The Dressmaker movie premiere

 

Friday night myself and a few of the dames from the Brisbane Vintage Mafia hit Palace Centro Cinema in James St for the premiere of the movie The Dressmaker.

 

 

In the foyer was an exhibit from "Needlefruit Sewing Lounge" Paddington.

Needlefruit is a sewing lounge and haberdasher who offer classes for first timers and the skilled.

https://needlefruit.com.au/

 

It was so awesome to meet Christina from Needlefruit. I'm really going to have to get myself over to Paddington to suss out their shop because it looks and sounds incredible!!

 

 

Then it was time for the movie.  After a couple of hiccups from the projectionist it began.

 

I can't really say much about the actual storyline of the film because that would spoil it I think.
Woman goes back to the country town of her youth to find the answers to her past.

It's a strange film. Again, it's hard to explain without giving away the plot.
It starts like a slap stick comedy and through-out it felt like it could have been a stage play.
It was very exaggerated acting. Over the top.
Then in the second act the theme abruptly changes to a very macabre drama only to return to a bizarre black comedy in the third act.
It's a very DARK film.

BUT THE COSTUMES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOD THE COSTUMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

image taken from:  www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/the-dressmakers-author-rosalie-ham-charts-her-journey-from-rural-australia-to-red-carpet-20151002-gjznok.html

Absolutely divine. The BVM were in raptures of sighs and groans of exquisite delight. 
If you love fashion of the 1950s you will be in ecstasy watching this movie.
Simply stunning. Beautiful. Glorious. Gorgeous.
Stand out outfits for me were Tilly's navy & white golfing outfit WITH TEE HOLDERS (!) , the dress worn by the mayor's wife to the wedding with feathered cap and the wedding dress.
OH MY.



TOTAL MID-CENTURY HAUTE COUTURE PORN.

Judy Davis as the mother Molly was just fantastic and the absolute stand out for me.
I just LOVED her character.
Kate as Tilly was beautiful but I found her acting a bit flat.
Liam Hemsworth as Teddy was almost TOO attractive if that is possible. I mean seriously nobody is THAT good looking !!!!
Darcy Wilson who plays the young Tilly was amazing. What a great little actress.

There were plenty of 'laugh out loud' moments and also lots of "holy shit" moments too.

I'm interested to know how different it is to the book because it is a real mix of a genres.
Super light hearted and silly in parts and then suddenly very sombre and gruesome the next.

Vicki rating 7/10
 This is mainly for the set design and costuming which is simply spectacular.
************************************
NOW..... WHAT DID I WEAR?

I wore a light grey cotton day dress with pastel lemon yellow collar, buttons & pocket detail made from Vintage Vogue V9000. I love this pattern and this style of frock.

 

 

 

 

 

I found this image on Pinterest a while ago and it was my inspiration for the frock.

 

 

ANOTHER  GREAT NIGHT OUT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEWING MEET N GREET & FAT QUARTER FRENZY

HOWDY YAWL

 

Well what a fantastic weekend I've just had. 

 

I've been having a shit of a time mentally for the last week or so. I've been really overwhelmed with heaps of stuff going on and my brain threw up it's hands and went "fuck it".

What with my fundraiser, then my gorgeous sister came over to visit from 'merica (which was fantastic but very exhausting) and then I got the bull-shit lurgy followed by bronchitis.

All I've wanted to do is ...... NOTHING.

Not sew or watch TV or cook or move. Just get home from work & go to bed & sleep.

 

So my scheduled meet n greet luncheon for my Facebook sewing fanatic group THOSE DARN SEW N SEWS couldn't have come at a better time.

I tell ya there is nothing like setting your hair, whacking on a frock and some red lippie and spending a few hours talking shit with a bunch of dames to really inject a big ole shot of positivity back into your veins.

 

SELFIE !!!!!!!

 

 

Our meet n greet was at the beautiful Dragonfly Café at Eden Gardens at Carseldine.
You might remember this from my Floral Function I had there last year.
www.edengardens.com.au

As usual the food was delicious, the setting lovely & the company was awesome.

