can ya dig it? or is it un-palette-able?

I got busy over the weekend. Down and dirty. But, no digging required this time, working on a no-dig veggie bed and a vertical snacking garden.

Preparing the no-dig garden bed. This is how I did it, only not quite as richly diverse. I used newspaper, straw, cow manure, some organic fertilizer pellets, organic compost for the planting and lucerne for mulch. My helper enjoyed the watering part.

The garden bed planted out. Lebanese cucumbers on an old piece of fence (use what we have!), corn, some different varieties of heirloom tomatoes and some capsicums. And some perennial spinach for good measure.

Chilli in a pot. Likes to be alone.

To make a vertical snacking garden. First, pick up an old palette from the side of the road.

Cover the back with some weed mesh or shadecloth, stapling thoroughly into the shape of the palette- especially down each side.

 Starting at the bottom and working up, fill each terrace with some good quality organic compost or potting mix, pack it in nice and snug. Plant two or three seedlings in each terrace. The seedlings in tubes that I used were the perfect fit (thanks, Wayne!) The very top terrace is a little tricky as you need to fill the soil upwards, too. Take your time, it's gardening, it's meant to be slow.

Leave your palette garden resting at a 45 degree angle, for a couple of weeks. Make sure you measure the angle with a protractor. This allows the the roots time to get settled in and hold onto the soil nicely, so the dirt won't just fall out of the front when upright. I hope. What did I plant? Glad you asked...
Lemon thyme
Greek oregano
Wild and Italian rocket
Perennial spinach
Marigolds
Gai Lam and Bok Choy
Coriander
Strawberries
Rainbow spinach
Plain and garlic chives
Basil
Cos lettuce

I moved a little basil seedling that wasn't very happy into the vertical snack garden. My little O gave me a hand, and has been talking to his new friend Basil ever since the weekend. He says Basil is quite happy with his new friends.

 

The morning after planting, I came out to admire my handiwork, only to find the rocket had been chomped and little green eggs (or poos?) were left as evidence on the remaining leaves. I went to get provisions (in my housework clothes) to make Em's Famous Butterfly Recipe. I might also have to try Vanessa's Rather Artistic Solution for the Cheeky Buggers.

A perspective of the bestest, sunniest position in our yard, one of the paved terrace layers. I can already see the difference adequate sun makes, and have started moving some plants out of the original bed, and allowing the rest to go to seed.

Love this stuff. It's getting into my veins. If it's in yours, too, come and link in at Squiggly Rainbow!

found: vintage wear

I found the most awesome vintage dress in the universe. For me. My colours, fits me like a glove. Goes spankingly with my new fringey-do. Love it.

Now I will await some warmer Springish weather to turn this baby out.

Some delightful embroidered linen.

A craft project, perfect for a vintage-style little girl's room.

Linking with other caretakers, here.

found: i am a caretaker

I had the most gorgeous conversation with one of the volunteer ladies last week, at my regular oppie. She is there, every Thursday morning, when I pop in for a quick look after the School/ Kindy dropoff. She goo-gaas over my littlest one, ever on my hip. She encourages my habit, with comments like What a find! or Such lovely treasure!

Last visit, I took some little plates to the counter, shaking my head. I don't need them, but I can't leave them. I said. And then she told me

It's people like us, we are the caretakers. It's important.

And I know you know. It really is.

A cute-as-a-puppy baby ensemble, sadly too small for my small. I'm looking at you, Miss Christina.

A beautiful hand-crocheted cot blanket. Perfection.

An incredible needlecraft book, published in 1946. The ladies working on the treadle singer in the front of the book reminded me so much of my Nana, my heart ached a little and I took the book to the counter without looking at the price ticket. Sometimes you find things, other times, they find you. My Nana used to tell me the story of going to her Aunt's house every evening for a few months to work on her wedding gown. I would pick Christmas crumbs out of her lace tablecloth, and she would tell me how she travelled by bus after working in town as a telephonist all day, then sit and sew with Aunty. Her wedding gown was beautiful, as was my Nana- a true classic beauty. My lucky sister has inherited her high cheekbones and strawberry curls. She was glad that I am a needleworker, I think.

What are you caretaking? I seem to be developing quite the taste for vintage books. Something about preserving the printed word in this modern era strikes me as important. I'll be looking at other caretakers, here.

found: pretty and warm

Three little cake plates (or sandwich plates?). Such pretty colours.

