Christmas Cheerios!!!

Gosh Christmas is almost here!  I can't wait for my much needed Holiday to Tasmania over the new year.  Right now I have been working on some cute hair accessories.  You'll have to excuse my not so cute pictures of them!  Am looking forward to 2011.

xxx

Summer has Sprung

Tomorrow is the first day of summer.  Soon it will be sickly hot and sticky...  But these cute as Liberty Print Visors (in a variety of prints) will make sure you look adorable, as per the my beautiful model.  Now, I do believe it is beer O'clock

xxx

Kids in Berlin

Some exciting news! Cheshire Street is now stocked at Kids in Berlin... Which is a super awesome shop in North Melbourne that sells some of my favourite local designers.You should head down there for some pre-Christmas shopping.

Yay!

xxx

A long, long, long day

I think i had a moment of insanity. I had the crazy idea to try beading a hat.  Seems simple enough really...well let me tell you it's not simple, but it is pretty.  Pretty insanity.... Maybe i shall try it again some day!

xxxx

Awesome Lamp

I question if I will ever find the time to do all the things I love... like make one of those many cute, cute crochet projects in the big stack of library books in my living room!  I also love the look of this AWESOME LAMP tutorial.  Great...one more thing to add to the list

xx

Gambling is a national sport

Is there any other country that has a public holiday for gambling?  Not that i know of (admittedly i haven't research this or anything- Pffft).  My last hat for the season is finished. Yay!  & I shall be getting drunk and making a show of myself tomorrow, and most likely tonight.  Count down to Champagne breakfast beginith....

xxx

My two new babies

What an exhausting day at yesterday's Thread Den North Melbourne Market! I trialled two new pieces in time for Melbourne Cup: The Elizabeth Taylor ( Above: Silk Turban Knot Headband) as modeled by the stunning Pauline from Pauline's Vintage Delights and The Audrey Headband (Below: Crin & Velvet over sized bow)

Available through my Etsy shop or send me an email

xxx

North Melbourne Market Spring Fling

This months stall at North Melbourne market shall be fabulous.  Combined with the North Melbourne Spring Fling Festival it will be big, busy and bustling.  Hope to see all you wonderful bunnies there

xxx

Thread Den Class

On Grand final day, that is the first grand final day I took a class at Thread Den.  You see, I have a terrible, nay!  Shameful crafty secret: I don't know how to Crochet.  Or at least I didn't until that day.  It was my first Thread Den class, and I arrived suitably hung over (14 cocktails consumed the previous evening).  Perhaps my mind wasn't in the perfect learning mood, however I had by the end of the class made a crochet purple flower that any mother would love (because they have to).  I found the instructor highly amusing as well, she had a certain grandmother "don't touch my stuff with your grubby hands' air about her.  I must admit everyone finds it kind of odd that I enjoy being yelled out (I couldn't love Shanghai Dumplings as much without a side of abuse and salmonella), but short tempered grey haired teacher made me love the class even more. 

I then went home to find my house full of 'footy mole' Collingwood supporters & got drunk.  Yay!!!

The end

xxx

Not a hat, not a fascinator

Making some absolutely wonderful silk bows on headbands for races...Not a hat, not a fascinator, Just stunning.  Checks, plains and hopefully some spots too!  Divine & a wee bit cute

xxxx

My new cat

I have been lazing the early days of spring away with my new (pet sitting) cat Jet, while working on a series of beautiful bow headbands and fascinators.  I missed having a cat, so playful, aloof and pretty.  Now i just need to convince Jet that she loves me the most....

xxx

Bows & Buttons

I have started blocking for the Melbourne racing season.  Cute button bases and lots of bows... perhaps a doillie or two even.  Here is my housemate looking even cuter than normal (who knew it was possible)

xx

Spring Racing

I'm starting to get excited about spring racing...starting, now...yes!   Having fabulous ideas featuring bows and buttons.  Check out this divine dish, modeling one of my fascinators at the 2009 Melbourne Cup. Fascinating Darling, fascinating

xx

Thread Den Fashion Show

I saw the Thread Den  Fashion show over the weekend and it was truly fabulous.  So fabulous, I just have to say that if you didn't go you missed out. Poor you!


