Burlap Bookcover

Here is a burlap bookcover I made this weekend for an A5 notebook. I quite like how it turned out. It is for sale now in my Etsy shop.

The SAQA Oceania Studio Blog Hop has kicked off today, with Mel Forrest here in Brisbane being the first one to show her studio. Sue Dennis is next on May 3rd, followed by Lisa Walton on May 5th and yours truly on May 7th. After that there will be eleven more artists showing their studio this month - you can find the full list on Lisa's blog, and I will give directions when it is my turn next week. I'm looking forward to seeing all these creative places and hope you will follow us!

Speaking about creative spaces - tomorrow is my day off and I am planning a big screen printing session. I have just prepared my silk screen with a new hand cut stencil and as soon as I have dropped the boys off at school tomorrow morning I plan to get going. Hope to show you the results soon!

New burlap items

There is still a pile of coffee sacks in my sewing room* and I keep thinking about what to do with them. Do you like this fabric postcard? ;-) I have just added it to my shop on Etsy!



A loyal customer asked if I could make burlap coasters. Of course! I have sent a set of eight to her and this set of four is now for sale. (I've also made one for hubby)



This Burlap Cafe ACEO (ATC) has also been added to the shop - it was just a fun thing, to use up some small pieces of burlap, interfacing and muslin/calico.

I do love burlap! Any more ideas on what to do with it? I'm thinking aprons, bookcovers, Kindle covers... Would love to hear your suggestions! And would you be interested in a tutorial in how to make these cards and coasters?

* I need to get used to calling my sewing room a studio as I am joining the SAQA Oceania Studio Blog Hop in May! More info about this soon!

Blue Rose selected

Yesterday I received a letter telling me that my quilt Blue Rose has been selected for inclusion in the PETITE miniature TEXTILES exhibition at the Wangaratta Art Gallery in Wangaratta, Victoria, from 16 June until 22 July 2012. Yay!

Etsy Shop Feature: Mary Ann Farley Art

'Chapeau', original mixed media painting

Today in my Etsy series I am featuring one of my favourite shops; Mary Ann Farley Art. I just adore the lovely lady in the painting above!

Here are Mary Ann's answers to the questions I asked her:

Who is behind MaryAnnFarley Art?

Just me, Mary Ann Farley, resident of Hoboken, NJ and the world at large.


ACEO/ATC Art Giclee print 'Cabaret'

Tell us about your work process

I generally create paintings of all sizes, then translate them into items that I sell in my shop, like pendants, lockets, rings, bags, journals, etc. It’s a way that people can enjoy my artwork without having to spend a lot of money. Plus, I love the idea of “wearable art.” There’s something fun about loving a particular image, then looking down at your hand and seeing that image in your ring or necklace. They’re usually great conversation pieces!

As for my painting process, last year I was stenciling lace onto canvas as a background, then painting an image in the foreground. It gave the piece this odd 3-D effect, even without creating shadows! I’ve done just two of these so far, and have another prepped.

As they’re pretty labor-intensive, at the moment I’m working a little smaller, either on paper or on a small canvas. This year, I’ve branched out into doing mixed media works that have collage elements. I love the idea of putting text into a work, which a lot of artists frown upon. But as I’m also a writer by nature, I can’t help myself…it’s going to happen a lot more as time goes on, I think.

As long as the words are somewhat obscured into the piece, they can work incredibly well and can have the effect of being a little treasure. As you’re looking at the painting, suddenly you discover this little thought or phrase. I like that.
As for the creation of my jewelry, the hardest part is getting that image under glass without any bubbles. This has become the bane of my existence! Sometimes I have to make three pieces in order for one to come out just right, because the bubbles don’t always show up right away. It can truly be a recipe for insanity, but at least the bulk of my jewelry is made, for the time being. As each piece sells, I then make future pieces as custom orders.


'Louise Brooks' Bronze Locket

Where do you get your ideas from?

Some images literally just pop out of my head, while others are inspired either by pre-Renaissance religious icons, which I adore, or even artists here on Etsy, who are amazing! I can’t begin to tell you how many favorites I have. They level of quality can be astounding, but I also love outsider art. I’m also inspired by how well so many of these artists are selling! I’ve had my shop since 2007, but it just sat there for years, until August of 2011, when I relaunched it in earnest. I’ve been working like a dog on it ever since, easily putting in 10 hours a day most days.

I also just bought a new digital camera, a DSLR, so I plan on taking a lot of pictures this spring to use as sources as well, mainly for color inspiration.


There Lay a Rose (Print)

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I’ve been a writer and editor most of my adult life, which has been the job that pays the bills. Unfortunately, in the last decade I became quite ill with a serious blood clotting disorder, that left me in a lot of pain.

