A little bit Christmassy

One last cushion project to show off before the Christmas break… I made this new stamp cushion design for a wedding present – I think this highland stag came up really well, although the photo doesn’t quite capture the pretty turquoise of the background.

I’ll have to make more of this design next year, but I might change the background colour to the beautiful azure blue of the Scottish flag. He looks a little bit too Christmassy in his current colourway!

Roll up, roll up!

One last cushion to go on the big stack ready for this Saturday’s QAGOMA Christmas Design Market – outside the Gallery of Modern Art at South Brisbane from 9am to 4pm. It’s our biggest market yet, with 40 stallholders. Hope to see you there!

A special occasion

I think I only make one of these German robin postage stamp cushions every 18 months or so – there are soooo many letters in ‘Deutsche Bundespost’ and when you’re cutting them out by hand it does take a while! Here he is, and you’ll find him over in my Etsy store.

Making smiles

Here’s another pic from the GOMA markets – a Kenyan friend was chuffed to discover I’d made a stamp cushion from his country! It’s always so much fun seeing people’s faces when they find meaning in something you’ve made!

If you went to the markets, but you’re having Cushion Regret, you can make amends with a visit to the Touch Wood Design Etsy store which is now back up and running.

Two-colour twist

I think I’m officially ready for the markets this Saturday! I’ll be taking quite a few new cushions along, including this variation on my South African postage stamp design – I tried a two-colour twist so the letters could sit more cosily together.

See you this Saturday outside the Gallery of Modern Art at South Brisbane!

African safari: Zairean elephant

Here’s the fifth design in my African Safari postage stamp cushion series – an elephant from Zaire. It was a bit tricky getting those big ears right, but the effect of three layers of felt makes him super-soft!

Now I have to get busy to make sure I have enough cushions ready for the QAGOMA Winter Design Market – it’s less than two weeks away!!!

African safari: Egyptian crocodile

How about this cheeky grin?! Number four in my new African Safari postage stamp cushion series is this Egyptian crocodile in bright emerald green on a charcoal wool fabric base. I thought about drawing a camel, but decided on this fellow instead…

You’ll find him at the Touch Wood Design stall at the upcoming QAGOMA Winter Design Markets on Saturday 1 August.

African safari: Kenyan lion

Next stop on the African safari is Kenya… I was channelling my inner 1970s Woman’s Day craft book designer when I drew this one! He’s got a hand-embroidered mane too… and you know how much I love a bit of hand embroidery!

The new postage stamp cushion series will be launched at the QAGOMA Winter Design Markets on Saturday 1 August.

African Safari Part 2

Next stop on my African safari is Tanzania. When I started drawing this fellow I wondered how I would sew all his splotches – I had to simplify the design somewhat so that this giraffe would be practical to make and I’m very happy with how he turned out!

He’ll be available – along with his other African postage stamp cushion friends – from my stall at the QAGOMA Winter Design Market outside the Gallery of Modern Art in South Brisbane on Saturday 1 August.

Stamp World Tour: African safari begins

I’ve now (finally) completed the five new postage stamp cushion designs in my African Safari series! Here’s the first – a leaping springbok from South Africa.

I’ll be showing you the other designs over the coming weeks… and you’ll be able to see them all in person at the next GOMA Winter Design Market, which is confirmed for Saturday 1 August.