By Vintage Grrl, on April 28th, 2010%
Over the long weekend, my trusty jeans finally died. And I’m not sad that they did. They’ve served me well for more than 2 years (Target jeans, not expensive ones .. my size 14 Levi’s are still in perfect nick), and I was thinking of ditching them anyway. They just got in first.
So my MIL and I are going to whip me up a pair of replacements. They won’t be ‘jeans’ but will be pants made of denim. They’ll bridge the gap of being casual, but not ‘in jeans’, as such. I already have the material and pattern, so it is just a matter of fitting and whipping up.
Thank you to Super Kawaii Mama for the inspiration for this project!
This is step one!
By Vintage Grrl, on April 27th, 2010%
I’ve been into the retro and vintage thing for quite some time now. It started out as a love for the movies, and the style they portrayed. Then followed the discovery of Jazz and Swing/Big Band music, which flowed into dancing and fashion/beauty choices.
All of this was much easier when I was living at home and single, for some reason. These days, with a husband, son and household to take care of, I don’t spend the time/energy on things like my hair and wardrobe, or dancing, or listening to music like I used to.
That is what this blog was going to help me with. Rediscovering things I loved, manifesting my vintage desires and just incorporating it all into my daily life.
Things pop up, get in the way, throw you a curve ball…. things like illness, sleep deprivation, unexpected repair bills and my constant battle with depression and anxiety.
I have let it all get in the way of my goal. I started exercising, and then stopped just when I was really getting into it. I need to start again. I stopped ‘doing’ my hair because no one but me saw it. I haven’t made myself a single piece of clothing because I worry about looking like mutton dressed as lamb. I have found out recently though that I am not the only fuller figure Vintage Gal out there.
So to hell with it! It all gets in gear! Being a Vintage Grrl means that I will do what it is that I need to do to feel that Vintage Zing that I love!
Bring it!
By Vintage Grrl, on April 26th, 2010%
Today I went out to Clarendon to pick up my entries for the Hawkesbury show today and I’m more than pleased with the outcome.
My lovely Polwarth received a Highly Commended. The Steward said that it had been a tough call, as all the entries were fabulous, and within a hair’s breath of each other.. but not every one can win. I am super pleased with the Highly Commended, as it’s the same as I received last year for my Angorino…
Speaking of which. Last year’s Highly Commended Angorino was knitted into a lovely Photosynthesis shawl, and I was encouraged to enter it for this year’s show… so I did.
It received first place for it’s class “Scarf, Stole or Shawl fashioned from Handspun Yarn”, and best exhibit for Handspun Article! TWO ribbons!! I’m over the moon!
I had no expectations when entering, and I’m just so chuffed that I now have ribbons to display.
Now… for next years entries…….
By Vintage Grrl, on April 18th, 2010%
It’s not that things aren’t chugging along nicely, but there really isn’t much happening that’s worth blogging about.
A few of my girlfriends and I are working on a social calendar which will incorporate dressing up, drinking tea, ghost tours, knitting, Serenity and most importantly friends.
My circle of friends is something that has been undergoing some shifts, lately. Some good, some not so great, but it is starting to become apparent just who are the friends I can rely on and count on to be honest with me.
It’s all good, however.
I found a treasure amongst my Mother-in-Law’s books yesterday. It’s called “The Golden Dressmaker”. It looks to be from the mid/late 50’s and is full of AMAZING patterns and opportunities. So stay tuned for what comes out of that!
By Vintage Grrl, on April 11th, 2010%
Also known as Belladonna, has been used in poisons, hallucinogens and sleeping drugs. Ladies of the night would put a drop in their eyes to make their pupils dilate and appear more appealing. It appears back to mythical times…. and is divine shades of purple and black.
Why am I blogging about Deadly Nightshade on my craft blog? Only because I am currently spinning yarn that encapsulates both the colour and the seduction of the myth of Belladonna. Natural black Huacaya alpaca and Mulberry silk dyed in shades of purple.
It is soft, glints of silky shine, and will be a laceweight 2ply for a decadent shawl.
By Vintage Grrl, on April 10th, 2010%
Today I handed in two items for the Hawkesbury show.
This is my Polwarth handspun.
- 75g
- Approx 300m
- Roughly a DK equivalent
- Spun semi worsted, and then 2ply
- Perfectly balanced with no washing
This was originally hand dyed tops, from the Ewe Give Me The Knits Fibre Club back in 2008, (160g in total) in shades of yellow, orange and red/raspberry. I had previously spun 85g as the tops ‘came’ and then chain plied to yield 235m in a DK equivalent. This will be part of a vest for my son (either the front, or stripes).
I didn’t want to spin all of it at the time, as the colours aren’t me, but they do suit The Boy, but a whole vest in variegated ‘oranges’ are still not a good idea. So a little while ago, I was encouraged to enter some spinning in this years Hawkesbury show, and this was just after seeing a great tutorial on hand carding dyed tops to get a gradient effect. So home I went and carded away, then got to spinning!
I am very excited and proud about this skein. It will become something warm and comforting for my boy.
The other item I have entered is my Photosynthesis shawl.
This yarn was entered into last years Hawkesbury show and received a “Highly Commended” in one of the handspinning classes.
I’m also very excited about this shawl being entered into the show, for two reasons. This is the first time I’ve entered a knit item in for judging. The yarn is returning as the finished item into the same show.
Now the wait begins.
And while I wait, I work on an entry for the St Ives show in May. (Alpaca and Mulberry silk may be involved!)
By Vintage Grrl, on April 8th, 2010%
Super Kawaii Mama has just blogged about some great vintage events that are running this year! If you’re close by or can make the trip to any of them, get on your bike!
I’m hoping to make it to the Love Vintage Fair at Cantebury. Even if you don’t buy anything, the sheer atmosphere and inspiration that you can literally absorb is phenomenal!
Thanks for the list, Candice!
By Vintage Grrl, on April 3rd, 2010%
Well, not *really* a baby. But she’s my new wheel. Bought from Ebay, and picked up today.
She’s an Ashford Traveller, Double Treadle, Double Drive/Scotch Tension. Fairly young, and has been white washed by her previous owner.
I’m thankful that it’s a newish wheel, and the price was very good. Because the wheel needs a lot of work. The white wash was done while partially assembled, so is splotchy and uneven. While we’ve taken her apart and given her a wash down (she was grotty) and a light sanding, she’ll be coming apart again REAL soon for a full strip down and beautifying. But I’m working on some spinning first, you know… to make sure she works well … hehe.
She doesn’t have a name yet, but I’m sure we’ll figure that out in good time.
By Vintage Grrl, on April 1st, 2010%
Through another blog on my RSS reader, I found a vintage blogger who, like me, is a bit fuller than others. She reached 100 followers recently (and I’m sure more since she posted), and decided to do a giveaway! It’s open world wide and is just TOO CUTE!!
Go check her out!
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