For years, I’d also been a singer/songwriter, and even put out two successful albums, but when I became ill, I just couldn’t perform or tour anymore, so that’s when I turned to art. I also turned to my writing, and I keep a blog about my chronic pain journey, which has been so helpful not only to me, but to others who suffer similarly. I plan on having more surgery this year in hopes to finally rid myself of this terrible ordeal, but at least the writing has helped heal my soul.

I invite anyone who suffers with something unthinkable in their lives to read and comment. I don’t blog as much as I used to, and lately, my posts have been more about creativity. But if one were to read previous posts in the last three years or so, I think they’d find a lot of support there. And, of course, they can always reach out to me personally. (Find Mary Ann's blog here)


'Aviatrix' Blank Journal

Mary Ann Farley Art links:
Etsy
Blog
Website
Facebook
Twitter

State of the Art quilt 12 at Gallery 159

Today the State of the Art quilt 12 exhibition opened at Gallery 159 in The Gap, Brisbane. Mel took this photo of me next to my quilt, The Final Round.



I made this quilt in May - July 2011 and have shown some sneak peeks here last year. Very glad to finally be able to show the full quilt!



It was hanging upstairs in the gallery in very good company: next to Mel's quilt Platforms and Sue Dennis' quilt Roundel (only partly visible here). Downstairs another 13 quilts were exhibited:



Sue's quilt was my favourite in this show; it was simply stunning:



I also really liked this one: Waterline by Felicity Clarke:



And this one: Living Threads by Rosemary McCall, made with beautiful silk fabrics (read more about it here):



And finally this one, Number Nuances by Tricia Smout - brilliant!



I had often heard about Gallery 159 but never visited it before. It's a lovely place and even the bathroom sign is a piece of textile art!



When I left the exhibition there was a double rainbow outside waiting for me and my camera!



The exhibition is at Gallery 159, 159 Payne road, The Gap, Brisbane until Sunday 29th April 2012. Gallery hours: Saturdays & Sundays 11am to 4pm. Entry is free, so if you are in Brisbane, do go and have a look!

Journal quilts at AQC in Melbourne

I wish I was in Melbourne this weekend! The Australasian Quilt Convention is taking place there now and I would love to go and see it... Unfortunately that is not going to happen, but it's a nice thought that my country quilts are there, with the other journal quilts of the Australian and New Zealand Art Quilters.



Many thanks to fellow Aus/NZ Art Quilter Sue Collins for sending me these photos! (and her husband John for taking them!)

Etsy Shop Feature: Liquid Silver Designs

Ocean Waves Pendant

Today in my Etsy shop series I am featuring Liquid Silver Designs. I love their beautiful and original jewellery! Lucy kindly answered some questions I asked about her and her shop:

Who is behind Liquid Silver Designs?

My name is Lucy. I'm a metal clay artist living in the beautiful county of Suffolk in the UK. I started Liquid Silver Designs at the beginning of of the year in order to share my passion for creating beautiful everyday jewellery with the rest of the world.

My love for metal clay started when my mum bought me some craft books. Among them was one about metal clay and I discovered what seemed to be some form of modern alchemy! (in fact the science behind it is quite simple) I began by making pieces for myself and family.

When a few friends started asking for custom pieces, I started looking around at other jewellery designers. What I discovered was that although the silver jewellery I found was very beautiful, they were often statement pieces and not affordable everyday pieces I could see myself wearing on a daily basis.

So I created Liquid Silver Designs, supported by my family and friends. You asked me who is behind Liquid Silver?... well it is my wonderful support network! They have given me the help and confidence I needed to jump into the online craft market.


Cutout Heart Earrings

Tell us about your work process

My work process is rarely consistent. Often one idea will change into another, evolving as it takes shape but the basics are always the same.

Anything you can do with clay you can do with metal clay. Firstly pieces are shaped and molded into a rough idea, then refined once the clay has dried.

Each piece is then fired at a high temperature to just below melting point which binds the silver together and brushed sanded and polished by hand.


Lollypop Pendant

Where do you get your ideas from?

I take my ideas for the most part from mother nature. I love the variety of shapes, textures and colour you can find. I will often collect things when I am out and about like twigs, leaves and flowers to name a few.

I also love to garden and I'm very lucky to have a large south facing garden which is lovely in the summer! I grow many plants and trees often just because I love their foliage and flowers and want to replicate them in my work.


Blue and Yellow Polka Dot Bangle

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

My other big passion in life is for herpetology, which is the study of reptiles and amphibians. I particularity love snakes, I find them completely fascinating! I keep several species including Royal Pythons, Boas, Crested Geckos and not forgetting my pride and joy, my albino Burmese Python.

