Artist’s Alley: Lovely Ladies

 

Here’s some more art work that I have sketched recently ~ one thing that is good about my RSI is how it has me doing a lot more drawing than I was.  I forget how much fun it is.  : D  Although I do hate staring at a blank page wondering what to draw!  I have so many ideas, yet it seems that I have to be in the right mood or I don’t want anything to do with them.  Do you ever find that happening to you? 

It happens to me far often then I would like, but sometimes it is helpful because I either think up a whole ‘nother idea or I push past the block; the pushing doesn’t occur very often, but sometimes. 
> <   The thought that I like to keep in mind with it is that anything I do is practise, and any practise is good.  So it doesn’t matter if it’s not the most amazing piece of art I’ve ever done, if it moves me forwards then that is enough.  Practise makes perfect! 

Hmm.  So maybe I should take my own advice and stop chickening out of colouring my line art.  > . >’  I’ll let you know how that goes!!  : P

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ Beaded Scallop Collar DIY

I shared a tutorial on creating vintage styled collars here and now there is another one to try out from Megan of Design Diary.  : D

DIY beaded scallop edge detachable collar

As promised a few weeks ago, I’ve put together a pattern and some instructions for how you can create your own beaded scallop edge detachable collar (phew that’s a mouthful!!)

I honestly love this collar sooo much, and have not stopped wearing it since I made it – but, that being said, it is definitely a project requiring some time and commitment. It took me almost 12 hours to do all the beading – so just keep that in mind before you start.

xox,

bonita

ABC’s ~ Outfit Fifty

Rose Cardigan  ~  SES   Top  ~  Thrifted   Bow Tie Broach  ~  Thrifted   Wool Skirt ~ Thrifted    Vintage Crochet Gloves  ~  Canberra Antique Centre  Garnet Butterfly Ring  ~  Portobello Road Markets; London  Skirt  ~  Thrifted   Bow Heels  ~  I can’t remember, they are too old.

~ * ♥ * ~

The weather has taken a decide turn for the freezing this week; only last week Husband, Theodore and I were slow cooking in the oven that is our house, and this week we are rugged up in jeans and jumpers again{!!}, or rather, wool skirts if it is me.  : D  I quite like the cool weather, so I am as happy as a clam in my knit tops and long skirts. 

This particular skirt always makes me feel like a librarian or a schoolmarm, so I paired it with my little brocade bow tie broach to complete the teacher~y look.  And who can resist cute heels with bows on the toes to match?  Certainly not me!  I haven’t worn these shoes in ages because the heel needs reheeling, but I had to pop them on for today’s outfit. 

I also happen to love this wreck of a shed building that is near our house.  It’s part of a really old property that is being restored for historical purposes {I think it was one of the first houses in the Canberra/Queanbeyan area} and in the mean time it makes a beautiful backdrop.  I don’t think I am trespassing when I go take photos ~ there are no locks on the gates or anything, you can just walk right in…  But then again, I would probably still take photos even if there was; I just can’t resist gorgeous old characters like tumble~down houses!

Recently I got my hair cut for more a middy~like style and I am really loving the shorter length.  I almost think that I can get away without pin curling it; it sort of looks vintage styled to me without the extra setting.  Yay for curls!  I gotta say that this is the first time I have really loved my curly hair.  I always used to wish it was straight ~  I spent $300.00 on GHD straightener which I like, never, use now.  Oh well.  It was fun for a time to have it straight, but now I am all about the curls. : )

Whelp, I guess that’s my ramble for the moment; but I am curious, would you jump fences to get photos of abandoned houses?  I think there is a fine line between admiring run down architecture, and breaking the law, and I know that quite a few well known bloggers jump fences, but I am pretty sure that no one I know would deliberately ignore “No trespassing” signs.  I know I couldn’t!  What do you think?

xox,

bonita     

Quick Share ~ Ribbon Button Band Cardigan

This is a fantastic guest post tutorial from Tasha of By Gum By Golly found at Casey’s Elegant Musings is well worth a read ~ a fantastic vintage detail that is easy to add to your cardigans and looks pretty.  Tasha has done it again!! : D

Ribbon Button Band Cardigan Tutorial

Do I have a treat for you today! Tasha of By Gum By Golly (one of the best vintage fashion and sewing/knitting blogs, in my opinion!) has a fantastic tutorial for all you knitters (and sweater-refashioners) out there! This clever lady has figured out a great way to add a button band to a sweater. This is something that a lot of vintage knitting patterns specify, but the instructions are usually less than clear. Thank you Tasha for deciphering and sharing how to do this!–♥ Casey

Hi everyone! I’m Tasha and I blog over at By gum, by golly. I’m excited to be helping Casey out, and I’m here today to share a tutorial with you!

