Preparing for Silk Fashion & Painting in Melbourne 29 January 2011

This morning I'm creating new designs and painting on silk in preparation for my visit to Melbourne next week.


I'll be hosting my Silk Painting Workshop :

• on Sat 29th Jan 2011

• 10:00 to 3:00pm
  
• 
   

and my first Abfab Fashionista Afternoon Tea at the same location, same day:

• on Sat 29th Jan 2011

• 4:00 to 5:30pm
• click the button to book:
  
  
  

It's been a while since I was last in Melbourne and I'm soooo looking forward to my silk events, AND seeing my friends :-)

If you haven't booked yet, and you'd like to attend either event, let me know asap as I need to arrange for wooden frames etc to be shipped for the Workshop - looking forward to meeting you!

See you soon!
Cheers
Teena!

.

Read more...

Mooshie loves silk and Paris

Just downloaded some photos and I had to share this one - my cat Mooshie reclining like a royal on her favourite cushion .... a handpainted silk one I made a while back, where I've written the word 'Paris' on the silk:

Click to see the whole photo :-) then click the Back button.

She does look comfy, doesn't she?

Cheers
Teena

Read more...

Crocodiles, smiles & fuzzy lines

Today I was going through my computer looking for some images, and this one of one of my silk scarves appeared ... and it just makes me smile :-)

I used to be a member of an artist group called ARTISTS FOR LIFE, and we focussed on Australian wildlife. We held exhibitions in Sydney which highlighted the plight of many endangered australian animals, and one of my favourites became the ringtail possum.

I love to draw cute animals, and those who know me well know that I draw LOTS of Koalas :-)

This cheery crocodile is handpainted onto white silk habotai, using French dyes and orange gutta. The background has been layed and fused using some of my techniques, and gives it an interesting flavour.

I'm thinking it might be time to paint some more of these scarves - is this something you like?

A good size would be 35" or 40" square; when draped or tied around the neck the actual design isn't obvious, but the patterns and shades can be complementary to your outfit. Some folks might even tie a scarf like this around their hat for a jaunty air :-)

So - let me know - should I resurrect this crocodile design?

Cheers
Teena!

Read more...

New Haori Jacket in Handpainted Silk

Above: I have handpainted sandwashed silk with my Coral Sea colours before turning it into a loose-fitting Haori Jacket.

It feels gorgeous on, and is bright and colourful - now I need to make one of these for ME :-)

More photos, same coat:

Above: the neck and collar

Above:  Oh it feels so faaaabulous on!

You can see more colours on my Haori Silk Jackets page >>

http://www.abfabdesigns.com/haori-jacket-handpainted-silk.html

Hope you're having a gorgeous day wherever you are!

Ciao ciao
Teena

Read more...

Day 2 Sydney Royal Easter Show

Just got home from my second day of three, demonstrating silk painting at the Royal Easter Show.

I met an absolutely huge number of adults and kids today who tried their hand at silk painting. We played with cold wax, seaweed outliner, French dyes and painted starfish, moons, fish, cats and shapes of all sizes :D

There were even a couple of 2 and 3 year olds who had a try, with their Mums helping them.

Everyone loved it! It was such a fantastic thing for me to be part of, to share my love of silk and silk painting with so many people ...

If you came by my booth today - THANK YOU for making it such a super duper fantastic day!

The photos I took will be online by the end of the week, over at http://how-to-paint-on-silk.com

One more day to go, which is also the last day of the Show ... until next year :-)

Ciao for now
Teena

Read more...

Day 1 Royal Easter Show

Just got home, absolutely exhausted, and happy :-)

I was demonstrating silk painting all day, and let adults and kids join in. It was so much fun!

Too tired to upload photos tonight ... and two more days to go.

Thanks everyone for dropping by the ARTS HALL 3, to see me in Demonstration Area D!

Hugs,
Teena!

Read more...

Maharajah's Purple Elephant

I've uploaded a few more photos and a video from the painting phase of the Maharajah's Garden Elephant painting on silk, which I thought you might like.

