Quilt Country French Magazine arrived

www.theodoracleave.com

http://www.edisaxe.com/1-an-quilt-country.html

My copy of the Quilt Country French magazine was waiting for me when I arrived back on Tuesday.

I took a day off to celebrate yet another darn birthday......

It was soften by a day in Melbourne with an old friend & the next day with another old friend...

Old being I have known them a long long time !

On Tuesday I was at Doncaster shopping centre & my friend & I were roaming about...

Fortunately we both get excited about displays & designs of things...so we find ourselves in stores that leads us in because of their unique products ..

One was a beautiful beautiful children's  wear store I think called Pure ??? I will need to look that up..

The clothing styles, the   materials used & the simplistic style is an absolute art form.

We also found a Kikki store & I am always drawn to these stores with much to inspire & excite...

******

The Monday was a wander along MALING Road....but I purchased nothing...I certainly had a little look before eating lunch & then heading off to look at kitchen places....

My friend is renovating a house & we spent time peering into various cupboards.... 

walking about slightly bewildered at times.....ending the day at a big hardware store & finally in the garden patch of the store.

Both in the creative world in a sense ....

****

The magazine....

This is the second issue with the illustrations I did for Marie-Claude to work her magic with & stitch & set into her quilt design...

Also the teacup & saucer & teapot & jug & birthday cake are in a woolen  felt project by Marie-Claude

& 

a Little Birdie Button Stitchery story... which is my forth in the last 2 issues of the magazine.

Of course there are many many wonderful quilt designs & stitcheries in the magazine...

All magazines are in French.

*****

It is interesting to reflect my love of French came early in my high school days when I began to learn French....but also was able to send a couple of postage stamps to get these little Country information books via the Weekly Times paper 

( we lived rural, this was the connections in that time )

The one I chose first was France & I spent many hours reading the details of what was grown in France, how they lived etc....

Hairdressing was very influence by French styling & the way one behaved in the salon was lightly modelled on the French....

so for a while I was being influenced....

Many years later I was drawn to Parisian style creating the 

A Day in Paris set of stitcheries into a quaint quilt.....( & living back where I grew up ) 

Once again I was enmeshed into part of France in my creative mind.

*****

I don't fly otherwise you have a fair idea where I'd be for much of my year....

However, many lament for me because I do not fly...

but for myself,

 I accept this phobia is tightly woven into my psyche 

& no amount of sedatives would help ! LOL 

On accepting...  

I also accept my limitations 

& 

use my imagination to be slightly French ...LOL

Sure my wander lust would so enjoy roaming in all parts of 

France & Paris 

I'd burst with the absolute pleasure of seeing it 

& 

being in amongst it.....

So the acceptance into France by the French  in my work for many years now....is just a blessing.

Things do happen without chasing them....

I have met many an opportunity from France.

So to all my French friends & customers over the many years 

Bonjour ! & Merci

Little tidying

www.theodoracleave.com

Yesterday was the day for doing some methodical tidying ...but I am always distracted as I find interesting things .....but on the whole I achieved some things

My friend Suse sent me this card last week & she wrote some more inspiring words inside..

The card says 

You Inspire Me

I hung it on my white tree which is most useful for things other than Christmas....ribbons I want to be reminded to use... 

some tags I found that I had written on from Vision Boards a few years ago & meaningful now ... 

 What is it about twine ????

I love it !!!

This jar..is full of threads..& the one behind has ribbons & tinsel.... I tried to squash more into jars..

There were a few too many...

This tag I had done some years ago & tied on here at some stage ...

I was surprised it has survived several moves also LOL

Deers

Today I painted Red and also white reindeers..the big deer buttons for a Marg Low Designs order..

I had them laid on the tray with red birdies & the odd Father Christmas ...

as I looked at them I thought how wonderful they looked together....

Of course they are all on the www.theodoracleave.com

I have medium & small deers...in a variety of colours...

