Showing posts with label travel packing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel packing. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

APRIL AWAY


 Happy April, Dear Readers..
This dismal view from our deck is rain, more rain.
No sooner had we got over the shock of the cyclone, and long before the authorities have cleaned up the streets, we have another deluge.


And this, they promise, will be the last for the Summer.


Next week, we Red Cardinals will fly off on our very special trip to Europe.  I am looking forward to less humidity, even a glimpse of snow, and possibly some very cold temperatures.


In case you missed it, our own Australian girl, Queen Mary of Denmark, with her husband King Frederick, has been on a State Visit to Paris.
I am in awe of her beautiful white blouse and fabulous skirt.  Mary is always chic and on trend.


As it happens, I recently bought this white tencel shirt, with gold buttons and full, embroidered sleeves above trumpet cuffs.
I plan to wear it with a black bias cut ankle length linen skirt, and a wide black belt with a jewelled buckle.

You know, we are going to nine operas and concerts, so I have been really working out the combinations of a small number of black and white items. 


Today I finished making a black poplin shirt.  It looks grey, photographed on a very dull day, but rest assured it is a good strong black, and the buttons (sourced from a local Cheap Shop) are bright gold - and all are different!

I love this shirt pattern with its two concealed pockets in the yoke seam.  It is great for travel, and I have made it many times.
It is the Olya Shirt by Paper Theory, and you can buy it online and print it yourself (or at a print shop).

In a last minute sprint, I am almost finished a new pair of black stretch pants, which may be the most worn garment I take.


Before everything goes into the packing cubes, here's a glimpse of what has made the travel list.  Four dresses, from left: Navy broderie, black/cream jersey, a sunny linen for Easter Sunday, black/white spot.  Then black linen separates, and at back my heavy navy wool coat.  On Rt is a green knit top, leopard silk scarf, green and red wool pashmina scarves.  I have a red knit jumper on order, hoping it arrives in time.
Apart from the few new things, old faithful warm pants and tops will go along for daytime tours.

We feel the cold and temperatures in Salzburg next week will be as low as -2c.  I have a puffer jacket also stuffed in my suitcase. 


This is me in Canada two years ago, in my pink cloche from the ByWard Market in Ottawa.  I guess it will be going on another journey.

I hope you are all well, and I will try to keep up with everyone's posts while I travel, but I don't expect to be blogging.
It think we will be too busy.

I will be journalling and using my new instax printer to capture daily images, making a record for my old age.

Hope you are all well, and not too hot, wet or cold.

XXXXX





 

 








Sunday, December 10, 2017

RED


Hello.
The Red Cardinal Garden of Neglect is doing its tropical best to get into Christmas mode...



But fake berries and snow are still the go around here..


I like to stitch and sew, but I failed Craft 101..
Nevertheless, I have been hard at it with the glue and scissors, making a felt Tree Skirt (with thanks to Dear D, who gave me this awesome kit).

Have burnt my fingers on the glue gun...
Sequins have been falling off everywhere..

Did you know you could get stick-on red jewels which can substitute for felt holly berries?

They fall off too....


Behold the almost finished project!

Now if I can just figure out how to transport it to the other side of the world...


Thank you all for your kind birthday wishes on my last post.
My special friend M gave me a sweet antique silver sugar bowl and spoon -
Thank you, I love it so much.

Very special pink roses from Mr Cardinal

The Sewing Sisters met for Christmas lunch, at V's beautiful pad by the river...


Her hand crafted snowmen are beautiful, made from lots of found jewellery and other sparkles.
She does not burn her fingers when crafting....



We all love her Christmas quilt.


Furthermore, Miss V makes a fantastic Aperol Spritz...



And Happy December, with a look at the last page of Birds of Canada.
I see snow, and soon we will be there.


And so to packing...
Accessories: warm hats, scarves, and a red bag.


One dress.  Red wool.


Long sleeved tees...


Cashmere cardigan and sweater...


Jeans and stretch pants.


Three shirts.
And the wild card is? one is a leopard print.

Otherwise, very boring altogether but it should work for nearly a month.

I have a heavy snow jacket which lives in Canada, and will wear a navy wool coat in transit.

And do I put it all in a cabin bag like so many clever bloggers?

Of course not!  I have a big check-in suitcase, as well as a well-packed cabin bag which includes a beautiful travel rug I bought last year in Dublin.
A flight of about 14 hours requires some comforts.

I take so many other items, medical and precautionary, a little bag with small sewing projects, a kindle, camera, cords and chargers...

And of course, gifts for the family.

And the tree skirt.


and a quilt.


Happy Christmas prep to you all.

XXXXX