There’s no place like home
Leaving on a jet plane
You may have noticed it’s been a bit quiet here of late – that’s because we’ve just returned from the UK and France. There’s something zen about turning off the mobile, ignoring emails and going offline for a while. It’s a retro idea in the era of iPhones, but I’ve returned feeling all the more refreshed for it.
Mostly a holiday, I also managed to sneak in trips to the flea markets and vintage shops of Paris and Burgundy for fabric and other collectibles for the next craft book (due out next year), and a few interviews for The Crafty Kid, which came out there in July (click here to see one with the magazine & website, Hot Brands Cool Places). I also visited lots of nifty new stores to witness for myself just how hot craft and recycling have become since my last visit (smoking hot), and gathered absolutely loads of inspiration for future projects along the way, which I can’t wait to share with you soon.
Here’s some snaps from farm life in the UK, where we spent most of our time, and a few favourites from London. I miss the heat, garden, friends and family (most of all) already, but it’s delicious to be home. Stay tuned for part two with Frenchy pics and the fruits of my brocantes treasure hunts.
Perfect English roses
A slice of herbaceous border
Divine David Austins
Stonehenge - a hop, skip and a jump away from our home away from home
Statues in a Hyde Park fountain
Admiring dinosaur bones at the Natural History Museum
Prêt-á-Papier
Model Nicole Linkletter poses at the MAC Cosmetics launch
On a recent visit to Bath (UK), I spent a leisurely hour or so inside its wonderful Fashion Museum, perusing the permanent collection and current exhibition of Lady Diana’s lavish frocks. My mother-in-law pointed out the 60s paper dresses, informing me she’d had a few of her own once in eye-popping prints. I asked if they were comfortable? ‘Not very,’ apparently.
But why not construct a paper frock simply as an art piece? Check out these Mac Cosmetics frocks made almost entirely from craft paper. The Prêt-á-Papier collection was inspired by the ubiquitous material and hit the stores last summer. I’m giving paper frocks a go myself on my trusty steed (my 70s-era Janome). Just don’t expect to see me strutting out in one anytime soon – a spot of rain while wearing one could be a fashion faux pas too far.
MAC models in paper-inspired warpaint and matching accessories
Two groovy mags and a Mad Men wedding
Cloth's latest issue
Regretsy if you want to LOL
My fab web designer Lyndsay of White Pixels told me about this site recently when we caught up for coffee – it cracks me up.
April Winchell set up Regretsy to feature the worst items to be found on Etsy. I’m not one for pointing out other people’s crafting mistakes (lord knows I’ve made enough of my own) but there’s something for everyone here… or not. She’s even written a book about it – good for some light relief.
This party’s got to stop
Rupert Thompson's new memoir
I met one of my favourite novelists when I was a book publicist, and have always remembered how much I enjoyed Rupert Thompson’s company over a few days at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival. So of course I was eager to read his first memoir.
This Party’s Got To Stop is one of those rare books which make you stop and stare into the distance every few paragraphs or so, savouring its poignancy and perfection. It’s an extraordinary story about his father’s death, but conveys so well the seeming randomness of events, and our way of dealing with grief and the unexpected. I’m totally immersed in it.
New Polli pendants
The Owl & the Pussycat pendant by Polli
I’m going through a bit of a jewellery moment, and my latest obsession is gold. When I was younger, you wouldn’t have caught me in it: I found gold way too gaudy, and was more about the silver, leather and fun resin or wood beads and bangles you could buy on the cheap from Thai street markets. But I think I’ve grown into it, maybe in the same way you grow into pearls. And the faux kind is even better, if you ask me. Think about arms full of clinking Indian bangles and sparkly accoutrement – the perfect way to jazz up an otherwise plain outfit.
Polli have a beautiful range of kohl gold jewellery which I’m just loving at the moment. Check it out – they wear well, aren’t anywhere near as exxy as the real thing, and update your look with each new season.
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.
