Deadline

The deadline has been met!

Woohoo.. I have now officially finished my early 1880's natural form outfit. I will be wearing it tomorrow and taking photos.

Now to rest my poor hands and then give my sewing machine some much needed TLC. Back soon with pics :)

Mx

Tissot's Bridesmaid

Well I am continuing my sewing frenzy. I received my bodice pattern last night and am currently working on perfecting my toile (mock-up).

I was inspired by this Tissot painting "Bridesmaid" and feel my dress has a similar feel, though without the many ruffles on the skirt.. Hmm whether to add a lace ruffle to the neckline and bows on the cuffs? At the moment my dress is very simple, no embellishments. Any suggestions or thoughts?

Where have I been?

Well, I've been rock climbing and bush walking in the Grampians.. Sewing lots and lots.. Working out at the gym.. and well right now I can't remember what else!

So, obligatory picture of Lucas pooping his pants...

Victorian Outfit Update... Again!

Well I took the trip to Melbourne yesterday, FINALLY, and it was awesome. I had such a fun day and the trip to R J Harvey was amazing. I rode in an attendant operated elevator, then walked into the most amazing tailors supplies shop... and I think Mr Harvey actually served me. Anyone else like old-fashioned service? Two rooms filled floor to ceiling with old cardboard boxes (think Ollivander's in HP) and a gigantic tailors bench takes up most of the floor space, and to top it off he wrote my receipt by hand and wrapped up my supplies in brown paper and string. Heaven.

Of course I started my corset as soon as I got home. I've put it together now, and sewn all of the spiral boning. I'd love to hear your comments!

Here is a quick preview

Victorian Outfit Update

Well, I certainly have been busy, and am about to take some pictures for you lovelies while this sits open :)

This is my hat :) Made from a pre-made fascinator base, I then covered it with the pale blue velveteen. I then rolled the velveteen and attached to the edge. I am yet to find flowers I like, so will be keeping an eye out for those.

The layers you see, or don't see here are as follows-

• Chemise and drawers

• Corset, which is still the mock-up- though I have cut out the white and organised a busk and boning

• Petticoat- As before, and still not ironed

• Underskirt that I drafted and sewed yesterday, the waistband is not yet attached and nor is it hemmed, but I am extremely pleased with it.

Yay, I now need to make that trip to Melbourne this week, sew an overskirt (which looks kinda like an apron), complete my corset and bodice. Sounds simple, in reality though...

Update

Well life has been crazy here for the last while. Work, trips to Melbourne, sewing madly, trying to remember to eat, going to the gym and personal training, rock climbing, re-enactment and of course trying to keep the house in some sort of order (an endeavour in which we certainly haven't been entirely successful!)

I shall post some photo's now, so I can then go curl up on the couch and contemplate my Victorian Outfit some more

This moth we found last night in the study, then he came to join us on the couch ^__^

Luke found this little guy on our clothesline about a week ago fixing his web in the dark

And our beautiful lilac bushes are smelling divine at the moment

Re-enactment

Well this is what has been keeping me busy!!

Petticoat done (3-4 hours) and corset in the making. A trip to Melbourne is is order to pick up the necessary notions (such as a busk, boning and grommets) Yay.

Day 14: Photo a day

Original:

Edited:

Recipe Alert

http://www.paultuorto.com/giustogusto/?p=1241

Yummy lemon chicken. Give it a try, promise you won't be disappointed.

M xx

Day 13: Photo a day

Re-enactment

Update time. So I've been working on a few things at the moment which are re-enactment related, both 13th C and 1880's. Yay!

Well first things first. I am making a 13th Century underdress. Nice basic white linen. Geometric shapes. Superb comfort.

Secondly: 1880's. My corset pattern should be delivered tonight so I can get a move on with that. Then comes the underskirt, and borrowing a pattern for that. I CHOSE A COLOUR AND FABRIC. SKY BLUE COTTON. Then I am quite happy with making the skirt, but am terrified about the bodice. But I at least don't have to worry about them until after the underthings are fully completed.

Thirdly: Accessories. 13th C. Well shoes, Luke has the leather for them and could easily make me a pair, but I am still owed a pair which I paid for, so I am still kinda in a touchy mood about that. 1880's accessories... Boots well can't make them, so here is the next best thing, the low heel ones in black. Parasol and fan are coming from the same store, cream Battenberg lace parasol. Last night we came up with an exciting way to overcome our glove issue.... Crochet lace cotton table runner, turned into lace mitts :-) I have ordered a 1887 pocket watch (so pretty) and am waiting for that in the mail. Yay. I am also in the process of working out a hat. I have a pattern and such, it is essentially a small wire frame with velvet ribbon wrapped around it and then sprigs of flowers and a BIG BOW.

So that't where all that is at. So I will hopefully have some pictures for the next update :)

Mxx

Artsy Photography

This idea was taken from Bryan Peterson @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCYG7HO_SZo

Cheers,

M xx

Day 12: Photo a day

Ok, so I took a whole bunch of photos yesterday planning to post them last night, but life got the better of me and I fell asleep before I got to posting them, so here they are.

Ok, so I clearly need to find some new subject material :)

M xx

Day 11: Photo a day

Trust Birth

This Is What I Believe

• The decisions that women make concerning their pregnancy and birth should be based on the truth rather than fear and lies.
  
  
• Every woman deserves the right to hear the truth about birth.
  
