The one that got away

Last week my sister Sue called me to say a nice man named Todd had contacted her about a cushion he'd seen at the Montsalvat shop that he wanted to buy for his wife's 40th birthday. Unfortunately it had sold!

So, the next day she organised to picked him up from the Eltham station, took him to Montsalvat and went through all my fabrics, arranging them until he was happy with the combination of colours and size.

I made the cushion up the next day and called him to say it was ready. It was 7.30pm and I heard his wife's querulous voice in the background as he told her he had to go and "pick something up". I felt as if I were having a clandestine affair with a cushion lover.

They both loved the cushion and recently sent me an email to say how pleased they were with it.
What a man is all I can say. To have noticed that she loved the cushion in the first place & then to go to all that trouble to get one to her.

There are photos of the finished cushion coming but this is a photo of the one that got away.

Here's his email ...

Dear Jo,
I hope you will forgive this very belated email to say a huge thank you for the fantastic cushion - J. loves it! And it was a huge, wonderful surprise for her!
We both think it is very beautiful and love that it was hand made, unique and there is a history to each of the fabrics, not to mention its creation.
Thank you so much to your self and to Sue for being so lovely and guiding me through the process!

With very best wishes,

Todd

Hot sun and squashed lemons

It's been a long time since posts gang I know, I know. I've been hiding from the heat down at the beach with friends.

I'm sitting house at a gorgeous place now though, owned by a gorgeous woman in Northcote. She has GREAT taste and I love staying here. It's cool and quiet, with an incredibly productive lemon tree and nice neighbours.
While I'm travelling & keeping my options open, I'm loving not having many possessions to cart round but occasionally I come across a house or a place that makes me think settling and buying "STUFF" again might be a good idea. 

 There are beautiful things to ponder in every room, like this tender combination of snake's skin and black & white baby photo, with tiny pieces of dried seaweed.

 A collection of Albert Namatjira's beautiful paintings as prints.

This painting in the bathroom that speaks of safety under water with your clan. 

 This clever use of seed pods from a date palm that lives in the back yard.

 

 Every room smells like lemons and I'm struggling to use them all. If you'd like some, give me a hoy and I'll bring them 'round exocush@hotmail.com (it might take me a while for me to get to East Harling, Norfolk though)

  

 Just one more beautiful combination of things for you to lust after.

I love living in Northcote, it's full of surprising things and great food and coffee. Graffiti everywhere and amazing tattoos on even the tiniest girls.