progress

Today has been very much a 'catch up' day for me over here in Perth.  Following on from the effort of establishing the Balmain store, I am now slowly putting all the pieces of life back together here at home so it all functions efficiently (well sort of).
Paperwork is one foe... but I am attempting to make it more pleasurable by organising the room that we allocated in the house to be my office into a snug and efficient (and neat) environment.
I am documenting the room in it's present state as an incentive to keep it as such.  The only clutter onwards will be the addition of more treasures, but all paperwork must now find a hidden home.

Incredible order - but for how long?

I fancy the idea of a random inspiration board, but decided a whole wall suited me better!

a tentative beginning - I love using the fabric tape we have in the Mosman Park shop here,

and some snippets...

now to keep it that way...

still life

These still lifes just happened in Balmain last Saturday.  Sue returned from her early morning trip to the markets with these tulips, violets - my childhood favourites and some ever inspiring anemones. Flowers are so good for the soul.  It's great to marvel at their beauty and derive inspiration from their colours and textures.

Busyness amongst the still.  Some koigu yarn being wound into a scrumptious ball.

That's an embroidery in itself.  An anemone in all it's beauty.  Speaking of embroidery and other things of beauty, don't forget we have the talented duo from Prints Charming and also Soraya and her beautiful Sashiko pieces having classes in the upcoming weeks.  Ring the Balmain store to secure your place.

softly spoken

Here at Mosman Park we have been exploring a softer palette and loving it. 

Pat Goodchild is welcoming a little one into the world with some inspired warmth for our slowly cooling winter months...

Lots of Liberty tana lawn, touches of hand applique, sweet embroidered apples, a little story to match the appliqued panel, all surrounded by Pat's trademark knitted edging to further soften the whole concept.
We have this sweetie on loan for just a week or two, until babe has arrived.

 Pat has also knitted an adorable blanket in our Rowan Lima yarn for bub...

...and if you look into the distance you will see also the bag she knitted to deliver it all to the lucky recipients.

I have also embraced the lighter palette with a new addition to our shop patterns and projects, a lace edged cowl.

Knitted in Debbie Bliss's Cashmerino Aran and edged with a soft alpaca crocheted edging, this project can be easily achieved with basic knitting and crochet skills.

We are kitting this as I write, and you will receive the pattern free with the purchase of all the yarn required for this project.

I leave you with a pic taken last week at home.  Lily checking out our newest residents, a family of fungi that emerged from our side door mat.  I was becoming worried we may miss out on these babies this year with the lack of rainfall over here.  Ahhh... love these simple pleasures.

Girly Goodness

 No nepotism here, just a beautiful quilt that needed to be shared.  Anna, my sister, started this quilt in Sheena's workshop a couple of weeks ago. It's now all finished and ready to be hand quilted. It is the perfect balance of girliness, without being over the top girly.  Perfect for her little girl Poppy to treasure always.

Anna used some of the new 'A Day in the Country' spots in her quilt top. The coordinating stripes are fantastic too.

See....how good are they!

Strings and Sheena

Yesterday was Sheena's "Make Do" class at Calico & Ivy Balmain.  Sheena shared her love of string piecing with 4 girls, who all created beautiful starts to be finished at home.  Fabric everywhere and creativity flowing.

Fiona stringing away...to complete .....

...this gorgoeus block.  Fiona even went outside her comfort zone, using the spotted mustard.  How well does her block, match her outfit.

Resident class member Kelly, got stuck into her vintage pieces, mixing them with some moderns and left with her top complete!

Here are some of her blocks before it was pieced together.

Belinda is another regular class member and shopper at C & I Balmain.

How stunning is Belinda's first block??  Using all the Japanese fabrics that she loves, I can't wait to see this complete.

 Anna was so busy on the machine, I only caught her hands in action.  She too, was channelling her accessories into her blocks.  So girly.

Crochet Class

Our first crochet class for beginners in Balmain, finished today, with great success.  Heather Hunt - crochet teacher extraordinaire,  has taught these 6 ladies the crochet basics (and some) and to watch them run with their new skills has been wonderful.  Above is Peta, with enough hexies to almost make a cushion.

 

Here is Adele, with her beautiful scarf made up in Debbie Bliss Andes.

Here is the Crafty Minx herself, Kelly, with one of her two projects that she has on the go at the moment.

Thanks to all the girls for making Monday's so fun in the store.

Around the Balmain Store

Over the past month, the first classes at C&I Balmain have started,  creating such a buzz of excitement and experimentation.  Sheena started off the classes with "Branching Out", teaching the girls all about curved piecing and placement.

This is Ingrid's piecing.  Can't wait to see it finished!

Sarah Fielke's Friday Girls are going in all different, exciting directions.  It will be great to watch each of the ladies projects unfold as we pass through the weeks.  Above is the start of Margaret's new project

 Fiona's lace workshop was wonderful.  So nice to watch the girls grasp and love the new technique that they've learnt.

Newly made in store is this beautiful little dress in Liberty and Eco Baby yarn, whipped up by Donna. Straight from the mouth of a babe I know - "divined"!

Soon to come, some shots of the crochet girls, who have embraced their hooks and are all crocheting up storms and enjoying every moment of it and of each others company too!  That's what it's all about.