 

Handpainted sandwashed silk 

Abfab Designs & Abfab Seaweed Outliner

And here's the video of me sewing the hems on the wallhanging and choosing the baubles to attach to the top:

I bought the hot pink baubles in Paris on my last visit - I'm so pleased they look so good on the purple elephant wallhanging!

If you're in Australia, keep an eye out over the next two years for this Travelling Suitcase Exhibition -very colourful and wildly imaginative! :-)

You can see a larger photo on my website, and hopefully I'll have the rest of the photos online soon :-)

http://how-to-paint-on-silk.com/maharajahs-garden-exhibition.html

Silk Painting in Paris with Teena - 27 June to 4 July, 2010

PS - Would you like to join me in Paris in June? Each year I host a week-long Silk Painting Adventure - and a week-long Plus Size Fashion Adventure - woohoo! This year I'm also going to be teaching half-day and one-day silk painting for those who can't spend the 7 days. I can't wait to get back there mid-June to end-July - it will be great to see my friends and my students!

Maybe you'll join me?

Teena

Read more...

Teena's videos

Examples of Videos I have made with Photos

I was going through some of my videos today in preparation for a project I'm working on, and I had such fun watching them again I thought I would post them here.

I do hope you enjoy them!

Champagne cruise in Paris with Teena:

.

Silk class 30/5/09


.

Silk Painting Cushion Cover Black 'n Blue

.

Silk Painting in France


.

Silk Painting bright colours

.

Have a great weekend!
Cheers
Teena!

Read more...

I love my new textile Moo cards

My new Moo Cards

Ohhhhhhh I can't help it, I love Moo cards!

My latest ones are based on photos of my handpainted silk designs, and they're bright and cheerful and perfect to use as business cards, swing tags, little bookmarks (with a hole punched and ribbon added) ...

Aren't they cute??? Ok Ok I know I'm biased :-)

Teena

Read more...

Interview about cold wax with silk dyes

What a wonderful day was had by all at the recent Silk Painting Workshop in Sydney. Even though winter has set in and it was pouring all day long, we surounded ourselves with fabulous silk in bright bright designs.

I interviewed one of my students while she was learning to painting on silk with cold wax and silk dyes - it's only a couple of minutes long, I hope you enjoy it:



Next Silk Workshop in Sydney - Sat 18th July, 2009 - http://www.AbfabDesigns.com

Read more...

How to paint on silk video

Silk painting workshop video

I've just turned the photos I posted here yesterday into a music video - I think it's really cool :-)


.If you can't get the video to start, click this link:
http://animoto.com/play/B709315xUuW4G2f1LPxAOw

Let me know what you think!

Cheers
Teena

Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

Silk Painting with Cold Wax - slideshow

The Silk Painting Workshop on Saturday was a lot of fun, and my students' results were fantastic!

Above: Student Annie creating a fabulous Mondrian-style piece of artwork on her silk chiffon scarf, using cold wax mixed with fibre-reactive dyes.

I've never met a bunch of totally fearless women when it came to their first ever lesson of painting on silk - it was a joy to watch!

Above: Student Jan painting flowers on her silk chiffon scarf, using cold wax mixed with fibre-reactive dyes.

I've used some of my photos to create a slideshow:
- hover your mouse over the photo to stop the show and read the Description
- move mouse away from slideshow and it will start again.

Above: If you'd like to speed up the slideshow, or slow it down, use the controls in the bottom left corner - use the hyphen or minus button for 'slower', and the plus sign + for 'faster' - cool!

I've also created a sample presentation/slideshow using SlideSix.com - and here's my first attempt - there are only 3 photos, and if I''m happy with the way it works, I'll add the rest to the presentation/slideshow. Let me know what you think!

Here is the Presentation - click the Play Now button(which appears underneath the presentation) to get started:

.
I hope you enjoy these photos!

Ciao for now
Teena!


Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

Fashion Expo 9th March 2009

Day Two @ the Fashion Expo!

What a great adventure it is to talk to and discuss textiles with so many lovely people!

I've been meeting people from all over the world and loving the vibe of being at an international fashion expo.

So many gorgeous clothes, shoes, lingerie, leather bags, jewellery ... and much of it designed by local fashion designers - I'm loving it!

