tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73397750629935585232024-03-14T08:46:28.320+13:00shoestring cottageshoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-43636977644522906432022-06-25T12:28:00.000+12:002022-06-25T12:28:00.055+12:00Mr Shoestring - A Prince Among Men<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3yBQVVT8SCiKIPW3U3dR0sNuGGCl1DVWoUIIn0fzdXsgxjSQbhACsF8Ti_LIsrOpEkrWop7pziXz_Hu1Hnf-DHtPbj2cdR5r582k1Yn8PIACnEZp9148B8qAvGmFi1kEjqYnnsNCEmisiUIBr6P2aZtuGLoSymergO1NgEZKInjVngcNWh6gAi7Ksg/s2443/DSC09867%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2073" data-original-width="2443" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3yBQVVT8SCiKIPW3U3dR0sNuGGCl1DVWoUIIn0fzdXsgxjSQbhACsF8Ti_LIsrOpEkrWop7pziXz_Hu1Hnf-DHtPbj2cdR5r582k1Yn8PIACnEZp9148B8qAvGmFi1kEjqYnnsNCEmisiUIBr6P2aZtuGLoSymergO1NgEZKInjVngcNWh6gAi7Ksg/s320/DSC09867%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr Shoestring has presented me with this cute picture he made using some tapestry canvas, and one of my needles and thimbles he snuck off with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">He is so handy, loyal and true. There is nothing much he can't turn his hand to, from fixing his little grandson's remote controlled car to building us a new sunroom. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCPcOjTBGrom_uX2SJSovL6VltleEzSczxiubFtmnRUYah5O2ZWKUXnpjn1B9u_ijsMseREHzJksB16hsji6QeBja_IYEybSn9ZlsagQNedQ6xlXIS3mXs9Bk-5pqbN4ronTnGzHVnjYng7tc0yeNnMgLmLhFohBWmN58R02tqkk7YaPXq0cMcuJboA/s3648/DSC09875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCPcOjTBGrom_uX2SJSovL6VltleEzSczxiubFtmnRUYah5O2ZWKUXnpjn1B9u_ijsMseREHzJksB16hsji6QeBja_IYEybSn9ZlsagQNedQ6xlXIS3mXs9Bk-5pqbN4ronTnGzHVnjYng7tc0yeNnMgLmLhFohBWmN58R02tqkk7YaPXq0cMcuJboA/s320/DSC09875.JPG" width="240" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"> The sunroom is my absolute treasure which he constructed using recycled windows, and it has made such a difference to Shoestring Cottage. The large glassed area is a window we found abandoned at the side of the road when we went on one of our walks. (It did have a sign on it saying that it was free, we didn't steal it!)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9VLZ7_8oI8pUVj_0wxSovzd-6B8cjh1u4x9W6q9VWTUQHbku7uPfm0E8oN7ZdkxTKW7zgrbN9DlX-Vgv1RV5sDj6i_6fjbzHQvyRnprHUMdJ4Jrm5uGH3-iBwRhA4oFU7GYWUNHyaWeMCU4xclKnx9448B2aiMtF8SymF-1nKOkxtnfLScgRwUXPlQ/s3648/DSC09874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9VLZ7_8oI8pUVj_0wxSovzd-6B8cjh1u4x9W6q9VWTUQHbku7uPfm0E8oN7ZdkxTKW7zgrbN9DlX-Vgv1RV5sDj6i_6fjbzHQvyRnprHUMdJ4Jrm5uGH3-iBwRhA4oFU7GYWUNHyaWeMCU4xclKnx9448B2aiMtF8SymF-1nKOkxtnfLScgRwUXPlQ/s320/DSC09874.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>I think Mr Shoestring was doubtful that we ever would find a use for it and it languished at the side of the cottage for a few years but eventually I managed to plant the seed in his mind that it could be used to enclose the side of the deck which he had built. And as well as the large window he had a stash of little orange and green windows which were salvaged when the house next door tragically burnt down. It has worked out so beautifully; every time I arrive at Shoestring I have to immediately go out and check it. The stephanotis vine there has had its first flowers and the collection of geraniums is looking good. There is a pot of edible ginger, still emerging, because it will be interesting to see what it looks like, and another pot with a white ginger and some other fillers. Even on a cold winter's day it is lovely to sit out there and luxuriate in the sunshine. At the corner of the house I have planted a grape vine and I have grand visions of it being trained up into the sunroom's clear roof and bearing masses of fruit for us to enjoy. </p><p style="text-align: center;">But I haven't just been lolling around in the sun room, in fact it's been a very happy time for stitching. The teacups quilt I had put together has finally been quilted, using variegated perle cottons, and I am thrilled with it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox5-FFAKLcPmve2Q_cHggrT4MEkrhsWPFXFEY11Jqb5t6DQ126J05UN2KfGOO5AIowBcIJiT6QljHucZN-iyPSJCNsCYqi7Sc1z_-N_eKj15dg4H65aDdC_bNYoZmHWWS6203Nd4LUyJ0t0yvhjbO4Lr2-IS63MlzcjFb1e41zMs6-CsK2wFi7zdKtA/s3648/DSC09855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox5-FFAKLcPmve2Q_cHggrT4MEkrhsWPFXFEY11Jqb5t6DQ126J05UN2KfGOO5AIowBcIJiT6QljHucZN-iyPSJCNsCYqi7Sc1z_-N_eKj15dg4H65aDdC_bNYoZmHWWS6203Nd4LUyJ0t0yvhjbO4Lr2-IS63MlzcjFb1e41zMs6-CsK2wFi7zdKtA/s320/DSC09855.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">On the back it has an old duvet cover and also some of the extra hexagons, one in each corner. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1vZTWF_8To0YuAk1tmpaURd37EfWTDpGR9F8T0vqqgL_VyAzBIPge0a_lOF1rKUDJDflVyUklJjcckWkmi7egLK3k1ZWCQjZSOUITH8Le2W4Evl3Vbi4BvUHFqmf2cJOuQpHq_AM1s0tOX9HEJD2oBBXzOqNpZJkY03RMal-OW3POS72A32uK952MQ/s3648/DSC09881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1vZTWF_8To0YuAk1tmpaURd37EfWTDpGR9F8T0vqqgL_VyAzBIPge0a_lOF1rKUDJDflVyUklJjcckWkmi7egLK3k1ZWCQjZSOUITH8Le2W4Evl3Vbi4BvUHFqmf2cJOuQpHq_AM1s0tOX9HEJD2oBBXzOqNpZJkY03RMal-OW3POS72A32uK952MQ/s320/DSC09881.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The border uses a border fabric in bright lolly colours which are so cheerful and a different palette to my usual.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyOpdDEuErw8vdBK0EK1RkJd0kd45hKEk2n0yU7EKbam5DzK5JnWLH8Wh8gNw7FTiqzOVlS1ttqK4AZrcECFokgPUUEVYQiI8xX4AoollLVp9bXPKTTSDsEggXWSEHx4efHCMoc2f78b0QW7FOz9Xid8HfflP2GxQyHgF1i5HuQmsNoj835Gh2hnvSA/s3648/DSC09884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyOpdDEuErw8vdBK0EK1RkJd0kd45hKEk2n0yU7EKbam5DzK5JnWLH8Wh8gNw7FTiqzOVlS1ttqK4AZrcECFokgPUUEVYQiI8xX4AoollLVp9bXPKTTSDsEggXWSEHx4efHCMoc2f78b0QW7FOz9Xid8HfflP2GxQyHgF1i5HuQmsNoj835Gh2hnvSA/s320/DSC09884.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">As well as the teacups quilt being quilted, I finally finished the doyleys and damask crazy quilt, which is surprisingly heavy as I used a green damask duvet cover I found in an op shop for that one. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpajgGQKV--1Ovt5qyjHPppVZs4K62zhsTr_Ed48qsil379AY6nb8wnZmrsoOLGK3abcgB0JKKMrZ-IjZ1n3QXhuly5FYSrjiPh7YBvLsoz9Si_ZD96KTRwhkKM85AEfdr5E0FpnvHpoqR8iDGjXpJHHsQMTInhp6FS_Kr3UcjDzTJXR3yJJv2KjIcg/s3648/DSC09877%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpajgGQKV--1Ovt5qyjHPppVZs4K62zhsTr_Ed48qsil379AY6nb8wnZmrsoOLGK3abcgB0JKKMrZ-IjZ1n3QXhuly5FYSrjiPh7YBvLsoz9Si_ZD96KTRwhkKM85AEfdr5E0FpnvHpoqR8iDGjXpJHHsQMTInhp6FS_Kr3UcjDzTJXR3yJJv2KjIcg/s320/DSC09877%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><p> (A little bit obsessed with using old duvet covers for quilt backs at present, such a saving in cost and if you can find one which is really suitable it is a perfect solution to the problem of what to put on the back. I am very pleased with this one, it is soft and gentle in its tones for the most part but there is still a lot to look at.) </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">My collection of old embroideries has only been growing slowly but this week I found this, a canvas work landscape, which is so different from all the others. </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcygQQTDK8Nz2FqtbKT-7muFPcIHg5475T3JGt0T0lB-f4Fd_DIWoxUFhvBMDN29Wryrc86v3FFfxIDTHgE9ugXjyaqbnRg1Sb_UR5DSqobSlgT0QHI3RNvkhVMM7WrItBBob4jS_YSjhERnI5enq4Ig_ugNRw9ToZHZwQSssqlLxD0QLcijmScAoMYA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcygQQTDK8Nz2FqtbKT-7muFPcIHg5475T3JGt0T0lB-f4Fd_DIWoxUFhvBMDN29Wryrc86v3FFfxIDTHgE9ugXjyaqbnRg1Sb_UR5DSqobSlgT0QHI3RNvkhVMM7WrItBBob4jS_YSjhERnI5enq4Ig_ugNRw9ToZHZwQSssqlLxD0QLcijmScAoMYA" width="274" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> A hand written note on the back records that it was stitched by a patient in hospital and what I love about it is that it is completely undisciplined as far as the actual stitches go, not at all the regular and perfect stitches you usually see in needlepoint, but this only adds to the finished effect. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjmqV6PNOu6ClIT0Kyu0fR38cEbSPr5gzgpkSXc-P8C5H-Jdob_-59gKdMHUDr9edioherjnx8chMJfBNHEVPMU5k4Kxux3zM7RVoeeAbTVE49KK5no-K0U4v_8gIvC4jWYM2Uaz8NM4bwJVf3jWeTp0vZLaDktGxDBEDqe7NYLxfC_r8f6hGXMtJNw/s3648/DSC09864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjmqV6PNOu6ClIT0Kyu0fR38cEbSPr5gzgpkSXc-P8C5H-Jdob_-59gKdMHUDr9edioherjnx8chMJfBNHEVPMU5k4Kxux3zM7RVoeeAbTVE49KK5no-K0U4v_8gIvC4jWYM2Uaz8NM4bwJVf3jWeTp0vZLaDktGxDBEDqe7NYLxfC_r8f6hGXMtJNw/s320/DSC09864.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>The stitches going in different directions give texture and movement to the landscape and the colours are so subtle. I suspect this view meant a lot to the person who created this wonderful textile. Perhaps she could see it from her hospital room. </p><p style="text-align: center;">And as an antidote to all my florals I have dragged out this piece of vintage bark cloth which I found at the Sally Army shop a few years ago for $2.50. I have never been able to think what I could do with it, but I finally have had an inspiration and I'm going to intersperse the images of the cowboys and cowgirls doing their thing with nine patches in red and green, to make a quilt simple and so different from my usual. It's fun to swerve from one colour palette to another from time to time, to shake things up. (Using up bits and pieces left over from other projects of course!)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM2ayD20D0N8a6XsIPI_nmCfg232gxEquK9cztEFj9OAePUwCo682-ad0vKcL1BsHnxBj-uDZp_50-ECmgjlDD0KQ_wxRzu63PE8mDEqPvaL1Ub2pbpo8dJ1nKHQCIVG6V4fmeCDt52hePk45Ba-zwZ50_rSFFAtXpNbl4vrEUfsjyT1qTGUYsuVjpA/s3648/DSC09880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM2ayD20D0N8a6XsIPI_nmCfg232gxEquK9cztEFj9OAePUwCo682-ad0vKcL1BsHnxBj-uDZp_50-ECmgjlDD0KQ_wxRzu63PE8mDEqPvaL1Ub2pbpo8dJ1nKHQCIVG6V4fmeCDt52hePk45Ba-zwZ50_rSFFAtXpNbl4vrEUfsjyT1qTGUYsuVjpA/s320/DSC09880.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7GAn_rzFkwmzNCs3qE6wYqhnTFuNryP4OE0nYZsnc0Zx-LIUeTF66zXbEkYpgOWLk9ZeAXy1HLGg-vDQva_6dFoCI_XscEGbIGFA5wa1XbTTMSLXGKlbnCK4UMhKeSL1lgWM4lx2xEeGN8s-ySEuCqmhJDU1PPH1WoO42Uxujqwp3Bo5QdyWvjG3aw/s3648/DSC09879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7GAn_rzFkwmzNCs3qE6wYqhnTFuNryP4OE0nYZsnc0Zx-LIUeTF66zXbEkYpgOWLk9ZeAXy1HLGg-vDQva_6dFoCI_XscEGbIGFA5wa1XbTTMSLXGKlbnCK4UMhKeSL1lgWM4lx2xEeGN8s-ySEuCqmhJDU1PPH1WoO42Uxujqwp3Bo5QdyWvjG3aw/s320/DSC09879.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>I hope all is well with you and yours, and I intend to be back to blogging more frequently from now on. Winter Deco celebrations are coming up and that will be great fun too. </p>shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-48639881258436395432021-12-21T06:54:00.006+13:002021-12-21T07:03:13.155+13:00Before Covid and After Covid<p>It suddenly occurred to me yesterday that one day, if and when we finally emerge from these Covid times, we may begin to think of our lives in terms of "before Covid" and "after Covid". I suspect that I will, anyway. Who ever suspected that we would become au fait with different strains, R rates and the ways people had approached this menacing virus all around the world? Or that we would be cut off from our fellow humans in such strange ways, and for such a long time? Instead of time speeding past as it usually does, it seemed to drag by and it felt as though we were wading through quicksand sometimes. We would look forward to the weekends, but when they came they were just the same as all the other weekends and we soon ran out of enthusiasm for turning out cupboards and other tedious and virtuous tasks. I have been physically at work throughout the pandemic so far, but Mr Shoestring has been working from home and it seems that the effects on the way we lead our lives and conduct our businesses will be significant and long lasting</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>This weekend we have emerged from a long time confined to our city. I think it was approximately 122 days, but who's counting? We, living in Auckland, were at the epicentre of the outbreak in New Zealand and so not allowed to "cross the border" (doesn't that sound like something out of a novel?) and go to Shoestring Cottage until now. The weather wasn't great for our first trip in such a long time, but typical Auckland/Waikato spring weather with a lowering sky and humid rain threatening.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXHNTFVNTE1rKm-IkZO-muU7XbDXRtjkFopoe7OnNK3DQxhDrlx10Feu3EhxrcDvrezt1to2soqxxfT4ompxKZsmQA_ZX9Xd5EfSasLev4-wF0S_eh-g_SvN5Vsj3kEqq6a-QK2yocN5rsF-liV6ag1um2WQAqa6mIPo6mH7zDu_bzmxlwkQJAso26Ww=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXHNTFVNTE1rKm-IkZO-muU7XbDXRtjkFopoe7OnNK3DQxhDrlx10Feu3EhxrcDvrezt1to2soqxxfT4ompxKZsmQA_ZX9Xd5EfSasLev4-wF0S_eh-g_SvN5Vsj3kEqq6a-QK2yocN5rsF-liV6ag1um2WQAqa6mIPo6mH7zDu_bzmxlwkQJAso26Ww=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> How we missed it. We were so fortunate that Mr and Mrs Peaceable came and fed our fish, and watered the plants, and generally kept an eye on things for us, and also that one of our daughters, who lives "outside the border" was able to come and mow the lawns once, because otherwise they would have been completely wild. As it was, the garden was completely overgrown and weed infested when we arrived here again, but it was so good to be back. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuY-JB2O5j4q9C4UUjGjx_Owv1EsmS-Nt8zD8JjrWIad8p978BMQYp14uLq2ExHYsA1haw4WKNZXF5FyvDRKg7XWvPbnpYdFRfy2Oo0BWMjzce3sXNtscY3JlmdYSe5EduG8KaKkp2Ibm5ZHcEnYXTqUDhY4M_7QtEw5MbV6asmcAKmAgf-lLkzbf2pw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuY-JB2O5j4q9C4UUjGjx_Owv1EsmS-Nt8zD8JjrWIad8p978BMQYp14uLq2ExHYsA1haw4WKNZXF5FyvDRKg7XWvPbnpYdFRfy2Oo0BWMjzce3sXNtscY3JlmdYSe5EduG8KaKkp2Ibm5ZHcEnYXTqUDhY4M_7QtEw5MbV6asmcAKmAgf-lLkzbf2pw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>On the plus side though it looks as though the grapes will give a bumper crop (for the birds) this year</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi1AIGs0wqEUvb5PNGm_YK3gh5BSQyijPXT3uSH-UpQmvbJasy3xmSgwzpGYRMeNX8r6YYoT5ozcYX6nZMpkbfL2GS97TMwC_HBZ0S2DX-czKKuVSlaNoLfT-sgGsW8JcV6Elw_7MYS6S0iCsS_6Uixaf4lVsTfF6tmdIlCQEZw5CkO1XEFkRNVuCeDw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi1AIGs0wqEUvb5PNGm_YK3gh5BSQyijPXT3uSH-UpQmvbJasy3xmSgwzpGYRMeNX8r6YYoT5ozcYX6nZMpkbfL2GS97TMwC_HBZ0S2DX-czKKuVSlaNoLfT-sgGsW8JcV6Elw_7MYS6S0iCsS_6Uixaf4lVsTfF6tmdIlCQEZw5CkO1XEFkRNVuCeDw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>and the lilies haven't all finished blooming yet, there are still quite a few spikes to come.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxVz8hjR-B1QfZAGZPZFL2QQOyJ1EXAlXGuVCKb5lpadHFjx2q0SFdNE3MR5xa5xECfbI5u4AXaCa_5b6Ei5sjtZGP1N2r2IP2wO-ma7f_ATEj6E_n4OuQ6cUEnEwU1Y9Hi1db8PdnF4u1XzVLREv2eP8W14IJ_dwhS-RjpfK2DO3nP9ucZ_1GhE11fw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxVz8hjR-B1QfZAGZPZFL2QQOyJ1EXAlXGuVCKb5lpadHFjx2q0SFdNE3MR5xa5xECfbI5u4AXaCa_5b6Ei5sjtZGP1N2r2IP2wO-ma7f_ATEj6E_n4OuQ6cUEnEwU1Y9Hi1db8PdnF4u1XzVLREv2eP8W14IJ_dwhS-RjpfK2DO3nP9ucZ_1GhE11fw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The birds looked askance at us, as though we had invaded their own domain, and I noticed that instead of a thrush having one special place for cracking open snail shells, there were snail shells dotted all around the areas where there was a brick or stone to use as an opening tool. I was so sad that we had missed the flowering of the roses (apparently this year was a bumper season for them), and also the irises and spring bulbs and most of the lilies, but we have to be optimistic and remember that there is always next year to look forward to; that's part of the territory when you are a gardener, you need to be prepared for a lot of unforeseen knock-backs and for things not to work out quite as you had planned. </p><p>During the lockdown Mr Shoestring and I fell into the habit of visiting a nearby park every evening on the way home to get a bit of air ("spreading our legs" as our Minister of Health once mistakenly put it in a press conference, a thing he will never be allowed to forget, I feel sure), and we fell in love with the pigeons there. We began to take food for them with us every day, and sat on our special seat to feed them. (We were quite aggrieved if we came to the park to find somebody else on our seat but tried to bear the disappointment with good grace and not glare at the interlopers.) Within a few days they began to expect us and would come down in a huge flock, the susurration of their wings a delight albeit a bit alarming to begin with. I was so fascinated by their varied plumage, their strange orange little eyes (though not all were orange, you would be surprised how many different colours their eyes can be) and the different personalities we could identify in certain birds. It was the highlight of my lockdown life for a while there. I sent off for a couple of books about pigeons so as to learn more about these delightful and amazing creatures and was saddened to read that it is a bad thing to feed them. We did stop feeding them, but it was a wrench, I must say. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy1jrSumS9igCcLz8akdMdnq78wkDLCXhC_TnLUA3StTjwmn2WFGK1oLosfVVKFyMUx-BZgEim8016ExubWG8IMm8_G5eD-kdOIpw2yIFlhaJ2T_iXMFjTawAh9gXXTR5DFIUF7Td5beihlOQghy83OXnC6p3EavB7ir2uK6HzgVAkL1fErC52tPcMbw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy1jrSumS9igCcLz8akdMdnq78wkDLCXhC_TnLUA3StTjwmn2WFGK1oLosfVVKFyMUx-BZgEim8016ExubWG8IMm8_G5eD-kdOIpw2yIFlhaJ2T_iXMFjTawAh9gXXTR5DFIUF7Td5beihlOQghy83OXnC6p3EavB7ir2uK6HzgVAkL1fErC52tPcMbw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Now that we are allowed back to shoestring cottage I was so pleased to see a related pigeon sort of a bird in the back garden this morning. I haven't identified it yet (actually there was a pair of them), but I feel honoured that they have graced us with their presence. </p><p>As soon as we were allowed to go to shops again Mr Shoestring and I trawled through our favourite op shops and visited some new ones as well. There were so many treasures there, or perhaps we were just starved for them. You might notice a certain bird theme emerging in the things I found and this is my pride and joy. Not one, but four images of birds, and all of them different. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcB7Nj4ALmdDHx56q1oJtlWlNdvFTybSi6nK3uj5aYXFXSziK7rHxsEgCdD_7GWEq8UccjvaXfsbRr8XkuP3XYLE52VgRu_NiZJme1V2K9lbpoTonHv-XU-n-4w_lFEaMlZFE1XqgYiVb2jy-24RB5osKdeZvzb7ktMdBdaeaRjG2BDbNAB9qxgpZSog=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcB7Nj4ALmdDHx56q1oJtlWlNdvFTybSi6nK3uj5aYXFXSziK7rHxsEgCdD_7GWEq8UccjvaXfsbRr8XkuP3XYLE52VgRu_NiZJme1V2K9lbpoTonHv-XU-n-4w_lFEaMlZFE1XqgYiVb2jy-24RB5osKdeZvzb7ktMdBdaeaRjG2BDbNAB9qxgpZSog=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFAZe-g3sWqtADJQlyOBu1Q5kdNBVK98s6lybAE25UsslWErLJrbVOd5ueCXSVRADRgit5KeKJHMCZTvPC_NhcsHIgf2Xneswde61AqrU0ZRvJNNg4h4QDr_ldqY7qwy1f_gaHdVNimyLxB1-XCdBHQEMkhKBnAaWbt6eR6iK2ZMskhR9vOLlXRGFMzw=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFAZe-g3sWqtADJQlyOBu1Q5kdNBVK98s6lybAE25UsslWErLJrbVOd5ueCXSVRADRgit5KeKJHMCZTvPC_NhcsHIgf2Xneswde61AqrU0ZRvJNNg4h4QDr_ldqY7qwy1f_gaHdVNimyLxB1-XCdBHQEMkhKBnAaWbt6eR6iK2ZMskhR9vOLlXRGFMzw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyyLrm6s48-UhTBQFFaF8Wzaj0-lAXu5yYbVMu612EyAkqIGi_mxiX32FbCy0AxOWvw4k05NMYFZ_-byunFBZpMbUEWCpHJsP5sCsTcLps2Xz6vIQF--2Cv5Yhm-QlgnVEm8EBArTm4rkdMBMXqm2wmxanQ6y36US-76-iXM-Cb8zhcXE88fTPyNe3pQ=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyyLrm6s48-UhTBQFFaF8Wzaj0-lAXu5yYbVMu612EyAkqIGi_mxiX32FbCy0AxOWvw4k05NMYFZ_-byunFBZpMbUEWCpHJsP5sCsTcLps2Xz6vIQF--2Cv5Yhm-QlgnVEm8EBArTm4rkdMBMXqm2wmxanQ6y36US-76-iXM-Cb8zhcXE88fTPyNe3pQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPQkv-C7_sfZKUzyjLdKBX_W8NMg7OZ55sLfYHl8ii5CXbo5rHTty8PPOPFpUyALb-0l0QOjAPUt7Y06aYDVb86KoeWEfshE1RPGYIUuSGL_jiDgvMwoH9KS3K9iwDq_TODco6mcf3k54Odzk5B5sRTwoK4i7vsOoik5R5Js7kPoeLjf_M_YS0DO65Ww=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPQkv-C7_sfZKUzyjLdKBX_W8NMg7OZ55sLfYHl8ii5CXbo5rHTty8PPOPFpUyALb-0l0QOjAPUt7Y06aYDVb86KoeWEfshE1RPGYIUuSGL_jiDgvMwoH9KS3K9iwDq_TODco6mcf3k54Odzk5B5sRTwoK4i7vsOoik5R5Js7kPoeLjf_M_YS0DO65Ww=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I saw it one weekend but thought it was far to spenny, then spent the following week agonising over whether it would still be there if I managed to go back again the next weekend. Thankfully it was; even though we had to queue to enter the op shop because of Covid social distancing rules, I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers a second time. It seemed to suit this one, another which I spotted as soon as I was set free to prowl about the op shops after lockdown. </p><p><br /></p><p>Also I found this charming little dish, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGtD2gcqkMH0L_Nxmz3S6jqBykxj2jUbsvjO6J3I39HwU6CRI3Xfr5r2mOckVZtK_UBSb-a5tcfycCjRdx0n_U4hSDYM4K6fSoF5NSS5am2ANGEDMao-L7kLj-ara8sETidbznNPgeQcxkjm-VWBwB0p1ulvRB_eaD5jxDwxwhMx7idXA5k8UfAsPAzA=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGtD2gcqkMH0L_Nxmz3S6jqBykxj2jUbsvjO6J3I39HwU6CRI3Xfr5r2mOckVZtK_UBSb-a5tcfycCjRdx0n_U4hSDYM4K6fSoF5NSS5am2ANGEDMao-L7kLj-ara8sETidbznNPgeQcxkjm-VWBwB0p1ulvRB_eaD5jxDwxwhMx7idXA5k8UfAsPAzA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>very similar to another one I bought a long time ago. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7xRbsorSZCSNVI8S0BJr1Xy_GQg0YqL0JRsWdWODh1MJCPLiMUflvcbuYHrPCe2kACMbdL4bmbZ-h3WCqmrGa_tUOM6TRIxa7vlQqd94OWIZ9lQ30Mf26ziqS5ThR0aasZR3rVz1B5wQaSvszmrcqKyCWlSER7asMGEVnkdTJGmufPlBPs-wH-w5yqA=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7xRbsorSZCSNVI8S0BJr1Xy_GQg0YqL0JRsWdWODh1MJCPLiMUflvcbuYHrPCe2kACMbdL4bmbZ-h3WCqmrGa_tUOM6TRIxa7vlQqd94OWIZ9lQ30Mf26ziqS5ThR0aasZR3rVz1B5wQaSvszmrcqKyCWlSER7asMGEVnkdTJGmufPlBPs-wH-w5yqA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I figured it was by the same maker, but when I put the two together it turns out that though similar, they are not the same birds, and are not by the same makers. Then this morning while at another op shop I found this beautiful print of a thrush, which I was so excited by. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDV7Uk4Go_zaj7D9BA-EYfKhO6LLpexAGiOk6g3GahAL5XAY8FUEBxDhwo4XxL5JsutgURlnMZw4GYJnqqLMIqHnxNK7f-jiHTj9eqH4_ZwQHPOKc_Gs0cqbKbNjhjU_vleeWHMgsvnwDzpZDOBmGLWJ9E1Jq53YpqZzYjQ_qgUwX-kWcgrLGHdzM63A=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDV7Uk4Go_zaj7D9BA-EYfKhO6LLpexAGiOk6g3GahAL5XAY8FUEBxDhwo4XxL5JsutgURlnMZw4GYJnqqLMIqHnxNK7f-jiHTj9eqH4_ZwQHPOKc_Gs0cqbKbNjhjU_vleeWHMgsvnwDzpZDOBmGLWJ9E1Jq53YpqZzYjQ_qgUwX-kWcgrLGHdzM63A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>And a souvenir little dish (probably an ashtray, I'm thinking) of heavenly Marine Parade in Napier, the scene of so many of our Art Deco festivals. (We have booked to attend in February 2022 but it seems as though it may be cancelled again, so sad.). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrdUvRbqSIVbAAULbqfoNCy_m2GgXtKNg6QfgvOmoDMpcHa7IZO4yMDI6ksIRxVAcbd-ikZXgHVLLvQNFeSq-BceJTzJU2F75VKxS0gD6VcrAieGqEVvLJnZX186TvoaA9wXQv247dlZc-SqOZXFaL9e3RpLzvRh-_0J_muO1AVXqTALGDxVxwKkHnog=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrdUvRbqSIVbAAULbqfoNCy_m2GgXtKNg6QfgvOmoDMpcHa7IZO4yMDI6ksIRxVAcbd-ikZXgHVLLvQNFeSq-BceJTzJU2F75VKxS0gD6VcrAieGqEVvLJnZX186TvoaA9wXQv247dlZc-SqOZXFaL9e3RpLzvRh-_0J_muO1AVXqTALGDxVxwKkHnog=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Our best op shop find after we were allowed "out" again was this shelving unit for the apartment, Mr Shoestring spotted it and refurbished it by repainting the metal parts and oiling the wooden planks. It is ideal for the apartment because the shelves are narrow, and don't take up too much space. $35 well spent, for sure. