A day of remembrance

ANZAC Gallipoli Remembrance: 25th April 1915

ANZAC poppy wrap

I found this beautiful ANZAC day poppy wrap online.  It was made for someone traveling to Gallipoli for the remembrance day celebrations; absolutely stunning!

As history unfolds: Gallipoli 100 commemorations at Chunuk Bair.

New Zealand and Australians join together in remembrance.

The poppy signifies so much to so many people.  I have a bunch of poppies as part of my blog header for a reason; not just because it signifies the gathering up of flowers. As a teenager I learnt so much about the First World War from my English teacher at high school. These lessons have stayed with me for life. Learning about the battles and the appalling conditions experienced by soldiers during that campaign were expressed in First World War poetry.

This poem is iconic.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, May 1915.

For me this is the poetry that I remember: 

The First World War poetry of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brooke is what resonates most for me. 

Anthem For Doomed Youth - Poem by Wilfred Owen

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? 

Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. 

I began writing poetry as a teenager and even now I still write. I don't get to share my writing with others, but prefer to write for myself.  My desire to record using an art journal or visual diary certainly makes more sense now I think about it.  

Capsule Dressing 2

Fix it, Flip it, Frame it.

The Flipit wrap dress

The Flipit wrap dress: Capsule dressing at its best.  

Each version has a flip side, both are light and look delicious. This is a very interesting version of the wrap dress; with a twist. I have been a fan of Anna Stretton designs for some time and I'm sure that any travel wardrobe would be more adaptable with at least one wrap dress included.
The only wrap dress you’ll ever need and Annah's answer to the infinity dress! 

The idea is to begin with an undergarment: Fixit

Annah Stretton’s answer to the perfect foundation garment

Add the wrap dress: Flipit

Then add the light jacket: Frameit

This over garment can be worn either short or long in three colours.

So many variations!! 
Find the wrapping tutorials here.

Capsule Dressing- The wrap dress

DVF Wrap Dress: 

The iconic wrap dress has always been a very flattering style for any size and shape. These original Vogue patterns would be great to have in anyone's pattern stash. I enjoyed reading about Diane Von Furstenberg original pattern releases at this Pattern Vault article.

Vogue 1548 by Diane Von Furstenberg (1976) Image via Etsy

Vogue 1549 by Diane Von Furstenberg (1976) Image via eBay.

Vogue 1610 by Diane Von Furstenberg (c. 1977)

.Vogue 1853 by Diane Von Furstenberg (c. 1978) Image via the Vintage Patterns Wiki.

Vogue 2517 by Diane Von Furstenberg (1980) Image via Rusty Zipper.

Vogue 1486 by Diane Von Furstenberg (1984) Image via Etsy.

 The 2015 versions of this iconic style can be seen on Elle.com.

10 rules to live by from an iconic person; Diane Von Furstenberg

Below are ten rules taken from an article in Elle magazine where Diane gives some advice to live by.

1. Know yourself.“The secret to feeling attractive, and to being attractive, is the confidence that comes from knowing who you are and what you believe in.”

2. Learn to love life.“The older you get, the more you should learn to love life and appreciate the beauty that comes with age.”

3. Create a visual diary.
“Carry a camera and create an inspiring visual diary of your life.”

4. Live a simplified life.
“The best way to know a [wo]man is to open her [his] luggage. If [s]he knows how to pack well, it means she [he] understands, and cherishes, how to live a simplified life.”

5. Be authentic.
“Choose fashions that make you happy. Always choose styles that also accentuate your personality. Don’t use fashion to try and project a different persona. Authenticity is key.”

6. Keep moving.
“The best regimen is to keep moving! Never stop working, travelling and seeking adventure. Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol and sugar and get to your yoga class!”

7. Be your own best friend.
“The most important relationship in your life is the relationship you have with yourself. Because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself.”

8. Live a little.
“Sleep is easier to make up than a unique evening.”

9. Enjoy treats.
“Be proud of yourself. Try to eat well….and when you cheat, enjoy it!”

10. Discover yourself.
“That wonderful and terribly frightening journey of self-discovery. That process of growth, of being an independent person, of learning who you are and what you want from life, is the real secret of life, happiness and beauty.”

Keeping a journal

Image of the world; iridescent, brilliant and fluid. 

My blogging has had to be sidelined recently for living life and all that entails. Family and work have taken centre stage for some time now.

I will be starting my journalling experience gradually.  This is my start!!

I have been researching various sites learning about visual diaries and art journals. There seems to be no workshops or courses available in our immediate area, but there are numerous online courses.  I've purchased the resources required and I intend to concentrate on the processes and techniques to develop and then from there.............who knows?  

 My plan is to start writing and documenting our recent trip to the USA and our side trip to Cancun in Mexico.  This was the first time we had traveled to either country.

It was so inspirational in so many ways.  Also, my best finds for a capsule travelling wardrobe, because I am notorious for over-packing.

Collect 2 Create

My Resurrected Blog - 2014

I have decided to start the New Year by beginning my blogging journey again.  This is a new start with a fresh perspective and ideas that others may be interested in (or not).  I have decided to write on a regular basis and have been using a journal for the last few months to document my style and inspirational ideas; some original, some borrowed from other creative souls.  
Therefore I have decided on the title of: 

Collect 2 Create

Some of my journaling ideas will end up on this blog, beginning with a cooperative of creative people who have some exciting and interesting handmade ideas.  This new enterprise can be found in the city closest to where I live in NZ and my favourite place of all time for op shopping and generally fossicking around; Napier.  Check out the The Department of Curiosities and Fine Things in Hastings Street, Napier and on facebook.