Who knew freak shows could be so HOT

xx

My youngest child: Bobby

Introducing my youngest and most recent child, Bobby. Being tried on at North Melbourne market.

xxx

Time for a relax

So the market was a smashing success.  Modest I know.  Check out this lovely pic of our stall

xx

To market we go...

I'm seeing spots everywhere, but mainly on my cute new designed 'Bobby' hats for sale at North Melbourne Market this Sunday.  Yay!!!!

Cute all round

I stumbled across these adorable printable thread bobbins, and had to share them.  They are available for download over here http://molliejohanson.com/wildolive/ThreadBobbins.pdf curtesy of Wild Olive

xx

mmm breakfast

My boxes are being unpacked, and my hat blocks will soon be put to use once more.  I can't show you any wonderful new hats, but i can show you my new favourite breakfast place

http://www.grigonsorr.com.au/

xxx

Relocation...Stress out

I have been measuring my life in boxes, packing all away as I  relocate.  Instead of moving I'm just going to pretend this is what i have been up to.  It's far more glamorous

xx

Oh Paris!

"In an old house in Paris, that was covered with vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread, and brushed their teeth, and went to bed. They smiled at the good, and frowned at the bad, and sometimes they were very sad. They left the house at half past nine, in two straight lines, in rain or shine … the smallest one was Madeline!

The inspiration for my newest hat design.  Oui, Oui!

RIP Hyacinth

Today is a sad, sad day.  After the last few weeks, okay days, of dedicated sewing for my market stall tomorrow i discovered that Hyacinth, my overlocker is gravely ill.  Sadly this means all those missed social engagements and sobriety were pointless.  I have had to cancel the market stall tomorrow, and take Hyacinth to Overlocker hospital.  I would also like to speak of the braveness of the hat Hyacinth killed this morning as well.  Better go have some Gin to calm my nerves

xx

Friday Awesomeness

Woo Hoo Friday!!!! I get to go home and sew for the WHOLE weekend.  Could a little girl dream of something more wonderful, but why the sudden burst of productivity you ask.... Because I'll be selling at The North Melbourne Market, Sunday 27th June.  See you there

xx

Brisvegas Baby!

I dragged my sorry self down to Brisbane for the long weekend to see the amazing exhibition http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/hats_an_anthology_by_stephen_jones .  Did it blow my mind!  What an amazing and inspiring exhibition.  I even took some poor friends with me who don't love hats (blasphemers!!!) their rave review was:  'I liked it WAY more than I expected'.

I must investigate getting this hat by Stephen Jones for Giles Deacon, that i affectionately named 'Grug' (middle, black feathery thing).... The perfect walk of shame hat if ever i saw one, certainly would've come in handy on Monday.

xx

Total Betty Bow

Some movies have a profound effect on your life- like Clueless.  Sure, it's based on a Jane Austen novel but it had an entertainment factor of 10, and an educational level of 1.3.  Some of the things i learnt were:  I will always want the gay guy, I really don't live in Beverley Hills and the biggest compliment you can give someone is to call them a Betty.

This bow hair clip will make anyone look like a Betty

 xx

* Insert witty headline*

I googled memorable quotes by Cindy from the Brady Bunch for a witty headline and frankly, there wasn't anything.  The poor girl had a dull script and according to my web search is now happily married to a medical equipment sales men.  However the Cindy hat i designed appears to be a favourite.  Seems Cindy got a lucky break after all

Sorry for the artistic shot, I'm in a monogamous relationship with Hipstamatic

xx

Why i want a moustache

During my angst ridden teenage years I dressed one part bag lady, one part a goth...these delightful clothes came from Camberwell market. For you Cambie market regulars, this was back in the days of the Christian Rock Elvis impersonater & the magnificent tattooed Lady; with fierce red hair and tattoos all over her face. Mostly i loved  her 'ringkeepers moustache' tattoo and  attitude.  I longed for my own moustache. One day when i was 18, a friend wrestled me to the ground, drew one on me in eyeliner, then dragging me to pub in Foot- is- gray. What a night, hey Jane?

