freshly found

White Polka Dots

2012-01-27T05:46:00.000+02:00

Love the white polka dots formed by the blank centres of this singles-record-cover patchwork.

Colourful leftovers from a new batch of cord keepers!

More Paper Spheres

2012-01-17T05:30:00.000+02:00

Pulling apart books for the work I do has given me a real appreciation for their construction, page quality, spine strength, etc. I try to save pretty cover pages and have enjoyed making them up into spheres:

These 2 were made from pages from a garden book. The leafy green jug is a retro find for sale at the markets early next month.

Maps are often printed on cover pages, and so that's what this sphere is made from:

Paper Play

2012-01-16T05:37:00.000+02:00

Felt-Tip-Pen Cross-Stitch Rabbit and Paper Sphere:

I've had some time to do some paper work over the past few days.

I've been longing to try a cross-stitch pattern on book print and enjoyed my first quick attempt.

The sphere is one of many I made a while ago. Inspired by How About Orange, I made this one from book cover pages.

Some New Stuff, Some Old

2012-01-12T10:55:00.001+02:00

I bought some vintage hand towels to use as floor cleaning cloths. I don't want them confused with my genuine hand towels, so I doodled with some black embroidery on the edges to id them! Quite liberating to stitch when it doesn't matter too much how it turns out!

Freshly Found is also heading in some new directions. I can't say too much about that yet. But I have completed my time at The Caboodle for now. Still operating online and at the i♥market, Wondermarket and some products at The Fringe in Cape Town, and feeling excited about 2012!

More Life for Old Blooms

2012-01-09T13:53:00.000+02:00

Pretty, pretty pink roses - a gift from a friend.

Past their prime. I used the petals and a cross-stitch pattern to make another rose!

Some more petals in silver bowl to dry out for a while. [Our climate is too damp for pot pourri]

Lovely to enjoy them for a while longer!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T14:40:00.000+02:00

I love the beautifual hydrangeas that bloom in our garden at this time of the year.

So I thought I would use them to help me to wish you everything of the best for 2012!

Vintage Kruger

2011-12-27T14:25:00.000+02:00

Some vintage books, I just can't fold or cut up. This book: The Kruger Park and Other National Parks by RJ Labuschagne is one of them.

Published in 1968, beside documenting the animals in the Parks, it is such a lovely comment on South African Society at the time.

I loved the article on the modern way of darting hippos for research. Driving a grader into the river was much safer than sending real live biologists in!

And the foreword to the book was written from The Prime Minister's Office - BJ Vorster himself!I love the official font!

I would have been 8 years old at the time. My first visit to the Kruger Park only happened a number of years later - but I do rememebr my mom and dad dressing very much like the mom and dad in the pic and the Johannesburg TJ car registration plate which was the predecessor of today's GP registration in Gauteng.

♥Christmas♥

2011-12-24T07:30:00.000+02:00

As a family we celebrate this special time tonight. Dinner, presents and everyone here!

Decorating the mantlerpiece - some tp roll candles! A spontaneous creative project last night!

And so I wish you a very Happy Christmas! And leave you with a couple of quotes from one of my favourite authors:

"My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.” - Brennan Manning , The Ragamuffin Gospel

“Live in the wisdom of accepted tenderness. Tenderness awakens within the security of knowing we are thoroughly and sincerely liked by someone...

Scripture suggests that the essence of the divine nature is compassion and that the heart of God is defined by tenderness.” - Brennan Manning, Abba's Child

Book Decor

2011-12-21T11:18:00.001+02:00

I have loads of vintage books, because of the work I do with them. I have not been able to use these vintage Reader's Digest books though, because of their beautiful patterned covers.

So I have laid them out flat on top of a waist height cupboard in my living room. They have become the temporary new countertop. These volumes are around 50 years old.

Some newer versions formed an impromptu pre-Christmas display on my table last night when we had guests round for dinner.

I thought I would make use of the gorgeous red and the sparkly gold trim, which went well with the flickering candle light!

Stitched and Printed Vintage Paper Wrap

2011-12-15T11:15:00.000+02:00

Patchworked, printed and stitched book pages - made up into gift wrap. Featuring silhouettes of Dutch lace, ric-rac, etc.

Finished size approximately 80 x 60 cm - [32 x 24in]. Ideal [but not exclusive] for wrapping Christmas gifts!

Available at both the i♥market on Saturday and the Wondermarket in Umhlanga on Sunday. Also soon in the online store!

Cord Holders

2011-12-09T10:41:00.001+02:00

These pics are giving a rather technical air to my blog.

Vinyl wrap cord holders keep my cords neat at home, and will be for sale at the market tomorrow too!

Made from single records!

Market Day

2011-12-06T05:08:00.001+02:00

Saturday's market was a lovely busy day. Thanks to my husband who helped me set up for taking these pics!

