Thursday, December 15, 2011
Over & Out
I started this blog just over a year ago. I was not too sure what I was aiming for, and still not! But have enjoyed an outlet for some of my thoughts and happenings and really enjoyed seeing what other people have been thinking and doing too. It is the individuality of us all blended with our common threads that I love about people and life.
I had been intending to do many blog posts on all sorts of things that in reality I have just not had the time to do, or if I have, then I have not had the time to blog about them. I have been wanting to do posts on some of the blogs I love, but instead will give you a brief overview of a couple of my favourites and suggest you go follow them, or at least have a looksie :)
And, why am I writing like this is all coming to an end?
Probably because I am not sure if I will be back next year, in this venue anyhow. Perhaps I will, but probably not. I was thinking of deleting this blog, but after checking in today I see that over the past couple of months since I was last here, 'stats' show quite a few readers... well people who have been linked to a post by google anyhow - no new comments so it can be very hard to know if this is being broadcasted to the world or just a convo in my head turning into type and not much else?
I have loved the blogging explosion over recent years. So much information to be shared and inspiration. Connecting with people globally without leaving my house, which is rather handy and life saving at moments when I feel quite isolated and housebound with 3 offspring to care for in new town/country.
There are lots of blogs that when I get a few moments I try and check up on, but here are 2 of my favourites. And they both happen to be local (well in Melbourne, which I now live just out of. Both are mums and artists, and both have a love of textile yumminess.
One of the first people whos blogs I came across and loved is apronsandhammers.blogspot.com Emma is a mum of 2 little ones and she is shoe designer and maker! SHE MAKES SHOES!! How clever is she? Very.
I love seeing her passion for her craft and creativity enriching her life. She does other things too, but you will have to go follow her blog to find out ;) If you love shoes and art & design (especially textiles and sculpture) you will enjoy her blog.
The other blog I want to share is lalahiprism.blogspot.com. This blog belongs to my friend Kym Maxwell. She loves capturing her family life on her blog (she has 2 boys same ages as mine) but its also full of the creative way she lives her life. Currently teaching full time but designs and makes too (lalahiprism & Zamo kids clothes), I'm envious of how they find time to fit in so many things!
With lots of snaps of her kids and everydays things the love she has for her family and her artists heart are both big and strong. I love that.
Monday, October 31, 2011
A long story about something that didn't take very long.
This had been a longish tale of how we acquired our new pet chickens. But I had written it one handed (other holding baby on hip) and in a hurry whilst trying to do 20 other things at the same time. It was not written very well. And added to the fact that some glitch occurred when I posted that meant all the paragraphs etc disappeared, it played on my mind a bit that it read like something I had written when I was 10.
It is not always a big aim of mine to write really well on my blog, but this post was bothering me. Maybe because right now life feels a bit unravelled as I find my way being a mum of 3.
Anyway, short story now and it goes like this....
We had thought about getting chooks last year, but then decided we probably wouldn't.
Two weeks ago I had a moment of inspiration and decided we should get chickens now. It felt right.
I contacted the people whom we were on the waitlist with last year for some Pekin Bantams. They wrote back saying their list was very big and we might not get any this season, would we like some of their others that were just 6 weeks old. I said "yes!" and so we are now the proud owners of a Rhode Island Red Bantam, Light Sussex Bantam and a Silkie. I'm not sure what the colouring of the Silkie is. It is a bit of a mix and most similar to my old cat (RIP FInn, she passed on a couple of months ago with her new owner - as much as u can own a cat), so I would say maybe the Silkie is Tortoiseshell, cause thats what Finn was.
They are only just 8 weeks old. We wont get eggs till end of summer, which is about 4 months away. But I'm very pleased to have them. They are the first pet we have got since we moved to Australia 3 years ago. And the way it came about getting them was (the long badly written post) quite serendipitous.
