Category: Creative
What did you do at the weekend? x
It’s been a while coming, but I’ve finally hit the time when I am (virtually) redundant from hand to hand trench child care. Quite a revelation. Suddenly free time is mine again – like really mine. And weekends seem to be the place where the change is most obvious – one day is spent going for long cycle rides (to keep up with husband, a self-confessed mamil, I have an electric bike – like shut the door fabulous) and the other? Well, inspired by Sewing Bee – I’m sewing. This is the pattern I’m currently working on. In this print:
Because it was cheap to make mistakes on and the print made me smile. But if it works, I’m upgrading to this:
Bright canary yellow! And the main print is like 83 cm large! Watch this space…
My new porn is searching for future patterns and ideas – which leads me to what was going to be the main thrust of this post – Folkwear patterns – based in the US, but a treasure trove of historical and international patterns from a Hungarian Szur worn by Magyar herdsman as far back as the middle ages to a ladies chemise from the mid to late 1800s.
(All pics Folkwear. com – and if you want to check out my collection of sewing thoughts and ideas check out Material on Pinterest)
I’m in heaven!
Laters, Kate x
Trends x
Natural or not is the big question. Along with fad versus longevity. Both comments a reflection on a turn in the tide, a smell in the air heralding a new desire strong colour. The clash, the crash, the sheer excitement of the wrong made right – except, bright colours are natural and have already stood the test of time as the animal kingdom proves. What’s fascinating for me is when life is often at it’s bleakest – I’m writing this questioning how the whole infrastructure of the UK seems to be crumbling with panic buying, shortages and empty shelves (and all the time asking myself, how many years has this current government been in power?) fashion responds by becoming it’s brightest…
(All pics pinterest)
Now to find myself a pair of emerald green culottes and a pair of pink pointy kitten heels…
Laters, Kate x
By All the Planets! x
What a treat the Sunday Times Home supplement had this week – and whole article on this amazing story – Club Jupiter – the tale of three talented friends pulling together to create something special over lockdown that will change the way you think of static caravans forever. So much of this spoke to my heart – taking something forgotten and breathing new life, stripping away the plastic and replacing it with everything natural and considered, three women with a special bond, three women with fantastic eyes for colour and pattern; it’s a dream made in heaven – or rather Margate, because this little beauty is now up for renting – so not only brilliant but financially brilliant as well – I doff my feathered cap you incredible girls.
For more details and to book, click here – Club Jupiter
A little slice of heaven.
Laters, Kate x
Monday, Funday.. x
So this post was going to be a homage to my Best Buy of the summer – a black, trench length pac a Mac from Muji that has been worth every penny of the £9.95 I paid for it, particularly given the strange weather we’re back to in London – rain, rain and more rain. But there are no pictures or mentions on Muji’s website, so you’ll have to take it from me – I’m having to buy another one because everyone in the house keeps nicking it; small, lightweight and does exactly what it says on the tin. Ding dong.
And now, a selection of pictures that sit on the more unusual spectrum of life, because if you can’t have basics, then reach for the stars…
Laters, Kate x
Beauty x
So Boris Johnson is about to extend the 21 June deadline for the UK final lifting of lockdown. Who didn’t predict that? But before he does it, he has to leak his intentions in the press just to make sure he’s made the right choice; such strength, always wanting to give what he thinks everyone wants. Except that only works if your name is Father Christmas; centuries of culture, stories, parables, legends, myths, history, religion and Disney, highlighting the problems of temptation and taking the path of least resistance. And then we have Boris.
Once this does lift, I will be one person hoping the life will not be going back to normal. My wish is that the hot air will be taken out of rampant consumerism the government is so banking on, that stuff will not equals feelings, no matter how often we’re sold that it does. My hope is that things will be valued for what they are, not what they’re seen to be, and that beauty, in all its forms, is no longer limited to the age when we can be groomed into buying products for a dream we’re told will come true, if only we buy the products. Time to break the circle, because there’s only once place it leads – to people like Boris ruining, sorry, running, the country.
(All pics Pinterest)
Laters, Kate x
Bling x
I love words.
I love Jewellery.
Jewellery plus words equals a match made in heaven.
Especially if they’re rude words. Or rather the words that hit the sweet spot of irony.
(All pics Pinterest and Hoopsandchains.com)
Hell yeah.
Laters, Kate x
Green is great x
So different from last year when the season changed at the flick of a switch. This year, the weather also seems to have been infected by all things associated with the pandemic. In London it’s cold, like turn the heating back on, winter socks and thermal undies cold. Outside the green is appearing – but it’s being battered by high winds and driving rain; my garden hasn’t had it’s summer make over yet, there’s been no incentive. I’m thinking maybe an offering to forgotten earth spirits is required – it’s what these green chandeliers make me think of, there’s a joy in their simplicity and a celebration in their construction. Who couldn’t fail to be impressed?
(All pics Pinterest)
And if nothing else, I can watch them bobbing in the wind.
Laters, Kate x
A Gem x
So here’s the thing – I did a post about brooches a while back. But my love of them shows no signs of abating, instead the need to embellish is growing and multiplying like a sparkling, cabochon mold.
But there’s something else that’s caught my eye, away from the traditional magpie pull of vintage costume jewellery; beautiful handmade and handcrafted brooches, little masterpieces of creation, witty takes and outrageous pieces of inventiveness.
(All pics Pinterest)
I love.
Laters, Kate x
Craft x
Saw this. And a part of me, deep inside, roared – why hadn’t I thought of this? So simple, so satisfying. How many times have I passed piles of pictures and postcards at jumbles and car boot sales and felt the pang of loss for their former glory, the lure of their nostalgia and potential ignored? No longer my friends – this ship is primed and ready to sale; the perfect combination of new and old, structure and imagination and Netflix plus mindful.
(All pics Pinterest)
Laters, Kate x
Julie Pelipas x
Julie Pelipas: Street style star, Vogue Ukraine fashion director and up cycled vintage fashion label owner – a one woman, stop at nothing powerhouse. She says,
‘When it comes to creating clothes, we can do better, we can create beautiful things ethically and thoughtfully, that is the challenge and the magic.’
I love her take on masculine tailoring – an obsession since her school days when she started adapting her Grandfather’s suits. Loose, lounge-able and louche; I want.
(All pics Pinterest)
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 