August Street

2011-11-27T15:03:00.001+11:00

So long & farewell....

2009-12-27T15:03:00.006+11:00

Just a quick note to my lovely and cherished readers (for whom I hope are not too disappointed or shocked) to say I'm calling it a day on the August Street blog.

Why? Well the truth of the matter is that I am needed elsewhere, in the sense that 'where' is in the non-computer realm. There's a whole swag of new obligations after-hours and to achieve new things and avoid burnout at the same time, I need to shake and shimmy things up a bit... and let some things rest.

You know how it goes: too much focus in one area can leave you depleted in others. When you need to shift focus for a while, it's just like taking a little holiday from one thing to use all your energies on other things. (I wonder if this is making any sense...?)

Anyway, I'll still be reading all of your fine words via my RSS feed reader and will always leave a comment when I'm moved by something or someone. I just won't be creating new posts here. I will be keeping the blog online though; I couldn't possibly delete this little chunk of history, could you?

Blogging has definitely been an ace experience, and I will no doubt miss it. So keep up the creativity everyone, as I will.

Signing off for now... it's been amazing!

Jenaveve
xo

Blog love

2009-12-22T07:10:00.002+11:00

I've been held captive at these fabulous places:

- The Selfish Seamstress… my new favourite dressmaking blog. What a girl! Her haiku’s rock and this post in particular made me giggle: Yarrrr! Everything must have one sleeve! Burda 1.2010 preview

- Yes & Yes posted this brilliant, well written article from RealLiving: 10 Truths I Wish I'd Known Sooner

- le projet d'amour sends me into a delirium... delicious imagery, gorgeous film reviews and thought-provoking words that make me to comment on every single post (but that would just be insane)

- I can't get enough of the literary-inspired pics at The English Muse. Books, bookshelves, piles of books, all of it.

- Holly's creation really tickles my fancy, in burgundy:

What's tickling your fancy?

Blogging Goals for 2010

2009-12-18T18:35:00.001+11:00

I love an impending New Year, don’t you? It’s the perfect time to be making lists, like this one -
Blogging Goals for 2010!

I've limited myself to five goals; nothing too dramatic, but all in the hope of making August Street a more useful part of my creative life next year.

1. Post weekly
The practical part of my brain is craving some kind of blogging schedule... otherwise weeks pass by and tumbleweeds start rolling in. Weekly posting may sound like a no-brainer to some, but it’s kind of laughable for me sometimes (just being honest here). So to be credible I'm aiming for one or two posts a week, not forgetting my 'Just a Minute...' round-ups on the 29th.

2. Stay on topic

I would define August Street as a creative blog majoring in garment sewing. But in reality, I’m just a girl with too many hobbies… Who wants to be limited to just one anyway?

Inspiration and creativity depend on each other, so branching out into numerous creative paths is helpful, and they usually have an obvious or indirect relationship with my big love of sewing. So, how to manage so many themes and not just waffle on aimlessly? Well, maybe less topics per post. Or... this brings me to the next goal:

3. Master my categories

Choosing labels or categories for a post can be tricky sometimes, especially when a post contains a gazillion different ideas (refer to ‘waffling’ above). Lazy labeling just won't do anymore; I can't find a darn thing in my Archives when I need to, especially with the miscellaneous labels I’ve used like 'life' or 'fun'... that could mean just about anything. So, a general overhaul of my labels/categories is on the cards.

4. Subscribe/Follow less blogs

This is a tough one – can it really be done?
If you’re like me, every time you discover a new and exciting blog your mouse-hand just can’t help itself and within seconds you’ve ‘Followed’ or ‘Subscribed’ to the shiny new blog and it is now clogging up your feed-reader with the other 3000 unread posts. Restraint is definitely called for here.

And finally... this one's the biggie:

5. Less 'show and tell', more confidence in the here and now

(And I don't mean less photos, oh no.)

I have discovered something about blogging: I began August Street as a yardstick for my sewing escapades, a way of pushing myself to do more, and more importantly… to complete things. There’s nothing more satisfying than declaring “I’m finished!” and crossing it off the list, then showing it to the world because you love it so. But in reality this has proven counter-productive for me. I have inadvertently cornered myself into a “work faster and finish it" scenario which is ridiculous. I am the champion of slow-sewing after all (one or two garments a year is about my pace) so it was a light bulb moment to realize that this kind of blogging has added to my already high expectations.

So in the early stages of learning to sew and tailor garments, the production line and overall rate of completion is slow. It's often fraught with self-doubt and wanting to know how to do everything yesterday. So I really do admire experienced sewers with the skills to whip up a garment in a weekend… oh yes, I’d like to be at that level one day.

Until then, this goal is all about shifting focus away from the finish line, and on to the actual experience and the process of learning to sew. Oh, and aiming for more confidence in telling it like it is: at the level that I am at, mistakes and all. And as always I love people commenting with a better way to do things… how else do you learn?

What do you think... do any of these goals ring true for you?
Do you have a list of blogging goals for the New Year? I'd love to hear them.

"Jane Bites Back"

2009-12-16T18:26:00.002+11:00

This week’s Wish List got me thinking about books, mostly Austen-related. I have spent a lot of time in Jane Austen’s world lately, reading her novels, watching TV and movie adaptions, and viewing original costume displays. The author and the world she once inhabited has been a constant source of fascination to me.

I was a little shocked earlier this year when I heard zombies had infiltrated 'Pride and Prejudice', but I am very excited to know that soon, the undead author will walk among us once more.

'Jane Bites Back' is the first in a new series due for release this month. On my birthday too. What? I'm just saying....

2009 has been one of the biggest years for vampirism in a literary and visual setting. And what simpler way to bring a literary icon out of the past and into a contemporary tale, than by turning them into a vampire?

Here's a snippet from the editorial reviews:

"Turned into a vampire by Lord Byron back in the 19th century, Jane Austen still struggles with her altered nature. Currently living in a small town in upstate New York under the name of Jane Fairfax, she owns a bookstore and is trying to get a new novel published. Turning up out of nowhere, Byron, now Brian George, wants to woo Jane back, but he faces competition from local carpenter Walter. When Jane finally achieves critical and commercial success with her novel's publication, the publicity draws the attention of a jealous rival from the past. Will Jane finally find personal and professional happiness, or will her secrets be revealed?

In this clever paranormal tale, YA author Ford has created warm, witty characters that will appeal to both Janeites and vampire fanciers. Literary humor and intriguing snippets from Jane's book are the icing on the cake. Two more books are promised in this series, so readers who fall under Jane's spell will be eagerly awaiting her next adventure."

Not so sure about the cover image but I do love the fonts used on the first page:

Does a blend of regency and the supernatural sound like your cup of tea? It is definitely mine.

Speaking of supernatural, on the weekend I tore through the first book of the ‘Vampire Academy’ series, recommended highly by friends at work. Even though I'm feeling slightly saturated by vampirism, the first book has been a quick and easy read. It’s a combination of action, romance and fantasy, and the perfect way to wind down the year (yes, I am already onto Book 2).

December Wish List

2009-12-14T20:12:00.003+11:00

I’m having a teensy break from the sewing machine while the Christmas festivities carry on. However sewing is always on my mind and here are just some of the wonderful things I am desiring at the moment:

Stitch magazine
Who doesn’t love Japan, or the tote on the front cover?

One-yard Wonders
I have plenty of yard-long material lying around
with nothing to do.

Sewing Green
Deconstructing old garments, aprons made from men’s shirts,
wallets from the shirts’ cuffs… ooh, tell me more.

This has just arrived on my desk…
but I must hand it over to M until my birthday
(how’s that for a show of willpower?)

What's on your creative Wish List?

Some stuff I love today

2009-12-02T07:10:00.006+11:00

It's a beautiful day... the sun is already casting long shadows over our baby Jacarandah trees and I feel like sharing some stuff that I am loving today...

bacon & eggs on wholegrain muffins for breakfast
teacups with matching (or un-matching) saucers
weekends by the waterfront

eating cherries
finishing my paperwork for the tax man
walking our dogs at sunset
the English Muse blog... so inspiring
the anticipation of reading everyone's 'Just a Minute...' posts from November

Speaking of J.a.M. I'll be around to visit you all later this week (if I haven't already).

What have I been up to... well this week I've spent more time outside than sitting at the computer. I've been a little spellbound with nature, noticing the little things around me that I normally don't stop to really notice and appreciate...

I'm away to work now, and very much looking forward to a cup of tea.

Just a minute... in November 09

2009-11-29T01:00:00.002+11:00

Lemon meringue pie is courtesy of my guest-host last week.

It's the 29th again, so time to play Just a Minute... If you're unsure how it works, look to the right (in my sidebar there's a lovely little explanation).

Listening... to Last.fm, it's my new addiction. (I'm 'AugustStreet' if you're looking for me)

Praising... the 'Bat For Lashes' station on Last.fm. And today I found a station dedicated to songs from 'The Vampire Diaries' - even if you can't stand the show you must agree that the soundtrack from every episode is rather fabulous (Placebo, Bat For Lashes, Silversun Pickups... need I go on?)

Watching... 'New Moon' - apart from moments of atrocious acting by the leads (though Jacob is the exception here) plenty of action and great CGI effects - the fur and the eyes on the wolves were magical.

Reading... a bunch of fashion history books from the Library of which I am currently incurring a fine. Must give them back this week.

Cooking... very little. It's been a pathetic month for healthy eating and I'm sick of my own excuses, so will be making much more of an effort from now.

Writing... a little. It's been almost a year since I lost the beginnings of my novel-in-progress and the characters have been resurfacing in my mind, generally on those balmy nights when sleep is impossible. They are calling me. Wouldn't hurt to give them life again.

Sewing... is on hold for a few weeks - just having a little break to recharge the batteries, then I'll be back into it.

Loving... the rain in Summer. Just when I can't take the heat anymore we have giant, musical storms with an electric lightshow. Only problem is that it scares the you-know-what out of Russell (dog #1); Tilly is immune to the sound thankfully.

If you're playing along this month don't forget to add your link here...

Lemons and a guest host

2009-11-22T09:32:00.011+11:00

For something a little different, today we have a guest host for August Street. Please welcome my husband (M) to the blog, as he has a little something he would like to show you...

Hi everybody, I'm M (that's M for Masterchef).

I was supposed to go for a motorbike ride today but the sky has opened up and it's absolutely belting down. So instead, I grabbed the bagful of lemons given to me by a work friend and I thought I'd have a go at making my wife her favorite desert: Lemon Meringue Pie.

I've never made anything like this before - my forte is barbecuing and fixing things (odd jobs man, that's me). But I do enjoy cooking, and I will cook anything for as many people as it takes, but I will not do dishes. I can't stand that part - that's where Jen helps me out.

We found the recipe yesterday, online here. For the base I combined plain Arnott's biscuits with Butternut Snap cookies. I gave them a rough old beating because I like the idea of a textured base, but next time I might even throw in some half plain/half chocolate biscuits for a different flavour.

I whisked the egg whites until I could hold the bowl upside down and nothing fell out.

Perfect!

It tasted as good as it looks here, and with Jen's approval - "Restaurant quality," she reckons.

So it's still raining... the bike ride is canceled... very upset. Decided to continue with the lemons and make a marmalade.

First I sterilized the jars (never done this before either):

I washed the lemons on the outside, deseeded, cut up and blended them.

After a zap in the microwave (I went for the modern day method, not the traditional boiling method) we did a marmalade-wrinkle test where you put a dollop on a chilled plate and push it to see if it wrinkles. If it's too runny, keep cooking; if it wrinkles, then it's ready:

And then bottled it all up:

Now it's over to Jen do decorate with some kind of fabric and ribbon so we can give them away as Christmas gifts (I'll be keeping one for me though).

Last but not least, we finished this lazy rainy Sunday with my specialty spit roast pork. And yes the crackling came out just fine... very crackly!

I might visit the blog again next rainy weekend... if I'm allowed.

Hummingbird 100... and Last.fm

2009-11-19T19:35:00.008+11:00

I've just discovered the Hummingbird 100 music survey (created by folks who make Hummingbird Blonde Lager from Cruiser... not that I've tried it). I heard about this from ClaireBee who has already voted for her Top 10.

As the Hummingbird 100 website kindly informs us:

"When Triple J announced their Hottest 100 Songs of all time in July 2009 over half a million votes were cast and 13,000 songs were nominated - one of the largest radio surveys ever conducted. Eyebrows were raised when not one female artist or woman-fronted band made the list."

Pretty shameful really... so here's my list of rockin' lassies for the Hummingbird 100:

If you love seriously talented female vocalists, then get cracking as voting closes in 3 days. And let us both know what you picked too. Oh, and I need to find someone with MaxTV so I can watch the countdown on Nov 29th...

Read on if music is your muse...
... because I have made another little discovery from this exercise: Last.fm (where have you been all my life?)

I haven't been this excited about a musical discovery since iTunes. All my old favorites are there in video, song and bio. Tonight I'm immersed in the nostalgia of music circa 1993 when Bell and I did a brief stint on the one and only alternative music show on Mildura's radio waves (think back to pre-Triple J times people).

We would take in CDs from our own collection to play in the 10-midnight time slot on a Friday night: Lush, Veruca Salt, Babes in Toyland, PJ Harvey... ah, it has ignited the memories.

I digress... I have followed in Claire's footsteps and am building my top '100 Women' list on Last.fm. I made it to 56 songs before I became a little distracted as I found oh, about a thousand other related songs to listen to...

'Single Girl' - Lush

The pleasure of giving

2009-11-15T21:19:00.004+11:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting the very lovely Cam of Curlypops, as I had a little bit of fabric I thought she might enjoy. Lo and behold, Cam had this little treasure for me that she picked up in a previous op-shop trip:

It's a 1972 publication: Singer Sewing Book. I've been leafing through it all weekend... I just love the frankness of the writing from previous decades, and it has a gorgeous old green hardback complete with retro gold leaf title and sewing machine icon on the front.

Not forgetting the cute little red flowers and very forthright pep talk on the introductory page.

Meanwhile, I found this great animal print fabric for a friend who is going to use it to cover very small canvases with each animal face, and pop them on the wall in her one-year old's room. Who doesn't love a wild animal print?