Freshly Found has booked double stands for the month of December and there are still another 2 markets to go!

Thanks to so many of you for popping by!

To market, to market, to market...

2011-12-02T05:02:00.001+02:00

Three markets this month. The first of them tomorrow.

Freshly Found will be there! See you there.

Read Roses

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000+02:00

Just submitted this item for the upcoming It's a Wrap Exhibition at The Collective in Florida Road.

It's made from vintage book papers and the doiley is made from an old pattern instruction sheet. The backing poster is a stitched patchwork of retro rose pictures.

The exhibition opens on Wednesday night and runs until the 21st Jan 2012.

The title of my entry - A Bunch of Read Roses!

Wonder Market

2011-11-24T16:01:00.001+02:00

Freshly Found will be at the all-new Wonder Market, Umhlanga this Sunday!

If you are north of the Umgeni on that day - Come and say hi!

Retro-ness!

2011-11-17T09:31:00.001+02:00

A rare bout of flu this past weekend meant that I was able to finish covering these glass bowls.

[I can lie on the couch and crochet at the same time!]

These very well worn pyrex and cutglass pieces make a good frame for string crochet.

They are at 106 Bulwer Road at The Caboodle already! And yay - I am feeling so much better.

Found Bonsai

2011-11-14T09:18:00.001+02:00

I gained a spontaneous bonsai collection this weekend. Paging through vintage books, I came across these lovely line drawings.

Completely inspired by this issue of the latest Elle Decoration Mag, these book page botanicals are adorning the top of my cupboard, in a very maintenance free way.

Adding some colour are bead balls - a gift from a friend [Thanks Kim!]

Paper Roses

2011-11-03T20:34:00.001+02:00

Paper rose order - ready for delivery this afternoon.

This Saturday - i♥market

2011-11-02T05:40:00.000+02:00

A new place at our new venue. Under the trees on the lower level. See you there on Saturday!

And see you at The Caboodle today! 106 Bulwer Road Glenwood!

Irish Roses

2011-10-31T12:00:00.000+02:00

A fairly new Freshly Found product - These giant Irish Rose String Brooches are available at The Caboodle, soon online and at The i♥market.

Pictured here plonked on a bright yellow vintage dress which will be at The Caboodle from Wednesday!

The dress is vintage, but yellow is hot right now!

What a bright online start to the week when it's a rainy start in real life here in KZN!

Meeting The Makers

2011-10-27T20:26:00.000+02:00

Meeting the Makers is a publication on contemporary craft in KwaZulu-Natal. It accompanied an exhibition earlier this year at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg.

"Lovers of excellence have long been concerned about the mass of unimaginative and sub-standard wares that is sold as craft all around us. We hoped to find craft items that were excellently constructed, had aesthetic appeal, and which had a sense of originality."

The book is a comprehensive list of KZN crafters and makes inspiring reading. The Shaw Sisters and Freshly Found's folded book ornaments were featured.

Thanks Angela for giving me a copy of this delightful book. Photos - Angela Shaw

Book Heart

2011-10-24T16:00:00.004+02:00

Christmas prep is in full swing here as I am finishing off orders for the Shaw Sisters.

I just love these flower shaped mini books, waiting for their Christmas Ribbon

And these Christmas baubles all ready to go:

Available from The Shaw Sisters

Roy G. Biv

2011-10-21T09:16:00.000+02:00

Roy G Biv - an acronymical character who helps us remember the order of the visible colours of the spectrum - [The rainbow!]

I like to use that acronym when bringing order to my sari collection.

Beautiful squishy swiss-rolls of delicious patterns and prints!

Unconditional Love

2011-10-17T10:14:00.000+02:00

My daughter Christy just submitted her Creative Development Project titled - Unconditional Love.

She mounted 216 cuapcakes on a white pegboard.

Words depicting uconditional love were stencilled on the board in a heart shape.

She mounted this on an easel at college, then documented people helping themselves.

The cupcakes were free to passersby, and the words of love underneath gradually appeared.

Cool Letter Fonts

2011-10-12T20:50:00.000+02:00

Cool Letter Fonts - According to Blogger Stats - its one of the top keyword search phrases that bring people to the Freshly Found blog!

I thought it would make a good title for this blog post. Pictured here - a vintage gift typewriter. I've taken the casing off to give it a new coat of paint, and thought it looked rather good stripped down to it's bare bones!
And I just love that cool typewriter font.

Roses are Readable

2011-10-10T07:14:00.000+02:00

I have been working on these paper roses and am quite pleased with the outcome!

They are available in various vintage papers here!

