Vintage Fashion

My fellow vintage-loving friend lent me this book and I am thoroughly enjoying it!!  Especially after my thrifty find the other week (I have now unpicked the sleeves).  The book is full of great advice on how to wash vintage outfits, repair and restore to a wearable customised outfit.  Lots of tips on how to pair your vintage pieces with modern accessories/shoes etc..  This book is now on my wishlist, I highly recommend it!

I actually wrote to Kelly to thank her for her book and ask some advice on my outfit re-fashion, she was kind enough to reply! She suggested a similar thing to what I had in mind for my top: remove sleeves - leave the bling, take top in.  A re-fashion of the skirt into a short skirt was suggested, removing the bling and as much as I would love that, I think it would look better suited on my tall, leggy blonde sister in law :-)  It would really suit her style too.  Here is a full photo of the skirt.

 

It has half a tuelle petticoat underneath which I am going to remove and save for another project.

Photo of Kelly courtesy of Minxy Vintage

Update on my Free Bunting Template and Tutorial

Using my bunting template I made some bunting for my nephew's first birthday party but chose an alternative method to the quick and easy way shown in my original post.

After sewing the right sides together, trimming the point, turning inside out and ironing I was ready to attach the store-bought bias binding.  I gently ironed the binding out flat and pinned to the front of the bunting, right sides together, then sewed along the top using the first crease as my guide.

I then pressed the front before turning over to the back of the bunting.  Folding the bias over as pictured above, I sewed down the second crease which gave me a perfect aligned top stitch on the right side!  A little nicer and neater way to sew your bunting but definitely more time consuming!  I used a bone folder to poke the tips out.

Canberra Etsy Seller: Handmade Flower Hair Pins

Added to my Etsy store today, an old favourite - my Camellia blossom Set.  Made from a lovely ivory satin - a remnant from a friends wedding dress.

My tools and Work In Progress

Just a glimpse into some of my work in progress and 'tools' I use to create my hair pieces.  I took this photo for the snazzy new 'About me' page on Etsy... also a work in progress.  Can I call it that when I haven't written a thing?  I did enjoy taking this photo though :-)  My lovely pincushion is from A little Red Ribbon

Handmade Gifts: Costume Jewellery

I don't usually make jewellery but made this necklace for my sister in law's birthday!  It was enjoyable making something completely different than my usual sewing.  All the findings were from different places around the web and you can see in the photo below the 'antique' colour has rubbed off the jump ring holding all the leaves and flowers together?  Any suggestions on how to avoid this?

The leaves are intended for a few hair pieces too!

Canberra Etsy Seller: Hand Beaded Hair Accessories

July's birthstone is ruby, so in honour of that I pulled out my ruby Swarovski crystals and made a sweet little hand-beaded fascinator.

The beads are sewn onto a silk pad and finished off with a flourish of gorgeous feathers.  I need to wear more feathers!!!  I simply love them.   This piece is listed in my etsy store and can be beaded in any colour.   

J Crew Wish List

Featherweight Cardigan in warm Jade, it is even on sale with a special shipping of $20 flat rate to AU! woooo

 

 Gorgeous talitha blouse in silk and my other favourite colour...

Linen pintuck shell top.  Nice project to "knock off".

And I should really be wearing this... maybe not the yellow jeans!  Thank goodness it is Friday - have a good one.

Oh Mabel Bed Linen

Gorgeous certified organic bed linen printed by hand from local business Oh Mabel!  Lovely designs inspired from vintage sheets and obviously on trend with the geometric shapes! Stunning work from Sarah Power.

Interior Inspiration: Upcycled Dining Table

My clever brother Jeremy made this dining table from perspex (find), left-over wood from the bathroom renovation he completed and a couple of fluorescent lights.  The legs were off an old table he found.  

In my sister in law's words, "I never thought I would say, can you light up the table for dinner?"  Doubles as a bar for parties - such a cool idea. 

Handmade Cream Fascinator Headband Hair Accessory

A beautiful mix of butter coloured feathers, vintage millinery leaves, lace and Swarovski pearls is being sent off to be photographed for a photo shoot - can't wait!

Long Weekend Crafting

Shaving cream art thanks to Play Create, Explore.  I pinned this idea on the weekend, something I knew Anya would enjoy.  I find these sorts of crafts easier to do one child at a time!!  So Josiah might get his turn when Anya is at pre-school next.

  Touching the paper lightly to the shaving foam, the colours seeped through pretty quick.

 

Peeling the paper off!  I loved the texture it made on the paper.  We didn't try card stock as suggested but might try that with Josiah.

We let our art work dry overnight and scraped the excess cream off this morning.  You get the same pattern without any mess!  Great technique for making wrapping paper... I have fond memories of paper marbling at school, I'll have to look that one up too.  Enjoy your Monday off for the Queen's Birthday!!

Tambour Beading

+

Tambour beading is the centre piece behind French couture embroidery and was introduced into France in the 18th century.  I bought myself a needle to have a go after my last bout of beading!  I'm not sure it will really be a quicker method but I like learning new things and appreciate the history and results!

+

The Cornelli needle is like a crochet hook and effectively you make a chain stitch onto the fabric while catching and securing pre-threaded beads and sequins as you go along.  Apparently it takes quite a bit of co-ordination so it might take a fair bit of practicing before I can use it.....effectively!  Part of my long term plan.

+

French Artist Lyndie Dourthe

More amazing handmade flowers, these from French artist, Lyndie Dourthe.  It looks like they are made from nylon with hand painted touches?!  Stunning.

 

 

Not just flowers, but all sorts of wonderful creations.. See more of Lyndie's amazing and unusual, (you'll see when you get there) work on her blog.  Everything looks better under a glass dome :-)

Rockclimbing Expedition

Here is my little rock-climber waiting to take her first trip up the wall.  With some guidance and assurance from staff member Chris, Anya was raring to go.  She especially enjoyed 'letting go' for a Peter Pan ride from greater heights.

Anya is a pretty adventurous kid and absolutely loved it!  I'm planning on starting a bean jar for behaviour and this will be one of the rewards when we get to a certain level - maybe to the top?!!

I'd highly recommend Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing for the locals, the staff were friendly and helpful.  I'd think about going on a weekday next time when it isn't as busy, it was a little challenging keeping Josiah out of the way of fellow climbers.  You almost need the 2 adult to 1 child ratio for them to have a decent go.  We went off on our own after this climb and tried another wall with just Anya and Gordon.  It was a great family outing and I plan on referencing this experience for next time my daughter tells me, "I can't do it!!".

Hand Beaded Hair Piece

This is what I have been pouring most of my time into... some beautiful hand beaded bridesmaid hair pieces for one of my favourite customers :-)  Just a sneak peak until after the wedding!  I may need to follow through on my optometrist appointment with all those tiny beads!!  Have a wonderful weekend.