Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Aurora Australis in my yarn stash

Mr. Kelp and I were watching an old Warren Miller ski movie called Journey the other night while I was rummaging in my yarn stash. If you haven't had a look at his films, and you like the whole intake of breath when someone does something either amazing or downright crazy - go have a little look on youtube.

I wanted to knit a scarf for someones birthday (Can't say who - their birthday isn't for a little while yet!) and the movie started talking about the Aurora Borealis... that was the moment that I came out of my yarn stash with two different balls of yarn going "Aha! I could knit an 'Aurora Australis' inspired scarf!"

Mr Kelp's guide to posting pictures

Step 1
Find camera
An obvious step, but often easier said than done.  Possibly in the last place I was taking photos, or where I was showing Mr Kelp the photos, or my bag, or on the charger or where it is supposed to live.  And that is just the list if Jellyfish has not been involved.
For example, for demonstrating this process, said camera could not be located, so Mr Kelp had to improvise with a USB stick.

Step 2
Find cable to connect the camera to the computer.  It should be located in the pile of cables surrounding the computer or the pile on the floor next to the computer or on the shelf above above the computer.*  Connect camera to computer.
*Refer to step 1 RE: Jellyfish

Step 3
Open the camera folder and select the photos I want to use, copy them and paste them into a new folder in my blog files.

Step 4
Open photo with irfanview
Censor if needed (select area and "cut")
Apply any other processing or efects.
Select the bit of the photo you want to use and then select Edit|Crop Selection

Step 5
Resize photo to web resolution.(less than 640x480 is reasonable). This means it wont take ages to upload it.
Step 6
Save the picture.
Select the options to not keep EXIF and IPCT data.  This means that nobody will know that you snapped the pic yesterday from a replica at your grandmas using your phone and not your super expensive camera at the art gallery last month like the post is about.
Step 7
Create new post :)

Monday, February 2, 2015

Retro Old Bus depot Markets Finds

Oh wow. I never thought it would take THIS long to post some of the fun things I found at the Retro OBD Markets in Canberra on my birthday weekend. There were lots of pretties - and if I had actually had the sized waist of half the amazing clothes that were there, I would have come home with a whole new wardrobe too - well, maybe a few things, anyway!

I was really hoping to find a cool lamp, but alas. I rue the day I left my anodized aluminum desk lamp that belonged to my grandmother with my mum when I moved out. It was one of the things that got culled when she moved!

The first thing that made my heart go pitter patter was this side board at Ritzy Bits. The lovely Irena let me take photos of her displays. All I can say, is that my wonderful husband can be quite relieved that his money was safe (There was no way I was going to be able to haul a piece of furniture that size home without some previous planning).


See that pretty pink bit of froth? Cute. And those clocks! I honestly don't know which on I prefer. Of course, I wouldn't want to fill my entire house with retro pieces. That would be OTT. But some choice pieces enhance and give some drama to any room.


I could have sat down on this chair if I thought I would have gotten away with it. It looked so comfy, with plenty of cool cred. (Note to self - next time organised a trailer or some such to carry home gorgeous loot!)


Eeny meenie miny moh...


Oh and then there was the typewriter. Honestly, I'm still not sure why it didn't make it into a bag. Hind sight is 20/20. Oh yeah... maybe because my thrifty nature has yet to be reconciled to bigger price tags!


The next "store" to catch my eye was Apple Green books. There were loads of second hand books there, but I think it could be safely said that a person could browse the tables and shelves for hours. Instead, I came home with these two sticker books.

 and my sister-in-law picked up the 1920's one for my niece.


The bigger boys and I have been talking a little about both WW1 and WW2 - both of which their great grandfather served in. The 1950's fashion book is mine, all mine. I love some of the fashions from this era. My mum had some in a wardrobe in the back room that she used to let me play dress-ups with. I even got her to take one in once to wear when I was in the school drama "The Wizard of Oz".


When we wandered upstairs we discovered there weren't a lot of stores that had a vintage theme going, but there were two stores that are worthy of attention. I would love to introduce you to this lovely lady (who was nothing but delightful to chat to), but alas, I have lost her business card (which I'm really annoyed about - since I wanted to pick up one of her cool pencil cups! If you know who she is - please let me know - 'kay?). She owns Recycled Originals where she hand makes paper mache cups and bowls from vintage sheet music, patterns, and magazines (and when I say vintage, I don't mean something that is eight years old that was found at the op-shop. I mean bonafide old stuff from the 50's, 60's and such).



The next store Marja Leena wasn't vintage, but we picked up several cards from this artist, mine were of the Christmas variety to send to friends overseas.


Back down to the ground level, I wandered right into a setting with seats and foot stools that are hand made with traditional vintage methods. Bliss. Thanks Kate, I'll have the one in yellow and grey please (in my dreams, anyway!). 


If flowers are more your style, then try the upholstery on this set.


I also found the most exquisite layered resin bracelet (dinosaur designs equivalent of the 60's I suspect) - but the lady on that stall was more inclined to hide behind her booth eating oysters, than giving me permission to photograph it. So I moved on to another couple of stalls - one that had this pretty piece of bone china - a "Lady Katherine" by Royal Albert. It was well within budget, so having felt the disappointment of the previous stall, it came home with me.


The last stall that we went to before heading over to the glass works next door, was one that sold home made cookies, cupcakes, and some cute little lolly bugs, not dissimilar to the ones I made for little S's second birthday (yes, yes, I must blog that one soon!!!). I didn't photograph the bugs as they were quickly devoured by all four kids.

And that, as they say, is a wrap. Did it whet your taste buds for 2015's Retro Depot?



Stockists: Ritzy Bitzhttp://www.ritzybits.com.au/
              Apple Green Books - www.applegreenbooks.com
               Marja Leena - MarjaLeena.com
               Rapt - www.raptupholstery.bigcartel.com

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Retro Depot

I'm blowing the dust and cobwebs off my keyboard, and breaking through the ice that seems to have formed on my blog! Poor, neglected space. I do love this little patch of mine, but actually MAKING the time to write anything worth hitting the "publish" button on is another matter, sometimes.

I have something to share though, that quite literally makes me bubble with excitement at the thought of it...
RETRO. Ahh yes. The sweet of enticement of something that came from a time when things were simpler. When people had a back yard to put a dog in. when children played under sprinklers with joyful abandon. When men up and down the street could be seen out mowing their lawns on a weekend morning, smiling and waving to one another. A time when you had to pick up your phone and actually dial in each number to talk to a friend - or even better - when you sat out on your front verandah and sipped cool drinks with your friends/neighbours. Rather like in one of my fave songs, Mayberry (Country music isn't usually my thing - but this one just strikes a chord with me).

Vintage desk lamps in cool retro colours
Image Via

This coming weekend, The Old Bus Depot Markets in Canberra are hosting Retro Depot. I don't want to sound like a cracked record, but it's time to get your groove back, if you forgot where you left it! ;)