1. Thread 3, 2. Too-small socks for a two year old's birthday, 3. Pink bubbles, 4. Fading flowers, 5. Happy Spider hand dye 1, 6. Serviced, 7. Daylight saving 2008, 8. Miniature clocks, 9. Read every day, 10. In the laundry, 11. Black and white, 12. Alligator purse, 13. Vintage buttons, 14. White robot, 15. Freshly ironed, 16. Round and pointy, 17. Moonlit attic, 18. My friend Liberty, 19. Fishy fishy fishy, 20. Wire Chrysler, 21. Humbug, 22. Spider web, 23. Blue and white china, 24. Comfy, 25. Carved flower, 26. Morning tea, 27. Morning sun, 28. Hot chocolate and marshmallows, 29. Kiwi biscuits, 30. Pears real and not
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
30 Day Macro Challenge
1. Thread 3, 2. Too-small socks for a two year old's birthday, 3. Pink bubbles, 4. Fading flowers, 5. Happy Spider hand dye 1, 6. Serviced, 7. Daylight saving 2008, 8. Miniature clocks, 9. Read every day, 10. In the laundry, 11. Black and white, 12. Alligator purse, 13. Vintage buttons, 14. White robot, 15. Freshly ironed, 16. Round and pointy, 17. Moonlit attic, 18. My friend Liberty, 19. Fishy fishy fishy, 20. Wire Chrysler, 21. Humbug, 22. Spider web, 23. Blue and white china, 24. Comfy, 25. Carved flower, 26. Morning tea, 27. Morning sun, 28. Hot chocolate and marshmallows, 29. Kiwi biscuits, 30. Pears real and not
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
It's d...d...d...definitely Autumn
Gorgeous light and orange leaves? Crunching through the fallen acorns when you leave the driveway?Check.
Pulling out the woollies and lighting the pilot light on the gas heater?Check.
Mandarins in the fruit bowl, brussel sprouts in the fridge and the urge to make lentil bolognaise and drink red wine?Check.
Random garden picture just because I think it looks pretty?
Check!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Material pleasures
I was a lucky girl indeed this weekend, starting on Thursday (yes I know Thursday's not really the weekend but since Friday was a public holiday I'm taking poetic licence) when I found this at Vinnies in Chatswood:
Pure cotton, $3 for a single sheet and pillowcase. I'm trying to decide if that's John Taylor or Mark Knofler...
They also had a MIP 1970s purple flowery king sized sheet set (with two fitted sheets - how weird is that?) but wanted $30 for it. Since it was polycotton (and very expensive) I left it behind.
On Saturday The Duchess of Mosmania gave me a couple of lengths of fabric out of her trunk plus a couple of good classic Vogue patterns (yes, we actually managed to pull ourselves away from various generations of Star Trek!)
Then, on Sunday, Taph came round with this beautiful pile of barkcloth which she said wanted to live with me, not her...
I wasn't about to argue.
But that wasn't all she had for me! She also gave me a vintage Terence Conran soft furnishings book (she knows how much I love Conran and has been listening to me banging on about wanting this book), 4 old Martha Stewart Living mags (which will be read and passed on) plus a long length of cream fringing.
I'm trying to decide if this is my favorite piece:
or this:
And for your material pleasure (as it were) a sneak preview of my Mothers' Day range of Groovy Green bags. I'll let you know when they're up in my Made It store.
Pure cotton, $3 for a single sheet and pillowcase. I'm trying to decide if that's John Taylor or Mark Knofler...They also had a MIP 1970s purple flowery king sized sheet set (with two fitted sheets - how weird is that?) but wanted $30 for it. Since it was polycotton (and very expensive) I left it behind.
On Saturday The Duchess of Mosmania gave me a couple of lengths of fabric out of her trunk plus a couple of good classic Vogue patterns (yes, we actually managed to pull ourselves away from various generations of Star Trek!)
