tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13096655012816930282024-03-16T18:53:10.404+00:00Tea and CrumpetsMusings of a Bristol vintage fan.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-14997153550090971352013-01-08T17:57:00.000+00:002013-01-08T18:01:02.677+00:00A return<b id="internal-source-marker_0.09925104025751352" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heidi-ho folks!<br class="kix-line-break" />Long time no see. Last year was just horrible for me, and, not being able to face writing about the horrible, I stopped blogging. However, looking back I’m finding it hard to remember the good and I’ve realised I really miss blogging. Yes, I have less time now than I did a year ago, but my life is also moving more interestingly and I feel the need to capture it better. So, here I am, making a return after a year of silence!</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My year started out pretty terribly as my Nan, who I was very close to, died suddenly in January. That was a pretty bad time, as I helped my mum arrange the funeral and tried to find some way to comfort my Grandad, who’d been with her for 70 years.</span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Things continued on a similarly depressing theme when in early March, my husband was run over by a van when crossing the road. Thankfully, he’s made an almost complete recovery, but in the early days my life was turned upside down as we waited to see what the damage would be. He very nearly lost a leg, but thanks to being close in the region’s trauma unit with some of the finest surgeons just happening to specialise in his specific injury, he’s now walking and just about able to run again. I spent about 5 months nursing him while he was bed bound and the stress and work involved set of my CFS, leaving me barely able to get us 3 instant meals a day. So basically I missed the first half of the year!</span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rest of the year though, was ok. In November we spent a long weekend in Paris, my first real holiday in 3 years! </span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWiAC5QD11c/UOxaDNMdIRI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/BIS7BMJHRsc/s1600/523820_10151074778998471_1763289715_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWiAC5QD11c/UOxaDNMdIRI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/BIS7BMJHRsc/s320/523820_10151074778998471_1763289715_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We also redecorated the whole of the downstairs - plastering, carpets, painting, new doors, everything! There are a few tiny finishing touches to do, and we had a very minimal Christmas due to the workmen being in the house right up the Christmas eve, but it looks so much better now, it’s changed the whole feeling of the house!</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also finished my History A-Level with a B grade, and I’m thrilled to have done so well amidst the chaos I was in! I’ve taken courses in millinery, jean and shirt construction and got a college certificate in Fashion design.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9nSltT9pzU/UOxaDDxe_lI/AAAAAAAAB9U/kGihdZo_r7M/s1600/430645_10150529739293471_1875129404_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9nSltT9pzU/UOxaDDxe_lI/AAAAAAAAB9U/kGihdZo_r7M/s320/430645_10150529739293471_1875129404_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKyd4KCXOVw/UOxbKVR5QaI/AAAAAAAAB-E/umDDYjDGTcc/s1600/404764_482876215068299_294527889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKyd4KCXOVw/UOxbKVR5QaI/AAAAAAAAB-E/umDDYjDGTcc/s320/404764_482876215068299_294527889_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve started volunteering in a school, helping a group of 16 year olds to put on an event to raise funds for a local homeless shelter, which has been a huge amount of fun.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In December we adopted a new cat too (our third now!). Oscar was a stray with a bad flea allergy and was in a pretty sorry state when they found him. He’s settled in brilliantly though, and he’s now a purry, demanding lap cat!</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jaFTKF2-mdg/UOxaDGzB_ZI/AAAAAAAAB9M/ZJYpLMJPnwg/s1600/535614_10151141095273471_92118310_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jaFTKF2-mdg/UOxaDGzB_ZI/AAAAAAAAB9M/ZJYpLMJPnwg/s320/535614_10151141095273471_92118310_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, the biggest change has been my sewing. I went part time in my office job early in the year and have used the time to start a small businesses sewing <a href="https://www.facebook.com/themidgardseamstress">historical costumes for roleplayers and reenactors</a>. My work has grown steadily and I was asked to help out in the design of a new game, <a href="http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire;jsessionid=braf91849g7?0">Empire</a>, for which I’ve now written guides to the different costumes you can wear and dressed people for a photoshoot and a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIjabuUNxK0&feature=share">video trailer</a> for the game. </span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9EZyky4xUfs/UOxbKSyhRkI/AAAAAAAAB-A/b7arSRWdeOA/s1600/320596_497580993597821_493696213_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9EZyky4xUfs/UOxbKSyhRkI/AAAAAAAAB-A/b7arSRWdeOA/s320/320596_497580993597821_493696213_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iicthY5He0E/UOxbLB2U0ZI/AAAAAAAAB-M/c7XEVmmjKlY/s1600/68874_497580873597833_1216988129_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iicthY5He0E/UOxbLB2U0ZI/AAAAAAAAB-M/c7XEVmmjKlY/s320/68874_497580873597833_1216988129_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As well as being really satisfying, it’s boosted my exposure in the right communities and I’ve had a huge amount of business through it. As a result I’m booked up for work till April and have been asked to speak at a <a href="http://www.larpcamp.co.uk/">convention</a> in July! I’m really hopeful that things will progress like this for the rest of the year and that at some point I’ll be able to do this full time!</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXxoCcF9XHE/UOxaD0QwrII/AAAAAAAAB9c/hWUfEwzzRkE/s1600/582232_10150925767603471_1301809434_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXxoCcF9XHE/UOxaD0QwrII/AAAAAAAAB9c/hWUfEwzzRkE/s320/582232_10150925767603471_1301809434_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-37iYd1tZCpw/UOxbKPvYf2I/AAAAAAAAB-I/jtLxLhQLbaE/s1600/292728_487468694609051_1553907392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-37iYd1tZCpw/UOxbKPvYf2I/AAAAAAAAB-I/jtLxLhQLbaE/s320/292728_487468694609051_1553907392_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’ve been able to really push myself with my sewing too. I’ve self drafted a corset, reproduced 2 different garments by taking a pattern from the finished items, reproduced a 1940s dress by drafting my own pattern based on photos,and am currently working on a full Georgian outfit, stays to hat, for a costume ball in April. </span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8y_6KT06PZc/UOxcWtjIwSI/AAAAAAAAB-k/QoP7Rhw4Z0Y/s1600/305959_492380240784563_1772368517_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8y_6KT06PZc/UOxcWtjIwSI/AAAAAAAAB-k/QoP7Rhw4Z0Y/s320/305959_492380240784563_1772368517_n.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve spent most of the time I’m sewing feeling hopelessly out of my depth and in a near constant state of panic that I’ve forgotten or messed something up, I’ve learnt a lot of lessons too, some of them pretty harsh, but I feel positive about it all. I’m trying to push myself further this year, by spending 2 hours a week working through the many sewing books I have. I’ve started with the basic ones and am working through to the couture and tailoring type books. I use most of my sewing books by flicking to the relevant part and skim reading to find out how to do a specific technique - now I’m stopping to read about why, as well as how, and taking in the recommendations on fabric, thread and machine settings! It’s already been helpful as I’ve been reminded of the best way to do some of the basics and picked up lots of new tips and tricks. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m cautiously optimistic about this year and looking forwards to getting back into the blogosphere. I really hope your 2012s were positive overall, here’s to 2013, when all our dreams come true!</span></b>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-34933002010830119122012-02-21T20:01:00.000+00:002012-02-21T20:06:47.418+00:00Corset making kickstarter project<span style="color: black;">Making Corsets is a Cinch with Electra Designs!</span><br />
<br />
Electra Designs makes incredible corsets and now Alexis is looking for funding so she can share her skills with the rest of us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umjNd2eoyFw/T0P5L3wg6YI/AAAAAAAABpg/GMw7fEtMMaY/s1600/someflats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umjNd2eoyFw/T0P5L3wg6YI/AAAAAAAABpg/GMw7fEtMMaY/s320/someflats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1066830195/making-corsets-is-a-cinch-with-electra-designs">Vists the kickstarter page</a>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-16777841945127378282012-01-15T18:49:00.004+00:002012-01-15T18:49:54.883+00:00Charity shop successI had a very enjoyable day yesterday, pootling down the Gloucester Road in Bristol looking in charity shops and eating scrummy cakes with the husband. It was a lovely day, despite the cold, and I came away with a few real treasures!<br />
<br />
I found this slubby fabric and thought it would make a great dress - it's heavy and has a great drape. I think it's curtaining fabric but it's very pretty all the same. At 6m for £15 I couldn't say no!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38bJWzZWzqs/TxMdA4RYZjI/AAAAAAAABpA/Khm_-fFM870/s1600/IMG_2265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38bJWzZWzqs/TxMdA4RYZjI/AAAAAAAABpA/Khm_-fFM870/s320/IMG_2265.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I also saw this homemade a-line skirt, soft blue floral cotton and trimmed with white lace. I think it'll need a couple of small darts in the waist to make it fit better but that's easy to do!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsBhqb_-Tyw/TxMdKBsdYoI/AAAAAAAABpQ/34CDmF47x9o/s1600/IMG_2266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsBhqb_-Tyw/TxMdKBsdYoI/AAAAAAAABpQ/34CDmF47x9o/s320/IMG_2266.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I also couldn't leave these shoes behind. They're in my size and in really good condition, and only £4. What a bargain!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nb0p6X1ZoZs/TxMdDxTA67I/AAAAAAAABpI/pUQmjL3NtII/s1600/IMG_2268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nb0p6X1ZoZs/TxMdDxTA67I/AAAAAAAABpI/pUQmjL3NtII/s320/IMG_2268.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They'll go well with my 1940s Swing Dress I'm trying to get finished for a wedding next weekend. I have to say it's causing me more trouble than I'd expected, but I'm getting there. Hopefully I'll have some stunning pictures of the finished item tomorrow...wish me luck!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-82490513681362395502012-01-14T20:05:00.000+00:002012-01-14T20:05:00.410+00:00Briefs, brieflySo I finally got around to making a oair of knickers, and do you know, it wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nt-v0RploA/TwTet0_v-bI/AAAAAAAABlw/15ZBIdU67Uo/s1600/IMG_2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nt-v0RploA/TwTet0_v-bI/AAAAAAAABlw/15ZBIdU67Uo/s320/IMG_2230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I picked Wearing History's Panties pattern, which doesn't seem to be available anymore. It's a good pattern and very easy to follow. I sewed these up in white flannel and can confirm that they're just the thing for warming the stocking-gap in winter<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teEB6TbvhjU/TJKXP0vpPLI/AAAAAAAAARA/MdYq8LkiSTA/s1600/il_fullxfull_170627099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teEB6TbvhjU/TJKXP0vpPLI/AAAAAAAAARA/MdYq8LkiSTA/s200/il_fullxfull_170627099.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm in the middle of making another 2 pairs using Sew Vera Venus' free <a href="http://veravenus.com/2011/09/12/a-how-to-draft-make-1930s-style-circular-french-knickers-post/">pattern</a>, though they're not coming together quite as well. The pattern is pretty good but inserting the 'placket' and gusset are a bit tricky - though I've certainly not helped myself by using very slippery satin! I'll let you know how I get on once I've finished them!<br />