If you're in Sydney, you've got one more day - it's on from 9am to 4pm - the public is welcome, simply sign up online to register, and collect your free ticket at the entrance.

http://www.fashionexposed.com

Just click the button for "Register to Visit"

I''m at Darling Harbour Hall 3, at the back - just look for the BRIGHT COLOURS :-)

Ciao for now,

Teena!




Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

Handpainting sand-washed silk

What a delicious fabric this sand-washed silk is!

Drapes beautifully, and very thirsty as I paint the Procion dyes on.

Still, the results so far are stunning!

A few months back I sketched a Haori jacket, top and pants, just doodling over a coffee in one of my favourite cafes (above). Today I've just started painting these two colours - hot pink and orange - for this new Haori jacket and I can't wait to see it made up! Woohoo!

I'll post a photo tomorrow!
Teena


Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

Fashion Exposed 8 March 2009

Fantastic News!

I've been accepted to be part of Fashion Exposed on 8-9-10 March, 2009 in Darling Harbour (Sydney) - woohoo! I've got two weeks to handpaint and sew my own designs to make around ten new tops and coats in silk - quite the challenge, and I'm soooo excited!

Will take plenty of photos as I create my new fashion designs. Have to dash, the sewing machine is calling!

Ciao ciao
Teena!



Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

My handpainted silk koalas

Pssst! Click the photo above to zoom in :-)

Everyone who knows me knows that I love koalas and I've been sketching and painting them for years.

I did a few silk paintings this week, 40x50"/100x130cm, using Procion dyes and my home-made black gutta-like substance for outlining.

I hope you like this one :-)

Teena

Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

Handpainted Silk Bookmarks Video

When I was creating silk bookmarks recently, I took some photos (as I always do) to create a journal of the process - here are some of my photos in a quick video with music - I do hope you enjoy it :-)



Cheers
Teena!


Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

How To Paint on Silk Video 0005 Black gutta + music

I thought you might enjoy this short video with music, showing my use of home-made black gutta (with sodium alginate) and strong colours.



I hope you enjoy this little video clip!

Cheers
Teena

Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

I've been Tagged!

Woohoo!

I've been tagged by Deborah Younglao - my first "tag" - luckily Deborah told me what I needed to do.

Here are the rules for tagging:

1. Put a link in your posting about the artist that tagged you.

2. Write 5 -7 unusual things about yourself.

3. Tag 5 - 7 other bloggers and let them know.

Wow - this might be tough - I don't actually follow many other blogs, so let me put my thinking cap on ....

These are the other blogs I'm tagging - please pop over and visit them :-)

Deborah Younglao's blog is her journey of creating several small silk paintings each week, and it's always a delight to see the beautiful scenery she creates.

Karen Zabawa is a delightful photo-journalist and her blog showcases the beauty of the part of Canada where Karen lives, as well as keeping her followers up-to-date with travel tips

Carolyne Lee - like me - is a Francophile, someone who loves all things French. Carolyne's blog talks about her favourite city (same as mine - Paris) and home away from home - and various things French. Carolyne has my Paris website http://A-Night-in-Paris.com as one of her favourite sites - thanks Carolyne!

Hmmm - I need to dig out the links for other blogs I've enjoyed - I'll be back with more later.

My dear friend Petiepops is arriving soon to take me out for a belated birthday lunch - yum!

Ciao for now
Teena!


Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown at right ==>

Read more...

How to Paint on Silk Video 004 Make your own gutta

I have made a video showing you how to mix Sodium alginate (seaweed-based, also known as Manutex) to make your own gutta at home.

The beauty of this product is that after the colours set and you wash the silk, the alginate/gutta disappears without a trace. If you colour the alginate with dyes (like I do with black) the dye remains and the alginate disappears.

I've been looking for the perfect gutta-like substance for years!

Here's my video ...



I'm so pleased to be able to share this with you, and I hope it helps someone else.

Have a fabulous day!
Teena



Join me for a Silk Painting Adventure and a Plus Size Fashion Adventure in Paris, France!
http://www.abfabdesigns.com/adventures.html

Click COMMENTS below to send a message : View TEENA'S SILK PAINTING VIDEOS shown below:

Read more...