Work space

I have just read somewhere that one of the most important things to do if you want to create via sewing is to keep an organised work space.

Hmmm.

I try.



I have numerous units from IKEA with wire baskets filled with colour-coded or texture-coded fabrics; plastic trays with various braids, tools, beads and so on; even paper patterns semi-sorted into type, market gear stacked up in crates according to type and importance, magazines and books in shelves, clothing hung on racks....

But when I really get going the organisation goes out the window and my work space quickly becomes a jumble of everything I am using or have used in the last couple of days, all at arm's reach, and so it goes until the jumble threatens to frustrate even me, penetrate the zone I'm in...I can no longer find any of the four pairs of scissors I've been using,  nor either of my two current seam rippers, and buttons and braid have been swallowed up by bottomless piles of fabric scraps. So a half day is sacrificed to tidying it all up again...and here we go round the mulberry bush all over again.

Not efficient, but this is the way I work, and it probably works as well as anything for me. I've even stopped being embarrassed about it, mostly -  people may as well know what my husband copes with, generally with great patience and good humour!

Wimcee will be at the Mamma's Market again this coming Saturday, April 2nd., and I am hoping for a really lovely Autumn day, because as beautiful as Buderim can be in the rain it really was tough on those how came out last time in the deluge, so time for a bit of sunshine!

Beautiful Buderim!

On Saturday we go back to Buderim for another Mamma's Market, held in and around the historic Buderim RSL hall. This is such a fabulous market to be involved with - the organisers, and many from the local community, are crafters and creators themselves, so the mood is excited and interested in everything on offer. And Buderim itself is so pretty - Mum took my grandmother and we kids there one school holiday to stay in a local motel for a few nights, to give my dear Nanna a little holiday, and I have had really fond memories and experiences since in the area ever since.

After all the rain that we've had this summer Buderim is a bit like one of those scenes from science fiction of vegetation taking over, so green, so lush, so blowsey! If it rains a little, as with the last market I was there for in February, little wafts of cloud float over the hill, and the steamy, messy business of unloading in wet weather is forgiven, especially once the air-con in the hall cranks up and the stalls come alive...

....images from the launch market for Christmas...

...and the wonderful 'Mad Hatters' string quartet!  

I have a lot of new stock ready to go - more jackets for winter, new bags, new skirts, and for those who asked last time I will bring tea cosies for this market...pretty ones and funky ones!

Happy Monday everyone...looking forward to the week-end already!

Wimcee at Bleeding Heart

From next week whims from wimcee will be on sale in the gift shop at Bleeding Heart, a cafe, retail and gallery space that is not-for-profit and located in the historic School of Arts, 166 Ann Street, in Brisbane's CBD. (For more information about opening times etcetera see Bleeding Heart)

I plan to install a series of pouches, inspired by the collages of Nami Ogihara, amongst other things, so please visit Bleeding Heart and have a look at the work of a number of local crafters featured in their gift shop display.

collage pouches and candlesticks by wimcee

These little pouches are made partly or fully from recycled and vintage fabrics and it's my intention that they are the first in a number of projects for 2011 exploring different vehicles for fabric/paper collage. However, they're also pretty cute!

Another form of fabric collage that I've really loved working has been cushion covers - these floral collages are other examples of new work for 2011.

(wimcee will be at market again soon, starting with the wonderful Mamma's Market at Buderim on February 19th. )