<br />
Next up I'm going to try out Anna from <a href="http://afewthreadsloose.blogspot.com/">A Few Threads Loose's</a> pattern, which I bought through <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78973554/vintage-pauline-tap-panties-sewing">Etsy.</a> Anna's written some very handy <a href="http://afewthreadsloose.blogspot.com/2011/10/starting-tap-pants-lingerie-sew-along.html">sewalong instructions</a> for these, so hopefully they'll be a doddle!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.261131380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.261131380.jpg" /></a></div>
My hope is to find a very simple pattern which I can use to create plenty of everyday underwear without spending a fortune!<br />
Has anyone else found a simple and reliable tap pant pattern?Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-10270319002488383622012-01-08T20:04:00.000+00:002012-01-08T20:04:01.290+00:00New Year, new resolutionsBack at the start of 2011 I made 7 resolution, unfortunately, I failed to achieve most of them...I'm wondering if I should try again this year.<br />
<br />
2011 resolutions;<br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Sew at least 12 garments in 2011.</div>
I made it to 11, so not a total fail. In fact I made a lot more than 11 garments - I've made trousers for my Mum, a skirt for a gift and about another 20 garments for myself and others to wear as costumes. As I'm going to make a lot more costumes in 2012, I'm going to try to make time to sew for myself as well. I think I'll be repeating this resolution!<br />
<br />
2. Lose weight – any amount!<br />
Success! I lost some, put some back on but I've come out ahead by 16lbs :) Another couple of pounds this year would be nice but I'm pretty pleased with this resolution!<br />
<br />
3. Learn some German<br />
Done. I took a class in beginner's German, though how much of it stuck, I don't know!<br />
<br />
4. Redecorate sewing room<br />
Fail. I did get a new kitchen though...<br />
<br />
5. Pay off £2000 debt<br />
Also fail. I'm earning less this year than I was last too, so I don't see huge success in 2012.<br />
<br />
6. Sell clothes on etsy and ebay<br />
Started and going well. I do need to get more items listed though.<br />
<br />
7. Live with less – set budgets and stick to them! <br />
Sigh. Total fail. Out of necessity I'm going to have to do this better now.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, a mixed bag from last year's resolutions. Can I do better in 2012? As I've realised that I do tend to over-commit myself, my main resolution is to me more realistic about about what I can actually fit in and achieve. As such, I'm making just 5, easily achievable resolutions;<br />
<br />
1. Sew 12 garments for myself in 2012<br />
2. Eat more healthily and drink less<br />
3. Organise my sewing room to make it a better work space<br />
4. Go out more in the evenings<br />
5. Budget properly. This includes recording business expenses properly.<br />
<br />
How successful were your resolutions, and have you made any more?Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-41194683379952507522012-01-06T20:03:00.000+00:002012-01-06T20:03:00.446+00:00Tinsel TownSo, the Christmas parties are done and dusted, the tree's come down and the diet's started. I for one an glad we're back to normality, though I am going to miss the lights!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I attended a couple of soirees, which I enjoyed immensely, though I had a bit of a damp Christmas, being really ill for most of it and thus spent New Years watching Buffy at home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fortunately, I did have fun in the pre-Christmas week. I went to a works do, where we had a lovely meal and more than one drink. I wore a lace blouse from Zara, an old charity shop find which only really comes out at Christmas, paired with my Nan's black velvet skirt - perfect for the cold, blustery evening. It felt odd wearing black stockings - I've only worn tan ones for so long, but they're What Katie Did retro stockings, so I got to keep my seams at least.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhT9dLsw3rE/TwTSboGbBJI/AAAAAAAABkw/L8BygkfwPXE/s1600/IMG_21281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhT9dLsw3rE/TwTSboGbBJI/AAAAAAAABkw/L8BygkfwPXE/s320/IMG_21281.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
Later the same week I went with friends to Blitzmas, a 40s themed dance in town. For this, I pulled out the Butterick dress I made back in 2010, but have only worn once! It didn't fit me that well back then, and I've lost weight since, but it's festive and just about the only Christmassy dress in my wardrobe, so out it came!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYzTYP1sffs/TwTSu8lLEsI/AAAAAAAABk4/-8O08v08Ykc/s1600/IMG_2175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYzTYP1sffs/TwTSu8lLEsI/AAAAAAAABk4/-8O08v08Ykc/s320/IMG_2175.JPG" width="207" /></a></div>
I accessorised with a handy bit of tinsel, and my trusty Clarks shoes (note to self, buy more evening footwear) I also wore my new MAC lippie, in Chilli, which is far darker and more orangy than my normal Russian Red, but actually a lot easier to wear. The colour still looks good and red as well as matte, but it's far less drying and not so flashy. It's my new firm favourite!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0NzVy2kXNE/TwTS09Wp9KI/AAAAAAAABlA/mNxGL27tUs0/s1600/IMG_2195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0NzVy2kXNE/TwTS09Wp9KI/AAAAAAAABlA/mNxGL27tUs0/s320/IMG_2195.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Blitzmas was a big success and I had a fantastic time with our friends, who not only looked great but showed off their mad swing dancing skills as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42hjh9jvntg/TwTTAUOJ4uI/AAAAAAAABlQ/2ZXWQysaOrM/s1600/IMG_2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42hjh9jvntg/TwTTAUOJ4uI/AAAAAAAABlQ/2ZXWQysaOrM/s320/IMG_2211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xF_ERZzDalU/TwTTDryLKUI/AAAAAAAABlY/nsPpgqmB5go/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xF_ERZzDalU/TwTTDryLKUI/AAAAAAAABlY/nsPpgqmB5go/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have sworn that I'm going to try to get out more often in 2012!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What about you, any good parties over the festive season?</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-3560477612610451662012-01-04T20:03:00.003+00:002012-01-04T22:27:20.788+00:00Christmas circle skirtNow that the gift exchanging is over and done with, I can talk about a skirt I made as a present. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jWKVsnPqAk/TwTGJodPQuI/AAAAAAAABkU/-eoAheb1RHc/s1600/IMG_2224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jWKVsnPqAk/TwTGJodPQuI/AAAAAAAABkU/-eoAheb1RHc/s320/IMG_2224.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wasn't sure what to buy, so, knowing that the lady in question likes a 50s dress, thought I'd make her a circle skirt. I used the directions <a href="http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/2011/09/cssa-drafting/">Casey</a> posted in her sewalong to craft the size - using a 40" circle to give a likely hip (since I don't know the right dress size!) measurement, and sewed it onto a 28" band of elastic. This way the skirt can be pulled on and suits a good range of waist sizes!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhNIKuiTez4/TwTGNkSK1wI/AAAAAAAABkc/KLooOKjAbp4/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhNIKuiTez4/TwTGNkSK1wI/AAAAAAAABkc/KLooOKjAbp4/s320/IMG_2225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It's a full circle and so it's massive. I think it'll look really good with a petticoat underneath. I couldn't resist the fabric, so very gothabilly!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qegOBbAs3YM/TwTGSDXJdoI/AAAAAAAABkk/Lj6_Wn8zQjE/s1600/IMG_2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qegOBbAs3YM/TwTGSDXJdoI/AAAAAAAABkk/Lj6_Wn8zQjE/s320/IMG_2227.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To attach it to the waistband, I first overlocked the waist seam, and then pinned it to the inside of the elastic at regular intervals. Then I simply stretched the elastic till the fabric fell flat and zigzagged it on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Simples! And it gives a nice even gather too!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While the maths was something of a challenge (working in a combination of inches and cms didn't help that), this was a breeze to make. I got to use my rolled hem foot and was pleased at how evenly the hem turned out. All in all, a great little project, and I'd strongly recomment Casey's sew along instructions to beginners.</div>
<div align="left">
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-46250629178199751882011-12-12T13:39:00.003+00:002011-12-15T17:08:58.974+00:00Christmas crazies!<div style="text-align: left;">
How did Christmas get to be only a week away? We still don't have our tree or any decorations up! I would have been blogging about everything I've been doing for the last couple of weeks (mainly crafting of presents and eating of christmas dinners) but I've been too busy doing it all! I've started to feel rather stressed.</div>
<br />
I can share 2 gifts I made last week, both were pretty quick and easy so you might still have a chance to copy the ideas if you're so inclined!<br />
<br />
Gift 1 is a set of herb jars, inspired by an article on <a href="http://www.xojane.com/diy/baby-food-diet-jar-spice-rack">xoJane</a>. They're normal jars (purchased from Amazon) but I painted the lids with blackboard paint. That way they can be custom labeled, and seen from the top in a draw.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMoBTlTGjcg/TuYDe5oYf1I/AAAAAAAABjs/6BWC_336ZGc/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMoBTlTGjcg/TuYDe5oYf1I/AAAAAAAABjs/6BWC_336ZGc/s320/IMG_2155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I bought fancier jars than the ones in the article a. as a nice gift but also b. so that the jars can be stacked side on with the lids showing on a shelf. The blackboard paint in a tin was about a quarter of the price of the spray, but it has left some slight streaking, so spray might be a better bet! I've bought a chalk pen to write on them so that it's nice and neat and I'll give it with the jars.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2AgE-ZIpPw/TuYDhwgMrVI/AAAAAAAABj0/Dbd5Sds1kXc/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2AgE-ZIpPw/TuYDhwgMrVI/AAAAAAAABj0/Dbd5Sds1kXc/s320/IMG_2154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Gift number 2 was a fairly simple bag for my Mum to carry her knitting in.I took a square of the cord and rounded the bottom edges, then sewed the 2 sides up and sewed a long rectangle with the corners cut off into the base. I then lined it with this cotton wadding, and a cotton lining over that.<br />
The top was just a wide rectangle sewn over the raw edge, though I added some piping to give it a more professional look. If I made this again I'd make the tuck a box pleat, but it looks ok as it is (pain to sew though - had to turn the tension WAY down because it was so thick!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AkvRlYwSYm8/TuYDmyIu6UI/AAAAAAAABj8/wZuAS3nY9Tg/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AkvRlYwSYm8/TuYDmyIu6UI/AAAAAAAABj8/wZuAS3nY9Tg/s320/IMG_2152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The handles are cotton tubes with cotton wadding in too and
were top-stitched in flace with purple thread (but light green inside).<br />
The
catch is another tube but with the ends pointed, and I added a magnetic
clasp to the catch and the bag, then sewed a large button over the top
for decoration.<br />