Meant to be.
ps. the breathing space thing happened again! No idea why sorry. Anyone else having this problem with blogger?
pps. the new owner of my old cat didn't pass away with her, just meant...well, you know. And the cat was old, nothing to do with the new owner.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The Muu Muu
I decided to make Baby S a bonnet for summer, so looked through my pattern collection, which is mostly vintage dating. The oldest ones being undated but stylewise look to be from the 1930's.
I came across a 1971 pattern for a baby dress that I had cut out the fabric and then left it all sitting together unfinished for a few years. So, even though I have new nappy covers to do and a waistcoat that I think I should make for Little D, bibs for us and as upcoming gifts and of course the bonnet for my sweet girl, I decided to complete the project I had started and never finished. In crafty circles I think they are called UFO's (un finished objects) aren't they?
I think I suffer a bit from Pattern Reading Dyslexia. These old patterns are hard to follow. Well they are for me. I guess they were written for ladies who had already grown up with their mother sewing and took sewing as a mandatory class at school. I have been sewing since I can remember (I taught myself hand sewing as a child, and even know am used to working out patterns and techniques in my head).
The size of the pattern was ambiguos. It said size 1/2. Hmmm, 6mths? Well my girl is just on that and as she is quite chunky I thought even more reason to get on with making it sooner than later.
It was not too hard to make but following the instructions (instead of my brain and instinct) resulted in slightly more home made look than what is considered cool about handmade items these days.
Anyway, we tried it on her. Sam commented it did not suit her colourings (it is beautiful fabric but he is right) and we could see it was waaaay too big. So, put away for a year or two till we can try it again and see if its wearable then, but maybe it will be passed onto someone else.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Time flies
I wasn't too sure what this blog would be when I started. And now I am so busy it's a rare treat to check in and catch up on my favourite blogs and maybe post something myself. I feel things might be evolving though... if I get the chance to do so.
I might try manage a post once a month?
We'll see.
Btw - I did finally remember to get a photo of the vegie/lentil/bean burgers (can't take time to remember how to link it so you'll have to go find it yourself if your interested), so have uploaded that now ;)
Meanwhile here is picture of a few of my favourite things.
I might try manage a post once a month?
We'll see.
Btw - I did finally remember to get a photo of the vegie/lentil/bean burgers (can't take time to remember how to link it so you'll have to go find it yourself if your interested), so have uploaded that now ;)
Meanwhile here is picture of a few of my favourite things.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
I finished the quilt.
I am finding it really busy having 3 kids! All is going well and as crazy as it is I think being a family of 5 is great.
But there is not much time for blogging.
Nor lots of things.
However I did get Baby S's quilt finished though. It is made from re printed 1930's fabrics, with a few old doilies added and backed and binded with linen. I was trying to create something that looked a bit vintage.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Help yourself
I think my favourite family meals are the ones when we sit down at the table and have an assortment of fillings in the middle and we put together our own plates.
This is the way we have sushi, burgers, salads, tacos and PANCAKES! Yum. Everyone can tuck in and add what they want.
Good for little people to have fun choosing their own meal. I find it is a pretty good way of getting them to eat some things they wouldn't usually be keen on trying.
So, I'm wondering? What are the family meals you enjoy most and what do you like to eat on your pancakes? Got any new suggestions for us to try? Our selection is typically lemon, sugar, butter, golden syrup, cream and strawberries.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
A2K & Why you will want to visit it.
A2K = Allotment to Kitchen. Shaheen (or Mangocheeks as she previously was known as) is one of my favourite bloggers. All the way over in Scotland (but soon to be relocating to Wales), she produces fresh produce from her garden and fresh culinary ideas. Whats more - its all vegetarian.
I so want to sample everything she makes because it looks looks so good and she has such a good idea of healthy and yummy food.
She is brilliant. You will be inspired. You will wish that you could grow your own food. You will wish that you could make so many good meals. You will want to try some of her recipes.
Her blog is well written and has lovely photos. She has so many new ideas.
