Melbourne Military Officers Ball 2007

We are back from the ball. We had a great time and even had a dance (cant go to a ball without having a bit of a boogie) But I think that highlight of the night was catching up with friends that we had not seen for about four years and not to mention the Chocolate Fondue Fountain, YUMMY! There are a few photos on our Camera that I will upload when I get a chance - but here are a few of the professional ones of Tim and I. Oh and I ended up finding a pair of vintage earrings that I added to the front of the dress.

http://www.photoeventz.com.au/mmob2007/webimages/index.html?show=20070901_can_0106.html

http://www.photoeventz.com.au/mmob2007/webimages/index.html?show=20070901_can_0104.html

The Ball Dress

Ok - I think that this will be my one and only ball gown/dress that I make while pregnant! It is hard to make something to fit now and hope that it will fit in a few months time!

I like how it has turned out - It still needs something - I have a broach on loan at the moment and have some more that I will try before I make a final decision - but it really does need something!

Oh and those that know anything about cameras and photography - I have no idea how I managed to take these photos of myself, but I like how they have turned out and gives you all a sneak peak at the dress.

I learnt and practiced alot of skills making this dress. First ball gown, first time using boning, making a casing and adding elastic and of course that dreaded zip (which I must confess actually came in and out of the dress about 6 times in total and is currently hand stitched in places - lets just hope that it holds up to a night of wining and dining and maybe a little dance floor shuffle!)

Will be back with some pics of us at the ball, and then who knows when I will get a chance to jump back on here, the house is currently being packed back into boxes and will be it's way to our new 'home' for two years!

Work in Progress Wednesday!

I have been working on and off on this little number.
It is taking a while and I am learning a few new skills as I go along (I have never put boning into anything and have not done alot of sewing with jersey before) I have finished the bodice and am about to attach it to the skirt and then it is onto the zip...

The photo does not do it justice - When the overlay is moved it shimmers silver. Tim doesn't like the material - he says that it looks like "fly mesh" MEN!
A friend also had a little girl the other day - so I thought that I would sew her something for summer. We are off to see her this afternoon armed with these goodies.

I little dress that is made from a vintage swing top pattern that I found in one of my recent opshop visits. The pattern says 6months but as you can see Amelia is able to wear it as a shirt at almost two. Fully reversible and complete with another little yoyo on the dress.

And a little doll - next time I make her I wont make her little arms so chubby!Does anyone have a pattern for little pants that go with the swing tops? - I always seem to find the patterns with the pant pieces missing!

Bring on Spring so we can see the wildflowers and lambs!

I have been doing a little sewing of late. I have just finished the first outfit for Amelia's Spring/Mackay wardrobe. I know - I should be working on my ball dress (and I promised photos of that tomorrow) But while I had white on the overlocker I could not help myself.

This little outfit is as vintage as one can get. The pattern (Simplicity 5649 - Vintage 1973) and the material came from the opshop and the yellow came from my grandmothers stash (and could well have been there for 20 years)

Complete with a little hair clip made with my new tool. It is a Yoyo Flower maker - not sure if I will use it alot, but it does make for a cute hairclip addition.






I have some orange ricrac here - and just tossing up whether to add it to the bottom of the shirt. What do you think?

I also want to get some little dresses made and a twirly skirt (or two) and a tiered shirt. Ok - off to thread the overlocker with black thread now and overlock the seams of the dress.

NoteBook and Pen Holder

I whipped up this little gift in about 40minutes (from thinking about it to having it wrapped and out the door to the party that is!)

I got the original idea from One Red Robin - but did it alot smaller. Still very cute though - Next time I will make a few changes - put the interfacing on the lining (when using denim as the outer material - the denim really does not need any extra strength!) Think about the placement of the strap next time - if you open it like a book the pens and notepad are upside down (opps!)

And a few happy snaps of my little girl off to her first fancy dress birthday party!

" Wonder if I can turn Eme into a horse and carriage and be taken to the party in style - instead of having to walk?"

FlashBack Friday

This week called for a group photo - apart from school photos and the one that I used last week I dont have much to choose from. Dad tells me that he has a great photo from his soccer days with us in it as well (so I might add that one when I get a chance to take a picture of it!)Eimeo Road Hockey Team
Me - top row, second from left

Brownies

Me - the left of the photo - Don't look very happy do I!

These photos bring back so many memories for me. I was hopeless at Hockey - yet I think I stuck it out for a few seasons. I am still useless with ball games to this day and apparently I would stand on the field and yawn!

I love this picture of all of the brownies together one day down at the beach. There are people in here that I still know and have contact with, others that I would not even know there names. The best thing about it though is that I like the old 'brown' uniform and the fact that Brownies are not called bronwies anymore - they are classed as Junior Guides.

Thrifty Tuesday

Well, where has that week gone.

Over the weekend we made a trip up to Albury to visit Tim's brother and SIL. I managed to get to a few opshops and this the result. Two lovely pillowcases, 1 meter of white material with little gardening girls on it and 20 zips.

Now all I need to do is find the time to turn them into something - Oh and find the energy!

Edited to add: Lily - the zips will become little purses (just some ideas that I have in my head to sell at the christmas stall and for 50cents for all of them I could not leave them there) and Lah - yes they are from your secret stash - but it is ok - I left some for you.