What can it be????????

Yes........I know you know I've been shopping!!!  I received a few of my purchases, and was thrilled with the presentation of one of the orders.  I couldn't help share it with everyone.  That lovely soft mint green raffia will come in handy.......  I am still waiting on a few things, ie oil pastels and paper.  That is okay.

This photograph shows some of the most recent purchases, not all from the same store, but all geared towards my mixed media journey.  If you click on the photograph, you will get a better view of the individual items.   To be honest, I could do with more of these inks/mists/paints.

I couldn't help but buy these cute little paper clips from http://www.artworxgeelong.com.au/store/store.php?Home-pg1-cid1.html  I just love them, and I do apologize to those of you who already know about them.  I had never seen them - really should get out more!!    Of course, they will not be used for paper clips, and at just over $5 per packet, who could be bothered trying to curl wire for things!!  You can buy them in square shapes too.

This is the cotton canvas and cotton duck I purchased from Spotlight.  The white cotton canvas is really nice and strong, and I feel the work I am doing doesn't warrant the cost of purchasing 'artist canvas'.    It's been painted with Gesso this morning [well, a piece of it], and will be ready for some collage work in a day or so.

I have had these goodies for a few weeks, but will share them here with this post.  Although there is not a designated online shopping website, you can find details here.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to purchase when I phoned Peter at the store.  He and staff members were most obliging, giving me some details/information, and time to go away and think about what I would buy.  I then phoned back for more discussions and ordering.  The parcel was here in no time at all, and included was a dear little compact mirror, just the right thing for one's purse - I am always freshening up my lipstick when I'm out [perhaps I secretly eat the stuff!!].  They have a large product range, and are very helpful.  Of course, some of us know 'the other half' of the equation - our fellow blogger Frances.  

I am working on some collage and mixed media at the moment, but in the last two days have had some internet drama with certain sites.  I think my security firewall took exception to something, and I had been unable to access certain 'usual haunts'.  I'm hoping this has been resolved, with help from online company IT professionals.

I hope some of my purchases are of interest.

Checking In

I am afraid I do not have any stitching to share just at the moment, but I did want to talk about some positive experiences I've had in the last few days, especially to do with 'retail therapy'.  I have been on a mission to increase my supply of paints/inks/mediums/papers, and spent some time doing a bit of research on the net.  Today I received the first of several packages, but will wait until they all arrive before sharing.  I phoned this store on Wednesday after lunch - http://www.parkersartsupplies.com/index.htm - to be told that they were extremely busy and would phone me back.  In a short while I did receive a call back, and was given so much help.  I can't speak highly enough of the staff, and the service, well, that speaks for itself - Wednesday afternoon to Friday morning from Sydney - I'm very pleased indeed!!!  I will definitely be a repeat customer.

I did need some good strong cotton canvas, so thought about Spotlight, and again another very positive experience there.  They were busy in the furnishing department - apparently there was a sale on.  I did not know that - again, a phone call back was received.  I managed to purchase some good heavy canvas and some softer cotton duck with a 30% discount!!!   On my search for paper, I went to this website that I'd bookmarked some time ago, but had not really bothered much with - http://www.mes.net.au/home-news.php  I downloaded the sale catalogue and phoned the next morning, and again have nothing but praise for the staff member who took the call.  I am eagerly awaiting this package, although I understand with the volume of business due to the sale, I may have to wait, that is fine with me.

And, of course, I can't forget the 'faceless' shopping, ie internet ordering/payment.  It's cool to sit here and do your shopping.  I have had contact with the people from this website - http://www.artworxgeelong.com.au/store/store.php?Home-pg1-cid1.html helping with just a few queries, and then the order could be completed.  I happened across this site in the hunt for inks and mists, etc - http://www.scrapboutique.com.au/boutique/ - and to my delight found a 20% discount to all new customers.  Finally, this morning, I went to this site - http://www.artmaterials.com.au/ - again, one I'd bookmarked quite a while ago.  They have some great supplies and reasonably priced too.  

I know much has been said about retailing going through a slump.  There are stores that are quiet I suppose, but it's nice to know that some are busy, and perhaps they are busy because their service is A1.  I have not dealt with anyone who has been unpleasant, or who hasn't been willing to go the extra mile to offer suggestions.  I probably won't be so happy when I add up the cost of the products, but I felt the time had come for me to stock up on some of these bits and pieces.  I also feel inclined to share these positive experiences and useful websites.  I hope some of them will be of use to readers.

It's overcast here at the moment, and quite bleak.  We have been told to expect rain tomorrow, and to be honest, a little more would be nice.  I am in a little creative slump at the moment, probably due to the 'thumb issue'....................

Serious Shopping

I know readers must think I have been shopping like there is no tomorrow lately, but this time, this purchase was all about the man of the house.  He has finally decided that one of these four wheel ATV's might help him, perhaps with the odd cattle mustering job.  We were away for a few days at the end of last week, so finally he managed to get what he'd been looking for, and at a good price.  He also had to have a better seat cover, the obligatory 'branded' oil and filters, and some of those portable ramp things to assist with loading it onto his vehicle!!  All in all, he had a good day - to say the least.  I am sure he will make good use of it, and works hard, so why not!!  I am happy for him.

By the end of the day, and after some other 'male' shopping I think he may have felt I was being left out.  We popped into one of the larger electrical retailers to have some photographs made, and had a little look around while that was happening.  I've been complaining [not bitterly] for a little while about my little HP printer jamming when I try to print onto thicker fabric, so we picked up a mid-range brand with a slightly different paper feed, so here's hoping when it comes to the crunch I won't be disappointed.  I have been so busy since we were back that I haven't even taken it out of the box yet!!  I have been told by other people that a printer which feeds in a slightly L direction is more likely to do the job, rather than the U journey that my paper takes in this little HP.  Fingers crossed................

