old grey house

2012-02-02T20:36:00.000-08:00

Reading

Inspiring

Dreaming

Summer holidays are over and the kids are back to school this week. Enjoying the peace and quite but also feeling a little lost...

Bazaar

2011-11-28T05:57:00.000-08:00

Christmas shopping under the stars in the beautiful gardens of the Fremantle Art Centre? Sounds pretty good. Come and say hi, I will be with my creative buddies Mel and Robin.

Etsy Update

2011-11-14T22:20:00.001-08:00

My little shop has been updated! New totes and floral colours, hope you like :)

Light

2011-08-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

We have had an SLR camera for a number of years now but I have only ever used it on auto. For the last three Tuesday evenings I have been to Shutterbug School and learning how to use my camera on manual. This weeks homework was "light" and was more challenging because we have had lots of grey rainy days. I finally feel like the penny has dropped and I get shutter speeds and apertures!

Printing - Backyard style

2011-07-06T22:54:00.000-07:00

My crafty friend and I transformed my outdoor deck into a printing studio for the day. Not the most professional print table you have ever seen but it still worked a treat. We had so much fun and come away with some screen printed tea towels, tote bags and fabric.
I was printing a new design I have called "Protea Circles". The inspiration and original drawings came from, yep you guessed it - proteas!

Hello...

2011-06-25T07:37:00.001-07:00

Just quickly popping into blogland to let you know I will be at Perth Upmarket tomorrow.
It's forecasted to be a sunny winters day!

Hope to see you there.

Botanica

2011-05-26T22:55:00.000-07:00

Completly inspired to print when I found this from Publisher Textiles.

Object

2011-04-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

I am super excited to show you some lovely pics taken at Object (Australian Centre for Craft and Design) Annual Manual opening last Friday night in Sydney. I was asked to make up some cushions for the Manga Pod ply sitting area. "The Manga Pod is a Japanese ply structure which is on long term loan to us from a Japanese architect. Our vision is to transform it into an engaging learning space which invites our gallery visitors to sit, think, read, learn and shop."
The space looks fantastic, thanks so much to Kathryn and the team.

Photos by Jamie Williams Photography

Habitat

2011-03-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

I nice little article in today's paper, thanks Laura for contacting me!

Pretty Picture's

2011-03-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

This pile of books has been sitting on my desk for the last few months. Just too good to be put on the bookshelf.

Completly written in Japanese, this felting book is inspiring for it's styling and photos.

So many great printing projects in here.

Everytime I pick this book up I see something new.

Girls Day Out

2011-03-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

New Hemp/Organic Cotton Canvas

Looking for a great day out this weekend? Come and say hi at Perth Upmarket on Sunday at UWA, 9 - 4 pm. I will be upstairs in Winthrop Hall (my usual spot). Be sure to check out my friends too, Eucalypt Homewears and Robin Wells Jewellery.

New colour, New Fabric

2011-03-01T21:23:00.000-08:00

Jade Green "Leaf" printed on a lovely textured hemp/organic cotton canvas - I am really liking this and about to get out the sewing machine.

Also available in a medium weight linen/cotton.

Blue Grass

2011-02-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

Colour inspiration...
1. mais, 2. DSC05894, 3. apple crates, 4. 41:52

OXOX

2011-02-13T23:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines!

Vintage type available here.

Corners of my home

2011-02-10T18:02:00.000-08:00

I was asked to take some photo's of our house yesterday...here are a few of the shots after I picked up the toys!

Inspired

2011-02-09T22:20:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I have been in this space but with school and kindy back I am seeing snippets of crafting time. There are some exciting projects on the go! More on those later...

Gone to the beach

2010-12-23T05:35:00.000-08:00

I am away from the computer, my fabrics and the sewing machine for the month of January spending time with my family at the beach. Thank you to everyone that has popped into this little space over the last year, it really does mean so much to read your comments and have your support.

Happy Holidays! x

Recovered...just!

2010-12-10T21:32:00.001-08:00

Here's the proof that we had a great weekend at Bazaar but wow, I have only just got over it. Markets are exhorsting and by day 3 a bit of the customer service was done from a chair. Sorry if you came by on Sunday, think we were still smiling!

Clay and Cloth go to market...this weekend!

2010-11-29T17:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone that came by on Sunday and made it a great day. I now have 4 days to madly restock and prepare for the weekend's Bazaar.

Old Grey House will be sharing a stall with Eucalypt Homewares beautiful range of goodies that include christmas decorations made from southern ice porcelain, floral ware made from two tone clay body with Japanese tissue transfer design, hand built in porcelain trinket boxes and tableware including platters, bowls and tumblers in many colours.

