Merry Christmas

As I wait impatiently for the chocolate ganache to cool enough to spread on my cupcakes, I thought I would squeeze in a moment to wish everyone a sensational christmas. The weather prediction for our 'Summer' christmas is a very chilly 16c and raining. Makes me wish I was back in my second home of Danmark drinking Glog and enjoying the dark winter lights, cause there's something a bit desperate about having an outdoors barbeque lunch despite the freezing temperatures or maybe that's what makes a Melbourne Christmas so unique- Wherever you find your self this christmas, be safe and be happy XO

no pattern...crossed fingers...sigh of relief

I found this doily at an op-shop the other week and it was one of those epiphanies when you can clearly see exactly what you want to make. I am quite fond of the no pattern/cut-and-hope-for-the-best method and in this case I'm pretty darn stoked with the outcome.

holidays now a distant memory!

I went to Cairns in tropical North Queensland for 5 whole days a couple of weeks ago, at least I think I did, after swinging back into 13 hour work days it seems like something i might have made up, anyhow I'm well and truly back to earth with a thud. Luckily I've had 2 days off in amongst everything and am ecstatic that 1 of those days coincided with Akira Isogawa's sample and remnant sale. I truly think that the man is a revelation in the fashion world. He has had exhibitions in National Gallery's with good reason. His experimentation with fabric dyeing/knitting/embroidering techniques alone is a gift, before you even get to the garments he makes out of them. His garments are definitely designer prices, even on sale, but even if you never wore one of his dresses, you would get your money's worth from hanging it on the wall as a work of art. (Yes I bought something special there...l shall post a picture if I can bestil my beating heart every time I take it out of its box, long enough to take a photo) I also got 2 bags of remnants (literally tiny scraps of material, but amazingly beautiful nonetheless!).

Enough of my Akira gushing now while I post some images from Melbournes GPO Boutique/Designer complex (I don't go there too much because although it is inspiring, the prices can induce a coronary condition)

blogging overload

I have been doing a temp job that allows me heaps of time to read all my favourite blogs, and having done just that, I have felt guilty that my poor little blog was looking so sparse- thus the multiple entries: I really am in awe of some of those blogs, where on earth do you find the time to write such indepth, inspiring blogs, let alone make or resource all of the stuff that you put into them!

Thought I'd finish up the day with another couple of items from my abode- I'm half way through hanging my collection of pictures up and here are the latest ones.

super speedy pillowcase skirt

The moment I clapped eyes on this 70's pillowcase it was either going to morph into a skirt or a halterneck top- enter scissors/sewing machine and ribbon and 15 minutes later I have a brand new skirt! (being a pencil skirt shape though means I have to walk like a lady- and that takes practice!)

latest haul

No, there is no sight in end to the quest that is op-shopping. I found these lovely things in my favourite op-shop of all time: My mum took me shopping there literally since birth, and it's one of those great stores that hasn't changed at all, it is stuck in a timewarp and I find that really reassuring in this world where everything else changes infinitely on a daily basis.

First up is this wee little lamb who is sitting on a sea of orange crotcheted place mats. I'm not sure what I'm going to use them for just yet (seeings as I don't have a dining table) but the colour is just unbeatable, so I'm sure to find something.

Next are these gorgeous simple ceramic coasters that were only $2.50 and still had their original (and very pricey) store tag on them.

last of all is this asian inspired table cloth, I've decided that my christmas presents this year will be goodie bags of handmade, bought and found 'things' so that I can just pick things up as I go rather than panicking on finding the one great gift- and so this table cloth is going straight into my mum's christmas bag.

My first crafty swap

I discovered Swap-bot a few months ago and I did a music swap which involved compiling a cd of music from your local area in whatever genre mix you wanted. I sent my Melbourne mix over to a girl in Canada, while I received a very cool cd from London. I love how swaps can connect you with a stranger on the other side of the world with something so tangible. My next dabble at swapping is the wallet swap organised by Amy at purplepinkandorange It was for a wallet (bought, made or found). My swap partner turned out to be Amy herself and I have just sent off this bag with a matching coin purse. I know its a bit of a variation on the whole concept of wallet and it is neither pink, purple nor orange, but it is off to the US today and I hope she likes it.