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg8-8jxHpRTwo_NYNP5sYbWoeWARGTbi7eOqbfis4vVSwh80Sayxk7tenrGzQArWxhEHUqCv5RXbm06_gTZdI-SZekKpLyjG6wQuRfwr9LZDT_Y15n7nZIw0KPTxeBxHPEEQvcnZHjiGUAuaFOMJc268ROhS5MkC9_4DbdtfBYwCNBdDB5DOayve441g=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg8-8jxHpRTwo_NYNP5sYbWoeWARGTbi7eOqbfis4vVSwh80Sayxk7tenrGzQArWxhEHUqCv5RXbm06_gTZdI-SZekKpLyjG6wQuRfwr9LZDT_Y15n7nZIw0KPTxeBxHPEEQvcnZHjiGUAuaFOMJc268ROhS5MkC9_4DbdtfBYwCNBdDB5DOayve441g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Whenever I go to an art gallery, garden or museum, or visit a new city or even country (looks like that will not be happening again, so pleased that we made the most of our chances), I am ashamed to say that I am just a sucker for the merch. Never mind the pictures, take me to the souvenir shop. I'm a cultural desert really, masquerading as an interested observer of culture. I had collected quite a few souvenir tea towels on our travels which I was too frightened to use. (Mr Shoestring and I have ongoing battles over how tea towels should be used; he seems to feel that they are best employed in the most messy, oily and stain-producing ventures.). Once we got to the cottage this weekend I decided to make some of them into cushions and I am so pleased with the way they have turned out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHfr4cD40ZD9TukKJSdutjYHq8uPdQx34lQWtD4oHuD7StMtnZMgnnoS-Z81MRedV03s4C47tO4hItTE2cPEUp-na3yQF2AXy6nEvG-4UHSsAdWyUM0NQI8hyvKnB_O77OZEHQ38ZjKgt93QY7yHH8nLpWIeOaRdPiaZode3TGLbCjuN43ivFf3g1tjw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHfr4cD40ZD9TukKJSdutjYHq8uPdQx34lQWtD4oHuD7StMtnZMgnnoS-Z81MRedV03s4C47tO4hItTE2cPEUp-na3yQF2AXy6nEvG-4UHSsAdWyUM0NQI8hyvKnB_O77OZEHQ38ZjKgt93QY7yHH8nLpWIeOaRdPiaZode3TGLbCjuN43ivFf3g1tjw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF389lQdds7TQtZLaFYWCuJcJW-OdnYesHk0vNTyAJce5l4c-04ac92RlWrzg4qnitSRFMs3WDT2Im6THpfcEbWiRUg1baNVrhPU03u66b1Mhrn_eY6XHDKLvjIJA2D2zJbmn5Z95KaohXSUxhwpzrNGbPNvNrKi1TyVoc7Ha_oVDZoByMdh7x_kDJ8A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF389lQdds7TQtZLaFYWCuJcJW-OdnYesHk0vNTyAJce5l4c-04ac92RlWrzg4qnitSRFMs3WDT2Im6THpfcEbWiRUg1baNVrhPU03u66b1Mhrn_eY6XHDKLvjIJA2D2zJbmn5Z95KaohXSUxhwpzrNGbPNvNrKi1TyVoc7Ha_oVDZoByMdh7x_kDJ8A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEoKst5LDOcr9yVz9Hxry_YTzVyXwcWoZ_OSKUnqW1VGZJUMP2HpyxW0b-9u-5FLZ_VHHtCqoWpNQUvF1pWWm3Aap3t01tuRkKCc8AbeD_TXb-Z0jEzABAdiBaeEazJ3_qTv55oSIYfk9MzEd8CVxDQDJnxgcdxgMJkTw51vjQam_6-NoM4EWGaTipfw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEoKst5LDOcr9yVz9Hxry_YTzVyXwcWoZ_OSKUnqW1VGZJUMP2HpyxW0b-9u-5FLZ_VHHtCqoWpNQUvF1pWWm3Aap3t01tuRkKCc8AbeD_TXb-Z0jEzABAdiBaeEazJ3_qTv55oSIYfk9MzEd8CVxDQDJnxgcdxgMJkTw51vjQam_6-NoM4EWGaTipfw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>If you have a similar stash of souvenir tea towels (or if you are lucky enough to have some vintage ones still in pristine condition), it's best to remember to use horizontally oriented ones rather than the vertically oriented pictures, because they make a much more useful cushion. Also, instead of buying expensive feather cushion inserts I've found that you can use older feather pillows - they will go through the washing machine without the spine of the feathers being broken and plump up perfectly as cushion inners. </p><p><br /></p><p> I had left over mattress ticking from the upholstery of furniture which made nice backs for them and I also made a colourful tablecloth for the outside table, using a remnant (from an op shop of course, how did you guess?), which will look so pretty with hydrangeas on it. The colours are a lot more vibrant than they appear here, I'm getting to grips with a new computer and all the associated problems; it's a steep learning curve for a luddite such as myself. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTmoXw_xSNHUlEd47xF74Bkjhl64KzDKD-kYgNfbPzF7n4WU7FcgTom6qxzWCfPRFInLALZDhsFEf78k-juFHwcFOAv_o2j_u1wOtebK2NVt83z2OypoKSYa6CyM1xQoAlP6twYnd1mziHkmj8AZwrdmNbPpj1QvBlnFpetZ7_TPpUmVgkT4RsyIKABQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTmoXw_xSNHUlEd47xF74Bkjhl64KzDKD-kYgNfbPzF7n4WU7FcgTom6qxzWCfPRFInLALZDhsFEf78k-juFHwcFOAv_o2j_u1wOtebK2NVt83z2OypoKSYa6CyM1xQoAlP6twYnd1mziHkmj8AZwrdmNbPpj1QvBlnFpetZ7_TPpUmVgkT4RsyIKABQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP01HwaXMrdjGFJN4cEomknyVYeGstIHB2tpCOStg9nFmRxtNIMyC9CSLClGdKBU2kksC8EfrAPNQpoXDLQENaYvbpAbhCYRhaHBhsYhZXgrDkRT54Pqs0f_CoNJihNyc9wgG6NvVKGcnzxiY9odEiImzo38c9PEw2uYLxIL4Pn0_FfbB3lT7MpEComw=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP01HwaXMrdjGFJN4cEomknyVYeGstIHB2tpCOStg9nFmRxtNIMyC9CSLClGdKBU2kksC8EfrAPNQpoXDLQENaYvbpAbhCYRhaHBhsYhZXgrDkRT54Pqs0f_CoNJihNyc9wgG6NvVKGcnzxiY9odEiImzo38c9PEw2uYLxIL4Pn0_FfbB3lT7MpEComw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I hope that wherever you are, life has been treating you kindly since we last "talked", and that you have a great holiday season and the best New Year ever. These surely have been uncertain times and it's sometimes a struggle to travel one day at a time, looking for all the small pleasures which add up to make our lives full. <div><br /></div><div>PS: And please forgive random, wandering message and poor quality photos and what not, out of touch with communication and coming to grips with a new laptop is a bad combo! XXXOOO<br /><p><br /></p></div>shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-47945105087580299712020-05-24T14:06:00.004+12:002020-05-24T14:06:56.802+12:00The Simple Things That Delight And Charm Us Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUAt4TVre8udaFPVf2IaTvZAMyXVLke1NJOjDLJXdh7RFJ4fcyEvGM2bsm5MFZKfzXaSJc9M661zFHRAvZxhm8t29LxbZv-kd_TqlrusoEwL27vWi7tFFKH_30I6AQgCxoxpVqIbQ_7jY/s1600/Delights33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUAt4TVre8udaFPVf2IaTvZAMyXVLke1NJOjDLJXdh7RFJ4fcyEvGM2bsm5MFZKfzXaSJc9M661zFHRAvZxhm8t29LxbZv-kd_TqlrusoEwL27vWi7tFFKH_30I6AQgCxoxpVqIbQ_7jY/s640/Delights33.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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During that time which we knew as "lockdown", (even though we were not supposed to call it that, because it sounded negative, and we were supposed to use more pleasant descriptions such as "social distancing"), so many things which had previously seemed somewhat ordinary and mundane, such as visiting and entertaining friends, working in the garden (if you were trapped in the city and unable to visit your garden), cooking for those outside your immediate bubble, all assumed suddenly greater significance and became so desirable and so much anticipated.<br />
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One of the greatest pleasures this weekend was being able to have girlfriends around again. I used to fantasise about this while we were in our most strict social distancing phases and so even though friends this weekend were only going to call in briefly (to drop off some fresh fish, imagine the luxury!), I wanted to make it special for us. I baked them a cake, and made sure to serve it on my prettiest (even if unmatched) plates, and then the three of us were able to set the world to rights, even if there was a bit of interrupting and talking over each other because we were slightly overexcited after so long in captivity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFdQN3u7wqzq5VWuUBud9GiGZsomOg9dA4RRSs-G7-8cv1-YEp-eUaRZ3CszgQBptji26S8oKgg5lVNhmS6YDiMd_awZDQiJSny08NhaXqCyyxj1ykimq1IfU4hgcedcifs4mSE5Fj8b9/s1600/Delight3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFdQN3u7wqzq5VWuUBud9GiGZsomOg9dA4RRSs-G7-8cv1-YEp-eUaRZ3CszgQBptji26S8oKgg5lVNhmS6YDiMd_awZDQiJSny08NhaXqCyyxj1ykimq1IfU4hgcedcifs4mSE5Fj8b9/s320/Delight3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now that we have finally been able to relax our restrictions somewhat it has been a joy to return to Shoestring Cottage. One of my dear friends (who must have become confused, and believed that I had a birthday this month), left this beautiful little painting on card for me, near the front door. I love to see bees working in the garden, and I particularly like foxgloves (though they are a noxious pest in parts of the country, I know), so it was perfect to find it when we arrived at Shoestring this week.<br />
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Look at the close up of the bumble bee, to me it seems to have a very purposeful expression on its face. I am going to find a frame and keep this forever, it is so endearing. <br />
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When I went into the garden I was pleased to see that the real bees are also still working feverishly and even to see one in the depths of the gladioli, I should think it must be amazing to be in this colourful environment when you are working. Glowing and golden. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST7JQkMan4B81L8eTQGSx7WPrGGlAzRC-Nzb0UDu2aMzl5YFJAqLdEjUnnuVEUmKn-VNdRXTBT3oRpRN3DE76k9DqMQJhFtpbhXxix77GuBKedHWQuC2fZE3jwGO0jWoH9WV-ko0oTy7L/s1600/Delight7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="756" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST7JQkMan4B81L8eTQGSx7WPrGGlAzRC-Nzb0UDu2aMzl5YFJAqLdEjUnnuVEUmKn-VNdRXTBT3oRpRN3DE76k9DqMQJhFtpbhXxix77GuBKedHWQuC2fZE3jwGO0jWoH9WV-ko0oTy7L/s400/Delight7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To be honest, these gladioli have been a bit of a mistake on my part. I seem to remember that they were heavily reduced at a garden centre, and I felt for them, they were looking a bit moldy and I knew nobody would ever buy them, so I took pity on them and bought them and took them home and planted them. Little did I realise that they would grow to be immensely tall, easily three metres high some of them. And of course I planted them near the part of the garden which I want to be all pink and purple, resulting in some hideous clashes of colour. Mind you, there are also the orange canna lilies nearby (which I just cannot remove, no matter how hard I try), and a purple salvia, and this lemony brugmansia, which never seems to stop flowering, despite officially being a tropical plant. It has been such a long, warm, dry season and surely the rain must come soon. Also the cold, unfortunately. </div>
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I love the way the ends of the flower petals are all curled and waxy and trendrilly before the flower actually opens. </div>
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And then when the flowers do open they are almost translucent, and seem to glow, especially when night is falling. </div>
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Thinking about my friend who gave me the bee and foxglove card, I am full of admiration to people who are artistic, and can paint and draw. Perhaps that is why I collect all those landscapes from the opp shops, I look at them and imagine how important and significant the scenes depicted must have been to the people who painted them. I must admit though that I don't much appreciate it when people or equipment are included in them, and I was forever grateful to my friend who took one of them home and painted out a tractor and some people, who were ruining an otherwise perfectly pleasant painting. <br />
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Thought the skies were grey today there was still such a lot to look at in the garden. I can never go past geranium leaves with their wonderful colours, especially the intensely greeny yellow ones which are my all time favourites. <br />
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But these ones are great too, and they have a lovely pink blossom so that's an added bonus. </div>
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And these ones for the sheer variety of colours included in the leaf. I remember there was a stage (maybe in the 1990s) when designers of tapestry canvases used geranium leaves to great effect and I feel quite nostalgic about that, and would like to attempt one for old time's sake. </div>
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Another surprise this weekend was that (in between cutting things back mercilessly and pruning things to within an inch of their lives), I discovered what I am certain is a grape vine, coming up between the bricks in a path in the garden. I can't think where it came from, unless there was a grape vine in this garden a long time ago and it has suddenly sprung back to life. I don't think it would have grown from a pip, though I have been growing mangoes, avocados and date palms from seeds recently, not to mention a peach or two, andt would be very interesting if it had grown from a seed. Though I think grapes need to be grafted if you are going to get good fruit, so only time will tell. </div>
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Our neighbours have just come to the end of Ramadan and kindly gave us cookies and Turkish delight when they were able to end their fasting period. The Turkish delight is in beautiful shades of rose pink, green and apricot, and so pretty. The apricot coloured pieces were banana flavoured, the green ones mint flavoured, and the pink ones rose flavoured. Mr Shoestring was very pleased, as he adores Turkish delight and doesn't often get the chance to feast upon it. </div>
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This weekend I worked diligently away upon that quilt I'm trying to finish (wretched thing), but it occurs to me that I need a break from this sort of quilt and I have a craving to get back to crazy quilting again. Just looking at this one piece of crazy quilting nearly had me dragging out all the old silk ties and kimono fabrics, but I must be strong and not start anything else. </div>
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And that was my weekend. I hope that wherever you may be, you have been able to find enjoyment in some simple pleasures this week, especially in view of all the changes that we are experiencing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and all its unforeseen consequences. shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-4865975216276989082020-05-17T12:51:00.002+12:002020-05-17T12:51:33.207+12:00Well We Never Saw That Coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been the most extraordinary time over the last few weeks and in New Zealand, as elsewhere, we have been through some huge changes and needed to be adaptable as never before in living memory. It has changed the way we do things and approach things, probably permanently. The COVID-19 pandemic was an event we didn't predict and definitely wouldn't have welcomed, but some good things will hopefully come out of it.<br />
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From my own perspective, I still physically went to work every day and so I wasn't as isolated and badly affected as a lot of my friends and family. As I went out the door in the mornings I would hear Mr Shoestring and The Jackster (last born child), who were both working from home, planning their lunch time feasts, and so it was probably a good thing that I was not present to share in these gastronomic delights. (They usually involved large amounts of fried foods and meats in particular, and I have gained a huge amount of adipose tissue during lockdown anyway, so just as well that I wasn't able to participate.) <br />
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We badly missed coming to Shoestring Cottage. It was forbidden to travel out of the geographical location of our home while "lockdown" was in place, and I am forever grateful to the dear friends who came and watered the garden, fed the fish and looked after my precious indoor plants. Even my seedlings survived, such was their tender and thoughtful care. And things are still flowering, much to our surprise. There are roses blooming and irises flowering their hearts out.<br />
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Now that we are moving into a new kind of "normal" we are looking for the good things which we found during the pandemic. Walking in the centre of the city with no traffic around and smelling the air sweet instead of perfumed with diesel fumes was wonderful, as was hearing bird song and seeing tuis flying around in the town. We did lots of walking and discovered some new parks we hadn't visited before. Having come out the other end it's quite strange to get back to usual socialising but we were so happy to finally be able to catch up with Mr and Mrs Peaceable this weekend after so long in isolation. <br />
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During lockdown when we were confined to our apartment I made great progress on a quilt I must have started about 20 years ago. As usual, it was started to use up leftovers, and over time I must have made so many blocks that there are still a lot left over. It is just needing the last hexagons put around the edges now, and then it will be ready for batting and backing. As per usual, I am heartily sick of the wretched thing now, and once it is finished it will need to be put away for some time, before I can bear to look at it again and find it charming, and be glad I made it after all. <br />
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As per usual, there are favourite fabrics which I will always try to sneak into every quilt I make. Ones with insects<br />
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And birds, of course<br />
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Ones which are left over from the days when I used to make smocked dresses for our little girls, who are now grown women<br />
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Ones which look like chintz crockery of course<br />
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And speaking of which, here are my two most recent chintz acquisitions; a whole set of these, complete with a couple of serving plates, were given to me by that paragon among men, Mr Shoestring, for my birthday. Surely this calls for a cakey kind of party, maybe with pink beverages and flowers everywhere, to celebrate our freedom and release from home detention?<br />
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And my dear mama gave me this beautiful one<br />
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It is hard to think that summer Art Deco Festival in Napier took place in February, that seems like a distant memory and possibly a fantasy now. We are so pleased that we did have the opportunity of attending before COVID-19 turned all our lives upside down. Like many people, we have resolved to spend more of our time and money investigating our own country now to try to alleviate the economic effects we are all bracing for, and looking forward to going back to Napier for a smaller and informal winter Deco festival. It will be a much needed boost for us all, already looking forward to it and planning some costumes. (If I can find anything stretchy enough to accommodate my growth spurt, of course.) <br />
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Before the pandemic struck I had been tweaking this dress to make a summer outfit for next year, and I am really pleased with the result. I used a piece of cream silk crepe de chine from a thrift store and I am liking the look of it. I think I have a good hat and shoes somewhere for this outfit.<br />
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Pleased with the outcome of that one I used the same approach on this dress, with a linen embroidered doyley to create a collar and cuffs, and a nice green buckle to make a belt with.<br />
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We were so grateful to be given this plate rack from a friend of a friend. It was so kind of her to donate this to Shoestrong Cottage and it has freed up space in the cupboards, as well as displaying the pretty crockery to good effect.<br />
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Just before lockdown I went into a kind of frenzy when I saw a couple of sets of pudding bowls and soup bowls complete with serving dishes, at bargain prices. I just could not resist them and I am looking forward to getting them all out for parties again, at last. <br />
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Wherever you are, I hope you are able to see the wood for the trees in these terrible times. Or the birds nests, now that the trees are losing their leaves in this part of the world, and winter is on its way. Take care, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others. XXOOXX<br />
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PS: Our old computer has died and I am still getting used to this new one, so please excuse the quality of photos, it will take me a while to get to grips with things and I know you, dear friends, will make allowances. shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-56808101198414020912019-09-29T18:10:00.003+13:002019-09-29T18:10:31.982+13:00The Exhaustion of SpringThis weekend I had plans, big plans, oh my yes. Apart from a little light planting and mulching (on Friday I had snaffled six large bags of coffee grounds from the delightful baristas at the cafe at work, a record I think and very tricky to get downstairs and home without stretching one's arms), it was going to be indoors and stitching away on an Art Deco dress for next February. February always rolls around a lot faster than I think it's going to but this time I was going to be prepared, oh yes indeed. So, out into the garden bright and early on Saturday morning to plant the lily bulbs kindly donated to me by a dear friend. Then onto the garden with the coffee grounds, first mixed in with compost. But the weeds, the weeds were calling. And the hanging baskets needed replanting. And the front porch was in dire need of sweeping out and then that made me notice that some of the plants there needed attention. On it went, and now the end of the weekend is here and not a single stitch has been put into an Art Deco costume. After Saturday's efforts I predicted to myself that I would be too sore to continue on Sunday but it was fine. Maybe next weekend it will be raining and there will be some enforced indoor time. Whether it is raining or not, I must do better in the sewing room. If I ever recover from my labours this weekend, that is. I feel I need to return to work tomorrow for a well earned rest. I imagine my colleagues would object if I fell asleep and started dribbling into my keyboard, though.<br />
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How lovely it was to be outside. After the bird bath was cleaned out a male blackbird had the most lengthy bath and was a joy to watch. And the spring light was so intense on some of the plants, the sun shining through the holes which must have been bitten into this leaf before it unfurled were casting bright shadows on the rest of the leaf, I had to stop and admire the effect for quite some time. (And stretch out my back.)<br />
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The dark purple tulips were most obliging and blossoming their hearts out. They are so velvety and the colour is so deep and rich, it does make a person wonder at the huge variety in the natural world. </div>
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And all the while I was observed closely by a disapproving rabbit, who was deeply suspicious of my actions in his patch.</div>
