Lady Lilith by Dante Gabriel Rosetti- A picture post

Lady Lilith by Dante Gabriel Rossetti source: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/exhibitions/rossetti/works/beauties/ladylilith.aspx

 

So I was having a browse through my inspiration folder today when I came to an article about  Pre-Raphaelite paintings, now I have always adored  Pre-Raphaelite paintings but hadn't come across this one before.  Today for some reason it really stood out  amongst the others in the article that I knew so well so I thought I would share it as a moment of inspiration  for everyone. 

 

I also wanted to share with you this really sweet mug I bought the other day. You know those impulse buys you have when think I really don't need this but I'm going to get it anyway, well this was one of them.

 

 

I know it sounds silly but I actually think this purchase has paid off over the last week ! I've had a pretty nasty cold  and the only thing that has really helped me keep at my desk sewing was drinking lots ( and I mean lots ) of hot drinks. I always think it tastes better  out of a  nice mug and this one really cheered me up!

 

So you probably now want to know what elixir I've been putting in this glorious mug well, it hasn't just been good old English breakfast ( although you can not beat it in the mornings!), my lovely friends bought me this scrummy tea back from a lovely little shop in Winchester. 

 

 Its called Winchester Sunday tea and it's a blend of Assam with vanilla, it is really lovely, it recommends that you have it with steamed milk, but as I haven't got a fancy coffee maker or milk steam I've just ben having it like normal tea with milk. I was surprised how nice the vanilla was without being too over powering. Definitely will have to get some more when this runs out, which could lead to a fabulous trip to Winchester which is indeed well over due.



 

Just also want  to point out that my Glorious mug does perfectly match the coasters I use in my work space making it the number one perfect mug to use whilst I'm working!

 

Any way I hope you have enjoyed my quick ramblings about tea, mugs and Pre-Raphaelites and have had a great start to your week! Jessie x

What A Fabulous Film! - The Women (1939)- Director George Cukor, Costumes by Adrian

 

 

Quite some time ago I was recommended to watch The Women by a friend simply because she said it had some amzing hats in it. What she didn't tell me is how witty and charming it was.

 

It had been on my list of films to watch ever since but not knowing that I would enjoy it as a story as well as a visual treat it seemed to get a little further down the list, however on my most recent lazy day I decided that I would give it ago and I enjoyed it immensely, the costumes and hats brilliant and I actually really enjoyed it as a film too. there are a lot of brilliant lines in it and the scenes in the spa and on the ranch are some of my favourites.

 

Obviously A big draw of the film has to be the costumes, they are just beautiful and they capture each individuals character perfectly. I have to say Rosalind Russell's costumes really were my favourites, they complement Sylvia's character so well, and as an actress I think she carried the role beautifully. Her costumes are a mix of quirky sass and haughtiness.

 

I also really loved Mary Boland's costumes, in my opinion the Countess is such a fun loving character and her costumes are a big part of that and her Reno Ranch plaid shirt and pearls ensemble sums this up pretty well. 

 

 

 

 One part of the film which was quite unexpected ( you can tell I hadn't done my research on the film before I watched it) was the fashion show. I have a real love for films of this era which have a section made in Technicolor, I find it really magical, and in this film it really shows off  Adrian's  talents not only as costume designer but also as fashion designer of the time.

 

  

 

 

This brings me nicely on to the hats worn by the characters. Now I could write a whole series on my love for the hats in this film but to sum up by saying that my friend was right, the hats in the film are wonderful, I knew I have found an abundant source of inspiration  after the first 15 minutes of the film.

 

 

 

It reminded me that there was a time when it was normal for a women never to leave the house without a hat on and also reminded me of my recent lack of hat wearing!

 

So to seize this moment of inspiration, I have decided to attempt to recreate one of the hats worn in the film, now there are so many I could choose and as I type this I can hear myself suggest making two or 3 others  so you never know I may very well do that. But to start with at lest I have decided to pick this piece worn by Sylvia. I just love it for its playfulness but also its stature and form.

 

 

 I still haven't quite worked out exactly how I will interpret it but I know its going to be fun trying.

 

Any way I have written a lot more than I intended to so I will leave it there for now, I hope you have all had a great week and  enjoy the weekend. Jessie xxx



 

 

Beaded swallows and project musings

 

So A little while ago I  talked about a beaded embroidery broach project I was making for a friends birthday ( yay unintentional alliteration I love that!)

 

Well this is a picture of the type of beaded embroidery I have tried before. It's a picture of one of the hats I made for the last millinery course I attended and my aim was to use the same technique and a similar design but just on a smaller scale.

 



 

Now the first time I made the swallows for this hat they took forever, but as I did the second or third I got quicker and the outcomes became better.

 

However when I scaled down the design to broach size I seemed to loose some of the definite pattern. To be honest I made the design up as I went along and in hind sight I think it would have looked better if it had a more structured motif like the one pictured on the hat above.

