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
Today’s inspiration
Klimt's portrait of Friedericke Maria Beer-Monti
is this 1916 painting by Gustav Klimt. I’m pondering a textile wall hanging for the bedroom, which I’ll get started on soon. I can’t pretend it will resemble this magnificent piece in the slightest, but it’s become my first point of reference.
From big things, little things grow.
Craft me s-l-o-w
Miss Olive, all toasty & warm
I demarcated the month of June ‘relaxation’, but of course have taken such time to unwind, I’m extending the self-imposed break for another couple of weeks and James will be joining me soon with time off (hooray).
We’re staying in Sydney to be tourists in our home town for a change. With food tours, novel reading, lunch at Quay and ferry rides on the agenda, I’m switching the phone and brain off for a while before embarking on the next project, which is already underway. And I will eat with abandon – Snow Eggs, here we come.
This week has been such a happy winding-up of all the things I’ve been working on this year. On Tuesday, I journeyed in to Murdoch Books to talk to the sales team about Minxy Vintage: How to Customise & Wear Vintage Clothing, which hits bookstores in October. And on Wednesday I had a Crafty Kid workshop at Gleebooks with 15 or so children on school holidays, which was such fun. Here’s some pics from the day below.
I finally finished crocheting my scarf and love it so ‘darn much, I’ve bought some divine merino yarn in lilac, shell-pink and daffodil to create a smaller version for Olive (although she’s quite happy for the moment sporting a beanie and scarf bought from the Rozelle Markets for a few dollars apiece, and adorned with my crocheted roses). And I turned the last page on a superb novel by one of my favourite writers. I hadn’t read Muriel Spark’s A Far Cry from Kensington before, but it’s an absolute must for anyone working in, or fascinated by, the world of book publishing. Much mirth.
And we had a tradesman over the other day to quote on fixing some things in our house. In a moment of irritation, I mentioned how frustrated I am with the limitations of our tiny, rundown, fifties-era kitchen – namely, the fact you can’t swing the proverbial cat in it (not that I would, promise, but it would be lovely to not feel crowded when more than two people are in it). With a thick Slavic accent he responded, “Be lucky you have house”. Quite. All the reminder needed while these icy winds whip our city and we nestle, so cosily, by the fire.
An alien hand puppet from the Crafty Kid workshop
Sweet Alice & her ribbon brooch
Orange the Dog & Snowy the Owl hand puppets
Congratulations, Cloth winners
Zigzag quilt by Siobhan Rogers for Cloth Fabric
Oh you’ve made me smile. Reading through all your entries for the Cloth competition has been the best start to the day. It was selfish really, asking you to share what winter meant to you – in the middle of nursing a sickly two year old and my customary impatience for spring, I needed a reminder of why winter’s to be savoured. I will stop longing for longer days, and appreciate the fleeting pleasures of hibernation. I will.
Believe me when I say I’ve been agonising – I so wanted to award a pack to each of you. But in the end, I had to limit it to my favourite responses from readers who sent me their address.
The lucky winners are: Prue, Manon, Sarah Cortis, Alison Wright and Stitchy Britt. I’ll be popping your packs in the post first thing Monday, and so hope you’ll send through pics of what you made with them for a chance to win the $100 Cloth voucher. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.
Happy winter crafting, lovelies. I’ll be thinking of you.
xx
Rose quilt by Siobhan Rogers for Cloth Fabric
Cloth Fabric competition
Giveaway packs from Cloth
Very exciting news – Cloth Fabric has offered Crafty Minx readers 5 giveaway packs from their new lightweight fabric range, perfect for constructing quilts, clothing and homewares from. As you can see, there are various colours and designs to choose from, ranging from the iconic stones, wattle leaf and lines to my favourite horses and roses prints.
To win, simply comment in 5 to 250 words about what winter means to you. And let me know whether you’d prefer a pack with pale blue tones, oranges, greens, turquoise or raspberry. The most eloquent responses will win, and I’ll try to match colours to the winners’ favourites.
As an extra incentive to use the new range, Cloth is offering a $100 fabric voucher to the person who creates the best item from the packs. Entries to win a pack close on Friday 1 July, and you’ll have until the end of July to send through images of your creations for a chance to win the voucher. Below are just some of the designs up for grabs.
Please don’t forget to send your address to kelly@thecraftyminx.com.au as well when you make a comment.
Happy writing, and good luck!
Brumby in 'Beach' - Cloth Fabric
Spotcheck in 'Seaweed' - Cloth Fabric
Maja’s knitfest, and a little Ravelry
Baby Jasper digs his hoodie
Remember Maja? She emailed today to share one of her creations for son Jasper. Isn’t it gorgeous? Just so soft and cosy-looking, it also seems to have some complicated knitwork going on there… I’m so impressed.
Maja’s top tip for knitters and aspiring knitters is to sign up to Ravelry for patterns and links to people everywhere knitting and crocheting – it’s like Facebook for crafters, apparently. I’m onto it.
And we shoot all the final images for book four tomorrow and this Saturday, plus the design awards (where A Life in Frocks has been nominated) are on Thursday night… very busy few days ahead. All fingers and toes crossed the sun shines on us, and my cold magically disappears. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Down with the J-crew
Down the rabbit hole
In the mood
Wherefore art thou, past week? I know you occurred, I can see the evidence in my diary, but for the life of me I’ve no idea where you went. A royal wedding, trip to Melbourne, editing, ogling at fashion week and other plans afoot… that would do it. Mainly, I prepared mood boards for the next book, so Natasha can shoot them in a week or so. A little sneak peek above: feel the romance? Hope so.
Melbourne was brilliant. Caught up with old friends, spoke at a couple of events, and squeezed in a spot of shopping – all in under 30 hours. Could have continued chatting with the women I met for much longer. Time, you are a cruel mistress.
And now I’m off to Calico & Ivy to learn to crochet. I told you, this is the year!
Delightful guests from the Bookgrove event, Ocean Grove
With Erica & Alice, Bookgrove
Let them eat cake
Make like Marie Antoinette and spoil yourself rotten today (just avoid any nasty revolutions). I’m off to the French Film Festival for a little Gallic bliss xK
Say it with meaning
Amanda's wedding dress
This is my gorgeous editor, Amanda Carmen Cromer (Amanda edited A Life in Frocks and just finished work on Minxy Vintage).
I’ll let her tell you about these images:
This was my grandmother’s 18th birthday frock, crafted in 1932 by their family seamstress. Silk, hand-stitched, and too big in the waist and bust for me, I had an open back created after taking in the fabric. She died aged 94, on my birthday – and I met my husband after her funeral, so I didn’t really think of wearing anything else!
Vogue’s Colour Fiesta
Vogue Australia's new March 2011 issue
Check out the new issue of Vogue for a piece I’ve written on honesty & friendship – Friendly Fire, p178 – but you must buy it for so many more reasons. For a start, it has the most breathtakingly gorgeous cover I’ve seen in years, taken from Fashion Editor Meg Gray’s Mexico-set story, Viva la revolucion. But it’s also bursting with the most fabulous new-season fashion. I want that entire Prada confection on the cover, just to begin with. Today I will be combing the markets for bold colour, stripes and ethnic prints.