distressed sent me on a search for homemade laundry detergent - [tipnut has a heap of recipes and modcottage has one too]
more: instructables : and a good tip from apartment therapy - using baking soda as a fabric softener [via not martha]
At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents’ Place
From the first illustration, Kate Williams captures the essence of what it is to be at a crossroads in the often confusing journey of the world. The awkward daughter arriving back on the doorstep of her parents house. The pink bedroom. The desire to learn all the words to a favourite song. Williams is open and honest in this graphic novel which is an introspective look at a herself during a time when she was at a crossroads.
The illustrations are frank in the same manner in which she approaches the issues which arise with moving back to the place she grew up in. “At a Crossroads” beautifully illustrates everyday scenarios everyone will be able to relate to - enrolling in a ballet class for children, or attending a concert with your mum. Aside from the illustrations, Williams is making a point about choice in todays world. That there is alot to do, and nothing is right/wrong/or a bit too daggy to investigate. A great graphic novel that takes off from where “A Year in Japan” left us.
This book, with its relaxed visual style could be interesting to anyone. The storyline is merely suggestive and invites a reader to think about times or situations they have found themselves in which may be similar. It is definitely geared towards the female reader seeing that the main character is a woman. This is not to say that a
man would not find her illustrations lovely or engaging, just that the themes seem more sympathetic towards crossroads in a womans life. It is for lovers of illustration, for anyone who has the time to look and take a moment to think.
Being brutal, I find these style of graphic novels are hard to justify as purchases. I find I read them in 15 minutes, 2nd round is looking at the artwork and then thats about it. At a Crossroads did make me stop and think about some similar situations, but I still felt as if I was reading a diary and that there would be no real reason to go back.
However its lovely engaging way of telling a story provides insight into the authors world. Although she is brutally honest about all her shortcomings and struggles with the time she is at in life, its really not much more than an illustrated diary. Its purpose may be just that. To illustrate that problems slipping back in are similar regardless of age, country, place etc
About the reviewer: Heather is an illustrator and designer - in a crossroads of her own. She lives in Australia.
make your own handcream - using this delicious recipe at indie Fixx by guest blogger Jessica Gonacha
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