Very easy and, if I do say so myself, very effective! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrM33pLUdHQ/TuYDpmV_pUI/AAAAAAAABkE/LfismR0YBSw/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrM33pLUdHQ/TuYDpmV_pUI/AAAAAAAABkE/LfismR0YBSw/s320/IMG_2151.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I just hope my Mum likes it (and that she hasn't found my blog yet!).<br />
<br />
Stand by for some rushed shots of me going out for various shindigs (including a 1940s party on Saturday), recent sewing projects (tap pants, trousers and a golden corset!) and me cooking Christmas dinner for 7 on Saturday...Roll on 2012!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com3United Kingdom55.378051 -3.43597336.641164 -43.8656605 74.114938 36.9937145tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-72028355910153575442011-12-03T20:49:00.000+00:002011-12-03T20:49:00.472+00:00Getting it off my chestI was fitted for a new bra recently and realised I've reached somewhat epic proportions. Although it's somewhat depressing to know no regular lingerie companies provide for my size, getting a better bra has made me look thinner and more shapely. There are all sorts of figures about the numbers of women wearing the wrong size, and I know I've given lots of friends tips which have changed the way they wear bras in the past. As I had a spell fitting bras, and have struggled to find a good bra in the past, I thought I'd share my knowledge with you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Sizing principles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a lot of confusion about what cup and band sizing mean, and their relationship. Essentially, the band size is the size of your rib cage, and the cup is the difference between the band and the fullest part of your chest. The sewists amongst you will probably be familiar with the D cup as 2" difference, but this isn't strictly true when we're fitting a bra.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Using my favourite pub discussion (men love to hear about this for some reason) we can illustrate bra sizes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Imagine I take a standard sized bottle top, and place it on the front of a coke can. It's quite big in proportion to the can right? So the coke can lady probably has F cup boobs, with a 32" band. Massive right? Now take the cap and place it on a large bottle of coke, suddenly that's tiny. Our bottle lady has A cups on a 40" band, despite her boobs actually being the same size. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. What size band?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It wasn't so long ago that the smallest back size you could get was a 32", and the largest around 38". Many women, therefore, got pushed into whatever was closest to their size. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The rule that gets flug around is usually chest measurement plus 4-5" is your band size, but actually I think the same issues that affect the rest of the clothing industry with vanity sizing means that this isn't really true any more. I'd always start off looking at the current brasize and how it fits. You should always buy and wear a bra on its loosest fitting. That allows you to get a bit of extra grip by tightening it as it ages and the elastic loosens. On that fitting, the bra should be firm around the chest - it should be able to stay up on its own if you take the straps off your shoulders. I find most women can go down one or two band sizes - the tighter it is (within reason - you still need to be able to breathe!) the better support it'll give and the more comprotable it should be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Something else to look at is the space between the cups. This should sit flat on your breastbone, so that the band hugs your rib cage all the way around. The band should also be level - the same height at the back as the front. Most bras that are too big rise up towards your neck in the back. This is because the bras aren't giving any lift, so women tighten the straps to hoick themselves up - you shouldn't need to do that if your band fits properly! In fact, the straps should be the last thing you adjust to give you a little lift after you know the rest of the bra fits well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. In your cups.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now you can look at cups. This suffers the same problem as band sizing - because cups A-D were standard for years, many women wear whatever was closest to their size, even though they needed an F! The cup should sit comfortably all the way round the breast tissue, not digging in, bagging out or wrinking. At this point it's worth trying a few different brands, as they're all cut in slightly different shapes and will suit different people. Personally, I know that Freya, Fantasie and Rigby and Peller usually suit my shape well, but other brands do have individual bras which work well too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you're getting bulging over the top of the cup, you need to go up a size. The rule is generally that for each band size you drop, you need to go up a cup size. Like the other rules, though, use this as a guide to start from!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Don't be afraid of the larger cup sizes - you don't need to be built like a porn star to wear a big cup - to illustrate this point - I bought a 30H last week, and I'm not porn material! My measurements are around 38" full bust, 30" underbust. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Below is a good exaple of a terribly fitted bra. We all know Christina Hendricks has big knockers. My guess would be around a 30-32" F-G cup. The bra she's wearing in this photo is probably a 38D. You can see clearly the the cup is sitting right on the tip of her boobs, and the wire must be cutting in terribly. The wire should run below where the horizontal seam is, and about half the distance between the strap and her back. You can clearly see from the shadows that her boob continues well below the line of the cup and goes right back under her arm. I'd guess that there's been some significant photoshopping done here to make her chest look smooth and perky, because she'll never get that look from a bra that size!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXlnb_Ocqhw/TZYyiADLCdI/AAAAAAAAA9U/vTGNazjg2Nc/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXlnb_Ocqhw/TZYyiADLCdI/AAAAAAAAA9U/vTGNazjg2Nc/s320/untitled.bmp" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's a good guide to specific bra problems <a href="http://www.legsandcospain.com/guides/ill_fitting_bra.htm">here</a>, along with a couple more photos.<br />
<br />
4. Shopping for bras.<br />
My first piece of advice is to do this with a friend. There will be a lot of chopping and changing of sizes and brands and the last thing you want is to keep dressing and undressing to get another size. Shops with good bra fitters can save you a lot of work, but beware those sales people who use a tape measure, and anyone in a shop which has a limited range of sizes - they'll only know how to fit you to their closest size, so you may end up with something that only roughly fits.<br />
Start with simple designs - once you know your size in a brand, you can try the pushups, strapless and other specialist designs (and bare in mind this the size might change slightly for fit in some shapes).<br />
Don't forget to have a good jiggle - lean forwards and tip yourself into the cup, get your hand in and move everything around - you need to give yourself a helping hand to get everything in its right place!<br />
If you think you're getting in the DD-E cup territory, you should probably find a shop with plenty of larger sizes - in the UK your best bet is <a href="http://www.bravissimo.com/">Bravissimo</a>. I say this because once you stray out of regular high street sizes, you need to give yourself the chance to find a range of styles and brands that go up well above your expected size. Don't limit yourself to the 'plus sizes' rack of the department store!<br />
Don't forget to look properly at your size every couple of years, and if you gain or loose weight.<br />
<br />
A properly fitting bra will not only make you look better and make clothes fit better, but it can help your back and shoulders if you're very large, and avoid the damage from badly fitting wires, which isn't pleasant and has been linked (though I can't find any actual studies to support this idea) to breast cancer.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-70576547919702917512011-11-30T14:02:00.001+00:002011-11-30T14:19:38.642+00:00Absence makes the heart grow fonderI've been too busy to blog of late - between working, sewing and sleeping I'm not getting the time to post anything!<br />
I've been doing a lot of costume making recently, which has been great fun but has tied up every spare minute of the last few weeks. This is, sadly likely to be the case over much of the winter as I try to build up a good range of costumes for a portfolio - I'd like to start making some money from my sewing next year but I need to do a lot of work between here and there to improve my skills. I have a list of about 30 items to get done before March, so time really is of the essence!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0aDAkJzRew/TtY5-1vx3FI/AAAAAAAABjk/4GZzopg4T-w/s1600/IMG_2097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0aDAkJzRew/TtY5-1vx3FI/AAAAAAAABjk/4GZzopg4T-w/s320/IMG_2097.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early Templar Knight costume</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have been doing a little sewing for myself too, but I've not managed to finish anything yet! It's very irritating. I'm determined to complete my chanllenge of finishing 12 garments this year. Although I've actually made a lot more than that, most of my creations have been for someone else, or costume (or both!). I'm planning to finish a Vogue skirt, the 1940s swing dress that I started a year ago, and a pair of 1940s knickers before the end of December. Wish me luck!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7KQ2xta-uM/TtY58YYz8CI/AAAAAAAABjc/l3wwm-ZjUN0/s1600/IMG_2048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7KQ2xta-uM/TtY58YYz8CI/AAAAAAAABjc/l3wwm-ZjUN0/s320/IMG_2048.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toile of one of my recent projects</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Something else I've been making is a corset - I'm in the middle of a 6 week evening class making one, and I'm loving it! Once I've done the class I have plans to make another corset the same, just to fix the process in my mind. Photos of the finished article will follow soon too.<br />
So I hope all's well in Blogger land - I've not been reading nearly as much as usual either, so I'm worried I might have missed something. Let me know if there's any news :)Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-1371382567758860802011-10-17T13:56:00.000+01:002011-10-17T13:56:00.042+01:00Now we're cooking with gas!I mentioned a while ago that we'd had a new kitchen installed, well here are the pictures!<br />
We went with IKEA, since they're very cheap, and we were impressed with the quality - I have a friend who had an IKEA kitchen 5 years ago and it still looks brand new.<br />
I used the online design feature to put the layout together. Fortunately once we'd paid for it instore a fitter came out to measure and corrected all of the mistakes I'd made. Oops! My measuring mistakes meant that I didn't get everything I wanted - double sink, built in microwave and full sized dishwasher being the biggest dissapointments!<br />
