collecting feathers

Little flood and a cake topper

2012-01-26T20:42:00.000+11:00

There is nothing like a flood to get your creative juices going! Even if it is a little flood like yesterday's, and you know that you CAN get out, your mind starts doing strange things. Apathy somehow turns to action. Maybe it is survival mode, though I can't for the life of me figure out how making cake toppers (which I just completed) will help me survive flood waters!

But first things first...I have been absent for a while...Christmas was way busy, and then my health took a battering. It is continuing to be awful...but I still draw breath, she said crossing herself and muttering an imaginary rosary.

FLOOD YESTERDAY

TODAY

Anyhoo, yesterday, knowing that a flood was imminent, I prioritised and decided to do the most rational action, I went into into town to pick up some choc bits, because it is always a tradition in our house to make chocolate chip pancakes when it floods. Returning home and totally exhausted by my little soiree, I slumped on the couch and instantly fell asleep. At this time the water level on our dam was rising, but nothing to cause any concern.

I was rudely awaken about an hour and a half later from my coma by the phone ringing. I groggily wiped the dribble from the side on my mouth. (When had I begun to leak from the mouth when I slept?) It was the local council. I was advised that we were on amber alert, Rocky Creek Dam was over a metre on the spillway! I looked out the window and freaked! This was the fastest rising flood we had ever had! It looked like we were on an island, and were surrounded on three sides by water!(How many exclamations can I use?)

'Tis true, I did become a trifle concerned. My husband wasn't home, the waters were rising, and was that dribble running down my back or cold sweat?

Cut to the chase, my husband arrived home, got the laser out and eased my fears. The waters would have to rise another metre before it came into the house, and thankfully it stopped rising just before dark. By morning it had completely abated...but OK it was a nice bit of drama to jolt me from my creative slump...segue to cake toppers.

This afternoon I got an enquiry about one my hessian "Engaged" banners. The prospective buyer wondered if I could do a cake topper to match the banner. As Barney Stinson would say, "Challenge accepted!"

Flood-bored, I got to work and meticulously stencilled this linen/cotton...on both sides. I am not sure if I could have found a quicker way to do this...but it was satisfying to do SOMETHING! It reminded me of the times my sister and I would make furniture and little household knick-knacks for our Barbie's.

A new friend

2011-12-16T14:54:00.002+11:00

I have been working hard, nose down to the grindstone the last couple of weeks, trying to make sure that I have enough stock for markets and shops.

Yesterday and today I made the front page of Etsy. Crikeys! I didn't get a load of orders but in my excitement, I frantically took photos of these banners and any stock I had lying around the place. They are a bit dodgy, but will do until next week. I just needed to get them into my shop for the hundreds of new lookers. Being on the front page of Etsy is like have busloads of cashed up tourists visit.

I did these banners last year, and realised they must have gone alright...because, I didn't have any stock left! So I made a few more, and lo and behold, I sold two within the first ten minutes at the BrisStyle Market. Are the gods telling me something?

Now, a little digression here. I thought I would show you our newest friendly native animal. We had a koala last month, now we are blessed with a diamond python.

He (or she) is living in the chook house, which is great because the rats converge there for any left over scraps. These guys are the best for rat and mice control. However, we think that maybe we didn't have enough vermin to fill Ms Snake's belly, as one of our chooks took very poorly, and then died. We have a theory that Ms Snake had her eye on the chook as her next meal. The pythons squeeze their prey and they devour them whole. Or...maybe the chook was just old.

I have to be careful when I enter the chook shed now, as she lives directly above the door. I am sure this is all bringing back wonderful memories to my sis who was scared s******* by another python when she visited a few years ago. The snake that we had in residence then was a full three metres long and just happened to reside outside her bedroom door in the courtyard. Ha, the look on her face when she saw it curled up, above her head! Priceless!

Christmas cushions

2011-12-02T11:58:00.001+11:00

I have been attempting to finish off half finished projects so that I can take them up to the BiDM market next week. Today I found these cushions...I had completely forgotten about on the bottom of a rather big 'to-do' pile. I am on a roll, so these pics have been taken very quickly.

I have also been working on another, but whilst the first three were a breeze, with everything sewing nicely, this next one (which is my fave) has got the mean reds in it. I think the ghost of my dead mother is telling me not to sell it 'cos he is so lovely.

First the zip was wrong, then I realised that the back was too small, then the pom pom trim gave me grief and now the final seam just isn't sitting correctly. I shall have to start over I think. I know it is just a square, with a bit of trim, but sometimes these cushions can send me to the asylum!

Keep a look out for more, particularly floral and birdee cushions. I am a Woman on a Misssion!

I always seem to be a day late linking up with memes. I am playing with the gals at Our Creative Space today. Better late than never!

Qantas V Jet = classic style

2011-11-18T18:31:00.001+11:00

Qantas has been in the news quite a bit lately, for bad and for good. I saw that Qantas ambassador John Travolta had flown in to Australia in his classic jet that was described as painted in the V-jet style. It was a gorgeous looking plane, with shiny wings and the epitome of retro. Just the kind I would like to park out in my paddock.

By chance I acquired this classic Little Golden Book on the weekend. It is an Australian edition of a Little Golden Activity Book called 'Gorden's Jet Flight', 1963. The American edition published in 1961 had the same title, and featured the 707 Astrojet by American Airlines. The Aussie edition, published 1963, featured the V-jet 707 that was flown by Qantas.

here

As far as I can gather, the V-jet was a 707 modified with turbo fans, The 'V' originating for the Latin 'vannus' meaning fan.

It is just so special finding Aussie Little Golden Books. However, the story is quite generic, with no places named. You don't know where Gordon or his grandmother lives. You assume that Gordon lives in Australia and is visiting gran overseas. Quite odd that they undertake an overseas trip with one days notice...oh well it was the sixties. Wonderful things could happen in the sixties! Especially when you had shiny V-jets at your service!

It would have been fabulous if this book featured TAA, and the Junior Flyers Club. I desperately wanted to be a member as a child, and get a pin and a bag, but it never happened. Why not? It was the highlight of my day? Maybe only special, privileged children who lived in leafy green suburbs got to join. After all, they were the ones who were flying.

Here

Welcome Home!

2011-11-16T09:32:00.001+11:00

I have been screen printing a few special hessian banners orders during the last couple of days. Geez, the heat! Please excuse the pic, it was taken at just before I jumped in the car to make sure I made the last post of the day.

This and my other banners can currently be purchased from my Made It store, and by the end of the week my Blue Caravan store. I am also in the process of creating a Facebook store as I have found, much to my surprise and befuddlement, that people are quite happy to order through your Facebook page.! Yes, I am converted, I have seen the light!

To celebrate my acceptance of "The Facebook" on "The Interweb" I will be having a giveaway this week. Firstly, I will have to stalk other 'giveaway' people to see how it is done. There is some special random picker that many use. Oh, so much to do, so little toime!

I am not really a shabby chick...am I?

2011-11-10T22:20:00.000+11:00

You know, it's funny. I adore minimalism, clean lines, mid century design, graphic lines...my 'real' art attests to that, but...when I am making my stuff for the markets, a little shabby chick emerges. (Get it....shabby chic, shabby chick? My only excuse for such a lame joke is the heat. Ye gods! I am frying here!)

Anyhoo, I just finished off a whole lot of my Vintage Dictionary Prints today, for the BiEco market on Saturday. I don't think I have ever shown you guys these. I only do them for markets as postage would be too expensive.

I always try and relate the page somehow to the image. This feather is on a page with the word "quill."

I don't know who this Shabby Chick is...maybe one of my 'personalities' like Sybil or Tara. I think I shall call her Joelene ('cos I just saw Dolly Parton on telly and I think she is fabulous!)

Pop over to see other creative projects here

Being completely 'obsessive' about paper

2011-11-08T11:09:00.001+11:00

I have developed quite an obsession for Little Golden Books. With the Christmas orders coming in, I have found one of my most popular buntings is The Christmas Story, with pics by my favourite illustrator Eloise Wilkins. But although you try and collect books throughout the year...you never seem to have enough of some particular books.

I thought outside the box and was looking through a box of religous books when I found this. It is a Golden Pleasure Book, printed in Czechoslovakia, 1952. It is the same as the Little Golden Book version, except one page (two illustrations) are missing. I am not sure of the company...was it the English version of Little Golden Books I wonder?

And here is the gist. It is 60 years old and the paper is that lovely thick cardy, fabricy, paper that seems to absorb the inks and makes them all saturated looking. Look at the difference in a newer illustration and the original. (Well, you can't really see much on the computer screen, I admit, but when you seen them in real life, an obsessive person like me can get all gooey and weak at the knees!)

I read somewhere that the US has legislation in place to ban children's books prior to 1980 or so, as the ink contains high levels of lead. I used this excuse when I cut up the book. It is just so special, that it belongs on the wall!

Custom hessian banners

2011-11-07T08:10:00.000+11:00

My hessian banners are proving quite popular indeedy.

As well as my stock that I carry, Mr & Mrs, Just Married, We Do etc. I do custom orders.

Most are for weddings and engagements, but there seems to be a smattering of other special occasions creeping in and special little "in' jokes.

I am being very good, and am allocating a special time to complete custom orders as the screen printing process is very messy. (well for me it is.... I get paint in my ears, all over my clothes...everywhere) If you would like to order one of my banners, pop on over to my Made It shop.

Custom orders are printed on Mondays, so I will need the order and payment by Sunday.

Little Koala comes to visit

2011-11-06T13:08:00.001+11:00

We have had a lot of wildlife around our place recently, more so since our dog died...but today took the pip! I was busy working on my computer in my studio when I heard a clip, clip, clip sound behind me. I realised that I had forgotten to close the screen door, and thought a water dragon (lizard) was coming to visit.

Imagine my surprise when I turned around and saw one of the most beautiful koalas I have ever seen, padding around on our timber floor. This is the first time we have seen a koala on our property, and we have lived here 16 years. I have never heard of koalas coming indoors to visit! He/she had the sweetest little face and was light grey in colour, with a white bum. I think from the fur he/she is quite juvenile. It was still soft and fluffy looking. The planting of all of those trees has certainly paid off!

I tried to yell for my husband to look, but the poor little thing took fright and ran (very quickly) for the nearest gum. I grabbed my camera, but wasn't able to take many quality pics. My heart is warmed, and I thank god that I was magnanimous today to put some money in the Save the Koala fund at the markets!

Segue to these Aussie souvenir cushions. I love these, and got the middle one today! One of my earliest memories is a Sydney Harbour Bridge cushion given to us by my godparents in the early 60's. I used to look at the glitter on the Harbour Bridge, and run my hands over the velvet and think it was one of the most beautiful objects in the world. I adored that cushion! Years later, I would stand by a window in Balmain, and just gaze at the Harbour Bridge remembering that cushion. It is weird how intense our early memories are....and that is why I obsessively buy these Australiana cushions whenever I get a chance!

And...for that reason I make my tea towel re-purposed cushions...it is my little nostalgic trip .

I am playing with ATG today and Nifty Thrifty Tuesday.

Story of a pincushion

2011-10-31T10:58:00.002+11:00

Yesterday I went to yet another auction to accrue yet more stuff. It was way out in the boondocks, at a farm on a very long straight road that went on forever, and disappeared into the haze. (I am not only being very poetic, but it my attempt to say it was bloody hot out there!) It reminded me of (what my idea) of Kansas must look like. Long straight roads, massive plains, big farms with old farmhouses, decaying outbuildings and silos. We don't have the great barns that the yanks have, but the scenery still pulled on my heartstrings as I sang (repeatedly) "Wide Open Road" by the Triffids. Thanks goodness I was by myself, I think a passenger would have throttled me by the fifth rendition!

A bit grubby...I haven't cleaned them up yet!

Anyhoo...the deceased estate auction was pretty good...lots of locals and only three dealers that I could see were present. I had my eye on a few items, gen-u-ine cowhide suitcases (got two out of three), stetson hats (got em), cute german vintage alarm clock (nada), vintage table top pinball machine (nada) and of course vintage fabric and notions. There was a goodly amount and bidding was fierce. There were about three other women and an older man, the husband of a lady who had an accent, vying for the the sewing items. I only got a small amount of the haul, the prices were quite high. The husband got most of the fabric, and when he won, he picked it up and place it on the ground in front of his wife saying, "Here you go mother. This will keep you occupied." It was an incredibly sweet gesture.