2009-11-12T07:00:00.003+11:00

I'm rather excited... it's my first blog giveaway.
All in celebration of 2 years of 'Just a Minute...' now that's a lot of reflecting!

Okay, onto the giving part. First I typed up all of your lovely names - twice if you posted about the giveaway - and I dressed them up in a fun little font called Pussycat just because it looked so darn cute:

Next, I gave the Random.Org number generator a spin...

And the lucky winner of 'Cupcakes & Muffins: a Collector's Edition' is comment #26 by Emjie!

Better get your oven mitts ready, your prize will be on it's way soon!

***

A massive thank you everyone for leaving some rockin' tips and recommendations. You really are a sweet and interesting bunch, aren't you?! And you know I love to hear your thoughts (Check out all the comments for a good read).

You know, this giveaway business was kind of fun. Maybe I will do this again.

Swing by on the 29th November to play this month's Just a Minute...

Do you know how to relax? Really?

2009-11-07T10:05:00.002+11:00

There are two, fully grown Jack Russell dogs under that blanket.

Doing what they do best... relaxing (though Tilly has just rolled over for a possible belly-rubbing opportunity).

We could all take a leaf out of their lazy book. They have a real knack for it though - they scurry under that blanket and hide away from the rest of the world. And no matter what anyone says, or does, they just ignore said world and continue in their zone.

I'm in the garden today, doing the complete opposite of relaxing - although it's kind of therapeutic, and physical too. In fact, I'm betting that I won't be able to move around tomorrow without hurting.

What are you doing to relax (or otherwise) this lovely weekend?

Fabric covered buttons... can't be that hard, surely?

2009-11-06T08:30:00.000+11:00

To add the final touches to my charcoal coat my sewing teacher recommended visiting two little stores near the city:

1. a tailor to have professional keyhole buttonholes done, and
2. a little shop that makes fabric-covered buttons.

Apparently they do them while you wait, which is a good thing because it's on the other side of the city and I wouldn't be coming back for at least a month.

It sounded like a good idea... although I felt that I was cheating the whole 'learning to tailor' process just a little. Worth checking out though.

So I drove across the other side of town on Saturday (yes, in our first real heatwave of the year) and I could not find the tailor's, then I got completely lost in the horrendous Derby Day traffic, gave up on the tailor and eventually found the second location to see a lady about some buttons. The store was in an alley and more like a factory than the cutesy trims shop I expected, but it housed a ridiculous amount of fabulous buttons, trims and closures.

I produced my fabric and the lady showed me what the buttons would like like, and then said I would have to come back. So I thanked her and said I'd think about what I wanted to do while I looked around... but then I left.

Yes, I just walked out of there. Not because I'd have to come back the following week to collect them, but due to a little flashback I had while I was looking at all the trims. I vaguely remembered looking in my Grandma's closet as a child, at the beautiful woolen coats she used to make, and then I recalled that she used to cover her own buttons using the same fabric as the coat she was making.

I suddenly felt like a fraud, standing there about to ask if someone else could do it for me.

So I headed straight to the nearest supplies store - Spotlight - and I bought this little D.I.Y. kit:

Tonight I had my first go at covering one of these little things with a scrap of fabric from my coat.

And it worked out just fine!

As for the keyhole buttonholes, I discovered that Bell's sewing machine can do these! So I'm going to give them a go too. On scraps first, of course.

***

You know, a few months ago I wouldn't have had the confidence to walk out of that little shop thinking that I could do it myself; or to try making the keyholes on a friend's machine. But the more you tell yourself that you should give it a crack, the more you will start to believe that you can.

And I figure if I'm going to be making more coats in future, I'd rather be able to do the whole thing at home, without relying on a tailor over the other side of town.

Hey, if it all goes pear-shaped though, at least I have back-up!

Maybe there's something you've been avoiding, because you thought it might be too hard, or you didn't feel you had the confidence... maybe you should just give it a go?

my creative space...

2009-11-05T10:00:00.000+11:00

Did you think I could make it out of Spotlight on the weekend without a touch of fabric? No way, Jose.

A little bit of this came with me...

I am saving it up for a rainy day... I think it will make a great cover for my overlocker, that's currently residing under a layer of dust. The poor thing doesn't get much of a go while I'm fully lining my coats... no overlocking necessary (to me, that is a bonus and a time saver!)

I forgot to mention the other fabric stores I discovered on Saturday, and the other fabric that came home with me too; be back soon with the details.

One other little thing in my creative space this morning is this fabulous new and simply beautiful blog discovery.

For other creative spaces visit Kirsty!

***

And if you are into cupcakes, books or baking - or all three - don't forget to enter my little Giveaway!

Books and cupcakes: the perfect Giveaway!

2009-11-02T20:02:00.009+11:00

Well I just about fell off my chair (and that would've hurt). Last week 44 people played Just a Minute... 44!

When I first started J.a.M. in December '07, it meant the world to me to discover I had two lovely people leave me a comment. And now I can't keep up with my own blog reading. And the best thing about J.a.M. is all the great recommendations from everyone's posts - I have a list a mile long of books, movies, music and blogs to check out...

What's that about a Giveaway?

Well now that J.a.M. is officially 2 years old, I felt it was time to give a little something back to Blogland. And for your winning pleasure I have this sweet little book: 'Cupcakes and Muffins: collector's edition' for one interested reader:

Don't be deceived, it's a heavy little thing, but it has a beautiful soft, padded front cover...

... and inside are exquisite recipes for sweet things that I am officially not allowed to be in the same room with (or I would have a sugar seizure)...

... and check out the neat little dividers to sort your coffee's from your vanilla's...

... just in time for Christmas!

To Win...

If this is your cup of tea, or you'd like to bake something to go with your cup of tea... simply leave a comment on this post with one recommendation of something you've enjoyed this year:- a book, a movie, music or a blog (or all four!).

And a bonus entry if you blog about this giveaway (let me know so I can visit you).

***

Entries close at midnight, Australian time on Wednesday 11th November, and I'll announce the lucky winner the following day (postage will be crazy but I'm letting anyone from around the globe enter this one!)

Good luck all. And don't forget to swing by on the 29th if you are playing 'Just a Minute...in November'.

Jen
x

Just a minute... in October

2009-10-28T22:30:00.001+11:00

So, what's been going on this month J.a.M.ers?

Reading... Collezioni magazine (I have borrowed a couple; these 400-page magazines are just incredible!) Also: Julie & Julia (still...I know!), Healthy Food Guide, and I've dragged out all of my low GI cookbooks for inspiration.

Keeping... a food diary for one week to see exactly what I devour each day.

Sewing... in every spare moment I can find.

Watching... Julie & Julia - a really sweet movie. Julia Child's high-pitched voice did get on my nerves about half-way through, but the show was completely entertaining. And this month's picks on the Teev: Being Erica (still love this show), DeadWood Series 1 (somewhat addictive, despite the seriously horrendous language), The Vampire Diaries (it's like an undead version of Dawson's Creek), FlashForward and True Blood Series 2 (Bell & I are about half-way through now).

Trying... not to cram too much into each day. Keeping it light, you know?

Making... a list of dress fabric stores in/around Melbourne to visit this weekend. Any recommendations? Pretty please leave me yours.

Congratulating... all those bloggers going nuts with Blogtoberfest, now that's dedication for you! Maybe a J.a.M. post can help you out in the final days.

Playing... along? If so, simply add yourself below so other J.a.M.ers can visit.

Threads jacket on the horizon

2009-10-27T09:19:00.002+11:00

I know, I know - not a great move, planning the next jacket whilst smack in the middle of the first one. There's a danger in losing interest. A danger in adding it to the 'UFO' pile.

Nah, not likely. These coats are so close to completion, the smell of success is thick in the air!

In any case, I did take a little trip to Spotlight to pick up this:

I love a military-style jacket, so the style on the left is very appealing. I also love, love, LOVE the high collar on the two left styles (is there a technical name for it?). I seem to suffer from 'chilling-of-the-neck'... no idea why but a cold neck equals a cold everything. Scarves are a necessity on most days, so this sort of collar would be most helpful with the warmth factor.

I'm loving the burnt orange and the turquoise colors... toughest question of all - what fabric should I be looking for? Something lightweight, ideal for Spring... Any thoughts or suggestions would be just ace!

Fitted coats progress: sleeves are in!

2009-10-25T20:24:00.004+11:00

Happy to report that I'm at a stage where the coat is starting to look like an actual coat. It even has two sleeves, thanks to a few hours work this afternoon.

A couple of progress shots (to remind myself what to do on the 'Rusty' coat)...

After sewing up a garment sleeve and a lining sleeve, I fitted each of these into their respective sleeve-holes ending up with a rather odd looking, double-trunked torso.

Naturally, the lining sleeve must be pushed through the inside of the garment sleeve, and wha-lah! We have something resembling a wearable item.

The next bit was really fiddly - tucking under that exposed lining and then pulling the whole thing back through to the wrong side to sew - but I was having to much fun playing sleeve-puppets to worry...

I'm still not 100% sure if I sewed it together in the easiest possible way... but it worked a treat. That's what I love about the techniques I'm learning in class - they WORK.

And it did result in a fine-looking sleeve! Even if I do say so myself...

Now would you check out that masterful lining job right there? Oh I aced it, I did.

Okay, what I neglected to mention is that it took two goes to get the very first step completed (way up there) because I sewed the sleeve in backwards the first time. Hmm...

Still, it does resemble a coat now, don't you think?

I have a little buzz of excitement every time I look over there...
Still a handful of things to do - buttons, buttonholes, hemming & back band.

***

I was starting to get a little flustered, and worried about the time it's taking me to make these coats. And sure, we're coming into Summer now, so it will be another 8-10 months before I can actually wear these... but then I had a little revelation this afternoon that eased my mind a tad.

It dawned on me that my taste in coats and jackets hasn't changed a great deal over the years, so it shouldn't matter if it takes me 3-4 months to make one or two of these items. Put it this way - I probably shop for clothes less often than this now (laziness could have something to do with it) so really, there's no need to have these churned out in only a couple of weeks.

It would be nice! I'd have to give up my day job and everything else I do after hours.... but nah! Not really necessary. Quality and good finish is of a greater importance.

Not having a plan, is a good plan

2009-10-22T18:09:00.004+11:00

This morning before work, I was going to…

get up early
finish some sewing homework
respond to blog comments
catch up on reading some blogs

Instead, I…

gave myself a sleep-in
had breakfast with M
walked to the end of the street with M & the dogs
soaked up the morning sunshine

The first list was very well intended, but the alternative was much more pleasing.

Makes me wonder why I plan things so much… sometimes the lack of planning, just allowing things to happen, can turn the day into something wonderful.

Low-GI French Toast with yoghurt... divine.

my creative space...

2009-10-15T10:00:00.003+11:00

Here we are in my sewing room - amongst the piles of fabric and lining that are actually two coats in progress.

Have you ever paid attention to the construction of the vent way down at the back of your lovely winter coat? Me neither. Until recently when I lost the plot trying to put one together.

It's taken me a bit to get my mind around what goes where... and why. This is key for me - I can't sew a seam unless I can visualize what it will look like when it's completed... so it's slow going when it comes to vents and collars and other tricky things.

So a few little extras were needed, like a bit of extra lining for the inside of the vent (because the pattern left this bit out!!) and then I was on fire.

I'm in love with this burgundy lining...

It's kind of funny looking - but this is the inside part of the vent all done. Next up ... collars!

What are other people playing with this week? Check out the enormous list of creative types and see what they've been up to at Kirsty's.

Simplicity

2009-10-14T09:00:00.000+11:00

What do you gravitate towards when you walk into a seconds / thrift store?

I go straight for anything resembling a sewing machine, fabric or patterns, with a sideways glance for wooden furniture or vintage clothing.

And it's a good thing I have tunnel vision. While wandering through the Mill Markets recently as I was magnetically drawn to this old beauty... the fabulous pictures will do most of the talking:

It's more of a magazine than a book, and the staples have almost rusted away. I can't wait to sit down and have a proper read.

I may even learn an (old) thing or two about fabrics. If silkworms could possibly be cute, then this is a good representation:

Definitely styles reminiscent of the late 1940's:

Aren't you glad our irons have improved over time?

And the section that I'm ogling over - 'Coats And Jackets':

Bookworm

2009-10-11T07:59:00.003+11:00

Hi. My name is Jenaveve, and I'm a bookaholic (Hi Jenaveve).

Books are ace - agreed? Well I found this little bit of fun via fabulous Valerie, a fellow bookworm. And here's my take on literary rituals...

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack?
Sometimes a slice of Burgen bread slathered with Nutella, and always a hot cup of tea.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read them, or does the idea of writing on your books horrify you?
No way! I'd find it too distracting to have scribbles all over the pages.
Also I lend books to friends so I always keep them mark-free...

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog ears? Leaving the book open flat?
Bookmarks... I have an ever-growing collection of them. Love them!

Fiction, Non-Fiction or both?
Ooh, both thanks. I do love an entertaining novel but I'm also compelled to learn about real life.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
I like to get to the chapter end, but sometimes I'll stop at one of those little breaks within the chapter. All good books need a few of those. Don't you love books with really short chapters though? You can stop any time. I should stop now so You can take a break...

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
Well - only if, a whole page later, I am still dwelling on it... then I have to.

What are you currently reading?
I'm a third of the way through 'Julie & Julia' (see my sidebar) and I have about 10 magazines on the bedroom floor, half read.

What is the last book you bought?
I can't remember! And it's best not to dwell on these things... (I'm a reformed bookaholic, if you recall).

Are you the type of person who can only read one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
I have a thing: one book at a time, though many magazines is fine.

Do you prefer series or stand alone books?
Stand-alone; I only seem to last until about the third, maybe fourth book of a series before I'm craving something fresh.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
I generally recommend 'the last book I read' if it was an absolute ripper. Or I advise people to check out my goodreads shelves for inspiration.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
Mostly by genre so I can pick out a book by the kind of mood I'm in.
I also group books by the same author together, but that's as strict as it gets because they tend to wander from the shelves and end up in the most unexpected places - coffee table drawers, bathroom benches, tv cabinets...

****

Let me know if you've played too so I can swing by and check out your reading habits.
Happy reading peeps!

eye spy... my front door

2009-10-04T15:42:00.000+11:00

Karin's theme was too interesting to miss, and inspired me to get busy with the camera and join in this week's eye spy.

