stylopath

A Wordy Romance

Stylopath — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 02:14:29 +0000

I have been on the look out for the past couple of years for a copy of any one of the 664 Books written by the’ Queen of Romance’ author Barabara Cartland, with no success. How one can produce such a vast amount of words about romance, what is she telling us? Shouldn’t she be off leading a terribly exotic life with her tall dark and handsome lover, not writing two books weekly about it?

Only this week I stumbled upon her complete list of Book Titles. They go on forever. I was on the search for a book title to add to a book cover I created for a Drawing assignment. I immediately thought of the most prolific romance novelist of all time. After all she had sold over a billion books by the mid nineties.

Needless to say the Book Cover assignment is done. It is the list that continues to entertain. I f you have a spare five minutes it is a highly entertaining read (out loud). It was exhausting enough just reading her titles, not sure I have the time to devote to an entire book.

I think instead I shall keep a trusty copy of this list close to me at all times. That way I can obtain ready to go inspirations for any occasion.

A Dog, A Horse and a Heart
*Afraid
Again This Rapture
*Against the Stream
All’s Right that Ends Right
Alone and Afraid
Alone in Paris
An Adventure of Love
An Angel from Heaven
An Angel in Hell
An Angel of Love
An Angel Runs Away
An Archangel called Ivan
An Arrow of Love
An Icicle in India
An Innocent in Russia
An Island of Love
An Unexpected Love
Angel and The Rake, The
Armour Against Love
As Eagles Fly
Audacious Adventuress, The
Bargain Bride, The
Battle of Brains, The
Battle of Love, A
Beauty Betrayed, A
Beauty or Brains
Beggar Wished, A (Rainbow to Heaven)
Bewildered in Berlin
Bewitched
Beyond the Stars
*Bitter Winds of Love
Black Panther, The (Lost Love)
Blessing of the Gods
Blue Heather
Blue-Eyed Witch, The
Bored Bridegroom, The
*Born of Love
Bride Runs Away, The
Bride to a Brigand
Bride to the King
Broken Barriers
But Never Free (The Adventurer)
Call of Love, A
Call of the Heart
Call of the Highlands, The
Captive Heart, The
Captured by Love
Caretaker of Love, A
Castle Made for Love, The
Castle of Dreams, A
Castle of Fear, The
Castle of Love, The
Castle, The
Caught By Love
Cave of Love, The
Challenge of Hearts, A
Change of Hearts, A
Change Places with Love
Chieftain Finds Love, A
**Chieftain without a Heart, The
Circus for Love, A
Coin of Love, The
*Complacent Wife, The
Conquered by Love
Coronation of Love
Count the Stars
Courage Beats Disaster
Cross of Love, The
Crowned by Music
Crowned With Love
Cruel Count, The
Cry for Love
Cupid Rides Pillion (The Lady and the Highwayman)
Curse of the Clan, The
Dancing on a Rainbow
Danger by the Nile
Danger in the Desert
Danger to the Duke
Dangerous Dandy, The
Dangerous Disguise, A
Dangerous Experiment
Dangerous Marriage, The
Dare-Devil Duke, The
Daring Deception, The
Dark Stream, The (This Time It’s Love)
Dawn of Love, The
Debt of Honor
Desire in the Desert
Desire of the Heart
Desperate Defiance
Devil Defeated, The
Devil in Love, The
Devilish Deception, The
Diona and a Dalmatian
Disgraceful Duke, The
Dollars for the Duke
Dragon and the Pearl, The
Dream and the Glory, The
Dream Come True, A
Dream from the Night, A
Dream in Spain, A
Dream Within, The
Dreams do come True
Drena and the Duke
Drums of Love, The
Duchess Disappeared, The
Duel of Hearts, A
Duel of Jewels, A
Duel with Destiny
Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter, The
Duke Comes Home, The
Duke Disappears, The