I degress, this is the story of a pincushion. In one box of rubbish which there was a lovely little silver plate pin tin (Victorian/Edwardian) with three thimbles in it. They weren't silver, and were much worn. Also in the bottom of the box was this pincushion.

I bid for the box, but pulled out when it got too high. Another woman who had bought some other sewing notions eventually won. I knew that she was after the thimbles and tin but I had my eye on the pincushion. This was a pretty laid back auction, so I approached her and asked if she would like to sell me the pincushion. She looked at it, and said....and this is the gist of the whole rant, "OK, it is only handmade!"

I will give you a few moments peoples to pull yourselves together. "Only handmade!"

This little pincushion (with the tin) were easily the oldest items at the auction. I would place them conservatively at 1900's to 1930's. Given their age and their personal nature, I would assume that they belonged to the mother of the person of the estate. I like to think that these were incredibly valuable items to the lady who died. Apart from rust marks from pins, and a bit of yellowing, this pincushion is in beautiful condition.

Also, given the high prices of all the sewing notions at the auction, wouldn't you think there would be a high value put on the handmade, particularly this form of feminine history? But no. Silver plate is put before something that was laboured over, and beautifully constructed.

Oh well, it was to my benefit. I now own the pincushion and can construct many little pathetic and heart rending stories about its life. One thing is for sure...I value it and value the work and love that originally went into its construction. "Only handmade!" ....my eye!

I am playing along with Sophie today.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-10-20T17:22:00.000+11:00

I have just stocked my Etsy shop with some Little Golden Book Christmas banners, and one has already sold!

I had better get my elves together and start making some more!

Speaking of elves and Christmas, a couple of banners recently flew to the other side of the world to a town called North Pole, Alaska. I had to blink a couple of times when I saw the address. (Then I had to shake my head from side to side like a cartoon character until my lips made a blubbery sound)

North Pole is a tiny town in Alaska and is the official town where all the Santa mail goes! How cool is that! It would also be about the most far away you can get from my little valley, in the world. Isn't the internet marvellous!

BrisStyle info session

2011-10-19T09:08:00.000+11:00

I have been very busy making copious amounts of garlands for orders and suddenly remembered via a bad dream that I had this morning that I am heading up to Brissie this Saturday for the BrisStyle info session From Hobby To Wholesaling. (I knew all along...I was just in denial)

Don't get me wrong...I am very excited because I will be on the panel. However, I have always had a problem with public speaking. My dream reflected that. The stage ended up in flames, the audience had their backs to me, and, a whole class of teenagers descended on the hall, while I looked on in horror as they scoffed a table full of cakes and sweeties. Needless to say, I didn't get past my introduction.

Others on the panel are:

Vicki Sinclair from in.cube8r Brisbane
Melanie Gray Augustin from Kimono Reincarnate
Kellie Christie from Kellie Christie Jewellery
Belinda Chisolm from Sybella Boutique
Amanda Whitelaw from Hungry Designs
Nicole Zupanovich from Collecting Feathers

It is sure to be a great session. It will be wonderful to learn new strategies and information from these inspiring women.
http://www.bris-style.com/page/brisstyle-craft-business-information-sessions/

Punkin Head, Punkin Head

2011-10-05T10:01:00.000+11:00

We don't really celebrate Halloween in Australia, but I have had such a visual overload of items from Etsy, that my daughter and I were inspired (at last) to make a scarecrow for my garden. Let me introduce you to Punkin Head.

He is now living in my asparagus patch and looking out for any bad ju-ju in the garden.

I reckon he looks brilliant, a sinister and creepy and somehow innocent, with his big bulbous head.

We have just fenced the orchard and vegetable garden completely. The geese from next door and my chooks were destroying my veges as soon as I put seed or seedling in the ground.

Although I had to wait until the fence was up to begin my gardening again, I must have planted at just the right time last winter. We are enjoying an abundance of potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, broad beans, rhubarb and carrots.

I picked the last of the oranges on one tree (we have four!) to juice, and found some ginger that I had forgotten that I planted. Add to that the three grapefuit and two lemon trees and a lime, and I have not excuse if I develop scurvy!

We are going to double the amount of garden beds in the next couple of months. Money can't pay for the thrill you get from going to the garden everyday and harvesting the produce! (particularly long, straight carrots) It is sacrilege to throw away your own grown food. You realise how much work goes into creating it and so you are forced to eat seasonally and treat it more respectfully.

As usual my internet is playing up...it has taken an hour to load this. Some days I have to restart the controller thingy ten times! Some days I can't even access this page, let alone log in! I am trying to leave comments but sometimes it is just too frustrating! So please bear with me if I don't reply to any comments for a wee while...I am visiting you in spirit!

MIA

2011-09-26T08:32:00.000+10:00

I have been missing in action for nigh on a fortnight now...the longest time that I haven't blogged for yonks. To tell you the truth it freed up a lot of time to make 'things' but also I missed out on a lot of structured activities...like actually getting off my bum and photographing my flea mark finds and then loading them into my store. Instead they have been thrown onto the scary pile in my studio, that I am ashamed to say (whisper) has reached the top of my head.

Anyhoo, where to start. I will pick two objects to show and tell. The first is a book of Bambi. I always knew that Bambi was a book, but in all my years, (and there are many) I have never seen a copy. This is a 1950s edition. I did a bit of stalking on the author, Felix Slaten and found that in addition to writing this children's classic, he also is credited to penning a lovely little bit of erotic literature, Josephine Mutzenbacher that I think is still banned in Germany today! I think I will have a read of Bambi and see if there is any animal erotica hapening! Of course he was handsomely reimbursed for the rights of Bambi...to the massive amount of $1000.

Second in my show and tell are these fabulous tins. I got these (and more) from an auction a few months back. The others are on the bottom of my pile and I just couldn't get the energy up to dig them out.

I have put Bambi in my Laughing Duck Vintage shop, but the tins are staying home so that I can squirrel away fabulous little bits and pieces, that will never see the light of day again...except maybe at my deseased estate auction!.

Oh, and for a bit of cross advertising, I am happy to say that my Little Golden Book banners are included in a couple of publications this month. One, is the lovely Peppermint where a couple of my banners are draped across the children's page and the other is an online mag called My Little Jedi.

And peoples, they are not just for the kiddies! On no! I just found this pic whilst perusing through the squillions of images on my computer It was taken last year at the Rock 'n' Roll Market at Tempe. A young woman bought a Rainbow Brite banner from me. I assumed that it was for a niece or friends child...but no, it was for her personally. She was obsessed with Rainbow Brite, so much so, that her whole back was a tattooed Rainbow Brite wonderland! Pretty fabulous!

Linking up with Sophie

Horrockses Heaven

2011-09-08T09:44:00.002+10:00

You know, I really am slow on the uptake! I would love to pride myself on being 'on trend' with my finger on the pulse of all that is 'happening maaan' but I seem to be impervious to everything around me. Looking back, I have always been like this. It was my sister who always picked those trendy, must have items of the week. Things like striped knitted socks with individual toes, tennis wristbands, permed hair and the perfect top from Witchery or Katies.

Vintage Chic

I realised this when I listed a Horrockses dress in my Laughing Duck Vintage shop. I knew who Horrockses were, I have coveted this book for a long time, but it wasn't until tonight that I realised that they had been reinvented as a homewares brand at the beginning of the year with inspiration, their dresses. Where was I when this happened? It seems to have been on all of the design blogs. But I in my typical unfocused manner has tripped vaguely by, seeing nothing but the castles in my head.

Well, now I am well and truly obsessed. I ordered the book from Amazon. (I love online shopping!) and I think I will keep the dress that I had listed in my Laughing Duck Vintage Shop. (I can lose weight but I can't replace that dress if it is gone)

This is mine! Mine!

The Womens Room

V & A shop

Here

I could go on forever pasting pictures and trawling the 'interweb', obsessing over every little detail of every little dress, but I had better stop there. I will hang up my Horrockses and begin my diet.

Frock on a Friday

2011-08-26T10:51:00.001+10:00

I should be getting stock ready for the Bangalow Markets on Saturday...but true to form...I have become distracted by pretty pretty things, namely vintage clothing. I thought I would take time out from making banners to do a bit of photography and finally post a Frock on Friday. This pink sundress has a matching belt and bolero. All have the original labels and it is a size 16 vintage...however it just fits onto my size 12 Daisy...curious!.

These are going to go into my Laughing Duck Vintage Etsy shop. (hopefully tonight) I would love to say that I have found these in a local op-shop (just imagine if that happened girls!) but I am listing them for a friend. They are not cheap, but I will give it a go.

This is a Horrockses, size 18! I nearly had a coronary when I saw it. It was perfect...except that I have been packing on the old kilos in the last year and I looked like a big hephalump!

This is an unworn, unwashed vintage fifties dressing gown. Gorgeous fabric! Very Blondie Bumstead!

This house dress has a zip that stops just shy of the hem. Great fabric, great collar, great dress. It, also is larger size, but I have cinched it at the waist.

If anyone is local...come and visit me at the Bangalow Markets on Sunday. I am up in the Moller Pavilion. It is the big shed above the carpark where you can buy tea and scones.

Origami madness & a bit of a rant

2011-08-24T10:21:00.005+10:00

I sell quite a lot of jewellery through my stockists and markets. (Well, a lot by my small standards) I don't list many of them in my online stores as they tend to get a bit lost and I find that often with jewellery people like to handle it and hold it up against their bodies.

I love working out the packaging for the individual items. I have sold a few of these Moth, Butterfly and Birdee necklaces of late, but didn't have great packaging. How does one package a necklace I pondered? In addition, I decided that it had to be repurposed and with a handmade element. I wanted it to stand out and be something that customers would want to pick-up.

Voila! The finished product. (Apologies for the dodgy photo, I did a quick shoot before delivering these to Little Polli and the Blackbird yesterday)

They are made from Webster Dictionary pages and are quite thin. It makes the boxes quite light and delicate. I originally photographed them on the same pages, I don't know why it took me so long to work this out! I had a bugger of a time working out sizes and the inserts. Aaargh! As it is, these boxes are only just big enough for the butterflies, and I will have to make bigger ones for the moths.

My husband thinks I am crazy. I spent a whole day making ten boxes which are ultimately going to be thrown away and which I will receive no monetary return. But, and it’s a big, they were the first ones, and I have worked out all of the problems, so hopefully I can form a production line and get them knocked out a lot quicker in the future.

Also, and this is most important, I did them because I am quite passionate about making things. I have been thinking about this quite a lot lately. Basically, when you look at it, I work for about $5 an hour...tops. And recently, I have been quite disheartened in my dealings with people who possess limited honesty, integrity and ethics. Maybe my expectations of people are too high. But yesterday I was inspired by an interview with Jenny Kee in my newly delivered Frankie magazine. She said:

“If you’re on a creative path, go for it. Don’t try and build an empire. Do things with integrity, in a small, meaningful way. If you’re really creative, create little businesses, so there’s lovely choice with original talents. You can make a living doing that.”

Ofcourse it is fine for Jenny to say that. She became famous and made alot of money from her creativity...would she have said the same thing if her businesses had failed and she had to work a menial job the rest of her days, relying on government handouts for her livelihood in her later years?

Regardless, I will soldier on. We only have one life so we might has well try and make it the life we dream of.

Tea towel bunting

2011-08-15T10:56:00.001+10:00

We had a bit of a celebration on the weekend, and to mark it, I finally made some bunting from my tea towel collection. I first saw this done in one of those new craft sewing books and then at Cottage Industry in Melbourne.

I think they look gay (as in jolly) without being too Kath Kidson twee. ( I am beginning to used words such as 'grand', 'jolly' and 'gay' on a regular basis, as if I am reliving an old Mallory Towers dream.)

It is such a relief to whittle down my pile of tea towels. Only the daggy ones were used, such as the lawn bowls centenary, bad poems about dunnies and swagmen, and used and faded towels. In all there are 96 flags and untold metres. I thought it would take an hour to make them. Mmmm. It didn't!

Man Cave, Man Cave, Man Cave

2011-08-13T12:59:00.004+10:00

I am always on the lookout for furnishings for my husband's room. I call it the 'Man Cave' but he has told me not to call it that anymore because it makes him sound gay, stupid, metrosexual... who knows what else is in his man mind? (I just got this home, so haven't even dusted it)

As I am by nature very contrary, I thought I would show you some" man cave" items that I have found for his "Man Cave." Initially, I wasn't sure of this Man Cave lamp. It is actually originally an industrial heat lamp from Lismore Base Hospital. Good for ricketty Man Cavey legs. It is a bit dented, but should be able to be reshaped and Sparky being an electrician should be able to adapt it to a light. I thought it might be a bit too industrial and battered, but as those two words pretty much describe my husband...it is a perfect fit.

