tie on

My Nana had a purple and white gingham apron, a bib type apron, with ruffles around the edges. I remember being able to wear it when I was helping her bake, it made me feel so dressed up as a wee girl. Nana often sewed aprons too, I remember seeing lots of them being gifted to family members over the years, often made with left over fabric from the dresses and other sewing she was doing. I'm pretty sure my fascination with these domestic items stems from my amazing Nana.

These aprons aren't my Nana's creations, they are thrifted ones, gathered up over many years of thrifting, ahem. Some have been gently worn, others look like they have never had a chance to protect any clothes, gifted perhaps and never worn? 

I love the different fabrics and I'm always a wee bit amazed at all the different styles that I find. The ones with tea towels attached are among my favourites, along with any with a scallop hem!

Do I wear them when I bake? Well these ones no, but I have a couple of thrifted ones that get a good work out.

Whenever I tie one on I wonder if there is a matching dress out there somewhere.

kokeshi love

I love Japanese things, always have. So it's not surprising that I love Kokeshi Dolls. I started collecting them quite innocently many years ago, before they got all popular and started appearing all over stationery and things here in the western world. So I had a bit of a head start. The ones pictured are some, ahem, of my collection, I prefer the older ones, often with their varnish a bit yellowed. I've picked them up from opshops and a few on Trademe, mostly when someone has labelled them incorrectly and the other collectors haven't spotted them. I know this because I've got them for next to nothing compared to the "collector" prices I've seen some auctions go to.

The one in the top picture I picked up last week for $2 at my local Salvation Army store, the one in the bottom picture is my current favourite - but I really try hard not to play favourites! (in case their feelings get hurt) I've got some shelving in the process of being upcycled to house them all, it would be great to have them all out on display.

Joining in with Max again with the Op shop show off!