Duke Finds Love, The
Duke Hated Women, The
Duke in Danger, A
Duke is Captured, The
Duke is Deceived, The
Duke is Trapped, The
Duke Wins, The
Duke’s Dilemma, The
Dynasty of Love, A
Earl Elopes, The
*Earl Escapes, The
Earl in Danger, The
Earl Rings a Belle, The
Earl’s Revenge, The
*Elizabethan Lover
Elusive Earl, The
Enchanted
Enchanted Moment, The
Enchanted Waltz, The
*Enchanting Evil, The
Escape
Escape from Passion
Escape to Happiness
Explosion of Love, The
*Eyes of Love, The
Fairyland of Love, A
Fascination in France
Fire in the Blood
Fire of Love, The
Fire on the Snow
First Class, Lady? (Love and Linda)
Flame is Love, The
*Flowers for the God of Love
Follow your Heart
For All Eternity
For Ever and Ever
For the Love of Scotland
For What?
*Forced to Marriage
Forgotten City, The
Fragrant Flower
Frame of Dreams, A
Freckles
Free as the Wind
Free From Fear
Frightened Bride, The
*From Hate to Love
From Hell to Heaven
From the Dangers of Russia to Love
Fugitive from Love, A
Gamble with Hearts, A
Game of Love, A
Gates of Paradise, The
Gentleman in Love, A
Ghost in Monte Carlo, A
*Ghost who fell in Love, The
Gift of the Gods
Glittering Lights, The
Goddess and the Gaiety Girl, The
Goddess of Love, The
Gods Forget (Love in Pity), The
Golden Cage, The
Golden Gondola, The
Golden Illusion, The
Golden Lie, A
Good or Bad
Gypsy Magic
Halo for the Devil, A
Haunted
Haunted Heart, The
Haven of Love, A
Hazard of Hearts, A
Healing Hand, The
Heart Finds Love, A
Heart in the Highlands, A
Heart is Broken, A (Yet She Follows)
Heart is Stolen, A
Heart of Love, A
Heart of Stone, A
Heart of the Clan, The
Heart Triumphant, The
Heaven in Hong Kong
Heaven on Earth, A
Helga in Hiding
Hell Cat and the King, The
Help from the Heart
Herb for Happiness, A
Hidden by Love
Hidden Evil, The
*Hidden Heart, The
Hide and Seek for Love
Hiding
Hiding from Love
Hiding from the Fortune Hunters
Highway to Love
His Hour
Horizons of Love, The
House of Happiness, The
Hungry for Love
Husband Hunters, The
I am Seeking Love
If The Tree is Saved
*Imperial Splendour
Impetuous Duchess, The
Importance of Love, The
In Hiding
In Love in Lucca
In Search of Love
In the Arms of love
Incomparable, The
Incredible Honeymoon, The
Innocent Impostor, The
Irresistible Buck, The
Irresistible Force, The
Island of Love, The
It Came From Heaven
It is Love
Jigsaw (1923)(earliest novel published)
Joined By Love
Journey to a Star
Journey to Happiness
Journey to Love
*Journey to Paradise
Judgement of Love, The
Just Fate
Just Off Piccadilly (Dance on My Heart)
Karma of Love, The
Keys to Love, The
King in love, A
King Wins, The
King without a Heart, The
Kingdom of Love, The
Kiss for the King, A
Kiss from a Stranger, A
Kiss from the Heart, A
Kiss in Rome, A
Kiss in the Desert, A
Kiss of Life, The
Kiss of Love, A
Kiss of Paris, The
Kiss of Silk, The
Kiss of the Devil, The
Kiss the Moonlight
Knave of Hearts, The
Kneel for Mercy
Knight in Paris, A
Leaping Flame, The
Learning to Love
Lessons in Love
*Lies for Love
*Light of the Gods
Light of the Moon
Light to the Heart, A
Lights of Love
Lights, Laughter and a Lady
*Lioness and the Lily, The
Listen to Love
Little Adventure, The
Little Pretender, The
Little Tongues of Fire
*Little White Doves of Love
Living in a Dream
Look Listen and Love
Look With Love
Look With the Heart
Looking for Love
Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge
Lost Enchantment
*Lost Laughter
Love and a Cheetah
Love and Apollo
Love and Kisses
Love and Linda
Love and Lucia
Love and the Clans
Love and the Gods
Love and the Loathsome Leopard
Love and the Marquis
Love and War
Love at First Sight
Love At Last