Now, tapestry in a Man Cave? It shouldn't work, but if the subject is a bucking bronco...how can you go wrong?!?

When Sparky first saw this he blanched, but I think he has come around. Now all we need is a comfortable seat. We currently have a couple of old club chairs that are a bit hard on the back. He wants some kind of Lazy-Boy recliner ...I want an Eames replica. I know it is his Man Cave but...I think I have to draw a line at the recliner. Not in my house, no way, no how! They are so ugly! I have even tried to interest him in cool 70's recliners...but no...not comfortable enough.

Father's day is done and dusted in this house...he is happy with the lamp...and I am off to make a "Man Cave" sign for his door, that should be the icing on the cake!

Playing with Sophie ans Mod Vintage.

New Buntings and New Patterns

2011-08-09T21:07:00.000+10:00

I have been a busy little duck today , making more buntings for Collecting Feathers shop and uploading some Weigel's patterns to my Laughing Duck Vintage Store.

First things first. I will try not to be too boring...it is a sad fact that this blog is used to 'flog my wares' as well as document my life.

You've seen the musical, now experience the bunting! Mary Poppins, 1964 edition.

Okay, it is Sleeping Beauty, you mutter. Not really. A delicious 1961 edition. That is fifty years old, peoples! Confirmed from the Baptist Sunday School inscription on the front cover. The colours are gorgeous! The best I have seen. I think it is due to the lead in the inks and maybe the different paper. (Do not let the kids lick the paper!)

A jolly time was had by all with five consecutive birthday parties given by Raggedy Ann and Andy. They ended up eating apples and flying kites, learning the valuable lesson of 'everything in moderation.'

Peter Pan and Wendy. Again, lovely colours. I didn't document the date of this one. I have finally done a banner of this book in the larger pennant shape.

Bambi...what can you say. I think the illustrator who drew Bambi was a genius. Warms the cockles of my heart.

And now some equally cute patterns. I have already shown you these so I will just include a couple. I listed some last night and they sold immediately. Crikeys! Usually an indication that I have listed too cheaply. Aka my first pattern that was (apparently) worth as least $50 and I sold for $5. I also got the postage wrong and ended up losing on the whole transaction.

Scrap metal merchant

2011-08-07T14:12:00.002+10:00

Again, here is but a snippet of my finds this week. Lots of scrap metal (more than you can imagine!) I am sure that I was a Tinker in a previous life.

I went to an auction on Thursday where there was quite a good collection of old irons. I have always been obsessed with the tools of trade of women. These irons weren't for the weak! I had to lug all three of them up a hill and through a paddock of recently slashed lantana. It felt like I was on the Worlds Biggest Loser. I nearly had a coronary!

I haven't cleaned them yet so excuse their appearance

I love their sculptural nature. To me, they are very beautiful. They combine form and function. I am currently perusing this site for their histories. It is US, but it will get me started.

More metal, these children chairs.

Why am I collecting children's chairs do you ask when my babies are all grown up. I can't answer that question. Maybe I am looking back. With the kidlings not needing me anymore, I have reached a milestone and am re-evaluating my life. Maybe it is my way of hanging onto memories. Maybe I just like chairs...maybe I am just obsessed with scrap metal!Regardless, I have got the thrill of buying them...I will sell them on next week and take them into Adam at Carrington Street Antiques.

I have also been up late re-stocking my Laughing Duck Vintage Shop with this weeks finds.

I really like this scarf. It is so Grace Kelly Riviera. I tried to do a casual elegant shot, but I am afraid I get bored. If it doesn't work in five shots...I move on.

This little World of Suzie Wong beaded Hong Kong bag is cute.

And I will be putting this gorgeous wool 50's coat up tonight. I found it yesterday at Vinnies, and while more expensive than normal, it was worth it. It is in excellent condition. I nearly wept when I found it. Of course it is too small for me, about a size 10 or 12.

It is beautifully constructed with wonderful detail, front and back

And as usual, I love the labels. I am wondering if it was a sample. There looks to be a name which I can't make out. If anyone has an idea of the meaning of the SSW label, I would love to know...I am still on a learning curve. I assume it is order no. or style no. 333, I am thinking the M stands for 'maker 'and it was Pat. F could be 'finisher'??

As usual I am playing with Sophie.

One of these things is not like the other....

2011-08-05T17:54:00.003+10:00

Spot the difference! I have been meaning to show you these images for a while now. "Cars and Trucks" is one of my most popular Little Golden Book vintage banners. It is also one of the books that was upgraded in the 70's to show less stereotypical role models.

One of the most iconic illustration by Richard Scarry, is the family in the colourful caravan, pre 1976. Mum looks as if she is a bit stressed, (she thought this was a holiday!) but Dad, complete with pipe is relaxed as anyone can be (wearing a bow tie on hols), and the boys are just being boys...playing with guns and axes and offending the Native American population.

Post 1976, new dad looks a bit sleazy to me, a bit Swingtown methinks. Unfortunately the 70's must have seen an increase of birth defects, because the kids look downright freaky! But, they are playing a very PC gender neutral game of baseball. Go team! And mum! Well she is on a very good wicket indeed. Go girl, go Women's Lib! I wonder what book she is reading? Maybe The Omen.

Huzzah! Huzzah!

2011-07-29T19:24:00.002+10:00

The last couple of weeks, I haven't even been able to see a lot of blogs, let alone comment. The final crunch came when Explorer lost my list of blogs that I follow. I felt as if my arms had been cut off! My newest friend, Zara, gave me some good advice. "Switch to Chrome" said she. I thought I would give it a go, and now I can see, I can speak! I feel like Helen Keller! (W..A..T..E..R!!!) I made the change...and now I am a new woman! (Disclaimer:I am not being paid by, nor do I own shares in Chrome)

Anyhoo, today I toddled off down to Bexhill Hall to a mini Vintage Fair held by Retro Mumma and including a couple of other vintage dealers from Lismore. I have been looking for an old school map to decorate my husbands 'man cave.' He was pretty apathetic about the idea but once he saw this map that Gina had saved for me he was sold! It is called Australian Explorer's and it is a doozy! It fits perfectly into the only bit of wall space, (the rest of the walls being used for storage of his CD's and war books)...and it is educational!

Look at that silly bugger in Western Australia. His name was Forrest. Looks like he walked around in circles! Couldn't see the forest from the trees (ha ha) except he was in the desert.

I also got a couple of old swap card books. I already have some early twentieth century and sixties matchbox collections here, that I have shown you before. I just revisited them again and ye gods, I had palpitations! I love them so much!

These new Swap Cards were made to swap specifically in the seventies. I first saw them here on the Lark site. I never experienced these in my childhood, and so I couldn't go past these two books. I don't need them, they hold no emotional value to me...yet I had to have them! What is wrong with me!

Lotsa frocks

2011-07-23T21:55:00.002+10:00

I have been busy of late. Painting the house, cleaning the house, lying around in the house. I don't seem to have done anything very constructive. Of course I have been opshopping as well. I have PILES of stuff. Methinks it is becoming a very serious problem indeed. SO serious, that I have decided that I have had the cheap thrills of collecting my treasures, and now I have to get rid of them.

I won't show you the pics of the piles of debris I have collected, it is a bit too negative, (and one must remain upbeat!) but, I have got some pics of the dresses that I am starting to shed, like a chrysalis in a cocoon. (but seriously, I have to make some room in my life or my collecting will overwhelm me)

I have begun to list my finds in my Laughing Duck Vintage Shop. Daisy my Formomatic Dummy was kind enough to lend her services. True, her breasts are a bit too pointy and her bottom looks like a Gibson Girl silhouette, but she does the job pretty well. You go girrl!!

It is a time consuming process. Thank goodness I am obsessed with vintage, otherwise it would be a chore.

If I was living in the big smoke I would do markets, (if wishes were pigs horse would fly), but I will give this Etsy store a go until the fun wears off.
RRRR, my comments are still not working, sorry all...I feel like an awful snob, not being able to reply. I have tried deleting my history and cookies, but to no avail. Maybe it I restart my machine...or give it a chocolate. Maybe that will make it happy. Grumpy ol' thing!

I am playing with Sophie and Apron Thrift Girl.

Is it Woody?

2011-07-15T15:23:00.000+10:00

New banners are in my Etsy store. Daddies is a classic! I don't think that Woody Allen was around in 1953 when Tibor Gergely was illustrating this book, but his doppleganger looks as if he was busywriting books!

The book asks, "What do daddies do all day? Daddies work while children play." It shows Daddies working in all dinds of careers from farming to teaching to even singing in the opera! And it assures children that at the end of the workday, "by taxi, train, by car and bus, Daddy rushes home-to us!"

Hmm, what else have I been busy making?

A purty rug

2011-07-14T21:48:00.003+10:00

Last Monday I mosied on down to Byron with a girlfriend for the NV New Vintage opening. We stopped on the way at Lazy Bones in Bangalow and found the purtiest rug I have ever seen. (Am I channelling a dead cowboy? Speak to me Coyote Jim, speak to me!)

It is by Kaffe Fassett, called Bed of Roses and this picture does not do it justice. It looks like a 21st century Axminster. Massive pink and orange roses on a blue background. It was big enough to put in the middle of a lounge room. The shop assistant laid it on the floor for us, and we were all gobsmacked by its beauty. It was truly food for the soul.

I am currently yearning to eclecticise and feminise my home. There is too much brown and masculine cowpoke stuff. I reckon this would go quite well with my minimalist mid century clutter. It is also, spookily the colour of some my sculptures that I have scattered around the place.

I want to mix things up a bit. (I feel) that it would be very witty, a statement of unique individuality (mine), a juxtaposition between styles...however, my husband hates it with a passion. He thinks it is the ugliest thing on this God's earth! Also, unfortunately, the price would take food from our mouths...and more importantly as I am as cheap as chips, it goes against the grain to pay full retail price for anything.

If I can't get it for a bargain, it is simply not worth buying.

More Hessian Banners

2011-07-13T18:32:00.001+10:00

I spent much of last week making hessian banners, mainly for weddings and engagement parties, and have uploaded them to my Made It store.

I am also doing a 'Just Married' for an order, and maybe I will include a run of 'Forever' as well this week. So much to do, so little time.

Putting Weigel's on the map!

2011-07-12T14:56:00.001+10:00

You may remember my recent post about Madame Weigel's patterns.They were my first listings in my Laughing Duck Vintage Shop. (actually they are my only listings....I just haven't had time to list anything else) Anyhoo, since discovering her her, I have gone beserk! Libby from Bessie and Maeve contacted me and she had begun a collection of Weigels patterns on Vintage Patterns Wikia.

We are committed to documenting as many Weigel patterns as possible. We both think that it is so important that this part of Australian history is retained, particularly as it is contained within the 'women's realm.' Historically sewing has been an outlet for women's creativity as well as being practical and economical. Plus these patterns are really, really rare, and are in danger of being lost forever if they aren't documented, collected and cherished.

A whole new world has opened for me! I am like a pit bull, snuffling my way through boxes of paper patterns in opshops. I have contacted a couple of dealers here in Lismore and they are happy for me to upload any of their patterns. The patterns from today are from Christine at Gleanings, Star Court Arcade, Lismore. Christine speaks vintage language, and I love visiting her and her clothes. They are mostly childrens costumes and toys, all in excellent condition, factory folded. The stock would have been pre 1963, and with decimalisation (is that a word) a price sticker was placed over the old price.

I will regularly post patterns I find to spread the love of Madame Weigel. (I think it is pronounced V-eye-gel.)

Maybe everyone can ferret through their stashes of patterns and see if they have any Weigel's luking in them and post them to Vintage Patterns . Also, I just found an interesting article suggesting that these patterns may be worth alot more than we are selling them for at the The Money Manager.

I won't be listing these for sale, they are going back into Gleanings, and Christine doesn't have a computer (quell horreur!) If anyone is interested in these to purchase, you can contact me at my email address.

Chairs

2011-07-11T09:57:00.002+10:00

I had a good run of op-shopping in Casino and Kyogle last week. Packed the car up good and proper! The oppy gods dictated that I was to find chairs and stools which was OK by me, as I have some plug ugly stools that I got as a temporary measure only, from the two dollar shop about ten years ago. I wanted to mix up some styles and industrialise the decor, and these little beauties fell in my lap.

The little stool has a fabulous original starburst patterned vinyl.