I will have my fabric pieces for crafty people, 100% linen tea towels, square and rectangle cushions, tote bags, fabric covered notebooks, coasters and christmas decorations.

Come and shop under the stars on Friday night 3rd Dec 5-10pm or Sat 4th Dec 9am - 5pm or Sun 5th Dec 9am -5pm at Fremantle Arts Centre, 1 Finnerty Street Fremantle.

Just in time...

2010-11-25T21:13:00.000-08:00

My new 100% linen tea towel in Ruby on white, oatmeal or hessian available from Perth Upmarket this Sunday - see you there!

Chritmas Markets

2010-11-21T21:24:00.000-08:00

Working this week on fabric heart decorations (or pin cushions!) and a new 100% linen tea towel - I have always been much more productive with a deadline!
You can find me at the Perth Upmarket this Sunday, 28th November at UWA and then the following weekend at the Fremantle Arts Centre Bazaar from the 3rd-5th Dec. Pop in and say hi.

F O U N D

2010-11-17T21:04:00.001-08:00

Just took a few snaps of the windows at the Fremantle Arts Centre shop - Found. Yeah, my first bricks and mortar wholesale order is instore and selling!

Yellow

2010-10-26T21:34:00.001-07:00

Its never really been one of "my" colours. Maybe because it was the colour of my high school shirt and I wore it everyday for 5 years. Now my son wears a yellow school shirt everyday but I am still drawn to it at the moment.

PS For the best flowers in Perth, try the deli on the corner of Beautfort and Chatsworth St, Mt Lawley. Good selection, always fresh and cheap!

Shop Update

2010-10-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

Long overdue but I have finally added my new Leaf print to the shop. The design was inspired from leaves and twigs found in our garden.

PS Loving our $AUS dollar at the moment!

S.A.

2010-10-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

Home from a wonderful week in South Australia.

Spending time with my sister, adventure playgrounds, bush walking, waterfalls and caves, paddle boats, exploring coastlines and the delightful town of Port Elliot, watching the boys fish (with no luck but still enthusiastic), baby goats and tasting Truffle Goat Cheese - amazing! And I met the talented girls from Umbrella Prints (thanks so much for showing me your space during some precious child free studio hours) - we did allot in 7 days!

Home now, schools back tomorrow. Time to get sewing, wholesale orders to finish by the end of the week.

Off to Market...Early!

2010-09-08T22:34:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday night,
last minute sewing today,
the car is packed with my wares,
doors open at eight,
my bump in time is 6 am!

I am going to need coffee.

Assistant Photographer

2010-09-08T22:07:00.000-07:00

I was trying to take some products shots yesterday and it didn't take long for my three year old assistant to be in the frame - ahhh, but he is such a cute little monkey.

PS Hope to see you at Upmarket on Sunday if you live in Perth. (I will be upstairs in Winthrope Hall, come and say hi)

Perth Upmarket

2010-08-14T18:05:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I made it onto the invite again!
Time to get busy, the next market is only 4 weeks away!

Clay & Cloth

2010-07-20T06:37:00.001-07:00

Working on a collaboration between clay and cloth over the last few days - we turned the house upside down playing stylist and photographers - too much fun!

Collection

2010-07-20T06:11:00.001-07:00

The collection so far...playing with Mosiac's.

Crafty kids

2010-07-15T06:18:00.001-07:00

Winter school holidays and we have been busy crafting - mosaics, baking, weaving and lots of drawing. With four other Mums we each organised and hosted a "workshop" in our own home - mine was weaving. The kids loved it but every session ended with the kids off playing while Mum finished off the project! It was fun.

Thank you

2010-06-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

A huge thank you to everyone that come and said hi on Sunday at Perth Upmarket. As predicted it was a fabulous day, lots and lots people (too many if you had a pram) and I was completely overwhelmed at the positive response to my work, thanks again. xx

PS I have just listed my Floral Seeds print in Ruby Red and Indigo, in the shop now.

Final Market Prep

2010-06-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

Two sleeps to go...I am nearly ready. I have no expectations apart from it being a really fun day.

PS I will be among the centre tables, upstairs in Winthrop Hall, love to see you there if you live in Perth!

Etsy Goodness

2010-06-13T21:43:00.001-07:00

Check out this fabulous spread of Esty goodies that were featured in The Australian's Wire Mag last week. You can find all the links at facebook.com/wiremag. (Spot the OldGreyHouse cushion cover!)