Her site is so concise and easy to follow. She has conversion charts, a search index for recipes. And there is a side column to tell you what she is growing in her allotment.
I dont understand why she dosent have a book deal yet? SOMEONE give this woman a book deal!
My Welsh Dragon Soup (Leek, Potoato & chilli minus the chilli cause I don't think the kids or breastfed bub would appreciate that), with Welsh Dragon Chilli Shortbread (minus the chilli once again and the Dragon - so I picked a random 'interesting' shape from my cookie cutter collection. I think it is suppose to be Santa's Sack. I told the kids it was a rabbit, because thats sounds similar to Rarebit and... well I suppose you can see my attempt at clever word play even if the kids had no idea).
Heres the link to the original A2K one;)
I so want to sample everything she makes because it looks looks so good and she has such a good idea of healthy and yummy food.
She is brilliant. You will be inspired. You will wish that you could grow your own food. You will wish that you could make so many good meals. You will want to try some of her recipes.
Her blog is well written and has lovely photos. She has so many new ideas.
Her site is so concise and easy to follow. She has conversion charts, a search index for recipes. And there is a side column to tell you what she is growing in her allotment.
I dont understand why she dosent have a book deal yet? SOMEONE give this woman a book deal!
My Welsh Dragon Soup (Leek, Potoato & chilli minus the chilli cause I don't think the kids or breastfed bub would appreciate that), with Welsh Dragon Chilli Shortbread (minus the chilli once again and the Dragon - so I picked a random 'interesting' shape from my cookie cutter collection. I think it is suppose to be Santa's Sack. I told the kids it was a rabbit, because thats sounds similar to Rarebit and... well I suppose you can see my attempt at clever word play even if the kids had no idea).
Heres the link to the original A2K one;)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
New Quilt
is coming along nicely.
Enjoying that I can find unstressful moments to do little bits of it every day or so.
Enjoying that I can find unstressful moments to do little bits of it every day or so.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Vegan Sausie Rolls
The first time I made sausage rolls and I made meat free ones! Yea for vegetarian sausage rolls!!
I enjoy good food but I'm not the type to want to spend ages or work on my technical skills in the kitchen, so I try out or create recipes that are simple in ingrediants and preperation.
I looked in my cupboard and made these "sausage" rolls for lunch with a vegan friend during the week. Quick, easy and yum. If you don't eat meat (or even if you do) I think you should give these a try and let me know if you did!
Here is my recipe for Nutolene Vegan Sausage Rolls.
2 sheets of flakey pastry (check its made with vegetable fat and not butter).
1 can of Nutolene
1 grated carrot
1-2 Tablespoon finely diced red capsicum
Half small onion finely diced
1-2 teaspoon chopped parsley and basil (I keep the freeze dry in a jar stuff in the cupboard so 'fresh' herbs are always on hand).
Salt and cracked black pepper.
Set aside pastry sheets.
Mush all the ingrediants together well.
Divide mixture in half and place one half onto a sheet of pastry. Spread onto the pastry sheet so that its about 1-2 inches from the edge, but the length is taken all the way to the ends - think sushi and how its rolled. And then roll it up and cut to sizes you like.
Do this again with the 2nd sheet and the 2nd half of the mixture.
Place on a baking tray a sheet of non stick paper/baking paper and lay out the rolls.
Bake in oven. My expensive but crap gas oven is quite unreliable with temperatures, but I'd say a moderate temp of around 160 −180 should be about right and bake for around 30 −50 mins depending on big you cut the rolls and how finely you diced the onion! (which is the only part that needs to really cook properly other than the pastry).
I made these the day before and reheated half of them and then put out warmed up ones and room temp ones. The verdict was that they taste good cold or hot. We dipped in tomato sauce but I think a homemade relish would be really nice!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Happy Mother and days.
It has been over a month since I posted. I had been posting 2 −3 times some weeks up until the end of March, but time has now been consumed with LOVE and 'home duties' :)
Our little girl is lovely. So lovely. We were momentarily tempted to go for another one! But reality is 3 is enough for us. I feel so blessed to have got a daughter after 2 (beautiful) boys. Another girl would be so sweet but having kids is hard work!
