I’ve been a bit slack lately, in posting, partly because there are some changes for our family with this new year, the kidlets are moving into new things, and out in to the world more, and I’m working on a big?  secret?  project.  I’m entering two garments in World of Wearable Arts this year, which is really exciting, I’m using some materials I made while at Art School, all those years ago.

Sneak peak one:

Sneak peak two:

So far, this project is not involving much sewing, just pinning, draping, and reading books about fabulous haute couture garments by Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior and just some of the wonderful illustrations of Ernst Haeckel, I’m loving it!

Some sewing..

Luna’s world is about flowers.

And Blake is into trains.

And cars.

Excitedly, Rob’s recent performance at the Silos, Concretions, was a hit, and he has just started a postgraduate year at Elam.  Busy times ahead…

I went to see Home Sewn last week, a pop up exhibition put together by the folks at the New Zealand Fashion Museum.  It was such an enjoyable outing!  I took a few photos, I wanted to photograph them all… but here’s a wee taster.

The Nathan Gallery 42 Customs Street East, Britomart, Auckland.  September 5 – 26, hours 10 – 5 daily.

Have a look at NZ Style Collective post here for many more lovely photos, including the fabulous opening night!

Put together by the talented people over at the New Zealand Fashion Museum and only possible because of the generosity of the owners of the dresses, this is SUCH a good show, and you must see it if you are a sewer, love fashion, or are a bit mad about vintage frocks and social history like me.

Some more pics…

Cool old notions in cabinets…

Including the ‘Pifco’ Trouser Presser, even a man can use it!

I would have liked to have a nosy and see what the finishing is like (perfect I’m sure!) on the inside of the some of the frocks.  So much skill represented in one gallery.

Yes, I’m going again before it ends!

Here is a little bit more info, borrowed from over at Home Birth Aotearoa…

“Freedom for Birth” is more than just a film.
It marks the beginning of a movement that will focus global attention on the violations of women’s rights during childbirth all around the world.

The solution involves you!

All women should have the right, protected by law, to decide where and how they give birth.

The problem is that the rise of a dominant obstetric “machine” is robbing women of this right.

The result is that many women are being subjected to medical interventions and c-sections they neither want or need.

Tragically, midwives, the very guardians of normal birth, are being persecuted and criminally prosecuted to the extent that some have even been imprisoned.

“Freedom for Birth” will highlight the human rights abuses happening right now in North America, Europe, Australia and beyond.

And, the film will offer up a solutionthat can help protect womens’ rights.

Kia kaha!

Fabric a Brac came to Auckland yesterday, it was so much fun… I bumped into many sewing craftsy friends, some had tables, and some, like me were there to shop, it went like this, quick hug, “Sogladtoseeyou.Can’tstopandtalkmustkeeplooking.Coffeeafterwards” and this is what I brought home:

Three vintage patterns, $2 each, what a find!  And some really lovely cotton printed fabric, was at $25 for the 6.5m, but the lovely women gave it to me for $20, this will make at least two summer frocks, maybe even a sweet out fit for Luna !  I also picked up a couple of embroidery hoops, here’s a close up of the fabric:

Pretty huh, floral, but not TOO floral, if you know what I mean, understated I suppose.  I’ve been thinking of making a Dior floral inspired dress for some time, this will surely be enough fabric, while not pushing my ‘completely covered in flowers’ boundaries.

This evening I’m teaching a workshop on making your own skin creams, a Nana Technologies course, through the Kaipatiki Project.

An introduction to making your own skin care products at home.  The venue is Highbury House, in Birkenhead.

The evening will focus on making my Lemon and Rose skin cream, a good base recipe that includes ingredients such as rosehip oil, rosewater, shea butter and lemon essential oil.  Working from start to finish participants will have the opportunity to get a bit hands on, ask questions, talk about troubleshooting, including how to work through any problems that may arise when you make your own beauty creams at home.

We will go over basic equipment needs, and discuss optional extras. A key part of the workshop will involve testing samples of the base ingredients and discuss other ways to combine oils.  This has been very popular at my recent workshop!