 

 

Any way I gave my friend the broach and she seemed very pleased with it and  was surprised when I said I made it myself  ( she said she thought it was bought from Monsoon, which I took as a very big compliment as we both love monsoon things )  

 

After it was completed I decided I wanted to do some more research before designing anymore beaded broaches  and I created this mood board.

 

It helped me see that I definitely needed to properly plan my motif out before I start making it and decide on an exact colour scheme etc. also I love the effect using a variety of larger and smaller beads creates and  also having areas that are really encrusted. The whole process has given me plenty of ideas to be getting on with so I'll let you know how I get on. Let me know if you any tips or thoughts on these kind of projects or if you too have had a project that hasn't turned out  how you hoped but left you with inspiration and new ideas.

 

Hope you are all having a great week , Jessie xxx

 

 

 

A Glimpse of Inspiration- Model with Bahianas in Salvador by Anne Menke

 

 

I've been a bit absent  in blogging for a while but whilst  searching for some inspirational pictures from my collection of magazine cuttings  this evening I came across this one. Its a photograph by the wonderfully talented photographer Anne Menke from  a series in her book - See The World Beautiful.

 I love the cool peaceful feeling of the colours  of the clothes and scenery and the expressions on the ladies faces. I suppose what initially drew me to the picture was the lovely headdresses two of the ladies wear and also the expressions captures on their faces.

Any way I just wanted to share this lovely image with you all, have a great week Jessie xx

Photos for Friday : A Picture post

Happy Friday my lovelies, today I thought I would do a spontaneous picture post just to share a few snaps I've taken recently that I thought you would enjoy



A beautiful window in Berkley Castle

Magnolia blossom from earlier this year

I've been trying to improve my general photography skills and I'm hoping that there has been an improvement, so let me know what you think in the comments below.

 

 

I can't believe it's Friday already  the weeks are just flying by at the moment, my to do list this weekend is pretty hectic, making a last minute present for a friend tonight, celebrating that lovely ladies birthday tomorrow plus I have a few hats  on the go that I want to get finished this weekend. Oh and I am also hoping to get some gardening done as well , Hmm maybe it's time to invest in some sort of  a magic watch that stops time, well I'll let you know how all my creative endeavours turn very soon, have a great weekend. Jessie xxx

Book Talk - Hats an anthology by Stephen Jones and Oriole Cullen

 

Today I thought I would share a little book post about Hats, An Anthology by Stephen Jones and Oriole Cullen.

 

 

A few months ago I was lucky enough to attend a  talk  given by the Millinery superstar Mr Stephen Jones at the V&A. The talk discussed his career and work and in particular the anthology exhibition originally put on in V&A but that has now just finished a world tour.

 

After the talk, Mr Jones was doing a book signing for the book that accompanied the exhibition,  I had wanted the book for a while and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet Stephen in person so I decided to treat myself to a copy.
 

 

The book itself is lovely, full of images of both Stephen's work and other examples of millinery throughout the ages. The book focuses on 4 different aspects of  millinery and what you could call the life of the hat, from it's inspiration,  the creation,  the salon ( where the hat is sold ) and the client   each section  gives an in depth view into this aspect of millinery and the way this element has changed and adapted over time.

 

 

 

 

I  loved the creation section as it gives a wonderful glimpse into  the creation of the hat and  the time and effort that goes into the process. It also shows  work in progress in the milliners workrooms which is great for me as I'm really nosey and love seeing into other peoples workspaces and studios.

It also includes these beautiful title pages for each section that have wonderful illustrations of all sorts of millinery trappings and quirky little rabbits and things. I love them so much I have taken a copy of the inspiration one to put on my wall by my desk.

 

 

 

Once of the main things I love about this book is the  crisp clear photographs of  the hats themselves. Showing  beautiful examples of hats from Victorian Britain to the current day is really inspiring and makes me aspire to creating hats that are just as ornate and beautiful.

 

 

I would  defiantly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in millinery  or even fashion and historic dress, it is clearly lovingly put together by Stephen Jones and the  exhibition curator Oriole Cullen and gives a wonderful insight into the world of millinery.

Happy today

So my blog is officially one year and one month old, Hurray!!

I have been somewhat absent over the last month  but fear not it was not for lack of activity, I have been helping out with a month long theatre festival which  has been keeping me very busy indeed.  Actually July has been a really great month between my theatrical activities, a splendid trip to London with my mum to visit the David Bowie  exhibition ( yes this was my second visit to it ) and my lovely man starting a super new job,  its been pretty hectic but in a really really good way.

The next couple months are going to be a really big push for me creatively  I feel like its time to step everything up a notch and have some great projects to get cracking on. I also intend to  really start anew with this blog, the last year has had it's ups and downs  blogging wise, it sounds so naïve now but I didn't anticipate that  blogging would be such a challenge.

Pastel Star Patchwork by Kaffe Fassett curtosey of www.kaffefassett.com



I shall leave you now with just this picture of a Kaffe Fassett painting I stumbled upon today. I love his textiles work but had not come across his painting before. I love the style and his signature use of colour so thought I would share it as a  moments inspiration for you all.

Hope you all have a great day  xxx