My 2nd Project

So finally I managed to tackle my second sewing project, the flutter sleeved cardigan I mentioned earlier.

I managed to make this in one evening which was great.  I'm still a little slow with things, double and even triple checking everything before I make each cut or stitch, but I'm really loving it.

I wore this the very next day and I can see it becoming a wardrobe staple.  My hubby even thought I'd bought it which is a great complement!

Starting on a skirt now, and my first ever zip!  Stay tuned...

My Next Project

This is the next project I am going to tackle...

Along with this...

Wish me luck!

Autumn/Winter Key Picks

It pains me to think of the winter months that are looming, but now is the time to pick up those key winter wardrobe staples just as they come into stores towards the end of August. Pause to consider a purchase at this time and it may be gone forever...

These are the key pieces I will be looking to add to my wardrobe over the next few months:

1. Winter Wonderland Sweater

I'm hoping I can find a piece like the one above from D&G. I did buy something similar on sale in Abercrombie that I didn't get the chance to wear too much last winter, so maybe that will be my Norwegian sweater of the season.

2. Maxi Skirt

I'm still undecided on the whole maxi skirt trend. I had a bit of an incident a few years back involving a escalator and a gypsy skirt that I haven't quite got over! But I know by the end of the season I will have worn one of these a few times. This version by Athleta is perfect for the autumn months.

3. Camel-Coloured Coat

I have been alternating between a plum winter coat and a camel coloured coat for the past few years and I must admit I love my camel coat. It goes with absolutely anything and can be dressed up or dressed down. Perfect. Two styles I have been admiring are both by designer Suwha Hong.

4. Knee High Socks

This is another trend I've been excited to try but I can't quite muster up the confidence to actually wear it. I just have this dread that I will look like some strange late-twenties school girl. This season I'm determined to try them out. This plain pair from American Apparel would be perfect to test out this trend (and they can be work under trousers if I decide it's not for me!)

5. Bright Evening Dress

I feel this is the season to put the LBD away and go for something a little brighter to liven up the winter months. I love the style and fit of this piece by BCBG.

6. Nude Heels

These heels are by Cole Haan, with Nike Air technology. They don't come cheap (this pair is priced at $328 - although you can find great bargains at outlet stores like Freeport, Maine) but honestly, these are the only heels I can wear all night without causing me any pain at all.

7. Lace/Embellished Detailing

This dress and jacket by French Connection are perfect for Autumn/Winter. The embellished detail is beautiful and each piece can also be worn separately.

8. 50s Inspired Bag

I love a beautiful bag, especially when they are large enough to cram in all the junk that I carry around! This one from Club Monaco would be ideal, and the colour will complement my camel coloured coat perfectly!

My First Creation!

We've all got to start somewhere, right!

This is my first ever sewing creation, a pair of lounge pants. I was so nervous starting this out that I put it off for weeks and weeks. I didn't want my first sewing masterpiece to be a complete disaster that would put me off for life! But amazingly, they turned out perfect.

I used fabric sourced from the remnants bin at my local fabric store and it only cost me a $1 (there was no way I was using expensive fabric on my first sewing attempt!) I took the pattern slowly and read (and re-read) each step carefully.

They only took me two evenings to make and they will be in-house comfy staple wear for a while! I've already had requests for orders from friends (Christmas presents anyone!)

A Fresh Start

So, a computer mishap which resulted in all my design files disappearing into virtual nothingness has made me rethink myself and my blog.  Was I doing what I really wanted to do?  Was I heading down the right path?

I needed to disappear off the radar for a few weeks to really think about this.  Yes, I could easily recreate the files that I lost, but did I want to?

I took some time to think about what I really wanted to do, what skills I wanted to learn to push myself and I realised what I had known all along.  My true passion lies in fashion and clothes.  From the colours and patterns of the fabric to the shapes that are cut out of the sheets of fabric to piece together to make garments, I love all of this.

I have never made my own clothes before, but please join me on my journey over the next few months as I attempt to make my own capsule wardrobe for spring/summer 2011.

Recycled Fashion

Tesco is the next retail giant to tentatively leap into ethical fashions. 

 

Eco-friendly fashions are becoming more and more popular since a.) the styles are becoming more fashionable and b.) they are becoming more affordable.

Tesco's main fashion label F&F has teamed up with From Somewhere to produce this new eco-friendly line. Not only are the pieces produced from recycled materials (made from Tesco pieces that would otherwise be thrown away), they are also produced in an eco-friendly factory based in Sri Lanka.

I'm not too sure about the pieces that are shown on the visual, I can't see them being snapped up by too many people due to their styling. I would prefer to see skirts made of multiple fabrics, giving the whole line more of a 'handmade' feel - as seen on skirts by UK designers Polka Dot Pink

 

This comes at a great time as it follows the wake of the scrutiny clothing giants are under about what happens to their clothing once it is withdrawn from stores - hopefully the steps that Tesco are taking will be shared by others!

Let's hope everyone starts to care a little more about the 'green image' their company portrays to it's consumers!

Our travel themed wedding invitations

I promised some pictures of my wedding invitations back on this post, back in October.

So, here they are.  I got some great comments on these invitations from our wedding guests and I will be adding these to my Etsy store over the next few days so you can get this invitation style for your own big day.

