Wednesday, November 13, 2013

After the storm: eloquent architecture

There were a number of stormy petrels overwhelmed by the previous night's storm, scattered on the beach, some half-buried in sand. This looked like architecture, a sail, wind-ruffled and still. A memory of what it once did.

Hipstamatic, John S. lens, Kodot Grizzled film.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

54/365 twin baby shower


1302 54/365 twin baby shower
Originally uploaded by rooruu
An afternoon of babies and little ones, the anticipated fraternal twin boys (clever cake decorator!) and the array of little cousins and friends awaiting them.

Guernsey's children return after WW2

A photo from the book in the last blog entry.

So much to read in those faces.

53/365 a favourite book


1302 53/365 a favourite book
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Love this book. Loved it the first time I read it, loved the audiobook version. Sad that Mary Ann Shaffer never really got to see how her first novel, written later in life, would find so many friends.

There's a film being planned, with Kenneth Branagh directing and Kate Winslet as Juliet, and location filming on Guernsey. All good. I think I'd like Clive Owen as Dawsey.

One of the most touching moments was based on a real event, one of the characters talking about the return of the children at the end of the war. This edition of the book has photos of Guernsey in wartime, including one of this. I'll put it in another blog entry for you to see.

52/365 stripey scarf


1302 52/365 stripey scarf
Originally uploaded by rooruu
I saw this scarf in the top patterns on Ravelry.
http://shadesoflynx.blogspot.fr/2013/01/stripes-and-stripes.html

Love it. Love the thin stripes and thicker stripes. I went cruising on Etsy and found some mini-skein bundles of sock yarns.

But at some local markets I came across these. They're intended for tapestry, or embroidery. I think some are 4 ply-ish. Others would need two strands to be so. The market lady and I did some back and forth bargaining, and I ended up with these skeins for a price that made us both happy.

I'll start with the thin stripes. Might need more yarn when I get to the thick stripes, but for right now I have exactly what I needed: small quantities but many colours, all wool and some hand-dyed.

The crochet project is finished and given; my photos aren't great so I'll wait for better ones when the twins are out and about using their stripey blankets. (The twins aren't born yet.)

I seem to be in a stripey phase.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

51/365 shelfscape


1302 51/365 shelfscape
Originally uploaded by rooruu
The Laura Ingalls Wilder books are the ones I read so avidly as a child. Maple syrup. Nine patch quilts. The wonder that was a treadle sewing machine. The challenges of starting out as a teacher. I can trace lots of things back to being mentioned in these books.

The Diana Gabaldon books are ones I have read avidly as an adult. And listened to Davina Porter's excellent audiobook renditions.

There are other books on this shelf: all are keepers. I've come to realise that some books are in transit in this house, and I haven't missed any that have travelled on. But these are keepers.

The softie figure I found in a craft gallery in Victoria on a road trip a couple of years ago. I'm not sure exactly what it represents, apart from itself. But I like it, especially the simple, effective machine-stitched face. It looks like it has stories to tell, too.

50/365 progress


1302 50/365 progress
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Fifty! I'm one seventh of the way in my Project365! Which is your fave photo so far? I'm a bit smitten with the tyre weave (43).

This photo is of crochet gift I've been working on for a while and that is nearly finished. My own pattern/ idea that's working out nicely.

49/365 watermelon hearts

Isn't this a delightful way to serve watermelon? A sweet shape, a neat mouthful of a serving in each heart and easy-as.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

48/365 rue canister


1302 48/365 rue canister
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Found at a local weekend market. I have a minor collection of Bakelite and aluminum mid-century canisters on top of the kitchen cupboards. No real plans to buy any more, as the space is full. I like their vintage charm. Up till today, my favourite label was Lemon Peel.

This one caught my eye as the label is a short version of my name. But also - rue? Not flour/sugar/tea? And it's a reasonable size, not a little herb/spice canister.

I went hunting online. Pest eradication, some medicinal applications, and dried and powdered, a tea. Hmmm. I can't think of the last time I used rue, if ever.

But I'll cheerfully keep this container (empty).

Thursday, February 14, 2013

46/365 share the love


1302 46/365 share the love
Originally uploaded by rooruu
A sign for Valentine's Day.

45/365 wonky daisy


1302 45/365 wonky daisy
Originally uploaded by rooruu
You know you're a wee bit P365 desperate when you're scouring the car park on your way out of work, late, to see if there are any photo prospects.