Then, on Sunday, Taph came round with this beautiful pile of barkcloth which she said wanted to live with me, not her...I wasn't about to argue.But that wasn't all she had for me! She also gave me a vintage Terence Conran soft furnishings book (she knows how much I love Conran and has been listening to me banging on about wanting this book), 4 old Martha Stewart Living mags (which will be read and passed on) plus a long length of cream fringing.
I'm trying to decide if this is my favorite piece:
or this:And for your material pleasure (as it were) a sneak preview of my Mothers' Day range of Groovy Green bags. I'll let you know when they're up in my Made It store.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Black and white bliss
One of the bonuses of staying on the other side of the harbour is the trip to the airport. Which can, quite conceivably, include a wee jaunt across the sea on a Sydney Ferry thus fulfilling the urge to cruise. Ever so slightly. But for $5.20 (claimable) I can't really complain, can I?
Especially when it's a glorious afternoon and I get to cruise past this:
and this:
And get back to Canberra in time to see this at the ANU Film Group:
Especially when it's a glorious afternoon and I get to cruise past this:and this:And get back to Canberra in time to see this at the ANU Film Group:
Friday, April 25, 2008
A Sydney sojourn
The view from If that wasn't enough she's promised a cleanout of her fabric stash tomorrow morning. Bliss!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Been there, done that, got the shirt to prove it
My Sample T from Printfection arrived yesterday: it cost $AU9.98 including postage and arrived from the USA in a speedy 7 days. I'm impressed!
Monday, April 21, 2008
I've got style!
Ninaribena popped over yesterday to do a Behind the Curtains profile of Chateau TSS for Canberra's Got Style.It was actually quite painless (if you ignore the major cleanup operation that took place before hand!) and I didn't even need to buy a baguette, a bunch of flowers and a steaming latte to try and make myself look like one of those Inside Out A weekend with... tossers
Anyone who describes me as "a fabulous monochromed frugaller and talented crafster" (sic) is welcome to pop in and say nice things any time she wants. Thanks Ninaribena!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Food glorious food...
So we went op shopping yesterday. I took my camera. Want to see the pictures I took?
Here's a picture of the New Zealand Snack Food display I discovered in the chemist opposite Big Salvos in Queanbeyan:
And a closeup for the 30 Day Macro Challenge:
(I bought nothing)
The next photo I took was of Taph's hot chocolate and marshmallows at Chocolate Olive. After we'd finished op shopping:
Then this morning there was the photo of my new (non-thrifted) addition to the pear collection (can you spot the interloper on the left? It arrived with Taph last night and will soon become pear and ginger muffins if my day goes according to plan)
Finally, after realising the complete lack of pictures of any op shopping, here's a picture I took this morning of one of yesterday's scores: three brand new very cool tea towels for $1 each. Damned shame I don't use coloured tea towels...
Here's a picture of the New Zealand Snack Food display I discovered in the chemist opposite Big Salvos in Queanbeyan:
And a closeup for the 30 Day Macro Challenge:(I bought nothing)The next photo I took was of Taph's hot chocolate and marshmallows at Chocolate Olive. After we'd finished op shopping:
Then this morning there was the photo of my new (non-thrifted) addition to the pear collection (can you spot the interloper on the left? It arrived with Taph last night and will soon become pear and ginger muffins if my day goes according to plan)Finally, after realising the complete lack of pictures of any op shopping, here's a picture I took this morning of one of yesterday's scores: three brand new very cool tea towels for $1 each. Damned shame I don't use coloured tea towels...
Friday, April 18, 2008
A whole lot of nothing
On one hand I'm wondering how it got to be Friday night already but on the other hand I'm rather pleased one of the most frustrating weeks I can remember is finally over.
Computers and I have not got on this week. At either job. In fact the IT chap at the new job is, I think, finally realising I wasn't joking when I proclamed to him when we first meet that I'd break his systems in ways he'd never thought possible. He caught sight of me this afternoon as I wandered past and squeaked and flapped in a most satisfying way. I don't suppose it helped much that I actually managed to fix something on my computer when he was off having lunch that had been driving him a bit bonkers all morning.
