My Gorgeous Pattern & Notions Swap!

I haven't had much time in my sewing/blogging career to do a sewing swap, and there are always lots going on here... but as The Sew Weekly Reunion has stirred a lot of passion around online, so I was keen to be involved in the swap that Kat set up!

For my side of the swap, I was assigned Toni from Sew Let It Be Done who lives in Salt Lake City in the USA and I had a big hunt through my patterns & (not many notions) for some special things... I found my handmade bias tape & included a little teenage vintage pattern for her daughter and Toni is over the moon happy with the stash! YAY I was nervous!

And in my postbox, I found this DARLING collection from Denise at Dottie Doodle that made me smile all over... perfect patterns, and perfectly coloured notions! Check out those big buttons! ARGH:

Thank you SO much Denise, you are a total sweetheart! She mentioned the blue braid is original 50s/60s as she bought it from a vintage fair, directly from the original owner! Amazing.

As I haven't started my Sew Weekly Reunion creation yet (but have ummed and ahhed about ideas) I'm thinking I'll switch to use that Style 3109 pattern instead... as I like the waistline... I'll see how I go this week, as there's not much time left! ARGH!

Thank you Denise & thank you Kat for organising! And Thanks Toni for all your swap love. How great are swaps? Why haven't I done one sooner?!

Love to you! (It's been a busy time for us, birthdays - MINE - and family stuff and just crazy house stuff and more... I'll try and fill you in, but we'll see!)

xoxo

The Sew Weekly Reunion 2013

YIPPEE!

We're getting nostalgic around here, as along with my sewing friends Adey, Sarah & Debi - we are excited to announce The Sew Weekly Reunion of 2013!

If you're new to the sewing blogging world, or like hearing about recaps, The Sew Weekly was Mena's  wonderful creation that brought together lots of sewing fans & creators from around the world. Mena sewed for 52 weeks in 2010 to establish the Sewing Weekly vibe, and invited us four contributors to join her in 2011! Together we set themes, fabric ideas and garment choices and sewed up a storm! It was so much fun and a lot of hard work! Last year over 100 contributors joined The Sew Weekly and now we're hosting The Sew Weekly Reunion for 2013!

And you can sew with us! If you like sewing! If you don't like it as much, you'll be seeings lots of blog chatter about it and I'm sure enjoying the creations and fash! There's a button:

YAY for buttons!

I loved sewing each week, even though it was hectic, and you can browse through my creations here on Mena's blog or here on my blog! When I tell people IRL what I did for 2011, they are like WHUT!? They can't believe it! I'm sure if you contributed to the 2012 you'll know people's reactions well!

So I can't remember what's going to happen now!? Um, I think you should register your interest via the new The Sew Weekly Reunion page! And then wait to hear more cool things! (Can you tell I'm excited but not doing any of the organising thanks to Mama Lyf?!) (P.S Thanks Adey & Debi for being legends!)

Here's a few of my all time fave Sew Weekly posts, just to get you in the mood!

Oh boy, I made a lot of things!

xoxo

Travel Diary: Miss Crayola Creepy!

YAY! When we were roadtripping down to San Diego, I met fellow seamstress and the very gorgeous Miss Crayola Creepy! She lives close by to where we stayed at the amazingly decorated, crazily kitsch (every room is a different theme!) Madonna Inn! 

I haven't met that many blogger sewing passionistas in my blogging career (LOL) so it was very exciting to see Erin and especially since I'm halfway round the world. I wore my jumpsuit from the Pin Up week at Sew Weekly 2011, and Erin wore her selfmade pink dress to match the pinkness of the surrounds!

Check out some of the scenery! I especially loved all these crazy big flowers and colours:

So much pink and orange! We had such a lovely little afternoon!

Thanks Erin for coming to meet the little Darling Family, you are absolutely gorgeous! We'll be back again, I'm sure! We love California! xoxo

Romance at Seaspray!

