Busy as a bee

Merry Christmas readers! It's been a while since my last post, but I have a really good excuse  I promise! Well multiple excuses actually! I have been hiding out on the other side of the internet not reading my blogroll (500+ unread!) and generally being a busy little bee. 

I have been sewing, working and Christmas party-ing. All those sorts of things that stop me from getting around to doing anything blog related. I have however been reading all of your blogs, so apologies for not commenting where I normally like to do so. 

In other more exciting news, as of February next year I have a new job!

Isn't that exciting!? Its actually a secondment away to a different department at work in a higher role, but this department is a little more casual and they embrace fun and staff culture a little more then my current department. As someone who enjoys the atmosphere and aesthetic of work more then any thing else, I'm really excited at the prospect of working somewhere with a slightly smaller team but more responsibility in a relaxed environment. I really am going to miss my current boss and immediate team as they are so awesome, but this is a great chance for me to get more experience in my career and after the killer year I've had I really needed to be somewhere else away from the emotional drain of where I am now. 

So that means I'll be sewing more casual things! I love this idea so much as I've had to wear smart/business wear for 4 years. I celebrated by buying a cute little Japanese sewing book - Formal and Little black dress. It doesn't sound casual but the cut of most of the patterns is very loose and cute, like most Japanese books, so they could be easily made casual with the right fabric. 

Would you like to see what I've been up to this last month (in between work and getting sloshed?)

My last post was to show you my Olivia dress, sewn from a Norma Tullo pattern. It was mixed in with a give-away winner announcement so it might have come across as "Olivia - the winner of the give-away" Anyway... go and have a look if you'd like to read more! 

The lovely Tilly from Tilly and the Buttons also got in touch with me to test out her new Françoise pattern. I wanted to start sewing this as soon as I got it, but was occupied sewing up Christmas party outfits like this one...

Channelling Marianne Faithfull at Mojo record bar

This outfit was sewn for a White Christmas themed party. I totally took one of those Osterich feathers too, but then again so did everyone else. A small consolation for not winning best dressed! (I'm not bitter)

I shall post more photos soon!

Also worked up behind the sewing machine was a crop top I planned to wear with a high waist pleated skirt to my work Christmas party. I actually piked out and got a little nervous about the whole midriff thing, so I ended up wearing my "The party" dress. The theme was "Cuba" hence the midriff baring 50s style outfit, but a hot pink dress was a good replacement. 

Early in the month I went to a sew-along with the Spoolettes at the Bobbin and Ink studios in Petersham. I began work on the daisy dress you see above and also picked up some cute buttons made by the B&I girls. The studio space was great to work in. The screen printing tables were turned into cutting tables and there was heaps of space for sewing machines. Not to mention the cute collection of vintage sewing machines and ephemera, notions and vintage patterns on display and to buy. 

Bohdana from The Spoolettes also organised a Kris Kringle over email. My Secret Santa gifted me some Repro-depot fabric and I gave mine (Alex) some Jonathan Adler notebooks and one of my vintage patterns! 

And now for the patterns! Oh yes more patterns! Would you like to drool over see them? 

Some are purchased, and a few are gifts from fellow Spoolettes (Thanks ladies!) and two are from my Sister from another mister Nicole who finally returned back to Australia! We'll be taking her out on a re-assimilation tour of Sydney and the Pop goes Popism exhibit next week. 

Also purchased were these lovely fabrics. The purple and blue poly-seersucker with the lady faces is my favourite. I have no idea what I'll do with it the moment. Hopefully something will strike me soon 

Brown paisley which I'd like to make a maxi skirt from

William Morris cotton lawn from Spotlight and a new/vintage sewing poster

This weekend past I held a fun little gathering of my dear friends for a crafternoon. I planned crafts like bangles, necklaces, marbled bowls, felt Christmas ornaments and flower crowns. We had a lovely time, crafting, eating and drinking. Most of my friends didn't know each other so they all got to meet someone new and everyone left with one or two things they made. 

It was fun to plan a craft only day (no sewing) and my main drive was simply to hold a party where everyone could busy their hands while chatting. It wasn't strictly a Christmas craft themed party, but I did include one Christmas craft in the selection

From left to right - Joely with her beaded necklace, Nicole with a fimo marble bowl and felt ornaments, Karina and her flower crown, Anna with her crown that also matched her dress, Joely really got hooked on the fimo bowls, and myself with tacos to re-fuel the hungry crafty ladies

All in all its been a busy but good month, spent with friends and the highlight being getting a new job! Hurrah! 

Thanks for hanging around this year and for being awesome and wonderful and kind readers. I shall check in again before the New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to you all! xoxo

Cat