I love finding original labels. Somebody must have been very lazy, there is the original yellow sticker of the manufacturer on the leg, Kenstead at West Ryde, and this foam label sticking out of the cushion.

I also got two of these from a garage sale for $1 each. Bargain baby. They need to be cleaned and stained, and are only vinyl but I am happy. Ofcourse I would prefer an original Featherstone, but until then...

I am playing with Sophie and ATG. My computer is playing up again and it looks like I can't comment, though lordy I have tried. No wonder I try to keep away from it!

More and more vintage cushions

2011-07-10T19:26:00.000+10:00

I have been very busy making stock this past week. I didn't want to get sidetracked blogging, or indeed touching the computer, as it is like a drug, and yes, 'man, like, I am like hooked...man!'

I always have high expectations of my abilities to make copious amounts of stock. Getting ready for the Bris Style market last Saturday I thought I could make ten new cushions, sixteen garlands, five buntings, twenty new cards, ten LOVE and HOME banners and a whole manner of others little bits and bobs that are in my head. However, in the time I allocated, and at 11.00pm on Friday night I realised that I had to be happy with five cushions and eight garlands. Ah, you have to be happy if you achieve small goals, and then you may have to move the posts arounda bit.
I will be loading these onto Etsy when my slow computer allows me.

Great Barrier Reef

Quack, quack

But I won't be loading this lovely red one, it is sold, but I thought it was worth a squiz.

This Sydney cushion turned out very well. It is backed with a cotton brown and white striped poplin, and looks very masculine and clean. I noticed a few blokes picking it up at the markets. Perfect for a 'man cave.'

I am in love with this cushion. It is pure cotton and more of a twill tablecloth weave. I bought the tea towel from an Antique Fair. The pom poms are vintage as well. They are nice as they are not perfect spheres, but irregular and full of character. (As if a pom pom can be full of character. Ye gods! )

Form-o-matic Daisy

2011-06-29T16:53:00.001+10:00

I have finally got around to making my cardboard lady. I had left her a little long in storage and she had begun to have some discolouration. I should have resealed the box, but I was a lazy Daisy.
I made her to a Misses size 12, and she looks pretty tiny.

She took about three hours to put together and gave me the dry rots towards the end.

Fitting the torso and the bum together was so frustrating, I nearly took a knife to her.

Her first dress is this amazing apple green bridesmaid's dress. I have named the dress Joelene after the Dolly Parton song. It is so bad it is good. The sleeves are fabulous. It would look great on a 'bright young thing!' Now I have Daisy finished, I will try listing some clothes in my Laughing Duck Vintage shop on the weekend.

Hessian banners

2011-06-28T11:25:00.000+10:00

I am often asked to make custom items by customers. Sometimes it is a variation of what I have in my online shops, sometimes it is a completely new item.

Lovely Kate asked me to make up a 'Sweet Love' hessian banner for an engagement party and Kathy has asked me to do a 'Photo Booth' for her wedding. Normally I wouldn't have done them, there are quite alot of these on Etsy but...the engagement party banner was a bit of a rush job...the shop in the US that Kate had picked was on holidays, and from the look of it, shipping for 'Photo Booth' was $30.

So yesterday I spent and lovely morning screenprinting these new banners. I had such a great time. I wish I had majored in printmaking instead of sculpture, it was so theraputic and calming. I know they were just letters and not art, but the process was so happy making!

I have decided to open a Made It shop for these banners, primarily for Aussie sales. I have done a bit of research and there doesn't seem to be anyone doing them here. (saying that I will receive a hundred angry comments from people who make them here in Oz) I have decided to carry stock...the US shops seem to take about two weeks to make an order. I haven't thought of a name yet...most probably Number Five Shop!

If there are any word combintations that you think may be popular, please share them withl me. I assume that I will be targeting weddings, so I was thinking: love, I love you, Mr & Mrs, just married, sweet love, love love love...

Very Busy Little Black Duck

2011-06-26T19:53:00.001+10:00

No op-shopping this week, just head down, bum up, and make, make, make!

I have been so busy this week! My oh my! I dropped off lots of new bits and bobs at Little Polli and the Blackbird, here in Lismore...stuff that I never have time to list on Etsy, or indeed photograph for my blog.

If you are local, pop into Sharon and and her mum Rosie's lovely little shop. It is choc a bloc full of goodies and with clothes that they make in the store. You can see the whole process, from cutting to finishing, which is very special and connects you with the the product, making it a very personal experience.

I have also been talking to Nicky McLaughan and Victoria Spring about their new shop, NV due to open in Byron Bay next Monday, July 4. I will be stocking them with my purty vintage garlands. I can't wait to see the store. When Nicky described it to me, I had visions of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in my mind!

Just by chance, Victoria's house in Mullumbimby has been featured in this months Women's Weekly. How about this for eclectic.

A drum for a coffee table, Mid Century Modern table with an antique embroidered shawl, casually flung over it, topped off with a chandelier!

When I got home after visiting at Victoria's house, I cast a very critical eye indeed over my quite stark and minimalist abode. "More character sweetie!" I muttered to myself under my breath, in full Eddie mode. Flinging my arms around wildly, I yelled (to nobody but moi) "Your home should reflect who you are, don't be afraid sweetie! Don't be afraid!"

Auction day and a Glass Necklace

2011-06-19T20:18:00.001+10:00

I cleaned out my studio yesterday, sorting through the piles, and I mean piles baby, of stuff I had hauled home from a deceased estate auction, about a month ago. (Yes I am tardy, in fact I am still posting about the Tassie holiday, and we came back six weeks ago!) Moving on.

The lady who had died was a real crafter. She tried anything and everything. The trouble is she didn't seem to finish alot of things. There are about twenty knitting projects ranging from just started to just needing to be pieced together. There are half finished toilet dolls, tea cosies, embroideries, tapestries, clothing, macrame, and crotchet what-nots. With all of this there were jars of supplies. Pins, beads, buttons, curtain rings, zippers, and broken necklaces. Except, on tipping out one of the jars of white Czech beads I found this little beauty, a complete necklace.

These have been a favourite of mine since I can remember. I don't think that my mother ever had any czech glass, but I can remember glamourous women wearing them. I used to be fixated by their brooches and earrings and red lipstick.

from here

Here are some examples I found from the net. Ofcourse, Etsy had the nicest ones. They aren't expensive, but as I don't wear jewellery it is a moot point. But, I can give it to my little girlie, because, let's face it, if I didn't give it to her, she would steal it from me.

from here

I was going to go further and show some pics of an Aussie auction, and heaps more 'stuff', but I think that is enough for tonight. Big yawn. Time for beddy-byes. I am playing with Sophie at Her Library Adventures and Apron Thrift Girl.

Like Moths to a Flame

2011-06-18T08:22:00.000+10:00

Here are some more bits of jewellery that I have on my stall at the markets. Wood Moth necklaces on a brass antiqued chain.

In a falsetto voice, aka the lover of Bridget Jones mother on the jewellery informercial, "Attached to their wings are little drops of vintage beads, like shimmering droplets of water on gossamer moon kissed wings."

"Will you be the bright light, the flickering flame of beauty that attracts these desirable creatures?"

Yes, I think I could be a copywriter. I am feeling it! They are available from my Made It shop. Flutter by!

What am I Gunda take?

2011-06-17T12:28:00.002+10:00

Yesterday Kylie at Lucy Violet Vintage showed an item she would save from her house if there was a fire, kids, pets and photos being a given. It got me thinking. Plus, my ever lovin' daughter is always asking me that question, "What would you save if the house was on fire?" Or, even more disturbingly, "What vintage clothing can I have when you die?"

Well, I have thought about it, and funnily enough, the two items I would take with me are sitting right next to the front door.

My Gunda vase, signed Gunda 12

I got this at the Channon Markets years ago for next to nothing. I can remember buying it, very, very, clearly, because somebody was destashing their collection of Australian pottery, for prices next to nothing! (It was like a lolly shop!) I, fool that I was, only got the Gunda. This is one of the deep regrets of my life. I know that it is said that one shouldn't live with regrets, but as god is my witness, I will go to my death bed declaring, "Why oh why didn't I buy more of that mid century pottery at that market!"

These pics are from Craft Victoria pagefor Gunda. His work was a bit of an enigma until recently. He was a Latvian ...who came to Australia in the 50's and was influenced by European, rather that Australian designs. I love his early modernist designs, and would love to collect the black and yellow pieces.

This Gunda pic from KittysVintage Kitsch

My other treasured possession, Jedda bowl, signed Jedda Australia, 36

My little bowl is meticulously handpainted and has a lovely elliptical shape.

I got it on one of my trips back to Adelaide in a little town in the Barossa. It was one of the best antique shops my sister and I had ever been to. We got a massive haul. When I returned to Adelaide six months later, I had forgotten its name and location, so for ever more that town is called Brigadoon to us.

The brand Jedda was a pottery manufacturer that set up manufacturing in 1955, to cash in on Australia's first colour movie Jedda. They are identified by their faux aboriginal motifs and were popular in homewares and tourist items. I think my little bowl looks more African than Australian Aboriginal but I still love the colours.

Jedda ramekins at Rameking

There is a really blog here to the Rameking where you can learn anything about ramekins. It is the only place I have found any mention of Jedda on the net.

I am playing with Vintage Thingy Thursday

Ballerina Brooches

2011-06-16T09:04:00.000+10:00

I have a godawful head cold and so have been sitting on the couch for two days with a box of tissues and a laptop. I thought I would list some of the jewellery pieces I sell at the markets on my Made It store. Now , I am not a jewelley kind of gal. I wear my Oprah necklace (because I have constructed all sorts of meaning around it), my wedding ring, and diamond earrings that my husband replaces every year as I loose one of them. That's it, no fuss. I don't adorn myself. I really can't be bothered.

Having said that, I started making jewellery for my market stall, because frankly, it sells. It fills in the gaps and gives people an opportunity to spend 'a little bit' and not feel guilty about it. (They haven't got a problem with self adornment)

These are some little wooden ballerinas brooches attached to re-purposed tortoise shell belt buckles. There must be a little bit of 'shabby' deep inside me, trying to claw itself out...even though I am more of a mid-century kind of girl. They look very sweet on though.

They all have different names. This is Miss Gertie and Miss Ivy. I wanted to make them look Art Deco-ee, and also give them a bit more substance. I got a few bags of the rectangular belt buckles at an op shop in Sydney when I went to see Oprah. I am kicking myself I didn't get more. They had hundreds of them...and ofcourse I erred on the side of caution.

This is Bertha and Myrtle. Altogether, there are ten in the series. These ladies have a bit of grunge and attitude to them. I have made up a story, (as I usually do) and they are all prostitutes working as dancers in Paris, or is that the other way around...dancers working as prostitutes or should I say courtesans. Nah, they are downright scarlet women, trying to eek a living in the bright lights, big city that is Paris in the 1920's. Most probably they all ended up in the gutter, toothless hags, forever reliving their youth, just like Fergie.

Tassie Trip: Back in Hobart

2011-06-15T07:39:00.002+10:00

Today we drove from Bicheno to Hobart. It was such a relief to get to a city, I tell you now baby! We have realised that as we live in the country, in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, that holidays will not be in the country, but in cities. We miss the culture and the energy of inner cities. On reflection, we should have split up the holiday between Hobart and Launceston. That way we wouldn't be unpacking every day, and we could do nice little day trips from our base, without getting exhausted. I barely saw any of the culture of Tassie, we were driving too much!

We missed the Salamander Markets (edit:My apologies Salamanca...I have a bad head cold and can't think) as we arrived on a Sunday, however the Salamanca Precinct was packed. There was a great energy, great shops, great art, great food...and Battery Park the next suburb was gorgeous! Full of lovely Georgian houses with lovely little cottage gardens.

My favourite shop was closed, but that didn't stop me "stalker like" pressing myself up against the window and taking many, many, many pics. It is called The Maker and Leonie Struthers who owns this shop, has another one called Love and Clutter.

I have one of these cardboard dressmaking dummies, I call them cardboard ladies that I still haven't constructed. I might wait 'til I have my own shop so it can look this fabulous. (I think I will be waiting 'til the cows come home!)

More dress patterns

2011-06-14T17:13:00.003+10:00

This is a kind of part two of my previous Laughing Duck Vintage post. I bought a whole lot of Weigel's paper patterns a few months ago for my sis, but in the end, she didn't want them...so I have put them up for sale.The packets look a bit worse for wear, the scanner seemed to pick up marks that I can hardly see.There are a few varmint nibbles, but the patterns are in good nick.

