Saturday, June 13, 2009

Timber and TVs and Trains, Oh My!!!

I grew up on the edge of a forest by the Murray River in remote country Victoria, back in the days when it was perfectly acceptable to wander around with a chainsaw, hack up any dead trees lying around, and take them home for firewood. I know!!!!! ANYWAY, where I'm going with this, is that my Dad is the kind of guy who hangs on to stuff. And some of that stuff was some redgum off-cuts (that came from that forest) that he'd had lying around for the last 20 years. And this is what those scraps have become. Ok, there's some cedar ones in there too, but I'm not sure where he got those scraps from...


I can't even begin to tell you how clever my dad is at making stuff (although once we were looking in an auto store and I saw a racing steering wheel made of steel and timber, which I mentioned was very cool. Dad picked it up, turned it over, then put it back on the shelf. The next time I saw him, about a week later, he had made a replica steering wheel. Which I must say, looked very cool on my 1974 mini cooper). For more stories about my generous and clever dad and more pics of the buttons used on our bags, check out Jade's post here.


As well as using these buttons on our new bags, Jade and I are also going to sell them at the BrisStyle market coming up in July. I know we're just a bit biased, but I really do think they are very beautiful...

A big thank-you should also be given to Alan from Trishalan Designs, for providing great wooden button inspiration (you can see one of Alan's buttons used on this coffee bag here, and his are also made from timber off-cuts) and for some online handmade timber button love and inspiration you can also visit The Button Bower, who also sell gorgeous hardwood buttons made from Tasmanian timer off-cuts (some of these are quite amazing!). Viva the handmade button revolution!!

Ok, moving on now to the TV part of the post title. In fact, this is just a really lame way to segue into my Watcha Wearing Wednesday pics, which I think is a record for me in tardiness - this time...THREE days late. In fairness, I did actually take these pics on Wednesday - just couldn't actually manage to keep my butt in front of the computer long enough to get the blog post done. Ah well, better late than never. Right?


Anyway, this gorgeous little retro TV brooch (sorry about the bad photo) is by the lovely Helen from Ruby 2 Go Go, and it goes perfectly with my seventies knit top refashion. I found it in an op shop ages ago, and it fit well, except that it was a bit midriffy. Not very seemly for a 30 something year old, so I chopped it a bit shorter and added some nice thick black knit fabric (I also found this remnant in an op shop).


It's a bit weird, I know. But for some reason I just really like it. And it's comfy. And that's important, ya know!

Lastly, the train thing is just something I thought was so sweet I had to share. Lee, Kate and I made play dough the other day, and the kids went nuts playing with it, making birthday cakes, sausages etc. Ok, it was actually Kate who made the pretend food. Lee, in keeping with the obsession which permeates all aspects of his life, made this.


A Thomas train. If you look closely, it even has a smiley face on it. And top marks for creative use of props :)

And now it's time for a hot milo and a snuggle with Matt in front of the telly. It's getting really chilly here, and we've had a big night. Our kids went to their first ever disco (organised by Lee's kindy). They had so much fun. I painted so many faces. We are all hoarse from talking over the top of loud music. I remember the days when this was caused by clubbing. Now it's caused by listening to 'Hot Potato' and squealing kids. And I won't have a hangover tomorrow :)

XX
Bec

30 comments:

Anne D said...

I absolutely love the buttons. Lucky you!

One Flew Over said...

Those buttons are fabulous! Love the bag too!

Jess said...

Aren't handy dads great!! Awesome buttons, and love the story behind them.

Kylie Bowers said...

Oh wow that bag looks amazing, Love the buttons!

bubbachenille said...

I really enjoyed that post from the buttons to the top to the no hangover !

ellie said...

Love those buttons. I've seen the bag handles your dad makes - he's a very talented man.

Hope you're having a lovely day, soaking up the warm (ish) sun, before the cold night. Couch, cocoa and cuddles - that's what it's about right now. (okay - green tea, not cocoa..but...).