I have been working on a cot quilt/play mat for Baby S and was quite close to having all the blocks sewn together when I realised someone had messed up the order (I had them lying on the work room floor) and tried to put them back in place. They did a neat job of covering up their mess, so much so I didnt notice something wasn't right until I was almost done. So lots of unpicking and trying to figure out how they went together. Typically when I quilt I make up random patterns with basic shapes so it's a bit more fiddling about to make sure the blocks are placed in a way pleasing to the eye. Someone once told me to take a photo when you get the placement right, but I had ignored the advise this time.
I must get it finished soon though as Baby S is already 6 weeks old and growing like a weed. She needs something proper to lay on for her tummy time :)
We made a trip to Kyneton last weekend. My first time there. They have lots of sculptures around the town. Really great to see. And the bank had this wonderful original facade.
The next day was Mothers Day and I was treated to an amazing breakfast (Sam is pretty damn good at these) of eggs benedict on bagels with hash browns, spinach and coffee. Big M was excited to present me with his choice from the mothers day stall at school - a manicure set.
There was also the surprise of me and my baby on the front page of the sunday paper! I wont go into details about that right now - but it all made for a really great Mothers Day.
ETA I edited this post from a few weeks back and some glitch has caused it repost itself under todays date. The posts following this one should be
Linen & Silk,
Matou en peluche and the most recent is Dear Diary,
Monday, May 30, 2011
Dear Diary,
Sometimes I wonder why I am blogging. I think mostly it is simply to put down some thoughts, record some of the things I have been doing, to share with other who are like minded - or challenge my own thoughts about something and to sometimes I hope offer some inspiration to the odd reader or 2.
I don't really feel I have the patience or time to write really well. Some blogs I read are written really well and are fun and informative. Some are lovely to look at because of the beautiful pictures and well designed layout.
I have some favourites to read which I will share on another post soon.
As for my own blog. I have decided to jujsh it up a smidge. Because sometimes I even bore myself with it. I don't really have any great ideas of what to do with it and dont probably have the time to do much anyhow. But I have changed my font. I know its the sort of font that would really F some people off, but so what? I'm giving it a try. Creative fun - a bit Spike Milligan I reckon.
I don't really feel I have the patience or time to write really well. Some blogs I read are written really well and are fun and informative. Some are lovely to look at because of the beautiful pictures and well designed layout.
I have some favourites to read which I will share on another post soon.
As for my own blog. I have decided to jujsh it up a smidge. Because sometimes I even bore myself with it. I don't really have any great ideas of what to do with it and dont probably have the time to do much anyhow. But I have changed my font. I know its the sort of font that would really F some people off, but so what? I'm giving it a try. Creative fun - a bit Spike Milligan I reckon.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Linen & Silk
We have been given some nice things for our little girl since she was born 7 weeks ago, but what I love the most are the handmade things.
An aunt and uncle made Baby S a book (about her and a robot buddy), a friend sent her a sweet tiny knitted cardy (already outgrown but being kept for her to dress her teddies and dolls in), and last weekend another friend gave her this silk and linen set from her own label lalahiprism (she is also one of the clever people behind the fabulous kidswear range ZAMO).
It should be the right size for her next summer. I'm looking forward to seeing it on her and tying up the drawstring on those pants :)
An aunt and uncle made Baby S a book (about her and a robot buddy), a friend sent her a sweet tiny knitted cardy (already outgrown but being kept for her to dress her teddies and dolls in), and last weekend another friend gave her this silk and linen set from her own label lalahiprism (she is also one of the clever people behind the fabulous kidswear range ZAMO).
It should be the right size for her next summer. I'm looking forward to seeing it on her and tying up the drawstring on those pants :)
Monday, April 11, 2011
What I've been working on.