So here we are at my front door...

I hadn't given this part of the house much thought before... but here's some little known facts about my front door:

sometimes I step through it after a long work day to be met with the smells of fresh bread baking or a curry simmering in the slow cooker, if it's M's days off.
other days it's more of a trip hazard, notorious for gathering an array of footwear both inside and out, ready for the unwary pedestrian
it's north facing so it always brings the warmer air into the house.

And my absolute favourite part of the whole front door experience has to be the little side window.

Not for the window itself but for the view it allowed me one day of our notorious little carrot thief being caught in the act...

Join in eye spy, or go there to see who else is playing.

Sage advice from a lady called Coco

2009-10-02T17:00:00.002+10:00

Every now and then you come across something magical:

a thought-provoking quote...
a story that has never been told...
a unique perspective that makes your own shift just that little bit.

Today I found something like this and thought I would share it with you, dear readers and lovers of all things inspiring and positive.

It's an interview with Karen Karbo, author of a book that I can't wait to get my hands on called 'The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life's Lessons from the World's Most Elegant Woman'.

Karen talks about Chanel's "courage and self-sufficiency" and about the tough lessons learned in her incredibly interesting life... but it's not your average biography. This story is also about how women can use Chanel's experiences in today's setting to improve their own circumstances. And if you're at all like me, and love the insider's take on their own works, you'll really enjoy take something positive from this interview.

And the book itself, sounds like my cup of tea... or perhaps something that would go fabulously with a cup of tea!

my creative space...

2009-10-01T07:28:00.000+10:00

I'm smack in the middle of attaching linings to both of my coats and suddenly... I lose the plot and have no idea what I'm doing.

Hmm... hate it when that happens.

I'm not so fussed, it will make sense again soon enough, but I will be taking both coats into class tonight to see if my teacher can decipher what I have done. And hopefully rescue me.

See other creative spaces, messy desks and delightful works at Kirsty's.

'The September Issue'

2009-09-30T09:00:00.001+10:00

I was lucky enough to see 'The September Issue' at the movies recently with a friend and we both agreed it was very entertaining: an eye-opener, a shocker, a laugh, a visual feast, all of these things and more.

It's a limited release at selected cinemas, so for those who are disappointed they cannot see in on big screen, absolutely grab a copy of the DVD.

If you've never read a copy of Vogue magazine... it doesn't matter (though you may be so inclined after seeing this). This film has massive appeal to those who are naturally captivated by behind-the-scenes dynamics of the fashion world, the publishing world, the modeling world, and also fans of the movie 'The Devil Wears Prada' and Photoshop (I'm referring to a brilliant handful of scenes with a Sienna Miller cover-shoot that reminds us just how doctored our glossies really are, cover to cover).

I haven't given anything away here as many blogging friends are yet to see this little gem... but I can't wait to read some comments and reviews. Too many themes worth discussing in this film-documentary... hurry up and see it won't you?

Just a minute... in September

2009-09-26T21:00:00.002+10:00

Oh, I just couldn't wait for the 29th to play Just a Minute... so here I am breaking all my own rules. Maybe it's time to be a bit of a rule breaker, a rebel! Or maybe by the time the 29th comes around I've forgotten all the ace things that have been happening. So, dates begone - let's just play, shall we?

Watching... The last few episodes of Dexter series 3. Gripping! Still enjoying Being Erica, and I hope to write up my thoughts on The September Issue. Also, going to see Fame this week, yay! I just loved the original, even though I was only about 6 years old when it came out.

Tasting... chocolate covered almonds, mocha-java coffee, tacos and pitta pizzas. And healthy stuff too, in amongst all that.

Reading... 'Julie & Julia' and a bunch of Threads magazines from the Library.

Discovering... some fabulous new-to-me blog reads:

Glass of Fashion: a blog about 'fashion history, costume, sewing and knitting' (found via A Dress A Day which never fails to entertain). Lots of incredible vintage patterns and imagery, and check out the fabulous banner above.

Worn Through: who's "primary focus is the academic and museum worlds of dress studies". I've barely skimmed the surface with reading through this blog, and I don't want to rush the experience either; there's definite quality waiting to be absorbed here.

Jumping... up and down now that I know 'Mad Men' series 2 starts next week, thanks to Linda at two pink possums.

Working... out - Yogalates twice a week, some walking, some very light hand-weights (you have to start somewhere). The pups are loving the walks, even in the rain, and I'm just loving the endorphins; highly recommend them.

Now, what are your highlights for September '09?

Play along with Just a Minute... anytime. Use any of the '-ing's... above or make up your own, and away you go.

And if you're playing along, don't forget to add your link below so others (and I!) can find you.

Coco Avant Chanel...Giveaway

2009-09-26T17:05:00.000+10:00

Who can resist such a generous giveaway like this one at Dream Sequins?

I've posted my thoughts on the movie (but don't go there if you haven't seen it yet) and this is a chance to be in the running for a copy of a biography called Chanel and Her World.

Fingers, toes, legs, pretty much everything crossed to win a copy... this would be a delight to read and forever admire on the bookshelf.

my creative space...

2009-09-24T07:22:00.005+10:00

There's been a great deal of sewing around these parts. I am currently working on the under-collar and lapels of coat #2 (aka: Rusty Coat), which is why it looks a little 'exposed' with all the interfacing and random bunches of orange threads.

A few weeks ago, I did my first fitting with my sewing teacher on coat #1 (aka: Charcoal Coat) and here I am trying to replicate the fitting experience at home, solo.

This is the first time I've fitted a garment of this sort to myself... interesting process that would work better if I had about seven extra arms. I did incur a few painful stabbing moments around the collar.

Fitting to a real body is necessary if you want the garment to fit properly in the end... and then Maude comes in handy to check that my pinning is all in a nice straight line.

To see a stack of other creative spaces, visit Kirsty.

***

Thank you folks who left encouraging and acknowledging comments on my last post. We've all been there and it's nice to be back now. Posting a little less and staying off-line for a bit was just the right move.

Happy Thursday!

Life intermission

2009-09-17T08:28:00.004+10:00

Last night I had a moment: I was thinking about breaking up with my blog.

A very drastic measure, but one that's been lurking in the back of my mind in the past few non-bloggy weeks. All the excuses were there: It's not you, it's me... I just don't have time for you anymore... I think we need a "break"... I've been seeing other blogs... you know the sort of anxiety inducing inner monologue that can get to you if you haven't regularly posted in, ooh, about 13 days?

But this morning I sat myself down, composed a little one-on-one counseling session and decided that it is actually quite okay not to blog every day / week / month. Breaking up is not the answer... I love my little online space! It has served me well, kept me motivated, and given me access to a bunch of other really wonderful and creative people. However, being off-line these past few weeks has also served me well - I'm getting so much more achieved, my husband sees more than just the back of my head as I tap away at the keyboard mumbling, "I'll be done in a minute...", I'm cooking healthier food, I've even started Yogalates (cross between Yoga and Pilates). Oh, and did I mention I've been sewing? Yep, lots.

I also have a day job. Yes, it's sitting at a computer all day but on-line social networking's a bit of a no-no, so it's taken the fun and the ease out of it, as you can imagine.

So the compromise has been thus declared: I'll just not get so hung up about each non-blogging day as it goes by. I shall not hold back on posting because I don't have time to sort through my gazillion relevant photos. I shall continue on my merry sewing way (as there's been a lot of progress on the coats lately...) and maybe try to post once a week, see how that goes.

It's perfectly normal to have a lull in some aspect of your life (or in this case, one of many hobbies) but I've decided, rather than have a little tanty about it, might be better just to back off a little and let it flourish in it's own time.

Well! That feels better now doesn't it?

3 sewing tips...

2009-09-04T21:55:00.005+10:00

1. Use a rotary cutter for cutting out interfacing; quicker than using your dressmaking shears.

2. Use pins to hold teensy-weensy bits of folded fabric in place when ironing, instead of giving your fingers steam-burn.

3. Don't panic when your iron starts spitting weird looking colored froth at you. Seriously, what is this? And how the heck do I clean it?

I've had an interesting week away from the computer... it's been unintentional, but also kind of therapeutic! And I've had more time for reading Pride & Prejudice... which I've finished and have to say I really enjoyed Austen's world in print.

Now I can begin Julie & Julia (before the movie's released here, yay!)

More sewing for you, real soon. Promise!

Just a minute... in August

2009-08-29T02:00:00.002+10:00

Watching... United States of Tara, Dance (USA), The Librarians, and a new show beginning tonight called Being Erica. Erica is a sort-of time traveller; the show is described as a Quantum Leap meets Ally McBeal so I must give the premiere a go.

Reading... Pride & Prejudice, finally. I've borrowed a gorgeous copy from my Mum (pics to follow in a future post)

Another book I read this month is one that I will never forget: Of Marriageable Age. It was an enlightening read with some lovely twists and it left me on the greatest high. Love those reads!

Finding... so many new-to-me blogs on sewing - clothes or costumes - my blog-reader is officially out of control. Here's a small selection that will keep the dressmaker's among you happy:

A Dress A Day - just awesome, lots of vintage pattern images and rather funny

Confessions of a Costume Addict - this site hasn't been updated for a few years but the old content is gorgeous!

Fashion is My Muse - describes her blog as "commentary on the intersection of fashion, art, history and life". The quotes, the creations and the imagery, oh, the imagery (swoon!)

the garret corner - not only an amazing historic costumer, but maker of an awesome recreation of Dakota Fanning's jacket in Push (just added to my 'To Do')

Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing - this is one talented lady from NYC who is on a mission to sew all 14 fashions from Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing.

Exploring... the Maribrynong Maker's Market tomorrow with my bestie. This is our first real weekend together since she moved down from Sydney. It was so fabulous being able to say to her today, "So, let's do something tomorrow", followed by giggles of delight from either end of the phone.

Recovering... our house has been like an emergency ward this month - wisdom teeth removal, colds, Russ (dog #1) sprained his ligaments, and M had a facial collision with a hammer (long story). But we're all happily on the mend now!

Would you like to play Just a Minute...? Join in anytime, use any of the '-ing...'s above and away you go.

And if you're playing along this month, don't forget to add your link below so others can find you. And please go easy on me folks, this is the first time I've used the 'Mr. Linky' thingy on my blog. I hope it's a good first experience...

FIDM Museum Blog

2009-08-25T14:30:00.002+10:00

I was musing over the weekend about those amazing conservationists who work on preserving old garments in Museums, and then I stumbled upon an amazing link this morning courtesy of A Dress A Day - it's the FIDM Museum Blog (which = hours of new reading material...)

Images from the FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) blog.

Have a lovely Tuesday!

The back of a jacket... construction begins

2009-08-24T17:00:00.000+10:00

Fabric has always been a bit of a mystery to me.

I'm often hazy on knowing the best fabric type for the thing I'd like to make. And I wonder if my fabric will actually drape in all the right places. And what on earth is it really made of anyway?

The biggest problem is finding a fabric that I can instantly fall in love with... that can also pass for being made up into a wearable garment. Some fabrics just look better on the roll than on the human form - pattern too large, too busy, etc. I'm also a sucker for lush fabrics like a thick velvet, but seriously it's not something I can wear often enough to justify the trauma of sewing with it.

I do plan to conquer the abyss that is my lack of fabric knowledge, and I'd really like to get to know it better. So I'm starting with wool.

The best thing about the fabric I'm using for my coat is that is has a little bit of give. It can be manoevered gently, or forced into submission when required. It's a lightweight wool blend... though I'm not sure I recall what it's blended with. Is that a 'Fail' already?

Very easy to match the convex with the concave arches, so the curvy sides straighten out where they should and pin nicely to the straighter back pieces.

Another thing I like about this fabric is the touch. It's kind of soft so it's a pleasure to work with over many hours.

Tonight I am ready to have a second go at the welt pockets and if the lighting is forgiving I will take a bunch of pictures. I'd really love to get this second jacket to the same stage as the grey one I'm working on in class Thursdays.

And I know fabric knowledge will only come with plenty of experience (oh, that seems so far away...) but if you have any suggestions or experiences with getting to know fabrics a little better, please send them my way.

Eye Spy... something I want to try

2009-08-24T07:30:00.000+10:00

Melanie has chosen a fabulous theme for this week's 'eye spy'... Something I want to try. Where to start?!

This topic really had me thinking... there's crochet (just enough to whip up a beret or some fingerless gloves) and if I had the patience for it, I'd love to try embroidery. Art journaling is up there on the list also. All these things I am itching to have a go at, but every valuable, creative minute spent outside of working hours is kept aside for sewing.

And the thing that keeps edging its way into my thoughts, that really gets my mind buzzing, and eludes me for the moment is:

Costuming

A period costume is a little out of my league currently, but you never know where a little sewing practice can take you...

Source: The Costumer's Guild

Okay, now I'm day-dreaming... I imagine throwing in my desk job and working at the Victoria & Albert Museum conserving historical creations like these:

Source: fashion-era.com

Or perhaps I am rolling up to a film set to add final touches to an outfit I just whipped up:

Source: IMDb

The luscious fabrics! The embellishments! The sheer weight of those things... I'd rather someone else be wearing them to be honest.

One day my useless Maude (the mannequin that sits idly in the corner, not contributing much) will be adorned with a fully-fledged costume. It's okay that it's going to be waaaaay down the the track, there's plenty of other things to make before then.

But one can dream, no? Sigh...

See more 'eye spy's at bugandpop.

Join the ranks of Sterling Cooper

2009-08-23T19:18:00.005+10:00

Are you a Mad Men fan?

If so, you'll love this, it's great fun: Mad Men Yourself

A great pick-me-up

2009-08-22T18:03:00.006+10:00

I have to admit, the dentist wasn't so bad. I had two wisdom teeth forcibly removed a few days ago and apart from a mild face-ache and having all my meals put through a blender, I am soldiering on pretty well.

But tonight I'll be putting my feet up while a vegetable soup boils away quietly in the kitchen...

And desert is courtesy of M's baked goods. I love it when he bakes. Check out his rockin' lemon cake (this will not be going in the blender) :

A little something snuck into the grocery bag today, a perfect little pick-me-up: colored pens!

It's funny how stationery is more of a treat to me than sweets... does anyone else suffer from this terrible affliction? Oh, just me.

