Somewhat tardy

Ahem, while I have been dealing with sleep deprivation over here, my dear friend Pip has been her usual busy self. She is a real dynamo, as you have probably realised, not only does she have two new books out, she is also on the telly, and recently released her very first online mag, Good Stuff.




As one of the contributors I am rather chuffed to be included in such a classy production, and hope that you go over to have a read, Pip is hoping for a cool 1 million page views in a month! She is also putting out a call for advertisers keen to get into the next issue, out in March 2012.

Here I am!

Lovely to drop in and visit Craft Vic, my home away from home.

Beautiful exhibitions on at the moment, and the shop is well stocked in the lead up to Christmas.

The new Craft Vic brochure has some surprises too, yours truly gracing three different pages.


Playing show & tell with Maryann. My sis is standing right next to me!


My beloved shoemaking tools; two pairs of pincers, a tack lifter and some sharp-ass tacks!


Bottom right is my Florentine stitched pincushion, amongst other things in a box of tricks.

These images were taken at our Gallery Three residency by Jorge de Araujo. Thanks Jorge!

Cheesy but good?

I have seen these shoes advertised on public transport somewhere in Melbourne, and although they are by a fast-fashion label, RMK, and although they have a loathsome heel, there is something about them that I quite like.

Well I know what the likeable something is, it's the adventurous colours and shapes. I hope I am not offending you Mr Steve Phillips, but they are reminding me of you.

That is all.

On my bedside table

OK, I have a lot of books about shoes. Why would I need anymore? Well, this one had to join my library for two reasons: the photos are HUGE, and there are so many I have never seen before! Another bonus is that the text is brief; it's not an essay with teensy pics, rather it's a picture book with great captions.

Here are some of my faves.


This is my favourite style of embroidery, Florentine flame stitched. Part op-art, part geometry, it plays to my love of symmetry and precision. Made in Britain, circa 1760.

Manchu peoples of China, C19th. Loving that blue velvet, in such good condition for a shoe of this age.

Apparently these are slippers, American, from 1892. Fabulous style and colour, they look so soft.

From 1914, an interpretation of the Turkish slipper. Awesome silhouette, made by Pietro Yantorny, an Italian shoemaker who was 'the most expensive' of his time. He was an amazing craftsman.

Steven Arpad - Bloody Genius. These are prototypes from around 1939. He made footwear for Balenciaga, Delman and Irving Miller. The accompanying sketches are gorgeous.

Arpad again, these are for Delman. Loving the brocade effect on leather.

SIMPLICITY! BLUE LEATHER! SILHOUETTE! Need I say more. Italian, 1950s.

Hello Genie! Gold kid slippers by Pucci, to be worn with free flowing pajamas from his 1964 collection.

These are by Byron Lars, an ankle boot from 1994, inspired by traditional japanese footwear. I am such a fan of tabi socks, I have over 20 pairs and wear them with different thongs/split toed shoes.
Messrs Blahnik and Hirst, 2002. 'Dot' boots.