Lily Cartographicus!

 

 I made some origami paper lilies from an old map! I may try to add some stems, but for now they are piled in this vintage silver dish.   

I love the gentle curls and the way the roads and highways race around the petals!

Special!

This week has turned out to be quite a busy and social one for me in real life, and so it has been a quiet one on the social network front! 

Today I gave the last talk in a 4 part series on Gifting - a topic I am passionate about.  

The ladies in the group blew me away with a generous gift, a gorgeous bunch of flowers and a magnificent hand painted card! Thanks to the ladies of KBC.

The flowers are so happy in this vintage glass ice bucket I have

 

My thoughts are with all the  people setting up for the Design Indaba in Cape Town.  It will be the first one I am not getting to for a few years.  I am sure it is going to be amazing and I will miss being there, but am going to keep as up-to-date as possible on the net!

Ladies at Work

Packing space was at a premium on our trip to Mocambique, so I there was only space for 1 memento.  

 

This delightful mobile of Ladies-at-Work is made from local wood, wire, fabric and natural bits and pieces!

They are grinding, carrying and working in my home now!

Ponto Typo

I enjoy signs in foreign places.  They tell you so much about the culture you have landed yourself in!
Ponto Do Ouro was full of inspiration:
Devotion to the Ocean on the side of this truck:

Well worn Portuguese speed limit:

Restaurant Welcome - on a previously painted wall which had been whitewashed around [and over] when it was time for the next coat of paint. I wonder if the 'new' chef is still there?

Hand painted plea not to climb on the dunes and destroy the vegetation.

 More Pics on Freshly Found Facebook Page!

Ponto do Ouro

We are back from Ponta do Ouro  in  Mocambique. 

It is is a fascinating town - accessible and navigable only with 4x4s! The whole area has a base of soft soft sand! The town has a specific type of charm.  It has a relaxed seaside holiday atmosphere, but much of Ponto is run down. I found the old abandoned buildings and flaky signs so interesting. 

There is a an air of beauty and of more luxurious times gone by.

My son is a passionate diver and we went along with his dive club for a really fun weekend! As for my diving efforts? All went well until we had our first shore entry dive in the bay! Unfortunately visibility was poor and the waves were more turbulent than usual.  To cut a long story short, I entertained the small crowd that had gathered on the shore with my efforts to get out of the sea.  Not easy with a heavy cylinder on my back and huge fins on my feet and waves that relentlessly pounded me down.  Eventually I was helped onto my feet.

I think that is where my diving career will terminate.  My husband and daughter did much better and they are going to continue their training! My plan is to stick to having adventures with my camera in the places where they will dive!

Valentine

At last I have tried out some crocheted hearts - inspired by this article!

I am going to be away for Valentine's weekend- diving in Mozambique! I'll report back next week!

Fabric Flower 'n Fork Pin

I've been adding vintage cutlery to flower pins lately!

 I quite like the way they've turned out! The first batch I have made are to decorate some bags, but I plan to make some just for wearing too!

Retro Boxes!

We have really felt the full tropical extent of our city over the last few days.  The weather has been unbearably hot and humid.  Fortunately this evening has brought a refreshing cool breeze!

I couldn't bear to work with fabric in this heat, so I have spent a number of hours folding these origami boxes. 

I am building up a few themed collections, which will soon be for sale. These are some of the Typographical set.

I have had a set of these boxes in my lounge for a few months.  I find them a very interactive decorative set.  I love the interest that they create. Guests pick them up, turn them around, ask what they are and then their faces light up when they realise they are made from LP covers and they take a trip down memory lane or into the past, depending on their age.

Working this closely with these boxes is so pleasing. I am able to appreciate each individual design as I go. I am not always sure how they will turn out until they are folded.  The front of the Cover forms the top lid of the box and the back of the cover forms the base.

On My To-Read-List

I am hoping to get some way into this book this weekend.  I read and enjoyed the 2009 version, so I am looking forward to seeing what Dion Chang and friends have to say about the state we are in!

 

Visi Mag has synopsis here!

Clean Washing!

This week my daughter and I had the privilege of doing a photo shoot for this amazing project at this transitional home , investing in children affected by HIV AIDS! 

I was struck by the traditional washing line and the colourful laundry of the little children living in the home. [Glad my daughter took these pics!]

The name of the place is iThemba Lethu, which means I have a destiny! What a heartwarming experience to see the results of so much love, hard work and good management  making a huge difference in these sweet children's lives!