I'm also a member of my local reptile group which holds various events from talks to creature events where members of the public can come along and meet members and their animals. I believe events like this are very important giving people a chance to interact with animals they might ordinarily not come into contact with.


Triple Hearts Pendant

Liquid Silver Designs links:
Etsy
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Through the whole of April you get 15% off anything at Liquid Silver Designs using code CFAPR12 at checkout!

Etsy Front Page!

While I was away during the Easter weekend my Burlap Cappuccino Bookmark made the front page on Etsy! Woohoo! Another milestone reached :-).



We were at our caravan at Wooyung Beach, of course, and had a great time. The weather was gorgeous; sunny but not too hot. I've made hundreds of photos - the one above is probably my favourite (more on my photo blog). And I found lots of shells:



It's been quite hard to get back to the routines of daily life this time... but luckily it's still the school holidays, and we plan to go back to Wooyung this weekend!

Etsy Shop Feature: Vividplease

Penny Bag

Today in my Etsy series I'm featuring Vividplease, a very funky shop. They are based in Edinburgh, one of my favourite cities. Read all about them here!

Who is behind Vividplease?
Vivid are a creative duo living in Edinburgh, Scotland. We met whilst working together at an advertising agency and started making things when we found it difficult to get what we wanted in the shops. We then started up our blog and opened our online shop when we realized others liked what we do and felt the same way.


Ice Cream Van Photo

Tell us about your work process
Unlike many Etsy shops, we offer a wide variety of products. We sell illustrated prints and retro photographs, cards and note pads, engraved pencils, tote bags, lunch bags and have just started making accessories too. As we do a little bit of everything, there is no specific process that we use. Our concepts are the consistency though our work as you will see a lot of cheeky double entendres and a kitsch twist in everything we do. We find we come up with the ideas quite easily, then we get itchy feet and run off to make it as quickly as we can. I can't concentrate until the idea is on paper, then get really excited and don't do anything else until it is made! We probably spend more time on the promoting and marketing side of things as we make so many different things, but we don't mind though as we love what we do!


Hello Pips Brooch

Where do you get your ideas from?
We find a lot of our ideas come from our daily lives. We love markets and car boot sales so you will often find us rummaging across our inspirations. We are both avid collectors so take a lot of inspiration from the characters and items we find. You can't really come up with good ideas when you are sitting there trying to come up with one, so when we get stuck we like to get out and forget about everything. Getting the banter with friends and singing along to Elton John always works a treat!


You're So My Type Print

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
We love vintage things, so thrifting is pretty important to us. I'm going through a bit of a nesting period so hunting down treasures for my apartment takes up a lot of my time! We also love to travel about the UK as it is full of hidden gems. We recently went to Blackpool and had the time of our lives! Music is also important to us and we have just picked up tickets to a festival in August. Having things to look forward to is the best feeling in the world.


Geek Stationery Set

Vividplease links:
Etsy
Blog
Twitter
Pinterest

Something old, something new...

... something borrowed, something blue. That is the theme of the current Art Quilts Around the World challenge. I immediately thought of blue jeans - I have been saving old pairs of jeans for a few years now, thinking I would make a quilt with them someday.



So here it is, my quilt Something Blue. It's 12"/30 cm square. I used the fabric weaving technique that I tried first in April 2008 (to make a bookcover that is now for sale in my Etsy shop). Here is a close-up:



The flower on the first photo comes from a pair of flip flops that I bought last year. It came off a few weeks ago and I think it goes very well with the quilt. Just need to sew it on ;-).

For the stats:
Something old: blue jeans (and zip flower)
Something new: thread
Something borrowed: blue jeans from DH and my sons
Something blue: blue jeans

;-)

To see the other challenge quilts, please visit the AQATW blog.

Etsy Shop Feature: lily and gus

Rumble the Rhino

Today, in my Etsy Shop Feature Series, I have the pleasure to introduce Ashley from lily and gus. I absolutely adore her plush toys, made from repurposed fabrics - especially the whales! Here are her answers to the questions I asked:

Who is behind lily & gus?

I’m Ashley McCally, the crafty mama behind lily & gus. I’m a biologist by training but these days I spend more time coming up with ways to entertain Lily (my daughter) & Gus (our mini dachshund) than studying ecology. Although, we did recently have an impromptu lesson about pond ecosystems when Lily tipped headfirst into the turtle pond while trying to pet a turtle on one of our walks with Gus at the Houston Arboretum. In case you were wondering, turtles do not love having a toddler dive into their home.


