When a dear family friend passed on her loom to me (!!!) she also gave me a binder of her weaving notes. Notes from the classes she had taken, swatches of various styles, and tucked in the back were these sheets of yarn samples. It looks like a catalogue of yarns and other supplies you…
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My Nana’s Sewing Supplies
Read moreA peak at a few of my Nana’s sewing supplies I have with me in the city. I still use and absolutely treasure that little metal pin case, but thankfully a serger has replaced the pinking sheers. Why are good pressing hams so difficult to find now? That and weighted o-rings. If anyone knows where…
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Smalley Ladies In Hats
Read moreIn the spirit of all those Sunday’s I had to put a comb through my hair and hat on my head for church, I give you a look at two sophisticated Smalley’s and their hats. I may not have understood it as a child, but the last few years I’ve found myself increasingly draw to…
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Ultimate Home DIY Inspiration
Read moreI may have said it before but I’ll say it again, this is the do-it-yourself I was raised in. Think big, make it happen. My parents wanted something to provide privacy between themselves and the neighbours, something a bit more unique than your standard fence or hedge. Being in the kitchen business for quite some…
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A Drafters Workspace
Read moreAren’t other peoples workspaces fascinating? I’m not talking about the “we’ll arrive noon Tuesday with the box lighting and vintage props please prepare yourself accordingly” kind, I mean the real thing. Nary a sticky note rearranged. I must apologize to my Mumma for exposing this ‘mess’ to the interwebs, but frankly this mess is gold.…
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1931 Children’s Book Illustrations
Read moreI love finding these books and story clippings that belonged to my Nana when she was young, the illustrations are so beautiful. It’s not the typical mid century (is that right?) illustrations that have become so popular again lately, they’re a little…softer? I’m not sure how to best articulate it, but I really, really like…
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How To Make The Most Of Your Jewellery Collection
Read moreI like my necklaces to be versatile. I like options, being able to switch pendants between chains and layer them as I wish. Maybe that’s why I’ve always gravitated towards delicate pieces, they have for me the kind of flexibility that ‘statement’ necklaces don’t offer. A charm can serve just as well as a pendant,…
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1950s Handmade Doll Clothes
Read moreAs a little girl, my Mum kept her doll and it’s wardrobe in this trunk. Most of her dolls clothes were hand sewn by my great-aunt Emma in the 1950s. I think they show patience and pride, as well as being an interesting reflection of dressing standards at the time (e.g. a slip under a dress,…
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Handmade Nursery Rhymes Quilt
Read moreI think this is just darling… nursery rhyme characters embroidered on cut up muslin flour sacks. My Mum’s grandmother Hannah and her sisters would have done this on the farm in the 1920s or 1930s. What a great way to repurpose the muslin bags their flour and sugar would have come in (which they also sewed…
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A Vintage Yardstick
Read moreDistance between plants, the times tables, standards for weight and height of children, wedding anniversary gifts, measurement conversions… all things you might need to reference in a hurry. This belonged to my Nana, and looking it over has given me a good laugh. Were these the yard stick essentials for a 1940s housewife?