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