They are perfect for any destination wedding, just tie the colours in to your theme and away you go!

Enjoy!

20% Off Your First Custom Design!

For 10% off your first order, or 20% off your first CUSTOM order, please email me with the code, STRAWSAVE before 1 March 2010.

Thanks so much!

FREE NEW DESIGN: Handbag Notelets

Show off your fashion sense with these handbag notelets... Get this one free!
Printable PDF link here.

NEW DESIGN: Stylish Business Card

Looking for something different to showcase your business?  Don't shy away from colour, embrace it!

NEW DESIGN: Bright Wedding

Want to show off your great sense of style?  Fed up of boring, traditional wedding invitaitons?
... Then take a look at this bright wedding stationary set!

Calling card inspiration

Looking at some inspiration for a range of calling cards I am designing...  Simply beautiful.  I'm really loving the square format.

Colour-in your own outfit!

I love the concept of this colour-in dress by Michiel Shuurman and Berber Soepboer.  This would be a great concept for design your own leggings.

Visit michielschuurman.nl for more details

NEW DESIGN: Just4U Card

A simple design for a greetings card that pays homage to all us designers who are used to creating print ready files and looking at all those print registration marks!

NEW DESIGN: Mid-Day Crisis

I know i tend to have a mid-day crisis around 3pm every day!  This is often cured by a large cup of coffee and a donut, but now you can celebrate these time by proudly displaying this poster!

NEW DESIGN: Big Occasion Invitation

An elegant, invitation for a big occasion.

Save up to Buy!

When browsing on Net a Porter I came across this beautiful bracelet by Maison Martin Margiela.

It is a series of rings joined together to create a bracelet.  I love the idea that a bracelet can be formed out of another piece of jewellery.  I also love the eclectic mix of styles in the different rings used to form the bracelet.

Now we just need to see statement earrings made of different styles of bracelets, or maybe a bracelet made out of earrings!

NEW DESIGN: I Love London

A special way to show your love for your favourite city, is this cute I love London design...  London not your favourite city?  Then send me suggestions and I will create a new design showcasing your No.1 city.

NEW DESIGN: Bridesmaid Card

 The first of my new designs, this is a card that you would give to your bridesmaids as a keepsake.  It have 2 small holes in the card that you can put a pair of earrings onto.  This would be your first gift to your bridesmaid and you can theme the card & the earrings to the style of your wedding.

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/strawberrychamp

Guest Blog Post - Kind over Matter

I'm guest blogging today for the wonderful Amanda and Jenn of Kind over Matter.

You can check out my post and printables for a amazing Valentine's on a budget here.

Thanks Amanda and Jenn for making me feel so at home!

Lingerie as Outerwear: the trend in 102 words

(Image from vogue.com)

First seen on the catwalks of S/S10, lingerie as outerwear is set to be the it trend of 2010.  Echoing similar trends from the 1980's it will be interesting to see how this trend actually spans out... Will anyone wear it?

We've already seen Sienna Miller wearing tights as outwear which, to be honest, only Sienna miller could get away with.  In addition to this stockings will show beneath skirts, corsets will be work as tops and briefs will be worn as shorts (weather permitting).

(Image from fashionising.com)

Done tastefully, this could be a very beautiful trend... Think pastel shades not red and black lace!

(Image from amazon.com)

The iPad in 106 words

Apple's new product, launched today, marks a new era in technology.  The iPad, whether you think the name is the worst ever, or if you think it is no use when you already have an iPod and a iPhone, will successfully cross the bridge of the void between your cumbersome laptop and your 'just too small to type comfortably' iPhone.

I'm excited to see this in the flesh and check out the public response to its launch.  With an average of 800 tweets every 30 seconds on the trending topic #iPad on Twitter you can see Apple have once again taking over the social media world.

Bare Chests! The Golden Globe Trends 2010

This years Golden Globes fashion saw some startling consistencies in the fashion world. Floor length dresses were definitely the most popular, this gave the whole even a really glamourous feel and made me excited for the Ocsars. There were some beautiful themes running through the night.

This is a quick run down of a few:

1. Bare necklines.
Necklaces were few and far between on the red carpet. In fact the only bold neckline statement was Julia Roberts' huge gold embellished piece.

2. Earrings.
Making up for the nude necklines, the stars were out in force with beautiful, long statement earrings. Wearing both earrings and a dramatic necklace would have been too much and I think the understated elegance works perfectly here.

3. Loose waves and buns.
A common theme also ran through the celebs' hair. Loose waves were swept to one side and loosely pinned to create a casual, yet sophisticated style. This style shows off the beautiful earrings and is so easy to pull off. This is my fail safe, night out hairstyle if I have a hair disaster going on! This style was also perfect for the wet weather they had at the Golden Globes last night.

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4. The star dress.
The dress that I found the most outstanding was this Caroline Herrera design worn by Sofia Vergara. I found this to be something a little different. THe colours complemented Sofia's complexion and colouring perfectly. You can't see the whole detail here as the train on the back of the dress was exquisite, the blue and the pink of the dress combined into a gorgeous effect. Even though this dress is plain in comparison to some of the other sparkly numbers I thought it was perfect for the event

All pictures from E! Online