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We had had a very eventful time before even arriving at Shoestring Cottage. Only about three weeks ago my little Figaro car broke down on the way to the cottage, and my sister (who is a rock and the most helpful and uncomplaining sister a body could ever desire) towed us all the way to her house. The problem was detected the next day by Mr Shoestring (yes, being an amateur is another one of his many and varied talents), and we were on the road again. Then the same thing happened this week, and my poor sister had to turn out in the cold and dark and tow us once again. This time I noticed that she had bought a new tow rope and torch, that is how well organised she is. Anyway, she must have felt sorry for me, because she insisted on giving me my Christmas present early and I have been using it already this weekend. A lovely cup, saucer, side plate and dinner plate with violets painted on it. Perfection!</div>
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While I was using it this weekend I was musing about the fact that we love to collect things for our loved ones, once we know their tastes and likes. Some people have very definite and predictable tastes and I am one of them, so I suppose I am easy to buy for. My sister has been presenting me with violet china for probably about 40 years now, and I never can get enough. She on the other hand, has a fondness for hand painted china with misty roses on it, and whenever I find a piece I know immediately that it would be perfect for her. And my daughter only had to tell me that she had bought a pretty ceramic swan vase in an op shop in London to start me on the hunt for pieces for her. I now have quite a selection for when she comes "home" again. </div>
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And since the thrill of the chase is part of the fun (in fact a large part of the fun) when we are scrounging around in markets, op shops and second hand shops, the more people you have to look out for, the better. Even if you don't find anything which thrills you to the core on your outing, to come home with a treasure for one of your dearest friends or relations is just as good, sometimes even better. </div>
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Next time I hope to have some news about a fabulously successful Art Deco sewing session. It's always good to have something to work towards, anyway. </div>
shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-22227944642251013912019-09-22T14:44:00.000+12:002019-09-22T14:58:42.741+12:00Roll On Sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At last some sunny days in the garden, and a chance to get out there with the bees and rattle some weeds, give them a fright even if not mortally wound them. Today I spent some happy time putting bags of coffee grounds and compost onto the earth's surface, and watching the worms writhing about. I like to think they are in a feverish state of excitement at the prospect of being released from the dark coffee ground bags, but maybe it's just the sudden exposure to light and sunshine after having spent their entire lives in the cool dark coffee grounds which makes them respond so. (And how they get into the bags in the first place, when they are tied tightly closed, is always a mystery to me as well. Nowt so clever as these lowly creatures which we like to think have very little in the way of intelligence.)<br />
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Early spring time is associated in my mind with intense yellow greens, such as the new growth on oak trees, and these oxalis leaves (this is an ornamental oxalis and not the noxious weed, but just to be on the safe side I'm confining it to pots. It has lovely bright pink blossoms, another shade associated with early spring in my mind. </div>
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Things in the pink and purple themed garden, though not strictly sticking to their colour scheme, are cooperating very nicely with me at present. The pelargoniums are always the most obliging and will happily take off from a little piece stuck into the earth, and reward by blooming their hearts out.<br />
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I usually resist the urge to buy tulip bulbs, because of the way they need lifting and care if they are going to bloom again next season, but this season I gave in and bought these outlandish frilled pink ones, which I am really pleased with. Also some which are such a deep purple as to be almost black, very exotic and worth spending a bit of loose change on. </div>
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I had to have a few ranunculus and the pure white colour of these ones combined with the startling yellow of the central sepals always makes me pause for closer inspection. </div>
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As well as the hundreds of blue bluebells, the pink shaded ones are clumping up nicely with time and multiplying every bit as keenly as the blue, which is something of a surprise as the "original" variety usually seems to be the most vigorous form. </div>
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The tulips seem to be emerging and blooming at varied rates, which is good because it extends the season of enjoyment. This pot is still getting ready to flower and some are almost past their best already.</div>
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Indoors things are looking rather sad and dusty because the urge to be outdoors has been too strong to resist. Two things which are very happiness-making though are the charming tea cosy I managed to enviegle out of my dear sister. Sitting there and admiring it so fulsomely must have been the magic which made her part with it. I love the way it is lined with silk, and both sides are embroidered rather than just one. And it has the most cunning little chimney which is also cross stitched, and attached after the rest of the cottage was put together. What a special adornment for the teapot, I'm afraid my old cosy has been tossed aside and disregarded altogether. </div>
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And here you can see that the front and back of the cost are different from one another too, how wonderful is that?</div>
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The other thing which has received attention indoors is the jewellery box Mr Shoestring kindly gave me as a birthday gift. It is in perfect condition and now houses my art deco weekend "jewels" (mostly from the op shop, but I'm not fussy). </div>
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It is cunningly contrived with four different layers and the individual layers open out so that different pieces can be stored on different levels, what a clever innovation. It has only taken me five years or so to actually put my treasures in there, but these things take time. </div>
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The other thing which has been pleasing at the cottage lately is this tiny little manicure set in a bakelite case, the most perfect shade of art deco green of course. As a person whose hands are usually somewhat affected by the rigours of the garden and who isn't particular as to her manicure, this is something I should make more use of but I am content to just look at it and admire it. Like the jewellery box, it is very cleverly contrived with its hinged lid and little slots inside for the four tiny manicure tools to fit into. Admirable. </div>
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No matter whether it is your spring, summer, autumn or winter, I hope you are taking time to do some of the things which thrill you and make the days more enjoyable. I have been working away on a quilt I'm trying to finish, and I suddenly realised I was working on the very same one exactly a year ago with the same aim. And that I started it about 15 years ago. It's about the journey, not the destination. Just as well! </div>
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shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-1974244216120668052019-06-03T14:56:00.002+12:002019-06-03T14:56:34.668+12:00Winter Time - It Had To Happen I SupposeWe have had such a long warm summer and autumn that it's hard not to feel aggrieved that winter has arrived with a vengeance. At Shoestring Cottage this morning the bird bath was frozen solid and it was a pretty miserable start to the day. But the frosty start always means a beautiful sunny day afterwards, fortunately. <br />
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This weekend was a long weekend (Queen's Birthday, even though her actual birthday is in April, go figure) and we were very pleased to see that every single op shop in town was open, a rare occurrence indeed. What a lot of treasures we found. This very softly coloured water colour will look pretty in the bathroom beside a slightly similar one I bought a couple of years ago. The frame was so dirty that it took a while to clean it up, but it's in place now and looking much better for a bit of a polish. <br />
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And this very curiously shaped old tin will be just the thing for putting a stitching project into, for travelling. (I don't actually stitch while driving, you will be pleased to know, only when a passenger. Once when in an embroidery shop I overheard a customer enthusing over how much a person could get done while at the traffic lights and idly wondered how many cycles of lights she had stitched through in her time, no doubt to the frustration and annoyance of other motorists.) I was somewhat perplexed to see that the view of Auckland was on the back of the tin, while the view of Wellington was on the front, a grave error in my opinion, being an Aucklander born and bred. Though I know The Dancing Queen, who comes from Wellington, would beg to differ, saying that Wellington is The Riviera Of The South.)</div>
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This pretty bird cushion (why am I so partial to anything bird themed I cannot fathom, but it seems to be an enduring passion) will be just the thing for the outdoor furniture next spring, which can't be that far off now, surely. </div>
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There were several large plates which will look great on the pink wall. Actually we have accumulated a collection of them, waiting to be hung, but we need scaffolding to put them up, having reached so high up the wall already. </div>
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This embroidery is on a perfect tablecloth, and it has the most pretty hand tatted edging. I was going to cut it up for one of my crazy quilts, but I can't bring myself to do it since it is in perfect condition. It will be useful for the dining table instead. I am a person who actually rather enjoys ironing and laundering these linens, even the damask table napkins. so it won't be a hardship. </div>
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I particularly liked this one. I was hoping to find other "days of the week" to complete the set, but had to be content with Church On Sunday. </div>
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These three are to be used as hand towels and I have sewn tags onto each of them so they can easily hang on a hook. I am embarrassed to admit that I was deconstructing silk ties for a crazy quilt and used the little loops off the back as tags for the the hand towels. In coordinating shades, naturally. Getting just a bit too particular, perhaps. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNB6n6vG5mVRR1MYrv94WLfgSAFgPHDpzDdMjd_Z1muLGLZULb5yNylyw94o0bixHWWCmNezCqKuWaZ6usCtrepNg6iuQUX_2SX3gnzfWjyQaCXv3mR750_4dB9j0O8d7rmGU7NP4blYb/s1600/Winter12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNB6n6vG5mVRR1MYrv94WLfgSAFgPHDpzDdMjd_Z1muLGLZULb5yNylyw94o0bixHWWCmNezCqKuWaZ6usCtrepNg6iuQUX_2SX3gnzfWjyQaCXv3mR750_4dB9j0O8d7rmGU7NP4blYb/s320/Winter12.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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These artist easel earrings are "clip ons", which I cannot understand anybody ever having worn. I have tried once or twice and after about half an hour end up with ear lobes painfully throbbing and a powerful headache as well. Luckily for me, Mr Shoestring is a dab hand at converting clip ons to pierced ear variety and is very obliging about doing so. I think these would look just the thing at Art Deco weekend for a person who had artistic pretensions, and wore long strings of jet beads and clattering carnelian bracelets, just the sort of individual I plan on being one day next summer in Napier. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZBZITb845aY5AcDmr_VHFX-sXTtM3Q5ZUdlCNfj0AAkkdqE8CdHWNN2fTSoQ1bIoYte41YR8gW4ETzG3af91ZCEZYkiFfMix9EryhFz31t89Car0ZGxrchntCknpC8YVXB_2BkZsPt47/s1600/Winter23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="432" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZBZITb845aY5AcDmr_VHFX-sXTtM3Q5ZUdlCNfj0AAkkdqE8CdHWNN2fTSoQ1bIoYte41YR8gW4ETzG3af91ZCEZYkiFfMix9EryhFz31t89Car0ZGxrchntCknpC8YVXB_2BkZsPt47/s320/Winter23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Things in the garden are looking surprisingly cheerful. Even a few roses blooming, and the pansies are putting on a show. <br />
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In a fit of impatience or optimism I put some sweet pea seeds in a while ago and I'm very surprised to see that they seem to be coping with the colder weather very well, having germinated well and now scrambling up their trellis already. Maybe in future I will rely on autumn plantings of them, since they (so far) don't object. </div>
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The most gratifying thing this week though was that Madame Canuck, who is becoming quite the talented painter, offered a while ago to "paint out" the people and tractor on an op shop painting I had bought. I had always detested the tractor and people gathering up stooks, and went so far as to put a picnic hamper in front of that part of the painting, so as to conceal that part of it. When Madame Canuck took the painting away I didn't dwell on the possibility of a priceless work of art being desecrated, having supreme confidence in her abilities, but I was absolutely thrilled when she returned the painting this weekend. No trace of humans or machinery, and she had also converted the foreground into a waterway, and put in some trees for good measure. The whole thing looked so much better, I was very grateful and full of admiration. </div>
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shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-69122578137741057332019-05-05T14:03:00.001+12:002019-05-05T14:03:13.082+12:00You Can't Always Get What You Want<br />
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And still the weather continues to be beautifully warm and sunny, even though we are into the last "official" month of Autumn now. The cloudscapes behind our beautiful mountain, Te Aroha, have been spectacular and it's tempting to just sit in a comfortable chair and watch them change, some days.</div>
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I started off the weekend at Shoestring Cottage with such good intentions but somehow things conspired against me. A nasty little mouse had found its way inside and within an astonishingly short space of time the kitchen drawer with all my pretty teatowels and tablecloths needed a complete overhaul. What a long time it took to wash and dry and press everything, when my eye was wistfully travelling to the sewing room where I would much rather be, where all my pretty treasures were close to hand and looking so tempting.</div>
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And then my favourite plate broke. (To be honest, this was all my own doing because I left it close to the edge of the kitchen bench and it hurled itself off in protest, smashing into many small pieces.) So I was not feeling my sparkling best, it has to be admitted.</div>
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Eventually I did make it into the sewing room though. This week it seemed particularly difficult to lay my hand on anything useful though. For instance, quick unpicks. Where do they all to go? I can never find one when I need one when I do find one, it seemed to vanish again within a space of minutes. I need to purchase them in multiples rather than singly. And tape measure, don't get me started about them. I found four of them in various parts of the sewing room (while looking for other things) and though I hung them immediately on the special tape measure peg, they no doubt have crept away by now and secreted themselves among the mounds of doyleys and bits of wool blanket and silk ties which I can somehow never keep in an orderly fashion. But success was finally mine. I had been struggling to finish a little cross stitch on natural coloured linen and eventually had to go and buy more thread, because I had lost the original skein although I had many other shades of red.</div>
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Now that it is finished, I'm very pleased with it. I used up small pieces of pink fabric left over from other projects to frame it with, top and bottom. And a bit of left over chintz from a quilt for the sides, some natural linen also left over from something else, to back it with. And of course I still have a lot of red hexagons left over from the "Big Red" quilt, so there will be more cross stitching to follow, I'm sure.</div>
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The other thing I was determined to press on with this weekend was the quilt I have been meaning to make for the darling grandbaby. This weekend I got some more rows put onto it and it seems to have become a bit easier, for some reason.</div>
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Looking at the fabrics I still have left to use, I can see there seems to be a strong emphasis on chickens, which is my own fancy. My little grandson would much prefer diggers and trucks, so I may have to make some additions. I am not the most exact machine piecer and there are a few stars which aren't, ahem, 100% perfect. I think I might have to do a bit of careful unpicking in one place, it just is a bit too wonky to ignore. But that will have to wait for another time, when I am feeling strong and my mind isn't focusing on rodents and broken plates.</div>
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Outside it's still very pleasant to be scratching around in the earth. <br />
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The geraniums are still in bloom, what obliging and cheerful things they are. </div>
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The bees are loving this camellia. And also the birds have been paying a lot of visits to it, I think they are perhaps eating the nectar. It has a beautiful perfume, much to my surprise, and I hope that some of the seedling camellias I have will turn out to be from this plant. </div>
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And this, which I was going to remove because it doesn't fit in with my new pink and purple theme, has been so prolific and still blossoming that I feel I need to let it stay. The mango seed I was trying to raise seems to have succumbed finally and though its little shoot is still green, no leaves are forming. This has meant that Mr Shoestring has had to manfully eat his way through three more mangoes so that I can have more stones to try to propagate, but he has been very obliging about it. </div>
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<br />shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-23729145324284576672019-04-28T16:44:00.002+12:002019-04-28T16:44:21.121+12:00DeconstructionRecently Mr Shoestring and I had a mini holiday. It so happened that with various holidays including Easter Friday, Easter Monday and ANZAC Day, a forward thinking individual could apply for three days' leave and obtain 10 whole days off work! We are usually a bit slow off the mark and fail to notice in time, but this year we got in our leave applications and so have been congratulating ourselves for being clever. <br />
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The weather has been great for the time of year and we have had some wonderful times, including going for a flight in a seaplane, which has been a dream of mine for a few years. We saw our city on a most beautiful day and the knowledgeable pilot told us all sorts of interesting facts and figures about De Haviland seaplanes and their history. I had pictured the seaplane as being somewhat akin to one of those huge old romantic Catalinas and was a bit startled to see our craft bobbing along on the surface of the harbour, looking a bit like a dragonfly. When on the water the seaplane has to obey the rules of the sea, and then once in the air it must obey the rules of the sky and it was strange to be driving along over the water's surface as though we were in a car. But a wonderful experience and something I will always remember fondly. <br />
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Of course with all that leave we had to make the most of our chances to visit opportunity shops and we have had some wonderful finds. The latest art work to join my collection of priceless treasures is this oil painting, which set me back $5. (I love the way different people put different values on these paintings. Some opp shops try to fleece you for hundreds of dollars for an indifferent daub, while in other shops the assistants apologetically suggest, "Say, $5?" in a very hesitant tone as though expecting you will laugh out loud and tell them they are trying to rob innocent member of the public.) The thing I love most about these paintings is that somebody has gone to all the trouble and effort to paint something which presumably is very important and affecting to them. It seems sad that they or their family end up tossing them out for charity stores. <br />
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We also found a few hats to remodel and my sister, who has really taken up the cause for me in searching for all things royal, gave me these two wonderful tin plates to go in the picnic hamper she donated formerly. <br />
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(HRH The Queen seems to have a strangely disapproving expression, for some reason.)<br />
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The Duke of Edinburgh is remarkably pleased with himself, on the other hand. He may have some secret joke he is sharing with himself and himself alone. </div>
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When she handed them over my sister remarked that the Queen had some dribbles down her and that she had refrained from trying to remove them, and would leave it to me in case the plate was damaged beyond repair. Which was a bit naughty of her, since the marks would not wash off and I couldn't resist having a little pick at them, thus taking off a couple of patches of paint. Mr Shoestring tut tutted at me and he seems to think he will be able to clean them with car polish, but I'm not so sure and I'm a bit worried I may end up with two silver coloured discs. Never mind, we can only hope for the best. My sister also gave me another medal to commemorate the royal visit in 1954, and when I reminded her she had already given me one she remarked kindly that I have two now, one for each bosom. By a strange coincidence, on my op shopping rounds I had come across a set of six napkin rings commemorating the birth of Prince Harry in 1984 which I felt compelled to add to my collection. I must say that I was somewhat perplexed as to why anybody would feel the need to have six identical napkin rings, even if they did commemorate the birth of Prince Harry. Did they have whole sets for each notable person they admired? They made a pretty and much more highly polished addition to my napkin ring collection, anyway.<br />
