1 more day ...

for MMM'13 and walking Roscoe this morning at 6am was quite eerie as the fog seemed a lot thicker this morning but had lifted by the time I took my photo.

Top: Kwik.Sew knit top in coffee/grey/cream previously worn on days 11 and 20.
Skirt: McCall's 7244 in grey wool flannel, previously worn on days 4 and 22.
Accessory: Purchased gold band choker with glass cream/brown/gold fleck disc and purchased earrings.
Tights: Black tights
Boots:  Nine West black boots

So tomorrow is the last day of MMM and a Friday so our theme for tomorrow is "red".

2 more days

for Me Made May, where has the month gone.

Sydney is having San Francisco type weather, thick fog yesterday and today and they are saying we still might see some for the remainder of the week.

I was running late for work this morning so I packed the camera and tripod and took this photo at work.  This is one of the amazing pieces of  pottery that is on the property.

Top: BWOF boat neck top in coffee mercury jersey, previously worn on day 10.
Skirt:  Self drafted skirt in brown suede/poly spandex fabric previously worn on days 7, 15 and 23.
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 in a mixture of knits, previously worn on days 8 and 25.
Accessory: Me made crocheted necklace and me made earrings.
Tights: Brown Tights
Boots:  Nine West brown boots.

SWAP 2013 - The Winners are

"Blue Ribbon: Dilliander's  Falling for Autumn.

2nd place: HawkeMorningstar's Rustic Forest Safari.

3rd place: Sewruth's Hepburn collection.

Congratulations!!!

We had a terrific group of collections this year, and everyone received at least one vote from someone.  Honorable mentions to Nancy, for her 2001's Linear Coordinates collection and Sharon for "Night and Day" as both nearly made it."

This is directly from the Stitcher's Guild announcement.

**************************

It was so hard to vote for 3 winners with such a diverse number of collections this year.

I was thrilled to receive an honorable mention alongside Nancy it was truly unexpected.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and vote it is a great competition and I do enjoy taking part in such a great community full of friendly camaraderie and creativity that keep us all going along the way.

Here is my Night and Day collection.

Monday & Tuesday

Yesterday went like a blink, we had meetings yesterday and by the time I got home I was shattered.

Dress: The Selfish Seamstress's Audrey Dress in brown linen (blogged here)
Jacket: Vogue 7975 in brown and blue tweed (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased pearl necklace, brooch and earrings.
Tights: Brown tights.
Boots:  Nine West brown boots.

This morning we woke up to fog,

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in chartreuse/navy/grey knit, previously worn on days 14 and 24

Skirt: Vogue 7937 in navy linen, previously worn on days 3 and 17
Vest: Jalie 3129 in navy linen, previously worn on day 26
Accessory: Purchased gold disk and earrings.
Tights: Black tights.
Boots:  Black Nine West boots.

It is a good thing I love linen, those crinkles are from putting on my boots and feeding Roscoe!!

Weekends

My weekends tend to be busy well as the weekdays.

Saturday

The 4th Saturday of the month is when I meet with another ASG group at Rhodes.

Maria and I both attend this group as well as a few other bloggers that Maria has highlighted in her post. It is a great day catching up with friends and getting some quality sewing time as well.

Thank you for the photo Maria!

Top: Simplicity 2603 top with sleeves added in brown mercury jersey (blogged here)
Skirt: Burda skirt 04/2009-101 in salt and pepper min cord (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 in mixture of knits, previously worn on day 8
Accessory: Me-made crocheted necklace and me-made earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Boots:  Sandler Sampson brown boots

Sunday

This next picture is of a tracksuit most people only get to see at 6am in the morning when we walk Roscoe because as soon as I get home it is time go get ready for work.

On Sunday's the alarm clock is switched off and we have a bit of a sleep in and slower morning routine and one of the chore is to hang out the washing:

Top:  McCalls 9080 (OOP) top in grey knit made pre blog but you can see it better here
Pants:  McCalls 9080 (OOP) pants in grey knit made pre blog.

Once the washing was hung out and breakfast had, I changed into,

Top:  Kwik.Sew 3740 top in brown/blue batik type knit, previously worn on day 17.
Jeans:  Jalie 2908 blue denim jeans, previously worn on day 24
Vest:  Jalie 3129 vest in blue linen (blogged here)
Accessory:  Purchased gold choker with ink navy disk, earrings and me-made handbag.
Boots:  Sandler Sampson brown boots

to go out to pick up some bit and pieces and then I had all intentions when I came home to get back into the sewing room to work on the pants.