Last year Husbie and I spent an amazing day with this happy couple, on their wedding day. We've dabbled a lot in wedding photography over the years, and Zoe & Rodney's is still a highlight, mainly because they're our dear friends of friends (and now our dear friends!)... and it's heartwarming seeing your friends have so much love and happiness together.

I just noticed that Zoe's written all about her gorgeous day (with LOTS more of our photos - mostly Husbie's but a few of my foodie & decoration shots - my speciality!) via Polka Dot Weddings and if you're on the lookout for some ideas for your big day, Zoe has LOTS of great stories on how she came up with the location, the food, the music!

Now that Husbie's freelance colour business is a little bit busy, we can't really fit in any more weddings (although I'd be more than happy to come as a guest to wedding in the future, right?!) so it's a bit of an end of an era!

xoxo

Baby Sleeping Bag

Last week, I caught a little 'Me-Time' in the Sewing Room before the newborn arrives in the real world. And with some cotton towelling from Spotlight, I made a Sleeping Bag with a little Hoodie! 

My Mama gave me the bias tape last year, and the mismatched buttons are from the stash, and I only included them because Max in Where the Wild Things Are has them on his jumpsuit... The ears were just really improvised pieces that I turned inside out, and stitched on, and then hand stitched so they'd stay up if one was to wear the hoodie... And one doesn't even know if one's child will wear this (what we think is adorable is often not comfy for the kidlets, right?)! But it's just so lovely anyways!

Being on maternity leave has left me as a Lady of Leisure, but a lady who can't go too far from the bathroom, or too far from a nice siesta spot ... so my daytime activities are small, close to home and often car trips. (For example, I changed my shopping schedule yesterday to visit a real life annoying shopping mall/centre because there were lovely bathrooms. And yes, I was there for 2 hours and visited the bathroom 4 times).

ANYWAYS, so much pregnancy goss and sidetracking! I was in our lovely west village for a massage and enjoyed a lovely late morning brunch with Nikkishell the other week! And she passed on so many lovely goodies, these baby sewing patterns above being the ones I Frankenstein-ed together for the Sleeping Bag. It's absolutely massive, not a 3 month old size (like it suggests) and I'm not sure if that's the pattern or the material I chose?!

Thanks Nichola! My offspring sewing is only just beginning... not sure if I'll make anything else (oh boy am I rolypoly today - BIG but no baby yet) before the birth... but we'll see.

Have a great weekend and thanks again for your thoughts and comments this week! Maybe we'll have news within the next week or so?!

xoxo

Sew Weekly: Nursing the Wild Side

While I was doing a bit of this on the couch for most of this week, I also pottered my way into the Sewing Room. WTF, I KNOW! As you've probably noticed, I'm not really in the creating mood this year, I've been tired, busy and doing the grown up thing of actually slowing things down while I grow a real life human child. A VERY different pace of life for me this year. And how great do I feel (beside the heart burn, weird pelvic tingles and puffy feet) for it? GREAT!

But with a little nudge from some online friends, I also got a little inspired to take my time and make a few things this week. The first, this WILD dress which only came about because the lovely Megan Nielson sent me the BEST maternity pattern... the Perfect Nursing & Maternity Top and I turned it into a little/large dress for to wear now and after birth.

The Sew Weekly theme this week was about being inspired by literature, and Husbie and I have been feeling a little in love with children's books at the moment. My work sent me a great collection of darling children's books to start our library for the new addition, and we've always had a really beautiful hardcover edition of 'Where The Wild Things Are'... it might have been a subconscious inspiration to our new kitchen wallpaper as well...

Anyways, so great inspiration from Megan's pattern, some fun and totally cheap fabric from Spotlight and a fun Sew Weekly challenge brought about the dress and this hilarious photo shoot in the kitchen. All my Sew Weekly details are up on Mena's blog and this week I'll post the little Max costume I made as well, thanks to darling Nikkishell's baby patterns!