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Now, when we set forth on our next picnic we can take our napkin rings as well as our medals (I could be generous and let Mr Shoestring wear one on his bosom, rather than wearing two myself) and tin plates. As long as there is no squabbling over who get to use the plate with the Queen, of course. And my sister thoughtfully packed the hamper with pewter goblets, so as to avoid the possibility of breakages. <br />
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We had a very interesting discussion about gardening, my sister and I. I showed her the mango seed I have been trying to grow into a houseplant and explained how I despaired of its survival, as it seems to have succumbed to some kind of die back because of being too damp and cool while it was germinating. I also pressed on to her a mandevillea seedling which I have been nurturing, and as she left with a tummy full of soup thrown together from leftovers, (but made delicious with the addition of about half a kilo of Parmesan cheese), she pointed out that the puffball fungus growing on the front lawn was supposedly edible. When I tried to give it to her so that she could eat it, she demurred and declared that she would not eat it, but would take it home to her garden so that the spores could spread and next year she would have a bumper crop. I wondered if perhaps she was not quite so sure of its edible nature as she declared herself to be.<br />
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The other thing which has been occupying a lot of my time has been trying to use up bits and pieces left over from other projects, such as making a "book" for my needles and other crazy quilting supplies, from a block which was lost when I finished my last quilt.<br />
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Complete with colour coordinated pins!</div>
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Mind you, there are still three more to use up and I can't really think of a purpose for them as yet. And quite a few blocks left over from a red themed quilt which I'm going to pad out with some cross stitch and other patchwork bits and pieces, to make pillows. Sometimes it can get very tiresome, trying to use up every last bit.<br />
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Thinking about all the chaos in my crazy quilting bag, where the bits of cotton, silk and ribbon all seem to wrap themselves into a hideous ball which it is impossible to untangle, I got out my trusty glue pen and made a whole lot of thread winders which are so pretty.<br />
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Then things got a bit out of hand and I kept on trying to coordinate the threads to the colour of the thread winder they were going to be wrapped around. Just a bit too much organisation. A person could end up spending all their time on the arranging of their materials and never have a moment to spare for the actual stitching, at the rate I was working. <br />
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This book, which is designed for children of approximately 15 years old, was the most wonderful treasure I found this week. (Apart from the oil painting and maybe one or two other things which were on an equal footing, the napkin rings for instance.) It is very clear and practical and explains all kinds of complex (to my mind, anyway) techniques such as French seams and bound buttonholes, in a way which is easy to understand. Plus which, it also finally gives me an idea of how to wash my kid gloves without them turning into tortured and shrivelled, stiffened objects which resemble the corpses of small animals. A winner all round!<br />
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As a reward for all this good behaviour I allowed myself to deconstruct some of the kimonos I want to use for art deco dresses. When you first look at a kimono you feel you are going to be spoilt for choice, as there seems to be a huge amount of fabric in each one. This breaks down into the "outer" shell, which is the most sumptuous fabric with a gorgeous pattern woven into it or printed onto it. Then there is a complementing plain coloured silk for some of the lining, and the third piece which is usually plain cream silk. Once you start to carefully unpick the kimono though, it becomes evident just how beautifully made they all are. They seem to be hand stitched with a sort of small running stitch, using silk thread. The attention to detail is beautiful and each piece of silk is woven on a loom which is only 14 inches (35.5cm) wide. If you want to be careful not to damage the fabric, and to retain as much as possible for using, it becomes a very laborious and time consuming process, and because of the width of the silk it is not useful for anything needing large pieces of fabric, for instance bias cut dresses, but all the same it is well worth taking the pieces all apart to reuse. Maybe. <br />
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In the pretty china department I was thrilled when these darling little salt and peppers were still in the op shop I revisited, having passed them over last time as being a bit costly. When I returned the lady behind the counter said, "$4 each that must be a mistake!" At which point my heart sank, but then she exclaimed, "It must mean $4 for the pair." I hastily paid and dashed out before she could change her mind. </div>
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And my collection of mismatched crockery for dining is pretty much complete now. Well, more than complete really, I could host a banquet. In fact, I must stop. This is probably my favourite plate and I try to use it whenever we are having a meal, so it has risen to the top of the pile and there it will stay until the day I break it. </div>
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And here's wishing you many happy feasts with your loved ones, and success in finding whatever treasure you seek. </div>
shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-12047488275316509882019-02-24T17:02:00.004+13:002019-02-24T17:19:19.746+13:00Perfectly Unmatched<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL-U3d6Xl9N0Y4JtWTbLg-SlZos0RjL02ioHlMzxeVQ4BreX1lQp4N7yLRxIEcZgP2X9k3vrEanktrnf9NydyQhruwHcPO-XUc7DQy0P-JeF6QPChbAv9NB0vhrxCe9HTzet_6q-ERDWI/s1600/PU13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL-U3d6Xl9N0Y4JtWTbLg-SlZos0RjL02ioHlMzxeVQ4BreX1lQp4N7yLRxIEcZgP2X9k3vrEanktrnf9NydyQhruwHcPO-XUc7DQy0P-JeF6QPChbAv9NB0vhrxCe9HTzet_6q-ERDWI/s400/PU13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDURu2W_MCgtBwKxQPgW83YUqGYl0Fl95yxuATEfr8iv1e0aozTqHOuHWD0avPcMG5t4lOUdeK4DbYyqy8JD7whxdoOtG2vWNUKDnTf1k2EEbzSj5BcrKYx6Wa0KUx7W8wi9XP8O-QfPzh/s1600/PU14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="448" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDURu2W_MCgtBwKxQPgW83YUqGYl0Fl95yxuATEfr8iv1e0aozTqHOuHWD0avPcMG5t4lOUdeK4DbYyqy8JD7whxdoOtG2vWNUKDnTf1k2EEbzSj5BcrKYx6Wa0KUx7W8wi9XP8O-QfPzh/s400/PU14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXT0MMulel9fSBj8Kn6DJiEwNhufHqVoSGaAyBBFxUZd-ll3Au4ld1DjPK_fQuWZFuRJRbWAtIox31GcCRa15lHc3f8JnhnYdBWS4sA8MwIhWJOAnnLT-2TWvh-KIvGfucX7DIxzfG7W0E/s1600/PU10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXT0MMulel9fSBj8Kn6DJiEwNhufHqVoSGaAyBBFxUZd-ll3Au4ld1DjPK_fQuWZFuRJRbWAtIox31GcCRa15lHc3f8JnhnYdBWS4sA8MwIhWJOAnnLT-2TWvh-KIvGfucX7DIxzfG7W0E/s640/PU10.jpg" width="499" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC3cSQUpg9rUAgPkIAdRs_cAuGrHi5b6UBR07nzizjd6RnyyT0GfzmtdPLX4qXCZuqlhRbiKAXQeHwYWfTMAnF8x_n_-y_YCWcd3q6L73ii8W-KoIaRdGAMiltKSESQwyjUIC-xJu6_pm/s1600/PU11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="448" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC3cSQUpg9rUAgPkIAdRs_cAuGrHi5b6UBR07nzizjd6RnyyT0GfzmtdPLX4qXCZuqlhRbiKAXQeHwYWfTMAnF8x_n_-y_YCWcd3q6L73ii8W-KoIaRdGAMiltKSESQwyjUIC-xJu6_pm/s400/PU11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hello! I'm very happy to be able to say I have returned to the blogosphere after a long absence, during which time computer woes kept me from "speaking". Finally things are sorted (fingers crossed) and I can return. Just an advance warning that this will be a very picture heavy post though.<br />
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This week we came back from another marvellous Art Deco Weekend in Napier, and of course yet again I must declare that it was the best ever. We met some very interesting new friends and had a wonderful break, and declared that next year there will be more advance attention paid to the creation of new costumes so as not to leave things to the last minute and/or have nothing new to wear. Actually we were very good in our prepping this time, and didn't leave packing to the last minute, which was very helpful as it prevented Mr Shoestring and me from crashing into one another and cursing under our breath as we tried to locate all our choicest bits and pieces. Or in Mr Shoestring's case, his favourite hats and ties, which always seem to go missing somehow. (He is also known as Captain Peacock by his nearest and dearest friends. You get the picture.) In the last year we have been to a wonderful millinery course with The Dancing Queen and now feel inspired to make our own headware, but needless to say we have not actually made anything yet. We are much more confident about steaming hats back into shape after the inevitable ravages of travel though. Mr Shoestring in particular is a master of the art and made the hats I took appear as new. This year we only took what we actually needed, so we weren't so laden down with unnecessary things and it was a much better approach. The Southern Belles had an inspiring array of new costumes and some wonderful suggestions about things to try as far as creating dresses and accessories for next year. They had a nautical theme for their beach pyjamas and even had the cutest little motifs such as anchors on their sailor tops and had made rafia handbags! Mrs Raglan was sporting a very fetching new beach pyjama ensemble also, in rusty shades, complete with matching orange headscarf tied on the side.<br />
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I think I have already posted photos of the last quilt I was trying to finish and I'm happy to say it is just needing to be tied now. Here is a part of it, in all its cheerfully coloured glory.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-C7YbhZwA3a5os8p8idboNb-iPDbn1taNnxlBN6BNlcNlFOr_EjTLoMhNYNe2mPPc1kOSZ-lYS7zYRg8PnZeZ_E3WFJ1XVdzb4Bj6xh_kSvJK4krFaqI00HKY4h-Fx9X4fgtUURbYp7u/s1600/PU40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-C7YbhZwA3a5os8p8idboNb-iPDbn1taNnxlBN6BNlcNlFOr_EjTLoMhNYNe2mPPc1kOSZ-lYS7zYRg8PnZeZ_E3WFJ1XVdzb4Bj6xh_kSvJK4krFaqI00HKY4h-Fx9X4fgtUURbYp7u/s640/PU40.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
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Since there are so many other projects on the go and limited years left in my lifespan to complete them all I've decided not to quilt it heavily but just to tie it to prevent the batting from shifting about. The little teacups in the centre of the medallions were the inspiration for the quilt and because the fabric also had a border print I eventually used this as a border for the quilt rather than waste it. Of course I had not enough fabric to use just one of the two borders, so it has pink roses at the top and bottom,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6gXPZLgpBOWbGOmCAQfTiTZnOsGuH8EgXEupu3e2oziKddsoWzrVvQ637Pb9m1_93Q7uuqTkmBn5lGxpefKXTK10m7VX1kZfSKcbFylPs3WdUKnHbpbo1syaJ7DgmD-bW-c-vQDW7lpN/s1600/PU30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="448" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6gXPZLgpBOWbGOmCAQfTiTZnOsGuH8EgXEupu3e2oziKddsoWzrVvQ637Pb9m1_93Q7uuqTkmBn5lGxpefKXTK10m7VX1kZfSKcbFylPs3WdUKnHbpbo1syaJ7DgmD-bW-c-vQDW7lpN/s320/PU30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and yellow at the side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcr0rssugVNfKTeR0yNAw9WuRFeqi9_TIB_p2qZTN_nwCAc35A4mTfi3HYRV7pA48lu7reF0GQVKsKTh_956UbHmWoNqQP6IiUlE3-cJfk4W0ZdhAA2ztcQcAAbRoERBZ72PGo8zGYRUU/s1600/PU29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="448" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcr0rssugVNfKTeR0yNAw9WuRFeqi9_TIB_p2qZTN_nwCAc35A4mTfi3HYRV7pA48lu7reF0GQVKsKTh_956UbHmWoNqQP6IiUlE3-cJfk4W0ZdhAA2ztcQcAAbRoERBZ72PGo8zGYRUU/s320/PU29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also I didn't have quite enough turn under to go all the way around and make a border at the back, so I had to create extra medallions on the black chintz background to go in the four corners at the back. I never go out and purchase an exact amount of fabric with a quilt in mind, just buy random things which call to me, "Take me home, take me away from all this", so just have to make the most of what I have. And since I have vowed not to buy more fabric it's a question of making the most of what is in the capacious storage cupboards in the sewing room<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ-L2aetjAOrvATdoE0SWRhV3w8XpDYiJG1ZMdgivrApPiFCZtpVmevpuoc-kMpYJhbUbKGmNvi46RQVjkYoStkiKQIXxaOH5atf0lnfsW7DhxI58ygdCJVLqmPCc5TVtLBvBrqF4L-Gh/s1600/PU28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ-L2aetjAOrvATdoE0SWRhV3w8XpDYiJG1ZMdgivrApPiFCZtpVmevpuoc-kMpYJhbUbKGmNvi46RQVjkYoStkiKQIXxaOH5atf0lnfsW7DhxI58ygdCJVLqmPCc5TVtLBvBrqF4L-Gh/s320/PU28.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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I tell myself that this only adds to the charm of the quilt but I was a bit perplexed when I had put aside four medallions ready to finish the corners and then lost them, and had to make four more. Some quilts are just more problematical than others but I'm very pleased with the end result of this one, unlike the last one I finished which I was so heartily sick of that I could barely look at it for a few months. (I do like it once more now though, fortunately.) The backing fabric was a great op shop find. It is a French cotton duvet cover (obviously from the eighties, to my eye at least) which is beautiful quality and suits the quilt really well. It cost me $2.50 and I still have another piece left to back another quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbF_dUD4AEHeLL23irVlAeQFzxi4uz6Y9uNKRbcQhRlqWRDLMd_QxmDNbaddADk4EtlL0m02XTrpRJfTejQbmKYX461iEsJmdZ9ikm-NOiQ0vnFzGiIhWjEJLyqpSRIgB8cMpTg4xW134/s1600/PU35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="448" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbF_dUD4AEHeLL23irVlAeQFzxi4uz6Y9uNKRbcQhRlqWRDLMd_QxmDNbaddADk4EtlL0m02XTrpRJfTejQbmKYX461iEsJmdZ9ikm-NOiQ0vnFzGiIhWjEJLyqpSRIgB8cMpTg4xW134/s320/PU35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sadly the remaining piece is only pink and green, but I'm sure it will come in handy for something. I could even make a fifties style dress out of it, if all else fails. Some of the blocks I particularly liked and others were just a bit bleh, but they all work in nicely together. It always surprises me when somebody looks at a quilt and picks out as a favourite one block which I personally feel is somewhat mediocre and lacking in charm. I loved this fabric (birdies of course)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyseooXwYh8xRY-7Od91gujsUCtbVcMSFHZHRdoSo0-NoDQsWiRN7qdvjR7Us1Wzfanx4OnuuzIHBm9n5Wqcz2YLd0hlK1rgjgnhmo67pi0rVvTWPO5TAgsdIL5EAVa-eAsPTvCTuDjwhG/s1600/PU37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="350" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyseooXwYh8xRY-7Od91gujsUCtbVcMSFHZHRdoSo0-NoDQsWiRN7qdvjR7Us1Wzfanx4OnuuzIHBm9n5Wqcz2YLd0hlK1rgjgnhmo67pi0rVvTWPO5TAgsdIL5EAVa-eAsPTvCTuDjwhG/s320/PU37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and this one, a cheerful small floral.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfnBasyz02JfIooqstBAm1jTgfYMJfVTJG4-7fwpi5DQpIkdc_HA33M2SSvouDeJ6tbYJ_gPeD4bvHVh4F7p8HPEMa_TjADVK_krfIJOmBK5PrTOyhSiUJUJ4VZs4Czc14322tRfJk2Qr/s1600/PU38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfnBasyz02JfIooqstBAm1jTgfYMJfVTJG4-7fwpi5DQpIkdc_HA33M2SSvouDeJ6tbYJ_gPeD4bvHVh4F7p8HPEMa_TjADVK_krfIJOmBK5PrTOyhSiUJUJ4VZs4Czc14322tRfJk2Qr/s320/PU38.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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Some blocks I used all over florals and others were bordered with a stripe or other fabric to frame the teacups. Sometimes I used the main fabric to outline the teacups, like the first one below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-hCTPXFh0NAHegRmIZd8leJsIxJq26xUEaMtNcSERB24HCOZIpywDxGMvo5guwlz92vS8kTHNkGVsZuikUwJnTDKLXXK0xN00ppvkwVKXcC9qQy_G-XIsdpFfKHQDjNqboHpjWnFc2-t/s1600/PU27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="383" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-hCTPXFh0NAHegRmIZd8leJsIxJq26xUEaMtNcSERB24HCOZIpywDxGMvo5guwlz92vS8kTHNkGVsZuikUwJnTDKLXXK0xN00ppvkwVKXcC9qQy_G-XIsdpFfKHQDjNqboHpjWnFc2-t/s320/PU27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ujNIN0CydczUehlliz8bldCSVq07WigrqYfr5lNYCqt67bvXXSRf_gj0txraPXIM5j6UZR1DJVjV_3nISPoy1ahBNyLnp8D0dXw24SoM89bumD5A0xe2xkszr4guBQmz3jyXsEVB8t4g/s1600/PU33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ujNIN0CydczUehlliz8bldCSVq07WigrqYfr5lNYCqt67bvXXSRf_gj0txraPXIM5j6UZR1DJVjV_3nISPoy1ahBNyLnp8D0dXw24SoM89bumD5A0xe2xkszr4guBQmz3jyXsEVB8t4g/s320/PU33.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqRWhr_T0X-1DumkDQ4ir_pXT-5230HKnkH2MtpcZ93hdi6HmvvWzzFFyhq3-E9hszLpudtdZl7uMHFh8fWVSUJ6BWsePrPFq54PkqfjPs0HgzZR_8LS2SzoNrQa6qSPfl8pkbVPCUKeF/s1600/PU36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqRWhr_T0X-1DumkDQ4ir_pXT-5230HKnkH2MtpcZ93hdi6HmvvWzzFFyhq3-E9hszLpudtdZl7uMHFh8fWVSUJ6BWsePrPFq54PkqfjPs0HgzZR_8LS2SzoNrQa6qSPfl8pkbVPCUKeF/s320/PU36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This clever paving stone effect particularly appealed to me, but not to anybody else I know. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMy_YzGAtTflmgcHA-q6myBTaEF3UKmF27wz5Um_gWJqaJ_At4RrGbMgzw49cGd3JI4UugEXhdmUWQDgJE6xrKttirpBeL86lFpvONNU0v-mXXKw2FqZzOehrWPtjCWY6fZD5TCUFmMtZ/s1600/PU39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="348" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMy_YzGAtTflmgcHA-q6myBTaEF3UKmF27wz5Um_gWJqaJ_At4RrGbMgzw49cGd3JI4UugEXhdmUWQDgJE6xrKttirpBeL86lFpvONNU0v-mXXKw2FqZzOehrWPtjCWY6fZD5TCUFmMtZ/s320/PU39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am very fond of the black chintz fabric which is used as the setting hexagons and around the sides. I have used it in other projects and I'm gradually coming to the end of it now. For a long time I would save my favourite pieces of fabric but I'm finally coming to learn that this is not the way to go!<br />
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I decided I needed a break from my hexagon hand pieced obsession, so have returned to the love of my life, crazy quilting. I already have a red themed (named second hand rose), and a doyleys and old linen crazy quilt on the go but I have long wanted to do one in pansy colours so made two blocks. Just for an experiment, you understand. It will not distract me from day to day chores. Very much. Like a true pansy, each block is going to have a bit of black like the "eye" in the centre, and after that it's a free for all of bright colours. As well as silk remnants there is the usual collection of old silk ties and op shop cut up blouses and what not. What a mess this made in my sewing room though, now the hard part begins in trying to force everything back from whence it came. </div>
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Because of the frugal approach at Shoestring we have ended up with some very unusual arrangements. My sister gave me some beautiful crockery for Christmas and it is now jumbled in with the other favourites because I can't afford an entire collection of chintz crockery but it fits in well with what other pieces I have scavenged or been given. I am actually coming to appreciate this more than if I did have all of one sort. The same goes for the serving dishes and all the pretty old glasses; together they make a nice jumble and I like having different combinations of glasses, serving dishes and plates.<br />
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Very taken with these spotty glasses and the ones with pretty flowers painted on them. Luckily the dishwasher has broken blown up, so hand washing isn't an issue; rather a necessity. Otherwise the paint would probably wash off. Always look on the bright side. </div>
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After the great success with the pink wall (which is still receiving additions of plates, but we cannot add any more at present as we cannot reach high enough without scaffolding), Mr Shoestring went mad with his pink paint and now the garden furniture is all pink too. Even the sun lounger kindly donated by my dear sister is pink, which looks very fetching with the green squabs. And as for the details on the table and chairs, he has picked out the flowers in a brighter pink and added green leaves. What a paragon of virtue he is, endlessly toiling away with his paint brush. </div>
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It has been a very hot, long and dry summer but the garden is coping admirably. The pink and purple theme is coming along by leaps and bounds and have started potting up things such as canna lilies into large pots so that they can be kept under better control and I can remove their offensive orange or bright yellow flowers before they begin to bloom. I have put in Nahema, a most beautifully fragrant rose, along with Ebb Tide and some others which have miraculously all survived and are looking happy. Purple ground covers are surprisingly easy to find and friends have been very kind and donated various bits and pieces. Lord Ringloes gave me a bit of the most vibrant purple ground cover when we were at Art Deco weekend and if it survives I will be very happy. </div>
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The mandevillea vine has made an amazing display, having been in flower since November, and now its pods are dropping seeds which are germinating, much to my pleasure. I am potting them up and pressing them onto anybody who will take them. They have climbed all through the old plum tree and the best thing is that when the flowers fall onto the earth they stay pure white and look like lovely big white stars on the grass.</div>
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Success even in shade with the purple foliaged and flowered plants!</div>
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We had a problem with the fish pond, which sprang a nasty leak. Eventually Mr Shoestring drained it and resealed it, and it now is stocked with five pretty fish again. There is one which tortures me by drifting about in a very lethargic fashion and I spend much time watching it anxiously and declaring to myself that it is not long for this world. However it must be just one very lazy fish, because nothing ever seems to eventuate and every week it is still there, floating langourously and causing me grief.<br />
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Mr Shoestring got carried away with enthusiasm and bought some water plants, so the fishes have vegetation to swim around in, plus there is always the interesting pink, plate bedecked wall for them to look up at if they so desire. I must say, they are masters of disguise and it is very unusual that I can count them all at once. Another bothersome thing about them, but they are so pretty to watch and it's very soothing on a hot afternoon to see them in all their colourful glory. Not that we have much time for such frivolous pursuits, though. Too many weeds to do battle with, too much to be done in the sewing room and garden!<br />
