HUGE BrisStyle November Giveaway!

Voila! My contribution to the BrisStyle November Giveaway - the movement and sparkle of my
'Dear Prudence' glass and Swarovski crystal earrings on lux oversize silver hoops, as seen in my Etsy shop, Miu & Umi. This giveaway is going to be impressive, so I recommend popping over to check it out!

All hail! The queen of procrastina....

Image from lululetty

Remember that scene in Black Books where Bernard does just about everything to avoid doing his taxes, including calling his mother and asking some skinheads 'Which one of you bitches wants to dance?'

Well, that's me.

Apart from taunting skinheads. But it's still procrastination.

So, I'm playing tiggy with Pom Pom and poking the dog. I'm looking at pretty pictures, like the dreamy one above and reading a good blog or two, like Kimono Reincarnate, which is clever and inspiring. And ignoring the pink elephant in the room, which is market prep! Once again, each time I sit at the sewing machine or my desk, I'm filled with nerves and doubt. It's crazy, because I know what to expect, but real nonetheless.

Cool to be kind

image from infinite smiles via happy things

But I think you look beautiful every day.

Self image is something that keeps popping up in conversation lately, and it's always the same conclusion.

As young women, we are so hard on ourselves (I can't speak of young men - I haven't thought to ask any. Do men think about this stuff?) , but looking back on our lives, photographs that might have seemed so cringe-worthy at the time are now precious reminders of how we glowed in our youth, our innocence.

We're quite cruel to ourselves, and I think it's a dreadful waste of time. If I could go back, I'd shake myself by the shoulders and tell myself  "Stop it! This time you're wasting on self-critique - you'll never get it back!"

And I wonder if, when I am 80, I'll look back on the me of now, and think the same thing?

I'm going to save myself a little time, and quit the cruelty now. There's just too much cool stuff I could be doing instead.

Eye candy

Image found through Design For Mankind (seriously a great blog) from I Love Wildfox.

Such a great photo. Frou-frou dress, pretty girl and a giant bag of fun!

BiECO compost

Oh, I know it's a dreadful photo, but I fell in love with the head-dresses from Wimcee. I bought one for each of the chilblains and couldn't resist putting one on and doing the woo-woo-woo hand over the mouth.
(This is possibly very non-PC, and if so, sorry. My aim is hardly ever to offend.)

The market day flew by in a blur of friendly faces, mile-a-minute chatting and some truly fab shopping. Luckily I had my two best peeps in the world, Kirsty and Cass to mind the stall while I bought up big.

Melanie (or is it John?) from Kimono Reincarnate held a most incredible sale of her fabric from Japan, and I think I managed to stay pretty calm in the face of so much glorious colour and pattern. And it was great to learn that I'm not the only one who hesitates to cut into something so beautiful.

Alas, there was no time to join in the 'softie workshop' with Teneale from Wicked Child Designs, so I bought one to go. I sewed him up today and attached his button eyes, and now I just need to think of his name...

Megan from Meggy Green and her cutie-pie daughter Ella were great neighbours, and I'm happy to have found my new fave place for sweet retro and Little Golden book covered notebooks. Love love love!

Highlight of the day? Music 4 U playing 'Crafty Lady' to the tune of Jimi Hendrix' 'Foxy Lady'.

My little slice of heaven - Miu And Umi

From Baton Rouge with ribbons and bows

Have I mentioned before how much I love the post?
I confessed my serious fetish for ribbons and fabric to Shelita, who lives in Baton Rouge and yesterday I had the unexpected pleasure of finding this package of sweetness in my mailbox.
All the way from Louisiana. Thank you Shelita, you're the bees knees! 

Thrifty love



Untitled and unsigned - mysterious, no?

I'm in deep infatuation with this painting I pounced on at the op-shop. Just exactly what it is that rings my bell, I'm not sure. There are no people, no animals, but there's movement.

It's one of those paintings where you half expect to see a figure in the window from the corner of your eye. 