Christmas Stuff in October

2011-10-04T06:50:00.003+02:00

I know it's really soon to be talking about Christmas in early October, but I am keen to tell you about what's been happening here at Freshly Found.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting Focus on iThemba - an amazing place of hope. Focus on iThemba provide quality foster care homes for vulnerable children and a school of excellence for the greater community. They donated some vintage books to me, which they were not able to use. These books were cut and folded into the initial Bibliogami Trees. Sandile Sithole helped in designing a wire frame for the tree and I am quite delighted with the outcome.

R100 from the sale of every tree will be donated to Focus on iThemba.

The tree can stand as is or be decorated in different ways. I plan to show you some of these ideas closer to Christmas time!

They are available online here or you can see them at The Caboodle - 106 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, or at the i♥market in November and December. Limited number of trees available.

Mabhida Market

2011-09-29T10:56:00.000+02:00

Freshly Found is so excited for the new i♥market venue!

From this Saturday it will be at The Moses Mabhida Stadium! See you there!

Unfinished Tapestry

2011-09-27T08:39:00.003+02:00

My garden is full of these amazing Clivias at the moment. They go well with a recent find:

I couldn't resist this unfinished tapestry - mounted on a frame and with the last thread used still hanging.

Just had to bring it home!

Freshly Found Boutonnières

2011-09-26T07:54:00.000+02:00

So happy to have The Freshly Found Vintage Paper Lily featured as a Boutonniere in the latest FAIR LADY Bride!

The Vintage Tie Pins make good buttonhole blooms too!

On the Bias

2011-09-23T08:55:00.000+02:00

Vintage Piping and Binding. I just could not resist 2 bags full of these cards.

Read more about bias at The Renaissance Tailor:

The Fear of Bias
Roberta Carr in her text Couture:The Art of Fine Sewing, speaks about 'bias':

"The fear of working on 'the bias' was ingrained in many of us at an early age. Some sewing teachers spoke of it as 'the enemy', never to be understood and to be kept at a distance. The bias is not a disease - it is a grain of cloth that when respected, can be used to advantage to produce remarkable results."

Beautiful Bracelets

2011-09-22T09:35:00.000+02:00

The lovely talented Clemence K from Vynn's Raveleings gave me one of these solid crochet bracelets. [Seen here with Fresh Spring Magnolias from my garden]

She is a crochet artiste and spends 1 morning a week training the ladies at Embocraft to crochet. She is overseeing the production of these delightful bracelets for Freshly Found.

Thanks Clem. It's you are a star and it's been such a treat working with you and your ladies. See Clem's own shop and visit her blog. And see the bracelets at the Freshly Found stand at the i♥market, The Caboodle or in The Freshly Found Online Store!

Red Blooms

2011-09-15T12:23:00.000+02:00

A whole bunch of red flowers - Some red azaleas from my Spring Garden and some new Vintage Tie Pins. Made from a selection of red men's ties. I am wearing one myself today!

A reminder that the 2nd September i♥market is taking place on Saturday. This time we are crossing the river and will be in Durban North!

See you there!!!

More Ducks

2011-09-14T05:30:00.000+02:00

I seem to have a bit of a duck thing going lately - I've certainly taken quite a few ducks to The Caboodle. These blackwood carved ducks will be going with me today too.

And how lovely is that tangerine bias binding? Part of a huge stash of vintage bindings and trims that have come my way :-)

New in The Shop

2011-09-13T06:15:00.000+02:00

These 2 new ranges of Sari Garlands are in the online shop now! They are also available from The Caboodle and the i♥market!

Monopologami

2011-09-12T05:00:00.000+02:00

Monopologami - a tonguetwister title for this pic. I couldn't resist a wad of Monopoly cash on sale at ALCS [a local charity shop]

And I thought these notes looked quite good - all dressed up!

[background paper is typewritten notes from my college days in the late 70's]

Macrame Revivals

2011-09-10T11:49:00.001+02:00

Macrame experienced a revival in the 60's and is perhaps experiencing another one now. Yesterday I found a huge half-worked wall hanging which I am going to give to a friend who has talked about doing macrame. I love the rich texture and the potential in all that string!

I have recently bought a delightful book called Creating Body Coverings by Jean Ray Laury and Joyce Aiken. Published in the early 70s it is a sometimes scary reminder of the brave crafters from that era!

Pullover Macrame vest by Jack Dunstan

Macrame collar/cape. by Jack Dunstan.

Style Eye and Designbird give a lovely up to date perspective on this age old craft!

Candle Sticks

2011-09-09T16:13:00.000+02:00

My poor hungry blog - Can't believe it's more than a week since I last posted!

This cute pair of vintage wooden candlesticks are at The Caboodle now. I added blue-and-white school paper drip catchers for fun!
[I am loving having a place to sell these goodies - I took a few finds to the market on Saturday too.] Thanks to those of you who also love them and buy them!

Springish News

2011-09-01T10:41:00.001+02:00

Happy Spring Day! It's a busy one for me. Supervising a complete storeroom cleanout and revamp and finishing off some scarves for the market.

