Penelope Red

Two weekends ago, some friends and I visited the NSW Art Gallery, to look at the exhibition: Monet and the Impressionists.

It really is amazing how beautiful the paintings were. The interesting mix of colours, where you would not traditionally think they belong, to me, was very inspiring.

Visiting this exhibition, made me think back to when I travelled to Europe, all by myself when I was 23, and visited my favourite Museum, The Musee d’Orsay.

The below photos are from this visit:

This Parisian museum had a huge collection of Impressionist work, as well as Art Noveau.

This trip to Europe will always be remembered dearly to me, as it really was where I discovered my unique style, as well as where I learnt how independent I could be!

I decided on the weekend, that I needed to mix it up a little- do something different! So I looked at my fabric stash, and created a Penelope Red handmade Black Handbag!

I had bought the handles 1st, thinking: “I still don’t have a black handbag, these handles will do!”. I knew I wanted to have black fabrics that had a texture, and since blending textures and prints is my trademark, it came naturally to have the 2 different black textured fabrics, as well as the black and ivory check as the contrast. I think it works well!

I don’t like it when bags have a huge opening where money and important items can fall out, so I made sure I had a zip enclosing the whole bag. The contrasting check tab going over the zip enclosure is really just for interest and appeal!

The bag is fully lined with a purple and gold printed cotton.

The button is fastened by a welt button hole (bound button hole) on the contrasting check tab.

Considering that this is my first attempt at making a bag since 10 years ago, I am quite proud of it!

A lot of people don’t realise that each time a new style in the Penelope Red range is designed, I go through a complete process from design concept, through to pattern making, then creating a toile to test the pattern, making adjustments, then preparing and sewing the final garment! Its a long process (especially since I do it all myself)… but well worth it in the end.

The below photos illustrate how a style in the Penelope Red range is created:

First, I draw my ideas. My inspiration usually comes from thinking about the type of item I want to make, looking at what fabrics I have, how I can mix them together, then thinking of certain details, in this case I wanted to use pleating. I had already used pleating on other garments, and liked the effects.

Next step is to make a first pattern…

Then I always create a toile (prototype) to test whether it will work:

Once the adjustments have been made, I create a final pattern:

Finally, I get to start the real thing! So the fabric needs to be cut out:

Then I fuse (ironing on fusing) all the pieces that need this step. Next I finally get to sew and see my creating appear before my eyes!

This is a photo of the back:

The finished product:

The above photo illustrates the top in other fabric: The Pop Top, which can be bought from my Etsy shop. I call it “Pop” as the colours, style and fabric used remind me of pop art!

So, you can see there are a lot of steps, and each and every garment that I have ever sold has gone through all of these steps to get to the final item! I never use commercial patterns.

A few of my girl friends and I decided to have a girls night. So what better excuse than to see the latest chick flick: The Women.

We started the night at a fantastic Spanish Tapas restaurant, The Spanish Fly. Wow! The food was amazing! I love it when you walk out of restaurant feeling completely satisfied- when it happens, I remember it! I recommend anyone who lives in Sydney to go there: The Spanish Fly, 35 Paul Street, Randwick, phone: 9326 4417.

This is Michele wearing the Penelope Red scarf I made for her birthday.

The movie, The Women, ……. well for me, it wasn’t the best chick flick, but it wasn’t bad either. I think it could’ve been a bit more fast-paced, a bit more exciting with the soundtrack, and the issues that occurred in the film, to me, didn’t really seem to be resolved. However it was funny and entertaining.

I just love chick flicks- so the next movie I am looking forward to seeing with the girls is: Bride Wars! Can’t wait!

My friend, Anna, and I attended the Tessuti Awards on Wednesday night. The Awards was held at a new design school that has just opened in Australia, Esmod International Australia, Sydney. It was so much fun getting dressed up and being glamorous for the night! Some photos from the night:

I made both outfits. The black strapless Penelope Red dress, which Anna is wearing, was made from a jacquard in black, with bright red lining. Inside of the dress I have made a lace up corset, to hold the dress in place and define the waist. Anna has had a baby less than 7 months ago- so her waist is looking very tiny! The red, black and white bow was made to add some contrast, fun and excitement to the dress- A classic with a modern twist!

