Just a few more price tags to print up and then I'll be just about ready to pack for the fair this Saturday.
I'll be showcasing some new pendents along with cushions, cards and some agnes coy favourites.
If you're in Central New Zealand, or any part of the country for that matter, then why not walk, cycle, drive, train it or fly on down to see us all there and purchase some handmade goodness?
Until next time...
I'm just about out of Agnes Coy labels so having re-ordered I realized yesterday that they just weren't going to get here in time for Craft 2.0. What to do? I'd read somewhere that you could print your own using fabric and Freezer Paper and I just so happened to have a roll of it that I'd used in a past project. I haven't seen it for sale in the craft stores in New Zealand but I managed to get hold of some through a Trade Me seller. Using an A4 sheet of paper as a template I cut out a rectangle of cotton and Freezer paper. I placed the paper, waxy side down onto the cotton and ironed it lightly. This allows the paper to adhere to the fabric temporarily. Having designed a simple label using Publisher I fed the paper/fabric though my ink-jet printer et voila - a sheet of highly usable labels to see me through.
I think that they work pretty well and it's good to know that I have a back-up if my ordered labels get delayed again in the future. If you pop over to the Craft 2.0 blog, you'll find a mini interview about me. So, I'll leave you today with a photo of the Wairarapa and how beautiful it looks. The Tararua Hills never fail to lift my spirits. Until next time...
Update: a reader stopped by and reminded me that once you've printed out your labels, you need to heat set them with a hot iron on the reverse side of the fabric. Thank you for that.
If you love fabric as much as me (especially of the vintage variety), then you will no doubt understand the close relationship that I have with my washing machine. Actually, the first place Mr TS looks if he wants me, would be the laundry room. In the UK where I'm from, only posh people have special rooms where nothing but clothes washing takes place, but here in NZ, they come as standard. This week the laundry room has had more than it's fair share of my company.
The ribbon and lace that was kindly gifted to me has now been washed and pressed having been stored for many years. The 'hangy thing (I'm sure some kind reader will tell me what it's called) on the ceiling looked really pretty, a little like a maypole. I almost danced! Nah not really, but Trumpet loved it. Anything dangly, he's there!
Last week I was also EXTREMELY lucky enough to come across a huge stack of antique and vintage Japanese fabrics (mainly cotton and silk) all the way from Kyoto. The colours are beautifully faded and soft and I was thinking about maybe making them up into packs to be used in collage or craft and selling them from my neglected etsy shop. What do you think? Would anyone be interested perhaps? They were also drying on the hangy thing and have now been pressed. Here are a few of them:
Remember my first screen printing attempt? Well, I finished the stitching around each of the gum nuts and made it into a cushion for the lounge area.
My second attempt, last Friday was perhaps not quite so successful. I think I know where I went wrong and will therefore have another go this week.
Until next time...
We're lucky enough to have a wonderful art space in the town next to us. Members of the public can just turn up and create. All of the equipment and resources are there and it's free! Can you believe that? If you want to do pottery it's all set up, needle felting, they have the know how, oil painting, not a problem. I've been wanting to learn how to screen print and an incredibly talented girl friend and artist just so happens to have mastered the technique and also teaches there. Friday's are women only days so a couple of weeks ago I decided to pop along.
Moments before going, Mr Tread Softly said that he had a present for me and handed me half a dozen giant sized acorns cups that he'd picked up. I've only been able to photograph two of them as Trumpet spotted them and they're now under the furniture!
Anyway, I decided that the giant acorn cups (I know that they're not acorns but haven't the foggiest what else to call them) would be my inspiration for my first screen print. I photographed the process for you step by step as I thought that some of you might be interested in this simple but hugely effective technique.
So I started off with a sheet of paper and my little bit of inspiration. I used newsprint.
I penciled in my random design...
..and then carefully cut out the shapes with a sharp craft knife.
The newsprint was then taped onto the front of a screen printing frame.
Hmmm, this photo is a little dark but at the top I'd spooned out a line of dark chocolate brown textile paint and then used the spreader to pull the paint down the screen. Can you see the Maori design on the screen? Whoever used it in the past didn't wash it out properly so the paint has stained. I plan to purchase my own frame in the near future.
Here you can see the spread of the textile paint. Doesn't look too pretty does it? But wait, now for the exciting part.
I carefully pulled the screen away from the fabric to reveal my design. I used natural linen to print onto.
Et voila! Here's my finished design. Next time I go I'll be using two colours.
So having heat set the ink I'm now in the process of embellishing it with a simple running stitch in three colours. If you click on the image you should be able to have a closer look.
I'm not sure what the fabric will be made into yet. Maybe a cushion cover - best to keep my first attempt simple I think. Whatever it becomes, I'll keep you posted.
Until next time...
update: apparently, the giant acorn cups are actually gum nuts - thank you helen for letting me know.
It's the Wairarapa Balloon Festival this week so each morning we've woken up to the breathy sound of hot air and wonderfully colourful sights floating over the top of our little wooden cottage.
Did you see that the moon was still up in the first picture?
There's something very peaceful and tranquil about balloons sailing by. It really is a great way to start the day - standing in the garden in your pyjamas on dewy grass, neck stretched, gently breathing in and out in time with the hot air pressure, cat by your side. In fact, Trumpet hasn't left my side today. Usually he's out and about chasing butterflies and climbing trees but today he's been content to sit on my craft table, watching me choose buttons and sew. Sigh…
Until next time...
image: linen + cotton covered jam jars ready for the Martinborough Fair
happy birthday mum! xx
Things haven't quietened down one little bit since my last post. Still working on the kitchen, website (maybe a New Year opening is more achievable?),regular work...the list goes on and I won't bore you with it. I have however, been working on a bunch of embellished vintage ready for the site. Here's a sneaky peek. An over-sized corsage for a 60's sweater.
