Flat Out

When times are tough and money is short, but life keeps coming, 

the need to be innovative in problem solving kicks in big time, 

and these images speak to exactly that.

The use of old metal barrels, that would have been used on the farm or country property, 

often sitting discarded when empty, and becoming an eyesore, 

cut and then flattened to cover the outside of the farm buildings is a wonderful idea.

The past is full of inventive, lateral thinking. When there is no money, there is always imagination. 

A playful idea

This wonderful, playful dress is a great example of shiftazine thinking.
Almost everything has a second life in it, so well done to the clever, inventive creator of this fun solution.

Tea Towel cushions = JOY

Every Summer tea towels that have been collected from a diverse range of markets, and second hand stores throughout the year are dragged out 

and placed in a pile on the work table.  

Cushions, and pillows that are in desperate need of a refresh are assembled.  

Interesting buttons, fringing, scraps of other fabrics are also placed near by.  

The TV is turned on, the tennis begins and so does the sewing.

At the end of it all, a tennis champion is crowned, and a selection of wonderful cushions and pillows inhabit our outdoor and indoor living spaces, 
ready for another Summer’s entertaining. Such joy!

Showing me the door

My friend ‘Y’, whose apartment featured in a Shiftazine article ‘Compartment Apartment’ last year, 

has added some more magic to his wonderful inner city abode by covering his front door in Japanese comic book pages.

And on top of the wonderful texture and pattern these comic pages provide, he has placed the largest peep hole I have ever seen in the middle of the door. 

It works as both a security device but if there is nothing on TV, one can spend the night comfortably watching the comings and going of his neighbors.

So unexpected. So entertaining. So inventive. So Shiftazine. Clever ‘Y’.

Drunk Sinatra

The arcades of Athens, not so long along seen as sort of sad forgotten places, are slowly coming back to life with the addition of some wonderful bars and cafes.  

These new establishments are bright, quirky and completely hip. 

Hidden down small side streets, they go about their business of creating fun, and good times for anyone who is wise enough to seek them out,

 i.e. DRUNK SINATRA, THISEOS 16, SYNTAGMA.

Wallism_Sounds like a plan

I have always thought that good ideas and insights come to us at unexpected times or in the most unexpected places.