Now all I need is a bit of wall space!

Strawberries

Strawberry shortcake by redcruiser

There were never strawberries like the ones we had that sultry afternoon sitting on the step of the open french window facing each other your knees held in mine the blue plates in our laps the strawberries glistening in the hot sunlight we dipped them in sugar looking at each other not hurrying the feast for one to come the empty plates laid on the stone together with the two forks crossed and I bent towards you sweet in that air in my arms abandoned like a child from your eager mouth the taste of strawberries in my memory lean back again let me love you let the sun beat on our forgetfulness one hour of all the heat intense and summer lightning on the Kilpatrick hills let the storm wash the plates Edwin Morgan

Boy, did I lose my temper.

Dog House original artwork by bellag1

So I'm building the dog house, unable to get the last piece into place. I struggle for half an hour, getting sweaty and more and more frustrated. The kids circle me, entertained, making suggestions and when Cedric tells me I should wait for daddy because he’s strong, I order them to go jump on the trampoline.

The puppy just  lay on the grass watching me with mild interest.

No matter what I did, no matter which angle I tried, I could not get that final part into position.

It was only when I lost my cool altogether, stamping my feet and storming away, leaving a puzzled puppy and a half-made hound house, that I realised that sometimes I need help. Not just help putting together dog houses, but help finding my voice, being the artist I want to be, and creating a successful business.

Don’t we all need help sometimes?

Do you seek help when you need it? Who do you ask?

Mad BiECO scrabble continues

No, I'm not really in a panic. See? Calm.
I'll save the freak-out until the very last minute. (It's just how I roll.)

This crocheted brooch with vintage button detail is just an example of what I'll have for sale on Saturday 6th November. I source yarn, sometimes from op-shops, friends and family, to make these cute and versatile flowers, and match them with a button from my grandmothers' collection, which goes far back to at least the 1950's. I pop a brooch pin on the back, and voila!

There will also be crafting tutorials from some clever BrisStylers, so stay tuned for more on that.

Australian Women's Complete Household Guide 1953 continued even further...

This dreamy red polka-dotted garden chair beckons you to come, rest your weary 1950's bones. Put down the borax or ammonia or whatever it is, pour yourself a nice Martini, and bask in the glory of your perfect garden.

The internets never looked so good!

               Photo taken right before I fogged up the glass in the Marais, Paris

After some tedious computer issues, I’m happily back to tickling the keyboard and being wowed by the new stuff I’m seeing.  It’s also time to get excited by the end-of-year markets. There seems to be a new one every week.

A newly tinted carrot-top Kirsty joined me for the slightly soggy fun of the Suitcase Rummage. The light rain didn’t stop the bargain hunters, and we ended up trading a few gorgeous  items with our neighbour Phoebe.   

We zoomed out to Bundamba for the Handmade Expo, only to find some stalls had literally been blown away. It was incredibly windy, but there were still smiles, some yummy food (I saw cakes that reminded me of the boulangeries in Paris – rose petals and chocolate? Yes, please!) and some good shopping.

Highlight? Voodoo doll pin cushions from Jaffajaf. Just too cute, in a murderous sort of way.

Packing my bags!

I'm gathering some lovely vintage goodies for the Suitcase Rummage this Sunday 3rd October. King George Square will be the scene for suitcase oriented shopping from midday until 5pm.
As well as a selection of MiuAndUmi jewellery, hair accessories and my new stationery (!), I've put together a collection of books, buttons, dresses, lace and dainty scarves. Some gorgeous Basque peep-toe heels, a Sex Kitten candy-stripe dress, the complete Keats and a 1953 edition of War and Peace! A couple of vintage diamante and Siam silver jewellery pieces and a handpainted Russian brooch.
There's too much to list here, you'll just have to see for yourself! Come say hello and snap up a bargain or two!

Australian Women's Complete Household Guide 1953 continued...

Woman! Bring me my pipe and my slippers! I'm tired from a long day at the office, and lawd knows what you've been doing all day. Probably sitting around, eating bon-bons and gossipping on the electric telephone.

