SEPTEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER :

September Silk News

WELCOME to the first Abfab Silk News using the new software (it's so easy to use!).

At left: handpainted silk habotai with French silk dyes

We artistic types/arty folk tend to be less regimented than most, and don't necessarily stick to deadlines, because our brains are filled with wonderful designs and colours.

It is for this reason that my Newsletters are intermittent, and generally not sent on a regular basis ... but that doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you! In fact, I'm now using new software to make it so much easier for me to keep in touch with you.

This Newsletter brings talk of silk charmeuse cushion covers, silk art classes in gay Paree, new clothing designs at Abfab and other goodies.  Grab a tea or coffee, sit back, relax and have a read ...

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NEW WEBSITE
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The first few pages of my new site are ready:

http://AbfabDesigns.com

I decided to split my site in two, so that I have the new site to sell my gorgeous handpainted clothing and decor, and the second site (the one you've already visited) will become my silk information site with instructions on how to paint on silk, tips about silk clothing, big girl/plus size clothing tips and info, etc.

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SILK JOURNALS, CARDS
& TRINKET BOXES
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CUSHION COVERS
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I'm so excited to tell you my great news - I have designed a range of handpainted silk charmeuse cushion covers, and will be selling them on my website very soon. Here's a sneak peek at one of the designs:

Silk charmeuse has a beautiful luxurious feel to it, drapes wonderfully for clothing as well, and is perfect to handpaint my designs onto.  To rest your face against one of these beauties while lounging on your sofa will be sheer luxury.

The cushion covers are 55cm square [21 inches square] with a zipper closure along one side.

The dyes I am painting with are colourfast, and you will be able to pop the cushion cover into a lingerie bag to wash on the gentle cycle of your washing machine or wash by hand.

Silk is well known as being light in weight, so shipping will be inexpensive to anywhere in the world.

I'll also be accepting Commissions, so you'll be able to request specific designs for an additional fee.  Stay tuned for some photos to be uploaded to this page:

AbfabDesigns home decor >>

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SILK ADVENTURE
PARIS
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Always wanted to visit the City of Light and Love??  I have been teaching silk painting in Paris, France in June each year, and next year I plan to teach classes there in July and August.  I love Paris and have lived there in the past, so I go back regularly to visit friends and spend time in the city I love.  I have created a website about my love of Paris, and you can read about the classes here:

Silk painting in Paris >>

My love of Paris began many years ago when I first moved there in 1980 and learnt to paint on silk.  Paris and silk both became the love of my life - which still continues, nearly thirty years later ... oooohh I was so lucky be able to immerse myself in the French culture - I still love it!

The Silk Adventure includes visiting silk and dye suppliers, textile museums and exhibitions, the wonderful textile district of Montmartre (at the foot of the Sacre Coeur church on the hill), painting on silk and a whole host of wonderful things to do and create.  I'd love it if you could join me!

While I was in Paris I was lucky to see a silk scarf (French word for scarf: foulard) exhibiton in the marvellous store called Galleries Lafayette:

A handful of top notch designers were asked to design one silk scarf each, and they were all very different styles and gorgeous!

You can read a wee bit more on the blog:

http://abfab-art-studio.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html

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SILK CLASSES
SYDNEY
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My silk workshops in Sydney, Australia are very popular, offering lessons from Beginners to Advanced, one-on-one and groups:

Silk painting classes >>

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BLOGALICIOUS
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If you haven't visited my blog yet, you might like to pop over and view a project I was working on recently, with lots of yummy step-by-step photos of my newly-sketched French girl's face and interesting results with old silk dyes:

Latest blog post: 
http://Abfab-Art-Studio.blogspot.com
Check out my French girl: My French girl >>


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SALE!
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There will be a sale of stock at the start of October - you'll be the first to know, I'll send an email!

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UPCOMING
DISCOUNT!!!
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I will be offering you - my Silk Newsletter Subscribers - a discount on the new handpainted silk charmeuse cushions before they are available online, so stay tuned!  You might like to buy one or more for yourself, for a gift - a birthday, anniversary, new home/apartment, or just because they're gorgeous.  :-)

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NEW WEARABLE
ART CLOTHING
DESIGNS
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I've been sketching new clothing designs, and am now looking for the right quality of silk to paint on.  The fabric needs to drape just 'right' for each type of clothing design, and it's always wonderful to go play and touch textiles - I visited a wholesale fabric store in Sydney recently and was in silk heaven!

As soon as I have some samples to show you, I'll let you know and will post photos on my blog.

Here's one of my recent sketches

Last weekend I was sitting in my favourite local cafe, Vicini in Annandale (10 mins drive to the heart of Sydney) and I took along my new watercolour (and a set of normal) pencils.  I did a couple of sketches for potential new colour schemes on my favourite Haori jacket, and then dipped my finger into water and smudged the watercolours to get a better idea.  This is what I ended up with:

This Haori jacket above will be in lime green and more of a turqouise blue - like green grass and blue sky - back to nature :-)

and this one below is hot pink and orange - still one of my favourite combinations I've used for over 20 years.  Hmmm, maybe I'll line some of the coats so they can have a plain bright colour inside - what do you think?  You can write a comment at the bottom of the page if you like :

SILK SCARF WINNER!!

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CONGRATULATIONS to Beverly Armato in the Yukon! You've won a 21x21 inch handpainted silk chiffon scarf by signing up for my newsletter - please send me a photo of you wearing it, to add to my next newsletter. Enjoy!

The silk scarf at right is in delicious floaty chiffon too, and is 22x60 inches long.

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One last item - now that this new Newsletter has been issued, it appears on the Archive or Back Issues page, so if you miss one, you can pop over there to read and catch up on news.

That's it for this issue of the Abfab Silk Newsletter, and I hope this finds you all happy and healthy and enjoying the beauty in every day.

PS - you can now post Comments on the Silk News pages of the website, so wherever you see the Comments link appearing at the bottom of web pages, post away!  I look forward to hearing from you!

Ciao for now,
Teena!

PS - If you haven't subscribed to the Abfab Silk Newsletter, click here to get started - you will be in the draw each month to win a fabulous handpainted silk scarf by me - Teena Hughes!

Feel free to post a comment!

I love to get feedback, ideas, questions!

Please click the link to type your FEEDBACK >>

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