Brand spanking new

Medium - Leafy Sea Dragon in Chocolate Brown leather.


Medium - Mixed International stamps in burgundy and grey, in burgundy leather.

The belts have been going gangbusters since the piece in the Age, so I've updated the Shoppe with these new beauties! Yay commerce!

Just Ordered

Organic soy jersey and Japanese fabric wrap hoodie via Isla New York.

Can't wait!

Five Faves

Frankie Magazine
Pip's project is ace, Gemma's smiley self and home are gorgeous, the vintage caravans are on my wishlist.




Autumn leaves down Rathdowne St
Balmy sunny days combined with leaf flurries, beautiful autumn colour and thoughts of cosy times to come.


Crochet for babies
Got me some baby yarn from the Bendigo Woollen Mills. 200gm balls are extra generous and so well priced. Ruby and Junior Navy for a dress for my lil' girl. Pattern from this styling Golden Hands book.



Dirty Jobs/ Masterchef
Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs is our main man, he's on ABC2 at 6:30 weeknights, getting dirty in so many witty ways and teaching us stuff to boot. I am not shy to say that he is hugely crush-worthy, and I am more than willing to be flexible on dinner times and eating locations in order to catch this show.
Don't need to say much about Masterchef, except that Leo got out of bed to come and watch the first night, he was that excited. He wants to try making a Beef Wellington. Good luck!


Beci Orpin's show at Lamington Drive
We love Lam Drv, and try to catch every show there. Likewise we love Gorker. And who doesn't love Beci Orpin, especially a colour-loving spectrum-crazed woman such as myself? Hoping to get one of these beauties as a well-deserved Mother's Day present for myself. Because I'm worth it.



Just thought I'd mention that I typed this one-handed under a sleeping babe, it only took half an hour!

Guru Feat. Chaka Khan - Watch What You Say

RIP Guru, many of my best memories have a Gangstarr/Guru soundtrack.

Airing my opinions

I'm over at Make and Meaning again, revealing my inner doofus regarding technology. Discuss.

To be desired.....

.....well if it's not me, then at least something I've created. Bravo. From Sunday's Age.

Listening to: Stone Roses - Fool's Gold It would appear that my Leo has a Stone Roses hairdo, rather like Ian Brown here. Well my paternal grandparents are from Madchester way!

On my bedside table

Written in 1979, based on the adventures of Han Solo prior to Star Wars. The man has attitude, a blaster, a fast ship and no morals - or has he? I LOVE HAN SOLO!


Via the thoughtful and generous Pip, accompanied by tea, chocolate and an elegant tea cup/bowl. She rocks my world. I'm looking forward to getting into this book, recommended by the equally world rocking Dudecraft.

I should be finished both by Christmas, it seems that I now have no time for bedside reading, combined with the need to sleep at any quiet moment.

Indulge me.....

Before......

.....and after

Hazel Eve Jinks

I made her myself, well with a bit of help from Sam of course. She was born late last night, the 9th of April, a super-quick and, let's face it, terribly painful labour. But it's all over, we're back at home, and she is sleeping away in her bassinette. Leo loves her, as do we all, she is as soft as a peach!

Foil!

Leo's Easter Rabbit brought him eggs from Germany, with the most festive foil I have seen in a long time. We have been saving it, meticulously flattening each piece, which is hard for him as he usually rips the foil to shreds.

I'm loving the folky colours and themes, patterns, flowers, and that cute chick playing the accordion, natürlich!

I remember in high school, at Easter we would cover the buttons on our uniforms with foil from eggs that we had all exchanged. Let's bring that look back, hey?

Listening to: Erykah Badu - Window Seat Very gutsy video, from her new album, the lady is keeping it real in every sense, love her to bits!

On My Desk

Fussing around with the heel tacks, prior to screwing the heels onto Helen's tango shoes.


Heels and soles on, now the laborious and never-ending finishing/cleanup begins. Oh joy.


Leo's main pattern. I trace all the pieces from here.


Assembling Leo's uppers. He requested some yellow.


Uppers finished and ready to last into shape. They remind me of old-school Reebok high tops from the 80s. Champion style. Hope that I can finish them before winter!

Listening to: The Coup - We Are The Ones

Heide Store

Announcing that Postage Belts can now be found at Heide Museum Store out in Bulleen.

What a great place to visit, we have just returned from a jaunt there, managed to see the last day of the Cubism show and had a posh lunch at Café Vue.

I waddled around the gardens but really just wanted to head home, this Little Miss is doing some strange bulging and I feel the need not to travel far from home. Will keep you posted.

Listening to: Sharon Jones - Tell Me

Check me out!

Over there on the right, halfway down the page, it's one of my Mini Fringe Pins. Hurrah for Inside Out's 10th Birthday edition, complete with a Rob Ryan teatowel!

Five Faves

Here's my contribution to Five Faves, after all, it can't always be about working, shoemaking etc.

1. BAD BRAINS
Seminal Rastafarian punk/hardcore/reggae/dub band from the USA. Have loved them for years, never seen them play and now I hear that they are coming to Melbourne in June!! I've been playing their albums super loud in the studio over the last few days.






2. Lego Star Wars - The Quest for R2D2
Leo and I have been playing this on my Mac, he does the jumping and the lightsabering, I do the moving about. We are a good team, but are a bit stuck on one level. He goes nuts when it's lightsaber time, saying " Pesky droids, attack them, let's go go go!"


3. Chicken stock
Had a roast chook for Easter Sunday dinner with 6 peeps. Today I've got the remainder in the stock pot on simmer, with all the goodies that make stock so beautiful. Oregano, thyme and parsley from the garden, onions, garlic, carrots and celery, bay leaves, salt and peppercorns. The house smells divine and I feel rather virtuous!



4. Chocolate
I guess I don't really need to say much about this festival of chocolate which is Easter. I am a straight up chocaholic, if you supply me with it I will be your instant friend. My family know this well, and I have been looked after this year. There is chocolate in my bedside table and I sneak in there every so often to sample a bit more!

5. Excursions with Leo
It's our last week together, just the two of us, my Little Miss is due next Monday - give or take a few days. Leo has been on kinder holidays, so we have been hanging out, enjoying the days, it's a little bittersweet for me as I know it will never be like this again. We went to see the bat colony in Yarra Bend Park, today we're taking Granny there as well, she arrived yesterday to stay for a month while we adjust to life with the LM. Might visit Lost and Found Market, and see if Granny can identify many of the obscure items from years gone by.

Leo's enjoying my cravings, there have been a lot of visits to cake shops, eating hot chips, making tandoori chicken with dahl, and afternoon naps. Last week I took him to Wunderkammer in Lonsdale St, he loved it and has now got a really long list to give Santa this year!


Crystals

Checking out the telescopes!