Melbourne's Lovely Buildings!

I've spent the last two days with my neck craned upwards, bewildered at the beautiful buildings that line Melbourne's streets. Their have been far too many near misses with lamp posts and pedestrians!!

Flinder's St Station

Weekend Sewing

Finally finished this trench coat refashion! 

Crafter-noon with Anne Willsford of Fibre Reflections

I managed to snag Anne of Fibre Reflections recently for a crafternoon of felting delight.  I was amazed at her broad knowledge of all thing wool!Anne even let me try out her amazing needle felting machine (which is an incredibly  scary machine with 6 barbed needles that mush the layers of fabric, wool or ribbon together!)  . 
As the warm weather is on its way I tried experimenting with light cotton voiles and lace , which to my delight gathered, puckered and freyed beautifully.

Anne Willsford: http://fibrereflections.wordpress.com/ 

http://www.facebook.com/FibreStudioDesign

Bel's Aviary

Last week I visited Annie at her beautiful little boutique in Manuka; Bel's Aviary. Everywhere you look in the tiny store there is something precious, adorned with beautiful books & divine jewelry.

Bel's Aviary beautiful things

 Their is something very special about boutiques that put together with such passion and personality, I just wanted to curl up in the corner and soak it all in !

Vintage Furs

http://www.belsaviaryvintage.com.au/

Manuka Arcade

Thrifted treasures

 Last week end I spent Saturday morning with a friend, taking her on a thrift store treasure hunt.

We perused my favorite local stores.
Here are her favorite finds:

We customized this one with
royally gorgeous crown buttons

Vintage Qantas air hostess bag

This royal blue scarf contrasts with her strawberry
 blond hair beautifully 

I had to resist buying my self a whole bundle of
 necklaces- their were so many pretties!

Spring sneak-peak

Spring is coming and I have started pulling out my collection of lace and beautiful floaty fabrics to put together a new collection in anticipation of the warm weather  :)

Sunday craft and colour

I hope every one is enjoying their Sunday morning I've been very distracted by beautiful craft things on Etsy. 

Workshops

Op Shopping ...You love it or you hate it. I know many people who find the whole thing way too confronting- the musty old person smell, the racks and racks of old clothing. Where is the boutique lighting! The preppy shop assistant! And why isn't their one of these cardigans in my size?! 

Well I was recently chatting away to a group of friends when this topic came up. One lady explained that she is totaly envious of people who nonchalantly dismiss their fabulous frock as a vintage find which cost them next to nothing. So the idea was born:  An op-shop treasure hunt experience with me to guide the way. Then the ideas kept rolling.

My thoughts so far are:

Treasure hunt: the insiders guide to op-shopping

Refashion: 

       Jackets: Learn how to create a one off signature jacket for yourself

        Dress refashion : transform a recycled moo-moo to a fabulous spring frock 

Fashion lovers weekend experience:

        Includes 1/2 day thrift store treasure hunt,

        1/2 Day illustration & how to refashion tutorial

        Your own set of fashion croquis to sketch your ideas

         Full day sewing & how to lesson to create your new garments

                
Let me know your thoughts!
Tahlia

Treasure hunting

I was browsing around one of my favourite markets some time ago when I found the lace I used for this cardigan. I found it in a beautiful engraved brown wooden box which happened to be full of interesting treasure: lace, ribbon, hand embroidery… and an old headless doll!

I love the Jamison Car Boot market. To most people it’s a derelict junk sale. To me it is an exciting treasure hunt.  The variety is bazzar. From fresh home grown fruit and veg to furniture to war medals, I never know what I’ll find. I most recently bought an old 1930’s armchair. It needs a whole lotta love and vision- the tapestry style upholstery is worn away with the padding and springs bursting through. It just has so much character with its sweeping wooden armrests and stubby feet. I have another little arm chair which has been waiting to be re-upholstered for months so I’ll get stuck into it this week end and post some befor and after photos. My partner is going to lose it if I keep filling the apartment with decrepit furniture ! (Just wait till I make them beautiful… He won’t even recognise them !)

The car park setting at the supermarket is by no means romantic or artesian, but I’m grateful for the ability to see the beauty in it J