How to shape & care for a bolga basket

Possibly our most favourite things for going out and about are our bolga baskets. My mama basket travels everywhere with me. Part handbag, knitting basket, picnic basket, shopping basket, it's always on my arm when we leave the house. The owlets like theirs for carrying lunches, toys or art materials, or for collecting eggs or beach treasures. At home, they make pretty useful toy storage - we love that.

Bolga baskets are one of our favourite products in Spiral Garden too. Fair trade, handmade and compostable, they tick so many boxes for us. They're woven by hand from the elephant grass that grows in the flood plains of the White Volta, near Bolgatanga, in Northern Ghana. When they arrive though, they're a bit squashed from their journey. A bit flat and wonky, and this is how our customers receive them too… But one of our other favourite things about these gorgeous, round baskets, is that the new owner gets a chance to participate in moulding them just the way they like. It's quite a gentle, tactile process that we love… Here's how to do it:

Fill the sink (or bath for a big basket) with cold water. Hold your basket underwater for about one minute, leather handle and all.

Remove from water and start moulding it to the shape you like. You might like a rounded bottom, or something flatter. You might like your basket to be squat or elongated. It's totally up to you! A symmetrical basket will keep weight evenly distributed though so aim for that. This is a fun process for kids too.

Once you're happy, sit your basket in the sunshine. If it's a windy day, pop a rock inside so it doesn't blow away! Your basket should be dry and ready to use in about 30 minutes!

If you've had your basket in use for a while, it may start to look a little lived in (not unlike the baskets in the top picture. You can complete the process above to keep your basket in good shape anytime in the future. The leather handle will most likely stay well polished with regular use, but it can be cleaned and kept in good condition with some boot polish or leather conditioner - a good natural version we've heard of is lemon essential oil rubbed on with a soft cloth. Try not to carry super heavy loads in your basket because it can weaken it over time, but look after it and it'll be looking beautiful for years to come!

You can find Mama baskets and Small bolga baskets at Spiral Garden, here.

 ~ Lauren. xx

Beautiful things...

I've been careful to keep this space fairly separate from my other space... It's been a busy few months growing Spiral Garden and it's been tricky to make sure there's enough brain space for owlet too... It has been a little quieter here because of it. But we've been having such a fun time choosing and sharing the things we love with a lovely bunch of customers. People have been so kind and welcoming and it's made it all the more enjoyable.

Right now we are sharing a special gift pack with our lovely Facebook likers and I thought I'd mention it here so that you can have a chance to win too... A favourite book, some wooden gnomes, a co-operative game, beeswax crayons and the first edition of Taproot magazine... Something for everyone there and all cherished things from our little shop. Do pop over and enter, won't you? xx

Flea market frenzy

Last weekend we struck garage sale gold. After a few weeks decluttering, we decided to venture out garage saleing again. The words "Estate Sale" were enough motivation. And then there was the garage sale where the seller was wanting to sell everything to go fishing... We have enough for a few blog posts...




And I have enough fabric to keep me going for a good few years... Time for a declutter again, I think. Time to let go of projects I may never get to... And think up some new ones. What to do with 8m of vintage barkcloth? I couldn't very well leave it screwed up on the floor in the garden shed where I found it, and in perfect condition... but I must make sure it doesn't sit around waiting to be used in this house. It's too lovely for that.

Do you love a garage sale? 
What's the best thing you've found at one? 
What would you do with all that gorgeous fabric? xx

When life gives you cakes...

The universe is on my side at the moment... Or at least it was last Thursday. I was scrolling down my facebook feed when I noticed that random.org had chosen me to win a giveaway prize pack of cakes. Huz had just gone sugar free, and having tasted the delectable delights from Three Bees Cakes before, I knew he'd be challenged. A friend who also bakes beautiful cakes and goodies, but refined sugar free was also having a giveaway... "Wouldn't it be great if we won those too, so we'd all have something yummo to nibble...", I said to Huz. And an hour later, my friend's little boy pulled my name out of a hat :) I probably should have gone and bought a lottery ticket. By Saturday afternoon, we were in possession of all the gorgeous cakes and treats... Some of Mrs Rees cakes didn't quite make it to the tasting session - Oh Em Gee, her carrot cakes are amazing! You can find her Energy Slice and Cacao Balls and Date and Ginger (heaven) Biscuits in most places that sell good, healthy food around Hobart.



