Coastal Origami

Whilst holidaying back home last month, my husband and I headed down the coast for a mini holiday within a bigger holiday with some friends. Days were spent swinging in hammocks, reading books, lying on the grass in the cool tree shade, protected from the hot afternoon sun, swimming in crystal clear, salty water, lazing on the sand, canoeing in the lagoon, eating fabulously and having good old natters with everyone. It was just lovely. Lucky for me, one of our friends is an artistically gifted individual who suggested a bit of origami (after managing to sketch and paint a lovely little scene from the verandah view). We settled ourselves in for some paper folding and picked out a few of the easiest patterns to master first. Whilst folding, we imagined using paper similar to my wedding invitations (you can read more about them here) and creating some truly beautiful papery art. Despite our paper being plain, it was colourful, bright and happy and we produced some lovely little items.

Some holiday upholstery

Sorry for the post drought. I have been on a month long holiday back home in sunny Sydney and found that after dealing with Jetlag, taking mini-breaks within the holiday, attending a good friend's wedding and visiting friends and family, i didnt have much time for posting! But never fear, because i was building up a nice little list of items that i must share.

First are these cute little dining chairs.

When i got home, my mum asked if i would mind recovering some little dining chairs she had picked up from the side of the road for our big Christmas dinner. My dad had already painted over the wood with white paint and i had come armed with some Cath Kidston oilcloth in Provence Rose blue and green from the UK. I only got half a metre of each so it came to £20 for the lot. We managed to cover 5 chairs too (with a little left over for some makeup bags perhaps?), so at £4 each plus the paint, the whole new look was a bargain!

Dad and i got out the staplegun and spent my first day home recovering the seats. They went from ugly black seats destined for the tip to gorgeous floral chairs with a new lease of life in no time.

Not bad for a bit of holiday upholstery!

Fireplace restoration

I have been wanting to share my reclaimed, rescued and restored fireplace and mantle piece for a while now.

I found it in a reclamation yard in North London (the one I saw on Kristy's Homemade Home in fact). It was a sad looking thing. it had been painted white at some stage and was all rusty with some of the ugliest tiles i have ever seen. I obviously showed far to much excitement upon finding it because the owner wouldn't budge when I tried to argue the price down from £50, which frankly I thought was a bargain considering some of the ones I had seen sold on eBay for 14 times as much.

The face features a pretty wreath detail that I found charming and thought would complement some of the vintage tiles I had already started collecting for it. Its shape was also ideal, being fairly narrow and not to tall to work well with the lower ceiling heights in the loft.

The restoration involved getting it dipped (in an acid bath!). I was going to attempt this stage on my own with some NitroMors, but thought the better of it. The dipping removed the layers of paint and rust, taking it back to its original cast iron finish. When we got it back it had to go back outside for a little while before the builders could fit it. This meant it started to oxidise again and came out in rust spots again. My husband, bless him, sanded all of these spots off for me again. The oxidisation largely stopped once it was bought inside, hence I haven't been rushed to make a decision on what type of varnish, paint, sealant I want to use. Suggestions again are more than welcome. I was thinking of painting it white initially, but I have gone off that idea now.

The original chimney breasts - from the fireplaces downstairs, worked as a natural looking protrusion to bolt the mantle on. Because of a mistake the builders made in placing a RSJ, it couldn't sit as far back as I hoped, but the builders made a casing out of wood, that eventually will be painted over to look like a continuation of the fireplace. This also meant that a sweet little recess could be created where the fire would have been. I have used this area to showcase little French oils, books and other knick knacks.

I purchased each of the tiles from Portobello road. Each is unique with the bulk from 1800's England. There is a Japanese one or two in the mix too. I think my favourite is the yellow tile, it reminds me of a lemon tart. Yum.

Letterpressing for Christmas

For Christmas I have gone out on a limb.

