orcas in auckland

Photo: NZ Herald

yesterday a pod of adult and baby orca whales were hunting stingray along the Tamaki Drive waterfront. They were throwing the stingray into the air to eat. It looked as if the 2 adults were teaching the juvenile orcas how to hunt. They had come in to about 5-10 metres of the shoreline. It was an amazing sight. I could kick myself for not having the camera with me. Here's the orcas video.(NZ Herald)

retro coat pattern

popped into the Sallies store on the way home yesterday and found this pattern. It's a Butterick reprint of a 1952 pattern, just like new for 50 cents. That's a bargain!

As for the purple wool coat, on closer inspection I realised that there were quite a few small moth holes on both shoulders of the coat and the underside of the collar. Didn't notice them earlier in my excitement to actually find a large fitting coat.
So I've decided that this project has been binned.

(re)train my colour eye

this patternreview article has really had me thinking a lot about colour or the lack of it in my wardrobe. I wear a lot of black, mostly I suspect because it's an easy option. There's no mix and match issues to consider, no dilemmas about what to wear with what. I think it's a habit carried over from the long gone office days where sombre, dark colours were the only acceptable choice.

My thought processes are really challenged at the moment and I'm finding myself on the edge of some major colour and texture re(think) and re(train). A tui brooch and the Dulux NZ colour swatches are a starting point for my colour journey...

charity knitting/crochet update...

I am not personally involved with the Auckland charity organisers, so I'm not able to answer specific questions about the programme. I've been told that this size jumper is being phased out. Also that the program has expanded to meet the needs of children worldwide 0-5 years. Apparently there was also a setback with some African authorities wanting to charge $1 per jumper. I understand that the organiser fundraised to pay the shipping charges and that the garments were distributed through official channels to hospitals, health clinics, orphanages and community groups.

It seems that there are other organisers who are now involved with this programme. I don't have any contact with them. All I can suggest is that you go online and use GOOGLE to locate your local programme organisers. The comments section for this post has been deactivated so I won't be accepting any more comments on this subject which is now closed.

blue glass beads

on Sunday, Miss 12 and I spent our 'girl time' afternoon beading. She made a few pairs of pretty dangley earrings for friends and I busied myself with a simple snake bracelet. Love the different blues in the glass beads, reminds me of the ocean...

vintage swing coat

my latest vintage find is this really lovely swing coat. It's a royal purple with a soft rabbit fur collar, and is a large size so there's plenty of room for wearing winter woolies underneath. However the coat does have issues. You'll see that one of the front edges has a noticeable 'nibble' in the wool. I'm guessing that it's moth damage. It's about 6cm long and 1 cm wide. There's a smaller nibble above it as well about 1.5cm long by 1cm wide. I can see an attempted repair, where the 2 damaged edges have simply been handstitched together.

For now, it's hanging up while I decide the best way to mend the edge (that's if I can). A couple of options present themselves:

* I could just ignore it! after all it's so low down no one will really notice it when the coat is buttoned up and possibly when it's open too? or

* Straighten up the front edge. I'm not sure about this as I think it will make that part of the coat look out of balance & possibly affect the swing? or

* Take some fabric from the inside hem and attempt re-attachment surgery. I don't think this would actually work or

what do you think?

happy music

Justine Clarke's music is a big hit in our home at the moment, especially with Miss 2. I even find myself humming the tunes lol!...



check out Justine's website to see more of her videos. Miss 2's favourites are 'I like to sing' and 'Gumtree family.'

ugly fabric dress

at last a decision! the 'ugly fabric' demands to be made into a 1950s inspired dress, with a fitted bodice and very full skirt. The fabric has kept it's crispness even though it's been washed. That will probably save me having to make a crinoline petticoat to go underneath. I'm drafting the pattern from Enid Gilchrist's 'Women and Teenagers' pattern book. Miss 12 has kindly agreed to be the new owner of the dress. Lucky her!

my very first meme...

thanks to Miss Smith for tagging me for this very interesting meme all about me...


What is your current obsession?
vintage brooches for the winter coat to show off. Think Queen Mum & old Coronation street episodes here!

What is your weirdest obsession (right now)?
finding and collecting vintage tortoise shell jewellery. My late grandpa made the most exquisite pins, rings, bangles and brooches from turtle shell and mother of pearl, so I have a few pieces already.

What are you wearing today?
black and white paisley smock top, black skirt, slippers (I'm at home) and black cardi.

What makes you smile?
playing with our children.

What's for dinner?
chicken mignon, winter salad and baked potatoes.

What's the last thing you bought?
sparkley brooches for the coat

What are you listening to right now?
the sound of silence. Miss 2 is having a nap so quiet reigns supreme!

What do you think of the person who tagged you?
Miss Smith is bright, funny and witty. Reading her blog is like sharing
a cuppa with an old friend... warm, familiar and enjoyable.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
it would have to be a ticky tacky bach in Kaikoura, where the magnificient sea views would inspire my 'best selling' novel lol!

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Venice, Italy. I'd love to take a leisurely trip on a gondola.

Which language do you want to learn?
something really obscure - like the dialect of a forgotten Papua New Guinea tribe

What's your favorite quote (for now)?
Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic.

What is your favorite colour?
Teal. Reminds me of the Pacific Ocean.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
the good old lava lava/sarong. Why? it's truly multi size, versatile (from the beach to a barbeque), colourful (the brighter the better) and wearing tie dye is ok! There's 8 of them in the wardrobe.

What is your dream job?
being a judge on 'Project Runway"

What's your favourite magazine?
NZ House and Garden.

