new dresses

I’m proud to introduce the Sandy (yes, named after me – call it nepotism if you like) and the Dorothy.

The Sandy is made for me to wear to my good friend Anja’s wedding on 5 September.  I got the light grey shimmer cotton really cheaply at the textrim sale, but found i just didn’t have enough when it came down to making the dress, and there is just no more of this shade left for sale in Durban.  I know, cos I’ve looked.  I considered other patterns for the fabric, but this one just kept playing like a stuck record.   This dress shows my first ever home made bias binding; have to say, nothing could be easier, nor more rewarding.  I will take daytime pics tomorrow.

The Dorothy is so named as this is a dot dress.  I don’t know anyone named Dorothy, except she of the red shoes.  The dress is made of pure cotton, printed by the Da Gama company.  Fitted bustier bodice with straps, with a slimline skirt.  The skirt has a kickslit at the back, and is knee length.  The dress is lined to the waist, and has a pale pink zip and hooks and eyes to fasten at the back.  Perfect little number for summer.

the caitlin

looking on the yummy dress sites that i see (went to trashydiva.com yesterday, and spent a VERY long time on the site), the dresses are named after people.  hurricanes are too.  anyway.  i made this outfit for caitlin, so it’s going to be called the caitlin.  it isn’t an original design, but how cute is it?  the outfit is made entirely from da gama textile cotton, so is not only easy to look after, but is proudly south african too.

the top is fastened by a zip and hook n eye, the pants are elasticised, and have a small slit at the bottom.

this is made for a 7 year old, and the cost is R200

lemon cream dress

the dress is now done!  and it looks great.  the lemon yellow piping detail is wonderfully subtle, and the 50s flare can either hide a multitude of sins or give you hips where you have none.  the dress is fastened at the back with a zip and a hook n eye.  the zip is hidden by a line of piping down the centre back seam.  if you’re interested in one of these, please let me know in advance, or order one on the day.

this one is a size 14:

bust: 92 cm

waist: 72 cm

hips: 102 cm, although this pattern is forgiving on the hips

cost: R350

dress in the making

lemon cream

the inspiration for this dress came from the work of my supremely talented friend and partner in crime, bronwen vaghan-evans. for this month’s market, she started to make brooches, pendants and earrings from well known sweeties and biscuits (see the yummy goodies below). she has a knack for turning every day things into something cool and wonderful.

my favourite biscuit is the lemon cream. traditionally this would have been a lemon cream sandwiched between two plain sugar biscuits. these days i think it’s just a lemony sugary mixture between two rather ordinary biscuits, but it still tastes great.

this dress is cut along traditional bustier lines, with a flared 50s skirt. the hint of lemon is as subtle as the taste in the biscuit, including a lemon yellow zip at the back. the biscuit is provided by the luxurious feel of biscuit-coloured satin. the dress is lined to waist level. pair it with your favourite pink shoes, and take it out dancing.

the piping detail is only along the two front panel seams, and the back center seam. i’m still debating as to whether i should pipe along the top, and i’m tending towards yes. i have a little time to mull it over.

I Heart Market 1 August

A few pics of our stall at the I Heart Market on Saturday 1 August. Once again, thanks to all our friends who came out to support us – especially the ones who’d had little sleep and perhaps too much Jagermeister the night before.

Lots of sweet goodies from My Little Bluebird

Beautiful kimonos from Jane the Clerk

Jane the Clerks gorgeous skirts. Pink Sweetheart bags from HotButteredToast.

YAY Tomorrow is MARKET DAY

Well we are in for a treat of a weekend. Tonight is the Rift Reloaded party and tomorrow morning (maybe not so bright, but early) is the I HEART Durban Market. I have tried to be nerdily organised for this market – I have even bought paper bags.

So here are glimpses of goodies that will be sitting on my side of the table.

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE

Creamy Dreamy Caramel brooches at R 40 each

Lemon Cream Biscuit brooches @ R50 each

Love Heart pins and pendants in three colours @ R30 each

Three Blind Mice (well i actually have seven blind mice). These are fridge magnets and are @ R 50 each

My last Rolo is for you (but only if you have R 40)

Strawberry Whirl Biscuit Brooches @ R 50 each

All Sorts of Allsorts, all @ R 40 each

I know you have seen these before, but the Marie Biscuit brooches are my favourites and I have only managed to make four (@ R 50 each)

Nathalie and Carla I have made up your order, see below. Please dont forget to come and collect the little tiles.

Nathalie’s Dream

Carla’s Peace and Hope with a little Love on the side. The little Dutch girl in me really likes the blue and cream combination.

And to end off ….a few variations on my favourites.

My Black Black Heart @ R100

Summer LOVE in the middle of winter @ R 100

Sweet things

New goodies for the I Heart Market tomorrow…

Jumping Jellybeans Apron

Sweetheart Apron

…for to keep the sweeties in…

The Kraftworks girls have a theme going, inspired by the gorgeous goodies Bron has been making for My Little Bluebird. So, to go with the LoveHearts pendants and brooches, Hot Buttered Toast presents The Sweetheart Totebag:

Limited run Sweetheart screenprinted totebag.

someone is eating my sweets!

It seems that no matter how many sweeties I make there are just not enough.

So today I took a break and went down to the local scrapbooking shop to find a curved edge clipper for my labels. I found it, but I also found delicious papers and so, inspired, I created a new banner for our “I HEART Durban Market” stall. It is a physical banner but you can see the digital version above.
I then proceeded to waste the rest of the day by photographing my goodies on the lovely patterned paper.

I also think I spent more at the scrapbooking shop than I will earn at the market…sigh.

Strawberry Whirl Brooch on whirl paper

Baker’s Choice All(sorted) Brooches

allsorts of sweet things

These are some of the little brooches (and pendants to come) that I have been making for the next I Heart Durban Market. They are moulded from the actual objects and are cast in coloured Jesmonite with brooch backs sunk into the reverse side for added strength. They are all sold on printed cards and make great small gifts. They are priced between R30 and R50 depending on size.

round allsort brooches (and pendants to come)

allsorts brooch available in pink and blue

Love Hearts Brooches (and pendants to come)

Marie Biscuit Brooch

Tennis Biscuit Brooch

Magnetic Marshmallow Mouse