textile shack

Come on over ...

2011-02-13T11:08:00.002+11:00

Hello everyone!
Just a quick post to let you know that I've changed blogs...
Well...blog names really.
I created textile shack a long time ago and over the years I found I outgrew the name and figured it was time for a change!
So come follow my creative/crafty pursuits over at ....
The Polka-Dot Studio :)
See you there!

Beautiful things

2011-02-04T16:35:00.005+11:00

Came across these beauties today...

Catherine Campbell

Simply beautifu!Lovely use of colour...

Got me thinking....maybe I can make my own calenders for 2012 (as gifts perhaps?) and dedicate myself to creating atleast ONE illustration/drawing/pattern/digital doodle...every month and that way at the end of the year I'll have enough to complete a beautiful,personalised calender...hmmm..enough said.

Inspiration in more ways than one...

2011-01-29T12:11:00.008+11:00

Happy weekend everyone!

Oh how I WAIT for these nowadays!Why you may ask? Well,2 weeks ago I started working full-time and after 4 years of uni/part-time its a BIG change!I'm still getting used to it and my mind,body and soul is slowly adjusting to early starts and 8 hous of work a day!

So that brings me back to the weekend!Yay!This is my first weekend afer starting work where I've actually gotten my act together and attemped something creative.

One of my to-do's for the year includes NOT missing out on doing fun creative stuff (because even though I work in design its not always about drawing and painting...is it?)

So,I promised myself I'd still do all the things I love such as-drawing,painting,getting messy with ink,gouache,spray adhesive etc.etc...

First up : re-vamp inspiration board

Secondly : clean out workspace (always very satisfying)

Thirdly: Inspiration need not always be a pretty picture it could also be something like this...

Be at Peace

A prayer by St. Frances de Sales
Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life;

Rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise,

God, Whose very own you are,will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it,God will carry you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same understanding Father who cares for you today

will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering

or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination

Time waits for no-one!!!!

2011-01-01T23:11:00.005+11:00

I know I'm probably the last person in blogland to post my version of " the relfection on the past year" but here it is anyway...short and sweet :)

2010 = lots of learning , lots of joys , lots of sorrow , mistakes made , lessons learnt , love shared , love lost , new opportunities and much to be thankful for ...

2011 = BRING IT ON. Its going to be life changing in more ways than one...and cheers to making each day count :)

Happy NewYear everyone !!!

My new 2011 frankie journal :) love it...do you have one?

A little bit of cheer...

2010-12-09T17:20:00.003+11:00

Nothing much today,just recovering from a marathon removal of my four wisdom teeth!!!So thought I'd cheer myself up with a blog post and some pretty photos of our tree!

We went for an ALL GOLD ornament collection for the tree this year:)

This pattern reminds me of chritmas trees!?!?!

I ordered some of it to be printed onto fabric,still waiting(very impatiently)for it to arrive in the mail...

In the meantime....

Some inspiration from marth stewart...

Thinking of doing a set of embroidery designs maybe of native ozi flora?birds...?

Also,I haven't said this in a while...but please leave comments if n when you stumble upon some of my rambles..I really do love reading them :)

The makeover.

2010-12-01T15:32:00.006+11:00

The room...

A slightly wonky shot of the feature wall...
On the wall...

Gingko decals - Thanks Lara from Inkandspindle

Hand screen printed artwork - Experiments by your truly onto 300gsm watercolourpaper using textile dyes!It worked!

Bedhead - is just a large canvas bought for around $30 bucks from a place near me called " sam's warehouse". The plan is to layer it with some soft waddding and cover with some neutral fabric so its makes a nice and comfy head rest.

Splurged on some fancy-ish new curtains from good'ol spotlight.Found a colour that matched the wall perfectly.Also bought some matching tie-backs.

Thanks to dad for helping me install the new curtain rod and the tie-back hooks!

With the curtains closed-its like night during the day!Perfect for lazy summer afternoon siestas!

On the wall...

Handprinted artwork by moi...its an image of one of my favorite cathedrals in India

Just a simple mount card cut of of the letter T (from leftover scraps from uni projects!)

On the bedside table...

(managed to get two on special for $40.00 from my local " Warehouse")

Ipod/Radio Dock - featured with my acid green nano...

Assorted journals - one of them handmade/handbound from a little town called pondicherry in India

As blogged before...

Sunny yellow cushion - Handprinted scraps I've collected over the years and embroidery done to match the gingko leaves on the wall.Cool hey?

On the other bedside table...

My most favorite piece...

The poem was written for me by my sister Terryna and was a chrsitmas present from a few years ago.

Also in the picture our "dolly sister" - mine's the little one - LUCY and my sister called hers JULIE ! lol !

So far so good and I'm pretty pleased with how the room's looking :) I'm still on the hunt for some good fabric to cover the bedhead and I'm yet to put my new quilt cover on and I'mitching to get some euro pillows for the bed!

