NYE

Well it's the last day of 2009 and it doesn't feel like an extraordinary day. I'm at my parents house, Vincent is asleep in my room, my mum and sister are out buying hair dye and chocolate milk, my dad and my sister's boyfriend are out getting air conditioner parts. My husband is working and will be driving down here tonight.

We don't have any plans for ringing in the new year, we never do. I think 85% of the time I'm already in bed. This year we probably will be playing Guitar Hero! My sister is having a party at her house ((She's going back tonight)) but I don't want to party, I'd rather just chillout. Besides, i don't want to deal with drunk messy people anymore, that's just not me anymore ((ignore the fact that Betty pointed out that I was the messiest one there was before I fell pregnant with Vincent)).

New Year's Eve marks the start of my 6th year of being with Tim. We started dating on New Year's Eve at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. We ran out of alcohol I think. Tim and one of our friends at the time pulled somebody's fence up and burnt it on the bonfire we shared with some randoms on the beach. They were burning their own garden chairs etc, we thought they'd stolen them.

I hated Tim before then. I went to NYE with my sister who was going with her boyfriend at the time. He happened to be Tim's best friend. I grudgingly went along and then I saw Tim in the water at the beach and I was like, "ummmm, he's pretty cute!"

ahahha.

Anyway, what are your plans for ringing in the new year? Some people believe it's a dumb time to make fresh starts, that you should be startign thigns when you are ready for them! That is very true, but I don't have any vices I need to quit or anything dramatic, just a few new ideas for 2010.

Here they are::

Max California's New Year's Resolutions

1. Recycle/Make our clothes:: For 2010 I will be making from scratch, reconstructing or thrifting Tim's, Vincent's and my clothes! We won't be buying anything new. Hopefully this can stretch to shoes and toys, but I'm not going to promise anything in that department.

2. Get Fit, Get Healthy:: My poor son has to drink my breastmilk. He has no say how nutritious it is to him, and I've just been taking advantage of the fact that he gets the nutrients before me. This has left me pretty unhealthy. I am unmotivated to eat much at all and when I do it's not healthy. So I'm determined to get outside in the fresh air more and make an effort to make delicious nutritious meals for me and mine.

3. Get Organised:: I'm going to cover the fridge in chore lists and reminders. I'm going to write a family budget and we're going to stick to it. I'm going to write shopping lists so we stop filling the cupboard with 500 bagsof pasta because we can't remember how much we have. I'm going to get a calendar and write everything in it. I need a 2010 diary too I just remembered.

4. Keep My Plants Alive:: I'm a terrible gardener. I just forget about my poor thirsty little plants. This year I'm going to have a successful flower and vegetable garden!

5. Throw some parties:: I want to be a good little hostess, and since Vincent won't be celebrating christmas and birthdays, I want to throw parties for him so he can still have fun and won't feel left out. I never felt left out when I was growing up, because my parents threw my sister + I wonderful parties! I know he's a bit young to notice, but I like parties!

I'm sure I will think of more, but this seems like a good start.

What about you? Have you blogged about your New Year yet? Leave the link here!

Welcome Back To Me ♪

Hello ♪

Oh I know I took an unexpected hiatus, I was so busy but I should have said something ;D It's almost the end of the month + where are the 31 skirts?! I hear you screaming at me. I went to Toowoomba to visit my folks, then Allora to visit my husband's folks over the christmas break. I did TRY to sew while I was at my mum's, but it was so nice to just sit back and do not a thing. I did cut out some rad pants, which I will sew up when I return there this week ((for a few days))

Oh I dyed my hair again! It's now BLACK.

Yep. Back to good ol' black and I'm so happy. I feel pretty. And no one stares so obscenely anymore. I was getting REALLY sick of that. I mean, it was like I was from another planet, the way people stared at me. Their eyes would go all googley and their mouths would hang open. Like I wouldn't notice.

LAME.

Ok so New Year's Resolutions? Has anyone started thining about that yet? I have, I'll write a proper list up later and put it up New Year's Day/Eve whenever it's supposed to be done.

