Me Made May - Win with SewBox!!

The second official competition for Me Made May is now live over on Zoe's blog, and it's amazing!

Sewbox.co.uk is offering entrants a £50 voucher that you can spend on anything you'd like in her shop! Zoe has already picked out a beautiful Liberty fabric that she's been eyeing up, and I'm definitely following suit...

 Liberty Rossmore Cord in Wiltshire

Liberty Tana Lawn in Mabelle Blue 

Liberty Tana Lawn in Capel Turquoise

If you'd like to enter, head on over to Zoe's blog and let us know what you would choose if you won! The competition is open world-wide and closes at midnight 28th May GMT.

xx

J

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Me Made May Week 1 PLUS Win with Miss Maude

Hello,

Wow, week one of Me Made May is done - I've been checking out the hashtag on instagram regularly and gosh, there are some inspiring hand mades out there.

The competition is now closed. Thank you!!

Today, as a little motivation to inspire you even more throughout the month, I have the absolute honour of hosting the first Me Made May prize pack which is... I just... you guys, this prize is amazing!!

Emma at Miss Maude is sponsoring an amazing prize of two metres of fabric and one pattern of the winners choice from her store PLUS she's going to be throwing in a surprise haberdashery piece, and goodness, there are so many wonderful things you might be lucky enough to receive.

To enter, head on over to Miss Maude and let us know in the comments on this post which pattern and/or fabric you'd choose if you won! 

I've recently purchased two fabrics from Miss Maude (Sun Spots and Flamingos), and they are stunning - Emma has such an eye for curating fabrics, patterns and haberdashery. If you haven't yet looked at her wares, make sure you set aside a bit of time, you'll be there for quite a while...

The competition is open world wide and closes 8pm Sunday 14th May NZDT.

 Images above are courtesy of Miss Maude.

My recent Miss Maude order, Sun Spots & Flamingos - Laneway Dresses, here I come!

In regards to my personal challenge, as expected, I haven't quite been keeping up with the daily photos. Honestly, I think it's something that I just don't enjoy all that much any more. I love looking back at them, but taking them? Nope.

So, I'm not going to stress this part of my challenge. I still wear hand mades on a daily basis anyway, but I think I'll probably only take the odd photo when I feel like it. My knitting on the other hand, that's going great guns :)

If you'd like to see some of my me-mades, you check them out on instagram.

How have you been finding sticking to your challenge so far?

xx
J

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Short & Sweet - A Me Made May Special

  

All photos taken by me & posted on my Instagram.

Knitting - The Boothbay Cardigan. It's chilly here you guys!

Sewing - Juniper cardigans and Laneway Dresses.

Cooking - roast chicken and veges.

Drinking - Coffee.

Learning - About boobs, hehe. More specifically, how fascinating it is to fit different bust sizes. My next pattern has multiple bust cup sizes within it, so it really has been an interesting journey. Let's hope it doesn't all go horribly wrong...

Hoping - I don't get sick again.

Wanting - more time in the day.

Enjoying - crisp morning walks down to the trampoline.

Collecting - leaves.

Listening - to rain.

Watching - bad reality T.V and The Halcyon.

Smelling - wet autumn leaves.

Wondering - how the chickens got out. We were going to let them out of their rather large (for that matter) run for the winter, but they escaped a few weeks ago. I'm just not quite ready for the season of 'poo on the door-step' just yet. Oh well... it's just chicken poo...

Wearing - My new dress pattern, The Laneway Dress. Sign up to the newsletter to be the first to know when it's ready.

Grateful - for cosy winter fires and computer back ups. The big computer I do most of my pattern work on decided to fry it's hard drive on Friday morning. Ugh.

Loving - Mary Reynolds. I discovered her recently and am slightly obsessed. Her book is currently winging its way to me.

Buying - fabric for samples.

Baking - Savoury muffins (with a twist). Note - make sure they're actually cooked next time.


Plus, it's nearly Me Made May! Ummmmm... tomorrow.

If you're not sure what all the fuss is about, you can read Zoe's post here. If you want to get involved, we've lined up some lovely prizes for each week of May including a beautiful prize pack from Miss Maude and SewBox.

'I, Jen of Jennifer Lauren Handmade, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one me made garment each day of the month and take a photo. I also endeavour to finish one knitted garment by the end of the month'.

I know I failed fairly miserably with the whole 'taking a photo everyday' thing last year, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to give it a good go again this year. And yes, finishing a knitted garment in one month? For me? It's a big call. But hey, go big or go home, right?

Or... just stay at home and knit.

Or, you know, buy that last ball of wool you need so you can finish your OWLS jumper. That'd do it.

xx
J

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Goodbye May...

Wearing - A Felicity Dress Skirt

Ahhh, May, it's nearly over. Oscar turned one, I turned 30-something and had my first mothers day and Me Made May happened.

