Monday, March 22, 2010

Treasure hunting.....

I have had a wonderful week of fun and treasure hunting with three of art friends visiting from interstate. Shirl and Robyn from Western Australia and Jo Wholohan from Queensland. They were down for the annual art retreat run by Creative Soul....Before the retreat we decided to do a bit of a road trip and hunt down some art goodies.
Shirl and Robyn (who dont have blogs yet) arrived early in the week and so we three (plus some other lovely ladies) did a decorated papers and journal class with Ro Bruhn. Amazing day...we learnt so many great new techniques and we all had a finished, bound journal to take home. As per usual we were treated to some wonderful cullinary delight from Ro's lovely husband Steve. Thank you both for a fantastic day. Sorry I dont have any photo's, will take some of my journal this week.

Early morning street scene on the way to Camberwell Market.

The next day (Jo had arrived by this time) we were up bright and early to make an early start on the Camberwell Market. What a time we had ...... vintage fabrics and wares, books, linens, buttons. We were overwhelmed by the treasures to be had. I havent yet unpacked all of my finds, so there will be photos to come in the next few posts I am sure.
Lovely old accomodation in Castlemaine.
After Camberwell Market we headed out into the country to check out markets and shops. We visited the Castlemaine/Daylesford area and found many, many wonderful shops and bargains.

What a treasure trove The Restorers Barn is....this place was filled with old bits and pieces and we spent a looooong time fossicking around in this shop. I am sorry that when you zoom closer it isnt a great photo (I am hoping that Robyn who came with us has some much better photos I can share later...she had a fantastic camera and a wonderful eye for composition).


In Daylesford we found some great shops/markets selling vintage fabrics and wares. The above are two of my most favourite purchases...a vintage padded kimono (floral) which is in wonderful condition. This will be hanging in my home once I find the right place. The creamy fabric is a pair of old curtains with a ginko leaf pattern. It is a bit more gold in real life, the photo has brightened both pieces). They are both such luscious fabrics.




AND....above is my latest dyeing efforts drying on the line. Robyn who was visiting from Western Australia is a dyer and Jo and I really caught the bug. The piece on the left is an old linen napkin and the right is a piece of silk that I bought in my travels (more about that shop later). I wrapped the fabric around a piece of rusty old metal that I found down at the shed and then cooked up a pot of mixed eucalyptus leaves and placed them in to simmer for four or five hours. I was so excited when I unwrapped my packages. The silk took the dyes so well (and I cant wait to use it in my art). The linen was less exciting, but there is always a place for more muted colours I suppose. Click on the photo for a closer look...I am loving this natural dyeing and will try more next weekend. Onion skins methinks!



My pieces both dried. I was pleased the silk held the colour so well.
Its been a hectic, but wonderful week for me. Great to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Learning new techiques, having fun! Thanks to my gorgeous sister Lee for putting my friends and I up over the week!
Hope you had a lovely week too.
And from Sark this week.... my card was simple (and appropriate after the big week).
*BREATHE*
Jacky xox





18 comments:

Ro Bruhn said...

It was lovely to catch up with you again Jacky and thanks so much for bringing the WA girls with you. Looking forward to seeing the kimono and I'll have to visit the Restorers barn. See you soon.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

I loved your post today Jacky. I am so glad you had a great time with friends and enjoyed a fabulous workshop with Ro (I would love to do that one day!). I shall look forward to seeing your treasures when you've unpacked them all. Your dyeing came out a treat. There is always a place for the more muted pieces. They go in the stash and come out again for just the right project. Have a lovely week :o)

Carolyn xo

Anonymous said...

So glad we were able to catch up at the retreat Jacky and to meet your interstate friends. You obviously had a ball gallivanting around the countryside. Your dyeing turned out well too.

Jen Crossley said...

You have been a very busy bee Jacky yes breath LOL
Jen

Sharon Tomlinson said...

What a fun week you had and what a great sister with accomodations for all of you. Will be anxious to see all you fabric treats worked into you art. Loved the ginko curtains.

Elizabeth said...

What awonderful whirlwind of friends creativity and treasure!!!!
The kimono is wonderful and can't wait to see more pictures!!! Have a restful weekend!!

Caterina Giglio said...

you will love onion skins!! they are my favorites!

jo horswill said...

Loved reading about what you have been up to Jacky...It's been years since I visited The Restorers Barn :)
Great dying too...have been dabbling myself...look forward to seeing what you do with your fabrics. xx

Jeane Myers said...

wow, what a week you had - treasure hunting, arting and fabric dying - sounds wonderful :)

Anonymous said...

you didn't stay long enough at CSR

very good to see you anyway..

Karen said...

sounds like you had a blast and that market sounds like a dream!

Jo Wholohan said...

ohhh loving the dying, cant wait to get my hands into mind :)) xx

Janette Kearns Wilson said...

This natural dyeing is a bit addictive isn't it?
Would be good to see you if you do another trip to the "big smoke"...(there is an oldfashioned expression).I must say you showed great confidence in hanging it out to dry, I have been keeping mine wrapped until it is dry, I think I am squezzing as much as I can...maybe I don't need to.

Gaby Bee said...

Sounds like you had fun time with your friends. Your fabric dyeing turned out fabulous.
Have a wonderful art filled weekend!

lynne h said...

wow jacky, you've been busy! oh, i so love the kimono and the ginkgo leaf curtains! i can practically *feel* them from here! what a lovely, lovely time you must have had with shirl, robyn, and jo...

thinking of you and sending love...

lynne

The Itsy Bitsy Spill said...

WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME YOU HAD!! IT FEELS GREAT TO CATCH WITH GREAT FRIENDS AND HAVE FUN FUN. I WISH I CAN DO MORE OF THAT. I MISS THAT DEARLY. MOST OF MY FRIENDS ARE SCATTERED ALL OVER THE WORLD AND WE TALK ON FACEBOOK OR ON THE PHONE.

IT IS LOVELY TO HAVE MET YOU! IT'S WONDERFUL TO MEET OTHER WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND ARTISTS.

THANK YOU FOR ENJOYING MY WORK
AND FOR VISITING ME. You inspire me!!

cheers!

parisa mahmoudi said...

Hi Jacky!!! :)
Soooo happy that you had great time with your friends and thanks foe this post that share happiness with us!
XoXo
Parisa

Linda Vincent said...

So glad to hear you had a fun time with your girlfriends Jacky - good for you!

I think natural dyes are the best and I bet onion skins would create great colour effects. Have you tried beetroot?
x