Mid-Week Mood

All images are sourced from Straight into Style, Borrowed Heaven and Better Tomorrows

WEAVING

You may have noticed intricate, often colourful woollen wall hangings decorating the interiors of design blogs and home magazines. The textile art of weaving has made resurgence and it is being used to create beautiful pieces of wall art.

I recently attended a course to hone my weaving skills so I too can start creating my own magical, woven masterpieces. For 8 hours I did not leave my chair (that was a little white lie, I did for toilet purposes). I sat all day building my own loom, threading my loom and playing with bright, textured pieces of hand dyed wool. I was engrossed. I think my partner even tried calling me several times and texting me several more, with his final text saying ‘I’m worried, can you just let me know that you are ok?’ Silly man, does he not realise that weaving has now replaced him? As I was sitting there all I wanted to do was finish my current wall hanging, buy some wool and start creating a new one.

I used my hands to thread the wool through the loom, creating knots, carpet textures and braids. I loved that I wasn’t surrounded by technology, that I was getting back in touch with myself, my artistic mind and the use of my hands for creation. It was beautiful to be so captivated by something so natural and calming. I have difficulty meditating for half an hour but sitting and weaving for hours on end put me in a very meditative state.

It was interesting to see the colours, patterns and texture’s each person used to create their wall hanging. More often than not, the colours chosen by each individual to weave with were very similar to the colours they were wearing. It comes back to that theory that we dress and wear colours depending on how we feel that day. I think the same theory can be translated across into art.

I will stop rambling on about my obsession with weaving for now, but keep an eye out for future posts as I will be sharing my creations with you very soon. Here is a sneak peak below. 

XOXO

Hopeless Wanderer

I spent the night with a wanderer. We spoke of adventures we wished to take, moments we had never had and people we had met along the way. His hair was long, flowing down to his shoulders and his body was a reflection of his life and art. We drank beer and wandered the streets never stopping to take a breath. We strolled with purpose but aimlessly all at the same time. He was an artist a skater, a wanderer and I was just a girl with fantasies floating through her head. We drank wine and giggled till the wee hours of the morning.

I slept next to him and he pulled me close. We knew nothing of each other but yet were so comfortable. I felt at peace lying there with the wanderer. I traced the lines of his artistry etched into his skin. Each line a moment in time or a story yet to be explained. ‘Too fast for the devil’ carved with drunken abandonment on his thigh. The peace sign on his ankle a reminder of youthful thoughts and regrets. I lay there with this man - this stranger - this wanderer with youthful freedom and joy. We were just a couple of kids drinking wine and falling asleep next to one another in a moment in time that will never relive itself.

He showered and I made the bed. As I went to leave he bent and kissed my forehead. Our moment was over, an exchange of friendship between two strangers. I strolled away from the wanderer with blissful freedom, happy of our time together and wondering where he will wander to next...

Be free. Live a little. Wander 

Kaleidoscope Eyes

We see what we want to see. It may sound harsh but sometimes we look for the imperfections or the mistakes, the filth on the street and the negative in ones personality. We see it because we are looking for it. To some this may look like vandalism; hideous markings of spray paint covering a building. To me this is art. This is expression. This is a culture. 

Generally I am trying to escape the city; rebalance and find myself within nature. This last weekend i didn't venture to the nearest woodlands instead I wandered the streets of the city. I escaped to the footpath, to the rhythm of my own footsteps pounding on the pavement. I was searching for a distraction, something new to fill my mind and thoughts with.What I found was beautiful women peering at me from the side of a building, a single eye opening itself to the world, my childhood memories splattered across bricks.What I found was walls of self expression from all walks of life. 

We choose what we want to see. I choose to see beauty and art in all things through these kaleidoscope eyes. 

Henna

From the first moment I saw the film The Little Princess I have often fantasised of India. The opening scene of Sara frolicking in an Indian river surrounded by luscious greenery and enchanting light. Her Indian inspired bedroom with a large white canopy draped across her four cornered bed, the quilt tapestry mixed with rustic and vibrant burnt orange and turquoise colours, her walls are patterned, antique metal; a fantasy world of beauty and culture. I have often tried to live in this fantasy world for most of my life – my bedroom is a sea of mandala inspired quilts, vintage elephants, candles and incense holders.

Recently a roommate of mine returned from India and she was covered in majestic Henna art. Why I have never experimented with Henna before I do not know, but for all you ladies out there that are after some beautiful, magical and inspiring body art (that is not permanent) than henna is for you.

It is a very simple process. For those who haven’t done it before and are a bit nervous draw a rough outline of the pattern/image you want so you have a tracing line. You can use either white or brown eyeliner.  After that it is super easy, follow the eyeliner trail with the tube of henna. Once the pattern is complete let the henna dry for at least half an hour. I left mine on overnight, as I wanted to make sure it would definitely stain my skin. The next morning I got a butter knife and scrapped the hardened paste off. Voila all done.