Thankfully, this time it was NOT stinking bloody hot & so we could all focus on nattering away about sewing, fabric and all manner of important girlie stuff.

 

 

It was just wonderful and really did my brain the world of good.  It was so cool to meet face to face some of the lovely ladies from FaceyBees.

Everybody looked lovely & most wore their own amazing sewing creations....

Talented bunch of shelias they are!

 

NOTE: Bree is pulling my shoulders back because of my shit posture.

 

The frock I wore was made by ME from quilting fabric I bought from a remnant sale at Make It Hobby and Craft at Boondall. It's a nice soft cotton with a print of buttons on it.  It is Butterick Pattern B5747.  It was a bit of a pain to make. The instructions are shit and a few steps are missing when you get to the waistband part (fucking handy).  I don't think I'll make it again. Not a fave of mine.

 



 

Butterick B5747



===========================================================

Then it was Sunday. BATHURST SUNDAY.

 

I dropped my hubby at our friends The Hill's for a day of eating masses of nibbles, drinking piss, talking about Fords & Holdens and Lowndseeeeeeeeee and watching cars drive really fast around a track.

Not for me.

 

The fabulous Mz Katrina & Mz Kel & I headed into the convention centre to go to the Crafters & Quilters Fair. 

 

Now, I would rather stab myself in the face with a knitting needle than do scrapbooking or teddy bear making but I was hoping to find some incredible fabric to drool over.

Alas, those mad quilters only sell there fabric as infuriating FAT QUARTERS which are the most inconvient size. You can't even make a decent do-rag or turban out of them!

Speaking of turbans (see what I did there) we were able to make it in time to heckle.... I mean WATCH.... the luscious Mz Chrissy of the Lindy Charm school do her talks on Make Do & Mend and the fine art of tying a head turban.

 

 

Holy shit. I for one will totally be rocking the vintage turban look this summer when the heat is so unbearable it feels like my skin is going to peel off.

Just wack on a turban with an oversized hair flower (from Kat's Cadillac Vintage on Etsy of course...... www.etsy.com/shop/KatsCadillacVintage ) and Wallarrrrrrrrrrr !

Instant glamour !!!!!!

 

 

After a chat with Chrissy we headed over to the Singer area where Mz Lisa of Atomic Martini had a display for the upcoming movie "The Dressmaker". Oh sigh.  Those vintage singer machines were just beautiful.   A really lovely display.

 

 

I didn't buy any fabric as anything that wasn't a stupid fat quarter was about $20/metre! When you are sewing 1950s frocks you need a MINIMUM of 4 metres so too expensive.

I did buy some divine velvet fabric flowers and some little sewing type charms.

It was a nice day just getting done up & walking around with the ladies.  If we had any self esteem issues they were soon gone after being told by about a HUNDRED middle-ages ladies in Millars culottes how wonderful we look!

 

 

ALTHOUGH...... I almost got kicked out by a very angry looking quilting lady because I touched one of prize winning quilts. I was fondling it trying to work out how they did the puffy bits when this lady appeared VERY suddenly and barked "Don't TOUCH THE QUILTS!".

She was wearing a VERY official looking yellow sash which I think meant she was one of the "Protectors of the Holy Quilts".

YIKES. Oops.   Those quilting folk take their quilting VERRRRRY seriously.

I gotta tell ya. The quilting industry much be a multi-billion dollar industry. I have never SEEN so many incredibly passionate quilting ladies in my life.

To be honest, they were kind of scary.

===================================

 

The frock I wore is another from Le Maison de Martin. It is Simplicity Lisette 1419. I LOVE this pattern! It is easy to make. The instructions are simple. It has a back zip (always a winner). 

I just love the capped sleeves & peter pan collar...

and did I mention it has POCKETS!!!! POCKETS !!!!

If you are going to make it and are a 1950s era gal then don't forget to lengthen the skirt part!

When I bought the fabric I didn't take that into consideration and so didn't have enough for the bodice bit. (dickhead).

