le journal ...

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110528/local/Creativity-at-Babettopolis.367684


someone's delighted (and slightly shy!) ...

This Saturday...

... even if your stockings are laddered.

Swappity Swap

Here's an equation for you. An equation which works.

Yep, you heard me.. and it is coming form one who usually shuns large scale gatherings of the female sex. Maybe it was due to that secret ingredient in the punch, maybe it was my 'skillful' selective process when it came to inviting people (eqqhemmm!) or maybe ladies I know happen to be very nice indeed.. but the Swap Party was a success (save for a minor metaphorically-meteorological phenomenon) Yes, this is one reason why I've been putting my sewing aside for a while.. socialising takes so much of one's time and energy heh!

Here's the lowdown if you're interested in organising one yourself..

Make sure you provide some nibbles and a punch :)

Make sure those invited bring something along, home cooked or otherwise, because swapping requires a constant flow of fuel. It is a chore.

When selecting your guests make sure you have a healthy mix of temperaments.

Encourage even those who have few or no items to participate.

Throw strict rules out the window, swapping is best once left to grow organically.

Leave enough display space for your invitees' wares.

Throw in an amusing cat for good measure.

Start early, time passes by really quickly when you're swapping.

Have fun.

(P.S: Ideally you make sure no one suffers from cat fur allergies and make it a point that everyone shows up at a particular time to avoid disappointment.. but you know.. we have the 'first-time' excuse on our side!)

Here's what I managed to get out of le grand swap!

A lovely mix of costume jewellery which I've already put to use.

Loose flowery cotton dress (ideal for watching a football match in the sun or anything really), a white wool dress which took a whole room of people to convince me it somewhat suited me, and what we've baptized the 'Potential' blazer.. I'm adamant I'll bring every ounce of said potential out of it next autumn.

A communist-party worker coat in blue and a beautifully fitting leather coat from Morocco.

A grunge farmer's shirt plus stripey scarf (especially lovely once teamed with pink french knickers some three sizes too small qheqqheemmm!) and a polka dotted red shirt which fits like a glove.

A flowery skirt ideal for travelling for 10 days, hand-luggage-only, to Italy, in July.. you see, it doesn't crease and it's fancy enough to mask Bolognese sauce stains and ice-cream spatters... and a folksy dress to which I made some minor alterations (namely removing an extra strand of braiding from the edge of the skirt, which I shall in turn use for another project).

Oh and an assortment of (more) stuff.. a pair of prim shoes, a flowery pendant and matching pair of long cosy socks, a statement perspex neckpiece and a sequinned belt which needed only some minor adjustments...

So yes, I am a happy girl.. and so is Gustav.. who had a whale of a time exploring bags, piles of clothing and the odd fur hat. Dear Gustav.. you've just made 'Furry Snail' the definite look of the season. x

Dear April and May ...

The gods of all things jumble have been very good to us lately.. following a long stretch of rainy sundays, hawkers are now out with a vengeance and stock they've been hoarding all winter.. making every sunday morning flea market almost impossible to pass on. Also I happened to come across a charity shop in Bormla and surprisingly enough I've been making sure it's on my way to and from work of late.

So in a bid to compensate for the lack of personal-work related posts I am here submitting a couple of photos of items I consider myself lucky to have come across in charity shops and markets across the island.. and although I am fully aware of the possible implications that such a post might have (i.e. many will follow suit and seasonal yield will deplete :...( ), I just cannot not bring to attention what a wonderful thing it is to find a new home for unwanteds.

Earrings. Many of them, and in very good condition. They're too darn beautiful, all detail and miniature charm.. they also (usually) come in pairs.. so double the love! I exhibit a particular weakness in the face of oriental pendant shapes, but being generally so tiny and non-space consuming makes it difficult for me to draw the line at just one type. I think I might as well speak of myself indirectly as a collector.

Same goes for brooches.. am a sucker for them as well. Recently I was lucky enough to meet an ex-collector who happens to be in the process of selling her box-fulls. Amongst these please note an eight pointed cross with skyblue stones that may also be worn on a chain (genius) and a flower basket terrine of-sorts.

A Made-in-Malta ('Calypso' label) starched collar shirt just out of its packaging and a Thierry Mugler inspired jacket in a dubious colour combination which I think I like.

And from a charity shop in Sliema: a badly sewn pleated shift dress in a lovely muslim-mosque print, a charming hit of a blouse made out of strategically placed pieces of patterned material, and a woollen blue and white dress for the winter.

As well as a pair of bedside slippers in a favourite colour combination which matches my Moroccan shift dress and square heeled two-tone beauties with gold trim.

Dear April and May... honestly you've spoilt us all!!

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