Christmas in Albany

My Christmas in Australia was a little different to mahaila's Christmas. I spent a  few days at robert's parents house in Albany - a town 4.5 hours south of Perth. Their sweet country house was a wonderful getaway. While I found it difficult to settle down and actually do nothing, I eventually gave into my surroundings and relaxed. I think it had something to do with my donning a plaid shirt (previously worn here) and chilling out in the sun with a cool glass of pear cider.

Kaye xx

A creative christmas: Tutorial Christmas scraps chain!

Merry Christmas from Berlin! This was our first 'Berlin with a hint of Aussie splashed in there' Christmas. Even though it was difficult being away from the friend and family unit we did manage to embrace some of the German Christmas traditions.

Our Aussie infused Berlin Christmas

1.Drinks - First on the list was Glühwein (natürlisch mit Schuss!).  

2.Food - I cooked up a German vs. Aussie storm, Lebkuchen, Berliner Brot, Kipferln + Aussie rum balls. Germans seem to eat Geese at Christmas but we opted for the Turkey and roasted veges Aussie style.

3. Christmas tree - As you can see from the photos we bought a sweet little tree from around the corner and had a laugh whilst walking it home. Though we made the amateur mistake of treating it if it were a plastic tree. My German guests kindly advised me that I was doing it ALL wrong and that I needed to reassess my tree maintenance skills. Next time supply some water for the bloody thing. 

4. Decorations - We had the traditional German window light display. Mandarin's punctured with cloves were scattered on the table. Aussie creatures, namely kangaroos, koalas and turtles were displayed in amongst the christmas tree branches. 

 
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 "Christmas scraps chain"

This year I wanted to spread a little Christmas cheer and make some decorations for our apartment. Looking over at my fabric scraps I decided to make a "Christmas scraps chain". It's pretty simple stuff. Here is how I did it. 

1. Look through your fabric scraps

2. Cut your fabrics into roughly 18cm x 3.5 strips. Then press the sides (about 0.5 cm) inwards, like when you make bias tape. I used my new Bias tape tool.

If you don't have a bias tape tool and you want to try out a new method, you can perhaps check out this little tutorial from Creative Little Daisy

3. Make a lot of these little fellas with your scraps

4. After you have collected a few of your strips, sew the edges down, so that they are a little neater

5. With right sides together sew the fabric piece together to create a loop

 

6. Turn your loop, right sides out

7. Now get your next strip and place it through your loop

8.With right sides together sew the next loop together

9. Turn the loop so that the right sides are facing out

Keeping it neat

At this stage you can turn the joining edges of both loops so that they are facing each other. Notice in the photo below that you can not see the joins. With a few stitches, secure these pieces together on the join.

10. Continue looping your strips and sewing to create the chain 

11. Sew loop

12. And you are finished!

13. Proudly hang it up!

I liked this project. I couldn't help but reflect upon my previous sewing ventures as each piece of the chain reminded me of particular garments. Gee I have learnt a lot! and I will continue to learn through 2012. Merry Christmas everyone.  Spread the cheer! hope you had a good one.

breakfest preparations

Image credits: unknown, lovemore, topshop, unknown

This year mahaila and I are spending Christmas on opposite sides of the globe. While mahaila enjoys her first white Christmas (jealous), I am experiencing Australia's typical hot and dry Christmas. For me, this means family, friends, barbecued prawns, the beach and big glasses of chilled pear cider - we have the typical turkey for festivity purposes despite the impracticality of the heat that comes from the oven.

As much as I love our Aussie Christmas, I'm going to make a disgusting confession - the day after Christmas is (in my book) the best day of the year. IT'S BREAKFEST! Breakfest is an annual Perth music festival featuring the best artists in breaks music. After a day of presents, good food, family and fun, it feels great to dance around in the sun drinking wine with friends, listening to some amazing tunes. I don't care much for festival fashion and as its usually about 40 degrees Celsius out at the belviour amphitheatre, you don't have a choice but to just wear a loose tank top and shorts.

I want something like this, this or this but as part of my "new clothes resolution" I'm going to ask myself question number 2:

  Is it possible to DIY? If so, would I be just as happy with my own creation?
                              Answer: Yes and yes. 


I've had all of the above images saved in my "DIY" and "Inspiration" folders for aaaaages. Clearly I've never got the idea of crosses, muscle tees and safety pins out of my head - so I thought that it was about time I dominated my local Kmart and haberdashery store. These are the items I've decided I'll need.........................

Not long now.... I'll keep you guys updated!

Kaye xx

I want....