Years after rumaging through piles of discount clothing next to her, I discovered that this women was Vali Myers.  I had the fortune of spending a day with her in her studio during the winter of 2001.  She showed me and my boyfriend drawings, made us tea, spoke about her life back in Paris and kept telling my boyfriend how 'very, very attractive' he was.  We were invited to spend the evening drinking Vodka with her, which for some reason we never did.... what a shame.

How rare someone like Vali Myers is.  If you don't know her work, you should be ashamed, or you could just have a peek here: http://www.valimyers.com/drawings/death_in_port_jackson.html

So what was the point of this again....ah yes.  Should i get this tattoo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregtilden/3350541520/

Delayed Monday

I was away sick yesterday...seems as if winter has caught up with me.  When i arrived at work this morning,  one day late for Monday, i discovered my brand new hot off the print (stop press!!!) business cards and swingtags. Yay! But that is not all, in my hot little hand as i speak is this Fab print by Gemma Jones

If you would like one for yourself, head over to her Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/listing/35716330/meow-xxx-gocco-print?ref=em

Mondays aren't so bad after all

xx

Busy, busy bee

It's a busy time right now, with one housemate moving out and interviewing for another, which along with 'life' means I haven't had the most productive week.  Years ago i had the most delightful pair of ceramic earrings by Anne Black, but after a rather colourful (drunk) evening out in London Town i lost them.  So imagine my surprise when i stumbled across some more in: http://sedoniaseddon.blogspot.com.
You have been told...so shop up

xx

I Heart Hipstamatic

Recently i downloaded Hipstamatic for my iphone and instantly i am able to take beautiful photos.  It's wonderful.  The hat i am working on right is a Sinamay beret with hand curled French silk roses.  I haven't finished it just yet, as i will also be adding some veiling and feathers... But as i am besotted with hipstamatic here for your viewing pleasure is some work in progress

xx

Mabel's not what she use to be

With my loved sewing machine Mabel, sick and in need of repair I am reduced to searching for inspiration. Back in London all i ever needed to do for this was visit Liberty's - the happiest place (shop) on earth.  Nowadays  I can only Google some of their divine fabrics and dream.  This delightful one is by Swedish designers Svenskt Tenn *swoon*

xx

Yo-yo's are delish

Recently i have become obsessed with Macaroons..those gooey tasty French biscuits.  Yum yum!

Which for some reason has made me think of yo-yo's, not the toy nor the tasteless biscuits, rather the fabric variety.  I shall put some photo's up when i finish a piece.. I'm think headbands and clips

xx

It's not easy being Jan...but at least she has got a cute hat named after her

Here are some photos of my fully reversible Jan hat. It's a labour of love really for the middle child. Photo's of Marcia, Alice and Cindy to follow shorty...

Have you been to the North Melbourne Market? It's just fab, really it is. Everyone should head down to their next one and coincidentally I will be selling at their April market. Seriously- It'll be awesome!

Fabric Delight

Okay i know the prices can be a bit high but i had a wonderful stroll through Tessuti Fabrics on (Flinders Lane), where i found a beautiful black Japanese cotton with large purple flowers- Just lovely!

I think i may make myself a dress for my upcoming birthday.

For those of you who don't know here is a link to the shop:

http://www.tessuti.com.au/Tessuti_Melbourne.php

x

My early birthday present to myself of 5 brand spanking new hat blocks arrived... It is even more exciting that Christmas morning. I can't wait to get blocking, but for now i think i'll eat some cheese.

xx