{my creative space} Printing some new designs

On my two studio days this week (Sunday + Monday, when Sam has his days off work), I did some hand cut stencils and some test printing with them.

I had so much fun sitting in the quiet of my studio (no kids, only the chooks in the neighbour's yard making their little noises). Drawing, designing, hand cutting the stencils and then just exploring printing some new design ideas. 

Over the past few months, I've been so caught up in the designing of my fashion range, that I haven't really had time to stop and think of new projects. And with our studio+house+job move happening within weeks, there's lots of other stuff getting in the way of planning for next year's fashion, textile + homewares range. Lots of things are going on the back burner while we move and build our new house + studio space. 

So, it was just perfect for my mental wellbeing to do something for the now. Not for thinking about future designs, just for the next few weeks. I printed up a few tote bags (hemp + organic cotton) that I'll have at the Southbank Young Designer's Market next weekend. Actually, I won't be there, my lovely sister will be taking my place as I have a workshop to present. They'll also be at our little studio market day on 11th Dec, full details over here - we'd love to see you there!

I really like 'rainy cloud is pretty blue'.

Orange umbrella needs a little reworking; Ari suggested spots which I quite like the idea of. 

The trees are being done as a four colour print, which takes a lot of waiting for paint to dry, but I can't wait to see the final results. The blossoms haven't quite lined up on the branches as I planned, but the whole thing has been recut and will line up when I do the final print (perhaps tomorrow - if we get out of the house at all!).

These will all be limited edition designs and products (I'm thinking cushions for the grove of trees, though may change my mind when it comes to sewing them up!). Being a hand cut stencil they only has a limited amount of reprints. Of course, I'm sure I'll rework them at a later stage to become something else. The grove of trees has been in my sketch books (and mind) for quite a long time now, so you will see them again. 

More creatives over at Kootoyoo.

animal ears in my {messy} creative space

I'm finishing up these little animal ears this morning. New products for the Bris-Style Mother + Child market on Saturday. 

You've previously seen these sweet little felt ears on my pink fairy bunny.

I'll have bunnies + bears / wombats. 

Was hoping to get some more Aussie animal ears made, but time ran out (as usual!). Ari's doing Australian animals at school, and he keeps coming home with lovely bits of information.

There'll be some other new products launching this weekend, as well as kids artwork on mirrors {come and make your own - lots of fun!}. Come along and say hello. There'll also be fairy floss, colouring-in competition and a beautiful fairy, on the day.

There's more creatives over at Kootoyoo. I only wish I had more time to browse them all; but I'm rostered on to help out at the Mother's Day stall at school + group activities in the classroom most of today.

kids lettering and aprons in the garden

Isn't this super cute.

I love kids drawings and lettering and words. Especially on textiles.

I do think we'll do a range very soon. Every drawing and design we do, Ari sits down beside us and does something too. I love the images he shows me countless times a day. Total inspiration for me in doing my work.

Which I'm doing lots of at the moment. Doing hand drawing for my new patterns has been fun and exciting. Really good for me to get back into drawing, in a free easy way. And then, to have people actual like it - that's a massive bonus.

{Growing up in an artistic family can be both good and bad, and I've spent many years thinking that I wasn't really an 'artist'. And having to labour over drawings and paintings. But when I just let myself go and not put too much effort into it, then it flows easier.}

Come along and see us tomorrow, at the BrisStyle Indie Designer's Market at St Augustine's Church grounds, Racecourse Rd, Hamilton. 9am - 4pm. We'll have heaps of new patterns and sewing kits. As well as our fabric fats for you to add to your stash. And of course our funnest little toy ever. So, pop in and say hi - won't you. 

*Advent calendar from Eeni Meeni Miini Moh.