I feel a wee bit disappointed that I didn't participate as much in the documentation of Me Made May as I would have liked. I knew it would be hard with a little person, but I found that what I really lacked was the motivation to actually take photos. It was a case of "Oscar is napping - should I take outfit photos or stare into space for an hour?" - I chose staring more times than I care to admit.

I had articles I wanted to write and outfits I wanted to share, but I still wore me made everyday and sewed quite a bit (new snuggly patterns are a-comin'... as well as a summery one or two) and while my knitting languished in a pile beside the part of the couch Oscar can't access (yet) I did think about doing it. And did dream of all the outfits I'd wear with it when it was finished. So, that must count for something...

I think sometimes you have to give yourself a break and realise that it's okay to not do everything you planned to do. It's a little like when you fall into the sewing-just-to-blog rut, it moves on from becoming a fun challenge to just becoming something you feel like you have to do, that is actually no fun at all.

I did so very much enjoy seeing what everyone else was making and wearing though, and of course we had some fabulous prizes throughout thanks to The Fabric Godmother, Miss Maude and Indie Stitches. And then there's Zoe, and well, there wouldn't be a Me Made May without her!

I do so love this little community of ours, and all of the friends I've made (and have yet to make) even though we live on the other side of the world from each other and have never met in real life.

You guys are awesome.

In other news, did you know that Indie Pattern Month starts tomorrow? And that right now, you can buy The Hunter Tank in an awesome bundle along with the Sophie Cardigan, Liana Jeans, Olivia Dress, Zeena Dress and Norah Nightgown?

The bundle is only on sale for another week, ending on the 8th June, so if you fancy some chill out sewing patterns, this could very well be the bundle for you :)

xx
J

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Me Made May Week 3 & One more competition...

Brrrrrrr, it's cold. It's freezing! Winter is here. 

This week marks the final Me Made May competition and Caitlan at Indie Stitches is giving the winner their choice of any of her PDF Patterns!

Caitlan stocks a beautiful selection of patterns as well as a carefully curated range of fabrics (which are currently 30% off - it's where I got the flannel for my latest Afternoon Shift - photos to come). I also have some of this beautiful stuff to make a Hunter Tank (whenever summer comes back...) and have my eye on this and this that would work beautifully for a summery pattern idea I currently have.

To enter, just leave a comment telling us which of Caitlan's patterns you'd be after if you won.

Wearing - unblogged Afternoon Shift

Wearing - Anemery Dress

I've not been great about getting photos again this week, like I mentioned above though, I did finish another Afternoon Shift in the snuggliest flannel I've ever worn. I wore it the same afternoon I finished it, and then again the next day, and right now I'm writing this in the comfort of my handmade PJ's, but will more than likely pop it on again today, it feels like snow might be on the way....

I also wore my Anemery dress on Saturday (complete with long sleeve layers) for Oscar's birthday party. He turned one on Thursday and I just have no words to express how fast this year has gone and how much has changed.

I've been a bit slack with my knitting goal this month, it's just been too warm to want to knit. But with winter firmly in our neighbourhood, blowing a gail outside (but with a toasty roaring fire inside), it's definitely feeling like a knitting kind of day.

xx

J

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Me Made May - Giveaway Number 3

Gosh, week three already huh? This week Zoe and I have teamed up for the third competition of the month - if you win, you'll be getting an awesome prize pack of 4 patterns!

Zoe will be giving you both her Dolores Batwing Top and Dress pattern as well as the Anya Shoulder Bag, and I'll be giving you 2 patterns of your choice from my little range.

To enter, simply head on over to Zoe's blog and tell us what the next sewing technique is that you'd like to master.  Remember to leave an email address so we can contact you :)

I'm really looking forward to reading about what skills you're looking to learn, I think I smell a tutorial or two coming your way...

xx

J

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Me Made May - Week 2

Hello Everyone!

Well, I have a grand total of one me made outfit to share with you this week - oops!

Wearing: An unblogged Afternoon Shift

I wore that Afternoon Shift for three days in a row (with different stockings) so, it's not like there would have been much point in documenting it right...?

I have been keeping up with my challenge, but documenting it has become more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Oscar has gone down to one sleep a day (great for leaving the house and being social, not so great for productivity on my end) and the days are so short.

Dunedin has been glorious though, it always is this time of year, you'd never know it was nearly winter. It's been better than our non-existant summer in fact - long may it continue.

Don't forget to enter the Miss Maude giveaway too, it ends tomorrow!

xx
J

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Me Made May Week One and A Competition

Happy Mothers Day!

How have you gone with your Me Made pledges this week?

