Sunday outings a new habit?

Even though I was whizzing away on the studio it wasn't difficult for Ian to suggest a drive to Fremantle this afternoon. It was a beautiful winter's day and loads of people were out and about so fair enough that we joined them.

We had barramundi and chips and a Madfish wine at Kailis in Fremantle Boat Harbour.

Then we went for a stroll around the environs.

Manage to catch Ian as well.

Then we passed this little lady enjoying the sun.

So I shall have to get back whizzing away in the studio in the morning to meet my deadline. Tonight we are enjoying loads of rain dropping down. Harley is not.

I have had quite a few emails with suggestions for other clubs The Thread Studio could/should run. Love to hear other suggestions so I can make decisions shortly.

where exactly does time go?

It's Saturday already and while we have been very busy this week, i am still not sure what we have done. I have been trying to get working in the studio every day and mostly managed to unlock the door. I am working on my big piece for an exhibition with a deadline looming so it looks like loads of hand stitching coming up. Much bigger than I normally. Once that is out of the way I must get working on my Artful Journey piece for the Perth Show - I have some lovely pieces here from others - if you are coming to the show you will love seeing them all.

 I am also working on another lovely piece using flimsies and hand dyed cotton gauze. I love cloth creation and if you have the latest Embellish magazine (they arrived this week - we do have a few spares) you might see that I have an article on my patches. It's got a long way to go but quickly... You may recognize what I am doing on top.

One of the reasons I have been busy this week is the response to the Silk Fibre Club. WOW! This is a heap which went off in the post for month 1. You can read more about it here if you are interested.
http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/info/clubs.htm

And today I got the first lot of packaging done for the new club - the Wool Fibre Club. It works in exactly the same way for 12 months. Much more messy to put together as wool is bulky but just imagine all the different wool products on our kitchen floor for me to make my selection and you will be on track. All tidy now. http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/info/clubs.htm

 Just a reminder that today is the last day for subscribers to the e-mag threads.In-fusion to be in the draw for $200 worth of silk fibres. We will be drawing a winner tomorrow morning. Of course you can subscribe any time. You don't need to be on facebook - it is an e-magazine. I thank everyone who has subscribed already and for the lovely comments. As well as the first issue there is a free pdf from me on Tissutex for everyone who takes out a subscription in June. $27.50 ($25) is pretty good for 4 issues. There is a magic pay pal button on the web page or you can use the usual suspects - Visa, MasterCard or direct deposit.
http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/infusion/text.htm


And finally before we watch the All Black vs Les Bleus in Christchurch for the second test, thanks for all the comments on the irises. I have no idea of its name - it was here when we came but I love seeing all the flowers appear -they have as good as finished now.

a day off...

 The wild irises in the garden are out in flower - every year I photograph them and draw them for as long as I can remember. Barbara the cat used to sleep in this bush just outside the back door.

The All Blacks won last night against the French. We were rather nervous for quite some time but it all same good in the end.

Today has been a compulsory rest day so I have been a bit wandersome - not been allowed to do any business stuff at all. We went to the Swan Valley for lunch to Stewarts - I wouldn't really recommend it - not bad - not good. The carpet hadn't been vacuumed maybe for a few days and the food pretty ordinary. But it was a nice outing. Then we called into check out Coventry Markets in Morley.

spotted these but decided they were not really me. Lots of rain here and this afternoon the Force managed to lose again.

Tomorrow back to work - that silk fibre club is keeping me busy but I have another new club coming tomorrow as well - as soon as I get organized in the morning. Why is it that every time I add proper spellings to the dictionary, good old blogger undoes my hard work....

Galloping Horses

 Galloping Horses? Well since I had these at Namh Thai and at Namh itself, I have been wanting to make the recipe.Quite a few years back I bought David Thompson's cook book - Thai Food - and have drooled over it off and on for ages but never cooked anything. (and no - you can't look inside the book)

the recipe for galloping horses was not difficult but time consuming - I had to get 100gm minced pork, 100gm of minced chicken, 100gm of minced prawn flesh etc etc so I had quite a collection of happenings in the kitchen. I crushed coriander roots in the mortar and pestle and crushed roasted peanuts etc then the phone rang and Ian was out walking. But I got it all together and while we watched the Lions eat up the Force last night, Johnathan, Ian and I enjoyed it on (well sort of on) pineapple and tangelo. The acidity of the fruit just makes it and you need fresh coriander on top and fresh finely sliced chillies - and our chillies are very hot straight from the garden. So I shall be happy to make it again.

There has been a wonderful response to the e-mag which is so rewarding and lovely comments. If you haven't taken a subscription, you should. you get a free pdf which will be ready in a day or two and the chance to go in the draw for a prize of silk fibres if you sign up before 15th June - which is not that far away.
And we have just introduced our brand new Silk Fibre Club and what a great response. I have had a lovely time today putting together the first month's selections. Playing with all that colour is amazing.

Loads of parcels today but not the one I was waiting for. Maybe tomorrow. What did come were ots of paints including a new paint.

