vintage Vespa dreaming...

Image from here

 

I have been absent for a little while for two reasons.  Firstly, I took a short break combined with a furniture delivery run to Melbourne.  And secondly, I have been experiencing boring technical difficulties with uploading images to my blog.  After days of repeated attempts, a trusty google search helped me in manoeuvring around the problem.  And speaking of which, wouldn't it be fun to manoeuvre around the streets of Rome in one of these little guys? 

 

I am referring to the Vespa which is an Italian brand of scooter manufactured by Piaggio. The name Vespa means wasp in Italian. And this may seem a little off track for me, perhaps, but I found a vintage model while I was out and about in Melbourne...

 



 

Isn't it a little beauty?  Now, I must confess something at this stage.  I am scared of bikes.  All bikes, that is.  Riding one, not an unexplainable phobia of being near them but literally being on one.  And  this is probably limited to just on streets and roads, I would be fine meandering along a country lane without the chance or a looming truck behind me.  Or on a farm would be fine too, as I grew up riding motorbikes as a child in large open spaces. 

I am quite admiring of bike riders who are helping the environment by choosing to ride bicycles, without feeling the need to be among them.  But finding this particular model made me both want a scooter and also start daydreaming about zipping around Hobart wearing a little black leather jacket and matching helmet like the uber chic model in first image! 

 

 

Maybe it is the innocent baby shower blue colour? Or the comfortable seat? I am not sure but I fell in love.

 

 

I am guessing the ornament (there is probably a more accurate "bikey" term than ornament, but we will go with this) is an aeroplane?  Strange it isn't a wasp, I think.  And look at the shine on the body.  From the tag I read this is a 1962 model and has been fully restored.  And for $4950 it maybe isn't a bargain but it sure is a vintage dream.   

I kindly left it for the next person...

Until next time,

 

French toile linen cushions and Flywheel blog launch

It has been far too long since I have updated recent news for The Drill Hall Emporium.  I have been oh so focused on Flywheel, our new store that opened just before Christmas.  But, folks, I am back for a  year of exciting times and beautiful products that we love to have in our store.  My mum has been busy curating a lovely collection of beautiful toile linens to form her latest collection of cushions for the soft furnishings room.  These cushions are not yet on our website, so as usual you are all getting the first look.  Mind you, this is just a sample, I did not get a chance to photograph all of them...

I love these Watteau linen cushions, the colours are soft and pretty and the scene is for the romance in all of us.  I am pretty sure this is a one off fabric for the store, and as such there are only two cushions available.  Can you see the lovely texture of the linen?

These are definitely a favourite of mine, I found the fabric a few years ago on my travels in France.  I am pretty sure it dates to the 19th century.  I have a bit of a weak spot for French toile, especially the raspberry colours like this example.  Mum has finished the edges with a complimenting fringe detail.

The blue toile is very popular, this linen is not as old but I also found it in France a few years ago and couldn't resist.

 Lastly, these cushions are made from an oriental inspired design and depicts peacocks in raspberry red colours on a green ground linen.  Magical, no?

My time is now divided between the two stores and I have a vague yet constant sense of wanting to be in two places at once.  I often joke about cloning myself but now I am earnestly starting to wonder how close scientists are to this feat?  If I could be greedy and have multiple clones (not just the one) one of them would be at home catching up on the pile of magazines!  And having a cuppa.

The big news for the week is that our Flywheel blog has now officially started!  So please take a look and follow for all Flywheel related news and events.

Until next time

Happy new year!

Image via here

It really feels like a fresh start, the first day of the new year.  Not much has changed, just the date but I still have a bubbly feeling of an exciting time ahead.  I hope I am not the only one!

Thank you for sharing your valued thoughts and comments with me throughout 2012, it makes my day every time.  I am not going anywhere, I am happy with everything going on around me and sometimes feel like the luckiest girl in the world... 

Until next time,

my family Christmas spirit with bonsai and baking

 

My family has spent the last few days getting into the Christmas spirit.  Not only did we decorate a life sized tree last night, we also decorated one of mum's (aka bonsai queen's) bonsai trees! 

 



Look at the handmade little stockings hanging from the pot, are they not the sweetest? 

 

I am not sure if Santa can fit many goodies into this little stocking!

 

Under the tree are these miniature deer, grazing in the moss!

Santa's lost reindeer, perhaps?

 

We also did a little Christmas cooking for friends including these little miniature plum puddings.  These are inspired by a recipe of Nigella Lawson.  The custard is actually white chocolate and the berries and leaves are snake lollies cut up. 

 Ttraditional bite sized shortbread in the shape of stars cooling on a rack.

