My Imperfect Garden

Lucky Packet Relish

2012-01-21T10:47:00.001+02:00

Ala hubby: Finely chop spring onions/chives, chillies, cherry tomatoes, onions, garlic and olives and throw together with heaps of yummy olive oil. Season and drizzel over the closest thing on hand. YUM.

Start With What You've Got

2012-01-21T10:38:00.001+02:00

It's a new year and it holds the promise of many new things. Not least in that it's not last year. So for me it's onwards and upwards and my garden (much to my surprise and delight) is full of lovely surprises.

The seeds we eventually got around to planting in a rather higeldy pigeldy fashion are coming up in a delicious lucky packet kind of a way. One lovely sunshiny tomatoe hidden amonst other still unidentified veggie growth, spring onions or are they chives, carrots, chillies, onions!, spinach, rocket, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers - who knew! It's messy I'll give you, but marvelous.

Time For A Blooming Rest

2011-12-11T12:13:00.000+02:00

I'm on holidayeeah! It's the first time I've had my camera out for a while and this little arrangement on my table made me happy - so I shot it :)

Elevating Macaroni

2011-11-16T12:34:00.000+02:00

I know, I'm trying to rise above my station - but I'm inspired. I've become the unwitting victim of Masterchef Australia, so here is my visual version of "so simple but so good" and "whatever it is you're cooking, pack it with flavour".

Jou ma se macaroni!

My Garden Is Finally Paying It Forward

2011-11-16T12:24:00.000+02:00

My salads look better and taste better for it. Glorious sweet and peppery greens add crunch while the radishes add colour and flavour in hot pink. It's going to be a dashing salady summer - yum.

Wintery Summer

2011-10-30T16:08:00.001+02:00

While the rest of you are enjoying a real summer, ours is the horse designed by committee (it turned into a camel).

So this is what's happening in my house today - It's raining outside, there's a potjie on the stove for supper, fire in the hearth and a baked pudding with caramalised nectarines to be served after supper with custard.

I Know Cool People

2011-10-25T09:56:00.000+02:00

Yarn bombing by IsaBeauPeep outside the CCIC Cape Town

I happened to drive past this 'yarn bombing' yesterday and actually recognised the handy work of IsaBeauPeep. It left me smiling from ear to ear - you go girl!

Fees Van Die Engele

2011-10-24T12:17:00.001+02:00

Translated it means "Festival of the Angels" and it's a small Christmas market in Somerset West.

Henriette from tjou-tjou had some of her beautiful products on display. I wish I had taken more pics because not only were the products beautiful but the way they were displayed was as well. She'll also be at "Kamers vol geskenke" next weekend so keep your eyes open if you're going.

Tjou-tjou at Fees van die Engele

I've got mine :)

They're Back...

2011-10-20T10:21:00.000+02:00

The Greater Striped Swallow

Looking out of my kitchen window on Sunday I was met with this beautiful picture - some days are just meant to be good :)
Have a great weekend.

A Promise Made!

2011-10-19T14:54:00.000+02:00

I doubt you will remember but this large ball of wool has finely turned into a poncho. The frill remains a mystery - it wasn't in the instructions, it wasn't on the example, but it refused to go away. So here it is just in time to pack away for next winter (who knows maybe frills will be back in by then).

Iron Maiden

2011-10-18T14:43:00.000+02:00

Yep that's me - I'm into the 'ard stuff, wrought iron, cast iron, spinach iron bring it on! Right now I'm reaping the rewards of my spinach crop...

if only my family felt the same way about this lovely green leaf. As it is I have to surreptitiously sneak it into my cooking and play dumb when asked what the 'green stuff' is. Where's the Popeye in my kids?

Real Spring Onions

2011-09-22T13:29:00.001+02:00

My spring onions are going to seed in the most beautiful way and the bees are just loving it!

We're loving it!

I've been watching them burying themselves up to their little pollen knees for weeks now, with no letting up...

Herb Drying - my first try

2011-09-19T15:05:00.001+02:00

Going home to roost has become a frequent stop-over for me - all because of this post. A simple but beautiful herb dryer caught my eye and I was hooked. So much so that I've made one for myself. I made it out of earthenware clay and the pattern is a roll-stamp I carved 2 years ago.

Herb dryer with thyme, rosemary, curry bush & bay leaves; inspired by this post.

I didn't have anything else but her picture to go on so I kinda thumb sucked - not that it's rocket science but then again that's what makes it.

Going home to roost

This is such a simple idea, unfortunately I could find no further link or reference to it anywhere else.
I have to say I thoroughly enjoy the various sections to her blog.

Making Photostats, Porcelain and Pasta Sing.

2011-09-18T12:25:00.001+02:00

This was an experiment in working with porcelain and transfers for me. Oh my word!

Birdy on a Bush Brooch

It was 70/30 total disaster or recognisable outcome - favouring the first until the very last firing.
The birdy is a transfer made by using a photostat, the flowers are pasta shapes and the sweat all mine.
But I think the final result is actually quite sweet.

Wabbits In Spwingtime

2011-09-09T13:36:00.001+02:00

We've all been at it again - the handover was yesterday at 'Yours Truly'. See more of the bunnies and the idea behind them.