When we bought our place it'd been a student rental for a long time and the cheap kitchen was really past it. The oven door had lost its handle, and its ability to light the gas. The fridge barely kept anything cold and the freezer frosted up within hours. The sink was leaking and the cupboard doors were warped. In short - ready for the knacker's yard!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9f6gArVWag/TprA8ypcBQI/AAAAAAAABWI/nO6uj9JAPQ0/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9f6gArVWag/TprA8ypcBQI/AAAAAAAABWI/nO6uj9JAPQ0/s320/IMG_1567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - uninspiring to say the least</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The kitchen was delivered on a Saturday and we were overwhelmed with new things. That was like Christmas, as the men brought appliances and IKEA packages in. Very exciting times!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raOxqYYAdXg/TprBI5Qaq2I/AAAAAAAABWY/EU5Tf-TDTk0/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raOxqYYAdXg/TprBI5Qaq2I/AAAAAAAABWY/EU5Tf-TDTk0/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We ripped the kitchen out ourselves to save some cash and actually it was very satisfying! We ran into trouble with the sink, as the people who fitted it didn't isolate the water supply, so we couldn't remove the taps without flooding the house. Fortunately the buildres managed to sort that out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_SmsT4oFYc/TprDfvnDMmI/AAAAAAAABXw/8BUvBPPKous/s1600/IMG_1583.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_SmsT4oFYc/TprDfvnDMmI/AAAAAAAABXw/8BUvBPPKous/s320/IMG_1583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The builders arrived bright and early on the Monday - the electrician first to sort the appliance plugs out, then the cabinet makers and the plumber. The benefit of using the IKEA recommended service, apart from getting some of the installation on their interest free credit deal, was that they knew exactly what they were doing with the units. Within a few hours the first cabinets, and the extractor fan had gone up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIAo7rkHkEk/TprBO8VUaDI/AAAAAAAABWg/GKslT2PxKNo/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIAo7rkHkEk/TprBO8VUaDI/AAAAAAAABWg/GKslT2PxKNo/s320/IMG_1600.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And by Wednesday afternoon, they were finished!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPDeAP0q0QU/TprBRgXoH_I/AAAAAAAABWo/226FpCZ8iQU/s1600/IMG_2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPDeAP0q0QU/TprBRgXoH_I/AAAAAAAABWo/226FpCZ8iQU/s320/IMG_2027.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We went for Ramsjo units in white, with a solid oak worktop. The door fronts do show every bit of dirt, but they wipe off easily. The work surface has been very easy to keep clean and we've not marked it yet! The sink is Domsjo and I love it - it's big enough to fit the oven trays in completely, to soak and handwash clothes, plus it's been easy to keep clean - I noticed it was getting a bit tea stained today and after putting some soda crystals and boiling water on it, the stains came off with a wipe. My only complaint would be that with a high tap like ours and a shallow sink, the water does tend to splash everywhere if you're not careful. Fortunately, since we're barely washing anything up any more it's not much of an issue!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0G51kSV_cMo/TprBj682YJI/AAAAAAAABXQ/WHrHI15MCvI/s1600/IMG_2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0G51kSV_cMo/TprBj682YJI/AAAAAAAABXQ/WHrHI15MCvI/s320/IMG_2034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I think the biggest change has been the use of space - we've fitted a dishwasher in to the kitchen, and managed to hide the recycling bins away without sacrificing any cupboard space. Plus the built in washing machine keeps it lookig tidy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbR6Rqkf2z0/TprCRAPIRcI/AAAAAAAABXo/dmP2LQeMFWA/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbR6Rqkf2z0/TprCRAPIRcI/AAAAAAAABXo/dmP2LQeMFWA/s320/IMG_2033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been very impressed with the IKEA appliances - they're all A and above rated and seem to have been designed with very sensible and practical use in mind. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've made good use of space, with a carosel cupboard in the corner - the shelves pull out completely so you can get right to the back and it works better than I'd thought it would!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnrBmxT8fto/TprBd1CXfCI/AAAAAAAABXA/uL6Xn3B9ee4/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnrBmxT8fto/TprBd1CXfCI/AAAAAAAABXA/uL6Xn3B9ee4/s320/IMG_2032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The drawers with a cupboard front were a bit of a wild card - we only got them because there wasn't enough space for a regular drawer unit. Actually, though, they work really well. The height of the bottom drawer lets me stand up cleaning spray and kitchen roll, while the top 2 drawers fit cutlery and cooking bits and bobs simply. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap6ZKtk3hV8/TprBXIj1G-I/AAAAAAAABW4/XP4OjtB0GJA/s1600/IMG_2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap6ZKtk3hV8/TprBXIj1G-I/AAAAAAAABW4/XP4OjtB0GJA/s320/IMG_2031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The obligatory before and after shots:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ght6CCCCaNg/TprA0UjTjiI/AAAAAAAABWA/I76nVYjLtRs/s1600/IMG_1565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ght6CCCCaNg/TprA0UjTjiI/AAAAAAAABWA/I76nVYjLtRs/s320/IMG_1565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqM_Nt1f2q4/TprBpxvlo-I/AAAAAAAABXg/b6q57_mOsXQ/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqM_Nt1f2q4/TprBpxvlo-I/AAAAAAAABXg/b6q57_mOsXQ/s320/IMG_2037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The island making the L-shape is a trolley, coincidentally in the same colour scheme as the kitchen. We went for that rather than a built in island so that we can get a big table in and, when we pull it out to seat 10, move the island to keep access all around the table. Using baskets on the trolley shelves lets us store our veg and large bags of pasta.<br />
<br />
The 'dining' part of the room got some wall cabinets and a sideboard for storage. Using the alcove left by the chimney breast gives us more space in the room/ We're planning to buy a new, bigger table which will be the same size as the current table at full extention, seating 6, but pull out to seat up to 10. As we've used the length of the room there should be plenty of space for that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8C8mIgqKZeg/TprBDRjv7gI/AAAAAAAABWQ/6VInGs6CF5o/s1600/IMG_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8C8mIgqKZeg/TprBDRjv7gI/AAAAAAAABWQ/6VInGs6CF5o/s320/IMG_1568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtdaXhJeICQ/TprBUHeu9yI/AAAAAAAABWw/AfBKy7sjXSA/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtdaXhJeICQ/TprBUHeu9yI/AAAAAAAABWw/AfBKy7sjXSA/s320/IMG_2028.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It feels as though we have more space now, and the room feels much nicer too. As the front door opens directly into this room, it's helped to improve the feel of the whole house!<br />
There's a lot of work to do still - tiling the cooking space, painting the walls, making a new blind, fitting new lights and, eventually, stripping the carpet off and doing up the original oak floorboards in the whole of the room. All we have to do is find the time and the money!<br />
I have to say that I've been very pleased with the IKEA purchasing process, the fitters (who came back to fix a minor issue with the work top placement 2 days after I called about it) and the quality of the cabinets and appliances.<br />
<br />
For reference;<br />
Sink: Domsjo<br />
Fridge: Framtid fridge freezer<br />
Oven: Datid OV8<br />
Washing machine: Renlig<br />
Dishwasher: Renlig<br />
Hob: Datid <br />
Work surface: Numerar Oak<br />
Sideboard: Stornas Buffet<br />
Doors: Ramsjo white<br />
Handles: Svep<br />
<br />
Cost £3350<br />
Fitting £3490 (IKEA approved firm DTW)<br />
All but £1000 of that went on 2 years interest free credit.<br />
The appliances are all under 5 year warranty, the units 25 years and the installation 3 years, so we're pretty confident it'll last!<br />
<br />
If you're looking for a good value kitchen, I'd say that IKEA are well worth a look. They're well designed and the service is very good (we had a named contact to deal with). You can almost certainly save money by putting cabinets together yourself if you have the know-how and looking for a local firm to fit them and the appliances, though you won't be able to spread the payments that way.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-45916486459222607622011-10-15T23:14:00.000+01:002011-10-15T23:14:29.668+01:00Sewists of the world - I need your help!Rewatching True Blood season 2, I was struck (again) by how fabulous Lorena always looks.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sz9M78GI8ZY/TpoESpnYH1I/AAAAAAAABVg/4EfHzfU7X2c/s1600/lorenasookiebill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sz9M78GI8ZY/TpoESpnYH1I/AAAAAAAABVg/4EfHzfU7X2c/s1600/lorenasookiebill.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This burnt orange number is fantastic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I do dislike the way that most of the vamps dress like 90s metallers - come on people - you have all of eternity to get your style together - be braver! Anyway, Lorena is, to me, how good vampires should look (Eric aside, cos, well, you know).<br />
And that green dress she wears when Bill leaves her in the 30s? Just amazing. So much so that I'm keen to try to replicate it. Can I find a pattern though? And that's why I need your help!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h20gsM3Fz00/TpoER461TlI/AAAAAAAABVY/VpV943HLD40/s1600/tumblr_loombl4uOq1qd6a26o1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h20gsM3Fz00/TpoER461TlI/AAAAAAAABVY/VpV943HLD40/s320/tumblr_loombl4uOq1qd6a26o1_500.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To remind you, the dress is bias cut, has a cowl neck, underbust seam (though I'm not concerned about replicating that specifically) and straps which cross in the back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0LPXSnyr2Tk/TpoEbi7mRYI/AAAAAAAABV4/h2Iax_x9pX8/s1600/BillLeavesLorena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0LPXSnyr2Tk/TpoEbi7mRYI/AAAAAAAABV4/h2Iax_x9pX8/s320/BillLeavesLorena.jpg" width="232" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pwrbI-OdiY/TpoEX1WDLUI/AAAAAAAABVw/ocFhFDbspiY/s1600/stilllife1-1024x576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pwrbI-OdiY/TpoEX1WDLUI/AAAAAAAABVw/ocFhFDbspiY/s320/stilllife1-1024x576.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love the brooches on the straps, and the train in the back</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The closest pattern I've found is Vogue 8358, though that's v-neck rather than cowl. If anyone can find me a closer pattern, I'd be eternally grateful! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mfCsFMxNVc/TpoETIJWdqI/AAAAAAAABVo/scQ-j9r115Q/s1600/V8358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mfCsFMxNVc/TpoETIJWdqI/AAAAAAAABVo/scQ-j9r115Q/s320/V8358.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vogue 8358</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And just cos I can, I give you...Eric Northman.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46FPkDb108k/TpoENeLhDgI/AAAAAAAABVQ/xil-cCfjf6U/s1600/Eric4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46FPkDb108k/TpoENeLhDgI/AAAAAAAABVQ/xil-cCfjf6U/s320/Eric4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-69248616413483543972011-10-14T13:12:00.000+01:002011-10-14T13:12:00.602+01:00NanMy Grandmother is wonderful. While this is something I've always known, I have come to appreciate it even more recently, when I've been going through the Ton of clothes I grabbed from her house following a big clear out I helped my Mum with.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vd8juU2zwxo/Toh-8eTr4mI/AAAAAAAABUc/nmGq3pzIcy0/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vd8juU2zwxo/Toh-8eTr4mI/AAAAAAAABUc/nmGq3pzIcy0/s320/IMG_1888.JPG" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As she's now elderly and immobile, my Nan has surrendered most of her incredible (both in terms of content and size) wardrobe, and much of it has come to live with me.<br />
I've washed a few items and aired the rest and am now the proud owner of;<br />12 skirts<br />1 skirt suit<br />1 jacket<br />2 dresses<br />6 slips<br />1 dressing gown<br />2 dresses and 1 skirt from which I'll reclaim fabric<br />1yd of cotton and<br />1 fur coat<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cn98glvXrJU/Toh-_alNnoI/AAAAAAAABUg/a_AWB29zbvY/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cn98glvXrJU/Toh-_alNnoI/AAAAAAAABUg/a_AWB29zbvY/s320/IMG_1896.JPG" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue and green plaid skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My Mum is amazed that anyone would want to wear her Grandmother's clothes and as they're all 60s and 70s items, I'm surprised too. It turns out, though, that my Nan has always been a style queen.<br />
