Yearly Archives: 2011

… it’s a crazy windy day here in Perth!  I was thinking today how wind machines are probably obsolete around here, the real deal being present in such a massive way.
Last night we had a fairly intense storm and even into this morning lots of rain and gusts of wind galore… so I’ve gone from thinking optimistically about all the dresses and spring-y things I can pull out to wear for next week, to instead thinking pessimistically that I might being pulling on the ol’ tights again… Nooooo!  Of course all the rain has been wonderful for our dams, and I’m happy for the farmers, who are having a pretty good season so far with plenty of rain, but just thinking selfishly of my own completely trivial wants it would be nice to have more sunny days now please…
So, I should say something about today’s self-stitched effort.  I do love this cosy hooded cardigan.   I’ve been pulling it on the last few evenings as the warmth of the day dissipates with the setting sun, and with today being like a return to bonafide winter all over again (groan) well, yeah I’ve been in it all day.  It’s my own design, just started knitting and winged it.  For the hood I drew a hood shape on a piece of paper and knitted to fit it… it’s not difficult to wing your way through a knitting project although lately I’ve been toying with the rather radical old-fashioned idea of buying a knitting pattern book and actually following some sort of pattern.  Yowza!  I’m halfway through knitting something at the mo’ that is sort of following a pattern, and which should be ready just as the summer warmth really hits; my timing in the weather appropriateness of the clothing I am producing is, as per usual, spot on.
What else; an ordinary wrap front white blouse, which has proved very useful indeed and will need replacing soon.  And this white lace-y skirt which I like to wear quite a lot during these transitional days as it is actually a lot warmer than it looks.  It looks very light and summery but (as the saying goes);  looks can be deceiving.  The lining is of one of those stiffish polyester acetate fabrics that does not breath one little bit, making it a stifling choice for a summer-y day (which style-wise it looks like it should be perfect for) but actually perfect for a cooler day like today (when people often ask worriedly if I am warm enough in that summer skirt.  The answer is yes actually pretty toasty, thanks.  I then get the raised eyebrows and the “don’t-believe-you” look.  That’s OK.  I know if I’m warm enough.)

Details:
Top; Burda 8497, white cotton, details here
Skirt; my own design of layers of stretch white lace, based on the basic shape of Vogue 7303, details here
Cardigan; my own design, Jo Sharp Silk Road DK Tweed in Ambrosia, details here
Boots; Andrea and Joen, from Uggies in Dunsborough

Self-stitched September, Day 16
The weather has turned blustery again here; overcast skies and buckets of rain this morning.  🙁  Sienna and I got utterly drenched on our walkies this morning.  Mm mmm, eau de wet dog, one of my favourites (not).
This pink lace dress (a better view here) always makes me feel so “spring-y”.   I like how it turned out so much I would like to make another one some time…in a different coloured lace maybe?  This one is holding up well, but the lace is really delicate… pussycats wanting to sit on my lap and “knead” are rejected; and fast!
And I am thrilled with my grey coat.  It was fortuitous that I didn’t have enough fabric for the conventional coat that I first wanted, because now I am so pleased with the “different” look of this view, thanks to the less traditional collar and sleeves.  People are gratifyingly surprised when I confess that I made it…  Looking back at my review from last year, I can see I wrote something about making up another version soon, but I haven’t yet.  I would like to, but in our climate there’s only so many coats one has a need for during the season.  
I’m wearing make-up today…!
I’m only mentioning this because it is pretty rare.  I totally suck at putting makeup on.  Really.  I look at myself and am convinced I look like a clown, and then try to take most of it back off.  But I must look different, because friends will look at me and say “can’t put my finger on it, but you look different today…”  Lol!
But, why am I all spiffied up with lace dresses and makeup on an’ all?
Because I had a very decadent interlude planned for the middle of the day; a fun lunch out with friends!  Is there a nicer way to spend a few hours?  I struggle to think of anything… I have had such an enjoyable day!