And here she finally is... my bunny faces added to Ronel and Henriette's contributions - shwe-etie (pronounced schweetie)

Think Pink :)

2011-09-07T09:34:00.000+02:00

Thank you

Cherry blossoms as a spring gift - what more could a girl ask for. These are hogging the limelight on my desk today - quite literally.

Spring Fever

2011-09-06T08:01:00.002+02:00

Over on sweet&soutie the bunny rabbits are already multiplying.

This really cool project was the brainchild of Chantelle and Henriette and based on the dada and surrealist movements "Exquisite corpse" drawing process.

Drawings by Victor Brauner, André Breton, Jacques Hérold and Yves Tanguy, 1935.

Everyone gets to add their own personal touch to a single bunny (I'm looking forward to having a hand in this too)- the results are really starting to look very interesting. The bunnies will then be sold in aid of a charity. Little things can make a big difference. Ears off to you ladies! Follow the process here.

Spring Has Sprung - At Last...

2011-09-05T11:22:00.000+02:00

Henriette from tjou-tjou sent me this link last week - but I only feel able to post it now.

Why you may ask? Well, because I woke up to the sun shining! (Cape Town is always a few steps behind the rest of the country in reacting to official dates)

The GreenMarker

Aren't these little bookmarks posted by jokemijn and for sale at whiterabbitexpress just the thing to mark the date.

Strutting my stuff

2011-09-02T15:39:00.001+02:00

I've painted my first small 'fynbos' bowl using the 'peacock flower' as motif.

I love it, and I loved doing it.

Happy creating!

The sweetest mini-mugs designed by tjou-tjou

2011-08-30T11:40:00.001+02:00

tjou-tjou: Her mugs for the kiddies are only 6cm high. they are adorable.
now, if you tweet, blog or comment on her blog, you stand a chance to win two of them in a lucky dip.

The Gardener That Never Left

2011-08-24T21:05:00.001+02:00

On our garden morning round, my husband noticed something odd - the gardeners gloves hung up to dry - like this. You've got to admit Anold might very well have been in the bushes behind them...I'll ask him why he never left when he comes in again.

PlayDough

2011-08-13T16:25:00.000+02:00

I recently started my pottery classes again after a looooong 2 year break. I've always found that I enjoy myself if I'm working with a project in mind and so to go with my rustic little hut that is going to go up in Bainskloof one day,

I'm making some of these

Small bowls for small yummy stuff

My old stamp rediscovered

I added this lip detail for either pouring or holding a spoon

inspired by 'cazuela' pots like these from Mexico

and these...

I have to apologise to the maker as I can't seem to find my original link - but they are beautiful

and these from Sister Creek Pottery

Happiness is a good clay session at least once a week - take my word for it :)

This Is A Poncho - I Promise

2011-08-07T13:34:00.001+02:00

It's a long story but I think I'll start at the beginning - again.
I'm trying to make this really cool poncho/shawl design from tjou-tjou. Perfect for keeping me warm at my desk when I'm working. My crochet master, 'Joda Henriette' has been very diplomatic about my progress and very complimentary about my colour choice. But on friday it became clear that the fit was maybe not perfect and 'Joda' in a wise voice suggested 'start at beginning end at end good for journey' or something much more practical like pulling it all out...imagine that.
So I didn't until I added another 15cm (onto the previous 20cm) - and then I did.

You've got to admit it has potential.

(When the student is ready to be wrong it becomes clear that the master was right all along).

Bugs Rule!

2011-08-05T13:02:00.000+02:00

The flower thing is beautiful, but the bug thing is irresistible.

So with the master Kari Herer as inspiration I set upon my mission. Backyard bugs. I don't normally have a problem finding any, but it's winter and the only crawlies I found to draw were 'hairy mollies' and snails...and they were not going to work. So I went back to my library and dug up one of my favourite reference books (bought when I was a student in the 80's) - The Encyclopedia of Illustration.

and viola!

common bugious grandesignius

anotherelius common westcoast waspissius

Not art I know, but a great buzz.

Have a great weekend.

I Wish I had...

2011-08-03T12:07:00.000+02:00

thought of this...

Via fffound I stumbled upon going home to roost and this post on the work of Kari Herer who sells her prints on etsy. So beautiful! I'm going to try my own backyard version - don't hold your collective breath.

Dinner's In The Dog!

2011-04-12T11:01:00.001+02:00

Dinner can be a time consuming affair, especially if you have to grow it first. But putting home grown food on the table has it's own kind of magic to it. The problem is my home grown mielies have been mysteriously disappearing.

I asked the gardener and he said it was the dog - yeah right. But last night I saw it with my own two eyes.
"PUPPY SAVES FAMILY BY SLAYING VICIOUS MIELIE"

Ooh - Comfort Me!

2011-04-04T16:40:00.001+02:00

Winter must be on it's way...

Katie pictures Mick's mouthwatering moussaka

I find myself blogging about food more and more. Just look at 'What Katie Ate'. Not only has it got pretty pictures but you can eat them too; as she provides the recipes in an equally appealing format. This girl clearly knows what she's about and I definitely have to try this one.