Local talent featured,
MelpDesigns
www.etsy.com/shop/melpdesigns

AnnaRubyKing
www.etsy.com/shop/annarubyking

TeaForBini
www.etsy.com/shop/teaforbini

Ninox
www.etsy.com/shop/Ninox

Market stock

2010-06-09T00:59:00.000-07:00

Notebooks, new floral prints and coasters all ready for upmarket...two and half weeks to go!

Off to Market

2010-05-31T05:49:00.000-07:00

The countdown is on for my very first market, 4 weeks to go!
I am designing, sewing and thinking fabric all day long.

Perth Up Market
Sunday 27th June, 10-4
University of Western Australia,
Winthrop Hall, Stirling Hwy
Crawley WA
www.perthupmarket.com.au

Oh yes and that's a little pic of my cushions on the invite postcard, thanks Justine!

Fresh

2010-05-25T05:47:00.000-07:00

Eggs so fresh they are still warm, is there nothing better than a cooked breakfast when you are away for the weekend?

New Seedpods Colours

2010-04-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

Fresh from the printers I have two new colour ways, Chartreuse on White and Chartreuse on Hesian available from the Old Grey House shop.

School's back

2010-04-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

I have really enjoyed the school holidays and it went by so quickly but I am also loving some creative, quiet time too.

Anyone with kids will understand!

Saturday 2.53pm on the kitchen table

2010-04-10T05:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my wonderfully supportive family and friends I have just spent the afternoon sewing more of my fabric into cushions.

Printed...

2010-04-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

I picked up my first run of fabric from the printers just in time to spend the Easter holiday sewing. So much fun to sew your own print! Hope your Easter was creative, fun, relaxing or whatever you wanted it to be.

Finished clay

2010-03-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

My finished tiles are not quite how I had imagined them to look glazed, they unfortunatly lost alot of there detail. Next time I would leave them unglazed.

We had dinner at Mel's place last week (just dessert actually, it was a progressive dinner) and look what she severed her dessert on - beautiful Turkish inspired plates that she had made during the week and we got to take them home! Wow, lucky dinner guests!

In the kiln today...

2010-03-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

A gathered collection and some inspiration that I have used for clay "lace bird" tiles. They are going in the kiln today...

Hoot Hoot

2010-03-13T06:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to a very sweet two year old!

Tuesday "work" day

2010-02-16T21:45:00.000-08:00

Today the house is quiet. I have come home after the school and 3 year old Kindy drop off and I am sitting at my desk. Textile designs are progressing well and I should have some printed fabric to show in the next few weeks. I feel so very lucky to be able to spend this time doing something that I love.

I could not resist these beautiful fabrics from Umbrella Prints and made up this cushion last week.

...and made plaster moulds for clay tiles. xx

Feeling creative...

2010-02-02T23:00:00.000-08:00

Back to school this week and I am seeing glimpses of creative time...feeling very motivated and looking forward to challenging myself this year. This is it, 2010!

Holidaying

2010-01-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

We are on summer holidays at the moment, lots of hot weather, beaches, sun and surf - back soon with some crafty goodness. xx

Not long to go now...

2009-12-07T05:34:00.000-08:00

As requested by some of my crafty "real life" friends this what I have been up to last month - missing from blog land but lots going on with the kids and festive celebrations.

I had a wonderful child free morning last week and learnt how to felt. I have always admired this craft but had no idea how it was achieved and I couldn't believe how easy and quick it was. Thanks Pauline for a wonderful morning and for sharing your felting knowledge.

I have also finished another term of clay classes and have come home with slip cast bowls and a tea light candle holder (that didn't quite turn out as I was hoping) and many, many southern ice porcelain decorations - these are my favorites by far.

Our Christmas decoration are up and the house is feeling very festive. I made these stockings last year but though I would take a snap of them as this may well be my last post before Christmas. Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. xx

Love, love, love

2009-10-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

We have just returned home from a four day weekend in Adelaide, for my sister's wedding. It was wonderful, relaxed, elegent and just so much fun. As the handmade part of there wedding gift I made coasters, inspired by Tiel. My sister had spied them in my 'Meet me at Mike's' craft book the last time she was at my house. Congratulations to my very special sister and new brother-in-law. xxx

Wow...

2009-10-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

On my table this week amazing flowers from the Swan Valley, so beautiful.

Spring Inspration and Button giveaway

2009-09-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

Sunday was our first taste of spring. It was a warm, sunny, glorious day that we spent on a bush picnic. The boys looked for tadpoles in the stream, played hide and seek and we went bush walking. I also found these beautiful seed pods (not in the bush but right outside our house on the footpath!) They are the start of a new print - wonderfully earthy and natural. And talking of earthy I also have made some very rustic, over sized ceramic buttons - not quite sure what to do with them at this stage but I was thinking a large canvas tote bag or the like. If anyone has any ideas leave me a comment and I will happily send you some in the mail.

