uncommon ephemera

Seeking Serenity

Well, my week's absence from blogging has ended up being a bit longer than

expected. I mentioned in my last entry that work has been overwhelming.

There have been a lot of changes that have been exhausting and have not

left me with a lot of desire to sit down and compose when I get home.

I have always wanted this blog to be interesting and creative and I have not felt

that I could offer that in recent weeks. I do plan to continue blogging - but I

need to rethink my contribution to the blogging community.

I haven't done much in the creative department. Somehow, summer causes me

to switch gears and go outside in the garden rather than sit at my work table

making something. I have noticed a number of blogs that I read on a continuous

basis have taken the summer off. I don't intend to take off the whole summer,

but I do want to give myself a "refresher course", if you will.  I am also trying

to dredge through the changes in Typepad, which I have been very lax in tackling.

Bear with me, I'm still out there.

Yours in Bloglandia,

Dorian

Blogging Ennui

Greetings, Bloglandia...

This will be a short posting. I have been taking a bit of a blogging break. Sorry if you have visited

only to discover the same old post. Things at work have been a bit overwhelming of late and my

energies have suffered. Also, Typepad has made some changes that I have just not had the

energy to tackle. I have not quit blogging - just have hit a bit of a wall and promise to return

in the next week or so. I continue to "lurk" in the blogging background - I have been visiting,

just not leaving any comments. I continue to be inspired and delighted by all of the creativity

that exists in this community and I really want to return with something to reflect that energy.

Thank you always for visiting.

Yours in Bloglandia,

Dorian

A Mother's Day Tribute

A very Happy Mother's Day to all! Although this is a special day that we dedicate to all mothers, I for one celebrate my mother every day in thought and in the many things she taught me. I did not have a recent picture of her in my photo files, so I have posted her high school photo. This particular photo was given to her dear (albeit "screwy") sister from the inscription!

My mother has always been a very creative lady who seemingly could make something out of nothing. She sews beautifully, refinishes furniture and loves to garden. The creative sense she has passed on to both me and my sister - we were dragged along to every "junk" store in our home town back in the days that shabby was not chic. At the time, we hated it - but came to realize that in many cases "one man's trash was another man's treasure". Mom has rebuilt, refurbished and repainted more things over the years than I can count. I helped her throw a drop front desk into the bed of dad's pick-up years ago that had no drawers and about 90 coats of paint. She had my grandfather (a most clever fellow) make new drawers after she had stripped off all of the paint. Today, that little desk is in her dining room with a tassel adorned key in it's lock - no one would ever guess at it's humble beginnings. I could go on at length about her talents and also her mothering skills in sometimes difficult times - but for now, I'll just say that I love her dearly. Happy Mother's Day, Margie Mae!

Aye...'tis Swashbucklin' Time!

Welcome Swashbucklers and and Swashbucklerettes...aye and I thought I wouldn't be able to pull this one off (too little time)! Thanks to that saucy one, Donna of the Ribboned Crown for putting this soiree together!

May I present to you for your edification, that saucy tavern wench, Jenny - of the "Threepenny Opera" by Bertholt Brecht

Lyrics: Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein
Melody: Kurt Weill

Verse One:
You people can watch while I'm scrubbing these floors
And I'm scrubbin' the floors while you're gawking
Maybe once ya tip me and it makes ya feel swell
In this crummy Southern town, in this crummy old hotel
But you'll never guess to who you're talkin'.
No. You couldn't ever guess to who you're talkin'.
Then one night there's a scream in the night
And you'll wonder who could that have been
And you see me kinda grinnin' while I'm scrubbin'
And you say, "What's she got to grin?"
I'll tell you.

There's a ship, the black freighter
with a skull on its masthead
will be coming in.

(And just what might those keys about her neck be used for?)

Verse Two:
You gentlemen can say, "Hey gal, finish them floors!
Get upstairs! What's wrong with you! Earn your keep here!
You toss me your tips
and look out to the ships
But I'm counting your heads
as I'm making the beds
Cuz there's nobody gonna sleep here, honey
Nobody! Nobody!
Then one night there's a scream in the night
And you say, "Who's that kicking up a row?"
And ya see me kinda starin' out the winda
And you say, "What's she got to stare at now?"
I'll tell ya.