So here's crossing fingers my face-ache is gone tomorrow so I can get back into the sewing room and finish putting the pieces together on coat numero duo, and then attempt my second lot of welt pockets. My stitching fingers are tingling... but there's plenty of sewing mags to get me by in the meantime:

P.S. Big thanks for all the well wishes! I'm such a dentist-chicken.

eye spy... something red

2009-08-17T21:30:00.002+10:00

Red is one of my favourite colors... it makes an appearance in most parts of my home.

However, tonight it made an appearance in a most unexpected place. I thought I would share this with you:

I discovered a little cherry piece in the form of a heart sitting the fruitcake I had just cut for M.

There's a whole world of red waiting for you at bugandpop. Thanks Elliboo for this week's eye spy theme.

Butterfly inspiration

2009-08-16T12:26:00.005+10:00

As I posted yesterday, the BFF is back in town!

Bell gave me a beautiful paper weight, perfect to hold down pattern pieces on fabric (keeps everything still on the table while I pin and cut). It's so pretty I thought it would look great as a banner here.

Yesterday I ditched my blog template because of all the weird (and slow) ways it was displaying in some older browsers, so today I can reveal the new look blog. Very simple, but more true to the style of August Street. I'd love to know what you think too, so don't be shy.

Here's the original image I used for the banner (and thanks again Bell!)

Random thoughts on a Friday afternoon

2009-08-14T11:45:00.008+10:00

It’s Friday, the weekend’s going to be sunny (for a Melbourne winter, that’s not really surprising) and I’m in an upbeat mood with fleeting and random thoughts. So here they come:

My BFF has just moved down from Sydney! I’m beside myself with excitement about this (could explain my current mood). I’m waiting to hear how she fared on her first night alone in the new house...
I’ll be posting about my first experience with welt pockets. If you’ve never heard of them, stay tuned. And last night I began putting a collar on my grey coat (pics to come).

My two top wisdom teeth will be removed next Wednesday. It will not be a picnic but I’m conquering my fear pretty well just now.

Time to redesign my blog layout. There’s some wackiness going on with the left border in some browsers and it's rather slow to load

Chai lattes are to die for. I tried one yesterday morning with Bell. Yes, after all these years of interstate separation, we can finally just ‘meet for coffee’. Speaking of... I have some coffee updates on the way. And we have found a winning brew!

Still, there’s nothing like a cup of green tea to solve the world’s problems.

Fruit has been making an appearance on the menu this week – loving small bananas, apples and mandarins.

I may need to get my hands on Lisa Mitchell’s new album; her sound is lovely.

The weekend will be what you make of it – and I hope yours is wonderful.

my creative space...

2009-08-13T09:00:00.000+10:00

Fellow seamsters and creators: I am very happy to report that I've been sewing like an absolute fiend.

My sewing room and I are once again "like this" ... (cue: a fingers-crossed gesture)

On one side of the room is a bench full of bits that are slowly coming together, and on the other side is a very clean and tidy area... except for the floor that contains everything that's not in this picture.

It's rather tidy because my darling M has just put up the last bit of furniture for me - the floating shelf. I've been advised not to stack it with 'stuff' because it probably won't hold the weight (what stuff, I ask you?!) but given time, it will be the perfect bench to hold sewing supplies while I work at the big table behind me.

For more creative spaces, check the list at Kirsty's.

Persuasion: Fashion in the Age of Jane Austen

2009-08-12T15:00:00.001+10:00

Last month Bell & I took a trip to the National Gallery of Victoria to see 'Persuasion: Fashion in the Age of Jane Austen'

I was so excited about seeing this exhibition; period costume is the sort of thing that ignites my creative spark, and this was definitely worth the visit.

Before we went inside there was a quick stop for a cuppa at the Tea House, where we were served by a lovely waiter prone to cutting a few dance manoeuvres as he worked the room.

How incredibly charming are the tea pots? The chai was delicious.

On to 'Persuasion'.... It appeared to be quite a small collection at first, however it was big enough to spark my imagination and have me dreaming of times past. The costumes and the fabrics used were exquisite and I couldn't help being captivated by the old-world techniques used to detail the sleeves and bodices.

My creative mind was a flutter. So much that I'd walked full circle around the centre-display twice before noticing it's contents: it contained the full length costume of Mr. Darcy as worn by one Colin Firth in the 1995 film adaption of Pride & Prejudice.

Ironic, no? That I did not give Darcy the attention he deserved upon first entering the room...

The exhibition is about fashion in the times of Austen, and included costumes, intricate illustrations and line drawings. And you can learn a thing or two about the French influence on British fashion, and the intriguing history of the humble bustline and it's journey northward around the time of Austen's birth, then southward again after her death.

We finished the day with a quick visit to Sew Tessuti and mag nation before the long train trip home.

Have you seen the 'Persuasion' exhibition?
Or any other great costume displays or events?

eye spy... inspiration

2009-08-11T20:37:00.007+10:00

It's incredible how many bloggers are suffering from inspiration-overload. Don't you love it?

If it weren't for the internet and blogging specifically, I'd have a hard time being so darn inspired. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that I will never, ever be bored.

The flip-side being that my mind sometimes just needs to be switched off before it explodes into a mess of color, image and sound all over the place. Not a nice thought.

Personally, these are some of the things, whether it be from their magical touch or their ritualistic experience, lead me to daydream and fill me with immediate inspiration:

sunsets
fabric
mannequins
a pile of books
tea in a cup and saucer
bloglines
parchment paper
velvet ribbon
period or historical movies
polaroids
mixtapezine
costumes
Paris
gothic architecture
sewing machines
bookmarks
butterflies
magazines
op-shopping
a favourite song
libraries

I could go on and on... but there is more inspiration to be found at all these other places.

eye spy... a collection

2009-08-08T17:31:00.005+10:00

After browsing everyone's 'eye spy...collections' from last week, I began to pay more attention to my own collecting habits.

I definitely have an obsession for bookmarks...

And books, I certainly have a collection of those. And magazines. And notebooks and journals... anything that's made of paper basically.

But I don't keep them all in one tidy spot, I prefer to scatter them around the house. It's amazing where my journals end up, under beds, between couch cushions...

This is my current favourite - it has the feel of suede, a raised white floral on grey with white stitching around the border:

And a silver edge on the pages:

I also have a thing for mini-mannequins, though I only have a couple I'm slowly building an army of them.

The fabulous Liesl chose this theme - check out her incredible vintage swap card collection. And see more collections at eye spy host: bugandpop.

my creative space...

2009-08-06T09:13:00.000+10:00

It's been a while since I shared my creative space, mostly because I've been busy... creating.

I have two fitted coats on the go ... yes, two. Crazy huh? I am...

- making pattern pieces for interfacing

- creating a beautiful mess in the afternoon sunlight

- stacking garment pieces (with bright orange tailor's tacks) for the brown coat

And off to class again tonight where the construction continues.

See more creative spaces at Kirsty's.

You little winner!

2009-08-05T18:53:00.008+10:00

Nothing brightens up my day more than a win.

And I'm super excited to have won a little something from one my favourite online hang-outs mixtape: the Audrey & Maude Flirty Florence apron pattern!

Synchronicity? Well I'd recently been talking about making a new apron and I guess the universe was eavesdropping.

So, Thank You mixtape and Louise! As soon as I can source some sassy fabric I shall whip up one of these cuties and post pics.

Do you read mixtapeZINE? You really should.

Just a Minute... a few changes & Thanks!

2009-08-04T14:44:00.003+10:00

A great, big shout-out to all the 'Just a Minute...' players, and a huge welcome to those who have recently joined - great to meet you, and your blog!

This monthly gig has allowed me to discover so many blogs I would otherwise not have the opportunity to find. So much talent... so many perspectives. And the recommendations from everyone's monthly reflections are always a blogging highlight for me.

Let's face it, my running list of 'to read, to see, to make' couldn't possibly get any longer, but with each new J.A.M. post out there, I find something new that just has to go on the list.

And I have had a lot of feedback from people who are really getting a lot out of J.A.M. each month, by collating their own highlights and also reading yours too. So keep on J.A.M.-ming!

A few changes though... you've convinced me to give this Mr.Linky thing a go. I've never used it so there may be some teething problems initially... and if we don't like it, we shall revert to the drawing board. I'm always open to your opinions on how this beast runs.

So, I have chosen a date to post J.A.M. each month: the 29th. It happens to be a favourite number so I'm going with it. Be sure to drop by on (or after) the 29th of the month if you're playing to add your name to the Linky list, and to see who else is playing.

****UPDATE - Slight change again folks, because I just like to keep it interesting for you all!! Rather than sticking to the one date (29th) I'm learning to be more flexible... I'll just post on a random date each month and you can join in whenever you like. See? Much easier... and mysterious...

Just a minute... in July

2009-07-29T08:00:00.000+10:00

Watching...

True Blood (Season 1) & Dexter (Season 2) both DVD sets kindly lent to me by Bell, and I am completely addicted!
SYTYCDance America's 4th episode this week (no spoilers please! :) I still haven't backed a favourite but I'm a fan of Melissa, Jeanine, Brandon and Ade
Can't wait to see Toni Collette's debut in 'United States of Tara' this week

Highlighting... a movie: 'Rachel Getting Married'. What an incredible performance by Anne Hathaway as Kym. I hated her, then I liked her, all the while still hating her; as did the rest of her family who were trying to accept her back into their manic household after a bout of rehab. There's an incredibly bizarre (and lengthy) wedding sequence that revolves around her sister Rachel (who is getting married - hence the title), and there's the incessant music being played by musician friends who also seem to reside in the house for days on end which may do your head in, but it's all there for a reason and allows you time to muse over certain themes and resolutions. You have to see this.

Eating... my words. This was a less than stellar month in the low GI (and low sat-fat) stakes. I hit the wall but am slowly bouncing back, replacing every second caffeinated drink with water and looking/thinking twice about what goes near my taste buds.

Trying... to step it up in the fitness arena too. Always tougher in winter. But the chill and the rain means nothing to my two puppy dogs who are always itching to do laps around the block at ridiculous hours, and for their sake I dutifully don my parka, gloves, scarf, beanie, etc, and get out there too.

Walking = better circulation = lower heating bills. Win-win!

Constructing... my gazillion pieces of jacket fabric, lining, facing, interfacing. This week's been all about fusing which can be rather boring, but brings me to sewing stage for this Thursday night's class. Funny though, I've quite enjoyed the pattern-creation process, so much more than I expected. It's like a giant pile of puzzle pieces waiting to be put together.

Listening... to Kelly Clarkson's new album ('Already Gone' is my fave.). Still loving BFL's Two Suns, and can't get enough Arctic Monkeys... am rather impressed by Pearl Jam's new single The Fixer. They've injected a bit of today's style into their usual sound and I hope the rest of the album is as good.

Playing?... drop by and comment, see all the players or grab the button if you desire (over on the right).

A question for you, dear readers:

Wondering... do you think I should install one of those Mr.Linky widget thing's each time I post a J.A.M.? If you haven't seen one, take a look at the example below, where you can put your name and blog/website address if you are playing along. I would need to lock in a solid date each month to play J.A.M. so you know when to expect it... and you'd need to come here each time to add your details if you're playing... it might be easier for people to see your post, or you might think it too restrictive?

I'd really appreciate your suggestions, lovely J.A.M.-ers because I also love to know when you are playing and the list is certainly growing (yay!). So! Would a fixed date and a 'Mr. Linky' list organiser make it easier for you to play J.A.M., or do you like the way it is?

An example of a Mr.Linky widget for entering your details each month

On movies and Coco Avant Chanel

2009-07-28T06:59:00.009+10:00

It's shaping up to be a lovely year at the flicks.

A friend and I recently visited the Sun Theatre armed with soy mochas and baked treats, to watch Audrey Tautou become Coco Avant Chanel. A great experience even though the movie was not what I would deem worthy of 5-stars. It was visually pleasing for the most part, but I have two major issues with the film (look away now please if you haven't seen the film, or don't want to read my critique...):

1. The camera work... it gave me motion-sickness at times, obvious enough for me to make a note of it. The camera followed Coco too closely as she walked down a hallway, the camera rolling from a blurry, back-of-the-head angle, while the surrounding decor was just screaming to be noticed.

2. 'Avant' (Before)... Such a pity the movie focused solely on Coco 'before' Chanel; I would rather have watched a movie about her iconic career, but instead the focus was on her two major relationships. I guess therein lies the difference between a film and a documentary. There were only glimpses of her at work in the sewing room, and these were by far my favourite moments.

I loved the scene where she shops for fabric to make herself an evening gown and instead of the acceptable bright and colorful embroidered fabrics of the day, she opts for plain black silk (a color associated with mourning in the 20's). And next we see her dancing in her iconic little black dress.

So even though I didn't fall in love with the context of this film, I would still recommend it as an opportunity to glimpse a little bit of history about a woman who made a difference to all women in the name of fashion and comfort.

I'd love to hear your comments on 'Chanel' if you've seen it. In the meantime, my 'To See' list is getting longer by the day. Here's the running list of goodies so far, with Oz release dates if I know them:

Cherie (Will see this tomorrow night, yipee!)
Public Enemies (w/ Johnny Depp, out now)
Beautiful Kate (w/ Rachel Griffiths, August)
The Young Victoria (August)
The Time Traveller's Wife (w/ Eric Bana, August)
Fame (I'm not kidding; September)
The September Issue
Mao's Last Dancer (October)
Julie & Julia (October... the book is on my shelf but doubt I'd squeeze it in)
New Moon (November)
Eat, Pray, Love (w/ Julie Roberts)
Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Have you seen any memorable flicks this year?
What's on your 'To See' list?

It takes more than a passion for fabric to sew clothes... but it's a good start

2009-07-15T08:00:00.000+10:00

I had an epiphany of sorts last week.

At the close of Thursday night's sewing class I had an interesting conversation with my teacher about what it takes to be a good seamstress.

Now I've been trying to teach myself on and off for a few years. I'd taken different classes but was never fully satisfied with the teacher's methods, and I felt that I just wasn't getting the answers that I was seeking. I struggled with books because they were always aimed at 'quick' or 'simple' sewing which was not really what I was after, and the more technical books bewildered me by overcompensating. I was utterly frustrated by my lack of progress, and it changed from what I'd hoped to be an enjoyable hobby to creating more stress than my day job.

