All posts filed under: 20th Century

Noir Goddess

Oh my, what a week it’s been! Teaching and sewing, a few marathon blog posts… Time for something fun and light. There was a professional photographer at last years Windy Lindy Noir ball, and I posed for photos in my Hula Goddess dress. I’ve just got the photos, and I can’t wait to show you how gorgeous my three favourites are: There was a chaise lounge! And best of all, this one, which looks so sweet and innocent, until you notice the grotesque hand shadow: how very noir! All the images are by Clive of Artful Dodge photography (pop over to his website and have a drool – I’m particularly in love with his pet photograph: he does pigs!)

The ‘Smooth Sewing’ trousers and twilight glory

Published by The Dreamstress

Monday night I taught a class that finished at 8.30. As I drove home in the summer twilight, there was not a breath of wind. The harbour was deep teal, glassy and still, and mirrored back the changing sky, shot with lavender and pink, glowing gold at the Western horizon, and tinting to indigo over the Eastern hills. When I arrived home Mr D met me at the door. “Isn’t it amazing!” It was, indeed, amazing. “It’s a pity it’s so late, or we could go for a walk.” “Why not?” I said. So we hopped in the car and drove round the bays to Hataitai Beach, where we walked around the waterfront, marvelling at the sea and the sky. Every view yielded a new delight; every moment a subtle change in the glory. We walked to the end of the little pier, surrounded by sea and sky, the lights and boats shimmering against the water. I captured image after image of the view, and then asked Mr D to try to get one of …

The Jack’s Mill School house at Kotuku

Published by The Dreamstress

Last week my sister the Chef and I were down in the South Island of New Zealand, having a road trip. We were whizzing* along on the road from Arthur’s Pass to Greymouthâ€ when we whizzed past this sign: I slammed on the breaks** and pulled over to the side of the road. The Chef and I looked at each other. “Did you just see that?” “Yep.” “Did that sign just say ‘Historic Miniature Bungalow”? “Yep.” “Are we going to turn around and have a look?” “OF COURSE!” So we did. And it was historic (1930s), and it was miniature (3/4 scale), and it was a bungalow (self explanatory): This teensy-weensy bungalow was built in 1938-40 by 10-12 year old students at the Jack’s Mill School at Kotuku, led by their headmaster who believed in hands-on learning and wanted to give the students practical skills, and something to care about amidst the deprivations of the Great Depression. The students completed every aspect of the construction: it was even design by 12 year old student Rosemary …