Thea & Sami

Tarragindi Lampshades

2013-09-30T09:19:00.002+10:00

Recently custom-made lampshades for Steve and Caroline's lovely home in Tarragindi, Brisbane.

How elegant are the French Doors? The lampshade on the vintage lamp stand features our Peacock Party design in Creme print on natural linen.

Hanging pendant lampshade features our screen Fretwork design in Blue Marine print on natural linen. This room is quite special as the dining table was made by Steve's dad.

Yay for our Queensland climate and outdoor deck living!

Window Seat Makeover

2013-08-26T21:10:00.001+10:00

Here's a lovely window box seat makeover by Lisa Prebble.

The fabric Lisa chose to use is our "Bohemian Blooms" design screen-printed in white on upholstery weight, natural linen.

To see the whole makeover story, visit the vintage biyt blog.

Bag, Curtains & Chair

2013-08-17T09:02:00.001+10:00

Customer submissions of 2 very different projects using the same fabric. What do you think?

Linen bag designed by Flax and Muse.

Curtains submitted by Articulate Architectural and Interior Design. You will find the fabric here.

Same design again as a reupholstered vintage armchair done previously by the Flourish and Blume girls. Trimmed with eco wool felt, the Tentacality design here is screen-printed on the upholstery weight linen.

Hamptons Style Lighting

2013-08-15T08:10:00.001+10:00

Collaborating with friends is so much fun.

I'm so excited that we have put together a selection of our screen-printed fabrics to create beautiful lampshades for the Hamptons Style wall sconces from A-M over at Cape Cod Designs.

What says Hamptons more than Navy (our Blue Marine) and white? All 100% linen, of course. A touch of Queensland too with our Fretwork design.

More navy with our Marguerite design.

How different does the Fretwork look printed in White on Duckegg Blue/ Natural linen?

The same fabric printed with our Iron Flowers design in Creme.

Nice profile too. Finish is Antique Silver. Limited stock. See more information or order from our website.

Dresser Makeover

2013-07-30T06:19:00.002+10:00

We all love transformations.

To see the before and afters, do pop over to the Happy Little Queenslander Blog.

Dresser and stool features our 'Iron Flowers' screen-printed Duckegg Blue linen and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Photoshop for Fabric Design

2013-07-23T07:54:00.001+10:00

We'd been talking about it for a while but now we've finally listed our new Photoshop for Fabric Design Classes!

Suitable for people who wish to learn basic digital design skills and will cover subjects such as taking a favourite photographic image and the steps required to turn it into a screen-print.

Of course, you will also be taught how to put your design into a 2-way and 4-way repeat. For more information and to book a place, please visit our website.

We are offering an Early Bird Discount if you book and pay by July 31. Please note, that you will need to bring your own lap-top with Photoshop installed. You can down load the 30 day free trial version (see website for details).

The Works Glebe

2013-07-20T07:50:00.003+10:00

I just found out about "The Works", a really cool retail space in Glebe, Sydney where 'creatives and innovators who craft ideas for the future based on a respect for the past' showcase and sell their work.

Creative Director Stewart Rimes recently ordered our Peacock Party upholstery linen in Teal print to restore these Retro TV armchairs.

I've always wanted to see this fabric design on chairs and love the results (or am I just biased?)

And for the creative types in Sydney, you will be able to enrol into the upcoming DIY Bottle Lamp Workshop (August 4).

We're in Melbourne

2013-07-19T07:57:00.004+10:00

We're in Melbourne at the Decoration & Design Show until Sunday!

Here's a sneak peek of our fabulous new Wing Chair created by super-talented Jaro Upholstery. You really need to see it in person to appreciate how perfect it is.

We've also collaborated with the stylish A-M from Cape Cod Designs and created a range of lampshades for her range of Antique Silver Wall Sconces. These will be available to order on our website next week.

Are you visiting? You'll find us at Stand AA39.

PS, our Studio Shop will be closed today but will reopen to the public next Friday (July 26th) as normal.

Changes

2013-07-10T17:35:00.001+10:00

Yes, I have lost my mojo so I apologise for not being around and for being unentertaining.

The reality is that my life has been turned upside down by unexpected, personal circumstances.