However after lunch I sat down and started to do some beading, it was 4pm before I knew it, time to put the casserole in the oven for dinner!

Our Home Town

Today's photo challenge was "Your Home Town" and after seeing all of Gabrielle's wonderful photos of the streets of Sydney, I thought it would be fun to catch up with her today at Circular Quay to show Our Home Town together.

The Sydney Opera House
It was a bit windy!

Here is a closer look at my outfit

These are the tiles on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 knit top in chartreuse/navy/grey previously worn on day 14.
Jeans: Jalie 2908 jeans in navy denim (blogged here)
Vest:  Jane Slice-Smith Shona Vest in chartreuse merino wool, previously worn on day 19.
Jacket: Sewaholic Minoru Jacket in navy ripstop, previously draped over shoulder on day 14.
Accessory: Me-made necklace and purchased earrings.
Tights: Black tights
Boots:  Betts Marathon

Gabrielle has real eye for photography, look at these:

The weather did put on a show for us.

View back to the City Centre from the Sydney Opera House!

It was lovely catching up with Gabrielle today!

Cold and grey

is the forecast for today, so I decided I had better rug up a bit more than I have been.

Top: Vogue 8572 blouse in blue/brown/cream silk, previously worn on day 3
Skirt: Self drafted skirt in brown suede poly/spandex fabric, previously worn on days 7 and 15.
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 cardigan in brown mercury jersey, previously worn on days 18 and 21.
Accessory: Purchased gold necklace and earrings.
Tights:  Brown tights.
Shoes:  Diana Ferrari

Now to work out tomorrows location for my photo as the challenge is "your home town".

Oh it's cold outside!

By the time I left work this afternoon, I was wishing I had worn tights instead of hosiery as the temperature had dropped to 14 degrees at 5pm it was chilly.

Top: Butterick 3344 in a multi striped knit  (blogged here)
Skirt: McCalls's 7244 in grey wool flannel, previously worn on day 4
Accessory: Purchased gold band with ink navy pendant and earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Night Shade
Shoes/Boots:  Black Joan & David Callalily Pumps

Oh Roscoe!

Sorry pup but you aren't coming to work today, although he is trying his hardest to get my attention!

Top: Vogue 8815 lemon peplum blogged (here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in brown wool crepe view A (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown mercury jersey worn previously on day 18
Accessory: Me-made necklace and purchased earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial.
Shoes:  Charles & Keith brown pumps.

10 days left, so far no repeat outfits or RTW - wonder if I can last the challenge!

SWAP 2013 photos

have been revealed and you can find them here.  There are an amazing 18 SWAP's and it is going to be so hard to choose a 1st, 2nd and 3rd amongst them all.

The voting rules are up on Stitcher's Guild and if you are a current member you can vote for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners.  If you aren't a member don't let that stop you from having a look at the wonderful inspiration that the 18 SWAPs have to offer.

Now I have to work out who I'm going to vote for!

Work buddy

I mentioned the word "work" to Roscoe this morning once I got dressed and he knows that this means he is coming to the office with me for the day.

He wasn't going to be left home by any chance, sticking close by my side until he got in the car.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in coffee/grey/cream knit, worn previously on day 11
Trouser: Vogue 9537 in black wool previously worn on day 14
Accessory: Purchased pearl necklace and earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Night Shade
Shoes:  Black Joan & David Callalily Pumps

view from my chair!

and this is the best way to tire out a border collie when he isn't on a farm, take him to work to greet everyone, follow them around  (especially if they have food) and generally watches out for the pussy cats that wander through the yard!

Sharon's Night and Day Collection

I have now officially entered the Artisans Square SWAP competition for 2013.

From the 345 photos I took of the various garment combinations I had to reduce this to a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12.

Before I went to dinner on Saturday night I had emailed 12 photos, together with a brief description for each photo as well as a short paragraph describing how each collection worked to AnnR.

Here is a sneak peak at the final 11 garments in one place, more detailed photos were emailed to AnnR for the SWAP voting page.

