Christmas and everything else!

Oh my goodness! Where has the time (months) gone?

I never planned on taking so long off from blogging, in fact I never planned any break at all, but life just got in the way I suppose. But, here I am popping in to say hello and hopefully some of you might be still out there reading this little blog :)

Less than two weeks to Christmas and as usual I am completely disorganised. I have barely done any Christmas shopping, but have managed to get the tree and other decorations up. That always makes me feel a bit festive. This morning I dug out the Michael Buble Christmas dvd and I'm looking forward to playing that too.

I don't tend to choose a theme for my Christmas decorations as I just don't have the budget to change it very year. I normally add a few new deccies to my collection, which I have done this year. I'm still tossing up whether I might cook a gingerbread house or something similar. I think I might.

Well, what else have I been up to in the past few months? Apart from my regular job at the gallery, I have been working very hard designing and creating my scarf range. They've done really well and I feel very positive about the past year of selling them. I just took part in two recent design/craft markets and was overwhelmed by the response. I have already put in a new order with my printer and have a few plans to promote my label next year. It's exciting!

During the year I also created a mini collection of garments for the Art on Legs awards. They were also received very well and I have been invited to do the same this coming year. I've bought a bundle of new fabrics and have designs ready, so must get stuck into that asap.

We are all doing well. Molly's legs are still giving her trouble. The leg we had operated on and had stem cell therapy on has really done well, but unfortunately the other leg now needs treatment. That will have to happy as soon as we can afford it. She is doing ok though. We have been keeping her pretty quiet, so as to not damage it more. She is still as happy as usual.

Well, that's it for now. I will try to get back into this caper a bit. I hope you are all doing really well.

Take care xx Sar

New chair + market news

Where does the time go? It must be time to catch up on a bit of news. As you all know, I love my art studio room, but there has never been anywhere nice to sit in there. The space is pretty slim and I big armchair was never going to fit. So when I spotted this lovely retro-styled chair in Freedom recently I couldn't get it out of my head. The majority of furniture in this house is either very old, second hand or has been bought from the tip shop, SO, I talked myself into it (the sale did help convince me) and bought it! It is comfy but compact and fits the space perfectly. I'm really happy with it. Look at that pretty colour :)

I used it in the photo above to style some of my new release scarf designs. These are a black and white image of the old Trocadero building in Paris, with either a pale blue or pink border, printed in silk chiffon. I'm really pleased with them and have kept one for myself.

Speaking of scarves, I will be at The Market at the Masonic Temple on Sandy Bay Road this coming Sunday from 10 - 3. It would be lovely if you wanted to drop by to say hello. My fabric arrived last week and I have spent quite a bit of time cutting, sewing and fringing and have 3 new designs ready to sell. This is my last market for a while as I have the Art on Legs event to participate in next. I am supposed to have all of my work ready by next weekend. Ahem, well, that's not going to happen. I have taken this whole week off work, but have not achieved very much at all. Not enough hours in the day!

Well, speaking of which, I had better hit publish and get back in the studio. Thanks for sopping by!

xx

Things...

...are busy, busy, busy. But I still always find the time for a nice cuppa. I do like this Kikki.K mug :)

Why so busy? Well, it's all go with my designing and market preparations. The market is on Sunday 28th July at the Masonic Temple, in Sandy Bay Road from 10-3 I think. I had better check those hours!

After weeks of tooing and froing with my printer via email I finally have a shipment to collect tomorrow. I am always nervous to see my new designs as you never know what they will look like. I am blowing up a postcard size image (literally) into something that's around 1x2 metres in size. Anyway, cross fingers they look good!

I have all of next week off work (yippee) to sew as I still have a heap to do for the wearable art event. Model fittings are in 2 weeks' time and I have very little ready. Very little. Gulp. I will just have to try my best and see what I can get done.

I think that's it. I'm so tired and scatterbrained at the moment!

Hmm, must be time for a cuppa! Sounds good to me.

Thanks so much for dropping by and thank you ever so muchly for your lovely comments.

xx

Friday flowers

It's Friday! I'm wondering how the last 2.5 weeks have rushed past without a blog post? 

I just feel very very busy and I suppose some things just have to wait. Busy at work, busy at home. I am sewing like mad, trying to get some garments for the wearable art event ready to try on models at the start of August. Not sure there'll be much for them to try on!

I have taken the week after next off work to work on my designs. I've just heard from my printer that my latest fabric order is ready so hopefully that will arrive in time for me to get it cut and sewn, ready for the market on Sunday 28th July. I hate cutting it this close.

