Walking through the Park and Reminiscing

B1's drawing and my sewn interpretation of it

In the spirit of recent posts, I've been reminiscing again. This time on happier thoughts. It was my sister's birthday a few days ago and while thinking of what to get her (yes, the usual gift card for the bookshop was also obtained), I remembered a drawing that B1 had done of the two of us, when he was only four.

In the drawing, we're skateboarding. This in itself is remarkable given that both of us have severely injured our ankles merely walking along pavement. The very idea of either of us getting on something less stable than a motorised, four-wheeled vehicle is hilarious, to say the least. So the fact that my then 4 year old thought it was a real possibility that we would a) get on a skateboard and b) perform tricks while on said skateboard was nearing hysterically funny.

This drawing, for ever so many reasons, is a favourite of both mine and my sister's. It shows us both scooting along on our boards, (limited) hair flying, manic look on our faces, arms flailing and clearly completely carefree. It is such a lovely insight into how he saw us when he was that age - daring, risk-taking, fun, brave. So much to live up to.

The completed cushion.
I don't think I conveyed quite enough "manic"!

Since we both love this picture, and I'm in the mood for reminiscing, I thought I'd use the excuse of her birthday to make the drawing into a cushion. Of course, since I'm never one to plan too far ahead, all this occurred to me late yesterday evening. I duly dug up the picture from its safe place (it really was stored in a safe place), photocopied it and began copying and sewing it. Thankfully, B1 wasn't a master artist at four, and there weren't too many strokes to copy. I finished it off this morning, filled it and sewed it up. I hope she's as excited to receive it as I was making it.

Sailing Ships and Sealing Wax and Fashion

Image via WikipediaI was reading about the Princely Treasures exhibit at the Art Gallery of Western Australia today and there are some interesting myths that abound about some of the art works on display. The one that caught my eye most particularly was one about the weaving of objet d'art into the hairpieces and wigs of women's hair in the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s.

It appears that there was a phenomenon of weaving whole model sailing ships (yes, like the ones you find encased in bottles) into wigs for women to wear as high fashion. Bizarre at the time? Perhaps. The reason it caught my attention so vividly though, is that I had indulged myself by buying Marie Claire magazine yesterday and had come across an article about Anna Dello Russo and her apparent slavery to fashion. Lo and behold, what should Anna be wearing in her hair? You guessed it. A ship. wonders will never cease.: anna dello russo for net-a-porter.: 'via Blog this'

Strange but true. Fashion isn't new, it's just a series of repeating cycles (some older and more tenuous than others apparently), cobbled together on a whimsy and sold with supreme confidence.