Origami.

Claire and I both really like Origami, there are stages in our life when every occasion is honoured with a bunch of paper Lillie's, last weekend there was a Japanese festival in Melbourne, a lady taught me how to make the crab. I was a pit confused though, as I was always under the impression that for something to be origami it didn't involve cutting, but with the crab there was definitely some snipping involved, I'm not sure maybe I am wrong.

Recently Found.

p.s. this is Us...

In response to pip!
Nana - Knitter, sewer, crocheter, quilter
Mum - Knitter, sewer, quilter
Claire - sewer, quilter, knitter
Meg - Knitter, sewer, quilter, baker

Its nice to see skills passing down, keeping things alive. One day Claire and I do hope to learn to crochet, I blame Mum from not learning in the first place.

My Collection

This is one of my newest collections, it is very fast growing. I know it won't be to everyone taste's, but their is something about these little praying children that just won't let me leave them behind. I also have a few mirrors with the children painted on, but they are a little tricky to photograph.

This is a good example of why I like to collect, these figurines don't cost more than a few dollars, and while not everywhere, if you look hard enough your sure to find a couple a month.

From Meg.

Dad's Collection

This is Dad's collection of bird swap cards, he's been collecting them for a very long time, since we were very small. They come from the purple loose leaf tea boxes, but I don't think they put the cards in any more. I'm sure he has more of them not glued in to the books, I can't wait to find them again.

Today...

...or yesterday really, as it is past 12 o'clock Claire and I did lots of ironing, lots of cutting and lots of folding, as we embarked on making as many fat quarters as we could before the very first Brown Owl's meet, where they soon would become craft kits as part of handmade helps, support for those effected by the fires. It was great to see so many supplies there and so many people too, we can't wait to attend our first meeting.

Folding Fat quarters is really fun, I've never done it before, as we have never really had a need to, but with a little help from Kotoyoo's video it became quite addictive!

p.s. with a little encouragement from Jess we have finally set up a flickr account. its not very full yet and probably only contains pictures you would have already seen here, but its fun, soon I will begin searching around and hope to find lots of friends!

From the op-shop!

I found this jewellery box at the op-shop not to long ago. I remember when we were growing up, Claire and I had ones similar, but they were wooden and painted on the outside, this one feels like leather and has a lovely velvet interior. The ballerina still spins to the music, but has a slightly scary look to her, all the same its pretty special.

Quilts

The other weekend, Claire so very kindly given all these wonderful old fabrics, still in their original packaging. We have decided along with our mum to try and make some quilts with them and donate them to those affected by the fires. We have always grown up with quilts hand made my our Mum or Nana, and would be devastated if we ever lost any, but unfortunately that is the case for so many people out there, so if we can replace a few that will be good for all.

Mr. Byrne!

I just came home from seeing David Byrne play at Hamer Hall, the mood in the room was good, Byrne's lyrics were really fitting with our current situation. He only played songs that involved Brian Eno, especially songs from their new album, which is quite amazing. The whole band was wearing white, there were back up dancers and back up singers and one of the dancers jumped over David's head, and he danced too or grooved really, definitely some feet action. At the end of the show the Arts centre staff were collecting money for the red cross, some really full buckets was very nice to see!

Meaghan

P.s He looked exactly like the picture, except his hair was whiter, I swear!

Thanks Pip!

Pip is doing great things over at the Mikes Blog keeping everyone informed on what they can do to help out with the current bush fire situation in Victoria, if you were wondering what you can do, you should go over and have a look.

Things on the Go!

Currently I have two things I'm currently working on one quite small and the other a little larger. The bag is made from an old tea towel I found in an op-shop and really liked, all that is left to do of it is the handles, which is always my least favourite part, whenever I seem to get around doing them I always end up making some sort of silly mistake and then get a little disappointed with the end result, hopefully a quick solution will arise and the bag will be finished.

The other thing I'm making is a quilt for a friend of mine, I have just finished sewing all the patches together and and ready to choose some trim.

