The end of 2012

The end of 2012 it may be, but not the end of the world! The end of an era, the beginning of a new one in my life as I transition back to fashion college mid year. This week, work began on my new studio! "All I want for Christmas is a new studio"......

Mishka supervises the laying of the first bottom plate of the studio - "Good work, Dad!!"

Well, maybe a little after then, but that's fine with me. In the short design process, as we walked it out, it grew and grew until it filled all the available space - well, why not?!! In typical Matt Pettigrew style, it is being over engineered to buggery - and I like that! I don't want to deal with the aftermath of floods etc when it could be avoided....
I'm really excited about having wall space to design on, bookshelves for all my fabulous inspirational books and magazines,  and cupboards to house the ever-growing collection of garments and materials. I'm also looking forward to the studio christening party!!
Luckily my WoW design process is well under way and should be able to progress despite the changing surrounds. I spent an enjoyable Friday picking up supplies for my pieces, and ended up in Wynnum where I found my new mascot - Bunneh!

Bunneh!!

Last weekend was our first 'Day on the Green' at Sirromet Winery, and what a great experience that was! The Models, The Church, Simple Minds, and Devo - Awesome! Not a particular fan of any of these bands, it was a wonderful chilled out afternoon full of wine, sun, and even some sketching time! And I am a new convert of Devo's..........
The weekend before last, we ended up having a bit of a spontaneous drinks session on the deck, which ended up with us in the inevitable drinking hats!!

The Frenchman

The Cowboy

and a top hat!

Hmmm, this is supposed to be more of a textile based blog, isn't it.....
Last week I made inroads on my latest piece of thick, vegetable tanned leather, cutting out an armband piece. I started work on it after a lot of design work, which fortuitously led to a decision to make my design in this wonderful stiff leather, which will hold itself  in a beautiful sculptural fashion! And I think I might just be able to make it all from this one piece!

Leather piece ready to be cut!

I'm looking forward to my two weeks off, and making some serious progress with my work, as the new studio takes shape. All the best for the crazy season, folks!