Time for an upgrade?

When quizzed about the game they were playing, Argy and Bargy told me they were speaking to each other on Skype.

Do you think I should tell them that if they get the latest version of the Skype software, they won't need to draw each other's picture on an Etch-a-Sketch?

Trying

With Mr HB away for three weeks, I've been encouraging the kids to really pitch in and help around the house. Of course, in our household there is a fine line between help and hindrance.

Take 3-year old Bargy, for example: here is his version of making the bed. Ah, see how he is trying? And I do mean "trying" in the sense slowly-sending-me-bonkers-by-putting-the-mattress-on-top-of-the-bedding.

(I am much too afraid to ask for help with dinner).

Mr Harvey's fabulous emporium

It was the very first evening of my very first sewing course that I heard the name RJ Harvey & Co mentioned. At the time I took mental note but little else: I was too new to sewing to pay more than fleeting attention. Over time, however, the idea of perusing a little shop of tailors trimmings became more attractive.

So when I recently ran out of pattern tracing paper, I decided an excursion was in order.

Although I'd heard that the store was a little old fashioned, I was still taken aback and entranced when I arrived: RJ Harvey & Co is a slice of history.

The shop is located in the beautiful old Nicholas Building in Melbourne. Located on the third floor you can climb the well-trod marble staircase or catch one of the three (manually driven and beautifully decorated) old lifts.

Walking into the little shop, its hard not to admire the beautiful long wooden counter ...



... and these fabulous drawers ...



... and the way the notions are stored.



I discovered that the business was started way back in 1895 by Mr Harvey's grandfather. The tailor's trimmings shop was first located in the Queens Walk (site of the current city square), then Swanston Street before moving to the Nicholas Building in 1983. The gorgeous shop fittings have travelled with the moves.



After admiring the array of interfacing, interlining, linings and pattern-making tools, I made my selection. My tracing paper, pattern card and assorted bibs and bobs were carefully wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Bliss.



There was something about this shop I really loved. I can't quite pick the feeling: novelty or nostalgia? I wonder now if I had been there with my grandmother when I was little. Perhaps?

I suspect very little would have changed.


RJ Harvey & Co - Tailors Trimmings
3rd Floor
Nicholas Building
37 Swanston Street
Melbourne
Telephone 9654-7047

Renovations

Yesterday the boys and I waved off Mr HB at the airport. The poor chap is off on business again.

What a trial to have to go away overseas for three weeks. That northern hemisphere summer will be difficult.

And I felt especially sorry for him, when I finally saw his itinerary. The bit described only as Weekend - New York sounds gruelling doesn't it? ( I don't think the dear man wanted me to worry, because he kept that leg of the trip quiet. So thoughtful.)

Never mind. I have a lovely surprise for him when he returns - I am sprucing up our house a bit! For details, see the plan above.

Hats a bit silly

Three-year old Bargy tells me my little watercolour and ink sketch isn't quite finished. Apparently the bird still needs a hat?

21 again

Do you think there is a limit on how many years in a row you can announce "21 again" on your birthday? I rather suspect I reached it yesterday.

Never mind - it was a lovely day regardless. Thank you to all the kind people who e-mailed and left messages here - it was a very nice surprise. I was also spoilt by family and friends.

Would you like to see the craft-related eye candy?

The pretty vintage florals, pictured above, were a lovely surprise from Curlypops ( ... thanks for increasing the girly quotient in my stash, Cam!).



These beautiful sharp sprung snips are from my auntie and uncle. They have the most amazingly fine point I have seen and will be really handy.



This very exciting hot fix applicator is from my sister - I can't wait to try it out! Amongst all the interchangable fittings are some amazing teeny tiny ironing tips.



Also from my sister is this fabulous upholstery-weight print from Darwin, that she thought would be good for a bag. I think it will look sensational made up as Nikki's beach bag, which I have in my pattern stash.



And more from my sister. This fabulous hardcover book (complete with flocked cover) is written by Charlotte Smith. Its the story of the some 3000 vintage gowns she inherited from her godmother, Doris Darnell. The colour plates throughout are gorgeous.



And finally courtesy of Mr HB, Argy and Bargy, this interesting gadget is currently winging its way from the US. Its Simplicity's Bias Binding Maker - a little machine that guarantees to make 12 feet of bias tape in less than 60 seconds. Woohoo!

I am really looking forward to trying out all my new gadgets and supplies. Perhaps a clever combined project is in order?

Do you see where I am about to go with this? Yes, a Dior-style vintage evening gown. Cut - daintily with pointy snips - from vintage florals and a turtle print. Carefully pressed with a teeny tiny iron. Trimmed with handmade bias binding. Embellished with hot fix rhinestones over the turtles' eyes.