Australian Women's Complete Household Guide 1953 continued...

The chairs! That lamp! The wallpaper! Excuse me while I hyperventilate.

Australian Women's Complete Household Guide 1953

Why ever would you throw this out? Doesn't every household need an in-depth textbook to refer to when building a house, lifting a stain from the carpet, making your own gloves or diagnosing poisoning by opium? There's a handy segment on writing business letters, although it does state that the 'average housewife' will not have much need to do such a thing.
There's plenty of sexist and condescending dark-ages writing to raise the ire of even the least militant feminist, but the most striking thing I've noticed is the all-encompassing nature of this book. I'm wondering if this is the birthplace of the over-achieving, do-it-all-and-look-impeccably-gorgeous uber woman?
All that aside, I'm in love with the Atomic Era look of these colour pages. Aren't they just too much?

I do love a giveaway...

Kel from my new favourite green tea and red nails is holding a giveaway, ending at midnight tonight. You should take a peek at her blog while you are there - she has a vintage appeal and a fun approach to life.
And don't you love the late notice? It's in keeping with my general approach to life, but honestly, I am trying to be more organised. This generally manifests as scads of to-do lists which are lost almost immediately, but now that the entire household has escaped the clutches of a foul and long-lasting flu, I am energised and ready to get serious.
A wise person, Tara of the awesome Scoutie Girl recently said that accountability forces the hand of creativity. Which I took to mean if you speak your goals aloud, you become accountable for seeing them through. Rather than being some hazy, day-dreamy idea which is allowed to evaporate like mist on a sunny morning, you are obliged to honour your plan.
I find this idea appealing, and a touch confronting, but I'm ready to put it to the test.
Here and now, I'm stating my intention to you:

I will write everyday
I will post a quality piece of writing once a week

Phew. I was about to write a third intention, but maybe I should walk before I run.

Little cabin

Hey there! I had to take a little break while the whole family recovered from a wicked tummy bug, and now I realise how much I've missed sharing my snippets of frivolous frippery.
After attempting the granny square a few times and throwing my hook and yarn down in frustration, I tried it one more time, following a very simple set of instructions with lots of photos, and voila! I can do it! And now I can't stop doing it... thank you obsessive nature.
Today we set off on a hunt for bathroom fixtures, armed with measurements and a promise not to bicker. But before I go, I have to share this photo.
I think it speaks for itself - it's an absolute dream. Hand me a ginger beer with a sprig of mint, a copy of "The heart is a lonely hunter", and I'm in heaven.

(I've lost the link for this photo - if you know where it came from, please let me know!)

Loveheart cupcakes

Little Pompom turns 5, with a little sugary help from Enticing Icing. Thank you for the lovehearts Bel, they were delicious!
Fast on the heels of the 5th birthday, we celebrated the 7th of Ced, with a flaming rocket cake and the traditional birth stories.
"At this time, seven years ago, I was sitting in the bath at the Birth Centre..."
"...and Daddy rubbed my back and said I was beautiful and I growled at him to shut the damn hell up..."
"...and you took a deep breath and you roared!"
I enjoy this very much because I know that soon enough there will be no mystery surrounding where they came from, and they will NOT want to know the details of their entry into the world.

BiTM recap and even further back...

The old Brisbane Museum, Finders Keepers Brisbane City Hall, BrisStyle indie Twilight Markets
What a gorgeous night it was! All my scowling and fist-shaking at the grey skies really paid off - it was a warm, sunny afternoon and a glittering evening, complimented by a gentle breeze. The jazz band had us snapping our fingers and singing along, and the visitors to our stall were very friendly.
(I noticed a few surreptitious photos being taken, and I'm not the only one. It's simultaneously flattering... and a little annoying!)
My own photo documentation of the evening is this. One snap of the Town Hall. I did the same thing at the Finders Keepers markets. And I'm still having camera issues, so it's a surprise to even have these.