Relocate and refocus

Little did the city of Barcelona know in March '08, that just four months later it would be about to suffer a further, more thorough assault of the Zoe-kind! Because people, THAT'S JUST WHAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN! Have they received the memo?! Because I mean business.......

As you can see from these images taken on that spring visit, I'm rocking a strong home-made garment look. Damn!

This outfit is particularly good because I made the dress, jacket AND bag! If I could make tights and shoes I would.... I've been making clothes for some time now, but it never ceases to fascinate me that I have produced something that when worn, actually fulfills it's function, by and large, as good as a purchased garment. Let alone three. All at once.

The dress was made from the cheapest fabric available in the UK,from a pattern I adapted from a Built by Wendy Simplicity pattern. The jacket pattern was adapted from a 1960's pattern purchased on ebay. (What have I told you previously? Can't leave them patterns alone. I'm always monkey-ing with them.) The fabric was 'aquired' from my previous job, with applied swallow patches. Sadly you are unable to see the AWESOME lining, which is a Vegas style print cotton featuring playing cards and chips purchased in Britex in San Francisco. I'll try and take a photo of that some time. Honestly, I'm tempted to wear it inside out!

In case you weren't sure if the jacket worked in an evening setting, let me just clarify the situation for you:

I think you'll find it works just fine! The top in this picture is also another creation from the same Built by Wendy pattern. I've leant the pattern to the lovely Michelle at the moment so can't check the pattern number. Can't wait to see her interpretations!

I fully intend to stick to my no-buying new garments pledge whilst in Barcelona. This may prove more of a challenge than previously because, at least initally, I won't have a sewing machine, fabric or equipment. I will have to rely on the things I take out ith me, and any second-hand finds to give me the new-stuff fix I often crave. I'm so committed to the pledge though, fear not.

Because my creations will probably be more infrequent, I plan to focus this blog more on the gathering and documenting of the inspiration I discover in Barcelona. Exciting times. Watch this space.....

'All is well that ends'

This is the first post I have created, possibly ever will create, where I knew the title before I started to write it. This evening I was sorting through and packing all my sewing stuff whilst half cut. (Perhaps I am one step from alcoholism, but I couldn't handle packing up my life once again without a drink to make things a bit fuzzy!)

Well, anyway. I discovered a long forgotten piece of paper that had written on it 'all is well that ends' in my hand writing. I have the vaguest memory of it, but tonight it felt a bit like an old version of me was talking to the today-me, reminding myself that this shitty time is transient, just a stage that will soon pass onto other more enjoyable times.

I don't plan to make a habit of sentimental posts, so please forgive and indulge me this one.

'Hey Baby'!

Finally! Some pictorial evidence of my dabbling in the world of babywear:

And look how cute she is! I can't take credit for that, but the T-shirt looks good too!

This T-shirt is from a range of customised baby T-shirts I produced under the mini-label 'Hey Baby'. Each one is unique, and although they were really fiddly to sew, I really enjoyed it and was very proud of the results. The aim was to sell them on my stall at the Backyard market that I attempted last year. I sold a couple, but now I just sell them to friends whenever someone they know pops out a sprog. I've still got a few left, so hurry up people (Emma!), get making them bambinos!

Many thanks to Jack and Leroy for these fab images!

Jewellery: a show and tell

Jewellery. It's powerful stuff. It can turn an outfit, a whole look even, from ok to AMAZING. A normal girl into an incredible-looking being. In my opinion anyway.

I've never really got my head around jewellery. It's definately on my list of 'things to work out when I'm older', you know, like knitting and not getting hangovers. Almost all of the jewellery I own has been given to me. Maybe most of the jewellery I see in shops that I could actually afford isn't all that great, so I went on a wish-list mission on etsy to see if I could find some pieces that, if money were no object, I would be using to up-grade my outfits:

This piece is made from plastic and looks like lace. It reminds me of some fantastic laser-cut leather necklaces I covetted recently. It would make a really plain black garment look fantastic.