Did I cross a line yet? (Well at least at 42, I am not also still pretending to be 21)

My creative space

I am joining in with Thursday's My Creative Space at Kootoyoo.

This week there's been some quilting happening in my creative space. The quilt top that has been languishing for so long - orphaned from batting and backing - was basted for me by some very kind mates.



I'm not much good with crawling around on the floor and less so with following rules. So when I heard just how many pins I needed to affix into said quilt, naughty thoughts of shortcuts entered my head. Thankfully I was saved from myself.

For now that is. Wait til I show you my quilting ...

Thank you very much Kirsty for hosting My Creative Space. Its great fun seeing what everyone is doing. To see who else is showing their creative space today (or to join in), head over here.

Vive le béret

This day 7 years ago, I was nearing the end of a cookery and language course at Ecole des Trois Ponts in the south of France. I remember sitting on the terrace enjoying the balmy evening with a glass of wine. It was warm and peaceful. Every now and then the chirrup of the crickets was punctuated by the faraway bang of Bastille Day fireworks. Tout parfait.



Now as 14 July rolls around again, my time at the chateau - conjugating verbs and curling quenelles - is a fading memory. And Bastille Day isn't quite the same, half a world away in a grey Melbourne winter.

At least I can mark the day in this brand new béret.

The pattern I used is a new release from Nicole Mallalieu Design. I had the good fortune to test the pattern before it went on sale this week. Its an absolute dream to sew. Nikki's instructions are so easy to follow and the project itself is lovely and quick.



With variations in shape and size, its a lovely versatile pattern. My version - in grey wool with a emerald bemsilk lining - has a medium sized crown depth. And I already have plans for others.

Why not try making your own?
I should think you'll be beret glad you did.
(Très amusant, non?)


Quick Beret
by Nicole Mallalieu Design
To fit head sizes 54cm - 60cm (with option to alter to fit up to 63cm)
With three crown depth options
www.nicolemdesign.com.au

Sew, was it just a dream?

At nightfall I closed my eyes.
And when I awoke, there I was: in a beautiful place in the country.



Was it a dream?
How else does one explain this?



I don't know what dreaming about storks means ...
... but the rest of the message was clear.



Sew all day and into the night.



And enjoy the wonderful company: the conversation and laughter. Not to mention the food (oh, the food!).



Yesterday as I looked through my bag, some sewing and sketches confirmed that I must have lived the dream. No matter how distant it already seemed.

And blimey ... that stork in the leg warmers and scarf must have been real.

"Sewjourn"
Quilting and craft retreat
92 Main Road
Lancefield
http://www.sewjourn.net.au/

Collage

Every term break, I try and be a good mum and bring out an array of craft projects for Argy and Bargy's amusement. Every term break, I am reminded of what a deluded optimist I am.

Today, for example, we tried collage. I laid out stacks of brightly coloured paper, newsprint, luminous pencils, glue, scissors and tape.

The boys quickly got to work. It took no time to see their preference for mixed media collage. I do mean mixed media in the sense of trawling coloured pencils through glue, sticky-taping scissors closed and adhering things to the floor.

Avant-garde? Or masters of wanton destruction?

I'll leave you to decide. Perhaps some of their previous arts and crafts ventures will assist?


Misunderstanding where the artist should stand in relation to the easel


Creating a masking tape installation whilst parental attention is diverted


Thinking too far out of the square about how to decorate a satchel

Oh well, at least I had a lovely time with my red and blue assemblage (pictured, top). I've stuck it on the fridge.

May the clotheshorse be with you

There's really nothing more satisfying than a quick garment-making project.

Take this stylish bias-cut cape, for example. It was drafted, cut, fitted and finished in virtually no time at all.

(The famous model is apparently retraining as a Jedi Knight)

A winter's day

My creative space

I am joining in with Thursday's My Creative Space at Kootoyoo.

This week's space is filled with a stack of books. They are on loan from my local library and look well-read. They have serious titles like "Metric pattern cutting" and "Pattern making for the home couturier". I am reading about the basics of creating patterns.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm under no illusion as to the complexity of pattern-making - I don't really see a line of Hoppo Bumpo evening-wear in my future. I am, however, enjoying looking at how pattern pieces for various styles are created and how shaping is achieved. Its handy to have a point of reference when you are altering and sewing from commercial patterns.

That said, I'm enjoying the texts with a certain amount of caution. You see, upon spying books full of beautiful line drawings, 3-year old Bargy gushed: "Sank you for borrowing the colouring books, mummy".

Thank you very much Kirsty for hosting My Creative Space. Its great fun seeing what everyone is doing. To see who else is showing their creative space today (or to join in), head over here.