Sea Urchins On The Move

2011-03-29T08:00:00.001+02:00

I've spent the last three months weekends being a mommy spectator. Encouraging from the sidelines as my kids pit themselves against the best of the Nippers (junior life saving) world.

This is what you need to do...run this way...then that...swim...run...swim...ad infinitum...

While your parents run back and forth yelling encouragement...ad infinitum...

Life's a beach, but you could spend your time in worse places :)

JezzePrints: Bursting

2011-03-16T13:46:00.001+02:00

One of my all time favourite bloggers featured this beautiful series of shots JezzePrints: Bursting not so long ago.

Click on the link above to see the rest.

In nature 'the end' inevitably leads to new beginnings...that's the magic of it.

I know things have been a bit sad in my space but I'll be back to my usual after this, I promise.

Contemplation

2011-03-14T20:57:00.000+02:00

I lost a dear, dear friend and fellow gardener last week...life is short, embrace it.

Don't Leave Home Without Your Garden!

2011-02-17T14:15:00.000+02:00

Colleen Jordan's A-Wearable-Planter

Henriette from tjou-tjou sent me this link to Colleen Jordan's lovely idea - I love it and you can order one here.

Sugar and Spice...

2011-02-15T20:16:00.002+02:00

I've posted this after the fact because I think Valentines day is overrated.
Not so however, love.
It has become our little family tradition to show each other how much we love one another in small ways.

Like this from my daughter...

and this from father and daughter, a real treat.

And then there is of course, the plump, red, juicy and wild, garden variety of love...

What a day x

First Impressions Count

2011-02-09T09:57:00.001+02:00

And I have impressed myself no-end I'll have you know.

This weekend hubby and I set out to try and copy my sister-in-law and my brother's fantastic recipe for homemade pizza on the weber. The results have me still wagging my tail four days later.

Perfect Pizza Topping: Basic tomato mozzarella base with

Spanish chorizo, fresh rocket, avo, a parmesan-like cheese and pepper...yum.

QUICK PIZZA DOUGH

Makes about 5 large pizza’s

Ingredients:

1 x 10g instant dry yeast sachet

10ml salt

45ml olive oil

45ml honey or sugar

350ml lukewarm water

500g (890ml) cake flour

Method:

1. Mix yeast, salt, oil and honey or sugar together.

2. Slowly add flour and mix with a wooden spoon until a kneading dough is formed.

3. Knead for 10min on a flour-covered surface.

4. Let the dough rise for about 30min (in a warm spot)

5. Knead and roll into a circular base.

Alternatively

Do it my way – throw everything together in a mixer and continue from step 4.

Tomato base:

2 x 250g tins of plumb tomatoes

absolutely masses of garlic (and I do mean at least 5-6 cloves)

salt & pepper

Throw into a blender until smooth

Get your weber fired-up. Hint: your coals should be spread evenly.

We made these on the weber with a pizza pan from Woolies. For toppings start with your basic ‘Margerita’ add anything you can ‘cook’ to that and your fresh ingredients afterwards. I used the fabulous Col’Cacchio’s menu for inspiration.

Not bad for a first try...

Present-A-Cabbage

2011-02-07T14:35:00.003+02:00

Every now and then (and it's more now than then) a freshly baked, delightfully fluffy home-baked milktart crosses the road my way, courtesy of the lovely lady who lives across the road from me. How to return the favour? I'm not anyone's idea off a master chef so I turned to my newly grown treasure chest.

Here's how it's done:

Pick one beautiful cabbage head

Cut off the extra leaves

Fold the others over to 'package' the contents

pull it all together with the longest leaf you can find of a Dietes Grandiflora

and hey-presto one freshly packed pressie!

Eat Your Heart Out

2011-02-04T12:24:00.001+02:00

Told you it would be worth it.

Just look at my bounty! How crunchy is that?

P.S. I believe my 'sweat' potatoes might be less successful...oops.

Family Investment

2011-02-03T21:44:00.000+02:00

Towards the end of last year we started family veggie & herb beds, boxes and pots.
Shopping by committee lead to a rather odd shopping list: radishes, mielies, coriander, cabbages, assorted lettuces, basil, onions, spring onions, carrots, watermelon, chillies, celery, parsley, sweat potatoes about covers it.

The planting bit was just as higeldy-pigeldy, but a good old fashioned dirty bit of fun never hurt anyone. Wait till I show you the proof.

Christmas LoveMugs

2010-12-02T15:15:00.001+02:00

My friend Henriette is launching herself into the cybermarket with a aplomb.

These beautiful his & her (or me & you) mugs are going on sale in time for the season of giving - go and have a look here!

An angel in my garden

2010-11-22T10:47:00.000+02:00

Cor-blimey - my posts are becoming rarer than some species on the red list.

The good news is that as the virtual world stands still in the real world things are a happenin. For years I've wanted a birdbath but never found the one I wanted until recently when I passed William on Heritage Square in Cape Town and saw her!

Ironically William has been there for years and it's just round the corner from where I work, and I've always loved his angels but she is something special - and now she's in my garden casting her serene gaze over all. My haven feels a little richer for her. Happy Monday.

