Movember portraits

Movember finished up today and as customary at work, we had a morning tea to celebrate the men of movember.
In case you have never heard of Movember....

Each year Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Australia and around the world, with the sole aim of raising vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men.

Men sporting Movember moustaches, known as Mo Bros, become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo growing efforts. The rules are simple; register online at Movember.com and start the month of Movember clean shaven, before growing a Mo.  

Money raised in Australia is shared equally between programs targeting prostate cancer and male depression. Funds are committed to our men’s health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue – the national depression initiative and the Movember Foundation. Together, the three channels work to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world class programs in the fields of research, education, support, and awareness.


I had the huge pleasure of taking some portraits of the 'bros' that were to be displayed at our morning tea. I dont often get to take portraits, so i really enjoyed the process. Getting a portrait taken is a daunting experience for some and the guys did really well.
I was happy to test out my new flash, ring flash adapter and really test my new lens. Im still getting used to the flash etc, but the lens blew me away- the shallow depth of field is amazing and the detail is insane- im stoked, i am glad i went with my instinct and bought the lens, my old one just wasnt up to scratch!

Here are some of the portraits!

So congrats to all the Mo Bro- they raised a few $$$ and gave this photographer some great experience!
Let me know what you think! Which is the best mo?!

COFA Annual 2010 exhibition

I am exhibiting my graduate series of work titled "Google    sewing patterns" at the COFA Annual Exhibition at the Carriageworks in Sydney this week. The exhibition consists of artworks from over 350 students graduating in 2010 from COFA. 

If anyone visits (assuming someone in Sydney Australia reads my blog!!!) my work is located in Track 12 of the Carriageworks- as you could understand with 350 people exhibiting, there are artworks EVERYWHERE!!!

The series is based on my experiences of community and the internet- its a very simple work, but lends itself to much further artistic investigation- which i hope to do in the near future (and am very excited about). This series observes information sharing, personality and community between interest groups on the web.

For those who cant attend- here are a few pics of the work- special mention to the BF for his help with installing the works (and dealing with my frustrations with the process)

 This was shot right off the wall (with the available light)- "I am a fabric junkie"

Flower garden explosion dress!

I made this dress a couple of months ago. I had this sateen lying around waiting for the right project to jump out. I saw the 'Cherry Pop' dress made by sewer Grosgrain on BurdaStyle and knew this was the perfect project!

I took the bodice of my 'derby day' dress and the skirt of my wedding cocktail dress and combined i have the two for my 'explosion dress'!

For the photoshoot- i also wore a vintage pillbox hat, which i found on the internet for a song, which i haven't found an occasion to wear yet- but trust me i will!

I must apologise for the images, im testing new camera equipment and its hard to shoot yourself on an SLR with a tripod that cant keep your camera straight!

Burdastyle party dress competition!

I received an email the other day off Burdastyle about a competition they are running to design and create a party outfit from an era. Knowing full well i should be spending my time painting my house, doing my landscaping, sewing Christmas presents and preparing myself for the impending art exhibition i am going to have a shot and enter.

I am fully aware i am so not going to have a chance to win i am more interested in trying to create something simple and elegant!
So to choose an era.. yes most people know i love the 50's and 60's and the ladylike fashion of those eras, but no, my inspiration is not going to come from there!

OK so i like my tie blouses- so what era you say? Yes the 70's!!!

But what to make thats a party outfit? No not the kaftan, im not terribly into those.

I am liking the return to the 70's in fashion at the moment with the wide leg trousers, but trousers on their own are no good- but with a top in a jumpsuit form? well that sounds great!!!

Jumpsuits have been quite popular recently, and i would like to have a slinky suit that i could wear out to parties or weddings etc.
Here are examples of jumpsuits from Stella McCartney, Versace and Bianca Spenda.

I am very realistic- within the time frame i have, and the skillz i have (read beginner), there is no way i will be able to design anything complicated or super sophisticated. Nice and simple. As i really dont have time to make a pattern (or more importantly the skill level) i am going to try and use pattern pieces i already have-

Pants: Very Easy Vogue V8512 (pictured)
Top: Vogue Designer Original Valentino 2171 (its from the 1970's)

I will put a picture up of the top later. Hopefully i can create a muslin of these up the weekend and see how i go!!!

I promise to keep you all posted of my progress

Portraits of Mel

I am still unpicking the hem of one of my dresses i made- so no new sewing to share- but i will share some lovely pics instead.

Taken last year of my cousin Mel- she was a good sport with these ones- were very time consuming to take and the mossies were getting her big time.
Melinda is a distance runner, and has represented Australia and is a world record holder at the deaf Olympics. I wanted to create a portrait of Mel's relationship with the athletics track (or her running in general), but also find a humorous vein (which is definitely in her personality!). I would say the first (and second) image is rather loaded in meaning for Melinda, the third was a fun take on her role as a deaf athlete.

Even though i am a few weeks early- i want to wish Mel the best of luck in defending her City 2 Surf title in August- I'm sure not matter what, you will do yourself proud, Also, good luck to Sam, who is running the city 2 surf to raise money for the leukemia foundation- a charity close to her and our families hearts- its a super effort :)

Sorry i haven't posted in a week, but life has been incredibly busy this week :(

I did want to put some pictures up of two new dresses i have been working on- but they are not quite finished yet- well i lie, one is done- except i am so unhappy with the hemming job on it, that i am planning to redo it when i have a chance this week (ha ha).