I'll put some photos up once I've done them.Also might put up a breakdown of how much it cost me.I'm just a student with a regualr part=time job so I had to work within quite a tight budget!

In the meantime thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed the photos as much as I enjoyed the process!yay!

Crafty summer...

2010-11-30T11:42:00.005+11:00

Its funny,I never really saw myself as much of a crafter or maker but turns out I actually love the therapeutic effects of taking the time out to make something beautiful for yourself or for a loved one and its EVEN MORE exciting when you use your own designed and handprinted fabric!

So I present...

Featuring one of my favorite colours,some treasured handprinted bits and pieces AND some simple embroidery...a cute cushion for my NEW room :)

Also... Thanks to Jhonna's ruby doll freebie pattern I made ...

MY VERY OWN "LUCY "DOLL !

The fun part - choosing what fabrics to use!

Cute little embroidered face :)

Lucy and the cushion - looking good together don't you think?

*love*

last few days of print...

2010-11-30T10:49:00.006+11:00

A few shots of the print process for my final project for the year.My challenge was to transalate a handpainted border design(see below) into a seamless repeat pattern and handprint a 2.5m length of fabric.
Technically the repeat was quite easy to do but the actual printing of it took a long time.I three screens to work with and about 8 colours in my design.Normally in industry you'll have one screen per colour!
So after a LOT of testing and failing and trying again and finally succeeding I used a combination of polychromatic printing (which is handpainting the screen using the dyes first and then printing with a clear paste to push the dye into the fabric) and direct screen printing to acheive a fairly good trnasaltion of my original design!The textile peeps reading this will feel my pain but for any non-textile geeks,hope you enjoy the photos!

Original handpainted design

One of the three screens,ready for printing

The painting begins.Handpainting using reactive dyes into the exposed part of the silk screen

Trying to achieve a watercolour effect through handpainting.VERY TIME CONSUMING!

And finally...the print onto ( 100% gorgeous silk habotai)

A view of the repeating design.I had to wash out my screen and re-paint after each print.Phew!exhausting but immesley satisfying.I absolutely LOVE what I do.

The background ombre on the fabric was also handpainted.Getting the colour gradation right was challenge #101!

Room renovation continued...

2010-11-30T10:38:00.007+11:00

Remember the bedroom renovation that I mentioned earlyier this year?Well finally I've got the time to post up a few shots of the before and afters!

Inspiration from the wonderful realliving magazine!

THE WALL! The colour - Wattly paints,midnight seas (BEA U-TIFUL)

THE TOOLS FOR THE TRADE!

Amateur in action!

MORE IN THE NEXT POST ... Stay tuned!

Time to breathe

2010-09-16T10:52:00.007+10:00

Its been 8 weeks of non-stop designing and handprinting a collection of swimwear fabrics tailored for the Zimmermann market.(photos up soon)

While I enjoyed the challenges is brought(And there WERE ?MANY!)I can truly say I felt a huge weight off my shoulders when I dropped off the swatch collection ,a range board and a technical to my lecturers office.PHEW!

Strangley today, I find myself with time to do what I love to do...devour my looong list of favorite blogs to read,have a sticky peek into some beautiful things happening around the www. and maybe even bake some cupcakes:)

A special treat was finding this amazing interview on the design files!

I'm a self confessed fan and follower of Megan park and her AMAZING textiles and her latest collection is beyond beautiful.

Her new flagship store in melbourne.beautiful.

www.meganpark.co.uk

Oh how I'd love to join that "little" design team some day!!!

Also came across some other lovelies :) on the design files

In the mean time some bits and piecees of my work...

textile design for homewares.Fancy a tea towel with this design?or maybe a table cloth?

my favorite.textile pattern for aprons/oven mitts/tea towels or whatever you like...

So much to do...so little time

2010-08-23T15:20:00.003+10:00

Hi everyone/anyone who's reading :)

I've been so busy with all sorts of uni assigments that I haven't made the time to blog:(in aaaages!However the beautiful spring sunshine has made me feel alot more cheery and hence here's a little post and a picture of a major kids bed linen project that I've been working on!

Enjoy!See you shortly:)

'sweet dreams' design for little girls bedlinen :) handpainted using gouache and oil pastel detail!

Paper Printing

2010-06-22T11:39:00.002+10:00

I did some screen printing onto watercolour paper yesterday.
Below is a mock up of how I'd like them framed form my room.Its all aprt of the "facelift" plan for my bedroom!Fingers crossed all goes well!

Bedroom Blues!

2010-06-20T21:45:00.006+10:00

I currently spend my nights in a pretty drab and boring bedroom with no soul what-so-ever and most sadly no colour or pattern :(
So,this winter break I am on mission : "bedroom renovation" and have been looking around for simple ways to introduce some colour and charecter into my room without hurting the hip pocket too much!I'm concerned about painting the walls because I might get moody and what happens if I don't like the colour I choose after a few weeks?!!?!
So,I think I'm going to keep the walls the creamy colour they already are and add elements of interest and splashes of colour with accesories and bits of furniture.
I definately need a head-board for my bed,bed-side tables,new curtains and a few decorative pieces.
Here's what I've found so far...

