Wednesday Junk Love...

"Welcome to Junk Love Wednesday a little club started by Selina at Wild Things of Noosa where each week we post about our favourite second hand find or treasure" (ref: Em at emmaroseart).

This week, following on from my post last week about some lovely upcycled fabrics I was lucky enough to find, I would like to introduce you to this beautiful vintage dress that belonged to my Aunty.  I was so very lucky to have it handed down to me.  Oh and it is handmade too.

I have always been into Vintage and as a 'Bright Young Thing' I delighted in wearing it with my Doc Marten boots (love the 90's) and flowers in my hair, ready for a fun night out...I still love this dress.

2nd hand wares often have many stories attached to them, almost have a life of their own....imagine the stories they could tell if they could talk...

Pop over to emmaroseart to join 'Junk Love' and share you finds :)

More Vintage*Retro skirts for mums

Here are some more fun vintage and retro inspired skirts I have been whipping up. This mid length Easy-wear skirt one above is from some beautiful vintage fabric I found on my trip at a wonderful little vintage shop called Shop 55 it also has an online shop. The yellow gingham is my tribute to the ever smiling and sweet Doris Day. The long length Easy-wear skirt is made from blue linen with appliqued pocket and is my pioneering mothers tribute : -) These skirts have headed down to the lovely hand-made shop Handmade Heaven.

Retro Vintage Summer Skirts for busy Mums

Here are some fun skirts I have done for spring/summer with bright colours and big patch pockets. I call them Mamma's Easy-wear Skirts as they are designed with busy mums in mind, they easily slip on (elastic waist for ease of fit) and are ease of care - iron or don't iron! They look good worn over jeans, tights, stockings or with bare legs...matched with a singlet top, T or a retro/vintage blouse. Probably look cute with a matching hairband : - ) The first two are vintage style 1950's fabric (new ) the last one is a fabulous floral vintage fabric... they are 100% cotton I love its qualities it's so hardwearing, and has a nice crisp look.

A big thank you to the store owner Liesa at Handmade Heaven http://handmadeheaven7.blogspot.com/2009/08/loving-lillipilli-lane-right-now.html for modelling her beautiful Cho Cho San EWS. Several of these skirts have gone to good homes through Handmade Heaven at Ipswich (Qld) with some great feedback from the wearers - thank you I appreciate it...My sewing machine is purring along at present creating some more in this range...

best to you all

Another in the Vintage meets Retro range, Carry All bag

I so loved the fabrics I made the cushion from (see previous post ) I made a Carry All (Mamma's Bag) with the same fabrics. One of the inspirations for this bag came from a beautiful handbag I purchased a few years back, from Laze of Melbourne. Many people comment how nice it is and it appeals to my like of things shabby chic ...

As a mum I am always carrying lots of bits & pieces. Know what I mean? So I designed a good size bag that could carry lots of stuff.

This bag may be rolled up into a small size and tucked into my handbag. Its soft, yet it may also be used as a handbag...So its pretty versatile. Its like a stylish version of the green bag (you know the ones you get from the supermarket). I got tired of carry them around and thought, " why don't I make my own 'green bag' for all my kids stuff (spare clothes, snacks, drink bottles, favourite toy, hat, washer etc etc).

This bag may also be used as a nappy bag, and has lots of useful pockets - a bigger one inside for a purse/wallet / anti-nappy rash cream / wipes and two outside (one on top of the other) for a mobile phone, lipstick, sunnies / dummy etc. Its also reversible. The picture shown has the red carnation print to the outside, however it can be turned inside out to reveal the warm retro brown fabric on the outside and the pretty red carnation as a suprise inside the bag. Two bags in one.

Retro meets Vintage Home-ware Cushion

This vibrant, fun cushion is part of my Home-Ware range. I am really happy with the way it turned out.

So what was my inspiration? I needed to Tame the Beast...my overlocker (serger) that is. For those of you that have them, you will know what I mean...

I was over cowering and saying prayers of hope as I approached the beast. So I decided the day had come. After some searching I found a teacher who showed no fear at all, and promptly booked into her class...The result, this beautiful cushion - completely created by way of my overlocker. I am thrilled with the disovery of its capabilities and my new found skills...

The cushion is of a warm brown 100% cotton fabric with a retro style circle patern. It is teamed with a stunning, cheerful vintage style print of red carnations. A feature of the cushion is the flat-locked stitches that embellish the front, giving it a unique appeal. I have made the covers removable for ease of cleaning, important with littlies. They can be custom made, or personalized.