This wonky daisy looked like I felt. Still blooming, kinda, but drooping round the edges, a bit on the wonky side. Just the one flower on the plant, as though that was the best it could do.

P365 done for today.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

44/365 trees, grey skies

A welcome relief from the hot hot days, a week to come of temperatures in the mid-twenties (celsius).

Near day's end, the skies are grey as they have been most of the day. There are birds calling, individual and different calls, not a cacophony but single sounds, from chattering to several-note songs to single notes like a bell. It's peaceful, day drifting into evening. Time to slow down and rest before the busyness of the week accelerates tomorrow morning.

Monday, February 11, 2013

43/365 tyre weave


1302 43/365 tyre weave
Originally uploaded by rooruu
I couldn't park where I normally would for the stationery store, so I had to park further away, near the tyre store. And I saw this stack of tyres, criss-crossed in a way that combines efficiency and a plaited, woven beauty. They all look the same, till you look again and see the individuality geometries of the treads.

This is the sort of photo that is an ultimate Project 365 image: something I might never have noticed without the nudge of a daily photo to find. Glad I did.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

42/365 pink & glad


1302 42/365 pink gladiola
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Awkward things to photograph, glads. Long, thin, harder to fill the lens with in focus using Hipstamatic (ooo, a fave app - Kodot Grizzled and John S are the combo used here).

So I was happy when this photo was unexpectedly and serendipitously beautiful.

Saturday, February 09, 2013

41/365 pumpkin


1302 41/365 pumpkin
Originally uploaded by rooruu
They're sorta kinda rustic flowers, if you squint the right way.

As you can tell, there's something I rather like about photographing piles of fruit and veg. Colours, shapes, the consistency yet variety. Something.

Friday, February 08, 2013

40/365 beet stalks


1303 40/365 beet stalks
Originally uploaded by rooruu
I like the bright limey green of the leaves and the rich purple of the stalks - and both together.

Not a fan of eating beetroot. Although I have stored somewhere a recipe for chocolate brownies that included beetroot, which I found intriguing....

39/365 beans


1302 39/365 beans
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Can't decide if I like the mottled colour of these, or loathe the suggestion of slugs.

I once lived in a very old house which, I discovered, was visited by slugs at night.

You only forget to put on your slippers the once.

Thursday, February 07, 2013

38/365 Swimming pool


1302 38/365 Swimming pool
Originally uploaded by rooruu
So it's the swimming carnival today, and I had a couple of minutes to snatch a quick photo. Took a couple of the tiled cross marking the end of the lane underwater, and the bunting shadow... And then moved to where the filtered water was entering the pool. I could see a texture/shimmy I liked, but with the sunlight on the phone camera screen, and the shortness of time, all I did was zoom so there was only water (no pool edges), point and shoot.

I really like this photo!

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

37/365 no, not a book (or book book)

It's my new phone case. Fun, eh? The screen is protected in my bag and I am amused.

I could have any colour I liked as long as it was this one. And now I can type the word colour without autocorrect Americanising me. Yay! Thanks, Brenda!

Photographed on a crochet square using Poems wool and destined for a charity blanket.

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

36/365 tissues for knitters

A friend gave this box of tissues, with its multicoloured knitted pattern. Because we'd been knitting. And this is colourful, happy.

I've had it for nearly a year, and other boxes of tissues have come and gone at work, and this keeps being my reserve box, the one-day spare. Because I'm still knitting, and it's still cheerfully colourful, and it reminds me of a friend's thought and kindness.

I'm amused to have comments on yesterday's post from fellow Sindy girls. No Barbiefolk have emerged from the woodwork, though. I remember poring over the pink Sindy clothes brochure. I could practically recite some of the descriptions without looking.

PS Dear Mr Jobs (dec),

I live in a world of neighbours and colours, not neighbors and colors.  Please stop trying to 'correct' my correct spelling.  I am not in the US and do not use US spelling.  It is driving me nuts.  Especially when you sneak it in when I haven't noticed, and then my blog entries look less literate than they should.  There are other countries and other ways to spell English.  You sold me my Apple device in a country with neighbours and colours; why is the spellcheck still American?

Yours sincerely.

Monday, February 04, 2013

35/365 Barbie recipient


1302 35/365 Barbie recipient
Originally uploaded by rooruu
A friend of mine collects Barbies. For the sociological interest, you understand. Like, when did Barbie segue from being a nurse to being a medic?

And every Christmas, she gives me Barbie (with one diversion represented by Twilight's Edward). I had no Barbies as a child - I had Sindy. (English, less tarty. My dear mama had no opinion of that flashy American Barbie).