I do LOVE Meg's nursing pattern, it was really so easy to make up and I can imagine I'll be making it again once I work the whole breastfeeding thing out. I've been wearing clippy bras through my pregnancy, as I can't stand underwire or anything tight (I ripped off some tights this morning that were just way too clingy) so I just hope they're big enough to accommodate a milk filled boob as well, who the hell knows!

Anyways, today the neighbours decided the bump shape was definitely a boy shape, and I know some of you have had your pick too... I wonder what he or she will be like! Now that the Little Darling is 38 weeks old in utero, birth could happen anytime. The midwives again say it's head down, fixed now, and its little back is along the front of me... so perfect birthing possie. At the most recent heart beat monitoring, the midwife told me the myth was that at full term if the heart beat is a certain number it means a boy and if it's another it means a girl. My little fetus was still being a trickster, and gave us a heartbeat reading of first a boy, then a girl, then a boy. I love not knowing, it's so funny thinking of who they'll be and so amazing knowing they'll be in our lives and we'll love them no matter what. SO MUCH love and gush in our house at the moment!

Have a gorgeous weekend and I'll hopefully see you here soon! xoxo

Shellac!

The lovely Louise commented on my nails the other day... and if you haven't seen her blog, you should! She's a total darling, and posts some amazing vintage collections and not enough photos of herself (she's a cutie)... but the NAILS.

I've had shellac twice, once at the start of the year in Sydney - a gorgeous red and this round of orange red was from the beauty salon in Sparta Place in Brunswick... it's my fave area of Brunswick because when I was on holidays I visited my hairdressers (Corrin's - a babe), then visited OK OK, my fave shop and then I went to the beauty salon to get the shellac... she had 4 reds to choose and I went for this orange red....

I am NO expert on shellac, how it's done or what it does. I've heard the UV light is damaging (it helps it set) but both times I've stuck my nails into the thing, it's not been for long and my nails have been fine afterwards.

But, as a pregnant babe... everything is growing really fast... so whilst the shellac lasts well for 2 weeks my nails already started growing out compared to at the start of the year the shellac lasted perfect for 3 weeks (with only a little bit of growth) ... anyways!

NAIL POLISH REVIEW. OMG, I don't even have a search tag to match this post... I'll chose friends because Louise is a bloggie friend.. oh and there's a review tag I've used before... I'll use that too. There's no way I've got mental space to make this a beauty blog! BUT, if you are keen on beauty products and info (especially in Melbourne) on beauty stuff, Esme & the Laneway is gorgeous and Lady Melbourne pops up with several beauty reviews as well...

Thanks again for all your lovely comments, I'm loving blogging at the moment... now I just need a little motivation to sew some baby and pregz fash stuff! I'm fast running out of clothing AGAIN that fits me and the bump... we'll see how I get around it.

xoxo

OK OK, the best tights ever!

OMG, here's what I look like at 30 weeks pregz!

Last weekend we had a mini break to Sydney, to see some lovely friends, but also to get outta the house as Husbie has been working so much since he got quitted from his day job and has become a freelance movie guy. (He's a film colourist, in the real world)

I'm so proud of him that his work has taken off, he's in demand and we're saving money (for let's face it, we have a deadline coming up that could majorly change our financial situation)... but when you're working for yourself, there's so much more to think about! The poor darling has hardly time to invoice, so voila! I employed myself as his bookkeeper and am learning online software so our accountant doesn't go ballistic at us! "BORING!" you're yelling at me, right? I'm such a nerd about some things... I love being the bookkeeper.

ANYWAYS, Husbie finally took some time out so we could have a little holiday AND he took some photos of me in Newtown, wearing my darling darling darling friend Emina's orange bamboo tights.

Yep, she makes the best tights (and these ones are on special at the moment!) and sells them at her darling darling darling store OK OK in Sparta Place, off Sydney Road in Brunswick. I also bought some woolie ones, some ribbed ones, and some ... brown/tan ones that look great with floral stuff... so if you're stuck for original looking tights this winter, Emina has a pair for you. When I was in last week, she was having a clearance sale on clothing, but if you check up with her Facebook updates, you'll see what's going down as she always has great stuff going down.

