Ruby's Button Tin

Oops, I appear to have bought another Selvedge

It's no good, I just can't resist buying Selvedge.  It's so beautifully put together with gorgeous photographs and inspiring articles. 

 Am looking forward to putting my feet up with a cuppa and reading it later today.  On the sewing front I've been thinking about making dolls for a while.  Not sure why because I was never that taken with dolls as a child.  But I love the wonderful creations of Mimi Kirchner (see Flickr for her fab dolls) and Julie Arkell.  Julie's use of papier mache, vintage fabric and trimmings, her very English and rather eccentric folk art dolls definately appeal. 

 
I started this little lady yesterday evening, and like the mix of a sophisticated face - dark eyes and red lips - and the simple embroidered flowers.  Am going to back this with a vintagey looking floral fabric and may embellish her some more. 

 

le sewing cafe - ooh la la !

An article in today's paper bought to my attention a Paris cafe called - not too elegantly - the Sweat Shop.  It's France's one and only sewing cafe.  Yes, you read correctly - a sewing cafe.  You can buy your milky coffee, a slice of calorie laden cake and have a go on the sewing machine.  The founders opened the shop in the city of haute couture as they realized plenty of women might hanker after gorgeously made clothing, but many had lost basic skills like sewing a hem.

People are signing up for classes in how to take up a pair of trousers or replace a zip.  Doesn't it sound so much better than yet another souless internet cafe? 

Second image of the day: how wonderful is this dress?  The emerald green is stunning, and it reminds me of a cross between feathers and reptile skin.  The price, I hear you ask? 

The article states the price of this little Louis Vuitton number is available 'on request'.  Let's face it though, if you've gotta ask - you can't afford it!