There's a ship, the black freighter
turns around in the harbor
shootin' guns from her bow

Verse 3:
Now you gentlemen can wipe that smile off your face
'Cause every building in town is a flat one
This whole frickin' place will be down to the ground
Only this cheap hotel standing up safe and sound
And you yell, "Why do they spare that one?"
Yes, that's what you say.
"Why do they spare that one?"
All the night through, through the noise and to-do
You wonder who is that person that lives up there?
And you see me stepping out in the morning
Looking nice with a ribbon in my hair.

And the ship, the black freighter
runs a flag up its masthead
and a cheer rings the air

Verse 4:
By noontime the dock is a-swarmin' with men
comin' out from the ghostly freighter
They move in the shadows where no one can see
And they're chainin' up people and they're bringin' em to me
askin' me, "Kill them NOW, or LATER?"
Askin' ME! "Kill them now, or later?"
Noon by the clock
and so still by the dock
You can hear a foghorn miles away
And in that quiet of death
I'll say, "Right now.
Right now!"
Then they'll pile up the bodies
And I'll say,
"That'll learn ya!"

And the ship, the black freighter
disappears out to sea
And on it is me.

The keys? Why they are for her pirate's chest full of sparkly booty!

The song, "Pirate Jenny", I heard for the first time on an Judy Collins album in the 60's. I didn't know much about Bertholt Brecht until later. I have not mastered the art of inserting audio files as yet, but here is a link to YouTube, where you can listen to cabaret singer, Anne Kerry Ford, sing "Pirate Jenny". The song is quite haunting - more than the "saucy wench" I used for my pirate. The doll is an old Klumpe that I found at an antique store years ago. She was "au naturel" and I set about making her a costume. Her sly expression said "tavern wench" and so the costume reflects that persona. Aaaarggh, ladies...don't forget to go to check out the many guests for the "Swashbuckler Soiree" at The Ribboned Crown - and many thanks to the always creative Donna for providing the venue!

Button Brigade

Ulla has posted more of her lovely creative finds. This time it's buttons...all sorts of wonderful handmade ones. Oddly enough, I had a button photo in the waiting - these are some great old vintage beauties I purchased from a friend who has an antique business - and for $1.00 per card! Such a deal! I love the old buckles and the little red tulip buttons are actually too cute to remove from the card. Come to think of it, I'm loathe to take any of them off of their original cards - perhaps they'll end up in a shadowbox instead.

The next pic is of some sequined buttons from Meggiecat'sblog. The photo was low-res, so my attempt to put them on a button card leaves something to be desired.

There is a link on her blog to the tutorial. I could see these as centers on some pretty ribbon flower brooches. While you're at it, cruise Meggiecat's blog. She was one of the first bloggers I found and always has great creative ideas and links to peruse. She also has another blog called Frankie Files with some great old patent drawings for various crafts and toys. Check them out!

Musical Serendipity

This past weekend, I made a trek to visit my parents in the foothills. Isn't it funny how no matter how much time passes and how many houses they have inhabited - wherever your mom and dad reside is still "home" to you? Here I am, closing in fast on 60 - and I still feel safe and warm when I get into bed at the folks' house. I am so very grateful that I am still able to enjoy their company.

When I go to visit, my mom and I always end up making the antiques/flea market/secondhand store rounds. This weekend was no exception. There is a flea market at the local fairgrounds every weekend - so we made a pilgrimage on Sunday. It was cold and windy - there weren't that many booths - but I did find something that turned out to be a lovely surprise. The photo shows my $1.00 purchase...I thought to use the flowers and leaves on something else, as this piece was pretty bunged up. When I picked it up, I found that it had a music box and I assumed that it did not work. I got it all the way home and realized that if I turned the stem with the butterfly on it around several times, the music box did indeed function. Heart be still...the tune it plays is "La Vie En Rose". I was so touched...I put it on a Chinese stand to give it a place of honor - and it was $1.00!

Theatre De La Mode

About 12 years ago, I happened upon a wonderful book at a used bookstore in Berkeley. The book was "Theatre De La Mode" and it chronicled the creation of an amazing collection of French fashion after the Second World War. During this period, the French were recovering from four years of occupation by the Germans and the French fashion industry had not offered any new creations for most of that time. The lack of funds and materials made it impossible to launch a spring fashion season for 1945, so the Theatre De La Mode was born. The 27.5" mannequins you see in the pictures I've scanned were created to show creations by French couturiers, milliners, shoe and purse designers. Theatre designers created sets on which to display these beautifully realized ladies and the whole collection was shown first in Paris, then European capitals and the United States.

