tea towel extravaganza

I'm fairly confident that all of my swap partners have by now received their tea towels (even Miss America), so as promised, here's a little tea towel extravaganza to show you the 5 tea towels which I made - each one lovingly made for each of my 5 swap partners... no two alike.

I will also share pics of the tea towels I received from my lovely swap partners... when I receive them all!  I'm eagerly waiting on the last two tea towels to arrive.  When they do, I'll post pics of all 5.

P.S. tutorial to come!!

busy, busy

The last week has totally and completely run me into the ground.  I had a stall at Mathilda's Market today so for the last week (since finding out I was lucky enough to be offered a spot), I've been working like a peasant to get my merchandise ready for what I knew was going to be a really great market for me.

I have to say, I loved every minute of it.  I got some invaluable feedback from customers, met some lovely people, sold half my stock and received wholesale and custom order enquiries.    Very happy to report that my first Mathilda's Market was a success and I couldn't be happier.

But here's what else I've been up to over the last week... in photos...

the vintage kerosene heater I picked up for $10 at Fitzroy Market

received some fabric via mister postman (care of etsy).  can't wait to make lots of cute things with my new fabulous selection of printed linen and cottons

finished and posted my tea towels for Sooz's tea towel swap (I'll post photos of all the tea towels I made once all recipients have received them, plus a tutorial on how to make some yourself)

plus lots more stuff I didn't take photos of because I didn't have time or forgot.  Not sure which one... maybe both.

total and complete freak out on the cards

I've totally and completely over-committed myself.  I might possibly be going into melt down before the end of the weekend.

 

I'm doing my first market in one week. I don't have quite enough stock.

I have a tonne of things to finish off including business cards and product tags.
 

I have to finish screen-printing tea towels for a swap due out next week (sneak peek of a trial screen-printing session)

I have to finish (or rather start) an item for an international "boys only" swap.  I've made one already (a cute bunny rattle), I just have to make another for this little lucky baby's big brother.

I have a rather demanding-four-year-old who is at home when I'm not working. Read: When I'm at home, so is he; When he's at Kinder, I'm at work.

I'm screwed. (sorry, I don't have a photo for this one... yet).

My temporary relief?  This little tub of schoko... mmm, deliciously thick hot chocolate.  Meanwhile, I should be doing all of those things instead of posting on my blog.  But, I am a procrastinator.

Wish me freakin' luck over the next week.  I can see many a sleepless-night on the horizon.

eek, mega creative block!

 

I have some freshly washed and pressed canvases in these linen tea towel blanks which I finally received in the mail yesterday.  And all I can do is keep staring at them in complete blankness.

I think my issue is that I have too many ideas and I can't focus on one or two because I'm worried that they won't be the pick of the crop... so to speak.  I have about 2 weeks before these babies need to be in the mail to my swap partners.  

Knowing me I'll probably get them done the night before.  I'll post pics after they're all complete (if that ever happens).  Gulp.

Tea times two

Sadly, I have some tragic news to share.  However it will be followed by some more exciting news.


Last night I lost my glass kettle in a tragic accident.  Yes, I know.  The past 12 hours have been very tough.  I was going to post photos of the accident site, but it's just too gory to share.


I had to make my first tea of the day by boiling water in a saucepan.  I know in time I will learn to let go, however the pain is so fresh this morning that it's hard for me to talk about.  She was with me for about 6 years and it's fair to say she was part of the family.


So I'm off to purchase a new kettle today.  I know some of you are thinking "you monster", but as hard of a decision as it's been to make, I just cannot live without a kettle. I drink around 3 cups of tea a day and I cannot live with boiling water in a saucepan every time I want a cuppa.


So onto some exciting news.  I'm participating in Sooz's wash the dishes tea towel swap.  The idea of the swap is that you sign up for 2, 5 or even 10 partners. For each partner you make one linen tea towel then send it off to them.  You can embroider, screen print, stamp or sew onto the tea towels.


If you're interested in taking part in the tea towel swap, you better hurry because applications close tomorrow (Friday 15 Jan).  You can find out all about it here


Here's some handmade tea towel goodness from etsy: 

Fancy a Brew Tea Towel

I don't give a shit

anatomical sweet heart

Orla in red

Screenprinted type junkie

I'm hoping these will inspire me with my designs for the tea towel swap.  I think I will pay homage to my kettle (RIP) and my passion for tea in the designs.  Stay tuned for images of the finished tea towels once I get started.  Now off to by some linen tea towel blanks!

You win some (my kettle) you lose some (yay, to 5 new tea towels coming my way soon).
Magdalena