*Love at the Helm
Love at the Ritz
Love at the Tower
Love Became Theirs
Love by the Lake
Love Came From Heaven
Love Casts Out Fear
Love Climbs In
Love Comes to the Castle
*Love Comes West
Love Conquers War
Love Danced In
Love Drives In
Love finds a Treasure
Love Finds the Way
Love for Eternity
*Love for Sale
Love Forbidden
Love Has His Way
Love Holds the Cards
Love in Hiding
Love in Pity
*Love in the Clouds
Love in the Dark
Love in the East
Love in the Highlands
Love in the Moon
Love in the Ruins
Love is a Gamble
Love is a Maze
Love is an Eagle
*Love is Contraband
Love is Dangerous
Love is Heaven
Love is Innocent
Love is Invincible
Love is Magic
Love is Mine
Love is the Enemy
Love is the Key
Love is the Reason for Living
Love is Triumphant
Love Joins the Clans
Love Leaves at Midnight
Love Lifts the Curse
Love Light of Apollo
*Love Locked In
*Love Me Forever
Love on the Run
Love on the Wind
Love or Money
Love Pirate, The
Love Puzzle, The
Love Rescues Rosanna
Love Rules
Love Runs In
Love Saves the Day
Love Solves the Problem
Love Strikes
Love Strikes a Devil
Love Strikes Satan
Love to the Rescue
Love Trap, The
*Love Under Fire
Love Under the Stars
Love Wins
Love Wins in Berlin
Love, Lies and Marriage
*Love, Lords and Lady-Birds
Loved for Himself
Lovefire
Loveless Marriage, The
Lovelight
Lovely Liar, The
Lovers in Lisbon
Lovers in London
Lovers in Paradise
Lucifer and the Angel
Lucky in Love
Lucky Logan Finds Love
Lucky Star, A
Magic from the Heart
Magic of Love, The
Magic of Paris, The
Magic or Mirage?
Magical Moment, A
Magnificent Marquis, The
Magnificent Marriage, The
Man of her Dreams, The
Marquis is Deceived, The
Marquis is Trapped, The
Marquis who hated Women, The
Marquis Wins, The
Marriage Made in Heaven, A
Mask of Love, The
Messenger of Love
Mine For Ever
Miracle for a Madonna
Miracle for Love, A
Miracle in Mexico, A
Miracle in Music, A
Mission to Monte Carlo
Moments of Love
Money or Love
Money, Magic and Marriage
Moon over Eden
*Moonlight on the Sphinx
Mountain of Love, The
Moving Towards Heaven
Music from Heaven
Music From the Heart
Music is the Soul of Love
Music of Love, The
My Heart Stood Still
Mysterious Maid Servant, The
Naked Battle, The
Necklace of Love, A
Never Forget Love
Never Laugh at Love
Never Lose Love
Night of Gaiety, A
Nightingale Sang, A
No Bride No Wedding
No Darkness for Love
No Disguise for Love
No Escape from Love
No Heart is Free
No Time for Love
Not Love Alone
Now and For Eternity
Now And Forever
Now Rough – Now Smooth
Odious Duke, The
Ola and the Sea-Wolf
One minute to Love
Only A Dream
Only Love
Open Wings
Out of Reach
Outrageous Lady, The
Paradise Found
Paradise in Penang
Paradise on Earth, A
*Passion and the Flower, The
Passionate Attainment
Passionate Pilgrim, The
Passionate Princess, The
Passions in the Sand
Patient Bridegroom, The
Peaks of Ecstasy, The
Penniless Peer, The
Perfect love, A
Perfect Pearl, The
Perfect Way to Heaven, A
Perfection of Love, A
Perfection of Love, The
Perfume of the Gods, The
Peril and the Prince, The
Poor Governess
Portrait of Love, A
Power and the Prince, The
Pray for Love
Prayer for Love, A
*Pretty Horsebreakers, The
Price of Love, The
Pride and the Poor Princess
Prince and the Pekingese, The
Prince is Saved, The
Prince who Wanted Love, The
Princess in Distress, A
Princess Prays, A
Princess Runs Away, A
Prisoner in Paris, A
Prisoner of Love, The
Problems of Love, The
Protection of Love, The
Proud Princess, The
*Prude and the Prodigal, The
*Punished with Love
Punishment of a Vixen
*Pure and Untouched
Queen of Hearts, The
Queen Saves the King, The
Queen to the Rescue
Queen Wins, The
