Sea glass.

This week I discovered a little beach, tucked away in the tail-end of the Eastern suburbs. It is not one of the 'popular' beaches, it is not patrolled by lifeguards, and it is hidden behind some very steep cliffs. Standing on the sand, against the towering cliff walls, you are surrounded by an almost untouched piece of coastline.

Instead of the noise of city traffic, you hear waves crashing against rocks.

Instead of the smell of smog, you breath in the salty sea air.

Instead of walking on pavement, your feet sink into sand with every step.

This beach was perfect.

Along the shoreline I found some beautiful sea glass hidden under small piles of seaweed, broken shells and drift wood. I took it home, gave it a wash, and am letting thoughts run through my head with what to do with it...

For now it is home in a jam jar on my kitchen window sill. A daily reminder of a perfect walk along the beach.

Sam xox

French onion soup.

Jamie and I have both been struck down by nasty bugs recently, Jamie more so than I. He has been suffering badly from a flue that doesn't appear to want to leave his body. There seems to be a few nasty bugs floating around Sydney at the moment, and I think it might have something to do with the cold weather and rain we are having at the moment. For the past week I have left for work while Jamie makes his way from bed to couch where he curls up under a blanket. It is here that I find him, still lying, upon my return some 9 hours later :-(

By day 5 I decided to resort to a hearty home cooked soup that would warm his belly and hopefully encourage his body to finally kick that bug.

I made Donna Hay's French Onion Soup, and it turned out to be delicious! Her recipes never seem to fail me.

~ This soup made me cry - a lot! All those onions! ~

~ Donna recommends this soup should be served

with toasted cheese sandwiches ~

The verdict? Jamie is back to 100% health (though the jury is still out on whether this soup fixed him).

You can find the recipe here.

Hope you're all having a brilliant weekend!

Sam xox

One pattern seven bloggers - the big reveal.

It feels like only yesterday, when I sent an email out to a few fellow bloggers and proposed to them that we join together and do a sewing project - One Pattern, Seven Bloggers... and now seven finished dresses!

Today is the big reveal! I apologies for the bad quality photos (and in my kitchen of all places!) but you see, we are having some terrible weather here in Sydney.

So, without further ado, here is my version of the dress...

This was a very interesting sewing experience for me. Firstly, the pattern only includes the pieces for the bodice, which allows the sewer to make the skirt how they wish. I liked this idea, but felt a bit uneasy about doing anything too tricky due to my pear shaped body and lack of pattern-drafting skills. I decided as the fabric was light I would make a simple gathered skirt.

The most interesting thing for me however, was that I actually got the dress finished! No, not because I might have procrastinated slightly, but because almost to the very last stitch I just did not like it. If this had been a project I was making on my own, there is a very good chance it would never have been completed. About 1 hour into the sewing I decided I hated the fabric pattern. About 1 hour and 30 minutes into the sewing I decided I hated the pattern. What I had in front of me looked like a pinky-red, funny shaped pile of yuck.

But I persevered and when I put it on I thought "that actually doesn't look too bad". Granted it is not a dress I would wear out to dinner, but in the warmer weather later this year it might get a few trips to the beach or park. I am yet to decide if I want to make a belt for this dress, if I do decide to I will post a tutorial.

Pluses:

* Did not use a lot of paper to print on the home printer.

* The bodice was very easy to construct.

* I like that the skirt is not included.

* The bodice is simple and I didn't need instructions.

Minuses:

* The neckline is low - so would not suit everyone.

* I changed my zipper to a centre back one.

* * * * * * *

I cannot tell you how great it has been to be part of this project. It has been fun getting to know the other girls and seeing their emails pop up in my inbox as we all share our trials and successes as we made our dresses.

And don't forget to visit their blogs to see the dresses they have made:

Marie from A Sewing Odyssey

Reana Louise from Curves, Patterns and Pins

Kat from Petticoats & Peplums

Rachel from My Messings

Jen from Pretty Little Pictures

Amy from Sewing Through the Motions

Sam xox

Edible Melbourne.

Melbourne is a revelation for the taste buds! Today's post is completely dedicated to (some) of the food we sampled during our three day stay.