I have got two magnesium plates made up to print our own personalised Christmas cards. One is the stamp I will be using on the backs of my cards with my logo and 'catch line' (Phoebe and the Letterpress, Custom letterpress papery things). The other was a Christmas message for the front cover of the card. I wasn't sure how well I would print with either of these, I was more worried about the logo stamp than the bigger Christmas stamp. But, it all felt a bit risky.

I thought the small font size, thin lines and detail in the fonts, namely rosewood, I chose for my logo stamp would give me issues. I remember when I was making my wedding invitations, the man who made my photopolymer plates, a Mr Sparrow, quite famous in letterpress circles, now sadly retired, warned me of the dangers of using small fonts. In fact I think I had to go up to a size 12 font before he would happily make my wedding invitation plates for me (maybe he was being cautious as I was a beginner). The stamps he made me printed very nicely, but I bemoaned the fact I didn't get the deep impression I was hoping for. I suspect this was more due to the hard card I was using than anything else. Edward, or Ted as he prefers to be known (brilliant name!), was a traditionalist and keen on the 'kiss' method as opposed to bashing the font forcefully into the paper. I remember him telling me that letterpress shouldn't leave any 'deep impression' on the paper other than the ink. I was confused as it was precisely this impression that had made me fall in love with letterpress. As I read more, I discovered two different views in letterpress. One is to leave the lightest kiss on the paper, and they other is to impress a deep 'debossing'. I personally love the debossed look. So, as I have progressed, I am always striving for the deepest impression I can muster, really thrusting those letters irretrievably into the page.

I started printing with my logo stamp and was pleasantly surprised. The impression, while not as deep as I like, was still fairly good and all my tiny fonts printed clearly, cleanly and legibly. Even the rosewood font came out perfectly. So I deemed this run a success. Good, that was the hard part over. Next I was moving on to my big Christmas block with large font using a variety of typefaces. This I thought would be easier as Ted had been so positive about large font. But NOOOOO! I cant seem to get the ink to transfer to the paper evenly let alone worry about the impression on the paper. I am double inking, and pressing 3 to 4 times and still I am getting problems with patchy ink particularly in the middle of the my stamp. I rollered the stamp myself thinking perhaps my rollers weren't getting at the stamp properly, I packed up the tympan in a variety of ways, I adjusted the impression bolts constantly and I still cant get it perfect. My husband has tried to reassure me that they don't need to be perfect because after all they are handmade, but it is driving me bonkers.

There are a few other options I can try to improve the prints but these all involve mess, something I wasn't prepared to undertake late last night. At the moment, I have the stamp sitting in the top corner of the frame thing (god, I really need to learn what everything is called already!), so I think I should try and move it into the middle to try and get a bit more control over where the impression bolts are affecting.

I have also been a bit dodgy and have been layering up my tympan in a haphazard fashion. I think I might need to take all of that apart and put it together properly. Other than that, im not sure what else I should do! Fingers crossed this works. If it doesn't, I am going to cry. Still they do look pretty cool, I particularly love the shade of red (one I got from Caslon when I purchased my Adana). It is lovely and bright and festive!

I have printed on 2 different papers - 

One was a Somerset

The other was thick watercolour paper cardstock

Here are some photos of that i have printed so far.

If i know you, you are probably going to get one in the mail. Sorry to ruin the surprise!

Nearly forgot, if you are interested in more about my letterpress, check out http://phoebeandtheletterpress.com 

ENO's La Boheme at the London Coliseum

I went to the Opera last night and saw La Boheme at the Coliseum in London. It was great, and quite something to hear those songs I knew so well from my parents CD and movie collection (Moonstruck anyone?) belted out 'live'. But I have to admit, the bit that really caught my imagination was the set design. WOW. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't fancy or dazzling or anything like that. It was the "miniature-ness" of it. Like a life size doll house, that spun around to reveal different rooms and even a street scape.

I couldn't take any photos unfortunately, I did get one of the curtain before it went up, but that was all I could manage. However there are a few lurking around on the web that you can see here or check out the video on the ENO page.