And, last but not least, we bought me a lovely leather handbag, which was on sale of course.  As it is almost Mothers' Day, I suppose this is as close as I'll get to a gift.  I have just accepted the fact that he is never going to buy me flowers, chocolates, or gifts for such occasions.  Oh well, not to worry.  Life goes on.  Again, I haven't even 'packed' the handbag with the necessities, only given it a rub with leather dressing, and smelt it a few times.  I absolutely LOVE the smell of leather, and freshly mowed lucerne [something I associate with my childhood].

So that is a selection of the damage we did to the bank account. Hopefully we won't be going on any more shopping trips like this any time soon!!!

Thank you again to everyone for such lovely comments on my painted/embroidered landscape.  I always feel buoyed up by such encouragement. 

Parcels in the Mail

 

I am really excited about the packages I received in yesterday's mail.  I know I have a good selection of greys for my Sumptuous Surfaces embroidery, but that didn't stop me buying some extra 'just in case'.  I also wanted some wools to knit a few things for babies - they really never go out of fashion do they???  I was told about a 'silken' ribbon, made using milk proteins, so some of that found it's way into my parcel as well.  Apparently it is washable and very soft to work with.  I must get some other 'brighter' colours in the near future.   You can see a little about it here:

http://www.cascadehouse.com.au/catalogue.htm#Silken 

I purchased all of these lovely products from a little store in Kyneton, Victoria.  I really only became aware of the store after a recommendation from a friend.  The proprietor and staff are lovely, patient with dithering customers, and I'm sure I will be a return customer.  Thank you to Sharon, and Karyn, for all the help with my requests - http://www.pickupstitches.com.au/  Although there is not a purchasing website as such, I can assure you the store is an Aladdin's Cave.

The fun didn't actually stop with the first parcel.  I was pleasantly surprised to receive a card, and hand written note from my sweet English friend Anney, with plenty of news from her part of the world - thank you Anney for making time in your busy life to 'write'.  Another little gift was a good length of tiny, tiny satin ribbon from Karyn as she knows I am always looking for this product.  And, last, but certainly not least, was another little selection of grey beads and threads from my friend, fellow blogger, and fellow Sumptuous Surfaces classmate Shirley  It is really heart warming to know friendship knows no boundaries.  Thank you to those lovely ladies who have cared to include me in their lives.

Thank you too to those who have shown a keen interest in my 'grey' project.  I have taken far too long to decide on a subject matter, but can now report that I've put some stitches on my piece of fabric.  Here is a small sample of an area of pulled thread work, which I hope will give the impression of falling gum leaves.  This little section has been worked using DMC Linen thread, which I can assure you is a trial.  It fluffs up, catches, breaks, and is certainly not a thread I would use for anything major.  I believe it is now discontinued, and perhaps the aforementioned problems may be the cause.  I now need to focus on the next area to be stitched, and hope I choose thread and stitch wisely, or there may be some 'unstitching' to be done........... 

Mailday Goodies

I've been having quite a field day with mail lately, some gifts arriving, and then of course, some things I had to pay for........LOL......  Above is a beautiful postcard I received as a gift because of my involvement with the TOM on the Three Creative Studios Forum.  You can see more information about the TOM programme here:  http://threecreativestudios.com/forum/index.php  I have had the pleasure of receiving a number of Sue's postcards, and I keep saying it.  She always creates work that is second to none, giving everything a professional finish.  I feel privileged to now be the owner of these little art pieces.  You can see more of Sue's explorations here:  http://suebleiweiss.com/blog/    Do try to visit her blog, as you will be rewarded with an abundance of mixed media techniques.

I was also fortunate to have had my name drawn out to receive a  give-away from Judy.  Judy does beautiful embroidery, has a love of the world around her, and recently rewarded her followers with several lovely handmade gifts.  Not only did I receive this gift, and the card, but Judy included some more fabric, ric-rac, and a lovely handwritten note.  Check out Judy's blog here: http://cjstitchingandblooms.blogspot.com/
Judy has a love of all things pretty and genteel.

Now down to the purchasing part of my mail deliveries.  Recently I have had a splurge on books.  The Gloria Loughman book 'Quilted Symphony' I purchased from a store in Sydney - Oatley Cottage - http://www.oatleycottage.com.au/   The other two books, Drawn to Stitch [Gwen Hedley] and Embroidered Books [Isobell Hall] were both purchased from The Book Depository -http://www.bookdepository.com/
I am thrilled with all purchases, and have spent hours digesting the contents of each of these wonderful publications.

Last, but not least are a selection of things I received from an American store.  I've been trying to locate clear postcard sized envelopes for some time, and thankfully the hunt is over [thanks to Sue Bleiweiss for her generous link information].  Of course, one can't just order one thing now, that would be a waste of good packaging and postage!!  I also ordered black glitter [why!!], some tiny, tiny micro marble beads in purple, and something new to me, ie Mylar paper [I saw reference to it in one of the above books - and a little on how to use it].  The store where these goodies were purchased can be seen here:  http://www.blockheadstamps.com/index.php
This store was exceptional to deal with, handling my order quickly, and even placing a credit back into my Paypal account due to the site calculator over charging on postage.  The order was packed extremely well, and arrived in a very short time.  I'll definitely be shopping with them again.

I hope everyone enjoys seeing my goodies, and finds the links of interest.  I only receive two mail deliveries per week here, Tuesday and Friday.  I am sure our mailman must wonder how it is that I seem to live a reclusive life, yet receive all these wonderful packages.  Oh well, let him wonder.  Thank you ladies for continuing to visit, and comment on my work.  I have been encouraged by the generosity of spirit that abounds in the blogging community.