The lovely long saris I source make generous scarves - some bright and bold

others gentler and diaphonous.

They will be available at the i♥market this Saturday and are already available at The Caboodle too!

Come and visit us! [And think of me Spring Cleaning today!]

To Market ...

2011-08-31T07:32:00.000+02:00

A quick reminder that I will be at The Caboodle today.

These porcelain duckling finds are labelled and ready to go too. The gorgeous tapestry tea cosy behind them is staying at home though. That was made by my mom years ago!

Genteel and Affordable...

2011-08-29T13:08:00.000+02:00

Recently I moulded most of my doily collection into little plates and bowls. Each doily is dipped into Plaster of Paris and is then coated and gently baked with a layer of sealant. This makes the delicate dishes slightly more robust and water resistant.

They look good used as tea light holders, hung on a wall or placed on a shelf. Many of them are for sale at The Caboodle, and I'll have a batch at the i♥market too.

Here's a delightful definition to enjoy:

A doily (or doilie) is an ornamental mat, originally the name of a fabric made by Doiley, a 17th-century London Draper. Doily earlier meant "genteel, affordable woolens", evidently from the same source.

They are crocheted and sometimes knitted out of cotton or linen thread. Openwork allows the surface of the underlying object to show through.

If It Rolls Like a Duck...

2011-08-24T05:28:00.005+02:00

This vintage pull-along character and I - We will both be at The Caboodle today!

This duck was a recent vintage find and a have-to-buy. Hand-carved and painted and mounted on wheels, it's seen lots of wear, but has a real appeal.

Also at The Caboodle and soon to be in the online store - large rectangular vintage crochet cloths/throws/bedspreads.

A Milestone.

2011-08-23T05:48:00.009+02:00

My daughter's 21st on Saturday went so well! It was an awesome celebration. Unfortunately I didn't take as many pics of the decor as I would have liked, but these will give you an idea.

Blackboard signs made from black paper and wooden frames:

The evening was held at Bellevue Cafe. The service was excellent and the food was amazing. I can really highly recommend them for special functions.This pic was taken as we were setting up in the late afternoon:

The guests had so much fun with the props - picture frames, hats and umbrellas. I am glad my son captured the paper packet lanterns too!

The theme was floral vintage and we used paper flowers, lace, heart confetti, doilys cast in plaster of paris, vintage silver, etc to help set the the theme.

Well done Christy on a stunning evening.

Party Time

2011-08-16T12:03:00.000+02:00

So much is happening behind the scenes here. Top of the list is my youngest daughter's 21st birthday party this coming weekend. All the photo-dress-up goodies [picture frames, umbrellas, hats, gloves, etc] are ready and piled up in a laundry basket in the corner of the dining room

I am also involved with developing a new product, training someone to make existing products, and have been commissioned to do an enormous origami project. So things have been rather quiet on my blog, but super-busy in real life!

Market This Saturday

2011-08-04T10:45:00.000+02:00

Another inspirational poster announcing the next i♥market.

Freshly Found will be back there again this month!

Tapestry Neighbourhood

2011-08-03T05:54:00.000+02:00

What a delightful find - this vintage tapestry street scene. It's been deframed and rehung with bulldog clips and vintage paisley print cord.

It will come with me to The Caboodle today and if it hasn't been snapped up by then, it will be at the i♥market on Saturday.

Soft Pottery

2011-08-02T09:42:00.000+02:00

The thing about having a growing business, is that you have to make, (or organise to get made) a lot of the same thing. Being a lover of new things and new ideas means that its quite a discipline for me. This past weekend, I took a creative break.

I felt like a potter at the wheel, but instead I had string and a crochet hook. It was extremely satisfying to create this soft free standing pottery vase.

Photographed here against the backdrop of a beautiful sari I bought on my trip to Pietermaritzburg last week!

Book Packets

2011-07-28T11:42:00.009+02:00

I worked at The Caboodle yesterday. It is always so heartwarming to chat to the customers and have some friends pop in too. I work hard on maintaining stock levels, but had forgotten to check on the levels of my packaging.

So today I quickly had to whip up a new batch of packets - stitched pages from vintage story and exercise books!

I have been stitching pages and papers for packaging since 2008. Remember these and these?

Paper Boutonnieres

2011-07-26T05:39:00.006+02:00

A boutonnière (pronounced /butɔnjɛr/) is a floral decoration worn by men, typically a single flower or bud...from the French word for buttonhole, which is the British term

I have had some requests for Freshly Found paper boutonnieres and have been keen to try this paper from a vintage annual on movie stars. I quite like the way they turned out.

Coming soon are some colourful map ones too.

The Caboodle

2011-07-25T05:49:00.004+02:00

Our sign is up at last - Visiting The Caboodle in Glenwood Road is going to be just that much easier now!