A week off and still not enough time

When I planned a week off, in my mind I envisiged sleeping in, organising, cleaning and relaxation- how wrong could I be! Don't get me wrong, a week off is a brilliant thing and I am definitely getting stuff done: finishing recording the last song for the album tomorrow, have revamped a few 70s dresses, gone through my wardrobe and put a whole pile of beauties up for sale on ebay and taken the rest to the op-shop. But I wasn't prepared for my complete lack of motivation in the home cleaning department- I look at the dishes and then I leave them (repeat this action a number of times in various corners of my apartment and you have the idea) I logged onto Flylady for inspiration- but honestly she can keep her shiny, smiling sink. I'm going out for coffee! Oh, but before I do- Here's my spanking new couch that's looking a little bit too Ikea showroom right now but I'm working on it.

Hooray for sewing machines & helicopter prints

Another birthday and another burst of craftiness- how cool is this print? I think there's a definite need for an A-line helicopter skirt in my life.

the fifteen minute thriftin bonanza

With only a couple of hours free for the week I decided to get my very scruffy locks cut- on the way to the hairdressers I saw a favourite op-shop and me being me, had to stop even though I only had 15 minutes to spare. so I narrowed my usual hour long trawl into 3 main stops: dresses, fabrics & knick-nacks and these are the absolute beauties I came up with: glee, double glee, would you like some glee with that glee!

this little piggy went to market

And bought a new sofa! I got very brave in my urge to simply my life and I sold my beloved old 3 piece 70s velvet couches on ebay, I sold them for virtually nothing but it really wasn't about the money, my only concern was that they went to a loving home and I think they did (I know it's quite silly to have such an emotional attachment to a couch, but man those couches had mojo!) Anyways, I now have a brand spanking couch for the first time ever and such is the excitement that I'm unveiling the objects around it first to give you a hint at the colour scheme!

getting crafty...finally!

with so much happening in my musical endeavours, I haven't had a chance to make anything for soooo long, and I have most definitely been suffering withdrawal symptoms. Luckily one of my beautiful friends is turning 30 tomorrow and so I spent yesterday creating her a dress and a matching reversible obi wrap. unfortunately my camera is cheap and nasty and doesn't take photos in any detail so I'll have to wait until the birthday girl wears it to get a photo that does it justice. Suffice to say that I still love sewing and finishing one project has just made me want more!

An apple a day

So much has happened in the last week, and my head is spinning- My beautiful apartment sold at auction over the weekend. Note to self: never sell property again SO STRESSFUL! But the result was good and I was so relieved that the 2 girls who bought it genuinely loved the place and what mum and I had done with it, so I can walk away knowing it's in good hands PHEW!

I've been having major vocal issues ever since I had a months worth of serious bronchitis and that is really not what you need when recording your album, anyways I'm pretty sure it was the universe's not so subtle kick up the bum to really prioritise things and look after me and my dreams (ok!! I get it, point taken) So I am slowly working back to my peak and taking care of my insides.

A big part of taking care of me is not sweating the small stuff (I swear I have not been reading self help books much as that sounds like pure Anthony Robbins) and really appreciating the little things that make me so happy- Like my apple shaker. Not only is it ruby red kitchy goodness but it makes a gorgeous sound for creating different rhythms and I love just walking round bearfoot shaking my apple and singing a wee tune. An apple a day indeed.

oh op-shop how I love thee so!

