from the street

We can take the street for granted.  The street provides a path to get from one place to another but recently it has offered up some surprising directions that are practical, imaginary or artistic considerations. It pays to pay attention as we go along.

 

Once you get over the weirdness, sometimes it is fun to collect things from the street.  One day I drove past a, what do you call it?  A setee?  A sofa with no arms or legs...anyway, it caught my eye so I went home got the dog and walked past it.  Hmmm, it was still there and in pretty good condition.  It was bigger than I thought so I went home and got the car.  It just fit in the backseat.  I brought it home and put it on the verandah where it sat for six months of frustrating busyness.  Everytime I saw it I wanted to cover it with something grand and fun for my house. I finally started working on a plan and although I have been distracted by other things (life!) it is starting to come together now.

I used a wide assortment of home dec fabrics and a large hexagon template (4").  It took a while to get the balance right but it is nearly finished.  Just a short stint with an overlocker and a staple gun and my street find is a luxury item! I also have a big stack of rejected hexagons that I have other plans for in the near future.

Of course now I have the bug to do more items of domestic bliss.  My eye turns to the shop and the endless possibilities at my finger tips.  I start thinking.  And then...in walks Carol.  Carol makes curtains and immediately my imagination kicks into gear.  My sewing room has big windows and as we head into a hot summer this could be a problem if I don't prioritise curtains.  I want to do it but the time...the time...THE TIME and also the fact that John suggested I purchase curtains due to some somehat wonky curtains made in the past.  Ahem. So when Carol says she can teach me to make the properly I immediately jump at the chance.  Surely I am not the only one that wants personalised curtains in their home?  Surely someone will join me in Carol's class!

A plan is now forming...you can make your own curtains with the fabric of your choice or buy curtains ready made from Carol and decorate them yourself!  The rest of the details to be revealed at SWAP DAY which is rapidly approaching.  We are in full gear getting ready...that is once I got my music man weekend out of the way.
Here's another thing I found on the street just outside the shop and now look, a bird has come to perch!  And speaking of birds, I have a bit of series started with birds and I was thinking about chickens as I ran this morning. Then, just as I turned to go up my drive, I looked up and as if my thoughts had come to life before my very eyes there were to huge chickens right there on the front yard of my neighbours house!!! WHAT THE!  If I lived in the country or even in a somewhat rural area (or Kuwaii for that matter) I might not be so surprised but given the streetscape of my area it was a big surprise and particularly because I had just been thinking about them.  Spooky, I know.

And while we are thinking things domestic, here is a little doozy I made up for Better Homes and Gardens...coming to an issue soon!  This was the beginning for me and now I fear there will be hexagon projects all over my house!  That's a good thing I think.  A home should be filled with things we make to make it feel like home. 

And one final note, Sam headed off to Outpost this past weekend which was a huge exhibition of Street Art (linking into the theme of things found on the street which now includes furniture, chickens and art today!)

My camera is filled with images from this show in which the subject matter varies greatly.

There was a day when graffiti was a bad word but I actually love it.  It is a voice of unconventional thought.  It is the voice of youth, making a statement about what is current to them.  I am not a fan of marking someone else's property but in the right place I find it full of truth.
It has a language we are sometimes not allowed to understand which is intrinsic to youthful expression. As soon as we understand what they are talking about the language changes.  I recently heard the boys refer to someone as a gronk.  Gronk?  What does this word mean?  I think I figured it out and then used it myself and was immediately told NOT to use it again.  It sounded bad from my tongue.  If I didn't know it before I know it now...I am no longer young.

There is maturity, frustration, elation and obvious love of colour here.

One of Sam's friends got a chance to participate in the event and this is her first attempt at art with a spray can.  I would have liked to have had a go myself...definitely wouldn't have been allowed.

As per normal, it is time to ah, hit the road.  Wondering what I might see today. k

 

Comments

[Sally]

You are on a creative roll, girl.

[Lisa]

Very nice find on the side of the road! I am always amazed at what you can find and see if you are paying attention. I once was walking around down and happened to look down and found a necklace with a charm that said "hope." I t was just what the doctor ordered. Keeping our eyes open is so important, right?

[cardygirl]

It is interesting to really see what is around us at times. Love your newly upholstered find...it is certainly worth the effort as it adds a special "Kathy" touch to your home! Love the curtains...I would love to make them with confidence (instead I just had them made...and I love them!).The art is fabulous too!

[Pam]

Oh how coincidental! I just finished making curtains for two rooms in my house! The old ones had been there since the girls were small with puffy white pleats. ewww... and now, fresh darling birds from Valori Wells in oranges and browns to brighten the view. How very funny! Curtains and birds are a theme here too! xo Pam in Chico

[Jan]

Love this post, especially the distratction of taking the dog 'for a walk' while you check out the potential of the street side item. My recent acquisition using this method was a lovey steamer trunk which I dragged home under cover of darkness (after the canine accompanied 'reccie'),and hid in the garden until I was brave enough to admit my latest find to my husband. When I opened the trunk it was full of rubbish. I could hardly put them out for collection and draw the attention of my neighbours to the movement of their unwanted item - tip trip ensued. Anyway trunk is now painted with a quilt nicely folded on top!

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