The last stop for the collection was the M.H. de Young Museum in San Francisco after which they were stored at the old City of Paris department store (now Neiman-Marcus). From there they were sent to the Maryhill Museum in 1952, near Goldendale, Washington. In 1988, they were returned to Paris for refurbishing and returned to the museum - where they are in a rotating display. I found that the book is available in a paperback version on Amazon. The pictures I've posted are just a small sampling of what the book holds - I didn't scan any of the gowns and they are truly amazing. When you view these small designer miracles, it is hard to believe that they are scaled to fit a 27.5" mannequin.

The book is also a wonderful story of how a country struggled to come back after a devastating conflict and quite the good read. There are many detailed color plates as well for those of us who appreciate fine tailoring and beautifully crafted fashions. Now for the mannequins...

Wonderful Wisteria

I get positively giddy when the wisteria blooms. All winter, the vines are stark and sculptural. When the end of March...beginning of April comes, those bare vines erupt into the purple riot you see in the photo. I love walking beneath the overhang on a warm day - that is when the scent is at it's most potent. Oddly enough, the scent reminds me of bubble gum! The only time I see bumblebees is during the wisteria's blooming period. They buzz around the flowers, heavy and quite drunken with the nectar, or so it seems. If you walk up toward the front door, there is another vine on an overhang to the left of the entry. This vine is a bit different - the flowers are a very pale lavender and more fragile looking. They remind me of the flower ornaments that Japanese geisha wear in their hair. The Japanese word (according to a Japanese exchange student who stayed with us) for wisteria and the color purple is "fuji". Makes sense that the mountain in Japan bears the name, as in all of the photos I have seen of Mt. Fuji, it is a beautiful purple color.

I must tell you, this photo is a few years old. The old trunks you see no longer exist...they finally rotted on the inside. The good news is that new vines sprouted from their remains and we are once again on our way to another spring mantle of these beautiful flowers. It's not quite there yet, but it does my heart good that the vines are so hardy and have insisted on survival.

Button Bracelets

Here are the button bracelets I have been working on. I have taken numerous pictures - none of which I have been satisfied with. They just don't seem to show the detail as well as I would like. I enjoy putting together the color combinations...it's not always easy to find enough buttons of one color to create a bracelet. All of the buttons, beads; etc. are sewn onto grosgrain ribbon with monofilament, each knotted separately and then the bracelet is backed with yet another piece of grosgrain so that the knots don't rub the wrist. This is something I can do while watching the telly - I find it relaxing and a good way to work out the stress from my day job.

I'm going to cut this short - I really want to get out and enjoy some of this glorious spring day. I have flowers that need planting and a Japanese maple that also needs to be put in. I hope all of you are having a lovely weekend and I do hope to get another post in soon. Ciao for now!

Berkeley and Friendship

Last week my dear friend, Mary, came to visit from Maine. Originally from California, Mary makes the trip out about once a year to visit friends. We have known each other now for about 30 (gasp!) years. We met when we were both single moms and working as counselers at a Family Planning Clinic. Our friendship - though long distance has survived all of these years - and her infrequent visits always prompt a trip to Berkeley for the day. Somehow, our drive there always ends up longer than intended. We talk so much, I always manage to miss the turn-off to Highway 5. We did eventually arrive and our first stop is always Tail of the Yak. I don't wait for Mary to come to visit this wonderful shop - but it is always first on our trek agenda when she comes. Every year Tail of the Yak offers a beautiful calendar to customers. I have collected a number of these over the years and was very happy that they still had some available...These beauties always find a place in my studio. Although I didn't buy much there on this trip, I found some pretty taupe bias tape ribbon to add to the stash, some beautiful paper (how can one resist?) and some green paper flowers.
No trip to Berkeley would be complete without a trip to 4th St. With all of it's offerings - 4th St. can be an all day destination. Anthropologie, The Paper Source, Crate and Barrel, The Gardener, Restoration Hardware and last, but not least, Castle in the Air make for a full day of shopping. My favorite, of course, is Castle in the Air. I didn't need much in the way of supplies this time, but I did purchase some red and white twine... We had a tasty lunch at Bette's Diner. We ended the day at Ikea, as usual and had dinner in their cafeteria before heading home. For those of you that have never done so, Ikea's cafeteria features a wide array of flavorful entrees at unbeatable prices. It's not fancy - but a salmon dinner for about 7 bucks, including the trimmings is hard to find. Somehow, after all of that, I am able to put the car on auto pilot for the trip home. Good thing, because I am usually too tired to re-navigate if I miss the turn off. We had a great time and I look forward to Mary's next trip out.