A poem for mothers
I’ve been packing up old clothes of Olive’s to re-home them and it struck me, once again, how quickly she is growing… talking a little now, and curious about everything. ‘Whassat?’ is the common refrain, as I explain for the umpteenth time it’s a dress or a pillow or a key.
My friend Sophie sent me this Kate Llewellyn poem recently, and it’s too true, and lovely, not to share:
You used to lean
on that cot rail
and wait
with the vigour of a flame
to leap into my arms
two feet tall and two years old
a sagging nappy
archless feet soft as cats’ tongues
and trodden underneath
a thick and clammy waterproof
warm from sleep
the sheet ruched at the end
toys heaped and confused
neglected as the dead
a duck stuck in the corner
I could see the basket of your ribs
your hands were opened
and all your bones and life
leapt up to mine.
*Shoes above by Embroidery Baby.
Love on the wireless
My new Roberts Radio
It is a little-known fact that I once fancied myself as a radio dj. True – I even hosted an hour-long show on FBi once called ‘Artspace’, a pretentious little program I conceived the idea for. It was meant to be about the latest comedy gigs, art shows, plays and various other happenings around town, but was actually just an excuse to secure free, opening-night tickets to the aforementioned events. Canny, huh?
Way back in high school, I was positively addicted to listening to the morning show with Mikey Robbins and Helen Razer on Triple J. I even set my alarm at 6am so I could listen to the beginning, and surreptitiously carried around a Sony Walkman (remember those?) for the rest of the morning so as not to miss a thing.
Since I’ve been working from home, I haven’t really listened to the radio much as our stereo’s a bit rubbish and doesn’t get a great reception, but I really missed the morning show on FBi and The Hack, my regular listen-ins on the journey to and from work. I was listening to CDs and podcasts instead.
No more! James presented me with this a couple of weeks ago, for no other reason than the fact I’ve been pining for an old-school Roberts Radio for the better part of ten years.
Now I’m addicted to digital ABC Radio National, Classic FM and Koffee (an easy listening channel with no chat) and ABC Jazz (which you have to say with a long drawl… jazzzzzzzzzzzzzz) and my earlier loves, Triple J and Fbi occasionally, when I’m getting ready for the day (but rarely while I’m working).
My, how times have changed.
Trench-tastic
Reinvented Burberry coat for AWW
My friend Shauna gave me this fab Burberry trench from the seventies, picked up on a charity store jaunt in Boston. It was a bit worse for wear with its much-abused lining, falling-off buttons and dirty hem from jumping one too many mud-filled puddles, but it had potential.
You might remember that I found some divine silk fabric from Ginger & Smart not long ago, as well… I ripped out the signature Burberry check, replaced it with the silk, and bought a set of shiny raspberry-coloured buttons from All Buttons Great & Small to affix before snipping away the grubby hem. Voilà – you have yourself a reinvented trench.
See the July issue of Australian Women’s Weekly for instructions on re-creating your own.
The motherhood juggle
Actress Rebecca Gibney for Sunday Life
Motherhood pushes me to the absolute limits sometimes, and it’s hard to remember what life was like when I only had myself to look after, but it’s made me more motivated than ever to write and be creative. It’s because having Olive has thrown into stark relief what is, and what isn’t, important these days. I meet women all the time who say the same thing: children really focus the energies.
My gorgeous & supportive friend Jacinta interviewed me for this Sunday Life piece published last weekend – it’s a look at eight different women and their take on juggling career and motherhood.
I often read Mia Freedman’s columns and blog, and always appreciate her humour and sanity… Mostly, I just really appreciate it when women can be real, and admit when things are a challenge. All we can ever do is our best.
* Image of me and Olive taken by photographer and working mum, the lovely Amanda Prior for Sunday Life.
Artist Cayce Zavaglia
'Sophie' by Cayce Zavaglia
'Sophie' detail by Cayce Zavaglia
'Martina' by Cayce Zavaglia
'Dad' by Cayce Zavaglia
'Mum' by Cayce Zavaglia
14″ x 35″
“Dad” 2007
14″ x 39″
“Mum” 2001
14″ x 21″
Some Home Truths
Lovely tulip image by Germaine Leece
Last Thursday, journalist Germaine Leece visited me at home to share a cup of tea and a chat about our home for her website Some Home Truths. It’s a lovely blog about the importance of our living spaces and the comfort they bring… I urge you to stop by for a leisurely read. And if you’re interested, here’s the interview.
My favourite spot to read - the club lounge armchair in our bedroom
My vintage silk crepe cushions from the Rozelle markets, with new fillings
And gutentag again, mein lieblings!
The German cover for The Crafty Minx
Well, dear readers, you can imagine how totally over the moon I was to see this for the first time. Yes – it’s The Crafty Minx in German! Love it. Christian Verlag, I could kiss you.
For more info, click here.
‘Homemade Happiness’: craft in Vogue
Check out the current issue of Vogue (July 2010) with the beautiful Rose Byrne on the cover to see my article, ‘Homemade Happiness’. It’s a story about stumbling into the world of crafts, and a love letter to the joy crafting brings.
Enjoy!
More inspiration on Daily Imprint
Daily Imprint’s Natalie Walton asked me recently for a post on what inspires me for her site. This is what I wrote:
Late last year I went to see UK comedian Daniel Kitson at the Opera House performing his show, 66a Church Road – A Lament Made of Memories and Kept in Suitcases. I can’t tell you how often I’ve thought of it since – it really struck a chord.
Kitson performs a monologue about the time he spent renting the house of the title in London, and all the recollections tied up in it. It’s funny and sad and really got me thinking about the notion of home… how it’s not just where the house is, and how we place so much importance upon material things both to ground and define us.
I love my own home and being around all my things, but it reminded me that I can be happy anywhere, and with very little – a house is just a shell, after all. It’s the weight of our memories that makes it a home, and those people we share them with.
Gutentag, Germany!
Marlene Dietrich. Stollen. Vintage Porsches. Lederhosen. Heidi Klum on Project Runway and glüwein… just a few of my favourite German things (well, maybe not the Lederhosen).
Marlene Dietrich in a rather fetching feather hat
Damn, that woman could smoke
Yesterday I found out the most exciting news – The Crafty Minx will be published in Germany by Christian Verlag, hopefully in time for this Northern-hemisphere Autumn. It’s being translated into German as I type… joy!
Having my writing translated into another language is a pipe dream come true. As Kay, my publisher said, it will be interesting to see whether they attempt to translate the title or leave as is, which sometimes happens: Das Craften Minxen, perhaps?
I doubt she so much as darned a sock, but I fancy Marlene might have approved.