Race for Love, The
Real Love or Fake
*Rebel Princess, A
Reluctant Bride, The
Rescued By Love
Revelation is Love, The
Revenge is Sweet
Revenge of the Heart
Revolution of Love, A
Rhapsody of Love
Richness of Love, The
*Riding to the Moon
Riding in the Sky
Rivals for Love
River of Love
Road to Romance, A
Royal Love Match, A
Royal Punishment
Royal Rebuke, A
Royalty Defeated by Love
Ruled by Love
Runaway Heart, The
Runaway Star, A
Running Away to Love
Running from Russia
Ruthless Rake, The
Sacrifice for Love, A
Safe at Last
Safe in Paradise
Saga at Forty (Love at Forty)
Sailing to Love
Saint and the Sinner, The
Sapphires in Siam
Saved by a Saint
Saved by an Angel
Saved by Love
Saved by the Duke
Sawdust
Say Yes, Samantha
Scent of Roses, The
Scots Never Forget, The
Search for a Wife
Search for Love
Searching For Love
Secret Danger
*Secret Fear, The
Secret Harbour
Secret Love
Secret of the Glen, The
Secret of the Mosque, The
Secret Passage to Love, A
Secret Princess, The
Secrets
Secrets of the Heart
Seek the Stars
Seeking Love
Serpent of Satan, The
Shadow of Sin, The
Shaft of Sunlight, A
She Is Mine For Ever
She Ran Away
She Wanted Love
Ship of Love, The
Shooting Star, A
Sign of Love, A
Sign-Post to Love
Slaves of Love, The
Sleeping Princess, The
Sleeping Swords (Political Novel)
Smuggled Heart, The
Soft, Sweet and Gentle
Solita and the Spies
Something to Love
Song of Love, A
Spirit of Love, The
Stand and Deliver Your Heart
Star of Love, The
Starlight Over Tunis
*Stars in My Heart
Stars in the Sky, The
Steeplechase for Love, A
Stolen Halo
Storms of Love, The
Strange Way to Love, A
Sweet Adventure
Sweet Enchantress
*Sweet Punishment
Sword to the Heart, A
Taming of a Tigress, The
Taming of Lady Lorinda, The
Tangled Web, A
Teacher of Love, A
Tears of Love
Temple for Love, The
Temptation for a Teacher
Temptation of Torilla, The
Tempted to Love
Terror from the Throne
Terror in the Sun
Theatre of Love, A
Theft of a Heart
Their Dreams Came True
Their Search for Real Love
Theirs for Eternity
Theresa and a Tiger
They Both Found Paradise
They Found Heaven
They Found Love
They Found their Way to Heaven
They Looked for Love
They Ran Away
They Sought Love
They Touched Heaven
They Touched the Stars
Thief of Love, The
This is Love
This Way to Heaven
Three Days to Love
To Heaven with Love
To Scotland and Love
Too Precious to Lose
*Touch a Star
Touch of Love, A
Touching the Stars
Towards the Stars (After the Night)
Trail to Love, The
Train to Love, A
Treasure is Love, The
Tree of Love, The
Triumph of Love, The
Twists and Turns of Love, The
Two Hearts in Hungary
*Unbreakable Spell, The
Unbroken Dream, The
*Unknown Heart, The
*Unpredictable Bride, The
Unwanted Wedding, The
Very Naughty Angel, A
Very Special Love, A
Very Unusual Wife, A
Vibration of Love, The
Victory for Love, A
Virgin Bride, A
Virgin in Mayfair, A
Virgin in Paris, A
Viscount’s Revenge, The
Vote for Love
Walking to Wonderland
Waltz of Hearts, The
Wanted - A Wedding Ring
Wanted a Bride
Wanted a Royal Wife
Warned by a Ghost
Waters of Love, The
Way to Heaven, The
Weapon is Love, The
What We All Seek
Where a Kind Act Ends
Where Is Heaven
Where is Love? (If We Will)
Where is She Hiding
White Lilac
White Witch, The
Who Can Deny Love?
Wicked Marquis, The
Wicked Widow, The
Wild Cry of Love, The
Wild Unwilling Wife, The
Windmill of Love, The
Winged Magic
Winged Victory
Wings of Ecstasy, The
Wings of Love, The
Wings on My Heart
Winning Post is Love, The
Wish Comes True, A
Wish for Love
Wish Upon a Star
Witch’s Spell, A
Women have Hearts
Wonder of Love, The
Wonderful Dream, The
Working for Love
World of Love, A
Wrong Duchess, The

