Sunday, May 06, 2007

Corrugated Cosies for coffee plungers and tea pots

This is the very latest in my kitchen kitsch range of cosies - Corrugated Cosies from the Aussie Bush. I have named these tropical garden tea cosy, rainforest coffee cosy, and gum trees tea cosy.


This collection includes three basic designs which you can mix and match the trims on.

When we were kids every backyard had a corrugated iron tank up on a tank stand. I remember when town water became available the local council determined that all private tanks be removed. I think a part of their reasoning was that they were a health hazard and a place for mosquito's to breed. Now with the drought and the fear of running out of water, the council is offering a $1,000 rebate on every tank installed. Funny how things go in circles. The shed in many of our farming properties are made of corrugated iron, as is the roof of many of the houses. Brisbane is know for a style of house called a "Queenslander". This is a timber house, up on stumps, and with a corrugated iron roof. The sound of the rain, when it happens thumping down on a tin roof is a magical sound. Need I say when it hails the noise is phenomenal!

So I have taken the corrugations of cast iron, and mixed this with some of our flora and created this set. My inspiration is from our Australian country side and flora. I have matched the texture of the corrugated iron roof and water tank of outback Australia with the freshness of the flowers and trees of the bush and rainforests. The one below I have called gum trees. The muted colours of the bark, and the dark browns and green of the gum nuts. This one looks so much better in reality as the photo doesn't do it justice. The famous scallop cosy is looking in need of a holiday and this is my new cosy.


Plants I grew up with in Brisbane, Queensland were the gum trees, the frangipani and the bougainvillea and impatiens. Banksia, wattle and jacaranda were also planted by the council as street trees. The native frangipani has a very sweet smell and we have one in our yard. My Nana also had a few, and when my cousin was married in the early 70s she had a frangipani wedding. I was an early teen and I recall collecting all these flowers for the tables and bouquets. It was stunning. So here is a cosy for the coffee plunger. We are a coffee plunger sort of household and I have designed this one to tie around the side, but have a bit of a space at the top to enable an easy pour. I really like how the flowers fall forward when you tip the pot. I call this one Rainforest as the native frangipani grows naturally in our rainforests.



Tropical gardens to me are bright and filled with colour from impatiens, orchids and bromides. the colours are bright and brilliant. I have also used a horizontal corrugations for this one which works well with the different colours. I kept the flowers here simple as I thought the colour was the main feature. Corrugated iron usually runs vertical on a roof to allow the water to flow into the gutters, and horizontal on a tank. My dad used to mark the rings on the tank with chalk so he could monitor our water reserves.

This cosy has a bright and cheery look on my little 2 cup pot. I am having fun experimenting with some designs based on our plants here. It isn't easy though as many of our flora while being beautiful, lack a defined form. Banksia, wattle, and tea tree all have tiny little flowers which as a mass look stunning.

Any how, thanks for looking. I have listed the patterns for these on etsy.


(c) copyright crochetroo 2007 images and ideas not to be reproduced, not to be resold, or posted on the web. Links to this site are welcome..

8 comments:

Tina said...

I love these tea cozies Cupcake! I was just thinking about the scalloped tea cozy today and wanting to make one to match the new colors in my kitchen (aka new dish towels...) :p You are so creative and come up with these ideas!!

Wanda Kay said...

They all look terrific, great design.

Shawnee said...

These are so cute. I love unusual designs.

And, TAG, you're it! Please visit my blog for details, http://www.shawneett.blogspot.com

Kate said...

Hi from chilly canberra!

I just found your blog and thought I would say Hi! I am new to crocheting, but like any new convert (addict?) I am into it big time :)

love love love your patterns

Kate

Anonymous said...

Beautiful works .I am a brazilian woman and don't understand and speak english, but I like very much your works.
Note: This message did write for my husband that dont speak english very well too.
Thanks Ana Laura

Wormie said...

Hi Cupcake!

I love reading your blog - you're one of my favorite designers!!! I hope you don't mind, but I'm tagging you for the seven random things about yourself game.

http://hooked-on-crochet.blogspot.com/2007/05/ive-been-tagged.html

Thata said...

Hi,

I like your tea pots design.. Cuties and the colours you have chosen are great...

hugs,
thata

Anonymous said...

i love all your stuff! i printed the baby bonnet square to make for a teen mom's yet unborn daughter. she needs alot of help and i'll be adding the blanket to all the girl baby clothes that my daughter grew out of. i just wish i was filthy rich cuz i want to buy soooo many of your designs and finished products. talented and prolific. i guess designing is like potato chips(crisps i believe in australia)you can't just have one or design just one thing. keep it up! Marlene McDonald