Friday 17 April 2009

Small is Beautiful

I'm sitting typing this in the middle of an empty living area. Everything but the telly, the laptop and the fridge has been put into storage so that new bamboo boards can be put down. My horrible old flooring is going to be pulled up tomorrow, and I can't wait!
...although someone around here is going to miss the carpet:


(It's OK ~ I've got a new rug at the ready so that she can roll around on that instead.)


Much of the past week has been spent packing boxes and moving furniture, but I have spent a little time out in my neglected garden which, despite having grown even wilder and more tangled, is still pretty.


The potato flowers are blooming,



the pomegranates have ripened


and I've unearthed a wire candle holder that I like, made at a Saturday workshop a few years ago, and I've hung it from my little gum tree so that I can see it from my bedroom window. The glass is very reflective and glows in the sunlight:





I haven't been doing a lot of crochet but, when the floorboards have been put in, I would like to start making some new scatter cushions. I've decided that I want to make something like the first pillow you can see here. I'm going to use motifs from a Japanese craft book I own called Crochet Motif Item. (Sadly, it's now out of print.) I particularly like Motif Number 30, which I first tried crocheting last year:





I want the cushion to be sturdy so I'm crocheting the motifs out of kitchen string and I am planning on felting the backing.


...and of course, in between all the packing and moving, I've still been gaining lots of inspiration from the internet. I've really enjoyed visiting lucy at attic24. Lucy creates colourful, joyful posts and has put together some excellent crochet tutorials. I've also been loving jek in the box for her exuberant, quirky photos...and when I've been feeling tired of renovating my cramped little unit I've been going over to Apartment Therapy and reminding myself that small really can be beautiful, as you can see here and here.


Have a fabulous week everybody.








10 comments:

Red Hen (dette) said...

Was that work shop at the freo art centre by any chance with a lady called Regina? I made some very similar along with tiaras after a workshop. What a flash back! But I must say it was a good many years ago!

inkberryblue said...

Yes it was! I loved Regina's classes ~ I did a jewellery workshop and a sculpture workshop with her as well. There's a post about it here somewhere. =]

2paw said...

Is that Molly?? It's such a gorgeous photo and good luck with the flooring. I expect it is good because you won't be replacing it three times till the colour is right!!!
The green candly thing is so pretty and you are so clever to make it. LOve the crocheting and that is a great idea. Hope all the flooring goes well!!

Samsara said...

Your cat has such beautiful green eyes! It's a lovely photo of her! I love the glass garden decoration :-)

Brandi Reynolds said...

absolutely lovely photos!

(and beautiful kitty!)

Unknown said...

I agree your photos are just lovely, wish mine were of that clarity.

I really like your crochet, its gunna be a nice cushion.

Emerald said...

You are so multi-talented!! And your kitteh needs some lovins. She looks content.

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures and lovely crochet! I'm a bit addicted to Japanese crochet books.... your cushion sounds like it's going to be beautiful - I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.
x

Sue said...

Goegeous photos. Your pussy cat has such green eyes! I love Lucy at Attic 24 too, her posts are always so bright and inspirational. I'm looking forward to trying the ripple pattern she posted recently!

Rachel said...

You have pomegranates in your garden? Lucky!
Good luck with your new floors!