This particular version on La Boheme was set in 1930s Paris, and apparently was heavily inspired by photography from the time. The style of the windows, the brasserie and even the staircase were so authentic and conjured up a real sense of the Parisian architecture of the time. I particularly loved the advertisements painted on the walls, entirely reminiscent of those interwar years.

As the characters are 'bohemian' and essentially poor, there is no glitz to be seen, except perhaps in the brass fittings in the French brasserie they dine in during the second act. Otherwise, the sets are furnished with drab material, dirty looking bed sheets, an armchair that has seen better days, a few wooden dining chairs, some lovely old wash basins attached to the "invisible wall" we view the set through (nice touch in my opinion), and some long work benches that reminded me of the old science labs at school.

The use of light was special too. The room in which Rodolfo and Marcello live had some wonderful little skylights that cast lovely shadows on the room. These shadows were even nicer as panes of glass were cross hatched with lead to create long trapezoid shadings on the wall. The broad expanse of glass across the entire back wall of the room gave the studio a very artistic feel. Oh and the light fittings, some lovely industrial styled shades hanging from lone cords from the ceiling.

I found the female character's outfits were really quite lovely too, particularly as I am very fond of the fashions from that era. Again, poor Mimi's dresses were generally stained and marked with dirt, but the cuts and colours were really something special. Musetta's outfits were tailored pieces that were better cared for, probably thanks to her knack for snaring rich men.

What an amazing job it must be to come up with these set designs. All you set designers out there - I envy you.

A little birdie

We haven't got around to carpeting the stairs to our loft bedroom yet. At the moment they are just the raw MDF with paint splatters and water stains speckling their surface. But every morning as i go downstairs, there is one particular water stain that makes me smile. Somehow, along the way, a little birdie has appeared on the third step down.

Isn't it cute?! I imagine it is mid tweet sending me on my way to breakfast every morning.

p xo

Upholstery Update: The end is in sight!

Yes, that's right, I am almost there! I have finally reached calico on both sides. The front has been tightened  and i just need to tighten the back before i finish with the fabric. Ah, but before that, i also need to sew about 10 metres worth of double piping and pattern match and sew up both fabric panels. It is actually fairly nerve wracking as i don't have enough fabric to make any mistakes. It is sure to keep me busy this weekend.

Pretty music

I was working on some designs the other week, bopping away to BBC 6music in the background, when I heard Undertow by Warpaint. It was love at first listen. The feminine voices singing lowly over guitar and bass reminded me of Mazzy Star crossed with My Bloody Valentine. It took me straight back to my teenage years, spent almost entirely with my Sony walkman earphones plugged in my ears.

What's more the four girls that make up the band are all gorgeous girlfriends from childhood. I can feel another girl crush coming on. My husband last night said to me "you really do love them don't you?" upon finding me sitting, glued to my computer, watching them perform some of their songs live. Their CD has been played on a loop continuously since I got it last week. I told him, that these girls must have grown up listening to the same music I did; they are from Los Angeles, I have never been there, but in my imagination, its not worlds away from Sydney; and if I could have ever been in a band (forget for a second I cant play any instruments, and even though I enjoy singing immensely, technically I don't have any actual ability...at all...whatsoever) this is the band I would have wanted to been in.

Their first full album, the Fool, was released just a few weeks ago on Rough Trade records. If you like your alternative 90's bands, music filled with distorted guitar riffs and ethereal female vocals, I strongly suggest having a listen.

I missed out on tickets for their London show next week. However my Australian friends might have a bit more luck, they are heading down that way in February and from all reports (and my Vimeo watching), they are brilliant live.

Selfridges sparkles

A dazzling display of dangling disco balls glittering away in Selfridges as a part of their Christmas display. So pretty and sparkly.

Crochet

I have been getting back into crochet over the last couple of years.

Why?

• I blame Cath Kidston. A while ago now, I saw some lovely crocheted blankets in one of her shops. When I looked at the price tag I nearly fell over. I remember saying, slightly outraged, "I could make that!". And so I decided to try and make something akin to the granny square blankets my grandmothers made for me.
• Secondly, I am on a never ending mission to 'soften up' of my husbands very masculine flat and create a 'cosy' atmosphere in the previously Spartan and cold lounge room.
• And finally, it is nice to have something different to do on the tube to work. I love reading, but I have peaks and troughs with it as with anything, and it is lovely to be able to pick up something else. 

