On my bedside table

This is a sumptuous feast of a book, 'exploring the life and work of this remarkable artist, and includes over 200 illustrations, many of which have never been seen before. In this delightful account, former Penguin publisher Julie Watts looks closely at what went on behind the making of each of his books, as well as the creation of his musical and screen works.'

'Graeme Base's lively reflections, taken from his extensive interviews for this book, and his caption commentaries on each illustration will immensely enrich readers' understanding of how he creates his imaginary worlds.'

I have been enjoying the works of Graeme Base since I was in High School, and now re-reading them as a parent, I am noticing details I missed the first time around. Perhaps the insight I now have from this amazing book has opened my eyes up to other puzzles, hidden codes within borders, there are so many layers to his illustrations.

Just before Xmas Leo and I were lucky to attend an exhibition of Graeme Base's work at MARS Gallery in Port Melbourne. All the works were originals, ranging in size, some ornately framed, some simply done, all beautiful, many sold, in fact he doesn't have many originals left - the Animalia illustrations were apparently sold to pay the rent back in the day!


Stamps! I have some of these, and I didn't even know it was Mr Base's work!


Before and after - the feast from 'The Eleventh Hour'.


Leo's favourite-the truckbugs from 'Truckdogs'.


Gorgeous pencil work; composition, expression, scale, A plus. From 'Jungle Drums'.

Beautiful Japanese Butterfly Lizard, from 'The Discovery of Dragons'.

Not happy

I am wondering who is still making undies in Australia?
For over 10 years I've been loyally wearing Bonds boyleg undies, and now it turns out they will be made in China!
Are there any Aussie manufacturers still producing smalls? Let me know, I am seriously looking for alternatives.
Boo Pacific Brands, boo!

A ma soeur (for my sister)

I'm about to get technical and somewhat dirty, both Pip and Victoria have mentioned that they really enjoy these kind of posts. Any shoemakers out there who think I'm giving away trade secrets, in the words of my 4 year old, 'it's all for sharing'!

Often a pair of lasts need to be modified to get the right fit for a foot (ie accommodating a wide foot), or to get the right toe shape. In this case my very particular sister wants a pointed toe, but not an 80's scary point, she would like a kinda snub-nosed rounded point.

So these lasts had a scary pointed toe, and I am building them up, as we call it, with the use of car bog. I wish there was a better name for this product, maybe it's resin? Strips of leather could also be used here, but I like the crisp definition of aforementioned bog. Anyway it's really stinky, so I tend to use it outside and it can get rather messy. It's a two part product, so first scoop some grey resin out onto a mixing surface, then use the correct amount of hardener, I think it's 1/50th, and mix to make a lovely pink stinky goo.


Spread it onto the last where you need it and wait for it to dry completely (best overnight), then sand it back to the desired shape. Sometimes as it's drying I carve sections back with a knife, to resemble the shape I want, and then sand it the next day. In this case I had to do it in a few stages; it's too gooey and drippy to do all in one go.


And here they are, beautiful rounded snub-nosed points. It's important to make the last shape rather fine, a bit exaggeratedly so, because it will end up having two layers of leather and a toe stiffener covering it. If the shape is initially too vague, by the time the shoe is lasted it looks a bit blah, bulbous and just plain wrong.


Tedious pattern making ensues, a court shoe pattern is a bit of a dream for this sneaker obsessed gal, as there are so few pieces to cut! However, the rejoicing is overshadowed by getting the fit right, as there is nothing to hold a court shoe onto the foot except for a well fitted topline. I usually refer to some Italian pattern cutting methods called 'Lunati' when doing a court shoe, there are some nice, simple tricks to get the topline tight onto the last. (Are you bored yet?)


Here I'm checking my pattern in paper, always advised if it's the first time you've cut a certain style, or if the fit is tricky. In this case it's to see if the backseam needs any more or less, or if the whole thing needs re-jigging.


Listening to: Neneh Cherry - So here I come

The liberation of a Destash!

Image from Snowflake Knitting

Hey the gang over at Handmade Help are right onto this timely project - destashing to provide crafty goods. Last night I went through all my yarn and pattern books, needles etc, and have amassed a huge pile all ready to be sorted and re-stashed. Perfect!

Now I have less clutter, and as I really have given knitting up for crochet, all those op-shopped knitting books can find new homes.

Visit HH for details on destashing donations, I think there is a mass sort-a-thon next week at Brown Owls in Fitzroy.

Listening to: Alice Coltrane and Carlos Santana - Angel of Air

wine, jam and honey

There are so many ways to support communities affected by bushfire, I'll just share this method we are currently using. All the wine in our house is from the Yarra Valley,

our beloved Yackandandah Jam and Preserving Co make our raspberry jam du jour,

and these guys, Beechworth Honey, are the kings as far as I'm concerned.
Even better to purchase some of these items this Friday the 20th at Safeway, where proceeds are going to support farmers and communities suffering the effects of drought.