Image from here.
Like the idea of using a set of canvases mounted as a headboard.I'm thinking of covering the canvases in a neutral fabric and that way I can pin photos/pictures/other colourful elements on onto it.
(kinda like below!)

Image from july issue of Realliving magazine
Like the earthy tones with bursts of bright colour!How I'd love to own a bed -end ottoman!Sigh!
But yes,definitely loving the natural textures and the casual/thrown together feel:)

Gingko!

2010-06-19T11:56:00.004+10:00

Look what I now have thanks to the Lovely Lara at Ink and Spindle,Gingko wall decals!
Yay!So excited to own a Lara Cameron design!
I'm yet to find a nice home for them!Maybe a nice arrangement on a wall in my bedroom?workroom perhaps to keep me inspired:)

Holiday time and scarf montage

2010-06-12T14:08:00.008+10:00

Yes!Its finally holidays and I now have the head space as well as the free time to blog my heart away!

It was a relief to be able to hand-in all my work over the last week and now enjoy a well deserved break!

I've put together a little step-by-step montage of my scarf in making ( remember the length I was printing for it?)Anyway after lots of planning,plotting,sewing and screaming! I finally made it!

P.S - A little note on what this is about : The idea behind this scarf was to make create a piece of cloth filled with personal memories and the aim was to illustrate what made "me happy" and translate it into something beautiful that I can touch and feel and keep for a long time to come...

I'll stop rambling on now and show you some photos:)Enjoy!

a collection of my hand-printed swatches ready to go into the patchwork scarf!

Like a puzzle! working out a layout that works best,trying to slot in the bits and pieces(the long blue piece of fabric is my printed length...very happy with it:)

Cut and sew...

A mock polaroid of some cool sewing "shots" and sneak peak of the scarf...

Et Voila! The final scarf!

Thanks to my sister for being a perfect model :) and to photoshop for making the photo look pro!

Printing

2010-06-03T17:19:00.006+10:00

Just a super quick post with some pretty pictures of what I've been upto in the wonderful RMIT print studio :)

REPEAT PRINTING

A small sample of what needs to be printed.Tests are VERY IMPORTANT :)

Handpainting solution( dye ) mixed and ready to go.I'm aiming for a indigo-ish tint with this one

Background all painted and ready to go!(I'm printing on a gorgeous silk-linen blend)

The screen awaits...

and printing in repeat begins :)
Incase anyone is interested : I used a technique called "discharge printing " in which a special paste is made which when printed onto coloured cloth removes all colour from the area printed = your design.

So,when steamed and washed the part of the fabric covered in my design will have all colour dischaged fromit to reveal the original colour of the base cloth which was WHITE.Cool hey?

I'll post up pictures of the final length shortly :) This piece of fabric is the backing for a patchwork scarf!

Exciting!

More of Native Nature...

2010-05-04T21:16:00.012+10:00

Some more exciting colour work this time! finally!
I mean,I like black n white sketches..don't get me wrong..but there is just something when you begin to work with colour...the emotive power colours have is so lovely and I'm very excited to begin the colour phase of this project..
But its not all easy..as a student one of the key skills we develop is the "ART" of colour MATCHING!

colour matching to a reference : The Ajanta Cave Paintings,Benoy K.Bhel ( amazing book!)

> Ink painting on montval w/colour paper >

With a little help from photoshop:)

I did do a few more experiments,but I'm yet to scan them in.Will share them shortly.
Next up...

More drawing...

And so I'm back.

2010-04-30T12:30:00.006+10:00

Its been 7 months and I was almost certain blogland deleted my much neglected blog!
Phew what a relief to see its still here!
Its been a crazy few months..with an overseas holiday,back to uni and thereafter..one project after another...
Off-late though I've been feeling quite creatively suffocated and the demand to churn out ideas non-stop is really taking its toll on me.Its like I needed a place to vent..and since my IT braniac boyfriend won't understand a word or a doodle of mine...I remembered a long forgotten little space..MY BLOG.
So,I'm back with the resolution to STAY this time and even if there isin't anyone reading my blog..I'm still happy to have a space to share my work and feel a sense of creative freedom :)
However,if you are reading my rambles do say Hello and don't be a "silent" blog visitor like I used to be!
I thought it would be great to do a little post on my current "pet" project!

Welcome to my world of botanical drawing!

Some gorgeous native reference.

And it begins..using a simple HB pencil.Its a good idea to map out the shape your drawing.

After about 15 minutes...of non-stop drawing..its getting there!(I'm so bad at photos!)
Unfortunlatey thats all I have for now..i'm still in the process of finishing of the details..I took a little break and decided to blog it..
I will be back with more...
Next up..
Colour mixing..FUN!

