The Bee Hive

being wishful

I wish I could just start and finish a 'making' project but I spend too long faffing, hoarding and planning it for it to ever get off the ground. I then get distracted and obsess over discovered blogs, I scroll down the pages feeling envy and admiration that these talented people have the time to make creative things let alone blog about there daily makes. Errrr.

Since dusting down my sewing machine a few weeks back and making a few dresses for the girls, it has made me want to make more garments (or at least repair some very holey ones). Last year I picked up a box of excellent '60's, 70's and '80's dress patterns from a yard sale, which I am hoping to be able to use, only I've never used a proper pattern, just ones I have made on newspaper with more often than not, bad results. Is following a pattern hard? I'm sure I could do it.

One of the talented bloggers I discovered last year, Wiksten-Made (aka Jenny Gordy) is very inspiring. First, it was the red shoes on Jenny's profile photo (see Wiksten's Etsy profile) which got my eyes bulging. I doubt mysaltwatersandals do them in my giant size 43 (I'm yet to convert the US size to find out) but I've already bought (in my virtual wish list) a yellow and red pair for the girls. They may not be as practical as Crocs, but hey, they'll be no ownership confusion at nursery and of course they are so much prettier.

After the joy at discovering the red shoes, I then read Wiksten blog to find out she makes beautiful clothes; the Tova dress and Tova Shirt amongst other desirable items. I want a Tova, but so does half the 'indie' handmade blogging fraternity. I also want her slender pins she models the Tova dress in and also her ankles not my cankles (the unfortunate calf/ankles combo I own) to go with the sandals. Picture this: me, with the average sized male feet, squeezed into simple and nostalgic Sunday school sandals. It's not a good look is it? Having big feet has no advantages. Shoe shopping is miserable.

I just look and dream. These boots are from Rosa Mosa.

So are these fabulous boot clogs.

I often wonder, that if my feet weren't enrobed in Clark's sensible and ugly lace-ups in my early years, I would have smaller feet today.

adore dora's knickers

Evie seems to have sadly forgotten about Grandma Dora's dresses. Perhaps they were getting too tight or perhaps they are just too far at the back of the wardrobe to reach, so, for the time being are forgotten treasures. But, the great (and bad) thing about having two girls is the endless re-cycling and identical outfits I can dress Matilda in. These beautiful handmade knickers were made by Grandma Dora. The photo doesn't do the lace trim and neat stitching justice and as ever, I would love to have a go making a pair. I have fabric, I have the workroom, I have a fabulous old and borrowed sewing machine, but I just can't seem to find the uninterrupted time. But I will, I have to before Matilda starts getting as fashion fussy as her big sister.

fifi lapin, the design conscious bunny

I like Wednesdays, it's the only day of the week where I have two hours to myself, to get on a do stuff I want to with  feeling any motherly guilt.

This morning I did research for St.Jude's. As I'm hopping from one site to another, I keep writing 'in my head' blogs for All Things Considered. I get really excited and inspired when I see and read about creative people and their art, it reminds me of my student days weaving away in the then non-blog world of the '90's.

One of my discoveries today was FiFi Lapin. A 19 year old fashion student (I think) from London. Fifi, very possibly inspired by Mifi, is a rabbit dressed in designer clobber.

So taken by the illustrations on sale at Fifi's Etsy store, I have emailed to ask if Fifi could be drawn wearing Evie's very own eclectic mix of definitely non designer clothing.  (I should add that this is a service offered). I do hope that it's possible, I will get one for Matilda too. I have a feeling this talented young designer will have a successful future so I'm going to start collecting Fifi Lapin's wardrobe now.