These beautiful chandelier earrings are by the same designer. I love their simplicity. No fussy beading, just great silhouettes.

This pretty rose necklace would be great for the daytime. I think I'd wear this if I had a floral print garment on.

My obsession with bird images knows no bounds! I like how this is slightly childish, but not too kiddie. Another day necklace I reckon.

Dolly Parton tribute necklace! That's a fantastic concept! These days I try to steer clear of overtly kitsch jewellery, clothing and accessories (part of the inevitable 'growing up' process I guess), but I think this is just about on the border of what I would still wear.

So what's your favourite? Do you have any personal jewellery rules that help you make selections?

The sun has got its hat on...

Once upon a time there lived a pair of vintage 60's curtains that Zoe bought for £4 in a charity shop... Well, to cut a long story short, I have finally finished making my new jacket!

Ta da!:

Are you feeling it? I'm feeling it! Check those swing sleeves. Those covered buttons. That crazee goldy/yellow colour. I can't take all the credit mind, I used an awesome Built by Wendy pattern:

If you couldn't tell, I'm really pleased with the outcome. Seeing as my usually red wasps-arse shoulder bag would probably clash violently, when I wear this jacket I've been rocking this '70's fabric shopper that I made yonks ago:

AND... It looks superb with my super-cute knitted hat that was created by my fabulous friend Michelle. Have I told you how super-talented she is yet? These colours are totally fitting in with my new colour scheme I'm working on which I'll explain more about in the future.

Anyway, this jacket is unlined, so it's a bit trans-season, and I've had to stop wearing it since the weather has turned poo over the last week. But I will crack it out when the sun returns for sure. (oh, and a bus driver told me I look 'sunny' in it, in case I needed another excuse to wear it!)

Origami lives in Blogland

Blogland can get a bit confusing. You find blogs through blogs through sites through blogs that your mate's blog recommends and before long you can't remember how you found it, but you better save that bugger quick into your Favourites, or it will be lost forever! Well, through a similar chain I found this tasty little item:

It's a beautiful handmade purse that was allegedly available for purchase on etsy (a site which sells allsorts of hand crafted gifts, jewellery and clothing usually made by independent designers/makers) however the link failed to work on this site where I found it and a search proved fruitless. But it looks lovely, and totally reminds me of the kind of thing my friend Michelle would adore.

Here's and example of her amazing applique creations that can be found on her site:

So crazy-talented is she! Oh, and I think I found that purse on a blog through a blog that Michelle recommended, so that kind of brings it full circle doesn't it?!

Knitwear Refashion Inspiration-station

Knitwear, the final frontier. Well it is for me anyway. I can't really knit, or crochet, or sew with knit fabrics. I just can't really get my head around these practices, though they are all totally on my 'Things to work out when I'm older' list, right alongside 'going out and enjoying myself without achieving a stinking hangover the next day' and 'how to stay living in a property longer than 12 months'.

I digress. Subsequently, I am, at present unable and unwilling to create my own knitwear, and seeing as I'm on the Wardrobe Refashion pledge not to buy any new clothes this leaves me at the peril of second-hand knitwear finds. To be honest I have never been very successful hunting out desirable second hand knitwear in charity shops, and to fulfill such needs without breaking my pledge I have, to date relied on knitwear hand-me-downs from my mum, ebay and even the lost-property box at work (shh!).

So when I found this website through a link someone had posted on the infamous Wardrode Refashion site, I was super impressed and inspired. What a wicked way to create fantastic, unique knitwear by recycling old garments, without being at the mercy of the sourced garments existing shape!

How nice is this?:

And check this badboy! It's so Uhura!:

I really love her use of buttons. I'm always super-jealous of people who can pull off embellishment with such simplicity and class. I tend to avoid embellishment, and let the shape of whatever I'm making and the fabric used carry the design, but I need to get on board! Ahoy!