My Creative Space...

I awoke this morning to the sound of birds calling in the rain. Small arms wrapped around my neck and a kiss on the nose from my cheeky boy. Moments like these make it particularly difficult to get out of bed I find.

The sun is now shaking off the clouds, Cohen is playing with the box from the new laptop and I am musing over the productivity in my creative space of late. There's been new pieces of jewellery emerge from my bench of course. Then there is Cohen's sweater in progress. There has also been another fourty crochet flowers completed in preparation for my sisters wedding. And when I'm tired, or unfocused and know that concentrating on a cable pattern may be increasingly difficult, I have been simply knitting back and forth on a baby blanket, inspired by these found on the Purl Bee.

And although I've been feeling like I haven't achieved much lately,by  taking a moment to reflect on all that's been happening, suddenly I feel quietly satisfied. Especially given that we are staying with family while we are between houses and I am without many of my possesions or normal routines.

Perhaps adding to that feeling of satisfaction is the fact that our offer has been accepted and we now have a contract on a house, pending all the usual suspects. All being well, we will be setteling into our new house in a month of two, after a few renovations. Very exciting indeed.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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New in the shop...

'Imagine' Ring

“Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein.

The "Imagine" Sterling Silver concave ring is an idiosyncratic, modern and individual dress ring which can be worn during the day and into the evening.

It is an unusual ring that might be coupled with coloured bangles and beaded bracelets, paired next to a cocktail ring, or worn alone as a statement piece. The “Imagine” ring is equally suited for browsing musty old bookstores, looking for that perfect something at the markets on the weekend, and spending evenings sharing stories over a glass of wine.

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One stitch at a time my first ever handknitted sweater is emerging from the balls of wool. The front and the back are completed and I'm half way through the first sleeve.

I amire the pieces seperately each time I pull them out of my knitting bag. Though I'm impatient to finish, I'm enjoying the process. While only the first half of the previous sentence could be applied to my feelings about househunting. We are however waiting to hear back about an offer we have made on a house.

Like the knitting, it's all about time and patience at the moment.

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Flea Market Finds...

 

I discovered an old basket full of crochet and knitted coat hangers, at my new local op-shop, for 50c each. As I paid for a bundle of colourful, wooly hangers, I spotted this sweet little old brooch beneath the counter and added it to my purchases.

Each plain hanger in Cohen's closet has been gradually being replaced, and now not a single naked coat hanger remains. I love seeing all those handmade hangers, lined up waiting to fulfill their purpose, as I put the washing away. I can only wonder how long Cohen will allow such hangers to occupy his space when  he is a little older. But for now, he is more interested in trying to artfully remove the brooch from my sweater whenever I pick him up, and is not the least bit worried about his mother's fascination with Nana hangers.

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More Flea Market Finds here.

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Things that you love about the season...

 

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a laundry basket full of freshly washed woolens

the scent of a log fire on the breeze

crossing the threshold from cold night to warm house

warm mulled wine

the addition of stockings and scarves to my wardrobe

people watching from the warmth of a cafe

and of course, nights spent knitting

What other things that you love about the season would you add to the list? Leave a comment or link to your post each Saturday if you feel inclined to share. Or perhaps join in next Saturday with 'things that are beautiful'.

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Lessons in drinking a baby chino...

Sip, lick, repeat.

My Creative Space...

'Woodland Secret' Pendant

'I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...' 
- Henry David Thoreux

The beautiful mottled Jasper cabochon in the 'Woodland Secret' Pendant, is reminiscent of the Winter sun shining through overhead leaves and casting shadows on the forest floor.

The unique colours and elegant simplicity of the handmade pendant suggests pairing with a patterned dress or warm wool sweater. This necklace could be worn layered with strands of coloured glass beads or threaded onto leather for a more earthy, casual look. The secret cut-out floral motif on the reverse of this pendant means it functions as a wearable treasure and conversational piece.

A one of a kind, handmade pendant by Christina Lowry. The 'Woodland Secret' features an oval, 26 x 22mm cabochon cut Ocean Jasper set in solid Sterling Silver and stamped 925. The back plate is saw pierced by hand with a floral motif. This piece be posted with a complimentary silver plated chain, in a drawstring pouch and bubble wrap for protection.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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Every now and then it's nice to make something just for yourself.
This unusual Serpentine gem with Stitchtite inclusions caught my eye and now adorns my right hand.
What have you treated yourself to lately?

