A weft yarn

Handmade soirees - book

I went to Sydney a few weekends ago for an embroidery weekend and while I was there I did a little bit of shopping at Mosman Needlecraft. Considering how wonderful the shop is, I was remarkably restrained. There is an excellent collection of craft books - embroidery, sewing, knitting, and then this one caught my eye: Handmade soirees. As you know, we've just completed a renovation to our kitchen and outdoor entertaining area. W-e-l-l ..completed ...hmm.. that's a bit optimistic. Anyway, the builders are gone and it's just us needing to finish stuff off, so I'm claiming it.

In other news, spring is here and so the thoughts of throwing off the winter depths, the opening up of the house, the flinging of oneself out into the air, the light, the backyard, are all streaming through my body, like sap in the tree. I am trying to explain why I purchased a book about entertaining. It is a lovely book, with beautiful photos that expressed a style of entertaining that appealed to me - basically: outdoors, platters of vegetables, a style that is not too perfect and creatively handmade.

After I got home and started writing this post, I searched for other reviews and was intersted to see a fair smattering of negative ones. The main criticism being there aren't enough craft projects or recipes in the book. I needed neither. I have plenty cookbooks and plenty craft books, I was interested in the dreaminess of entertaining with handmade soiree style. I bought it exactly for the photos. Photos as ideas, photos as expression.

Another bloggy review of the book - that is positive.

There are a few craft projects that relate thematically to an entertaining event, or to a giving opportunity - jars of jam etc, table cloths, aprons, that kind of thing. I just liked it for the ideas and the inspiration and in some ways, for the confidence to put together mismatched crockery, second hand glassware and handmade items to create a homely and inviting event. Hmm. Not sure of the when or how of me actioning these things but it will sit there for when I'm ready.

 

Fanciful Felties - book

We were in Sydney about a month ago and as part of the festivities I managed to have lunch at Orange Grove Markets in Rozelle and then spent a small amount of time in Calico and Ivy. I was pretty shopped out by that stage, so didn't purchase much from that beautiful shop, but I did come across this gorgeous thing.

There are patterns for a range of English "uptown" folk like Marge below. She can have her own felt car and home made by you. It might be a bit difficult to tell from my photos, but, you are provided with patterns to embroider their faces and all the details on their clothes, houses and cars.

Then when you go "down country" you'll come across this ruggedly handsome chap, who appears to be wearing a natty cabled jumper.

The back of the books shows you a couple of other images - my favourite is the bird milkman, complete with satchel, cap and embroidered milk bottles. Aggh. Gorgeous.

I had not come across the author in my travels around the internet but her name is Samantha Cotterill and she has a website mummysam.com. Very cute. very clever. Honestly, the book is fun to read like a play, imagining these characters running their terribly british life, and if you felt inclined to make something you do have patterns, or it could easily just convince you how very much fun it would be to do your own drawings of people and transfer them to felt! If you are interested - browse on - here's a flickr group Fanciful felties. I loved them.