The newsletter is almost finished - that's what happen when you have loads on your plate. But I am sure everyone will forgive us. We are but human after all....

threads.In-fusion

Big excitement of today is the launching of our e-mag - Ian worked so hard yesterday so I rewarded him with a meal out at our favourite new restaurant Ace Pizza - it is the closest restaurant to our home. The chef is brilliant - James - and they deserve their day off today after 21 days straight.

Back to the real news though - Ian still has the paypal button to add and the pictures to put on the free pdf which comes if you take out a subscription. Do check it out here
http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/infusion/text.htm

Just as well it is a holiday here in Perth not that we are. Harley knows it is as she has done nothing all day.
We are having a day off soon - just not sure when, There is a newsletter to get out as well. We hadn't forgotten in our excitement. And we are launching our Silk Fibre Club as well - that's not quite on the web yet either. But it is a 12 month club - every month for 12 months, we will send you a parcel of assorted yummy silk fibres in co-ordinated colours from our wonderful collection with a different ideas sheet each time along with a non-silk product for you to use with your silk fibres. $300 for 12 months or $30 a month.

See - we have been busy!

Welcome to winter

Welcome to Winter and it really is cold here - for Perth




Last night we went to Jesus Christ Superstar - great show - great effects and everything and our first visit to the Perth Arena




So many people to seat and pretty efficient - same when it finished. We walked home.




Lot of lovely hand dyed silk laps to dry but they make lots of colour in the back garden.

Enjoying the rugby - shame the Hurricanes lost but really great to see the Highlanders won tonight - bit late though.

I am working on what seems an enormous piece of work for this exhibition. I am building up a background so just work on a little bit every time I run in and out of the studio

Weaving and stuff

My last photo for the month - I have been making paper with silk hankies and cutting and weaving and stitching - really pleased with this lightbulb idea I came up with in the middle of the night but expect it has been done before

I have managed a photo a day this month - phew

Two rugby games this afternoon and then off to Jesus Christ Superstar - should be good

E mag in last throes - launching Monday

Think winter is coming

Photo today - I am working on layers of papers in my Kimberley Dreaming mode - in between other things such as deciding to add a bit extra to one of the e mag articles so creating stuff for that and waiting for it to dry.

It's actually very cold today so Perth winter must be on its way - I am sitting in the cold in the studio stitching in a hurry.

Harley is hiding snuggled into the pillows on our bed. That cat does not like rain and you have to actually push her out the door.

Wonderful Wellie

I have cheated with my photo today - I didn't take it but we have been slogging away through days that vanish before our eyes. Get up early, eat breakfast, start work, phone rings, emails rock in, suddenly missed respectable lunch time and all of a sudden it is time to get that mail away to the postal centre. Air NZ was offering its 48 hour deals again so we booked to go see the All Blacks play the Wallabies in August as a treat. Just a long weekend. We may or may not go up the cable car to the Botanical Gardens but always good whatever we do. And always exciting to visit my favourite city in the world. Just sayin'

pudding

 We have been back to our new favourite restaurant again - Ace Pizza - Ian tried the very decadent chocolate cake  for dessert and I had the Soft Serve - novelty presentation with biscuits etc to drop on the top and caramel or chocolate sauce to pour on - or both at once. I chose caramel as I can't do all that chocolate stuff. This time we tried a different pizza and meatballs. Same lovely waitress and just as good as the first time we went.

The Pages magazine arrived today - I ordered heaps more because many people missed out the last two times but I popped it on facebook and now we have only 5 left and that isn't counting me. Amazing sometimes but it is rather good.

Where did today go? not sure.....

lovely little pumpkins

Lots of wonderful colour at the vegie shop today. We are going to have little pumpkin with our roast veal tonight. If you look for colour and texture then the fruit and vegetable section has it all. Plus great to draw.

Busy and exciting day today as Ian starts tying the e-mag together. I have been reading and reading each article. He has still to add back links and stuff and unpdf so we can fix a few errors and then repdf it all and finish a little more and add a little more colour and then video me (not my happiest moment but I shall brush my hair)

I had to laugh today when I read a big promotional ad for another business - are we trendsetters here or cutting edge here - or just honest toilers? Who knows but it is always worth a laugh.

Off to cook that pumpkin and its pals.

Texture

Having fun with texture today - lots of stitch and yarn and paint

Last night was actually a fundraising ball - lovely evening meeting old and new friends - we were almost the only non Calabrians at the event but the food was atrocious. Indelible and I didn't - I would have thought an embarrassment to all the wonderful Italian nonnas - shan't mention who the caterer was.



Martien van Zuilen has accepted my invite to be guest textile artist for day one of the best craft show in Perth first weekend in August. Check the show tag at the top of the page. She is a fantastic felt maker well worth coming to see.

I do love finding things

I am busy making samples for my free pdf which you get when you subscribe to the e-mag 9nearly there honest) and I have been fossicking around in baskets of stuff and came across this missing treasure - it is a piece of my various Aussie leaves I have been looking for for ages. Leaves stitched on Romeo with fibre and thread and painted leaves on Romeo. I am a simple soul and easily happy when I find something.