I genuinely started to believe that it just didn't come naturally to me. Passion was never the issue; I lie awake some nights and daydream at work about the intricate details of a particular jacket or a certain skirt or dress that I want to create. Sometimes I am secretly more attracted to the costume designs in a movie than the characters in them.

Increasingly I began to worry that my obsession with fabric, and textures, and design just wasn't enough. I couldn't seem to back it up with the technical know-how, regardless of the lessons I was paying for or the many books I'd study.

However... the conversation with my teacher last week changed my perspective. I learned that dressmaking classes have a rather high attrition rate because there is so much involved.

Apparently my fears were based in reality.

Many people before me didn't know what they were getting themselves into, and eventually gave it away once they discovered that dressmaking does require a mechanical mind not just a passion for fashion.

There is a certain level of engineering skill required to make well-fitting garments, and it is not a skill one acquires over night. Along with problem solving comes absolute perseverance, dedicated time to practice, and aforementioned passion for fabric, and if you are lacking in any of these then it is easy to lose heart or patience... and revert to home decor where fitting against a changing human body is not required.

This was music to my ears, oddly enough.

I no longer believe that you need to be "a natural" to make great garments. And I'm not concerned about needing perseverance, I have it in spades. And the techniques are gradually building thanks to the endless knowledge of my teacher.

And patience? Check.
And a problem-solving mind? Check.
And time to practice?

Hmm... this is always the clincher, in everyone's lives, and something we all need to work hard to manage.

I hope to look back on this post in a year's time and laugh... at how far I've come.

What are you passionate about?
What do you consciously make time for in your life in the hope that you will master it?

Less blogging... more sewing

2009-07-13T08:00:00.000+10:00

Can you feel that?

I can. Change is in the air.

You might have noticed I've been blogging a little less this month; granted because the last few weeks I've been recovering from the flu, and helping M do the same.

But I'm okay with this change of pace. Because it means I am sewing more. And reading, and exercising, and a few other non-computer based activities.

I welcome the change and have no doubt it will slowly be reflected in the content on August Street. The truth is I'm finding it tough keeping up with some of my regular blogging games such as 'eye spy' and 'my creative space' so I've decided to take a little break from these for a while. I'm also desperate to play around with the layout of my blog, and I began by adding some of my favourite (clothes) sewing blogs and fashion/media resources in the sidebar... but again, not a priority.

Focus is the flavour of the month. And my focus is sewing.

The coat pattern is well and truly on it's way - there's so much work to do and I'm going to need every ounce of spare time that doesn't involve working or general living to get it together. The bonus is that my little creative brain is thriving right now!

Pattern pieces have been altered (I have a slight sway back - who knew?), new pattern pieces have been created for the lining, the fabric has been cut, and this week I'm cutting out the lining fabric and interfacing, and doing the tailor's tacks (to mark all the symbols from the pattern onto the fabric).

And tonight, in keeping with the theme of course, I'm finally going to see Coco Avant (Before) Chanel.

What is your focus this month?
And what will you be doing less of to achieve it?

Coffee and magazines for one

2009-07-12T15:33:00.008+10:00

I took a friend's advice today and spent a couple of hours in a local coffee shop with the morning paper, alone.

People do this every day but I have never felt the need to. Why perch myself solo in a noisy, crowded place with my Sunday reading material when I have a comfy sofa and a scenic view at home?

I guess I just had the urge.

And it was a strange experience. I loved being physically removed from my domestic haven, and from the guilty feeling that I should be doing something more productive than sitting on my backside reading.

And the constant shock of the store's coffee machine only metres away drove me a little bit crazy, but I managed to zone out after a few minutes and rather enjoyed my mocha-latte and my own company. I quickly moved on from the Sunday Age to a couple of magazines I couldn't help buying on the way (incredibly glad I did...). A couple of hours crept by, but I didn't notice.

Next door A&R had a sale on...

...as did Valley Girl a few stores down. Perhaps my morning's experiment was laced with a hidden agenda?

Have you ever taken a friend's advice and tried something that seemed a little out of your comfort zone?

The Big Bikkie: It wants you!

2009-07-12T09:00:00.002+10:00

There I was, innocently minding my own business in one of the most beautiful places on earth - a small town in New Zealand's South Island called Te Anau (pronounced: tea-ah-now)...

...when suddenly I had an ice-cream craving.

And thus I discovered the Memphis Meltdown Big Bikkie.

The warning on the back of the wrapper says it all:

I posted these pics to fulfill a promise to a fellow choc-aholic (yes you, Nellie). Probably a good thing I can't find these ice-creams in Oz.

Loving frei designs

2009-07-11T08:48:00.005+10:00

Thanks to dream sequins who led me to bobbin talk I eventually landed in the world of Frei Designs.

This is the work of Chicago designer Annie Novotny who's description of her own work and inspiration is pure poetry.

Her clothing "supports healthy labor practices and environmental sustainability". She also has a blog: adventures in sustainable design.

In contrast, the soft palette of her Spring 2009 collection:

Eye Spy... something I love (or hate) about my suburb.

2009-07-05T14:40:00.006+10:00

Loves:

the quiet
the sky-scraping gum trees
the open stage for pink and orange sunsets
the sound of farm animals on neighbour's properties
the uninhabited dirt tracks to walk the pups
the not-too distant ocean
the lack of crowds
the slowness
the closer proximity to mother nature

Not much to hate really. Oh wait, there's that somewhat unusual level of skill shown by country drivers... people don't drive fast enough to warrant speed signs in these parts. And they don't believe in using signals of any sort. I don't care so much on the weekends when I've had the chance to re-acclimatise, but coming home from work at nights, I need to prepare myself at the town's borders and drop the pace a notch or two ("Slow down Jen, you're in the country now!")

I have very few dislikes about my semi-rural hometown, but I still despair at the lengthy traveling distances to entertain the desires of my alter-ego – to Melbourne city, outer suburburban cafe strips, the variety of multicultural eats, fabric and craft stores, art-house cinema, decent magazine and bookstores...

Years ago when I worked in the city I had instant lunch-hour access to all of these things. Now it is a rare and completely pre-planned event on a spare weekend. Thank god for the visual feast our blogs provide - I can still feel in the loop, if only on a virtual level.

Despite this, I would never give up living this new rural lifestyle... never.

Thx to the lovely and always entertaining Ellieboo for this week's theme.
Check out bugandpop for the complete list of players.

Just a minute... in June... and M.I.A.?

2009-06-28T10:54:00.004+10:00

I've lifted myself off the couch for a moment to get my J.A.M. posted, but it remains picture-free today unfortunately.

It has me. I am sick: unwell, ill, flu-like. But I cannot let this taint the entire month of June, there has been some wonderful moments in there too.

Watching... The Duchess (ooh-ahh... ye olde world and costume heaven!), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (quirky, visually tasty), Take the Lead (an older dance flick with leading man Antonio Banderas), also catching up on Lipstick Jungle and SYTYCD USA (Dance).

Reading... latest Frankie, Vogue and The Notebook. The silver lining to being ill: my magazine addiction is fulfilled.

Spending... moments outside in the winter's sun, the warmth of it as comforting as a sweet cup of tea.

Drinking... hot water with lemon and honey.

Making... a steam inhalation of boiling water with 2 drops each of eucalyptus and tea tree to keep my head clear.

Resting... a whole lot. I do expect to have crystal-clear skin and shiny hair after all this rest you know!

Missing... reading my ever-expanding list of blogs; also why I haven't been commenting much on Yours. So be prepared for an onslaught of comments on older posts next week!

Hoping... to resume regular posting by the end of the week.

Keep well all!

Depp in Wonderland

2009-06-23T18:32:00.001+10:00

Anne Hathaway looks spectacular as the White Queen in Tim Burton's remake of Alice in Wonderland.

Johnny Depp looks... well, orange. And reminiscent of Willy Wonka, no? Take a look here if you dare.

We'll have to wait until March next year for this release. Sigh.

A happy kitchen

2009-06-22T08:00:00.000+10:00

Wow, if only all of my ingredients were this happy.

Some low GI goodness baked on a gloomy Sunday... now these make me smile.

eye spy... a sign

2009-06-21T06:00:00.001+10:00

I was thrilled to choose this week's theme (and I hope you all enjoyed it) which prompted me to finally swing by a certain place from the past and take this image:

Years ago, an old friend and I were walking down her street, August Street, and we were deep in conversation about wanting to make our own clothes. We were going to start small - with aprons. While we were walking, I looked up towards her street sign and a little spark of inspiration hit me. I distinctly remember saying to her: "August Street. Now that would be the perfect name for my sewing label". And we giggled off into the sunset with big hopes and fabric dreams.

We did go on to make aprons, but as life has it we wandered down our own creative paths. The last few years of blogging have re-ignited my desire for dressmaking and the birth of the August Street blog has helped steer my in the right direction.

Enough of that seriousness, here's another bunch of signs that have caught my eye...

From New Zealand:

I have some other pics to show from this little adventure... lots of yummy costumes.

I just liked the vintage plate and hinge on this door.

We're all a little loco at times, no?

And these two from Central Australia:

Aussie slang for Ladies and Gents.

This sign cracked me up. Would you be walking around backwards with a video camera in hand? No, didn't think so... but apparently some people do.

And I leave you now with this sign, because we all need our own space to play in:

Visit bugandpop to see all the players.

The printer ate my Chanel

2009-06-20T19:54:00.007+10:00

A wise man once said:

Keep the printer drawer open if you do not want the beast to devour your Chanel images.

A second wise man said:

Remember to change the toner or your pictures will be saturated in magenta and black (unless goth is the look you're going for...)

And a third wise man, much wiser than all the rest, said:

Waste neither bad printing nor Nuttelex containers; recycle whenever possible.

I took the wise guy's advice. Another storage container for sewing implements. You can never have too much storage in a sewing room.

And then I remembered this film is coming out on Thursday:

Get thee to a cinema, quick.

Smaller goals = better sewing

2009-06-20T12:15:00.004+10:00

A massive thank you to everyone who left a comment about the finished skirt. It gave me a bit of a high this week and it's great to hear from other bloggers and makers. It's a wonderful thing when people are prompted to leave a note or a question. And thank you too for the words of encouragement with my next project, most appreciated!

On to today's thoughts. I stumbled upon this article recently and it has some pretty sage advice about setting small, achievable goals when learning something new - like a project or a new craft or trade.

As an after-hours 'learner' dressmaker I want to know it all. Sometimes I ignore the reality that this is not possible, and become completely overwhelmed by trying to learn everything at once.

A recent example: my first couple of sewing classes were filled to the brim with new information and techniques.

I loved it! And I made a deliberate effort to go slow, ask lots of questions and take readable notes for later.

By class #3 the finish line was in sight for my A-line skirt. Instead of the slow and steady method I had deployed to date, I was too focused on finishing the darn thing and little else. The anticipation of completion was too much! I rushed my notes and probably my sewing. Funny, I knew I was doing this at times but I just couldn't help myself.

Little did I know there was too much work left to complete the skirt that night anyway. So I sabotaged my own efforts for no reason, and I can't make any sense of the notes that I did remember to take. (Let's see how well I get through those steps when making the skirt on my own, shall we?)

It's nice being reminded to slow things down. It's in the slowness of learning that knowledge sinks in. Not forgetting about those seldom used techniques like patience and repetition.

So instead of just expecting that I will be an expert on fabric, and fitting, and pattern making in the space of a few weeks, I shall humbly remind myself that it's better to take smaller steps. And just last night my new sewing teacher agreed that getting some technique under your belt is absolutely necessary before stepping foot inside a pattern making class. I'd say her advice is incredibly timely.

friday favourites...

2009-06-19T21:00:00.000+10:00

Thought I'd join in with emmstarr's new friday favourites. Love a new idea, and love a great blog so I am highlighting her blog today.

It is refreshing and original, and she is a self-taught sewer/crafter which is ever so inspiring. She has a real love of sharing and community and I always find something new and interesting on her blog each week. Go and take a look, and while you're there, see who else is playing.

my creative space...

2009-06-18T09:08:00.006+10:00

On the left pile - the pattern pieces for my coat.
On the right pile - the other bits I don't need.

I think I may have developed mild RSI from all the cutting out. Eleven pieces for this coat - ELEVEN. Which means all that cutting again for the fabric, and interfacing, and lining... eek!

One of my many magazine subscriptions (as we all know I have a small addiction here) includes Sewing with Stitches Australia. Some of the older issues are a tad old fashioned and cringe-worthy at times but their tech talk has always been useful. And this issue has really stepped up. I love their articles on key designers and fashion legends, and they are slowly but surely getting a little more trendy in all other parts of the mag.

How much does that cover jacket look like the one in my New Look pattern just above? Cute.

See other creative spaces at Kirsty's.

Corduroy skirt: the finale!

2009-06-16T17:56:00.007+10:00

I am ecstatically happy to bring you some very shady photos of the completed plum-colored A-line skirt.

Please excuse Maude's upper-half nudity, I forgot to make her more decent for the photo shoot. And I'll be waiting until the weekend to get a decent daylight photo. I could even put the thing on so you can see how it looks on a real person, that would be novel.

The yoke was really great to work with - I've never made a yoked-skirt before, and not messing around with darts was nice. I didn't want the yoke to be massive, just a nice amount of waist. I can see future skirts with contrasting fabric for the yoke waist band.

Can you see the zip? Right - because it's invisible! Also, not a hook-and-eye in sight thankfully, given my previous experience with the fiddly little terrors.

I wore this to work yesterday (hence the slight wrinkles) and found that it kind of stuck to my legs in front a little, and kind of bunched up in the middle when I took a couple of long strides. There was a bit of subconscious adjusting going on in the hallway. So I'll be checking in Thursday night with my teacher to see if the lack of lining is to blame for this little malfunction.

In spite of that, I'm so happy to say I have achieved my mission: it really does fit!

I think it's a good idea when you're still a sewbie to focus on smaller goals instead of trying to conquer everything at once. A good fit is one of the top reasons for making my own clothes. Oh there's plenty of other reasons (and this could make for a whole other post) but if you're putting in your limited time and nurturing a creation from a flat piece of cloth, you really want to be able to wear it with pride and not leave it for the donations pile after it's gathered a nice amount of dust.

