My friend Georgia (a visual merchandiser) and I caught up last week at the Messagemark Studio to create a display featuring my new range "Dinky-Dye Designs".
It's so fantastic to be using my old bits and bobs from my Grandma, Parents and random hard rubbish adventures! I am now seeing everything with fresh eyes - Georgia did such a FAB job of combining my more modern designs with the old vintage and retro pieces. An eclectic mix, and the colours really work well together. I LOVE it!! So so cute. Wish my Grandma could see it!
For more photos visit Flickr here...
I bought this cutsie dress pattern dated 1967 for 50c from an op shop last year and have been meaning to try sewing this. I hadn't sewn a dress before, so thought this looked like a simple pattern to try ... after all the packaging does say "McCall's Time Saving Quickie Pattern!"
Today was 42 degrees so it was a good option to stay indoors in my air conditioned lounge and give this a go! I got started at about 1.00pm and finished it at about 11.00pm. The instructions weren't very clear and I had to unpick a seam and re-do one part, but eventually I got there!
The fabric I used was also an op shop find for about $2. Brand new, never been used retro fabric. So here is my first attempt. Not too bad in the photos, a bit rough around the edges if you look closely. I decided to add a tie belt for a slight variation. Might end up using it as the neck tie to lengthen it so I can tie a bow in the front!
I'm pretty chuffed with the result. I think I might wear it tomorrow! Just need a nice brooch to go with it now.
I have been on the hunt for the perfect seating for the Messagemark studio. As you would gather by now, I have a love for the mid-twentieth century era. Well to my delight I found this sweet ensemble on E-Bay in December and ended up being the only bidder. It is solid teak, and was restored last year with new cushions, webbing, and fabric.
Totally modular, this setting can be positioned in many configurations. I particularly love the single chair. Low line, wide seat, and a perfectly angled back. Surprisingly, this set is not only good looking but comfortable too! A keeper that's for sure! See more photos here...
The home we collected this set from was absolutely amazing, a true 1960s pad, a collectors paradise, and the best collection of 1950-1960s home-wares I have seen being used daily, and not just on display. We will be posting a feature about this Retro Haven very soon.
For Christmas 2010, I decided to scan my parents old slide collection from the 60s, 70s and 80s, and make a photo book for a gift for my family. I bought a slide scanner off Ebay, and then scanned the collection of old family photos, both BW and colour. It took quite while to adjust each image, sharpness, brightness and contrast, and some of the images needed cleaning up a tad.
It was a fascinating project because I had never seen some of the photos before, or only seen them once or twice during a family slide evening!
I called the book, Time Standing Still. My family absolutely love it and now I often find myself sitting down looking through the book, analysing the clothes, the hair, the poses... so retro cute!
This is my fave photo. My two sisters playing on the front lawn. Love the composition, the old car in the background and little Susan about to catch the ball!