Vogue 8572 brown lace top
Self Draft skirt brown suede
Simplicity 2603 brown mercury jersey cardigan

Kwik.Sew 3740 Bronze sequins
Vogue 7937 black wool skirt

Kwik.Sew 3740 glittery jersey knit
Vogue 7937 black wool skirt

Vogue 8815 yellow peplum
Vogue 1247 brown denim skirt

Sewaholic Alma Tangerine blouse
Jalie 2908 brown denim jeans 

Vogue 8572 orange linen top
Vogue 1247 brown denim skirt
Simplicity 2603 brown mercury jersey cardigan

For more details on any of these items if you click on the SWAP 2013 label it will display all the posts that has had anything to do with the creation of my collection.

There are going to be some amazing SWAP's this year and I will let you know when voting commences.

19 May

and it's my Birthday.

I have received some lovely phone calls, cards, gifts and I'm off to dinner again with more friends.

Whilst out doing the shopping and calling into the bead shop for some supplies, I wore

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 in a coffee mercury jersey, worn previously on Day 10
Jeans: Vogue 9537 changed to a jeans fit in black denim (blogged here)
Vest: Shona Vest knitted in chartreuse merino wool (blogged here)
Accessory: Me-made necklace and purchased earrings.
Tights: Black tights.
Boots:  Betts Marathon.

Then to go to dinner:

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 using bronze sequins (blogged here)
Jeans: Vogue 9537 changed to a jeans fit in black denim (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown merino wool (blogged here)
Accessory: Me-made necklace and me-made earrings.
Tights: Black tights.
Boots:  Nine West black boots.

and it is back to work tomorrow :(

Bronze Sequins!

This was one of the last garments I completed for SWAP and sorry it has taken a while to show you more details.

I used Kwik.Sew 3740 as this pattern is a great knit TNT for me.  I found the bronze sequins at Spotlight in July last year and just had to have it as I hadn't seen that colour before.

It wasn't until SWAP was announced that I realised this fabric would be perfect for a little evening top.

I checked my copy of  More Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina and it was suggested I use a Size 14 Jeans needle and a stitch length of 3 which worked out great even on the knit.  I cut the fabric out with my older Sierra Sharp scissors.  Now this fabric is very scratchy on the wrong side so I purchased some dark brown jersey lining from The Remnant Warehouse.

I stabilised the neckline and armholes on the jersey as I couldn't fuse on the sequins and then constructed the sequin top and jersey lining separately and joined them together at the neckline, understitching the neckline for added stability and of course to keep the lining on the inside.

For the armholes and hem I turned under a 1.5cm hem allowance and then used a herringbone stitch to attach the sequin hem and then a slip stitch to hand stitch the lining to the hem allowances, I didn't think I would be doing so much handstitching on a knit garment.

and here it is on

I am really happy how this top has turned out.

******************

Stash Out:  12.35m

Stash In:  0

Saturday wanderings!

This morning Velosewer and I headed into the city early to take some photos and to find the bird cages that Up Sew Late had shown earlier this month.

We found them, unfortunately the delivery trucks were still around but now I know where to head back one day soon with DH.

Top: Sewaholic Alma blouse in tangerine woven poly worn on Day 4
Jeans: Jalie 2908 Jeans in brown denim (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown mercury jersey.
Accessory: Me-made necklace and me-made earrings.
Tights: Brown tights.
Boots:  Brown Sandler Sampson's

I am wearing my new cardigan I made for SWAP and there are two differences from this one, the sleeves are longer and I have worked out how to enclose the back neckline!

Old cardi neckline

new enclosed neckline!

The SWAP photos are on their way so I'm heading out to dinner to start the birthday weekend celebrations as my actual birthday is tomorrow!

Work days

The days are definitely getting cooler but during the day in the sunshine it is just gorgeous.

Thursday - Day 16

Top: Marfy blouse in lemon polyester with a self pattern through it (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in navy linen, worn on Day 3.
Accessory: Me-made earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes:  Tahari Melanie shoes.

Friday - Day 17

Top: Kwik Sew 3470 in brown/blue batik type knit (blogged here)
Skirt: BWOF 04-2009-101 in brown corduroy (blogged here)
Accessory: Me-made necklace and me-made earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes:  Betts Camel Flats.

Today's photo challenge was "Hats" and I couldn't get this one to work.

It is the end of the working week, and I've still got SWAP photos to take and lodge before I go to bed tomorrow night!!