Uncertain Little D with Baby S
The past year has been a bit of a slog, but finally my hard work has paid off and I now have my 3rd and final baby - a daughter!
The past year has been a bit of a slog, but finally my hard work has paid off and I now have my 3rd and final baby - a daughter!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (2010 Version)
I know this song has been out a while now. We've had the album for about a year, but I only saw the video for this song a few days ago.
Costumes and makeup etc all great. Really suit the song. The make up makes me smile a bit because I used to be a make up artist and can remember doing similar make up to this years ago on different occasions.
I'd love to see this band live sometime. This woman is an incredible singer and songwriter.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday Theme : Handbags
I was never much of a 'handbag' type girl. When I was a teen I liked to travel light and wore the house key around my neck and any cash I had got tucked into my bra. But then as you get older and acquire more bits and pieces ( usually this ties in with needing a place to stick wet wipes and baby booties that keep falling off) and less Tank Girl approach, a handbag becomes very, 'handy'.
I like a big bag I can chuck everything into, with a few pockets for supposed ease of finding keys, cell phone and loose gold coins for supermarket trolleys.
Mine these days resembles my High School Blazer pockets. Full of all sorts and needs a regular clean out.
But a big hold all shoulder bag is not really a good look if your heading out for a nice dinner.
I decided I should probably get something for those sort of occasions and was stoked when I came across this at a car boot sale last October. I got it for about a $2 from memory. It needs a bit of spit and polish (which I have not gotten around to yet) but I reckon its got potential. The woman who sold it to me said it was her mother in laws who had it her whole life and died a few year back aged 90 odd. She thought it may have come from Holland but was not sure. I had a look inside and a google and saw that it was made in New South Wales. I think it may be from the 20's or 30's.
If you want to join the Thursday Theme meme linky it is open to anyone. Go to ChickChat and follow the directions.
I like a big bag I can chuck everything into, with a few pockets for supposed ease of finding keys, cell phone and loose gold coins for supermarket trolleys.
Mine these days resembles my High School Blazer pockets. Full of all sorts and needs a regular clean out.
But a big hold all shoulder bag is not really a good look if your heading out for a nice dinner.
I decided I should probably get something for those sort of occasions and was stoked when I came across this at a car boot sale last October. I got it for about a $2 from memory. It needs a bit of spit and polish (which I have not gotten around to yet) but I reckon its got potential. The woman who sold it to me said it was her mother in laws who had it her whole life and died a few year back aged 90 odd. She thought it may have come from Holland but was not sure. I had a look inside and a google and saw that it was made in New South Wales. I think it may be from the 20's or 30's.
This next one I have had since I was a small girl. It think I remember being told it was my mothers evening purse for a while when she was a teen. I'm not sure of anything else about it. It looks Victorian to me. Hand embroidery detail on the front is a special touch. The wrist strap is worn where it attaches, and I have never been too sure how to fix it, so it's just stayed as a nice thing to look at.
If you want to join the Thursday Theme meme linky it is open to anyone. Go to ChickChat and follow the directions.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
It's not just Big Brother watching you...
My husband sent this to my inbox today.
Click the link to read about privacy sabotage on ETSY!
Etsy users irked after buyers, purchases exposed to the world
What do you think?
Personally I hate how so many sites feel they have to try and 'connect' us all up. Facebook drives me nuts sometimes with some of the things they do. Really, I'm not interested in seeing so and so made this comment on some other persons wall that I don't know. It's not my business but they are making it mine. And if I leave a comment on someones post, it's for those in that conversation. Why invite eavesdroppers?
As a blogger, I'm sharing enough about myself, but I still choose a certain anonymity. We just do not need to share all with everyone. Time and place for all things :)
Click the link to read about privacy sabotage on ETSY!
Etsy users irked after buyers, purchases exposed to the world
What do you think?