Stylopath — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:07:34 +0000

Since undertaking full time study in graphic design, thoughts of blogging have remained just that, until now . It took four months of photography, drawing and computer clicking, before the wafts of Stylopath started seeping in around the edges. Do wafts seep? I hope so.

Showcase #1 Promise of Tomorrow

Stylopath — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:35:48 +0000

The Stylopath Showcase Collection is a series of posts paying tribute to things, the things that represent the ideas we treasure. We all are inspired by things. Including things marketers tell us we need.

Before the technological whir that enabled us to see more things than we can literally eyeball in one lifetime we were led to fantasize about things from a more basic perspective. In the seventies, the need for a woman to obtain a husband was still a major preoccupation. The engagement ring was the item to lust after.

I was amazed at the prices quoted on some of these for the time. A couple of hundred dollars? How many carrots? We can safely assume they are diamonds as the Cubic zirconia made an appearance as a cheap alternative to diamond rings in 1976.

Further assurance provided by the advertising copy most likely led to some hopeful purchases.

Reflections of love. Unlike many marriages a Bevilles love affair is forever.
A promise of tomorrow - The 1974 Collection filled with exciting local and overseas designs.

Everyone’s different, an appeal to conforming individuality.

And for those with heartstrings to small to tug, try the hip pocket. The appeal for more diamonds for your dollar.

I recently watched Puberty Blues, an Australian Film based on a book from 1979. I had not seen it since it was originally released to Australian audiences, with much controversy about the depiction of sex and teens in 1981. Prepared for the ‘Shaggon Wagon’ action, I was more surprised by the competitive aggression of the girls’ quest for a friendship ring. A prelude to the engagement ring. The girls would ogle in the jewelery shop window scrutinizing the range to identify their most desired friendship ring, with little discerning thought about who was giving it to them or what future implications it represented.

a way of LOOKING #2 - 2010

Stylopath — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:49:47 +0000

Just the tonic for the first cool evening after a catastrophic heat wave. Classic seventies crochet porn. Well knitting actually.

a way of LOOKING #1 - 2010

Stylopath — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:56:48 +0000

A way of looking is a series of posts featuring the amazing images stumbled upon in the wild. Lot’s old and familiar in a creepy, distant way such that we almost forgot, until now. To herald the New year festivities the first ‘a way of LOOKING’ is a tribute to the Party Dress. Images courtesy of Golden Hands, various seventies editions.

Granny Squares with Go Go Boots

Mediterranean Mystical Embroidered Sorceress

Shirt Collar Party Dress to Match the Cushions.

Could it be Tonia Toddman?

A Party Dress for Mothers-to-be.

Green Glitter Crochet & Contrasting Bloody Mary

Granted it is not a dress, but the ensemble does say “Party”.

On The Make #1-2010

Stylopath — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:06:15 +0000

The future has arrived here we are summer in Australia in 2010. Time for a fresh focus on the old, the new, the found and the made. The elements of the Stylopath design aesthetic.

To capture and celebrate the last eighteen months of Stylopath Phase One, a printed momento called ‘Syndromes’ has been published. Courtesy of Blurb Books, you may click here for order details. Goodness we can all be a published author these days.

Whilst it may be likely that the world does not need any more books. I like to hope ideas are unlimited and what better way of presenting one’s ideas than in a bound book with pictures and words.

A static reminder of a novice making a foray into web publishing and design. Syndromes is about the pattern of phenomena that characterize or indicate a particular mode of being. To organize is to understand. Life by design.

The classified Syndromes of Stylopath artful adventures - abstract, creative, vapid, epicurean, showy, unhinged, kitsch and stingy.

The adventure continues in 2010, the likes of which we have not seen before and may not want to see again. There will also be loads old bits with a new twist. The challenge, as always is to try and capture it. Whatever ‘it’ is.

Risque’ Crochet

Stylopath — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:03:36 +0000

I have been collecting vintage crochet pattern books for some time, I started before I even realized why I was attracted to this form of printed nostalgia.

I had just taught myself to crochet, with the assistance of some you tube tutorials, so the first vintage patterns I acquired were a no brainer. Soon I realised it was not just any crochet pattern books that appealed to me. I purchased a contempory one I have largely ignored, it cost far more than it was worth.

The internet is abundant with free crochet patterns of all sorts, yet trawling through them can be tiring. However finding vintage crochet pattern books in the wild, that is in the dark corner of remote junk stores across the country side is just my cup of tea.

So what is it about about this form of publishing that attracts me?

The colour. I am so attracted to the crazy colours of these times, the extra saturation of the photography can look lurid and surreal.

The hair. There is something about hair styles from and photographed in the past that we cannot recreate today, well at least that is my opinion.

The mode. The way the models interact with themselves and the camera. It is so refreshingly un-banal, as opposed to the cool dude hipster wearing a crochet skull patterned jumper accessorized with the must have ipod.

