A Sentimental Favourite

I just LOVE this dress. I just found it again recently, after a long absence in my sister's closet. It never actually fit her in quite the right way, so I don't think she wore it much. However, when I passed it on to her, I asked her to give it back when she was done. You see, it's got special sentimental significance to me...

I wore this vintage dress on my first date with hubby, almost eight years ago. I'm ignoring the fact that it wasn't a planned date as such, and more of a "I'm going to be baking to make supper for church today and yes that's fine if you invite yourself over to help". It was the first time we hung out together one-on-one and hit it off. And he took me out for lunch, so it kinda was a date. It's the date we use as our anniversary, and it's almost eight years since that day!! 

Yep, eight years, two kids and two dress sizes since that day. I am currently on a quest to greater health - physical, emotional and spiritual health - and one of my goals is to be able to fit in some of my favourite clothes again. This dress would definitely qualify as one of my favourites, but it's so much tinier than I currently am that it seems impossible.

So today I pulled the dress out, ironed it and hung it in my room as a daily visual reminder! Here's hoping that it helps to motivate me when I'm feeling tempted to indulge in sweet treats or corn chips!!

And Mari Was Happy At Last!

A friend I have never met, who lives on the other side of the world, has allowed me a very special privilege. She has commissioned me to stitch a portion of a recent story her six-year-old daughter wrote and illustrated.

My friend's little girl, Mari, has a serious medical condition that is increasingly impairing her mobility (and therefore, her ability to do things for herself). Mari is currently in training to have a helper dog, thanks to WAGS - Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs.

She and her family are so excited about the new freedom Mari will be able to enjoy with her service dog. Mari recently had the special treat of meeting her assigned helper dog, Olive, earlier than she expected. That precious meeting prompted her to write a beautiful story, a snippet of which you see here.

Although I have never met her, I know that Mari has a heart of gold, just like her Mum. In the midst of the intense challenges that this precious girl is facing, I hope that this wall hanging will serve to remind her of the joyful first meeting with Olive, and help to keep her positive in her journey.

Mari with her service dog, Olive

How To: Make Paper Heart Embellishments

On my wish list for Christmas, I wanted a large heart cutter. You see, I had this plan to make some packaging embellishments from paper hearts. I had been given a sheet of these from a popular stationery and homewares store, and I loved using them to pretty up my packages last year. I loved the simple beauty of these embellishments, and thought I could make something similar pretty easily. 

Well, lo and behold, I received a cutter for Christmas...a round corner cutter, that is. Exactly the same as the one I already have. But my loved one who gifted this to me kept the receipt (smart person) and I was able to take and exchange it for a heart cutter. I couldn't find a plain one, so I ended up with a scalloped edge heart. Which I have decided I love, by the way. 

So, here it is. 

How to make paper heart embellishments:

 Materials: 

• Large heart cutter/punch
• Scrapbooking paper, or other thick paper or thin card, with pretty matching patterns
• Sewing machine threaded to match the paper/card
• Paper scissors
• Double sided tape

Method:

Use your heart punch to cut hearts out of a variety of matching scrapbooking paper/card.

Choose three hearts to go together. The three hearts are going to sit in a pile, so the top one will be most visible, but the others need to look good with it.

Stack your three hearts in the order you want them.

Sew straight up and down the centre line of the pile of hearts, making sure you keep them neatly together.

Flip the hearts over and cut a strip of double sided tape the length of the centre line of the heart. Place the tape on, leaving the protective strip on the second sticky side in place until you want to use it. [You can store the hearts at this point, in their flat state.]

When ready to use the heart embellishment, gently fold the top layers back towards the centre line, like little wings. Fold the second layer a little in the same direction.

Remove the protective strip from the double sided tape and place in desired position.
Voila!

Treasures From Home

In our recent trip to my parents' home for Christmas, I came across some beautiful hand embroidered vanity sets my mother did many years ago. I remember loving them as a child - cute and quirky designs, with such life and character. This time, however, I saw them afresh for the artworks they are. My mother's handiwork is gorgeous!

Another treasure from home: my mother gave me one of her old sewing boxes that I have always loved.

Lovely, huh?

