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