So, I have managed a Friday Flowers post. I've had these buds in a vase for weeks and just haven't got around to throwing them out. I like the opposing colours of the red and peach with the green of the vase. The simple composition appeals to me too.

Have a lovely weekend and I will attempt to get back here soon to tell you about my market.

Take care xx

Sewing chaos

You would be forgiven for thinking that a robber had broken into the house and ransacked my studio.

Nope, it's just me sewing.

All hell seems to have broken loose in there and I really wish I had a door that I could shut so I wouldn't have to see this chaos every time I walk up the hallway.

So what am I up to? Some time ago I agreed to create a collection of garments for the local Art on Legs wearable art event. I thought I had a tonne of time to spare, not taking into consideration that it takes time to fit models and rehearse choreography. So, my 3 months to create my pieces is now 6 weeks and as you know, I work part time in the gallery as well.

I currently have two dresses (I think) and a pair of pants under way, but who knows what I will end up with as I change my mind constantly. I have ordered fabric from overseas as our local store didn't have what I wanted along with pearls to adorn one of the dresses. I have also put in an order for some new scarf fabrics and plan on using some of those in the show as well. I might even use some of my fabric to make a top of some sort. Decisions, decisions!

When my work is further along I will post more pics. Nothing like a deadline to get me moving!!

xx

Friday flowers...hyacinths

I know, hold onto your seats people, two posts in one week!

This is for Liz, a good friend who regularly checks my blog out and noted to me that I hadn't posted much lately.

Seeing as this image is a beautiful flower, it's for you all really. Thanks for dropping by, even when I'm being a truly hopeless blogger!

It has been so cold and dreary here in Hobart this week. Today looks like being clear, so that's good. I bought this pot of purple hyacinths last Friday from a local supermarket. I just couldn't walk past them. That big stem on the right snapped off overnight.

Don't you think this pic has a bit of a Scandinavian feel? I overexposed the image to capture the light and make it all feel nice and fresh. The funny pink basket is a Japanese paper Airvase. I like them a lot but never know what to do with them!

Well, time to jump in the shower and go off to the salt mines. Have a great Friday and a fun weekend. I'm working, but thems the breaks.

xx

it's winter, it's cold, but quite inspiring

Winter has hit Hobart, that's for sure. The last week has been cold, drizzly and grey.

It has been made somewhat brighter by the DarkMofo event being held at the moment in Hobart. It is quite an unusual collection of events really, music, performance and exhibitions, but I think it will be hard to beat this beauty called Spectra, by Tokyo artist Ryoji Ikeda.

It's just stunning.

From the catalogue, "Imagine a tower of pure, white light, reaching fifteen kilometres into the Hobart sky above the Domain. At the base of the tower, forty-nine custom-made Xenon searchlights are set into the ground in a seven-by-seven grid; combined, they point a fleshless finger at our town straight down, it seems, from some sort of imagined, omniscient seat in the sky.

Sine waves - the purest kind of sound wave - form invisible sonic patterns at the base; your movement alters their composition in a way that only you can specify. Indeed, your experience is unlike your friends', or anyone else's at all. Now, stop imagining, and wait until nightfall."

Lyn, Molly and I dropped in to get a closeup look of it the other night. In the car Lyn was complaining about  me being a bloody artist dragging him out in the cold and drizzle to see some bloody lights and don't you now, he loved it! So did Molly, excepting the sounds. They were a bit scary for her.

I popped back last night to get some pics. It really is one of the best installations I have ever seen. Just don't mention the power bill.

I am sorry again for being so slack here on this little blog. I have been so busy at work and at home too. I will be back soon to tell you what I have been up to :)

I hope you are all well and keeping warm.

Love Sar xx

Maze & Vale goodies

A happy Monday to you!
Oh how I love Etsy. So much crafty talent and vintage goodness on one website.

I had admired the lovely screen printed fabrics of Maze & Vale for a long time.

When Leslie had a recent sale I jumped in for a couple of little purchases.

The piece of fabric in the background is the perfect size for a cushion. I have been going to freshen up the couch for a long while, so this is just the thing.

I also had to acquire one of Leslie's dropcloth artworks. She cuts up her screenprinting dropcloth and stitches them onto card to produce one of a kind pieces.

One of these days I will get around to framing it!

I also received a sweet swatch of fabric that looks like mushrooms to me. The fabric is just beautiful.

And how wonderful is the graphic design on her cards? I just love it.

Pop on over for a look!

Keep well friends xx

Friday flower

It seems like such a long time since I have done a Friday Flowers post. At one time I think it's about all I managed to do!

This photo is one that I manipulated with the Snapseed App, the original being part of a group of deconstructed or reconstructed rose shots. I should post the whole lot as I do like them.

