Art on a budget

Ok so I woke up bitten by the art and craft bug this morning. So after a much needed planning session and a perfect excuse to have Bavarian Apple pancakes it was time to put on my 'arty' hat and create.

Now if your like me you have a lot of wall spaces and a limit on just how much you can spend at your local art gallery. So with this in mind it was time to get creative.

My answer to this......use what I've got. I like to collect patterns of vintage clothing so why not make this a cute feature in my home.

What you will need
- Photo frames.
- Patterns
- Glue
- White paper - used as a backing sheet
- Colour Photocopier - I went to my local Officeworks

First thing was to hunt around my craft room to find my box of patterns. For this project I've used ones I've collected over the years from Vogue when they have re-released their designs. The really cool things about these are the great images and they have a date of release on them.

I've gone for plain black certificate frames that I picked up at a stores closing down sale. In fact I managed to get a box of 2o frames for $5 so this really reduces the costs of this project. However you could use any frame that you desire which suits your home.

Then a quick trip to get color photocopies of each design, an even quicker bit of cut and paste and there you have it. Once all stuck down and in frames, simply hang and stand back to admire your work. Easy as!!!! The great thing is with this as the images are just photocopies you can change them with any new pattern you find or when ever the mood changes you.

For these designs I've hung them in age order starting with 1949 all the way up to 1957. Because of the cheap frames the total project cost me under $10 for all of the art work and materials!!!!! See you can have amazing art on a very small budget.

Creative Space

Sometimes there is so much in your head that you don't quiet know where to start or what exactly you should be writing about. So while in my new little office, which at the moment is very sparse I thought I'd talk about making a creative space for yourself.

As I adore fashion, writing and art I figured the first place is to create some inspiration for those days when I'm staring at a blank screen and need a bit of a boost.


So a couple of prints were found like this canvas print of a typewriter to help inspire me and remind me where all the writers before me came from. As well as this massive canvas prints of some of the places I'd like to see, work, write about and one day have my store in. Its always good to have something to inspire you for your long term goals, just in case you forget why your doing what your doing.

A little bit of reading never hurts. Its great to have a mix of autobiographies, fashion mags and other bits in pieces to help get those creative juices flowing. Plus it gives you a bit of a boost to see what went before and how it relates to today. I actually keep my books of Pinups and Dita Von Teese close to hand for a pick me up and a great source of WOW when I'm trying to plan an outfit, or see how pieces can work together.

And of course my favorite mug with either a T2 tea or Whole Bean Coffee just for an added pick me up, especially if I'm writing late at night or a Sunday afternoon. There is just something so wonderful about having the perfect cup and hot beverage to help get your thoughts in order. It also never hurts to have some fresh flowers and a nice scented candle to quiet your mind. At the moment I'm loving vanilla bean soy oil candle as it fills the room with a warm scent that doesn't over power.

Some of the images so far

So I have the first batch of photos from the weekend. All photos here are by Allan King Photography.

Some images were just using what was around, so simple location shots. Which were interesting as you never know what your going to get. As well as learning the most important lesson that you may not get what you think out of the camera but its amazing what you can do with a post editing program. For instance all that was done to the shot above was soften the background.

Then we tried to recreate, in sorts, some images. Above is the image of Amanda Plamer that we tired, and the result below.Then there was the attempt at the vogue image.
I still have issues seeing some images of myself, but it was well worth the effort to get some of these images. Again a big thank you to Allan for these shots!

hundreds of colours of thread

Ever spend a whole weekend looking for that perfect dress or outfit. Well if your like me you have, not to mention since my taste is a little left of centre it makes it a bit harder. So a few days ago I decided to start pattern hunting because lets face it if you can't find make it.

And joy I found a few projects for this doll to sink her teeth into. Sure I know have to fix up the sewing machine and find fabrics....oh yeah figure out to fit this all together without a dummy (yes next purchase on the list) I must admit the image above I think i need to make about 20 of these in various fabrics because she is the ultimate all rounder design for me.


I think these would be great in so many fabrics and worn day to day. As well as the added ruffle of some tulle in the underskirt.


I'm thinking these for work, the coats will be great for Melbourne winters and great little suits.


I just adore these ones to, plus I can add the these to my other collection of 50's patterens.

Ok so now to find fabric and get sewing. Watch this space for updates