10 things Mondays: collections

1.       Ink bottles

I have been collecting ink bottles for a long time although I very rarely add to the collection anymore.  Mostly because I don’t come across any I don’t already have. I have around 70 bottles made from glass and pottery. My favourites date to the 1800s. I have a few large bottles that still have ink in them. Ink would have been decanted into wells from these bottles.

2.       Luggage

I have a collection of trunks, suitcases and hat boxes. They are all over the house and are used to store such disparate things such as bedding, DVDs and old journals. Again I have mostly stopped collecting as I have run out of room.  The one exception is my (early) Christmas present. This old chest reminds me of hidden passage ways in old Enid Blyton books.

3.       Baskets

You can never have too many baskets. I have baskets on the dining room wall, use them to house ribbons and sewing projects, firewood, fruit, the uses are endless. My sister gave me this gorgeous picnic basket.

4.       Cutlery

I collect one off pieces of cutlery because they are beautiful. I put them to use mostly as serving utensils. Part of the challenge is working out what they were originally used for.

5.       Serviettes and tablecloths

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while this will come as no surprise. I have a growing collection of beautiful vintage serviettes, doilies and cloths. Some of the serviettes I find are re-tasked through various sewing projects but every now and again I find some worthy of being used as originally intended. Paper napkins never appear in my house.  If we eat whilst watching a movie I just drag out some of the more casual serviettes. The love of serviettes comes from my Nana who liked to set the table well.  Indeed my collection started with pieces I inherited.

6.       Fabric in general

I love fabric. I have a sizeable stash and love adding to it.  I have some lovely Japanese textiles, some brightly coloured dupion silks and cottons galore.  I have a pink and yellow sari my Mum brought back from Singapore. And a fabulous orange throw for the lounge. One of those collections I need to keep in check. Which reminds me of another related collection that deserves mention on its own.

7.       Mud cloths

From Mali in Africa Mudcloths are made from narrow strips of heavy woven cotton that are literally dyed with oxide rich mud.  I am really passionate about these cloths. I would buy everyone I found if I could afford to and boringly if I had more space.  You see, sadly, mud cloths can’t be washed so they can’t be used in many traditional ways. I used to have them as throws on the bed and couch but they started to get grotty. Also someone must have spilt some water because I have an orange stain on the couch where I used to have one positioned. So we have them on walls and draped around the place. They are always earthy colours and so so beautiful.

8.       50s outdoor furniture

Recently I began picking up old chairs rom the tip that we have re-painted and re-timbered and given new life.  I really like them. So now I’m on the lookout for tables to do up or mosaic and plant holders.

9.       Nature’s flotsam and jetsam

I’ve always been one to pick up rocks or shells. I know I always did it as a child. As an adult I am no different. I have baskets of leaves and interesting pieces of dried lichen. Boxes of tiny weeny shells with holes destined to be used in some art project or other (and yes I have used some of them). I have bird nests and a few feathers. I find this collection unruly but useful and inspiring. 

10.   Collections come in endless and wonderous variety – what’s your favourite? 

Building our chook house

We spent this afternoon building a chook pen! I have wanted chickens for years and years and today moved a whole lot closer to getting them.

My birthday present (last April) was a flat packed chook run. Today we put it together. With Howard working 6 days a week and me working 45+ hours a week its been a bit hard to find the hours.

Building the egg box took the longest. When we put it together there were big gaps so we added a beading to ffill them. This will make cleaning up so much easier.

 We added new heavy duty wire and new latches too. We're not worried about our ladies getting out, this is fox proofing. Foxes are a reality here. We see them running down the road in the early evening.

 The completed chook run at the bottom of the garden, looking into the vegie patch and the paddocks beyond.

My handy husband who built it for me! I was nurse to the surgeon and just handed over tools and nails.

Now I just need to buy my chooks! So exciting. Chooks will be the ultimate in homespun living.

A turn in the road

Happy New Year to one and all. 2012 is the Year of the dragon symbolising success and happiness, the year of reading and the year of the farmer.

As always in January my thoughts turn to goals and wishes for the year ahead. Whilst I am still working on defining the details my main goals are to find balance between the heavy demands of my job and my desire to create, to grow and achieve homespunbliss.

A quote referred to on a friend's Facebook page may become a mantra for me, even though I never would have thought I'd be inspired by Will Rogers. But surprises can enliven your soul and give you the spark to keep on.

‎'Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.'
Will Rogers

I took this photo this morning and it seems appropriate although at the time it just looked like a lovely shot. Synchronicity at work perhaps.

So I hope to see you along the road.

Kris Kringle handmade fun

Merry Christmas everyone. I wish everyone good cheer, good health and all their wishes to come true in 2012.