And now I am not a Barbie collector, but a Barbie recipient. They are on display in my office at work, and provoke conversations and reminiscences.

This isn't all of the Barbies (I've known my friend a while...). There is another shelf...

(And do I still have my two Sindy dolls, and the sets of clothes, and her little sister Patch with the hair i should not have washed, and...? Yes. I do.)

Sunday, February 03, 2013

34/365 Books (and a better world)


1302 34/365 Books
Originally uploaded by rooruu
An order from BetterWorldBooks from last year. Still reading through the pile. It's a snapshot of current interests - quilting, knitting, knitting socks (one of my resolutions for 2013, I WILL learn to knit socks!), renovation and home decor, crochet, collecting....

And buying from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ also provides funds for literacy. Win-win.

Right now, they have a Bargain Bin deal, 7 books for $35 US.  Used books from BWB (not sellers on there, but BWB themselves, which is millions of books) is FREE worldwide.  Less than $5/book if you buy 7.  What's not to like?  Go and have a browse....

Saturday, February 02, 2013

33/365 Tailor Bird sewing machine

One of these is going to come and live at my house.

Made for only about ten years, from the end of WWII, in Kent, UK. They have quite a clever case. I'll post more pics when I have the machine. It's an attractive decal.  The machine has a long bobbin/shuttle, and is a hand crank.

More info:
needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php?title=Tailor-Bird

32/365 china face lady


1301 32/365 china face lady
Originally uploaded by rooruu
I find it fascinating to photograph faces in vintage/antique shops. So many expressions. (I got told this is weird. Nooooo, I don't find it so.)

If you click on this photo and look on its right you'll find a link to a set with more of these faces, in china, photos, artwork.

Or just use this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rooruu/sets/72157632619959567/

Friday, February 01, 2013

31/365 red Spanish onions

Today's photo for three reasons.
1. I like it . All those subtle blacky-purply tones.
2. It was stinkin' hot and sticky-humid today. (Although red onions are less insistent than their brown or white cousins, they still have a fragrant presence.)
3. I didn't take a photo today, and hadn't used this one before, so...
Bingo!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

30/365 yellow/orange/red roses

Beautiful flowers as I'm thinking of my dear aunt who died today. I learned so much from her about being a good aunt, and I am so very grateful.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

29/365 one job, three diaries

Back to work. I'm glad at least one is red. And yes, they all serve particular purposes.

Monday, January 28, 2013

27/365 roses


1301 27/365 roses
Originally uploaded by rooruu
A bunch for sale at a gourmet fruit market. Just starting to open, and wonderful colours.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

26/365 progress


1301 26/365 progress
Originally uploaded by rooruu
The rainbow of wool from a couple of days ago is becoming stripes.

I'm so grateful a family member taught me to crochet years ago.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Thursday, January 24, 2013

24/365 sun-warm sheets


1301 24/365 sun-warm sheets
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Such a simple pleasure, to take crisp, freshly washed cotton sheets off the line, sun warm and scented by daylight and summer breezes.

(No point folding them, they're going back where they came from, so beautiful and fresh as they are).

I don't much enjoy summer heat, but it's nice when the washing dries so well...

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

23/365 I can see a rainbow

A corner of one of the buildings where I work, painted by a friend, who was inspired by a word wall we had done. Didn't she do a great job? And aren't colour names like these wonderful?

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

22/365 a rainbow of yarn & a plan

A rainbow of 21 different colours to become stripes in a crochet project.

(And this yarn is on special at Spotlight at the moment for $1.79 a ball, 50g/100% wool, instead of $2.99/ball).

I will blog progress/result. This project/gift has a baby deadline...

Monday, January 21, 2013

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Saturday, January 19, 2013

19/365 crafternoon


1301 19/365 crafternoon
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Hand piecing (not me). Assembling a granny square blanket (me). Lovely afternoon of conversation on a thankfully cooler day.

18/365 Hot!


1301 18/365 Hot!
Originally uploaded by rooruu
So very hot. I was grateful to be lunching with a friend in air-conditioning. Very grateful.

Friday, January 18, 2013

17/365 Alchemy


1301 17/365 Alchemy
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Successfully and happily making her first garment.

The little Ikea sewing machine she got for Christmas worked well. It's not a toy, but solid and serious enough to be a good starter machine. (it's called Sy, and in Oz is $79. I've sewn on a fair number of new and old machines, and this had a good sound to the motor, enough weight not to jump around and made a perfectly acceptable stitch. It would be worth considering as a portable workshop machine, IMHO.)