On a Wedenesday ...

2009-09-16T11:28:00.003+10:00

After over six hellish weeks working towards project deadlines,I finally have some breathing space and blogging time!

This is ofcourse short-lived as I begin my final projects for the year now.However,I did have time to clean up and re-arrange my desk over the weekend to (hopefully!) keep me inspired :)
So,just a couple of photos of my desk this wednesday as I begin browsing real living cover to cover for inspiraiton :)

Also on the wall my To-do panel that will fill up with millions of to-dop lists over the next few weeks!!!!
My favorite part, is my holiday countdown calender that I have pointedly stuck on my desk to remind me that in two and a half months I will be gone on a much needed break to Incredible India!
Also loving the frames that I picked up at an op-shop for a bargain 50cents each;)They are Ikea ones(at an EVEN CHEAPER PRICE!!!!)

two posts in a span of 5 minutes!

2009-05-12T17:13:00.003+10:00

I stumbled across this design that I did about a year ago,intended to be printed as wallpaper..one of my favorites..
Please do leave a comment if your checking this out right now:)I love reading comments even if its just a hello:)

Birdie..

2009-05-12T17:04:00.002+10:00

I've been liking birds offlate...not REAL birds..oh!no..can't stand those...but I like to draw them and paint them,I love all the little marks and details on their bodies..

So here's a photoshop version of a birdie that I first hand drew and then coloured in photoshop..I'm very pleased with the result,Im doing more of them and they will finally make a pattern design to be digitally printed...exciting...!

LONG TIME

2009-04-14T22:44:00.003+10:00

Wow..its been aaages since I've written about my design-y ramblings.And NO-not that I haven't been doing anything arty,but because I've been doing tooooooooooooooo many things!
From,textile patterns,to funky jewellery,to part-time working,to painting in gouache,to getting blurry eyed working on photoshop - you name it I've done it!!!

In the mean time,it was a pleasant surprise to find a new follower to my blog..hehehee(thrilled).
Thanks Kim from Udessi(who ofcourse is on my blogs-to-read list!).I feel all important when some famous design folk notice my blog,and also a tad guilty that I've been neglecting it:[

SO,since I have NO pictures of my work-in-progress yeat,here's something I did a while ago..might come in handy soon.
Hope you like :)

copyright 2009 tanya dsouza

finally!

2009-03-08T10:49:00.002+11:00

As you can see,blogger has been playing up whenever I've tried to post in the past couple of weeks,hence my huge delay in rambling on about my life's happenings(not that anyone really cares or reads!sigh!)
However,this blog is still a wonderful outlet for my creative processes and I love putting up my work as it gives me a rare opportunity to look at it from another perspective and not always a critical one:)
Better late than never,I've made use of the yarn I mentioned last post,and slowly but surely a SCARF has started to emerge:)yay!
I din't realise how out of touch I was with my knitting,hence its taking a bit of experimentation before I can present the masterpiece..
That said,the learning and making mistakes is as wonderful as a finished pieces,so here's some creative process shots..Enjoy!
Please do leave a comment if you even flick through my blog,I loooove reading your words and it makes my blog feel REAL:)thanks:)

ta..da..nearly there...

plain panel for the scarf

showing off the pattern:)

misc.

set up and ready to go

NEW THINGS:)

2009-02-21T22:31:00.002+11:00

Ever since I scored a brand new knitting machine for a bargain at a local market,I've only used it for school projects(sigh!) and I've always wanted to make some nice scarves for my self,experiment with colours,techniques and all those wonderful things:)...

Anyway,I finally went down to YARN BARN and spent a good half hour falling in love with some fabulous wool/mercerised cotton blends.I ended up buying 600 grams of various colours and am now doing a lil'bit of research before I start knitting up some winter woollies:)

Will take picutures of my yarn collection in daylight tomorrow,but for now here is a hurried little illustration(as it is blogging RULE not to post without pictures!)

Seaside finds

2009-02-10T10:24:00.004+11:00

I'm a bit delayed in posting this,but oh well,better late than never:) I got back from a week well spent at a friends beach house in rye..being near the sea was so claming and relaxing that part of my just wanted to keep floating away on those waves......

I also visited Sorrento when I was there and for those of you carfty-designy folk who live in Melbourne and have never visisted,YOU ARE MISSING OUT BIG TIME! There were the most beautiful homewares and interior deco shops with the most stunning displays and products.

I felt like I was in Design-Heaven...fresh seaside themes,rustic-earthy feel of design and deco. SIMPLY AWESOME....

Here is a little montage of my photographic memories:)ENjoy!

fun with felt!

2009-01-26T18:09:00.005+11:00

I've always loved felt!!!

Making it is fun but also cutting into ready-made felt can also be fun..I've seen lots of laser cut felt shapes around the place over last year and have always wanted to do some my way...:)
I did with a few brooches that I made a while ago...and today sitting in front of the tele watching HOUSE, I gave it another go...
These ones are for brooches as well,and I'm very happy with how they look:)
Hope you like!