 Nip over to the studio blog for a look at what is taking place with the rabbit stamps on fabric...

www.onabranchabirdsings.blogspot.com

Birdies .....

Mix of things

For the people involved in those dreadful horrid storms above Sydney in the Hunter Valley region & Sydney & south of Sydney

I hope it will all be over soon & you are all safe & dry.

*****

The rabbit is  anew addition of 5 rabbit stamps I have just collected from the printer who made them for me 

To play with....

Stay tuned LOL

www.theodoracleave.com

This is an art exhibition that my dear friend Sue Cook is exhibiting in using beeswax & stuff...

On in Canberra from 3rd May to 5th June 

at Yarralumla Gallery

Sue has painted in folk art for me when I traded under the Woodcutter's Daughter.... some of you may recall the stitchery

Somedays we just walk & somedays we just talk.

This was a series of  mediums & Sue painted a cover of a wood photo album..she also did paint lots of my lady brooches..

Now she has gone onto many more bigger projects..

Artistic she is....

*

As is my other dear artist friend Nell Anderson who these days works in beautiful watercolours

She is currently exhibiting at the Yarralumla Gallery in Canberra

Bronwyn..another painting colleague  gave me this card when I was at Monbulk quilt show in March

He sewing group are ambassadors for the Ballarat Apron Festival in May 9th & 10th.

It looks like an interesting festival ...this is of course in Victoria at Ballarat.

French tonight !

Two items that are French related but from different countries.

This is the YOU TUBE link to MARIE-CLAUDE talking about the Block of The Month I did the illustrations for & she just did the hard work & designs what went around them & stitched it ..

it is very exciting for ie moi LOL

Merci Marie-Claude

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIC6FKtH1Tg

*****

The divine picture postcard is made by a friend Francine in Quebec Canada

We struck up a conversation one day & have chattered away ever since.

She makes postcards to post to her grandchildren on the dairy farm

In this beautiful piece she has used the large painted panel ..some hens & the running rabbits working beautifully with the cross stitching & trims.

I had to wait for Francine to okay me showing you this

Merci Francine 

Bonjour..Noel..Lapins

www.theodoracleave.com

Well here they are...

I will place them on the web later today....

Buttons & decorations...

The Rabbit is a star has writing words around his frame....

The family of bunnies wait for santa & the little ones are so so excited...

A FavouriteToday

www.theodoracleave.com

I love this piece that was sewn in layers of hearts & last bit was the painted overlay..

Yesterday I tried to get that same effect with different fabric colours ....no where near the mark ..lol

The other piece is basically painted wash ..some fine paint brush words & the heavier X X X is stitched

Great sampler try outs ...each one would be different etc etc

NOW

Ta dahhhhhhhhhh 

The new 

FRENCH RABBIT 

CHRISTMAS WOOD PIECES 

Have arrived this morning..

Absolutely dancing about in front of me wanting paint to be applied to them

There are 3 buttons & I think 5 decorations...

I will show you soon !!!!!

*******

You Tube !!

www.theodoracleave.com

Imagine my surprise when I did a google search on my tradename....I like to see what is where..

I found a YOU TUBE well 2 videos of my work done by my lovely customer  Moscow shop...

Thank you Taty....

Now I hope these links work....I need to test them ..Done tested & they work fine !

You will see on the side bar of You Tube one of Sara Guermani's gorgeous cross stitch designs..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwrVZn1J6mA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyj4nlgIuds

Today I read & viewed some of the quilts on ABC news, 

the AQC is currently on in Melbourne ....

Some magic moves going on tonight

    You know that there are times everything seems to have a mind of it's own..pictures don't cancel etc etc

*

I did some work today...some things I was doing are longer term & another little batch have gone to be made into my experiment !

Maybe Monday you will see what that is about.