I will definitely be making more of this frock. It is great.

 

 

 

 

 

xoxoxoxoxoxxooxxo

Fancy Dress Disco supporting beyondblue 2015

Every year I say to my poor husband....

 

 

 

 "This year I am going to take it easy. I'm going to be nice & quiet and do bugger all. Lots of peaceful walks on the beach, tranquil sewing, watch some DVDs and meditate. No running around like a mad chook. No putting myself under pressure. No stress. "

 

Then the mushy grey stuff between my ears gets to thinking.

Gets to planning

Gets to scheming.

I don't know what it is but it's like a compulsion.

Itchy fingers.
I can't help myself. I just LOVE setting up fun events for people.
What a weirdo.

 

And so it happens...

 

"Darl. I've decided to put on ANOTHER event! This time a fundraiser for beyondblue!!
A FANCY DRESS DISCO !!!!!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am proud to say that we got (almost exactly) 100 people through the door.  

Every single one of those 100 people looked absolutely fantastic!!! The effort that everybody put into their outfits was truly exceptional and hilarious.

 

Because I decided against having a theme, people were free to get creative and so .... 

we had Pirates galore, Princesses, Vikings, not one but THREE Coop Devils, Doc & Marty McFly, hippies, Mary Poppins & Bert, Vikings, Cave Men/Women , Rocky, Michael Jackson, A big Banana,  Brittany Spears and Scooby Doo with Shaggy just to name a few!!!

And a bunch of FURRIES who totally stole the show with their incredible outfits.

(How the hell they can dance all night in those heavy furry outfits is beyond me)

 

THE WONDERFUL FURRIES

 

 

I went as a kewpie doll.  When I put it together it was a great idea but I must admit on the night I was NOT comfortable at all and regretted my choice.  I am not used to wearing something so revealing & I was paranoid my bazoongas were going to come flying out!

 

 

 

 

 

DJ Nephthys & MC Kiranov had the dance floor packed all night with everything from disco to eighties to nightclub nineties to bitchin air guitar rock to ska to weird one hit wonders. 

It was awesome!  I think one of the highlights for me was seeing everybody just going OFF all together and in the middle this big banana dancing around next to Scooby Doo!

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

DJ NEPHTHYS & MC KIRANOV

 

It was almost impossible to pick a best costume & best group costume & the staff at the bowls club had a really hard time deciding.  Right up to the very end they were debating out the back on who should win !

 

 

The trophy for best costume went to Frankenfurter from Rocky Horror. Not only did Matt look fabulous in his sexy skimpy attire (with high-heels made from thongs & gaffer tape) but he also put on an award winning lip-sync performance of "Sweet Transvestite" for the adoring crowd.

 

 

The trophy for best group costume went to the Smurf-a-licious Tricia & Dan who have always been two of my biggest supporters. Smurfastic !!!! I love you guys.

 

The fantastic tiki kitsch trophies were designed & created by the super gorgeous Danielle from Black Lagoon Designs.

 

 

After the presentation of the trophies it was time for the drawing of the raffles.

We had 4 MASSIVE packs filled with all sorts of fantastic goods & vouchers donated by a stack of wonderful businesses & people.

 

 

The other highlight of the night was INSTATHAT. 

Holy moly SO COOOOOL.

 

Basically, you took a photo on your smart phone thingy & uploaded it to Instagram with the hash tag #FDCDBB it would print out on this funky printer watchamacallit and you got to keep a copy of the photo .... FOR FREE!

It was the BEST thing like totally ever.  I can't recommend it highly enough.

Thank you again to Nicky from Instathat for manning the photo station and keeping control of the crazy  masses!!

www.instathat.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

What's a Pirate's favourite letter?  Rrrrrrrrr ?
NO It's the C

 

 

 

The whole night raised a total of $2000 for beyondblue. 

HOW AWESOME IS THAT? !!!

 

 

I can proudly say that everybody had a brilliant fun night of crazy dancing, eating yummo food and cacking themselves laughing all while raising money AND awareness for a brilliant organisation.