Williams business card

Talking Tree

2010-10-12T12:49:00.000+02:00

I came across this wonderful site today Check it out!

A screen shot from Talking-tree.com

A project set in motion by eos magazine; watch the making of this site and the idea behind it here.

Everything Has To Start Somewhere

2010-09-10T10:13:00.000+02:00

From a scribble to a scan take a closer look even closer stop and take a deep breath

sit back and enjoy.

Have a good one.

DoJo's & Daisies

2010-09-03T08:30:00.000+02:00

It's weekend again and I haven't posted once this week yet! Weekends for me means quality time spent with the family and that can result in some strange combinations.

Hermanus Karate Do-Jo

Take last weekend for example. The kids wanted to train with a visiting karate guru in Hermanus (which is 2 hrs drive for a 1hr session) you do the math.

Onrus daisies

The perfect solution is to make a weekend of it, which we did - at Onrus (a coastal town just down the road).

Happiness all round.

The Postman rings twice

2010-08-27T12:58:00.000+02:00

Freshly Found's postcard

The ever inspiring Denise was another local blogger who took part in the swap. I love the idea of a 'swatch' postcard.

Have stamp - Will travel

2010-08-27T11:31:00.002+02:00

I finally came up with some garden humour for my part in the postcard swap and it's winging it's way accross Cape Town as we speak.

Look What I Got

2010-08-27T10:59:00.000+02:00

My own beautiful postcard print by Jesse arrived yesterday! Thank you.

Still Thinking...

2010-08-24T09:37:00.000+02:00

In my searches I came across this wonderfully witty postcard from a series of four postcards created by Eve Duhamel for the Frontroom creative space and gallery in Cambridge, UK.

Need I say more?

Postcard Swap

2010-08-24T09:11:00.000+02:00

Jesse's postcards being rolled out - I can't wait to get my grubby little hands on mine.

One of my favourite creative bloggers Jesse is doing a postcard swap and I've joined in the frenzy. Since then I've been racking my brain for a suitably brilliant idea - Everything Jesse does looks beautiful (no pressure ofcourse).

I Have New Neighbours

2010-08-18T11:16:00.000+02:00

It's not everyday you see peahens strutting their stuff in suburbia! Lucky me, these four ladies and an elusive gentleman drop in on our little corner everyday.

Can Too!

2010-08-17T11:28:00.008+02:00

School projects certainly aren't what they used to be. They are waayy cooler!

This weekend my daughter had to build a robot, but dad was away - so mother & daughter set to work. (I feel hopelessly inadequate compared to "the man who can").

Plan A:
She originally wanted to build out of wood - but my carpentry skills are limited.

Plan B:
Check out the recycling bag.

This is what she came out with:

2 x bottle tops
2 x cooldrink cans
2 x toothpaste boxes
2 x cigarette boxes

Who knew my buying habits were symmetrical.
I found an old glue gun and rummaging in the left over paint box delivered some spray-paint.

Then I followed detailed instructions;
stick these together - here, no here; he must be red, but his shoes must be black; he needs an aerial...a smile...and oh a name...can you cut these out?

My only legacy - the fingers and the smile (a bit like in my daughter)

Ssh...Can You Hear It...

2010-08-12T13:21:00.010+02:00

We just spent a lovely weekend away from city white noise.

In Namakwaland sound really comes to life.

Laughter the only familiar interruption.

How I wish this was my story

2010-08-11T10:14:00.007+02:00

During my daily fffound browse I came across this post "Midnight in the Garden of Type and Image"
One of the many lovely designs shown at Brand New

Pimp My Chair

2010-05-05T09:47:00.006+02:00

Quite by chance while looking for the kind of chair I'd ideally like for the job (budget might dictate otherwise). I came across not only 'the chair' but this great d.i.y. tutorial post of how to achieve my aim. Two birds in one stone, thank you Poetic Home. I've decided this is what I'd like to do with my Shine Shine fabric that I bought and the Threadcount pop-up shop. (I'm always over ambitious but you have to admit it would make a seriously funky addition to my space and now I have instructions and a good visual example)

Inspired by the posts before & after shot I've taken the liberty of cutting & pasting the shine shine fabric on their beautiful shot for inspiration - being better at photoshop than at upholstering. (I sincerely hope I've not caused offense)

Saltriver second hand shops here I come!

A Time For Everything

2010-05-04T08:09:00.005+02:00

Happiness and a new potplant

Every morning I sit on my deck and soak up my garden. Saterday was no different, except that it was a perfect sunny winters morning and I had nowhere to go, so I did a bit of stocktaking.

Whilst my lettuces are going to seed
and the chives are floppy
The coriander is making a last stand
but the English Basil is past it's best
My Thyme and Origanum are maintaining nicely,
the rocket is still rocketing,
and my little tomatoes are growing up a storm.

The bulbs I planted are pushing through,
My Butterfly bushes are slowly saying good buy
but the Ribbon bush is coming out in full swing
and next to my lovely constant lavender
it makes for a beautiful sight.