  
• Women know how to give birth. They may not realize that they do, but they do.
  
  
• Our bodies were designed to give birth just as they were designed to conceive and grow a baby. Our bodies know how to finish what they began.
  
  
• Birth should not be a time in a woman’s life when she has to FIGHT for anything. Birth should not be a battlefield.
  
  
• Birth is not normally a medical event and rarely needs any medical interference.
  
  
• Birth belongs to women and not to their birth attendant.
  
  
• No place is safer for birth than the woman’s home.
  
  
• Interference with birth starts the minute a woman leaves her home. The minute she is in the hospital, she is no longer in charge.
  
  
• Hospitals offer no measure of safety for birth for the average woman and, in fact, increase the chances of many potential complications.
  
  
• Women and their babies are being abused in the name of “safety.” There are too many surgical births, too many epidurals, too many episiotomies, too many inductions, too much monitoring, managing and meddling.
  
  
• Women are being scared and bullied and manipulated.
  
  
• Women are being robbed of the experience of giving birth; babies are being robbed of a peaceful environment in which to be born.
  
  
• It is a woman’s right to choose to birth at home with any attendant or no attendant.
  
  
• Natural and normal is not the same as easy and painless and we acknowledge that there is pain for almost every woman, but we know that women live through the pain.
  
  
• The pain of childbirth is not without purpose and chemical means of avoiding the pain of childbirth holds many potential risks for the baby and the birth process.
  
  
• Birth is not always without risk, but I believe that life is not without risk. There are a lot of things more risky than birth.
  
  
• Birth is not the act of rescuing a baby or a mother from death or danger.
  
  
• Mothers are not the enemy of their babies and babies are not going to destroy their mothers in birth. Mothers and babies are symbiotic units, and if left alone, would know what to do.
  
  
• Parents are qualified to become informed about their choices and can make the decision to make all the decisions.

Photo a day

Update! Well I've slacked off my photo a day for the last few days. Couple of reasons for that; I have been working long hours, I started a Business Administration course on Monday; and went rock climbing last night. I will definitely have more photos tonight.

M xx

Link Love: September 20, 2010

*Link Love covers a variety of topics: style, food, photography. Basically whatever strikes my fancy during the week. Enjoy!*

• I am drooling about this fantastic designer Kate Spade. I imagine you will love her designs too Krystal :)
• Feeling in the mood to be inspired to decorate your house? Check out Desire to Inspire. Amazing!
• Ok, shameless plug here. Etsy seller Meekoo, seller of stuff for mums and bubs, is sensational, and a cool chic and mum of two adorable boys.
• And finally, Mr Fluevog. I'm putting in my letter to Santa now! I'll take any, but what about these Bartoli's? or these Giulia's?

Re-enactment

(Design of dress in the bottom right hand corner)

Ok, still waiting on my corset pattern, but have come upon another block in the road. Overdress colour(s). Any suggestions? It is a summer daytime dress.

M xx

Day 10: Photo a day

A wonderful gift from Robin.

Day 9: Photo a day

Sewing Update

Well I am completely over hand sewing! I just finished a Victorian Era chemise, all seams and hems are done by hand. It looks amazing! I am really happy with how it turned out. Stay tuned for pics. I finished a pair of drawers the same day, machine sewn though, and am actually reasonably happy with them too! Next up you ask? A late 1880's corset. I am awaiting my pattern and notions, and can't wait. I hope I am as happy with the corset as I am with my other underpinnings.

M xx

Day 8: Photo a day

Avocado and prawn salad

Day 7: Photo a day

Day 6: Photo a day

Day 5: Photo a day

Day 4: Photo a day

Today was a training day. Here is Rod and his new shield.

Day 3: Photo a day

Day 3: Some photos

Spring/Summer Wardrobe

Following in Krystal's (krystalleeart.blogspot.com) footsteps. Here is my Spring/Summer wardrobe wish list.

Day 2: Photo a day

Day 2: Some shots of the day

Day 1: Photo a day

As promised...

Link Love: September 9, 2010

*Link Love covers a variety of topics: style, food, photography. Basically whatever strikes my fancy during the week. Enjoy!* (Idea taken from http://smilesgowitheverything.com/)

• Have you seen what katie ate? Its a stunning food photography blog from right here in Australia. Amazing recipe ideas.
• Two of my favourite fashion blogs, what would a nerd wear, and kansas couture. Both are classy girls with a knack for putting together looks that are simple yet pop with style.
• Next up is the amazing bridges on the body following the trials and tribulations of sewing your way through every corset pattern in Norah Waugh's book, Corsets and Crinolines.
• And finally a photography blog, tim, amazing is all I have to say.

Breaking News!

In further breaking news, I purchased my first DSLR. A beautiful Nikon D5000. What can I say, I am in LOVE! I bought a 70-300mm telephoto lens with macro *drools on keyboard*

I plan to do a photo-a-day for the next month, I am a commitment phobe for blogging so hopefully this will get me into a routine. Feel free to harass me about it :-)

To start here is a photo from yesterday. I will upload a photo this afternoon from today.

Welcome

Hi Guys and welcome to my blog. I'm not sure what my blogs going to be all about. I have a feeling it is going to be a big slice of photography, a chunk of design (both fashion and house), some re-enactment (Natural form of the Victorian era 1877-1882) and some rambling thrown in when I feel the need.... and I nearly forgot food.

Hope you enjoy.

Madana x