Let's Meet: Becca Koopmans of Wear Love Now!

Hi friends! I've got a lovely treat for you today! An interview with a lovely and talented artisan that I "met" through Etsy. I'm excited to share her story with you today. Enjoy!

Please introduce yourself and a tell us a little about what you do:

I’m Becca Koopmans. I’m a stay-at-home-mum of four kiddos in the midwest of the United States and I run a little cottage industry of upcycled clothes called Wear Love Now.

 How did your Etsy shop get started?

My heart was pregnant with a lot of different ideas and issues when Wear Love Now was born. Some of the contributing factors were the image issues that I had struggled with finally coming to rest in my own personal style. As a busy mum of four I often struggled just to get a shower, let alone put on an outfit that matched. This frustration took me to my faith in God, where I learned wearing love was way more important than wearing clothes in vogue. “Regardless of what you put on, wear love...” Colossians 3:14, became my daily dress code. Other factors included good stewardship with thrifting, a creative outlet with sewing and a flexible family schedule.

How did you get started with your sewing skills?

This is a bit embarrassing to admit. Though I come from a heritage of pattern followers and excellent seamstresses...when I was in middle school home economics, I stapled the hem to my final dress project and transferred to woodworking shop...where I scored an A+ (probably because I was the shop teacher’s babysitter). All that to say, my art has always been there in various forms...but, sewing skills I had to learn as an adult. When I became excited about upcycling clothes, my Dad bought me a sewing machine and I asked an outstanding seamstress in our area to give me some private lessons. Whenever I would hit a glitch in my vision versus skill she came to my rescue. And now, I’m quite proud of my set of skills that make my art come alive.

What do you love most about your job?

One of the biggest surprise gifts of selling my clothes on Etsy is the friendship factor. I pursued selling on Etsy following a difficult health crisis of our youngest daughter who has a progressive neurological disorder. My normal venue for interaction and friendship became more and more limited as her medical needs increased. I never anticipated the treasure house of friends in Etsy sellers (especially Homespunsociety Teammates) and in Etsy buyers...literally around the world.

I also love that when I sit and sew, or pin something, or sort through one of my baskets, one or more of my kids are right next to me...humming, drawing, or sewing a button on a bookmark....I love that. I also love creating the clothes...it’s like art with my sewing machine for me...pure joy.

What inspires you?

Good artwork, especially by French Impressionists; beautiful music; nature, well-written books; friends; family; strong coffee; inspiring conversations; history; vintage style; bohemian style; designers creating outside of the box and my faith in God.

Could you please describe how the artistic process flows for you...from initial concept design to completed product?

The process varies with different pieces of clothes, but, typically it begins with the main item I want to use. I purchase items for their quality, possibilities and versatility. And then I set the top ones, the ones I’m most excited to use next, on a table and start putting lace out, material on top, twisting seams in various places, etc. Usually the longest part is gaining the inspiration...and it also is the most exciting, because I choose to wait until I get the ‘aha’ idea for each piece. Then, once I get my ‘aha’ idea, I consider the best plan for tweaking each piece and begin the cutting and pasting, so to speak...also a very fun stage as I get to see it come together. Then I let it set a day and come back to it for any last adjustments or additions. Finally, I take pictures using a barn door my husband put up for me in our backyard.

What’s the biggest challenge for you in the artistic process?

Probably my biggest challenge is balancing my to-do lists for my family and my shop. And another is, when my heart is heavy with some issue or another, creativity can’t be forced.

What does an average day look like for you?

My days begin early...I love to get up and exercise and then spend some quiet time reading and praying before all the breakfast chaos begins. My husband and kids are typically happy hearts...so that’s a great thing in our home. Mari rides a small handicapped bus to school with her wheelchair, our twin boys, Steven and Schyler, ride with my husband on his way to work and then I walk my oldest daughter, Liesel, to the bus stop.

Usually I check my shop early in the morning before for the kids are up or after they get off to school to see if any packages need to go out, any questions need to be answered or anything updated. Often, I go into my sewing spot and work on a few items. Depending on each day, I pick Mari up early from school, she goes an hour to a few hours. Then, she and I spend time reading and playing and then she takes a rest while I work on home life, sewing or Etsy teamwork.