Random Things

2009-01-14T16:09:00.002+11:00

Wow..it sure has been a while since I last posted my design-ish happenings:)

I hope all you peeps out there had a good holiday and are now enjoying Melbourne's strange yet delightful summer weather!

I have also been indulging in a long holiday so nothing much been happening.... However I did stick a few inspirational bits and pieces up on my board and have been flicking through some lovely books so thought I'll share:)

Early Christmas present:)

2008-12-23T23:39:00.003+11:00

I AM SOOO EXCITED ABOUT THIS ONE!!!!

Earlier this month I entered a competition and I opened my mail today only to find that I've been selected as a runner-up!(my design shown above:)

Its all so exciting as finally I plucked up the courage to get my work out there and not be scared to enter competitions coz I think I'm not good enough...

Its great to receive feedback and see my design featured on the tigerprint blog!!!

That said,I hope to be doing many many more new and exciting design-y things in the new year and look forward to meeting more design-y folk who exist in blogland:)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE...!

brooch#1

2008-12-17T19:21:00.003+11:00

Finally managed to take apicture of "A" brooch that I made,I gifted a few off without taking pictures-lesson learnt!

Hope you like it..let me know what you think...very simple,clean,black and white with a little bit of banana fibre used for highlighted texture!!!

ho!ho!ho!

2008-12-09T18:20:00.004+11:00

With christmas around the corner I figured I needed to put myself in the spirit with some christmas card designs.

I've never really done any before,but I'm very happy with how these turned out.Inspired by christmas balls that seem to adorn my home year after year:)
Enjoy!

something blue and something new:)

2008-12-08T16:09:00.000+11:00

Took some time to change the look of my blog title..Now that my blog has become part of my design life and I thought it might be a good idea to have a better design/better looking title header.
Hope you like it:)

dabbling in illustrator...

2008-12-01T15:00:00.003+11:00

copyright 2008 tanya d'souza

Just some fun creating in illustrator...cushions perhaps...?????

Went to the design market yesterday...and ofcourse wanted to buy EVERYTHING!!!!!!
The stalls were fabulous as were the goodies up for sale....I in particular went to sneek peak at the ink and spindle stall...and WOW...the fabrics/products were soooo gorgeous to see and actually touch and feel in person....:)Awesome..!

The brooches mentioned earlier are still in the making....pictures to come soon...:)

MAKING...

2008-11-28T17:58:00.004+11:00

Oh I'm enjoying my holidays so much that I forgot all about christmas thats around the corner.

It was our graduate show last night and I had a great time.Took some picutres of my display and will post them up soooooon with some more info. on the show.

In the mean time,I had deicided earlier to make brooches for all the lovely ladies in my life for a christmas present.
I printed onto some plain felt squares and had all these plans to cut them up and make pretty things out of them.
They are currently a work in progress and a couple of them turned out quite nice, though I might finish a few more before I take pictures and post them here....something for my readers to look forward too???:)

I hope everyone is as confused as me with our very melbourne-ish weather:)but I hope its a good weekend for all...

and oh- excitment excitment about the design market this sunday!yay!

2008-11-26T12:30:00.001+11:00

some fresh summer prints.in fresh summer colours:)

UNFOLD

2008-11-25T14:50:00.004+11:00

Oh dear I am sooooo delayed with posting this.Maybe because noone really reads my blog..so I din't think it was much good puttin it up here...
But anyway...

Presenting UNFOLD-this years graduating class of RMIT textile and screen print design courses' graduate exhibition...Yay!

Opening night is this thursday(details on invitation).
It will be a fantastic night and there is some really gorgeous art and design work on display.
Soooo...If you're free thursday night between 6pm-8pm..Do come along and celebrate some fantastic young design talent:)

illustration...

2008-11-22T12:05:00.002+11:00

copyright 2008 tanya d'souza

I've been meaning to do some fun stuff in illustrator for a while now...and finally I got the chance..I did this illustration for a funky girls tee...not sure what I'm doing with it yet tho!!!Enjoy!

last of the lot.

2008-11-21T15:31:00.003+11:00

a deep magenta colourway..

printed background for the colourways..

Colours mixed and ready to go

EYE CANDY:)

2008-11-19T21:37:00.006+11:00

with layer two printed as well.

The second sceeen.For layer two of the design.

The exposed screen.You can see the cut through line where the designs repats:)

The repeat length.It was a bit tricky to do because of such a tight registration,but satisfying nonetheless;)

new pattern design:)

2008-11-08T16:49:00.004+11:00

New print design.
This one will be a printed length shortly:)Very excited about this one.Any comments?like?don't like?anything more than welcome:)

Product development

2008-11-08T13:44:00.002+11:00

For the first time I've actually made a few prototypes of cushions from my fabrics.Not sure what I'll be doing with them...sell them maybe?But then I don't know if people like what I'm doing and if anyone would actually buy my designs...
However I'm very happy with how these have turned out and might keep them for my SELF:)Do a little interior decorating for my home;)

Some more...

