For Kootoyoo!

As I tend to live in the past, I am still doing a lot of vintage pillow-casey-goodness (26 on the washing line today!!!)

During the recent Week of Vintage Pillowcases, Kootoyoo posted this tutorial, and I HAD to make one. Of course I am slap-dash, didn't measure, and it's a tad small and a tad wonky, but I LOVE it.

I am now working on a Toddler Roll, with sections for paper, crayon box, snack, and stickers, all of which come out with Miss 2 whenever we Adventure Out. Check out Kirsty's other rolls and embroidery ideas that are Wonderful.

Thanks for the ideas Kirsty - you are a STAR!!

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Vintage Australiana or Knitting Kitsch?

Ok, so am I borrowing artistic licence in the use of the word vintage?? Vintage is bandied about these days but is a lovely word (evocative of a good glass of wine!!) I am classing 1984 as vintage, and to celebrate a female relative getting selected for the Olympics (yayy P!!) I am thrilled to display a recent op-shop find. Commonwealth Games or Olympics, this is certainly worthy! It may well become another Vintage Australiana contribution!





Well-worth the ten cent price tag!!

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A week of vintage Australiana

Pip over at Mike's has invited Gemma Jones to host a week of Australiana this week, and I have joined in because I can't help myself! Gemma also has heaps of fab apron stuff here. These will come in handy for the sassy summer apron swap.

This advert comes from an Australian Home Journal from the 1950s, uploaded here.


And this scarf just couldn't wait until later in the week and had to share the limelight with the tea ad. Look here for more travel scarves (and this one in context).

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Stunning art to share so generously

While reading Kirsty's lovely blog I clicked a link and suddenly I was overcome by beauty! I am in awe of this incredible art blog. Thank you Kirsty for linking to it, and thank you Geninne for spreading joy by sharing your stunning art. I haven't asked for permission to borrow any images, but take the time to peruse for yourself.

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This is.... my favourite book (at the moment)

My first love is reading. I have long been a book-devourer. Incredulously people ask me "did you really read all that?!", but those close to me know I am quite the speed reader. Not always of course, as some things are better when read slowly.

This is ... has been lots of fun, and it's always good reading about other people's entries. This should be rather interesting, as I will enjoy making notes and seeking out books that I like the sound of!

A FAVOURITE book is a big ask. A favourite for a long time was Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I was given this at the age of 16 by my then-boyfriend. It has always been a heavy read but a great book. Of course I then went on the Marquez-discovery, and read many, many more of his works.

Later, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse tickled my fancy.

The poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson has also always been wonderful to me, especially The Lady of Shalott.

When reading to kids, certain books never lose their sheen, like Each, Peach, Pear, Plum by the Ahlbergs, or Great Day for Up by the incomparable Dr Seuss.


I own most Agatha Christie novels, which are great to read quickly, read on holiday, or just immerse oneself in on a cold day. These are a treasure and a lovely little collection!

Today, my favourite book is my Oxford Concise Dictionary. This is the most thoughtful pressie I think I have ever received, as it is exactly what I wanted. Boring to many, brilliant to most!


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Back and busy

Back home (mmm, my own bed!), mountains of washing, bags and boxes to unpack, photos to take and upload, emails to respond to, memes to update (and I've been tagged for another!), and I will NEVER go away without the computer AGAIN!

Above are some daisies to make me smile. Mum had a school teacher in the 1950s who told her there were NO blue flowers. I have inherited her joy in finding more and more of them! What about a Forget-me-not?!

We had a super-busy time in Melbourne. I went to my first Brown Owls meeting, which was fun but terrifying at the same time. It's not very 'me' to just go somewhere without knowing anyone. I was fine until I realised they all knew each other, and I tried so hard but may have been inadvertently rude to some lovely people... Sorry!

It was especially nice to meet Ms Curlypops, Drewzel, Pip, and others, and we did a spot of crocheting!

I had the pleasure and joy of meeting an elderly relative, Edna, who is 95 and loves a Vanilla Slice and a cappuccino (must be genetic)! She has loaned Mum a family diary that covers 1901 to 1912 of Edna's grandmother (Mum's great-grandmother). It was amazing to read. I loved reading the entry about her voting on the first occasion women could in Australia.