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Hoping that is well with you and yours, and the world is spinning along nicely on it axis wherever you may be.shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-32741605856357254232018-08-19T14:46:00.002+12:002018-08-19T14:46:33.322+12:00The Great Plate Wall - Onwards and Upwards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have been away from Shoestring Cottage for the last couple of weekends for family parties and a flying visit to Sydney. (Sydney wasvery exciting, and surprisingly good op shops, you will be pleased to learn. I found three hats to wear to next Art Deco weekend at a fabulous Vinnies, and a duvet cover to use to back a quilt. The harbour and museum, botanic garden, Hyde Park, all were beautiful. I think the fact that the weather was brilliantly warm and sunny made a big difference.) But it was wonderful to be back again this weekend and see definite signs of spring. Today was a perfect day for a spot of spring cleaning, but of course good to get out into the garden for a bit too. </div>
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The spring bulbs are all putting on a good show and the violets, white purple and pink ones, are finally playing their part and rewarding us with a good crop of flowers. <br />
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While roaming around poking at things I was pleased to find an old bird's nest which was entirely composed of the coconut fibres from my hanging baskets. I used to be very cross when I saw the birds pulling the basket liners to pieces but now I'm happy to see that they put them to a constructive use at least, and weren't just ripping them apart for the pleasure of it. </div>
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I was so fired up with enthusiasm following the completion of the last "quilt as you go" quilt that I decided to finish this one also, which uses the same technique and which I also foolishly decided at the last minute to make into a reversible one, pink and yellow on one side and pink and blue on the other. Originally it was going to be only pink and blue but it seemed like a good way of using up a lot of left over yellow fabrics. These things always seem like a good idea at the time, but then as the project drags on and you would like to be turning your attention to other things, you tend to wonder what possessed you to embrace that idea. Anyway, I am enjoying making this one and it is taking shape quickly. It's a bit of a pleasant change after the more sombre terra cotta and green shades of the last one. </div>
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Also I am determined to finish this grandmother's garden type of quilt which I must have started a good 15 years ago. I took it to Australia with me but of course was stopped by customs, who for some reason always take exception to my scissors. Last time I went away they found an enormous pair of kitchen scissors in the side pocket of my suitcase which I had forgotten were there. This time I though I had outfoxed them by packing only a pair of blunt nosed children's scissors, but somehow I had left two small sharp bladded embroidery scissors in there also. One day I will get it right. I think I am in their books as a repeat offender because sometimes when they get to my luggage they go off somewhere else for a few minutes, probably to confer as to whether I really have terrorist intentions or are just a bit dim. Not the sharpest pair of scissors in the embroidery shop. Anyway, once we got past the difficulties with border control I made huge progress on this one, so it was well worth the angst, even though Customs may not agree.<br />
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While scratching through my sewing room looking for the bits and pieces I needed to carry on with these quilts I was pleased to unearth this rather odd looking piece of grey felt which I was covering with spidery embroideries, to use up old cottons. Whenever I come across it, it makes me smile with its cheerful random jumble of colours and I really must get past the quilts one day soon and move onto finishing off some of the embroideries I have kicking about. I think it would make a useful bag, perhaps to carry other embroidery projects about in. I tend to leave them lying in the bottom of Mr Shoestrings car and they would be a lot better if they were contained tidily; then I wouldn't spend the first five minutes of each journey cursing and muttering to myself while I try to locate yet another pair of scissors. (Where do they all go, I wonder? I hate to think how many I have bought in my life so far. Sometimes they turn up at the bottom of sofas but more often they just seem to dematerialise. I am particularly partial to the ones which look like a stork bird, and I probably keep the people who make those ones gainfully employed, single handedly.)<br />
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After a drought on the flower front it was good to finally be able to have a well filled vase instead of the rather paltry arrangements of recent months. I am liking this jug because of its cheerful mix of colour and of course the fact that the flower pattern is made up from a cross stitch design makes it all the more fetching. I have to confess though that I have resorted to using that horrible veiny leaf to flesh things out because flowers still aren't that abundant. So funny that I always try to eradicate it from the garden but in the end I have had to just give in and try to think of a use for it. <br />
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Mr Shoestring has been very obliging this weekend and put up another 15 plates on the back wall. He stood back in satisfaction and told me there must be 15 new ones up there, because he had counted out 15 hooks before he started. I think he was crestfallen when he realised that there were a whole lot he had overlooked, and that his task is not yet complete. I am still having a lot of difficulty in finding larger, dinner sized plates to put up, because they are always more expensive, but the thrill of the chase is as wonderful as ever and my dear friends and sister have been very generous with donations too. <br />
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<br />shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-33607242630659937112018-07-29T10:11:00.003+12:002018-07-29T10:13:34.828+12:00Success At Last With The Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mr Shoestring couldn't wait to see whether the birds had finally relented and started to eat all, or any, of his offerings this weekend. He was overjoyed to see that the wax eyes had finally twigged to the delights on offer, and were eagerly partaking of the feast. Mind you, it wasn't all plain sailing. He had to move (yet again) the logs of bird food, the support and the feeder because for some reason they were suspicious and didn't like the spot he had placed them in. This meant quite a lot of activity in the garden but finally they are happy, and so is Mr Shoestring. The strange thing is that they will even enter the pagoda-like bird house to feed, which they never would before. When we recently had a national back garden bird survey one of the findings was that though tuis are more plentiful, for some reason wax eyes (pihiphi) are waning, so it's particularly pleasing to see them flocking to the bird feeder and Mr Shoestring spent a good part of the weekend gazing adoringly at his avian darlings.<br />
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Mind you, he didn't spend the entire weekend on the birds. He has had this fabulous old fan heater for a long time but of course it wasn't in working order. He is very pleased with the results of his labours and it does throw out a good blast of warm air, still necessary sadly, though it is nowhere near as cold as it was a few weekends ago.<br />
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When we were at winter art deco weekend I was thrilled to spy a "For Home And Country" badge in an op shop; I think it fits in nicely with the For Home And Country teaspoons and the Queen's visit memorabilia. I also found four more of the sherry glasses commemorating the royal visit, so soon I will be able to have a little sherry party. I shall wear my For Home And Country badge along with the little fold out book commemorating the visit of Her Royal Highness and the medal also. In for a penny, in for a pound; no point in doing things half heartedly, after all.<br />
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This weekend, after the triumph of having finished a quilt last weekend, I decided to give myself a break from quilts. Mainly because my right index finger was bleeding after all the labours last weekend, it must be said. I decided to make some dolls using old wooden pegs I had lying around and it was rather fun, but the results for facial features and hair are quite variable. Some of them look perplexed and some of them look cross, but I am comforting myself with the thought that when they have some clothing to cover their poor little wooden bodies they will be a lot happier, especially in this weather. I can't wait to start making them some clothes and jewellery, hats and what not, that will be the fun part.<br />
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While I was fossicking around looking for supplies (most of which I never did unearth), I found a lot of old bits and pieces of broken jewellery, so I had a go at putting it to use again<br />
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and made a couple of big brooches and rosettes to decorate winter coats. </div>
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Then I found some labels for quilts and resolved that I must label the four I have finished in the last couple of years. (Lordy lordy, it gives me a thrill to be able to say that I have finished four, not that I like to boast you understand.) I can never remember when I start or finish my projects so it seems like a good idea to put labels on them, though I usually forget. So I will put these to good use</div>
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Especially the pansy ones, of course. </div>
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Next weekend though it would be better to confine myself to just one project, instead of getting distracted and trying to do so many different things. Definitely would achieve more that way, though possibly it wouldn't be quite so much fun!</div>
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shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-58341508853206530362018-07-22T13:00:00.000+12:002018-07-22T13:00:05.119+12:00Mr Shoestring The BirdbrainMr Shoestring is in the grips of a powerful new obsession which has come completely out of the blue. He is entirely taken up with the welfare of the birds which frequent (in ever increasing numbers) the garden at Shoestring Cottage. It started out harmlessly enough with a bird feeder, but when that blew away in a storm he replaced it with another, larger double feeder and then found the original one as well, which he duly hung in place once more. So far so good; but then he decided this wasn't sufficient. Yesterday he nonchalantly told me he was "just popping along the road for some bird seed" and when he returned I was surprised to find he has bought 20kg of bird seed.<br />
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To justify this he explained that it was in fact an economy measure and that it would work out cheaper in the long run. Also he bought some "logs" for feeding the birds and he was very upset to find the birds completely ignored them, which necessitated moving them to various spots around the garden in the hopes that the birds would look more favourably upon these fresh offerings. When this failed, rather than abandon that idea he set off and bought more logs, with a different flavour. He spends a good deal of his time peering out the windows, muttering to himself "Eat birds, eat", and fretting that they will never come to his offerings. I didn't like to point out to him this morning that whole flocks of them had left the back garden and were in the front garden, gorging themselves silly on things such as rosemary flowers and rose hips. It would have been just too unkind.<br />
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I must commend Mrs Shoestring though for his tolerance in the home decorating area. For many years I have gradually introduced more and more floral accents into the cottage, particularly the bedroom, with roses being my particular favourite. Rosy jugs, pink depression glass china, rose prints on the walls, and finally the piece de resistance, a rose print which I unearthed on a particularly fruitful day's shopping with my sister.<br />
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(I like to remind myself that while I bought a rose print and a few op shop bits and pieces, she bought a beautiful Victorian dining table, four balloon back chairs and many trees for her garden, somehow it makes me feel better.) This print is now hanging above the bed and not only did Mr Shoestring not bat an eyelid, he even hung it for me. (This is because decades ago I used to hang things myself and he never liked the way I did it; apparently you have to tap all over the wall to find mysterious things called noggins before you can proceed, which seems downright silly to me, but I bow to his peculiar preference and let him hang things up these days. It saves us from having a lot of unpleasant scenes.) <br />
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One of the best things about this weekend at Shoestring Cottage (especially since the weather was complete rubbish once more), was that I finally finished this quilt. I don't know how many years ago it was started (and it's best not to dwell on such depressing questions), but half way through I hit upon the idea, which seemed brilliant to me at the time, that rather than having it the same front and back, I could use different colours. Terra cotta and green for the "winter" side of the quilt,<br />
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and yellow and green for the "summer" side. </div>
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Mr Shoestring much prefers the terra cotta version, which was the originally planned one.</div>
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Of course this meant making a whole lot more pieces and set progress back by a long way, but it also made the quilt more interesting to complete. Or that was the plan anyway. Mr Peaceable Kingdom suggested to me that I should not only label my quilts with my name and year of completion, but the year of commencement, which was a very hard hearted and mean thing to say, I thought. I'm congratulating myself that so far this year I have finished two quilts, which was the total for the whole of last year. If I make four this year, who knows how many I will get through next year? <br />
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We have had another winter art deco weekend in Napier and it was a wonderful one, possibly the best yet. (I think perhaps I say this every time, but no matter.) We attended the tea dance and the opening ball, also the radio play and a wonderful talk on hats. This was very inspiring as we recently went on a weekend course where we learnt from a wonderful milliner the basics of hat making. We were thrilled that The Dancing Queen could attend as well, so there was quite a bit of chatter and laughter and gossip as well as the hat making. Our tutor was very friendly and wonderfully knowledgeable and we came away feeling much more confident and ready to create our own hats for future deco events. It was absolutely blissikins. While at winter Art Deco weekend we managed to catch up with the Southern Sisters and as ever were inspired by their wonderful costumes, especially the attention to detail with using the correct sewing techniques, fabrics and materials. We met new art deco chums from as far afield as Sydney as well and as usual came away full of ideas for marvellous confections in the hat department and stunning costumes for next year. We recently visited a shop in Auckland which sells Japanese imported antiques and memorabilia and were excited to find silk kimono which would be perfect for cutting up to use in making dresses, but so far have been afraid to take to them with scissors, it would seem to be a desecration. <br />
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On the way to Deco we stopped at all the op shops and unearthed quite a bit of treasure. I was particularly thrilled with this jug with a cross stitch design on it,<br />
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also a mother of pearl brooch (a bit bright to show up properly here)</div>
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and a diamante hair clip. </div>
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This pansy bowl of course is a favourite of course,</div>
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and we also found a hat block and several bits of clothing to alter for summer deco.<br />
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I'm going to attempt to make a blue rayon two piece suit into something more deco with the addition of some pockets trimmed with embroidered finger napkins and a collar and sleeve alterations. And mother of pearl buttons if I can find any in the right size. <br />
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Mr Shoestring found an evening suit and cummerbund, plus a hat or two, so he was well pleased. <br />
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Puddings aren't my forte and when I foolishly offered to take one to The Peaceable Kingdom this weekend it caused a bit of hasty rustling through my sparse collection of recipes at Shoestring Cottage. I have made this pudding before and it always turns out successfully, though it is officially called a fruit cake it's excellent as a warm pudding in winter time as well. I had no fresh fruits but used cherries, nectarines, pears and apricots for a mixture of colours and flavours and it came out very well. Put the cherries on top so they aren't buried underneath the other fruits, and put the pears on first if using them, as they look rather anaemic and bland compared to the more colourful fruits such as nectarines and apricots. . I'll put the recipe on the side bar. shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-81480334950911445822018-04-29T15:32:00.003+12:002018-04-29T15:32:46.410+12:00The Big Birthday - Or, Abandoning Oneself To One's Eccentricities<br />
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I've recently had a Big Birthday (60 glorious years, in fact), which turned into a bit of a fiesta rather than a one day only kind of event. Mr Shoestring and my adorable offspring, friends and family treated me like royalty and I thoroughly enjoyed being spoilt rotten. It's a shame it can't go on every day of the year, but I suppose in time the novelty would wear off. Eventually. Perhaps. I decided to stop resisting temptation, and abandon myself to my eccentricities, and asked Mr Shoestring to give me an antique plaster Madonna which I had had my beady eyeball on for some time, and I'm thrilled with her. She has a cloak of the perfect shade of blue I always envisaged, and though she is a little worn and chipped and the worse for wear, I think it only adds to her charm.<br />
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After all, I could say the same about myself now that I have achieved such a venerable age. I'm going to use her as a kind of shrine and have fresh flowers and maybe a scented candle and some incense beside her. <br />
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My dear sister, The Equestrienne, gave me the perfect birthday present given my current craze for collecting things related to the Queen's visit. It was this medal, and I'm not sure whether these were given out only to people who attended events during the royal visit, or whether any old Joe Bloggs could purchase them. Regardless, it is a very definite symbol of one's attachment to Her Royal Highness. I did think that my sister was a little unreasonable when she added the caveat that I was only allowed the gift if I wore the medal on all special occasions and outings though. <br />
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Apart from the birthday celebrations, there has been fun and games in the garden. For one thing, the plates to hang on the back wall have been accumulating and since it was my birthday Mr Shoestring obliged me by hanging a few more on the freshly painted calamine lotion pink wall. (Perhaps this was where the super-eccentric phase started, it occurs to me.)<br />
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They are mainly smallish ones, since that size are the ones which tend to go for 50 cents in the op shop, but this weekend I decided to sacrifice some of the large, pretty ones which I had stashed away in the kitchen cupboards. They aren't hanging yet, but when they are added to the ever-expanding collection I predict the effect will be pretty awe-inspiring. Some may say overwhelming and OTT but that's just their opinion. <br />
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Having decided to abandon myself to all my eccentric urges, now that I officially am an old lady and have a good excuse, I have been wallowing unashamedly in all things pink and frilly. I bought a pair of the vase above and gave one to my equestrienne sister. (As a punishment for her insisting that I wear my medal at all times, I should have given it to her on the understanding that she needed to attach it to the dashboard of her car and keep it always stocked with flowers, but it didn't occur to me at the time.) I kept the other one for myself. The china is fragile as tissue and it's remarkable that the vases have withstood the ravages of time. <br />
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Also I've been loving these two confections. </div>
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There are still some late roses blooming, astonishingly enough given the storms, wind and rain we have had recently. The pink pleasure garden is looking good for the time of year, and some of the purple foliaged plants have almost become rampant. <br />
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I'm wondering if I could strike some cuttings of this one simply by putting some stems in water.</div>
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The alstromerias are also still flowering - it has been wet and windy, but not at all cold. </div>
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The most thrilling thing on the stitching front has been that I am finally approaching the end stages of the chicken quilt. Madame Canuck helped me rip out the papers and a most satisfying task that was, though it did take an awfully long time. That is the mark of a true friend, a person who will sit with you and labour over such a tedious but necessary undertaking!<br />