I've said it before, I love flowers at every stage of their lives.

Wishing you a happy weekend.

xx

Oh so lazy

Oh gosh, I have been lazy with this little blog. Just like our furry girl on the kitchen sofa (she is pretty much the only one who uses it - stylish it is not).  The days just get away from me and then I wonder if I have anything useful or interesting to offer you.

So what have I been up to?

I had a craft market recently and sold enough of my scarves that it is now time to get another batch of designs happening. I really don't know how to use Photoshop properly, so every little thing I wish to do takes me an eternity. I couldn't remember how to do the simplest thing the other day!

I am a bit worried about the Aus dollar dropping as it will make my scarves more costly for me. Hopefully in the next week or so I will be putting in that order.

Being sick hasn't helped things. I am still wheezy and coughing, but at least I can get through the night without a cough attack.

Not much has been happening around the house. I have planted bulbs and am doing some tidying up and pruning, so that's always satisfying.

Regarding renovations, nothing has happened. It's frustrating but can't really be helped.

In exciting news, I was recently thrilled to get a new vacuum cleaner after my 11 year oldie died. I can recommend it people. Love the colour and yes I have to admit, when we went shopping for it, the colour was a consideration. I know, it's a bit tragic but I don't think the house has ever been so clean!

Anyway, I won't promise to be more regular with my blogging. It will just happen when it happens.

I do hope you are all well and I really do thank you so much for continuing to pop by and read my silly ramblings.

xx

Stationery love + good mail

 

Hello friends, I have been so slack again with my blogging. Time just gets away from me! I am in bed with a yucky virus at the moment (booo) so thought it time to get some blogging going. Yay for laptops :)

Like many of you, I adore stationery. Above is my lovely recent haul from Kikki.k. I think it's probably a good thing they don't have a store in Hobart as I'd spend way too much money!

Do you love stationery? Do you use it or hoard it?

 

Below is my Good Mail from the Easter mailout. Look how pretty it is!

 



 

So many pretties here.

 

 

I have to organise another mailout soon and I hope some of you might like to join in.

I will pop back here to announce it :)

Keep well and thank you for dropping by.

xx

Artist? Photographer? Stylist?

What do you call yourself? Other than mother, wife, sister... Is it your profession? The role in which you make your wage, or more of a hobby?

 

I've been thinking a bit about this lately. I've always hesitated to call myself an artist, though really I think I always have been one. Yes, I studied art at Uni and have a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Diploma of Education, but does that make me an artist? Is it when you sell work? I always remember a tutor at a big art forum I attended stating that you were only an artist when you had published your own book. That didn't work out so well for Van Gogh or Monet, at least not in their lifetime. What a silly woman! Too big for her boots if you ask me :)

Can I call myself a photographer? It's funny, at work (in my role as Gallery Coordinator) I get asked all the time if I am an artist. I always hesitate to say yes. Why is this? And then when I do say yes, I get the follow up question, "What do you paint?", as if all artists are painters and other art forms are not as valid. I find that fascinating.

What about other titles...Gardener? Yes, I think I'm one of those. Stylist? Maybe? I'm not sure. I do always joke at work that I am a 'turd polisher'. We get such a variety of artwork and in a massive range of competencies, but somehow I manage to make pretty much all work look good. Not sure that title would look so good on my resume!

 

Do you have thoughts or opinions on this topic? I'd love to hear them :)

xx

New vintage postcards

One of the best things about being an artist, designer or whatever it is that I am (a whole other post) is sourcing inspiration. I don't tend to do a lot of regular shopping as we are always on a tight budget but I can allow myself some vintage bits and pieces as  legitimate inspiration for my work. Like these wonderful postcards.

These are some of my recent purchases. For a few dollars they are such lovely things. Not all are good for my purposes, but they have become a lovely little collection.

I really like the used ones as they have so much more character, more of a story to tell. Sometimes I might not use the front image, but the writing on the reverse.

See those two at the bottom of the above photo? I have already printed some fabric up to make pouches from the one on the left. I adore the one on the right, but on closer inspection, the writing on the front actually talks about the person having appendicitis!I'm not sure if customers would find that appealing?

Such little treasures from a century ago. I do love them and adore working with them.

Speaking of, today I must get in front of my sewing machine and get some work done!

Thanks for dropping by.

xx

The potential of spring bulbs

It's bulb planting time!

I'm slowly getting my act together and am planting more bulbs in the garden. I'm also going to grow some inside in a vase, like last year.

