Vintage Ad Friday!

This week I thought I would share some of those smaller ads that appeared in the women's magazines. You know the ones, they are the space fillers at the back of the magazines amongst the ends of the romance stories and knitting patterns.

Woman's Weekly - October 1958
Sure she's moody... She's got a mother who shoves Syrup of Figs down her throat!!

New Idea - August 1966
Made of rubber.... wear it whilst you work.... hmmm, sounds like you might need a good cleansing facial after wearing this baby!

New Idea - December 1961
'The one thing every woman wants - MOST OF ALL!' Of course a kitchen accessory is at the top of every woman's wish list. Forget the holiday to Vegas or a faithful husband, give your wife a really beautiful can opener.

Woman's Weekly - October 1958.
Ah, pure rich fat. Not much more to say about that one.....

New ideas need to be tested!

I mentioned in my last post that I have a new pattern in the making. I have finally reached the pattern writing stage and am looking for two pattern testers to go through and provide me with valuable feedback.

The project involves a small amount of machine sewing and basic embroidery skills. If you are able to finish the project within two weeks, please leave a comment below. I will select two people to test run the design based on their current skill levels and usual projects. This is a basic level pattern so even children aged approximately 8-10 years could do this? Or even clever girls like Nikki's with some mummy help!

Brewing new ideas

I've had an idea for a new pattern design brewing for a while now so have dedicated today to developing it past the sketch on paper stage. Ric rac and thick felt and delicious colours. It's so exciting when a design turns out as good as the picture in your head! More pics soon!

Yoda of the quilting world

Last Friday night I designated the long weekend to making some serious headway into finishing my daughter's quilt that I started well over two years ago. The top has been pieced for such a long time but the major task of quilting the layers together has had me stumped.

Three days later I find that I have almost finished the main part of the quilting work. But having strayed from the original pattern and creating my own design by stitching in the ditch (stitching along where the pieces meet), I find myself wondering 'How do I know when I've quilted it enough?'.

The answer surely lies within google I pondered. So I researched... how heavily to quilt a quilt, how much to quilt a quilt, how to quilt, best Oscars frocks.... the search terms got more and more vague. I found nothing. Feeling like I'd hit a quilt-covered brick wall, I walked away from the computer back to the sewing machine. And then it came to me.

It was almost like Yoda of the quilting world was speaking to me. He told me that I will know. I will know when it's done. Aside from considering I have been having too many late nights and too much caffeine, I accepted this sage wisdom wholeheartedly and plowed on. I will know when the quilting part of my quilt is done.

To sum up this long tale..... trust. Trust yourself and not the internet to tell you what to do with a craft project. Trust your creative side that it will know and guide you on your path. Don't let the google side win.

Rain and Rainbows

It's been raining here in Adelaide for the last two days on and off. It's such a beautiful sound and when I heard it on our iron roof, I realised I have missed hearing it!

I'm a lover of rainbows too and found this in my travels. For lovers of everything rainbow, this cake surely must be birthday request!! I'm definitely making it for my next birthday!

source: whisk kid

I had never seen such a beautiful cake before so I googled for more rainbow cake images and found this amazing beauty.

source: Omnomicon

Makes me want to go and bake right now instead of clean the house.......

Vintage Ad Friday!

Three more vintage advertisements this week for you! I love the colours and the illustrations used in these.

First up we have an ad for The State Bank of Victoria from the early 1950's. This was taken from a Enid Gilchrist sewing book. Weren't those kids good savers!!? Just love the victory roll hairstyle of the teacher but she's a bit slovenly letting the kids leave their slingshots on the floor! Good heavens woman, get the kids to keep their weaponry on their desks so they won't trip!

Next we have an ad for Lincoln men's underwear from Madame Weigel's Journal of Fashion, 1947. Don't you think this ad needs a subtext of 'Does my bum look big in these?'???!!

And lastly my favourite for this week, a gorgeous bright ad for Ingotene cotton fabric, found in Woman magazine from 1945. Who wouldn't love some 'beach togs' made in cotton from this range?

New Aprons in store now!

New Aprons in Store Now!! Remember..... free postage to anywhere in Australia and New Zealand for any Silly Gilly apron!!


Cowboy Capers Apron - featuring little button trims and feature red stitching. Perfect for the wrangling boy in your family!

Atomic Aqua Apron - a gorgeous retro sixties print featuring a slight sparkle to the fabric. Perfect for that princess who loves to cook!