Last weekend was a first for Mr Tread Softly and I. Our niece (6) and nephew (3) came to stay with us for two nights without their parents! Now that, believe it or not, was a big deal for us, not having children ourselves and never having been responsible for them EVER! I don't mind admitting that we were a little bit scared. How do we put them to bed? What if they don't go? What do they eat? What do they do? We needn't of worried of course because we failed to remember that we do, in fact, have the most well behaved, fabulous niece and nephew in the world! Every now and again when no one was looking, Mr TS and I would huddle in corners with both thumbs up saying things like, 'we're doing really well!' {giggle giggle}
We spent time at the park whizzing down the wire on the Flying Fox
playing cricket
and best of all, helping to make a rag doll who we named Babushka
I picked the 1970's pattern up at a garage sale last week and thought to myself 'I know a little girl who would love to make that.' And make it, she did.
Remember the wool I brought to make more nests? Well, I made a handful of them. Some have already been given away but I thought that you might like one. I have two up for grabs, perhaps for your Christmas Tree? Shall we say that the first two people to leave a comment on this post gets a nest? Yes, let's say that.
Until next time...
How did I miss out posting last week? Because sometimes life runs away with you that's why! Things have been pretty busy in the Tread Softly household. We're putting in a new kitchen (have taken 'before' photos so stay tuned), cutting more beds and planting more vegetables than a battalion can possibly eat, crafting orders, building websites, viewing houses with more land and that's before we've even thought about our regular jobs! I'm not complaining because that's just the way I like life to be. Move to New Zealand for a quieter life? Pah! Simpler maybe, but certainly not quieter!
Forgot to mention the brick patio that Mr TS has just laid for me.
They're reclaimed brinks that used to be a chimney. The patio is under one of the pear trees at the bottom of the garden and will be perfect for breakfast each morning now that Spring is here (although the past few days have been like summer).
Somehow, I've found the time to have another play with resin plaster. One of these is going to Francesca, and the other has been photographed for the new Agnes Coy website. Not quite ready yet but I'm getting there!
I popped into the carding place in the next village today to choose some soft coloured wool for our Girl Friday Craft Day. I plan on making lots of little raffia and needle felted nests, possibly, as suggested by Kelly, for the Christmas tree.
I added another stockist to the list today. Thrive in Martinborough, are now carrying Agnes Coy Hand Mades. They're the women behind the fabulous Thunder Pants! Have already added a couple of pairs to my Christmas wish list!
Until next time...
The Girl Friday's gathered at my house today for a day of crafting (and a loooong lunch!). I'd asked Victoria if we could have a play with raffia as I particularly wanted to know how to weave it. Who'd have believed that this dry piece of straw...
could be woven into this...
I added a few vintage and antique buttons and sewed a brooch pin onto the back.
I was told that the first woven piece you produce has to be given away, so this who going to Frances who gave me the flax flower a few weeks ago.
Victoria is teaching me that there are no rules when it comes to art. I do have a tendency to be a little too neat at times but the afternoon's project really did that knock that out of me. Wool yarn, wool felt, vintage lace and rafia was used to create this little nest.
For some reason it looks much better in real life. It's very tactile so maybe you need to feel it to appreciate it?
The little egg was needle felted.
I loved this project. In fact both pieces looked such a mess for a while and suddenly, as if by magic, they both came together.
Until next time...
Never ever, EVER say to your girlfriends 'Hey, let's just pop into the pet shop before we have lunch.' Bad move, very bad move unless you relish the thought of lying awake for hours day dreaming about this little man.
Isn't he the cutest of all cuteness's?! If I had $1200 (yep, that's TWELVE hundred dollars) in my pocket, I would have brought him there and then. Took Mr Tread Softly to see him today. We peered in through the window and there he was, looking right back at us. Is this what broodiness feels like? Hmmmm. NOW I understand! However, I don't think he's supposed to be mine. I kind of got that feeling when Mr TS choked on his coffee whilst telling him the price!
The real reason I'm posting today is to tell you about a new craft blog that I'd love for you to visit. One of my Girl Friday Craft friends, Victoria has started a new blog called Cupboard Love (Home is where the art is). Her third post is a fabulous needle felting tutorial. She intends to post tutorials regularly. Victoria, as well as being a wonderful artist also happens to be the crafting queen of possibly NZ. She's an amazing friend to have. I learn from her each week, so pop across if you like, I don't think that you'll be sorry.
On the crafting front in my studio, I'm working on some of my felt flower brooches. I have a meeting on Wednesday at a very special place that is interested in my work. I'll tell you more next week - if it all works out.
I'm still playing with plaster and am trying to perfect the outcome. Other things (like regular jobs) seem to have taken over as well as the website that is taking an age to build. I need to get it right though. We put our clocks forward last week which means that I'll be able to work into the evenings. I'm desperate for more time! Actually, I always have been. Some things never change.
On the Op Shop front, I luckily come across a bag of the most beautiful doilies. They really are tiny and quite quite perfect. I have lots of plans for them!
I managed to finish the two bird cushions for Jo's girls. They'll be winging their way over to Australia on Monday.
To friends in the UK - I'm soooooo behind with emails. I feel a generic one coming on soon to bring you all up to date with our life in New Zealand. Needless to say, it's just gorgeous!
Until next time...