The fynbos beds are a mixed success
I'm losing my King Protea (again)
But the red Leukadendums are blazing away.
and the Confetti bushes are looking lush and green
I can't wait for the show

The Restios are bouncing back after a radical trim (a little misunderstanding)
The White wild dagga is about to burst at a heady 5 feet
The Rosemary bushes are filling the nasty gaps quite nicely
and I'm waiting for the Agapanthus too join the blue party
The Perennial Basil is making up for it's English cousin
and my little Bay tree is now taller than me.

The Pelargoniums need cutting back
whilst the daisies need to be replaced with new cuttings
All the Sweetpeas have come up
and last but not least the grass is finally actually looking like a lawn
and is actually greener on my side!

My dog is doing his morning rounds
and my cats are curled up in the sunny spots.

All is as is should be and not a bad mornings work if you ask me.

Hekel-stekel

2010-04-23T14:52:00.005+02:00

My dear friend and colleague Henriette from tjou-tjou crochets for the love of it. Here in Cape Town winter has set in and she duly rose to the occasion with this little set. It really suits her colouring too. Have a warm long weekend.

The seed of an idea.

2010-04-19T12:22:00.004+02:00

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: Started in Mansfield, Missouri by 17 year-old Jere Gettle in 1998.

I have always been very taken with the idea of heirloom seed - something that is as nature intended. Something that carries within it part of our human history. I came across this post on Design Sponge that got me excited all over again. I would love to buy my seeds like this, wouldn't you?

The devil's in my garden!

2010-04-12T12:01:00.007+02:00

And I find it irressistable - just look at that wicked colour!

Leucadendron Saglignon (Red Devil)

One of the survivors who made it through the last year of neglect is blazing with delicious colour at the moment. It's autumn in the Cape and the fynbos is looking good! This has to be my favourite time plantwise. The drab browns of a south easter summer are replaced by rich, dusty, green greys and silvers with blazing bits of colour inbetween. Yum.

Small things

2010-04-08T11:59:00.011+02:00

As I've said before - this year I'm stopping to smell the roses (although in my case it's the plants that made it through last year - the roses didn't ). It's been school holidays and I've been frantically busy trying to fix everything I didn't last year, but I pulled myself up short just as I felt that drowning emotion and spent some time just to enjoy...

magical cookies made by my beautiful daughter (all by herself)...

a family walk on grandad's beach at Yzerfontein...

beautiful small pieces of blue...

some of my new babies - sweetpeas and coriander...

and last but not least the replacement for my roses - if you can't beat them join them is my motto. Although if I'm entirely honest I haven't completely given up on the roses, but I need to find the perfect spot and in my garden that's the hard part.

2010-03-30T14:56:00.005+02:00

After last year, any reputation I had as a gardener lies in ruins - literary and I have the deathlist to prove it. This year I'm turning over a new leaf so to speak, and I've been hard at work trying transforming my little garden graveyard.
So...
To all the plants I've loved before....(sung too Julio Eglesias)
I'm going to replace you all if it kills me.

The Art of Recycling

2010-03-25T09:01:00.005+02:00

After a very busy week I nipped on to ffffound for a quick look see this morning and found Andrea Myers' take on 'second hand clothing'.

How beautiful are these sculptures! May your weekend be inspired too.

Sunshine and Happiness

2010-03-19T16:12:00.002+02:00

This weekends weather is looking good - have a great one.

I'm perfect for a day

2010-03-09T09:12:00.004+02:00

Dietes Bicolour

Now what could be better than that. If only I could live up to my garden.

Threadcount Pop-up Shop

2010-03-04T08:46:00.005+02:00

Shaky-shaky left my blog deprived so I just had to revisit the delicious fabrics from Threadcount. Lucky me, the pop-up shop is just a stones throw from my work.

The festive BoKaap entrance to the Threadcount Pop Up Shop at 45 Upper Leeuwen Street in the BoKaap (click here for directions).

Armed and dangerous (that means with camera) Ooh-lala here I come.

Below are some pics I took whilst trying to pick a length for a chair cushion for my study.

Descisions: Fabricnation

Descisions: Twine Fabric

Descisions: Skinny LaMinx

Descisions: Lula Fabrics

All beautiful, but I finally managed to make up my mind!

Julie Juu from Shine Shine rocks!

If you can do yourself a favour and drop-in, the shop is open until 6 March. I'll keep you posted on the cushion making.

Shaken H

2010-03-03T09:50:00.005+02:00

Sensitive viewers might want to avoid this post.

This is what I mean by pics that look more like overprints than anything else. Trying for the best pics at the Indaba meant I avoided using my flash because it just kills mood. Instead I went for longer exposures. I came, I tried to have a steady hand - I shook instead. Too much coffee ya think?

I apologise for any visual inconvenience and emotional distress caused and will try and address my shaky,shaky.

H

The world is full of good people

2010-03-02T11:54:00.003+02:00

I met so many people at the Design Indaba, which only added to my enjoyment of the conference. Nice people, interesting and good people. People I haven't seen for years. I bumped into Kat - one of my favourite bloggers and Tracy from the Threadcount Collective amongst many others.

