Here Comes the Sun

I had grand plans when it came to photographing this skirt. Considering its picnic cloth nature I imagined green parks, tea cups and sunny skies. Unfortunately, the world did not oblige. Instead, it gave me torrential rains, gale force winds and dreary skies.

Generally speaking, I’m not one to complain when we have weather like this – I love the rain. For some odd reason I’m happier of a morning if I wake up and its grey outside. I sound like a severe melancholic, but I’m not, honest!

So, after waiting a few days, I decided, gray skies or not, I’ll take pictures of my new skirt. Of course the day after was a crystal clear day, but I was busy, and liked the gray skies in the pictures regardless.

I like to think that this skirt adds a little sunshine to any day, not matter what is like; it’s simply the happiest skirt I own.

I cut out a full circle, using Burdastyles Linda pattern as a reference, with the waist measurement double which it needed to be, then gathered it to my waist measurement.  After it was gathered and attached the waistband it ended up being just a bit bigger than a full circle, which is BIG! The waist band was a simple strip, which I folded over and reinforced with interfacing.

Its perfect for twirling in!

I used a lapped zipper and two buttons on the waist band for the closure. I had never made a button hole before, partly because I lost the buttonhole attachment to my sewing machine, and partly because I had always assumed it would a massive pain in the behind. For a year now I have successfully avoided all button hole related garments, using “faux” buttons if necessary, with snaps behind.

Since I have been practicing my embroidery, I decided to try my hand at bound buttonholes. My word, I’m like a proud child, with the best buttonhole in the class! They were so pretty; I’m just kicking myself that I didn’t take a close up picture, so you’ll just have to take me word for it.

Do you use your machine to make buttonholes, or do you hand bind them? I’d love to hear about the techniques you favour in regards to this?

I cut the skirt late one night and stitched it up on the second. Minus all the tea breaks, mindless tv watching, and downright dawdling, this skirt really only took about 2 hours to make, the most tedious part being the hemming. Thankfully the fabric (cotton sateen) had a little stretch in it so I was able to ease it a little easier, though I feel in some parts I may have stretched it a little too much.

I would certainly recommend trying your hand at this pattern if you’re looking to add a little vintage flair to your wardrobe. It’s so easy to make and so much fun to wear!

Click here to see larger picutes.

Harry Potter Mania!

In this post here, I subtly hinted at my love for all things Harry Potter. So naturally, Karlie (a fellow Potterhead) and I jumped at the chance to attend the midnight screening for the final installment of the series.

It was the most amazing night of Potter mania and silliness I have ever encountered! I kid you not!

Did you dress up, you ask? Why yes, of course we did! I embraced my inner Hermione and let me hair run wild, and Karlie with her red hair, went as Ginny (although, for some reason kept being referred to as Ron all night?)

We both made our Hogwarts robes out of yards and yards of lovely thick rayon that I scored free at work and I knitted my Gryffindor scarf (I'm tempted to say for the occasion, but in all truth, I actually knitted it about 3 years ago shhhhh!).

We harnessed our "creative pattern making" skills when  making our robes and simply laid on a double layer of fabric and drew a chalk outline of the the shape we wanted around us. It looked somewhat like a sewing room crime scene. I'll be the first the admit that these were some shoddy robes, but somehow I don't think anyone there would have been scrutinizing my seam finishes.

We arrived at the cinema at about 10.30 and spent the hour and half before the movie started finding and photographing the best costumes there.

But a long night, after a long day at work, must start with a quick espresso martini -

This guy was the spitting image of a young James Potter

Excitement!

Voldemort's snake (Nagini) actually moved its head, hissed and had flashing red eyes! impressive!

House Elves

Luna here didn't just dress up, She was in full "character" all night!

In the Lobby, they had set up a exhibition corner,

With real props from the movies.

It was such fun, I felt like a little kid again! Though I must admit, having been on the Potter band wagon since I read the first book in 4th grade, I am a little sad that its now all over, But as J. K Rowling herself said at the world premier "The stories we love best do live in us forever, so whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home"

Can You Dig It, Baby?

I'm totally diggin' Zooey Deschanels style right now. Perhaps I'm a little late on the uptake in regards to this, but I'm glad I didn't miss it all together! She has such a quirky, 60's girl next door vibe -

Not to mention she is the "She" in the awesome musical duo "She & Him", which has been making  frequent appearances on my Ipod lately. Even their music video's are fantastically retro -

She may have influenced my new haircut, but you know, just a smidge.... its not like I'm a fan or anything!

Do you have any new style icons?

Home for the Weekend

This weekend past, I decided to go and stay with my parents on the Northern Beaches for a little home lovin' and comfort. It was really fun to have the whole family together, and see my little doggie Sophie, who is getting very old!

We spent the weekend soaking up the sun, eating, crafting and eating some more, which is certainly right up my alley!

Mom and I found a new pre-mixed brand of Royal Icing Sugar at the supermarket, so we decided to make shortbread cookies.

And I got a new fringe, yay! what do you think?

I made love heart shaped shortbread, and iced them in red and pink, but I fear that my wonky piping is a little more visible on the pink ones... eek!

Mom gets extra points for making these adorable button shapes shortbread, aren't they sweet?!

This is my family! Don't you think my brother has taken Hobo-Chic to a whole new level?  - *cough* Trim your beard! *cough*

But he did make us laugh, with this failed attempt at an Awkward Family Photo.

It was such a beautiful day!

We even found time for some very important crafting and tea drinking. You may see these felt flowers pop up soon!

And Ol' Sophie kept a very watchful eye on us from her bed. No matter how hard I tried I could not take the demon eye's out of the photograph. She still looks cute though! little stinker...

What did you do on the weekend?