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I decided to use the edging technique I have tried once before, finishing off with hexies around the edge and then flipped back over the backing and stitched in place, so that none of the hexagons are lost through trimming. Also it helps to use up all the "extras" which are invariably left over due to my inability to calculate the numbers required. I like the look of this but it is awfully time consuming. I have finished one side, three more to go and then I will be done. Fortunately this time I haven't developed a hatred for the quilt and can even to look upon it fondly, which is just as well considering all the hours which have gone into its construction. <br />
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It is very disappointing when a quilt has a backing fabric unsuitable to the theme or colours of the quilt, or at least I think so, and this one has the theme whole heartedly continued in the backing. </div>
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We have a chicken all over fabric </div>
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Plus some chicken wire on the back of the quilt. </div>
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Happy days, once this one is finished I can press on with the cup and saucer/floral themed quilt - strange to relate, it is a very pretty-pretty one and not at all Autumnal in its colourings, unlike the chicken one. Woohoo, being an old lady isn't bad after all. <br />
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shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-15114228250086470982018-03-18T09:22:00.000+13:002018-03-18T09:22:03.187+13:00The Pink Pleasure Garden and Other Miscellaneous Delights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the fire which burnt down the house next door, the garden was a completely different beast. (And beastly it was indeed for a time, with a lot of charcoal and broken glass from exploding windows, charred remains of treasured plants and so forth.) Once things started to return to normal it was plain that the plants I had before were not all going to be suitable, because there was a lot more light and sunshine. We worked around this and things gradually returned to a semblance of normal but somehow it just wasn't the same; my mojo wasn't working as far as the back garden went. The back wall, which is very tall and was painted white, was beginning to look a bit scruffy where the paint was coming off and concrete showing through, and the idea came to me that it would look nice painted a calamine lotion pink. (I know, not the usual thought which would spring to one's mind when contemplating a paint job for an outdoor wall, but there it was and I couldn't get the idea out of my mind.) It seemed that Mr Shoestring, though remarkably understanding of my desire for all things floral and colourful, might balk at this idea, but he was only too happy to oblige and in the twinkling of an eye (or in a couple of hectic afternoons) the deed was done and the wall was pink. It has been a resounding triumph and I am thrilled with the result. The pale pink shade alters with the light and it very much complements (to my eye anyway) all the shades of green in the garden.<br />
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However, not happy to let things lie it came to me (in another blinding flash of inspiration) that it would look even more attractive if bedecked with all the pretty plates from op shops which I had lying around, after the big storms blew them out of trees and off trellis. To go with the pink theme it seemed only logical to change the whole colour theme of the back garden.<br />
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(Actually there wasn't a colour theme if I am truthful; I had started out wanting a white garden but none of the cuttings people gave me or cheap plants in markets ever seemed to be white and even the Japanese anemones, which I had hoped would have white flowers, had pink ones.)<br />
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It seemed that a pink and purple garden with moody purple foliaged plants and lots of pink blossoms would be just the thing and so that is the new plan. It shouldn't be too sugary, it needed quite a lot of purple and dark foliage to stop it being too chocolate box. Things are coming along famously, though I have to admit to being rather sad about the canna lillies. Their foliage is splendid and one of them even has purple foliage, but when the flowers bloom - bright orange, yellow and red - they will destroy the entire look of the garden. It's a question of either ripping them all out (more easily said than done as I see they have seedlings coming up all through the lawn even), or trying to cut off the flower stems each season. I am still pondering this question but in the meantime have planted a marvellous rose, Nahema. This was difficult to source in high summer but there is a wonderful rose grower in the Waikato, Roach's Nursery, and the owner is the third generation of his family to run the nursery. He was very helpful and sold me his last plant of the season. As well as that I put in a pink Iceberg (a bit of a cliche I know, but a good doer and likely to be a survivor),<br />
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and another one whose name I forget. Also a pink mandevillea (I used to detest these but needs must when on a mission),<br />
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and I have heard tell of a wonderful climber called Pinkie which I am going to try to track down. (One rose grower tried to tell me there was no such rose, but on consulting a rose tome it turns out that it does actually exist. Hardy, disease resistant, scented, rarely without a blossom, sounds too good to be true! I must possess one as soon as possible.) At the markets I found some new irises and selected the ones which looked as though they would have the moody dark purple blossoms I was after, to stop the pink shades from being too sickly sweet. And it was surprising how many purple foliaged plants were on offer, some of them already in the garden fortunately.<br />
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and even alstromerias with pink flowers. </div>
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(The old garden staple alstromeria with orange flowers had to go, but Madame Canuck was only too happy to dig it out and cart it away to her garden where orange and yellow are welcome. Sadly I see it is already fighting back and putting forth new shoots; let battle commence.)<br />
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Part of the joy and challenge of gardening (for me anyway) is the way things never turn out quite how you hoped/expected/planned. A few years ago I planted a snail vine (Phaseolus) which I had high hopes for. It languished and sulked for a long time but then must have decided that it needed to take things into its own hands (or tendrils perhaps). It has escaped from its allotted spot and clambered into a nearby tree, romping away in search of light no doubt and blossoming happily, more blooms this season than in all other seasons put together. Plus which, I see it has seeded because a couple of new plants are coming up nearby. I will try to place them in a more sympathetic location, having learned that they need more light than I understood. The blossoms are such soft and pretty colours and the scent is good too. Shame they are far away, high up in the tree top, so perfume not going to be appreciated. <br />
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Apart from the frenzy in the garden we have had some wonderful finds at op shops recently. Yesterday at the markets I was thrilled to find that the lady who has a lot of old green glass was keen to be rid of some of her smaller pieces and I swooped upon a green glass lemon squeezer, a semi-circular vase, and two little green glass jugs.<br />
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(I am sure they would have been used for serving the mint sauce to go with the roast lamb which used to be such a ritual dish in this part of the world before we knew about cholesterol and the dangers of eating too much meat and so on and so forth.) The Dancing Queen gave me a beautiful little green glass measuring jug and it would have been rude to make it languish alone in the kitchen without some of these for companionship.<br />
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Talking to my sister and telling her about the new Pink Pleasure Garden we thought it would be a wonderful idea to have a garden party there when it's established, complete with all the pretty old china we have amassed over the decades. (She has a lot of very beautiful hand painted cup saucer and plate combos, so we could go absolutely bonkers on the floral theme for the table.) Then she mentioned her set of teaspoons, recently discovered at the op shop, which I was very jealous of. I have managed to find one or two, but not a set of six. Mine are all different and through some judicious bargaining and swapping I have increased my selection. For Home And Country they proudly declare. I'm not sure if this is the motto of The Countrywomen's Institute, but it sounds as though it might be.<br />
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It goes splendidly with my small but growing collection of memorabilia from the Queen's visit and my sister so kindly gave me some additions to this collection. <br />
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My sister also gave me the most charming was a brooch which when opened has a concertina of small pictures inside, so the patriotic wearer could keep Her Majesty close to her heart. Imagine a time when people felt so strongly about their monarch, and it was only a comparatively short time ago too. <br />
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The other thing which came home from the op shop recently was this marvellous desk calendar, a souvenir of a trip to New York which somebody must have treasured and kept polished for decades. It has little knobs to spin to alter the day and month, and a rectangular piece which flips over to alter the date. <br />
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When you get to the end of the month it has very specific instructions on how to reset it for the next month. <br />
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So interesting that people would go to all this trouble to keep track of the day and date. </div>
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<br />shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-35820928429981370812017-10-29T16:13:00.000+13:002017-10-29T16:13:42.789+13:00Mr and Mrs Shoestring See The World (Part One)Mr Shoestring and I have recently been on holiday. Well, actually it wasn't so much a holiday as a whistle stop tour of some of the things we have always wanted to see in England, Wales, Scotland, and then with a lightning investigation of Hong Kong on our way home. We are both making heavy weather of recovering from jet lag and adjusting to life in what apparently is the "real world", but we surely did have a great time and didn't waste a precious second of our three week trip.<br />
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Ever since I was a child and saw the 1960s television series The Prisoner, where The Village was set in Portmeirion, it has been my dream (one of many, of course) to visit Portmeirion. It seemed to me to be a magical place and as well as reading about it I have collected the distinctive pottery, and tried to influence my children to watch the original series, despite the fact that they are living in a more worldly age and are mystified by the large clear plastic bouncing balls which came bouncing down to prevent escape from the village in the television series. I read that quite a few others have been similarly captivated, including George Harrison who visited but was prevented by his minders from staying in his preferred cottage lest he become a little bit intoxicated and fall off the low balcony, and Jules Holland, who loved the "pink house" and used it as an inspiration for his London recording studio. <br />
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In case you haven't heard of Portmeirion, it was the work of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who started developing the village in 1925, and I suppose you would describe it as a giant folly. He was not a qualified architect, having abandoned his studies early on in his training, but did practice as one all the same. I think he started off reasonably small, using architectural salvage materials to recreate something which looked like a village on the Amalfi coast, and over time developed the wonderful township cradled on the side of a hill beside the sea, and also the impressive gardens beyond. At this time grand estates were being sold off and dismantled because of the cost of maintaining and repairing them, death duties and lack of cheap domestic staff, and so people who knew him would offer him things which would otherwise have been destroyed or left to crumble, and he kept the ruins until such time as he knew exactly where to place them sympathetically and how to use them. What I admire most about the whole endeavour is that I think for most people it would be easy to be discouraged and give up on such a whimsical yet ambitious project, but he obviously just kept working away at it, and once he reached a certain stage others must have been impressed and begun to see the charm and attraction of such a place.<br />
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Here are some of the photos we took on the day we visited. It was a cool grey day in October and threatening rain, but luckily it meant that possibly there were less visitors than usual (and definitely less than in the summer season), and we had a chance to enjoy the vistas uninterrupted. The next day there was heavy rain and we were fortunate to have visited on the day we did. I've tried to restrain myself and only put a few photos here of the many we took, but I think you will be able to see the clever way he has used different materials, including local ones. The chess board was not part of the village but has been recently added in reference to The Prisoner, and it looks completely at home. Every year people who are obsessively interested in The Prisoner visit for a festival and having been such a devotee of Art Deco Weekend in Napier, I can completely understand that. In the village there has been a clever use of trompe l'oeil effects which you can only discern if you look carefully. Some of the windows are just painted on, complete with lace curtains, and some of the statuary at the end of vistas is just cut outs cunningly painted to resemble verdigris. Clever, very clever, and all in keeping with the light hearted approach of the whole place. It was a wonderful experience and I am happy to say that the teapot I bought there actually made it all the way home without any damage. <br />
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Speaking of which, the op shops were just wonderful and another time I will have to show you some of the treasures we found. <br />
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The pink house much admired by Jules Holland</div>
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Looking down over the village from the gardens on the hillside. There are a lot of plantings of rhododendrons and it must be a magnificent sight in the spring time. </div>
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The steam train which travels along by the sea in Porthmadog, the village where we stayed</div>
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Very picturesque setting at Porthmadog</div>
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One of the characteristic stone cottages which were dotted about the surrounding countryside, and which we would have dearly loved to venture inside. </div>
shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-41866571606427944702017-07-30T13:07:00.003+12:002017-07-30T13:07:49.874+12:00Winter Frolics<br />
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Another winter art deco weekend has been and gone and I think it would have to be one of the best ever. (Oh wait, have I said that before perhaps?) We were a small contingent, but it was a wonderful chance to catch up with The Squire and His Good Lady Wife, The Dancing Queen and her Consort, and the Southern Sisters. It was touch and go as to whether we would arrive in Napier because of extreme weather conditions which meant the roads were all closed between Napier and pretty much anywhere else. We got as far as Taupo and waited (im)patiently for weather updates, but not a moment was wasted because we had an opportunity to pay extra close attention to all the op shops and relish the Thai chicken curry we always buy at Replete Cafe. Eventually we got word that the road was once again open and we set off, slightly more cautiously than usual. It was a very pretty trip because of all the beautiful white snow on the pasture and forestry. When we travel in February the ground is parched and the hills are usually brown-tops and withered, but this was so picturesque and it was hard to believe it was the same landscape. We made it Napier in time for the opening event and to catch up with all the fellow deco-phytes and of course there was a lot to discuss. The Southern Sisters had wonderful costumes as per usual and these always have to be discussed in great detail. They are very much better at "authentic" than I am and instead of having an array of altered op shop dresses, they actually make their own garments and are now even particular about having the correct petticoats underneath as these make the garments sit so much better. I must do better. I had been pleased with these authentic buttons I found in Taupo and thought it would be sufficient to put then onto a purchased dress, but I now see I was completely mistaken and that the bar has been raised higher. <br />
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I found this fabric and thought it had a deco feel, so I'm going to try to unearth a genuine pattern and sew something for next summer deco. </div>
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Also I had a piece of beautiful silk (on the left above) which could be handy for trimming the blue dress (in the middle) and would go perfectly with the blouse on the right too. Food for thought, and part of the fun of deco is coming home afterwards full of good ideas for next time, after consulting everybody about their latest finds and makes. It is hats which really interested me this time though, and I have been trying to find a millinery course so as to learn the art, but it is proving extremely difficult. <br />
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While we were in the op shops I found two more landscapes for my ever-expanding art collection. They are hung on the walls at Shoestring Cottage now and I couldn't get very good pictures of them to show you because the walls are almost full and they are very high up, so even when I stood on a chair it was difficult to get a good picture. You get the general idea though. Now that I look again, I can see quite a bit more space where I could squeeze in a few more so the chase isn't over yet. <br />
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This one is of Lake Wakatipu, which we already have one painting of. It's hard to know how to hang them, sometimes we hung them by subject in the past (for instance, pictures with bridges in them), or by colour families, or style of painting. Mr Shoestring is very obliging and nimbly scrambles up and down each time there are more to add, though he and I sometimes disagree about the best configuration. (I have my suspicions that his approach is along the lines of hanging them as quickly as possible so that he can get on with other things. You would think that with such priceless works of art he would take more care, but no, it's all very slipshod and thoughtless if he's not in the right frame of mind.) I'm thinking of leaving my collection to the nation, I feel sure such a bequest would be received rapturously.<br />
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Another thing which I have been rounding up has been damask table cloths, and I recently added two more to my collection. They are such beautiful quality and it is interesting to note the change of style over time. Early ones are more finely representational of flowers and ferns whereas the later ones are more simply woven with less detail in the scenes represented, but they are usually in excellent condition because they have been treasured by their owners and brought out for "best", plus they are durable and well made. It seems sad that most people don't use them now, because the snowy whiteness sets off the look of a colourful meal set out temptingly. Also they are simple to launder. The last two I bought I was dubious about because they were rather discoloured, but they came up beautifully (apart from one small rust mark) after a bit of a soak. <br />
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Still looking for things to fill up the shadow box in the sewing room, I was intrigued by this tiny piece of coal carved into a "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" trio of monkeys. It is so cleverly done and must have been painstakingly slow to do I think.<br />
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After coming back from winter deco the days seemed to drag on interminably wintery, with rain and more rain. Though the shortest day has past it seemed as though we weren't making much progress towards spring. This weekend we have had two beautiful clear sunny days at last, though it has been very cold and frosty overnight at Shoestring. I just had to reward myself by having a go at a scrap quilt which took my fancy. It uses up all the 5" charm squares I have bought over the years so there is no guilt attached, apart from the fact that I should be beavering away on the stack of unfinished quilts I vowed to complete, of course. But it's been so much fun to cut the squares into quarters and then put them together with contrasting but sympathetic other pieces, it's quite addictive. I have in mind a solid buttery yellow homespun for the blocks in between the little four patch blocks; I seem to have a craving for warm yellow sunshine shades and I think it must be as a result of the long dreary grey winter. <br />
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Mr Shoestring is particularly susceptible to the lure of books (possibly because you can just chuck them into a bookcase and don't have the bother of finding picture hooks and hanging them up), and he treated himself to this lovely set which he found at the Sally Army. </div>
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He has also been very much enjoying his Medical Counsellor from 1955, though I think it may be doing him more harm than good. Some of the subjects covered are rather gruesome but it has to be said that everything is covered from what to do for flat feet through to intestinal obstruction, including along the way hysteria, epilepsy, paranoia and varicose veins. <br />
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"To close the day with a happy heart, and to find sleep and rest with a peaceful mind, these are two of the greatest blessings that help to maintain health and happiness."</div>
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Evidently it's also important to wear plenty of lipstick to bed and have one's hair set in perfect pincurls to ensure adequate rest. </div>
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But it really is such a beautiful volume, even the edges of the paper are covered with a beautiful marbled pattern. Well worth a quick skim through though deeper study could result in the certainty that you had contracted every disease known to humankind. <br />