There will be updates on the Tessuti Awards 2008 at the following website and blog

The style of the black strapless Penelope Red dress is very similar to the Orange Floral Corset Dress which can be viewed at my Etsy shop here

Take a look at some of the designs from the awards night here.

Ok. So I know it is a little off topic, but its still cool, and I love it, so I thought i should mention it.

I loooove music! Even more now that itunes and ipods make it so easy to play the music you want, in the order you want (can you remember those pesky cds- how you had to fast forward or reprogram each time when you didn’t want to listen to a certain track- ugh!). Now they’ve brought out genius- and its fabulous! All I need to do is select a song, hit the “genius” button, and itunes selects from my music, a playlist based on the selected song… Genius!

Of course, I could just do this manually, but previously I have literally spent days going through all of my music to find the perfect list. While Genius can get it wrong sometimes, and it is another excuse for itunes to sell to you, it is a definite time saver, and it forces you to listen to songs that you might not normally listen to, and therefore hopefully make you find some cool stuff you didn’t know you had!

Itunes tells you that they need you to give them a list of all the songs you own, and it constantly updates. My question is, do you think that they should know what we have and don’t have? Giving out a list of all the songs I own seems a little freaky to me. Or am I just being paranoid?

Another review of itunes genius is here…

I wanted to share with you a great website I stumbled across:

In their words: RedBubble is an online art gallery that makes it easy to sell your art, photos, designs and illustrations as high-quality framed prints, mounted prints, greeting cards, posters, designer T-Shirts and more.

For us, it means that we get to buy inexpensive art, have a huge choice, and we can do it from the comforts of our home!

You can even get the artwork printed onto a t-shirt right there!

I think this is a great site for “hard to buy for people/people who have everything”, when it comes to gifts.

A few favourites of mine:
Natalie Perkins
Shelley Heath
Nadia Turner

Are there any favourites of yours that I should check out?

Recently, a friend was having a birthday, and I thought: “what the hell am I going to give her?”
Looking at the ever-growing, oversized pile of beautiful fabrics that was starting to over-take my work room, I put 2 and 2 together, and came up with these beautiful scarves….

In fact, I enjoyed making them so much, and seeing the reaction from my friends and family when they have received it, that I have been making more, and I am now selling them on Etsy

The below pink scarf is one of my favourites, and has been given to my sister, Rachael.

Each scarf is individual, and completely unique from the each one. I generally use small samples of fabrics, and therefore have no choice but to make every scarf different! It means more fun and creativity for me, and individuality and exclusivity for the owner!

You can now buy this scarf on Etsy, by clicking on the below thumbnail, or here:

I am so excited about this new Orange Floral Corset Dress style I have recently finished! This new Penelope Red style looks HOT on! I have already placed it on the Etsy site for sale, so have a look!

I was inspired by the big bright print! I wanted to create a contrast using this print, and when I visited a 2nd hand shop, and they were selling this fantastic printed cotton voile (featured in the frill), I knew it would work perfectly. I love mixing colours and prints together to create something which most other designers wouldn’t dare!

The dress has been made with a corset on the inside, which can be laced up and adjusted to fit your body into the outside dress.

There will be more photos soon, of the dress on a real body! To see this on my etsy site, click on the below thumbnail:

I am also currently making this in a black embossed fabric, with a big oversized bow in a printed cotton, to enter into a competition. I will talk more on this later!

What would have to be my all time favourite shoe brand, is Irregular Choice. You may ask why? Well, I am always looking for something unusual, a bit quirky and something that really catches my eye- and these shoes are the epitome of all of this!

A photo of my beautiful, but well worn Irregular Choice shoes.

Take a look at their website, or their shop online.

I first bought a pair of their shoes, when I went to Ireland about 4 years ago. When I came back to Sydney, and wore them around here, I literally had strange women following me to ask me “where did you get those shoes from?”. Now they are looking a bit well-loved, but I still wear them with delight, and they are still so comfy!

A picture of my beloved Irregular Choice shoes- people still comment on them! They come complete with Painted floral gold leather, pink silk flowers, beaded tassling, painted soles, and a beautiful lining.

Has anyone else found these shoes adorable? What other brands do you favour?