*

Painting is in order ..lovely barrows of flowers & soft baskets of flowers & tweeny birds & blue cats..were today's lot along with the French Street in those soft lovely colours 

*

My body still creaks....not been a great day....I have had an amazing reaction to the treatment which when it all stops reverberating should be magic...

Some has shown interesting & surprising results....

the rest I hope follows...

*

Newsletter last night announcing an exhibition of Brian William's divine beach themed paintings..I hope to get to see this ....

Brian Williams is Exhibiting from Wednesday 15^th April until Wednesday 13^th May at

Sandy Beach HQ

www.brianwilliams.com.au

Sandy Beach HQ a thriving kiosk right on the beach at Sandringham.

www.sandybeachhq.com.au

36 Jetty Road, Sandringham. Open 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm. Phone 9598 2912. (Melways ref: 76E-8)

*********************************************************************************

Some more samples that are ideas for the painted. or sprayed or stamped fabric pieces 

Great creative workshops these were last year...

As you may tell I am yearning to get back to doing some of this style of work again...in a few days perhaps.

   www.theodoracleave.com    

ave.com

Went away again.....

www.theodoracleave.com

Into the city again, this time for some chiropractic treatment.

Two days worth....no don't ask today how things are....thanks ...LOL

Found out some new things about the old injury sites....& it didn't surprise me...

Feels freer, just a bit shell shocked in body & a 3 hour drive yesterday isn't so good for that...

Home now & back into painting later today 

& it has rained a little 

& thundered even more so..

Cosy day.

********************

I called into Stitch'n'Patch on Monday on my way around to drop off a couple of things..

Now I could hardly believe this little 

boxed screen printed stitcheries.... 

I did a while ago now...

These were done when I traded as Woodcutter's Daughter ....

Collector's Items now !!!!

I was lucky enough to be given a metre of this most divine ribbon 

that had only arrived in from UK to Stitch'n'Patch

Home Grown ...

says lots don't you think ?

I have it to add to my play things.

Getting some more samples done

www.theodoracleave.com

Having a great lot of fun.... yesterday the buttons were pulled out after I cut some mini cones & stocking & bags from the booklet layouts 

and

well I don't think I am finished yet...

Lol

Things just keep being coloured in ....

www.theodoracleave.com

The December 25th Button is now also in grey...

with red stripes on the shirt.

 and ....

These are the Primitive Angels...all dancing & singing in off white.

I never go far from the Christmas spirit....

as you can see...

I love the grey santas... and they are really very popular for Christmas projects...

&

3 primitive angels are so useful for standing together on a table runner....top of stocking...

Little bag...quilt....

Gosh if only I could be clever enough to draw on here with pencil...

I'd show you quickly...lol

I have been talking about felt & Christmas on the studio blog www.onabranchabirdsings.blogspot.com 

as I explore more simple Christmas things using felt & the buttons & decorations.....

Perhaps I could go & mow the lawn

www.theodoracleave.com

Mowing the lawn is not half the fun as spraying inks on fabric using stencils 

I bought these 4 sets of stencils yesterday at Spotlight

&

Often I just stash them away for later.....

But thought today I will grab some fabric & go outdoors 

the ink in one hand stencils & fabric in the other..

I nearly rolled in the fabric as the effect is just magic...

The linen I used is a mix of cotton & linen & is a biggish weave...

Tried a pure French linen napkin as you do..the inks ran a bit in the weave..still a good look & lastly some plain tea stained French General fabric got a hit on ink too.

So had to come & tell....

Again the people who did my workshops recently were shown this & had a bit of a play...

So you all know how simple it is....

Some then I stamped on ...just to see....

Finally I have got to these

www.theodoracleave.com

Some stitching over the last 2 nights have been things I have been GONNA do for a year or more, but with one thing & another that moment of action just never made it.

Now though..... it has 

& as usual 

I have been having some absolute pleasure with my felt stash & my Christmas designs

They will be seeing you soon...

For July I have been invited to 

trade at Cowes 

with the Pakenham Quilter's retreat 

Lovely place to retreat too !

