assemblage

to read (and picture)

summer reading:

a book before the  pictures.

a book for forms and pictures.

a book for the bigger picture.

a thread of christmas joy

may a thread

of christmas joy,

weave through

your year ahead.

k. johnstone, 2007.

a river runs through it

above: gehry building, prague, 2005.

act i, scene i

70mm rain deluge in 30 minute timeframe.

1 inundated stormwater drain behind and above house.

1/2 metre wide river of stormwater flowing into newly paved backyard area.

1 blocked drain. 1 overwhelmed drain.

1 drenched mother, ankles submerged, frantically sweeping clear operational drain.

2 distraught children, contained within house, watching.

1 house saved from flooding. almost.

act i, scene ii

1 speech prepared.

1 preparatory delivery.

4 moist eyes.

act ii

1 last day, at workplace of 11 years.

3 travelling, to final luncheon.

2 prepared, for inevitable streaming.

1 new direction, coursing forward.

vessel wednesday

my seasonal effort for vessel wednesday this week.

slumped glass serving plate - 135cm square. a gift from a dear friend.

deliciously soft and melt-in-the-mouth chocolate shortbread stars.

perfect for catching my breath and 5 minutes with a beaker of coffee.

the present state of affairs

like most people at this time of year i imagine, i am feeling overstretched and overstressed.

my mind is constantly leaping between the urgent and the mildly urgent. the important and the mildly important.

what i am seeking is to step aside from the rush and reflect on the season:

the reason to celebrate.

the reason to give.

and after that:

i would like some time to reflect on the year that has been.

and the year that is to come.

the things i felt i did well. the things that i need to focus on.

kimono pouch

these fully lined zippered pouches are made from left over vintage kimono fabric that i am supposedly making into this quilt.

to be filled with some pieces of  pistachio, cranberry and cardamom biscotti presently cooling on the wire racks filling my home with christmas baking aromas.

the intended recipients? tom's kinder teacher and anais' creché girls.

to inspire

my copy arrived today! whoo hoo.

i think i see more possibilities for myself from this edition than the previous which is pleasing as i wasn't so sure based solely on the front cover image.

this large image above is an immediate favourite and i wish i had time over the weekend to give it a go.

on the pattern book topic, i met up with michelle and jo for a little pattern book swap meet this week. and i managed to bring this one home with me for a play at my house... uh huh.

and i thought i might start a rumour that pattern magic 3 will be based on adapting skirt patterns (and maybe they will take the hint!).

to ride

my husband will be starting a new job literally around the corner from where we live in the new year. in the interests of saving the planet and money, we recently sold our second car....

(now, you know where this is heading.)

of course, it makes sense to have a "second" vehicle, doesn't it?

so, he purchased an almost new vespa scooter online and we collected it this morning!

shame the kids aren't allowed on it until they are 8 years old but hey,  i know mr assemblage and i will have a great time with it. summer of fun, here we come.

(yup. i think i might be having my mid-life crisis a little early.)

note to self: book in motorcycle licence test. oh. and buy a helmet.

corrugated wrap top

further to my corrugated wrap skirt and investigating adaptability in clothing, i wanted to further develop the concept into a top.

in contrast to the skirt, i have used 'matching' tapes which allows the wrap elements to be worn flat or gathered. into corrugations. or pleats.

front and back. front or back.

the closure on the shoulder can be worn open. or closed.

fabric: georg jensen 100% damask cotton with self pattern stripe

closure: snap tape at neck left, wrap snaps at front waist left and rear waist right.

to be able to wear a top in multiple ways appeals to me, allowing the wearer to manipulate and adapt the clothing to suit their preferred style. from day to day. from time to time.

can you guess?

another wip (however, this one will be finished very soon).

can you guess?