I had never heard of Weigel's before this (because I am from Adelaide??) and was delighted by the story of Madame Weigel. It is wonderful to discover about the lives of Australian women, we often just hear about the men in history.

Madame Weigel was born in Poland and travelled to the US where she worked as a designer for McCalls. She married and came to Melbourne on her honeymoon and stayed.

By her own account, after many requests from friends who admired her dress sense Johanna Weigel started to cut patterns from her own clothes and give them away. The easy-to-follow instructions for measuring, cutting and sewing made the patterns popular and their increasing success led her and Oscar to start their fashion business in 1877 in premises in Lennox Street, Richmond. They imported all their printing machines and tissue paper and soon established offices in central Melbourne and Sydney and agencies throughout Australia and New Zealand.

In 1880 they started Weigel's Journal of Fashion, a monthly subscription journal that claimed to be the first fashion magazine to be designed, published and printed in Australia. It included illustrated fashion articles, housekeeping hints and serialized fiction. The impact of her patterns and journal on women and their families, particularly in country areas, was considerable. Miles Franklin later wrote that her mother was a regular subscriber to the Journal:

It was an 'elegancy' to which she clung through the leanest lean years . . . Mother always dressed herself and us by Madame W's paper patterns . . . Madame Weigel was to me a figure of legend as Mrs Beeton or 'The Ingoldsby Legends'.

What impressed me most about the woman is the legacy that she left after her death in 1940. Amongst other beneficiaries she left the residue of her estate to the employees of Madame Weigel Pty Ltd, which continued until at least the 1960s. On the death of the last surviving employee in 1972 the final distribution of her estate was made to five hospitals named in her will.

How generous is that! I assume that money helped people keep their jobs, and kept an Australian iconic business going.

I particularly love this little frock. It came with the receipt for the fabric, 1 yard of nylon and 2 yards of lace dated 31 October, 1957. It somehow makes it very real and personal. I imagine so many little scenarios, a special party frock for a daughter, or maybe it was made for a wedding in a country hall.

My web stalking has found this great pic of Madame Weigel's magazine.

Pic here at Poppalina

If you would like to make the koala tea cosy, which is way cute, click here for the pattern, It is considered to be in the public domain, and therefore OK to publish.

Here are a couple of good links to her story, Poppalina was as curious as I (But in 2006! Geez get with the programme Nick!) and this biography.

Sorry about the long post guys, I am tying to make them short and sweet, but then I start researching...

Laughing Duck Vintage:My new store!

2011-06-13T13:06:00.000+10:00

Well, I did it! Stayed up until two o'clock this morning, watching a brilliant Joan Crawford movie and loading vintage dress patterns onto my (fanfare) new vintage Etsy store....Laughing Duck Vintage. I woke up this morning, bright and early and found that I had already had a sale! Is that a good sign or what!

I was actually going to do a post on the item that sold because I found the designer's story so interesting. So sold, regardless or not, I will tell you about her.

B & W photos from here

This McCalls pattern was designed by Pauline Trigere who is cited as the designer for Patricia Neals wardrobe in Breakfast at Tiffanys, although Edith Head officially takes the credit. (I have heard this often about old Edith, a bit of a bully methinks)

Pauline doesn't seem to be perfect either. She designed classic, elegant clothes, (sometimes plain to the point of abstraction) for the likes of the Duchess of Windsor, but was a total control freak, trying to dictate to her buyers the decor of their shops, Her son, blames her for the failure of her business,

She was before her time, practicing yoga before it became fashionable, standing on her head every morning to "bathe her brain." Still interested? Have a look at this Fabulous Dead Peoples and Archive Vintage sites for more info.

I tell you what...now that I know about her, I am rueing the day that I sold the pattern.

New cushions

2011-06-12T15:00:00.000+10:00

I am in the process of making more Nana Cushions...the kind made from (new) vintage teatowels and fringing. Here are four I have just loaded onto my Etsy Shop.

Oh woe is me...I have too much stuff!

2011-06-11T22:38:00.001+10:00

"Oh, I have so much stuff!" she lamented, wringing her hands. Her eyes weld up with tears, which overflowed to the soft curves of her sun kissed cheeks. She wearily brushed them away, heaving a miserable sigh. "Oh woe is me!"

Yada, yada, yada...I could continue in my Anne of Green Gables fashion, but I think you get the gist.

After an auction a couple of weeks ago and op shopping at least three times a week, I think I can say...enough. I have got to get rid of some of this stuff before it gets rid of me! The Love Vintage Fair has been cancelled for Byron this year. I was relying on it to move some of my collections. I was also going to do the Brunswick Heads Old and Gold Festival today, but have been a bit poorly, and couldn't get the energy up to go. Oh woe is me!

I am going to start selling my vintage online. I am not sure if I will use Etsy, E-Bay or Facebook. If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it. As you know I sell my handcraft stuff online, but vintage is different. I have been devouring at the wisdom of Apron Thrift Girl, but sometimes I think I overthink things. I should just start tidying up and listing.

Any hoo, on a more positve note here is a small percentage of treasures that I have found recently. Above is 'some' of the depression glass I got at a deceased estate auction.

After all these years, I finally got a brilliant West German pottery find. (I have had good finds previously, but not brilliant!) This huge vase stands about 70cm. It is way big, way chunky and a way bargain! Not as good as Kylie's bargains, I admit, but then, the gal has a gift. It is big enough to be used as an umbrella stand.

My first piece of complete Pyrex, marked Pyrex (Please excuse the fingerprints). Here is a question. Is Pyrex still classified as Pyrex when it is another brand stamped on the bottom, such as Corning Ware or Fire King? This is the only quality piece of Pyrex I have found around here, but I suppose I haven't had my Pyrex eye 'in.'

Saying that, I just looked at good ole Wiki and after some perusing, found these pictures on a link to Fire King. Aren't they lubbly? Would they be classified as Pyrex? I am sure that Nigella stole this bowl shape and colour for her kitchen range a few years back.

Pop over to Sophies and ATG for more finds.

Tassie Trip -Lovely Launceston

2011-06-11T09:08:00.001+10:00

I know it has been a time since my last Tassie post, but time is kind of immaterial on the net, and you can imagine the trip has just happened.

Okay, we decided, as we had such a long, long drive to get to Bicheno on the east coast, (dark green thread) that we would skip Launceston and hit the 'frog and toad.' However, luck would have it that we couldn't get out of Launceston! We missed all of the arrow signs and drove in a continuous circle for twenty minutes. Luckily I spied some nice looking shops so we eventually decided to get out and experience the culture...and look at a map.

Lucky that we did for I stumbled across the lovely 'Content' in Brisbane Street. Malinda Lancaster is the owner of this busy little shop, and she was nice enough to look at my wares. (Yes, even on holidays I take my little brown case, put on my Tinker cap, and hawke my wares!)

So now, some of my Little Golden Book buntings and Vintage Garlands are available at this wonderful little shop. Pop in and see Malinda if you are in Launceston...you couldn't find anyone more friendly and welcoming. (Sorry I have no pics, the shop was busy, and it felt a bit rude and pushy to take photos...hopefully Malinda will send me some)

Next stop, Malinda recommendeda visit to my dream shop, Nanna's, tucked away in Coulter Arcade. I will let my pics show you the vintage gorgousness of this little cafe.

Being a foody, I am a bit fussy, but their Melting Moments bickies were bliss, pure bliss baby! I could go a plateful right now. (I tried about ten different MM throughout Tassie, and these won, hands down)

I took a picture of them as we found that there was a disturbing new trend in Tassie. People were taking photos of their meals...everywhere. At high end restaurants, low end cafes, it was all very weird. Ofcourse I had to jump on the bandwagon. Is this a Tassie thing, or is it happening everywhere?

Needless to say, I haven't been able to get Nanna's out of my mind, and would gladly travel again to Tassie for experiencing their pretty pastel tablecloths and crockery, wonderful vintage clothes .... and mouth watering goodies.

The rest of the day was drive, drive, trees, drive, trees...Sparky wouldn't stop and let me take any pictures. Typical male. We were on a mission, we had to reach our destination, and which meant one toilet stop between Launceston and St Helens. Lovely battered fish at the Blue Shed. The owner was the kind of foody geek we were seeking, but unfortunately, we had to keep on drivin'...

Baby Animals on the Farm

2011-06-09T13:32:00.000+10:00

We have had a few new arrivals on the farm lately, which is giving me a shameless opportunity to segue to some self promotion for my Little Golden Book banners.

We woke up yesterday morning to a new member of the family. This little fella (or girlie) was a complete surprise. It's name is Fungus as it is the colour of a mushroom. So cute! Calves are so lovely when they frollic.

We never seem to realise when our two cows are pregnant and little bundles of surprise regularly arrive. This picture was taken a few hours after it was born and we were glad to see Fungus was up on its feet and looked healthy. The last calf was born by the silly mother into the dam. My husband (Sparky) had to haul it out, which was very difficult as they are deceptively heavy. It didn't help matters when the stupid mother charged Sparky once the baby was on the bank...and he had to jump into the stagnant dam again to escape. Needless to say, we haven't been near this calf.

Another baby is this White Headed Pigeon. Its mum and dad built a nest on our pegola, about a metre outside our door. They have a gorgeous cooing sound and are very elegant to look at as adults. This baby is about three weeks old, and still an ugly duckling. She left the nest a day after I took this picture. I think I freaked her out, poor darlin.'

Baby number three was this poor little Tawny Frogmouth. It is not an owl, but many think it is, and I am not helping matters by including a picture of and owl into the post, but what the hey, anything goes when one is shamelessly advertising.

I found it on some rocks in the orchard...pretending to be rock. Normally they spend the day in our Silky Oak tree camoflauged next to the trunk. After two days on the ground, I knew that something was wrong, and took poor little Pebbles/Bam Bam ('cos it was pretending to be a rock, ha-ha) into the vet. Luckily there were no broken bones, but it was very thin and weak. It barely weighed anything at all. They have passed it onto a WIRES carer, who will fatten it up and release it back to us so it can return to its family.

Church of Oprah

2011-06-08T19:27:00.001+10:00

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks...I have been roolly, roolly busy, and although every day I think of some pithy little anecdote to post, I never seem to get around to it. Today, however was different. I can't not post that I have finally recieved my Oprah necklace!

It is pretty light weight, for sure. I can't for the life of me see the 'diamonds'. And 'tis true, if it weren't for my swan-like neck, I would be in fear for my life...it would aphixiate me within 20 minutes. I reckon it would be worth fifty bucks, on a good day.

...But in all, I am pretty chuffed with it. As my husband says, it looks sweet. It has come to me at a time where I have changed my path in life, and as I am always looking for 'signs', (which, by the way are very arbitary, and which only I decide on their meaning.) I have decided it is an affirmative signal for me, telling me I am on the right track in life. (I can make up anything I want, as long as I believe it and it doesn't hurt anyone.)

(I am still in disguise, that Tassie Ranger might recognise me!)

So, go Church of Oprah!

By the by, I am still mute, and cannot comment on most sites. I will keep trying. If you would like to comment and can't, head on over to my Facebook page and say hi. I am very slowly getting the hang of the whole Facebook thang and would love some more friends!

2011-05-29T12:30:00.001+10:00

I have been busy this week, going to a fabulous auction, and making some orders for some special people. Kate has kicked me into gear. She asked if I could do a 'Sweet Love' hessian banner to go with some garlands that she ordered for her engagement party.

I have been meaning to get my screen printing gear out and start working on some ideas for over a year now...but was always a bit lazy about it. Now I have started and realised that it was a more enjoyable process to do at home than when I did it at uni, I think it is another technique I will now add to my repetoire.

These are my two faves, the bright orange flowers looked a bit garish as a hanky, but they look great next to the vintage sheet music "Schubert:Duos fur Piano und Violine, Opus 70,159,160 und 162, Edition Peters"

I have been trying to leave comments on heaps of sites for the last couple of days. Something is wrong with my Blogger and it won't allow me to communicate with people. I have become mute!

A log by any other name...

2011-05-23T09:30:00.000+10:00

I have written before here of the fun that I have at Carrington Street Antiques and Collectables, here in Lismore. For those who haven't read about it, Adam places pieces strategically around the shop that he has become a bit tired of seeing. They are usually fifty cents or one dollar. I love it, becuase it is just like a treasure hunt. I always buy the items, no matter how ugly (err interesting) they are.