Personally, I have no idea where this past week has gone. I've been trying to keep up with daily photos, but it's not going as smoothly as planned. Trying to work around a little person is certainly proving to have it's challenges and while I have worn handmade everyday (and do most days), documenting it has been so much harder than I thought it would be. But let's talk about fun sewing things now shall we?

Today is the start of the second competition of the month! Miss Maude is New Zealand's premier online retailer of indie sewing patterns, gorgeous fabrics and beautiful haberdashery.

Emma has picked out an amazing selection of tid bits for you to win - everything you see in the photo above (as well as a few other goodies!). Trims measure between 1-2m and the prize is worth over $120! Wow!!

All you have to do to enter is head over to her shop and leave a comment on this post telling us what your favourite haberdashery item is that she stocks.

I, naturally, went straight to the buttons and found these and these! And then I found the most beautiful wrist pin cushion I have ever laid eyes on (insert heart eyes emoji!).

So, er, good luck choosing! Competition ends this time next week.

Day 2 - A Honey-Coloured vintage rayon Felicity Skirt (unblogged)

Day 3 - My red rayon Afternoon Shift

Day 4 - My pink linen Afternoon Shift

I hope you guys are doing a bit better than I am with your documenting, and if not, well, no one's coming to arrest us. I'm off to look at that pin cushion again...

xx

J

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Me Made Made, and a competition!

Wearing - an unblogged Wool Felicity Skirt

Happy Me Made May 2016 everyone!! It has officially started and I completely neglected to even write down what my challenge was going to be, er, oops...

'I, Jen of www.jenniferlaurenvintage.com and @jenniferlaurenvintage, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '16. I endeavour to wear at least one me made garment for everyday during the month of May, document my daily outfits on instagram and do a weekly round up on my blog. I also endeavour to finally finish my Belfast Cardigan and start a second knitting project for the duration of May 2016'

Phew, done! And above, is my very first outfit for the month, wearing an unblogged Felicity Dress Skirt.

Zoe also has the first official Me Made May competition up and running on her blog right now!

The Fabric Godmother are giving away an amazing prize -  a one month subscription to the Dream Wardrobe project kit! To enter, head on over to the Fabric Godmother website, check out their indie pattern selection and let her know, via Zoe's blog, who else you would love to see her stock. So easy and such a fabulous prize. 

I'm so looking forward to seeing what everyone is doing during May, I can't wait to see how your challenges pan out. My knitting goal for April was rather unsuccessful, maybe having it a part of my challenge will finally get me to the finish line on that one...

xx
J

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A Knitting Goal & Me Made May...

I feel like the White Rabbit right now, rushing around and hurriedly glancing at my pocket watch realising that if I don't get my A into G I'm going to be late - late for a very important date.

I started knitting a cardigan a while back, feeling really excited about how I'd wear it with all-of-the-things. I got past the ribbing, I knitted the body, and then, I got to the arms and stopped. For some reason, I have the same mental block I did when I started the ribbing. I don't want to use double pointed needles because, well, that's just way too confusing for my poor, tired little brain, but beginning the Magic Loop is also causing me some issues. It's fiddly. So I've been stalling.

But, it's nearly winter here again, and I've started getting excited about wearing it with all-of-the things once more, and lucky for me, the little push I need is right around the corner. Hello Me Made May!!

My goal is to have my cardigan finished before the beginning of May. That gives me 28 days of full on evening knitting, and being a slow knitter, it's going to be a challenge, but I'm putting it out there. It's official.

So, Me Made May, are you going to be participating? Zoe has just announced the sign up details here. You have plenty of time to think about your Me Made pledge, so don't feel like you need to do it right away, just make sure you come up with something before the beginning of May. No panic sewing allowed!

We have a flicker group set up, a pinterest board and will be using the hashtag #MMMay16 on social media. Head on over to Zoe's blog for all-the-details!

I haven't quite figured out my challenge yet, but I'll be thinking about it over the next few weeks. I'm thinking about changing my pledge up a little from my previous ones by maybe adding a knitting project into it. Once my Belfast cardigan is done, I need to start on this one. I bought the pattern and wool for it at the same time as the cardigan, well over a year ago... eep.

xx
J

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Me Made Maternity - Week 37: Winning

On Sunday when we took these, it was so windy that I spent half the time trying not to eat my hair and the other half of the time trying not to flash the camera!

I am now officially considered 'full term' albeit early full term, which means the little dude could come at any time now and should be fine navigating the big wide world on his own (well, in terms of being able to breathe with no help etc. I am well aware that we can't just leave him to fend for himself while we go out for a pizza or something, hehe).

We also finish our antenatal classes this week and I have to say, I'm relieved. They don't finish until really late and by the time we get home it's around 9.45pm and I'm always surprised that I've not turned into a grumpy pregnant pumpkin on the way back (though David might disagree, but he'd never say anything... wink).