Personally I hate how so many sites feel they have to try and 'connect' us all up. Facebook drives me nuts sometimes with some of the things they do. Really, I'm not interested in seeing so and so made this comment on some other persons wall that I don't know. It's not my business but they are making it mine. And if I leave a comment on someones post, it's for those in that conversation. Why invite eavesdroppers?
As a blogger, I'm sharing enough about myself, but I still choose a certain anonymity. We just do not need to share all with everyone. Time and place for all things :)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
SALE TIME!
My Madeit Store has been neglected.
I have so many ideas of things to make such as quilts, felted items, mobiles, boy and girl clothing etc. But time has filled with preparing for Number 3 and starting to get some rest in while I still can!
Most items have been marked down in price for the next month.
It could be a while till I am back on my feet and getting a little production line going again. Hopefully I will be able to restock later in the year.
I have so many ideas of things to make such as quilts, felted items, mobiles, boy and girl clothing etc. But time has filled with preparing for Number 3 and starting to get some rest in while I still can!
Most items have been marked down in price for the next month.
It could be a while till I am back on my feet and getting a little production line going again. Hopefully I will be able to restock later in the year.
Thursday Theme : Home
Big M when he was a Little M
at our old house.
This weeks Thursday Theme is "home".
I almost didn't want to post on this subject because I find it quite a difficult one, but figure the challenge is good and might be somewhat cathartic... or something...
Anyway, I struggled for years to know where my home was and I thought I had made peace in recent years with having my heart in a few places. But I think the earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand last month has brought up some rawness for me so maybe that is why I was reluctant to write on this topic.
I was born and raised till 12 in the deep south of New Zealand. It was a good place to grow up, with regular visits to family and friends who lived on farms and cold dips in rivers and the beach. We had lots of rain and cold down there but there is something hearty about that. I have heard people say New Zealand is like a 1950's England. I'm not sure about that, but I do think the town I grew up in was about 20 years behind everywhere else. Possibly still is.
At 12 my parents moved to the UK and settled in a lovely place in the county of Hertfordshire. It took me years to appreciate it because I was always longing to go back to NZ, but I ended up having a great few teen years there and had experiences I treasure, and know that I could never have had if I stayed in New Zealand.
During my formative teenage years in England I also had a bit of a turbulant time and left school early and my parents house soon after. I stayed with a friend and her mum for a while but then moved to another friends with her dad for a few months until I left there and ended up (somehow) on a canal boat. The boat became my base and the rest of the time I was traveling around festivals. It was during this time that I met some good people who had an old 1978 Bedford truck that converted into a stage. They travelled from festival to festival with many bands playing on that wooden fold out deck, and were very well known amongst the New Age traveller scene of the 80's and 90's. I loved being with these guys. The boaty canal people I was living with were not so great but The Stage people and who I met through them were very special to me.
But soon after turning 18 I had a moment of inspiration to save some money and go back to New Zealand, so I did.
After a bit of back and forwarding between different towns and countries, and visting some new places I settled into Christchurch and met and married Sam. I stayed there for 10 years and then we moved to Melbourne. Which is where I am typing this. This place is my home now, just like those other places I have mentioned are home, or were.
I don't feel anymore that the place I grew up in is home. Though it will always be of special significance. Sam & I plan to take our kids there one day (as part of a South Island tour to show them where our ancestors arrived on ships and set up towns etc). But I do not have family there any more and only minor contact with friends. I have moved on.
I still think of the area my family live in England as home. And I feel comfortable there. Culturally it's a big part of me. But its has been a long time since I lived there too. And now with us being (almost) a family of 5, it is too expensive to go back for visits. I wish sometimes that I still lived there, but reality is I have a southern hemisphere family now and I am the only one who can easily get in and out of the UK. And as much as I love Britain, I don't want to raise my kids there.
Although I was of 'no fixed abode' during my mid teens, the time I spent with travellers and festival people was home to me. Those people felt like family and so much of how they lived and their values resonates deeply within me still.