Half way there!

It is hard to believe that we are halfway through the month of May, where has the time gone.

Top: Burda 02-2009-108 boatneck in brown/navy/green  knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted skirt in a brown suede like poly/spandex worn on Day 7.
Accessory: Purchased pearl necklace and earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes:  Brown Joan & David Callalily Pumps

Chilly weather

Wow the temperature has dropped, and it is trying to rain, but I think this is forecast to clear.  Seeing I am heading out tonight after work I thought I had better be prepared for the cooler evening temperatures as well.

Top: Kwik Sew 3740 with the neckline raised in chartreuse/navy/grey knit (blogged here)
Trouser: Vogue 9537 in black wool (blogged here)
Jacket: Sewaholic Minoru in navy ripstop (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made Byzantine necklace with green pearls (blogged here) and purchased earrings
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Night Shade
Shoes:  Black Joan & David Callalily Pumps

Now these are not the pants I have been working on, they are still under construction.

Some of you are having problems viewing my photos, not sure what is going on as it doesn't seem to be consistently across the board.

Back to work Monday

Today started off a bit chilly but the forecast was for another glorious 24 degrees so I decided I needed a bit of brightness to start the week.

Top: Vogue 8572 in a chartreuse crinkle fabric (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in black wool, worn on Day 2.
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Night Shade
Shoes:  Black Joan & David Callalily Pumps

Have you seen that the ASG Industry Day Booking Form for the day at Simplicity patterns in now up on the ASG Website.

I missed it in the Newsletter (I have downloaded it but haven't had a chance to read it yet) but thankfully did see it on the ASG blog.

Photographic Sunday

SWAP officially finished on Friday 10 May and now the fun and games of getting the photos taken and submitted by 18 May of our various garments in their respective collection has begun.

Even though we woke to an unusual fog this morning, it soon cleared to a gorgeous sunny day, no hint of the cool weather at all, so I spent the morning in and out of the house, changing garments, accessories and trying to find ways to keep myself amused and out of DH's and Roscoe's way

Then it was time to head off to Surry Hills to meet up with DH's family for a Mother's Day lunch for his Sister which was very enjoyable.

What happened to the cold weather!

Top: Vogue 8572 in self patterned orange linen worn on Day 1 (I do love this top)
Skirt: Vogue 1247 Rachel Comey skirt in brown denim worn on Day 4 (yes I love this skirt as well)
Accessory: Purchased Gold disc on black cord and hoop earrings.
Shoes:  Orange Naturalizer Sandals

I've still got SWAP photos to take so keep your fingers crossed for clear weather!

Out and about

Thank goodness for weekends, today it gave me time to get my eyes tested and then to visit Sandra one of my sewing buddies to do more work on our trouser/pant fitting.

Top: Kwik Sew 3740 in a coffee/cream/grey knit (blogged here)
Trouser: Simplicity 3640 track suit pants pattern changed to cargo pants in blue stretch woven (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased gold band choker and ink navy disk and purchased hoop earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes:  Betts Camel Flats

Hope you had a lovely Saturday!

My Sewing/Creative Space

Today's challenge is our sewing/creative space and it will be interesting to see where everyone does their creative work.

I am very lucky that I have a dedicated sewing room and try and have some time in there every morning before I head off to work as when I get home I'm too busy to get here.

Luckily my bedroom is just next door and the clock radio switches off just at the time I need to head off to work, so I can play in my sewing room until the music stops and then I have been very very good in switching everything off and heading to work.

So today I managed to cut out the front pieces for another muslin for the trouser/pant fitting, I am slowly getting there!

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 in coffee mercury jersey (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted skirt in a brown/coffee/coral linen (blogged here)
Accessory: Me-made crocheted necklace and me-made earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial.
Shoes:  Betts camel flat shoes.


If you would like to see more photos of my sewing space they are here

Have a great weekend.

A beatufil sunny day

and I decided it was time to bring out my Shirtmaker.

Dress: McCall's 5344 in orange linen (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown merino jersey worn on Day 3 slung over the shoulder.
Accessory: Purchased necklace and scarf and me-made earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons/Tights:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes/Boots:  Brown Joan & David Callalily Pumps

This is the first time I have worn my scarf with the shirtmaker during the Me Made Months which surprised me but then that is why I like to do this challenge as I think about what I am going to wear a bit more than just wearing the same combinations.