I like many have an absolute all consuming addiction to op-shops(aka thrift stores) in that I simply cannot walk or drive past one without going in, I will forego food or rent if there is a wicked dress, fabric, knick-knack or book that insists on being mine. It really is a worry, but oh the unbelievable joy at finding 'the find' that you virtually snatch of the rack and clutch to you while quickly checking that no one else has eyed it up also. (Yes, I AM an addict). Anyways today's swooning comes courtesy of this tea-towel 100% Cotton, 100% Made in Brazil and 100% too damn cool. A mouse sitting on a camel, I don't get it, but I'm willing to live with it!

little snippets of me

Making up for lost time with my 3rd post in a day. Just have an itch to start things because my warped logic is that the leo in me can't leave things half done so I'm gonna post corners of my apartment once a week.

Sounds good in theory doesn't it? Now to test the practicality...hmmm

the finest coffee in Melbourne (the world??)

A week does not pass without a trip to my local: Dr. Java's coffee house, all organic milk & fair trade and/or organic coffee, (I drink Soy and there is even soy ice-cream for ice-coffee: Bless them!) with a limited snack menu cause it's all about the coffee man, although It must be said that they also have the best organic fruit toast known to man.

Prolonged attempt at calm

So much for being a regular blogger! At least I have been very busy, my original band has had a couple of great gigs and we have been in the studio recording our album in all our spare time. I'll post the details of where to listen/buy/comment in the not too distant future. In between recording & rehearsing I do temp work, and I think all my planets are out of whack (I'm also in my Saturns return at the moment (which is hell for those who've been thru it) if you don't know what I'm talking about- check this because while there's heaps of work being offered, it never seems to fit into my timetable or when I land a great assignment, I turn up in my dinky suit only to find the assignment was cancelled, but someone forgot to tell me! Ahh the life of the struggling muso- would I have it any other way?..I'd probably make a few adjustments, but the music does soothe all ills

In an attempt to calm ever detioriorating sanity I went to the Japanese Bath House, for an hour bath & sauna, followed by an hour Shiatsu. If you have never been to a Japanese Bath House: GO GO NOW It is an experience beyond words and something I save up for a couple of times a year.

Well I'm still managing to be fairly organised, ticking things off my to do list daily and if you haven't come across it yet- a great project management site is basecamp it is especially good for joint projects and it is free which is a bonus too. One big thing happening at the moment is the sale of my beloved apartment. I have been renting it out for the last couple of years, but I lived there for 3 or 4 years before that, and I just adore it. Unfortunately it isn't quite big enough for all of my musical equipment, my sewing machine, overlocker and me! I just feel like it's time to relinquish the major financial commitment and free up some time and energy to really commit to my musical projects. Nevertheless it really is sad to see it go, My mum and I designed and decorated it together and I always felt at home there, it holds a lot of great memories and I really hope that whoever buys it doesn't just go at it with a can of white paint. There's definitely going to be tears on auction day.

images of wee japanese treasures as promised but not delivered yesterday!

Happy Birthday Mum

It was my mum's birthday on the 12th and she has been away on holiday so I have taken the opportunity to make her a present. I made her a little denim tote bag with an asian inspired material lining because for as long as I remember mum has been obsessed with collecting japanese nick nacks, materials, trimmings, clothing. You can literally spend hours looking at all of her mini dioramas set up throughout the house- Here's a couple of shots from her bedroom.

Am I dreaming?

Can it be that almost 10 months after setting up my blogger account, I am actually posting something? It is official, I am completely and utterly addicted to reading blogs. After being put on the path by the gorgeous Marianne at Blossom's special orange I have been so utterly enthralled and inspired by the amazing network of bloggers that started when I stumbled across Camilla Engman and just spiralled out of control from there. I find it so overwhelming (in a seriously exciting way), the labyrinth of sites, people and places that these blogs can take you. So much so, I just haven't been able to find the time to create my own space despite the intense longing- that is until now. I've shifted into extreme organisation mode, starting with a simple written list of what I want and don't want in my life, and now I'm well on my way to executing it- baby step by baby step. Wish me luck!