I like the idea of getting a look at a corner of someone's house. A snapshot of a moment in someone's life and homee, no matter if it is messy or tidy. In fact, messy is more interesting. It would be nice to know the story behind those objects or why they are there, where they come from or what they mean, if anything.
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Let's start from the left:
1. The strange yellow, crushed velvet material is in fact a metre-long bag which houses the larger of my bamboo flutes from Indonesia. It has 3 Suling Gambuh which are the names of some metre long flutes I bought in Indonesia as I had to learn them at my University there. The first one was too big for me so someone made a smaller one.
2. Black case underneath: This is my violin. It actually was a violin which my Grandad bought for himself to relearn the violin in his later years. Not sure how much he used it but I was very glad to keep it when we sorted through his possessions.
3. Cath Kidston Hydrangeas bag: just seen. I ended up buying this in the sale as my former Cath-style handbag (charity-shopped Kangol) split on my cruise.
4. Cath Kidston 'Stop Thief' book bag. This is my current school bag. I bought this in the Sue Ryder Charity shop new. The kids seem to like it.
5. Gold and red Musical instrument: Now let's get this clear right now. IT IS NOT A XYLOPHONE!!!!!!!!!!
Xylophones are made out of WOOD. One would define this as a metallophone because it is made out of metal. (can you tell I am a long-suffering music teacher. The world over suffers from this incorrect nomenclature!)
This Metallophone is called a 'Pemade' (pronounced Per-mad-aye) and the keys are made of bronze. The frame is carved wood with bamboo resonators inside. I bought it in Bali when I lived there to practice on. I shipped it back and it was damaged but luckily my teacher came and fixed it for me. On top you can see various beaters for it. Only the one that looks pointy is the correct one.
6. Heart frame:
I made this on my cruise sticking many tiny paper butterflies to a large heart.
7. Incomplete body of a violin:
This is incredibly sentimental to me. My Grandad started attending Violin-making classes a long time ago and he was making a violin. It was very slow work but this was as far as he got. It is testimony to his interesting array of hobbies, interests and vast intelligence.
8. Binoculars: also Grandad's- for watching the birds.
9. Peacock egg ornament:
A present from one of my favourite pupils who left in the summer. SUCH a polite, intelligent, kind girl who I taught for 8 years. I'm not so fond of ornaments but this has sentimental value for a commitment to music.
10. Candle: another present.
11. Pine cabinet: This houses many and most of our CDs and DVDs. It comes from my Childhood home. My mum swapped it or bought it from her friend Lin in exchange for a keyboard I think!
12. Black and silver Tripods: Both of these were given to me by WOMOTM- CBC's dad. He knew I wanted one for blogging outfits and gave me the silver one. Unfortunately, it went missing for a few years and only turned up when we moved. He kindly gave me the black one too. The most useful items in my blogging arsenal except for my camera (also bought by WOMOTM)
13. Rainbow crocheted sheepskin slippers. The best Christmas present from my Mum. She bought them from a Cottage industry in Snowdonia I think. The lady crochets them. they are amazingly warm and comfy with leather soles
14. Turquoise croc shoes: very useful for the garden. Bought from TK Maxx, Southend (after my Grade 8 theory exam) on one of the rare occasions that there was something nice in the Size 8/42 department which usually houses horrors or nothing!
15. White curtain tie: This consists of a beautiful pearly shell. I had four of them that I used to tie up the corners of my ornate white canopy that made my bed look like a Princess's in Bali. I wish I'd managed to use it in England!
![]()
Let's start from the left:
1. The strange yellow, crushed velvet material is in fact a metre-long bag which houses the larger of my bamboo flutes from Indonesia. It has 3 Suling Gambuh which are the names of some metre long flutes I bought in Indonesia as I had to learn them at my University there. The first one was too big for me so someone made a smaller one.
2. Black case underneath: This is my violin. It actually was a violin which my Grandad bought for himself to relearn the violin in his later years. Not sure how much he used it but I was very glad to keep it when we sorted through his possessions.
3. Cath Kidston Hydrangeas bag: just seen. I ended up buying this in the sale as my former Cath-style handbag (charity-shopped Kangol) split on my cruise.
4. Cath Kidston 'Stop Thief' book bag. This is my current school bag. I bought this in the Sue Ryder Charity shop new. The kids seem to like it.
5. Gold and red Musical instrument: Now let's get this clear right now. IT IS NOT A XYLOPHONE!!!!!!!!!!
Xylophones are made out of WOOD. One would define this as a metallophone because it is made out of metal. (can you tell I am a long-suffering music teacher. The world over suffers from this incorrect nomenclature!)
This Metallophone is called a 'Pemade' (pronounced Per-mad-aye) and the keys are made of bronze. The frame is carved wood with bamboo resonators inside. I bought it in Bali when I lived there to practice on. I shipped it back and it was damaged but luckily my teacher came and fixed it for me. On top you can see various beaters for it. Only the one that looks pointy is the correct one.
6. Heart frame:
I made this on my cruise sticking many tiny paper butterflies to a large heart.
7. Incomplete body of a violin:
This is incredibly sentimental to me. My Grandad started attending Violin-making classes a long time ago and he was making a violin. It was very slow work but this was as far as he got. It is testimony to his interesting array of hobbies, interests and vast intelligence.
8. Binoculars: also Grandad's- for watching the birds.
9. Peacock egg ornament:
A present from one of my favourite pupils who left in the summer. SUCH a polite, intelligent, kind girl who I taught for 8 years. I'm not so fond of ornaments but this has sentimental value for a commitment to music.
10. Candle: another present.
11. Pine cabinet: This houses many and most of our CDs and DVDs. It comes from my Childhood home. My mum swapped it or bought it from her friend Lin in exchange for a keyboard I think!
12. Black and silver Tripods: Both of these were given to me by WOMOTM- CBC's dad. He knew I wanted one for blogging outfits and gave me the silver one. Unfortunately, it went missing for a few years and only turned up when we moved. He kindly gave me the black one too. The most useful items in my blogging arsenal except for my camera (also bought by WOMOTM)
13. Rainbow crocheted sheepskin slippers. The best Christmas present from my Mum. She bought them from a Cottage industry in Snowdonia I think. The lady crochets them. they are amazingly warm and comfy with leather soles
14. Turquoise croc shoes: very useful for the garden. Bought from TK Maxx, Southend (after my Grade 8 theory exam) on one of the rare occasions that there was something nice in the Size 8/42 department which usually houses horrors or nothing!
15. White curtain tie: This consists of a beautiful pearly shell. I had four of them that I used to tie up the corners of my ornate white canopy that made my bed look like a Princess's in Bali. I wish I'd managed to use it in England!
Well, essentially, I have just published a blog post that talks about my mess. How very singular!
Do share if you also decide to talk about your mess or your tidy corner!
xx