So what's next? I'm going to try to duplicate this skirt in my own time using the grey dragon fabric (I think...) but I might change it ever so slightly by removing the seam that runs down the centre front, so the dragon pattern doesn't get interrupted.

Also, Thursday night I'm starting a new project. Yes, I am crazy enough to plunge into the world of tailoring... eek! Beginning with this fitted coat pattern (the red one, top left).

I couldn't find any red wool in the short time I had to browse this week, however a quick trip to Joy's Fabric Warehouse close to home resulted in the purchase of a lovely black wool blend with a charcoal weave through it.

I'll wait until the weekend to take pictures... it's too gloomy at this hour of the night to do the color justice, and it really is a yummy fabric.

eye spy... my perfect invention... and this week's theme!

2009-06-15T11:24:00.003+10:00

Cindy has asked us to consider our perfect invention.

I couldn't help myself with this one - I immediately began conjuring up images of H.G.well's 'Time Machine' and that ultra corny 1960's film that captivated my imagination as a small child.

I am completely fascinated with the concept of time travel, and I couldn't be alone on this one - there are so many fabulous books and films made on the subject. I am patiently awaiting the film adaption of The Time Traveller's Wife due out later this year with Eric Bana.

Maybe it's the concept of escapism that tickles our fancy? Who hasn't imagined themselves stepping out of the present day and into another era for just a short while... always with an escape route so they can come back to reality when they've had enough, or when their cover's blown.

I'm not so interested in jumping forward into the future; I'd much prefer to go back to a time that I already know something about. Can you imagine the possibilities of seeing, touching, experiencing life in previous decades? Imagine the language, the architecture, the furniture... the clothes!! They wouldn't be costumes, they would be the real deal. As if I'd be able to come back without a few souvenirs.

But I would have to give the actual thingy-mi-bob-time-machine a bit of a makeover. Wells had imagined a kind of vehicle that the traveller would sit in. This is where I think he missed the mark - my time travelling device would be more subtle, something small that could be worn as an accessory. No chance of parking it in a building that never existed in a previous time, I would always have it with me. Yes, this would be my perfect invention!

And I'm a little excited to be bringing you the theme for this week's eye spy. Get your thinking-caps on folks, or charge those camera batteries, for:

eye spy... a sign

You could be as literal or as abstract as you like. Given we are overwhelmed with signage everywhere we go, it might be an excuse to keep your camera handy this week. You may have already come across some gems in your travels, or there might be something amusing in your home town.

Or perhaps something happened to you one day that was 'a sign' to turn your life around, or to make a life-changing decision.

Have fun!

(See all the players at bugandpop)

my creative space...

2009-06-11T08:00:00.001+10:00

My creative space is in the kitchen this week.

Lemons are the new staple - great for marinades and all that, but more importantly for squeezing into cups of boiling water with a spoonful of honey. An elixir fit for a sickly husband.

I've also been playing around with some new ingredients recently. These two have always remained in the 'too scary' realm because frankly I hadn't a clue what to do with them.

Saffron - not so scary it seems, when all you need to do is add a pinch of the bright little strands to a rice dish. That's it really. Not that hard.

Cardamon pods - still working these out.

A recent spicy pilaf dish didn't turn out quite so spicy, and I still cannot work out why. Are cardamon pods supposed to be spicy? And what's with the preparation? The recipe said 'crushed'. At first I bashed the living daylights out of them but apparently that's not the way you treat these critters. Second time I used them, I gave them a light tap, enough to crack their little shells and 'allow' the seeds to come out naturally in the cooking process. The seeds never made an appearance. Hmm... I'll work these little pods out, one day.

Want to see more creative spaces? Pop over to our lovely host Kirsty.

How to spend a winter's afternoon

2009-06-10T18:48:00.007+10:00

Monday was public holiday in these parts. And it was just lovely. Well that's not entirely true - there was rain, hail and possibly snow somewhere nearby.

While M was still sickly, I had an excuse to spend time lounging about here with a bunch of magazines, listening to nature doing her stormy thing outside my window.

I gave the occasional sideways glance toward the corner of the room where our little beauty now stands.

This is the gem I found in a seconds store on Saturday. At first glance I thought it was an antique piece with a secret history, and hoped to find a hidden letter or postcard tucked away in one of the locked drawers. Alas, the furniture store stamp on the back of the plywood stated pretty clearly "1994". Still, I fell in love with it, and feel that it does have a touch of old world charm about it.

We shared a celebratory glass of red to welcome the new addition, or maybe just because it was a lazy afternoon.

I like Normal Watches

2009-06-08T17:27:00.002+10:00

I'd like one of these:

Or one of these:

See some more by Normal Watches - they have a nice one about rock'n'roll which I love.

Eye Spy ... something blooming

2009-06-07T08:29:00.000+10:00

I really liked this eye spy theme from Fuzzy Dragons. It forced me outside with the camera, and I found a slew of blooming goodness, quietly battling the winter elements.

See other blooms at eye spy central.

Listening... Dead Letter Circus

Saturday musings and a spot of thrifting

2009-06-06T14:51:00.009+10:00

I can barely contain myself.

This morning I spent time in a seconds store I've had my eye on for a while now, and I made some incredible finds. They have an entire bookshelf of secondhand classics, in top condition. I really had to limit myself - I could have gone a little nuts, but I was happy to bring home these two (for now):

'Three Gothic Novels' includes Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Beckford's Vathek and Walpole's Castle of Otranto. Perfect for a dark and stormy night.

Don't you love the Mansfield cover? I can't help thinking that she has misplaced her saucer...

But the biggest discovery of all will be coming home with me on Monday:

A roll top desk, so like the one my grandfather used to have. In really good condition too, and the drawers self-lock when the roll-top is down.

No coffee tasting today... the connoisseur is lying on the couch all sickly, with a steamy mug of lemon and honey instead. Unfortunately it also means canceling plans with friends this weekend, and forces me to find solace in the sewing room. Well, if I must. Anything to get away from the germs, anything I say!

my creative space...

2009-06-04T08:38:00.004+10:00

A little sewing tin I picked up from Spotlight. Can you see the tiny heart?

A clue ... it's in the lower half.
And I just love the blurb on the side of the tin:

oh how I love to sew
let me count the ways

See all the creative spaces at Kootoyoo.

Listening... Arctic Monkeys

Adventures in altering a skirt pattern - Part 2

2009-06-03T12:30:00.001+10:00

I'm a little anxious, oh yes I am.

Just look at what we have here...

Two whole skirt pieces lying about on the sewing table, nonchalantly.

A front and a back piece complete with invisible zipper (and you really cannot see that little sucker). In 24 hours, they will escort me to class #3 where they will be stitched into submission, facings added, hem constructed. And it will be done.

And I will Make. It. Fit.

That's the idea anyway. Now it’s time to recap on what happened in my second week of sewing class:

Class #2 – I learnt about…

overlocking with the ‘right-side’ up always
attaching yokes to skirt pieces and how to ‘press’ as opposed to ‘iron’ your seams, and in which direction, etc (mind you, I learnt a whole lot about pressing and how steam effects fabric from my friend’s wonderful mother about a year ago)
inserting an invisible zipper in two basic moves!
using an industrial sewing machine… man, this thing was intimidating. It sounded like a jet airplane taking off when you first ignite the ‘ON’ button, the thread sits on a spool that is suspended behind and slightly above the machine (a bit like the spool on an overlocker, feeding thread through a suspended metal hanger) and the foot pedal has a forward and backward motion, requiring absolute correct placement of feet at all times, else cutting could ensue.

Now that I have tried an industrial sewing machine, I am hooked! They seemed incredibly scary at first, but they are so proficient and quick. It automatically does your reverse stitching (a backstitch) for you at the beginning, and again at the end, finishing up by cutting the thread for you. Now, if it could just do the dishes, I would consider marriage.

I have learnt so much in only two classes, and I just love these industrial techniques. This week I’m going to tackle the facings (there’s no lining which I’m curious about), do a fitting before sewing the side seams closed, and then it just needs to be hemmed.

Listening... Twilight Soundtrack

Adventures in altering a skirt pattern - Part 1

2009-06-02T18:00:00.003+10:00

I’m in love with my new sewing class.

Two sessions down and I’m pretty close to finishing a basic A-line, corduroy skirt with a yoke waist that will actually fit me. And I will have an altered pattern to use again, and again…

It appears my ‘make it fit’ mantra is making waves throughout the universe. You know the laws of attraction concept? You project a positive goal in your mind (with the teensiest rough idea of how you might get there) and the universe responds. Well I think the universe had its ears wide open on this one, because on the weekend I loosely pinned the two skirt pieces around myself… and they actually fit!

All the while I had been secretly dreading the thing wouldn’t quite make the distance around my hips, or that it might just hang off me like a tablecloth.

There was no choice in the matter - I had to do the Happy Dance.

No, I didn’t take a picture of the Happy Dance.

Now I’ve taken a decent stack of notes in class that there’s a wonder I’ve sewn anything at all with the amount of scribbling I do. But it’s essential for me and my sieve-like brain to have something to refer to when I’m not in the classroom.

I had considered putting my notes up here (the nitty gritty of each step taken) but I’m not sure that they would be useful to anyone else. So unless any questions arise, I shall just do a quick recap instead:

Class #1 – I learnt about…

measuring my ‘desired’ waistline, as opposed to just my ‘natural’ waistline- measuring and calculating the difference between pattern measurements and my own ‘real’ measurements… and what it all means anyway
changing the pattern by sticking bits of paper for sections that needed to be wider, etc

working with a ‘yoke’ instead of using darts

how to cut-out properly (pattern pieces and on fabric)

which bits to fuse the whisper-weft interfacing to

When I got home I completely disregarded that last point and fused the interfacing to all the wrong bits, and ran out of fabric to re-cut some more. After a bit of colorful language I was able to gently remove the interfacing off the un-required bits, and all was well again. There ensued a second Happy Dance.

Be back tomorrow with a Class #2 recap.

Listening... Paramore's Riot!

Coffee tasting part 2: The Tang

2009-06-01T18:58:00.003+10:00

We are running a little coffee tasting experiment. The madness first began with a cup of Harry (please do get acquainted with Harry before moving on) from the far away land of Ethiopia where the coffee plant was first discovered - by goats no less.

We continue Part 2 of the coffee saga with a lovely hot milk infused 'Tanzanian Tanganyika'... or the Tang for short.

Fear not, I haven't skewed the statistics with my all milk version; M also made a normal, water-based elixir which tasted much nicer than mine.

I also make the unfortunate discovery that M had cheated last week, sneaking around with a lovely little blend from Peru!

Claiming it to be his favourite so far, I have reprimanded him with coffee making AND cleaning-up duties until I have been able to settle down with a hot, rich, Peru-blend of my very own.

And who said coffee tasting would be dull?

Eye Spy ... my morning ritual

2009-06-01T07:22:00.008+10:00

My morning ritual generally consists of one of these:

I have to wait until I reach the office for this sweet pleasure. So before all that, here's the ritual in reverse order:

7.30 am:
listening to podcasts on the hour's drive in

7.10 am:
frantically checking my gmail while scoffing down a bowl of Carman's fruit-free muesli (personal email and social networking websites are banned at work... yep, it's a wonder I get any blogging done at all! Luckily I can pass myself off as a morning person)

7.00 am:
saying good morning to the two little canines and giving them some brekkie

6.40 am:
scouring the wardrobe for sassy business attire

6.31 am:
a proper awakening by a hot shower

6.30 am:
a false awakening by a country radio station that forces me to find the OFF button as soon as is humanly possible

Night:
dreaming...

Late the night before:
a goodnight kiss from M

This all differs greatly on the weekend where more of this is involved, and absolutely no 'alarm by country radio' is permitted.

What's your morning ritual?
Angie thought of this great topic. See them all at bugandpop.

my creative space...

2009-05-28T10:00:00.000+10:00

The sewing table is strewn with chopped up fabric, interfacing, shears, pens, you name it. So here's a little image or two I prepared earlier:

As you know from Tuesday's post, I'm making the A-line from Simplicity 9825 in a deep red corduroy I bought a year ago. (Has it been that long?) I also rediscovered a few older patterns I'd still like to have a crack at including a fitted coat... but I'll just put that one back away until I have learned a little about tailoring techniques. All in good time.

Other fun things on my table today are the three delicious Babushka cards from Morgan Wills that I was lucky enough to win in a mixtape giveaway - and yes, they are as cute as they look. Morgan is the queen of Babushka craft.

Seeing these gals reminds me of a photo taken on our Melbourne adventure last year, of the three life-size Babushka dolls across the road from Meet Me At Mikes. What's that saying about things happening in threes?

And lastly, I love a little stamp book with movie pics. Can you identify the classic Aussie flicks here?

These are too cool to be used! I might hang on to them for a while.

So many other creative spaces over here at Kirsty's.

Just a minute... in May

2009-05-27T21:18:00.006+10:00

As Autumn draws to a close I'm ready for those extra furry layers of clothing and snuggling up on the couch at night.

Cooking... lots of low GI stuff: soup, french toast, spicy pilafs and nut biscuits. I'm very impressed by the yum-factor of the recipes from here:

I seriously want to try Jesska's insane looking Baba Ganouj.

Watching... Mad Men (love it), The Wrestler, Slumdog Millionare, Lost In Austen - again...

Reading... I confess that I have re-shelved 'The Labyrinth' for later date. In its place: 'Of Marriageable Age'. Thanks Bec for the loan (a year ago?) I'm finally going to see what you've been on about.

Also the stack of sewing books I'm still working my way through. Must not get another Library fine...

Listening... to Duffy, Adele and Bat for Lashes pretty much on repeat (and wanting Sarah Blasko's newbie).

Entertaining... more than usual this month. Friday night is a pasta cook-up and SingStar night. It could get messy.

Learning... so much in the sewing arena. Class #2 tomorrow night *so exciting*. It feels like the right time for me. Sometimes you just need to be in the right mindset for things to click. A lot of practice and note taking also helps.

Wishing... I knew how to crochet. Alas, now is not the time. Focus my dears, focus.

Finding... a stack of amazing blogs about sewing clothes this month. There's so much talent around the globe and my RSS feeds are about to explode.

Working... out. Seriously, June is marked for a massive fitness overhaul. More reason to enjoy Friday night drinks this week!

