PINK... All stitched up!!!

Again.... there has been a lag in blogging.... almost an extended vacay... but I have some pretty stitchings from G.D.A.C. that will more than make up for it!

I don't normally stitch PINK... but with a showcase totally dedicated to all shades of PINK, I couldn't very well go against the grain.

This size 4 "Blossom Narwhal" Laura Dress - using one of my fave LBS patterns, I chose to go pastel with a gorgeous print from Sarah Jane Studios. These adorable Narwhals (AKA Unicorns of the Sea) and their rosie cheeks are irresistible when stitched into the knee length A-line dress which features a wide reverse pleat in the front and short puff-top lined sleeves, along with a crisp white Peter Pan collar.

Keeping it nautical, and of course PINK - I also whipped up this "Raspberry Anchor" Decorative Pillowcase. More Sarah Jane Studios fabric for the main front - however, I've also added a punchy geometric cuff with a divine print from Jennifer Paganelli/Sis Boom's Happy Land collection.This pillowcase is great to add a splash (pun intended) of colour to your bed when used as a top/dress pillow and soft enough for every day snoozing.

Both the "Blossom Narwhal" Laura Dress and "Raspberry Anchor" Decorative Pillowcase are available at the "Shades of Pink Tea Party" showcase hosted by Sew You Say - The Heart of Handmade, check out the complete showcase album here. Showcase closes 10:30pm (AEDST) Thursday, 19th March. What are you waiting for?? Go get yourself some PINK!

To market, to market I go

Well its that time of year again and I'm as confused as ever - are things slowing down or ramping up for the festive season?

The custom order list at G.D.A.C. HQ is somewhat bursting at the seams - however, I have a couple of ready made items (ready to post) in upcoming market nights this week.

 

To join in the Lorelei Jayne "Birthday Skirt Market" fun, I whipped up one of my favourite "Pretty Skirts". A Size 6, 100% Cotton (Heather Ross your fabric rocks!) skirt which has both structure and flare. Elastic waist for easy fit, a soft A-line shape, side pockets and preppy stripe pleat detail. This market night kicks off at 4pm AEDST on Thursday 27th Nov - see the full market album here.

But wait... there's more...

 

I'm also offering these 3 items in the "Thank the Handmaidens" Market Night over at Handmaidens Charity Auction which is celebrating the generosity of handmaidens who have donated items to their various auctions during the year.

1. Size 4: "Quiet Fox" Applique Tee & Paper Bag Shorts - truly a Summer must have featuring on-trend aqua, tangerine and pinks from the Tula Pink Fox Field Collection.
2. Sized 5: "Unicorns" All Season Dress - more preppy stripes and Heather Ross unicorns.
3. Size 5: "Organic" Paper Bag Skirt - a deep plum wardrobe staple that makes a statement when worn with a plain tee or tank. 100% Organic Cotton from Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cloud9 with a full elastic waist and extra flutter on the band (for that paper bag effect) and a contrast tie belt.

Opening at 7pm AEDST on Friday 28th Nov - you must check out the full market album here.

Hope to see you all there when to market, to market I go!

Shhhhhhhh the little FOX is sleeping!

If anyone of you are fans of G.D.A.C. you'll know that I'm a little in love with FOXES - but lets face it, who isn't?? I've made this Foxy Paper Bag Skirt, an Outfoxed Peplum, not one but two foxed up Pretty Skirts - I've even gone as far as creating a special foxy birthday gift (with the help of fellow crafters). So you can imagine my excitement when I saw that Cass Can Sew was looking for testers for her "Quiet Fox" applique design.

With clear instructions from Cass to "have fun" with the design, I put my thinking cap on a to decide exactly what to applique it on! I chose to make the Fresh Patterns All Seasons Dress from a mid-blue chambray and retro it up a little contrasting collar, lining and of course "Quiet Fox" applique from one of my fav Michael Miller prints.

Firstly, I chose to enlarge the template to 115%, traced it on to some heat and bond, ironed it onto my fabric and then onto my dress. To keep with the retro feel, I chose to use my machine to top stitch the design - so the edges will fluff a little in the wash to create texture and character. I then back-stitched its sleepy eyes by hand.

CONFESSION TIME: I've NEVER appliqued by hand. (GASP!!!) but I found this handy Embroidery Basics video on YouTube which taught me everything I needed to know... including why needle threaders are AWESOME!!

