Beyond belief

Well, amazingly in the last few days, the universe with all its stars and moons must have somehow aligned and pointed in my direction. A truly amazing thing has happened...I have won two sewing competitions!

I won the 'Accessory Competition' on Sewing Pattern Review with my Divine Dinner Dress by Savage Coco Patterns.

There is a lovely write up about the contest here, which also shows the beautiful creations by the second and third prize winners. I can't wait to receive and try out my prize of a very special, fitted ironing board cover with felt pad and pressing cloth. My ironing board is in dire need of a makeover and this will be most appreciated. Even better is that these covers are made to the highest standard by disabled workers in Australia. Thank you to Pattern Review for the competition, Interface Australia for the lovely prize and to the fab Coco for the pattern. 

I also won the 'Copycat Challenge' on Erin's blog 'I heart fabric'. Erin writes a lovely blog about her sewing adventures and was recently featured on the Burdastyle website. I don't know how she manages to make so many amazing creations. She has a good eye for fabrics and variations on a pattern and is able to produce many beautiful and unique dresses from one pattern. Her challenge involved copying a ready to wear (RTW) item as closely as possible, which is always good fun.

I made this copy of a Roksanda Ilincic dress. I used the pattern for the 'Elegant Escape Dress' by Savage Coco, which I painstakingly cut up into the shapes required to make this dress. You may have noticed that both wins involved Savage Coco dresses. I can't rate these highly enough for style and general fabulousness. It just shows that if you want to win a competition, you can't go wrong with Coco!

The entries in this competition were just fantastic. I particularly liked the Gwen Stefani pants by That's Sew Amy and Erin's beautiful Royal Lace Dress. The prize of 'The Burdastyle Handbook' and a voucher for Megan Nielsen Patterns is beyond awesome and I can't wait to receive them. Thank you Erin for this super-fun challenge.

And if that wasn't enough, I received two nominations for the Leibster Award from Maud Made and That's Sew Amy. Unbelievable! Thank you both for liking my blog and choosing me for the award. I'm just ecstatic that a few people are reading what I put out there!

This award aims to find out more about the blogger by asking questions of her (or him as the case may be). These are the questions posed by Lucy of Maud Made (I will keep my answers brief as this is already a long post):

1. What got you to start sewing your clothes?
My mum sewed and I just naturally began sewing from a very young age. I remember sewing clothes for my doll that no amount of pulling could get over her arms and head...until Mum taught me the important lesson of seam allowances!

2. What do you most want to make in the next 6 months?
I have had fabric for ages to make a copycat pair of Sass and Bide jeans with white panel detailing. I want these!

3. Fabric or pattern first?
Nine times out of ten it's fabric first. I can't resist buying something when I go to the fabric shop and, even better, are the unique (and cheap) finds at the op shop. Then I peruse my favourite pattern books (like Drape Drape 1, 2 and 3) for inspiration.

4. Which part of sewing your own clothes do you like best?
I love to get started on the actual sewing and see an item come together. I always try it on at every possible stage and sometimes sit sewing in my underwear ready to try it on yet again!

5. Which part do you like least?
Cutting out.

6. Your favourite sewing blogger?
It is very hard to choose, but probably Carolyn of 'Handmade by Carolyn'. She actually lives down the road from me and sometimes I spy her looking fabulous and walking with her gorgeous dog. It's like spotting a celebrity (we've never properly met)! I also have to mention Daniel of 'Manhattan Nest' for a great read every single time. He can make a new light fitting hugely entertaining.

7. What other big obsessions have you had in your life? (real life love affairs not included).
Apart from family, that would be my first car, a classic Holden Torana, my windsurfer and hip hop dancing.

8. What's your day job?
I'm a research scientist who stays at home and makes custom cushion covers for money!

9. What's the most daring thing you have ever done?
I moved to Montreal, Canada from Australia when I was 27 for my first proper job, a postdoctoral research position studying the inner workings of parasites. I knew no one in the entire of North America. It was lonely at first but ended up being completely awesome.

