Happy Bees, Owly's and the Ghastlies: Dressing sweet & Sour

Sorry I haven't posted since the sponsored sew and charity auction last month. With Vincent's 2nd birthday and a visit from his grandparents it's been very busy here at Mockingbird's End.

This last week I've been buried in fabrics, swimming in fact.

It started with a birthday! A friend of mine had a little girl a week to the day after Vincent and her birthday was just an excuse for me to finally make a little girl dress. I had been accumilating patterns from here, there and everywhere, but hadn't gotten around to making one. Not my normal choice of provarication, this time it was because I had been working on two major client projects. Firstly I was working on a double CD-ROM project called Perfect Papercrafting Companions for Creative Crafting World Ltd, this then rolled into a major rebranding and web design for a publishing company, and a book jacket design for Unthank Books (in association with The Bronte Birthplace Trust) - something I do through Binky Roo's brother design company 'Green Door Designs'. 

So there I was, 48 hours to go until Amelie's birthday and I'm sitting at my sewing machine about to make my first dress...

This is the first dress styles of several

It's so difficult to price these beautiful creations as it all depends on the fabric but I try to be fair. This particular style takes me about 2 1/2 hours from the start: cutting the panels, to the end: hemming the bottom panel.

GOTHIC: THE GHASTLIES

Alexander Henry 'Ghastlies' Fabric makes up this one of a kind dress

I love Alexander Henry fabrics. They are random, qwirky, and exciting. The fabric used for the bodice and the bottom tier are from his 'Ghastlies' range. I haven't found the bottom tier fabric in the UK as of yet so I have a limited supply of it. The middle tier is a plain black woven fabric and the entire dress has a top stitch detail in pink (taken from the little girl twin's dress). I love this so much I need one for myself.

SUNNY: BEE HAPPY

'Bee Happy' Fabric in yellow and black

When I was trying to decide on the correct fabric for my friend's daughter, this was a close contender. As you can see, I was so taken by it that I still had to obtain some and make this gorgeous summery dress. For this one, the middle tier is slightly deeper than the bottom tier - on of the fun things about this dress is that it allows you to have some fun. The black really brings out the yellow in this dress and makes it look airy and light. Love it!

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL: NESTED OWLS

AdornIt - 'Nested Owl' Fabric from the coral range

TOOWIT TOOWOO! OWL! OWL! Vincent is obsessed with owls at the moment and this fabric screamed out to me. I played with several of the contrasting fabrics and this was the one I chose for Amelie. This one costs a bit more because I have to buy more of the bodice fabric to make sure that there is a whole owl for the front, but how it's worth it. I was so pleased with this dress I will be making another one for 1 - 2 yrs, with the bottom tier being the same fabric as the bodice but without the owl motif. So watch this space.

The beautiful thing about these dresses is that you can match a long, or short, sleeved top or a cardigan and wear them all year round, and to maximise the wear time, the knotted strap feature means the dress can grow with your little princess.

So hop on over to my Etsy Store and grab yourself (your little princess) a beautiful handmade, half-lined, dress. The Ghastlies dress, and the Bee Happy dress are available in 2-3 yrs now, though only one available of each, or you can pop on to the custom-made 12 month - 3 years old listing or the 4 - 8 years old listing and order one in any colour or theme you would like.

NN

SALE - Gothic Doll Madness

So I stirred awake this morning feeling particularly lifted and wanted to let that flow over and let you guys have something special.

Yesterday, March 08, I finally took my driving test, something I should have done ten years ago. Six weeks of lessons and several trees of bananas (for their beta blocker aspects), I passed my driving test first time round. Since we have three motorbikes and a 20 month old son, it was important to get ourselves a car as well. It still isn't sinking in that I am now legal to drive on British roads, but as a way to celebrate I am knocking 15% off the Gothic Dolls. 

