Pleats Please!

I was right, this leather was supremely well behaved for lasting. I wish all leathers were so cooperative! Now for a fitting, eh Helen?

Small Girl.....

.....wears homemade sneeks. Worn in 6 years ago by her brother. Bless.

Listening to: Prince - 1 + 1 + 1 =3
It's only audio, pretty decent though for a live recording, this is Hazel's fave song right now, she jiggles all over, it's the funniest thing!

Progress

Her babies hatched! They are so teeny but they sure can move fast. Now I hope that they all find alternative accommodation, as they have built their web on my blind and I would love to open it without disturbing them.

Yeah yeah, buntings been done, it's so old-hat why would you bother? But have you ever seen patent leather bunting? Didn't think so. In three different sizes? Nope, that's just me and my ridiculous need to use every single scrap of leather.

Helen I am so ready to last your shoes, I just need a good 90 mins without threat of interruption by small peeps. Negotiating with potential child-minders is in progress.

How about this book given to me by Aunty Jenny, I wonder what joys are contained within?

I want these pants sooo bad! I would wear them all the freaking time! Oh man it hurts to want them this much.

Gotta have a shot of the open book, featuring painted nails and awesome embroidery templates.
Hand holding the book open shots are du jour right now, don'tcha know?

Yes I really do need all these ruling devices, I'm obsessed by millimeters remember?

Listening to: Ernest Ranglin - Below the Bassline

Old Things

This weekend has seen us at the Museum, hiding from the heat, and also my neighbour has been cleaning out his ancient shed. So we have been mingling with 'old things' as I have been calling them.

Melbourne Museum's display of kitchenalia, I had ramekins just like these but they were trashed in my sharehouse days.

John Rodriguez's textile designs from the 60's. I'm coveting that apple tea towel.

Medals on rather splendid ribbons.

And here we have the stash from Dan, my neighbour. He and his sister Kate live next door in their Great Aunt's old house. They recently sold it and are now cleaning it all out, and we have managed to come away with some really amazing treats. The house still has embossed wallpaper and floral carpet from the 1940's, the kitchen and bathroom are original, they even have an old Kelvinator fridge from the 50's. It's too good, like walking onto a set.

Check out not only my fabulous new nail colour, but also this teeny feather. Aw shucks.


A comprehensive list of tartans. I wish us Greenwoods had a tartan.

Tins, tins and more tins! The tobacco ones still have that particular smell, the brush on the far right is a beauty, and I'm guessing from the amount of Laxettes tins that they could have done with some prunes....

Old pickle jars with bakelite lids, metal measuring tape, enamelled soap dishes, old door handles, enamelled mugs, phew, we also have old brooms, rakes, seeds saved over the years, clothes drying racks, linen cupboard, an upholstered armchair, shoe polishing brushes, embroidery scissors, padlocks, woodworking tools, saws - it's just as well I am not planning on moving house anytime soon.

I have been thinking of my Grandpa, his shed smelled just the same, of oil, rust, cardboard, timber and dust. Wishing that I had known my Grandpa better, and thinking that no matter how treasured the objects, they lose a certain something once they are removed from their original setting.

Listening to: Dick Van Dyke - Hushabye Mountain

At my place today

Tea drinking of course. Today I had my standard Lady Grey for brekkie, then a gunpowder green mid morn, then a genmai cha in the arvo with my fabulous friend Dan. Great to see you Dirkee! I may have a lemon and ginger this evening, as I fold laundry and watch some West Wing (a Xmas pressie from sister Kate).

Seed saving. These are from a plant which my mother calls Honesty. I wish it had another name, let's call it the seed-rattle bush. I gave these to Hazie in the yard today to use as a rattle, but she was more interested in climbing up and standing alongside the trampoline. She is ambitious with her standing, I have to be with her at all times to steady her, but even with my supervision she is bruised all over. Glad they make babies so tough!

Leo's lego is caged inside the playpen, we figured that Hazie should be able to roam free, so the small choking-hazard bits of plastic are fenced off. She stands on the outside bellowing to be let in, before reaching in to steal a handful.

Small girl loves to sit on the floor tasting things, which could be a dubious past time considering the state of my floors. Let's hope that her immune system is getting a boost. We have piles of 'stuff' on the floor in every room to amuse her.

Frankie. Catching up on a bit of holiday reading as I drink tea and listen to the cricket. The other day I FINALLY finished Vanity Fair. 743 pages of Mr Thackeray's sometimes frilly prose, I also watched the movie and Pip's copy of the BBC miniseries. I am all Vanity Faired out. Trying to adjust to William Gibson's new-ish offering Zero History, but it's taking a bit of acclimatising.


Choc, choc and more choc. My sis gave me this greek beauty yesterday. Almonds, hence the blossoms.

Grapes, colouring in, learning alphabets. There has also been a huge consumption of cherries at our place.

Hey there you have it, a day at our place in early Jan 2011. Happy birthday to all the fine Capricornians I know, I fear that you get forgotten in all the Xmas New Years' palaver. I'm thinking of you!!

Listening to: Prince - The Everlasting Now live!!