http://fa.mielie.com/index.php Copyright 2009, Adri Schütz Adri Schütz en-US SPHPBLOG 0.4.8 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry090105-144658

The stars of this year's new year's party were definitely our collective hoard of crazy kids... and maybe also the bunting we strung up outside. It was an early iteration of our button-together letter bunting and it looked soo happy flapping away in the wind.

I baked my first ever pavlova and it was a huge hit - I carried it to the table with sparklers a-blazing. To cut the sweetness, I mixed vanilla ice-cream with plain yoghurt. My verdict: delicious!]]> http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry090105-144658 Adri Schütz Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:46:58 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=09&m=01&entry=entry090105-144658 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry090104-152641

Have you noticed - patchwork is suddenly everywhere, and the more the merrier, I say! I recently started to combine all the offcuts of our congo skirts that I was too sentimental to throw away. The cotton waxprint congo fabric is bold and the contrasting taffeta lining is bright and luxurious. Patched together they make magic.

I've used the congo patchwork to make a sample christmas stocking (can you believe that large retailers were already thinking of Christmas 2009 in November 2008??!) I also used it to make the skewest roman blind since Julius Caesar decided to have one put in his tent. I think it will also work really well for little pencil cases and make-up clutches. Rumour has it that there is a skirt with some patch detail in the pipeline... watch this space!

I have also had fun with a bootload of fabric- and wallpaper sample books, kindly given by the folks at St Leger & Viney. I used the former to make a large block patch quilt and cut up the latter to make a patchwork surround for my fireplace. It looks slightly old worldy, and compliments the old seascape painting of Cape Town and my wrought iron overmantel perfectly, don't you think?]]> Recycling, Patchwork, Craft Projects http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry090104-152641 Adri Schütz Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:26:41 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=09&m=01&entry=entry090104-152641 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry090103-171524

Hi all, I'm back - refreshed, full of ideas and with a bit of colour on my face. This year's New Year's Eve party was without a doubt my best one ever - I'll post a collage tomorrow. Here's hoping that your 2009 will be filled with happiness and hand-crafted objects of beauty.

Speaking of which, I found this how-to on Etsy, and I have to say, for someone who was once called an "olympic recyclist", it really rang a couple of my bells.

Firstly, the end product is really cute, non? Secondly, it addresses that sense of failure and ennui lurking in the bottom of the washing basket - those single gloves languishing in limbo while waiting for that big washing machine in the sky to return their partner. Time to head out on your own guys, and could there ever be a better time for some cosmetic surgery?

That's right, these cute little chipmunks started out their lives as kiddies gloves. Unfortunately they were different sizes, so they couldn't be paired once they'd lost their mates. I think they'd make make really sweet cuddly toys, bag charms - even Christmas tree decorations. Well done to Niki who added personality to them with some wool fleece and a felting needle once I'd stitched them together.

Now, does anyone have any great ideas for all those single socks...?

Thank you to Ideas magazine for publishing this article about starting your own business, in which they interviewed me about Mielie.

]]> Recycling, Craft Projects http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry090103-171524 Adri Schütz Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:15:24 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=09&m=01&entry=entry090103-171524 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081219-210743

We're taking a little Mielie break until 5 Jan, so no Mielie news for the next two weeks. When the mood strikes me, I'll post some holiday entries, ok?

xx adri]]> http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081219-210743 Adri Schütz Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:07:43 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081219-210743 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081218-075247

Just popped these leather fringe bags into the shop. They are completely different to our regular Mielie bags, and anyone who owns one will agree with me that there is no better way to shimmy and sashay than with a leather fringe bag at your hip.

Each strip is cut by hand from leather offcuts and then knotted onto a hessian base. And my best part: the adjustable strap is made from school shoe leather. Remember those old Buccaneers, girls?]]> http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081218-075247 Adri Schütz Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:52:47 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081218-075247 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081217-081018

Meet Right, Montebello's resident sculptor, philosopher and general nice guy. Where you or I see a piece of wood, Right has the gift to see an angel, a mother with child, a gorilla, a cat - even a cricketer (can you see the bowling figure, top right - complete with shin guards and sports shoes?). If ever you visit us at Montebello, please pencil in some time for a chat with Right. He has fascinating insights and very refreshing ways of putting them across.]]> http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081217-081018 Adri Schütz Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:10:18 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081217-081018 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081213-202550


Yesterday we held a memorial service for Nonqubela. Everyone met at Zanele's house, dressed in their finest, and then we walked to Nonqubela's house. Mzo conducted a beautiful service (even though I only understood every tenth word) and the singing was truly uplifting.]]> http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081213-202550 Adri Schütz Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:25:50 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081213-202550 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081211-230206

I was was really lucky to visit some rural villages in Cambodia where ikat silk is woven. The weavers work on looms that are often generations old, and the patterns vary from village to village.

The silk thread that will be used on the weft (horizontal) threads are exactly measured out and then tie-dyed in elaborate patterns. The thread is then wound onto bobbins, and it is only when the silk is woven that the pattern appears.

The work is painstaking, the level of craftsmanship is astounding.]]> http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081211-230206 Adri Schütz Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:02:06 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081211-230206 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081210-231542

When our beloved Table Mountain sports a beautiful, fluffy cloud that we call its table cloth, you can bet that the wind is blowing, a fact that most Capetonians have found ways of consoling themselves over... as in "well imagine how much pollution there would be if the wind didn't blow?" or "do you know how hot it would be if it weren't for the South-Easter?"

But there's one species of Capie whose grin just gets wider when the wind blows: the kite surfers of Table View (no prizes for guessing how this neck of the woods got its name!) Today Mzo, Niki and I spotted them doing their own brand of flying while on our way to fetch Mielie strips. It was simply breathtaking.

On a completely different note, I'm sure any working mom will agree with me that juggling work and school holidays can get pretty stressful. So imagine my delight when I returned home from work yesterday to find a home full of contented boys... and a present for me - a mini chocmilk deluxe with a hint of pure vanilla, cinnamon and rock sugar. And oh my, what beautiful presentation! Thanks Niki and Alex!



]]> http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081210-231542 Adri Schütz Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:15:42 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081210-231542 http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081209-134043

The beautiful fruit decorations were knitted by the talented Astrid using bamboo wool; the embroidered hearts were made by that embroidery genius, Morgan. If you live in Cape Town, you can pop into the shop to see them in the, erm, flesh.

On a much sadder note, we were devastated to learn that Nonqubela passed away this weekend. Nonqubela was the the chicken feet chef I wrote about here - remember? She was gentle, gracious and hard-working and will be sorely missed by the whole Mielie team. All our thoughts and prayers are with her family.]]> http://fa.mielie.com/index.php?entry=entry081209-134043 Adri Schütz Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:40:43 GMT http://fa.mielie.com/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081209-134043