26 Feb 2013

clay mushrooms










As the cool air is starting to slowly lace its way through our everyday we are spending longer outside in the morning. The Summer sun has lost some of its sting making way for the most vivid of blue skies and longer periods of gentle shade. The grass is often damp and clusters of mushrooms can be found dotted about here and there. The colours and varieties fascinate us and ever we concoct stories of gossamer winged friends snoozing beneath them, tiny wooden fifes laying idle in their laps. There is a stillness about these mornings; a certain peace.

My knitting needles have a new found vigour and my basket has become a constant addition to the lounge room. It overflows with muted shades of earth, rust and slate. I while away slow days not only with gentle and rhythmic click clacking but much mulling over yarns and patterns. I have my eye on a drapey shrug for myself in a nubbly ecru, an earthy wooden buttoned vest for my littlest man and perhaps a charcoal head warmer for my beloved to keep him toasty on our ramblings. A Parisian inspired cardigan is already well on it's way for my blue eyed girl.

Vintage patterns have been sourced and op shops have been scoured. A rattan basket full of ginormous 60s frocks waits for transformation and a new butter soft leather bag now hangs in my cupboard.  An ombre scarf project is filling my daydreams and perhaps some tangerine clogs. Oh my!  I am holding true to my yearning to craft a beautiful Winter wardrobe with vintage finds and things created with my own hands or that of others. I am avoiding the flurescent lure of the department store.

The last of the stone fruit is being cajoled into jewel toned compotes for now and to freeze for later as we make room for dusky pears and crisp, juicy apples. I have a strong desire to perfect my Tarte Tatin this Autumn. We have pulled the pasta maker out from the back of the cupboard and my bread making journey is being guided by this fabulous companion

I adore standing on the edge of a new season peering over into it's beauty. The planning, the anticipation, the revival of senses and soul.  I feel the change in the air and I am eagerly breathing it in.

Are you heralding the change in season? What are you plans?

Steph x

We made more robust homes for our fairy friends using air dry clay. A ball was moulded into the mushroom cap and a sausage shape was tapered to become the stalk. Although we stuck these together before they dried some of them needed a little extra help to stick with the hot glue gun. We chose earthy tones and whiled away a slow morning painting them with spots and swirls. After they had dried our little clay mushrooms were given two coats of a spray varnish to seal them from the weather. My honey girl is convinced she has seen a little fluttery lady emerge from underneath one of them in our vegie garden.

14 comments:

  1. Those mushrooms look real! I love those hasbeens, too. Kellie xx

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  2. lovely post welcoming autumn! I have to say, after recently spending a weekend helping to mix earth bricks for a house (from clay at their section), that's the palest clay I've seen in ages. Also, do you make scores in your surfaces before sticking them together? Two pieces of clay need two rough edges to bind together effectively. pretty colours you chose to paint with! x

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    1. Oh I didn't know that! Thanks so much lovely! Will remember that for our future clay adventures :) x

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  3. Such a beautiful post! I too am adoring those clogs, they really are perfect. And those mushrooms are just the sweetest! The perfect place for fairies to enjoy their afternoon gatherings.
    Soph xx

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  4. What a lovely way to spend the morning!

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  5. Clay is so much fun, I remember making things with my dad who was a ceramicist. I used to be obsessed with clay dogs, but those mushrooms look great!

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  6. My kiddos would just love making these - excellent idea, Steph.
    X

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  7. clay is always so much fun. i must grab some of that vanish for the little bowls that we made. as always steph beautiful images and your links are just filled with loveliness x

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  8. Steph this is such a wonderful idea! I love it! I'm looking forward to the cooler months too... I'm busy making a few quilts for mine and Sunny's beds and some lap quilts to snuggle under in the winter evenings. Preparing for winter is part of the fun too...

    Sophie xo

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  9. What an adorable idea! I've recently started working with clay again, and I really want to make these!
    Jillian - http://epic-thread.blogspot.com

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  10. Always inspiring me you are Steph. These are just the sweeties little mushrooms I've seen, I love the colour you've painted them such beautiful shades of green and brown. I like all of those links to beautiful creations the shrug just stunning and that bag too, love it. xx

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  11. I call Abby my honey girl too :)
    I just crocheted Pepper a little pinafore. So many projects on my mind.

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Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x