Last Thursday I got this doozy! It is a very large ceramic vase...maybe for ikebana, except that it kind of defeats the purpose of ikebana if the timber used is a ceramic replica. Anyhoo, I placed an egg next to it so that you can see the dimensions (It is a very large egg from my chooks, not a small battery raised one, the photograph doesn't quite do justice to its size)

It was a real conversation starter. As I visited shops in town, people would srtike up conversations, and Val, the shop assistant in Spotlight, wanted to buy it from me. Ofcourse I should have sold it on immediately, but I wanted to come home and photograph it for the blog, so that everyone could celebrate its glory!

Other bits and bobs, a napkin or paper holder, leather belt, teak dish (I don't know why I love these as much as I do). Hmm, this weeks haul is looking a bit brown.

I will finish off with a bit of colour.

Pop over to Sophies and ATG for other goodies

Let's go shopping

2011-05-21T21:22:00.002+10:00

I recently bought one of these pretty little prints from Pool Pony. I love the retro colours...and I love getting surprises in the mail! So I thought I would spend a lazy Saturday night, watching Marlon Brando in The Wild Ones and going shopping with Bris-Style

I am madly coveting Pyrex lately, but have no hope of ever finding the lovely examples found in the US, unless I want to spend over $100!

I love Kathie Winkle and can spot her at twenty paces. It kills me that anyone is destroying her plates, even to make pretty brooches.

Barkcloth, barkcloth, barkcloth

This is something else you don't see much of in Australia. In fact I can honestly say I have never seen one. Doesn't mean I don't covet them

Tassie trip: It is all about the destination

2011-05-20T09:45:00.000+10:00

We hit the road early and started for Launceston. (Blue thread today.) Sorry guys if this is getting boring...but I am determined to document it.

We hit the coast with stunning views of the water and a road that followed the coast. We should have turned left to Wynyard, apparently it is oppy wonderland, but I was feeling sorry for Sparky and the long hours that he had driven, so 'right' it was.

Sparky was getting increasing stressed as he had to get his NRL Fantasy League tips in.(NRL=National Rugby League, and it is the church of my husband!)) He was going cold turkey! We had been without internet for three days. No-one in Tassie had a NSW newspaper. I know, we stopped and checked every newsagency we could. There was nothing on the news at night about the NRL. It was as if we were living in a world where NRL wasn't important! Wait, we were! Such a place exists! I should have been happy, but I could read his body language. It said we must get to our accommodation before 4.30pm. That would give him time to put in his team. Bugger, it all being about the journey, today was all about the destination.

I still managed a few goodies in the mad rush of the day. There is two metres of plain Irish Linen in that pile. Yahoo!

We stayed at Rosevears Vineyard which was fabulous accommodation after the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. The Tamar Valley was gorgeous, with vinyeards, water and hills. Very pretty. We decided to go down to the Rosevears Pub for dinner and we were mighty glad we did. We walked into the front bar, which was chock-a-block full of people,and a nice roaring fire. Very English.

view from our window

As we entered everyone in the room turned around to look at us.(Obviously our cover was blown!) Within minutes a bloke came up and introduced himself to us, then another, then another, then another, then another! Then the women came over and asked if we had had anything to eat! (some food had been bought out) It was mind boggling. I have never met such open, friendly people. I go up to our local pub and no-one will look at me let alone talk to me! (I have lived here 20 years!) One bloke even invited us to his house! Another invited us out to dinner that night!

We just threw something old on and headed down to the pub for dinner.

Did they think we were somebody famous...Brad and Angelina, perchance? Nicole and Keith? We are such good looking people that surely we can't be ignored for long in a crowd. Ha-ha! Those locals were lovely and really made us feel special after a grinding day on the road. OK we were strangers, but they took us on face value, warts and all and made us feel so welcome! This night was voted best experience of the trip!

Tomorrow- Launceston, a new stockist and a brilliant cafe!

Art blocks

2011-05-18T21:08:00.000+10:00

I thought the ol' blog needed a bit of colour, a bit of pizzazz after the last couple of Tassie posts so I will sneak this Our Creative Spaces post in today. (It has been so long since I have posted a creative post that I didn't know that My creative Space has become Our Creative Spaces...get with the programme Nick!) I also realised yesterday that Bangalow Markets is on this weekend, and so am frantically making stock.

These are some more collage art blocks that I have been making from vintage papers and fabrics. I was lucky enough to buy a large amount of black and white piping at an oppy when I went ot see Oprah in December, and was racking my brains on different ways to use it.

They are part of the 'Love is...' range and can be hung on the wall, or being chunky bits of vintage wood, can stand quite substantially on a surface.

I hate any kind of vintage waste and love to recycle. So much so, that I keep all of the off-cuts and covers from the Little Golden Books that are cut up for banners. (Serious 'Hoarder' behaviour I know. I can imagine my husband given the duty to help clean up my studio. He holds up a square inch of cardboard and asks, "Can I throw this out?" I dive across the room, trying to snatch the cardboard from his hands, screaming, "Nooooo! I am going to make something out of that!"

These larger blocks are made from the cardboard covers of the Little Golden Books. Very much like Rosalie Gascoigne whom I adore. I have actually been doing these for years from all kinds of media like lino and old timber doors, and after racking my brains of ways to use these covers, came up with these.

I will be at Bangalow Markets this weekend, up nice and dry and away from the wind in the Mollier Pavilion. If your in the area, please come up and say g'day, and pop over to Our Creative Space for more creative goodness.

Day Three Tassie:Cradle Mountain, Spycraft 101

2011-05-17T19:57:00.000+10:00

Everyone raves about Cradle Mountain..."You must see it!" they gush. The people we booked the accommodation with demanded that we stay two nights. It surely had to be a special place. We arrived not knowing what to expect and found this little fella about to cross the road. Well 'little' would be stretching it. He looked just under a metre long and was was very fat! For non Aussies he is a Wombat, and reading the Wiki link, I was surprised to find that he is endangered. I always thought there were heaps of them and that they are pests in some areas. Poor little bugger.

Before I go any further, I had better explain that Cradle Mountain is a pristine wilderness is a World Heritage Area. It was snowing the night before and was very cold and windy.

Moving on, being the kind of folk that we are (undercover spies) we decided not to spend the $60 required to enter the National Park. (We were outlaying a small fortune for some very average accommodation and weren't in a generous mood. Plus the cranky old lady at the cafe wouldn't make me a pot of tea. Also of course, and most importantly it is always best not to leave a paper trail whilst on a mission!)

We nonchalantly drove through to the boom gates. By sheer dumb luck they were being fixed, and so the technician waved us through. Stopping at the first car park halfway into the park, we got out of the car to experience the wilderness for a few minutes. We were about to jump back into the car due to the chill factor, when a NPWL (National Parks and Wildlife) vehicle entered said carpark. What could we do! If we jumped into the car and skedaddled, the Officer would be suspicious. Instead we acted casual. Talked jovially to a few hikers, commented on the frigid cold, and tried to look relaxed, while all the while walking like robots and casting furtive eyes towards the vehicle.

We eventually continued on our way having aroused no suspicions. (because we are excellent spies)Driving into the final carpark we were shocked to see three NPWL vehicles parked already. Again we couldn't arouse any suspicions. So, out we trot, looking for all the world that we didn't have a care in the world.

Look closely, I have a disguise on!

Now I am afraid I am a bit of a princess. I can't stay at the beach for long as I get very bad ear-aches and the same applies to the freezing Arctic winds that were blowing that day. We couldn't leave though. Who pays $60 to spend five minutes in a carpark! That is not normal tourist behaviour. We had to look normal but stay within sight of the car. So off we trek up the mountain path.

Looking back on it, I had quite a marvellous sensory experience (apart from the pain of a thousand needles in my ears.) I have been in snow before, but this was different. Quite majestic. I know what Heidi and Peter felt.

We eventually made our escape, passing through the boom gates. The technician was still trying to fix them. Sparky wanted to stop and help, but sadly, couldn't because the first rule of Spycraft is : Do not draw attention to yourself.

After a hearty soup at The Lodge we proceeded to practise our Spycraft on a couple of lovely walks around the ground. The Enchanted Walk looked like something from a fairy forest, whilst the King Billy Walk was straight out of Lord of the Rings. It was so quite and green and mossy. Perfect for a Hobbit or an Elf to quietly lay in wait...and then pounce!

There were no op-shops on the mountain, so I can't show you any booty, but I did pick up this little Clarice Cliff plate (from the 50's) recently from the Lismore Carboot Market for a dollar. Funny, I loved it so much, I didn't even look at its markings until the other day. It gave me such a thrill to own a Clarice Cliff even though it isn't her expensive stuff!

Day two Tassie:Road kill, acid rain and nylon nighties.

2011-05-16T18:49:00.002+10:00

We were on a mission, a mission to circumnavigate Tassie in gut wrenching marathon drives. I found this lovely tea towel on the weekend, and it will give you an indication of the distances we travelled. Today's colour is purple. We expected a drive interspersed with pretty, quaint villages. It wasn't what we found.

We hit the road early after looking at these wee Scottish beasties. Och 'tis was a bonnie dawn and we dinna tary.

These are large enough for a man to stand upright in

Lordy, I didn’t realise the there would be so much infrastructure in Tassie! I photographed quite a bit, only because Sparky is an electrician and because there was an abundance of it. To overcome the monotony of trees and infrastructure I imagined that we were spies, operating behind enemy lines. My mission, photograph as much as possible without being seen. This meant stopping at weird vantage points, darting out of the car, clicking the pic and jumping back in, shouting "Go, go, go!"

What lurks behind these curtains?

We did this until we took a turn onto a place called Bronte Park, sounds idyllic, eh? Instead of leaping out of the car, we ensured that all doors were locked and the foot was at all times on the accelerator! A seriously scary place. I think that at one time in its life it could have been a resort or camp of some kind, but it has degenerated. Here is a picture of some kind of dormitory complete with original disintegrating curtains. I couldn't take any more pictures, eyes were watching, I could see shadows moving out of the corner of my eyes! We breathed a sigh of relief when we got out of there with all of our organs intact.

The only quaint village was this burnt out shell in Linda Valley. Continuing on our journey, the massive amounts of roadkill blew our minds. In all, on our journey, we saw a total of two dead Tassie Devils, two wombats and hundreds upon hundreds of kangaroos, possums, wallabies and other furry folk. Very sad.

Anyhoo moving on...after leaving the forests of the Franklin Conservation Area and coming up to Queenstown, we came across the most bizarro thing we had ever seen. All of the hills as far as the eye could see were barren. No trees, nada. It looked like a moonscape or Mordor in the Lord of the Rings. Apparently the mines in the area had used all the trees for smelters, and with heavy rain fall and evaporation acid rain had eroded all of the soil and killed whatever was still living. The landscape was fascinating.

Op-shop stop at Queenstown and I am regretting not buying more. The oppy was actually the most expensive that I found in all of Tasmania, but what can you do?

There were three sets of these new vintage sheet sets, but they were $10 each. Should I have bought more? The purse has already been stolen by my daughter...I had to retrieve it from her car. Typical.

There was half a rack of these nighties in gelato colours, again brand new vintage. I only got this one, but should I have bought more? They ranged from $6-$10.

Teatowels, that I paid more than I should have. These are destined for cushions, Of course I left about four behind. Why did I do that? They weren't crash hot, but they were linen.

I think this oppy had a monopoly, because as pickings went, there wasn't much in the town. I asked if they had any more stuff out the back, stuff that may have come in the same box, of the nighties, sheets and teatowels. The lady got all cagey and shot me down in flames. I think she saw the gleam of greed in my eyes! Ah, you have to ask. If any one wants to make a movie set in an old Aussie country town in 1975, I have found your place!

pic from here

Continued through the day to pretty fishing port Strahan where we were told that their seafood came from Thailand. The girl serving us went on the add, "It's really nice, I eat it all the time." (Well darlin' that is dandy, but we travelled across Tassie to sample some local fresh seafood!)

Continued our trip, trees, trees, trees, mine, trees, mine, trees, mine, mine, trees. Arrived at Cradle Mountain exhausted.

Three beers and some chillies

2011-05-15T19:27:00.003+10:00

I have quite a lot of produce from my garden that we can't eat...like eggplant, cucumbers and chillies. I seem to pick kilos of them and they ultimatley rot. Today, however I decided to bite the bullet and get started preserving and make some more sweet chilli sauce, pickled cucumbers and baba ganoush.

I have made chilli sauce a few times over the years, and blogged about the process, but for some reason or other, I neglected to include the recipe. Maybe I thought I would remember all the particulars...but that is what blogging is about...documenting. So this time I am including the recipe.

