Category: Craft
Brain Storming..
I think it’s something in the air, but there’s an itch I need to scratch..three projects are calling my name and it’s got to the point when every time I close my eyes, I see them..
Let me run the first one past you…it involves lights: I’ve got the bug to re-do our kitchen, which would be a fairly mammoth job and isn’t going to happen anytime soon, but it would mean our dining room table would move to a place where it could have two (sigh) chandeliers above it. Just designing the chandeliers would be a great starting point don’t you think?..My heart loves the Abigail Ahern light above, but unfortunately The Bank doesn’t (a mere £11.000 a pop)..but then the brain thinks could I make one myself? I’ve made a light before..
…So I’m running with the conundrum..I was thinking maybe the really cheap and cheerful Japanese lanterns would be the perfect base?..have three together, a large round one on top and attach smaller ones below, then cover them all in rectangles of tissue paper like fishes scales…if it goes tits up, the initial outlay is pretty low…
The second option is this more expensive light from John Lewis and use the same technique…at £120 for the shade it’s a bit more of a risk cost-wise if it goes wrong.. I suspect the cylindrical shape is better? But I do rather miss the drama of the three levels..
Or – just to throw something extra into the mix..what about something with the japanese lanterns based on this idea?..
Cunning eh?
The Easter holidays are fast approaching..if I can do the ground work now and make a decision it would be the perfect project to do with the kids…what are your thoughts? Any of them grab you? all suggestions are very welcome as I’m at the point when I’m going round in creative circles!…
Laters, Kate x
Fascinating Faustine x
Tucked away in the wilds of East London is a Studio with a difference. It’s where Faustine Steinmetz works her magic spinning, dying and weaving her own fabrics, up-cycling old textiles and turning the ordinary into the curiously exotic.
Her work isn’t about re-defining the silhouette into dramatic statements, instead she wants her clothes to have a grounded reference point. Each piece is chosen from the iconic element of our wardrobes – the pieces you reach for without thinking. It’s then the re-construction that gets taken to a whole new level.
Choices are made – like the denim will be made from mohair – and from that point, everything is handmade and hand dyed, right down to familiar red tabs and labels which are hand woven on looms in the studio.
These jeans were tapestried by hand to create the illusion of aged denim using hundreds and thousands of tiny stitches. The process took ten people 3 months to complete.
The idea behind this jacket was to create something that looked as if it had spent years floating in the sea.
(All pictures by Sanna Helena Berger)
Her concept is as far away from fast fashion as you can get, but it also challenges the thought processes of luxury brands. Many of the pieces she chooses as her inspiration, like the 501 levi jeans, were originally designed for labourers – made out of necessity rather than for beauty for the ordinary person on the street. But for Faustine luxury is not a glittering ball gown made from rare pleated silks and worn once, ‘luxury’ means somebody spending the time and talent to create something unique using pride and passion to create with integrity and heart.
Laters, Kate x
The Sapeurs.. xxx
Suave and sophisticated, the title Sapeur comes from la SAPE, an abbreviation of Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes – The Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People. Over the past twenty five years it’s emerged as a brightly coloured African subculture inspired by the myth of Parisian elegance and Dandyism.
Mostly centred around Brazzaville and Kinshasa, the adjacent Capitals of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively, the Sapeurs cultivate their refined gentility amid their countries war-torn, extreme poverty.
But despite this nations history, Sapeurs are pacifists – for them style is about being respectful with a pure attitude and impeccable manners.
Creativity is paramount – although many will spend whatever they have on clothes, it’s not about the money, it’s about style and being flamboyant in oneself, despite the circumstances.
(All the pictures above by Baudouin Mouanda)
They are ordinary people, with ordinary jobs who break free by transforming their dusty pavements into fabulous fashion runways. But the truth is these characters are teachers, creatures of spirit with a powerful, requisite flair and passion.
(Photo by Hector Mediavilla)
Sharp and sly, like poetry in motion with their hearts turned to the sun, they demand that there can be great riches in small spaces..their irresistible sense of pride says you can be whatever you want to be…and sometimes we all need that fairytale.
(Photo by Hector Mediavilla)
A very short documentary – worth watching! x
To those that say their style is part of a legacy of cultural imperialism and a post-colonial carry-over they say:
‘White people invented the clothes..but we turned them into an art form’
Personally, I doff my bright yellow trilby to them.
Laters, Kate x
Mexican wonders..
Anyone else having problems with WordPress or is it just me? This wasn’t the post intended for today..but amongst other things I’ve lost the ability to upload pictures..to edit..to go into ‘Help’ which sort of sums up frustration..and Live Support is currently closed. Ho hum. Anyways – I originally collected these pictures as they never fail to remind me of the summer sun; It doesn’t matter what the fashion world is dictating, each year I always love the bohemian effortlessness of a peasant style shirt. Most of these are vintage from Mexico, a country which still embraces the beauty of embroidery but whether you’re a lover of colour or prefer the simplicity of a single colour, there’s something for everyone. Thinking of good times ahead..