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A thrifted gift from my sweet sister.
An addition to my sewing basket collection, which is sadly languishing in storage presently.
At least I now have this little darling to keep me company in the meantime.

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More Flea Market Finds here.

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Things that make lovely collections...

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I love glimpsing other people's collections whether ordered or chaotic, of great expense or thrifted, new or old. You can imagine a great deal about a person by what they choose to collect.

To me, somethings that make for lovely collections are:

large preserving jars filled with vintage buttons
shelves covered in pretty tea cups and saucers
a handmade bowl full of seashells, found over many holidays
a wall of eclectic plates hanging randomly
a box of antique cigarette cards
vintage sewing baskets housing an array of wooden spools, carded buttons and fabric tape measures

What other things that make lovely collections would you add to the list? Leave a comment or link to your post each Saturday if you feel inclined to share. Or perhaps join in next Saturday with 'things that you love about the season'.

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Left to right: Cake topper, Flower sash, Invitations
Vintage cake plates, vintage vases, vintage and new cake stands
handmade ring cushion, Rick Rac flower brooches, vintage jewellery.

A sneak peak at some of the plans coming together for my sister's handmade/ vintage wedding in September. I'm loving all the details.

I hope to be able to share more soon!

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The Gallery of Modern Art never fails to impress me. This time it was with a selection of Surrealist pieces on loan from the Centre Pompidou, Paris. Cohen was most impressed with the children's area, where we all partook in Surrealist collage. 

For a more in depth review visit Dada Doesn't Catch Flies.

But I think it is definitely worth a visit if you are in Brisbane.

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New in the shop...

'At Mrs Lippencote's II' Brooch

'At Mrs Lippencote's II' is the second piece in a series of work featuring Snowflake Obsidian gems. The pieces are inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's charming 1945 novel, 'At Mrs Lippencote's'. The novel brings to life the sensitive, witty, unconventional Julia, who is compelled to live among the yellowing photographs of Mrs Lippencote's house. The evocative descriptions of a bygone era, preserved in the everyday items of the household, detail the women's interwoven lives and their compelling characters. While each knock on the door presents the opportunity for a shared cup of tea, which flows like the detailed narrative.

This darling brooch well suits the cooler weather and could accompany scarf or shawl, coat or cardigan, while reading before the fire or walking through the park. 

A one of a kind, handmade piece by Christina Lowry. The 'At Mrs Lippencote's II' brooch features a round, 24mm cabochon cut Snowflake Obsidian, set in solid Sterling Silver scalloped bezel and is stamped 925. The back plate is saw pierced by hand with a teapot silhouette. This piece will be posted packaged in a drawstring pouch and bubble wrapped for protection.

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Things that make a house a home...

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fresh sheets and blankets

worn books on the shelf

children's laughter

sentimental photographs

fresh flowers on the kitchen table
the scent of freshly baked bread

What other things that make a house a home would you add to the list? Leave a comment or link to your post each Saturday if you feel inclined to share. Or perhaps join in next Saturday with 'things that make lovely collections'.

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Many thanks to those who have continued to visit and leave comments on the blog recently. You may have noticed that I have been a bit absent of late. We finally sold our house, with the requested (stressful) short settlement period. I've been waiting to share the news until the contracts were all final. We spent a crazy week frantically packing and moving our possessions into storage and ourselves in with family. Leaving me forever sympathetic to anyone in a similar situation. Moving with children is an endurance test not to be underestimated, I've since found. Now the house hunting begins in earnest.

Internet access has been sporadic and reliant on trips to the library or family. A situation which should be remedied next week. There have been several other speed bumps along the way, including the little man pulling a steel block on his toe, resulting in a trip to emergency with a deep wound and fractured bone. Thankfully he is braver than I am, and healing well.

I'm looking forward to things settling down soon and getting back into a routine. In the meantime I've been working at the bench and knitting the nights away. I hope to have more time back in this space again soon, catching up on all the goings on I've been missing out on and replying to some of the emails that have been waiting patiently in my inbox. Once again, many thanks to those who have continued to drop in and comment.

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More nights of knitting of late, a crochet rug thrown over my lap. The garter stitch jacket is finally finished and  a new sweater for Cohen is in progress.

More Creative Spaces here.

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Another little glimpse from the weekend.

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Old Beenleigh Town is one of those places I've been driving past for years and making a mental note to visit. We finally made our way there this morning, wandering around the grounds and through the old houses, before a relaxing breakfast on the cafe balcony. Eye candy for vintage lovers indeed. I think a return trip for a closer inspection is definitely in order.