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I'm thinking of adding some splashes of soft, cheerful yellow to my pretty house before winter arrives. And I say, I quite fancy these little beauties! They're from the wonderful Welsh studio of Lowri Davies who has completely won me over with her cheeky birds and botanical scribbles. I like the watercolour feel and her distinct slip cast style. Oh, they'd be right at home in my china collection.
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My love affair with Melbourne's artists continues this week with Kirra Jamison, whose work I saw late last year at Sophie Gannon Gallery. These images from the exhibition, Slow Down You Move too Fast, show an almost psychadelic mix of earthy and celestial, fantasy and folk elements that I just couldn't resist posting. Those pop raccoons look as though they are climbing over slices of rainbow-coloured agate... so delightfully weird!
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Lately, I've been playing about in my make-up kit and making quite a mess with coral red lipstick, peacock blue eyeliner and a haphazard assortment of eye-popping shades. The results have been a little dramatic, but I'm having fun, so why not look like a circus performer at the post office, right? So, when I spotted this feature in Vogue Italia I couldn't help but grin. I think I'll pop down the shops for some fuschia shadow at lunch...
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For this week's Field Journal assignment, it's time to take a peek inside the Wolf and Willow workshop! Here are a few of my favourite things... my bookshelves filled with white wicker baskets of fabric scraps and ribbons, children's books and vintage sewing patterns; my dear Louis XIV reading chair embroidered with Shakespeare quotes, dragonflies and butterflies; my lucky teacup, magic sketchbook and painted porcelain unicorn; my cloth mannequin; my pretty pincushion (thanks Heather!) and, of course, my two lovely ladies, Daisy the pink sewing machine and Olive the slightly temperamental overlocker. I do hope you've enjoyed the tour, darlings!
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What can I say? She's cute as a button, carefree and independent and she can make a cardigan seem sexy! Jean Shrimpton is loved by a generation of Australian women for shaking things up in 1965 when she shocked conservative Melbourne ladies simply by flashing her lovely long legs. We've come a long way since Jean declared, "I feel Melbourne isn't ready for me yet". Can you imagine anyone calling this demure young lady "scandalous" these days?
"There she was, the world's highest paid fashion model, snubbing the iron-clad conventions of fashionable Flemington with a dress five inches above the knee, NO hat, NO gloves and NO stockings!"
- The Sun News-Pictorial, Nov 1 1965
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Hello dearies! I've just been doing research for my vintage book reviews and you'll never guess who I found? My old friend Tammy! Oh, Tammy and I would spend hours playing dress-ups and make-believe back in the eighties. She's a paper doll, you see, and came to me in this Little Golden Book from 1974. Don't you just love her cute red shoes and jaunty travel case?
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Oh, how I love thee Spoke + Spool! This new Australian clothing label, by Alia Parker and Laura Pike, is tailored with love for cyclists... of the gentle, indie persuasion, of course! Handmade from recycled second-hand clothing, these highly original designs have stolen my heart. I especially adore the aptly named Cutie Pie Lederhosen. Girls, I'm dusting off my pedals as we speak.
"I rode my bicycle past your window last night
I roller skated to your door at daylight
It almost seems like you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone but you've got something I need..."
- Melanie Safka
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Oh goodie! Harvest Textiles is offering Wolf and Willow readers the chance to win a spot in their May "Softies and Screenprinting" Workshop. This is such a fun new workshop where you will learn to screen print your own fabric and then use it to sew a cute little softie! Simply visit their blog and leave a comment with your answer to this question: "Who will be the lucky recipient of your handmade softie, and why will they enjoy it so much?". Good luck everyone!
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I'm digging this cute little Vintage Revival post by {KID} Independent - not just because they've been so sweet as to include my Prancing Pony Pinafore, but oh, aren't those mint green overalls just smashing? I'm also rather fond of that exercise rule background they have going on... it's ever so snazzy!
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Have you made friends with Lady Spider yet? If not, you're in for a treat! Her cheeky little felt creatures, inspired by Japanese Kawaii and Zakka styles, are cut from her own original patterns and feature lovingly hand-stitched details. With their splendid botanical backgrounds and squishy little ears, this cheeky pair would make the perfect pet or play friend.
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Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of learning to screenprint my own yardage with the lovely Lara of Harvest Textiles. After two days of drawing, cutting, squeegie-ing, spraying, mixing and, well, rather clumsy splattering...
I was thrilled to finish up with several yards of my very own peony print fabric for myself and Daisy the pink sewing machine to play with.
Here's a little peek at my first ever attempt at screenprinting (excluding high school art class!) Is anyone surprised that, when faced with a few tubs of primary colours, I chose to mix up a delicious batch of watermelon and peach?
And this is what happens when you are too impatient, and go rushing ahead without waiting for
your friend to hold the screen steady... ooops! See how my floating blossoms have smudged? There's a lesson in that, Nancy.
Continue reading "Field Journal: Harvest Textiles Worskhop" »
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Hello! My name is Zinnia Pony. I'm looking for someone who loves smelling roses, chasing butterflies and dancing in the rain. I am handmade from 100% cotton fabrics in sweet aqua blue and hot pink. My ears are lined with pink gingham and I was adapted from a genuine 1950s sewing pattern. You can adopt me now at Wolf and Willow. Nice to meet you!
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Have you heard the good news? I've joined the editorial team at MAEVE magazine! That's right sweeties, I'll be reviewing my favourite children's books for you each month. With a focus on handmade, vintage and indie picture books and stories to inspire and delight, I hope you'll enjoy reading my reviews as much as I do writing them. Be sure to visit MAEVE's new blog and say hello!
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It seems like the perfect moment for sharing these beautiful, peaceful scenes by Irena Sophia, don't you think? All of Irena's drawings possess a calm, quiet magic but I love these two the best. You may remember how my recent Field Journal assignment inspired a little jaunt down memory lane? This reminded of my dear childhood friends, my imaginary animals. I quite fancy these illustrations are of just that - me and my imaginary friends. Plus, the quirky little budgerigar is my favourite Australian bird!
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As if cupcakes weren't cute enough, meet The Cupcake Wrapper Co and let your inner Betty Crocker shine! Yes, I confess, I've fallen in love with these pretty pink and blue wrappers by Melbourne mummy duo Natalie and Kathy. Each adorable wrapper is made right here in Australia from environmentally responsible products. Perfect for making something sweet, even sweeter!
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Flickr Photo Credits: 1. shades of blue, 2. proof spring is on it's way, 3. chirp, chirp, 4. everything is pearls
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If anyone can turn dreams into reality, it's the prince of fashion photography, Tim Walker. In his latest editorial for Vogue Italia, Lady Grey, he takes us to a dreamlike and derelict Versailles where Duchesses draped in peach tulle and pigeon-grey cobwebs teeter on their ivory ladders. Bejeweled chandeliers threaten to set their powdered hair alight as they tumble down in a cloud of silk and chiffon. Isn't it just a feast for the imagination.
Images: The Fashion Time
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Hi friends! Today, I have a lovely coincidence to share with you. You might remember this post, in which I was admiring some pretty pastel brooches over at Oh Hello Friend? Well, in honor of my recent Lovelies Award, I was asked to choose something from the Pretty Prize Box and was delighted to find this adorable set of vintage hair pins (the very same ones that I had been admiring!). So, my wish came true. Aren't they sweet?
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