An impromto pic taken (of all places) - in the pub during a break between speakers.

I also shared a coffee break (yes in the pub) with Alexander Hart and Corinne from Spread the love, and like with all of us, there's a story behind their hearts. One lovely bit of detail is that the 'wings' are made from offcuts given by Ebony & Ivory Ribbons - makers of the most mouth wateringly beautiful ribbon you have ever.

The only one of my pics from the Ebony & Ivory stand that doesn't look like an overprint.

It's good to be back in my garden

2010-03-01T13:30:00.004+02:00

The magical view from my deck the night before friday.

Design can make a difference

2010-02-25T07:41:00.004+02:00

This graffiti was done by a guerilla gardener (from the Wooster Collective blog) - don't you just love it!

It's that time of year again. The Design Indaba is on in Cape Town. Every year I wait like a kid for this 'sweet shop' of inspiration to come along and this year was no different except that I was even more excited as I missed most of last years Indaba. As an appetiser go to the CR blog to read about Michael Bierut's discussion on his favorite brief.

One of the L!braries from Michael Bierut's L!brary project

Not to mention the other speakers who were all; magical - Marcelo Rosenbaum,
interesting - Manabu Mizuno,
challenging - Mokena Mokeka, Troika, engaging - Wooster Collective
and all inspiring, inspiring, inspiring

Smile and wave...

2010-02-22T13:20:00.004+02:00

For a year I've studiously (pun intended) been avoiding my garden. Every time I ventured out I could hear the dead and the dying... Save me! Water me! Feed Meeeeeee!

But how things have changed since December. Hubby, gardener and I have made a concerted effort to improve the lot of the green-party and our efforts are being rewarded. I tried to take beautiful still lives for you to share in my happiness - but this is Cape Town - and Cape Town is as CPT does - it blows.

So... smile and wave.

Creative Shop

2010-02-19T09:58:00.006+02:00

One of the things I love most about 'my job' is the constant flow of creative energy. Some nice blogs have sprung up as a result. Here at tjou-tjou Henriette records first year students' progress...

and here at 'apparently we are creatives' - three students tell their own stories.

It's Friday and I'm heading for my garden - have a good one and get inspired.

LoveBird

2010-02-16T09:24:00.004+02:00

I've been away forever doing very deep intellectual stuff. So I thought I'd kick-off with a bit of fluff and spread the lurve. A bit late, I know, but I'm still feeling romantic. The birdy is from my son's breakfast plate - the hearts all mine.
Welcome if you've popped in randomley and please come again.

Bye for now

2009-08-07T09:13:00.003+02:00

I'm taking this year off from my little blog to study. Happy blogging and catch you in the new year.

A Love Hate Relationship

2009-03-12T14:11:00.002+02:00

The shell bowl. R.I.P.

I made it. I enjoyed making it but I hate the result. So I tried ceremonial buriel as a way of getting over my grief.

Tutorial: Making a Plaster Mould

2009-03-03T10:19:00.007+02:00

I can't believe it's taken me all of two weeks to get this far but here it is!
This is by no means a scientific tutorial, more like making a favourite recipe. A pinch of that and a delicious glug of this.

This particular kind of mould is only for the outside shape and you'll have to finish the inside of your vessel off by hand.

Step 1: Pick the vessel you would like to make a mould of and place it upside down on a baton about one and half inches wider (old fashioned term I know). If it is not of wet clay you might want to cover it with a thin layer of Vaseline to prevent the plaster from sticking to it.

Step 2: Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard (it bends fairly easily) in a strip a bit higher than the combined height of your baton and vessel. Then 'build' a wall with it around the outside of the baton edge using brown packaging tape to stick down the edges. Make them as smooth as possible on the inside.

Step 3: Seal the joint with a clay coil by pressing it down firmly into the join.

Step 4: Now for the plaster mix. Lace a mixing bowl or bucket inside with a plastic packet (this makes cleaning afterward much easier). Take a rough guess at how much water you will need to fill your 'moat' and plus it by some. Plaster - you need about the same amount in volume as the amount of water you are going to use. Start by shaking the plaster into the water gently. Turn the bucket often, so the spread is even - no mixing at this stage!

Step 5: Initially the plaster will just sort of dissolve, but gradually it will start building up and when it starts making 'islands' like the one shown above you know your mixture is reaching saturation.

Step 6: You can then quickly but gently start mixing it into a smooth drippy consistency using your hands (the mixture will start to activate and warm up so work fairly smartly). Make sure there are no clots.

Step 7: Now using your hands, gently pour over a thin layer covering the whole vessel. This is to make sure that the plaster goes into all the detail.

Step 8: The mix will start to thicken quickly now, so pour the rest over gently and 'bump' it a little every now and again to release any trapped air.

Step 9: Viola! Whipped cream cake. :)

Step 10: Tidy up the edges and scrape the top (soon to be the bottom) into a nice flat standing surface.

Step 11: Let it rest until really firmly set before you try and remove the mould.

Step 12: Start your next project.

I have no idea whether this will be of any use to anyone but good luck and let me know if you have any suggestions that might make it better.

A big thank you to Belinda and Susan for letting me document their work in progress.