The fashion. The instructions are for wonderful examples of unique fashion design. More contempory crochet pattern ideas tend to dwell in the accessory realm - scarves, fingerless gloves, ipod covers, pot holders. Things that take little time, commitment and wool.

At this point I admit I am guilty. I succumbed to the contemporary crochet and skull hype and crocheted a reversible skull potholder to hang on the stove.

After some months my vintage crochet pattern stack is growing rapidly as it seems that there is quite an abundance of these books being donated to thrift stores, yet interestingly enough not really many other forms of vintage publishing from the sixties and seventies are easily found and I am not sure why.

Recently I caught up with a friend who presented me with a plastic bag full of crochet patterns from the sixties and seventies. Wow! A most wonderful gift. It is at this point I will introduce the term for this activity that came to mind as we repeatedly stared at the images again and again, pointing out this detail and that - Crochet Porn.

Here are two unique patterns from the stash by a company I had not previously heard of called called ‘Sirdar’, which according to the website means leader, after Lord Kitchener’s appointment as Sirdar of the Egyptian Army. Instantly makes me wonder if Lord Kitchener wore crochet, some underwear made by his mother perhaps?

I now have two Sirdars in my collection number 25 and 28, these copies printed in 1970 are so preloved there’s even the signs of stains and strain on number 28. I am now actively on the lookout for at least another twenty six of these beauties in the wild.

These patterns blew me away. Capturing the silhouette stalker in the background is pure crochet porn gold. This is what I love about the seventies, anything flew. Maybe some contemporary patterns with a nod in this direction would stop seeing me leave my local craft stores cold. I have some suggestions for the Australian crafting retailers, a series of pattern editions such as the Lincraft Lovelies or the Spotlight Sizzlers.

Side note. I am also planning to crochet a version of number 28 for myself to wear around the house and perhaps find some swimming togs with a belt and a gold necklace for Mr S.

Sounds of Summer Showcase. Kitsch Hits Part One.

Stylopath — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:51:31 +0000

The warm sunny days have arrived, plenty of time spent outdoors, gardening, walking in the morning, laptop surfing on the banana lounge, reading on the banana lounge and cocktails on the banana lounge listening to daggy LPs.

I am an avid junk store junkie so thinking a summer tour of garage sales on a Saturday morning will enhance the outdoor activity and help me to gather an ultimate (I rarely use that word) summer music collection exclusively on vinyl.

The two very seventies banana lounges we have are from a garage sale. A bonus offer thanks to Mr S’s late arrival at a garage sale last summer, so late the people holding the garage sale had packed up and only the banana lounges were left behind with a sign on them - “Free”. They are the most comfortable place to relax despite the aesthetically challenging brown and yellow colour combination, I saved you the trouble and desaturated the image. Loving all things seventies these plastic and alluminium sweeties hold a special place in my heart.

A trip this week to a little op shop at the south end of town was perfectly timed to coincide with some brilliant seventies LP’s on offer. What better way to relax with a cocktail on the banana lounge than accompanied by seventies tunes played on a record player? Alright there are probably plenty, but I was excited. So excited I bought some and have decided to compile my own Sounds of Summer Showcase -Kitsch Hits Part One.

Finding old LP’s is like finding giant swap cards with sound. I cannot resist a gaudy cover and my ears suffer the consequences. Records sound great. I often think the preference for listening to a scratchie old LP can be likened to preferring some pictures captured on Polaroid, one can appreciate the extra artifacts and limitations.

1. FLICK THEMESs ‘72

Purchased primarily for Shaft the song by Isaac Hayes responsible for changing the course of movie theme music for all time. I am quoting the blurb on the album, I do not know what that means. They do promise that this version of Shaft (purely instrumental) is wilder and funkier than ever, and they are right.

2. HITPOURRI 13

I think this album is Dutch. I love the title name and the cover, very seventies sans bra. I cannot really claim to have played it more than once, but the song De KERMISKLANTERN IS MY favourite on this album if not solely for the aggressively enthusiastic way it is shouted.

3. TOM MITCHELL AT THE WURLITZER Series 2 -Playing his own compositions at the Dendy Theatre Brighton.

The reasons for choosing some Wurlitzer LP action? Well two really. The wurlitzer - the sound of the word alone is appealing. I have not spied many Wurlitzers being played in my travels in recent times, and the to quote the album “One of Tom’s great loves is the natural music of birds. He probably has one of the largest collections of bird calls and songs in Australia. Some of these he has included on this album on the track, “Bird Notes Are Calling.” Actually this is a recording of but one of Australia’s master mimics, the Lyre Bird. This remarkable bird can imitate any sound it hears.” I agree it sounds singularly spectacular.