WAS £34.99 NOW £29.99

This is an example of the Black Widow Gothic Doll

The Gothic Doll is one of the most popular dolls by Binky Roo Designs, often using designer fabric from Alexander Henry or Michael Miller. The have satin and organza skirts and have gothic motifs and embroidery with seed beads and charms.

Alexander Henry Fabric. Red Seed Beads. Bat Charm

Where can you buy?

You can buy from the official store or my Etsy store, links at the top of the page. Frieda is Available Now, Red Satin & Organza, Vampire Doll, named after one of the sisters from the Hammer Horror Films 'Twins of Evil'. The front of her body is made from fabric by Alexander Henry and has a Lily Munster white stripe in her black hair.

Frieda the Vampire Gothic Doll

Or, you can buy a Made to Order doll whereby you can choose the colour and theme of your choice. So don't delay.  

If you want one of these 18" Gothic beauties order now  before the prices rise again. 

Happy Shopping!

Charity Auction - Why and What?

Most of us are a compassionate lot but we are not necessarily able to donate hundreds of pounds or volunteer time for charity. The double dip recession has hit most of us, and with a 19 month old son, I couldn't give as much as I'd like. But I can give something and I am a firm believer that if everybody gave something then the charities wouldn't suffer to harshly in these horrible economical times.

CHARITIES

If I had been born with a silver spoon in my mouth I wouldn't be a socialite spending Daddy's money on parties and the likes, I'd be helping charities. In my time as an Independence adult I have helped a few charities including Abaana and The Monkey Sanctuary. In 2006 I went to Looe and visited The Monkey Sanctuary where I had adopted a capuchin monkey called Mickey. It was the most wonderful place. The staff were so polite, fun, and informative, and the monkeys were entertaining and fascinating to watch. And on this particular day it rained and that could not have spoiled the day.

Mickey the Capuchin - © Copyright Wild Futures

The Monkey Sanctuary / Wild Futures left an incredible impression on me. Dreams of working with primates still sit inside. Maybe one day. Since that day I adopted Pepper, a baby capuchin. Unfortunately, baby Pepper passed away at the end of last year during the cold snap (2012), I was besides myself. I wanted to do something in his memory. Then the storms came and destruction hit the Sanctuary leaving it with a lot of damage. Thankfully no harm came to the monkeys. Now it became imperative to help raise funds.

Pepper the Baby Capuchin -  © Copyright Wild Futures

I decided to use my skills. I love sewing and crafts, so my initial plan was to make two monkey plushes and auction them to raise some money. But that is not enough and so I have decided ever Monkey plush I sell I will donate 15% to The Monkey Sanctuary / Wild Futures. 

Amy the Capuchin - © Copyright Wild Futures

After Pepper passed away I adopted his sister, Amy. I hope to go and visit this year, to see the lovely staff and the wonderful primates...

CHARITY AUCTION

Available will be one 16" monkey plush in memory of Pepper. Brown mottled cotton fabric and the body is a blue fabric with a monkey on a cloud motif. Apt for little Pepper.

Charity Auction Preview of Pepper (16")

The second plush will be 18" called Marlene (after Marlene Dietrich). A brown linen effect cotton with a pink cotton fabric that has diva monkey motifs.

Marlene Dietrich

 As I mention above, any order for a monkey plush (18"), 15% will go to The Monkey Sanctuary / Wild Futures.

*keep checking my facebook page and twitter for more information as to where and when the auction will be.

UPDATE (Feb 25, 2013):

Marlene and Pepper ready for the Charity Auction

ETSY - Shop Opening

Howdy!

After umming and ahhing whether to open an Etsy store I decided why the hell not?  There are a few things adding already and the photos are just examples of what you could order. The beauty of my handmade items is that you can choose your own colour scheme and theme so no matter what you order it will match the occasion or decor, ooo-err!

So for this weekend only! A 10% off coupon is available for my Etsy store.

Use this code to get your 10% Off

So take advantage and order something special today!