lost mojo...and my site is safe

To be honest, I’m not 100% sure what mojo is exactly…but whatever it is, it’s deserted me. I need to take a bit of a break to recharge, and part of that will be stepping away from the computer in my non-work time. I know you’ll understand if I don’t visit for a while. I have another trip to Newcastle next week…this time for mum’s eye surgery. Sigh.

In the meantime, do you like my new necklace? Red Phoenix Emporium…pretty in instagram J

I know my site is coming up with a malware warning. I have checked it out and it's not me! We're all protected here so please continue to visit while I try to get it sorted.

Take care and I'll see you in a week or two... 

image; tranquiltownhouse on instagram

look...the townhouse is on canada's style at home!

Just a quick one to tell you that I was more than a little excited this morning when I got an email on the way to work to say that my submission to a blogger’s budget decorating tips article had made it on to the style at home website. 

It's a little piece about framing your jewellery J

I've always been very fond of Canadians...I see them as the northern hemisphere Aussie equivalent. I'm clearly going to have to visit now!  

Here's  the link to all the other clever bloggers who contributed. Pop on over and have a look if you get a moment.

And thanks to the 23 year old for doing the photoshopping J

a christmas wish list tag...

Jennie aka Posie Patchwork tagged me to tell you what's on my ultimate Christmas wish list.  Since the 100 day don't buy anything you don't really need challenge, I rarely think about buying stuff (I know, who would have guessed the impact of that little experiment would last this long!)...but, if anyone was wondering what to put in my christmas stocking this year and was flush with funds, this would be it...

a rug from loom...one day!

or a painting...

pink rabbit by adrienne gaha - we saw this at the tim olsen gallery last month

a book (well of course!)...either of these would be fine and dandy...

 

some simple jewellery from elk...

and perhaps some bling from tiffany...why the heck not...it's a wish list right!

oh yeah...one last thing...more space in the kitchen :)
or failing that...a cushion!

from here...

I haven't tagged anyone...honestly, and sorry, but I'm just too busy and tired to think at the moment, so if you'd like to play along, please consider this an open invitation and try not to call me a slacker!!

a bit of jewellery organisation...

I don't know about you but I seem to wear the same jewellery over and over.  There are some pieces that never come off (except when going through the airport screening of course)...two silver bracelets I bought with money from my parents to celebrate my 5oth are always with me.

I have a bit of jewellery...not much of it is precious in terms of dollar value, but I do like a good necklace or pair of earrings...or three.  But I wasn't wearing much of it because it was shoved away in various drawers, boxes and what have you's.  Except for the necklaces...they've lived here for a while...I think you've seen them draped over my bedroom mirror before.

But my earrings and rings were another story. Not any more!

I had been collecting 'silver' mugs from op shops (ignore their unpolished state) and one day, not so long ago I had an idea. Mugs as earring holders...and a bowl for bracelets, rings and brooches...why not? So I did...and now they're being worn...I really must polish that silver one day though!

young designer::erin lightfoot...

Our family has a huge soft spot for Erin Lightfoot. She was the first friend Jess made when she went off to a new high school not knowing a single soul. I'm still not sure I've been forgiven for that! They sat together in the cavernous assembly hall and they've been friends ever since. Even survived weekly after school flute lessons together. And a whole pile of other things I'm sure it's best I don't know about!

Now there is another reason to love Erin...not that we need one. Look at the amazing fabric, clothing and jewellery she is designing. 

Erin was recently featured on the Finders Keepers blog. You can read her interview here.

Now Erin, when I come off my self imposed 100 day don't buy anything I don't really need challenge, there's this chair I have that needs some new fabric...

and those beautiful bangles would make some nice gifts too don't you think :)

That's Erin on the right, my girl in the middle and their friend Matt. I may get shot for posting that. But I'm overseas so they'll have a hard time finding me:)
You can see more of Erin's wonderful work on her website...

images of erin's work from her website; family snap by me 

razmataz photo challenge - what's your dresser look like?

