Embossing velvet

 Just finished writing a new workshop for embossing on velvet for the Thread Studio's online magazine.
Tried a few new things. This technique never gets old for me, it always looks good. Who doesn't love velvet?

And finally!

Arriving today via the post to The Thread Studio, Dale's new colourway Marrakesh. This was inspired by a photo of spices in a Morrocan spice market.

Another day, another colour

This photograph was taken by Etsian Wolfyphotography Rae sent it to me. Had no idea rocks were this colour, so of course it inspired a dye job. I don't think I quite got it, but I don't mind trying again.


Not this week though. Rae is off to Halls Gap for the annual Fibre thing they have up there and I am up to my ears in packaging. (Well, up to my ears thinking about it) You don't want to rush into anything.


Best wishes to Dale and Ian from The Thread Studio, their family is safe in Christchurch but they have extensive damage to their homes. Thoughts to to our farmers in the north of Victoria- their farms are still under water.

Dust Bunnies

My studio! A disaster. I threw so much stuff in there the last few weeks since moving out of the outside studio that I don't know where anything is. So, after receiving Julie Arkell's book from Loop and how she has organised her studio, I feel inspired. This is the before shot. I'll keep you posted, or not depending if I succeed. Ha Ha.





Bella and Uki, believe it or not, the rabbit loves the attention.






Gone from under my bed! Having taken the week to get over my cold I decided that our room needed a clean. I found presents I had bought last year for Christmas that I thought I had lost! A set of earrings for my aunt, fabric and yarn for my daughter's sewing kit.....And a flock of dust bunnies with their own economy, democracy and city under my bed. I can't remember the last time I vacuumed all the way under there. Probably the last time that I was sure if I bent down that far- I would be able to get up again without calling the fire brigade. I've decided that being organized might reduce the stress levels in this house. We will see. I'll give it a go.
Finally I have managed to replace the hand bag I have used for the last year. I bought it for .70cents at the local op shop and it's been good but too large. So the photos are of the bag that I spoke about making a few weeks ago that I turned pink by my daft mixing of fibres. It's just waiting for it's handle to be stitched on.

And lastly- my thoughts and sympathy to Marina in Moscow who is enduring what Victorians did on black Saturday. The fires in Russia have created noxious smoke now blanketing Moscow and I hope that she and her family are ok.

Back Home

My Kooky Critter was a hit with the kids in Brisbane.

This is Dale demo-ing needlefelting on a babylock.

Dale again talking and demonstrating surface decoration techniques.
I'm seriously considering going back to bed for another nap because I find it difficult to sleep away from home. before I do though, off to the shed to dye up Rose Quartz and Lavender for The Thread Studio. Think I best leave the Etsy shop closed for another couple of days to catch my breath.

The Keys to the Castle.

I've been given the keys to the castle! No, not really. Dale let me change some things on her Embellish blog. So I did! Hope you like it.
Oh, and I paid $2 for this coat which is cashmere and wool. Into the dye bath with it tomorrow.

Finishing off day

Verdigris for Dale.


Chicken finally finished, unlikely to lay anything edible.


I enjoyed using lime velvet dyed by Rae to embellish the chook.


Just working it out, this was a hand dyed blanket offcut.

As promised, the chicken is done! Just realized, making soft toys is my least favorite sewing thing.
Mixed into finishing this chicken was a quick dyeing job for Dale from The Thread Studio. This is her new commissioned colour from me called Verdigris. I think I have had four goes at getting this one right, and I am still not sure. There were so many possibilities. Anyway, it's dry and about to go out in the mail.