Break from the Break!

I am taking a break from my blog break to show you something I have done in the break!

Today we visited the Moses Mabhida Stadium.  It's just about ready for the 2010 soccer world cup next year!  What a treat!

Unfortunately it was too windy for us to take the Skycar up to the top of the arch.  See more pics of this exciting venue on my Flickr!

 I'll be back here mid Jan! I'd like to wish you a very satisfying and successful 2010!

Happy Christmas!!

I love the illustrations from a delightful vintage book I have.

It is a book called Weihnachten by Peter Spier and consists almost solely of gorgeous illustrations.

It is a good way to say thank you to you for your wonderful support throughout the year and to wish you a very happy Christmas time!

 I will be taking a break from blogging and will be back mid January!

Christmas Buzz

Our home is buzzing in Christmas anticipation!
Gorgeous bright green lichen dropped onto our driveway:

 Lovely old faithful Christmas decorations are in place:

 

New ones have been made too:

Sari Bows

and  Origami Star boxes - [Thanks to Anairam for her inspiration]

 One huge to-do list still to conquer!

Doodles

I've been doodling with felt and thread as I make the Christmas tags for gifts.

Last night my tray of felt, scissors, needles and thread kept me company through CSI, Nigella's Christmas, etc!  It's the only way I really like to watch TV and a great way to wait for your daughter to get home late at night!

Horse Stuff!

I am not a horsey person!  Living where I do - I have a lot of horsey friends though, so I enjoyed getting a greater insight into the equine world yesterday.

The Junior SA Tent Pegging championships are happening in Shongweni near my home.   It gave me some good panning practice with my camera!

High Tea

Yesterday we went to the Oyster Box in Umhlanga for High Tea.  This grand hotel has recently been beautifully refurbished.  It was a wonderful experience - the service was excellent!  The high tea was a grand affair, beautifully set out  with a grand piano playing in the background.

The hotel colours are largely light neutral, highlighted with red to match the lighthouse just in front!

See more of my pics on Flickr

String Bowl

A few years ago, I took out my crochet hook and bought a couple of balls of string and just started to crochet - round and round.  I was not sure where I was going, but I just wanted to work with my hands and enjoy the tactile expression.

Recently I found this work and realised it would fit very nicely over a thrifted white mixing bowl of mine!   I am very happy with the result - and have filled it - for now - with Christmas baubles that did not make it on to the tree this year!

Vintage Christmas

I love these images from a Vintage Book in my collection called Christmas at Timothy's by Gee Denes!

 Many of the traditions in this book are familiar, but some are quite different to how we celebrate Christmas. Perhaps it's a cultural thing [British - South African] but probably mostly because the book was written in 1947 and things change!  

Crochet and Snow

I recently received the last of my current Selvedge mag subscription.  It came accompanied by a gift subscription card with this beautiful picture! 

I love the white, light and colour of this pic and off course the delightful crocheted granny square blanket. Perhaps I should fill that card in and it give it to myself for Christmas?

Its That Time of the Year Again!!!

This is the first time I have decorated a Christmas tree for years.  My children have had that task, but there are not so many children around the house anymore, so it was up to my youngest daughter and I to do it!

We took pics as we went along, so we now have a fun stop-frame record of the decorating of the Christmas Tree

Still to do - finish decorating the presents under the tree and hang the large red Sari fabric bows I made as well as the Christmas Stockings!

Wearable Art

I love to the blur the lines between what we wear and what we live with - Body Decor and Interior Decor!

The work of Li Xiaofeng blurs the lines even more.  He crosses the dividing line in a serious way by taking decorative items, making them into clothing and then displaying them as art!

He uses shards of traditional Chinese ceramics to make clothing. Gorgeous!
His work here graces the entrance of the The Opposite House Hotel in Beijing.

Read more about him and his work here , here and here!

Evening Dress Cushion Cover

A pure wool, jade coloured evening dress was a recent vintage find.  It came with a few moth holes.  The fact that it was damaged made it easier to cut it up and sew it into 2 unique cushion covers.

The whole long central panel was embellished and there was enough fabric to make matching backs.  The covers are on lovely squishy feather inners!  It's good to know this dress will see the limelight again! 
Sshhh!  Someone is getting them for Christmas!

Herbal Balm

I love the simple graphics of this old fashioned product.  Zam Buk is a herbal ointment that can be used for all sorts of issues - minor wounds, insect bites, muscular pains, etc!

 It seems that in previous years it was well known in the UK and Australia.  The origins of it's name seem unclear.  A few sources say that there is a town called Zam Buk in South Africa - I think not! I do know there is a town in Nigeria called Zambuk  maybe that was the reason for the name.

 According to this article - "'Zambuk' is rarely heard today, but was once in common use in Australia and New Zealand to describe ambulance-men and first-aid officers.Stationed on the touchlines at representative and first grade games, the 'zambuk' would race across the pitch to help an injured player. They began to be replaced in the 1970s by 'trainers' and 'runners'.

Festive Swans!

Last night we had our church Christmas Dinner - A bring-your-own-supper with tables and entertainment provided.

 My friend organised the food platters and I thought it was the ideal time to make some [kitsch!!] Christmas serviette [napkin] swans to go on our paper plates!

Promised Graphic stuff coming later today...

Gorgeous Graphics

There are a couple of products I have in my home because they are useful - but mostly because I love the way they look.

Price's Candles are an essential in my kitchen.  Ready on hand in case of occasional power outage or dinner party! The graphics are so delightfully simple - appealing because I feel like I could maybe[?!] design something like this myself. Don't you love the warnings on the back of the candle packet?

 Tomorrow - another favourite household design - with some interesting stories!