This is more of the same

www.theodoracleave.com

I forgot to take the photo of this when I was doing the blog yesterday....

my favourite...I think.!

This had been  in sprayed on a writing stencil...which was a faded look..

which at the time I didn't think much of it..

but of course now it is so soft & allows other fabric to stand out...

 My friend Napping !!

Again.

He has to WAIT for her .....

so might as well catch a little shut eye.

A little workshop experiment

www.theodoracleave.com

I have been wanting to experiment more with the workshop pieces I had done ..

The ones I'd kept for myself kept being sighted as I moved boxes of stuff about..

Today I thought just put that sewing machine out, grab some of the pieces 

and get to it...

So I did

then..

The bobbin ran out....

So I have stopped .LOL

This is so much fun....

sewing different sized pieces together....sewing a painted piece onto a plain piece of linen or something equally as lovely....

adding a little pop coloured fabric in the hearts....

  

Love this look with the red heart....primed for a button maybe...

even a mother of pearl button /s would set this off well.

I know the thread is there....it will be cut ..later LOL 

This has a background fabric of the Japanese fabric..name escapes me 

& 

it is the look that is what it's about....

That touch as you run your hand softly over the fabrics.... 

Maybe some of you from those 2 workshops can now really have a wow time with the painted & the stencilled fabrics....

Just popped in

www.theodoracleave.com

PS ..before we go on....check out the studio blog
www.onabranchabirdsings.blogspot.com

Love the Colours 

I took these photos of the thread stash

 at 

Stitch'N'Patch in Lilydale Melbourne Victoria 

On a recent visit..

I Just loved that impact these colours do....

& 
in this collage are again many of my buttons...

scattered on various boards around the shop.

It is one of those places....

Enchanting.....
give yourself a good hour to just explore it all

&

be inspired....

by 
fabrics, 
threads, 
patterns, 
books..lots of books 
& lots of Buttons 
& little collector trinkets 

oh 
&
 ribbons & braids....

www.stitchnpatch.com.au

Look at all that amazing colour !!!!

It reaches the soul  

it has a Rabbit....

It has a Rabbit..... sometimes this French Rabbit is Easter Bunny as well as arriving at Christmas in now the 

BIG DECORATION size 12cm

This is when that French rabbit arrived... as I once said in a prior blog..he was so strong in my mind I had to stop that frantic pace of Christmas Painting to get him out on paper...

Then he didn't stop...as I drew him with Santa's & snowmen he started telling his own story.

All I can describe that as when you write a children's story....

pure invention...but loosely based on real life ....

with things to say....

I had not experienced that so strongly before in my work..

I can make up little tales of a day & weave it along verbally as my Father did to each of us children...

& it turns out as his parent did too...

with Khaki the Goanna... 

like the Easter Bunny this goanna was so real but I knew he was not...

Father would weave his day's story of work in the bush & delivering wood to people...

Now for me ...that story telling has grown stronger...

I hover over that ..wanting to really experience it 

but leaving a trail of excuses....

where I start...then oh something needs to be done....

www.theodoracleave.com

Now this picture below I was pulling the Button Postcard loosely into as little felt affair last night..

You know ...it is fun...

a little stitch, a pop of colour... some linen..bits of felt...the bird got a bit squashed due to felt flowers I put in first & the the barrow was a bit tight...just say 1cm more but it was late & I was finishing off when I got to that...see when one doesn't measure .....

But

it can be made into 2 pictures using buttons & tidbits....

or

one button ..see the pot of flowers ...sit that onto a small note book cover, needle holder...

lots of things ..you all get it ....   

Everyday Angel decorations in 7cm size I tried out in the blue & pink

I am not sure these colours fit my dear angels...

I have a bias to the off white & the red....

maybe ???

Time to go roaming...I have to walk.....& the park is full of Easter tents...so someplace else needs to be chosen...

or 

I will delay that too !