If you’re a vintage clothing aficionado like I am, you may have occasionally found a cardigan finished with grosgrain ribbon along the opening edges of the button bands….

xox,

bonita

Inspiration Round~up: Vintage Shirtwaist Dresses

I’ve been shopping.  Again. : P  I just can’t stop myself!  My vintage wardrobe feels very lacking, so I’ve have been perusing shirtwaist dresses with the aim to get a few.  They are the best vintage buys for me at the moment {breastfeeding still} so they are number one on my shopping list.  Although those high~waisted jeans I am after are on my Christmas wish list for sure! 

Here are some lovely inspiration pictures of vintage shirtwaist dresses {a few suits snuck in as well 
> o <} to enjoy ~ I am sure you will see why I have put them {yes, multiple!} on my shopping list.  Most of the images {if not all} are from the 1940s and 1950s, and I think that they are perfectly lovely!

         

~ * ♥ * ~  Photo sources:  Most of the images came from Pinterest and the others from my computer.  If any of these images are yours or you know to whom they belong, please contact me and I will link them up.  Thank you!  ~ * ♥ * ~

xox,

bonita

Rose Red ~ Outfit Forty Nine

Pearl Hair Comb  ~  Etsy   Pearl Necklace  ~  Antique Shop   Striped Top  ~  Thrifted   Apple Broach  ~  Love Vintage Show   Tulle Skirt  ~  Thrifted   Shoes  ~  Too old; I can’t remember!

~ * ♥ * ~

I have been wearing this tulle skirt a lot ~ which is good because when I first bought it I was a bit worried that it was too formal, and that I wouldn’t get much use out of it.  For some reason, however, it seems really easy for me to wear at the moment.

I think it may be because I do not have to wear a belt with it.  The contrast of the satin waist band does a good enough job of making my waist visible.  I don’t know about you, but I have found that even though I love the high~waisted, Dior’s “New Look” style, it doesn’t really do much for me unless I wear a belt or have something that defines my waist.  If I don’t, my belly looks sooo blobby and I hate that!!

Sometimes dressing seems like such a lot of effort!  Do you ever wish you could just chuck it all in and wear a sack, but still look good?  I do, but then I remember how much fun I have dressing up, and I am all into it again.  ; P   Some days I still like to go for jeans and a simple top though, just for the ease of the throw on, feel good outfit.  I am saving my pennies for a 1950s styled pair{or two or three.. Let’s be realistic here; it is me!} so that I can keep my vintage look, but still be comfortable.

What are your throw-on, feel good, go to outfits?  May be I can gather up a few tips for the days when I just feel like being a mother and not a doll.  > ω <

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ Stranded {Fair Isle} Knitting Tutorial

This is a great tutorial from Tasha of By Gum, By Golly! on how to get started with patterned/stranded/fair isle knitting.  It’s an excellent resource to have on hand. 

VKC: Getting started with stranded (fair isle) knitting

The very basics of stranded knitting

Stranded knitting refers to knitting with multiple colors in a single row, with the unused color carried or stranded along the back when it's not in use. Hence the name "stranding" or "stranded knitting". Usually, that's limited to two colors, but you may find 3 or more colors in some Icelandic and Scandinavian traditional patterns, for example, and occasionally in vintage patterns. Though it's most commonly done with two colors in a row, so that's what I'll focus on…

xox,

bonita

Artist’s Alley: Last week I…

Drew some new pictures and thought that I would share some old ones as well.  I haven’t been able to knit or crochet for the last two weeks due to some really severe RSI in my right wrist, and a milder case in my left.  So I’ve been picking up my pencil again, and have been really enjoying getting back into it.  I hope you like the pictures!

xox,

bonita

How to ~ Pom-pom Dandelion Floral Arrangement Tutorial

Hi everyone!  This is a tutorial on how to make a Pom-pom Dandelion Floral Arrangement with some dead branches and wool.  I needed a nice something to sit on top of the cupboard in my entranceway because it looks so bare and stark otherwise.  I saw the idea on Pinterest, and thought it would look so cute as part of a bigger arrangement{involving books and coffee filters!}. It’s a very simple, but effective look, so let’s get to it.  : D     

Materials you will need:

• Dead/dry thin, twig like branches ~ any size and amount you want.
• White yarn {or any colour you would like}
• Hot glue gun/craft glue
• Scissors
• Fork or other pom-pom making device
  

Step 1:  Start making your pom-poms ~ you can use any method you want.  In this tutorial I will show you the fork method.  You wrap the yarn horizontally around the fork prongs, leaving space at the bottom and the top.

Step 2:  When the yarn is about half a centimetre thick around the fork, cut the strand, leaving a tail about as long as the fork’s handle.  Using that tail, wrap the yarn several times vertically around the horizontal band, poking the yarn through the middle space between the fork prongs at the bottom of the band.