Victor & Josie, Humpback Whale Mama and Baby

Tell us about your work process 

In our busy house I try to squeeze in time to create during naptime or after the pipsqueak has gone to sleep for the night. I design all of my plush animals from scratch starting with a line drawing that I make into a paper pattern. Next I make a “beta” animal out of an inexpensive broadcloth to see if the pattern needs any adjustments. Then it is full steam ahead and a new friend for Lily is created (although sometimes the broadcloth plushies get love from Lily too)! I use repurposed fabrics (from denim to wool) for all my plush creations to give them added character. I love giving new life to a much loved pair of jeans or a cozy sweater. Each plush toy is unique and often they have surprise embellishments taken from the original clothing items (beautiful stitching, a fun tag, a touch of suede).

For my clothing pieces I hand draw my original designs onto the clothes using a dye resist technique and then hand dye the piece using bright high quality fiber reactive dyes (this is my favorite part, Lily and I love watching the white shirt take on the color of the dye and stirring it with the big spoon!).

I love designing, drawing, sewing, scrapbooking, and crafting and I can't seem to stay away from the animal themes. Mostly I just love to make unique, high quality items that I think my family and friends will love, and I hope that others enjoy them too!


Hungry Hungry Hippo, hand dyed tee

Where do you get your ideas from? 

Most of my ideas come out of conversations with Lily. She is in love with animals of all kinds (not surprising as my husband is a veterinarian) and when she gets excited about a particular animal I end up with days on end of paging through picture books looking for elephants or “mommy draw rhino....peese”. Some of Lily’s first words were dog (pretty standard), whale, gorilla, rhino, polar bear, octopus, lion, tiger, and hippo (not so standard). When a particular obsession lasts long enough it usually leads to a new design for the shop. I always feel like I have captured the essence of an animal when Lily sees one of my new drawings and instantly identifies it. Who knew the approval of a one and a half year old could be so gratifying?


Peanut the Bunny

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
A little bit of everything! When the weather here in Houston isn’t too hot we love to get outside and garden or go for walks. Lily and I spend a ton of time at the zoo visiting with all our favorite animals. When the humidity chases us indoors we like to cook or curl up in the AC with some good books. Most of my days consist of trying to contain the whirlwind that is my daughter and dog while getting something productive done...some days are more successful than others!


Contoured Burp Cloths

lily and gus links:
Etsy

Blog

Website

Facebook

Pinterest

A new quilt

After a busy week I had a lovely quiet day at home today. I made this quilt! (well, I started it sometime last week) Long time readers of this blog will know of my love for optical illusion quilts and yes, here is another one! This is the back:



It was going to be my SAQA 2012 Benefit Auction Quilt, but it is too big - 13 inches square, not 12 (and I didn't want to chop off the edges of the squares). So for now I will hang it somewhere in our house, or maybe at my workplace (once I have added a hangng sleeve).

The quilt hasn't got a name yet - any suggestions?

Today it is exactly five years ago that we first arrived in Australia!
Here is hubby with our boys on the plane from Kuala Lumpur to Brisbane that day - baby Robbie (or Koen, as he was called then), 2-year old Ernst and 4-year old Hugo:



Initially the plan was to stay here for four years, but it's been five now and we're not leaving anytime soon! (well, we are - but only for a 4-week holiday to the Netherlands in June!!)

Etsy Shop Feature: Boretto Art

Blu Opera House

One of the best things of selling on Etsy is that it gives you the chance to discover so many extraordinary shops! I have decided to feature one of my favourite shops every now and then on this blog, and today the very first one is Sydney-based Boretto Art. I love their colourful artworks - they remind me of one of my favourite artists, Raoul Dufy. I interviewed L&S from Boretto Art and here are their answers!

Who is behind Boretto Art?
An artist in love with color (S) and an Italian dreamer in love with art (L).
Together we are a happy young couple who live of their passion in the land of kangaroos and koalas.


Magic Spring in Paris

Tell us about your work process
We like to imagine our artworks as a jungle were the viewer can easily get lost and dream.
Each of our artwork is a wordless poem of love.

S: Our original paintings are created with vibrant acrylic colours and a palette knife. This technique allows me to give a beautiful texture to my paintings and to transfer almost instantanly my emotions to the canvas.

L: I spend hours looking for the perfect image for my original collages.
Every piece of paper has to tell me a story, have something special.
I love creating beautiful and unique miniatures.

What makes us really happy is sharing our artwork with others.
Because at the end of the day, what is art if not sharing?


Rooster

Where do you get your ideas from?
Most of our art is inspired by our daily life (Manly Beach painting), our surroundings (Blu Opera House print), our dreams (Rooster collage), our travels (Paris painting).

Manly Beach

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
We love food! We love cooking, trying new recipes and surprising each other with new flavours.
But also travelling, discovering new cultures, getting lost in small streets, fishing with old fishermen, smelling new perfumes...
But our one and true passion is creating art.

Boretto Art Links:
Etsy

Blog
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