The sign, in keeping with Freshly Found philosophy is made from recycled products - [a recycled poster and some vintage jersies!]

Thanks to Cate Rayner for the great article on Freshly Found at The Caboodle in Friday's Goodlife section of the Mercury.
Also part of the Caboodle collective - Ashleigh Lange's locally designed and made 'Dear Heart' clothing range, Tarryn Fowler's colourful Lun@tic children's clothing and accessories, Sarah Sawers art, screen printed clothing and accessories and Jen and Wally Hailstone's Glasshopper products.

Topographicial Blooms

2011-07-19T12:22:00.000+02:00

Fresh Origami Blooms - I love the way that maps translate into blooms - the topographical colours are gentle and appealing

- like the lilac heights of the mountains in China and the jagged red veins of the country borders.

I am so pleased to say that Khule Shezi has been trained to do the folding and he has really 'got it'! Read a little more about him over here.
Available online in flat-pack format or made up at The Caboodle in Durban.

Note to online buyers - your paper lily will be posted flat with instructions to make them bloom!

Bright Red for Today

2011-07-12T14:58:00.005+02:00

I stopped in at a local charity shop on the way home from an appointment today. I was pleased to find all this brightness.

I come across some lovely vintage products on my travels. Having the space in Bulwer Road has given me an opportunity to sell some of my stash. I love the red theme of today's lot. The red polka dot top still has it's original vintage tag on - never been worn.
Today is my 31st wedding anniversary. Amongst many other things, I am so grateful that DH has embraced my love of all things vintage. He happily lives alongside my finds [and my creative endeavours with them]!
Tonight we will celebrate at Aubergine. Tomorrow I'll be at The Caboodle for the day. Pop in and say hi and come see what's new!

The Girls!

2011-07-08T08:16:00.003+02:00

A while ago I hinted about a series of cushions going into the Freshly Found online store. Well today I am going to introduce you to the girls.

The embroidered beauties were created by Claire Norden and inspired by some exercise diagrams from a vintage Vogue book on health and beauty.

I love the way Claire has interpreted the diagrams and embellished the black felt costumes with coloured embroidery.

The pillows are filled with feather inners and are available online.

Giant Walk

Waist Swing

Leg Swing

Fab Finds!

2011-07-06T05:34:00.011+02:00

I popped into the local charity shop yesterday and just had to buy these large bone-handled chopping knives. I love the patina of time and wonder what they chopped and sliced. They certainly were well used.

And I could not resist a whole batch of vintage wooden handled latch hooks and tracing wheels, as well as these 2 beautiful white vintage jugs - all in all a very pleasing haul!

I'll be at Freshly Found's retail space at The Caboodle today. Would love to see you if you are nearby!

Back Home

2011-07-05T21:16:00.004+02:00

We have just returned from a wonderful few days in Franschhoek. Here are a few of the things we saw:

Bicycles in the sky at L'Ormarins

Green Anthiriums at La Motte

and enormous Camphors at Vergelegen.

What a gorgeous part of the world!

Ready to Go

2011-06-28T05:23:00.001+02:00

A fresh batch of Crochet Vases ready for delivery. They are off to the Fringe Arts in Cape Town, along with some other Freshly Found Products.

Love the feeling of a batch of handmade products and delighted to be supplying this innovative store, with it's newly opened space in Kloof Street.

Hey Renee!

2011-06-27T10:01:00.000+02:00

My friend Renee called me the other day, saying she'd come across a tapestry that she thought I would like - and should she get it for me?

So glad she did! The tapestry version of De Vrolijke Drinker by Frans Hals was deframed and stitched together with a brick patchwork of matching linens and is now comfortably placed on a feather cushion inner!

I think he looks much happier there that he would on a wall behind glass!

Thanks Renee. I like him a lot!

Zulu Lulu and Paper Flowers

2011-06-20T08:11:00.000+02:00

We took a trip to the Midlands a few days ago. We often stop off at Zulu Lulu and this time we bought a smoke fired pot!

I've admired these for ages, and am delighted to own one myself!

I have filled them with paper flowers. Similar ones are for sale online and bunches will be for sale at The Caboodle Collective in Durban!

Open Shop

2011-06-20T05:50:00.009+02:00

I am so excited to to tell you that Freshly Found now has some permanent retail space!

A collective group of us - calling ourselves The Caboodle have taken space in Earth Mother Organic in Bulwer Road, Glenwood.

I'll be there this afternoon and all day Wednesday, so please pop in and say hi if you are in the area.

I'll be telling you more about the shop and my delightful creative companions soon!

Yarn Bombing

2011-06-11T12:33:00.000+02:00

Today is International Yarn Bombing Day. People all over the world will be decorating trees, lampposts, bus stops, etc with their hand-made yarn pieces of work. I wish I had prepared something for the trees in our avenue.