Some balls of lovely brown wool, ready for my next project (whatever that may be!)

found: lovelies for a littlie

Sometimes, you just find nice things, and get that surprised feeling. Someone didn't want this?

A lovely hand-knit.

Tartan. Smocking. Lovely. Will fit in a few year's time!

Hello, Little Red Riding Hood! With white pompoms, to boot.

found: lovely linens

The irony being, of course, that I haven't set my table with a tablecloth in quite some time. Actually since downsizing to the little Ikea table and now with three small messies, never.

But I shall just bide my time. And keep gathering embroidered and lace-edged lovelies. One day I will serve tea and cake, on some floral mismatched nana china, on some lovely vintage linen.

Cuppa, anyone? Grab one and check out other finds, here.

found: old-fashioned fashion

Since making my little girl's bonnet, I've been contemplating old-fashioned designs, and what made us move away from some of those classic baby- and children's-wear designs. I guess stretch fabric took clothing in a very different direction, but there is something really special about lovely soft, fine cotton made up into sweet little suits with a little embellishment on them. Much like these little ones I found last week.

At two dollars a piece, I could have cried that no-one else wanted them! Linking up with other found things over at Sophie's, in a tardy kind of way.
S.

the girl in the golden bonnet

How do you make an adorable baby girl even cuter?

 Add a bonnet!

Made with vintage sheets (oh, how I love yellow). I need to work on the pattern a little, but I am happily surprised as to how effective this style of hat is for tiny humans. It stays on her head, without falling over her eyes, and provides shade. And it's reversible too! Just in time for summer.

Connecting up with other craftiness here. I look forward to Thursday every week, to check out everyone's projects!

found some more fabrics

And they are going to be fun!

A tablecloth in seersucker, with brown, orange and yellow flowers. Summer dress? Why, yes please!

A cot sheet with the cutest loved-up puppies ever. I'm thinking nappy outer for this one.

Fab finds like this make me sweat on the days when I can crack out the machine and get stitching! In the meantime, I will ogle the finds of others, here.
S.

a not-new outfit win!

So, it's buy nothing new month. And I'm not. Buying nothing new. Only, I realised last week that I had a work engagement looming. Actually, speaking at a conference, I'll have you know. Standing up in front of 185 people and talking. My first time doing this. My first time wearing proper shoes in months! My darling knew it was coming up, and kept giving gentle prompts...Do you need to get something to wear? And I snapped as only a woman being woken twice a night for five months can... Of course I bloody can't. It's buy nothing new month! And ignored the fact I had to get dressed in real clothes in a few short days.

The morning before (instead of writing my speech) I rummaged through my old work clothes. Lovely suits, pretty shirts. All too big though (thanks yoga!). And I caved. After the school run, I drove...to a shop. Luckily it was the nearest Salvos Store. I took the kids with me as insurance against wandering aimlessly for hours. And I struck gold, in the form of a perfect outfit! I had pinned this a little while back

loving the sweetness. But I like colour.

And I found all of this:

Country Road pencil skirt- $10
Rivers cotton pin tuck blouse with brown buttons- $6
Cardigan in my most perfect green- $6
Scarf- $3
I teamed all this with my favourite shoes- patent black with a white trim slingback peep toes, with a block heel. Super 1950s. $25 all up is a bargain in anyone's language, I think? And none of it was new! Yay for me.

What have you bought not-new lately?
S.

fabulous findings

Last week I had a lovely moment in an op shop near my place. A basket. A collection of gorgeous old dressmaking patterns. I wondered, were these dresses made with love for a daughter? Granddaughter?

I think what appeals to me most about buying second-hand is really the story. The fact that it had a life before me. So I have some lovely new designs to play with, and I can use some of my ever-increasing stash of vintage fabrics.

More thrifty goodness this-a-way.
S.

found: and it was all yellow

A happy little teapot in my favourite colour, and a spicy linen tea-towel in browns, oranges and yellow too. I was able to sit down and share a cuppa with an old friend over the weekend. I'm a bit sad that this pot probably won't see many sessions with lovely friends, for a little while, anyway. One of the only drawbacks of moving away!
Oggling other lovely finds here.
S.

found on friday: august

August was wonderful for feeding my rekindled op-shop fascination. I think I just love peeking into the lives of others. Finding strange objects and making up stories. Lots of times I just like to see these objects, not necessarily own them.