Not only is her taste impeccable - the fabrics she's picked out are beautiful, she's also always bought very high quality clothes and she's taken really great care of everything. Most of it looks brand new. It's incredible. And, as I'm discovering, most of her clothes were hand made.<br />
My Nan grew up in the 30s and 40s in the East End of London. When the war started, she was 14 and so left school to join the work place. She went to work in a factory sewing parachutes and as far as I know, has been sewing ever since.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6wbPinuns4/Toh_BR9mUVI/AAAAAAAABUk/Edu7sjHhHrQ/s1600/IMG_1899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6wbPinuns4/Toh_BR9mUVI/AAAAAAAABUk/Edu7sjHhHrQ/s320/IMG_1899.JPG" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple black velvet a-line skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the end of the war she married the boy next door (actually he lived opposite, but near enough!) and when my Grandad was offered a chance to move to Hampshire with work, they took it. She kept working in London and would take the bus into Victoria every day, which meant that she needed a wardrobe fit for the London scene whilst saving her pennies (not to say that she didn't like to spend - there's an oft told story about a pair of shoes she spent 2 week's wages on in Bristol during the war, which she had to hide from my Grandad).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SKAL10Ni9X8/Toh_FyYTOMI/AAAAAAAABUo/TxvI8Wek80c/s1600/IMG_1961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SKAL10Ni9X8/Toh_FyYTOMI/AAAAAAAABUo/TxvI8Wek80c/s320/IMG_1961.JPG" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suit made in 'West Germany'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a result she sewed many of her own clothes then, and continued to make pieces for cruises she went on in her retirement. She has a raft of photos of her creations dining on the QE2!<br />
It was my Nan who first taught me to sew and I can remember many happy school holidays making stuffed toys, dressing up clothes or aprons. When my school ball came around at 16, I helped her make a dress with a boned bodice and massive Tulle skirt from burgundy satin - I still think it's a remarkable feat! I wore that dress proudly and told anyone who'd listen that I'd made it with my Nan.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOjT61gWI5g/Toh_JMFqT7I/AAAAAAAABUs/_JFBGJPxGZY/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOjT61gWI5g/Toh_JMFqT7I/AAAAAAAABUs/_JFBGJPxGZY/s320/IMG_1965.JPG" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade dress - crazy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the skirts need taking in, since as she got older she let out a lot of darts and added an inch here and there to the waist bands so that, weirdly, they're too big for me. I'm sure as the rest of the clothes get modified I'll be posting pictures of me in them, so watch this space!<br />
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-84678543732389396322011-10-12T12:58:00.000+01:002011-10-12T12:58:45.624+01:00Primark for the winAs I mentioned in a <a href="http://teaandcrumpetsvintage.blogspot.com/2011/09/night-on-tiles.html">previous post</a> I happened to accidently do some shopping in Primark recently. I'm doing my best not to spend any money right now but I saw a variety of lovely clothes that I couldn't pass up. There's a distinct retro vibe on the high street at the moment, and I'm keen to capitalise on it! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbUt9jk7ZFM/Toh_cggZ_XI/AAAAAAAABUw/zZi-KV5dPdY/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbUt9jk7ZFM/Toh_cggZ_XI/AAAAAAAABUw/zZi-KV5dPdY/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
This skirt is a light rayon type fabric and comes in bang on knee length. It's light enough for parties and summer only sadly but I'm happy to wait to wear this. It''s got a great swish factor to it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9wVxvoYTp4/Toh_f6ndHSI/AAAAAAAABU0/_RmhAFEfnnk/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9wVxvoYTp4/Toh_f6ndHSI/AAAAAAAABU0/_RmhAFEfnnk/s320/IMG_1922.JPG" width="242" /></a></div>
Pretty floaty blouse with tiny flowers all over, and gathered to the sleeves and waist. This is really soft and comfy and works well with high waisted trousers and smart skirts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bjoJoiY3tZU/Toh_kDvSh-I/AAAAAAAABU4/iQMpeaYKc9s/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bjoJoiY3tZU/Toh_kDvSh-I/AAAAAAAABU4/iQMpeaYKc9s/s320/IMG_1941.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
Cotton peasant top. Again, one for the summer but this was reduced to £5 so it'll sit in the cupboard happily till then. There's smocking around the neck and the waist and little gathered sleeves. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WvTP7xnIHc/Toh_opMyHFI/AAAAAAAABU8/agX1WdMMkqc/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WvTP7xnIHc/Toh_opMyHFI/AAAAAAAABU8/agX1WdMMkqc/s320/IMG_1947.JPG" width="188" /></a></div>
30s style pyjama/lounging set with high waist wide legged trousers and a kimono top. This will also have to be a summer outfit but it's pretty special and I couldn't turn it down!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZpdjjYb2ws/Toh_10GO7qI/AAAAAAAABVE/nhKqKLeVkqQ/s1600/IMG_1959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZpdjjYb2ws/Toh_10GO7qI/AAAAAAAABVE/nhKqKLeVkqQ/s320/IMG_1959.JPG" width="205" /></a></div>
And the piece de resistance - a tweed suit with a full circle skirt, mock waistcoat in the jacket and prettily puffed sleeves. I've had lots of comments about this suit - I think it's going to be a stock item for winter!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JfVe-o2Lyow/ToiALg8dF-I/AAAAAAAABVI/K5Vh0HETZcU/s1600/IMG_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JfVe-o2Lyow/ToiALg8dF-I/AAAAAAAABVI/K5Vh0HETZcU/s320/IMG_1957.JPG" width="196" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think I'll be popping back in a few weeks to see their new winter stock as it comes in - I think we're in for a very vintage few months on the high street!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-92115289227112150492011-10-01T14:13:00.000+01:002011-10-01T14:13:13.338+01:00OktoberfestI got to join a friend at an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest">Oktoberfest</a> party last night, and had a wonderful time!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SV7Qh1xpYBU/Tob3aO-JXgI/AAAAAAAABUM/t7fEncp__EQ/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SV7Qh1xpYBU/Tob3aO-JXgI/AAAAAAAABUM/t7fEncp__EQ/s320/IMG_1806.JPG" width="218" /></a></div>
I thought I would enter into the spirit of things by dressing up, and managed to cobble this together in a week. The blouse is from Primark, it's a gypsy style top with smocking round the neckline and was reduced to £5! The corset top thing dates back to the 90s, when suck a thing was still fashionable - I'm very pleased I'm such a hoarder!<br />
I made the skirt and the apron this week - trhe apron was a very simple make - just 1m of gingham cotton gathered onto 2m ribbon and hemmed all the way round.<br />
The skirt, however, was something of a challenge. I bought too little fabric the first time I went to the shop and ended up getting the rest on Thursday evening. <br />
I was intending to make a gathered skirt like <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2009/08/full-gathered-skirt.html">Gertie's</a> and bought some raw silk with a taffeta like textureso that it would stand out nicely. Sadly, as I ran out of time, the gathers turned into box pleats, the invisible zip turned into a barely held together set of plastic and cotton threads. I won't tell you what the insides look like...Still, it held up to an evening's drinking, and a rendition of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN62PAKoBfE">Macerena</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CB9rRYHO-lQ/Tob4gCIvyEI/AAAAAAAABUY/GbHBL422hG0/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CB9rRYHO-lQ/Tob4gCIvyEI/AAAAAAAABUY/GbHBL422hG0/s320/IMG_1785.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We had entertainment in the form of an accordian playing, joke telling Bavarian. We had lots of sing alongs, songs with silly actions and clash clashing with our neigbours. There was beer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAQBPO-Kct8/Tob4Yocc6II/AAAAAAAABUU/EdNo9L8i--M/s1600/IMG_1782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAQBPO-Kct8/Tob4Yocc6II/AAAAAAAABUU/EdNo9L8i--M/s320/IMG_1782.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And more beer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2lW9KZN1oI/Tob3UCI8kSI/AAAAAAAABUI/Ggtw5Ei3kKE/s1600/IMG_1787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2lW9KZN1oI/Tob3UCI8kSI/AAAAAAAABUI/Ggtw5Ei3kKE/s320/IMG_1787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And sausages!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWC0ustQ2hs/Tob3gQ3sNZI/AAAAAAAABUQ/CVV648ChLsU/s1600/IMG_1760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWC0ustQ2hs/Tob3gQ3sNZI/AAAAAAAABUQ/CVV648ChLsU/s320/IMG_1760.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-44737190006219989282011-09-30T14:35:00.001+01:002011-09-30T14:35:49.503+01:00Developing your eye part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Yesterday was the second of my photography classes (<a href="http://teaandcrumpetsvintage.blogspot.com/2011/09/developing-your-eye-part-1.html">part 1 here</a>). This week's assignment was 'black and white' and it was certainly a challenge.<br />
I tried to look at objects which were obvious with colour, but in black and white became more abstract and maybe a little odd looking.<br />
Once again, I'd welcome some input - last week's comments were very helpful! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YA_uA0VmxzI/ToWxASc-c7I/AAAAAAAABTs/Bs9vbdpJ2eU/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YA_uA0VmxzI/ToWxASc-c7I/AAAAAAAABTs/Bs9vbdpJ2eU/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46ALVagA-o0/ToWxDksQSVI/AAAAAAAABT8/eLIuhOaagJg/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46ALVagA-o0/ToWxDksQSVI/AAAAAAAABT8/eLIuhOaagJg/s320/P1010010.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dG8mh3nLbeQ/ToWxEDB_HnI/AAAAAAAABUA/HejQ9p0JhPA/s1600/P1010011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dG8mh3nLbeQ/ToWxEDB_HnI/AAAAAAAABUA/HejQ9p0JhPA/s320/P1010011.JPG" width="221" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XC3Rk2lzF4U/ToWxCeRzDAI/AAAAAAAABT0/XZm1VItTdzw/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XC3Rk2lzF4U/ToWxCeRzDAI/AAAAAAAABT0/XZm1VItTdzw/s320/5.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
<br />Shooting in colour and then desaturating in MS photo editor made things
tricky and half of what I thought would work really didn't. I've also
had a busy week, so I've ended up with some shots I can't say I'm all
that happy with, but they provoked some interesting discussion so I
guess that makes them successful in one regard?<br />
I have learnt something valuable - namely that I'm all about colour when taking photos normally. Although I might experiment some more with black and white, I have to say it doesn't do that much for me.<br />
<br />