Amongst my resolutions is to get a Wii Fit ((har har)) and get fitter! I played my sister-in-law's over christmas and I loved it! Tim is resolving to do this too, so it will be great doing it together. We're also going to eat better, and try to make our garden look better! I'm going to try to grow a big vegetable garden, but we need to put down some nice potting mix or soil because it's so dry here.

Another resolution I'm sure you're all going to love is a wardrobe refashion pledge for this entire year, no cheating! I will be making from scratch, reconstructing or buying second hand my family's clothes. Clothes for Tim, Vin + I!

And the 31 skirts? I still have a heap of them to finish and show you, so if it's ok with you I'd like to finish it up in January!

Day 8 - "Jane" Exposed Zipper Skirt

Didn't love this skirt, at all, but now I don't hate it. I like the way it sits on me. The T-shirt I used was one that I refused to throw away because, well, how can I throw away something I can cut up? It was a shirt we bought for Tim years ago, because we were going to see Queensland Roar play, and we had NOTHING ORANGE ((as if you would anyway?)) so on the way we stopped by JayJays and grabbed the first orange thing we saw. Well Tim wore it once. To the Roar. then that's it. It's been in my pile of clothes to cut up ever since ((Maybe I'll take a photo of that one day for you guys?))

I cut the shirt up and cut it into a big rectangle. Then i cut one the same size out of black and stitched them together ((this became the back seam)). I added a big metal seperating zipper at the front, because I love exposed Zips! Especially big chunky metal ones! Then I added a fold-over band for the hem and the top. It's so easy to do!

((the skirt doesn't ripple like that normally, I was standing odd))

By the way, I'm TERRIBLY sunburnt! It hurts to move + of course Vincent's little nails are always pinching or scratching it! eeep. Vitamin E cream has been slathered on my legs, arms + chest frequently!

Also, did you notice my hair is a different colour ;D the chlorine at the pool when we went for Vin's swimming lesson stripped the recent blue I had in it ((I havn't uploaded any pics from the pinup competition have I?! Oh I should do that too!))

Sorry!

Sorry for that unexpected Hiatus! The truth was I just havn't been sleeping very well at all. It's a mix of my mind being so crazy I can't shut it off and Vinnie sleeping really weirdly, and not napping much during the day!

So I've been surviving in this weird haze, where I can't tolerate anything, and all I want to do is watch tv and go braindead for a while.

Well I'm sorry, and I'm ok now because I've decided to just push myself out of this slump! So hang tight, and I'll show you the skirts from the last 7 days!

((Gosh, A week? Really?))

Making Clothes

So once you get the hang of sewing, it's pretty fun to just cut + sew and reconstruct existing clothes. You prolly even follow some tutorials and come out with some amazing gear.

For more complex outfits though, you're going to need to know how to use patterns!

I studied fashion for a few years, but dropped out to go on a roadtrip to Perth with my dad + my sister! ((Well I dropped out after I came back and couldn't keep up)) One day I'll go back and finish my diploma, and one day I'll be a costume designer.

Anyway, my favourite subject was pattern-making. I'll collect some links for you on how to further expand on pattern-making, but for the moment, the best place to start is to get some pattern blocks/slopers.

These are the basic patterns you'll need to make anything you heart desires by simply adding and removing darts, or pivoting the pattern. I know it all seems like gibberish, but gradually I'll explain more!

I got my pattern blocks from fashion school. Big cardboard basic patterns. You can get your own from any store that sell patterns. Have a look around first before buying anything, but you're going to need a basic pants pattern, a basic bodice pattern, a basic skirt pattern, and optionally - a basic dress pattern and a basic blouse pattern.

You're going to need to look for patterns with darts in the waist ((front and back)) and in the bust. Every other dart you can add or take away.

Alternatively you can trawl the internet for tutorials on how to make your own blocks! For less complex patterns like pj pants and t-shirts, you can just draft patterns from your own clothes!

Either way, make sure you copy your pattern onto either cardboard or non-iron-on interfacing. That way you 'll have your blocks around for ages!

