California Here I Come

Yep, in just a few hours, that's where I'll be heading.

MONT and I are heading to the US tomorrow morning and part of that trip includes a very nice stay in New York City.

The Big Apple

Vancouver, Boston and Washington are also on the itinerary, so what that means is I'll be away from blogging for a couple of weeks, three to be exact, so wish me well over there. It's certainly going to be terrific!

We've been planning this trip for almost five years and I can't wait to get on that plane!

Stay safe and happy everyone! See you in a few weeks....

Jimmy Buttons

Hi all.....well after telling you about my "Frightie" the other day, you know the frock that takes you from day to night and beyond...I got a couple of emails and a comment wanting to know more about the place where I bought the trim to go on it.

It's Jimmy Buttons and it's a fantastic treasure trove for sewers.

I called in there again today to pick up a couple of things because I'd had no luck at another large, well known fabric store....and yes they had exactly what I was after.

I asked if I could take a few photo's to show you how it's all set out, but unfortunately they said no, only because they have fierce competitors who also want to know what they have hidden inside.

So....if you're a sewer I suggest you do yourself a favour and head down to Jimmy Buttons at 375 George Street Fitzroy and check out their laces, braids, chains, ribbons, elastics, buttons and everything else hidden inside....oh and they do professional covered buttons as well!

I promise you will not be disappointed.

375 George Street is just around the corner from Johnson Street. It's a little, nondescript brick building that contains all that your heart desires...and they're reasonably priced too.

24/7 Fashion

It's funny when you make a dress that can take you from one day to the next and still not look out of place.

Yes, it's the frock/nightie

That's why I had to find a "trim" to put around the neck to make it look more daywear than nightwear. I just need to sew it on this afternoon to finish it off.

It's the same dress pattern as the silvery linen one I showed you yesterday. It's Vogue 8655 which I think is still only available to purchase via the McCall website. We're a season or two behind here you see. Well worth a visit though, especially when they have a sale on and you can pick up a Vogue for a couple of dollars.

Anyway, the fabric was from my very own stash in the cupboard. I don't know how long it's been sitting in there waiting to be used but I'm glad I was able to find it.

The trim is from "Jimmy Buttons" in George Street Fitzroy. It's a fabulous treasure trove where you'll find all the buttons and trims you could ever imagine...

More on Jimmy Buttons another time though. It's such a great place with very helpful owners/staff, that it really deserves it's own special post. I'll have to ask them if they'll let me take a few photos to show you just how wonderful it is...oh and did I mention it's also pretty darn CHEAP? Be still my heart

So, sew!

Hello me lovelies...how's it going?

Did you have a wonderful Easter? I sure did. I spent most of the four day break SEWING! It was absolutely wonderful and I got heaps done.

A few days before Easter I paid a little visit to Rathdowne Remnants in Brunswick. I mentioned it here in an earlier post...anyway while I was there wandering around, I spied this beauty.

It's a natural linen with a silver metallic thread woven through it...Beautiful!

...and the pattern? I bought it online and I have to admit, it is one of the simplest dresses I have ever made.

Here's the (almost) finished product. It needs the hem done and desperately needs an iron, but will look fab once it's completed. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out... so pleased in fact that I made a white version...I'll show you that tomorrow.

By the way, thank you for all your lovely comments regarding my award and the uh umm "seven interesting things about me"...yeah well, not sure about them being interesting or not, but hey, it's a way of us all getting to know each other a little better right?

How nice!

Oh my!

Lee over here is a new visitor to Number 10, and contacted me at the weekend to tell me he'd given me an award.

Thanks Lee.....that's really sweet of you.

As part of accepting this award, I have to divulge 7 interesting things about myself.

Hmmmm, not sure how interesting they're going to be, but I'll give it a go.

1. I didn't get married until I was in my 40's.
2. I never get enough sleep.
3. I once owned 5 cats...all at the same time
4. My grandfather was a bare knuckles boxer in his early days.
5. Apart from my regular job, I do part time work for a company in New York.
6. I have a "thing" for shoes, fabric and dress patterns
7. I often sing at the top of my lungs when I'm home alone

I'm also going to nominate 7 lovely bloggers who brighten my day...but I'll do that a little later. It's back to work for me right now.

Have a good one.

Need Hair? Yeah Yeah !

Over the past few weeks we've been having the pleasure of this little guy's company. He flits in and out and has been very elusive.

He really has a face that only a mother could love.

Need a closer look?

Cute huh?