Are you playing?... Drop by and comment, See all the players or grab the button if you desire:

(Link to: http://august-street.blogspot.com/2009/01/just-minute-wanna-play.html)

A funny thing happened on the way to sewing class

2009-05-26T08:01:00.003+10:00

Big news at August Street: I began the first of a five-week sewing class last Thursday night.

A slight deviation from 'going it alone' but when I discovered a new sewing workshop had opened up on the west side of Melbourne I knew it was a sign. Ask the universe, and sometimes it shall provide!

It's still miles from home... but close to work, so I convinced my lovely Manager to let me do a late shift on Thursdays, and I can chow down some dinner after work then go straight to class. Maybe I can stretch the friendship and do this permanently? (We shall see.)

Anyway, on to the class. There are 5 students (including myself) and everyone is making really exciting things. The teacher is a bundle of energy, so knowledgeable and very encouraging. She also runs Patternmaking classes on weekends - oh yes, I have my eye on these for the future, let me tell you.

So I fronted up with various fabric because I just couldn't decide on one, and settled on a corduroy I bought a year ago. I also brought with me an easy Simplicity skirt pattern and a whole lot of enthusiasm. I talked it over with my new teacher and my #1 goal was to (chant with me here): Make. It. Fit.

Two hours just flew by in a flurry of measuring, drawing and cutting, and I left there with all my skirt bits cut out and ready for interfacing. Whisper weft, here we come.

The best things about the class?

I felt so at home the whole time, and I didn't want to leave. It just felt right to have others around me constructing fabulous things that made me secretly think, 'Ooh, I want to be making that next!'.

I loved the momentum that I just don't get when I'm home alone with only an hour a week to sew. And I loved having the immediate answers from an experienced person whenever that clueless look glazed my face.

I even like that I have homework!

Back soon with the 'altering a skirt pattern' post and more about the new class. Interesting developments on this skirt pattern already.

Coffee tasting part 1: A cup of Harry

2009-05-25T10:00:00.001+10:00

I have a love/hate relationship with coffee.

The love starts with the aroma of freshly ground beans... heaven. I love soy-milk lattes, steaming hot cappuccinos and those lolly-coffees... you know the single sachets of mocha or caramelatte that are essentially powdered milk and sugar? Not particularly low GI, hence the need to ween myself off these critters. I shouldn't even be in the same room as these things.

Onto the hate part of the relationship: too-strong coffee. Erk! Bitter, horrid, burnt-tasting foulness. Or luke-warm. I know, you can't have the milk too hot because it will burn, but it has to be reasonably steamy. And the biggest negative is the coffee mug... I do love a good tea cup and saucer, but have yet to find the perfect mug for my coffee.

M on the other hand is a natural lover of the strongest brew possible.

This week he brought home a selection of coffee beans from his 'Coffee Snob' pals. We are running a little experiment to see which are the tasty and which are the forbidden.

I don't know why I'm doing this - I'm a tea drinker first and foremost. I think I agreed after M mispronounced the first batch of 'Harrar' and we are now calling it Ethiopian 'Harry' Longberry. Quite a mouthful.

It was not overpowering, a little weak if anything. Hence I loved it and M was not overly impressed. If all the rest prove to be duds, I will happily make a cup of Harry on a Sunday morning with my low GI french toast.

Housework... sewing... how to choose?

2009-05-24T14:11:00.003+10:00

I've just read a post that has totally blown my socks off.

It's called 'On housework and unconditional happiness' by sewing on the edge, a blog newly discovered today when I was supposed to be doing the housework.

And I'm not going to say anything about it other than - sit down and read this post. Have a cup of tea handy, bring in your curious pets and really spend the time to read every word. Do not rush this one.

You'll be so glad you did.

Eye Spy... my karaoke song

2009-05-24T10:00:00.001+10:00

A very timely Eye Spy theme this week from Tis Rhubarb! as I have a SingStar night coming up next week (for the non-addicted, SingStar is a karaoke party at home).

When Dusty Springfield's 'Son of a Preacher Man' makes an appearance on screen it will be a nail scratching, hair pulling, physical launch that I will making to the microphone.

I don't think it's really my key but I just love this one.

Oh, if Sneaky Sound System's 'Somebody in Kansas City Loves Me' comes on the radio, be it in the car or in public, I've been known to sing along rather audibly...

For more karaoke confessions wander off here.

Awe-summm Award

2009-05-23T09:59:00.006+10:00

I am very chuffed to have been awarded an Awe-summ award by two fabulous bloggers - Lilli boo and Flickettysplits. I love both of these blogs to bits - they are lovely, honest and full of real world color and inspiration.

So the deal is to:
- List 7 things that make You Awe-Summm then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.
- Tag your recipients (so they know they've won) & link back to the Queen that tagged you.

Not so easy to talk yourself up, but here we go then.
My list of Awe-Summm'ness:

1. I can sew. And I say this more as a pro-active statement rather than a declaration of talent!
2. I have so much more willpower these days, and my wallet thanks me for it.
3. I can empathise ... putting yourself in someone elses shoes is important in relationships, as is being able to listen.
4. I am not too bad in the kitchen (another recently developed skill) and therefore healthier.
5. I am not afraid to dream ... I rejoice in the silly and the whimsical, even if it's not obvious to some.
6. I am a creativity fiend ... and no longer afraid to scream it from the highest mountain, except that maybe no-one will hear me from all the way up there.
7. I'm not afraid to say 'love thyself' because if you can't enjoy your own company then how can you expect others to?

There, that wasn't so hard now was it? And I'm passing on this awe-summmness along to 7 bloggers who I'm thoroughly enjoying right now.

Disclaimer: Please do not feel obligated to carry this on if you don't like memes (empathy - see?) ... but please accept this little bit of praise from me if you will:

ClutterPunk
Emmstarr
Costume Diva's Dirty Laundry
Living Happiness
The Art of Clothes
Hoppo Bumpo
Bookworm Bethie

You're all Awe-Summm, oh yes you are!

my creative space...

2009-05-21T09:22:00.002+10:00

Fabrics and notions waiting to become skirts
A brooch kit from Bell (aka: Sydney's Sunny Day Owl)

Getting lost in Austen

2009-05-19T13:20:00.005+10:00

I bid my dearest friend farewell this morning but didn't shed a tear this time because I know we will be seeing each other again soon. Well, that is the plan.

Last night we watched the first two episodes of Lost in Austen. Yes - it was just as fabulous as I had imagined with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that had nothing to do with the red wine I had with dinner. I can't wait to see the Darcy character evolve given the show has already started to deviate from the true 'Pride & Prejudice' storyline, thanks to the intervention of a modern day character. Also because the actor hasn't really caught my attention (or should that be affection?) just yet.

I love the original concept of modern day girl Amanda Price trading places with the 'real' Elisabeth Bennet and trying to fit into a culture she has only ever read about in books. It really gets your fantasy thinking cap on...

...what would I do if that were me? How would I act? What would I say?

The dialogue is witty, the language delighful, modern Ms. Price is crass as hell without meaning to be (complete with reference to the waxing terminology "landing strip") and the costumes and scenery are everything I had hoped for. Fair to say that I will be watching the next episode tonight.

I leave you now with morning tea in the form of 9 grain uber-sized crackers slathered in light peanut butter and some 'Ceylon Thee' from the Oxfam shop. Love fair-trade tea that comes in an elephant tin, don't you?

Listening to... Rockferry, Duffy. Can't get enough.

Sewing a skirt without a pattern - Part 2

2009-05-15T13:42:00.002+10:00

I've been putting off writing this post because of the amount of conflicting ideas and conclusions surrounding my 'sewing without a pattern' experiment...

Let me begin where I left off: the zipper.

It is written everywhere, "Zippers are not as hard as you think" or "Don't be afraid of zippers". Logically, this is correct: they will not attack you randomly in dark alleyways, and I didn't realise I was supposed to be afraid of them until I started seeing these statements. It is a bit of an urban myth specifically about invisible zippers, which is interesting because in my honest opinion these are easier to work with than the standard dress type. It may help that I had someone physically show me the first time, but if there's a really clear visual in a book somewhere, this would be just as helpful.

Back to the skirt: I have the two pieces of calico (the front and back) all cut to my measurements and looking as though they want to cooperate. And I continue reading from the 'Sew What: Skirts' manual. Sew them together along one side, then insert zipper in the other, with a suggestion to use tape or glue to hold the zipper in place before sewing it in.

Cue: frantic running around the house looking for non-existent tape, of any sort. I do have a gluestick handy though, so away we go. Glue applied, zipper pressed down into position, fabric turned inside out and sewing takes place. Next instruction is to try it on, and put in some darts if needed.

This is where it all came to a screeching halt.

Darts: what - now? But where exactly? "...pinch in at the waist to make darts..." Er, not helpful because it fits quite well around the waist, but there is excess bulk just below that I need to fix. Maybe it does need a dart or two - but how long should they be? And how wide, far apart, etc? Questions galore, then the realisation that this skirt actually needs to be adjusted at the side seams. Except - oh that's right. We have a zipper in the way now.

I fiddle around for about an hour putting in darts, making them longer, shorter, farther apart, trying the skirt on and it all just not fitting right... until the clock has struck midnight and I remember that I have work tomorrow. So I calmly retire from the sewing room without ripping anything to bits in frustration or tossing the book across the hallway. It is a library book after all, and no I don't need anger management classes thank you.

The next day as I walk towards the sewing room, I can sense that invisible barrier around the sewing room doorway that says, "Stay out: you obviously can't handle this / you don't know what you're doing", etc. I barge through the invisible barrier and pick up the fairly hideous looking thing I had tortured with dart-pins the night before, and am quickly reminded of the god-awful exposed sewing around the dress zipper. And the bits of excess glue.
Then I walk out of the room shutting the door behind me and get ready for work. How many times would I do this?

Apart from finishing the waistband and hemming, which I can come back to when I've mastered the fitting process, that's pretty much the end of instructions in this book. Let's cut straight to the 'Stuff I learned this week':

1. When the going gets tough, get some perspective: keep the sewing room door open at all times and stop behaving like a drama queen.
2. Don't make alterations past midnight if you have to work the next day.
3. Put tape on my shopping list (gluestick and zippers shouldn't mix).
4. Zippers should go in back, not sides. Big lesson learnt here.
5. I like skirts with the finished look of an invisible zipper rather than the exposed sewing with a dress zip (this opinion may change in furture, particularly with different fabrics or using exposed threads as a feature).
6. I'm fascinated with how to make things fit and will be looking more into this.
7. I am also fascinated with discovering what features and cut of clothing best suit your own body shape, not just those unique folks in catalogues and magazines
8. Bending the rules before knowing them properly just doesn't cut it with me. It could be the way that I learn, or how I process information, but this experiment has proven that cutting corners will drive me to dispair in the end. I need more knowlege, not more short-cuts.
9. I will improve with time, and refuse to give up... or I'll revert to making cushion covers for the rest of my sewing life. Mind you, I could do with some new cushion covers.
10. I am reminded of a quote, and excuse the translation, but it goes something like this: "Whatever you're staying up late for isn't worth it". In other words, what's the big rush? Put it down and step away from the sewing table, it will still be there in the morning. And sleep is so valuable mid-week.

Next week I'm moving on to part two in the skirt saga: sewing a skirt from a commercial pattern. Or perhaps I should say: altering a commercial skirt pattern. Because this is my point - we can all manually work our way through a commercial pattern with or without help, and end up with something to show for it. But 'making it fit' is the concept I'm tackling here.

my creative space... and a little ray of babushka sunshine

2009-05-14T18:58:00.005+10:00

'Seek and you shall find' or some such advice, was totally applicable today.

There I was having a fairly average time of it, wondering how on earth I managed an entire week of non-action in the sewing room, when the giveaway gods did smile down upon me.

I was browsing mixtapezine for a pick-me-up and saw, underneath the giant Morgan Willis Babuskha doll card, Yours Truly's name in the giveaway winner's spot! There was an audible 'yipee' and maybe a 2-second spot of happy-dancing in the privacy of my daytime office nook, followed by a whole lot of smiles.

Back to the topic at hand though ... my creative space did not involve the sewing desk this week. As a reaction to getting nowhere in record time with my D.I.Y. skirt pattern, I turned my attention to my little blog and started hacking away at it.

Whenever I stumble into a sewing rut, or any other kind of rut in fact, I need to do something simple. Something I know I can start, finish and be happy with. Not quite with the speed of the instant gratification you get from chowing down a slab of chocolate, more along the satisfactory line of putting together a puzzle that has only 10 pieces. You know: simple, with a little bit of thought involved.

So I attacked my August Street template and gave it a spruce up. I know I did this only months ago but I felt it was still missing something... it had to be brighter, have a touch more color and a smidgeon of fun. The 'water color' themed template matches all of these criteria (another online freebie) and I've tweaked it slightly for my own control-freak pleasure.

Sure I lost all of my blog links, again, but they will re-surface. All in good time.

If you're reading this in a feed reader, here's a preview (or go take a look in the flesh):

Unrelated things that have made me smile this week:

Finding more happy-centric and clothes-sewing bloggers
Receiving an Awe-Summm award from FlicketySplits (thanks!)
Hopefully a visit to the new Melbourne Sew Tessuti store this weekend
Finally seeing the movie Chicago
Mad Men tonight on SBS
Having a housemate this weekend!

I daresay there will be much chatting, tea and mocha drinking, and a little out-and-about-ing... so much to do and play.

See other creative spaces this week.

my creative space...

2009-05-07T07:31:00.003+10:00

My creative space is a reflection of yesterday's post: the calico skirt in progress and a whole bunch of sewing books with the addition of two very fine mags: frankie and yen.

The glue stick was to assist with inserting a zipper (more on that later) and the cookbook holder is just perfect for keeping my current sewing book handy.

For more creative spaces check out kootoyoo.

Sewing a skirt without a pattern

2009-05-06T16:08:00.007+10:00

I’m trying a new tactic…

I have been having a go at drawing up a skirt pattern from scratch with the Sew What! Skirts book.

Now the photos and illustrations in this book put me on a creative high the moment I open it. It’s a really cute little manual for beginner-intermediate sewers and it promotes a fun, ‘have-a-go’ attitude. The whole premise behind this book is to not use commercial patterns, rather make your own by taking accurate measurements and drawing up a pattern from scratch. All great so far.