Save the Whales - Brooch

Over the past week I've been op shopping to find jewellery.  Usually I would be open minded about op shopping around town in charity shops and my favourite haunts in the city and keep an eye out for anything worthwhile and interesting, but not for any particular item or accessory.  However, it has occurred to me that I could really do with more quirky pieces of jewellery to go with my numerous jackets and winter coats.

I found this beautiful humpback whale brooch that I fell in love with at first sight.  It has a silver mark on the back and I managed to get it for $10.00.  I intend to wear it to an assistive technology course coming up on Wednesday.   


The day after finding the whale I came across these sterling silver and shell pendants at one of my favourite op shops.  All seven of them still had the new tags and original prices, after being priced down I bought five of them for $1.99 each and two for $2.99.  They've all got silver stamps and must be the best bargains I've found for some time.

Cowry shell

Paua shell

The paua, cowry and mussel shell pendants.

Silver bargains.

Bags of Style

Source

I haven't bought a new handbag for many years, since I began op shopping as my main wardrobe source.  Basically I am very hard on any bag I use, to the point that not many last for any length of time; the linings rip from being full to the brim of my daily essentials, or the handles give way from the strain of being overfilled.  This is one of the reasons why I decided to buy my handbag stash second hand.  I appears that many women get bored of their purchases reasonably quickly and purchase more bags as the mood takes them, therefore, I have obtained some great op shop bargains over the years.  

Handbag heaven

This selection of bags was op shopped; some locally and from further afield.  If I'm able to I look for leather, but failing that I will settle for good quality bags with plenty of wear.  

Floral fabric Cellini handbag

Black, leather Cellini handbag.

Here I have two Cellini bags; the fabric bag was bought for $6.00 from a charity shop in a small town not far from Perth, Australia.  Even when we travel I like to send time op shopping, especially in small towns.  The black, leather Cellini handbag was bought from my favourite op shop at the nearest city from here.

Green faux reptile bag.

Leaf & flower patterned leather handbag

I use the green satchel when I'm attending a course; it holds lots of paraphernalia.  I also used it as a carry-on bag on our last trip to Australia.  The black and white leather handbag is one I go back to often when I wear one of my favourite colour combinations; black & white.  I treasure all my op shop finds and truly enjoy putting together different combinations when I dress for the day.  I'm currently on the look out for a daily work bag that I can take to school and which I won't be able to over load with folders.  

Handmade

I came across the Handmade website, which took place in Wellington earlier in June.  The programme was so interesting with some great workshops.  It made me wish that I lived closer and could participate in some of them; in particular the refashioned shirt workshop, the handstitched jewellery and the refashioned lace cardigan workshop.  I know there are tutorials on different blogs that document step-by-step instructions on some of these refashioning projects, but I can't help thinking that working as part of a face to face workshop would add to the whole experience.  


The Lace race; An upcycled cardigan:
The lace cardigan refashion is a project that I would be able to start sooner rather than later, because I have already got a few cardigans in my stash of future projects. 

Here at Tea Rose blog is a very nice example of a refashioned cardigan, with step-by-step embellishments.  I would probably use less embellishments and include some repurposed doilies.  

Embellished knit
Also, see this set of tutorials for embellished knits on Grosgrain.A have a tone-downed version of this cardigan in mind, with a grey woolen cardigan and some black lace from my stash.

Op Shop Finds

I am always on the lookout for treasures when I am op shopping; buttons and baubles, future embellishment and refashioning projects.  Most of the time I am on the lookout for garments I can wear with little or no refashioning, so with a good soak and wash they're ready to go.  I already have quite a stash, but have not got around to take any decent photos, so here goes with a few jewelery finds.  Red is one of my favourite colours, which I gravitate to when I'm op shopping.  Over the next few weeks I will post some of my favourite op shop finds.

Red coral necklace and 1960s earrings.

My favourite red coral necklace, which I found in a second hand shop for about $25.00.  I suppose you couldn't call it a bargain, however I have seen these necklaces with chunky red coral in high end shops for approximately $100.00.  I've always lusted after red coral and did quite a lot of research to make sure I wasn't looking at fakes, then dropped lots of hints to family around Xmas time.   So, when I came across this example I was ecstatic and have managed to wear it on quite a few nights out.  

The screw back earrings were an absolute find in an op shop, for all of $6.00.  I kept the tag to remind myself how well I did that day.  They are in excellent condition, and even though I have them as 1960s, they could just as easily be from the 1950's.  I have never worn the two items together, because there is one thing about wearing the colour red, always keep it to a minimum within the same outfit.  

I found these pink and purple harakeke (woven flax) earrings with paua, in one of my favourite second hand shops: Savemart.  They have the Toi Iho trademark, which authenticates the goods with Creative New Zealand.  The photos don't do the earrings justice at all; even the decorative box is beautiful.  So for a mere $3.99 I am certain that I got a bargain!  The shop assistant said that they had only been put out for display that day, so I was very grateful for being in the right place at the right time.  

I have to travel to the nearest city to get my op shopping fix, so I try very hard to look for quality.  It can be a challenge at times, especially as I live one and half hours away in a rural area.  This is one of the reasons that I make it my business to be focused and determined with my op shopping trips.  There are many tips and helpful hints on how to make your op shopping and thrifting trips successful, which a number of bloggers have posted about.  I have decided to do a few blogs of my own on what I have found useful over the years.