Leffler

Another year, another Leffler's catalogue, (although I noticed that it says 2007 -08).
If you need leather, saddlery, metal fittings, adhesives, bookbinding or shoemaking supplies, then this is the place for you. I've posted about them before, and probably will again, my shopping list for the studio is mostly for Leffler.

Listening to : Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Nobody's Baby ('scuse the long intro)

Any takers?

We are looking for energetic, enthusiastic folk who would like to experience the sport, art and culture that is Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art, which combines ritual, self-defence, strength, acrobatics and music.
You don't need to be a super-fit gymnast to play, there is room for all body sizes and strengths. In fact I'm very pleased to say that 3 of us are Mums to young kids. We train in Richmond 3 times a week, and I cannot say enough kind words about Lorem, our teacher, he is a real gem, and quite handsome too!

Call Lorem on 0422 979 782 or visit Muzenza
Here's some footage of Mestre Goioere and Vira Lata in the roda, Lorem is the one on the atabaque (big standing drum)

More philatelic drooling.....

This gorgeous little 'un is a Portuguese stamp made of extremely fine cork (0.35 ml). Released in late 2007 the limited print run of 230 000 sold out within one day! The face value is one Euro, and it depicts a cork tree on a hill. Portugal is the world’s biggest producer of cork, and according to a spokesperson from the Portuguese Cork Producers Association, the sector has had to diversify due to competition from plastic and metal caps.

On another scale entirely, this collection is selling for $9500 USD on ebay. Just one little box or folder would satisfy me!

Listening to: Culture - When the two sevens clash

Fragility, resilience and the bare necessities of life

Image from Clare Snow

I've been reeling from all the daily reports and updates from those affected by the Victorian bushfires, and marvelling at all the strange observations to be made at a time like this.
Obviously many people have been donating time, money and goods to assist with the recovery, and often local radio has put out a call for items that I just wouldn't have thought of.

Disposable razors, bras, can openers, bird seed, men's suits (for attending the many funerals to come), temporary fencing.....

We have ransacked our house a few times for things to donate, I grabbed strange things that weren't obvious either; emery boards, tiny kids undies, handbags and purses, bobby pins, even a sealed mascara that came free with a magazine. I'm hoping that goes to someone who really misses her mascara.

The loss of life is heartbreaking and especially so now that I have a kid, I'm easily reduced to tears. I've been thinking slowly over the last few days about the loss of one's home, what that would mean, how would it feel, bone-numbingly shocking or strangely liberating?

I look around my house and wonder what I'd really miss, other than a place to rest, and to be honest there are not that many 'things' that are truly irreplaceable. Family, animals, living breathing beings are the most treasured, the most irreplaceable.

I remember being inside on Saturday with the airconditioner on, watching my gum trees bend sideways in the freakish wind, and thinking that if a spark was to land in my suburban yard the whole place would have gone up. There's some comfort to be had from living in the city during bushfire season, but when I look at the dry parched landscape I'm living with there's not that much difference.

We live in an area where we see a lot of emergency services helicopters going to and from Essendon Airport, and for a week have been greeting Elvis the water-bombing helicopter every morning and evening (my son loves helicopters). Usually Elvis is bright safety orange, on Saturday evening he headed back to Essendon a grim shade of black.

I may never see a bushfire, but I suddenly feel that I need to have more woollen blankets, woollen pants, heck, an all-in-one woollen suit.

Visit Our Community for a multitude of ways to help.

Current obsession - Tsumami hanzashi

My fabulous friend Jo in Tokyo sent me a copy of Kimono-hime (kimono princess) magazine recently, and so now all I want to do is be a geisha. I have always loved kimono, tatami thongs, chinese and japanese patterns, and oriental umbrellas, but now that my hair is getting a bit longer I am playing dress ups too.
These hair ornaments, tsumami hanzashi (pinched hairpin), are traditionally produced by master craftspeople, a practice of working which is close to my heart.

This one is from Atelier Kanawa. Apparently the longer the fluttery bits, the more junior/youthful the maiko (apprentice geiko).

This image is from Mboogiedown-japan.


How about these geta! 30 cm high, and a traditional way of walking in a figure eight when wearing these ceremonial shoes.

Listening to: Koto and Shakuhachi

A few of my favourites

Have been thoroughly immersed in my collection in the last week, making more belts to go to Artisan in QLD. I've been keeping a few stamps for myself, never to be used for anything, they're mine, all mine!
So so nerdy, I have even been perusing stamp catalogues at Stanley Gibbons, so that I can see what eras certain stamps are from, and narrow down searches for specific beauties.

Listening to : Julian Joseph - British jazz pianist extrodinaire