Step 3: Pull the half-finished pom-pom off the fork and cut through the sides of the horizontal band of yarn.  The strands will spring out and you can now trim the pom-pom into a smooth ball shape.  Don’t trim too much wool, or it’ll get too small.  It doesn’t have to be perfectly round, but smoothness is good.

Step 4:  Lather, rinse, repeat steps 1 to 3 until you have enough pom-poms.  This can simply be decided by taste.  You may want to stick a pom-pom on the end of each branch/twig, or you may want to leave a few ends free.  I went with the latter option, and left a few branches bare.

 

Step 5:  Put a dab of glue on the end of your branch and stick a pom-pom on.  Do this until you are happy with your branches.  Now you are done!  Ta-da!  > ω <

xox,

bonita

Leafy Shades of Green & Blue ~ Outfit Forty Eight

Crochet Collar ~ ASOS   Ric Rac Rose Jewellery  ~ By BdotDepictions {tutorial here}  Bracelet  ~  Dotti  Crochet Top  ~  ICE   Vintage Navy Skirt  ~  Thrifted   Shoes  ~  They’re so old I’ve forgotten!

~ * ♥ * ~

I curled my hair with foam rollers this time, and it sort of worked…  I think I need a different setting lotion though.  I am using a putty~flexible hold type thing and it’s not really working.  Well, except for my fringe.  That curled nicely enough.  : D Yay for victory rolls to hide bad hair days!  

And incidentally, don’t believe what they say about foam rollers being comfortable enough to sleep in!  That night I had the worst night’s sleep ever… I ended up taking them out around about 4:30am because I just couldn’t sleep properly.  > o < 

I was saying to Husband the next day how tired I was and how I didn’t sleep properly.  He asked me why and I pointed to my head and said “It was because of my rollers!”  He cracked up and I felt pretty silly.  So, note to self regarding overnight hair sets:  pin curls yes, rollers no!!  : P

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ DIY Hat Stands

Mandi from Here's Looking At Me Kid has come up with a great tutorial that I thought was too cute not to share; so here you go! : D 

DIY: Easy and Colorful Hat Stands

 
   Ever since my 2010 New Year's resolution to wear more hats, my home has become a veritable dumping ground for colorful hats of all shapes and sizes. I do hang some on the wall, and others are kept in hatboxes, but I really thought it was high time some of my pretty hats received proper stands all their own. After checking online and in local antique stores to see what sort of hat stands were available, I was struck with the thrifty idea of making my own…

xox,

bonita

Love Vintage? Of Course! ~ Part Two

More from the Love Vintage Clothing Sale & Show; pretties galore, stunning outfits and of course ~ my haul!  So let’s get started.  > ω <

I love all these old sewing notions ~ there were actually a ton of old buttons and appliques and patterns and the like; I had to restrain myself and boy, was that hard!  I guess I am just a sucker for anything vintage or antique. 

 
 

~  Amelia looks great in her perfectly matched daywear; how cute are her shoes and bag! 

~  Victoria’s hair is so stunning; it was done by the lovely ladies at The Lindy Charm School For Girls’s booth. 

More amazing jewellery ~ pretty pearls & that red gemstone broach with the original case…  Words fail!  It’s too gorgeous! 

These little purses are excellent examples of 1920’s mesh work ~ and the old corset~like top {I have no idea what you would call it!}; I think that was from the 1900’s.   The waist was so tiny though!  I really don’t know how anyone was ever that small!  > o <

And of course, I couldn’t resist a shot of the glorious hats…  *le sigh*  Aren’t they amazing?

 

Pretty party frocks and I love gloves!!  Can you see the lovely blue pair hanging in the background of the dress picture?  I found them at the end of the day and had a bit of buyer’s regret; I so wish I could have bought them, but I’d spent all my money!  Although, as my sister wisely pointed out ~ it wasn’t because I didn’t like the things I’d already purchased, it’s just that I wanted them as well! ; P

Lucite purses!!!  I die! 

  

~  Peter looked very dapper in his vest and hat.  Hmmm, that gives me an idea.  “Oh Husband!”  *giggle*

~  I love Lyndal’s shoes and her dress was so pretty; she looked great. 

Last photo of the day; my nose is shiny, my feet hurt and I am ready for home ~ but really, what a day!!  It was the best and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I do hope I get go next year as well!  ᵔ ω ᵔ ~ ♥

I shall leave you with a picture of my haul:  Clockwise from bottom ~  Pink gloves, Pin curl clips, a Crochet and Knitted Collars Pattern, White Hat, 1950’s Dress Pattern, Apple Broach, & Swirly Flower Broach.  Fun, fun! : D

xox,

bonita