When the other kiddos get home...homework, supper and life take a front seat with my time. I’m not a night person, so I’ve learned the hard way, with a seam ripper, that sewing after the kids are in bed isn’t a good idea, but I still check in on Etsy.

Any advice for those thinking of pursuing their artistic dreams?

Dreams are really important in life. Hang onto your dreams...but, realise they may take a different form or fruition timing may be different than you picture...and that’s usually best in the long run. Listen to those who love you when you consider your dreams...including God....he’s made a lot of mine brighter and bigger than I ever imagined!

Where can you see more of your work?

On Etsy here, or on Facebook here.

Thank you so much, Becca, for sharing with us!

Audrey in "How To Steal A Million"

Love this movie! Love Audrey! Love the quirky plot! Love the outfits! That is all.

(All photos in this post are freeze frames from the movie 1966 movie "How To Steal A Million", directed by William Wyler, starring Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole)

Dress Brooch Inspiration

I just love browsing vintage patterns and magazines for ideas for my felt dress brooches (as well as for style inspiration, of course!) 

MissBettysAttic is an Etsy shop that stocks an abundance (almost 2000 at last count) of sewing patterns for men, women, children, and dolls from the 1940s through to the present. I could spend hours just looking at these, especially the 1940s and 50s women's! Here are a few of my favourites (just click on the photo to go to the item listing): 

Aren't they cute? I want to make all of these as dresses for me!! Unfortunately, I need to make a few of the dresses I already have patterns for first. Instead, I may use them as inspiration for some brooches for now. 

But if you are after a specific vintage pattern or just have a vague idea of the kind of style you would like, go check out MissBetty'sAttic. 

Winter Creature Comforts

I love the indulgence of creature comforts in winter. Even a mild, Brisbane winter. 

I sit here on this slightly cool winter night with my 'Ma blanket' draped over my lap, keeping me nice and cosy. My darling grandmother has knitted a special blanket for each of her grandchildren and now each of her great-grandchildren as well. I just LOVE that she does this. It is such a wonderful way of imparting part of herself to her family. And even though they are just tiny, her great-grandchildren seem to 'get' how special their 'Ma blankets' are. We have an extra tiny blanket that she made, just using up a few scraps, as a lap blanket for the kidlets while in the pram. Hubby rescued it this afternoon from a long hibernation in the linen closet. Miss almost-three had not seen it for a good long while - she was so excited, she had to run and show me, saying, "Look Mummy, this one is a tiny cute Ma blanket!" Awwww, bless!

Tea. I'm up to Day 7 of my coffee-free Cuppa Tea A Day. So far, my tea schedule has looked something like this: 

1. Cranberry, Strawberry and Raspberry Herbal Tea
2. Peppermint with English Toffee
3. White Tea with Rose
4.  Italian Almond Tea
5. Earl Grey with Lavender
6. Pure Ceylon
7. Lady Grey 

I have not had any major coffee cravings so far. Quite amazing, I think.

I have, however, had cravings for chocolate. Oh dear. Thank goodness my dear friend gave me some for my birthday. *grin*

This evening, I am also enjoying perusing the latest issue of Peppermint Mag, which was part of my birthday present from Hubby. And I'm drinking my tea out of my new teacup from my lovely sister-in-law. And eating chocolate from my dear friend. What a lovely way to spend a winter evening.

And don't you just love the way the heading on the Peppermint Mag just jumps out and screams CELEBRATE!

What is your favourite winter comfort? Please tell me in the comments section below. :)

A Cuppa A Day

I am going coffee-free for a month. For several years, I have been more of a tea person than a coffee person, but every now and then, I get a bit too dependent on coffee for my liking. My health issues lately have been causing me to live in a state of constant exhaustion. The one coffee per day I have been allowing myself is not actually making me feel any more energetic. And I am just over it.

I have a lot of different kinds of tea in my pantry. Actually, it's not in my pantry. I have a special cupboard dedicated to my collection of teas (and one or two kinds of coffee). This cupboard is next to the one that is dedicated to displaying my collection of teapots and pretty vintage tea cups. Which is next to the one that is for regular tea cups and mugs. I planned it that way when I designed our kitchen during renovations a couple of years ago. Oh my word. I like my tea.