As for the Three Bees Cakes, well just look at them! Track them down if you can... So gorgeous and so flavour filled...



Tiny agreed too. Thanks, universe.

an amazing autumn day...

I was treated to a rather spectacular day today. It's my birthday and from the moment I opened my eyes, it seems the world has gone out of its way to make it just lovely... Sunflowers! Sunshine!



 Handsome, barefoot men in silly poses, upon giant pumpkins! And beautiful, familiar but ever-changing gardens to explore...

I just love the golden light and colours at this time of year. The crispness to the air. Favourite clothes pulled out to wear again... The BEST hot chocolates and pumpkin toasties, at our favourite cafe... What's not to love about Autumn? 

Then home to relax, talk to loved ones, open parcels, read lovely messages... eat a fruity birthday tart for afternoon tea, followed by take away for dinner, from the lazy susan shop! 

Did I mention the loot?

I may explode from the awesome overload. Even despite the fact that we were all in various stages of blah and illness, it was pretty amazing... I think the only way the day can get better is if I pop the kettle on and have a cuppa while reading a magazine and mulling over some pretty exciting new adventures that may be on our horizon... Yes, it may have been the best birthday ever. I hope you were out today enjoying it too. xx

Owly things :: part one

"Oh! I've got something for Tiny!" Said my friend, Katy as she pulled this beautiful jumper out of her bag... "It has owls, so I thought of you..." I can't tell you how many times I've looked at that owl cable pattern and sighed, thinking my knitting skills are nowhere up to that yet... So thank goodness for gorgeous people like Katy, who find it "easy" ;) We've been so blessed to have people think of us when they see owls. I'll have a little wander through and show you some of our owly things over the next week or so... Did you know this Friday is my 5yr bloggy birthday? Yep, five years of Owlet. It also marks 5yrs since we were the proud owners of our nest... Doesn't time fly?

Are you blessed with people who knit lovely things for you? Do you have a *thing* that people see and think of you?

basket case

This is part of our garage sale haul over the past two weeks... Suddenly my world is filled with awesome (and useful) vintage baskets.... Can one ever have enough baskets? Huz says yes. Between garage sales and an opshop visit mid-week, we've also managed a ballet costume, a vintage sheet, books, a zen garden...



A vintage cowgirl outfit...



And a festive teaspoon! Who could live without that? Nothing beats a treasure hunt when you're on holiday time...

I'm joining in with Flea Market Finds over at Her Library Adventures.

flea market finds :: last weekend's haul

We've had a couple of good weeks at garage sales and op shops... It's the perfect time of year for it, as Huz pointed out. Long enough away from Christmas, just right for spring cleaning. We've actually found ourselves at the garage sales and oppys completely by chance, just wandering by. We've scored the usual games and books for owlets, but here are a couple of extra bits that have filled our nest with lovely :)







I must say, the dresses are my faves. Little owlet looks so perfectly vintage and so completely at home in the red dress. And the pinny for Tiny is by Catimini. Nothing like finding French designer clothing at the tip shop... Why would you throw that in the bin?

You can find more flea market finds over at Her Library Adventures.

Now, because it's Friday night... and Blogtoberfest, it's time to announce the winner of last week's giveaway.... Tartankiwi! You have won the little love bird long sleeved t-shirt and a little something extra. A surprise... I'll spend some time over at yours this weekend and have a think about what you might like and get in touch. Thanks all for playing along with my weekly giveaways this month. It's been a pleasure getting to know some of you a little better. xx

my place and yours :: on the shelf

I was happy to see that Vic's second-hand meme is back at her place this week. I enjoyed playing along with it when it first began, so it'll be nice to join in again. My shelf is the mantelpiece in the lounge room and, along with the squashed tomato, blob of blu-tack, lego, CDs and hair clip, you'll see this little collection of red and orange... vase and bowl were my Nana's, the small red vase and other glass ornaments were gifts from friends and the coaster set was a garage sale find. Behind them you'll see a Cat Rabbit print - which I've still not found a permanent home for.