Both these projects are currently made of entirely recycled products, which I think is really important, sometimes I get a little down when I think about how much spending and throwing away goes on in this world.

Meaghan.

Mr Cohen!

The other night I saw Leonard Cohen play, and it was amazing, I mean really really special. Seeing Leonard Cohen play has always been a dream of mine, and I was quite excited to actually see it happen, he played all his amazing songs for a set that seemed like it would never end. I'm still happy just thinking about it, that's the best part really. He look exactly like the above photo, and jumped on and off stage with such enthusiasm, he's great I wish I could see it all again.

Meaghan.

Moving Home!

Not me but a very good friend of mine is moving back home, to complete her study. We meet on our very first day of classes at university, three years ago and have been friends ever since. While she had finished her degree and is moving onto more study (she is going to be a teacher) I'll still be here in Melbourne trying to complete mine, which is okay, I'm just going to miss her. Her family live on a really lovely block of land outside of Wangaratta, they have a pool, some lovely puppies and some of the best op-shops I have ever explored. I just know she is going to have the best time.

I really like like living in the city, but I must admit there is a huge part of me that sometimes feels like packing up and moving on to a place where I can live in a small town, go on lovely walks, and have lots of room to move.

One day but not today.

Meaghan.

Bendigo - Couture and op-shops!

Last Friday Josie and I travelled to Bendigo, mainly to see their Golden Age of Couture show, but also to visit some op shops. The exhibit is really wonderful, so many really really beautiful amazing dresses, they are so detailed and made of the most wonderful fabrics, its hard to believe they were actually worn. Op-shopping was good too, I visit Bendigo so often, one of the lady's in the op-shops recognised me and praised me for my persistence! Here's a little of what I found.

I also just found these maps and op-shopping guides on the Bendigo Tourism website, for anyone interested in making a day out of it. All the op-shops located in central Bendigo are in easy walking distance from the train station. All you need to do is click on the shopping and map links and all is there for you.

Meaghan...

Things Aprons are Good For!

The other week our Auntie sent me an e-mail containing a brief History of Aprons together with some practical uses for them, seeing as though aprons are our speciality I thought i would share some.

Aprons are good for:

• protecting ones dress while cooking, cleaning, playing
• drying tears and collecting eggs
• carrying vegetables in from the garden
• wiping your hands on
• taking things from the oven
• looking smart!

Lastest from the op-shop!

I've been on a op-shopping, market spree lately and found many lovely things. Here are just a few of my favourites, I especially like the tapestry clutch and the ghost salt and pepper shakers. I found a heap of fabric too, which is already over at Claire's, it appears that our fabric drought is well and truly over, now we just need the weather to cool down a bit before we can seriously start sewing again!

From Meg.

Dads Kids.

Our Dad isn't one to throw things away or replace things ahead of their time, which is really great I think, it means we were always taught to value things and allowed to get really attached to things too. But just recently dad finally decided it was time to replace his very old wallet, and in it we found these very old family photos. First it was just Claire then I was added then finally our brother Shaun. They must have been in there for over 18 years, but never thought to be thrown out, on the back of the one of  the three of use is what seems to be our birth dates. Hopefully he finds something just as nice to keep in his new one!

Measuring Ducks!

I found these ducks a while ago in a Salvos in Ringwood, initialy I just thought they were a stack ducks but then I discovered they are actually measuring cups, which is really amazing, they were only $2.75, I'm missing the 1 cup one, but thats okay.

A summer rundown.

I've really been enjoying summer this year I'm not really a summer person but I'm really trying this year. So far I've been to the beach (I really got burnt, but I'm not going to dwell on that), had a go at some gardening, reading some really great books and sewing lots of nice things. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. 

Claire...

Value City!

I have never heard or ever visited Value City until a friend took me last week. It's really amazing, its a lot like savers but smaller, quieter and i think alot better stock, they had heaps of good vintage linen and some really amazing dresses and knit wear, I'm going to go back soon, it looked like they received truck loads of stock daily!

Ps. the address is corner of Newman st and Oakover rd Preston, at the end of the 112 tram line!