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
The dead will have their day
Day of the Dead pendant from Polli
I’ve long had a penchant for many things Mexican… Frida Kahlo, bright woven rugs, burning hearts and Day of the Dead curios (not to mention burritos – ay carumba).
Hence a visit to Holy Kitsch recently. And a fondness for the above pendant in the new Polli range. I admire how designers Tess & Maja manage to both complement the old range and offer something new to love with each season’s range – too clever.
And click here to see the Day of the Dead print I created some time ago.
Mexican wares from Holy Kitsch
Feeling Frida: Joanna rocks a Polli lace & kohl gold collar
Kerri-Anne craftiness: a retro apron or two
If you knew Suzy
I visited Mornings with Kerri-Anne last Friday, showing viewers how to make my favourite apron pattern, Miss Suzy Homemaker from The Crafty Minx.
For simplified instructions on how to make an apron with a Valentines-inspired heart detail, click here, and make a date with your telly on Friday 18 March – we’ll be whipping up a cute shopper bag next time (and if you’re interested in the gorgeous rose-printed fabric above, I bought it at Duckcloth. They also happen to be having a fabric sale and offering free delivery at the moment).
Over and out.
She's a sucker for roses
All wrapped up: a gift for Angelika, Saturday night's dinner party host
Finally! Tepee & poncho instructions for you
New & improved tepee in AWW's October 2010 issue
Many apologies to those of you who have been asking about the instructions for these Australian Women’s Weekly projects. I had to re-learn some fiddly technical procedures before I could update the media section. I’m a luddite, really (do luddites tweet? maybe not).
Click here for the tepee and here for the poncho – enjoy!
Show us your royal wedding sampler
Wills & Kate 4 eva, yah?
How can you not love a royal wedding? The princes and princesses, the pomp, the ginormous jewels? And the romance (naturally). I’ll be watching, big box of Kleenex at hand. It’s been a long time between drinks.
Here’s a sneak peek at UK mag CrossStitcher‘s royal wedding sampler, designed by Jacquie Pearce and on sale in next month’s 22 March issue (#238). It also includes a full alphabet and calendar so readers can adapt to their own wedding date.
Rah, rah – wave your Union Jacks, girls.
Crafty Mornings with Kerri-Anne – soon!
Oh dear, blogged too soon: I’ll be doing regular craft segments on Channel Nine’s Mornings with Kerri-Anne, but not tomorrow – the first appearance has been postponed.
I’ll be appearing once a fortnight shortly, doing craft segments for easy projects you can follow from home. Some will be familiar, and others brand-new… please stay tuned for more news.
Craft for fidgeters
Tea cosy one
I’m restless. As far as relaxing goes, I think I’ve lost the knack.
Behold, the evidence: two tea cosies salvaged from leftover Echino & Liberty fabrics, and a decorated doily thingummy for afternoon tea parties. I had the urge to make something useful – can you tell how I spend my time these days if these are the first items which spring to mind?
Sew be it
Tea cosy two: front
Tea cosy two: back
Calico & Ivy goodness
And a bag full of goodies from Calico & Ivy. Told you I was heading over there quicksmart. What a divine, delicious shop. And they were lovely to Olive, too.
Kitchen sink makeover
New year blooms
How to bring a neglected corner of the house back into favour:
After an enthusiastic dyeing session a few months ago, the kitchen sink was looking a bit worse for wear after being slopped with violet, cobalt and flamingo pink dyes (not to mention other wear & tear from numerous dinner parties). I’ve scoured, freshened up the paint and made a new curtain below from a length of lovely fabric, leftover from a previous bunting project. Good as new.
And a new kitchen curtain
Three of the best: lavender sachets
I’m totally inspired to make my own after being given these pretty lavender sachets recently.
One: from luxe Sydney homewares store, Edit
Two: Happ & Stahns sachet, from the retail geniuses at Anthropologie
Three: cute-as-pie drawer friend from favourite local childrens’ store, My Messy Room
Homely holiday craft
Goldfeather: a study in contrasts (or some such)
Happy new year to you.
After months and months of sewing pieces for the next book, and fun yet frenetic craft shoots for magazines, it’s been bliss doing very little over the last week. I love it when the three of us are here at home, with nothing much on the schedule. But I’ve been busy at one thing: painting and collage-making with my energetic two-year-old, one of the few activities which captures her imagination for more than ten minutes. I’m looking forward to a time when we can attempt something a little more ambitious together (a trip to Cirque du Soleil, perhaps?)
Here’s a couple of her creations, currently adorning the kitchen fridge:
Pastel configuration
Mixed media
Play of light & colour