March 19, 2012

Fun Day with Friends

I work full time and at the weekends when I get let out, I tend to pack my days to the full with friends. I love being at home too. Apart from doing the household chores  which is never fun, I enjoy going out for coffee or lunch. The rest of the day I just play with stitching or dyeing. 

Last Saturday I had a date with my friend Jacky to go to the art opening in the afternoon. When Jacky and I meet up, we never waste a moment because Jacky also works. Today we planned to visit Ziguzagu's new premisses in the morning. Ziguzagu recently moved. We had to check it out to find see if we would like their new place as much as the old warehouse where they were. 


Before we left I gave Jacky her early Birthday present. I gave Jacky India Flint's book Second Skin. I knew she hadn't got it yet. I also gave Jacky a Japanese blue and white porcelain bowl. 


Ziguzagu's new location is at 440 Malvern Rd, Prahran 3181, in Melbourne. We had been to the shop before when it used to be a Japanese furniture shop. It's a big long shop perfect to house all of the Ziguzagu baskets, shelving units and hanging racks. This is the indigo section of vintage indigo cotton and silk. 


It's such an eye candy to see the familiar baskets full of kimono silk. I found more things there that we didn't see before like Japanese wooden dolls, braids and buttons. 


I didn't have a chance to look at the books this time. Oh well, there always be next time. I did get what I went there for, plain silk for shibori dyeing. 


Kate was working there this Saturday. Kate and Haru work there every other Saturday. They are both darlings and  I really enjoy their company. I go to ZZ to see them as much as to see the fabric. But now we miss the boys at the old warehouse. Yes, we do like the new shop too...!


Next stop was the exhibition "Journeys In - Journeys Out" by the three talented sculptors and artist: Jude Craig, Michael Hyett and Martin Judd at Burrinja Gallery.  I love how they collaborated with different  media of recycled metals, wood and eco-dyed fabric. 


Jude Craig is the eco-dye teacher Jacky and I had a workshop with a couple of months ago. Here are some of my favourite pieces in the exhibition. 



Congratulations to all for a great exhibition. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have loved to go back for a second look if time permitted.


From left Jacky, Jillian and Joni. Jillian was at the same workshop at Jude's. We have since been connected through Facebook. Joni and I have a mutual friend Fabienne Dorman-Rey who lives in the Netherlands. This photo is for you Fabienne...

Counting down for my Japanese Textile Study Tour April 15 - 25. I checked the cherry blossom forecasting today and I think we will hit it lucky for the peak of the blooms. During my first trip to Japan in 2010 I was lucky to walk under the canopy of cherry trees in Kyoto, Tokyo, Nara and Kanazawa. This time we will do it again at the base of Fujino-San, how exciting!

I will post a link to the tour's Facebook and a link to the tour blog. I hope to post some photos on the tour Facebook whenever possible. It's a public Facebook so anyone can visit, but you cannot comment if you don't have Facebook account. 



Enjoy
Nat



18 comments:

Simone de Klerk said...

There must have been so much inspiration for you! Love the link to India Flint blog!

blandina said...

Great post, full of interesting and pretty stuff.
Melbourne is definitely on my wish list, and not only for Ziguzagu!

Jude Craig said...

HI Nat,

SOOOO good of you and jacky to visit and bring me 'a present'. The most magnificent silk from a kimono which is destined for something very special. Thankyou thankyou thankyou xxxxxxxxx

Moon Goddess said...

Nothing makes a better day...good friends and some retail therapy! The ZZ shop looks fabulous. I can't wait to shop in Japan!!!! Not long now. I'll be able to hug you soon. :)

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Nat. Your ZZ shop is very tempting, I must say. Thanks for showing a few tantalizing glimpses of the art show--great mix of textiles and wood/metal, just very interesting. By the way, your trip-around-the-world quilt is to die for!
best, nadia

deanna7trees said...

always love your pics, especially when you visit ZZ. looks like it was a grand day.

Needled Mom said...

What a fun day out! Does the shop seem as friendly in its new location? Often times they are not the same when they move. It looks as though it had a lot of fun eye candy on display.

The exhibition looks amazing. I loved the pieces you showed us.

I can't wait to read all about your trip. I am so glad that your timing is going to be so good for the cherry blossoms.

Els said...

Ha ! Would looooove to visit that shop with Jacky and you, Nat ! (would nót be able to leave empty-handed I guess ...)

Anonymous said...

Nat, you're the sweetest, thanks for the photo of Joni ;-). The exhibit is stunning, love the piece with ecodye and metals together, a "logical" combination. Happy dyeing my friend

Fabienne

Jeannie said...

I love when you post ZZ photos! I guess it is a good thing they are not online. My credit card would get a work out! The art exhibit - oh my! If I could add another hobby to my list it would be metal working. I love how the metal played off the eco-dyed fabric. Jude is so talented. I look forward to the next Jacky/Nat adventure.

Jacky said...

Lovely day Nat....always fun and jam packed when we get together.
Thanks so much for my 'early' birthday gifts. I enjoyed a quiet time on Sunday reading through Second Skin. A beautiful and thoughtful gift, thank you.
The exhibition was wonderful. The eco dyeing worked so well with the metal sculpture! Lovely to catch up with Jillian again and meet her friend Jodi.

Have FUN on your Japanese Tour!

Jacky xox

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hello Nat from Murramarang Resort not too far from Long Beach...I am here for a few days as part of a CarerFest...Looks like fun you had with your friends...Is that Jacky who was moving here?

Gypsys Daughter said...

What a fabulous fun day! You must have come home pooped! and what a beautiful birthday gift for your friend. I tried to order India Flint's first book but it was out of stock. Will try again. Her teqniques and stories are great!

onesmallstitch said...

fabulous, wish I could go to ZZ with you. the exhibition looks intriguing and beautifully displayed, what a day! time is flying by.

Terry said...

ZZ looks nice in the new shop. Friends who share your passion always energise you. The trip is almost here. We don't go away till the 25th. Today is house day so should be busy for a while.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a very special time with your friend/s!~ Thanks for sharing! ♥♥♥

Peggy said...

Nat, you lead a full-to-the-top life! I love seeing what you're up to and will be watching for the tour posts on Facebook. Enjoy the cherry blossoms!

A perfect gift for Jacky you chose, so wonderful you two found each other. xo

Lis Harwood said...

Glad you found the new ZZ. I was also going to check the cherry blossom forecast so thank you for doing it for me, I am looking forward to it with more excitement than i thought possible after only seeing the one remaining cherry tree in blossom on my last visit to Japan.

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