Lately, hubby has been teasing me about all my kinds of tea. In my defence, hubby is also a tea drinker, and enjoys a range of teas also. He thinks I am a bit over the top about tea, however. He teases me that I don't drink more than one or two kinds on a regular basis, and I'm ashamed that lately I have been a bit boring in my hot drink choices.

I have decided to mix things up a bit and enjoy at least one cup of different tea each day. I invited one of my sisters to join me in this little adventure, and to my delight, she accepted! We are not buying new kinds of tea, just using the ones that we already have between us. She usually visits once a week or once a fortnight, but during our "tea month" she will be out of town more than she is in town. So I have compiled a little list, and packed her a little tin of the tea that is already in bags. I do have a lot of loose leaf tea though, so I am thinking of trialling this cute tutorial from A Beautiful Mess blog.

Image by Elsie Larson, via A Beautiful Mess blog

I started yesterday, by drinking Strawberry, Cranberry and Raspberry herbal tea. Today was supposed to be Lemon and Ginger, but I had a hankering for Peppermint with English Toffee instead. My sister and I were going to have the same tea on the same day, but if today is anything to go by, I suspect I may not always feel like the scheduled tea for that day, so I think I'll change the rules and make it that we just pick whichever tea we feel like that day.

Do you want to join us in going coffee-free and having 'A Cuppa A Day'?

1. You can have more than one cup of tea per day, but there needs to be at least one new tea each day.
2. We are counting iced tea separately, so you could have a hot lemon tea one day then a cup of iced tea with lemon the next day and it will still count. 
3. Sit down while drinking your tea. Savour it! 
4. Sign up in the comments section, and tell me which tea you will start with! 

I intend to do a review of the month once it is done, as well as some updates in my regular posts. I hope you will join us!

Friday Fun: Kimono's Townhouse

Can you believe it is Friday again? Hooray!! 

Just because Fridays are supposed to be fun and laid-back, I thought I would share some fun with you today. 

Have you heard of Kimono's Townhouse? I have been reading it for about a year now, I found it via Frankie. 

It is a wonderfully unique comic strip about ponies (think My Little Pony) living in a townhouse, updated each week. You might wonder why I am sharing about a comic strip on a craft blog. I have a perfectly good reason - it's because creator Dava Butler is a craft whiz!! This comic strip is photographed rather than drawn. Yep, that's right. Dava sets up each scene, often creating incredibly miniscule props to support the dialogue. It is really incredible work, but you kind of forget that because you get sucked in to the story and the characters and just enjoying the wit and craziness of the actual comic. 

Anyway, I like it. And I thought maybe you would too. 

 

[Pics are small due to copyright issues - click on them and they will take you to the original pages. Images  from www.kimonostownhouse.com]

Op-shop Haul

Okay. So this was a while ago. Maybe two months ago, I walked into the local op-shop on a quick trip out by myself, and as usual, I went straight to the craft and sewing supplies section. The pickings are usually fairly slim, but it's always worth a look, I tell myself. I had to work hard at keeping my cool, because I found the box of sewing patterns was filled to overflowing with exactly what I am always looking for and rarely find - amazing vintage patterns for kids and for me, from the 50s through to the 70s. I think they were all from one particular donor, who dropped them off all at once, and they were put out all at once, and I actually happened to make it there at the right time to snap them all up (thanks, God!). I bought TWENTY-ONE of them. Mmmhmm.

Seriously. I was so excited about these. I still am, I just have not even begun to find time to actually SEW any of them. But thanks to Cass from Cass Can Sew, I was reminded of the great haul when I read her blog post today.

To be honest, I have not had the guts to go through each pattern yet and see which pieces are still in tact. However, I love the gorgeous illustrations on the covers, even if the patterns are not there! Unfortunately, some of the covers are not in the best condition. But still, they make me gasp with their gorgeousness. 

There are too many to have all as separate pics, so here is a collage of them: 

 And close-ups of just five of my favourites:

What great finds have you scored at op-shops lately? I would love to hear about them!