Disclaimer: I am not sure how this will taste. I think the last time I made this I burnt the buggery out of my stomach, giving myself ulcers, and so this time I got Sparky to taste. He said it was delicous, but not 'sticky' enough. However it may cool to a sticky consistency.

Ingredients

400g fresh red chillies, stems trimmed
3 garlic cloves, peeled
750ml (3 cups) white vinegar
645g (3 cups) sugar
A thumb of ginger
A bunch of fresh coriander, chopped

Method

Halve 250g of the chillies and place in the bowl of a food processor. Halve and deseed the remaining chillies. Coarsely chop and place in the food processor. Add garlic and 250ml white vinegar and ginger. Process until finely chopped.

Place the chilli mixture, remaining vinegar, chopped coriander and sugar in a large saucepan over a low heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.

Increase heat to high and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 35-40 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Pour into sterilised airtight bottles and seal.

Eek, my face is burning from touching it with chilli hands! For those who have noticed, the title of this blog included 'three beers'. The reason being that I am such a clumsy cook, the chillies end up everwhere and three beers is the correct amount to numb the senses!

Op shop frenzy

2011-05-15T13:53:00.001+10:00

I didn't get as much booty as I thought in Tassie, so since I have been back I have been making up for it...big time baby! The op-shop gods have certainly shone on moi this week. Here is a little snippet of what I have bought these last four days from oppies and a garage sale. Sorry for the boredom factor guys. Oh and before I forget...Nellie I haven't been able to comment on your blog for while...Blogger won't let me. Not sure what the problem is, but you mentioned that you had left a box unticked??

First up, this fabulous childrens book with retouched black and white photos. I am not sure of the publishing date, but all photos were taken at South West Rocks, NSW. Obviously made before computers, these dolls have been placed in the landscape or cut and pasted to make the story. Classic.

Next up, this fabulous unused barkcloth cushion with gold print.

A set of cotton Scottish vintage sheets and other linen pieces. Got from a garage sale in the country...I was too late for all of the real bargains. But I must not regret lost opportunities because I was too lazy to get up early. These are wonderful with a lovely pintuck detail on the top.

A completed tapestry, or Hobein and some gorgeous tiny little pins from England. I have no idea what these pins would have been used for, they are just ove a centimetre long.

A snazzy magazine rack with a wooden handle.

Where oh where is Doomadgee! North of the Nulla Nulla.These placemats will eventually be cut up, if I can ever get off Blogger.

And this lovely copper jug with 1/2 pint punched on the side and some kind of Art Nouveau marking on the lip. Definitly not CopperArt!

There is more...lots and lots more, but I am sure that it is enough for today.
Playing with Sophie today and Apron Thrift Girl tomorrow, head on over and see all the goodies.

Can the real Pensioner please stand up!

2011-05-14T17:29:00.002+10:00

Since my last post I have toddled off to Tassie and come back. Now, three days after my return, I thought I had better put some of my adventures on record so that they are forever remembered (by my aged brain)and so my sis can see them.

We arrived in Hobart last Tuesday and, after consulting the anally pre-marked map, headed off to every op-shop and antique store in the city centre. I hit pay-dirt in the first oppy, this lovely little Italian pot.

I could hardly contain my excitement. Was this an indication of things to come? Was Tasmania going to be the Motherload? I took the pot to the counter to pay for it, trying not to look to smug, but in hindsight, maybe my expression looked somewhat contorted. The shop assistant paused, looked at me keenly and then asked, “Are you a Pensioner?”

Well!!! I know that I am not the best traveller, and airplanes do dehydrate one, but really!

I squared my shoulders, (had I been bent over, crone-like?) drew myself up to my full height (of 5 foot 4 and half inches) and chin up, attempting a withering look, answered with a very succinct and firm, “No.” Halfway through my haughty reply I thought to myself, “Mmmm, maybe she has a vision impairment, and she only sees blurry images like I do. I should be kinder...more of the Lady Bountiful. I shall smile.” By the look on her face, my smile ended up like some grotesque grimace.

Then I took my fat wallet full of travelling bucks out and with a flourish paid with a $50 note. (It is a pity that I ruined my exquisite rejoiner by losing the contents of my bag over the counter, muttering under my breath like Lady Macbeth and dropping my teeth on the floor. (OK, I do tend to exaggerate a bit.)

here

In the end, I gathered what dignity I could muster and (carefully) exited up the stairs, clutching onto the railing. It is true, I am known for my clumsiness, but jeez, now looking back at it...with my multiple layers, big overcoat, crazy hair, dry skin, unfocused eyes, excessive picking over of the stock, and dependence on the wall extrusions, how can you blame the woman for her assumptions.

Onward and outwards, not looking back, we headed for a little town in the middle of Tassie called Tarraleah. These are a few buildings on the way. (I love a good roofline!)

This little card box was picked up at a little town on the way...

Accommodation at Tarraleah was marvellous, everything a vintage lovin’ gal could desire. It consists of about twenty houses which were initially constructed to entice the elite hydro engineers of the time to construct the massive hydro electric infrastructure in the area. They offered every modern convenience and contemporary living design.

Today, the Cottages have been beautifully restored to their former glory and are painted in gorgeous sorbet pastels and decorated in the art deco style. Our cottage had three bedrooms, log fire, big telly, massive original kitchen, complete with inglenook dining, two enclosed verandah’s and a large bathroom.

Tomorrow, road kill, acid rain and nylon nighties.

Quack, quack

2011-05-01T12:18:00.002+10:00

I won't say anything about the Royal Wedding (although I just have) as I am obsessed with all things Royal and I would go on for pages...instead something completely unrelated DUCKS!

Have a squiz at this wonderful Donald Duck and Pluto bedroom light. I got it about a month ago at the Lismore Showground Auctions because I have memories of a girl who lived up the road from me as a child (lets call her CJ), who had a night light similar to this one, and I coveted it. I am now a very old, wizened and grey woman, bent over with age and the burdens of life...and am not afraid of the dark. As a result I have bought a useless child's night light. I have however had the thrill of the emotional buy, and will, "sell it on sweetie!"

To continue on the duck theme, we have a wonderful antique megashop here in Lismore run by Adam, called Carrington Street Bazaar. Popping into the shop the other day I purused the shelves, (looking for more stuff to fill that empty hole) and my eagle eyes found, to my surprise these two Brazilian ducks for $2.00 the pair! They are quite large, 25 cm long and 18cm high. When I asked if it was the correct price, Adam replied it was, and that he was sick of looking at them, so he had priced to sell. Crikeys! What a thrill, but more was to come duckies!

He told me that there was another item 'priced to sell' hidden on the shelves. With the assistance of Sparky, the treasure hunt was on. As many of 'us' run on the adrenelin of the chase and the possibility of a bargain, I am sure all of you can appreciate my excitement levels. I was nearly wetting myself!

Sparky eventually found it.

The prize, I admit was not dazzling. It is a plaster cast of an indigenous male, painted silver. Politically incorrect, but a sign of the time that it was made in. I bought it for 50 cents because it was a bargain, and it was fun participating in the treasure hunt, and a damn sight cheaper that the Lifeline around the corner who seems to think have transformed from Op-shop to Antique Shop.

I am always looking for vintage children's game boards to frame. (Please excuse the bad cropping) I found this Sands, '56 Games', at the RSPCA shop. The games boards are double sided, so I will have to pick the best sides. Great graphics and colours. I would love to have all of the original game boards, although where I would put them? I literally have piles of treasures/junk/stuff. I am not a Hoarder...yet, but it seems by watching the show, you just need one traumatic event in your life, one little bit of adversity, and your hobby spirals out of control to become a world wide television event. I will just have to remain calm.

Check other goodies at Sophie's and Apron Thrift Girl.

Anzac Day Fun

2011-04-27T19:09:00.000+10:00

I love playing Two Up, even though I always lose, it is the highlight of my year!

Our local didn't have Two-up Game this year, so we dropped off at Bangalow pub on the way to the Bluesfest. For those who aren't Aussies and Kiwi's, two up is a game of chance traditionally played by soldiers and returned soldiers. It is now played at pubs and clubs only on Anzac Day as it is illegal any other day of the year, and is a great way to experience the Australian character.

Ypres

Bangalow Pub was rocking! They had hired a couple of professionals to run the ring and it was sooo much fun! At one given time there was always about fifty people playing.

Everyone was good natured and laughing, even when they lost, and the bloke standing next to you became your best friend for an hour.

I had a go as Spinner, and as always threw tails. (Lost! Heads wins for Spinner) I told my husbsand that I always throw tails, but what did he do but back me with a twenty! He told me that it would have been wrong to bet against me. Ahh fool, he won't pick against South's in the footy tips either.

There is such a feeling of goodwill, with hundreds of dollars passing hands every throw...and somehow people don't mind losing. I think, because there is a one in two chance of winning or losing, without any skill, that loss is accepted with grace.

We left after an hour to go to the Bluesfest and see Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello. I will cut a long story short and state implicity that I have always hated festivals, and that I continue to hate them. I know I am a cranky old lady but, urggh, please deliver me from ever repeating that experience again.

Bob Dylan was a big disappointment. Awful gravelly voice and not alot of enthusiasm for his older songs. As I stood there, craning my head to see the speck that was Bobby D, I thought up witty reviews such as, 'He made Tom Waits sound like Nellie Melba'. I can't remember all of them, but they were a damn sight more entertaining than his performance.The band was disjointed and uninspiring. Granted, he did warm up in the second half, but for me it was too little too late.

Elvis Costello on the other hand was brilliant. He started off with 'Pump it Up' and had the energy and enthusiasm of a man half his age. I am very short sighted and it was easy for me to imagine him as a younger man. He looked bloody good, snazzy shirt and very trim. The band was great, he was great, brilliant guitar playing and he played ALL of his old songs and, very convincingly, looked that he enjoyed playing them...and why not...they are brilliant songs!

It took us 50 minutes to get out of the car park that had taken us 5 minutes to drive into. 'Nuf said.

2011-04-25T10:39:00.001+10:00

It has been seven days since I last blogged...I feel I should go to confession!

I am finally on the road to recovery after about a month of being confined to the couch, remote in one hand, cup of tea in the other. During that time I have felt like Katy (What Katy Did), or worse, her long suffering Cousin Helen. On reflection, I can't draw any comparison to Cousin Helen, she was an angel in her suffering, so good and self-sacrificing in her fortitudes. I, on the other hand, when faced with illness, turn into a diva/drama queen, and could put Garbo's performance as Camille to shame.

Anyhoo, yesterday was my first day at Bangalow Markets in the Moller Pavilion. (Yes I know, it is like closing the gates after the horse has bolted, but it can be a kernal of thought for next month)

Situated in an old showground building just above the oval, it is a local consortium of artists called Art on the Move, who feel that art shouldn't be confined to galleries, supervised by artist Marika Bryant. They are a wonderful supportive group of people. It is so comforting being up in this building as it is high and dry...no problems if it rains and my paper products getting wet and flying around in the breezes.

My 'Potager' jewellery went very well. Of everything I make, this is the most rewarding. I use vintage doilies, the kind that are contain different colours and separate flowers, to make hairclips, brooches and necklaces. When I make them, unpicking every doily, I enter into a kind mediatative state and imagine the women before me who have laboured over the doilies to create something of beauty for their homes and to satisfy the creative urge that I believe that everyone has. I consider this "womans work", this craft, to be a form of artwork in itself.

It is wonderful that other like-minded people appreciate the skill and time it took to make these doilies and are happy to adorn themselves with my little creations.

The Bangalow Markets are every fourth week of the month.

My perfect ....meme

2011-04-16T14:44:00.022+10:00

After yesterday's debacle, I have decided to start a meme. It is called "My perfect...", and every week I will commit to post a new theme.

As nothing is ever perfect, please feel free to be ridiculous if you want, or if you feel very strongly about an item, be as serious and manic as you please. They can also be as short as a lone picture posted, or as long as the diatribe I am about to deliver. (I must get this out of my system) It will be open for a week.

We will see how it goes, if nothing else I have learnt about linkies!

I am also playing with the Bris Stylers, Let'sGo Shopping Meme. Bits and bobs are scattered throughout the post. First up...

Passing Time and Chimes

My Perfect Hair Salon

It will be calm and peaceful. The decor will have individuality and character, but with taste. Not psychedelic, not sterile, I am not part of a chicken factory production line on acid...I am a human! I don't want to feel paranoid and not up to scratch (ha-ha) and uncool. Inspiration would be taken from the beauty salons in "Come in Spinner", "The Women" (but without the bitchiness) and every other classic 40's-50's parlour portrayed in movies. However, it would also have a contemporary edge.