Only a small crack...

2009-09-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Well, my clock did crack but only a little bit and I have decided its adding that handmade feel. (You can see it from the back in the second pic) I left the front matt and glazed the back to give it some shine. Overall I am happy with it and it was a lovely, enjoyable process. Thanks again Mel.

Sample Tiles

2009-09-07T22:48:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a clock in my ceramic classes and these tiles are some surface experiments. I was happy with how they have turned out so I have famed them to put on the wall. I used string and fabric dipped in slip to create the relief effect and a Japanese transfer paper and inlay for the other two. The clock should be out of the kiln now, hopefully with no cracks - fingers crossed.

2009-08-14T00:07:00.000-07:00

I have not been hugely motivated or productive towards any craft lately but I did have a little time today, so I made up some gift cards ready for the next birthdays. The kids have been to seven birthday parties last month and my stocks are low. It is store brought card from a paper shop and then I just cut and threaded the string. The pic is of my "grown-ups" tag but I also did some dinosaurs and dogs for the kids.
The top pic is little lino cut I used for some clay tiles - more pics coming soon.

Textile journal from long ago...

2009-07-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

Back to kindy today and the house is so quiet...It's been a rather wet school holidays so there has been lots of inside play - lego, cubbies, drawing, craft and lots of noise!
I have just found some old journals from collage days that brought back many memories. I was inspired again by this colour pallet and had to post. So fresh, even though its over 10 years old. Hopefully now a little more creativeness will happen around here.

Beautiful Ceramics

2009-07-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

My friend, neighbour and ceramics teacher, Melanie has just started blogging. She is my first real life friend to join the inspiring world of art/design/craft blogs - welcome Mel. The photo's above are of her beautiful work that I photographed a few weeks ago. I am certainly no photographer but I had great fun styling and shooting her work. This week Mel made a wonderful (and very delicious) cake and we played food stylist/photographer, along with 5 kids, 5 and under - it was a great day!

Craft Meet

2009-07-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

Our craft group met for the second time last week and once again was very inspirational and great fun. Its an evening meet (we all have small children) for coffee/supper and basically "show and tell" our work, share ideas, patterns, books and advice. The pics above were my "show and tell" for the evening. Thanks crafty friends!

Broome

2009-06-18T22:50:00.000-07:00

We have just spent an amazing week in beautiful Broome - sun, sand, swimming and lots of eating! I came home with a very treasured Indigenous painting. It depicts women hunting for bush foods and the image represents a circle around which the women would sit. The Kimberley region has very talented artists and I had trouble bringing only one home.

Still here...

2009-05-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

I have not forgotten about you little blog, just lots going on at the moment, some creative and some not.

Birthday season is approaching in our house and its party's galore! Lots of balloons, cake, and over excited kids - love it! I will be back soon.

PS - Our first crafty meet was fabulous and very inspiring, can't wait for the next one girls!

Starting a craft group...

2009-04-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

Some inspiration that I sent to friends in the hope of starting a craft group - I will be very excited if we can get it off and running!
Fingers crossed.

1. lazy days #1, 2. fabric owl, 3. lunas, 4. silverbirch shoes, 5. red rose bag, 6. japanese craft books #11, 7. Untitled, 8. star light star bright, 9. magnets, 10. Untitled, 11. banksia brush, 12. papercut flowers, 13. Box of Elephants, 14. 12 leaves, 15. outdoor photo shoot today, 16. pincushions by renilde, 17. Untitled, 18. big buttons, 19. too blue, 20. Untitled, 21. Untitled, 22. Untitled, 23. Tea cusion cover nr1, 24. grey, grey, grey, 25. numbered

Created by using flickr toys, to link to credits please look at my flickr favourites.

Handmade tiles

2009-04-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

I have just finished another term of clay classes and have these little tiles to show. I found the whole process incredibility theroprudic and enjoyed experimenting with some new techniques - wax resistance, painting, stamping and playing with matt and shiny textures. Overall lots of fun - thanks Mel.

Autumn Cushion

2009-04-02T05:11:00.000-07:00

I had many chores that should have been done today but instead I made up this little cushion from lovely pippijoe fabric. I am loving olive, claret and plum colours at the moment and these fabrics are getting me excited about Autumn.

Clay

2009-03-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

I made this little vessel last week by carving into the clay with a wooden skewer - the glaze is more of a forest green in real life. Maybe it will sit on my desk as a pencil holder.