I also saw a darling lady, a companion of my late great-uncle Lloyd. Margaret is another amazing woman, also 95, and has recently had HER grandmother's cookbook restored by a conservator and archivist. It is hand-written on water-marked vellum, and inscribed 1783. I was so moved. Marg is legally blind, so her enjoyment of it comes from others reading it to her. I loved doing this, and would have read the whole book to her.

Mum is in the process of 'down-sizing', so I also came home with a box of stunning vintage fabrics from the 60s, 70s and 80s, some old books from my childhood, op-shop finds, dresses of mine from the 1970s for Miss 2, and lovely memories.

HEAPS of photos to come. Sorry for the rant!

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Tagged!

I have been tagged by nicola. Having never done this before, here we go...

(apologies to someone who tagged me previously and I kinda forgot to do it.....)

1. Write your own six-word memoir.

Learning to live in the present.

2. Post it on your blog (and include a visual illustration if you’d like).

3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post.
Thanks nic! Here are some daisies for you:
found at peteykins.com:



4. Tag five more blogs with links.
Ummm,
Meg
Michelle
Cam
Drewzel
and
Jen

You are tagged! :-)

5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

Phew!

Hope you don't mind gals!?!


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Out of range

OK, so have you packed the car? NO. In bed with bloody awful migraine, but just wanted to say Have a Great Week or so - I'll have lots to share when I get back.

Bon Voyage photo found here by sewbuttons.

A week of pillowcases day 3

I love pillowcases. Thanks Pip and Kootoyoo for this week!

Oh my, these pillowcase ideas have pushed in to my 'things to do' pile, relegating things that have been Waiting Patiently to later in the month.

Love this quilt made from pillowcases - my kind of quilt!! Found here at Vintage Chika. I will need some lessons from Curlypops so I can make bias edging. Miss 2 actually ATE the instructions.



And I am really wanting to make one of these bags, done here by jupiterbuttons. Apparently it's a Martha idea, but she did her own version, which just looks like something I will have to make for Christmas presents for everyone I know!



On a sad note, my poor little Janome has packed up, and needs a good service. I will be without her for at least a week, so have decided that a week away from blogging may also be in order!

A 100th post holiday. Ten hours in the car with Miss 2 and Master 6 to drive to Melbourne, but it will be worth it to meet some of the Brown Owls gals, visit Mikes to drop off my first (of a few) Softie for Mirabel, visit Carl and Geniene at Little Salon, have a cold hot chocolate at San Churro, buy lots of lovely wool at Sunspun, visit family, drink cups of tea with Mum, visit lovely friends, and see Places of Note. Mmmm.

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A week of pillowcases

In the latest A week of... at Meet me at Mikes, Kootoyoo is posting a week of pillowcases, and I am joining in. I love finding great pillowcases in op shops (thrift stores), and have made pillowcase dresses using this tutorial of Jen's here. Jen made this one for Miss 2, which is a great wardrobe addition:

It was pretty hot here in Summer, hence the pillowcase to halter neck for Miss 2!

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100th Post Giveaway

January 21st 2008 I began this blog, to join in the online craft and sewing community that was being talked about in the media.

I was at the time making button necklaces, chokers, and brooches, and selling modest amounts at local markets, to friends, and by commission. Commissions are hard for me, as if I wouldn't wear the colours, my heart just isn't in it. I needed another outlet for my crafty and arty urgings!

Gorman House Market, Canberra (my bits and pieces in foreground).

Meeting local bloggers and putting faces to the words and images was a catalyst for me, and I took the plunge. I am so glad I did. I try and post pics of things I have created, get inspired by what others have done, explore other blogs and links, and have learned a great deal about the online craft community.

I try and leave comments, and when I get comments, I visit the sender and so my daily read list grows (I must update the sidebar...)

Let's celebrate 100 posts by a Super Duper Giveaway. The winner will receive:

1. An original button choker by me (what colours do you love?)
2. A special pincushion for your sewing creations especially for you.
3. Something yummy for your tummy.

I want to know the following in you comment though:

What is your favourite blog? Not the most popular, but your own little treasure?

Looking forward to hearing from you -

Jess

:-)

My work is on display!

The store I sewed kids' linen for has a kitchen window display, with lots of my sewing! I am quite excited. If you are in Canberra, go along to Little Sprout in the Canberra Centre for a gorgeous array of educational and practical children's toys. Thanks Cathy.



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And the winner is...!

Drumroll...

