Handmaiden

Lady Grey Coat

At last I have taken some photos of my fabulous new  Lady Grey Coat by Collette

Made from a fabulous Italian cashmere and wool blend from Tessuti fabrics.

I love the wide lapels

Its a wrap coat and I decided not to add the button and just use this really long tie belt to fasten

The topstitching gives a really professional look to the garment.

and the incredible silk lining just tops it off

As part of making the coat I did produce a muslin because I was keen to reduce the skirt silloutte and check the fit for me. Then I unpicked the muslin and traced the pattern onto pattern card so that I now have my own redrafted pattern. I can see my making this again in different weights

Its an advanced pattern but I thought it wasn't too difficult and would highly recommend it.

I have been wearing it lots in this cold weather and wearing it with my silk felted scarf

Sharon   
 

 

Shop Till You Drop Exhibition

I have just visited this exhibition at The State Library.......well worth a visit if only to see these wonderful vintage fashion drawings and to reminisce over lunching at the Myer cafeteria. The NGV at Fed Square has a small exhibition on 100 years of Fashion too.
Enjoy
Sharon

Blog posted here.

Perfect Plum

When I was in Brunswick St some weeks ago I visited Precious Purl above Calico House and bought the most beautiful hand dyed plum tissue silk and matched it with tonal wool tops.

The result was my first attempt of doing nuno felting on silk. I felted the ends and layed some felt in a random pattern to create this silk scarf.

I am hoping I can learn as I go so I have already planned my next one.

Sharon
  

Felting Frenzy

Decided today to go to the Victorian feltmakers meeting and immerse myself into the world of felting....... so much to learn from a very talented bunch of ladies.
Sharon

Blog posted here.

Maggie Beer's Pheasant Pie

I am addicted to Masterchef and when Maggie Beer made her famous Pheasant Pie  I just had to have a try. It was delectable. It did take some time to make but well worth it. Last winter I used her Pheasant Recipe to roast the pheasants but I loved making this pie.

With the left over carcasses I took Maggie's advice and made up some stock that I made into a a delicious and hearty vegetable and pulses soup.

   Now I usually make my own pastry but I had been told about this wonderful handmade pastry from Careme. All natural ingredients and no preservatives made in the Barossa Valley. I found them at The Good Food and Wine Show last week and bought a showbag of one each of their pastries for the freezer.

I used the sour cream shortcrust pastry in this recipe. Cant wait to use their dark chocolate pastry but I think that maybe waiting in the freezer until a Christmas party.

I will be buying this again for sure and I am thinking maybe a chicken and mushroom pie as well for these cold nights.

Bon Appetit

Sharon

Crafternoon at Kimono House

Popped along to the crafternoon at Kimono House on Saturday. Lots of crafty girls enjoying themselves in the studio in The Nicholas Building. Leanne is running them one Saturday and Wednesday a month during winter.

 Also watch out for the Buttonmania sale starts June 21st too if you are in the area.

Sharon
  

Ornamental Cabbages

Loving these wonderful ornamental cabbages in my fav winter hues. I cut them down and put them in a small basin. They are forming the centrepiece of my table for tommorrow's dinner party. Have a great weekend.

Sharon

Food and Wine Show

Have been enjoying myself today at The good food and wine show. Started the day at the celebrity kitchen watching Gary and George and finished the day watching cake decorating by Babycakes from Elwood.

Kimono House Crafternoon

I have put my name down to attend an open studio at Kimono House on June 12th

"During Winter Kimono House will open our studio for the afternoon twice a month to provide some creative space and inspiration for our customers.  Bring your own craft and drop in, there is no fee to join us but a rental fee applies for those needing to use a sewing machine for the afternoon (please prebook sewing machines). Dates for Winter Crafternoons are 1pm to 4pm Sat 12 June, Wed 7 & Sat 24 July,  Wed 4 & Sat 21 August, Wed 8 & Sat 25 September."

 

Will you be there?

Sharon 

 

 

More Shopping Finds

Can't go past a fabric store these days without having a look. Ventured into The Fabric Store in Brunswick St. If you are looking for good merino knits and jerseys in block colours you will have a good choice.

Always love dropping into Zetta Florence and Kleins perfumery....now with their online store

Sharon