Tuesday 31 July 2012

Workshop starter pack are nearly ready...

I have been working on workshop packs for the past few days. It is so important for me that they not only help someone make something lovely but also they feel special, just like opening a present!
They will contain everything that is needed to make something beautiful, with all the instructions included and even templates so they can be made again and again when you get home.
I put some thought in to the presentation, even down to how the little note book should look and the ribbon that tied it all together-using frayed fabric in a floral pattern to give it a retro feel.
I'm so excited at the prospects that these will bring!

I have also been working on some thread/stitched images this week. One of my favorite at the moment is the seed pods and it's turned out to be a favorite for a few others too, which is always so touching. I have added two colours so far but plan on adding another deeper chocolate brown.

Saturday 21 July 2012

Some great photos!

It was so beautiful today with the sun streaming through the window and there have been far to few of those latley. It left me feeling so happy, that summer is now here and I can get outside and find insperation.
I have had some great photos taken to use for my new web page and promotional work and I'm very happy with how they have turned out.

As some of the items made have a hint of vintage and a retro in style, they would be perfect for weddings, parties or even sweet sixteens.
The roses are made from the nicest wool felt in an antique cream colour and are so delicate.
One of the corsages' is made from wool felt and has beautiful antique lace and ribbon to tie around the wrist. The other is made from 100% silk and satin, with a pin to be worn on your favorite outfit.
My personal favorite is the silk Iphone case, for those special occations where a boring plastic case just wont do.
I have to take a few more images of favors and confetti parcels but if I do say so my self they are just lovely. They can be given too each of the guests at a wedding, party etc and have stitched ends for easy accsess my tearing at the stitching on the ends. I'll put them on as soon as i'm happy with them. If you look carefully there is an owl and a pussy cat but no pea green boat in one of the pictures.

Thursday 12 July 2012

The owl and the pussy cat.

I have spent a 'fiddly' afternoon finishing off some kittys. Now the owls have some friends to keep them company and they are all bagged and ready to go!
Today I have also finished off some beautiful maroon corsages in silk and satin. I'm very pleased with how the petals have turned out, curling up at the Edges. They would be a lovely addition to weddings/proms etc.

I'm excited that my public liability insurance is now all in place so I can officially take my place at the people's market on the 4th August. Now all I need is the time to finish all the items I want to take.

Wednesday 11 July 2012

A vintage day, a decision day too!

After taking a day off, spending it with my lovely husband and having lunch together, we ended up in a vintage charity shop.
I just love it as it has both mundane and quirky items from yester-year. My eyes zoomed in on a beautiful 1950's counter pain for a double bed in a beautiful pink design and the label did tell me to by it as it is filled with Terylene and is 'The last word in
luxury'! I had been looking out for one of theses or a long while and seeing as it is very chilly at the moment, it will be snuggly at bed time.
I also found some wonderful original 1960's fabric. It's such good quality as was normal for the time but I have yet decided what to make with it.

After reading about a couple who made a decision to partake in a year of sustainable living as an experiment, we too thought we would give it a go.
This isn't as quirky and new age as some might think but more about not waisting the resources we have to hand, sharing with others any unwanted things we own and not buying stuff just for the sake of it.
I have always enjoyed buying items from a charity shop, second hand shop or accepting something from someone as they had their own history to tell but feel now more so than ever. There are more than enough resources out there to go round.
I'm not thinking this will be easy, as we all see things we feel we MUST have or need but for me it is about understanding our lives better and appreciating what we have as a family.

Sunday 8 July 2012

My new etsy shop is now open!

Finally put the last little touches etc for my Etsy shop and it's now open.
I'm finding it all a little bit scary but I'm sure that when I add more items tomorrow it will feel more real and more....well more like I'm doing what I really want to do at last!
I am also preparing to attend an open market in August, at a local people's market, but there is still so much more to do.

(Sarah Oatley, Drawn Threads-Etsy)

-the link to my etsy shop-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DrawnThreads

Friday 6 July 2012

I found my mojo again!

After a few days of feeling poorly and generally not my self I have worked madly on Thursday and Friday this week. I lost all passion to work early this week do decided that the best thing to do was....nothing! I kept going back in to my room but found no inspiration.
It was only after I had the opportunity to use some lovely red and white clay and decided to make teeny tiny houses.
I feel quite fascinated by the idea that lots of detail can be put in to some thing so small, something I have been doing with the miniature stitched pictures.
I'm going to continue with this medium and see what I can get from it.

I have begun a large stitched image of seed pods and a wonderful plant I drew a few weeks back but as its quite big, there is SO much more to do on it.
I love that even the smallest stitch makes a huge difference to the overall image and most importantly-looks sketched!

west egg: Interiors Style: Old and New

west egg: Interiors Style: Old and New