Like the decor wine cask cooler with matching plastic wine goblets. I imagined a very fashionable 1980's summer pool party, mum with a spiral perm, kids riding pool ponies. Or the super-cool picnic set I found, which was inspired by air-travel technology. Four stacking plates, which you loaded with a meal, then put in the cooling or heating box. To be ready when you arrived at your picnic spot.

Anyway, here are some lovely findings from the past few weeks:

 A vintage snakes 'n' ladders game, complete with moral lessons. Displaying vanity? Down the snake you go to loneliness. Showing kindness? Up the ladder to you go.

 This romper with veggie patch design was too cute to leave there, even though it probably won't fit the small girl until next Autumn!

Buy of the month: two bedsides, seen here in the process of making nicer. A lick of nice white paint and a silver spray to the handles, and now they are a little shabby beach thankyouverymuch.

Lots of fun had shopping.

S.

found on friday

So much goodness, in such little time. Hand-knitted beanies for me and my girl.
These awesome knitted house-sock things. I would like to meet the lovely lady that is making these and donating them to my local oppy. I would tell her that my little man (who refuses to wear socks even when it's freezing) has been cuddling his pair.

A very cool paisley shirt. Might need a slight re-work for a better fit, but I love the fabric.

Some really lovely quality sailor-style pants in pale blue. Is Von Troska a cool brand? I'm happy because they are made in Australia.

This pretty spring-green blouse. I was hot when I was shopping. Blouse. What a lovely word.

A hand-knit man cardi for the big boy. $2. Seriously.

Delightful dress.

A pretty apron. I feel I need to don the last two items, maybe even my red heels, and bake a sponge or something.

So nice to be seeing a springy end to my winter wardrobe of grey and black. The drab is making me tired and grumpy. I think I will wear some of my lovely new(to me) springy colours today, if it's warm enough!

S.

found on friday

Some lovely little finds this week, as I did quick pop-ins to my local small op shops.

A lovely vintage sheet and awesome dress pattern. I thought I'd have a go at sewing retro-style this week.

A funky leisure suit for the bebe. Don't we all wish we could wear pin whale velour on a daily basis?

S.

found on friday and a wardrobe malfunction

Today's found is brought to you by the raining down of all my clothing when I opened the door to my wardrobe some day last week. On top of my head fell scarves, hats, jumpers and pyjamas. I sighed and walked away.

A few days later, having walked past and ignored the pile as best I could, I realised that the problem was two-fold. I a) have too many clothes, and b) don't have appropriate storage. So off we trotted for a family pilgrimage to Ikea. Seven one-dollar-hot dogs and four ice creams later, I now have a lovely storage drawer unit thingy inside my wardrobe, the name of which I can neither remember nor pronounce.

To solve problem A took a little more effort. To determine which clothes were to stay or go, I had to come up with a creative solution to a lack of full-length mirror (that's right, when I leave the house I have no idea what I look like). So I took photos of myself using the webcam. My photos folder now has a large series of pics of myself, standing in much the same awkward pose, wearing ill-fitting or ugly clothes. Sometimes both at once. I chucked this much stuff

ready for donation. Sort of putting out some op-shopping karma for later. I was proud because I threw five pairs of shoes out. Until I counted how many I have left. Who needs this much stuff? I mean, really? So many clothes, but still nothing to wear. Then it becomes clear. I have a liking for bold prints. Yet I look better in plain. My tops don't match my skirts. My pants match the tops better, but none of them fit. I have too many ugly jumpers. In my head, I look like Nina from Offspring. In reality, I...don't. Well, at least I have come across the amazing Nikki at Styling You. Maybe she can save my fashion bacon. Or perhaps I shall win the amazing competition at Maxabella loves for a super-dooper party outfit and I will just wear that every single day. I'm sure a Leona Edmiston evening dress, fab earrings from Elk and self-designed shoes from Shoes of Prey are appropriate for the school run, right?

The cool thing was, when I finally got to the very innards of my wardrobe, I found some cool stuff. A box of 'spare gifts', including three baby girl outfits. Wait I thought I have one of those! Awesome. New outfits for the small one. And a box of children's books we hadn't got around to unpacking. In it were some of my books from childhood, so the big boy and I have started reading Enid Blyton. He chose to begin with The Adventures of the Wishing Chair. Good times. Oh, and this really old book, no clue where it came from though.I wonder who Edna was?
S.