10. What are your secrets for a happy life?
Keep things simple. Time is far more important than money so work less. Stay positive. Laugh with people you love. Create.

Thank you to the effortlessly cool Amy and the warm, funny and stylish Lucy for this award. I am touched.

I'll leave you with a picture of me (middle), my sister and my cousin on Southwold Beach, UK a very, very long time ago.

I would like to thank...

I was very excited over Christmas to receive a present I was not expecting - two awards from blogs I much admire:

Firstly, Andrea of 'Fabric Epiphanies' nominated me for the 'Premio Primavera' award for commenting on her blog. This actually happened over a month ago, but I only just discovered it as I was so busy sewing for Christmas that I haven't had time to read blogs. Thank you Andrea and apologies for not even knowing about the award. Andrea's blog is an interesting and entertaining read about sewing and life in New Zealand.

Then, a few days ago, I was given the 'One Lovely Blog Award / The Very Inspiring Blogger Award' by Adrienne of 'Stitching on the Edge'. Adrienne has a lovely blog and said lots of nice things about mine, so thank you Adrienne :)

So, for the 'Premio Primavera' award, I have to pass it on to people who have commented on my blog. I LOVE receiving comments and feedback, so thank you to all those people who make the effort, firstly, to read my little old blog at all and, secondly, to leave a comment. It makes my day.

I pass the award on to the following lovely, recent commenters:

Judith of 'Made by J'
Twotoast of 'Spotty Dog Social Club'
Carolyn of 'Handmade by Carolyn'
Jenny of 'Byrdie Couture'
Adrienne of 'Stitching on the edge'
Marianna of 'Sew 2 Pro'

The 'One Lovely Blog Award / The Very Inspiring Blogger Award' requires me to follow these rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Add The One Lovely Blog Award / The Very Inspiring Blogger Award to your post.
3. Share 7 things about yourself.
4. Pass the award to 10 nominees.
5. Include this set of rules.
6. Inform your nominees by posting a comment on their blogs.

I've already got points 1 and 2 covered, so I need to share seven things about myself. Hmmm...

I began sewing when I was very young, making doll's clothes and then clothes for myself and my friends in high school. My favourite subjects at school were art and science and they still are! After veering quite precariously off the straight and narrow during high school, I got myself back on the rails and, after repeating my final year of school at evening classes, went to uni where I ended up spending nine fabulous years completing a Biology degree, honours and a PhD in the biochemistry and pharmacology of parasites (interspersed with much partying!). The science then took me to Montreal, Canada where I emerged from the plane into knee-deep snow and sub-zero temperatures. I went there alone and knew no one (except my sewing machine who came with me), but I ended up having the time of my life and meeting my husband. After that I worked for a Pharmaceutical company in England for a few years and had both my boys there. I gave up science at that point and trained as a breastfeeding counsellor. It was around this time that I moved home to Perth and began to pick up my sewing again after a few years of not doing it due to cramped housing and small children! Now I have a fantastic sewing room full to the brim with more fabric, ribbons, buttons and art supplies than I could probably ever use. I wander in there many times a day to ponder, dream and create. I am so lucky :)

Some of my favourite bloggers have also recently received this award so I would like to pass the award on to three, rather then ten nominees and these are:

Melanie of 'Seamstress Poppykettle', who somehow manages to create the most gorgeous and beautifully made clothes even though she works full time as an Industrial Engineer. Nothing seems to faze her and her posts are always inspiring, whimsical and entertaining.

 

Marianna of 'Sew2Pro', who always inspires me to challenge myself and explore new sewing frontiers. I especially enjoyed taking part in her 'Pattern Magic Challenge' recently. Marianna makes beautiful clothes and crafts and occasionally includes an interesting link or tidbit from the UK, reminding me of my own time there.

Katherine of 'Bloom's Endless Summer', who I found via her incredible (winning) entry in the 'Sewing Pattern Review' swimwear competition. I love reading about her exotic life in the wild and remote top end of Australia and all the sewing she does for herself and her family.

 

So thank you to Andrea and Adrienne for these awards and for the opportunity to talk sewing, science and great blogs :)