Tuesday, December 23, 2014

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

24 comments:

  1. That white ensemble is down right amazing. The dress is so lovely and delicate: i'm impressed. Nailed it!

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    1. thank you! I'll be sure to post the photos of it soon!

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  2. Congratulations on the new job Cat! I hope it all goes well for you. I love the patterns, especially Butterick 5494.

    It sounds like you've had a fun December, hope you have a fab Christmas!

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    1. thank you! i hope it does too! I cant wait to start but ive got so much to hand over at work before hand. eep!

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  3. Congratulations on the new job!
    Your new dresses are beautiful. I love the all-white and you really do look like Marianne Faithfull.
    The new patterns and fabrics are cool! And the party looks like so much fun.
    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thank you! i hope you had a good christmas too! xo

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  4. Oh, your white dress and floppy hat are fantastic! There was a Best Dressed competition ,and you didn't win? It's an outrage!
    Congratulations on your new job, loving the patterns and fabric. Have a fabulous Christmas! xxx

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    1. Thank you! I obviously didnt tell enough people that i made it! Next year ill just wear a big sign or something! haha.

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  5. oh how lovely! my vintage secret santa knew me well, too. isn't it just the most fun!
    and your Christmas party dress=perfection. here in the US it's always cold around the holiday, but i think it would be fun to have that reversed and it be warmer outside. oh the party dress and clothing options!

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    1. Thank you!! its pretty fun having christmas in summer, but that then means nothing at all happens from May to October and so its really boring and cold and you have to go on holidays to Cairns or something to break it up. and you look forward to the holiday season so much and then everything happens at once and you have no money by the end of it! haha its really is like that!

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  6. So glad to hear that you are making the most of the season and having a wonderful time enjoying yourself! Congratulations on the new job too - I hope it takes you exciting places and that it is a brand new and positive step. Have a very happy Christmas!!

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    1. Thank you! I hope me new job isnt so tedious and doesnt make me all anxious like my current one had been. Theres so much pressure to be the "good worker" cause my collegues aren't that reliable and so I get pressured to do everything and then feel so angry when they go home on time from work and I dont. that pretty much my whole 2014 in a nutshell! haha. heres to 2015!

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  7. Looks like you've been having a blast! Love that white outfit and the fact you hosted a crafternoon event for friends :)

    Have a great Christmas!

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    1. Yes! it was a good and rewarding end to the year! 2014 was just a little bit shit to be frank! haha. I hope you had a good christmas and new years!

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  8. The white ensemble is fabulous, and I love the silver shoes!

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  9. I love your Christmas dress!! Very Marianne. Your craft night looks so fun too!! Happy holidays!

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    1. Thank you! I love that it looks like something Marianne would wear xo

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  10. What a lovely post! However I'm now craving a crop top & tacos...

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    1. hehe yummy! crop top while eating tacos. its so hot here today, thats actually not a bad idea...

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  11. Congrats on the new job! You look so beautiful in your white lace dress and the fabric with the women is just divine.
    Hope you had a fab festive season. xxx

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    1. Thank you lovely! I've been trying to absorb your advice about work and life balance throughout the year, so this is a good step hopefully to something better. I cant leave the office work force yet, but its hopefully not a shitty place to go to everyday!

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  12. Congratulations on the job! That is exciting news. I've also been falling behind on reading everyone's posts (I stop by once a week or two but often forget to comment. Hopefully i'm forgiven hehe. Your outfit for the white party was wonderful. Hope to see more from you in the new year!

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    1. Thank you!! im the same. i read posts and leave them open on my chrome tabs for weeks until i comment! so yeah youre totally forgiven!

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