My crochet pedigree

My nana taught me the basics of crochet when I was young and I can vividly remember creating long crochet strings with my French Knitting doll. My nana really is amazing with her hands and creating things. I think it is where I have got my crafty bug from. The spare room in my grandparents rooms was jam packed with sewing machines, material, patterns and sewing models. My granny had a similar stash of wool and knitting needles, in fact I can remember my granny breaking a knitting needle in half and sharpening it on the concrete outside to made a pair that were suitable for my size (at the time I remember her saying to call her 'Supergran', and she was). So there was a lot of yarn in my childhood.

How I rekindled my crochet romance

Initially, I bought one book and hopped on YouTube to look at videos but kept getting myself muddled. It was around that time I discovered the Make Lounge and they were just bringing out two crochet courses (their offering has since grown). I enrolled on the Learn to Crochet: Fashion Accessories and the Crochet Amigurumi Toys courses. There were lots of 'Oh, that's right' moments, and before I knew it I was racing ahead creating my own little crochet motifs. The instructors were brilliant as always and it is such a lovely environment. Im sure I have raved on here about the Make Lounge before, but if you live in London and are looking for a crafty outlet, the Make Lounge is just brilliant.

This is my half finished Amigurumi bear. The poor thing has been waiting months for his arms. I must finish those!

But then, the crochet fever dropped off for another few months. It was upon returning to a wintry London earlier this year that I got fired up again, and this time I was determined to make a beautiful blanket.


I found the perfect book on Amazon - Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs and after reading the Patterns entry from Jane Brocket's blog  (she is amazing! And this blanket is so so so gorgeous!) I was inspired.

I still get stuck occasionally and have to unravel and start again, but I have found a simple enough hexagon motif from the Beyond the Square book that I am going to apply to a blanket plan like the one Jane Brocket made. I am going to continue with one hexagon style for a while before I venture on to some others. I will eventually crochet all my little hexagons together, although in true Phoebe style this may not happen for another 2 years.

Here are the beginnings of my blanket hexagons... well hexagon.

Birthdays away from home

It was my birthday recently. I was very excited in the lead up to it. I felt like I was 6 years old again, eagerly anticipating a wealth of presents, attention and love. On the day, I got all of that. But something was missing. Something, at first, I couldn't quite put my finger on. As the day pressed on, I kept finding my eyes welling up, and a feeling of utter sadness overcome me. What was wrong with me? Was I was being a spoilt brat? Was I upset over a missing gift? I couldn't work it out. My husband showered me with love and attention, as he always does; he took me for brunch at our favourite cafe and cooked me a lovely dinner, I received birthday wishes from my friends and family, as well as all the gifts I had been desperate for (a part-time pay check doesn't pay for as much as a full time one, hence my list of birthday wants, no make that needs). What was missing was me. I was missing from my own birthday, in Sydney, with my family and friends, and especially with my sister, whose birthday falls on the day after mine. It has always been a bit of an event in our house (and probably a headache for my parents) and it has always been special.

I don't know why i felt it so acutely this year. I don't think I noticed last year because of the lead up to the wedding (and our trip home) and the building work we were about to undertake. The year before, my parents were here. Perhaps, as a friend recently wrote to me, it is just time to come home.

And so, it was a bitter sweet day. Not to say I didn't have a wonderful day, I did, it just amplified what i am missing too.

Lots of love
P xo

They are coming to London to visit the Queen!

My parents are coming over for their second visit next Easter, and now i am thinking about where i want to take them. They have been here once before and spend 1.5 weeks in the UK, and 1.5 weeks in France. This time, most of their 4 or so weeks will be spent in the UK. I know they are already thinking about a train trip up to Scotland and shooting over to Rome for a few days. But thinking more locally (SE England) i wanted to get some suggestions for brilliant places to go and visit. They have done a fair bit of the tourist trail in London so im thinking things a little less out of the ordinary. I want to take them to the places that make you feel lucky to be over here.