I've been trying, unsuccessfully, to take a good photo of him. I got one of him flying away and another having a quiet moment in the back garden... but none were in focus...and I didn't get a close up view till today...and it was all thanks to MONT. He set my camera up at a strategic spot in the back room, washed the window and said let her rip...so I did.

When he first appeared I wasn't sure what sort of bird he was....he was completely bald. Now he has this cute tuft of hair on his noggin.

Yep, we sure attract them at Number 10.

AWOL

I admit it. I've been remiss in my blogging duties. I'm sorry but I do have an excuse.

Apart from work, I've been organising a trip so MONT and I can attend a wedding. In Ireland. In June. Yes I know, it's a long way to go but we said we would so, we are.

The timing isn't perfect for us, seeing we'll only be returning from another trip in early May, but that's just the way it goes I guess. One part of the timing that is perfect though is that I'll be able to catch up with a girlfriend who'll be there at the same time. She lives in Sydney and I haven't seen her since our wedding, six years ago....but she'll be in southern Ireland at exactly the same time as us. Amazing huh?

Anyway, that's what I've been up to.

On another note, I have a big thank you for Amanda at Homely One

Amanda emailed me to tell me she'd given me an award. AN AWARD! The SUNSHINE AWARD!

The rules of the award are:

1.Put the logo on your blog or in a post

2.Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers

3.Link to the nominees within your post

4.Let them know they have received it by leaving a comment for them

5.Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award

So I'm following the rules and doing what I'm asked of.

Now to my 12 fellow bloggette's who I'll also pass this award onto.

I have quite a few blogs that I list on the right hand side of my blog, but to be honest, I don't check all of them every single day.

There are a few that I do though, and that's because I really love them. They aren't all about decor or decorating with white.... but the one thing they do all have in common is that they brighten my day. I feel like I know their authors because they make me feel as though they are inviting me into their lives and homes.

Can't get any better than that

So, here are some of the blogs that make me feel like I'm home:

1. April at A City Girl in the Country

2. Mimi at Mimi Charmante

3. Rose at Able Mae

4. A-M at Cape Cod Designs

5. Karen at Cavania

6. Brismod at Fun and VJ's

7. Tina at Rubies Place

8. White Dove at White Dove

9. Kitchen Hand at What I Cooked Last Night

10. Millie at The Laurel Hedge

11. Stacey at Stacey Snacks

12. Michelle at Michelle Made This

I hope you all enjoy your awards...and I have to say Thank You to everyone who makes me feel welcome into their lives and blogs.

Mantle scaping

I love looking around houses because I love getting ideas from other people who are, well, super talented when it comes to all things decor. Over here you can see some great examples...as well as here, where Amanda has shown us around her lovely home.

...and Tina here is also an inspiration. I love her place and checking out her projects!


Me? I tend to paint everything white or off-white and then add some bits and pieces for interest. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Like the time I though black cushions would look FAB and add contrast and "interest" on the stone coloured sofa and chairs. Unfortunately, I failed to realise that the dog and cat hair would make them look like mohair after just a couple of days, so they were removed, pretty quickly.

Anyway, I digress.... Today I begin a very limited tour of Number 10. Limited because not all of it is worthy of public viewing...I begin with the mantle in the living/lounge room....and yes, we are without a heater at the moment.

The black hole here used to house a gas log fire, and my job over the next few weeks is to get a new one. The hearth was covered in charcoal slate, but MONT removed it and will re-do the hearth in sandstone, because we have some left over from the outdoor paving.

The clock was a bargain from Oswald Sealy in Johnston St.Fitzroy, which is well worth a visit.

These birds were a Christmas gift a couple of years ago... and the two "vases" were a bargain from a place called Albi Imports. If you're looking for home wares, then a trip to the Albi Imports outlet store in Chifley Drive, Preston will duly impress you.

...and the pears...well, I love their fluid shape. I can't remember where or when I purchased them, but whenever I see fruit shaped items like these, I have to have them.

Have you ever.....

...looked in the mirror one day and wondered where that girl had gone?

I did yesterday when I came across this old photo while cleaning out a drawer. I was just 24 when it was taken at a dinner dance. Remember those?

I still remember the dress I was wearing too. It was all plummy and purply pinks with some black for contrast.

I looked at it and it sort of made me feel a bit "old". Then I thought, nah, you're only as old as you feel and I still feel 24.

Henrietta

I found a nice (temporary) frame for her and placed her on top of my rescued chest of drawers in the living room so everyone can enjoy her.

I think this is where she'll stay until the bedroom is renovated, then I'll rethink her position and frame.