The Utmost for the Highest

Yes peeps, that's the motto for the high school I went to in the late 80's. It seems a certain ex-Unley student really took that motto to heart, becoming none other than the first female PM, Julia Gillard! We are all crowing about having attended the same school, and no doubt the latter part of this week has seen Unley High with flushed, proud cheeks.

Regardless of your politics, it's a huge deal, now we just have to elect her proper, right?

Sam Jinks

Our beloved Sam works hard.

He is so driven to create perfection, he gives himself grey hairs. (We think that he looks rather distinguished and handsome).

'The Embrace' is one of the pieces that will be showing at Karen Woodbury Gallery, Albert St, Richmond, from June 30th to July 24th.

Hope that you can attend, and see what fine forms this man creates with his bare hands, as Leo says, 'Dad you're a genius!'

Grandma Lucy

This is my maternal Grandma Lucy, in her late teens, being goofy somewhere in Murray Bridge, South Australia. I'm guessing that this photo was taken in the late 1920s or early 1930s.

I love it so much, for so many reasons. Old family photos tend to be rather severe and posed, but here is Lucy playing the fool and looking so happy and natural. She was reported to have been a very feisty, stylish and humorous woman, and although I got to see her many times once we arrived from the UK in 1978, I never really got to know her, as she had dementia long before I was born.

I tend to take after my father in the looks and physique department, but I can always see the resemblance in photos of Lucy; this one is so much like me, I may as well have dressed up and posed for the photo myself.

Alas, I wish I had known her, or been her friend back in the day, to have shared a joke with Lucy Monaghan would have been a fine thing, and I'm so glad that my kids know their Granny Colleen.

At Ikea

Not sure exactly why I'm so surprised, but these crocheted motifs sell at Ikea for less than $6 for a pack of five.

Made in India.

I know how long it takes to crochet something like that......$6 doesn't even come close!

What are your thoughts?

Another look-see

If you missed the Printemps boots first time around, there's now another chance to see them at MAS Gallery 1299 High St Malvern. Featuring the works of 16 artists using a huge range of media, this show runs from today to the 27th June, open daily from 10am-5pm.



I've also included this second version of Fiesta, and a few belts for good measure (terrible accidental pun).

Progress and Perspective

As you know I have not been in the studio much at all lately, my time there has been limited to occasionally walking in, inhaling the aroma of leather and saying 'hello studio, I miss you'.

This past week my Mum was visiting, and although I hardly tackled any of the things on my to-do list, I managed to grab an hour on Weds to get Leo's boots lasted. The poor boy is so committed to handmade that he has been wearing his robot sandals with socks during these colder days!

The first thing I noticed after my return to the studio was that my apron fits me again. No more giant belly to attempt to cover - yeehar! Also saw a friendly huntsman who has claimed the dry space for his/her own, don't blame them in this weather.

Anyways it was good to flex the ol' shoemaking muscles again, to get the muscle memory happening and watch my hands do this thing that they know so well.

I used leatherboard stiffeners in these boots, I have a huge box of them from the stash a la Giorgio, and they are the perfect size for Leo at the moment. As they are pre-formed, they were a dream to work with, although I did have to alter my method slightly. Instead of putting the stiffener in first and then getting everything underway, I put the upper on the last, got the lining lasted and then slid the stiffener in using PVA glue. Neat and tidy.



The blue leather is rather heavy, perfect for a busy 5 year old, but not so great for fine pleating on a narrow toe shape. I plan to cover any bumps with a high randing, which is the strip of leather that runs around the edge of the shoe, before the sole goes on. Technical speak ahoy.

The self esteem of this crafter has been boosted considerably with this wee session of shoemaking, I have been participating in a conversation about mothering and creativity over at Rachel Powers' blog, she of The Divided Heart fame. I've also been giving a bit of shoemaking advice to Olesya in the USA, so I'm not entirely going to waste!

Hope that you are warm and well, we have the heater on and are watching The Triplets of Belleville.

Five Faves

Garlic
I am planting my second lot now, in total I have about 50 cloves in. There's nothing better than fresh garlic, I've also planted brown onions and broad beans. Each of these crops are no-brainers in our yard of low maintenance.



Victoria Mason
I can't wear long earrings for a while, at least until Hazel has stopped grabbing fistfuls of everything. So Victoria's Apple a Day stud earrings are the perfect thing for lobe adornment. Easy peasy ordering and delivery at Vic's webshop.



Going Postal
I have always been a letter-writer, and it seems that there is a growing nostalgia for the hand written and posted variety of communication. It may not be instant, but it's full of charm and thought. Resurrecting this past-time is Ms Zeitgeist herself, Pip, who has a helluva postal project going on. Do join in!
I also received another stash of international stamps from Carleton Uni in Ottawa, thanks Karen. Even Leo is getting in on the act, his Dragon Hoodie arrived in the post this week, fresh from Paul and Paula kids clothing.



Visits from Granny
The gang is back together every time my Mum visits from Adelaide. Hazel is getting to know her Granny, as there is loads of cuddle time, although her eyes follow me around the room, it's ultra-flattering to be reminded that I am Hazel's everything.


Getting things done
Finally Helen has her Tango shoes, I finished them yesterday and can now cross them off my list! Hurrah, I love making shoes, but as it takes so damn long I get a bit sick of them by the end, and really love getting them out of my studio.