Anyway. The plan this evening involves PJs at an indecently early hour, a pile of fresh new magazines, a queen sized bed and a large glass of wine. While listening to early Simple Minds, Ska Giants and Sisters of Mercy.
Other random stuff: I had a haircut. Boyd declared I was looking "hairy" when I walked into the salon. He also said he was bored with it so it was all chopped off. I'm not sure I like it but, as usual, will wait til after the first wash when all the crap has been removed and then ignore it for the next 8 weeks.
I'm planning my yearly sojourn to Melbourne for my birthday/ Eurovision weekend. I just have to decide (as I said to Kerry) if I'm driving so she gets the extended mix (with two sewing machines and a pile of vintage fabric to decorate her funky new apartment with) or if we're sticking with the usual flying radio edit.
I picked this set of 15 Sesame Street Treasury books up from Salvos for $6 this week:
And that's about it. Sorry, will try to be more interesting next week!
I picked this set of 15 Sesame Street Treasury books up from Salvos for $6 this week:
And that's about it. Sorry, will try to be more interesting next week! Wednesday, April 16, 2008
"I'd rather be op shopping"
That's the T shirt I wish I owned so I could had worn it today.
It. Was. Just. One. Of. Those. Days.
Oh, it was nothing major. That would have made much better blog fodder. Oh no. Today was a day of:
*Pantihose which was trying to constantly roll itself downwards. Which meant I spent the whole day yanking at my waist to keep things where they were supposed to be. Stupid pantihose. I wish this pair would sprout a hole so I could chuck them out but no such luck so far. Maybe I should sew a warning thread to the top to remind myself to wear them only when they are my last resort
* Work. Frustration. Blah. That's all I can say.
* Realising I'd forgotten to take a parcel to work which I was planning to post today. Double blah.
* I spent almost half my week's food budget on coffee and food to try and make myself feel better. It didn't work. I'm sick of tuna and rice.
Having said all that the Miss Pollyanna in me pops up to mention that many good things happened today:
*We have a frugalling foray arranged for Saturday. Four frugallers, two cars, two states and an as yet unknown number of op shops in one day. Oh the damage we could do!
* I took my laptop into work today to visit with Lovely Doctor David who cleaned it out so my pizza of disk space has much more than a sliver of pink showing. And maybe, just maybe, said laptop may now behave like a sprightly teenager rather than a lethargic geriatric
* Floor talks for my CMAG exhibition (doesn't that sound grand? I'll just have to say it again: "my CMAG exhibition") have been confirmed for October 16th and 18th.
* I have a freshly serviced Miss Daisy. With an internal light that works. This is actually quite exciting in my book...
* Our designer at work showed me some new Photoshop tricks today. Which I fear I've forgotten but can't wait to try out!
* My April Black and White Swap closed this afternoon with 16 participants.
And since this is starting to look suspiciously like a photoless post (and we can't have that, can we?) here's my submission for today to the 30 Day Macro Challenge pool:
It. Was. Just. One. Of. Those. Days.
Oh, it was nothing major. That would have made much better blog fodder. Oh no. Today was a day of:
*Pantihose which was trying to constantly roll itself downwards. Which meant I spent the whole day yanking at my waist to keep things where they were supposed to be. Stupid pantihose. I wish this pair would sprout a hole so I could chuck them out but no such luck so far. Maybe I should sew a warning thread to the top to remind myself to wear them only when they are my last resort
* Work. Frustration. Blah. That's all I can say.
* Realising I'd forgotten to take a parcel to work which I was planning to post today. Double blah.
* I spent almost half my week's food budget on coffee and food to try and make myself feel better. It didn't work. I'm sick of tuna and rice.
Having said all that the Miss Pollyanna in me pops up to mention that many good things happened today:
*We have a frugalling foray arranged for Saturday. Four frugallers, two cars, two states and an as yet unknown number of op shops in one day. Oh the damage we could do!
