Open Drawer

Saturday morning- Oh My God- you have a birthday party to go to and no present?????
You'll get a scarf done in time won't you Mum? She likes rainbow....


No problem, I didn't want a lie in, breakfast, coffee or to read the paper....


Yes, I got it done and the flowers stayed put too. Created a fringe but didn't have time to take a photo- wrapped it up slightly damp.



Here is my friend Win in the main shop part of Open Drawer. Newly opened at 1158 Toorak Rd, Camberwell in Melbourne, this shop and gallery space brings together textile art supplies with the finished pieces from Australia's well known textile artists. Work to make you gasp from Pam Hovel, Catherine O'Leary and many other well known names were to die for. Robyn, who together with Prue have given this business some thought. Upstairs there are two gallery rooms showcasing different artist's work. The gallery is available for submissions and is a fantastic, well lit space. Downstairs is the show room and shop area where you can purchase felting batts, wool, silk and fabrics for felting. Towards the back there is a room for 'stitching and bitching' (sorry) and two classrooms purposely fitted out with sewing machines and high tables for felting. I thought I was in textile heaven. Anyway, support it Melbourne girls because it's a lovely place. I bought porcelain buttons for some of my pieces still in my head- had better get making.


Robyn playing shopkeeper.


Supplies downstairs....Prue in doorway.



Gallery upstairs.
Win admiring and saying..." I'll have that one and that one and that one.."


My Bella along for the snacks and to admire....
I had to buy her a button too, what for? I don't know- she is as hopeless as I am. I LOVE BUTTONS.


You can ring Open Drawer on 03 98897227 or visit Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri 9.30-5.30 and Sat and Sun 10-4. Ummm, next month they are hosting a exhibition of pieces by tutors (moi included) and giving demonstrations. I don't know when, will post when I know.

Getting things done.

Bri said " gee that wont keep you warm, look at all those holes..."
"It's a SUMMER scarf" said I.



How it sat for a month before deciding to put holes in it......


How it began....




When I haven't made anything for a while I begin to get a bit miserable and frustrated. Life, family and other committments creep time away from the creative process and it's easy to push creativity into 'I'll get to it later mode'.
Thing is, it's a vital part of who I am and want to be. If I ignore my needs and let too much of other people's needs take precedence, I lose confidence and become frustrated. That in turn causes me to not be competent in my other roles. Mother, wife, daughter, business women, friend, community member. My mother used to say that if you don't take care of the mother, who will take care of the children. I think she meant for ourselves to take care of us first so we can effectively take care of the people who rely on us. She was a midwife who saw first hand the breakdown of families when the mother gave her all and was made ill by it. So yesterday, I took time out to finish the scarf that had been sitting on our dining room table for more than a month. The silk scraps came from a shirt from the op shop. The silk merino is a colourway I dyed with the sky above Warrandyte in mind. Even just finishing a scarf made me feel better about myself. A small thing maybe but at the moment- a huge achievement.

Autumn elsewhere.

My wisteria has gone crazy this year with the added rainfall. I'm thinking of hitting the dye shed to get these colours!


Meantime of course, I am reminded that it is autumn elsewhere. I stared at some photos on flickr of foliage in Vermont, USA, and this is what I came up with.

Spring has sprung in Warrandyte.

This is just another silk fibre scarf made a while ago, stitched using straight stitch option- no curls! In Dale's Kimberley Dreaming colour way.


Etsy seller Olga Almond

Back in time to see our Wisteria is full flower. Queensland was great but it's always nice to get home. First job was of course to go Etsy shopping which I did. I like to sort Christmas out early. I've have finally learn't to do things that reduce stress. No driving, parking or spending too much for the same thing you can get from any other store in any other shopping venue.
Anyway, I'm not sure who will receive this little beauty but I couldn't resist.