As always, the heartburn continues, the kicks to my right ribs get stronger and when he moves, those little stabby pains in my bladder are a regular occurrence. When I told my midwife about those stabby pains, her response was an excited 'GREAT!!" to which I replied "NO!! They hurt!!".

Only in pregnancy are stabby-bladder-pains a good thing (unless you've got an infection, in which case, get it treated ladies!!) because it means the baby is moving on down. And as he moves on down, and the birth gets closer, I'm starting to think more about it and therefore, getting a touch more anxious. I think it's more fear of the unknown and not knowing when exactly that unknown thing will start or how long it'll last for, more than anything else. I know many people say you don't tend to remember the actual birth itself, but still...

My midwife has also let me know that there is officially no where else for him to grow now except outwards, so I'm watching and waiting to see how this all progresses, and how much shorter at the front my dresses will get. The high-lo hem is still on trend, no?

Speaking of dresses, I'm still wearing these Vogue ones. Sorry if it's at all boring, but comfort wins over anything else these days. If I'm not in pj's or occasionally in a RTW stretchy knit dress, I'm wearing one of these. I'm so happy that I can still wear things I made that make me feel slightly normal and like myself.

Speaking of Me Made, it's Me Made May (as if you didn't already know!!). I struggled with whether I'd participate this year and came to the conclusion that I didn't really have the time nor the energy nor the me-made wardrobe I've had access too in the past to take part. All you'd be seeing are these dresses, my Miette Cardigan and some me-made pj's and maternity Bronte Tops everyday (tutorial coming!).

But, I am currently sponsoring a prize for MMM'15 this week! Make sure you head over to Zoe's blog to enter to win your choice of one of my patterns and hopefully next year, I'll be back with a Me-Made-May bang!

xx
J

Me Made May 14 - Outfit Round Up & What Have You Learnt? (If anything...)

Well lovely people, it's over for another year. Any one else glad not to have to take photos everyday? Monty sure is!

Sorry Monty, you're either in or out for photo-taking time - no changing your mind half way through...

When I participated in Me Made May for the first time last year, it really gave me a sense of what I was missing in my handmade wardrobe and really made me analyse why I wasn't wearing a number of my then current hand-mades.

This year though, there are two things I've noticed from participating in Me Made May...

1. I seem to have an unconscious draw to the colour combination of red and blue. I love blue and I already know I wear a lot of it, but I really didn't realise that I wore so much red! I've always had this thought in the back of my head that red-heads couldn't wear red, but I seem to be bucking my own subconscious ideas on that one!

AND

2. I'm a serial outfit repeater. If I find a combination that works - it's my style, it's comfortable, makes me feel good - then I tend to stick to it and probably wear it at least once a week. But that doesn't make for very interesting daily outfit photos now does it?

I found Me Made May this year to be slightly more challenging than last year for the second reason. As I've gotten older (I turned 29 on the 28th May) and a little wiser (I hope!), I've realised that I can't really be bothered wearing things that aren't comfortable any more. This leans back toward my post earlier in the year on why we don't wear our hand-mades, and it's probably even more true for me now than it was then.

I've also realised that I don't have enough of those garments that make up my favourite outfits to keep them fresh and interesting. There are only so many ways to wear a red or blue circle skirt. However, this is where I'm pretty darn sure my second pattern (to be released this Friday!) is going to help. It took all of my will not to throw my samples on in the morning during May. However, due to the fact that I was sans photographer on the very last day of May, meant I could finally wear one and not give it away (you get a photo of my ever favourite blue circle skirt and my feet instead!).

24th May

Wearing - Lightening Stripes Belladone Dress

25th May

Wearing - unblogged self-drafted wool pencil skirt 

26th May - Snow Day!

That morning we woke up to snow... Wearing - 40's Travel Vogue number 1

What I actually looked like.

27th May

Wearing - Self-drafted Red Circle Skirt

28th May - Birthday Day!

Wearing - as yet unblogged Anna-Emery dress (Anemery?) and my birthday present from David, a pair of Swedish Hasbeens.

29th May

Wearing - Self-drafted Black Circle Skirt

30th May

Wearing - Apples in Winter Dress

31st May

Wearing - Self-drafted Blue Circle Skirt and pattern number 2, The Bronte Top (due out on Friday!)

So, did you learn anything interesting from your Me Made May experiment this year?

I also just wanted to say a huge thank you to Zoe for organising it again this year (and for letting me help a little), to all our sponsors who generously donated some amazing prizes (Sew Box, Indie Stitches, The Polished Button and Dresses & Me) and to all my fellow Me Made May-ers! I've loved seeing all of your me mades on the Flickr and Pinterest groups and popping up in my Instagram feed. I've been so inspired by everyone who took part - you guys have some seriously mad skillz and you should be so proud that you get to wear amazing garments everyday that you've made. #endgushing

Until next year...

xx
J