* I took my laptop into work today to visit with Lovely Doctor David who cleaned it out so my pizza of disk space has much more than a sliver of pink showing. And maybe, just maybe, said laptop may now behave like a sprightly teenager rather than a lethargic geriatric
* Floor talks for my CMAG exhibition (doesn't that sound grand? I'll just have to say it again: "my CMAG exhibition") have been confirmed for October 16th and 18th.
* I have a freshly serviced Miss Daisy. With an internal light that works. This is actually quite exciting in my book...
* Our designer at work showed me some new Photoshop tricks today. Which I fear I've forgotten but can't wait to try out!
* My April Black and White Swap closed this afternoon with 16 participants.
And since this is starting to look suspiciously like a photoless post (and we can't have that, can we?) here's my submission for today to the 30 Day Macro Challenge pool:
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Modern Miniatures Flickr Pool
Check out the latest additions to our photo pool! There have been some really great photos added recently.
Do you have photos of your modern minis on Flickr? Then please add them as well!
1. iMac, 2. The Doll House Has Landed #1, 3. It starts to look like a real living room, 4. Debbies Dream House, Wohnzimmer, 5. IMG_0585, 6. Design 1, 7. The Doll House Has Landed #2, 8. IMG_0583, 9. Mega-House Cafe de Cake
Monday, April 14, 2008
While I was out tonight
at Northside S'n'B, there was a whole lotta spinning and weaving happening back at Chateau TSS:
In fact this bloody great spider had decided to build a web right across the driveway from the hedge to the car, pretty much blocking off the house from the street.
I had to edge down the side of the car to get inside to grab my camera. Which probably pissed him off no end: his plot, I'm sure, was to catch me for tea.
In fact this bloody great spider had decided to build a web right across the driveway from the hedge to the car, pretty much blocking off the house from the street.I had to edge down the side of the car to get inside to grab my camera. Which probably pissed him off no end: his plot, I'm sure, was to catch me for tea.(PS: See I do use a flash sometimes!)
Moonlit miniatures on Monday
I moved my Lundby Stockholm house yesterday to shift some (full sized) furniture and when I saw it later in the evening I noticed that the light coming through the skylight looked awfully pretty.The Stockholm has always been the "poor relation" of my collection - the house I felt I should have but didn't like very much. Maybe now I can spend some time on it and learn to appreciate it a little more...
Sunday, April 13, 2008
"Just"ing
I decided last week that April will be a quiet month for me - the reclusive half of my gregarious reclusive personality needed some serious time out after the excitement and adventures of the past few months.
I had a clear weekend on Friday. Well apart from some cat feeding in the next suburb over which really doesn't count.
I'd read about a new farmers' outlet on Ampersand Duck's blog which intrigued me so Friday after cat feeding (which serendipitously happens to be just around the corner from said farmers' outlet) I stopped off at Choku Bai Jo on the way home and stocked up on scrummy local veges. Meaning I didn't have to get up early on Saturday morning to go to the farmers' market. This, I suspect, will be a blessing through winter as the temperature plummets and the thought of getting up, scraping the ice off the car and heading out to get supplies at sparrow's fart Saturday morning becomes less and less appealing.
Saturday I "just"ed. You know - you think you're having a lazy day but somehow you just end up cleaning the bathroom. You just happen to start getting through the ironing backlog. You just do a little sorting and tidying and sewing. Then you just pop out to catch up with a friend for coffee. After which you just happen to wander through Lyncraft and Big W's craft section and pick up a few necessary bits. And you just so happen to decide to head to the ANU Film Group to see Jumper in the evening (and decide it's a nasty movie when they ruin a library).
By the end of the evening I felt like I'd achieved rather a lot for a day where I thought I'd done nothing but relax!
Today was even better. I finished an order. Sorted out a lot of stuff that is overdue to be posted to various people. Attacked my inbox and got it somewhat under control (ie: below 100 emails in my inbox which is quite a record for me I'm sad to say).
Taph popped in on her way northward and we discussed my boredom with my furniture and my yen for an IKEA blowout. Then, after she left, I settled down on the sofa to knit the aforementioned order and within half an hour I was upstairs shoving furniture around. As you do...
