New Acquisitions #17

I bought these a week ago at a local "lifestyle" market. A cushion cover ...

a ceramic pendant ...














and a ceramic ring ...

It was a pretty sad market - not many traders / craftspeople, and very few customers. For a while I was the only person wandering from table to table. So, although I like what I've bought, and am using all three items, under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't have purchased these. I bought out of pity. Do you sometimes buy something because you feel bad for the seller?

Trophy Head.

I think hunting is a horrible sport, and I think that taxidermy is quite gruesome, so what am I doing with a trophy head on my wall?

Because I thought it would be interesting to make one. (Plastic detergent bottle, recycled cardboard bits, old dressmaking patterns.)

Flagged.

We haven't been in Hout Bay for years, and yesterday was such a beautiful day that we decided to take a drive round Chapmans Peak.

This gentleman is inspecting the area next to the road - Chapmans Peak is well-known for rockfalls and opened earlier this year after having been closed for several years for maintenance and upgrading of safety features.

Me, with aforementioned hat, and Snous.

Taking Snous for a walk on Hout Bay beach. We took a green flag along - do you know what it's for?

Quite a novel idea, I thought. Have never seen it before. Snous did not make use of her green flag, but we did leave a tip!

After our walk we sat outside at the Dunes restaurant and looked out towards the harbour, guzzling pizza and a chicken burger. Snous, of course, had both.

Bread Plate Hat.

I have been looking for a hat for a long time. Black (what else?) in a fabric such as linen or cotton canvas, with a short but not floppy brim, and big enough to pull over my ears with my eyes just peeking out. In fact, I was looking for something old-fashioned, kind of 1920's or 1930's style. Of course I did not find such a hat. So I made one this weekend.

I am particularly proud of it as I made it without a pattern - I cut out a crown using a bread plate (side plate) and then measured the side and brim a little bigger than I thought, then tacked it together to see that it (kind of ) worked, then cut the pieces a bit smaller, and then hand-sewed the whole lot together.

I also made a flower from the same material to pin on. Not sure that I will wear it like that though - it looks a bit too formal. I am thinking of sewing different bands that I can decorate in different ways and slipping that over when I need some variety - what do you think?

Bird.

"That bird sings only when she is unhappy."  Said of Dorothy Parker.

Celebration

We had a lovely celebration this weekend; dearest M turned 60, and what a party it was!
Walking along the cliff path to the venue in town; The Barefoot Cook - the food was simply delicious, so if you ever land up in Hermanus, be sure to give them a visit; roses and wine; PianoBen  provided great music; I am allowed to reveal that the party girl wore a pink rocker belt; sunflowers and candles in the fountain; golly, those girls can dance!; a surprise visit from a bagpipe player to celebrate the birthday girl's roots; weaving our way back to the guesthouse after many glasses of wine and champagne, we encountered a school band playing big band jazz, a suitable way to end a fantastic afternoon!

Practice makes perfect

I have forgotten everything I learnt in the embroidery workshop I attended last year! So I borrowed a book on basic embroidery stitches from the library and practised last night.

Okay, it is far from perfect, I know, but I'll practise some more, okay? I think I like cross-stitch and backstitch best.

This weekend I will be going to Hermanus again - this time to celebrate the 60th birthday of a dear friend. (And Snous will be having her second sleepover.) Have a great weekend, everyone - be good!