1. I want a brogue that's a little different

2. I want a brogue that's... a lot different.

3. I want to look as though I've walked in paint.

5. I want some armour

here, here, here and here

An outfit fit for Autumn

 

mahaila made skirt and top           Photos: Michael Dooney

In an effort to improve my German language abilities I have recently spent some time trying to decifer the patterns in the Burdastyle sewing magazines. I have great difficulty with these patterns as the sizing is often off, so I am constantly making significant alterations. I thought that it was a result of my poor German comprehension, however after chatting with some native German speaking sewing mates, they informed me that they also have problems with Burda. Perhaps thats what you get when you pay 5 euros for a heap of patterns. Does anyone else have problems with the sizing??? On the plus side I am improving my alteration skills.  

The skirt. 
This is one of my easy 'built around the waist' skirts. And I know that I have been promising it for a while, BUT hopefully the tutorial for these types of skirts will be up soon. I am sooooo busy at the moment WAY too many projects and soooo little time. 


The top 
I am trying to make one pattern out of every Burdastyle magazine, so this was my September 2011 issue effort. Perhaps not the best fit, but I do love my vintage red buttons:) 

We took these photos when it was still warm enough to take them. I love Berlin Autumns. The colours are so very inspiring!

Reminder: 

The new CUT magazine is out! so check it out. 

outback jack

(Top: Sportsgirl. Skirt: Second hand (found in mum's wardrobe). Shoes and bag: Asos)

If you follow us on twitter (actually scrap that - I am the only one who attempts to tweet daily ramblings. A recent skype conversation between mahaila and I revealed that she's not that into it - sorry guys, its just me!)  you may have seen this print combo before.

Thanks to mum who took these shots for me. My mum's love of  nature always leads us to these kinds of locations (remember this post???) Mum was determined to shoot with the Kangaroo Paw in the second picture (for our non-Aussie readers, that's a plant - not to be confused with an actual kangaroo). Instead of posing awkwardly next to the plant as per my mother's instruction, I just took a photo of it for you ;)

Creative Friday: Interview with Vintageblues

Say hello to Sarah from Vintageblues! She creates really sweet and unique pieces of jewellery, which you can see below. We met up with her in a Berlin park during the Autumn months to take these photos. She definitely had some inspiring words!  

Sarah fromVintageblues                 Photograph: Michael Dooney

Where are you from?

I am from Belgium but I have been living in Berlin since Summer 2010. I have lived in Berlin before, during my studies, but the city is still as exciting to me as during my first stay. 
 

What is your art/craft and where can we find it?

Handmade jewelry – earrings, necklaces, brooches, bobbypins and rings. I sell my jewelry on my blog and on The Vintageblues facebook site. During Summer you can find me on popular Berlin flea markets such as Mauerpark and the Nowkoelln flea market.

What are the positives in buying handmade items? 

I like the thought that someone really sits down and spends time creating something.

Where do you find inspiration?

My blog is called The Vintageblues which is a reference to my love for old movies, vintage clothing, and dreamy photographs. I try to reflect these loves in my jewelry. I also try to make one special collection for each season, which is inspired by the colors and feelings of the respective season.

What motivates you to create?

Moving to Berlin was the biggest motivation for me. This city is so vibrant and inspiring. You meet so many young people who just try to pursue their dreams and do what they love, even when they struggle sometimes and even when it means not having the big money and career. 
 

What encouraging words/advice would you give to someone who is interested in sparking their creativity?

There can only be regrets if you didn´t try. And also: use the social media to promote your creations.



You can find more of her items on her Vintageblues blog and her Dawanda shop. She also sells her creations at the little shop Fach Frau in Prenzlauerberg, Berlin. So if you are in town, check it out!

lace slippers

We've seen plenty of lace ankle boots, knee high boots and pumps for an exuberant amount of cash. However I'm particularly taken by these lace slippers from Asos. If it weren't for my "new clothes resolution", I'd be partnering these pretty slippers with my particularly ugly ones. They'd be the perfect couple.

kaye xx

new clothes resolution: question 1

The new clothes resolution continues. When I find something that I like while doing my usual perusing on the internet, before I click it home, I ask myself two questions:

1. Can I substitute it with something I already have in my closet?

2. Is it possible to DIY? If so, would I be just as happy with my own creation? 

To prove that I can overcome my wardrobe dilemmas by asking myself these two questions, I thought I might do an experiment. When cleaning my room, I found a box that I had labelled "For eBay". Of course I had not got round to not actually bothered to sell the clothes in said box, and so was able to recover this old Supre grey pencil skirt from about 7 years ago. Complete with wrinkles and the tag sticking out....

1. Can I wear something I already have in my closet?

Answer: YES!

(Pencil skirt: Supre (old). Top: Random. Bag: Gift from mum (old). Necklace: Lovisa. Shoes: 3.1 Phillip Lim)

So using all old clothes, an old bag, a trend-based necklace from a chain store and (my only) investment accessory, I was able to create something I'm happy with. I've actually always loved all-grey outfits and I had one right under my nose the whole time... so what do you think? Do you think I'm on to something?

Watch this space... I'm going to attempt question 2 soon. 

Kaye xx