Sew Inspired: Autumn and Spring Shirts

I am a sucker for these type of shirts.  This is the lovely Indigo Floral Popover from J Crew but too expensive for my budget.  I have been looking through my Japanese sewing books to see if there is a similar style I can make.  The 'J' dress on page sixteen of 'Stylish Dress Book' looks close.  You could just extend the pink tucks and cut it shorter.

The pin tuck (or shirring) is lovely, here it is in more detail:

Do you know about a program called Fireshot Screen Capture?  It is perfect for capturing images from flash-based sites or sites that have disabled you from saving images directly from their site.  You can do a screen dump into Photoshop too but I use Fireshot more often for this particular task!! 

 

In love with this silk Peasant blouse from Madewell!  The colour and pattern is awesome!   We have had a rainy week and today is quite cool which has inspired me to get sewing for Autumn!! 

Canberra Etsy Seller: Wedding Hair Accessories

A detailed look at one of my favourite pieces from Phil and Hannah's last photo shoot!  I love these little flowers which I think resemble orchids... they are the same as these flowers but look different in silk dupion.  It is satisfying to see my stock levels grow in my Etsy store as I am making a conscious effort to list pieces more regularly and find time for my creativity.  This little business of mine is a slow-growing, organic process! 

Baby Blue J Crew: Grace Designs Hair Accessories

My Forget me Not fascinator would look gorgeous with the beautiful Arabelle dress from J Crew.  I can see this on a bridesmaid, at cocktails, on a special date night or at the races! 

Fresh Flower Tips: Oriental Lilly Stamen Stain

These Oriental Lilies are beautiful apart from one feature - the stamens stain!  The burnt orangey/red colour is magnificent against the white lily but once the stamens get to the powdery pollen state they can stain - table cloths, wedding dresses, clothes etc.

You can see the difference between the smooth stamen and the powdery one at the back.  You want to pull the stamens off when they are smooth.  You can still get them off when they have gone powdery but it's messier, just use a tissue and get them off in one go. 

You usually wait until they are a little more open than this bud pictured above to pull the stamens off.  I just use my fingers to pluck them off individually, just take the tips and leave the stems.

Some previous tips on flowers and the most romantic thing hubby ever did for me!

Inspiration Hair Pieces

I found this stunning image of Christina Hendricks via OurVanity, unfortunately the photographer isn't credited and I can't find who it is.  I love everything about this photo - the light, hair and make-up and those ostrich feathers!!!   After a little digging you can see more of the images in this article. The headpiece is by Laura Kranitz - it's a vintage Ostrich plume and pom pom cap.  The Swarovski neck plate is by Alexis Bittar - woo hoo.

Handcrafted Confection Love: Elizabeth Colling

 

If I was a pastry chef, this is the sort of exquisite work I would aspire to producing.... Elizabeth Colling is the lady responsible.  Keep on drooling... right ...down.... the.... page!!  I think the simplicity of these pink cupcakes below are perfect - doesn't everything look totally mouth-watering.  Elizabeth has been the food editor at Martha Stewart for four years and trained in Paris as a pastry chef.  I found her via Photographer Elizabeth Messina, an equally amazing talent.  Elizabeth photographs are so very very, special.. but that is for another post.

 

 

All photos courtesy of Elizabeth Colling

Autumn Colour Predictions for 2013

A beautiful palette of colours via Fashionising - these are Pantone's colour predictions for Autumn and Winter 2013.  I feel a bit sad that Autumn is less than a month away given we spend most of our year in Canberra COLD!  It was a very hot summer though. 

If you are really keen here are the predictions for Spring and Summer 2014... I always dream about getting ahead on sewing for the next season but it rarely seems to happen.  I don't know about you but I want to dip my fingers in these daubs of make-up!!!  Have a great weekend.

Australian Stylist / Photographer: Meghan Plowman

Summer Vignette via Meghan Plowman

Interior stylist, designer and photographer Meghan Plowman currently has a fabulous vignette series going on over at The Bowerhouse blog.  Meghan's own blog, The Orchid has a lovely mix of decorating tips, beautiful stylist and designer discoveries and a lot of lovely images to enjoy. 

Image courtesy of Meghan Plowman, used with permission.

Handmade Children's headbands

Last year I focused the majority of my time on bridal hair accessories but I haven't forgotten about those petite heads that need adorning too!  Here are a few new designs, simple and sweet for your little ones.  Organza flowers sitting on a lovely, soft suede and skinny elastic.  These can be made into adult headbands on request, available for purchase in my etsy store.

Handmade Hair Accessories: Canberra based Etsy Seller

Some beautiful new photos from my lovely friends in Brisbane!  Thanks H&P you guys rock!!!!  You might recognize Hannah from previous photo shoots, she's been my cover girl for a while now.

Hannah roped in her lovely sister for the shoot too, stunning hair colour isn't it :-)  Beautiful girls, inside and out.

I had to include one of Hannah smiling - I know I like the moody shots but this is beautiful and she has a great smile!

Window Displays

Sydney based Illustrator Kathryn Green has made some beautiful window displays for designer, Lee Mathews.  Above are synthetic ivy vines dipped in paint for a wonderful effect.

 These pumpkins are pretty cool! 

Love this paper display too - a cool mix of pom pom's, honeycomb lanterns, and paper flowers!  Photos courtesy of Lee Mathews blog.

First Day of School

Yep I joined the Mothers of school aged children club today!!  Anya started Kindergarten and was so excited to get out the door and just get there, photos were taking too long, I was taking too long!! 

So we are at the whole of school assembly where the principal is giving his address - I can't recall what he said to prompt this reaction but I see a tiny lone hand raised in the Kindergarten first row.. yep, it belongs to my girl!  She had something to say!!! ha ha ha  I was feeling a little nervous for what might come out next but the principal didn't notice her and the Kindy teacher came over and heard her out, phew - turns out she was keen to share she has been learning to read :-)  I do love that she felt confident enough to do that in front of so many people!    The Kindy parents were having morning tea afterwards while our children filed past off to meet their year 6 buddies - Anya spots me, does a *double fist pump* and yells out, "this is awesome"!!!!!!  I have been chuckling all morning, so happy she is happy!

Lexi from Pottymouthmama has eleven great tips for kids starting school - worth a read even if yours has already started!