there is a reason you wouldn't shop from a particular website. I truly value any feedback, in particular to the Thea & Sami on-line store. The blog giveaway is open to Australian and International friends. Please ensure there is a away of me contacting you if you don't have a blog link.



In addition to the table runner, I will still be sending out my regular monthly mystery gift to one of my regular followers to say thank you! I will be closing the giveaway on Wednesday, September 9th at 9.00 p.m. (Australian EST). Good luck!

Blog giveaway has now closed (9.9.09). I will draw and the winners in the morning. Thank you to all who commented, linked to this post and followed!