So here is the completed dress with an adorable "Quiet Fox" applique modelled by Mildred - the newest member of the G.D.A.C. family.

Thanks so much Cass for this fun and adorable applique template - I can see a whole skulk/leash/troop of "Quiet Foxes" on my future handmade items. You too can stitch a little Quiet Fox - using Cass Can Sew's applique template that you can find here.

Easter Elegance

I always remember to give a little gratitude to my children's teachers - because its a tough gig! So this year for Easter, I stumbled across this adorable gift idea on the A Spoonful of Sugar blog (find it here)


Cheaper than a box of chocolates - I whipped up 4 of these for $5 per teacher! Thanks to IKEA Australia for the gorgeous pots which remind me of Easter eggs!

Laura Pattern Testing + GIVEAWAY + Coupon

Grab a cuppa and settle in.... this is going to be a HUGE post!

I recently had the honour of testing the Laura Dress pattern by Lily Bird Studio. The incredibly talented Cecilia has created a beautiful and on trend design - with the option of 2 lengths (dress & tunic) and 2 collars.

I chose to make a Size 5 - Tunic Length with a Peter Pan Collar.

I love, love, love this pattern for its beautiful lines and modern style. The A-line dress has a wide reverse pleat in the front and features short puff-top lined sleeves. As mentioned before it can be made in dress or tunic lengths with your choice of Peter Pan or Rolled collars and closes at the back with 2/3 buttons or snap fasteners.
Check out the Laura tunic in action....

Just on a little side note - my little miss modelling here currently refuses to wear anything other than leggings and Minnie Mouse tees.... that was until the Laura Dress/Tunic came along. Two days after these photos were taken she came home from school begging to wear "that new top with the birds on it". She has since stopped people in their tracks every time she has worn it (seriously - the chiropractor, the lady at the supermarket and also the random person in the coffee shop) as they adore its style.

Be sure to check out pics from the rest of the testing group and also enter the GIVEAWAY to win one of 2 copies of the Laura Dress pattern at the Lily Bird Studio's blog here.

As an added BONUS - Lily Bird Studio is offering the Laura Dress pattern for JUST $5 (for 5 days ONLY) and is offering a further 20% OFF purchases over $6 USD (why stop at just 1 LBS pattern) for all myOo readers who use the coupon code ORANGE20 when purchasing from www.thelilybirdstudio.com (offer ends 26th Mar 2014).

I'm OBSESSED.... with ORANGE!!!

Just in case you're questioning my obsession... I can confirm that I love, love LOVE all things ORANGE!! I have orange babushkas, orange linen, orange PJ's, an orange phone wallet, orange tees, an orange handbag, orange nail polish and of course orange business cards for G.D.A.C. - Gorgeous, Delicious, Adorable Clothes (as well as ribbons & twine for packaging).

But today, I had to share the latest ORANGE addition to my very ORANGE collection... Meet my very orange Elephant pin cushion. This gorgeous little pachyderm was made by the very talented Penelope from Little Cloud Factory (one of my fav Perth handmade businesses) and features Jennifer Paganelli's Priscilla in ORANGE from the Crazy Love collection.

#buyaussiehandmade #jplove #orangeelephantintheworkroom

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.....

Oi! Oi! Oi! - Now that we've got that out of our system, Happy Australia Day 2014 - may there be plenty of shrimp on your barbie, a chardy in your hand and a game of backyard cricket that goes well into the evening.

Whilst on the subject of all things AUSSIE, as you know I (like many others) have been using facebook as a selling point for my handmade clothing and wares - see my page G.D.A.C.. After recently offering some fabric for destash on my page (out with the old to make way for the new) I stumbled upon the #greataussiedestash on Instagram! It wasn't long before I was seriously addicted and found it useful when re-homing my fabrics that I no longer needed.

It got me thinking.... why not have a hashtag to share/promote/sell Aussie Handmade. I had a quick search and couldn't find one to fit so I created one!

#buyaussiehandmade

To use this hashtag: 

• Upload a pic into Instagram
• Add a brief description, price + post (eg. Size 4 Paper Bag Shorts $24 + Aust Post)
• Add the hashtag #buyaussiehandmade
• Hit Share - don't forget to include facebook & twitter when you are sharing.  

I now invite you to go nuts with this hashtag - lets get it TRENDING and in doing so show your love and support for Aussie Handmade.