2008-11-08T13:40:00.005+11:00

Colours all mixed and ready to go...

long over due!

2008-11-08T13:27:00.006+11:00

Hey all !!!

Here are the long over due pictures of the print process;)

one of my screens with a few single motifs on it(for some placement printing)

screens,colours,spatulas,printy table,fabrics,MESS and more...;)Exciting!

on the cutting table....

2008-10-29T20:22:00.011+11:00

copyright 2008 tanya d'souza
Love..LOve..LOVE the colours.More cushions on the way with these fabrics!

copyright 2008 tanya d'souza

All lined up and ready to sew.I'm having tremendous fun mixing and match all my prints and creating patchwork type cushions.

copyright 2008 tanya d'souza

Not a very good picture,but the lighter green one is actually on silk.I looove how the print turned out and I think it looks great as a cushion.I'm waiting to finish the entire range of cushions so that I can take nice pictures of them all made up and arranged in a pretty way...

So do keep popping back to my blog(if there is anyone out there who reads it!)and you'll see some exciting things...I promise;)

Newbies

2008-10-25T10:43:00.006+11:00

It feels good when you complete something you've been working on for a while...all those hours of designing,testing,printing,more printing,even more printing..and then finally you have...the fruit of your labour....

These are final prints for my second last project at uni...a collection of exclusive hand-printed textiles for interiors inspired by INDIA.

Its been a long an invlolved process with lots of learning and experimenting on the way..

I'm very happy with the final result.....

The fabrics will be made into lamps and some of it into cushions.I've also done a few prints to be stretched onto canvas...All prints are on 100% cotton on varying fabrics like cheese cloth,linen,duck and some linen/rayon blends.

Business - like

2008-10-16T22:28:00.003+11:00

Now that I'm graduating...its time to start thiking of myself as a professional designer ahem!ahem!;)

So...I've designed my business preforma that I hope to carry out with throughout my design career...

Here is the final after a series of experimenting...I've tried to incorporate a stylish/sleek look that still has an organic feel to it..

I'm happy with it...any comments most welcome..:)

And yes..those screen print photos to follow soon...

SCREEN PRINT WOES:(

2008-10-16T14:52:00.002+11:00

As much as I love the process I get so frustrated at time and even more when paying the price for someone else's mistake...hmmmpfff..

Today I planned to expose my screens..so..I hop into the exposure unit,do everything right,set my screen and artwork up,turn the vacuum on and shut the door BANG!turn the unit ON...

2 minutes later...the light goes off..so I hop in again and take my screen out and excitedly wash it off only to find that the the image wasn't fully exposed...AND GUESS WHY..."someone"changed the time on the unit to less that what it was meant to be and hence the partial exposure...

So...I had to re-strip,re-coat-re-expose..and phew!it worked(after I set the time right!)...what a relief..!!!

That said..I'm now ready to print!Wipee!oh-let's not forget colour matching and mixing...

Its going to be a long few hours....:)

Will bring in my camera next time and take pictures:)

cushion!!!

2008-10-11T13:15:00.004+11:00

I think I'm going to call the design on this fabric LOVABLE:)

I really like how this fabric looks as a little pillow and I think my baby cousins bedroom will be its happy home;)

I'm loving sewing cushions and plan to make up a few more in the coming weeks with some of my own printed fabrics!

I'm no expert on sewing yet but I'd like to make bigger cushions and experiment with different sizes..shapes....piping...etc.etc.

Saturday morning design

2008-10-11T12:58:00.002+11:00

This morning I woke up and sudddenly realised I'm meant to be making a thankyou card to give someone tomorrow...

So sat down with illustrator and scanned some drawings and decided to have a go at doing some SIMPLE patterns with simple shapes/motifs.

At uni we'r always being told to explore complex textile design techniques and I've never really had the chance to do some "non-complex"yet effective textile design...And especially after seeing the simple gorgeous patterns of the likes of Kirin&Co. and Hollabee...I came up with this design for the card...

Hope you'll like it..Feedback-positive or negative..most welcome:)

just something little...

2008-10-10T15:36:00.003+11:00

some inspirational imagery and design....

I was blog shopping yet again and my search led my to this fab. website...and this particular page..do check it out..

http://www.organic-furnishings.co.uk/felt_panels/105/

Also found some exquisite wallpaper...

http://www.wallpaperdecor.com.au/

The pillow that I mentioned before is Done!Turned out alright:)

Pictures will be taken and posted a.s.a.p

and SEW It Seems;)

2008-10-09T18:17:00.003+11:00

Yup,Its that time again whereI take to the sewing machine...I've said it before and I say it again..I am NOT yet a sewing person....However I seem to have connected with making cushions...and my next attemt will be using some of my own fabric that I printed digitally...How exciting..I've never really had anything made of my own designs..