For me, the purpose of the night is not so much around the money.  It is more about creating a night of fun & joy for people.  Life can get overwhelming and stressful so sometimes it is great to be able to dress up in a crazy outfit and literally dance like no one's watching to great music & forget your troubles and issues even if it is just for just a few hours.

If I made just one person laugh & smile then I am stoked.

====================================

As everybody was leaving they were grabbing me & hugging me and squealing in excitement

"NEXT YEAR I will bring all my friends!!! I'm already thinking of my next costume!!!"

 

I guess that means that there will be a 2016 Fancy Dress Disco.

 

STAY TUNED !!!!!

 

 

 

*********************************************************

To see ALLLLL the photos from the night go to:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a8imigkafvqnkq8/AADUPka-8zw84NeiFoUG7F6Ra?dl=0

 

To see ALLLLLLL the raffle sponsors & stacks more photos & more information about the night go to:

www.fancydressdiscobb.blogspot.com

 

For more information about beyondblue go to: 

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

 

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYBODY WHO MADE THE NIGHT POSSIBLE.

My hubby Mick - Greenslopes Bowls Club - Sara & Dave - Instathat - all the raffle pack donators - my friends who helped sell the raffle tickets - everybody who came along - everybody who shared the event - Black Lagoon Designs - beyondblue - my Mum - my in-laws - I hope I haven't missed anyone.

 

GREAZEFEST 2015

I know I know I know. I've been a slack-arse bitch with my blog but I've been a busy little beaver I tell yas. Holy bloody hell.

 

So anyways..........

 

 August 31 through to September 2 was my favourite weekend of the year

GREAZEFEST WEEKEND !!!

or GREAZEMAS as I heard somebody call it.

 

What can I say?

 

Airstream Events Group Pty Ltd
Yummy CAWFEEEEE

As usual the weekend was a blur of hugs, bum gropes, non-stop chatting, awesome coffee, freaking amazing music and a gazillion selfies.

I actually was a bit slack with the selfies this year because I was simply too busy talking the leg off an iron pot, dancing, talking shit, drinking 5000 cups of coffee and laughing.

 

One of the music highlights for me this year were Labretta Suede & the Motel 6 from New Zealand.

Wow Wow Fucking Wow. A mix of the Cramps, Wanda Jackson and some sort of voodoo garage rockabilly blues raw fuck music .

Mz Suede was one little throbbing pocket rocket of pure oozing SEX.  I'm not sure the crowd at 1pm on a Sunday arvo knew quite what to make of this little sex kitten with the bullshit huge voice crawling across the floor performing fellatio to the microphone and then grinding her lady parts into it. (the expressions on some of the older rock n roller audience members was frigging priceless)

I fucking LOVED IT. I really hope they tour again but by themselves.

They left me feeling all a bit flushed and .... well..... warm...

 

(video care of : http://www.labrettasuede.com )

 

The next highlight for me was at the very end of the weekend. About 80 per cent of the punters had gone home and only a few Greazefest devotees remained for the final band The Back Alley Cats from the Sunshine Coast.

Now I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but when these three young whipper snappers came out onto the stage I admit I did a bit of a Simon Cowell and looked at hubby with a "what the heck is this?"

Then they began to play.................................

There was a collective GASP from the remaining audience as jaws around the room clanged onto the floor. HOLY. SHIT.

These three fellas were fucking incredible. We all ran to the stage and went beserk!

I looked around the room at some of the more 'mature' musicians in the audience and they were losing their shit about how phenomanl a guitarst the lead singer is, how great the drummer is and how brilliant the bass player is . I mean, how old are these fellas? 17???

I immediately ran to their mech girl & bought their EP.

 

 

(video care of:  http://www.backalleycats.net/ )

 

What a great way to end another rip-snorta of a GF weekend

 

I've also got to mention just how great the Go-Getters from Sweden and Will and the High Rollers from Las Vegas were. I mean seriously. My calf muscle have only JUST recovered from all that jumping up and down and screaming. Geez Louise!! We are just SO lucky to have this festival and the privilege of seeing such awesome national & international rockabilly music right here in Brisbane.........