Thanks to all the eager bloggers who entered a comment for the wallpaper stash giveaway, namely:

janet
stephanie
kyla
curlypops
sherrin
orangeyoulucky
birdbath
leni&rose
and
kitty

I am thrilled that people are out there reading my ramblings - you lurkers really should comment you know!

Mr Button Beauty helped me draw this for impartiality.....

Sherrin

I hope you post your creations so I can see!

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This is..... my dinner party guest list

This is..... really hard!

Usually I don't read what anyone else has written before I post mine, so that I am "original". This time as my post is late, I have read many, many contributions.

I want to poach the list from Bells, but I am forced to come up with my own, albeit influenced by my regular reads... Mine is a girls' night in:

Agatha Christie (creator of the original screen-knitter, Miss Marple) sits opposite Virginia Woolfe, which will be thoroughly interesting just to see how they interact.



I can then ask Virginia Woolfe what she thinks of A Room of One's Own for sewing and craft (!!)

As she coughs and splutters, in float Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn who are giving style tips in the corner, comparing outfits and being gorgeous, speaking quietly and demurely.



My dear friend Emma has brought the wine from the Barossa Valley, and we are both nervous that things may not go too well. Since moving to Canberra, we just have not seen Em and her family enough, and I miss her dreadfully. Life is moving too fast!

Luckily the last guest arrives - it's Dawn French, with a bunch of leeks (she's also Welsh!) ready to fire things up and make us laugh until we cry.


Thanks Lily and Agathe for this week's topic!



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Colouring pages

As some of you know, Holly Hobbie appeals to me, and I have been thinking of old Swap Cards that I had as a little girl. I am visiting my parents later this month, and hope to find them somewhere at their place.

One of the favourites for me, was Sarah Kay. I just found these colouring pages here and thought I would share them with you. Day 1 of school hols here, so I am getting the craft and arty bits ready for these eager littlies.


Miss 2 and Master 6 are Less Than Impressed, but I am THRILLED!

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Sad day!

For anyone that has been reading from the beginning, I was spurred on to start this blog by an amazing woman I met through a Women's Group here in Canberra.

She is talented in so many creative spheres, and was the person I needed to meet, who just said: 'Give it a go'. She believed in me well before I did, and she showed me how to achieve so much.

The generous girl has a sewing room/studio to die for, a stash that would make you weep tears of joy, and the skills to do it all. She and another 2 friends and I have done markets together we have been so prolific!

After 8 years at home with kids, she starts back in the workforce on Monday, and I Will Miss Her So Much!

Good Luck Dear Jen thank you for everything you have done for the group, for me, and for being so open and honest in blogland, it has been amazing - keep blogging - we all love you!!!!


Check out her 3 years of amazing posts by clicking any of the above links! (Photo 'borrowed' from her blog - I'll edit it out later!)


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Let's Try a Giveaway!

I have a stash of vintage wallpaper pieces, that I love, however don't use. I have thought for ages that I would use them to make greeting cards, cover notebooks, cover pencils, etc, yet have NOT done this...

Who wants the stash?

If you leave a comment to this post, you will be in the running! Tell me what you will do with it? It's 1930s, 1960s and 1970s pieces, nothing big enough to cover a wall, but lots of bits to play with.

To be fair, I'll draw it in a week.

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Ironing anyone?

When I made Mum's Peg Bag, I also found this fabric, which is chuckle-worthy as I love vintage prints, domestic prints, and things that make me Smile. Ironing is not something I love, (clearly, as this fabric has been pre-washed but not ironed...). HOWEVER, a friend gave Miss 2 and Master 6 an ironing board for the cubby house. It is old, wooden, a super-cute, but I thought it needed a face-lift :-)

My first attempt at using a staple gun (thanks Jen!) and now I am stapling everything in sight!


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Inspirations of the day

It may be cold, but lots of bright things keep me going -

Near National Gallery

Pears in the carpark


Sculpture near the lake

Bike rack

Easter arrangement from Poland at a favourite cafe.
Granny Smith apples before they turn into pie


Snuggly cushion.

This is... my trinket box

I know that I am a messy and disorganised person, and this is becoming increasingly evident in the This is... posts! My handbag, my trinket box, next one should be My Clutter!

I have several trinket boxes, each containing different treasures. A recurring theme with them is Mum, who made one, bought one, and maybe chose one. Thanks Mum :-)

This is one Mum and Dad bought for me in France - I have always loved Monet, and his waterlilies. In it is 'work' jewelry, going-out items, etc.


