Monthly Archives: June 2011

Those who are familiar with my efforts in these seasonal me-made challenges might remember that I usually employ a variety of settings in my photographs.  For several reasons:
-I like interesting and beautiful photography (not that my photographs are either interesting or beautiful, but I enjoy trying)
-I love nature, and the great outdoors, and am out in it everyday, anyway
-A beautiful backdrop will will enhance any outfit
-There are so many beautiful places around, it seems silly not to make use of them
But the sharp eyed will notice a creeping sameness to my photos, this time around.  I just thought for this Me-Made June 2011 challenge, and since lighting etc is not so important to show up the colour and/or dressmaking details for items that I have posted about previously, to simply set up in the same spot each day, on the same point of my walk, so, roughly the same time each day also.  It will simplify things if I have a routine to follow, and I can rely on the ingenuity of mother nature to provide the interesting variety in my background.  Plus, weather, and how it is in other parts of the world interest me greatly in other people’s photographs, and I thought it might be cool to have a daily record of the river-and-sky during this first month of winter for me to look back on too.
Although by this point I was hoping for at least one photograph in which an umbrella might be called for;
yes, it rained a bit on the first of June, but all those promising looking clouds in my photos since then have come to nought…

Details:
Dress; an adaption of NewLook 6699, various cottons, details here
Hooded cardigan; my own design, handknit with Jo Sharp Silk Road DK Tweed in Ambrosia, details here
Socks; handknit by me, details here
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp shoes

Dressing down,  (and a dressing-down; my husband said, looking at this photo, hmmm, not your best look… thanks darling…)
These corduroy jeans are not really wearing well at all, and are now my equivalent of tracky-dacks.  They are still quite warm, but the fabric is thin and not very stretchy, so bags out rapidly in places where one does not want one’s jeans to bag out.  Sad, because I was so pleased with these, and thought they’d be good ones for mixing and matching all winter long.  The colour was just right.  And I only made them last year, so you’d think they would last a little longer, right?  But quality shows, my friends, quality shows…
I adore corduroy jeans.  They are so comfortable and warm; more comfortable that denim, and a lot warmer too.  So much more practical for winter.  I loved wearing them as a child, and I dressed my own children in corduroy jeans during winter all through their childhood.  I loved seeing my children in cords and white Tshirts; such a cute look, and just what little children should look like.  But of course kids look cute in whatever, even cords with baggy bottoms and knees.  Adults, not so much.

I think I need to find myself a supplier of quality corduroy.

Details:
Jeans; Burda 7863 with modifications, bone corduroy, details here
Top; adapted from top “a” from Unique Clothes Any Way You Like by Natsuno Hiraiwa, blue shot cotton, details here
Cardigan; my own design, knitted from Jo Sharp Silk Road DK Tweed in Brindle, details here (button made by my Dad!)
Socks; (not seen) old and comfy ones, also handknit by me,  here
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti (uggies all the rest of the day at home though)

Later edit:  You know what?  This outfit and these jeans actually do look so much better, more appropriate, with my ugg boots.  But I’m not taking another picture; just imagine ugg boots on the bottom…

I know what people might be thinking; does she even have any other shoes?  Well, of course I have.  People who visit this blog regularly will know I have a veritable plethora, in fact the last time my mother visited and I mentioned a desire for a pair of new black high heeled boot/shoes, something that had go with dresses and jeans, I think I might have overheard something about Imelda Marcos mentioned in muttered undertones.
So I abstained.
Happily, these shoes do seem to go well with both dresses and jeans, and are very comfortable for dog-walking and well, all my daily activities.  They are my current favourites.  But I should try to mix it up more, true.  My other shoes will be getting jealous.
While the shirt is a recent creation I made my skirt years ago.  The fabric is handwoven by Mum so it is quite precious to me.  I just love the lower fringe of warp ends.  She was slightly horrified I didn’t hem them under properly, but I like how they look and wanted them on view!

A quick styling note: (not that I am any styling expert, hehe…)The top of this skirt usually sits at medium hip level, and the lower “fringe” sits at about about knee length.  But for today I swivelled the zip around to the front, overlapped the open zip and hoinked the top together with a safety pin so it is sitting up at my waist level, which has shortened the skirt to a length which I think looks better with these shoes….  And I don’t think you can even see the slight fold in the front of the skirt, can you?

Details:
Shirt; I used elements of several patterns to get the look I had in mind, so I’m going to call it my own design.  Black cottony stuff, and the dress-making details are here
Skirt; Vogue 7303, fabric of various yarns woven by Mum
Belt; from a long gone pair of cargoes
Tights; Kolotex
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp shoes
Sunnies; RayBan

…as it is here.   Il secondo di giugno, as it is in Italy.  June two, as it is in the USA.
The second day of Me-Made June 2011.
Please enjoy my autumnal roses in an old coffee-jar from our own garden, pictured below.  This is why I am so enjoying my daily washing-up lately, with this to look at.  You see, our rose bushes haven’t yet got the memo that it is winter and still think it’s autumn, so are producing their second flush accordingly.
Tres jolie, oui?
And why is it, do you think, you don’t you ever see charming, olde world blooms with this particular brand of random, haphazard loveliness in the florists?

Details:
Top; top “b” from Unique Clothes Any Way You Like, by Natsuno Hiraiwa, white cotton, details here
Jeans; adapted from Burda 7683, rusty corduroy, details here
Jacket; Vogue 2894 in raspberry silk, details and a review of this pattern here
Socks (not seen); also handknit, exactly the same ones as yesterday.  Well, I was wearing them over tights, so I figured they weren’t really dirty….
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp shoes

dog; attired as yesterday

…rolled up into one.
Firstly, and most importantly; today is my brother’s birthday.  Happy Birthday, D!  D is my middle brother, and here’s something funny… our girls shared one year at the same school, and at the first school function my friends all spotted this man in the crowds of other parents and knew instantly on first sight that he was my brother.  So I guess we look very alike!  D is a great Dad, a wonderful Uncle, and a fantastic brother.  I hope you found your prezzie last night.  Hint: look in your letter box…
Secondly; today is the first day of winter!  Thus my gloomy picture, matching the gloomy clouds above  (sigh)… but everyone is cheering for the few inches of rain we have had in the past few days.  Here’s keeping fingers crossed for lots more, and a good year for our farmers.
And finally; the first day of Me-Made June!  Well, all is me-made here except the underthings.  And tights.  Tights are almost like underthings, right?
A random observation; thick tights plus thick hand-knitted socks makes for kinda tight shoes!  No matter, my tootsies are snuggly warm….

Details:
Dress; Burdastyle magazine 05-2010-111 with minor modifications, plaid brushed cotton, details and a review of this pattern here
Skirt; Vogue 7303, olive green corduroy, to see this skirt styled in 6 different ways go here
Tights; Metalicus
Socks; handknit by me in Morris 4ply “Russet” here
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp

dog self-styled with her own fur coat