Earthquakes...

On a sad note, Christchurch, NZ has been hit with another terrible earthquake measuring 6.3.

Many of the beautiful old buildings and churches have literally been destroyed and it has come as a shock to everyone and is making those of us far away feel a bit useless. David and I spent two nights there for our honeymoon and even then they hadn't fully recovered from the huge September quake (scaffolding on almost every building, chimneys crumpled and huge cracks up lovely old stone walls).

Thankfully, I have no family there but I do have friends there (who are all safe and well) - if you can donate anything at all, it would be very much appreciated.

For the fur babies - here. For the people - here.

This is a rather heart breaking article written by someone who lived through it...

XX Jen

Baby it's Hot...

The weekend decided to be really really hot. It was sticky and muggy and just generally not good weather for doing anything much except watching Poirot with the ceiling fan on.

My plans to finish a red circle skirt I had cut out on Friday evening were halted and my poor new sewing machine sat unused the entire weekend (except for about 15mintues Saturday morning where I wound up a bobbin, threaded the machine and ran some of my skirt fabric through the machine to test the tension - it literally purred, I love my new machine...).

And this is what Monty looks like when its too hot - he sits smack bang in the middle of the lounge room floor under the ceiling fan with his belly facing up to catch as much air as possible. Cutie-poe-tootie...

XX Jen

Sweet Valentine...

David bought me roses yesterday and hand delivered them to my work...

I hope you all had a happy valentines day,

XX
Jen

Taking the Bad with the Good...

I had some bad news on Friday, and now I feel like I'm back to square one. I just have to remember that there are many amazing people who had to pick themselves up and try again many times before they became successful. I'm now one of them and in rather good company if I do say so myself.

Luckily I had a few good things to look forward to on the weekend - Saturday I went to knitting and later that night had a very good NZ friend round to dinner. This Wednesday I start my photography course and I bought a new sewing machine.

I ended up going with this one, and bought it online (it was $250 off and they were very impressive about getting back to me with some questions I had asked). I hope it's here on Monday, because then I can finally start sewing my Swing Dress - today I plan on finally tracing and cutting my pattern (and adjusting anywhere that needs it).

My Pinecone necklace - the cutest thing ever! Found on Etsy.

Sydney has been lovely and cool and Autumnal this weekend. The leaves have started falling from the trees which is lovely but odd as it probably won't stay cool until at least April. But I'm happy to enjoy it for as long as it lasts.

I hope you are all having a great weekend,

XX
Jen

Feeling Romantic...

Thank you for all of the sewing machine advice!

As much as I'd love a Bernina, even buying one second hand seems to be a bit pricey for me - so failing that, I think I'm still going with Janome. Now I just have to decide whether to go for new (either this or this) or second hand. I'm stalking ebay everyday but haven't seen one I want yet, so it's either play the waiting game or just jump in and buy one new. I really do want to get back to sewing asap, so if nothing comes up soon, new it is!

David and I have just finished watching seasons one of both Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire. Downton Abbey is set in England just before WW1 breaks out and Boardwalk Empire in the early 20's during the prohibition era in the Sates (I've done a quick post about it here). Both have dreamy romantic costumes which inspired me to throw on these pieces last Saturday.

The costumes in these shows aren't what I would normally go for in dressing day to day (I'm a 50's girl at heart) but I have lately started to swoon over a few 40's patterns on Etsy and there are a few outfits in each series that I can update easily with pieces I already own.

I also love the hair styles! I really must start setting my hair regularly, and trying out different styles with it up (having your hair down in this heat is unbearable).


XX
Jen

A Colette Pattern and a Question...

My first Colette Pattern - I have a bit of a thing thing for wrap dresses (or just things that wrap in general), I own three and in this horrible sticky Sydney weather, being able to just throw on a quick cotton wrap dress during the weekend is a god send.

David bought me this pattern for Christmas and I am eyeing up a few different bits of fabric from my stash to make many of these lovely little things. I'm looking forward to an easy sew too - no buttons or zips.

Also, a question for all the sewers out there - what type of machine do you use? I'm thinking about upgrading - my Brother and its problems with tension is really starting to effect the quality of the things I'm making. So much so that I have to double stitch everything!

I'm eyeing up a Janome and thinking about buying an older machine mostly because they just seem to last longer and seem sturdier. But I would love your thoughts and opinions on other brands and specific models if you'd care to share.

Thanks so much in advance,

XX
Jen

Boardwalk Empire...

I can't believe I've not heard hide nor hear about this series in the blogosphere yet. I knew I had better remedy that considering David and I have just finished watching the first season and are eagerly anticipating the second. So here it is, a small post on a fabulous show - Boardwalk Empire.

It's set mostly in Atlantic city (and a little in Chicago) in the early 20's just as the prohibition act became legal in the States. It's a sort of 20's gangster series about the illegal producing and selling of bootleg alcohol and the politics and people that make it happen. The story telling gets you right from episode one (which is rare for a first episode), and the costumes and set...oh don't even get me started...

The Atlantic City Boardwalk set...

Gorgeous dresses and head pieces...

All images courtsey of Google Images.

Talk about eye candy! I highly recommend it if you are looking for your next TV series - without spoiling anything, there is lots of drama and intrigue, and if that's not your cup of tea, the whole design aspect of the series will be more than enough to keep you watching...

XX
Jen