OK OK blog

OK OK website

OK OK on Facebook!

But you know I've blogged about Emina at OK OK before, especially because she stocks the best range of .... MELISSA SHOES. I'm wearing my brogues Melissa's here in the photo too! The dress is a Country Road (wait for it) dress I found at the op shop, that appears to be a normal batwing dress, but is PERFECT for my roundness and shortness... I am wearing a cowl scarf with it (a scoop loop cowl of course!) and I was surprised for in Sydney (during the day) ... one does not need a jacket! OMG!

xoxo

Sew Along: The Sew Cinematic

I've been soooooooooooooooo slow to get back to blogging... loads has happened and I'll fill you in with everything as soon as I can! It's actually taken me almost 2 weeks to write up this post, and I feel like I've bottled up my excitement about the Sew Along!

Sarah at Rhinestones & Telephones inspired us all to join up and sew along a special handcrafted wardrobe based on wonderful garments on the silver screen! It's called 'That's Sew Cinematic' and you can read all about it via Sarah's gorgeous post (with a button for you!) and get involved as well!

So I wanted to show you what I *have* been doing with my very very very little spare time! PINTERESTING THINGS!

My inspiration, as you may have noticed, is Grace Kelly and her simple yet fetching attire!

My 'The Sew Cinematic' inspiration pinboard via Pinterest! I'm collecting up all my favourite images of Grace Kelly and finding some great themes!

- Simple
- Block Colours
- Very small details
- Edith Head creations (thanks the Rear Window research I did last year!)

Quite interesting themes, and as I'm big on patterns and florals, this could be a bit subdued for my style, bit I REALLY wanna sew a LBD like that V-Neck one in Rear Window, and would love to get a few dog walking outfits like Grace as well!

Over the next week I'll plan out what patterns I have, what fabric I have, and what garments I'll sew up for the Sew Along! If you're joining in, what are you going to do!?

Sorry again that it's been too long, miss you and I'll be back soon!

xoxo

A Sydney Wedding

In Sydney, we also went to our friends' wedding. It was really beautiful and unique! Husbie and I got married in Sydney, on the Harbour on a Boat, so it's a special place always for us. Surprisingly, I didn't take many photos, as I was enjoying being with lovely friends, meeting nice people and hanging out. Even though you can see Husbie above waiting for the bridal couple to arrive, he only took a few photos as well, he wasn't working as *the* official photographer on the day.

Our present to the couple will be several portrait photographs, and also a few bride portraits from the day before, which included a Mehndi Ceremony where all the women gather like a Hen's with an Indian tradition, as the groom has an Indian background. It was such a great cross cultural wedding as well, with Irish and Pagan influences as well.

Sydney has been so humid, but not really the perfect summer with loads of rain and clouds. Luckily for their wedding day the sun came out for the ceremony and then when we were safely on the ferry again, heading to the reception it cooled off with the clouds.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend! After a music festival yesterday, I'm relaxing at home today. Can't wait to just hang out!

Inland for New Years

Husbie and I had a mini break in Central Victoria, for a darling friend's 40th over the New Years Weekend. It was crispy dry, and very hot, and even though I'm not a huge beachy person, I felt very inland and land locked. We swam in a dam. My Husbie (in a former life he was a NZ-er) said "How Australian is this, swimming in a damn?"

Yes, it's very Australian.

I finally photographed something very special! Can't wait to show you my crochet blanket (and another post with Doggie Darling - bless) this week! Yes, so what it if took ALL year to crochet, I was Sewing Weekly all year after all, my dear.

Sew Weekly: Fin for 2011

Hooray! A whole year of 'Sewing Weekly'!

I borrowed the image above from Mena's post on the Sew Weekly for it's us four Sew Weekly 2011 contributors, Adey, Debi, Sarah and myself... but I love that Mena chose her favourite outfits made by us during the year when she grouped the photo of us together. I love it!

