Styling with Vintage Australiana Linens

Lucky me received a fabulous gift from my friend Jude last week - a wonderful vintage linen tablecloth. (My apologies that I didn't iron it for the photo, but hey, who has time for that?)


I love it so much and it's too fab to use for its intended purpose, so I'm going to have it framed, because it really is a work of art isn't it?

This reminded me of Suzie Stanford's wonderful use of vintage Australiana tea towels for upholstering chairs.

Image Source: Suzie Standford

I love the idea of giving these colourful examples of kitsch Australiana a new life. I have childhood memories of my Nanna and Mum using tea towels like this that were the gift of choice from friends who travelled.
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Shane Waltener's Crochet Cobwebs

We're bombarded by so may images these days, so it's not often that something makes me gasp out loud. But Shane Waltener's installation called 'Auntie Peggy Has Departed' had exactly that effect on me.


Shane's mercerised cotton doily cobwebs were an installation piece in Aldwych Tube station in London. Aren't they so magical! They really do take my breath away. I love the decaying old interior contrasted with the delicate white handcrafted doily webs.

I intended to show you more of Shane's cobwebs, but by adding more images here I felt it detracted from the impact of these beauties. Visit Shane's website to see his other amazingly beautiful work like the Chihuly Doily, the Showroom Doily and the breathtaking A Worldwide Web.
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Monday BlogDay :: the bowerbird stories

Last week I discovered the bowerbird stories, a simply beautiful blog by Kristina of [old yarns. reclaimed linens.].


During a holiday in Tasmania last year Kristina was inspired by the local artisans creating everything from gourmet food and wine to fashion and interiors. She was attracted to and inspired by "people making something really good from best quality materials/ingredients and offering it with a passion for, and belief in, their product". Kristina's idea for [oldyarns. reclaimed linens.] was the result of this encounter.


Kristina told me "I have always been drawn to linens and have something of a bowerbird instinct in collecting objects with a simple functional pared back aesthetic. French, Japanese and Scandinavian design does this so well, styles I try to emulate in my work and on my blog. Less is always more, with a touch of the unexpected in the detailing. I have such an appreciation for vintage objects with a story to tell (eg antique monogrammed linen sheets) and try to highlight those stories in the [oldyarns.] pieces".


The bowerbird stories is where Kristina shares her love of the beautiful linens and things she collects as well as local Brisbane places and talent. It really is a gorgeous looking blog with lots of lovely images by Kristina and some lovely well chosen words. Be sure to pay it a visit.
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Sweetie Petite Doll Kits

I've had so many emails asking when my doll kits will be available, so here's the scoop. I was thrilled to have almost sold out at the Stitches & Craft Show last month. Following that I had my first wholesale order, and the remaining few are currently up for grabs in the giveaway.


New fabric has been ordered and I'm expecting to have the kits packed and ready for sale again by the middle of the month. The kits contain the stuffing and some ribbon to make a little loop to hang your Sweetie and her wee friend. The kits are just AUS$20 each. I'll definitely let you know her on my blog when they are ready to go. Or if you want to make sure you nab one you can pre-order now by emailing me. To make things easy I'll be setting up an online shop in $US and one in $AUS.

You can also join my email list (see the link in the sidebar?) to be the first to know about new things from the red thread, specials, etc.

I'm very excited that the Sweeties have been so well received and I'm looking forward to finding all my little gals and their wee friends lovely homes.
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Blogiversary GIVEAWAY

You might remember that I was a bit busy on my one year blogiversary last month to have a giveaway, so here it is, as promised... the one-year-and-one-month-and-one-week-and-one-day blogiversary giveaway.


giveaway part one
Win one of my Ginger Sweetie Petite doll kits* and a pack of 4 cards.

Do you know of any online or bricks and mortar shops that you think my Sweeties would work well in? They could be shops (in any country) that specialise in things for kids, or fabric/craft shops, or somewhere that stocks fun and quirky things. I'd love to get your thoughts, so just leave a comment with your suggestion(s) here and you'll be entered into the giveaway. There'll be 4 winners who'll be chosen at random. And I'm happy to send the prizes internationally. I'll announce the winners on Friday.
*(the prize is a kit to make Ginger and wee birdie, not the doll already made, as shown in the photo)


giveaway part two
I've been doing a bit of a Secret Squirrel for the last 5 weeks since my blogiversary. I've been keeping a tally of the number of comments each person has made since then with a view to having a giveaway for the 3 most frequent commenters. And the winners are... drum roll...

Art Mind (Mitsy)
Strawberry Lemonade Girl (Alex)
and in a three-way tie for third are:

Analisa
Jane L
Cookie Cutter (Sandy)

Come on down ladies! I'll be in touch (or feel free to email me) to get your postal addresses and I'll be sending out a little package to each of you, just to say a big thanks for visiting here and saying hello.
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Just so you know, I've never met any of these lovely ladies, although I have struck up an online friendship with Mitsy and Alex. And lucky Jane actually won my last giveaway, which was a random draw.
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Update 11 Sept: The giveaway has closed, thanks for all your lovely comments and suggestions.
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