If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on?
I'd buy food and donate it to the local foodbank.

Describe your personal style?
black widow meets granny? That's layers of black or mostly black patterns and granny cardis and nana bling (oh, without the obvious black widow knocking off the hubby tendencies lol!)

What are you going to do after this?
housework! yay!

What are your favourite films?
Too many to mention! I loved Sound of Music as a kid.

What's your favourite fruit?
freshly picked pears and peaches, so ripe that when I take a bite, the juices run down my chin, yum!

What inspires you?
the world around me

Your favourite books?
most 19th century literature. I'm currently re-reading 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell and for complete contrast, childrens annuals from 1950s-1970s.

Do you collect anything?
yes, this blog is testament to my collecting hobby (aka obsessions lol!)

Any advice that’s come from bitter experience?
can't think of any right now.

What makes you follow a blog?
interesting & inspiring blog content, great photos, personality of the blog writer...

if you'd like to take part in this meme then consider your tagged!

ugly fabric contest

I think this fabric is so awful that it deserves to be entered in the 'ugly fabric' contest over at Pattern Review. It's a lightweight, very crispy poly-cotton with the strangest colour and pattern combinations. I can't remember why or when I bought it. It must have been a while back as it was lurking at the very back of the hallway closet.

What would it suit? a vintage styled sunfrock? retro tunic? still undecided at the moment...

one lovely blog award

today I received my very first 'One Lovely Blog Award. Thanks so much to Jenni from mummydaughtertime for nominating me.

It looks like I have to nominate 5 more blogs... a very hard choice! these lovely blogs always interest and inspire me:

pink button flowers

another day in paradise

miss smith at home

sweetp knits

make it smirk

Cheers!

inside the cape

it's been almost a month since I started my cape project. It started well. The fabric was chosen (medium weight black wool), the lining decided (blood red satin), the fabric cut and then the sewing started. Part way into my cape journey, I had a change of mind about the lining. The red lining had me thinking of those retro pictures of matadors and raging bulls and so the sewing stopped and the 'lining' dilemma began.

The cape project had been at a standstill for almost 3 weeks. Then last night, I had the proverbial 'lightbulb' moment when I remembered some bold floral satin hiding at the very back of the stash. Nice to think of flowers peeking out from the inside of the cape. With the lining dilemma now resolved, I can get back to cape sewing once again...

brooches on show

today Miss 12 and I are off to see the 'CATS' show. I've been looking forward to going and then this morning I wake up with a nasty cold. Hope the cold tablets do their job so that I can enjoy the show.


as promised the vintage crystal brooch in action. I'm wearing it on the collar of my favourite winter coat to the 'CATS' show. In case you haven't guessed already, I wear a lot of black. It must be a carry over from my long gone corporate days.


my favourite brooch of a Degas dancer bought in Wellington at the Monet exhibition. I always get compliments when I wear it out.

groovy play dress & poncho progress

the groovy play dress has been a stop/start project which at last seems to be coming to an end. I was a little off when cutting the gingham for the bodice and didn't notice that the checks tended to curve slightly downwards until the bodice was sewn up. Usually I'd be unpicking and making a new bodice but as it's destined to be worn by a very busy, playing 2 year old, I've decided to leave it as it is. The pattern was drafted from Enid's 'Toddler Clothes' pattern book. I took quite a bit of fullness out of the skirt part of the dress. All that's left to do now is handsew the bodice lining and hem in place, make button holes (thank goodness for automatic buttonholes), sew buttons on and then sew on a pocket.


Meanwhile Miss 2's crochet poncho is making good progress. This was meant to be an 'in front of the telly' project in the evenings but sometimes it's hard to stop when the tv goes off. The colours look good together and I think Miss 2 will be very happy when it's finished and ready to wear.

my sewing machine

it's Sewing Machine month at Sew Mama Sew! and I'm participating by posting a review of my sewing machine...


What brand and model do you have?
Singer Rumina 3400

How long have you had it?
6 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
$1200 NZD (it was on sale at the time - down from RRP $1599.)

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
clothing (mostly childrenswear at the moment), doll clothing, toy making, home decorating, mending, occassional quilting

How much do you sew?
usually everyday.

How much wear and tear does the machine get?
Not much. I make sure to clean & service it regularly & as a result it's in very good condition for it's age.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I really like it. It runs well. I've never had a problem with it so far. No she doesn't have a name.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
3 styles of automatic buttonhole, automatic tension system, electronic speed control, 152 stitches, LCD screen for stitch selection, view screen for stitch width and length

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
No problems at all.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
No. I've always had success with the Singer brand.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Yes. It's an easy to use machine that can work for the beginner right through to the advanced sewer. The extra features help the sewer achieve a professional look and finish to any item made.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
Price, expectation & ability of the sewer, service agreement. Purchase a sewing machine from a specialist sewing machine store, especially a store that offers parts, upgrades, servicing and repairs.

Do you have a dream machine?
This is my dream machine!

nana chic brooch

to help set off all my nana chic moments is what I consider to be my 'must have' nana chic accessory... the 'sparkly' brooch, and as diamonds are way beyond my budget, a sparkly crystal vintage brooch will do just nicely.

giveaway winner

drawn from 131 comments is #56 fustian2 who said "What luck - I have a toddler :) Would love to win these patterns. May 29, 2009 1:52 AM".

Congratulations to the winner, I've sent you an email. Also a big thanks to everyone who took the time to post a comment. I read every single one and appreciate them all. It's been an enjoyable experience and I look forward to taking part in the next giveaway day.