A truly beautiful Minxy mix of charm, inspiration, practical advice, and pretty projects to simplify and beautify your life and home. - Jane Brocket, The Gentle Art of Domesticity
Minxy Vintage News
Just in from L.A., some lovely endorsements for the upcoming book from two seriously fabulous women:
Kelly Doust is a girl after my own heart, reinventing vintage finds to suit her personal style. Her book is a vintage vixen’s guidebook for the chic: just read, shop, recreate, and repeat. Her finds are exquisite and her reinvention tricks are inspiring and achievable for even the newest vintage shopper among us. You can’t help but get inspired by her vintage acumen.
- Janie Bryant, Award-Winning Costume Designer, Mad Men
Kelly Doust introduces readers to her wonderful world of reviving and customizing vintage pieces, with tips on how to find, buy, clean, repair and salvage vintage clothing… Minxy Vintage is a great guide for anyone who wants to bring their crafting and sewing skills to create personal and individual pieces from budget vintage finds, while bringing a modern and unique twist to wearing vintage clothes.
- Dita Von Teese, Burlesque Star & Vintage Icon
Janie Bryant's brilliant book, The Fashion File
And the inimitable Dita Von Teese
Candy Stripe Cloud
Tiny things Apple Shelf from Candy Stripe Cloud - perfect for an arigurami (crocheted creatures) display
And more super-cute things to buy. It’s Olive’s 3rd birthday in a few weeks so I’m on the lookout for sweet, original things she’ll keep for decades. On the wishlist? Anything from Candy Stripe Cloud.
Animal-hatted Kewpie Dolls
Village in a Bag play set
Storybook Rabbit
Hand-painted bunny plate from Storybook Rabbit
My new favourite Etsy shop – how fab are the chain-link scarves and reinvented vintage saucers at Storybook Rabbit? And I especially like these unique laser-cut brooches.
Chainlink scarf in Autumn colours
Polka dot bunny brooch
Hipster bunnies
Pinspiration & yet more crochet love
Crocheted mushrooms from I Knit
Hours whizz by perusing Pinterest, the virtual mood board for all things inspiring. Type in crochet, and there you have some of the cutest, weirdest things anyone could think to make. Love it.
Don’t ask me why, but I’m obsessed with crocheting fruit at the moment. The plan is to fill little bowls around the house with fancies (just because I can). Here’s the first attempt below – two pears and a strawberry, made from one of my Japanese pattern books (which is entirely in Japanese – a bit of a punt following its instructions, but we get there in the end). The pears measure about 5cm from top to bottom, using a 1.75mm crochet needle. I’m going solo next, and trying to attempt making my own cherries and apples.
Fruitbowl
Below is our pinboard, depository of all beloved imagery in the kitchen, and the crocheted brooch I made Olive recently but am saving for a day when she won’t cause some horrific accident or maim herself with it (bull in a china shop doesn’t come close to covering it, god love her).
Kitchen pinboard = happiness
Klimt would love this Koigu yarn
And check out my new crochet bag, found at the Rozelle markets a few weeks ago. It’s currently storing the shapes below for a new, Swedish-style blanket I’m whipping up in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino – heaven to touch.
Will this crochet obsession ever end?
A cheery little crochet bag
Another blanket on the way
Upcoming events, and another sneak peek
It’s arrived! At least the advances have, and I’ve been trying not to pore over my single copy of Minxy Vintage too closely. It’s all printed and ready to be shipped, and there’s nought can be done to change a thing… terrifying, really, but terribly exciting as well. And so we wait.
I gave a few special guests at Saturday’s Newcastle Vintage Fair a rare booklet with extracts from the book. And here’s a few hints on its contents, from favourite page spreads.
See the Events page for details of all the confirmed events in October, particularly if you’re based in Queensland, and keep checking up for further events TBC at Calico & Ivy Balmain, Berkelouw Newtown and Journeys Bookstore in Annandale.
Hope to see you at one or more,
xx
A mood board / work-in-progress spread
It's all rosy
Vintage bridal inspiration
Grrr... leopard print fishtail skirt
I loves me some brights
Super Mario
Oh to have Mario Testino as your wedding photographer. Have you seen these shots of Kate Moss’s wedding to musician Jamie Hince? Fairytale indeed, I’m loving the seventies vibe. Do you think they make the page boy’s military jacket in my size?
Crown and Brim
A dreamy Nicole Plester creation
Today I’m heading up to Newcastle with a bootload of books for the Newcastle Vintage Fair, which starts tomorrow. I’ll be talking about A Life in Frocks and signing copies of all the books, while my lovely friend Jess brings her delectable vintage wares to town with the Coco Repose stall. Pop in and say hello if you’re in the area.
What will I be looking for? Spring Carnival-appropriate headwear. Currently lusting after these divine pieces from clever Perth-based milliner, Nicole Plester. With a background in theatrical costume, Nicole works with the West Australian ballet and custom-makes pieces for individual clients. Divine, non?