Thanks for all the advice om fixing my shoes. The rubber on the bottom is totally rotten and crumbled but I am looking at them.

Loved the rugby last night - Chiefs vs Crusaders - it was an exciting game. Then we went out for a lovely night with John and Judy from Punch with Judy - it's nice catching up with people. Tonight we are off to the Italian Club for a dinner dance with Frank and Grace - after the Blues vs Brumbies game of course. Will have to record the Force vs Highlanders - wonder which cellar dweller will win?

Tragedy

These are my velvet red shoes bought about 15 years ago - so lovely. I was in the Merivale Mall in ChCh talking to Ian on the phone (he was home in Perth) and I saw them in the window of a shop so I truncated my call and bought them.




But alas I popped them on last night and they felt strange - the soles have rotted away. Quel tragedie!




Harley has discovered a new spot - outside the kitchen window looking in at us

nearly forgot!

I nearly forgot my picture posting tonight - Perth skyline - some lovely sunsets from our front garden at present. Makes a change from the sex workers - Smith Street was on the news the other night with our ladies of the night and the curb crawlers. At least we should feel safe - the area is riddled with police and rangers.

 I have some new paints I am trying, They are like the Sun Dyes only thicker and there will be 30 of them when they arrive. Very pleased with the result. I shall also have at thickener which you can add and I am looking forward to using that too.

 Today I did a stint at the craft show on the WAFTA stand. I didn't see anything at the show which I needed not even a new light bulb for my embellisher. Fortunately when I got home I found one in the tray. So now I can see. I changed all of the needles - I think you need to now and then but I still cannot get the replacement screw to fit the middle needle spot. This little piece is hand dyed cotton gauze on white merino wool. I haven't decided which side I will use.

I took a few of my little hand stitchy pieces with me and they received lots of interest which is what it is all about.

Today we decided to and signed up to go to Adelaide for the Sewing Stitching and Hand Craft Show 19th - 21st July at the Adelaide Showground. Hope if you are in the environs you will come and see us with all of our lovely stuff. 

Wordless Wednesday

Work box Tuesday

Busy little box of materials I am using today

Two new books appeared and a few boxes of Quilting Arts - no rest today.

foodie dreaming

Last night we went to Ace Pizza which has just opened - in the spot where Barolo was - we have been watching the progress and waiting for it to open. Not your normal pizza place - it was fabulous. We had this pizza - baby blue eyes - not too big - lovely base - very tasty. And we had mussels with lemon and dill and they were to die for - well maybe not but they were great. And in had a tiramisu donut which he did not share and i had yummy fresh icecream. The place was buzzing and everyone very friendly - the boyrs from Cantina are spreading their wings but we are happy. The waitress gave us a list of interesting restaurants in Bondon - mostly in the east end for our next trip in October. We live in an area with loads of restaurants but too be honest, many are not worth bothering with but this one is.

As often on a Monday, we have been very busy - Sew Somerset and Art Quilting Studio both arrived together - not on the web yet but we managed to send them all out to their new homes. A few of each left over. I shall have a little indulgent read tonight.

eucalyptus

 We have lots of eucalyptus trees of differing sorts in our garden - you can tell it is our house because everything around is bare. this one has lovely nuts (and a yellow flower now finished) - the nuts fall on the footpath and drive and sometimes people collect them or they get squashed by the cars coming out of next door. For some reason they never seem to be in our garden.

 I used the stencils from yesterday to first do a gelli plate print with the Opulent paints and spray over the top with the Sun Dye paints. The metallic pigment from the Oppies gleams through.

and then I used the second stencil with Oppies and sponged paint through. All ready for stitching next. my background fabric is Evolon.

Ian has been slogging away goggle eyed at the computer so getting closer.... thanks for the many emails about my ankle. I think it is almost right now without ice or bandage.

hot stuff

I have 6 different chilli plants growing and we have had so many chillies it's been great. they are supposed to be from mild to hot but they are all hot to very hot - someone told me the dry summer and the long summer has meant that they are hotter at present. Lovely they are - like the basil, I like to run my fingers over them and smell the heat. I have just made a curry for dinner with one of each type included.

 I have been playing with Dorlands Wax as a resist on different surfaces. At the top i have applied it with a scraper and then scratched into it - and painted with Opulence paint which is nice and creamy like and the bottom is the print I have pulled. Lots of potential - we sell a lot of Dorlands wax but i haven't used it a lot myself and wanted to play with it.

I am also working on the free pdf which will be available to all subscribers to our e mag - yes getting closer - so I cannot show you what I am doing but I treated myself the very large gelli plate and am so pleased because it gives you plenty of space for bigger things. I have been playing with two of the new stencils from Stencil Girl - both designed by the talented Jane La Fazio
http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/exp/stencilgirl/text2.htm

both very appropriate in Australia on a property where many eucalyptus trees grow. I have been making prints on different surfaces including Evolon because I love working with it and I plan to stitch etc etc.

We managed to watch the rugby without a fight even though the Hurricanes lost and later on the force lost - we didn't go to the game though - watched it at home on the telly.