However, I was temporarily distracted today by the use of this Old School carpet in a modern law office. Really love the mix of the old and the new.

I am looking forward to spending next week in Melbourne and catching up with my little girl.

We will be exhibiting at the Decoration and Design Show so I'm trying hard to get back to a sense of normalcy. Hope to see you there!

Emma and Sue's Lampshades

2013-06-24T10:01:00.000+10:00

Love seeing the creative vision of our customers.

Emma has teamed our 'French Stripes' screen-printed Duckegg Blue/ Natural linen lampshade with her fabulous crystal-cut lamp base.

If you have a lamp base that you really like, we can jazz it up with a new lampshade. This hot pink 'Peacock Party' shade was custom-made for Sue to complement her vintage yellow ceramic lamp base. So unique!

Chalk Paint Chair Makeover

2013-06-08T10:28:00.000+10:00

It's always a great feeling when you transform something you didn't like in the first place.

I love the results of painting and waxing with the Annie Sloan chalk paint range.

Image courtesy of Paint Me White

The chair transformation began at the Paint Me White chalk paint workshop back in April. That's me on the far right.

This was the chair in the original state, purchased for a whopping $10 at a flea market in Stanthorpe a couple of years ago.

Yes, it took me that long to do anything with it as I was dreading the sanding and priming stage.

Which brings me to the BEST part of using the Annie Sloan chalk paints; no priming or sanding necessary. The 'Pure White' coat was painting straight over the old dark and varnished wood.

Back in my own studio, I stripped off the old floral fabric to reveal this ugly leather layer complete with ugly, rusted tacks on the back.

I really didn't want to open another can of worms so avoided stripping any further, afraid of what may lurk beneath and simply covered the leather with a layer of hemp/ cotton that I had.

You could use a calico or similar fabric, particularly if you are using a lighter coloured fabric on top, as I did.

Choosing one of our own screen-printed linen fabrics, it was very easy it to stretch into place and secure with a staple gun.

The fabric I used is Thea & Sami 'Fretwork' in Blue Marine on white linen.

The colour of the paint is Annie Sloan 'Louis Blue' and was finished with Annie Sloan Soft Wax and sanded until baby bottom smooth. Too easy!

Paper Roses Cushions

2013-06-06T11:47:00.002+10:00

We have a new design! Introducing 'Paper Roses' within our cushion range with more products and fabric available shortly.

In keeping with the romantic theme of this design, we've printed with 'Shadow', a custom-mixed ink that is transparent enough to allow the natural texture of the linen to show.

Screen-printed on Natural as well as the 2-yarn weaves of Dusty Pink/ Natural and Duckegg Blue/ Natural linens.

For those who love a pop of colour with their neutrals there is also our exclusive Raspberry print

and our classic Blue Marine on White Linen.

Of course you can't go past White on Natural. Which is your favourite?

Tree Printing Workshop

2013-05-31T07:53:00.003+10:00

It's time I shared images from our last screen-printing workshop. I didn't think I had enough photos but thanks to Tamara Franz, I have plenty to share and inspire.

It wasn't really a workshop of printing trees but it may look that way starting with Christy Argo and her beautiful tree silhouettes.

Christy also printed some lovely shell shapes inspired by her Sunshine Coast abode.

A totally different tree print by Tamara Franz.

Love the random 2 colour print also by Tamara.

Caroline Bloomfield went balmy with her tree prints. How good does the last one look on her striped apron?

Carina Bloomfield (daughter of Caroline) steered away from trees and printed the above cuties. Caroline and Carina drove all the way from the NSW South Coast for our 2-day workshop! Thanks ladies.

Scrumptious pineapple prints by Karyn Hillier.

2 colour print by Naomi Robinson. Thank you to all the lovely ladies who attended from afar. In fact, nobody was from Brisbane.

Now I have a very exciting announcement. In addition to our usual 1 & 2-Day workshops, you may opt to add an extra 2 days to design and print your own repeat and further experiment on the last day!

Students who have completed Days 1 and 2 in the past, may enrol in just Days 3 & 4. Please visit the website for full information and to book your place.

Morning Tea Round Up

2013-05-25T08:33:00.000+10:00

Our Australia's Biggest Morning Tea was a huge success with 50 wonderful women coming together for a great cause.

