- :: let’s try this once more… ::
[ ready for streetwear! ]Was anyone else having problems with Flickr yesterday? It seemed like every time I tried to view a Flickr page, it took forever to load. So in the end, I just gave up on updating my blog for Monday and spent the day catching up on work instead. hehe!
Over the weekend I spent a great deal more time being a geek than sewing, which was probably awful of me since you should see my sewing pile!! I did take a go at sewing up the shorts, but quickly ran out of patience when I ran into the pockets. Sleeves are my Arch Nemesis, but welt pockets are the Second in Command of that group of sewing tasks that I really hate. So after wrestling with one of those for two hours (lesson learned: next time make up a “dummy pocket” as a test-run!), I set the shorts aside. I did finish one task though: redoing the straps on that pretty, thrifted nightgown I posted a snippet of last week. But of course: the weather has turned cool again! lol.
[ my recent Ebay score... isn't it gorgeously pretty?! ]The mail had a pretty surprise for me last week… A pretty, vintage Laura Ashley frock I won off Ebay! Now, you may remember my rants on Ebay; and honestly I don’t win two-thirds of the items I bid on (which is probably a good thing), but this was destined to be mine! I always loved these “garden print”, strapless dresses when I was little, and thankfully since anything goes in the world of fashion nowadays, I can get away with wearing something that was in fashion when I was just a tot! hehe! I did pick up a length of matching periwinkle blue fabric to make a halter strap, since I am not comfortable wearing a strapless number. If only the weather would cooperate…
[ yard sale finds... I have quite a little collection brewing! ]Ah! I have so many plans and goals for this week… including a tutorial on how I do my hair in that faux 1940’s style! Between all the inquiries on Flickr, and ladies at church cornering me to find out just how I get it styled like that, I think it’s about time. hehe! So stay tuned for that, as well as a couple graphic design/Photoshop resources later this week!
Have a lovely Tuesday, my dears!
- :: goodies ::
Whew! It has been a whirlwind of a week; I spent the majority of it with my nose buried in art and math books. The latter of which got so bad that I started dreaming about doing Algebra equations. I kid you not. lol. But finals are over, and that means I have a little time to catch up between the spring and summer semester! Hurrah!
My design history class really paid off in the end, which I’m always delighted to say after a long semester. Being exposed to a variety of different movements and styles–even those I don’t really care for–has opened my eyes to new graphic possibilities. In some cases it’s brought me back around to aesthetic movements I admire, but haven’t studied closely in years. So in between studying this week, I’ve been playing around in my graphic programs, putting together a variety of different pieces. One of which was this poster, which was inspired by the bright colors and collage style of 1960s concert posters. I made it into a wallpaper, if you’d care to download and use it! There are three sizes, which I’ve linked to below:
. 1024×768 | 1028×1024 | 1600×1200 . Enjoy! This won’t be the last of these graphic-themed downloads; I have a bunch of ideas up my sleeve..
I’ve run across some fantastic links this week–be sure to read over Amy Butler’s interview at CraftBoom! I found it quite insightful and gave me a new perspective on just how much work she and her husband have put into their business. She’s very candid and honest in laying out how rough it can be at the beginning, something that I sometimes find hard to get past when the going gets tough, or the business slow. But the payoff’s of the hard work can be so worth it!
♥ a fun and insightful interview with Amy Bulter!
♥ pages and pages of vintage posters… great inspiration
♥ I love the mood in Anrea Wyner’s photos [ source ]
♥ great sign inspiration
♥ this shirred dress tutorial looks like a fun, summertime project!
♥ I love the uniquely graphic approch of Urban Bark Papers
♥ check out this blog of vintage images (and the flickr stream too!)Have a lovely weekend!!!!
- :: calm in the midst of storm ::
Monday afternoon there was a package from Australia waiting for me… the copy of Amy’s Once More with Feeling magazine I ordered a few weeks ago. I almost didn’t get a copy of this–but I’m so glad I was able to! It’s utterly breathtaking.
Amy has put together everything so beautifully; I could honestly sit and stare at it for hours. I love the professional, yet handmade feel to the magazine–the little hand-pasted touches really take it beyond the “glossy” level to art.
Unfortunately, the first issue is sold out right now. But Amy tells me she’s busily working on the next issue! So do check out the Myspace page for Once More with Feeling–I know I can’t wait!
In other news… As I expected, I’m experiencing a severe case of Need to Sew Now. This almost always happens when I have midterms or finals (or something else stressful and test-related). Between sewing and web page coding, I can find some semblance of calm. lol. Yesterday I whipped up a sweet, summertime frock from an old (thrifted) nightgown. I need to redo the shoulder straps a bit; I kept the original ones on, but they’re a little too loose, so I’m thinking of taking those out and adding tie straps. But it’s very pretty–I shall have to share full pictures once I’m done.
The shorts I posted about last week have been started as well! I’m rather excited about these; I tentatively basted together the pieces yesterday evening to check the fit. Trousers of any sort so rarely fit me, and this wouldn’t have been the first pair of trousers that I’ve attempted and have had to abandon. But they fit beautifully! So I’m stealing away little snippets of time here and there to sew them. Goodness knows it’s been warm enough lately to run around in shorts… hehe!
- :: swingtime ::
Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes!! I must admit this year I was rather indifferent about my birthday (my friends tell me this isn’t unusual when one hits their twenties…), but was pleasantly surprised at how lovely Saturday and Sunday turned out to be. A girl couldn’t ask for more…
A couple days before my birthday, the mailman delivered a rather heavy box. It was my birthday gift to myself: 3 1947 issues of Seventeen magazine I won on Ebay. After finding that rather tattered copy a few weeks ago, I couldn’t resist the impulse to buy more! (I know… I’m very bad when it comes to vintage…)
Aren’t these images so inspiring? I know the 1940’s aren’t everyone’s cup-of-tea, but I have always had a soft spot for the decade’s style. Mom and I had such fun looking through these the afternoon they arrived–and getting all kinds of ideas for adding some vintage flair to outfits!
The shoes are just killing me, especially since I’ve been coveting a pair from here for years…
[ more images here ]
Here are a few other bits of 1940’s fashion inspiration you might enjoy…
cute summery outfits
lots of inspiring images from during and after the war period
a variety of images
1940’s hairstyle how-to
way out of my price range, but lots of ideas!I have loads to post about–so many ideas floating around in my head! But alas, finals are this week and I’m a buried under studying and exams. I shall be so glad when this is over… although summer school is looming large in the near future. hehe! Have a lovely Monday!