Next week's assignment is about narrative - 5 pictures that tell a story. I'm totally stumped!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-71513806037156952662011-09-27T16:30:00.000+01:002011-09-27T16:30:01.201+01:00Night on the tilesAs I mentioned yesterday, I went out with some very lovely ladies for one or two drinks in Bristol this weekend.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It just so happened that, only hours before getting the invite, I had been passing through Primark (honestly - it runs between 2 streets) and accidentally started buying things. Many of these things are lovely and very, very vintage, but one of them was totally suitable for a night on the tiles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SiqVL8EX-Sg/Tn89oRvJVEI/AAAAAAAABTE/Q_2RTdq2_Qw/s1600/IMG_1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SiqVL8EX-Sg/Tn89oRvJVEI/AAAAAAAABTE/Q_2RTdq2_Qw/s320/IMG_1742.JPG" width="185" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This dress has a waist that comes to a point at the bust and cape like sleeves. The fabric really looks like vintage rayon too, and the self covered buttons are a lovely touch. I tried this on in a 10 and couldn't get it done up over my bust so went hunting for a 12...only to find a rail crammed with 50 of this dress, all in 8 and 10...like the skilled shopped I am though, I hunted until I found the only other dress in the shop, in 14. It's a little on the roomy side, but the cut of the dress disguises that well, and I'm chuffed to bits!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I threw on some 30s style hair and makeup stylings, packed my lippie and headed out!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0dxFkhWhFY/Tn89r1TVwzI/AAAAAAAABTI/snNadhVpFvc/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0dxFkhWhFY/Tn89r1TVwzI/AAAAAAAABTI/snNadhVpFvc/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" width="194" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />After a couple of drinks, a game of foosball (turns out I suck at all sports, even pretent ones) and much laughter, we headed up Park Street and turned into a slightly dingy side road. One of the girls rang an annonymous looking doorbell and the door to another world opened before us...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtnVF_5l2nI/Tn9Dzpk9XrI/AAAAAAAABTQ/JIio6tbbgFU/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtnVF_5l2nI/Tn9Dzpk9XrI/AAAAAAAABTQ/JIio6tbbgFU/s320/IMG_1748.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.hydeandcobristol.net/">Hyde and Co</a> has to be Bristol's best kept secret. It's a prohibition themed bar (though in reality it's much more than this) and the whole place is decked out with quirky vintage items. Sadly it's too dark to get many good photos inside, but believe me, it's special.<br />
It's been open for over a year and no one I know has ever heard of it, I'm stunned, and actually, pleased. It's mainly a cocktail bar, where no one stands (once the seats are full people get turned away) and you're served at the table by the cocktail waiters, decked out in tweed waistcoats and ties. They were very attentive and really knew their stuff, we felt very well looked after!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ublKgYoKBvQ/Tn9D8eD54RI/AAAAAAAABTY/81gCFoh5Rpk/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ublKgYoKBvQ/Tn9D8eD54RI/AAAAAAAABTY/81gCFoh5Rpk/s320/IMG_1754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll leave the finer details out, as it's worth experiencing yourself, suffice it to say I spent my evening grinning like a loon! If you are looking for somewhere in Bristol to have a special drink, Hyde and Co is just abotu as special as it gets!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-52920480321487431772011-09-26T22:29:00.003+01:002011-09-26T22:29:58.719+01:00Hair today...When I was invited out for a night on the tiles this weekend, I knew I wanted to wear my new 30s style dress (more on that later) and obviously had to do some styling to suit it.I've had <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vintage-Hairstyling-Step---Step-Techniques/dp/0981663915/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317070615&sr=8-1">Vintage Hairstyling</a> for a while, but hadn't yet tried any of the styles from it yet. One of the hairstyles is the 1930s faux-bob, with curls at the front immitating waves and the back pinned under.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dr8cf3H11U8/ToDkoe0acNI/AAAAAAAABTo/9J32YlsKgQ4/s1600/1930s+Hairstyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dr8cf3H11U8/ToDkoe0acNI/AAAAAAAABTo/9J32YlsKgQ4/s1600/1930s+Hairstyle.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The instructions were very clear and easy to follow - I put a row of curlers along the top of my head, and several round the back, and wandered around all Saturday looking glam in curlers and a headscarf!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYST2Nf35Tg/ToDfuCnEG3I/AAAAAAAABTc/s6Y70DIfUVI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYST2Nf35Tg/ToDfuCnEG3I/AAAAAAAABTc/s6Y70DIfUVI/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was in a bit of a hurry when it came to taking the curlers out etc. so sadly I didn't quite get the look from the book!<br />
I also don't think I should've used foam rollers since they made the ends of my curls very tight, velcro rollers next time I think!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdx6Nn7-eDY/ToDjQuZrPuI/AAAAAAAABTk/3ihuS7zd5pU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdx6Nn7-eDY/ToDjQuZrPuI/AAAAAAAABTk/3ihuS7zd5pU/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was very pleased with the results though, and I got several compliments while I was out! A bit of setting lotion and a ton of spray and it all stayed in place for most of the evening.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is definitely a style I'd try out again, and take a bit more care with next time! If you don't already have this book, I suggest you get it PDQ - there's a lot of useful information about methods and techniques for curling your hair and then lots of different vintage styles explained in detail. As a hair novice (seriously, I can't even french plait or do a bun) I found the instructions very easy to follow. </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can anyone spot my deliberate mistake? That's right, I did my hair <em>before</em> taking off my hoodie... doh!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-71839596883711577162011-09-24T16:32:00.000+01:002011-09-22T16:33:08.717+01:00I need never leave the house again<a href="http://www.shopstyle.co.uk/"></a><br />
Which is just as well, since autumn has blown in with cold and wet being the new daily default, all day, every day. Bleugh. Roll on winter I say!<br />
But, as I was saying, I need never leave the house again, having discovered <a href="http://www.shopstyle.co.uk/">Shop Style</a>. I expect I'm the last person to hear about this website, but not reading magazines or high street fashion blogs or shopping anywhere but eBay of late, I'd been in the dark until an accidental googling brought me there this week.<br />
Shop Style seems to just be a massive catalogue of a good portion of high street through to high end clothes, which are searchable. Thus I could look for capes, filtered by colour and price and see offerings from dozens of different shops.<br />
<a href="http://www.shopstyle.co.uk/"></a><br />
In looking for some wintery clothes recently, I discovered that I've actually forgotten how to shop. I tried eBay, then Marks and Spencer and then hit a brick wall, where else sells clothes? Duhhhhh...<br />
So Shop Style is a bit of a life saver. Not a money saver though; after a happy half hour looking at lovely things I'd placed orders with 3 shops. They'll probably be totally wrong for me but I was tempted by the offers of free delivery and free returns. I'll probably send them all back. Right?<br />
Anyway.<br />
I thought I'd share some of my favourite items so that I don't have to apply for bankruptcy alone. You can thank me later.<br />
<br />
I'm having a cape moment. The catwalks were full of belted capes (Dr's waiting room mag - very informative) and these seem to be getting picked up on the highstreet too. Love this House of Fraser one, though it ain't cheap.<br />
<a href="http://www.shopstyle.co.uk/"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bTWZjlXKW9I/TntO_l2VYsI/AAAAAAAABSs/ITO6ioDv8FE/s1600/I_151810344_00_20110811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bTWZjlXKW9I/TntO_l2VYsI/AAAAAAAABSs/ITO6ioDv8FE/s1600/I_151810344_00_20110811.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Linea+Weekend+Tweed+cape/151810336,default,pd.html?cm_mmc=AWIN-_-Women-_-Coats+&+Jackets-_-Tweed+cape">House of Fraser cape</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This jacket with a removable cape is a bit quirky but I'm very drawn to it. Mad Granny or stylish vintage?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" height="352" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 220px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://houseoffraser.scene7.com/is/image/HOF/I_158786928_50_20110909?wid=288&hei=442" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://houseoffraser.scene7.com/is/image/HOF/I_158786928_50_20110909?wid=288&hei=442" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.yogoego.com/product-details/113/343/7725/New-In/Fashion/Yumi-Tweed-Cape-Jacket.htm?affWin=yogoego&afi=79682&awc=2735_1316623172_2da03a1b74cc0ac15216c76c535eb05b">Tweed cape jacket</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Why is a basic rain mac so hard to find? I've spent hours looking for a smart and stylish coat. This one from Zara is nice, but it's a bit short - my legs'll get wet!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.zara.net/photos//2011/I/0/1/p/0518/223/800/0518223800_1_1_3.jpg?timestamp=1311943355630" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://static.zara.net/photos//2011/I/0/1/p/0518/223/800/0518223800_1_1_3.jpg?timestamp=1311943355630" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-W2011/126502/386286/DOUBLE%2BBREASTED%2BRAINCOAT">Zara raincoat</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Better length but dreaded camel colour. If anything makes me look seriously ill, it's wearing camel.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.zara.net/photos//2011/I/0/1/p/0518/260/806/0518260806_1_1_3.jpg?timestamp=1313152067035" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://static.zara.net/photos//2011/I/0/1/p/0518/260/806/0518260806_1_1_3.jpg?timestamp=1313152067035" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-W2011/126502/445084/TRENCH%2BCOAT%2BWITH%2BDOUBLE%2BBUTTONS">Zara trench</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now this is much better. A distinctly 70s style, but it looks flattering, is a reasonable length and has big pockets. I'm not sure about the colour, but I've ordered one. Report to follow.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://images.asos.com/inv/media/6/6/7/3/1393766/caramel/image1xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images.asos.com/inv/media/6/6/7/3/1393766/caramel/image1xl.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.asos.com/countryid/1/ASOS/ASOS-70s-Belted-Mac/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1393766&MID=35718&affid=2134&siteID=0RpXOIXA500-lkuI.I1Za_SOOiP2o8yi.Q">ASOS trench</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having had some success with the coats, I started looking for dresses. I'm always on the lookout for flattering dresses, particularly for winter. This New Look skater style dress has heavy vintage overtones and the princess seams might make it a flattering fit. This too is on its way.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfbOW2Z1I6c/TntDfPzqQnI/AAAAAAAABSQ/9fblEow-E4w/s1600/Y5c_Aetbj_JDWuIpFCryTByBtKqbWWdz9qKV.RZFsk4%253D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfbOW2Z1I6c/TntDfPzqQnI/AAAAAAAABSQ/9fblEow-E4w/s320/Y5c_Aetbj_JDWuIpFCryTByBtKqbWWdz9qKV.RZFsk4%253D.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/tweed-skater-dress_232105268">Newlook skater dress</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not one for me, sadly, but I thought someone else might fin this tempting - it's plus size only (UK20 up), jersey and in a very 40s style cut. Just with they did a smaller version!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc6aHKeR3bY/TntB2Nr5Q-I/AAAAAAAABSE/2G58iiDX_CY/s1600/image1xxl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc6aHKeR3bY/TntB2Nr5Q-I/AAAAAAAABSE/2G58iiDX_CY/s320/image1xxl.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-CURVE-Exclusive-40s-Godet-Jersey-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1726548">ASOS plus sized dress</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Still on the hunt for jersey, I came across this. Simple but really quite nice. I love the colour, and the longer length on this too. I <i>may</i> order one of these...