First of all though, a bit about my parents.

My dad is a complete Anglophile. He loves all things British and then European. He loves his history and spends a lot of his time pretending he is Napoleon on his computer.

My mum likes walking around, everywhere, all day. Last time she was here, i think i started crying as we enterred our 6th hour of shopping our way along from Kensington to Harrods in Knightsbridge. I love shopping, but my mum loves it more, but then she did have boots on that were more comfortable than mine.

They both like to laugh and dont take anything to seriously.

I will get the list rolling with my idea's and if you have any please add them on in the comments below.

In and about London

Shopping along the Kings Road, wandering from Fulham to Chelsea.
In particular, Life After Noah, Designers Guild, Anthropologie and Heals

A walk in Wimbledon Common and morning/afternoon tea at the Windmill.
I have taken to riding my bike around the common fairly regularly. On these trips i always curse myself for forgetting to bring any money for a little treat from the Windmill cafe on my way around.

A visit to the Tate Modern and Tate Britain.
I don't really understand a lot of modern art, but the Tate Modern building is worth a visit in itself. And of course, a visit to the Tate Britain to see the Lady of Shallot . The Lady of Shallot is a very important cultural reference in my family, mainly stemming from the nearly obsessive way we watched Anne of Green Gables over and over and over again as children. My sister could recite the entire movie by the age of 3, seriously.

Outside of London

Fir Tree House Tea Rooms, Penshurst
This place is just gorgeous. I have only been once, invited by a friend for a summer time afternoon tea, and i am very keen to go again. We sat in the lovely garden on ticking striped chairs circling around an old fashioned garden table overflowing with cakes, scones and tea. Delicious.

Sunbury Antiques Fair / Wimbledon Car Boot Sale
I thought they might like to see a proper antiques fair/car boot sale done like only the Brittish can do. Its an early start, but that means we can pack more into the day.

A walk in Surrey or Sussex
I love the idea of these, but after 2.5 hours, i am normally a bit fed up, so maybe we could find one that is about 2 hours instead of 3. Preferably with a nice pub along the way for a Sunday roast lunch. It will be Spring, so hopefully the Bluebells will put on a show for us.

A visit to Bateman's (Rudyard Kiplings house in East Sussex)
This house was gorgeous, with beautiful gardens, amazing history and furnishings care of William Morris. A lovely spot in the country side too, not to far from home!

A trip down to Battle
This would be for Dad. I have never been before, but he would love to see the site of the War of the Roses (I hope i have the correct battle there, my ignorance is shameful!)

And i am looking for recommendations on...

I would love some recommendations for the Portrait Gallery if anyone has them? Its somewhere i would like to go but havent been yet. So i am wondering if it is worth taking the parents when they are here.

Over to you guys, what do you suggest?


Post Script

Oh dear - i knew i had it wrong. My dad sent me an email with the following. Oops

"Battle, the Wars of the Roses, Phoebe really, what did I spend all that money for on your education, obviously not British history. 1066? Without doubt the most important date in Anglo/Norman history"

It was the Battle of Hastings, not the Roses - D'Oh

Phoebe and the Letterpress does Halloween

I was playing around with my website banner and came up with the following purely by fluke

VERY halloween in my opinion. I might try and do a Google and pop this one up on my website for the day!

Phoebe and the Letterpress get stamping

As some of you will already be aware, I am trying to get my own little letterpress business started, Phoebe and the Letterpress (there will be more about that later on).

I am still in the beginning stages and trying to get all my materials together before I can list anything on my Etsy shop. But in the meantime I have been stamping away in preparation. One of these was a 'Thank you' stamp I had made initially for our wedding. I have popped some photos up on my website of these attempts and I think they came out beautifully. I really lucked in with the light when I was taking the pictures too, I think they almost look professional (to my amateur eye anyway).

I thought you might enjoy checking them out.

P xo