For children's wear, I've drafted patterns from Vincent's clothes, but I've also just bought off eBay two Kwik Sew books. One for baby wear, the other for toddlers.

Here's some pattern-making sites I've found on how to draft your own pattern blocks!

this looks very helpful!:: http://www.leenas.com/English/draw_patterns.html

Skirt
you're going to be looking for patterns of a basic straight skirt with darts at the waist front + back.
http://www.fashion-era.com/Pattern_drafting/index.htm
http://www.lovetosew.com/patternmakingskirt.htm

Pants
pants patterns are goign to be pretty straight legged, with darts at the waist and a fly
http://www.leenas.com/English/draw_women_pants.html
http://www.independentliving.org/fashionfreaks/pants/siwp1.html

Dress
basically a bodice and a skirt pattern put together! waist darts, bust darts
This is a good basic dress pattern, from Butterick. So is this one.
Here is the sloper they use for all McCall's patterns.

Also, Wild Ginger has some great patterns you can buy that create patterns up for you from scratch made to your measurements. Very Cool.

Here's a little bit more about using slopers.

Rant. about Christmas

I cannot stand christmas

I don't like how people still see Christmas as a religious holiday. If you're so smart, where in the Bible does it say that Jesus was born on December 25? It gives the date of Jesus' death, and said that we should keep remembering that, so if God wanted us to celebrate Jesus' birth, why wouldn't he put the date in the Bible too?

And where the heck does the Christmas Tree and Santa Claus come into it? People get very judgemental when I wear a t-shirt with a skull on it, because it's symbol of death, so why are they following all these ideals that come from pagan holidays? That goes right against everything they say they believe in! Seriously just look up these things in Wikipedia even, and they all start with pagan roots.

Everything is so commercialised these days, and people just get sucked right into it. I don't care if I'm missing the 'spirit of christmas', why can't we have massive family get together at times other than christmas?

All my life people have 'felt sorry' for me for 'missing out' on christmas, easter, birthdays etc. And now I'm a mum and my husband and I have both decided that Vin will never celebrate a birthday or a christmas as long as I have anything to do with it. He's not missing out. He doesn't need special days to get given gifts. That's not the idea behind receiving gifts! My family + I exchange gifts all the time, and I love giving gifts to people for no reason at all! Vinnie hasn't even had a first birthday yet and he's got presents coming out of his ears!

And ontop of everything else, why would I lie to my beautiful little son about stupid things that don't need to be even lied about in the first place? Why would I go along with all this made-up stuff, only to tell him in a few years it's not true?

I'm not saying I'm the most religious person. I've done things in the past that were not good. But they are in the past, and I am trying very hard now to do things the right way, the way I was raised, which is why i'm venting my feelings here and not to someone's face.

Don't even get me started on birthdays.

*gets off soapbox*

Request a tute!

Hey Guys!

I know I should be sewing more skirts, but I also feel like writing a tutorial. So let me know either by commenting below + writing in my shoutbox to the right there, what sort of tutorial should I write up today?

Day 7:: "Barbie" t-shirt surgery skirt

Good morning! I'm on time today! Today's skirt is inspired by the iconic barbie doll!

I bought this Barbie shirt from eBay for afew dollars. It was sized XS, and was destined to be cut up. It sat on my pile for a few months, until this skrit challenge came up, and then I knew what to do! I combined it with a long tank top I'd bought from Supre that was trerribly 90s :)


Voila, lots of lace, pink hearts and barbie! ((Click th pics to see them bigger))



Also, i'm sorry about the hideous singlet. It's the only white tee I have at the moment. Perhaps I should make one today.


I added white lace around the heart ((which is interfaced and lined with the same pink floral fabric as day 4's skirt)). I also added a little pink satin ribbon bow and a purple + pink fabric-covered button I scored from Tim's mother's button jar!

I need to get to Toowoomba on a weekday and totally trawl the opshops for more buttons and zippers. AND FABRIC ((i don't think I could ever get sick of fabric)). I came home yesterday with a big bag of fabric my mum had hidden from me, then gave in + fed my addiction. Very cool stuff there!

