Fable Fairy

13.10.10

Fabulous creative women: Hilda

This is my other grandmother, Hilda with her dog Ponky when she was roughly in her 40s. Her people were from Lithuania, but they ended up in Paarl. She had a wonderful sense of creativity and a fantastic "Josephine Baker" ishy HUSKY voice. My dad has it too - like he ate gravel and razor blades for breakfsat and my 3 year old has it as well. And one of my cousins. Sadly I didn't inherit "the voice" but I like to think I have some of the whimsy.

I simply adored her. I think she was adored by all her children, all her grandchildren and all who met her. I will a post with lots and lots more pictures of her and her house with snow drop flowers outside. I have snow drops in my own garden to remember her.

She adored butterfly brooches and had the most extraordinary collection. My cousin suggested I ask my aunt to photograph some of them. I have one exquisite one my aunt pinned on my wedding dress on the day so my gran was "with me". So dear to me.

These are her fantastic art decko chairs which my dad inherited from her.

And theses were her ceramics and a tea-towl very typical of her folksy, Frida-Khalo-ish style:

Speaking of Frida, I have no less than 6 pictures of her in my office, and one black and white one of Frida and Diego outside the blue house. I once had a house which the doc painted blue in homage to the Khalo-Riviera house. But now the picture serves as a reminder.

Long live the spirit of fabulous creative women. Let it live on in us all.

12.10.10

My extraordinary grandmother Suze

This is a picture of my grandmother, Suze, pre 1930s, pre World War 2 and Nazi Germany before she had to flee and lost her entire family and started life anew in South Africa. In the picture, she is on a holiday in Europe. I never saw a picture of her again so free n easy. I am so lucky I have a few photos of her that she took with her when fleeing so that I can remember her joie de vivre.

Man, did she and her friends have fun on the boat, writing letters home/ in diaries; sitting in arm chairs, sleeping in the open air.

This looks like a picture of her with her beau (before she met my grandfather). So stylish. Love the gingham jersey and the shoes.

I love sewing with all her things, like a little bit of her style is rubbing off on me x.

11.10.10

tulle and tutus

I am searching for the perfect undergarment tutu. I don't want it to be too long as my skirts are just above the knee. I also don't want it too pouffy. Have tried "afraid of mice" and "the cats meouw" and "dolly dinkle" (all great shops btw). Then I sewed a petticoat from cotton but it sticks to the skirt. Then I tried a skip peeking through at the top and bottom - still not perfect. My next idea is to make one of silk with an extra frill underneath. Will let you know...

8.10.10

a photographer photographs his children

Jason Lee via mymodernmet.com is a photographer dad of 2 girls who takes the most amazing pics of Kristin and Kayla:

Looks like the Doc needs to up his photograph taking skills:

Have a loveley week-end everyone. Take lots of photos.

6.10.10

Amy Allum jewellery sale

Have you guys met the divine Cape Town based Amy Allum? Not only is she the most divine human being, but she makes gourgeous jewellery when she's not going for a run even when there's snow on the mountains.

She usually assists the extraordinary Janine Binneman with her work, but for the past year has branched out and is stocking shops with her own nature inspired gems. See her take on the locket trend below:

Amy studied jewellery design and manufacture at Ruth Prowse school of Art, and is currently working on launching her new ranges. She is able to take on commisions and repair work, as well as cleaning and polishing your jewellery. (She SAVED so many of my grans pieces).

Look at my polar bear that she saved: