Ghostie Derby Dress

Here's the thing about moving house when you've lived in fully furnished (down to the cups and knives and forks) apartments for over four years - it takes a million years to get organised! There's multiple trips to furniture stores (both new and used), and of course, Briscoes, I basically live at Briscoes now. Trying to fit all the house stuff around my normal working and social life has meant I've not had much time for sewing and that makes me sad.

I whipped together a knit top last weekend, which is a great sleeping top but hardly blog worthy.

However, I have now finished a dress that's been a UFO (that's unfinished object) for at least a year (sometimes I just like cutting stuff out ok). I'm not 100% sure if I like this dress and if I will wear it much - but I am happy with the work I put in and how it turned out, so I'm treating it as  a win.

Some of you will know I'm a fan of Christine Haynes, I like her patterns as they aren't really fussy with a million pieces and as an inner city girl who walks everywhere I want to be comfortable. Also simple patterns mean crazy fabrics can take centre stage and I'm all about that.

Anyways back to the dress, its a really simple dress - with pockets, a collar and buttons. I had about half a metre of this cute ghostie fabric I bought at Spotlight at some point (I wish I had more, because its super awesome). I think the black fabric I just picked up at either The Fabric Store or possibly Arthur Toye when it was still open.

I was going for a kind of Wednesday Addams vibe with this dress and I think that  I was kind of successful with that. Here's a photo of the dress - taken in our courtyard (yah!) unfortunately my eyes are shut (boo!) but its a good photo of the dress anyways so I thought I'd share it.

The main body of the dress is a bit shapeless for my liking, if I make it again, I would make it with waist ties to add some more shape. However, for now a belt is taking care of giving is some shape.

The most interesting part of this frock is the collar and yoke - I used my ghostie fabric in this part of the dress. The little ghosts are so creepy cute. The collar is a bit wonky, but I can live with it, its the first time I've done anything like this so I'm sure it will improve next time round.

Finally the pockets - as all dresses are better with pockets and its even better if those pockets include ghosts.

I hope you've all been having a nice weekend, we've been pretty busy with all kinds of things including our next trip (I'm heading back to the USA!). Take Care xo

SPCA Open Day and Galentines Day

Hello to anyone who may STILL be reading this blog - I was away again, for a LONG while. It turns out that for various issues (the main issue being that internet companies are full of idiots) I was without internet for the better part of THREE weeks! Gah!! But I'm back and I have a lot to catch up on.

 Last month Ria and I went to the SPCA open day at the old Fever Hospital - but I couldn't share that with you guys because my computer was all broken and then the internet company was kind of useless and NOW I can finally share some pictures with you guys.

Anyway recently Wellington SPCA had an open day and obviously we had to go - cute animals and a historic building I'd always wanted to visit - bring it on!!

The hospital was built up on a hill as at the time it was constructed the belief was that TB patients required lots of fresh air for recovery. I always find it fascinating what ideas are popular at different times in history. I wonder what kind of things we do to keep healthy now or consider to be perfectly scientific treatments will be considered a bad idea in 50 or 100 years times.

Although I do love history - I love cute animals a lot too, especially rabbits! They are my favourites. I think that's why I love Easter so much (oh and Chocolate - duh).

 This little puffball was my favourite, I would have taken him home with me if I could.

Here's a few more shots of the hospital and the view - its pretty striking!

 It was a little windy when we took this photo - can you tell?

As for the Galentines Day part of the post - if you have never heard of Galentines Day you're really missing out. In fact if you've never heard of Galentines Day then you may not seen "Parks & Recreation" and you should go and watch that right NOW! Leslie Knope can explain Galentines Day better than I ever could.

Ria and I usually exchange a wee present over Valentines (Galentines) Day each year - here are the lovely things Ria made for me, a super cute card and a mini snow globe. 

I made Ria this wee cross stitch, I knew she loved hedgehogs and I asked Rich to design a valentines Cross stitch for her which featured a little hedgehog. If you want to make one of your own you can buy the pattern from Rich's store. I think he's pretty cute!

Hope everyone out in blog land is good - I will catch up on all my blog friends blogs very slowly as I currently have 400 plus posts to read on my blog roll *eek*