So, this year I am planting pink and black (dark purple) ranunculus, white tulips, purple freesias and a bi-colour anemone, which is a blend of white and blue. Exciting! I must drag out my daffs and replant them as well.

I did discover that I am somewhat allergic to hyacinths. Touching them caused a terrible, burning itch all over my face and neck. A google confirmed I am not crazy and certain people can find them very irritating. So beware!

What bulbs are you planting this year?

xx

My 7vignettes win

I was so thrilled last week to be the winner of an online photograph/styling competition. Many of you will have heard of or participated in The Interior Addict's Instagram 7 day vignette challenge, run by Jen Bishop with guest judges. I think this was the fourth month it was run. I have been taking part since the beginning and really love the challenge of setting up little vignettes based upon the theme of that day.

Here are my photos...

Above, the theme was "favourite" - some of my favourite things on my mantelpiece

Above, "layered"

Take two shot of "layered"

"gifts"

"soft"

"rough"

"secondhand"

above was a little shot I posted to say thank you for all the lovely comments I received throughout the challenge and below was another thank you after I won the comp!

I was so surprised! Really! SO chuffed too as it allows me to think that what I do is ok. It's so nice to have other people appreciate my images. It really does bring me a lot of joy.

As my prize I was given a gift voucher to an online store. I did a little shopping and will be back this week to show you what I purchased. I'm really excited about it!

Thank you to Jen for hosting the comp - it is so much fun! And thank you to Louise Olsen from Dinosaur Designs who was the judge who chose me!

x

ps I did it again, a whole week between posts. I was so busy at work last week and had no time for anything, but have some posts coming up. Phew!

Cheery yellow

Oh my goodness, I just realised it has almost been a week since my last post. How times flies! I'm not even sure where all those days went.

It has been a little grey here today so here are some cheery yellow roses. I bought these and the Easter daisies a  week or so ago, on Easter Saturday and they've brightened up the lounge room ever since.

I adore all roses but there is something about yellow ones. The lady I bought them off tells me they are called Eureka. Do you have a favourite colour?

I am currently trying to work out if I have any room in the garden for a couple more rose bushes. Over last weekend I planted agapanthus (thanks Jane), lobelia and pansy seedlings and some variegated anemone corms - so I will be looking forward to seeing those in Spring. In also ordered some more anemones along with pink and black (dark purple?) ranunculus. Exciting!

A busy week for me this week. We have a lot happening at work so I'm doing a 7 day stint. Think of pay day Sarah :)

I hope you are all well.

xx

Easter gardening capers

One of the few things flowering in our garden at the moment are the Japanese Windflowers, though they have been bashed around a bit by the wind.

We have been rather busy in the garden over Easter. Quite a few jobs were ticked off the list.

We sorted through and divied out compost around the garden, we trimmed the lollipop tree (my name - it's a New Zealand native that I cannot remember), re-potted plants, planted out my lemon tree that refuses to grow and swept like nobodies business. 

What have we been doing here you say? Someone decided that a pop-up spray watering thingamabob was in order and spent hours digging up the back lawn, only to discover that we do not have enough water pressure to run the darn thing. They didn't pop up properly and just gurgled. Major fail. Man of the house was not very happy, to say the least.

After another trip to the hardware store, he ripped up the system and dug a new, single route and attached a single 360 degree automatic pop up sprinkler that actually works! It even reaches my garden beds. Woohoo! Success.

In the next few weeks we want to top dress this area so the excavations won't matter :)

Have you been busy in the garden too? Doesn't it help you sleep soundly at night?

xx

Bits and bobs... bunnies

Time for a bits and bobs post and I never realised how many bunnies I have in this house!

Aren't they cute? There's a couple I made, others friends have made, a mini lego bunny with carrots and a tiny chocolate bunny who actually survived being eaten.

I've never had a bunny as a pet. I would rather like one! I'm not sure what Molly would think. Lyn and joked yesterday about getting a bunny and calling him Stuart (Rabbit Stu). I'm not sure I could do that, the poor thing, but there would be no way I'd make any bunny into stew.

I hope you had a nice, peaceful Easter. We watched some movies, visited family, spent time in the garden sorting out the compost and doing some pruning. Still more gardening to do though :)

What did you get up to?

xx

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you all!

I do love Easter as it's a quiet, relaxing time. Not to mention the abundance of chocolate!

I made these felt bunnies for my Good Mail Club friends. They are actually finger puppets. I quite liked them, so it was a little tricky sealing them up in envelopes and sending them off into the big world.

What are your plans for Easter?

I'm seeing a bit of pruning and gardening getting done, along with a family get together and some dvd watching me thinks.

Now, where's that chocolate egg that's calling my name...?

xx