Every Friday Chania from Razmataz has a photo challenge. This week's was to photograph your dresser...

which was slightly problematic for me...

as I don't have one. Did you see the frou-frou juju in the mirror...never mind...another look coming up. It still makes me laugh every time I look at it :)

So I thought I'd photograph the closest thing I have, which is a bookcase I rescued from the bottom part of my bedroom when I started doing up the boring beigedom that I inherited from the previous owners. I painted it of course. I painted the mirror too.

Chania wanted us to keep it real...but quite frankly you weren't going to get it in its untidied state...the fake silk flowers might disturb you enough! And I didn't straighten that world history book either. Or take out the unpainted ikea box. Never mind. 
...and as it's now Saturday, clearly you weren't going to get it on time either...the post I mean.

I use the mirror and the top of the bookcase to deposit the jewellery I've taken off...so quite a bit of it lives here permanently. It's handy and just a little bit decorative. On a good day. 

There are always books...and of course you know by now that there's no room in my house that doesn't have a buddha! 
Pop on over to Chania's to have a sticky at other people's dressers. Or better still, take some photos of yours and link up :)

some stuff I bought in new york...

Hands up if you want to see what I bought?

miniature rubber glove moulds from fishs eddy...they sit on the kitchen window sill...but the windows need cleaning...say no more

To be honest I didn't buy all that much...relatively speaking...these prints are from MoMA and need to be framed (obviously)...perhaps not my normal style but I seriously love them...

There's so little I really need...but a shiny red lacquer tray from Pearl Trading seemed to be one of those things...

I wanted to be sensible...of course a gaudy-smoke breathing-incense burning chinese dragon is sensible isn't it :)

as is this 1940s lucite handbag...from the Antiques Garage flea market...the most expensive thing I bought

engraved brass says Original Rialto NY

...it was my 'this represents NY to me' purchase...and I will definitely use it. It makes you wonder about the life it's had doesn't it?
...and then there's the kitsch of course...no t-shirts, but a snow globe? Couldn't not...

...perfect next to my John Denver autograph!
And a little something from Tiffany & Co...completely affordable votive, even if it was much heavier to lug home than a diamond ring...which was not completely affordable :)

Some things for the offspring...don't you love this 1930s brooch (that can also be a necklace) that I bought for the first born...hope you love it Jess...if not it can stay with me :)

and some printers blocks and the 'coolest USB ever' for the 22 year old...flea market and the MoMA design shop....great shopping combination

a bit of jewellery...nothing at all expensive...but very much me (which is not to say I'm cheap of course!)...bought at various gallery shops

...and who doesn't need new measuring cups...these from Anthropologie...

...and I always, but always try to find a buddha on my travels...bingo! And I'm happy with the spot it's found itself in...for the moment :)

So there you go...I think I'm going to get this photo that I took blown up and framed as well...could look quite cool and edgy...like me, now that I've been to New York...*guffaw*

And now, you wonderfully patient people...we say goodbye to the big apple...
The townhouse will resume normal blogging transmission, starting with tomorrow's top ten pics of the week...none of mine because there have been quite enough of those already :)
Oh, one last thing...those boots...?

...they walked!

my creative space...using glass tiles

Hi everyone. I had a lovely day yesterday...experimenting...with these fabulously graphic kiln fired glass tiles. They were made by my gorgeous bloke. He let me rummage in a box of glass goodies he has tucked away and I found these...

and with the addition of these...

...and some adhesive...ta da! Groovy brooches.

That look good on white...and black (even better if I'd got rid of the fluff on that shirt!)

I'm still trying to get findings to make some into necklaces, but until then these will do...

And I'm going to order some glass and have a go myself with Richard's kiln...I'm sure he'll let me if I'm nice enough ;) 
In the meantime, there's a bit of dishcloth knitting going on...it looks much more expensive looking when you photograph it in shadow don't you think :)

And I also made another coffee sack tote...to a slightly different pattern this time that shows off more of the detail...

...so I really can't complain about my day.
You probably know the drill by now...off you go over to Kootoyoo.