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVuGvNg8fq4/TntCRme7ztI/AAAAAAAABSI/xUezTSouyIA/s1600/azz72131_berry_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVuGvNg8fq4/TntCRme7ztI/AAAAAAAABSI/xUezTSouyIA/s320/azz72131_berry_xl.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boohoo.com/collections/vintage-emporium/icat/vintageemporium/evening-dresses/clarissa-midi-jersey-skater-dress/invt/azz72131">BooHoo jersey skater dress</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Red is obviously very much in my winter pallet since I couldn't resist this top. It's limited edition and comes in 3 colours.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPeVG9V3vpU/TntTGca2DkI/AAAAAAAABSw/l9gq6TcS70c/s1600/pleated-blouse-4259661-med.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPeVG9V3vpU/TntTGca2DkI/AAAAAAAABSw/l9gq6TcS70c/s1600/pleated-blouse-4259661-med.jpg.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/shirts-and-blouses/pleated-blouse_224325860?icSort=%2BsortDisplayPrice">New Look blouse</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And finally, accessories. I didn't really get into the shoes, since any regular reader will know that I have a small 'substance abuse problem' as Carrie Bradshaw would put it. I love this bag though, and have in fact had 3 bags very much like this before but for quite a bit more than they're charging. Ostrich is also my favourite. Black would be more practical, but the tan would go well with my new trench...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9nfNu8_GLes/TntDO_DNP0I/AAAAAAAABSM/meB5T6oFGDA/s1600/azz74085_tan_default_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9nfNu8_GLes/TntDO_DNP0I/AAAAAAAABSM/meB5T6oFGDA/s320/azz74085_tan_default_xl.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boohoo.com/accessories/bags/icat/bags/bags/darcy-block-colour-ostrich-effect-grab-bag/invt/azz74085">BooHoo bag</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK, I lied. There are shoes. But just one pair. And yes, these also went into my shopping bag. They're perfect for winter, though, and RED!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1i4aHzZ-_1M/TntDmaqGyHI/AAAAAAAABSU/aX-IAve1FwM/s1600/92gAV_BtS7b7Q63PGLItZDntg_4lMHYQ7678TCP7BEo%253D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1i4aHzZ-_1M/TntDmaqGyHI/AAAAAAAABSU/aX-IAve1FwM/s320/92gAV_BtS7b7Q63PGLItZDntg_4lMHYQ7678TCP7BEo%253D.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/boots/lace-up-desert-boot_230134601?productFind=">New Look desert boots</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ah, new season shopping. Got to love it.<br />
Are there any other good style websites out there that I've missed? I'd love to hear how to shop a bit better from the experts! Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-19386991190647195982011-09-23T19:30:00.000+01:002011-09-23T19:30:00.697+01:00'Developing your eye' part 1 I'm taking a 6 week course in developing your eye for photography at the moment. Each week we're being given an assignment and have to bring 5 pictures with us to the next class for discussion.<br />
The first week's subject was our daily routine, and I chose scenes from the start and end of my day at work.<br />
I've tried to take fewer pictures than I might normally, and spend a bit longer composing the shot and considering what works. The five I've picked out are below, and I'd really appreciate your comments.<br />
My camera is a very humble point and click, so things like exposure are out of my control, but in terms of subject, composition etc. I'm really trying to improve, so please say it like it is!<br />
I know that several of you are very skilled photographers and I suspect that many more of you are arty types. I'd honestly value your input, good and bad! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDZ3i6Mz2ZI/TntH4TVimkI/AAAAAAAABSY/170g067EayM/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDZ3i6Mz2ZI/TntH4TVimkI/AAAAAAAABSY/170g067EayM/s320/1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ogJA6-7ES4/TntH6geT3qI/AAAAAAAABSg/z9eQfnplaa0/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ogJA6-7ES4/TntH6geT3qI/AAAAAAAABSg/z9eQfnplaa0/s320/2.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BVLijzsuGew/TntH7SB5ZaI/AAAAAAAABSk/x92TcGJDl3Y/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BVLijzsuGew/TntH7SB5ZaI/AAAAAAAABSk/x92TcGJDl3Y/s320/3.JPG" width="237" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt-SlccHROY/TntH8Y50MUI/AAAAAAAABSo/641aFzCfjbo/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt-SlccHROY/TntH8Y50MUI/AAAAAAAABSo/641aFzCfjbo/s320/4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIrcwv8vXwk/TntH6PCcmDI/AAAAAAAABSc/sE2eDVebi70/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIrcwv8vXwk/TntH6PCcmDI/AAAAAAAABSc/sE2eDVebi70/s320/5.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-75322444876413634622011-09-22T12:24:00.000+01:002011-09-22T12:24:35.729+01:00New blogI've started a new blog - <a href="http://costumesbylauren.blogspot.com/">Costumes by Lauren</a> - to chronical my costuming exploits.<br />
Most of them will be historically based, but with some creative license allowed. There's nothing much up there yet but I'm hoping to get posting there in the next week or so, so pop over if you think it might tickle your interest!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-45366246624434383442011-09-21T14:55:00.001+01:002011-09-21T14:57:10.731+01:00Awards are like buses......you don't see one for ages and then 2 come along at once!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hl-naw0AzqY/TnnJQ9Kg29I/AAAAAAAABR8/HjL7mfbNXq8/s1600/Versatileblogger.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hl-naw0AzqY/TnnJQ9Kg29I/AAAAAAAABR8/HjL7mfbNXq8/s1600/Versatileblogger.png" /></a>The versatile blogger award is one I've seen doing the rounds for a while now, and then in the last (several) weeks <a href="http://curvespatternsandpins.blogspot.com/">Reana Louise</a> and <a href="http://www.jenbutneverjenn.com/">Jen but never Jenn</a> both sent it to me. Thank you very much ladies!<br />
<br />
So, I need to tell you 7 things about myself. Fortunately I love to talk about myself, so here goes...<br />
<br />
1. As well as sew, I also know how to tile, lay lino and drill holes in things (including tiles). I am also the IKEA queen, which would account for the reason our house looks like it was decorated by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOx9uQ4cuJk">Tyler Durden</a>. When our kitchen was being installed, it was me who ripped the old tiles off the wall - so satisfying! I am a <a href="http://www.xojane.com/relationships/top-12-things-ive-assembled-she-hulk-handywoman-my-house">She-Hulk</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JjjZfdlkqU/TnnDny86abI/AAAAAAAABR0/mwzruDfGDj0/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JjjZfdlkqU/TnnDny86abI/AAAAAAAABR0/mwzruDfGDj0/s320/IMG_1591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
2. I have a very short attention span and trouble sticking to one hobby for any length of time - I normally do it long enough to buy all the equipment and then give it up. This makes blogging (1yr, 5months) and Sewing (2yrs) the longest running activities in my life. There's a reason I don't have a dog...<br />
<br />
3. I am a girl gamer - my shoot-em-up skills outstrip most of my male friends' and I spend many a happy hour supporting my husband with sniper overwatch while he breaks into army bases to kill the bad guys. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxRBDnjBlm8/TnnEXR7WXHI/AAAAAAAABR4/X5KrcGOtSG4/s1600/sniper_ghost_warrior_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxRBDnjBlm8/TnnEXR7WXHI/AAAAAAAABR4/X5KrcGOtSG4/s320/sniper_ghost_warrior_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
4. I have been vegetarian for 17 years. As a result I'm not a very fussy eater, veggie options being somewhat lacking throughout the 90s. I do hate quiche though, too many parties where it was the ONLY non-meat item available.<br />
<br />
5. I'm pretty body confident - the result, I think, of a very sensible mother giving me a healthy mix of praise and general disinterest in outward appearance. While I would be happy to be a bit thinner, or have thicker hair, or look less tired (this especially), on the whole I love the way I look and wouldn't wish to be any other way.When I was at University I did some amateur modelling. I think that helped to make me more confident in my looks, since with good make-up, lighting and a skilled photographer, most people can look amazing and that's a real boost. When I see photos of myself looking awful it helps to know that actually neither shot really shows the truth.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6iZmQVASZlE/Tnm0-oQC7vI/AAAAAAAABRk/NREPZk_x9pg/s1600/623200762614-51577b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6iZmQVASZlE/Tnm0-oQC7vI/AAAAAAAABRk/NREPZk_x9pg/s320/623200762614-51577b.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I look like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7V9r_yZh0g/TXFvAZ4YO8I/AAAAAAAAA28/_jQ1yCp-qvc/s144/IMG_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7V9r_yZh0g/TXFvAZ4YO8I/AAAAAAAAA28/_jQ1yCp-qvc/s320/IMG_0347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More often I look like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
6. I am a compulsive list writer. I have half a dozen in my bag at the moment, and I keep a notebook with constantly changing lists of things to do, to buy, measurements for bits of furniture and other useful lists I might need while I'm out. Nothing happens in my life if it isn't on a list!<br />
<br />
7. I have a modest collection of jugs. Most of them are charity shop and flea market finds but there are a couple I've picked up from pottery studios and craft fairs. I don't know why I started collecting jugs, but I love them, and I'm always on the lookout for more!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFteXjDE5M4/TnnLdKtRiMI/AAAAAAAABSA/fpNpDjVAfuY/s1600/IMG_1688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFteXjDE5M4/TnnLdKtRiMI/AAAAAAAABSA/fpNpDjVAfuY/s400/IMG_1688.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my jugs (phnar phnar)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com3Bristol, City of Bristol, UK51.4553129 -2.591902351.3761589 -2.7498308000000002 51.534466900000005 -2.4339738tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-12965738552291961662011-08-25T16:22:00.000+01:002011-08-25T16:22:39.927+01:00For the Geek who has everythingAs I mentioned a few days ago, I made my first sale on<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMagicSatchel"> Etsy </a>this week. I don't have much up there, and I haven't been doing much marketing at all but I was still getting a bit upset that I hadn't sold anything, so it's cheered me up no end and prompted me to think about finally getting all the other bits and pieces I have planned made and listed. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOBOXm_jC6o/TiGlUJmjs9I/AAAAAAAABNE/Va7aNBc0g2Q/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOBOXm_jC6o/TiGlUJmjs9I/AAAAAAAABNE/Va7aNBc0g2Q/s320/IMG_1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76233436/pink-tabletop-roleplaying-set-dice-set?ref=af_shop_favitem">Pink tabletop roleplaying set</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>At the moment everything I'm selling is the same - tabletop roleplaying sets with a set of dice, two mini pencils and an eraser in a handy bag. These went down really well when I made them for Christmas, so I thought I'd try them on Etsy. They've been favourited by quite a few people and I'm hoping that they'll take off more around Christmas time as people look for gifts. I have them in various colours and have plenty more dice sets waiting to be made up - if you'd one in a specific colour scheme let me know!<br />
<br />
Whilst looking around at the competition for geek gifts, I found lots of fun items and I thought I'd share them with you, in case you're stuck for things to buy for the Level 20 Ranger in your life..<br />
<br />
