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.

Oliver + S Showcase & GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate our LOVE of Oliver + S patterns, an intimate group of very talented handmaidens have joined together to bring you the Oliver + S Showcase.

The Oliver + S Showcase will be hosted by G.D.A.C. on Tuesday 25th June - opening at 7:30pm (AEST) and will include items from:

• G.D.A.C.: Gorgeous, Delicious, Adorable Clothes
• Gigi's Buttons
• Little Beatnik
• Melisa Jane
• Or Elsie
• Peppermint Rose

All items in this showcase have been created using Oliver + S patterns for their superior style, shape and finishes. Whilst all items will be available from 7:30pm (AEST), this OOAK Elizabeth Rose Dress will be sold via 24hr auction 7:30pm 25/6 - 7:30pm 26/6.

Now for the fun stuff..... All GOOD Showcases have a GIVEAWAY!

For your chance to win $20 to spend at the Oliver + S Showcase complete the Rafflecopter entry form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

T&C's
Entries close at 12am (AEST) Tuesday, 25 June 2013 with winners to be notified by email shorty thereafter.
Showcase Money must be used/spent at the Oliver + S Showcase and CANNOT be redeemed for cash.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability.

1 Week... 2 Tunics

More bang for your buck this week as there are 2 tunics to drool over (and purchase!)

 

This is the official Tunic Tuesdays tunic for this week.

Sized to fit 12-18mths - this itty bitty tunic (measuring 30cm/12inches shoulder to hem) is made from yet another print in the Barbara Jones "Cruzin" collection. With Teal/Emerald tones and Chevrons both on trend for the coming season, I have no idea whilst this little tunic is yet to find a new home. Buy it HERE.

 

You may recall in a previous post that I pledged to donate a G.D.A.C. tunic to the "Purple Day Auction for Epilepsy Australia" which is being hosted by HannyLach Handmade Kids Wear March 23-26th.

 

Drum roll puh-leeeeeese.....

This is the final tunic in the Tunic Tuesdays series. A Size 7, Pleated Late Afternoon Tunic made with fabric that has rainbow dots on a lilac damask background.... irresistible I hear you say??? This tunic and other gorgeous items can be found here. The auction is open 23rd-26th March, 2013 and 100% of the proceeds from the winning bid on my tunic will go to Epilepsy Action Australia.