4. MARIA CALLAS - La Boheme Highlights. Orchestra and chorus of La Scala Opera House, Milan. It really does not matter what track you select, they all sound transporting in an Italian way. I selected this album for it the beautiful portrait and timeless layout of the cover.

5. MANTOVANI - PLAYS THE IMMORTAL CLASSICS. Now I think I will only ever need to own one Mantovani album. This is it! I could not resist the very fifties three colour print album cover with a well drawn Mantovani and a splatter of famous CLASSICAL composers’ busts, including a skewered Rachmaninov.

Once again rather than picking one track to recommend this album is more a sound-scape. The conductor of this new emerging ‘Light music’ of the fifties used new (at the time) studio techniques ‘to create sound tapestries with innumerable strings, and that the sustained hum of Mantavani’s reverberated violins produced a sonic vapourizer foreshadowing the synthesizer harmonics of space music.’

6. THE JERRY ALCORN TRIO - NOW IS THE TIME. Is exactly what the lurid purple setting from the seventies screamed out to me. I sang along with the Jerry Alcorn Trio.

A signed testamonial on the back of the cover states. “In my estimation The Jerry Alcorn Trio is the finest group I have heard. The result of their singing is total impact.” Gosh what a recommendation. He goes on “To truly appreciate Jerry, Jeannie Vee and Jacqueline, you must know their father and mother. Mom is the praying force behind their dedication and Dad Alcorn is one of the most unusual preachers in the country today.”

I admit I do not know Mom and Dad Alcorn, I also think Jerry may have taken over a bit, given all the tracks on the record are sung by Jeannie Vee and she wrote 6 of the 10 songs and I am still not sure what part Jerry features in this. My favourite track ‘Get All Excited’, they were singing about purple and God I assume.

7. JIM NABORS - THE BEST OF JIM NABORS or as I recall Gomer Pyle.

I must admit this is the only album from this week’s haul I am yet to play. I am still coping with the concept of listening to such a cartoony drawl with a happy yet scary lopsided smile singing such hits as “With These Hands”, thankfully they did not feature Jim’s hands on the album cover. Like the Mantovani rule, I’ll think I’s stop at just one Jim Nabors album for my collection.

8. GHEORGHE ZAMFIR - THE LONELY SHEPHERD

If Gheorghe’s earnest panpipe playing expression does not melt you his lonely angelic panpipe playing style will slay you with an over overwhelming sense of hopelessness as if on a lonely journey through a field. It is the album’s namesake and ‘Hit Single’ that gets me every time.

My Summer Hits Showcase Collection will be a priority mission so stay tuned for more unexpected musical mystery finds. Feel free to suggest an old record you think I might find of interest so I can be on the lookout to include in this truly unique showcase collection.

Musical Meander

Stylopath — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:10:55 +0000

The end of October signposts celebrations such as Samhain, Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, All Souls Day and Halloween. This year Stylopath followed a musical journey to celebrate this day, specifically the Malden Folk Festival.

Malden is located in north central Victoria which has retained much of it’s character from the gold rush. The Malden Folk Festival originated as a gathering for musicians in 1974, it has been held annually ever since.

It was a very hot day, hotter than predicted and after running out of petrol on the way to the Malden Folk Festival, (a minor delay thanks to the very lovely couple from Warrnambool who drove us to the obtain petrol and back to Betty the mini and then waited to ensure she started) we arrived hot and thirsty. First stop, The Kangaroo Hotel for a cold beer.

Once we were quenched we strolled down the main street. It was a walk back in time. The sights and the sounds. Streets were crowded with music coming from all directions.

It was the gentleman playing under the veranda at The Grand Hotel who set the tone, laid back with a touch of wild colonial. The bass player cast a powerful silhouette, his strums the heartbeat of the organized musical ramble at The Grand.

The accordian sounded as faraway as the player looked. It seemed as if this group had been playing for days with no sign of stopping any time soon.

The music happily carried us further along the street, towards the town’s main intersection and the sound of bells. Lots of bells.

Ah! Of course the Morris Dancers. They bounded around with such an extraordinary amount of energy one perspired just trying to watch them. There were so many of them.

They were a mesmerizing sight. I took so many photos of the wonderful Morris dancers I am planning an animation for them.