For all hard drinking, dice-rolling guys and girls, there's a very professional looking hip flask. This is one to bribe your GM with!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.128862071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" i$="true" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.128862071.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42296554/dungeons-and-dragons-dice-d-and-d-dd?ref=sr_list_7&ga_search_query=dungeons+and+dragons&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">Dungeons And Dragons Liquor Hip Flask Stainless Steel</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Most cultists like a bit of bling, and worshippers of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cthulhu">Destroyer of Worlds</a> are no exception.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.249322327.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75484230/time-traveling-cthulhu-brass-locket?ref=sr_list_1&ga_search_query=cthulhu+locket&ga_spelling_corrected=cthuluh+locket&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">Time Traveling Cthulhu Brass Locket</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Just so you always know who's handing out quests, and who you need to take with you when you leave the tavern.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="301" i$="true" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.199881917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56334236/set-of-3-geeky-gaming-1-inch-pinback?ref=sr_list_21&ga_search_query=roleplaying&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">set of 3 geeky gaming 1 inch pinback buttons</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Geeks breeding. It shouldn't happen, but it does. Baby geeks are destined to grow up knowing the dice modifiers for every race in the DnD manual , but to give them an edge, you need to introduce them to polyhedral dice early. These felt toys are perfect for little ones, and don't carry the same health risks as hard D4 left on the floor.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.217395092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.217395092.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68154544/my-first-gaming-dice?ref=sr_list_18&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=dungeons+and+dragons&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">.My first gaming dice</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Something borrowed, something blue, something <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icosahedron" title="Icosahedron">icosahedral</a> as the old saying goes. Cute for the geek bride, and handy if an impromptu game of 3rd ed D&D breaks out at the reception.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.209518130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.209518130.jpg" width="255" /> </a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66238795/d20-20-sided-die-garter-and-toss-garter?ref=sr_list_19&ga_search_query=dungeons+and+dragons&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">D20 Garter and Toss Garter Combo</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-49739055392695037572011-08-23T13:16:00.000+01:002011-08-23T13:16:43.961+01:00Three weeks of silenceAck. Three weeks since my last post and all I'm saying today is that I won't be posting for a while...<br />
My laptop's gone and stopped working and I expect it'll be several days, if not a week before I'm back online.<br />
So until then I'm restricted to work access and my phone, neither of which are conducive to blogging!<br />
Still, when I return I'll have lots to write about - the haul of clothes I got from my Nan's wardrobe (better than it sounds!), a new business, some tentative exercise and a new kitchen!<br />
I also made my first Etsy sale today from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMagicSatchel">my geek shop</a>, so I'm pretty happy about that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.251819186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.251819186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I hope life is treating you all well, I'll be back soon!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309665501281693028.post-12377929031462576002011-08-03T12:00:00.001+01:002011-08-03T12:55:02.835+01:00Boating trousers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvnGGP-Sn8Q/Tjcg6sItC2I/AAAAAAAABPM/h-iyqgdi_v0/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvnGGP-Sn8Q/Tjcg6sItC2I/AAAAAAAABPM/h-iyqgdi_v0/s320/IMG_1435.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
As I mentioned in my last post, I made my first pair of trousers at the weekend. I'd been out all day and realised on my way home that I didn't have the trousers I'd been intending to wear for the punting trip made yet. I had 2 choices, make a pair in one evening or wear something old. So it was that I came to be sewing late into Saturday night!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy1ilhRMR8g/Tjcggdz21RI/AAAAAAAABPE/1mNqkcb71qs/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy1ilhRMR8g/Tjcggdz21RI/AAAAAAAABPE/1mNqkcb71qs/s320/IMG_1386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deryn 'helping' me cut out</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I started at 6pm, cutting out my pattern pieces. As I knew I had fitting issues with simplicity 3688, I decided to try my 'tried and tested' pattern, Eva Dress 650 which has some loose fitting 1930s trousers. Given how simple the blouse is, I was hoping that the trousers might be easy to put together too!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.evadress.com/images/650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.evadress.com/images/650.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.evadress.com/650.html">Eva Dress 650</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I cut out the pattern pieces and then used them to make a very rough toile while we watched Torchwood. As it ended I whipped the pieces through the machine and tried them on. Miracle - they were a perfect fit! No adjustments needed!<br />
I cracked on with the cutting out, going more slowly this time as I didn't want to ruin my lovely fabric, a linen mix in blue and white stripes that I bought for a song at the Nylon Shop in Kingswood, Bristol. It still had a sticker on one end from Italy, presumably where it's from. This linen is fine but in a very tight weave, giving it some weight, but is as soft as most vintage linens I've come across. I was really paranoid about messing this up!<br />
The pieces went together very easily. There are 4 darts front and back and then the regular seams to sew up. One piece has a 'tab' at the side waist for the opening which I sewed up to. I wanted to use buttons to fasten these and not the press studs that are suggested, so I faced one side of the opening and used the tab to face the other. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXvKn3xRz0w/TjfOKHYJTDI/AAAAAAAABPg/NqvpHhxhoOs/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXvKn3xRz0w/TjfOKHYJTDI/AAAAAAAABPg/NqvpHhxhoOs/s320/IMG_1506.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Button holes could do with tidying up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I overlocked pieces as I went which probably sped things up because I wasn't stopping to carefully finish seams. It was a bit mad as the overlocker merrily cut the fabric - lose concetration and you end up missing a chunk of your trousers!<br />
The waistband was a bit of a trial - it's cut out in 2 pieces and then the instructions get very vague about how it all goes together. I improvised and just stitched the 2 pieces together and binged it on, but I think it may have a more refined approach if you take the time to figure it out. It was about 10pm by this point though and I just wanted the trousers finished!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ro9aAPWptBw/TjfOb7urqfI/AAAAAAAABPk/__4nAg-DiHM/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ro9aAPWptBw/TjfOb7urqfI/AAAAAAAABPk/__4nAg-DiHM/s320/IMG_1507.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how tidy the inside is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The turnups are so simple. The hem it turned to the inside and stitched about 2 inches in. The resulting cuff is then turned back to the outside and sitched on the side seams. After I'd pressed them, they stayed up all on their own! I could have made the turnups a bit deeper as it turned out. I was paranoid about making them too short but as it is they are slightly on the long side. For someone of 5'9 using a 1930s pattern, this is pretty impressive!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0GIJvm5M2s/TjfOrcYqt6I/AAAAAAAABPo/G552V0id99g/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0GIJvm5M2s/TjfOrcYqt6I/AAAAAAAABPo/G552V0id99g/s320/IMG_1508.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I'm amazed at how wide the legs are - 14" each! They billow as you walk :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGHpLHXhoIg/TjfS2Zt-KFI/AAAAAAAABPw/ocKdfStnkfc/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGHpLHXhoIg/TjfS2Zt-KFI/AAAAAAAABPw/ocKdfStnkfc/s320/IMG_1509.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The only really tricky parts were the tab bit or the side opening and the waistband construction. Sadly the instructions are vague enough that I couldn't work them out in my half asleep state, but my bodge job seems to have worked just fine. <br />
I finished sewing the button holes at a bit before 11 - 5 hours after I'd started cutting out the pattern pieces and toile. As I stopped for a dinner break we can probably say that's 4 1/2 hours work.<br />
I sewed on the buttons and hand stitched the inside of the waistband down in the car journey to Oxford, so that's about another hour's work, although I could have 'stitched in the ditch' has I been at home and saved myself about 50 minutes. <br />
And here I am enjoying the fruits of my labour!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dAadO6XnAxE/Tjcgt6PbUCI/AAAAAAAABPI/zjF6zxHBRXU/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dAadO6XnAxE/Tjcgt6PbUCI/AAAAAAAABPI/zjF6zxHBRXU/s320/IMG_1423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The trousers are so big and the fabric so light that they were perfect for the scorching day we had. They're also very comfy, being huge and unfitted at the waist, so again great for sitting around in the heat.<br />
The crotch is surprisingly low - as 1930s trousers for lounging I suppose that's to be expected. This means that there's plenty of space for my 'full derriere' as it's delicately put, and when sitting they don't ride up at all. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8rwJUmG3O0/Tjcg9sDC4qI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Nc3aZhekr1I/s1600/IMG_14382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8rwJUmG3O0/Tjcg9sDC4qI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Nc3aZhekr1I/s320/IMG_14382.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The waist fits nicely and the darts shape the top 2-3 inches, but after this the trousers just hang. No fitting required!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tumkU26pqps/TjchGC1-6rI/AAAAAAAABPU/gZ4QwreUZhU/s1600/IMG_14412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tumkU26pqps/TjchGC1-6rI/AAAAAAAABPU/gZ4QwreUZhU/s320/IMG_14412.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are absolutely wonderful trousers and, like the blouse (which I'm also wearing here - entire outfit from one pattern!), are simple enough that I can see myself making various adjustments to get new pairs in the future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I will be making these again in a soft fabric specifically for lounging in - they're like pj bottoms but much smarter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If I made them for work or something similar, I'd probably raise the crotch by about an inch, just to take some of the excess out and narrow the legs by an inch or 2 as well. Otherwise I'm pretty happy with these as they are! This pattern really does come highly recommended - for the cost you get 2 very simple, very effective patterns which are both simple enough for beginners to tackle. The only thing that lets them down is the 1930s style instructions which are pretty vague and not terribly well explained, but anyone who's made 2 or 3 garments before should be able to figure them out.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15972476639063673850noreply@blogger.com15