 

 

We don't normally make fruit mince tarts but thought they would be a nice addition to our cooking day this year.  We also made orange and macadamia nut biscotti, rum chocolate truffles and coconut ice.  We spent the whole day baking!  But what better way to talk and bond as a family?

 



We packaged our sweets into little clear bags and noodle boxes...

 

using stitched ribbon from our new store Flywheel, of course!  It is very useful having a stationery store to raid at Christmas, I must admit!

And our own letterpress gift tags, I love the message of this tag.  This is exactly what Christmas is all about (plus "eat, drink and be merry", also a good message).

Rachel hand stamped decorations onto the recycled boxes, which had been covered in brown paper.  Now the boxes are to be delivered just in time for Christmas! 

Until next time,

Flywheel opens its doors! (and I don't want to close them...)

 

"Keep calm and carry on" was a motto I kept repeating inside my frantic head last Saturday as we finalised preparations to open our new store, Flywheel last Saturday.  But since that day I can't help but be so very happy with the response so far.  Not only have we have been busy in the store, we have had so many well wishes of support that it is truly overwhelming.

 

  

 

We have been open for only 3 days and each of those days I have loved so much, it really hasn't felt like work at all.  I didn't even want to close the doors at the end of day!  But after 6 weeks of renovations and set up, the home has been a little neglected and in need of some attention.

 

 

 

Until the official Flywheel blog is underway here are some pictures of our store and some of our products.  Above are Japanese paper tapes which have already been very popular (I couldn't resist a couple myself!).  

 



The letterpress studio has been in full swing, I have heard the sounds of the Adana at work throughout each day.  And until the Flywheel blog is officially underway, I will share a few images of our products such as these gorgeous little Christmas gift tags.  I particularly love that little children have been coming in and choosing a few of these tags for their gifts, very sweet.

These Christmas cards are cute, too.  We are so full of ideas and can't wait until the lead up until next Christmas to fulfill them!  We were restricted to just 10 days before Christmas this year...

A vintage globe and index drawers in the front window display.

19th century letterpress trays.

Flywheel will be open 5 days a week, closing Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We will be open both  Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend 22nd and 23rd December, closing Monday and reopening the Friday 28th December. 

Until next time,



introducing Flywheel, our new store opening this Sunday!

I can finally with absolute confidence reveal that we will be opening our new store, Flywheel this coming Sunday the 16th December.  I am sorry it has taken so long to give a date, there seemed to be so many unknowns with setting up a new store.  But in the last week our signage went up, the paintbrushes washed out and we are at last moving in!  I think the shop front has come up really well.  And you may not be able to read the description under our name, Flywheel, but it reads "vintage office, stationery and letterpress studio".   And I think that pretty much sums up our new store...

Just today Rachel has been printing our business cards, here is the lead type in the Adana letterpress chase.  

The lead type in the Adana impressing each card, one by one by a hand lever.

We also have two larger platen presses in the letterpress studio that arrived last week from mainland Australia and weigh nearly a tonne each! These will be our workhorses for the letterpress studio. Above is a Chandler and Price press that was made in 1923 in Ohio, Cleveland.

 

Cards laid out flat to dry on a blue workbench in the studio.  It makes it all seem so real, we have been living in a bit of a dream of late.

We are all very passionate about our store.  It will be filled with antique desks and filing cabinets, articulated desk lamps, French boxed stationery, chunky brass scissors, Viennese paper twine, our letterpress gift tags and cards and so much more.  And we plan to eventually cater for people seeking their own unique business cards, personalised and wedding stationery.

I will be handing over the Flywheel updates to my sisters who will start a blog dedicated to their journey in letterpress and with the store.  But I will try to sneak a few of my own tit-bits about Flywheel on this blog!  I am sure the Drill Hall Emporium won't mind...

Until next time,

favourite pinterest pins from bonsaiqueen

orginally pinned by

 

Since my post a few weeks ago about Pinterest, I think everyone working at The Drill Hall Emporium now has their own Pinterest board!  My addiction problem become a shared problem, really.  My mother in particular is hooked, I thought I would share some of the images that she has repinned from other Pinterest members.  You can find all of her favourite images here.  You may even like to follow her boards.  After less than a week of dedicated pinning she has only just realised that her boards are visible to everyone, she thought she was creating boards of images she likes just for herself.  How cute! 

 



originally pinned by

 

Mum has a board titled "too cute" pinned with images such as this.  Why is it that animals can teach us so much about the important things in life?  Such as loving each other despite our differences?  



 originally pinned by

Another board contains images of miniature gardens.  Check out this little stone dwelling with a turret.  Isn't it the sweetest?

image from here

 

If you are thinking of starting your own Pinterest board or if you already have one, I would love the link in my comments and I will check it out! 

Our new shop renovations are going along well, I hope to be able to give you an opening date by next week...

 

Until next time,