Hat Cave!

Hat Cave, that's what I decided I wanted to call my shop if I had a hat shop. It would have to be a small place that was fully lined in hats. It doesn't sound that chic though. I'm not sure the ladies that lunch would come by. Do other people than that buy hats?

Anyway, I've not been writing for the last couple of weeks because I've been beavering away on the millinery. The first hat I completed was this sweet pillbox meets turban:

This hat is a made from a lovely greenish-gold velvet, a vintage brooch and feathers! The brooch has made it want to tip forward so, I had to add some extra loops at the back for pinning it into my hair.

I did wear it out and it was appreciated by the people of London. Except one guy, who was a little upset about the peacocks.

Then came the fedora. I'm not sure it can really be called a fedora now. It looks a bit more like a pimp hat. Well, just because it's so big. I guess it would be more of a madame hat because it has a couture sort of look to it where as a pimp hat would be expected to be a bit more naff. This is it:

It doesn't look so massive in the pictures. But, I swear if you saw me walking down the street with it on it would be the first thing you noticed.

Lastly I've got a few finishing touches, mainly feathers to add to this fascinator:

Watch out. I think this thing is going to look pretty sweet when it is done and on.

Lastly, I'm sad to report that I still haven't finished my boots. It may be another 2 more weeks before they are done. However, I'm finishing them up with a lot more help and attention from the teach so they are going to come out much better than expected! Yay!

Crafty Sunday is this coming Sunday with Pil and Galia.

Foxy.

Underway

My fedora is the green one on the left!

Lately, I've had the hardest time finishing anything. My boots are still not done from my course which ended in November. I've been waiting for a call from the tutor but, I' think I'll have to bug him once again. I guess I won't be taking anymore classes at the London College of Fashion. The classes are a bit over subscribed and expensive.

My hat making class on the the other had is awesome. I've started a felt fedora this past weekend and have nearly finished up a pillbox hat. It looks a bit like a turban so I've ordered up some peacock feathers for it and have been scouring ebay for the right vintage brooch. The last thing will be getting it to stay on my head. I'd like to use combs but I can't seem to find the small ones anywhere. Any suggestions?

I've also been plugging away at my next quilt. I'm just working on the squares at the moment. I've been doing quite a bit of applique. Pictures to come soon. Is there a place in the UK that quilts things for you? I mean after you have the topper done and the backing picked out?

This weekend I also finally got around to starting curtains for Jude's room, that's my bf's son. I finished up one but haven't started on the other one yet. I put it up though because the curtain that was hanging there was so disgustingly dirty. It is really London's fault though, it's just so darn dirty here. I don't really notice it all the time. But then once in a while you get grey curtains, or grey suds when you are washing your hair and you realize how bad it is. Jude's room isn't even on the side of the house that faces the street!

Has Mercury gone retrograde yet?

2009.

Christmas and New Years came and went. Is it just me or did it go by incredibly quickly?

I managed to make some truffles and that's about it. The rest of the time I spent hanging out with family, eating and trying to stay warm. Christmas Day and Boxing Day were great cause I finally got to see the fruits of my labour lovingly received by my family.

These are some earrings I made:

Now comes the part of winter that I don't really care for. It's when you feel like you're waiting around for it to get warm. In England there is a fair chance that it might not get warm and sunny again before it's cold and miserable once more. Summer can be as short as two here.

I picked it though. So no sense in moaning.

Anyway, there are loads of things to do. I'm trying to get our flat ready for a new little grey flatmate. My parents' cat is coming to live with us sometime in March. I'm also working on another quilt and reading Suzi Quarto's autobiography. (I love the story but, I'm not sure I like the writing style.