Some of the places we tried and I recommend if you are visiting Melbourne:

The Journal Cafe

Madam Brussels

The Press Club

La Belle Miette

The Emerald Peacock

Sam xox

Melbourne in May.

So... life has thrown Jamie and I a couple of curve balls this week!

As a result I will have to postpone my One Pattern Seven Bloggers self-fabric belt tutorial post until Saturday. In the meantime I wanted to share with you some photos of my recent trip to Melbourne. Michelle and I were very lucky with the weather, as it only rained on the last day of our trip. We had a wonderful time, and it was a much needed break for me. We walked a lot and ate much too much yummy food (more photos of this to come!). Time went far too quickly, and I already have a list as long as my arm of the things I want to do if I was to visit Melbourne again.

Melbourne truly is a beautiful city.

Don't forget to check out the other girls posts this week!

Marie from A Sewing Odyssey

Reana Louise from Curves, Patterns and Pins

Kat from Petticoats & Peplums

Rachel from My Messings

Jen from Pretty Little Pictures

Amy from Sewing Through the Motions

Sam xox

Scalloped jacket and skirt progress.

I realised the other day that I haven't given much of an update on the progress of this pattern being sewn together...

I was planning on having this outfit sewn up ready to wear during my trip to Melbourne this weekend. Unfortunately, I procrastinated too long on the lining and it will just not be ready in time.

A month ago I made a muslin of both the jacket and skirt. The skirt fit perfectly, even though the pattern size was smaller than my measurements (does this ever happen to you when using vintage patterns?). The jacket muslin worked well, but I still need to perfect the scalloped edges (does anyone know of any good websites that give tutorials on sewing scallops neatly? Mine are just not sitting right).

This is the gabardine fabric I purchased to make View 1:

It is so luxuriously soft that I am sure it will break my heart a little to cut into it!

I have been waiting patiently for the perfect lining fabric to find me. As you know I love Liberty of London's Tana Lawn, and really preferred this for the lining. But after almost two months spent searching ebay I couldn't find the perfect fabric. That is, until I found this pink Betsy...

I was instantly in love, and just had to bide my time for the right amount to be listed on ebay for a reasonable price. I watched 4 auctions end before I finally won this fabric. My heart was set on it but I just wasn't prepared to pay too much for it, because it was lining after all.

Pink Betsy arrived in the post yesterday and it is perfect. I am hoping that there will be enough left over after lining the jacket to make a simple top to make the suit complete.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Sam xox

One pattern seven bloggers #3

I am only 1 hour and 24 minutes (on Honolulu time) behind posting my next Wednesday update on the sew along. I apologize for not having photos of my muslin. It is dark here and the photos I did take of it were terrible!

So my muslin turned out pretty well. I have only sewn up the bodice pieces, as I am still undecided on how I will make up the skirt. If I will gather or pleat? I decided on moving the zipper from the side to the back, as that is where I prefer my dress zippers to be. I will need to buy an invisible zip during the coming week.

As I am a 32" bust I cut out the smallest size, but left the neckline on the largest size. I then cut out one muslin with the largest size neckline, then cut another muslin with the smaller size neckline. I am undecided as to which I prefer, but both did turn out ok.

The darts were ok, but I am not 100% happy with the shoulders. I am considering sewing a small cap sleeve of some sort, what do you all think?

I am planning on making a self fabric belt for the dress, and possibly the neck piping that Casey posted about, and a few of my fellow sewers have mentioned (perfect timing from Casey I'd say!).

Speaking of my fellow sewing ladies, remember to visit their blogs and see what they're up to:

Marie from A Sewing Odyssey

Reana Louise from Curves, Patterns and Pins

Kat from Petticoats & Peplums

Rachel from My Messings

Jen from Pretty Little Pictures

Amy from Sewing Through the Motions

And just because I lacked any photos of interest in this post, here is a shot of some beautiful roses Michelle gave me last week.... 'just because'. She is a sweet friend!

I will be a whirlwind of packing over the next 24 hours, as come Saturday 7am Michelle and I are flying to Melbourne for a 3 day mini-break filled of lots of girly activities; shopping, dinning, and a few cocktails!

Bliss.

Sam xox