Quiet time

2009-03-12T21:47:00.001-07:00

He is such an active, energetic, sporty, climbing, outside kind of boy. From the moment Lucas could walk he has only ever stopped to sleep so it is giving me great pleasure to see him enjoying some quiet time. Every day after lunch we have quiet time, while his little brother sleeps and after some TV watching (I get things done) we have some one-on-one, sometimes it is baking, puzzles, construction, drawing or painting. It is just lovely to see him grow and develop his "quiet time" activities.

Flowers

2009-03-04T04:15:00.000-08:00

The boys both have head colds so we canceled swimming lessons today and had some quiet time at home. We did manage to go to the flower market and I couldn't resist these red lovelies to brighten the day. I had white ones (think they are called Brunii) in my wedding bouquet five years ago this month.

Finished

2009-03-01T21:01:00.000-08:00

Yay ... I can cross something off my list. Fabric collages for a new baby girl using Kristen Doran fabric ... I am just about to wrap them up and hand deliver in exchange for a cuddle. The little knitted Mary Jane's are store brought and very soft and warm. Ahh, makes me clucky again ...

Work in progress.....

2009-02-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

I always seem to have so many projects on the go. My aim over the next few weeks in to finish started work so I have decided to post my "to do" list in the hope it inspires me to cross things off.

* Kindy bag (almost done, needs handles)
* Patchwork cot quilt
* Sling Bag
* Fabric collages for a new baby girl
* Birthday gift for a dear friend- by tomorrow!
* Oliver' s curtains (they have been hanging for 6 mths with raw hem and the pins still in)
* Fabric collages for Oliver' room (to go with the curtains)
* textile prints (play with illustrator)

Do you always finish what you start?

Fires

2009-02-12T20:03:00.000-08:00

I don't really know how to put this in words and most has been said about the terrible tragedy in Victoria. I live on the other side of the country and feel so helpless. We have donated, I purchased charity fabric (pippijoe) and I shopped at Coles today (All profits going to the Bushfire appeal)

Thinking of everybody affected.

Market finds

2009-01-30T22:08:00.000-08:00

What a lovely way to spend a Saturday Morning, browsing at the local church market held every few months. I came home with vintage wallpaper (for 0.20 cents), silver cake stand, fabric, books for the kids and a toy train.

little cushion...

2009-01-24T22:24:00.000-08:00

I finally have something to show for this year...a little cushion using beautiful fabric from of paper and thread. It's matched with a lovely textured silk/linen mix that I have had for ages. I really enjoyed getting the dust off my sewing machine.
Top pic is Lucas holding our dear friend's new baby girl during Australia Day lunch, she is a real cutie and it was lovely to have a little bit of pink in the house!

Happy New Year

2008-12-30T21:30:00.000-08:00

We live in a really warm city, a Perth summer is amazing for anything involving water. This past week we have had 35 degree plus days and have been swimming at the beach, in the river, at water parks and in the paddling pool in the back yard. My boys are very active, outside boys so they have loved every minute of our summer holidays so far. Next week we are off to the beautiful south west of Western Australia, Denmark, for more beach and sand adventures. Happy holidays to everyone and have a wonderful, safe New Year. See you in 2009. xxx

more little bowls

2008-12-02T21:33:00.001-08:00

Some of my little ceramic bowls that were cast from a handmade mould... I'm very pleased how they have turned out, perfect for christmas presents.

old work revisited

2008-11-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

I have just dug out some old visual diaries and prints from my pre-kid days and they have just become a new starting point. Can't wait to revisit them again.

My work space...

2008-11-25T20:30:00.000-08:00

This will be the start of my creative work, this little space has wonderful afternoon light. I just need to find the time with my 3 1/2 and 18 month old boys. I have so many ideas in my head... it will happen in 2009, its a promise to myself.

Etsy love

2008-11-10T04:43:00.000-08:00

A pic of my little O and Etsy print from TskTsk , I love it.

Inspiring blog

2008-10-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

I am constantly amazed at the amount of incredible, beautiful and inspiring blogs out there.....have you seen Studio Violet?

Therapy Ceramics

2008-10-06T06:39:00.000-07:00

I have been loving Thursday evenings for the last few months. My hands get dirty, I zone out and actually make things. Here is a pic of an organic bowl and tea cup.

Inspiration

2008-10-01T06:11:00.000-07:00

Beautiful images from French Home Decoration Workshop...so lovely.

Everyone makes this look so easy......!

2008-09-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

Still finding my feet on blogger......todays lesson to self. Add a photo from the web to a post. Can't be that hard, can it?

Test No.2

2008-09-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

Test Post

2008-09-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

Old grey house has arrived.....