my creative space

My creative space has been all about putting the finishing touches onto this wedding skirt. Its for a lovely lady who is getting married at CERES in march.

When I was initially approached to make this I was completely freaking out at the prospect of making someones wedding outfit! As I am sure I have mentioned before, I am definitely not a professional dressmaker! Anyhow, this lovely lass had seen one of my nuno felted scarves and wanted a skirt and Cami made in a similar style, for her big day.

It's now almost finished, Yay!

Its made from hand dyed tissue silk onto which I have then felted on merino wool and silk loom waste.

The netting on the yoke is silk also.

There is lots of exposed over lock for texture.

Clarice, my mannequin is looking a little battered after being dragged around the markets over summer.

She needs some attention :)

Japanese

This piece I am adding the the monthly design challenge thanks to the lovely Jay.

I have been a wee bit cheeky and cheated a little.

I have been working on this piece for some time.

okay, a LONG time ;)

It was a commission ( my first ever!)

for a friends office.

It has taken *eep* almost two years. goodness where does time go?

I have spent many hours on it, but have also done a lot of procrastinating.

Not like me at all! ;)

I did not begin to imagine when I started the logistical nightmare it would be getting something this large onto the sewing machine ( it measures approx 3.5 x 2.5 metres)

The backing fabric was white and I dyed it a grey colour with some tye dye to create the moon in top left corner.

The tree and mountains were appliquéd on ( with the help of vast amounts of vliesofix!)

The cherry blossom flowers are all made from new and vintage kimono fabrics, then I have gone over them with free machine embroidery.

The screen print of the white japanese style logo was the finishing touch.

I have really enjoyed making this hanging but I dare say I possibly wont make anything of this size again!

mim x

Friendship and printing

This year I am determined to make more artwork for my walls. I would also like to work towards having a large enough body of work to have an exhibition sometime in the near future.

I do love my 'job' of making womens clothes, accessories etc.

But really my heart lies in textile art, paint, print and stitch.

I do get to be expressive and creative with the designs on the clothing, but I am aching to paint on canvas, get back to my machine embroidery and play around with mixed media again.

These are some old canvases a friend gave me and I have been experimenting with layering screen printed images and washes of colour.

There was already colour on these when I received them so it was nice not to start with a white canvas.

I also like that the finished piece contains the work of two artists, two friends :)

happy new year :)

Happy new year, it has been a bit too long between posts for me !

Here are my two monkeys messing about.

We have had a lovley xmas and new year.

We have had visitors from the UK here for two weeks which was lovely as we had many outings around Melbourne.

Also over Christmas I was fortunate to be a birthing partner to a close friend, a very special experience, I even got to cut the cord :)

hope everyone has had a lovley break and I am looking forward to a year full of arty goodness :)

mim x

my creative space/shameless shop promotion

My creative space was the shop today. Lots of tidying and cleaning! 

 Not very productive as far as sewing goes as we are all getting ready for our xmas bash tommorow night.

It has been a busy month for me with markets at Eltham ans also the lovely Sprout market In Thornbury.

Some images below of some of the work of the clever artists at olive grove.

We  would love to see you all for a glass of champers and chat tommorrow night down at at the shop.

We are giving away two x $50 gift vouchers and lots of other goodies.

Members of the shop include labels Polly pratt, Debfellover, starashan, Pieces of you, ubulala, Roze elizabeth, Finki, Troika and me!! MiM Hope to see you all there! mimx x 

My creative Space

My studio is rather chaotic with piles and piles of 'to do' items :/

So, I decided to move out to the kitchen! The Kitchen table has been my creative space this afternoon.

What been happening there? Lots and lots of screen printing.

Firstly my new 'feathers' print onto a pair of denim shorts for a very special little person, a birthday present for my beautiful little son who is turning two today.

The white opaque ink really does not like the hot weather! I have to print very quickly so that the ink doesn't dry in the screen and block it.

The red print is my new leaf design which I have been printing onto womens tops and dresses.

I love the combination of dark denim and red print, especially once a bit of red stitch has been added...

mim x

Found

What a joy is op shopping! Look at these treasures I came across. All in the one oppy and all for a grand total of $3.50! Two vintage 'sally-Ann' girls make your own apron kits complete with trim and instructions.

A make your own 'Sunday Bag' with cute little felt dog appliqué.

And the most glorious of all- A vintage 'Educational Toy' embroidery set that had never been opened, resplendent with coloured embroidery threads, instructions, beads etc.

Sometimes I get an op shop 'feeling', like I know there is something delicious treasure just waiting for me to go and rescue it.

Todays Haul was so great! my little Ruby loves the apron Kit.

as for the Sunday bag, well, thats all mine ;)