Instead I will show you the prototype of a laptop cover which is busy being produced for Freshly Found at the moment.

So my contribution is to yarnbomb a Mac! See Jesse's contribution to the day here.

The covers will be on sale soon!

Space

2011-06-02T06:49:00.004+02:00

Outside: A pathway in our garden, which was overgrown has recently been recleared. The Peace Lily in the foreground is enjoying the space.

Inside: A lot is happening. I have had to make some space - for designing new products and for generating more stock. So Freshly Found won't be at the lovely i♥market this month. We are still available online and plans are in full swing to have some shop space in Durban soon.

PS - If you are looking for a way to help others this winter,

there will be a collection point at the i♥market for The Twitter Blanket Drive.

Production Line

2011-06-01T06:35:00.000+02:00

This batch of tie pins seems to fit in with the weather -

Gorgeous Autumn colours!

Seventy-Eight!

2011-05-27T08:23:00.001+02:00

Yesterday was one of those highlight days that a charity shopper dreams of. I came across this fruity print:

Actually it was a vintage tie...

And after an hour I walked out the door with 78 colourful beauties. They will make delightful Freshly Found necklaces and brooches.

So grateful I arrived just after that suitcase of old ties did.

Pretty Jugs all in a Row

2011-05-24T05:28:00.001+02:00

Do you remember the bowl full of jugs?

Well, now they are in a long row on my side board, filled with fresh autumn leaves.

Tie Flower Pins

2011-05-23T09:11:00.001+02:00

This trio of Tie Flower Pins were collected this weekend. A special sentimental order from a client - they were made from one of her dad's ties. She says she has clear memories of him wearing it when she was young.

I've had a house full over the past few days as my husband hosted a training course. The course leader stayed with us too and the spare bed is in my studio, which always means a major clean up.

But now it's bliss. I have such a lovely clean tidy studio to go into. Late yesterday afternoon I was sewing more tie pin petals.

Paper Art

2011-05-21T12:03:00.003+02:00

I have been experimenting with vintage paper mache. I love the patterns that form from the strips of old books.

Thanks to Elle South Africa for including Freshly Found in an article featuring paper artists. The June issue features a group of us who love to work with paper.

Read the short article here

Grate Find!

2011-05-18T06:06:00.010+02:00

This is why I love thrift [charity, or indie] shopping! Because you come across some random circular grater inserts in a pile of rusty, dusty metal objects...

And then take them home, insert some tea light candles and switch the lights off.

I did something like this once before...

Spirals

2011-05-17T06:06:00.003+02:00

There are some new crochet products in the newly relaunched Freshly Found Store. - this spiral crochet necklace and bracelet

I have really enjoyed working on expanding the crochet range. The crochet cuffs have done so well, and it is a pleasure to see what else can be done with this vintage craft in a fresh new way!

Freshly Found Website Relaunch!

2011-05-14T06:38:00.000+02:00

I am excited to announce the relaunch of the Freshly Found Website!

At last!!!

A whole load of new products have been added and some more are on their way soon!!

I'll be introducing you to some of the new products next week.

A Good Day

2011-05-10T16:59:00.000+02:00

Mother's day was really good. We had a full compliment of moms and children, and I did not have to cook! [Yay!]

I was blessed with some beautiful flowers and some Cath Kidston Masking Tape.

I can't wait to use it, and started by giving this vintage miniature teapot a floral stripe. Much more to come!

Paper Feathers [and Hearts]

2011-05-06T11:42:00.000+02:00

We [I have help today - thanks mom] are preparing for the i♥market tomorrow. These paper feathers will be part of the scene.

The weather forecast says there will be a shower in the morning, so I can't think of a better place to be than warm and under cover at the market.

See you there. Come and say hi.

Whats Up?

2011-05-04T08:56:00.003+02:00

I've been hard at work for the imminent re-launch of the Freshly Found Website. And to tease you - here's a glimpse of 1 of the delightful new products,

created for us by Claire Norden. It's called Giant Walk and I am doing my best to take some giant strides towards having all the new photos and products ready. The site will include South African prices for the first time too! Watch this space!

How to Make a Studio

2011-05-02T12:07:00.000+02:00

Today is set aside for photographing products for the soon to be relaunched Freshly Found Website. This is how I do it.

I only have natural light to work with, so have to diffuse it and spread it around as much as possible. Out of sight are 3 make-up mirrors which I also use to add light to the dark side of the products. I find climbing up and down the ladder and bending over the tripod back-breaking, so thought I'd take a break and show you what I am up to!

Come and Live

2011-04-27T12:26:00.002+02:00

We visited Kevin Parry's Exhibition - Come and Live

at Fat Tuesday yesterday.

