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Claudine-Was desolate that the orphan lamb had no name and christened her "Blackberry", a general name applied to all nameless creatures, such as the dead bumblebee on the windowsill ("I can't wait until Blackberry wakes up and comes to play").

Findlay-In mutual dotingness with his 13 year old cousin Quinten, from who's lap he didn't shift all afternoon.


Week 41 of the year long portrait project based at Che and Fidel.


Back to ye olde iphone for me next week as a certain someone who shall not be named but who is currently in the dog box fatally dropped my DSLR this afternoon....

*My favourite from last week was this cosy reader at We Stood Together.

She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain :Op-Shop Show-Off: October 8th, 2013

Three little words that make me go weak at the knees. "Rotary Book Sale". Can you guess who's is who's?!

p.s Excuse the tardiness, wrangling two sick children, you know how it is.



“She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.” 
― Louisa May Alcott, Work: A Story of Experience


*p.s Amy just advised me of a art show happening soon at the at The Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, in Masterton in which Anne Taylor explores op-shopping, recycling and consumerism. It looks fantastic, I only wish I could get there. Maybe you can?

40/52

Findlay
Is serious about food in general, but asparagus in particular. Other food gets waved, flapped, slapped and dropped as a prelude to being stuffed in, but asparagus is different. He quietly, tidily concentrates until every tiny little bit is all gone, and then looks sad it is all gone!

Claudine
On our first beach visit of the seasonal year, an impromptu trip to Corsair Bay en-route elsewhere. "Let's go catch fish with our hands" she shrieked theatrically, whilst rapidly disrobing and wading in.




Only 12 weeks left of Portrait Project at Che and Fidel.


* My favourites from last week were the roly-poly princess and cheeky Bell

Bottled-Up: Op-Shop Show-Off: Oct 1st, 2013.

We went to swap a New World mini missing from our collection today, amongst other keep-the-kids-entertained school holiday larks. As we drove home I spotted the long forgotten Save the Children op-shop in Kaiapoi and wistfully asked Claud if we could go in. Probably sensing a buy-me-stuff opportunity she agreed with alacrity. I was taken with this lady as soon as I set foot in the door, whilst Claud took to a pair of ex-Burger King bambi deely-boppers. Fin cooed and gurgled, charming the elderly shop assistants who swarmed him.

Isn't she a funny old thing! She has appeal similar to that of a kokeshi; just a suggestion of an ear and a nose and no mouth, rendering her somewhat inscrutable. Her rather mod-darlek dress appealed too, and then I registered that she was a bottle, slip-cast, and somehow fathomed that she poured through her eyes-which thrilled me! Of course when I inspected her properly I saw the head is in fact the lid and the body the bottle, separated by a cork. Only slightly deflated, I gave it a good sniff but there was no lingering smell to give me a clue as to it's original bottled purpose.

So here she is, in her virgin, just found, un-marked and unresearched state. I would love to hear your theories as to where she is from, what she is for etc. before I set forth to try to identify her...


Or, of course, you could just show-off in the usual fashion!

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Findlay-Claudine has an infectious, rolling giggle, Fin chortles. Especially when tickled by big-sis. He looks like he would chortle doesn't he!

Claudine-At the 'come as your favourite book character' night at the library. Still, inimitably Claud; all dirty and nose-picky.



My photos have gone all weird and grainy. Please laptop, don't die, please, I'm begging you...


Week 39 I think, of the Portrait Project at Che and Fidel

A Snip? : Op-Shop Show-Off: September 24th, 2013

I've seen these variously described as bonsai tree pruners, needlework scissors, vintage twine snippers and as "... ideal for all kinds of historic re-enactment scenarios". However, despite their ye olde look these Spear brand scissors are modern, cheap and of the Made in China variety. I almost baulked at the price tag ($5, Salvation Army) but was won over by their handsome looks, lineage notwithstanding; and their utility-they are very sharp. I, I shall call them present string snips.



What would you use them for?