The current tutorial is an "Easy Reversible Drawstring Bag" . This handy bag can be made in any size you choose, whether you need something to put your sunglasses in (like I did), or something larger to tote your beach gear around.
The Newsboy Cap (sometimes referred to as a Baker Boy cap) has been a popular item. Lookout for a new softie pattern coming soon.
In the meantime you can also checkout the Owl Pincushion (or soft toy).
Me (1969 aged 4 1/2) Fin (2007 aged 5) Caely (2004 aged 4 1/2)
We're not exactly the Brady Bunch... but how about them winnin' smiles, eh?
And howsabout those haircuts? If it was good enough for me, it's good enough for them (short hair was the HEIGHT of fashion for girls in the 60s, dontcha know!)
Here's my mum and my brother looking similar too. Cute!
I've been scanning the archives. Be prepared for more wanderings down memory lane.
There it is... sadly what's not apparent in this photo is that i'm wearing a jumper with a kind of shaggy depiction of laurel and hardy on it, and those mustard pants are actually the bottom half of a knitted pantsuit... No wonder those around me were drinking so much sherry to forget their woes. And the table *was* smokey... although I'm pretty sure at some stage that glass plate was replaced. It actually lifted right off quite easily - although it was heavy!
Whilst reading one of my favourite blogs this morning (and I'll tell you more about why later) I found this advertisement for the (almost) exact same furniture we had when I was a kid.
We even had that glass topped table, except ours was clear, not smokey glass, and matching footstools. I have to ask my Mum for the photos from my uncle's first wedding where this furniture was most evident (he had his wedding at our home).
Up until a couple of years ago Mum even had pieces of this suite stored in the roof of her house, although it had been reupholstered in some kind of heavy white calico(?) instead of the orange fine corduroy it was when we were kids. My parents were pretty stylish in many ways, but I think I believed our furniture to be a bit whacky compared to what my friends had in their houses. Mind you, being German i always felt a bit different.
As to why I love reading about Retro fabrics... my Oma (grandma) worked in a shop in Melbourne in the 70s and 80s called "Curtains and Cushions", which sold upholstery and curtain fabrics. I would sometimes go there for the day during the holidays while my mother and father were at work, hiding behind the display curtains and admiring all the bold geometric prints and garish floral fabrics that were de rigeur during those years (not the 80s so much).
I love to see 70s fabrics and see what I can spot that was in the shop. I REALLY wish I had some photos of my childhood bedroom to show just how bold and over the top we went with 70s style decorating, from yellow Decor tub tables to huge scandinavian style "bird in a tree with girl underneath" wallpaper in primary colours on a navy background.
What do you remember most about your childhood home?
I really need to stay away from Picnik - my blog is starting to look like my desk... covered in experiments and unfinished ideas - not all of them tasteful.
Anyway, it was with great relief that I received my parcel today from Gretchen. Two cute dolls (kewpie and beaded) and a Chenille Palm Tree band of musicians. They deserve their own post and a beautifully taken photo but that's going to have to wait until tomorrow.
Thursday is my Friday (I don't work tomorrow). Yippee.. I will continue working on our hallway - the electrician arrives on the 29th (so long to wait) and then my Chandelier (yay!) gets hung (and 3 other new light fittings). I can't wait... but still so much to do.