OK so instead i thought i would put some of my art up :)

I haven't named this series yet, in fact, i feel its quite incomplete- one day i will return to work on it. When driving back home late at night from uni, i always thought about capturing the images i saw- so one day i did!

Im in love...

I splashed out earlier this year and bought a subscription to Harpers Bazaar. I love look at the fashion- but i also LOVE looking at the photo shoots- i often will just look at the to try and work out how the photographer did them and how much photoshopping occurs!

Anyway i was so delighted to open up the August edition and then on page 4 and 5 was this amazing image (well beautiful to me anyway)

Not only is it a great image- the best i have seen from Louis Vuitton for a bit (i really disliked the Madonna stuff, but did like the latest one with a cockatoo)
But how lovely are the clothes! Defo inspired by the 50's, but such a modern twist. I love the corset dresses (which i have every intention of trying to make) and that leather skirt is sumptuous!!!
This is the type of image i love and these models- perfect!
Had to share- just love!

Sewing projects up until now Part 2

Ok two more dresses to present- then i will feel a bit more up to date- well at least on the sewing front anyway!!!

The next dress i have made was for a work mates wedding in May. I bought a vintage pattern McCalls 5770 and i decided to alter the neckline and add sleeves.

I bought some black silk and some teal organza- this was courtesy of the shop assistant at the fabric store- she said i must see her favourite colour fabric that just came into the store- i couldn't resist!!!

The final result wasn't too shabby (although i have a problem with the sleeves- but never mind) and hemming the skirt made me go out and splurge on a rolled hem foot.

My latest dress has been a long time coming- i saw a dress from the runway of Milan on the internet. I had been looking for red/rust tweed fabric- but i couldnt find it anyway. So i i decided just to find any tweed i could and make the dress- from a second hand pattern from the 90's.

Anyway it worked out ok- the fit is pretty good if i do say so myself!

Sewing projects up until now Part 1

This is my third post today! I feel like i have to do a bit of a history of all things me- i guess you need to look at the past before you can go ahead in the future right?
Ok so i have already shown my top and two dresses- well that took me to christmas time 09.

I found some sateen at spotlight on sale for $6 a metre- the material seemed sturdy, with a slight stretch- which i thought was perfect for an everyday basic dress that i could wear to work or anywhere. Again mum provided me with a pattern- a basic dress pattern- a little big for me, but i worked on it a bit and got it to fit *reasonably well*. I was really happy with this dress- even though its the most basic of designs- the material colour and pattern turn it into something else!

Next dress is my Derby Day races dress. I admit to really enjoying getting dressed up from time to time (it really doesnt happen often) so Derby Day @ Randwick racecourse is my one day of the year for Glam! Since i was learning to sew, i figured i may as well make my outfit!
I had a vintage sheath dress pattern with a bateu neckline and kimono sleeves, which didnt appear too challenging- so i made this out of velveteen.
Velveteen was an interesting fabric- it left little black dots EVERYWHERE (drove mum batty) and i learnt the hard way that you can only cut the fabric one way, as it either shines or is matte- i found this out when i made it the first time, with a shiny front and a matte back- i had to do the whole thing again!
I teamed the dress up with an awesome hat from Sydney Milliner Suzy O'Rourke and a funky cape made by my dressmaker (too hard for this ducky).
I ended up in the final 4 on fashions on the field- was super happy i got that far.

sewing spaces and fabrics

I started sewing around June last year. I remember the exact moment i decided i need to learn.
I walked into Sportsgirl and saw a red satin top- the most simple thing ever- it cost $80 and i loved it (but not the price) so i went home and spoke with mum about it and she thought she had a pattern lying around that would be similar- so i found the pattern and toddled off to Spotlight about bought some red satin and made my first top- and here is the result

Yes i know, a brilliant start (not) but a start nonetheless. I followed this top up with two dresses

By this stage i was truely hooked!

OK this leads me to describing my sewing space- its pretty bad, i am currently house hunting and i hope to get a sewing room out of it- but whilst i am at home, my bedroom will have to do!

I cant even use my computer screen cause my sewing machine is in the way- its a bit of a pain when i am trying to do my art. Like most seamstresses- i like to collect fabric- if i see something i like i buy it (my bank account does not like this though). Anyway i have no room in my room for the fabric- so its out in the hall

Welcome!

First post ever! I was never one to write in a diary and document daily occurrences, but i have decided to take the plunge and establish a blog, to document my different art and sewing works- and i guess whatever takes my fancy!
The title of my blog "The giving of a bright appearance is the best mark of cherishing" comes from a book called "The poetics of space" written by Bachelard. I browsed through this book for research for my artwork about objects in the house and the perception of these in images. Bachelard discusses poems and other writings and how authors describe each room and objects in a home and how the way in which they (objects and rooms) are described signify their importance to the author or to the story.  This could be the light in a room, the way objects- with their history and sentimentality are described etc.
I loved this sentence when i read it and noted it down for a rainy day- and i guess that is now! I hope my blog gives a bright appearance to all the things that i cherish!