So now the upstairs looks like a bomb's hit it but the main bits of furniture are in much more sensible spots. Once I have all the stuff back in the cupboards and shelves I think things will work much better.
And it's still just after 6pm. I think I'll just go feed the cats then settle down with a glass of wine and watch a DVD. Once I work out which pile they ended up in during this afternoon's maelstrom!
I had a clear weekend on Friday. Well apart from some cat feeding in the next suburb over which really doesn't count.
I'd read about a new farmers' outlet on Ampersand Duck's blog which intrigued me so Friday after cat feeding (which serendipitously happens to be just around the corner from said farmers' outlet) I stopped off at Choku Bai Jo on the way home and stocked up on scrummy local veges. Meaning I didn't have to get up early on Saturday morning to go to the farmers' market. This, I suspect, will be a blessing through winter as the temperature plummets and the thought of getting up, scraping the ice off the car and heading out to get supplies at sparrow's fart Saturday morning becomes less and less appealing.
Saturday I "just"ed. You know - you think you're having a lazy day but somehow you just end up cleaning the bathroom. You just happen to start getting through the ironing backlog. You just do a little sorting and tidying and sewing. Then you just pop out to catch up with a friend for coffee. After which you just happen to wander through Lyncraft and Big W's craft section and pick up a few necessary bits. And you just so happen to decide to head to the ANU Film Group to see Jumper in the evening (and decide it's a nasty movie when they ruin a library).
By the end of the evening I felt like I'd achieved rather a lot for a day where I thought I'd done nothing but relax!
Today was even better. I finished an order. Sorted out a lot of stuff that is overdue to be posted to various people. Attacked my inbox and got it somewhat under control (ie: below 100 emails in my inbox which is quite a record for me I'm sad to say).
Taph popped in on her way northward and we discussed my boredom with my furniture and my yen for an IKEA blowout. Then, after she left, I settled down on the sofa to knit the aforementioned order and within half an hour I was upstairs shoving furniture around. As you do...
So now the upstairs looks like a bomb's hit it but the main bits of furniture are in much more sensible spots. Once I have all the stuff back in the cupboards and shelves I think things will work much better.
And it's still just after 6pm. I think I'll just go feed the cats then settle down with a glass of wine and watch a DVD. Once I work out which pile they ended up in during this afternoon's maelstrom!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Frugalling Friday (and weekend plans)
I'm feeling much perked up after a very slow start to the week. Do you think a little gentle lunchtime frugalling yesterday helped?
I picked up this doona cover. There's a story behind it. I bought the exact same doona cover in May 1996 on my first trip to Australia. As I was hanging it on the line after washing it last week I remember idly contemplating the fact that I'd never seen one in an op shop - and then, yesterday, there it was! Slightly more expensive than I'd usually want to pay (and without pillowcases alas) but it was a weird moment...
Alos discovered yesterday was a copy of a Dean's Bumper Book of Bedtime Stories with pictures like this (which reminds me, along with this morning's fog that it's definitely autumnal and probably time for the twice yearly wardrobe shuffle this weekend?)
And this (yep, definitely time to pull out the daisy hoodie to work on!)
And a bit of baking followed by a spot of afternoon tea sounds just perfect,
while I listen to my new Eddi Reader live CD, a gift from J & M to make up for the fact I didn't make it to see her at The Folk Festival at Easter...
(I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with the pictures in this book. I'm just wishing I knew more about printing onto fabric than I do!)
I picked up this doona cover. There's a story behind it. I bought the exact same doona cover in May 1996 on my first trip to Australia. As I was hanging it on the line after washing it last week I remember idly contemplating the fact that I'd never seen one in an op shop - and then, yesterday, there it was! Slightly more expensive than I'd usually want to pay (and without pillowcases alas) but it was a weird moment...Alos discovered yesterday was a copy of a Dean's Bumper Book of Bedtime Stories with pictures like this (which reminds me, along with this morning's fog that it's definitely autumnal and probably time for the twice yearly wardrobe shuffle this weekend?)
