Sunday, October 31, 2010

Felting Play Day!

If you have been to Precious Purl, you may have wondered just what was behind the screen dividing the mezzanine space??
It was the accumulation of many years of hoarding by our Landlord!! With some gentle persuasion the STUFF was rearranged, not necessarily thrown out, to make a great space for our Felting Play Day yesterday.
So, in spite of the very wet weather, we had a great demonstration and play throughout the day with enthusiastic beginners of all ages. We plan to do this again if you missed out this time.
 A big thank you to Catherine of Feltazia, for sharing her expertise and enthusiasm. She even gave me a gentle nudge to do the Nuno felted scarf/wrap I had been planning for some time. I will show you the finished piece next post - it looks great!

Here's a shot to show you just how great that extra space looks.
It's on our wish list !


Hayley, planning to do Textiles as a subject for VCE next year, had a great time playing and absorbing as much info about felting as she could.This piece, in the process of being laid out, with merino/silk and lace embellishment turned out really well, a great sampler to be used next year.

If you would like to be on our mailing list to hear about the next event, just leave a comment here or send an email (go to my profile for the address) or see our website http://www.lara-downs.com.au/

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

An OPEN DRAWER!

A wonderful new venue for Textile/Fibre lovers and more, has recently opened at 1158 Toorak Rd Camberwell. (Mel. Ref 60 C6) "Open Drawer" is the brain child of Robyn Steel-Strickland and Prue Barridge and this promises to be a "must visit" venue if you are interested in sewing, embroidery, felting, knitting, crochet, jewellery, dyeing and more. This is a wonderful space with classrooms and gallery, along with the retail area where you can purchase distinctive giftware, garments & accessories, jewellery, homewares, art works and more.

 

Precious Purl products are available here and we wish the girls all the best with their venture.
I have more photos showing the lovely interior but I am having trouble with the new Blogger image upload! Is anyone else, or is it just me I wonder??

Monday, October 25, 2010

Big Birthday & Buttons

One of the partners of Precious Purl (and it wasn't me!) had a BIG Birthday celebration yesterday with a great family gathering in the Botanical Gardens. It was such a beautiful day, I think a large percentage of Melbourne's population was there also. We found a huge, shady Liquidamber under which we could celebrate with gorgeous Cake & Champers. The cake was Cointreau, lemon curd and white chocolate decorated with real Rose buds and made at The French Lettuce in Nicholson St -  just divine!

Happpy Birthday P!

But back to what's happening at Precious Purl! Gorgeous covered buttons, lots of them, are joining the amazing array of Vintage buttons. Some Liberty prints and Japanese fabrics among this lot.
Don't you just love the owls?

A reminder about our Felting Play Day, next Saturday. Come along and join in the fun.
See the post for 17th September.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A Mini Break.

Have had a few days to recharge the batteries! A sea view and falling asleep to the sound of waves pounding on to the beach, will always do wonders for me. A bit of tree top climbing and viewing was a bonus.
Are "the greying hair and the white-knuckled hand grip!" indications of just how high off the ground this magnificent Otway Fly Treetop walk really is? Yes! and it does move! Exhilarating none the less.


Just a reminder about our Wet Felting Play Day on Saturday 30th October.
See blog post on 17th September for all the details.
Just leave a comment here with your email, if you want to be in it!

Friday, October 1, 2010

New Products for Patchworkers and Embroiderers.

Some lovely Japanese Yukata, the 100% cotton, traditionally indigo dyed fabric for everyday Kimono, is now available at Precious Purl. Great geometric and floral designs! I just love the fresh blue and white!


These will be available in packs of 5 different designs approx 25cm x 35cm each piece, and in packs of
3x (6inch)  15cm squares.
Not quite focused! Again! My poor eyesight and my camera don't always get together!!

Colour Delights!
After all the positive feedback to the gorgeous hand dyed fat eighths and extra goodies that I had in the Giveaway for my 50th post, I have finally put these together as Colour Delight packs in 2 different sizes.

The large at $24 have 1 hand dyed fat eighth,1 fat tenth, silk pieces, hand dyed embroidery threads in silk, cashmere, wool or mohair and coordinating buttons.



The small Colour Delight Packs at $11 contain 1 hand dyed fat eighth, coordinating buttons and hand dyed lace, ric rac, or trim.
These would make lovely gifts for the creative people in your life.

A REMINDER!!
Don't forget our Felting PLAY DAY on 30th October at Precious Purl!
See post on 17th September.