Day 6:: "Feejee" plaid shirt reconstruction

This one is a reconstruction too! Today we left my parent's house and popped in to see Tim's parents. Pumpkin didn't sleep much at all, so was half hilarious, half whinging all day. He is SO close to crawling, you just hold your breath in anticipation that it's about to happen!

Anyway, Feejee is a skirt I reconstructed from a button up shirt of Tim's. I held alot of memories for him, he wore it to Fiji when he finished highschool. Instead of going to schoolies, the local church organised a trip to Fiji for the school leavers! So Tim went and had alot of fun, and he kept this shirt forever. he hasn't worn it in ages, but wouldn't let me throw it out. I asked if I could cut it up and he said I could. I just couldn't think of anything worth it!

Well I use the lower front of it as the base of the skirt, the lower back as the back. The middle back and the top of the shirt became the ruffles and the back yoke ((because most shirts have one yoke and the same fabric again as lining)) became the waistband with elastic threaded through!

That little white thing is a felt heart half hidden under a ruffle.


VERY comfortable! I know I keep saying how comfortable these skirts are, but I'm used to wearing tiny micro minis every day ((before Vin)) and have only just realised the comfort of skirts a little longer. hahah.

Day 5:: "Cyndi" polkadot rara skirt

My favourite kind of skirt! This was prolly the first kind of skirt I ever made when I was younger. I was about 17 I think, and all Supre sold was rara skirts! So, because I didn't have any money, I made my own!



This one is called Cyndi, after Cyndi Lauper! It's VERY easy to make, so I'll be able to whip a tutorial for it next month with much ease!


That's one of my mum's cats, the very friendly Reginald. She foudn him walking down the island of a busy road and after asking around and calling the pound, she found out no one had reported him missing. He was very unkempt, so she decided to adopt him!

I wore this skirt on Saturday for Eidecan ((with my cowgirl boots)). We saw Captain Twilight and the Six Shooters, checked out the fundraising stall for the Toowoomba Roller Derby girls and drank lemonade from Vague's little bake sale stall! We also rubbed shoulders with my old friend Jer from Bizoo ((Who's finishing up Bizoo and starting a new zine, of which I shall be writing the DIY section!)) and bought a very amazing zine called Gutterslug! It was very good to see all the people I used to know when I was young and naive and not really knowing what I was or what I should be doing.

Day 4:: Kelly - 90s floral ruffle skirt

Sorry I havn't updated in a few days! I rearranged our house a little, and the wireless dropped out from our computer, then I went to visit my folk's and tim's folks for the weekend.

Anyway, on with the show!

This skirt is called Kelly because not only is it an awesomely 90s name, this skirt was inspired by the very girlee Kelly from imyourpresent.

I drafted a pencil skirt pattern, then slashed it in half and added seam allowances. Then I added the longest rectangle of fabric to gather in the seam. I did french seams on this one, so if the ruffle flips up, you can't see any ugly overlocking threads :D


I'll take better photos maybe tomorrow for you all, so don't forget to check back. This skirt is really really comfortable!

Day 3:: Max- denim cowgirl skirt

Tonight we're going to see Where The Wild Things Are. I am SO EXCITED like you wouldn't believe. Today it came out in Australia, and I pre-booked our tickets last night to make sure we wouldn't miss out. Tonight will be the first time I've been to the movies in a year, the first time with a little pumpkin in tow!

Anyway, onto the Good Stuff!


I called this skirt Max, because that's the name of the little boy character in the book/movie. And because it's the name of someone else VERY awesome. Hmmm.....

This one is a reconstruction. I kept this denim skirt of my sister's for so long. Seriously I think she gave it to me when she was 17... so like, 6 years ago. But, well, I'm a hoarder, and I had to keep it for some reason. I think it's the denim frills.


Long, and blah.

And after I got scissors to it ((click the pics to make them bigger!))::

Short + cute as sin!

I cut the skirt about 1cm above the ruffles, and at the bottom of the fly ((yep, I made sure to measure first!)), then I cut up this old vintage nightgown I NEVER wore, but the fabric is sooo soft, to be the same length as the ruffled section. I stitched on mass amounts of lace to the hem of the underskirt, then joined the underskirt + the ruffled denim to the bottom of the original skirt.