Bit of bio:

I have been making my own beauty products for the last four years, a long precess of trial and error I’ve found out what works for me, and just how easy it can be to do it yourself at home.

Initially I was keen to have more control over what I was putting on my skin, as well as saving money.  However, this interest has become something of a passion as I enjoy learning about the potential healing properties of many vegetable and plant oils, and making it myself is so very satisfying!

Some ingredients for testing…

And more samples were had…

The finished product, ready to take home, mmm mm, smells just divine!

Photos were from my last workshop at Lopdell House…  Thanks to Lisa.

Raphaelesque Head Exploding, 1951 by Salvador Dalí

So I had a bit of a treat on the weekend, we went into town, all keen to see Degas to Dali, at the Auckland Art Gallery, this is the last weekend and I was sure it would be pack with last minute visitors (just like me).

But it was great!  I noted down my favs and the highlights to share, here are a few.

I drew a picture of a wave, similar to this one, when I was about 16, and was taken aback to see this painting in the exhibition.  You can read more about this series of works here, the Musee de Orsay website  and the specific painting here, the National Galleries Scotland website.

A handful of works resonated with me, now I’m A Mother I suppose, some really tender works, like this one by Picasso, Mère et enfant, or Mother and Child, 1902.  I know I’ve held this pose, like many other mothers.  Quite touching for me, as my experience of the art school and indeed the art world is that it is just so masculine.  Particularly a figure like Picasso, who, to me seems quite aggressive, portraying something so feminine, is beautiful.

Another mother and baby, this time, Rodin’s The Young Mother, this was also beautiful.

Who cannot resist a huge Roy Roy Lichtenstein?  This was really well placed, hats off to the curatorial team at the gallery.

And Anne Redpath, I was more drawn to her work after watching a dvd, Michael Palin on Art (which you should probably see).

What a fun day, I love being back the Art Gallery, and I so miss working there.  The thing is, I walk in and see all these works, some I know so so well, it’s like being with old friends.  So easy to take for granted, just being able to ‘be’ with great art works, and not to have to rush off.

Can’t wait to go back.

Hey see you this Sunday!!

Phew!  Just in time for Kraftbomb this coming weekend…  Lovely new cotton snack bags, I’ve been avoiding plastic for a while, and love using soft fabric ouches and small bags for mine and my kids on the go snacks.

I use mine for bread rolls, nuts, apples, these are fabric so good for dry goods, and thy wash well!  I have chosen and carefully laundered vintage cottons, and whipped them up into these handy (and so pretty!) snack bags.

These are my ones, come and see me this weekend to get your own!

Kraftbomb

Sunday 25th March
11 am – 2 pm
The Grey Lynn Community Centre
510 Richmond Road
Grey Lynn
Auckland

Exciting stuff, this is a big event for local craftsy folk like me, it’s a great day to get your gift shopping done, with some of the best in local talent all in one place selling their wares.

I’m pretty much all packed and ready to go, with just a couple more orders to fill, I have some goodies for you!  My Cupcake Pincushion Sewing Kits have been popular with buyers on Felt.co.nz, and my new Hanging Strawberry Sewing Kits have been a hit for people looking for an activity for a child or craftsy friend…  I’ll have plenty available on the day, all ready to go!

Cupcake Pincushion Sewing Kits…

A kit box for Hanging Strawberries…

See you there!!

Saturday 10th December 2011
11am to 3pm
Aotea Centre, THE EDGE
Auckland Central
Gold coin entry donation

Hey do read Kiwi Mummy Blogs?

I’ve been on there for a while and I have the honor of doing a giveaway!  Wohoo!  I have one of my new Hanging Strawberry Sewing kits to giveaway to some lucky punk, and that could be you.  You could sew up your own string of strawberries or give it as a gift to a keen craftsy type.  This kit is for a small string of three strawberries.

You just need to visit the giveaways page, over here, post a comment and you’re in, you have until Dec 11th, so get on over there!