That’s Frock-tacular

A couple of weeks ago, I made a very big decision. It was a difficult one, and one that can’t be made on the spur of the moment. But when I thought about it, I realised that I’m old enough, I have a steady job, and I have a good support network, if I need it. And I’ve wanted this for so long that it just made sense.

So I took the plunge.

I bought an overlocker.

And I’m just so happy. I’ve named her Sadie, and she fits in perfectly with my crafting family (Stella, my sewing machine, and Wallace the sewing kit). I was even tempted to do a little naming ceremony, where I uttered the words, “And I dub thee…. Sadie.” but I couldn’t find my knitting needle so that I could tap both of her shoulders. Even if I’d found my knitting needle, I’d have had to find her shoulders. And I couldn’t be bothered.

That doesn’t stop me from singing, “Sadie, the stitching laaaay-deeee.”

I decided that I needed a Sadie-specific project, instead of endlessly overlocking scrap pieces of fabric, so I went down to Spotlight to seek inspiration (read: spend money), and I came across the most gorgeous vintage-style fabric. It reminded me that I’ve had a dress pattern sitting in my drawer for about 7 months now, and that it’s probably time to make it. Fabric was purchased, and dress was made.

The dress took longer than I thought it would, basically because I always mistakenly start projects with the idea that I am invincible. I am not. I was also trying to be really neat and precise with my cutting/sewing/darts, because it’s not often that I use proper paper patterns, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this.

On the topic of darts – they are the devil’s work. They are right up there with unpicking buttonholes, and I do not much care for them. Get them wrong, and you end up looking like Madonna in her Vogue period. Why must they be so damned hard to mark onto the fabric? I was sticking pins through the pattern, and then marking on the fabric with chalk where the pin was. I was hoping that I was actually doing it the wrong way, that there’s actually a way easier way to do it. I ran it past Michelle and Claire, and it turns out that I was doing it the right way. I cried.

Following that, once I slip-stitched my finger to the zipper, I stopped caring quite as much. My original plan had been to add a peter pan collar to the dress (I’m totally digging peter pan collars at the moment), but when the point came to add it, I decided that I just wanted to finish the damn thing.

In hindsight, it probably would have looked better with something there. A placket would have been great. Or maybe some pockets on the side. I don’t know – something starting with ‘p’ and ending in ‘cket’.

Anyway, dress is finished. It even looks like the picture on the front of the pattern. I’ve proved it to myself. Yay me. Blah blah blah.

And it’s all because of…

Sadie, the stitching laaaaaay-deeeeeeee.

Nothing But The Truth

This is what I look like in the morning

Ever since I signed up for an online dating site, I’ve been pondering the omissions that I’ve made on my profile. I haven’t out and out lied, and put something ridiculous like, “Totally into outdoor sports, and enjoy waking up early on a weekend morning so that I can go set up a tent in the woods.”, but neither have I admitted what some may see as my downfalls. Well, you don’t, do you? It’s most unbecoming. You are, in essence, trying to sell yourself, and you don’t admit things that may possibly be contentious issues for your suitors. You leave them as fun surprises for people to find.

However, if I WERE to be honest…

About Me

Female, 25, Tasmania

I packed my car to the brim last year and moved from New South Wales to Tassie. The only thing that I forgot to pack was some people to go to gigs and restaurants and other things with.

In the morning I dislike: loud noises, talking, touching, other people. Any of the above can lead to bodily harm. I also look like I’m wearing a clown wig in the morning. This is not a joking matter.

I am a shit cook. Betty Crocker, I ain’t. Thankfully, I haven’t poisoned anybody yet (it’s hard to give people food poisoning with lentils), but there’s every chance that you’d be the first.

I swear like a sailor, and the more excited I get, the more f-bombs that leave my lips. I don’t intend for this to happen. I’m capable of switching it off for work and when I’m around old people, but catch me in a good mood when I’m in my civvies, and you may get a bit of a shock.

I think that every conversation can be improved by mentioning ninjas/zombies/monkeys/robots.

I am not above making “that’s what she said” jokes in front of your mother.

