wintery wanderings

Went off in the car today to run errands and organise some alpaca fingerless gloves.

It felt strange being on the road, not tied to the shop, schoolroom or studio.

I did get to visit one of my favourite op shops, which is something I haven't done in ages, and scored a pile of Johnson plates and a surfeit of enamelware- and a duffel coat for young Lil.

And a sewing machine. 

Hmmm. 

Like I don't have 9 of the damn things already.

This one is a full metal jacket of a domestic machine for home, old and good.I really don't like modern machines, although I do have dreams of having a brand spanking new plain stitch machine with auto cutter etc and a brand new overlocker and a brand new coverstitch machine and a brand new walking foot machine..............

I got back mid-afternoon and spent the rest of the day dyeing more gloves. Not the best of afternoons though, strange things going on and a bottle of dye exploding all over the kitchen was not fun. Am feeling very flat at the moment. I feel a little overwhelmed by everything I need to do. Or maybe its the mess that is my home that is getting me down! I need a cleaning lady!

i'd dye for you

Busy little Sunday spent dyeing angora gloves.

I've had one of those procrastination moments about starting dyeing, mainly centred on the new surroundings and how I was going to organise everything. Of course once I started there was no problem and the dyeing is going along swimmingly (in fact easier that its been in the last couple of years- go figure!).

I've wrapped the new birch bench tops in foil to stop splatters but still managed to get the bathroom sliding door with black dye, luckily it just wiped off- thank you Wattyl Trade Paint!

There are new paler colours and some old favourites.

n'oublions jamais l'australie

My brother has taken his two eldest boys (not quite 10 years old) over to Villers-Bretonneux in France for the Anzac Day Dawn Service.

Even as the most unpatriotic of people, I find the Dawn Service one of the most moving of ceremonies. It always makes me cry. Of all conflicts, I find the First World War dreadfully sad, all that innocence and hope slaughtered on the fields of Flanders. The fields enriched by so many bodies and the poppies growing in disturbed earth.

At the unveiling of a monument in Villers-Bretonneux in 1919 the Mayor spoke of the town'sgratitude to the Australian soldiers

"The first inhabitants of Villers-Bretonneux to re-establish themselves in the ruins of what was once a flourishing little town have, by means of donations, shown a desire to thank the valorous Australian Armies, who with the spontaneous enthusiasm and characteristic dash of their race, in a few hours chased an enemy ten times their number...They offer a memorial tablet, a gift which is but the least expression of their gratitude, compared with the brilliant feat which was accomplished by the sons of Australia...Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for..."

Children in Victoria raised money to rebuild the village's school and written above every blackboard is 'N'oublions jamais l'Australie' (never forget Australia). Truly something to be proud of.

cushions

                                                            (Mr London- sold)

Popped down to the studio, got the camera, forgot the flowers, had to go back again- one of those mornings.

Also new vintage fabric bracelets in the shop today. Lots of shibori in red and black, black and white and indigo and white.

And a couple of new tea-towel skirts (more on the way).

wonder

I've been loving the new Colin Meloy Sings Live! album. I'm not a big fan of the live recording but I absolutely love this one.
So in honour of all my crazy friends who have got themselves (or someone else) 'up-the-duff' over the last few months (it's going to be a busy second half of the year) I thought I'd post 'Wonder'- its a really lovely song about having a baby- and it isn't schmaltzy in a bad way, just a good way.

idiot idiot idiot

I was going to post some photos of new cushions.

Only I left the camera on the cutting table in the studio.

Therefore 'idiot idiot idiot'.

Also 'annoying annoying annoying'.

two front teeth

Well, actually, I believe they are back teeth (of a sheep) but you get the drift..... all I want for Xmas is my two front teeth...... which in my case is spot on, as genetically I'm missing two front teeth (not the big ones in the middle at the front but the ones in between them and the canines). Crazy huh?

So where did these teeth come from? They were a present from JMo. I feel pretty spoilt.

They are gold leafed and enameled silver on linen string. This picture doesn't give you an indication  of the size but they are about 4cm long- big chompers!

Can't tell you how many compliments I've had about them.