Is it a bird, is it a plane...?

2009-02-17T15:07:00.005+02:00

No but watch this space.
I'm working on putting together an little tutorial on how to make a plaster mould.

Celebrating love and passion.

2009-02-13T08:42:00.007+02:00

The work of Kim Saunders: Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz
(Thanks Kim for letting me use them.)

What could be more perfect an image than this delightful pair of shoes by one of our students.

I have been gone too long

2009-02-12T12:13:00.004+02:00

I have been gone too long. I don't know if I am the only one experiencing blogger problems but I have had a hard time of it of late. So I have been out of the loop for a while.

Here's a quick catch-up on a long process. Christmas 2007 ( I have to start the story here) I gave each of my kids a plain bowl that I had made. The idea being that they would paint on their own design and I would get it fired.
Now move forward a year December 2008: They finally get to put brush to bowl. I did a quick pencil guide sketch and let them loose. Then added some black outline afterward to help things along.
Finally Tuesday morning February 2009 my baby bears woke up to this surprise!

Birdy Num Num

Flipper

My mom always said "good things come to those who wait" in my children's case... and wait, and wait. But my little ones are completely delighted and breakfast is a lot more fun.

Gardens are for colour

2009-02-02T12:32:00.005+02:00

And spending quality time in them on the weekend puts things in perspective.

My neighbours...

...mine.

She sees Seashells by the Sea

2009-01-28T08:38:00.005+02:00

I'm back at ceramics. I started a little vessel inspired by this shell. I really love the textures and the colours. Bone whites, sun bleached pinks and mauve's with strong dark chocolate contrasts.

I'm not entirely happy with my hand carved textures but I'm adopting a wait and see approach. Once the underglazes etc. get fired I'm hoping it will look less contrived.

The bisque fired bowl.

Lizards, Snails and Puppydog Tails

2009-01-26T09:04:00.005+02:00

Gardens are definitely for ... boys

FoodFacts

2009-01-23T09:07:00.004+02:00

Gardens are for...educating Heloise

The Humble Carrot has quite a history:
The Greeks called the carrot Philon or Philtron from their word philo that means loving, although the current word we use has it's roots in French.
We can thank the Dutch for our sweet orange carrots ~ developed in the honour of 'The House of Orange'

Some other weird facts:
- Carrots were originally red or purple
- During the reign of James 1 fashionable ladies often wore carrot foliage as decoration on their hats (very weird)
- Carrot stew precedes Viaggra as an aphrodisiac (TeeHee)
- Someone out there is trying to create a 'rainbow' carrot
- and if it were used as a biofuel it would take approximately 6000 carrots to drive one mile

And that's only scratching the surface.
All this and more from the invaluable Carrot Museum

Go on dig up some dirt this weekend you never know what you might find.

Back to reality

2009-01-21T14:27:00.003+02:00

Gardens are for...proof.
'The grass is greener on the other side' is based on fact ~ I should know.

A Little Interlude

2009-01-19T14:48:00.003+02:00

I can't resist.
Crocheting was a hot topic on some of my favorite blogs (freshly found & skinny laminx) last week and I just has to show this off.

Henriette who is a colleague of mine, brought in this beautiful blanket she made for her youngest daughter over the holidays.

I'm in love with the soft powdery combination of buff, the softest of pink and mellow greens and the gently scalloped edging. Need I mention the sweetest little flowers! I think I need to go for lessons.

Gardens are for...

2009-01-16T13:05:00.003+02:00

I have a large leather chest in which I stash all sorts of dress-up goodies, it makes for hours of entertainment and delight.

... Flights of fancy

Gardens are for...

2009-01-15T09:57:00.005+02:00

...cats, toys & swimming towels

The Odd Stillife

2009-01-14T13:39:00.006+02:00

Last year was a bit of a dud year as far as achievement goes, and I spent a lot of time at the end of it reflecting the downfall of my 'empire in the sun'.

No fabulous book
No cleverly landscaped garden
No veggie patch at all...
you get where I'm going.

Sometimes though the problem is your frame of reference, not your reality.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

Marcel Proust

Gardens are for....Boogyboards and chives

So the book goes on to simmer and I'm going to enjoy where I am.
My next few posts are going to be about what my garden is really there for.
Laugh, cry and enjoy with me.

Looking Back Before I Move On

2009-01-12T14:57:00.003+02:00

"Rudolf" is my husbands pride and joy and I have been threatening for years to include him in the festivities. Tinsel is a marvelous thing.

The silly season is finally over. Aah and what a season it was! A belated happy New Year to you all as I try and fit my larger posterior into last years chair and look forward to 'healthier' happier and a more comfortable seat this year.

Christmas Cheer

2008-12-12T12:49:00.005+02:00

My family and friends kicked off the festive season properly yesterday at Uncle Paul's. A Cape Town institution run by Rotary Club for charity. This year is it's 50th celebration. Held on Groot Constantia farm (Simon Van Der Stels original farmstead) high up in the vineyards.