Paper Seeker

It would be comfortable and feel homey and have a wonderful array of current magazines (I am sorry, New Idea just doesn't cut it!) with coffee table books such as Frankie's Spaces.

Lady Jane Collections

I do not want three people picking through my hair making derogatory comments on its 'brassiness, dryness and frizz' whilst pushing their expensive line of products onto me. Instead they will gush over my thick, curly, luxuriant hair and think of ways to enhance it, rather than destroy it!

High Fallootin

It would have hair dyes that are 'green' as possible so that instead of taking to my bed with a migraine for twelve hours, my hair will smell of sweet fresh meadow flowers and violets and I will dance through the rest of the day.

Homestead Herbal

The staff won't rush around and look harassed, they will glide...with content, nay serene and devout expressions on their faces. This however, will not stop them from being intelligently friendly. They will also have short nails, no bangles or rings cluttering their hands (and scratching the bejesus out of me) and will be masters of the old scalp and neck massage.

The Jane Studio

There will be a lady who asks, "Would Madame like a cup of tea...and a chocolate croissant?" It would be served in beautiful boned china, not a metal 'trendy' tea cup that blisters your lips. She would look like Mrs Slocomb.

Stash Anew

Alternative music would be playing, but the kind that I like, not the kind that the work experience kid puts on. Think Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Sleepy Jackson, Johnny Cash, Iron and Wine, with some classics thrown in like Nirvana (unplugged) and the Stones. I do not want to listen to doof music whilst someone is making me ugly!

And while we are on the subject, I wouldn't be made ugly. I would emerge from that damn hairdresser's a beautiful butterfly. I would be Georgie Girl, striding down the street fancy free, heads turning in ardent admiration as I passed. People would whisper (yes, they would), "There goes an 'IT' girl!"

Okey-dokey, if you would like to commit your dreams and aspirations for a perfect hair salon, enter you Linky below.

Hairdressing rant

2011-04-15T20:40:00.001+10:00

Jeez Louise! Is it me! Have I got the word 'sucker' invisibly tattooed on my forhead, that is only visible to hairstylists at large?

Today I decided to try a new hairdresser. After the graduation horror, I felt that I couldn't cross the threshold of the last one. I have been a bit under the weather for the last couple of weeks and thought that a dye job on my GT stripe might pick me up.

I attempted to listen to my inner voice, my intuition and asked it "Little voice, is this the right thing to do? Should I trust a new hairdresser. Will they do right by me?" Unfortunately, no-one answered, nary a sound. (I don't think the little voice exists) Maybe I asked the wrong question. (I should have gone to the phsycic a few doors up, I think she would have been a bit more helpful)

Anyhoo, to cut a long story short, the new hairdresser, on posing the age old question of, "What would you like done?" was delivered, what I thought, a very succcinct and clear answer by moi, "Natural" says I, "Natural and elegant...like Princess Mary, and not like a bagwoman."

Can my desire be any clearer? Apparently not.

I have been tossing up who I bear the most resemblance to with my new 'natural' GOTHIC hair!!! All I can think of is Grandma Addams but with black hair and scary white highlights. (My natural hair is brown, just dull brown, but it would have been nice to have brown hair with sunkissed fairy golden highlights)

I have already washed my hair twice since I have been home. My husband keeps looking sideways at me, and there is a look of pity in his eyes. I feel like Anne of Green Gables when she dyed her hair green. Oh vanity!

Ephemera not rubbish

2011-04-10T15:50:00.000+10:00

I can't stand to waste anything, so as I had a few Little Golden Books that were marked and torn and that couldn't be made into bunting, I thought I would spend a lazy weekend making some cards for Easter. I have sewn the illustrations onto blank cards and added some little red felt kisses to add to the love.

I have just loaded them onto my Etsy and MadeIt shops...("It takes sooo much time!" she whined)

I thought these would be a fabulous marketing idea after I spent a pleasant day yesterday shopping on Etsy. A little lightbulb went off in my head, or as Oprah would say, I had an 'Ah-ha moment'! I realised that I preferred to buy more than one item from a shop to offset postage prices, and if they were cheaper items, all the better. You have got to be in it to win it, after all.

As I was on a roll, I also used up some of the excess tissue from dress patterns to make these gift tags. I have been buying a few lately to prepare for the Love Vintage Fair. I check through all of them to ensure that all pieces are present, and often find some extras.

I have used some old vintage 'Miss Haversham' silk ribbon. It is very brittle but I love it. As these are only temporary items, I reckon that it is fine to use and full of shabby character.

Bunny Bunting

2011-04-06T06:34:00.001+10:00

I have finally loaded my Bunny Bunting onto Etsy and Made It. It has been raining here for a few days now and could I find a bit of wall to take photos? Not on your Nelly! I realised yesterday that I live in a house of windows, which is good...bring the outside in sweetie! (this is my Edina Ab Fab impression)

Any internal walls are taken up with cupboards and storage. Which again is good, otherewise where would I put all of my rubbish...err collectibles. I finally found a high dark corner in my studio.

I have already sold a couple of these, so if you want one especially for Easter be quick, time in the post can be quite lengthy.

Hong Kong Bags and Dahlias

2011-04-03T10:34:00.002+10:00

All my bags have been looking decidedly worse for wear, so rummaging through my wardrobe I found a bag that I had bought years ago from a local dealer called George for four dollars. It was a 'new' vintage Hong Kong bag with all the tags, and as I recall even the bill of purchase inside. My daughter had used it once for a school play and then amazingly it lay forgotten until I started excavating.

It is a little beauty! In the three weeks that I have been using it, I have recieved compliments on it every day. The good thing about it is that it opens up, and is of a medium size, so is easy to keep organised.

As I am pretty rough on my bags, and I have been recieving so many compliments I thought I should get another one to spread the wear and tear. This was not as cheap as four dollars, and was got from Carrington Antiques and Collectibles. It is not as fabulous, but still looks nice with my little Lazy Bones frocks.

The prettiest things I got from an op shop this week were these lovely dahlias. The red ones are as big as a baby's head, absolutely massive, although the size doesn't seem to translate in the picture.

The ladies who grow them have been selling them at the Helicopter Rescue Op-Shop in South Lismore for years. These were four dollars a bunch. Can you believe it! When I bought two bunches they asked if I was having a party, I should have replied "Yes I am celebrating the party of life!" (but I only thought of that glib line just now) It is funny that some people think that to have flowers in the house means a special celebration, while I try to have them in all the time. (Just like Elton John!)

Join Sophie at Her Library Adventures and Selena at Apron Thrift Girl for more finds.

Feeling chilly?

2011-04-02T16:21:00.002+11:00

I went for a road trip yesterday to M'bah to visit fabric and pattern queen extaordinaire, Julia. While I was there she showed me a few wonders, including this picture from 'The Australian Women's Weekly Best Ever Knitting Book'.

The perfect pressie for the cocky who has everything. Once a year cockies will lose their plumage and it looks like this enterprising lady (who looks like the original Dame Edna Everage character) thought outside the box to keep her pet snug.

If anyone is interested, I have included the pattern below...I am not sure how clear it will download, but you can give it a go.

Bunnies and Bibles

2011-03-31T18:36:00.001+11:00

I nearly forgot that it was Thursday, which means playing with Kootoyoo.

Easter usually means bunnies, but for many in the world it is a christian holiday...so as I have an abundance of Little Golden Books I thought I would give the bible stories a go, as well as the bunnies.

I photographed them on our one exposed mudbrick wall, rather biblical methinks.

Now the hard bit..loading them onto Etsy. See what other creatives have done at Kootoyoo.

Garden Dreams

2011-03-31T14:02:00.001+11:00

I was going through some old photos today and found that I had never posted my trip to Melbourne, namely one of my favourite experiences, Captain Cooks Cottage. I know it sounds way daggy, but it was really very sweet. It had a gorgeous garden that has inspired some garden dreams for the future. It was full of foxgloves and cottage garden plants and really satisfied the Anglophile in me.

The cottage was bought over from England and was the first house Cook and his wife lived in. It is very tiny and has a fairytale quality. We are such a young country here, (only 220 odd years old) that little bits of history like this really strike a note with us.

On my book wish list is now Kitchen Gardens of Australia, by Kate Herd. I had a look at it in the bookshop, and if I wasn't so cheap, I would have bought it on the spot! But being on frugal Scottitsh stock, I will put in a request for purchase at the library.

Looking at the pics I realised that I had been neglecting my vege patch of late, partly because of the heat, partly laziness and also because of the resident snake. But I girded my loins and decided to spend at least an hour in it...I called defeat after half an hour. It is still stinking hot here, and very steamy (Evidence: the dazzling green of the growth)

I harvested about sixty cucumbers, which have grown too big, and got very itchy from the prickles on the vine. Partnered with the sweat, I nearly screamed in exasperation. I should really pickle them, but I am not in that space at the moment.They will all go to my naughty chooks who seem to have a developed a taste for eggplant. (Those demned fowl!)

From the ten eggplant on my vines, I managed to harvest two. Maybe the cucumbers will distract them.

So, enough of the garden for now, I am going to make some bunny and Biblical Little Golden Book buntings. I am not sure how they will go, but hey...one has to try.

Boxworld

2011-03-30T12:19:00.001+11:00

I meant to post this yonks ago, but as as for many things, time got away from me. It was an exhibition at the Lismore Regional Gallery, by Tasmanian model maker Warren Thomas, called Boxworld. In short, it was riveting. Miniature is so enticing, you want to step into its fantasy world.

After visiting a Lego exhibition with his children years ago, Mr Thomas was inspired to follow suit. He couldn't afford Lego, so began using everyday ephemera such as milk cartons and conflake packets. (My sister and I used to do the same when we made our Barbie furniture, creative little folk that we were!)

This exhibition took up an entire room and apparently it is three times as large again. It would be mightily impressive to view the whole metropolis.

And the most important shop of all, an op shop! (Sorry about the wonky camera work, these were taken by my phone.)

Proud as Punch

2011-03-28T12:59:00.000+11:00

I am a very proud sibling today as my sister Linda is increasing her family and realising her dreams...she now has a shop that she shares with her friend Lisa at Mitchell Road Antique and Design Gallery.

I have never been to Mitchell Road, but I often read people rave about it in magazines. No longer a Street Tinker, or a Barrow Chick she is a fully fledged Proprietor! Good on you sis! I am not sure if the girls have named the shop, as it is shared, but my sisters official stall name is Wilma Vintage.

If you happen to live in Sydney, pop by their little shop...my sister has a nose for fabulous finds. She is like a bloodhound, and from the sound of it, even after a week they will have a high turn around with wonderful new goodies every week.

Retail therapy

2011-03-27T19:37:00.001+11:00

A bit of retail therapy does wonders for the soul. I toddled off to Bangalow Markets today and had a very productive day, very uplifting. Firstly, I keyed up a place for a stall up at the Moller Pavilion for the next market. It will be the Bluesfest weekend, so hopefully will be busy. I am one of those pernitickity folk who hates mud in between my toes and rain on my paper goods so the Moller Pavilion is just the ticket, warm and cosy and dry.

These are the goodies that I collected today. There was a garage sale around the corner from the market which was a treasure trove. I got the hand reel, fabric, clown, two bill spikes (so I can be organised) and an old engineering book with fabulous illustrations which will be used in my collages. (Now that I have looked at them again I am thinking screen printing the illustrations...they are wonderful, stay tuned)

The old matchbook sign was from the markets, as was the blue thingamagig, which is in reality a wool winding contraption. I am going to use it on my stall to display my garlands. The wallpaper was got from Aurora in Bangalow...lovely vintage embossed.

The gift tags are some I am currently selling, made with dress patterns. I am using some vintage blue silk that I got from Kyogle. A lady who makes vintage doll clothes was destashing and I got a few bits and bobs. The nice thing about the silk is that it is very Miss Haversham...very fragile and coming apart in places, but lovely still.

I will sell on Mr Clown, but he is quite a nice and jolly clown and not at all freaky...so he might hang around for a bit. The wallpaper is going to be some cards and the fabric will either be cushions or sold as is. It is thrilling just to be able to have a bit of successful retail therapy...after such a crappy day yesterday, so I have had my fix and am trying not to mind when I part with them.

Pop over to Sophies and Apron Thrift Girl to see some more goodies