The desserts. Image taken by Tomoka Ota. This was BEFORE everyone filled the table with their home-baked goodies!

Kylie of From My Deck generously shares her dairy-free Berry Friand recipe here. I tried them and they were delicious!

Katherine, Simone and Kylie.

Tanya, Maria and Maria.

Drawing the raffle. Jennie Walker gave away her beautiful doll. Image by Happy Little Queenslander.

Above images from the Katherinetheoldboathouse instagram feed. Katherine donated, polished and ribboned all of the 50 souvenir tea-spoons for our goody bags. What a woman!

A BIG thank you to everyone who came along, baked cakes, contributed to the goody bags, donated raffle prizes and donated on-line.

It was an amazing team effort and we have raised $1870 (only $130 short of our goal). BUT it's not too late to donate via our official Cancer Council link here. It would be wonderful to achieve our $2000 goal for vital Cancer Research that could benefit you or a loved one.

Almost Ready

2013-05-22T07:42:00.001+10:00

We've had over 50 RSVPs to our Australia's Biggest Morning Tea for Thursday! We're so pleased with the support and about meeting new and old friends.

Cakes are coming from mummy bakers and professionals too. The wonderful Gillian Bell cake girl is bringing something special for us. The above Hydrangea Petal Cake is one of her masterpieces. Can you see where the inspiration came from? Genius!

Lucky Door Prize to match is donated by Quirky Comforts.

Gorgeous postcards (4 different ones) designed for us especially by Samantha Stenner Creative for the goody bags.

Raffle prizes include 'Miss Trudi', a hand-painted doll by Jennie of A Little Vintage valued at $58

a $50 gift voucher from Lyssy May hand-made bags that you can use on-line

a $30 Master gift voucher donated by Anita of Fun and VJs.

If you can't make it, PLEASE make a monetary donation via our official Cancer Council Page. We have already reached 13% of our $2000 goal that goes directly to Cancer Research. It really does affect everyone and the life you save could be yours or a loved one.

We will give you 6 raffle tickets (to be drawn at our Morning Tea tomorrow) for every $10 donated. To see some of the other prizes and sponsors, see my previous post here. LET'S KICK CANCER IN THE BUTT!

Leather Sofa

2013-05-18T09:32:00.001+10:00

If anybody in Brisbane is in the market for a good (used) Freedom black leather sofa, then look no further.

I have just listed this one for sale on eBay. Only problem is that I left it so late and the listing ends tomorrow morning as we need to clear the space in our Capalaba studio.

Check out the details here. Bidding starts at only $20.

Dreaming of Painting

2013-05-17T07:48:00.000+10:00

It's been a hectic week with teaching a 2 day screen-printing workshop and working on a new fabric design so my poor little blog has been neglected again.

I'm so inspired though! This beautiful image has me convinced that I should paint the ugly 'Colonial' type vanity and wooden mirror we have in our bathroom. To see the rest of this beautiful cottage designed by Tracey Rapisardi, visit the House of Turquoise.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend for more painting projects including finishing the coffee table I started last week. What are you looking forward to?

Alison's Chair Makeover

2013-05-05T09:44:00.001+10:00

We all love makeovers. Here's a great one submitted by Alison, one of our lovely customers.

The fabric used is our 'Hydrangea' screen-printed natural linen in Creme with coordinating plain linen.

Alison's husband sanded and stained the old wood this lovely dark shade. Very modern! The chair was professionally upholstered.

The 'before' shot.

The new Hydrangea chair will be featured in Alison's new nursery and then continue its life in the main living area. The same design is also available in upholstery linen weight.

Our Biggest Morning Tea

2013-05-02T09:06:00.003+10:00

We're taking part in 'Australia's Biggest Morning Tea' again this year!

I was disappointed that I couldn't host a tea last year due to family medical issues but thankfully, here we are again.

The date is Thursday, May 23rd and I would love to invite you all. The location is our Studio in Capalaba and the time is: 10 am - 12.00 noon.

In 2011, we raised $900. This year, we have set our goal at $2000. All proceeds will go directly to the QLD Cancer Council Fund to help fight this terrible disease that affects all of us! We are asking all attendees for a donation of $20.