So for the past week I have been patiently reading and measuring, drawing and cutting. I’ve really taken my time with this one. You should have seen me go – patience oozing all over the sewing room.

And I made a few obvious boo-boo’s like completely missing the fine print that said ‘add x amount of seam allowance for fitted waist vs. elastic-casing waistline’… and naturally discovered this missing step AFTER I had cut out the pieces.

No drama - I’ve been using some calico I bought a year ago specifically for practice. Luckily I bought plenty of the stuff. (Has it really been a full year since I planned to do this?)

Well, it has been an enlightening experience so far, and the variables in sewing clothes continue to astound me! So much so, I’ve collated a Top Ten of things I’ve been awakened to in the past few days:

1. Pinking shears are ace! I’m definitely going to be using these more (for finishing facing edges)
2. Just when I thought I had all the tools, I’m still missing one of those French curve thingys
3. I tend to argue, out loud, with sewing books. Not surprisingly this is a one-way argument so I never win.
4. My test/muslin calico is fairly hefty… not quite the drape and weight that I want in my skirt. Fabric choice is going to be a hard lesson to learn and only through practice I think.
5. I need to remind myself that Rome wasn’t built in a day and same goes for this skirt.
6. A big sewing space is also ace!
7. ‘Simple’ sewing books like these tend to skip over some of the important and I find this incredibly frustrating; I don’t like the quick and nasty techniques, I want the ones with the best finish. I need to expand my sewing book reading.
8. I also think I am one of those annoying perfectionist types; sewing is probably good for me.
9. I believe I can sew but I believe I don’t know how to fit… and this is why I keep losing my sewing mojo.
10. Learning to sew takes time. Lots of time. And lots of mistakes can be made in the process.

Fair to say, this relatively simple book has made me realize I have a lot to learn. But I’m just so excited about it, and totally focused on taking it to the next step.
The mojo’s back in full force, the zipper is in and I’ll be back in a few days to report on the next stage of this little experiment.

eye spy… a favourite new blog

2009-05-05T17:53:00.009+10:00

I adore those first few moments of wandering around a new blog.

I feel a little bit like Alice when an intriguing new blog name catches my eye and I follow the link to see where it will take me.

Blog names remind me of a little of paint names: they can be as honest or evasive as possible yet evoke all sorts of emotions with just a few words. And my favorite thing about finding a new blog is exploring all the older posts – especially the first couple where the story really begins. Who is this fascinating blogger? What do they have to share and how has their story evolved?

The first thing I search for on a new blog are the ‘sewing’ or ‘dressmaking’ labels; that’s just my thing.

So on to four recent finds that have me hooked, and a bit of detail about what attracts me to them so you can see if they are your thing too.

In no particular order:

1. all toile and no reward

Describing herself as a ‘corporate slave by day, creative spark by night’ with ‘three furry babies but no human ones’, Flickettysplits is almost describing myself to a T (but I have only 2 little animules).

Not having a family doesn’t necessarily mean I am any less busy than the average Jane; it's all relative - particularly living with a shift-worker and having a reasonable commute each day. So I appreciate other bloggers who are trying to find a balance and fulfillment from a necessary day-job, the after-hours commitments and those few precious moments left over to squeeze in some creativity without keeling over from brain-strain.

2. blossom

Not only is this an aesthetically beautiful site but every week I linger in anticipation for ‘Fashion Fridays’. Ridiculously exquisite imagery, wonderful quotes and bit of history on favourite characters such as John Galliano, mui mui, burberry and chanel. The very best way to end a busy week.

3. all buttoned up

Melissa has a label in her sidebar that I am trying to find more blogs about: sewing clothes. And this is what I love about this blog – she sews and she does it with sassy commentary. It is near impossible to find sewing blogs specifically about clothing in the styles that I would actually wear in public, and this is where my true interests lie. So it’s incredibly refreshing to find a blog like this:

“In other news-- Simplicity has come out with several patterns that actually contain B, C, and D cup alterations right on the pattern. HELLO. This is one more great step forward in making garment sewing more accessible for the beginning homesewer.”

Thank you Melissa – you’ve given me the kick up the proverbial that I need to get my blog back on topic: sewing clothes. Speaking of… here’s another along those lines:

4. the art of clothes

Big-time excitement took over me when I first stumbled through this door. Owner of two fabulous blogs (this and Pemberley Couture, the gallery of her finished costumes) creator Anna Kristine rocks my creative world with her fabulous work.

Beautiful imagery, real-world recreations and full costume studies of film characters right down to the detail of sleeve length, fabric treatments and neckline trims… what further inspiration could a budding-seamstress ask for? Add to that an etsy shop: Marie Antoinette fingerless gloves and Victorian gowns finished with hand-sewn embroidery… swoon.

I loved Anna’s recent costume study of a character that appears in just one episode of Robin Hood (the character ‘Annie’) a perfect demonstration of this blogger’s taste for fabulous historical garments and attention to detail.

Thanks One Red Robin for a brilliant eye spy theme this week!

my creative space...

2009-04-30T11:30:00.000+10:00

I am becoming a library fiend.

The library in my old town has the best selection of sewing books... I've borrowed a bunch on skirts and I'm having a great old time soaking up the knowledge.

Do you ever feel that you have so many ideas and so much inspiration that your head might explode? That's where I'm at. It's fabulous!

Now, to translate that into the actual 'doing' phase...

Check out other creative spaces at kootoyoo.

Just a minute... in April

2009-04-29T14:01:00.005+10:00

Blinking... and almost missing the month of April. March whipped by in a travelling frenzy - and I still haven’t sorted through all 1200 photos of our New Zealand trip. Bad huh? Really, I’d like to savour that task for when I need a hit of nostalgia. There’s just too much of the here-and-now to play with.

Reading... a recent Frankie, a slightly older Stitch mag and a bunch of inspiration from my old library. Can you really blame me for not wanting to get rid of every magazine I buy when they are seriously this good?

Also the latest GI News to get inspired in the kitchen. Soup weather is definitely upon us.

Listening... to my ‘Top Rated’ playlist. The last 5 tunes played just now... Hometown Glory (Adele), Tonight and the Rest of My Life (Nina Gordon), Porch (Pearl Jam), Brianstorm (Arctic Monkeys), The Same Deep Water As You (The Cure).

Favouring... all things Austen since the neighbour gave me ‘Pride & Prejudice’ on DVD – the one with Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennett. Disappointed I missed ‘Lost in Austen’ on ABC last month: mental note to track this down somewhere, somehow. This also looks enticing:

Watching... Mad Men (on tomorrow tonight). Relishing the 50’s office sets, the vintage costumes and furniture, the prolific smoking and drinking in the office before 4.00pm, hair rollers and early nights, and the acute but ridiculous sexism of the day. If you love vintage, watch this show. If you have cable you probably know what I’m on about, otherwise it’s only up to episode #3 on free-to-air so you should check it out pronto – 8.30pm Thursdays, SBS. Be there or be square.

Sewing... begins again this week. I have been pottering while setting up the sewing room, and have a photo-laden post coming soon of my recent zipper replacement episode. The plan is to go back to basics with a whole chunk of calico and ‘Sew What: Skirts!’ this weekend. Taking a leaf out of the turtle’s book: slow and steady. Don’t want to scare myself off again.

Loving... a completed sewing room, a modem that actually works, a husband who loves using our slow cooker (dinner is simmering as I type), a friend who has just bought their first house to play in, a friend who has a birthday coming up, and having Bell stay for a week in May.

Hoping... this list inspires you to reflect over the days of April. Tell me about your highlights.

Check out all the other J.A.M.ers in my sidebar...

Eye Spy ... a work in progress

2009-04-26T09:50:00.005+10:00

It's a little early...
It's not quite finished...
It's still very much a work in progress...

But I am ready to reveal a little more of the overhauled sewing room.

So from the left you will see the re-vamped bookshelf, previously solid black with the wood trim. All it needs now is a few books and magazines. Hmm... where-oh-where will I find some of those?

I cheated a little - I hadn't planned on buying new things, but the large black study desk had to go and in it's place, courtesy of Ikea and a whole bunch of manual labour is a new workbench and drawer set. Plenty of room for both sewing machines and the computer.

The filing cabinet scrubbed up quite a treat:

Even the pups have taken a liking to the place. Though Russ isn't too happy about having to share 'his' little green rug with Tilly (they are basking in the sun at my feet right now).

Still a few more things to do in here... but already I've begun using the room as it was intended. Yesterday I replaced a broken zipper in my favourite vintage denims. Where I found the daring to attempt that one I will never know - but it worked and that's all that matters!

Thanks to this week's host hugo & elso who are having a large scale WIP and as always bug and pop for the whole list of other WIP's.

Passing on the sewing knowledge

2009-04-26T09:37:00.003+10:00

I read this post from 3Birdies this week and it really resonated with me. Leslie is teaching her 5 year old daughter how to sew and it brought back a whole bunch of childhood memories of spending time with my grandmother in her sewing room - an old bungalow in her back garden.

It's a treasure to be able to pass along the sewing knowledge (or any crafting skills) and I'm looking forward to having that opportunity too one day.

If you haven't checked out Leslie's blog, now's a great time as she is hosting a giveaway.

Eye Spy ... a magic elixir

2009-04-25T11:23:00.006+10:00

There is something quite special about this brew, this magical elixir.

Especially when it's in your favourite mug with images of old world books, fob watches and a vase wrapped in bronze ivy.

Especially when you need a little pick-me-up, a warmth in the tummy, or some quiet to appreciate the present moment.

Especially when you have your canine friends sitting at your feet, some fabulous blogs on your screen and the Killers telling you to 'Smile Like You Mean It'.

Thanks Amy - love the theme, really got me thinking.
See other players at bugandpop.

my creative space...

2009-04-23T07:17:00.006+10:00

My creative space moved into the garage this week.

With gloves, mask, an apron my mother in law brought back from Italy for Christmas, and I was in overhaulin' mode.

CurlyPops put me onto a product called ESP (Easy Surface Prep) which I slathered on to all of the furniture before painting. Using this meant I didn't have to sand down any of the wooden furniture. No sanding = happy girl.

Thank you so much Cam - I was singing your praises to M all weekend!

The filing cabinet was the first on the painting hit-list. I chose a dark terracotta color called 'Moroccan Stone'. Who makes these names up? I would just love that job...

Next in line, the giant black bookshelf:

Meanwhile, I began to wonder where the rest of my trusty helpers were?

Pretty darn happy with the end result, and surprised when M gave up a motorbike ride to help me out - totally unheard of. Together, we had everything prepped Saturday and everything painted Sunday. And now everything should be dry and ready for re-housing this week.

We decided to keep the wood trim in it's original color for now. There is such a thing as too much white:

Are you ready to take a step inside the new sewing room?

I will reavel more in the coming days, once I sort out the absolute mess that is piled up in the middle of the room.

Disclaimer: No aprons were hurt or damaged in the making of this creative space.

The green or the orange dot?

2009-04-21T22:14:00.004+10:00

Today I had my first Ikea experience.

Apparently I was the only person alive who hadn't been to this megastore before. Lots to show and tell, but am too exhausted from putting together chunks of wood with the Ikea-supplied allen key.

So I leave you with two very sweet rugs that have already been claimed by one puppy dog.

I think he prefers the orange one.

Lisa Hannigan and her paper world

2009-04-18T10:56:00.003+10:00

Found a little gem this morning while reading all buttoned up:

My first embedded vid. About time I stepped up... reminds me that I need to get my blogroll back on here at some stage.

Anyway, enjoy!

I have sewing room furniture to move out to the garage. Some of it's dauntingly heavy so I have enlisted the kind help of M and a neighbour. Still, I probably won't be able to move tomorrow.

Adele and the floorplan

2009-04-17T20:00:00.006+10:00

I am completely spellbound by this album...

The mood changes with every song and I get a little surprise each time I hear the essence of Dusty Springfield before it changes into something else completely.

I'm so grateful to everyone who gave me their thoughts on my creative space make-over.

It's early days yet and I'm still open to any suggestions - it's kind of fun designing a room with certain limits, like a challenge to see what can be done with what already exists.

With one exception - the big black desk. I have to say, it's definitely time to leave the house.

I'm hoping M will help me put together a desk area made up of a long benchtop on some drawers to house computer stuff AND a couple of sewing machines. A bit more DIY coming up!

And I'm thinking of a muted red for the filing cabinet... or something with a bit of color anyway. Here's where I'm going with this so far, but my thoughts could change again with the rising sun, who knows:

The comfy chair is also my little addition... yet to materialise. We all need a comfy chair in our creative zone don't we?

And I'm still very much open to your thoughts, so don't be shy. (Take a look at the 'before' pics below).

Oh the people I've met
Are the wonders of my world.

Hometown Glory, Adele

Overhaulin' the sewing room...or My Creative Space

2009-04-16T07:00:00.000+10:00

Here's the room I mentioned yesterday: one mismanaged study / sewing room.

Let me take you on a quick tour... mind Maude as you come in:

All lined up in a row because it's the only way I could make it all fit, is the ex-office filing cabinet, the 90's style, oversized black desk and the tan colored sewing table. The walls are bare because of the revamp:

On the other side of the window is a ridiculously heavy (for chipboard) black bookshelf, full to the brim and spilling over, and next to that magazine stack is the wardrobe:

I guess a little magazine culling is in order?

So the idea is to paint some stuff... move stuff around... and maybe just get rid of the big black desk because I'm not seeing a coat of paint reviving it. Although the challenge is to work with what's there, except for the addition of shelving if needed.

Can you see how the black furniture is just sucking the life out of the room? Maybe it needs a coat of creamy-white paint like the wardrobe and window frames?

Here's a night pic of the bookshelf after I emptied it:

It has some kind of etched facing nailed to it:

See? They are begging for mercy...

Oh, and most importantly: the re-arrangement.

The only idea I could come up with was to swap the bookshelf and sewing table, but the table would swing around 90 degrees so it's coming lengthwise out from the wall. And not flush against the window either, so you can actually walk all the way around three sides of it. I measured - there's plenty of room and I'll be able to keep the view while I'm working.

Maybe this is not the best use of space...? I would love to hear your thoughts, any at all! On color, and or placement?

Thanks creative bloggers!!