And this (yep, definitely time to pull out the daisy hoodie to work on!)And a bit of baking followed by a spot of afternoon tea sounds just perfect,while I listen to my new Eddi Reader live CD, a gift from J & M to make up for the fact I didn't make it to see her at The Folk Festival at Easter...(I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with the pictures in this book. I'm just wishing I knew more about printing onto fabric than I do!)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Cute as a button
This bag of goodness arrived in the post yesterday from Crafty Daisies as part of a tea towel swap we'd arranged. The tea towels themselves are in the wash but you can admire their black and white loveliness here.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
The lady with the alligator purse...
Not dead yet. But I spent Monday and Tuesday in bed feeling definitely not well. At least I got some reading done, if nothing else...
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Who's happy?
Me: I picked up my newly serviced overlocker this morning . Hurrah!
Mum: (I hope...) I forgot to mention I'd done a bit of shopping the Parental stash when I was in New Zealand. And after seeing that Mum was buying baby ack full price to knit for the cousins I decided intervention of the yarny kind was needed (to appease my guilt at running off with a 500g skein of red wool if nothing else).
Enter Happy Spider's yarn mountain and her brilliant hand dying skills. I now have this teetering pile of baby yarn goodness waiting to be packaged up and sent across The Ditch:
Both Taph and Happy Spider have warned me that I may have just unleashed a monster if past experience with introducing knitting-type parental units to hand dyed yarn is anything to go on...
Mum: (I hope...) I forgot to mention I'd done a bit of shopping the Parental stash when I was in New Zealand. And after seeing that Mum was buying baby ack full price to knit for the cousins I decided intervention of the yarny kind was needed (to appease my guilt at running off with a 500g skein of red wool if nothing else).Enter Happy Spider's yarn mountain and her brilliant hand dying skills. I now have this teetering pile of baby yarn goodness waiting to be packaged up and sent across The Ditch:
Both Taph and Happy Spider have warned me that I may have just unleashed a monster if past experience with introducing knitting-type parental units to hand dyed yarn is anything to go on...
Friday, April 04, 2008
Did you know?
Small boys' feet, they grow
while you knit socks
row by row.
while you knit socks
row by row.
(not much use at all)
and I need to add length
with some left-over wool...
Thursday, April 03, 2008
...and I'm also
joining in orange flower's 30 Day Macro Photography Challenge which I discovered via simplesparrow.
I'm a couple of days late but I'm sure I'll catch up somewhere along the way!
My first photographs are of the case of sewing threads I picked up today during a flying lunchtime frugalling fix.
50 brand new spools of thread (that's 25,000 metres in total) plus the caddy (with a small crack in the lid) for $30. There goes the grocery budget again!
50 brand new spools of thread (that's 25,000 metres in total) plus the caddy (with a small crack in the lid) for $30. There goes the grocery budget again!Tuesday, April 01, 2008
In April I'm...
... arranging another black & white swap through Swap-Bot. Sign ups are due mid month, your package will need to be posted by the end of the month. Please join the fun!
... going to read more. I didn't read a single book the whole of March (which is a pity as I set myself the theme of Modernism and was looking forward to getting stuck into the pile of books I have. April is Art and I've already rearranged the piles so May will be Modernism. Sneaky, huh?!)
... sewing. With my "new" overlocker once it returns from getting a service. Which will hopefully lead to a long overdue shop update.
... seeing Juno, I'm not there and Dr Plonk at the ANU Film Group.
... staying home for a change. And maybe even finishing that damned Daisy Hoodie before it turns one!
... going to read more. I didn't read a single book the whole of March (which is a pity as I set myself the theme of Modernism and was looking forward to getting stuck into the pile of books I have. April is Art and I've already rearranged the piles so May will be Modernism. Sneaky, huh?!)
... sewing. With my "new" overlocker once it returns from getting a service. Which will hopefully lead to a long overdue shop update.
... seeing Juno, I'm not there and Dr Plonk at the ANU Film Group.
... staying home for a change. And maybe even finishing that damned Daisy Hoodie before it turns one!