About the hats. I could not work out how the code floral adornment worked. Was a massive floral presence the symbol of a specific role or was it more an indication of personal style?

Hot and perplexed we wandered back to the Kangaroo Hotel for another beer. The Morris dancers had the same refreshing idea, so I took the opportunity to ask about the flowers. Oh hooray, it’s a personal style and choice. I met Macka Jack and Richard who were delightful enough to pose for a photograph on the condition I be included. Delighted.

I could have happily stayed put for a while quenching my thirst for a cold refreshment and all facts Morris, but it was time to hit the road.

We made our way towards the fair. Past the park, library and musicians strewn all the way along the path.

We arrived at the fair, held on the school grounds, with all sorts of crafty and carnival goodies to be surveyed in the searing heat. After a quick lap we made a bee line to the sausage tent to acquire some lunch to eat on an old tree stump before heading back down the dusty road towards the city.

We left on a high having participated in one of the most relaxed and entertaining festivals in Australia. It was refreshing to mingle in a sea of strange faces in an atmosphere of frivolity, where a large gathering of people could all merrily cooperate without any animosity, cues, security, police presence, hi vis or event regulations to stifle one’s enthusiasm. I look forward to next year’s Malden Folk Festival. Next time we’ll stay for the entire weekend.

The Lost Symbol: 102 Black Motifs

Stylopath — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:23:17 +0000

Introducing Blackie the ‘Up-to-the-minute-give-or-take-thirty-seven-years’ Crochet Kimono Vest.

The ‘Up-to-the-minute’ description is from the 1972 edition of Golden Hands “All You Can Knit and Crochet For Women Book II” which features instructions on how to make this garment one granny square at a time. A total of 102 granny squares or motifs for those so inclined.

For a newbie at the craft of crochet this was the perfect foray into serious crochet territory. Most of the vintage patterns I own and adore remain a mystery to me, at least in trying to understand the instructions. When one is new to the language of crochet patterns it is easy to become overwhelmed and think “Ooh it’s a bit too hard I might just make another scarf.” Time to implement the Dan Brown crochet method.

The first clue to this epic crochet quest -one black granny square. A disturbing object artfully encoded with symbols the 1972 kimono vest is as Dan would put it ‘An ancient invitation, one meant to usher it’s recipient into a long lost world of esoteric wisdom.’

All rituals, science, artwork and monuments in this blog post are real. For verification purposes I am wearing it here on Wardrobe Refashion.

The kimono vest was attainable to me once I mastered the first motif. The remaining one hundred and one motifs required to complete the garment became a challenge of time and patience. The tricky bits, the puzzle-like approach required to join the motifs in the right sequence and the cryptic contemplation of the hieroglyphic-esque code of the pattern.

Here is the original kimono vest, as featured in ‘All You Can Knit and Crochet for Women Part II’, a multi coloured collection of mysterious granny square motifs.

The hidden symbols of seventies crochet remain abundant. The question remains. Which garment to tackle next? Back to the trusty tome for clues. The most likely candidate, a crochet dress and coat made of granny squares (I know). It’s like a granny rug with sleeves. I am tempted to make and wear this but slightly scared by such a homely statement at such a young age.

On second thought, summer is nearly upon us in Australia so the opportunity to exhibit one’s crochet prowess by the pool could be informative. Do the bikini bottoms become droopy when wet? It could be the rationale for the matching skirt.

The pretty and practical housecoat with Bishop sleeves, smocked cuffs and bodice commands due respect for the ancient knowledge of knitting. A skill I currently do not possess. I also do not have a full time house maid, a requirement for this housecoat to be practical.

A knitted bed jacket worked in stocking stitch and adjustable neck tie, tightly does it. Is one required to be ill to wear a bed jacket or can they be worn to perform one’s daily activities away from the bed? Clearly this model is not bed ridden but most possibly still quite ill.

A final crochet fantasy symbol, the bridal coat. The ultimate challenge for the crochet devotee, hundreds potentially thousands of hours creating a huge garment in a delicate Aran pattern with WHITE WOOL in perfect condition to be worn once. Sounds like an epic crochet journey that ends in confetti and mothballs.

I have flicked through this pattern book so many times the pages have started to fall out. The book is a Golden Hands Special. I have a lot of the basic Golden Hands Magazine Library Editions and I love them all. Pure seventies handcraft heaven. If anyone has a copy of the ‘All You Can Knit and Crochet for Women Book I’ please let me know. We could swap for a bit.