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With a long hot summer forecast, it is good to squirrel away into my studio to pursue some projects, to be lost in one's world and not be jammed with time schedules. Having found amongst my collection of fabrics, some fine striped cotton and a little piece of cream gauze, I decided to sew a vest for a friend along with improvising on the collar and bottom of the vest.
This photo shows from one extreme to the other as as mentioned below the hail does have a beauty of its own....
As we have had an extended winter, the last days always bring a softness of the sun setting and this time of the year is a spot thatI just love to be in my studio working. The cold days are over and as we never really have a heavy winter with snow and sleet, we have experienced a few spots of heavy hail which has a beauty of its own, it is just refreshing working with the windows open and the light shedding a different look through my studio.
To many it must look look like chaos....and there are times I feel enough is enough and get to and sort things out again, but as I am in the midst of projects one can't help but have all the pieces of fabric in piles around ones self to mix, match and decide what works best. I love to have the array of work around me as it is inspiration and often something that has been sitting around for a few months, suddenly comes to life as to what it could be made up into.
In between ideas and making things happen, it is good to share with friends and often towards the end of winter means some winter dinners. This is a time of sharing over good food and wine, what we hope for with the coming summer months.
My going to Sydney was primarily to spend time with my friend who has the most wonderful cottage up in North Balgowlah. The views are wonderful and there is a little glimpse in the middle of the view straight out from her lounge to see the ocean. The view means that when the cruise ships sail by especially at night all lit up, look like a treat sailing by. My friend recalls how her brother, when sailing his large Catamaran through, messaged her to take a look through her binoculars to which she could see him waive.
We thoroughly enjoyed walks, adventures to a couple of cafes and a few little purchases at favourite French stores. I was so glad that at the last minute I put an extra fold up canvas bag in the bottom of my suitcase !!!
As Shelagh works in the city, I caught the bus in with her on a couple of the last days, then caught a bus up to Woollahra to visit all the shops I had kept a list of...walking down Oxford Street into the City to meet Shelagh when she finished work.
This is just the next corner from where Shelagh works, the famous QVB where once you step inside it is magic with the old arcades fully restored and the intricately decorated shops. Well....
Nosing around Woollahra was like being in a little secluded village. Popping into 'Imagine This' full of vintage, French and Continental home-grown furniture they would say along with lovely homewares. Then on the corner of Queen Street is the wonderful French Antique shop called 'Parterre' where I found some vintage embroidery scissors, the ones with the large looped hand opening, so couldn't resist a couple pairs.. This is the start and as you wander down Oxford Street you can pop in and out of the most wonderful stores of fashion, furniture, home accessories along with gorgeous and quaint little coffee shops.
Wonderful old French urns and furniture and just love the moss that is growing in the cracks of the paving....
Many shop owners were more than happy for me to take photos and use on my blog - there is a feeling that it is more exposure for them but also engenders ideas for vignettes in ones home, as each season opens a newness to changing things around.
As I walked along Oxford Street, my head was buzzing with the beauty on the street being tree lined, with some owners using around the base of the trees to have planted bulbs or annuals that brought immense colour. One place I had wanted to see was 'High Tea with Mrs Woo' . It is a small store with wooden floor boards but a feeling of stepping into a mix of old and new. As I continued to walk these are some of the buildings I passed....
I wandered along to Lee Matthews store, who is a very feminine fashion designer with a whimsy for decorating her store and bringing memories of childhood sweetness back....
Continuing on my walk as I specifically wanted to go to 'The Society Inc' that is owned by Sibella Court, who also has written several books but along the way I chanced upon this lovely old church...
and another opening onto terrace homes and then passing by a lovely showing of a Magnolia Tree.
Now I arrive at 'The Society Inc' such a little shop but filled to the rafters and skinny stairway to the top where more storage is and work done!!!
The trip was everything and more and can't wait to go back and do some more fossicking around for more treasures and to do some photos of a beautiful Florist shop in Mosman Village that was more than just a Florist shop as it had wonderful accessories for flowers that the owner had brought in from the US.
The next blog will have a story of the Yallingup Vintage Market Day that was an adventure along with some leads to lovely shops and designers in Perth to have a sneak look at.
Winter brings a time of snuggling up with a good book. I have enjoyed reading Destined to Live' One Woman's War, Life, Loves Remembered of Savina Wolanski, who has just died after an incredible life, having come out fromPoland to Sydney. Along with finishing reading and enjoying the photography of 'My Heart Wanders by Pia Jane Bijkerk - A celebration of taking risks, letting go and making a home wherever you are.....
Drifting from reading, into the kitchen, again find myself reminiscing that winters are great for cook ups, like fresh bread, cakes, yummy puddings, lemon butter and putting the slow cooker on....not only to reminisce but to be inspired from the inspiration of the cook books....of which I just love as many are as good for coffee table books too. I did get inspired to put a fresh vegie garden in after our long hot summer and now with the rain coming, it is flourishing. I am able to pick from it each day to put in my family lunches and salads. Having planted many bulbs with faith they will rise, they have begun to and oh what joy watching each day as they come further up....
The smells bring memories and pictures to mind having not only read good books but browsed through my favourite magazines Cote Sud, Cote Quest, English Country Living, Selvedge, Frankie and Dumbo Feather. The last three magazines smell just as good as they are to enjoy reading with thick textured papers....reminders of when I was young and having saved my Saturday work moniesand bought a new book. Just seeing some of the beautiful fashion designs has inspired me to once again pull out my vest pattern and make some new designs, along withsome wonderful wool I found to knit a skinny scarf. I plan to add shredded cotton fabricbows sewn on it when finished to give it a whimsy look, just perfect with those jeans!