Jetta's Nest said...

How sweet that your Dad makes you buttons and yes, I can see you skooting around in a mini!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

The buttons look amazing, and I love the no hangover story too. Very funny.

Sherrin said...

I LOVE those buttons. SO much! Your Dad is very clever. :o)

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a super talented family! The buttons are stunning - your bags are always beautiful - and just look at that train! Fantastic!

Anastasia said...

your dad is a very clever man! the buttons are huge and very cool - they look FAB on the bags!

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

Those buttons really are fab! That's one clever dad you have there!

Trish Goodfield said...

Cool buttons

Cindy said...

You are going to do so fab at the markets - they look perfect on the bag - Horray for Dad

Lexi:: PottyMouthMama said...

Your Dad is a wizard! I love those buttons and they look totally fab on your bags! They are seriously great. I love that he just makes you things - et voila - here's a steering wheel - that's so cool!

Secondly, love your refashioned top and your TV brooch. You are super stylin'.

And the train. My goodness. The train is WILD! I just showed Noah and he LOVED it and said we could have a go at making something like that - though we'd need a pipe cleaner. Lee we love the train! Kate - bet your food was delish!

Chi Designs said...

aww, i think it's so loverly that your dad makes the buttons for your bags!

you know, it's the first thing i noticed when i first saw your designs. :)

One Flew Over said...

You have won a blog award!!

Paula Weston said...

Hello!
I'm still here, still reading your wonderful blog... (and have become oddly addicted to Twitter). Hope all is well.
Paula
x

Helen said...

Oh yes I am lovin' those buttons as well - certainly come in a tie with the train. Oh and that TV brooch is rather cute with your ever so retro top - yep lovin' it!

OOh and you've won another award over at my blog for being "exceedingly charming"!

xh

Anonymous said...

Love the new bags and the buttons! Your Dad must be as sweet as the buttons he makes. So clever!

At risk of sounding a bit repetitive, you've won another award over at my blog for being so lovely :)

Sandrine said...

Love the buttons too, the other day I found some in a tiny little shop I could not resist! they look very similars...was it your dad?:))If my dad would make buttons they would be stone!as he is working with stone and marble;))

Rachel said...

The buttons are totally amazing!

edward and lilly said...

Hey Bec, I don't usually do this but I've given you a blog award, the details are over on my blog. Don't feel that you have to play along as I know we're all super busy at the moment :)

amy said...

wow, those buttons are really cool! i'd wear them as a brooch, all on their own! just letting you know i just gave you a lovely award on my blog :)

Nikki said...

Hmmmm... I also grew up on the edge of a redgum forest along the Murray!!!

Love the buttons. Love the train. Lovely post.

Hot Fudge said...

Hi Bec - I'm finally catching up with my blog reading. What a talented man your father is - no wonder you and Jade are so creative. My dad used to hoard timber as well and after my parents died and we were cleaning the house out, we discovered enough timber under the house to make about five house frames. No wonder I'm a fabric hoarder!

amy said...

thank you for the kind words :) last time i looked at this post i was so distracted by the buttons that i hardly realised how beautiful that bag is! i love mustard, and leaves :)

MayY . C 五月媽媽 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MayY . C 五月媽媽 said...

Hello Bec a
I realized you are living in Brisbane, oh mine! My brother just came for visit (from Vancouver)today and mentioned his daughter's is going to Brisbane in February as an exchange student for 8 months in Brisbane University (biggest coral reef land), studying Marine Biologist. He was asking if I know anybody who may help their daughter around , and coincident, you living in Brisbane..May I ask questions if my niece require some information?

Jade said...

Yeah he's the best isn't he? Gosh, I just showed him pictures of my bed frame, coffee table, side tables, dining room tables, and he made them all. I must have got that steering wheel on my mini once you didn't have yours anymore! I didn't realise he copied that one for you :)
Great post!
xxx