Christchurch is home. I have family and friends there and I lived there in that one city for longer than I have anywhere else except for those first 12 years of my childhood. I even owned my first 'home' there, and had my first child there. It is also a beautiful place and I have learnt that the enviroment around me has a lot to do with how at peace I feel. But we did decide to leave it with the possibility of never living there again.
Now we are in Australia. And I do not know for how long. The option of moving back to Christchurch seems to be out of the question. Not impossible but probably not a good thing to do anytime in the next few years.
We could stay here forever but I'm not sure we will. I miss New Zealand.
This is where I want to be right now, but I would like some things to be different. I like it here but I don't love it.
Time will tell.
Although it bothered and confused me for years I guess I'm not so bothered now with needing to know where my home is.
It comes down to is that old saying "home is where the heart is".
And mine right now is here in our house with my fellas.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Guildford Lane
Don't worry. He's 'discussing', not touching!
On the weekend we got into the city and visited a couple of galleries on Guildford lane.
Guildford Lane Gallery had it's last day of GLGNYE and there was some really nice stuff on the top floor by Argentinian (Aussie resident) artist Cristina Palacois.
Loved the colour! Some really fine detail on some of her prints and drawings too. Nice:)
The gallery owner showed us the vertical garden outside in the lane way. Looks great doesn't it?!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday Themes: Textures
Do you remember that Seinfeld episode when George got in trouble because he could not resist the urge to touch a strangers clothes?
I was a bit like that up into my teens (when I learnt that it's just not appropriate to go feeling everything). I had to touch and feel something to understand it better. I love texture. I love textiles especially.
I think it is often the mix of texture with colour that is most captivating. You can have interesting textures without being able to see them, and touch is the physical feeling you use to explore texture but for me the way light enhances the visual aspect of textures is what makes things so beautiful and interesting.
I love natural forms and synthetic. Nature produces some of the most amazing textures. But man made items can also produce texture and colour combinations that get my senses and emotions going.
We've been having a bit of trouble with the cameras, computer and iPhoto recently (and Blogger is doing something funny and I can't upload side by side today), so here are some previous pictures I have on file that I have taken - simply for the love of the texture, pattern and colours. Excuse the huge quantity of photos, very hard to stop when I start. Like I said I love this stuff!
Double click to bring up better size photos for seeing the detail/textures.
Grass.
Quills
Dog scratches on frozen lake.
Vine
Smashed Bus Stop Glass
oops upside down - you can still see the wood looks like skin (or a shaved cat perhaps?)
Tree Bark
Tree bark
More Tree bark
I use to do a lot of rag weaving.
This is from a rag weave I started when I was about 14.
These next 3 are close ups from a piece I exhibited a few years back.
Enlarge this one to see the mixture of fabrics and raw edges mmmmm, good stuff!
I was a bit like that up into my teens (when I learnt that it's just not appropriate to go feeling everything). I had to touch and feel something to understand it better. I love texture. I love textiles especially.
I think it is often the mix of texture with colour that is most captivating. You can have interesting textures without being able to see them, and touch is the physical feeling you use to explore texture but for me the way light enhances the visual aspect of textures is what makes things so beautiful and interesting.
I love natural forms and synthetic. Nature produces some of the most amazing textures. But man made items can also produce texture and colour combinations that get my senses and emotions going.
We've been having a bit of trouble with the cameras, computer and iPhoto recently (and Blogger is doing something funny and I can't upload side by side today), so here are some previous pictures I have on file that I have taken - simply for the love of the texture, pattern and colours. Excuse the huge quantity of photos, very hard to stop when I start. Like I said I love this stuff!
Double click to bring up better size photos for seeing the detail/textures.
Grass.
Quills
Dog scratches on frozen lake.
Vine
Smashed Bus Stop Glass
oops upside down - you can still see the wood looks like skin (or a shaved cat perhaps?)
Tree Bark
Tree bark
More Tree bark
I use to do a lot of rag weaving.
This is from a rag weave I started when I was about 14.