Navy and brown!

Again layers are the go, and I really love how this cardigan works for all areas of my life.

Dress: Simplicity 2648 in navy linen with pickstitching (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 using a mixture of knit fabrics (blogged here)
Accessory: Me-made crocheted necklace and me-made earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes:  Brown Joan & David Callalily Pumps

Now who would like to meet up for Me Made May, you don't have to be part of the challenge, just wear something you made.  How does Saturday 18 May suit everyone and then we can work out where to meet and if we want to visit a couple of fabric shops!

And just in case you haven't seen this announcement, Kristy has just posted about the next Sydney Sewers Social soiree High tea and high fashion at the American Club on 23 June, can't wait.

A little less animal

It is getting cooler now and that means you will see this cardigan a bit more yet. 

Top: Vogue 8572 in rust polyester/rayon blend (blogged here)
Skirt: Self Drafted in brown suede like poly spandex (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 in an animal sweater knit which you saw on Day 2
Accessory: Purchased pearl necklace and earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes/Boots:  Brown Joan & David Callalily Pumps

A new week

and a new colour combination.

Looking in my wardrobe this morning I decided to wear this top and then only had 2 skirts to choose from, brown or grey and realised that I have never worn this colour combination before.

Top: Vogue 8572 in lemon polyester/rayon blend (blogged here)
Skirt: McCalls 7244 in grey wool flannel, made pre blog.
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Night Shade
Shoes/Boots:  Black Joan & David Callalily Pumps
Photobomb:  Roscoe the superdog!

Sunday chores

This morning saw me dressed in my old RTW to weed the garden and then I got changed to go grocery shopping and this is on my arrival home.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in white/toffee/red/brown knit (blogged here)
Jeans: Jalie 2908 white denim jeans  (blogged here)
Accessory:  Purchased gold band choker with a burgundy tear drop and purchased earrings.
Shoes:  Betts camel flats.

Then I spent the afternoon in my sewing room, mainly dressed like this:

Still working on the joys of working on trouser fitting!!

First Saturday of the month

and this means sewing with my buddies at The Remnant Warehouse at Alexandria as part of the Australian Sewing Guild.

Here I am at the front of the store, you can see the Patchwork sign on the window but they have the most gorgeous range of fabrics inside for all tastes.

Top: Sewaholic Alma Blouse in tangerine fabric (blogged here)
Skirt: Rachel Comey Skirt Vogue 1247 in brown denim (blogged here)
Accessory: Me-made crocheted necklace (blogged here) and me-made earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes/Boots:  Wittner Tan Leather Kittens

Sewing was done and I will share soon.

Friday = Photo Challenge

Just like previous Me-Made months, every Friday during the month there is a challenge and this Friday it is water.

The challenges for the remainder of the Friday's are still being discussed, and I just hope one of them isn't one of the suggestion of "upside down"!

The basis of the challenges is to bring some fun to sometimes a very monotonous daily routine of taking our photos.

The dirty water behind me is the river at the end of my street, not that glamorous but looks impressive after a lot of rain!

Top: Vogue 8572 in a blue/brown/cream silk (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in navy linen (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown mercury jersey (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Celestial
Shoes:  Navy Circa Joan & David Luxe
 

There is a chill in the air

for the 2nd day of May, so this is my outfit for today.

Top: Jalie 2566 in an animal print sweater knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in black wool (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 in the same animal print sweater knit (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased pearl necklace and earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons:Voodoo Night Shade
Shoes:  Black Joan & David Callalily Pumps

The handbag I showed you yesterday is my everyday handbag so it gets worn every day

Oh goody, I have time to pop back into my sewing room for 10 minutes before I have to leave for work - perfect!

Here we go, Me Made May

and there are 265 people who have committed to participating this time around, that is a record number and it will be so interesting to see them all proudly wearing their Me-Made creations.

Today was such a glorious autumn day and here I am ready to head out the door to work.

Top: Vogue 8572 in orange self patterned linen (blogged here)
Skirt:  Vogue 7937 in dark brown wool crepe pre-blog.
Accessory:  Me-made leather handbag (blogged here), me-made necklace and purchased earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons: Voodoo Celestial
Shoes:  Joan & David Callalily Pumps.