Such a pleasure to see her joy at turning a length of cute owl fabric into a pair of pyjama pants, and the aha! moments that were part of the process. I think I've kindled what I hoped to... (note the tape measure round the neck! - she took to that with gusto as dressmaker attire/tool to hand, she wearing it, not me.)

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

16/365 a sign of the (summer) times

Today: 35degC. Tomorrow 38, Friday 42. Hot, hot, hot.

(The shop was, as you may have guessed, closed.)

15/365 followed me home


1301 15/365 followed me home
Originally uploaded by rooruu
These two hanks of Rowan Colourscape yarn followed me home. Amazing. Lovely.

It's going to become a self stripe scarf in the Noro striped scarf style like this: http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com.au/2007/04/noro-scarf.html
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/noro-striped-scarf

I will practise doing a long tail cast on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN9cNEozOLc
And am so happy that YouTube makes it easy to find out how to do such knitting things as long tail cast ons and i-cords.

Monday, January 14, 2013

14/365 Bar Beach, Newcastle in wild, windy weather

The wind was so strong! Some gusts enough to nearly knock you off your feet. But it was neither hot nor cold, but salty-sandy, exhilarating, blowing all sorts of cobwebs away.

On Nobbys, there were flags out but no one swimming. At Bar Beach, from this lookout, it seemed like only a red ?warning flag.

We stopped at several lookouts on the coast road. Each one windy, the waves whitecaps of energy.

At the Ocean Baths, a bridegroom, his attendants, celebrants and guests awaited the bride. I hope they weren't blown away! (A picturesque wedding location for sure, but the Victorian wedding cake bandstand in the park a couple of kilometres down the coast might have been easier...!)

Sunday, January 13, 2013

13/365 weathered door

My second 'old door' photo in thiteen days. I suspect not my last of the 365. They engage respect and invite imagination about the lives which have crossed each portal. Going out. Coming home. Visiting. Enquiring. Kept in. Shut out.

This one, weathered grey, looks so sturdy with its ironwork hinges and the thick timber supporting beam/lintel, and the large blocks of sandstone.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

12/365 Key Lime Pie


1301 12/365 Key Lime Pie
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Sweet and tangy with melt in the mouth pastry. An excellent morning tea.

I've known of key lime pie from American books and magazines but hadn't actually tasted it till today. It won't be the last time.

Friday, January 11, 2013

11/365 Victorian tea set

Pretty tea set. More gilded than I might be expected to like, but I do like the colours and stripes and pattern.

Another spotted-but-not-purchased item in a vintage/old wares/antique shop. (But a couple of other things did follow me home...).

10/365 blossom rosy hat


1301 10/365 blossom rosy hat
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Seen in a vintage wares shop. What a mad, pink, leafy, blossom rosy (?50s) hat!

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

9/365 cool drink


1301 9/365 cool drink
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Not as hot a day as yesterday's 43degC, but warm enough to enjoy an icy cool drink with lunch. Lots of patterns in ice and condensation and reflections.

And then back to today's To Do list. Which isn't short and may be ambitious...

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

8/365 scraps into gold


1301 8/365 Scraps into gold
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Something I will certainly take away from making Easy Street and thus reading Bonnie Hunter's blog is the idea of consistently having leaders/ enders while piecing. (Starting and ending each run of chain piecing with scraps, which build into blocks, slowly but surely).

In this blog entry she shows another quilter's leader/ender project, 1 1/2 in squares.
quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/time-zones.html

I am not as methodical; I've been using the cutting scraps in the size they are. After all, when cutting for a quilt you often have similar size cuts, 2 inch or whatever. I began by piecing pairs with one side the same size, and built from there (sometimes skimping on the 1/4in seam so I could use a piece). I built each assemblage until it was slightly bigger than 4 1/2in square, then trimmed it to 4 1/2in square. I've pieced these into nine patch blocks.

There are four of the ninepatch blocks in the photo, 36 of my little leader/ender scraps-into-gold blocks. I like 'em!

Monday, January 07, 2013

7/365 gingerbread men


1301 7/365 gingerbread men
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Made by a friend. I like the different expressions. The jar was rather emptier by the end of our morning's work of organisation and imagination

Sunday, January 06, 2013

6/365 duck


1301 duck 6/365
Originally uploaded by rooruu
Yes, there were the regulation three in graduated sizes. They will be flying away with the friends who own them, to live in the country.