Kelly Doust introduces readers to her wonderful world of reviving and customising vintage pieces, while bringing a modern and unique twist to wearing vintage clothes – Dita Von Teese
Cute illustrations from Phat Flats
I adore really great illustrations – something with a bit of quirk, like Quentin Blake, or Daisy de Villeneuve, or the Japanese-French artist introduced by my friend Olivier, Atsuko Ishii. And just wait until you see the gorgeous illustrations by Zoe Sadokierski in my new book – she’s done the most amazing job. We have quite a few illustrations framed here at home, and I dream of one day owning a Quentin Blake original to pass on to Olive – my idea of a fab family heirloom.
Check out these cute illustrated cards and prints by Cathy McAuliffe of Phat Flats, designed and made in Tassie – aren’t they great? I would totally buy them.
For previous posts on favourite illustrators, click here for Antoinette Fleur, here for Do It in Paris, here for Kevin Tran, and here for Zoe Sadokierski.
Homemade happiness
Remember the Vogue article I mentioned writing a while back, about falling into craft through my vintage clothing addiction? The lovely Felicity Loughrey, a fellow Vogue contributor based in New York, contacted me recently to see if she could reproduce it on her new website. Click here to read it in full on Lustaday.
My jolie-laide frock
Eighties drop waist number - before
And after
I’ll be visiting the Channel Seven studios again this week to share some ideas with Morning Show viewers about how to update tired items in the back of the wardrobe into something you’ll wear again.
More on that soon, but what do you think of le sac above, and its transformation? I found it in a vintage boutique in Paris, not far from our postage stamp-sized hotel. Despite the bad eighties styling (amongst the worst of the era, surely?) I fell in love with the fabric, which dictated the fifties look I’ve attempted to resurrect from it.
I’ve worn my new favourite not once, not twice, but three times in two weeks – there’s more life in her yet, methinks.
Sewing gets sexy
I’ve been invited to this event but am unable to hop on a plane to attend… boo! If you’re in London and into the knitting & stitching scene, it looks to be the hottest ticket of the year.
And check out this article I found on Perri Lewis’ site about the new range of sewing machines shown at the Futura Trade Show 2010… yowsers, and I just purchased a new Brother from Spotlight. She runs like a dream, but I quite fancy the new Pfaff below… ooh er Missus, ain’t she fancy?
Cloth comes to Duckcloth
Rose Ruby Charcoal
Here’s one of my favourite Julie Paterson designs for Cloth Fabrics, now available at Duckcloth online – available to order from all over Australia. And a couple more… really very special all-natural, handprinted fabrics.
Boardwalk Seaweed
Stoney Peacock
Waste not, want lots
Zoe Murphy in her Margate studio
- ‘Margate Drawers’ by Zoe Murphy
Check out this article from the UK’s Daily Mail about savvy businesswoman & designer, Zoe Murphy and her upcycled furniture pieces. The Crafty Minx also gets a mention.
Shannyn’s crafty collage
Dior inspiration
I just received this lovely email from a reader, and wanted to share the project she finished a few weeks ago for her god-daughter:
Having loved your collage lady canvas in your book, I decided to use her European holiday photos on mine. She loves all things vintage and had a wonderful photo of a vintage Dior dress in a Paris window. I used this for my shape, and filled in the skirt with photos gleaned from Facebook. I think it turned out really well, and she was so surprised and pleased with her original present. Thanks for your lovely book that has provided me with hours of inspiration and entertainment – Shannyn
Dare to be Square… rockin’ quilts
Skull design quilt by Boo Davis
A while back I read a brilliant article written by artist Tracy Emin and featured in UK Vogue, about her handmade quilt pieces. I was reminded of it when sent the link to awesome, edgy quilting site, Quiltsryche. Designs are by Boo Davis, author of pattern book Dare to be Square. I’m ordering it post-haste.
“Quiltsryche is my evil quilt studio. I make modern heirloom quilts just like your metal-loving, half-blind Grandma would.”
Too cool.
You floozy
Saucy teacup by TrixieDelicious
Look at this reinvented porcelain teacup and saucer, available on Etsy from TrixieDelicious. It’s a seriously cool idea… so much so, I’m looking into ceramic paints to personalise a vintage gilt-edged plate for a friend’s birthday immediately.