Sunday 26 July 2009

Patchwork Rugs








Some beautiful rugs which have been floating around work lately. They are made from pieces of antique rugs painstakingly handsewn together like a quilt. I find them very beautiful in that crazy more-is-more Kaffe Fassett way: they might even be my inspiration for a knitted blanket or cushion.
The final rug shown here has been chosen to add a special warmth to the floor of the new Seed store in Bowral, NSW. From my observer's vantage point, no other Seed store has had this level of attention paid to it -- our visual merchandising department even enlisted the help of the local historical society. I'm told it's a very beautiful spot. Sometimes life in the office seems so extra prosaic....
Rugs from Loom, Armadale. Thanks to my colleague James for the photos. (There are plenty more: if anyone out there wants to see some, I'd be glad to post them).

Sunday 19 July 2009

A Curious Cabinet

Above: my bathroom cabinet of curiosities, which boys can look at as they pee. These are a few of my favourite things:
A photo of my dear uncle Spaso, me (eyes shut) my brother (the little captain -- awwwwwww) and assorted cheeky cousins just outside Pucisca in 1974.

Po Chai Pills, from Hong Kong: "This medicine is good for fever, diarrhoea, intoxication, overheating, vomiting and gastrointestinal diseases." Super - and I just bought it for the box!


Three Flowers Face Powder by Richard Hudnut. "A powder Bouquet of SCENTED BEAUTY: Roses for ROMANCE, Violets for CHARM, Lilies of the Valley for YOUTH." I just opened it in the name of informing my readers, and the scent reminded me of old lady in damp coat on tram.


San Ing Face Cream. Made in Taiwan by the Shun Yih Chemistry Factory. This one also smells of old lady on tram, as well as the corner of a certain exotic supermarket on Victoria Street in Richmond. Unsurprising, seeing as that is where I found it.

Thursday 9 July 2009

July in Australia

Some of my favourite bloggers (Elizabeth Dunker and Camilla Engman for example) are excusing themselves from their duties and taking a summer break. As I upload the photo above of my scarf in progress, (taken outside with autumn leaves in the corner as proof of which season we are in here in Melbourne), I remember with envy all the people I know in the Northern Hemisphere who are taking their summer break.
So, it is with this in mind that I generously present my dear Northerners with this little gift. A bit of exotic vintage Australiana to print, glue onto cardboard, cut out and use as a fan. Unfortunately none of my relatives will be out of the deep blue Adriatic sea for long enough to go inside and turn on their computers until well after their holidays are over.
...Well, I wouldn't!
(Image from Symbols of Australia by Mimmo Cozzolino and Fysh Rutherford, 1980. Previously discussed here.)

Sunday 5 July 2009

Working 9 - 5: A Lady and a Robot

Above: the now famous doll face which I first posted here last year has a new sister! She is a bit of a flirt with her winking eye and Parisian beret. I like days at work when coming up with a new design means 'evolving' an old one, to put it kindly...
...Perhaps because it leaves more time to draw something new? Robots are not new, admittedly, but mine is a my own combination of about three or four of the most charming vintage tin robots that I could find on the internet. I like his lo-fi buttons and gadgets. His grin reminds me of that eager-to-please-stunned-rabbit expression that children sometimes wear in school photos.