Delightful and thought provoking, it explores the relationship between God and Man.

A must see for Durbanites! It's on until the 7th May.

Up in the Air

2011-04-25T17:22:00.001+02:00

This weekend I went along with DH to the Light Flight Airfield at Cato Ridge. DH is learning to fly again, and so I took the opportunity to take some pics.

Pre-flight prep and the hangar door:

The picuresque barn-cum-flight centre

DH's plane flying overhead:

Wasn't sure if I got him in the pic or not, but when we got home, we found him amongst the pine leaves! ... Can you?

It's Easter

2011-04-22T07:58:00.002+02:00

It's Easter - and by the looks of the leaves on my driveway, it's almost autumn too!

We are enjoying a quiet weekend at home!
We'll be celebrating a special Easter service at CityHill Church Hillcrest on Sunday morning [actually we're there most Sun mornings]

We also have plans to see some family too. Have a lovely weekend!

Truly White

2011-04-20T06:07:00.010+02:00

I just loved this chandelier at a recent wedding we went to at the contemporary Netherwood wedding venue in the Midlands.

It is a stunning place and was a great backdrop to the gorgeous, happy, all-white wedding we attended.

Have a look at photographer Jacki Bruniquel's blog for more glimpses of this wet weather and wonderful day!

Shibori

2011-04-19T05:14:00.003+02:00

If you follow me on Pinterest, you will realise that I am quite interested in Shibori - the Japanese way of dyeing cloth.

This past weekend I tried some of the techniques out on a few vintage cloths and new dishtowels. It was a good learning experience and I am looking forward to improving my skills the next time round.

Paper Tube Hearts

2011-04-12T05:50:00.001+02:00

I love working with paper - and this is my latest project!

Tubes of vintage book paper connected into a heart shape!

And I'm loving the large wooden chopping board I sourced at the SPCA last week. I scurbbed it clean, and now it makes a goog background for pics!

Vermilion and Teal!

2011-04-08T19:45:00.000+02:00

More New stuff - Teal and Vermilion Sari Garland and - yay - Freshly Found labelling and packaging to display the neclaces more beautifully!

Puzzle Hearts

2011-04-06T10:19:00.000+02:00

We were so happy to have some new products at the market this week, and soon to be available online too!

Claire Norden produced some gorgeous puzzle hearts for Freshly Found. I have claimed the white one for myself.

Claire colour co-ordinates the pieces before gluing them together. You can choose to hang the heart with either the coloured side or with neutral grey backing uppermost!

Rob Ryan's Cards

2011-04-01T09:01:00.003+02:00

I have just written out this card for a wedding we are going to tomorrow. I am so excited that Rob Ryan cards are available in South Africa, courtesy of Roger la Borde.

Quite resonably priced too! I have always admired Rob's work!
I have bought some from Fat Tuesday and from Exclusive Books.

The April Market

2011-03-31T15:44:00.002+02:00

Freshly Found is madly preparing for this Saturday's i♥market! Pop in to see quite a few new products. I'll be there for the first part of the morning, before leaving for a wedding in the Midlands. Christy will be there all day!

I am so excited to have received the prints of the pic I told you about earlier in the week. These will be for sale too.

See you on Saturday!

Paper Wall Sconces

2011-03-29T07:54:00.000+02:00

I made these wall sconces from leftover book bits. The top surface is nice and flat, but needs goodies that are not too heavy.

A peppadew gift from a friend, a Freshly Found Flower Pin and

this blocked illustrated page from a vintage 101 Dalamtions work quite nicely!

Jacobean Paper Embroidery

2011-03-28T05:52:00.009+02:00

All the work I do with books, leaves me with lots of paper print offcuts. I am fascintated with the different fonts and colours of the book pages and the way they age differently.

I have a serious collection of vintage craft books too, and so I used a Jacobean embroidery pattern as the basis for creating this poster.

The paper comes from vintage magazines and books. I love the gentle faded hues!

Supermoon

2011-03-20T00:23:00.001+02:00

We stayed up til the early hours of this morning, chatting on the verandah outside and admiring the biggest full moon in 18years!

Origami Lily Boquets

2011-03-17T09:47:00.000+02:00

I have been so looking forward to seeing Nadia of Cupcake Couture's wedding pics. How special to see how the Freshly Found Origami Lilies worked in the bridesmaids boquets!

Both Nadia and her husband Daniel are super-creative Durbanites, and their wedding pics reflect this so well. There's a lovely article on the beautiful day at Cap Classique.

This Morning

2011-03-12T09:35:00.000+02:00

I set my alarm clock for 4.15am this morning, because my son assured us that it's really cool to go to the beach and watch the sun rise.

He was right. We took lots of pics, had a lovely picnic breakfast and enjoyed the early morning buzz down there.