What a wonderful year of sewing. And a big PHEW as well. I have one more dress to show you from my year, but since we were in the country when we took the photos, I think they're on my laptop and not my desk computer. DRAMZ!

My first garment for 2012? A shirt for Husbie! He needs one!

What are you planning for 2012? xoxo

Introducing: My Husbie's New Website

Hey cuties, happy Monday!

Today I'm very excited to let you know about my Husbie's new adventure! As you know, we've gone through a lot of changes in the past few months. Our dear Doggie Darling passed away, we bought a house in Melbourne, I holiday-ed in Cambodia. We renovated parts of the new house, and then finally moved in. And all on a very tight budget, because... my Husbie was unfortunately on the bad side of a restructure at his work. There have been a few nail-biting moments for us, but (as always) we're Positina Turners in my family and have turned this into a career opportunity for him...

And so, I'd love to introduce you to my Husbie & his brand new website! Vincent (AKA Husbie) Taylor is a film colourist, cinematographer and stills photographer, and will be freelancing his mad skills from January next year!

The site has it's own domain: vincenttaylor.com.au but directs to a blogspot for now (using the new template 'Snapshot' which suits the photo heavy nature of his work, I reckon) and I learnt how to compress video (thanks to my animation friend!) for Vimeo, so there are lots of his showreels and short films up there. He's very keen on twitter, but not so keen on blogging (maybe I'm bad inspiration!) so the blog template above makes it look more like a website.

Husbie has worked in the Australian & New Zealand film industry for 15 years or so, firstly as a cinematographer and then as a film colourist. A colourist does a bunch of post film production detail that you probably don't even notice while watching tv or a film, and if you don't notice it, the better job the colourist has done! You already know Husbie can take great photos, as most of my photos this year (the good ones!) are his, but he also has another website devoted to his photography.

My role, as I hinted at earlier, in Husbie's new career move is to balance the books and generally be awesome & supportive - easy! I've decided that since I'm a producer at work in my radio job, I can totally adapt and be a producer in the new freelance business as well! Husbie's already got 2 weddings booked for next year, and I'll also lend a hand with my trusty little stills camera to be his assistant! If you're on the look out for wedding photography, or any photography, get in touch!

It's going to be a busy 2012 for us, and it hasn't even begun!

Thanks for all your lovely notes over the past crazy few months... I really appreciate your support and love and gush! If you wanna get in touch, (maybe you find the blogger comment form annoying & sometimes not working?) always feel free to send me an email veronicadarling@gmail.com or tweet me @veronicadarling .

xoxo

Q & A: From November

Until Blogger creates a better way to respond/reply to your comments (and considering the mobile app was just invented, perhaps that's the next step - *fingers crossed*), I thought Q&A weekly might be a good way to get back to you! Today, my lovely blog post is full of growth and loveliness, from my iphone! And our first tomato from the new tomato patch:

Hey @Miss Crayloa Creepy - We had a greek salad and veggie sausages/hot dogs from the BBQ for our al fresco dining! We discovered a vegetarian and vegan shop in our neighbourhood and it has loads of soy products that are totally delish!

@Amanda - Awards Nights yes, you guessed it and know me too well! And YAY, it all went live to air no probs (I stage managed the broadcast!). Also - my new tablecloth is actually plastic coated, so I can't even imagine sewing it up! Might be a bit too Lady Gaga for me!

@House of Pinheiro - Now blogger should just allow replying to comments and it'd be perfect! I'll have to update my iPad too! Thanks for so many of your lovely comments, you're such a babe!

and back to the house/renovating Q&A:

@Danielle from Seddon - CONGRATULATIONS. I love the west, and if I'd found a cheap enough house in Seddon, I'd have stayed put. We're in West Footscray but I hope to see you around sometime at the Seddon Wine Store perhaps!? All the best 'til settlement!

@Nikkishell - after you posted some of your outdoor/undercover shots, I reckon our backyard area is similar to yours too! Must be the Inner West and it's keeping in the same era! Hugz for westies!!!

Happy Friday sunshine!