I do not find fishing/camping/bushwalking/hunting to be fun pursuits. I walk from my car to the shops. I walk around the shops. I walk back to my car. This is quite enough outdoor activity for me. I don’t mind a bit of a traipse through the bush but if it’s something that requires special footwear, I’m not interested.

I strongly believe in mobile phone etiquette, and will get on my soapbox if you cross any invisible lines in your mobile phone usage.

Seeking Criteria

I will not accept: racists, homophobes, sexists, alcoholics, people old enough to be my parents, men who show more chest than me, or men who wear sandals.

Unless I ask, I am not interested in your previous relationships. And neither do I want to help you analyse exactly where it went wrong.

Please don’t think that you’re original by saying, “I’m not staring at your boobs – I’m just looking at your piercings, hur hur hur.”

I am looking for somebody with somewhat advanced grammatical and spelling skills; somebody who can spell my name is a bonus. No, my name isn’t that hard to spell, but this HAS been an issue in the past.

I am looking for someone who enjoys engaging in conversation. I like to talk.

I am looking for someone who can take a joke. I will make fun of you at some point, and I don’t want you to have a sad attack about it.

I am looking for someone who is not a tool.

All that meet this criteria, please apply below.

For the rest of you, bugger off.

Bringing The Trash To The Craft

Saturday just gone was our May Made With Love market bazaar, and what a day it was. Our dress-up theme this time was trashy housewives (in honour of Mother's Day). I cannot describe to you how much I actually enjoyed deliberately dressing like a trashbag. Although one thing that we collectively figured out is that it actually takes a bit of work to look trashy. You can't just roll out of bed - oh no! Leading me to wonder exactly how long some people I see around take to get ready. They must get up WAY early to look that trashy.

Baby Boudoir

In the interests of having properly smudged makeup, Michelle applied her makeup the night before, and slept with it on. Fool proof, right? We've all done it. You end up looking like an emo with a clown wig. Or is that just me? But no, her makeup rubbed right off during the night.

Avy Loves Ned

I was concerned as to the welfare of my new pillowcases, so I applied my makeup just before going in for a shower on Saturday morning. Seriously, it never fails. I've done it before, and then was subsequently informed that I looked like Alice Cooper. And lo and behold - my makeup washed off. I'm telling you - it's hard to look trashy.

Lisaloo

I also had to deliberately put a ladder in my tights. It made my heart cry. For years you spend every day wearing tights with the innate fear that certain ladder-hood will befall them if you so much as move the wrong way. It made me sad to do it, but I laddered them like nobody's business.

Nom nom nom

Anyway, costumes aside, it was a great day. We had the usual suspects, plus some fancy sushi and homemade pasta. I had sushi for breakfast, chocolate for morning tea, and homemade pasta for lunch. And I wonder why my jeans don't fit. But hey - I'm a trashbag. I'm allowed.

Extra nom nom nom

We also had the excessively radtacular Naomi with us, recording the day with her fancy picture machine. Naomi is a fab photographer, and also has a heart-warming turn of phrase - you can check her blog out here. And she did all of this for us for the price of a beer. What a chick.

Clever Zebra Designs

Turning Trixie

And a little more Turning Trixie

New cards by, you guessed it - Turning Trixie

Claire

Michelle, Claire and I

Michelle and random handy child

Fishwives

The Little Things

Things that bug me:

• People who don’t adhere to some level of mobile phone etiquette. For example, people who answer the phone in the bathroom. Uncool.

• When I realise that it’s my turn to do the washing up.

• A scratch on my favourite CD.

• The moment when I accidentally iron my hand instead of a piece of fabric.

• Having to unpick buttonholes.

Things that don’t bug me:

• The lust-worthiness of this site that I stumbled across the other night. I want one of everything in the Retro Chic range. And two of some of the other stuff.

• Days when I go op-shopping with the intention of picking up some photo frames, and come home with a typewriter.
  

• Actually thinking of an idea for a Mother’s Day present BEFORE Mother’s Day. Win.

• The anticipation before another Made With Love market (this Saturday, 7^th May *shameless plug*). I love dreaming up new outfit ideas for our dress-ups, I dig coming up with ideas for new stock, and let’s face it – it’s just a bloody fun day.