I spend about forty hours a week with people aged eighty plus. The topics of conversation range from bung hips, that silly Charlie Sheen, gammy knees to how bizarre Ellen DeGeneres’s dancing is.
But the quirky diversity of our conversations has frizzled out the past few weeks. We've become focused (perhaps fixated) on the upcoming Royal Wedding.
I was never much of a royal watcher. In fact I didn’t realise how many publications are dedicated to just that – watching Royals. But I’ve been swept up in the hysteria. We sigh and moan over the possible colour pallet of the wedding day, debate whether the couple will kiss on the balcony, reminiscent about William’s once luscious head of hair and ponder if any corgies will be present.
The ladies cross their knitting needles and click their tongues in exasperation, that the event is still two weeks away.
Then I found 'Knit Your own Royal Wedding', the knitting group could easily whip up a wedding in a week. Then once all the hoopla is over we can still get the Queen to dance Ellen style
What makes a gentleman? Is it as simple as opening doors, tipping hats and having inane but polite conversations with the elderly, snotty nosed children and potential in-laws?
Or is it brandishing an indie-endorsed haircut, a sharp suit, polished shoes and minding your p’s and q’s?
According to Grain & Gram, “dedication and longevity are core characteristics of a real gentleman.” The online magazine feature men who demonstrate these qualities in their craft, including - jean making, printmaking, woodwork or music. Each interviewee evokes a sense of old-world sturdiness, perhaps because they clearly know what they are passionate about. They aren’t fickle and fleeting, on the contrary the passion each man has for his vocation is undeniable:
“For me though, no matter where the wind blows me, letterpress printing will always be with me.” Nick Sambrato
“I suddenly realized that that was all I was thinking about: all I cared about was making jeans.” Roy Slaper
However obsession alone doesn’t maketh the gentleman, it’s the hard work that goes into creating something.
“I was self-taught. I just went crazy with it. It was the total skateboarder's approach to it. You don't go to skateboard classes, you kind of just pick it up. You see what other people are doing, you read Thrasher. That was my approach.” Roy Slaper
It is also being able to see the impact your actions have on your surroundings. Fostering a connection between yourself, the environment and an awareness of wider society:
According to the delightful crew behind Peppermint it’s time to celebrate Me-made-March. The challenge was originally started by Zoe of the blog “So, Zo…what do you know?” in 2010.
The purpose of Me-Made-March '11 is to encourage those of us who make and/or refashion clothes to actually wear them in their everyday lives.
It’s already 9 days into the month of March and I haven't worn anything handmade by my nimble digits - which is probably a good thing as I only have a mangled family of finger puppets, a felt frilled neck lizard costume and a blue felt kangaroo tail.
My sewing machine needs some loving attention and after reading ladyshape’s interview on Burdastyle about not being a "zen sewer" -
The most frustrating thing about sewing for me is actually sewing. I am not a Zen sewer. I shout, I swear, I occasionally throw things. I have a fabulous idea in my head and I want it now. I am impatient and also a total perfectionist.
I'm now slightly more confident to graduate past the felt animal costumes and onto some wearable garments.
[Ladyshape's gorgeous sewing space]
So I'm pulling up my socks and threading the needle.