Voila! I do like it. It reminds me of a cowgirl skirt, so I donned my cowgirl boots! This outfit makes me feel like a little kid, so it's fitting that I'm wearing it tonight I think.


And look, vinnie got a little Max hood! And a crown! The hood is made from fleece and lined with an old white t-shirt of Tim's ((that I DIDN'T ask for permission to cut up...)). It does up under his chin with a bit of velcro, and you can't see in these photo, but I'll get some better ones tonight, but instead of adding whiskers made from wire or fishing line, I thought it'd be safer to, using black thread, just stitch them on.


His little crown is just made from felt. It's so cute. It reminds me of Jughead Jones. Actually, now that I've mentioned it, I think I'll make him an actual Jughead Jones Crown!

I'll upload some pics later of Vinnie's little hood + crown I made! All I have are these facebook pics I took with my iPhone.

Hehehe, little sweetheart.

This skirt is probably the most comfortable thing I've worn in a while! Have a good one ya'll, I'm leaving in 20 MINUTES!

31 Skirts:: Day2 - HOLLY - Pinup Pencil Skirt

I want to start off this post firstly by saying a massive THANKYOU to everyone who reads my little blog, and those who comment too! You make me feel so happy when I check my emails and I can see a reply ;D

So,

THANKYOU!

Now, onto the serious business DAY 2 of the 31 Skirt Challenge
DISCLAIMER:: Today, I'm not actually wearing this skirt. I KNOW. I'll make up for it by wearing two another day.


I made the pattern for this dress when I was studying fashion, for a pattern-making assignment. I was inspired by this post on craftster, and the small tutorial that came with it really helped me alot. Unfortunately you can't see the detail that well in this fabric. Next time I'll use either plain fabric, or fabric with a bigger print, like massive polka dots or something. ((While finding the post that inspired me, I found out that she uses bold fabric with massive polka dots. Funny how thigns can stay in the back of your head and you don't realise! haha))

The detailing is the pleating on the darts. I had to make one side of the dart double the size so it would pleat into the dart well. It wasn't too hard!

I really love this skirt, it's so pinupy and stylish. TOO BAD IT'S TOO SMALL! You can't see, but the waistband isn't done up. ahah. So I'll be regifting this to some tiny little thing I think. That's the reason I'm not wearing it today. Also, I have to walk to the shops in a moment and go fabric shopping. At least I am wearing one of the 31 skirts. It's Skirt #6, but I really love how casual it is. YOU CAN'T SEE IT YET! ahha, sorry! You'll have to wait until Sunday.


I called Holly, because there is holly on it. hahah, I'm so ingenious. Well at least I think it's holly. I've never seen holly in real life before. Actually, I think it's just red berries with leaves, because aren't holly leaves really spiky? Whoopsie!

I chose to have it as Day #2's dress because I don't celebrate christmas, and it looks incredibly christmassy doesn't it! So I thought I'd put it as far to the front of the month as possible.

How's my progress with the rest of the skirts? I'm changing my ideas every day. Some skirts I can't wait to wear, others I'm just wearing them for the sake of the 31 Skirt project. I might replace them, or make-up for sub-par lovin' by making EXTRA SKIRTS.



It was brought to my attention, by a very clever lady, that there is a challenge similar to this called Frocktober. She completed it by making her dresses for every day of October. AMAZING.

It's for Ovarian Cancer, and it made me realise, apart from making Tim Shave for a Cure, I don't do anything that supports anything. That makes me feel a bit selfish, I do things for myself or for my family/friends. I should try to start caring + supporting other things.

What kinds of charities/causes are close to your heart?

This has got me thinking hard, because none of my family are sick or suffering from anything, thankfully. But what about people around me? Two girls I have never met, fell pregnant shortly after I did. We were good friends on livejournal, and our lives have all changed dramatically from party hard rockers, to responsible mothers ((but still trying to rock!)). One of them is mummy to an amazing little boy named Zephyr. He was born with a cleft lip, and had his operation for it just a few days ago. She couldn't breastfeed him, but everyday she expressed milk for him. That's amazing. You have no idea how hard it is to express every single day. It hurts your nipples like crazy.