These next 3 are close ups from a piece I exhibited a few years back.
Enlarge this one to see the mixture of fabrics and raw edges mmmmm, good stuff!
Thursdays Themes @ ChickChat
Toni at Chickchat started a linky theme a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to join it from the start but it's been a crazy couple of weeks for me and am only joining in now. Each Thursday post based on the given theme (she will post on her blog up to week in advance for you to prepare). It's a real creative fun idea, with the past 2 themes being "art around your home" and "tools of your trade".
Thursday, February 24, 2011
It's hard to write about this.
As it was. Christchurch city view from Crowne Plaza 2006
I have been so distracted these past few days glued to the the tv and internet news and checking Facebook and my email to see what is happening in Christchurch and trying to find out how all my peeps are.
I was suppose to be there, but decided about a month ago that being 8mths pregnant the thought of airports and strange beds was not something I wanted to deal with right now. So Sam went with just Big M to his sisters wedding last week. They were due home on Tuesday evening.
They were not in a good place when the quake happened, but are fine and moving round from place to place while they wait to be able to fly home again. I say "home" but Christchurch is our other home. It's where we moved from 2 & half years ago, and my husband was born there and lived there all his life. It is where we met, married and had our first child.
I missed the September 4th earthquake by a few days.
About a week before it happened whilst I was there, I had taken myself into the city centre for lunch at my favourite noodle place. I sat there slurping my soup looking out the window at all the buildings surrounding me and thought "what a beautiful city this is, I am so lucky to have such a nice city to come back to anytime".
You see I like Melbourne, but I think about Canterbury (region Christchurch is in) most days. It really is a beautiful place and I miss it.
And now the lovely old buildings that had survived last time are gone. But its the people that I am just so sad about.
The people of Christchurch.
They have had half a year of continuing after shocks. They have been dealing with their kids too scared to sleep because of the 'shaky shaky'. They have been waiting to see if their houses were ready to be rebuilt. Waiting for insurance. But half a year had passed and they were beginning to relax, thinking from what the experts said, that if a sizable aftershock hadn't happened by now, then it was unlikely it would.
But what do they do now? How long will aftershocks continue? Each one since Tuesday has been rattling peoples nerves. Will there be another big one? So many people have lost homes and jobs, and so devastatingly, loved ones.
What does that city do now?
Its been a long 3 days for me and I'm not even there. Cantabrians now have weeks, months and years ahead of making sense of where to from here?
Please consider donating cash via
http://www.redcross.org.nz/http://www.redcross.org.nz/cms_display.php?friendly_url=donate
Also, blogger Leonie of Kiwi at Heart has set up a Softies for Children of Christchurch appeal. You can find out more HERE.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Making Baby Shoes?
Even though I had short but friendly emails with her prior, after I sent her a larger email with costs etc, I have not heard back from her at all.
Rude.
I'm O.K with her choosing not to use my shoes in her store. It is her choice. She was probably hoping for something cheaper, and probably not aware that the design being lined and seamless uses more materials and details on them make them a bit more on the fiddly side compared to some other shoes I have made.
I just think it's very bad form to not send a short reply and say she is no longer interested.
It's a tricky one for people making things by hand. You don't tend to make much money on hand crafting things. I think most people simply do it for the enjoyment, compulsion and with things like sewing, in many cases it's the practicality of being able to work on something at home whilst you have little ones around or evenings you aren't doing much else.
When you put in the time you spend on sourcing materials, developing ideas, electricity (yes - sewing machines, lighting, irons etc all cost money to use), photography, write ups (if your selling online), packing and setting up (if you sell at markets), commissions (fees for selling online, having a market stall or a stores cut) and lots of other little bits and pieces your not left with much of a profit. (Sometimes I look at what people sell some things for and can't figure out how they can be even covering their costs).
But you get a kick when someone else likes something you have made and is willing to buy it. Something you have created is valued. And someone else enjoys having something thats not mass produced (which is part of what I enjoy about making things).
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