Laters, Kate x
An Epiphany.. x
Yesterday, the 6th of January was Epiphany – the Christian feast celebrating the wise men meeting baby Jesus, but also informally recognised as the date by which (certainly in Europe) all Christmas decorations have to be down. Which really seems a far better date to make New Year Resolutions – far away from hangovers, chaos and tinsel – and when there’s a general sense of cleansing and moving on. There’s been time to think about what really matters and mull over plans. For instance, I’m taking on this idea..a thought jar..a place for one captivating thought or quote a day which can be put away for a rainy moment…it’s by my computer now.
Charlie and I have also started on our Epiphany Tablecloth..an idea adapted from the lovely Kerry from Love Those Hands at Home (who also sells vintage linen at her etsy shop)…she re-blogged a special story about a family Christmas cloth, with little messages embroidered on every year by members of the family, of love, of happiness, of major events. I recognise my limitations and before Christmas is too much..but now? I want to reminisce about Christmas and year gone by, and I so appreciate these treasures created out of nothing but time and love till they have a magical, talismanic quality created by and just for the family.
Each family member writes their name and something on the cloth with pencil (We want it to be special so we’re using a vintage irish linen tablecloth) then it’s simply embroidered. The original cloth was made with red and green embroidery thread for alternate odd and even years…we’ve gone for white and creams, just to be a bit different., to be able to use it at different times of the year…and keep people looking closer..
There was another post that hit a chord.. Rachel Olsen wrote on the Huffington post about not having a list of resolutions that will inevitably get broken, but rather have a single word that encapsulates the whole year. I’ve thought about what my word would be..fitter? tighter? creative?
But the one I’m going to go with is ‘Zone’. If I can zone my mind to all the things I really want to do…then they’ll all happen.
Well..that’s the plan!
Laters, Zoning already…Kate x
Merry Christmas!!!! xxx
The Jewels of Christmas..
The truth be told, Christmas is MY time of year and all I really want to do is indulge in every bit of glitter and tinsel going. What stresses me is being separated from that by all the mundane crap that requires wading through with super strength Hunter wellies – the everyday AND the present buying/the wrapping/the sending/the cards – it never stops. I alway say I need my bah-humbug rant in November when I’m out of synch with everyone else, running round like a headless chicken trying to get ahead of the game so I can truly enjoy the magical time in calmness and serenity (well, that’s the plan). I will admit this year has been a bit mixed..I left the Great Furniture Move a bit late in the day which put the squeezers on, but I’ve learnt from previous years to knuckle down and keep moving so no matter what most of the main bits are in place with a few days to spare..a few more decs to hang, a few more pressies to wrap (those that need batteries), a few more cards to drop at neighbours (it’s like dinner parties..the closer you are, the later you turn up) but there has been time to sit down and smell the cinnamon..
We’ve painted our four 99p reindeer for the Christmas table..the idea was to go all scandi/red n white n gold..so we lost the silver glitter…
(Charlie likes them kissing)
To be teamed with elegant gold Christmas trees from Ikea…but then something started happening..
We did a trip to our local haberdashery shop and there were these wonderful hot pink fluffy pom poms..how nice on the trees?..and dare I say..on the reindeer??
Then the flood gates opened to an avalanche of colour and fun..the upshot? We’re going back to the shops tomorrow to get piles of pink, red and orange tissue to make HUGE pompoms to hang from the ceiling!
I feel the doors of heaven starting to open….
Laters, Kate x
O Christmas Tree!
At least the tree is up! (And looking rather splendid in it’s new position in the bay window. Was it worth it? Give me another 48 hours and I’ll let you know…)
With it’s assortment of memories..this one bought when Bella was born.
This from our life in Italy.
This was lovingly made at nursery by Charlie.
My Bella.
Our homemade pasta and cranberry garlands are still going strong after YEARS!
Heading out now to buy cellotape..and lots of candles..lots and lots…
Laters, Kate x
Door-Candy x
The word on the street in the South West London ‘hood is that festive bling matters…bugger the size of your car, house..waist…What hits the spot in December is your door-adornment slash taste ranking. The competition is hotting up…
So far there are no reported cases of wreath-rage,
but those in the know fear it’s only a matter of Christmas time…
Laters, Kate x
Creative Coffee.. x
Creative Coffee this week had the enticing theme of Christmas-wreath-making-whilst-drinking-mulled-wine…Let’s face it..a winning, festive, smile-inducing combination!
We all had a basic moss base to work with and oodles of luscious greenery to choose from..
Silver or white spray was an option. As was lots of other delicious bits..
I went eu naturale… ivy, eucalyptus and blue thistles..
Ta-Dah!
Laters, Kate
Maison Bentley Style 