I am spending Christmas with family. This requires some travel, and three of my four furr kids have to stay in a kennel. I have dropped them off already so my house seems empty. I will spend some of my break regrouping, thinking about goals for 2012 and deciding what direction to take my DarlingBridget business in.  I have packed my camera and my sketchbook, very important. You never know what inspiration I may find along the way. When I return there will be many gardening jobs to do, a chook house to build and populate, cooking and creative stuff.

Thanks for being part of my journey and I hope to have you along in 2012.

And here's a Christmassey post for the day before Christmas Eve. Peace and joy to all.

 I entered the Haby Goddess's Kris Kringle this year as a bit of fun. I received this lovely Christmas stocking in the mail from Laura in South Australia. It was beautifully packaged and came with a card and well wishes.

Isn't it darling. Thanks Laura for your lovely homemade gift and thanks to the Haby Goddess for organising it.

This is the gift I sent off - mini Christmas bunting.

Link here to see some of the other gifts that were shared.

Preserves and lemon lime cordial

Today I have been using some homespun skills, storing the summer bounty for winter.

First I made lemon and lime cordials. Its really easy and makes a very yummy cordial.  I used a recipe I found on the net. Basically you add lemon or lime juice, zest, sugar, hot water and citric acid together and as it cools it thickens and becomes syrupy. The bottles on the left are lemon and the ones on the right lime cordial.  Place the bottles in the fridge and they last for ages. Perfect for summer drinks and gifts.

Next I preserved some summer fruits to keep me going through winter when there are only apples and oranges to eat.

First I got all my equipment washed and laid out. I have a Fowler-Vacola preserving kit.

Next I washed my fruit.

 

Today I made fruit salad inspired by the canned fruit my nana used in her famous parfaits. The fruit salad was mostly peaches and pear but occasionally you'd find a grape or cherry. You always hoped you'd get the right one! But never fear each of my jars have both green grapes and red cherries in them. Also white and yellow peaches, yellow nectarines and apricots. Unlike bought fruit salad these are preserved in water only, no sugar, syrup or preservatives.

I have also cooked and bottled rhubarb from my garden with pears and blueberries. Yumm.

The jars need to sit undisturbed for 24 hours after which time I can take the clips off and put them into storage. This bounty will mostly be eaten as my winter breakfasts served with yoghurt. Although I may make a few crumbles too.

Will do some more preserving after Christmas to make sure I have a good store. Its a bit of a messy job - lots of washing up but its worth it when you pop the lid on those jars and eat the good as fresh contents. And my pet worms have been given a feast - all those sweet, moist scraps will keep them very happy.  Christmas for them too!

Enjoy 

10 things Mondays - top movies for a rainy day

Its raining, still. Actually it has been flat and overcast so now that its raining its better - at least the weather has decided to make a choice. Its dark so my thoughts have strayed to nice movies to watch snuggled up on the couch with a nice hot chocolate.
Let's see:

1. The Scarlet Pimpernel -  they seek him here, they seek him there. Dark intrigues and gorgeous costumes. Only ever the Anthony Andrews version.

2. North by Northwest - more intrigue and the devine Cary Grant

3. Bridget Jone's Diary - funny and makes your life seem less pathetic.
4. Ever after with Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott. Yes Prince Charming does exist and he could fall in love with you too.

5. Charade - Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, the perfect combination.

6. The princess bride - funny and romantic. I know all the lines and can recite them before the actors. (ok so best to do this when alone)

7. Monsoon wedding- gorgeous colour, romance and its set in the Monsoon so a rainy day doesn't seem so bad

8. ET - always makes me cry, and a wet day and hot chocolate make that perfect
9. Dr Zhivago - ok I've never actually gotten around to watching it but you definately want a wet day for a Russian epic.
10. Roman Holiday - lets end on a sunny note, Audrey Hepburn again but with Greg Peck. Romance, great scenery and an unexpected ending. Aah


Well there's my list. As soon as I hit publish I'll think of 1001 movies I should have included. So help me out here please. What should be there?

Hope its sunny where you are, if not hope you are having a snugly day!

Giveaway Winners

Thanks to everyone who joined my giveaway!

I have used a random number generator from Random.org to draw the winner.

I put everyone who entered into a spreadsheet - those who entered more than once had their name entered multiple times. The number from the random generator corresponded to the line number in the spreadsheet.

The winner is Sarah Stewart who liked my DarlingBridget facebook page. Congratulations Sarah.

I decided in a fit of Christmas spirit to make a second draw. Rebecca Mo-Anne Ready will also win an item from my DarlingBridget range.

Thanks again for entering!