A Christmas party for kids with a castle, a 'magical' fairy, clowns....

a band, looooots of straw that gets into every where! With straw off course comes great bugs! ICECREAM and a shared supper and last but not least the star of the event - Father Christmas! Needless to say we all had a fabulously messy night and slept very tight.

I'll be away for the next couple of weeks will miss you all, but look forward to reconnecting in the new year. Have a fantastic festive season :) Heloise

All in days work...munch,munch

2008-11-27T10:43:00.004+02:00

These guys are good! That used to be a lemon tree.

Santa's Workshop

2008-11-20T09:46:00.004+02:00

Christmas is around the corner and the 'elves' at the studio have been busy bees.

The shelves are laden with goods ready to be fired. There is nothing quite like a hand made gift :)

All Hands on Deck

2008-11-18T15:06:00.005+02:00

This weekend was spent planting and sowing with my kids. We went through my staggering collection of empty pots and planned what to fill them with.

First the stones, then the compost, then potting soil, mix,mix,mix, plant and sew and finally water!

Carrots, beans, spring onions, lettuce, wild rocket, nasturtiums, strawberries, basil and sweet peas.

Quality check: The puppy has also shown considerable interest, digging up every pot to check what we had just buried AAAAAAAARGH!

On my Desk

2008-11-12T08:56:00.004+02:00

Paul Smith Geranium (Pic courtesy Elsabé)

The proof is in the eye candy. Started from a cutting I now have the pleasure of the blooms.

Happy Go Lucky

2008-11-11T09:13:00.002+02:00

There has been the odd survivor of this very very wet winter. (I'm in the process of taking roll call.) But here are the sweet peas, impatient and happy to self seed. Who am I to interfere?

Monday blues

2008-11-10T13:47:00.003+02:00

I woke up this morning to hear that Miriam Mekeba had passed away after a concert in Italy. One of South Africa's greats, probably best known for 'Pata-pata' and the 'Click' song. I love her music.

This butterfly amongst my lavender reminded me of her .

Fait Accompli

2008-11-07T14:27:00.003+02:00

This is where I'll be tomorrow in support of my daughters school. Come join us!

My poster for the big day

Good things come to those who wait

2008-11-07T13:37:00.007+02:00

Oh wow, she's inspiring to work with and now the rest of the world can finally see why. Welcome to SugarWheatRice. About to become a new favourite of mine.

On My Desk

2008-11-03T13:22:00.005+02:00

Very Japanese don't you think.

A gift from one of my students this rubber vase, from the Scandinavian outfit - Menu just makes everything in it look fabulous.

Trick or Treat

2008-10-31T07:45:00.002+02:00

Happy Halloween
from the Dead Plant Society

Concrete Jungle Mobile

2008-10-28T13:47:00.005+02:00

With an eye on the 2010 World Cup Cape Town CBD is turning into a developers playground. A visual autopsy of buildings you've never been in. Not so long ago FreshlyFound featured a great post on mobiles and mobile art and suddenly innards became art. Ok maybe that's an overstatement, but these suspended concrete blocks look really cool.

On a Platter

2008-10-24T08:30:00.004+02:00

My latest ceramic offering.

This is the second platter in group of three. The first one I've used as a background. The next to be fired is a large bowl with a motif inspired by Queen Anne's lace. I don't think I need to explain my inspiration for this though.

Have a great weekend everyone. I'm going to pile these with some glorious summer salads.

Things That Cheer Me Up

2008-10-22T15:32:00.004+02:00

Friends, flowers
Friends that leave flowers

I arrived this morning to a vase dripping purple seringa tears, smelling like musky jasmine and a heartfelt note ~ Thank you

A good blog
Heather Moore from SkinnyLaMinx gave a talk at the AAA School of Advertising (were I lecture). Much to my delight, she's been a favorite of mine and an inspiration from day one.

Throw in a beautiful bag or two
I visited the Organics Fair at the CTICC and walked away with this beauty from Veldt and inside lives my SkinnyLaMinx purse! Another gift.

And wrap it up with a beautiful pic

Sweets nothings

2008-10-15T09:10:00.006+02:00

Talking about birthdays, it was my daughters eight. (Note I'm still avoiding my garden - it drowned) I thought I'd show you the cake.
TaDaaah!

But wait! There's more!... Inside the dolphin buried in the 3 layers are sweets in the shapes of crabs, shells, fish and starfish. So you get to see what he had for breakfast in your slice of cake!

I'm no baker, but decorate I can. So every birthday I 'build' the cake.
The production - you have to understand - is a big thing, with mom always keeping something a surprise for the day (or trying too) The water was made of jelly and added at the last minute.

Vertical Sundials

2008-10-13T14:25:00.005+02:00

The sun came out this weekend! Yes, for the whole one (I don't count a spot of rain at night) after all what you can't see can't hurt you. So we celebrated birthdays, swam and sat with our faces turned to the sun.

14H20 sharp

I have always wanted a wall sundial and look who volunteered! Sweet hermaphrodite, for once doing something useful.

When I went to research the actual thing I found some wonderful pics. This one is found in Cornwall on the South west decliner of St Buryan in Cornwall England. 50°4′30″N, 5°37′15″W
Find out more about vertical sundials here and for some amazing pics here.