Anyhow..I start this tomorrow..so praying it all goes well;)

Happily Encouraged:)

2008-09-26T10:00:00.007+10:00

I'm so excited to be receiving commetns(at last!!)and that too from such famous blogspersons;)and talented designers!!Thank you all so much!

Anywayyy..I'm so excited that I'm putting up some pattern design I've done recently...very floral...and the best bit...I whipped them up in about a few hours time which for a beginner like me is pretty quick.

I entered these into the tiger print competition.But because I discovered tigerprint on the day of the competetion closing date...I don't think these hasty ones will get anywhere...However i'm on the look out for more competitions...they'r exciting:)!!

blog surfer:)

2008-09-25T12:34:00.003+10:00

oh how i love holidays!
I've been shopping around blogs for inspiration and I found this one through tigerprint:)
Dee beale....Definately worth a visit;)

watch a space;)

2008-09-23T13:22:00.002+10:00

Hi anyone who reads this blog:)
Day 2 of my spring break and I'm loving it...!Wipeee for holidays!
Watch this space people..(if your not already addicted to it!)
Tigerprint
That's all I'm going to say..so hop on now and enjoy a feast for your eyes:)

Howdie!

2008-09-17T17:44:00.002+10:00

Oh How!Oh How! do I get people to read my blog...!!!!!
Its funny...I so eagerly open up my blog every day and boohoo! no comments...!

Anywaaayyy..on the brighter side...its just two days till my uni closes for SPRING BREAK!whippeeee!!!
I look forward to spending my time wisely and doing lots of design work!!!!

summer weather = summer prints:)

2008-09-13T13:16:00.003+10:00

How good is todays sunshine!!!!!!yay!

Finally some good use for my tucked away shorts and tees;)

Anyway I woke up all excited to take pictures of my recent prints and I am very very happy with how they look...I can see them as printed lengths...and if anyone does read this blog I'd love your comments and feed back...

Sneak peeek!

2008-09-11T19:45:00.003+10:00

One other thing...If "anyone's"been reading my blog..you might remember some prints that I posted a while ago...
Well..I've completed printing my swatch book today and I'm waiting for the weekend when I can take some photos of them IN SUNLIGHT...and put them up on the blog..
I hope you like them...Also awaiting a digitally printed swatch which I will receive on Wednesday!

Little things in life!

2008-09-11T19:35:00.004+10:00

Its funny how we hardly take notice of things around us.Like today for example....I was walking up the ramp to platform 2 at northmelbourne when suddenly!I saw this tree and these gorgeous little flowers and buds on it.
Sooo strange..I walk up that ramp EVERYDAY and I'v never noticed it before...Maybe because its spring and the tree has been dead all winter,but hey!that must mean I've been walking past it for the past thre springs!!!!!
Anyway...just thought I'd put up a picutre of a little branch that fell from the tree...very inspiration little piece of nature:)
Aaaannd I've certainly learnt to take a little more notice at my surroundings:)

one more....

2008-09-09T15:37:00.002+10:00

not too sure what happened to the little missing bits...mmmm...!!nonetheless hope you get the idea...:)

and oh!please do comment...I usually feel shy to comment on blogs but I'd REALLY love feedback from some "actual people"other than my university teachers;)

Bits n pieces!

2008-09-09T15:25:00.002+10:00

heylo everyone!

Hope the weekend was good...

I have mondays and tuesdays off from uni so I usually stay home and catch up on work.However yesterday I went in to access the print studio and got some printing done.Unfortunately I forgot to bring them back home so I have no pictures to put up.Buuuut.....What is a post without a picture???So I decided to put up some other pattern design that I did sometime ago...

Feel the looooove!

2008-09-06T18:28:00.003+10:00

To Dad with love
Homemade chocolate chip cake with frosting et all for tomorrows father's day lunch get-together!

Its been quite a productive saturday so far!

Cooking for tomorrows luncheon
Baking and decorating this cake
Making and taking pictures n posting the buttons
Sending out a few long overdue e-mails
Driving my sister to n back from work

PHEW!time for some lazing around and maybe a nice movie;)

Button love XoXo

2008-09-06T16:23:00.004+10:00

I did manage to whip up these long over due buttons...And managed a little fancy layout too;)
The fabric is just offcuts from my printing that have been stashed away forever...put to gooood use with these little treasures don't you think!!!?!
I bought these self cover buttons from spotlight,but they were quite expensive about 5 bucks for only 6 of these little frames.Anynone know any place cheaper?coz I'd love to make all my fabric ends n odds into pretty buttons!

I can't wait to wear them as little brooches or even hair pins like in the picture!!

looks like someone's gonna get all dressed up for tomorrows father's day lunch:)

My first acutal sewing success(and attempt!!)

2008-09-06T14:45:00.003+10:00

Meet mr.calico cushion!!My first actualy product cut and sewed all by myself!

I've always wanted to make cushions coz I looove the colour that they bring to a room...I also have stashes of my printed fabric that I've wanted to make into cushions for aaages..and NOW I CAN!yay!

P.S-notice my little fabric button in the corner??i loove little things..plan to get stuck into making somemore of these today..maybe while watching some tele!

hope everyone is having a good weekend and loving the weather!!!Hello Spring!

PRINTEY PRINT PRINT~

2008-09-06T10:57:00.005+10:00

Testing a few different colourways for a 2 colour print for the CAPSID range.

I like the one on the far left,it looks just like my croquis and goes well with the other designs.

The prints are on 100% cotton voile.lovely sheer fabric.The print quality is not very good coz I used a spare screen to print the background colours as my screens were still being exposed.

Nonetheless I have a pretty good idea of what it will look like.Going to do some more (good ones)on monday!

(sorry about the very dodgy picutre...!I'll get better I'm sure...practise makes perfect!

My Space

2008-09-05T21:25:00.003+10:00

I'm so obessed with this new blog that I'm constantly looking for things that I can post.

And just now looking around the study I realised BINGO!my study itself!

Ofcourse since I live at home its shared with the rest of the family but as you can see I RULE!!!

Also a little snippett of a "planner board"which I'm slowly turning into my personal inspiration corner;)

WoW!I actually FEEL so much more like a designer/artist/maker/creative person or whatever you like to call me...thank you blog!

Finally!

2008-09-05T21:12:00.003+10:00

After clariifying copyright issues with my teacher at uni....Here is a first glimpse of my work..

Actual samples!YAY!

This one is a range designed for kids.Its a 3 colour print on some lovely white cotton/linen blend.
As part of my course I had to print a production run of 12(not very much).I was quite happy with how they turned out.
Haven't yet made it into anything,but I'm thinkin little pillows/cushions for kids maybe with a commercial printed back and cute little fabric buttons.

Oh I don't think I've mentioned it yet...I can't really sew!!yeh...yeh..!!I know...however I am learning and I can proudly say that I can make a cushion cover now!!!(with piping!)

Learning curves!

2008-09-05T15:27:00.002+10:00

Seems like today is meant to be world learning day!!Well,atleast for me!!

First, I "learnt"that I had forgotten to bring in my pattern pieces for my sewing class!!D'oh!

Second,while washing out my screens the high pressure hose gave way and drenched me in water.What did I learn you may ask???I learnt that it is terribly haaard to fix it back when there is water gushing EVERYWHERE and its worse when your soaked!

Third and by far the most exciting!! I learnt how to make the title of my blog look all pretty!!YAY!bit of trial and error and I probably did it the long way while there could be a much quicker path to the same end.....!!!That said.. I am very happy with the look..but am still experimenting with more colour choices!!

Here's hoping it attracts some readers:)

some more inspiration

2008-09-04T22:14:00.004+10:00

Behold!The St.Mary's Cathedral,Sydney

I took this picture on our pilgrimage to World Youth Day in july this year.

I was stunned by the gorgeous interior of the cathedral.

As a strong catholic,the church inspired me so much spiritually and I feel like I almost owe a tribute to this Beautiful house of God.

DEFINATELY a pattern design inspired by St.Mary's.Not too sure when,but with my course and its demands I'm sure I'll have the right oppurtunity to design one!

Thats all the impulse posts for tonight!!!

NiteyNite everyone!

Oh!!! the new found JOY of blogging:)

2008-09-04T22:00:00.003+10:00

Its 10.07 pm and I was just getting my stuff ready for uni tomorrow and look what I realised!!!!
I've been spending a lot of time at the library this week and this is my little(borrowed;) collection of some awesome textile design books...I personally can't get enough of them.
I can spend aaaaages at the library,miss classes and get totally lost in the wonderful surrounding of pages n pages of inspiration,knowledge and creativity.
I just HAD to take a picture and post it because I'm soooo excited about this new blog:)
Not sure if I have any readers as yet tho!sigh!Patience Tanya Patience!!!!

CAPSID

2008-09-04T11:51:00.004+10:00

oooohhhh...bacteria,virus and microorganisms!!!!!
Believe it or not this formed by insipiration for a recent beach wear collection that I designed for a project at uni.
It worked soo well and I am very pleased with the outcome.
Will put some images of the designs up as soon as I can work out a way to protect my images...anyone got any ideas on howI can do this??????

holiday workshops at RMIT brunswick!!!!!!

2008-09-03T22:01:00.000+10:00

yayyay!Its that time of the year!!!Holiday workshops at RMIT brunswick!!!!!!
Every year the Textile course at RMIT organises fundraiser workshops in the september school holidays...this year there are workshops in screen printing,felting,machine knitting&shibori. The brochure is HUUge to put up here so if anyone would like any info. please DO COMMENT and I am more than happy to give you days,dates,times.costs and other exciting info:)looking forward to some comments from you creative peeps out there...until next time.....