We had company, most of it out at sea - The stripe pattern of the tyretracks of all the trailers nearby showed just how many other people got up early too!.

Why we don't do this more often?!

Some More Family Loveliness!

2011-03-10T23:02:00.002+02:00

I don't think my daughter will mind if I share some more corners from their beautiful home.
See how Gen Motley's Bird Cage Cutout fits so well into this eclectic collection

This gorgeous lampshade is a real focal point.

You can tell she's an avid i♥market shopper.

Bird in a Cage

2011-03-07T07:44:00.003+02:00

Last week on our walk around Kirstenbosch, I was intrigued to see the fruit of these Strelitzia [or Bird of Paradise] flowers wrapped in chicken wire.

I was pleased to get home and find the reason here:

"At Kirstenbosch, the grey squirrel that Cecil John Rhodes brought with him from England, Sciurus carolinensis, which has naturalized itself here, will consume nearly all the crop if unchecked. It takes the entire, almost-ripe green capsule, leaving nothing but the vandalized remains of the spathe behind. We have battled for years to find the best way of protecting our developing seed, and short of erecting a cage around the plants in the garden, we have found that enclosing each fertilized flower in fine-mesh chicken wire keeps the squirrels out."

New Lines

2011-03-05T07:34:00.001+02:00

Hairbands and lace bowls! Some new products lines that are being developed.

They will be at the i♥market in Durban today!

Be there and say hi to Christy and Callie who will be Freshly Founding for me today!

I Heart Market this Saturday!

2011-03-03T14:11:00.001+02:00

Freshly Found will be at the i♥market this Saturday.

The stall will be in the very capable hands of Christy and Callie this week! I'll miss seeing many of you, but am taking time off to work on new product designs. Be back soon!

Untamed

2011-03-02T13:05:00.024+02:00

We visited Kirstenbosch Gardens this past weekend, and it brought back happy memories of childhood trips there.

It was a beautiful break from the buzzing crowds of the Indaba the day before.

Untamed is a temporary exhibition in the gardens -
While there was lots of sculpture on display, I was taken with textured typography and the red rusting pavillion!

Hemelhuijs

2011-03-01T10:30:00.001+02:00

We had a wonderful few days in Cape Town. It's always a treat to be there - and we enjoyed the Design Indaba and catching up with some friends too. [The weather was just a bit too hot!]

One of the many highlights was our visit to Hemelhuijs.

A delightful restaurant in Waterkant Street. Loads of atmosphere, really friendly service and delicious food.

It was great to see some Durbanites at the Design Indaba. Gen Motley and Rhenda from iKayha did really well. Jo of Coelho has quite a few pics on her blog.

Design Indaba 2011

2011-02-24T07:48:00.001+02:00

I am so excited to be heading to the Design Indaba Expo in Cape Town tomorrow.

It's going to be an inspirational weekend. Our schedule is packed full of places to go and some people to see too.

Follow the live Design Indaba Twitter Feed to keep up to date with what's happening at the conference!
Design Indaba Expo is a 100% local-is-lekker celebration of South Africa’s ingrained creativity. Advertising, architecture, craft, décor, film, fashion, graphic design, interior design, jewellery, new media, publishing, product design and visual media, are all presented shoulder-to-shoulder.

White Out!

2011-02-19T13:11:00.001+02:00

House and Leisure's gorgeous White Out Pics.

See the mag online here

and see if you can spot Freshly Found's Bibliogami here:

All of this reminds me again why I love white so much!

Freshly Found in the Media

2011-02-17T13:42:00.000+02:00

Freshly Found is grateful for some media coverage this month.

Thanks to Elle, for including us on the Hot List for Durban in their March issue on Page 145 and House and Leisure for featuring some of our Bibliogami in their delightful White Out article in their March issue on page 10!

Thanks Guys - It's much appreciated! [And I had better work hard on updating the shop]

Cool, Bright, Green

2011-02-14T08:27:00.001+02:00

We visited such an inspirational home last week! Not only was the meal delicious, but the decor was amazing too!

I just love the way this old dressing table has been completely revived. The collection of mirrors and other silverware as well as the crystal doorknobs all work so well!

And then there's the origami flower wall panel in the making too!
They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but my daughter has cultivated her own spunky style. Well done Nats!

Saturday Market

2011-02-06T19:27:00.000+02:00

What a successful day! We were so happy to be in the large hall at DLI!

It was good to have some space around our table and we enjoyed setting it up a little differently.

I am still amazed at how much I enjoy being part of this event. I love the sense of camaraderie amongst the stall holders.

Thanks to so many customers for your support and to family, friends and acquaintances who came to say hi!

New Look

2011-02-04T14:00:00.000+02:00

I've been working on a Fresh Look for the Freshly Found Stand [and soon for the website too] I am pleased with how it is coming together.

New look and some new products too. See you there!