Details:
Dress; adapted from Simplicity 3745, pale pink lace with pink border lace, details here
Petticoat (underneath); Burda 8071, pale pink satin, details here
Coat; McCalls 5525 view B, charcoal wool, pink cotton lining, details and my review of this pattern here
Sandals; Micam by Joanne Mercer, from Hobbs shoes

… thank you so much to Passiona Cottee over at Le Coutureve who recently held a massively generous giveaway.  She ever so kindly gave some of this magnificent fabric pictured below to all of us who entered…   and she has made her own lovely skirt which you can admire here.   Thank you so much, Passiona!  I’m feeling extremely Missoni inspired here and already know exactly what I’m going to make with this…  Stay tuned!
Re my self-stitched September outfit today… not much to say.  I rarely wear all black, but I just felt like it today.  I look a bit awful in black, I should have learnt this by now… 
Just admire the fab new Missoni fabric instead.

Details:
Shirt; my own design from a mixture of patterns, black cotton, details here
Skirt; Burdastyle magazine 10/2010 skirt 136 (the Karl Lagerfeld skirt) with minor modifications, black suiting, details and my review of this pattern here
Shoes; Jocomomola, from More! boutique

Self-stitched September, Day 14:
Today’s photo challenge, to pose with water.  Hehe.  Oh you can be sure I put in my vote for that one myself too… 
I think I voted for “water” because it would be a good excuse to get out and do this very activity I am doing here.
Well, any excuse is a goodie, right?  There’s nothing like a walk along the beach beach to lift the spirits.  Yah, so I walk along the river beach every day, but the ocean beach is just something else; so invigorating.  Feeds the soul.  Truly…   So for today, the Indian Ocean.

Details:
Dress; Vogue 1152 with minor modifications and without the sleeve cuffs, made of cotton chambray, details and my review of this pattern here (I did finish the dress with the sleeve cuffs here, but took them off pretty pronto.  They were just not me)
Black scarf; of soft black net, an ex-lining cut into strips and knotted together, details here
Blue scarf; a refashioned tank top, details and a tute here
Sandals; Micam by Joanne Mercer, from Hobbs shoes

Yesterday I roasted a bit in those tights, so today I decided to be brave and make this the first day in the new season to go without.   And haven’t regretted it one bit.  I think the weather has turned at last!
Well, bare legs in a short-ish skirt, that is.  I’ve just realised I have gone without tights already this self-stitched September, but that was in long-ish skirts.  You can wear long skirts and they will keep your pegs quite nicely warm in a light wind.  Short skirts take a bit more courage and conviction, a real test of warmth or lack of.  It helps that the morning lows are not dropping below double figures now (that’s in Celsius, natch!) and that sure does make everything feel a whole lot more hey-it-‘s-spring like and not when-the-heck-is-it-going-to-warm-up like.
Today I’m trialling this old skirt.  I’m not sure about it.  It’s been sitting in my possible Sammie’s pile for a few weeks, since I realised I didn’t wear it at all during autumn or winter.  I’m not sure if the python print is me, or not.  When I made it I was particularly pleased with the black side panels which I randomly tuck-stitched to match the leather-y look of the print, and look like this below… And I’m always hesitant to toss out things that are still perfectly serviceable and don’t yet look just awful through too much wear; plus are potentially useful little summer things, like a skirt in a neutral but interesting print.  What do you think?
D’ya wanna know something interesting about this little photo spot?  Well, probably not that interesting but just a little factoid; this is like the opposite spot from where I took every single one of my me-made June photos.  Opposite, in that I used to set up my camera on these rocks where I am standing here, tucked away in these bushes, and stand down on the beach down where my camera is sitting today.  
Hehe, well, I did admit that it wasn’t that interesting…

Details:
Shirt; Burda 7767 with modifications, dark olive linen, details here
Skirt; Vogue 7303 lined, python print satin, details here, but shortened since then
Sandshoes; Country Road