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My reading finds were along different lines, I collected together all these Agatha Christies so I can finally come to grips with her. I have to admit I selected according to the covers rather than the contents, so I might not have got the best of the large selection in the op shop, but it was a good start anyway. <br />
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The other book I have very much enjoyed recently and thoroughly recommend if you are interested in domestic history is this one:<br />
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I was so taken with it that I scoured the shops for every copy I could find and pressed them upon my girlfriends, whether they were interested or not. It really did cover the 20th century very well and brought back a lot of memories of my own nana's button jar. <br />
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shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-88287236455127932352017-06-11T14:21:00.005+12:002017-06-11T14:21:56.979+12:00Weekend Splendours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a very long break from the op shops and markets it was very exciting to go back to the Matamata monthly markets again this weekend. The number of stalls was limited because it was a rather miserable Waikato morning with a lot of fog which almost felt like a gentle rain, but for a person starved of marketing for a while there was something to be explored on almost every stall. To make it even more enjoyable I had the companionship of my sister, which was good in many ways but also it has to be said that we can be a bad influence on one another, urging purchases and searching out treasure for each other. Still, what a lot of fun we had though. Both of us bought one of these birdy soap dishes. My sister assured me that hers was the more attractive and that mine had too much eye makeup on, but I suspect they were identical. </div>
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I was thrilled to buy my first piece of uranium glass (though I forgot to get up in the night to check if it was glowing in the dark. I have a lot of green depression glass but no other pieces of uranium glass. </div>
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This little dish isn't a very useful size for many things but it served well when I scooped up all the pieces of jewellery which were scattered about the cottage and in danger of being forgotten and left behind when winter deco comes around. </div>
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My sister has had a passion recently for buying old pieces of silver and she was kind enough to point out this pretty little silver spoon to me. </div>
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It will go nicely with the sugar bowl and creamer she gave me last Christmas and I think the pearly handle sets off the spoon beautifully. </div>
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She also urged me to buy this hydrangea vase, using that old tactic, "If you don't get it, I will", which technique always has an energising effect on dithering shoppers. </div>
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I found one more landscape painting to add to my ever-growing collection. I do think it would be better if artists left the people out and stuck to the landscapes if painting people isn't their forte, but on the other hand for the outlay of $8 a person can't be too choosy. I love the way the people who work in opportunity shops work out the pricing on paintings. There are several ways of doing it, but the way this one was priced was by the shop ladies comparing it with another painting, which they thought was a) nicer, b), larger and c) had a prettier (more opulent looking) frame, and as that one was priced at $20 they felt it was fair to offer mine for $8. Another charming thing about these people who do such a wonderful job of manning charity stores is the way they feel compelled to pass judgement on your taste. Fortunately they are approving more often than not but it can be a bit disconcerting when they look askance at your choices and ask you pointedly what on earth you intend doing with your new treasure. Sometimes it's hard to justify just what it is that you like about an object which obviously has no redeeming features in their eyes. If you are feeling particularly weak that day and not able to explain yourself you can almost feel like saying that on second thoughts you were mad to even consider such a foolish purchase, and put it back on the shelf. </div>
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A large part of the rest of the weekend, I am ashamed to report, was spent on cutting up hundreds more one inch hexagons from the large containers I have full of scraps. I only got them down from the high cupboard in the hopes of finding a scrap of one particular fabric I had a hankering for, but then I got started cutting just a few hexagons, and before I knew it I had made a terrible mess all over the floor and spent a long time snipping away. The worst thing is that these tiny hexagons aren't destined for any project in particular, they are only cut up like this as a way of using the tiny scraps left over from other projects. I tack them onto papers while passing time and I'm sure they will eventually be put to some good purpose. At least, I fervently hope so because I shudder to think how much time I have spent on them. It is gratifying to use up the last of a piece of fabric though, and to think that if you live to be about 150 you might one day have no more scraps left. I had been planning to keep them all in the bewitching May Belle Lingerie box given to me by The Duchess of Ringloes but there are so many of them now that I may have to resort to a more utilitarian and much less pretty container. </div>
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I did manage to drag myself out into the garden for a brief weeding session and was surprised to find this shard of pottery in a part of the garden where I have been lavishing compost and coffee grounds for ages. </div>
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It was just below the surface when I stuck my trowel in to remove a particularly obstinate weed and I can't fathom how it came to be there. I used to find old pieces of pottery at Shoestring Cottage but this piece surely would have bee dug up before, it's as though things gradually work their way to the surface somehow. </div>
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Now that Big Red and Large Blue are out of the way I am going to try to finish the chicken quilt. Madame Canuck kindly gave me a piece which will be good as part of the backing. She and I were talking about the strange bits and pieces of fabric we end up with. This piece is not something she would have chosen for herself because though she likes chickens well enough, not in quilting fabrics, but I was only too happy to accept her kind donation. Part of the enjoyment for me in creating these projects is looking at the various pieces and remembering where they came from, especially if they have been a gift or a remnant from some favourite sewing project. </div>
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I loved the chickens in this quilt when I started making it, best be hurrying along now before I fall out of love with them as can sometimes happen. I am still particularly pleased with the chicken wire fabric used to space out the blocks and I was thrown into a panic when I took the quilt out to work on it and couldn't find any more of it. That's the problem with these long drawn out projects but in the end the chicken wire hexagons were located, just as well or it would have been a very unusual looking quilt. Here's hoping your week was a great one with lots of the things which make you happy.</div>
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shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-47997755078714774522017-06-05T14:26:00.004+12:002017-06-05T14:44:06.365+12:00Finish What You Started<div style="text-align: center;">
As far as my crafting endeavours go, I have to admit to being a great starter but not so good in the finishing department. There are always so many ideas swirling around in my mind, tempting fabrics, new colour combinations and inspiring images seen in books and magazines, and even in daily life. The time has come to try to finish some of the many things I have started over the years and it has been a very productive year so far, with two new quilts completed. </div>
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The first quilt I tackled was one which was inspired by an issue of Simply Vintage Quilts & Crafts, (Summer 2015, No 15),which included a project entitled Circle of Birds, appliqued on linen and surrounded by a crocheted border. In modifying the project to suit my own needs I used an old woolen blanket and some woolen fabric which I dyed various shades of blue for the swallows. I am a complete pushover for anything with birds, especially swallows. </div>
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Of course that was a good start but it needed a little something more, and so it grew and grew into a very large quilt using scraps from other project plus some things I had saved and never been bold enough to cut up because they were so special. The cotton hexagons frame the centre panel of wool. </div>
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There were some old men's shirts,</div>
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some embroidered doilies,</div>
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some hand printed fabrics I bought years ago in Melbourne at a craft market, and which seemed too precious to cut up for many years,</div>
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especially the piece with swallows</div>
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some old pieces from dresses I made for my girls when they were little, </div>
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and even some bits from maternity dresses. (Waste not want not.) Because of the swallows theme I tried to work in as many hexies with birds as I could lay my hands on</div>
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but I also had to squeeze in a pansy or two, of course</div>
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and a couple of iris for Mrs Peaceable, since they are her favourite flower. </div>
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Also lots of toile because I find the images so endearing and sometimes downright mysterious.<br />
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(What is the story with this goat, for instance? It seems to be about to receive a wreath.)<br />
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I used to take the pieces to my work and baste the hexagons over papers during my meal break which eventually led to some questions as to when this quilt would ever be completed. Apparently it was on the go at work for at least a year, so I was very pleased to be able to take photos to my doubting work colleagues and prove it was indeed finished. The quilt just went on getting bigger and bigger and it is indeed a good sized coverlet now. I have to say "coverlet" rather than "quilt" because it is all hand pieced and consequently took an inordinate amount of time to finish and though I like the look of heavily quilted work, I have had to admit defeat finally and face the fact that if I was to hand quilt my quilts as well as hand piece them, then I would never finish the ones I have started, never mind being able to move on to any of the others I would like to attempt. </div>
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Having finished that one (which has now been named Large Blue in my head), it was the turn of an even larger challenge, Big Red. I saw a photo of a similar quilt once in a magazine and thought, "Well, I like the look of that and I'm sure I could make something similar to use up all my red scraps" but as I didn't start out with any particular dimensions in mind Big Red just kept on getting larger and larger, in order to develop a balanced quilt with equal numbers of both sort of row. It has two distinct types of shaped rows pieced together to achieve the deceptively simple look and so balancing it out meant that it got wider and wider. </div>
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The hexagon row</div>
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and the elongated diamond row make up the components of the quilt. </div>
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The finished coverlet actually reaches down to the floor on both sides of the bed and because the hand piecing wasn't relieved by the woolen centre panel of Large Blue, it took even longer to finish. </div>
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I particularly liked the bee images on some of the hexagons in Big Red.</div>
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I am very pleased with it and it feels as though it was worth all the feverish activity in the last few weekends, because putting the backing on both quilts became rather fraught as they were so large and too big to spread out easily on the floor at Shoestring Cottage. I am very pleased with both backings though - it's a bit of a bugbear of mine to see a quilt which is beautiful on the front but has an obviously unsuitable back. Large blue has an old flanelette sheet for the backing, a perfect shade of blue and all the more cosy and comforting for having been washed a lot, and very good colour match for the front of the quilt. </div>
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Big Red has a combination of a mattress ticking in beige/red combination</div>
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plus a gorgeous strip of special fabric running down the centre, (French General from Moda Fabrics) so I am well pleased with the back as well as the front of the quilts. </div>
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It hasn't all been stitching though. In between times Mr Shoestring and I had a delightful trip to the South Island and trawled through the op shops on the way. The Southern Ladies in Invercargill treated us to a night of wonderful hospitality and we dined in royal fashion on the wonderful repast prepared by Sandra. It was made all the more special for being served on the most pretty china with beautiful table settings and in her home with original art deco features including some wonderful lead glass windows. Heavenly. They went with us to a fair in Arrowtown where Mr Shoestring treated me to a birthday present which will be going to winter deco, a handbag which includes the most adorable little built in purse. I was a very happy birthday girl that day. </div>
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From the same vendor we bought the beautiful little brooch (bird themed of course) to embellish art deco collars this July.</div>
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I also spotted this black fabric handbag which needs a little restoration but will be perfect for winter deco, though these bags are miniscule and it's obvious deco ladies only carried the bare necessities. My handbags are usually very heavy and it would force a person to be more disciplined if she used these bags on a daily basis. </div>
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Mr Shoestring found himself a plate to add to his terrier collection</div>
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and I added greatly to my collection of gloves for deco also. </div>
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The Dancing Queen remembered my envy at seeing her beautiful green glass deco measuring jug and managed to track down an identical one for me, what a great birthday present and how much it relieves the tedium of cooking at Shoestring Cottage on days when inspiration is lacking</div>
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My sister also treated me on my birthday and I love the book she found by P G Wodehouse (yes, he of Jeeves and Wooster fame)</div>
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but the best thing about this book is the plate inside which celebrates the rather mediocre achievements of the person who received it as a prize "For Regular Attendance and Good Behaviour". Somehow I feel that this is the kind of prize I would be likely to receive; nothing much to think of when wracking the brains for positive attributes but at least turned up on time and didn't get into any fist fights. </div>
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Also a lovely cup, saucer and plate to add to my violet china collection, hoorah!</div>
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The Lady Canuck gave me a delightful little gift also, which really charmed me. It is made from matchboxes and old Christmas cards and the matchboxes are all attached together and completed with little beads for opening them. (You can see a little green bead at the bottom left.) I think a child would have made it for a Christmas gift, and somebody has kept it for all this time as a memento. </div>
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Now that Large Blue and Big Red are finally completed I'm determined not to rest on my laurels and I am moving onto two other quilts as the next "must do" projects. </div>
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This one is a "quilt as you go" affair so it will be lightly quilted, and the clever thing about it is that I have figured out a way to make the reverse side in a different colour combination, so in effect there will be two quilts for the labour of one, very exciting. </div>
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We have had a dreadfully wet but warm season so far, and it is very strange to have camellias and roses blooming at the same time. Nice in theory but somehow wrong, just plain wrong! </div>
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I can't help but feel that we will have to pay for it next summer, because the aphids and other pests will be loving this warm winter. Maybe we will have a couple of good hard frosts before the season is out though, it's only the beginning of winter now after all. </div>
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This must be the most picture heavy blog post I have ever posted, but there was lots to report and now lots to do, keeping up with the quilt finishing off project! Apart from the one pictured above there is a chicken themed one, which I am very much enjoying. Happy days to you wherever you may be, hoping that you are having time to do the things which you enjoy and especially wishing you joy in creating.</div>
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PS: I really must give my heartfelt and sincere thanks to Mrs Peaceable and the Lady Canuck for helping me take out all those wretched papers in Big Red and Large Blue, I don't think I ever would have finished them without your help. After the scissors gave me a swollen and red thumb I was quite despondent and having your company and assistance made me persevere. Also Madame Aviatrice who contributed and made it into a more enjoyable experience on the evening when three of us were all toiling away together. XXOO</div>
shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-54990559497286212032017-02-26T14:27:00.001+13:002017-02-26T14:27:50.723+13:00Silver Linings and Frenemies<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes things which appear disastrous turn out to have hidden rewards, and those we take to be our friends are actually not so benevolent; this has been my recent experience at least. </div>
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The fire which almost destroyed Shoestring Cottage seemed to
be a bad setback, and a large part of the garden was destroyed, but now that
there is more light being let in after destruction of most of the cherry tree,
things which never would have grown there are thriving. To begin with I plonked in a lot of colourful
and bulky annuals, and how well they have rewarded my faith in them! </div>
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The cleomes, those odd looking, old fashioned
spidery flowered plants, have romped away and they are in such pretty purple,
pink and white shades that they have added a whole new range of colours to the
garden. (So much for that long ago
concocted plan of having a white garden but the more colour the better at
present.) The other annuals which have
risen to the challenge are the mallows, also in pinks and with the odd white
one thrown in for good measure.</div>
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The
canna lilies took the fire as an encouragement to prosper and show off all
their wild colours, so there is a rather odd contrast between the oranges, reds
and yellows of these subtropicals and the pinks, purples and whites of the
newcomers, and though it’s not a colour combination anybody would have planned
out for the garden, at least it has stopped the weeds from taking over while
the earth was bare. </div>
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The bees and
butterflies are having a field day and everybody is happy.</div>
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I can’t remember planting this moon flower
but I have tried them before with not much success, and this time seem to have
hit the jackpot, no doubt because of more warmth and light with the boughs of
the old cherry tree being removed. Or maybe this is one I planted before the fire, which has recovered despite its singeing. </div>
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Because I lavished the scorched earth with compost and coffee grounds (my cure for whatever ails the garden), a few unexpected things have popped up, such as this tomato seedling which I have left alone and am surprised to see has survived and now has a little crop of fruit, even though it might be a bit late in the season. </div>
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On the down side though my former friends in the garden, the
thrush family, upon whom I lavished so much affection, have rewarded me by
raising a clutch of motley and speckled young who are intent upon shredding the
coconut fibre liners in all my hanging baskets and whom I also suspect of being
the culprits in wrenching all my lavender seedlings out of the earth. I find it hard to smile upon them in their
new incarnation and these frenemies also seem to have stopped eating the snails. I am wondering if they have turned their
attention to my grape vine, which has its first ever crop of fruit, but I could
be unjustly blaming the thrushes here, it might be the entire group of avian
frenemies, starlings, sparrows, thrushes and mynah birds who are feasting on
the grapes as soon as they ripen. </div>
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Another wonderful Art Deco Weekend has passed and as per
usual it seemed to be the best ever. The
weather for once did not smile on us and we had a weekend with rain and not
much sun, but it was fine on the first evening when we went for a walk and saw
a beautiful sunset, and also when the Gatsby Picnic was on. Because it wasn’t as hot as it usually is, we
were able to wear our furs comfortably and the balls, dances and dinners were
all wonderful. We met some new friends
who come from Australia and have their very own deco names just for when they
are attending, and we thought that was a splendid idea, so now just have to
settle on our own names for future years.
