the lighter side of

{death}. Don't worry this isn't like my last post on {death}.

While we were away, we stopped in at a lovely little township (3 or so shops, is that a township? a village? a group of shops?) called Newrybar. It was about 15 mins from the place we were staying. A beautiful drive along country roads. 

'It's all good stuff. Old is beautiful'. 

Makes me feel better about having passed another birthday.

The cafe,  Harvest, was delicious and a beautiful setting.

And then, across the road was a very interesting looking antique shop. Look at all those chairs lined up. I do wish we'd had space in our car to bring something home. But, you know, four people do need a whole car boot-ful of things for only three nights away!

 We brought home that purple glass old electricity topper thing. To add to our collection of 

electricity topped things that we have. What are they called, anyone know?

Country House Antiques is a quirky looking antique shop with so many perfectly little styled little corners. 

And what about the signs. 

This is where the {death} comes in. 'Dead People's Stuff Now On Sale'

'Antiques Made Daily'. Doesn't that make you look at your surroundings just that bit closer. The things you take for daily granted are the things that in two generations will be 'antiques'.  (Like this computer I'm using, and you're using - I do suppose. Or the sewing machine you'll sitting at sometime this weekend).

The flower arrangements were very pretty. Old fashioned camellias picked from the garden, presented in a sort of modern way. Against the corrogated tin walls.

This is a very homely, friendly place. The kids loved it, and the lady who owned the place chatted happily to them and us. I never once felt like the kids were 'unwelcome' as can often happen at somewhere with so many fragile things. 

In fact, I think the whole trip away was like that. Most everywhere we went people were friendly, and chatted to our kids. I did love watching them chat back, interact in conversation. It's so great to see Ari growing into someone who can stand strongly on his own two feet, and doesn't need us to assist him in every single aspect of life.

goodness in a box

The post arrived today, in the form of a Japanese drink box - Asahi.
As soon as I heard the gate, and saw the delivery man, I knew exactly what it was.
My dear friends have posted me some of the most delicious beautiful intoxicating pieces of cloth ever.

Kimonos and other little pieces.

For me to use for my sewing,

oh but some of these will be hard to unpick and restitch,

they just look perfectly right as they are.

But of course, there is only so many that we can hang on the wall, 

or that I can pretend I'll wear one day.

So, 

I will slowly unpick them

the enjoyment of the memory of the person who once wore them,

where did they walk,

what did they carry,

what were they thinking.

Already the fabrics are talking to me - the feel, detail, texture, design, colour, image.

There will be some new little purses 

and some cushions 

from this collection 

of memories 

of cloth.

in my hands :: reworking :: remaking :: remembering

Market prep work today. Kids were at Sylv's. After pancake breakfast (yes, third day in a row - no bread in the house*).
Sam went downstairs to his little room, and measured and cut and then sanded. He kept running back upstairs to show me the newest piece. Each one beautiful and unique and fun. I'll show you tomorrow the buttons and little pieces he's been making. All from used skateboards. They have such colours and graphics.
He's been using a big sanding machine, of my dad's. It sounded like there was a steam train downstairs!And me, upstairs. I've been slowly unpicking some special treasures that some dear dear friends sent to us a little while ago, from Japan. Thank you Dan + Aya. We treasure your friendship so dearly.The kimonos and obis are sewn with care and tenderness. I've been thinking about who sewed them; those tiny, invisible and accurate stitches. And who wore them; the stains along the bottom as it dragged on the ground; the extra piece patched in that was possibly from another family heirloom. And thinking about where they will go once I unpick and then resew them into new pieces. For other people to take home. To add their memories and stories to the material.
So. That's what we've been doing today. Taking apart and reworking pieces of life, of memories, of thoughts, of feelings, of adventures.
Sam with those skateboards that have been ridden** and jumped and snapped (with excitement and joy and sometimes fear).
Me with the fabric and material of everyday cottons or special day silks.

Please do come and visit us at the BrisStyle market, if you live round these parts. Otherwise, I'll be sure to have some photos here, or flickr or even on our website soon.

*I am sad, sorry, embarrassed to say that I have not made any bread this whole entire year. I could be a bit wrong, but I really do think that it's been all this calendar year that we have not kneaded or risen any bread in this house. I guess I should make one last loaf before we move out.
**Some were ridden by him, some by other skaters that he knows.

inside :: outside

outside ::

It's raining today. I couldn't help but capture this image of the beautiful Chinese Elm outside the window. It's turned the most vibrant glowing yellow. Perfect against the rain-sky. And the red roof of the next door neighbour's garage.

inside ::

A boat train from some boxes we brought home today from the fruit shop. Enough space for two little creatures, and some friends. The new robot friends we made at our workshop (mini Mondays at Reverse Garbage). Ari's robot is called Ari and Mishi's is called Ari, guess who named them both! I'm sure you can work out who made which one; let me just say that Mishi did her's ALL on her own. Because she wasn't officially booked in (and paid for) the lady wouldn't hot glue it (even though Mishi kept asking when her turn was), but sweet little creature that she is (can be), she made her own without any help at all.
They are great new friends. Ari-bot has a mouth that can change from smile to frown, very convenient I think.

thursday grand designs* :: old yarns.reclaimed linens

I have mentioned Kristina before, when I received her beautiful tresor pocket as a giveaway gift.
I was lucky enough to chat to Kristina each day at the craft show. She was one of the most serenely and beautifully dressed people throughout the whole show - every day. I only wish I'd taken some photos of her in her outfits.New to the oldyarns.reclaimed linens etsy shop are some simply cute and adorable little paper boat kits. le petit bateau kit; French magazine papers to make into sweet little boats - for little kids and big kids!

I like the packaging; the attention to detail; the little things that matter most.Image courtesy of Old Yarns.Reclaimed Linens.

I wish I knew someone who would appreciate the love and care that has gone into this parcel.
(my little sailors would surely knock the wind out of these paper creations).

my favourite show Grand Designs is on each Thursday.

beautiful treasure pocket

I'm just popping in oh so quickly (in between heat setting fabric, and packing it up, and making more cushions and purses...).
I received this beautiful piece in the mail today - I won it in a little giveaway. It is soft and delicate to touch, the simply perfect, or perfectly simple way that Kristina has reused this piece of vintage, reclaimed linen. Giving it a new special use, and life and meaning, while honoring the heritage of the linen itself. Like listening to fabric.
Please visit her bowerbird stories blog, where you'll see Kristina's soft, gentle and powerful, moody photography, lighting, images, and stories. Lovely little pieces and snippets.
And to spy some of her work you could visit old yarns . reclaimed linens at Etsy. Or meet her in person as part of Incubator at the Stitches Show.
Which, in case you haven't been taking notice and counting down the days with me, opens in two days.
Which means that tomorrow is set-up day, which means that tonight is really my last night before the show. Which is why I'm saying goodnight now.