I am very passionate about this cause as my husband is continuing to battle cancer and I have lost 3 other family members in the last 18 months to it.

The goody bags are back too! We have 50 to giveaway to the first people who RSVP and attend. Please do so by visiting our Events Page on facebook, leaving a comment here or emailing me if you're not on facebook.

Including in the goody bag is a Thea & Sami screen-printed linen tea-towel,

a mini hand-made soap from Outrageous Soaps

a clay gift tag from Mud by Nest. Other surprises will be included too.

In addition, generous small business friends have donated unique prizes for our raffle. Some of the prizes include this 'Peacock Party' clutch purse hand-made by Monkey and Me.

a Beautiful Mors natural soy wax tea-cup candle donated by Ruby and Rose Interiors

One-of-a-kind hat by Kelly Maddock Millinery

OLFA Rotary Cutting Set in pretty pink donated by Sew Much Easier with more prizes more to follow.

You may purchase tickets at our Morning Tea at 3 for $5 or pre-purchase if you can't attend. To pre-purchase, please make a donation on our official Cancer Council page here and email me to receive the corresponding amount in tickets. Prizes will be shipped Australia-wide but we ask that winners pay for postage costs.

If you are attending, please feel free to bring your business cards; it will be a fun day for networking while raising funds for an important cause. We are also looking for more baked goods so let me know if this is your specialty.

Pink Chalk Paint Table

2013-04-26T07:16:00.002+10:00

I'm officially obsessed with Annie Sloan chalk paint! Finished this old table yesterday for our guest room in 'Henrietta'.

The paint colour coincidentally matches the lilac 'Peacock Party' lampshade. I'm so motivated to have the curtains made up now, finally.

The paint obsession began last Saturday when I took part in Sandy's (of Paint Me White fame) workshop. It was such a great morning and lots of fun!

Visit Paint Me White to book a workshop or to purchase chalk paint.

Class image courtesy of Paint Me White.

Diamond Stitch Plywood

2013-04-24T07:32:00.001+10:00

Our favourite plywood placemats to date! How fabulous would these be for Mother's Day?

Protected with water-based varnish for easy care and for outdoor use. Just wipe with a damp cloth.

Being an aqua lover, how could I not include this in our range?

If you like this design, we will custom-print in any colour for you Special Occasion. See our growing range of plywood placemats here.

Eco-Friendly Placemats

2013-04-18T07:52:00.002+10:00

Rushing to have new and exciting products for Mother's Day so have now listed our Plywood Placemats on-line.

Fish in Black Prints

and White Prints.

Hydrangea in Red Print.

I love how the printing ink looks on all of these. We have finished each with 2 coats of water-based varnish for lasting protection.

More designs will be available in the next week and we will custom-print for special occasions. See more info on our website here.

Gift Certificates

2013-04-10T08:58:00.000+10:00

Working from my sick bed today but happy to announce that I have finally added gift vouchers to our website.

Not sure why it took so long as it wasn't as difficult as I thought using PayPal's features. With Mother's Day around the corner, the timing is right.

Ideal for loved ones that live far away and/or love natural fabrics and linen homewares. Purchase gift certificates in various amounts here.

French Stripes for a Boy

2013-04-05T07:30:00.000+10:00

Love, love, love this teenaged boy's bedroom with the dark blue walls and curtains featuring our 'French Stripes' fabric.

The ink colour is our own 'Blue Marine' screen-printed on European white linen.

Coordinating roman blind for the smaller window

and a pinboard for all those important things in a boy's life. Thank you to Jane for another glimpse into your lovely home.

New Cushions

2013-04-02T06:52:00.003+10:00

New cushions are now available!

These ones are screen-printed on our upholstery-weight, natural linen which has the loveliest texture and is very sturdy (child-proof).

Choose the Diamond Stitch design in 4 print colours here.

Or our ever popular and classic Fretwork design in red or black prints here.

And to celebrate Pantone's colour of the year, we have a limited edition range of our Hydrangea and Cottage Garden designs in Emerald Green. These are printed on our medium weight linen.

Do you have a favourite? More cushions available here and some on sale here.