The other mother has a little boy named Atom. ((I KNOW, Vincent, Zephyr + Atom, prolly the coolest boys club on the planet!? They sound like characters from a cool book)) He was born with a few little problems, but one of them was some sort of spinal thing. i'm not sure on the details, but I do know he was born with a massive dimple in the middle of his back. Like a hole. I have to check in with her to see how he's going, she's not online much.

And then I feel guilty when Vincent won't sleep at night! HA!

Chicken Normandy

This was a big hit with my husband, my mother and my sister! I rarely cook things that aren't our usual boring pasta/rice with meat + sauce routine, so when I tried this I was really impressed with how well it turned out!

I now buy the Good Taste + Super Food Ideas magazines religiously. Although now that they're online, I probably won't anymore? haha, THRIFTY

Here's the recipe, straight from the website. I'd change it a bit though, I'd eliminate the dry apple cider, it's not really necessary.

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 1 tbs olive oil
• 2 tbs butter
• 1.5kg chicken thigh fillets, halved
• Ground nutmeg
• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
• 1 large brown onion, finely chopped
• 125ml (1/2 cup) dry apple cider
• 125ml (1/2 cup) chicken stock
• 80ml (1/3 cup) apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbs plain flour
• 2-3 tbs water
• 2 Granny Smith apples, extra, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
• 125g (1/2 cup) sour cream

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Heat the oil and half the butter in a large heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook one-third of the chicken for 2-3 minutes each side or until golden. Transfer to a large casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Repeat, in 2 more batches, with the remaining chicken.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add the apple to the frying pan and cook for 2 minutes each side or until light golden. Place over the chicken in the dish. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook onion in pan, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes or until soft. Add to the dish. Cover and bake for 40 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, place the cider, stock, vinegar and thyme in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to the boil. Combine the flour and a little water in a small bowl. Gradually add the flour mixture to the cider mixture, whisking constantly, until well combined. Stir until thick. Simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Heat remaining butter in the frying pan over medium heat. Add the extra apple and cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until golden.
5. Add the sour cream to the cider mixture and stir over medium heat for 1 minute or until the sauce is just heated through.
6. Transfer the chicken and apple mixture to a serving platter. Pour over the sauce and top with the apple rings.

Notes & tips

• Serve this dish with mashed potato or steamed rice.

31 Skirts:: Day1 - EMILY - tartan kilted pinafore

Hey-ho! 31 skirts is officially off with a bang!
as always, click the pics to make them bigger

Introducing the first, and Mr. Husband's personal favourite, the schoolgirl skirt!

I reconstructed this skirt from a kilt I bought for $2 from an opshop! I'd started unpicking the pleats and had removed the waistband, planning on using the not-too-woolly fabric for a pair of tartan skinnies.

Well I spied it in my stash as I was planning my 31 Skirts adventure and decided that because my lovely Mr. Husband has a thing for school uniforms ((he's not a pedaphile btw!)) I'd make it into something he'd love!



So I cut it short, hemmed it, added some ruffley lace ((Seriously, buying cards of lace of eBay is probably the greatest idea I've ever had)) and a waistband. I also added two suspender straps, because I love them! It does up with press-studs and I decorated it with a kilt pin.


And because I had leftovers, and my personal motto is "from scraps" ((I'll write up the reason why another day)), I made Vinnie a pair of pants that will prolly fit him until he's 15, aha.


And then i decided I needed a little tie of some sort, and made this cravat. I added 2 kinds of black lace to it and hotglued the base of a clip-on earring to the back. I did want to make Vinnie a matchign bowtie, but he started chucking a tanty ((he hasn't been sleeping well AT ALL)) and I decided to stop crafting and play photos instead. He loves playing photos. haha. I might make one for him later.

ewww, looks like I have gross dreds.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's skirt:: Holly