In the centre of the mantelpiece is a row of frames. Photos of Big and Little Owlet, with their first shoes. I gave this to Huz for Christmas a few years ago and he came over all misty eyed...



Next to the frames, is a group of wooden dolls Huz gave me for Christmas, also a couple of years ago (I wonder what was there before?)... I rather like them. The owlets do too and they get re-arranged from time to time as they play.

What's happening at your place this weekend? xx

flea market finds :: chairs

We went wandering today... To some of our favourite places, in search of some bits and pieces for the kitchen. Alas, the second-hand-shop gods were not looking out for us where the kitchen was concerned, but we did see this chair. That curve. Eames. LCW. Yes. Well, it's reproduction, of course, but the design is brilliant and the quality amazing and it was an absolute bargain. Tight budget* or no, we had to have it for our mid-century home which, although eclectic, is now housing a few mid-century bits and pieces.



Like the pair of Douglas Snelling chairs we picked up off a nature strip before hard waste collection a while ago. Actually, when Huz brought them home, we didn't know who designed them, but we did so love their shape. That curve. Then I saw a post here... and there it was. Looking a little more taken care of than our pair which are just ok for sitting. Just. A little project for the future... Along with finding more corners to put all these lovely chairs in.

More finds here

* Actually, we can probably count it as home educating expenses because we're all learning about design and history and have a comfy spot on which to perch to learn about such things, no?

fossil cove

Last weekend we went on one of our adventures.



A fungi and fossil hunt and a wander through the bush.



Down to a little cove full of rocks and cliffs and swirling water.



Fossils and textures and colours everywhere. Inspiration for this textile lover and the owlets too.







We still pinch ourselves at our luck. Living in such a place. Where so many different experiences are just a short walk or drive from home. So much to explore and see and so much to share with our owlets.



We talk about the impacts of a city so close to all this beauty and see evidence of our existence in the weeds, the occasional rubbish and destruction, but mostly we love it and enjoy it and know that the owlets love and respect it too. Which is why we try to go adventuring each week if we can.



Will you go on an adventure this World Environment Day? Or just spend some time in nature? Maybe pull up a weed or pick up some rubbish while you're there and demonstrate making a difference for your owlets. But most of all, enjoy it.. xx

almost famous

Huz and I had a few spare moments last week while the bigger owlets were at Mary Poppins with Mum and tiny owlet slept in the sling. It was raining so we wandered into a newsagent. I remembered to look at Country Style magazine because Michelle's beautiful kitchen (and beagle) was featured this month. I was flicking through, Huz peering over my shoulder, when we saw... Elsa wearing that skirt that I made. The one I sold to Michelle on the day that she made Huz cry... I've seen things I've designed in magazines before, but this was just a little more special because my hands made it. And it's so lovely to see it worn. I think I might make another one a little bit like it....

In other owlet news, I've decided to put my market career on hold for now... perhaps for a long while. Yesterday I withdrew from the Autumn Market I had planned to have a stall at. I won't be at the Christmas one either, and that feels ok. I do so love meeting people and chatting to them. Getting personal feedback on the things I've made. But there's so much preparation involved... so many nights spent at the machine or weekends spent cutting and labeling and having everything just so. And really I should be spending time making stuff for them. My owlets. And sometimes me.

So I'll be popping bits and pieces in my shop from time to time and you can always drop me a line and ask if I'll whip up something for you if you see something you like. But it may take a little while and it may not be often... because I'm knee deep in owlet cuddles and giggles and making the most of every minute, while I can.

lingering...

I'm still here... just taking some time. No sign of our little one yet... well sort of. We had a practice run the other night with what started out as labour and ended with a kidney stone... So this week has been about recovering from that. And waiting...



While we wait, we've been looking at these beautiful little person things made and hand delivered by my lovely mum. Such beautiful fabrics. I love handmade...



And these beautiful things my sister sent. A luscious heat pack she made with gorgeous fabrics and beautiful smelly stuff, a tiny bear called frosty and made by Jess, and a perfect little onesie that made Huz so clucky he put it on his shoulder and patted its bottom :) *sigh* Not long now. But while we wait to baby gaze, its lovely to gaze at these little thoughtful bits and pieces and linger a while...