 

AND

 

to top it all off I won the Greazefest raffle prize of T-shirts, posters, stickers, a Dickies Voucher AND a fantastic framed print from Brisbane artist Luke Muller.

 

 

 

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

I know I say it every year but Christ in a side-car Lori Lee you and your crew are just incredible.

Fucking hilarious fun times with my lunatic friends, catching up with gorgeous people from all over Australia and over the ditch from NZ, the coolest cars like totally ever, brilliant clothing stalls and best of all,  the most kick-arse rockabilly music line up.

 

Thank you so much. I can't wait until 2016.

=================================================

Now more importantly

WHAT I WORE

***************************************

 



Friday night - Western Wear (courtesy of Bernie Cowpunkabilly) with the lads



 

The Western Wear aficionados

 



Saturday - home made half circle skirt and peasant blouse



Saturday night - Western wear from Bernie Cowpunkabilly and home-made fringed skirt

Pictured with Mimsy from Mimsy's Trailer Trash Tattoo - homemade sarong dress.

Now to start planning NEXT YEAR'S wardrobe.

xoxoxoxoxoxxoox

FABULOUS FURRY FEMME FATALES

A while back, myself and a bunch of my super fabulous friends were kicking back talking fashion 

(as we do) and we got to talking about FUR. 

Turns out that pretty much ALL of us have some sort of vintage fluff in our bulging wardrobes and yet we rarely wear it. 

Wearing fur is a tad controversial as there are quite a few people out there who really don't like the thought of draping themselves in the pelt of a dead animal.

I'm not going to get into that debate on here.  

My view is if you don't like it then don't do it. If you do like it then do it.  

Our group reached a consensus that vintage fur is ok. New fur is not.... but it depends on what the fur is and how the animal was killed.

Anyways.................

We were whining about how we never get to take our furs out.

"Well stuff that " I thought " I'll create a night that we CAN wear it without fear of having someone throw red paint on us".

So I created a Facebook event and pretty much invited every vintage 1950s loving dame on my FB list. I made the date of the soiree 11th July because last year it was recorded as the coldest day in 100 years.

This also provided me with the perfect excuse to buy MORE fabric. I was able to get the most devine 1950s leopard print velvet from the gorgeous Joy Taylor in Adelaide & so I set about making a cape, pencil skirt & pill box hat ensemble.

I used Vogue pattern 7505 for the cape & my favourite pencil skirt pattern Burda 8765.

For the hat I just bought one of those hat bases from Lincraft, ripped the hideous bow flower thing off and covered it in the fabric and hot glue gunned the shit out of the inside.

At 5pm we descended on Lefty's Old Time Music Hall. A fitting venue I thought because it is filled with taxidermy animals and it is also a gorgeous venue with nice big leather lounges to pose... I mean SIT on.

An early start time? Yes. So we could get out before all the young douche-bag hipsters and drunken hens parties arrive at around 9pm.  It's such a beautiful venue and it's just a nice place to kick back & listen to some old time country music like Charlie Pride & Hank Williams but I've found that since their opening the place's attitude has become very 'too cool for school'. It feels like unless you have a patchouli oiled beard, a man bun and skinny jeans you really feel like the staff are looking at you 'eww like whatever *hair flick*"

BUT..................  

STILL A VERY COOL PLACE TO GO AND IT HAS FANTASTIC LIVE BANDS PLAYING THERE ALL THE TIME.

It was just lovely to have the ladies fur-up and frock up.  It was great. We took over the top floor where we sprawled across the furniture and basically just chatted about stuff and things for about 4 hours.  Everybody looked so damned glamourous and beautiful. 

It was hard to take good photos because the venue is very dimly lit but after many experiments with flash settings we managed to capture a few keepers.

Thank you to everybody who came along.

I'm sure I'll think of another themed affair soon enough if you couldn't make it.

Stay hairy ladies

xoxoxoxoxo