This is one Mum made when she was doing wheel-thrown pottery - I love the colour, the weight, the shape, the handle, everything. It contains silvery items, earrings, and earthy items.


This was given to me by Nan for a birthday I think in the 1970s or early 1980s. Made in Taiwan, it plays the theme from Dr Zhivago. It has always been a treasure itself, although it has a limited capacity...

Contents vary from a tooth, a worry stone my brother gave me from Ireland, petit point-work, old Opera glasses, etc. I love looking through it.

Thanks for this week's theme Anastasia and Angela!

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Snakes and Australia

This is a Brown Snake that met my friend Em at her front door recently when she came home from picking the kids up from school. She lives in South Australia.

I was blown away that she was calm enough to take a picture IN FOCUS with this nearby.

After Master 6's Olive Python, I just had to share!


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Challenge - are you up for it?

The lovely Curly Pops has suggested that I host a challenge, which is not buying anything unnecessary for a month.

I am definitely going to do this! I am not sure I will last, as I know that the essence of it will not allow "I HAVE to have that button!!"-type need.

Great idea Curly Pops - who will join in?

Just leave a comment and I will add you to the challenge sidebar.


(Totally unrelated photo - Master 6 at his 6th birthday party with an Olive Python - yes it's real - yes, it's in my loungeroom!)

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Stuff

This is a brain-dump. I hope you don't mind.

I have been watching Wendy Harmer's show on the ABC, Stuff. This has really resonated for me, as I oscillate between decluttering and giving things away, and madly collecting, buying, grabbing, and 'must-having'. I know there is some psychological 'need' associated with the behaviour, and several things in this series have been 'Ah-ha' moments for me.

Two quotes that I have noted are:

• The best things in life are not things.
• The Earth pays for everything we buy.

I really agree with these. I have accumulated so many THINGS, and as all people with craft habits know, there is no better way to accumulate stuff than to learn a new craft. Then we have to store it all.

Despite this recurring behaviour, I'm actually a huge believer in reducing our footprint. The first blog I ever read and subscribed to was Consumption Rebellion, by my friend Eilleen. She opened my eyes to this consumerist behaviour, and lived it by challenging herself to not buy anything new for 12 months, except food and medicines. It's entirely do-able. She made some of the most beautiful and thoughtful birthday presents for friends' kids, found joy in simple items, and introduced me and others to the concepts of ethical goods. I am now more aware of what I am buying, particularly with coffee and chocolate. This has also made me examine why I feel the need to buy, own, and shop. I tell myself that I will Use What I Have rather than acquire more, but at times choose to ignore that, 'treat' myself, or worse, don't think about what I am doing.

On Stuff last night, someone said that it's not the physical things that we love but the memories of people or place attached to those things. That's so true. I love some things because friends, Mum, Nan, Grandad gave them to me or used to own them. Sentimental attachment. The Buddhist slant on this in last night's program was that things on their own are not a problem, but being attached to them is a problem.

My son exhibits the same behavioural traits as me in this way. He loves to have things, but doesn't really use anything. He just likes to know it's there, and he likes to be able to see it.

I realised after posting this week's This Is... that I cart around a lot of stuff in my bag. Today I tried just taking my keys and wallet out rather than a whole country, and I actually felt like something was missing.

We as craft-sters brag about our 'stash', and collect more and more beads, wool, fabric, buttons, whatever it is. I am going to TRY not to buy anything for a month that is not actually NEEDED. This may sound easy to some, but I make a lot of spontaneous purchases. Magazines, fabric, books for the kids, food when we are out, op-shop items, a bar of chocolate when I am in the queue at the supermarket or petrol station.

I will also USE what I have.

This is a great opportunity to even sell a lot of things I don't use, but knowing me, I will just give them away, which is harder to do, but more liberating! I try not to hang onto things that others could be getting pleasure from and benefiting from.

Sassy Apron Swap - Summer!

This will be a whole lot of fun - Betty In The Kitchen has a link to the organiser - join in! I can't wait. The theme is Summer, which will be great, as the apron should arrive here in time for a gloomy and freezing Winter!

Summer is:

Cicadas
Gelati at Brunetti
Beach
Roadtrips
BBQ
Parks
Moonlight Cinema
Swimming
Ice cubes
G & Ts
Drought
Water restrictions
Bushfires
Dry, dusty, red dirt
Sunscreen
Sun burn
Hats

What else................?

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