On the way to Napier Lord and Lady Raglan were very patient as we scoured
every op shop along the way, and then of course when we revisited on the way
back to pick up things we had been uncertain about at the first visit. My best buy wasn’t from an op shop, I found
it in the antiques and collectibles fair, and I think it will be a standby for winter
deco and future years. To be honest the gauntlet gloves are so much on the snug side that I may have to carry them about with me rather than wear them, but they will look most stylish all the same. And the handbag has the most clever clasp which is two acorns pressing together. </div>
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Also I picked up
two wonderful works of art to add to the walls at Shoestring Cottage. (I
hesitated to tell Mr Shoestring that there are 19 of them on the walls of one
room alone now, as he struggled to reach high enough to add the latest additions.) </div>
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They march all the way
up the wall and there isn’t much space left, so I have begun to try to give
some away to obliging family members, with some success. That’s only the less colourful ones you
understand, not my personal favourites which are full of unlikely depictions of
the natural world with emerald green grass, azure skies and sparkling sapphire waters. One of the new additions had a bridge (I didn’t
think of this to begin with, but it fits in with the bridges theme of one grouping), and who
would have thought in the beginning that there would be so many of them? These two paintings were actually a bargain
because Mr Shoestring charmed the op shop lady into giving him a discount,
almost two for the price of one!</div>
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Now that art deco weekend is over for the year we have
turned our attention to more fun things to cheer ourselves up until winter
deco, and have hit upon the idea of A Day At The Races party. The local racing club will be the venue and
we are going to take an old fashioned boot picnic with tasty dishes such as asparagus rolls, bacon and egg pie and
maybe lamingtons as well. Ladies to wear
their prettiest “frocks” and hats, gentlemen their country squire jackets. Plaid blankets to sit on, wicker baskets to
hold our picnics, and a mixture of pretty china to serve the dainties. Therefore this plate was a must.</div>
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Luckily we can hire a gazebo in case of
inclement weather and some bunting will be a nice addition. The personalised invitations have been sent
out, so let planning commence. When I
saw Mrs Peaceable and tried to bully her into making her delicious bacon and
egg pie, of which Mr Shoestring is inordinately fond, she seemed to take it in
good spirits so I have high hopes for a delicious repast. Maybe sangria or pretty fruity punch. Mr Shoestring is already on the lookout for a
shooting stick to sit on, but I had to forbid Mr Peaceable from wearing
jeans. Standards must be maintained,
after all! Happy days, happy days!shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-36130946878472027412016-10-09T11:22:00.000+13:002016-10-09T12:05:42.966+13:00Torrid Times<br />
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I've been absent from the blogosphere for a while with bad health and then the near loss of dear little Shoestring Cottage to fire. The house next door to Shoestring caught fire and was destroyed; luckily nobody was hurt though, and all occupants were able to escape before the worst damage was done. The wonderful volunteer fire fighters who turned out from towns all around did an amazing job and saved Shoestring, though it was too late to be able to save the house next door. When I put my crystal sculptures in the garden I thought I might one day lose them to wind but it never occurred to me that fire would be the culprit. The repair of the cottage and garden will take a while but if we take things one step at a time we will get there. Melted spouting and blistered paint are small problems when we think what might have been. </div>
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Life goes on though and at the markets this weekend we were pleased to find this painting to go on the walls already collapsing under the weight of our collection of priceless art works. This is so evocative of the Waikato, and when you can see it in "real life" you get a sense of the sun going down at the end of a winter day, with the last light glowing on the distant hills and illuminating the leafless trees. Of course it doesn't fit the "theme" of any of the collections of paintings and so it might just be the start of a new one. </div>
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At the markets I almost crowed with delight when Mr Shoestring found me three more glasses to add to the 1953 royal visit collection, it really is becoming quite substantial now and we're even getting some matchy matchy pieces; in time we could be able to host a royalist party and provide our guests with plates and glassware, though the plates seem more difficult to find. </div>
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A long time ago I had a few beautiful old handkerchiefs with embroidery so fine and detailed that I always stopped to admire them when I came across them in my sewing cupboard. Though they served no practical purpose I thought it might be pretty to sew them all onto a sheer voile curtain to display them better and this week I found some beauties. Actually I think I have more than enough now for the curtain but the thrill of the chase makes me pick them up when I see them. I must remember to take some to art deco weekend next year, because a lady would never be without a hanky in those times, though some of them are so tiny and fragile that it's hard to imagine them being practical when pressed into service.</div>
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The top one is cream silk and the embroidery is very subtle and pretty. </div>
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Another find was an embroidered picture of a cosy cottage complete with water wheel, worked in minute detail using cottons. The person who worked this took so much time and care, it would be a shame for it to be neglected and unappreciated. </div>
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Another thing which has given me a lot of pleasure lately is searching for plates like these, as a joke Christmas present for my dear mama. The three with poems on them all have the same poem, very sentimental. </div>
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Mother</div>
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To one who bears the sweetest name</div>
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And adds a lustre to the same</div>
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Who shares my joys</div>
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Who cheers when sad</div>
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The greatest friend I ever had</div>
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Long life to her for there's no other</div>
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Can take the place of my Dear Mother</div>
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I was hoping that when I gave her the collection she would think I gave them seriously, have to pretend to be pleased and vow to treasure them forever. I know though that she will instantly realise they are a joke, and insist on giving them back to me so I can smash them up for mosaics. It's worth a try though. </div>
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We recently salvaged an old light fitting from The Firstborn when she and her husband were renovating their first home. Of course they thought it was horribly ugly and we couldn't let it be discarded, so we dragged it to Shoestring and Mr Shoestring very cleverly used some solar garden lights and converted it to be an outdoor chandelier. The weather has been horrible; it's been the wettest spring we can remember and we despair of ever having outdoor evening meals but if the weather ever does oblige us with some sunshine and warmth we will happily sit under our solar powered outdoor chandelier. The lights stay strong for a long time after sundown, the birds who spend their nights in the garden may have been a bit perplexed to begin with but it doesn't seem to have scared them away. They have been enjoying splashing about in the birdbath, which is odd as there is so much water in the puddles and all around the district.<br />
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Roll on summer is all I can say, warm days and nights spent outdoors. I've found a few old straw hats which I'd like to decorate for Art Deco Weekend in Napier next February and want to experiment with the best way to colour them to match deco costumes, but it's proving a bit scary; after all it would be a shame to ruin them. One day soon I'll just have to bite the bullet and take to one of them with either water colours (but imagine if it rained, which it always seems to be doing, and the colour ran all over a person's hair and face and clothing) or maybe watered down acrylic paint. It will be a challenge, at any rate. Some lengths of op shop silk are there, ready for making evening wear. it's just a question of getting started instead of leaving things until the week before, which is my usual approach. <br />
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shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-20167506771877993252016-09-11T15:01:00.000+12:002016-09-11T15:01:31.467+12:00Filled With EnthusiasmYet another couple of weeks passed before we were able to get back to Shoestring and it might be these periods of absence, but for whatever reason everything at Shoestring Cottage seemed particularly enjoyable and relaxing this weekend. Last weekend I went to see Giselle with my dear mama and two of my girls and what a magnificent production that was! I was so inspired that I decided not to give up my ballet lessons after all, but to persevere, and fully expect in the fullness of time to be hailed as one of the leading lights of the ballet world. I even cut out one of the picture from my programme to put with the two little old swan lake scenes I once got at an op shop. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lTvVPv805HCKiDr6Wc4TfHlcnJBZqO1LZLlpYN3IgmAiaJ6v4s60Inf4ECO-TGSXaWpnwDUFbYPMeFmYDSYMRUvVs5oXcfFp0t5Fy01aP6mzGgbWi9o7llxQ5NQFot8kax0-yjDotFS7/s1600/FWI2+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lTvVPv805HCKiDr6Wc4TfHlcnJBZqO1LZLlpYN3IgmAiaJ6v4s60Inf4ECO-TGSXaWpnwDUFbYPMeFmYDSYMRUvVs5oXcfFp0t5Fy01aP6mzGgbWi9o7llxQ5NQFot8kax0-yjDotFS7/s640/FWI2+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This weekend was the weekend for the monthly Matamata markets by a happy coincidence, and what a lot of wonderful treasures we found there. It might be just that we have had an enforced break away from op shopping but I was very excited to find a little plate to add to my Royal Visit Collection, which now is officially a collection as it has three pieces. </div>
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The other souvenir piece I found was this little vase celebrating the "new" Auckland Town Hall, which was opened on 14 December 1911 and apparently looks a lot like the Brixton Town Hall. It was designed to fit its wedge shaped plot and even now is used by Aucklanders, and is very much beloved by us. </div>
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The vase has that pearly, shell-like quality which so much New Zealand souvenir ware is made with and it's going to live with the Te Aroha souvenir ware unless I find other Auckland commemorative pieces for it to cuddle up to, all in good time though. </div>
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Another great find was this special raffia hat. I am beginning to hope that Esme may not be perennially displeased, but that rather she is just awaiting the perfect hat and I fancy I may be getting a bit closer here because I think she looks slightly less annoyed than she usually does, though still a bit sad and down in the dumps. The beauty of this hat is that the brim is not symmetrical, it is smaller at the back giving a kind of halo effect. We are planning a day at the races for summer time, when all the attendees will bring a car boot picnic complete with the correct type of picnic foods (bacon and egg pie, lamingtons, asparagus rolls and so on) and we all will get dressed up in our race day finery, and I think this hat may be the starting point for my costume. Often it's good to start with the hat and work the rest of the costume around it, or you end up with a nice outfit but no hat to match, which is indeed wrong on so many levels. Being cream this hat looks summery and it shouldn't be difficult to find gloves to go with it either. </div>
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These wonderful publications will give me a lot to think about, the Summer Fashions 1946 1947 is by the Australian Home Journal and has a good selection of dresses and clothes for children and teenagers as well as women. </div>
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But the one about millinery was fascinating too. It was published by the Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences of Scranton, Pa (I think that must be Pennsylvania) in 1921 and was full of information about the various hats a well dressed woman might need for special occasions including </div>
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motoring </div>
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the sailor hat</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafnuBo9-fRbqVMu8nr0zTz9U1dt-NT1IX3cWVqT2IwzdKFt6MP3q2Xk9qrphVHUo3dRiKuWpmb1yCmix3BOnfvpJK_QZQGL_U8liph1w-u8l6zO5YqGfEzy-Ygndh37wRuK5oHMefJQ2x/s1600/FWI14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafnuBo9-fRbqVMu8nr0zTz9U1dt-NT1IX3cWVqT2IwzdKFt6MP3q2Xk9qrphVHUo3dRiKuWpmb1yCmix3BOnfvpJK_QZQGL_U8liph1w-u8l6zO5YqGfEzy-Ygndh37wRuK5oHMefJQ2x/s320/FWI14.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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gardening </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNjqc_I9wm5XzemN_KrZHDwDN3wbBb9wuDHQyFBDxs6XvifLqRJY-58x5siB5hs4mKVrtFwuLiJVTu2IAqfJk9gKw1DWV8Ng8kft1vl88vjdm9q4tUaSUxM_AhgldnUk5HvKfznUdFBJU/s1600/FWI15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNjqc_I9wm5XzemN_KrZHDwDN3wbBb9wuDHQyFBDxs6XvifLqRJY-58x5siB5hs4mKVrtFwuLiJVTu2IAqfJk9gKw1DWV8Ng8kft1vl88vjdm9q4tUaSUxM_AhgldnUk5HvKfznUdFBJU/s320/FWI15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and this mysterious creation, which apparently is an Oriental headdress for a fancy-dress, concert or tableau. </div>
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Even the breakfast caps were inspired though I must admit I began to feel as though a person could spend a lot of time changing their hat if they were to take this booklet too seriously. It did give me a lot to think over as far as trimming hats for art deco weekend goes though.</div>
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It wasn't all flea marketing this weekend though, in between times I finally managed to make the tulip needlepoint up into a cushion and I'm very pleased with the result, despite the fact that I lost the pale yellow remnant of velvet I had intended to use for the background, and also lost the edge trimming and had to purchase it all over again. No doubt now that the cushion is finally complete they will both resurface and I will feel duty bound to find some other purpose to put them to. </div>
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I was very pleased to find these old buttons which I will reuse on an art deco costume or four. In inspecting the back of the card with the white buttons still attached I was rather alarmed to see that the buttons were made from "the finest urea" (who knew that urea came in different degrees of quality?) amongst other things. They were guaranteed to be "boilproof, ironproof, fadeproof and unaffected by dry cleaning", so that good quality urea obviously made a big difference to the finished product. <br />
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Of course it was essential to make a start again on the garden now that hopefully the spring is really here and we won't be getting any late frosts. I am very pleased to say that Mr Shoestring has helped me out in my plans for the most decorated garden in the country because he went along with my fanciful idea of putting solar lights into an old light fitting which we were given, and now that he has finished it and hung it in the garden I am thrilled with the result and expect that there will be a lot of light pollution in the night sky around Shoestring Cottage in the future. It looks so pretty and I'm sure we will spend many a happy evening under the lights once the summer comes. Next weekend when it is twilight I will take a photo so you can see the effect, which is sure to be very pretty. </div>
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shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-89066529871614847212016-08-21T15:07:00.001+12:002016-08-21T15:07:20.837+12:00Almost Feels Like Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't been near Shoestring Cottage for the past few weeks, having been struck down by a horrible ailment and needing to stay on my sick bed to try to recover. So it was doubly good to be back there this weekend and to find that the garden and in fact the whole place had survived remarkably well without me there to oversee things - almost a bit of a slap in the face, really! It was feeling as if spring might be on its way and in the garden the bees were working furiously, with their pollen bags full to bursting on their legs. They were so intent on what they were doing that they were almost oblivious to my presence and seemed unconcerned about my close proximity. <br />
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Even the old berries on the melia tree looked beautiful silhouetted against the blue sky and the magnolias and michelias are full to bursting with buds. I'm sure that in the next few days the blossoms will be bursting from the buds and we will be in for a beautiful show. </div>
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Seedling primulas have been coming up in the cracks in the paths and everything feels as though it's going to be putting on a bumper show for the spring season. </div>
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The first year I was at Shoestring Cottage I planted a borage plant, wanting to reap the benefits they were supposed to provide, but it grew so enormous that it took over the entire front garden and suffocated all the other seedlings and plants nearby so I eventually had to take it out. I was rather concerned to notice this weekend that it has come back again, whether from a seed or a piece of root left in place I'm not sure, but it looked so fluffily full of promise with its first flower buds forming that I have given it the benefit of the doubt and left it there ... for now. But once it begins again on its campaign for world domination we will have a difference of opinion, I know. </div>
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As I've been so badly under the weather I allowed myself a weekend off the blue swallows quilt and took out my old favourite, the Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses. This is a lot more of a complicated undertaking than it first appears, as I tend to work in a frenzy of enthusiasm and excitement, cutting up numerous patches which then all somehow become jumbled up together and entangled, so that when you need four, or eight, or twelve pieces all identical you can only ever find three, five or seven of them. I spread them all out over the floor and tried to impose some order out of chaos. Mr and Mrs Peaceable Kingdom probably thought I spent a serene weekend just happily sitting by the fire when they called around, but this is only because I had advance warning of their planned arrival and scooped up all the half way matched up pieces, tossed them into a bag and put them out of sight. Mission half accomplished and I feel sure I will be much more easily able to lay my hands on the pieces I need now that they are at least put into ziplock plastic bags with some kind of colour code imposed on them, and some are even pinned together.</div>
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It will be great fun deciding what colour to use for the piecing squares but that's a long way off yet, no need to start thinking about that for quite some time, possibly years. <br />
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After putting some flowers from the garden in a makeshift container for the bathroom I realised I have the makings of yet another collection coming on. </div>
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I found the Valium Roche pot in a second hand shop somewhere and liked it for its rich colours of lettering and decoration. It's sitting with a blue eye wash thingy and a little medicine measurer from an old pharmacy, also a couple of Victorian shaving mugs in pretty blue shades. Kind of a pharmaceutical theme under way perhaps? Something to think about, anyway. Possibly something to avoid also!</div>
<br />shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-80218348749787800202016-07-31T12:01:00.000+12:002016-07-31T12:01:08.448+12:00Mr Shoestring - Paragon of Virtue<br />
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Now just before I get started, let me say that Mr Shoestring is an all round excellent person and a shining example to us all. I say this because he found in the space of half a day my lost camera (the loss of which had prevented me from writing blogs about Shoestring Cottage for quite a long time now) and also my best Little Black Dress, the one I go to automatically on Monday mornings when I have an early start at work and which is a life saver in the wardrobe department. So, well done Mr Shoestring and long may you continue in this manner. <br />
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Winter art deco weekend in Napier has rolled around again and it was a great success. This year we initiated Mr and Mrs Canuck into the mysteries of this heavenly festival and they proved to be easily up to the task. For one thing, Mrs Canuck made herself the most creative costumes including a spectator coat and matching hat, and she decked the uncomplaining Mr Canuck out in wonderfully colourful art deco raiment. Also they were both excellent travelling companions, by which I mean that they never balked at the prospect of stopping at every op shop along the road and even returning to them again on the return journey. When it comes to op shops I'm a bit like a dog who remembers once finding a bone at a certain spot and will always return to the scene of past op shopping triumphs in the confident expectation of a repeat performance. Once when we left Napier I found a beautiful landscape painting to add to my ever growing collection of masterpieces, but my little car was so full that even when I opened the top I couldn't fit the painting in, so sadly had to leave it behind. You can see that she is only a diminutive thing and once she had all the furs, hats, costumes and accessories two decophiles needed for a weekend of fun and frolics loaded into her she was loaded up to the roof and I had to try to slip the painting in by opening up the roof, but even that wasn't going to work. <br />
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When we revisited the shop after winter deco I told Mrs Canuck about this sad near-miss and had a look through the paintings but could find nothing to take my fancy. Lo and behold, Mrs Canuck found this wonderful treasure for me and made me very happy. (Luckily she is not interested in priceless artworks, concentrating more on items for her budding art deco wardrobe.)<br />
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My new landscape fits in with the theme of these ones, but it can't be hung with them as there is no wall space left so it has to go nearby. Still looks pretty damned fabulous all the same though!<br />
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Every time we return from art deco weekend I'm fired up with enthusiasm for making better costumes for next time. This time the gauntlet was well and truly thrown down by Mrs Canuck (and her a novice too!) and rather than run out of steam as I usually do I resolved to get started before the enthusiometer started to run down. I have one hat which I adore and which has no costume to go with it, the poor thing. Esme agreed to model it for me, but you can see that she wasn't happy about it. <br />
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I think the fruits and the net are so cheerful and optimistic and I love the way the crown and brim are different colours too. </div>
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This weekend I cast about in the overstuffed art deco costumes wardrobe and came up with this dress which I think has the same cheerful optimistic outlook as the hat.</div>
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I think I will change the buttons and take off the plain black ones, and perhaps use these old glass ones, keeping to the theme of the more colour, the better. </div>
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Another great find which Esme reluctantly agreed to model for me was this boater. (It is a bit large for her, that might explain her less than enthusiastic expression.) </div>
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It has a school crest on the front and it's beautifully woven, a bit the worse for wear but I was really interested to find an old newspaper inside the crown. It must have been a tad large for its original wearer also. <br />
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When I visited The Duchess of Ringloes while we were at winter deco she gave me this most wonderful old cardboard box. You can only imagine how I wished my bosom pointed skywards in the manner of this fortunate young woman. I'm using it (the box, not the bosom), to store all the hexagons for my swallows quilt (which is growing at a woefully slow rate, and of which I am becoming heartily tired). I hope that having this beautiful container will imbue me with a new sense of purpose and that I will race through the finishing stages of the swallows quilt, but somehow I suspect I will continue on in the same ramshackle and lackadaisical fashion. I have a terrible craving to get back to some more crazy quilting and do some cross stitch and make the Lucy Boston quilt but I have imposed this restriction upon myself that first things first, finish what you have started, no more projects until then, blah blah blah, very boring but virtuous. Sigh. <br />
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And The Dancing Queen also gave me a beautiful gift, the green depression glass box on the left which I think I will store my old glass buttons in. I have never seen one like this before, I love the unusual shape and all the ridges on its lid and underneath as well. More of an incentive to keep the sewing room tidy - a place for everything and everything in its place. Or close to its place. Or within reach. Or at least knowing where the thing you want is, that's always a good thing. <br />
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Happy days, happy days, and we only have one more month of winter to go now before spring is well and truly with us. </div>
shoestring cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15646852337106617784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7339775062993558523.post-66157925352836343462016-06-19T14:22:00.000+12:002016-06-19T14:22:33.902+12:00Tidy But Curiously Frustrating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having spent so long last weekend making things tidy at Shoestring Cottage in the sewing room, and in the whole place in general, I was determined that never again would things get into such a mess. I sat about for a while in my favourite chair surveying things in all their tidiness. <br />
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The dish with the serviettes was full to overflowing with nicely pressed napkins, awaiting use. The bowl with the napkin rings was neatly placed beside it, similarly ready to be pressed into service. </div>
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The china on the mantelpiece was standing in an an orderly fashion with not too much dust about<br />
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and even the doggy salt and pepper shakers seemed to be alert and poised expectantly, not slouching or lounging<br />
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The bed was neatly made and the cushions maintaining an orderly arrangement</div>
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The needlepoint project was awaiting attention but I didn't dare interfere with the wools and spread them all about the place</div>
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Eventually I could stand it no longer and dragged forth the quilt which is still needing completion but never seems to get anywhere near the final stitches. </div>
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It did make a bit of a mess but a contained mess with just a few reels of quilting thread, some scissors and my favourite needle. I beavered away and got a few more squares quilted</div>
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but I think that this might be my last quilt with a lot of hand quilting because I am such a slow quilter. I read of people who can take seven stitches onto their needle at one time and despair, for me one stitch is the norm, two good and three excellent. It will be worth finishing this one off but after that I may have to abandon my grandiose plans for an armoir full of heavily quilted works of art for the sake of just completing what's started and maybe even moving on to some of the projects swirling around inside my mind. </div>
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Mr Shoestring has been very busy this weekend raking up the leaves from the grass and also was very kind and hung up this brass rack for me, which we bought months ago (possibly years ago) at the op shop and which has been languishing ever since. I am thrilled with it and of course I won't use its existence as a reason to buy yet more books, oh no no no no. </div>
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The lemon tree which went in as a tiny seedling has yielded up its first fruits, cause for great excitement. I feel sure that the liberal doses of compost and coffee grounds which have been lavished upon it have contributed to its flourishing and eagerly await the day when there is a glut of fruit and we are casting about for more things to do with lemons. Lemons would have to be my all time favouite ingredient, there are so many things which are enhanced with lemons from savoury to sweet and they are such a cheerful looking fruit was well. </div>
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